Hello! It's me, Nova, back again with another chapter! You know these small paragraphs I write before the chapter are actually the first things I write! Helps me get started, and back into the flow of writing! Also, I really like reading your reviews (or comments if you're reading this on Wattpad)! Thanks for the advice and encouragement!

Now, time for reviews!

SkyChaser17: I'm pretty sure I've went over most of you review in our pms, but there is one this I don't think I answered. Yes, Aether/Lumine will make an appearance. Well, the traveler will be Aether. Since that's the traveler I chose in my own game. Aether is going to meet all of the Seven, so of course he'll be here! Thanks as always for all of your advice!

GachaMHCreator: Maybe? There isn't any cannon god or goddess of death as far as I could tell, and I certainly did my research to be sure. And to your other question, neither. She is the goddess of death in the sense that she ensures that all pass on peacefully. She does not spend eternity watching over the dead and she certainly does not massacre people.

Guest: The traveler I have plans for, but the Tsaritsa… She'll be enraged for sure, but I don't know enough about her to write much more of her character than that, unfortunately.

LilyMaja: Hello again, Lily! I tried writing some angst in this chapter, so here you are! This is my first time writing anything angsty though, so please tell me if I did alright! Simply writing a fanfic in of itself is a new experience for me! Hope you like it!

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

Chapter 4: Eternity

(At Wangsheng Funeral Parlor)

"Eh?!"

Although I am normally well composed — despite my playful nature — the absolute bombshell of a revelation was more than enough to shatter that composure. I'm not a god after all-wait a minute…

"There's no way! Didn't Rex Lapis die?! How could you possibly be him?!"

I hear a sigh from the man in question.

"I merely faked my own death. This could be considered my retirement, if you will."

"But why?!" I ask in exasperation.

Zhongli walks over to the window, watching as the children outside play about.

"The age of gods and adepti has long since passed. For over three thousand years, I have watched over this land. I have done my duties, so now I rest, enjoying life as a mortal."

I take a moment to process his words, then sigh.

"I suppose you are right. After so long, it's only right that you get to rest."

I suppose this is how he knows so much about everything.

"You too, may experience this one day."

"Huh?"

What does he…

"As a goddess, you may live even longer than I."

I froze.

"I suppose I will leave you to your thoughts," he said as he made to exit the room.

Deep in the back of my mind, I knew. I just couldn't bear coming to terms with it before. But now that it's being presented right in front of me, I can't ignore it any longer.

I'm immortal… and I will outlive almost everyone, for thousands of years.

Tears streak down my face as I drop to my knees. The thought of outliving everyone I know is too much for me to handle. Then I remember something, or rather, someone.

Yanfei is half adeptus. She will also live for thousands of years. I have to tell her. She may be the only person I can turn to about this.

I wipe my tears and slowly stand up, preparing myself to tell the half adeptus of my circumstances.

Plus, she'll definitely notice me living for far longer than I should. Heh, I guess I'll be doing to her exactly what Zhongli did to me. How ironic.

As I walk out, heading to Yanfei's apartment, I think of how I can prove to her that I am what I say.

{In the face of immortality, knowing that at least one will remain by her side, allowed a feeling she had never experienced before to enter her heart. While she may not have noticed, her feelings towards her friend slowly began to change.}

(Later, in Yanfei's office)

I hear a knock at the door, and hear a familiar voice call out to me.

"Hey, Yanfei? Can we talk?"

"Sure! Come in!"

I watch as the girl steps inside.

"So, what did you need?"

The normally energetic girl sighs and appears to be nervous.

Hu Tao? Nervous? What could possibly cause her to be like this?

"Well, first off, you know of the new Pyro Archon, right?"

That's what this is about?

"Yea, of course I know! It's been the talk of the town for a week. Why do you ask?"

Everyone has been talking about it, which makes sense I suppose. It isn't everyday that a new archon comes around.

"Well… I happen to know who they are."

Eh?! She knows them?!

"How?!"

I watch as she raises her hand. What I see leaves me dumbfounded. There, floating in her palm, is what can only be the Pyro Gnosis.

There's no way…

"You… How… Is that…"

"Yes, this is the Pyro Gnosis."

There's no way…

"How do you…"

"Because I, am the Pyro Archon."

In my shock, I can only mutter two words

"You are…"

There's no-

Her response shatters any and all composure I had remaining.

"Yes, I am Ereshkigal."

My mind, unable to process the information given to me, goes blank.

"…Eh?!"

(Ten minutes of explanation later)

"This is a lot to take in," I say as I massage my temple from the brewing headache.

"Yeah…"

"So, why did you need to tell me this?"

She didn't have to tell me, so why did she?

"Two reasons," she starts, "Number one, as a goddess, I'm immortal now, and there's no way you wouldn't notice me living for centuries."

Huh, fair point.

"And two…" she sighs, "I don't know how to handle immortality."

Ohh…

"And considering you're half-adeptus, I was hoping you could help me."

"… I don't know if I can."

I watch her deflate.

"But… I will do what I can to try!"

And it's true. There isn't much I can do. I can only really provide emotional support. The rest she will have to figure out on her own.

I sigh, preparing to tell her all I can.

"Immortality can only be overcame by accepting it. Just enjoying the time you have with others, and the life you've been given. At least that's how I cope with it."

After a minute of contemplation, Hu Tao finally speaks.

"Alright. Thanks for the advice! I guess I just have to continue doing what I always do!"

I smile, seeing the energetic girl back to her usual self.

I know you haven't fully overcome it yet. I can see it in your eyes. But you will in due time, I suppose.

{The two friends begin to converse, talking about whatever comes to mind. Unbeknownst to them, their hearts gravitate ever closer. The seeds within begin to sprout. For the adeptus, no longer is it a crush, borne of gratitude for her savior. For the goddess, no longer is it platonic friendship. In time, the seeds will sprout into beautiful flowers, and in their eternity, time will never be scarce.}

(In Æ%#ß&ã¿!)

"Ohh? It seems the sparks have turned into a flame! Small and faint, but strong as the mountains."

Go on, amuse me more!

{Paradox continues stalking the two creepily}

"Hey!"

(In the office of a retired god)

It seems she has left to ask advice from that half adeptus friend of hers.

I continue on to the next stack of paperwork, left to me due to the director's absence.

Good. With the little control she has over her power, being in a poor emotional state would likely bring many people to harm.

I go to take a sip of my tea, before noticing the emptiness of the cup. I sigh, then slowly stand to brew some more.

I must teach her how to control her power soon, else my fears may become reality.

I begin to brew as a light fragrance fills the air.

I suppose only time will tell.

(In a certain tavern in Mondstat)

As I down my 26th glass of Diluc's famous dandelion wine, I think of the new addition to the Seven.

Death, huh? Interesting! I can't wait to meet them! Though, I suppose Baal wouldn't like them. Considering she would do anything to maintain her eternity, and that this new addition is death, I don't believe a meeting between them would end well.

Lost in thought, I down more wine than I can afford.

I'm gonna plan a trip to Liyue then. Morax probably knows something about it, so he'll be my first lead. I do wonder though, why do they stay in Liyue, when they have their own nation to attend to? My best guess is that they're similar to me, in that they simply don't wish to rule or govern. But I don't think that's all there is to it. It's almost as if they are not bound to their nation in the first place. Hmm…

"Something wrong?"

I hear the red haired owner of the tavern speak as he cleans empty glasses.

"You haven't offered to play any of your ballads, or even spoken much. While I would normally consider this a good thing, if something has got someone like you this concerned, then it cannot be anything less than cataclysmic."

I chuckle at the man's words, responding nonchalantly.

"No, nothing so extreme. Just thinking about the new archon of flames."

"And?"

I sigh, downing the last of my 30th glass of wine.

"And their curious inconsistencies."

"Oh? How so?"

It's obvious that he is digging for more information. Information that will help him decide whether to act, or stay in the background.

I decide to indulge him in this.

"Like how they seem to not be bound to their territory, and how they ascended to godhood in the first place. They are shrouded in mystery, yet out of nowhere revealed themselves to the world. They're a goddess of Death, yet their divine intent is focused on one's experiences in life. They are like a walking contradiction, but at the same time they somehow make sense. Which in of itself is a contradiction."

He contemplates for a moment, then speaks.

"I'll wave your bill. This information has more than payed for the wine."

I raise an eyebrow at the man.

"Even though it was just speculation and more questions?"

I am more than mildly suspicious of the act.

"Yes. Though, there is one more thing."

There it is. The catch. Obviously such a deal was too good to be true.

"After you meet them, tell me everything you can about them."

Was I really that obvious in my interest in meeting them?

"Who says I'll meet them? They've rarely been seen, much less conversed with."

The man speaks quietly, so only I can hear.

"I know you have your connections, Barbatos. I'm sure you'll find a way."

I let out a laugh, and quickly stand up.

"I suppose you have yourself a deal then, Master Diluc!"

As I walk out the door, I think of what ballads I could play for the goddess I'm headed to meet.

"Heh, it seems things are getting more and more interesting! I wonder how you've been doing, old friend."

And with that, I head off for Liyue, the city of contracts.

A/N

Okay! I'm done! This was hard to write, for whatever reason. I, thankfully, am NOT late in posting this, and it might even come early, as usual. I'm having fun writing this! It's a weird feeling to read your own story, and think, "That was you who wrote that." It feels so surreal, knowing that I've been reading fanfics for about 5 years and now, I'm the one doing the writing.

Also, please tell me what you think! I'd be glad that you took the time out of your day to not only read, but help as well!

I can't come up with anything more to say, so, until next time! ~ Nova