Hello again! Nova here, back with another chapter! Now, time for reviews!

LilyMaja: Thank you for your help in perspective shifting! It's helped me a lot in writing this!

SkyChaser17: Thank you for your help with dialogue writing! I've already answered all your points in our pms, and I won't inflate my word count by copy pasting it here Lol.

devildogg237: Thanks for following, and I hope this provides the expansion you asked for!

Alright! Time to write some plot!

Disclaimer: Genshin Impact is owned by Mihoyo. I only own characters of my own creation.

Chapter 2: New Power, New Problems

(In Wangsheng Funeral Parlor)

I open my eyes, only to immediately shut them from the bright light shining in from the window. I have a terrible headache, but nothing compared to the pain from before.

"Where am I?"

I look around, noticing that I'm in my bedroom. Seeing my grandfather's hat on a table next to me, I slowly get out of bed, grab the hat, and walk downstairs. I didn't bother changing out of the sleepwear I was wearing.

Who put these on me anyway?

As I round the stairwell, I see Zhongli in the kitchen, holding what looks to be radish soup.

"Good morning, Director. Would you like some soup for the headache you appear to be having?"

Heh, perceptive as always.

"Yes, thank you. By the way, who changed my clothes?"

"One of the female undertakers. You were asleep for two days, you know."

My eyes widen in shock.

That means I have two days worth of work to make up for. Great.

I hear Zhongli chuckling beside me as I begin to eat my soup.

"Don't worry. I've already done all of your work for these few days. Wouldn't want to stress you too much right after recovery."

I feel a few tears well up in my eyes.

What have I ever done to deserve such a thoughtful and helpful assistant.

"Thank you! It means a lot to me!" I say, smiling to show my appreciation for the thoughtful man.

"It is nothing really. Certainly not anything like fighting an army alone rather than fleeing simply to protect you."

I can see the knowing smile he has without even looking at him. I sigh.

"Yes, it may not have been the smartest decision I could've made, but it all worked out, didn't it? Yanfei is fine isn't she?"

I say this not knowing, but hoping for it to have been true.

"Yes, she is fine. In fact, she has been visiting as often as possible and helping as much as she could. I will not lie, when I saw her drag you back here, looking for a doctor to help, I was certainly worried. Xiao took care of the rest of them."

"That's good."

Thank goodness she's alright.

"You should visit her. She's been worried sick over you."

Really! How endearing!

"Well, no time like the present!" I say, a playful smile plainly on my face.

I stand from my empty bowl and head towards the door.

"Also, you may want to make yourself presentable before you leave."

Huh?

He turned and walked towards his office, leaving me confused. I looked down to see what he meant.

Oh.

I blush profusely, noticing I was about to walk out in my sleepwear. I quickly scurry up to my room to change.

(Later)

As I walk through Liyue Harbor, I notice that there are less distrustful stares towards me, some even being of gratitude!

Right as I am about to round a corner, the legal office almost in sight I feel a slight tug on my coat from behind me.

"Miss?"

A child?

I turn to see a little girl, not older than 10 years old, looking up at me with gratitude and appreciation.

"Aiya~! Now who might you be, young girl?"

"I'm Yi Xian. I just want to say… thank you for protecting us all."

I am dumbfounded.

People usually try to stay away from me due to my bad reputation, but this girl is actively thanking me!

I feel a warmth in my heart and smile from the gesture.

"What do you mean, little one?"

"Fighting the mean hilichurls and mages! I heard people talk about how they watched you fight! They said you were blazing bright as the sun and moving super fast! But I didn't see anyone thank you for it. So I thought I'd do it myself! Thank you, funeral lady!"

I couldn't possibly be happier. I bend down and pat her head as a few tears fall from my eyes.

"You're welcome! And please, you can just call me Hu Tao!"

"Ok, I have to go back to my brother now. Bye bye, miss Hu Tao!"

"Sayonara!"

This must be the happiest day of my life! That little girl, she's the kindest person I've ever met! Maybe I could give her my blessing as an archon! Well, when I figure out how, at least. Something to think about later!

I stand and begin to continue walking, a pep in my step and a smile on my face.

{Little did she know, with that thought, she did just that.}

(At the legal office)

"Yanfei~!"

Hu Tao!? She's finally awake!

"Hey! Your awake!" I say,

"Yep! Woke up with a nasty headache though."

As carefree as ever it seems! I'm glad nothing changed about her. She's the same happy-go-lucky funeral director I've always known!

"It's been only two days since your body was practically shattered, and you're standing right here in front of me. Quite the miracle, I suppose."

It really is. There is no possible way for someone to recover from something like that in so little time. I can't help but wonder…

"Yep! And not only that! Today has been the best day of my life so far!"

Huh?

"Really? How so?"

"I've hardly received any distrustful stares and I've even noticed some looks of gratitude! There was even a sweet little girl who walked up to me to thank me personally for fighting the mages and hilichurls!"

Wow. That's amazing! Due to her actions, the people aren't seeing her as untrustworthy and instead see her with respect!

"Wow! I suppose it makes sense, though. If it weren't for you, hundreds or thousands of people would have died, since I doubt even Xiao could handle them as well as you did. You prevented a calamity and fought until you physically couldn't anymore. If it weren't for you, even Xiao and the Millilith wouldn't be able to stop them before dozens of people died. With you, nobody died to the massive army that was right at our doorstep."

And it's true. She's like some kind of hero for her actions that day. She almost willingly sacrificed herself to save everyone. And even though she had lost, not only did she weaken them by a substantial amount, she also survived to tell the tale. Despite many people's misgivings about her, you would have to be insane to not respect her after that.

"Aiya~! I don't think it would be that terrible! But I'll take your compliment regardless!"

I smile bemused as she giggles.

"Acting humble, now are we?"

We talk for hours on end, just saying whatever came to mind and enjoying each other's company. It's times like these I wish would never end.

(Back at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor)

"Hmm, what should I do about this situation," I say as I think of how to approach the walking calamity that is Hu Tao.

To start off, Murata, the previous pyro archon, was killed by the Fatui, with the Tsaritsa having stolen her Gnosis and sent her back to Celestia. Recently however, she seems to have become enraged at something having been stolen from her, likely the Pyro Gnosis.

Now, back to Hu Tao, she wasn't the one who stole it, given that I didn't sense it within her until after Miss Yanfei brought her back here. This means that, the one who stole the pyro gnosis, was the one that gave it to her.

However… from the way it was bound to her, it wasn't transplanted into her. She wasn't just given a gnosis, she was turned into a goddess. I can tell from her divine aura. It's coming from her just as much as it is her gnosis.

I notice the sun beginning to go down.

But that only creates more questions. The most important of them however, is what is she the goddess of, and who could've had the the power to turn her into one?

I ponder these questions as I swiftly finish the day's work.

I must confront her about this. Allowing her to go around without knowing how to control her newfound power is a disaster waiting to happen.

(In Æ%#ß&ã¿!)

"Oh? Seems something quite interesting is about to happen!" the impossible entity, known as Paradox, states aloud.

"I wonder, how will you handle this, Hu Tao?"

I smile, knowing that I shall finally get some respite from my boredom.

{In that impossible place, from an impossible being, for the first time since the 5th rebirth of existence, genuine laughter could be heard}

(Just outside the Wanmin restaurant)

"Thanks for the meal, Xiangling!" I say in appreciation for the master chef's otherworldly cooking.

"No problem! I'm just glad you haven't tried to scare me."

I giggle in response.

"Well, sorry Taotao, I have a meeting with lady Ningguang soon. See you tomorrow!" Yanfei said as she turned to leave

"Okay, see ya later!" I reply back as she walks away.

I begin walking in the direction of a certain clothing store.

I'm one of the Seven now, and I don't want my current life to be ruined by revealing that to the world.

I enter the shop and start looking around.

So, I'll need a way to disguise myself whenever I do something as the pyro archon.

I pick up a long, black, hooded cloak, with a scarlet trim at the bottom.

Despite my own wishes, being an archon must be a massive responsibility.

I spot a black blindfold and pick it up. Perfect for hiding my flower eyes. I try it on and, to my satisfaction, I can easily see through the fabric. Greatly enhanced eyesight was quite the handy side effect of my new power.

I don't want to rule a nation. I don't want to be worshipped as a goddess. I don't want to change my current way of life.

What I do want, is the protection and happiness of this place I call home, and those I consider my friends.

I hand some mora to the salesman, and leave the store. I walk into a nearby public bathhouse, and, noticing nobody there, change into my new outfit.

Besides, why not have some fun while I'm at it!

The blindfold covering my eyes, the cloak around my shoulders. I'm wearing thigh high black boots, a black, sleeveless shirt, and black arm sleeves ending just before the shoulders. The shorts are similar to my normal ones, except with a red trim rather than gold.

Wow! I look like a completely different person!

I look to my hat, sitting atop the small bag holding my normal clothes.

I suppose I'll just stop by the Funeral Parlor and drop these off.

Walking out of the bathhouse, I notice the sun, nearly set over the horizon.

It's not far from here, and the only one that should be there at this time is Zhongli.

Ten minutes later, I quietly step into the parlor. Opening the door to my room, I enter, place the bag down on the wooden floor, and place the hat at my bedside table.

I give a quick apology to my grandfather for leaving it behind, and exit the parlor.

With my hair pulled into a ponytail rather than the usual twin tails, and the hood of my cloak over my head, time to have some fun!

This is so cool!

{Of course. In typical Hu Tao fashion, when she does something that seems serious, and isn't related to performing funeral rights, she likely isn't serious.}

(Elsewhere, with a young girl, newly blessed by an archon)

"I can't believe it!" the man in front of me said.

Ever since mom died and dad left us, the townspeople have been acting in place of our parents. Brother has always tried his hardest to keep me happy, even though he is sad too. This man has helped take care of us so much, he is like a father to us.

Eh? What does he mean?

"What?"

"From the energy you are exuding, I can tell! You have been blessed by one of the Seven!"

Everyone around me is congratulating me.

Eh?!

"Huh?! Really!"

I can't believe it! If it is true, maybe brother and I aren't doomed to be sad forever! Wait…

"Wait, which one was I blessed by?"

"The pyro archon, since the elemental energy you are releasing is pyro energy."

Woah, that's a lot of confusing words! But pyro?

"Wait!" I hear a woman saying from the crowd that gathered around us.

"Wouldn't it be really bad if she can't control it!"

Oh no! That would be really scary! I could hurt someone!

{Somewhere in the crowd, a young goddess watches}

(In the streets, with a certain funeral director)

Oh archons! What have I done! I didn't know that just thinking about blessing someone would do it! I thought I'd have to do something really cool and showy!

As I maintain an unreadable expression, I internally panic at the kind of trouble I may have caused.

I need to learn to control this power ASAP! Preferably before I wake up to have leveled the city in my sleep!

Okay! Okay. I have blessed her right? I can tell that she is internally panicking as well. Probably worried about accidentally hurting someone. Some way or another, through my blessing there must be a way to communicate with her, right?

Alright! Here goes nothing!

(Back with the girl)

"Yi Xian."

I hear a strangely familiar voice speak to me through my head.

Eh?! Who are you! And how are you doing this!

I panic even more, not knowing what to do.

"Don't worry! I'm the pyro archon!"

Woah really! You can do this!

"Of course!"

But, why did you bless me, out of everyone? It's not like I'm anyone special…

"Stop that!"

Huh?

"I said stop that! You are special, ok? I blessed you for a reason after all!"

Really? What makes me any different from everyone else?

"Your heart."

My heart?

"Yes, your heart. You are among the kindest people in this city, and certainly the most thoughtful. You may not realize it, but you showed me to my face just how amazing you are. With the heart and soul of an angel, I gave you my blessing to ensure that precious innocence is never soiled."

I cannot believe it. I am being told by a goddess that I'm special. That I am worth something to them. With the crowd mostly gone and now being alone, waiting for brother to return, I am filled with hope. Hope that one day, things will get better.

I hear a cheerful giggle echo in my mind.

"Well, I really must be going, little angel."

I hear the same voice, but instead of in my head, I hear them right next to me. I turn to see a woman dressed in black, with a blindfold covering her eyes, and a cloak draping nearly to her feat.

I see her begin to turn to walk away.

"Wait! What is your name!"

"I've already given you my real name. Though I suppose if you don't remember, you can just call me, Ereshkigal."

Ereshkigal, the pyro archon. I will do my best to live up to your expectations! Thank you! Thank you so much!

(Back with the goddess in question)

I'm so glad I could BS my way out of that!

{It turns out she was panicking the whole time, and making everything up on the spot.}

I can't believe copying Paradox's way of talking actually worked! I thought I would just sound arrogant and stupid! What a relief! I think I've had my fill of panic for one day. I'll just return to the Parlor and not do this again unless I have to. It was fun at first, but now I'm just stressed. Hopefully Zhongli won't notice how long I've been gone.

(In Æ%#ß&ã¿!)

"Hey! Was insulting my speech patterns really necessary?! I turned you into a goddess, for crying out loud! You could at least have some semblance of respect!"

{Paradox wasn't particularly happy about the unintentional potshot at her. Things are starting to pick up, starting to change. Only time will tell which way the tides will shift, because in her indignation, Paradox certainly won't.}

"You too, narrator?!"

Okay! Chapter 2 done! What did you think? 2750 words of story, just for you! I hope you enjoyed!