Guiding Spirit | Genshin Impact

「20」;All Around

"[M/n]," Zhongli called. Misty golden eyes peering off to the distance, only serves to feel the soft hand that strokes his brown hair so lovingly.

"Can I not keep your consciousness?" Again he asked. Perhaps Zhongli had once voiced the same question, yet he gambled again in hope of a different answer. Ever since the visit to Ei, he had thought about the matter countless of times. His rationale says it will be as hopeless as not burying a dead body, it will still rot just the same.

"Don't even dare to think about doing it. Even I realized far before with her, it does not change death, the true eternity. Once he's gone, he's gone for good." 

Ei's voice continue to echo in his head. It should've been enough for Zhongli, but as deep as his denial goes, he does not want to take that answer.

"Accept it," Ei added. She really isn't the one to talk, but one doesn't need to be a writer to know a good story, and one does not need to be wise to tell a good advice.

He remembered her eyes that stared at him in coldness yet understanding, silently pitying him—or perhaps herself. He saw his own stubborn and younger self in those eyes. And Ei as the stubborn and younger one, had even started to accept, so surely Zhongli who is older and wiser should have an easier time accepting.

But it seems like accepting does not see age. Wise or not, it'll be just as hard losing your other half.

The chuckles that the [H/c] let out merely stabbed Zhongli's heart. He was neither assured nor calmed by the laughter, weird considering how much he loved to hear those melodious voice. Yet right now, Zhongli could only hope that those chuckles did not sound so bitter.

"Morax," the lips parted too carefully, and Zhongli could clearly hear how hesitant yet forced it is. "A mind without the soul, will it still be the one it once was?"

No. And Zhongli knew that too well. No matter if he had a doll to perfectly imitate the man whom heartbeats he is listening to, it does not change the fact that it is not the man. It does not reverse death, the inevitable. It is a simple matter, one cannot bring back the dead nor hope to imitate. How many times does Morax need to be told this? 

"Once the door opens, it is time to go."

Funny how it is Morax's own words that came out of those delectable lips. He never hated the things he said more than now. And the God could only bury his head on the crook of [M/n]'s neck. Inhaling the scent, feeling the dips and curves of his collarbone, brushing those soft yet cold skin with his lips. Engraving it in his mind fearing the day he will no longer be able to do this again.

Morax was sure he is heavy. And [M/n] never had the strength to carry him. Yet even as half of Morax's torso lays on top of him, he does not seem to mind. Thus the God can only take is a sign to continue.

Morax hadn't had a clue why fate seems to really want to take [M/n] away. As knowledgeable as he is, the wisdom one can obtain is still limited, and there are many things he doesn't know. Why back then, the [H/c] thinks staying away would be best for the two of them, knowing just how inseparable he and Morax are.

No—no, it was easy to understand. Morax loved [M/n], and the [H/c] also wanted to love Morax, but he would turn to dust the moment he does. Thus he went off, looking for a way to undo the curse. No one, is running away from anyone. If anything Morax should be grateful [M/n] is so determined to wholeheartedly love him. But he still can't help but feel a little wishful, wanting the [H/c] had better told him before disappearing and making him think he's dead.

Now that Morax thought about it, perhaps what he did in Lantern Rite he subconsciously learned from [M/n]. And since [M/n] was frightened at the news, in a way, Morax had gotten back at him. Haha, life finds a way truly.