Book One: Chapter Three
[Concealed Vehemence]
Opening his eyes, Relon is met with a blur of dark colors. The sensation of a hand brushing against his hair ever gently.
Where… am I…?
"You are still weak, my chosen. You have yet recovered from our ritual." A feminine voice speaks up.
Barely able to raise his head, he slowly drops back onto the soft lap pillow he can barely make out.
"Rest. Your strength shall soon be needed." The voice reassures.
"Who… are you…?" He murmurs out, the gentle strokes causing his senses to dull once more.
"I have many names." She answers in a playful tone. "Though you have the privilege of addressing me as…"
Before she can answer, her voice is drowned out. Stirring, he struggles to roll his head seeing the blurred face.
"Wha…" His vision begins to clear as from the dim light in the hall, his eyes can make out two
"Wake up." The voice now belonging to Ganyu speaks quietly.
"What..." Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Relon looks up to freeze.
Clearly seeing her beautiful face, Relon's eyes lock onto hers. His peripheral slowly focuses on two mounds of flesh dangerously close to his face. Gulping to blink a single time, his body trembles at the situation.
"Happened…?" He squeaks out, averting his gaze to the hall.
"You fell asleep." Ganyu answers calmly. "Is something wrong?" She tilts her head.
"Er, no. It's nothing. Just had a dream is all." He reassures lifting up off of her to lay back against the wall. "Sorry... For falling asleep." He says looking to the ground for the horned-girl to shake her head dismissively.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. If anything, I should be the one as I kept you up to deal with my own problems."
"Don't worry about it. Us kind people have to stick together. Right?" Looking at him for a moment, she smiles nodding in agreement. "Good." He scratches his head.
"Um…" Turning to his side glancing at the girl shuffle in place.
"What's up?"
"How… did you sleep? It was my first time… doing that." At this, Relon cannot hide the explosion of red on his face.
"HU- MFFF?!" Ganyu quickly covers his mouth with both hands.
"P-Please don't be loud!" She pleads in a hushed tone, Relon still in shock looks at the blushing mess that the girl is now. "I… I just wish to know…"
"... Ganyu." He calls after a moment to regain his composure.
"Y-Yes?"
"We didn't… do anything... did we?" He carefully questions with clear emphasis as for her to understand.
Tilting her head as his words repeat in her mind, her blushing face elevates to equal proportions as Relon as he's now the one to cover her mouth from squealing.
"N-N-No! Nothing of the sort!" She waves in panic to lower her hands onto her lap. "I was referring to… the lap pillow. I've read books on it being a remedy for good sleep and-"
"It was great!" He blurts, interrupting her train of speech. "It… helped… a lot. Thanks."
"O-Oh. Is that so? That's… relieving to hear…" Both averting their gaze from the other, an odd silence befalling them.
What the hell is with this awkward silence? Ah, damn it.
"So…" He speaks up. "How long was I out? Any ideas?"
"Only for a few hours. The sun will be rising soon."
"Really? Hell of a power nap that was then. Thanks again, Ganyu." He smiles.
"Anytime. Happy I can help." She smiles back.
"So you're all going to war with someone, right?"
"Yes. Inazuma. It is the same nation as where Eula found you."
"So there are multiple nations here… Jeez, being an amnesiac is a pain."
"Would you care for me to explain Teyvat?"
"Yes please..." He answers yawning.
"Are you still tired?"
"Yeah, but I should be fine. Ever since I started taking care of Qiqi, I've shifted from waking up around noon to before sunrise. Though with my current predicament, my whole sleep schedule is messed up."
"I'm sorry." He glances to take sight of Ganyu's solemn demeanor.
"Hey, cheer up." He places a hand on her head for the girl to look to Relon. "It's not your fault this happened and I'll be out of here in no time."
"But still…"
"No buts." He shakes his head. "We've spoken enough about sad stuff. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Well… Yes, you're right."
"Good. So, you and the others are fighting Inazuma. The place I was found and is believed to be where I come from. Now that I think about it, just who are you all exactly?" He asks, pulling back his hand.
"What do you mean?"
"I remember those men-" Pausing at the mention, Relon remembers the horrific image.
The mere thought causing his face to scrunch in discomfort.
"What's wrong?" Ganyu asks in slight worry for Relon to take a deep, long breath.
"Those men that I may have killed… they mentioned me being an Electro."
"Oh…" Ganyu lets out an audible gasp realizing his discomfort. "We are Cryo. Individuals with the ability to manipulate ice would be a simple way of explaining."
"Ice, huh… That explains my wrists. Thanks again." He gives a wry smile for Ganyu to nod. "So I'm guessing Electros are those who can control electricity." Another nod.
"There are seven elements. One for each nation. Pyro to Natlan. Geo to Liyue. Hydro to Fontaine. Anemo to Mondstadt. Dendro to Sumeru. Electro to Inazuma. And finally, Cryo to Snezhnaya."
"So that's where we are… Snezhnaya."
"Not exactly."
"What do you mean?"
"We're on a piece of land not far from Inazuma."
"Is that wise being so close? What about your nation?"
"Our nation has enough military personnel to defend it. As such, we still require a large amount to take on another nation, especially one in which we are battling in their territory."
"Then why attack Inazuma in particular?"
"Unlike all the other nations that house a large city, Inazuma consists of numerous islands."
"So their military power is scattered…"
"Exactly. That and out of all of the other nations, Inazuma has the smallest military force."
"Smallest, not the weakest?"
"Correct. Do you have any recollection on what an Archon is?"
"Nope." His blatant response causing a soft chuckle to escape the woman.
"They're the nation's god or goddess in a sense."
"Wait, did you say god? As in, the divine deity type?"
"Yes."
"Whoa… Okay, whatever happened to me must have done more than I thought..." He massages his temples. "So, I'm guessing your archon is going to deal with Inazuma's while the two armies duke it out."
"Not exactly. Although our archon is present, Inazuma's isn't." This revelation causing Relon to arch an eyebrow as Ganyu continues. "We have received word that the Raiden Shogun is no longer present and our general wishes to capitalize on this opportunity."
"But what if the info is wrong?"
"Then we'll retreat although I doubt we'll get very far."
"But that's suicide!" He shouts standing to his feet, uncaring of the possible consequences.
"Yes, but that too is war." She gives a wry smile, Relon at a loss for words. "Sadly."
"Why do something so foolish?" He slides back against the wall to the ground. "Why would your own god take such a risk?"
"Our archon isn't the one who is ordering us. Our general is after being granted the right to lead us by our archon."
"So should you all fail and lose your lives, it is only a mistake on his part…" A solemn nod is his answer.
"Yes."
"There is one positive out of this." She mentions gaining his attention. "Your sister may be in Inazuma." Relon widens. "It makes sense as you were found on Serei Island so at least during the battle, you can take the chance to escape and find her." Once again, a smile.
"Stop that…" He mutters for Ganyu's expression to shift to confusion. "You can't be serious. No way…!"
"What's-" Before she can ask, Relon places both of his hands firmly on her shoulders.
"Are you truly willing to throw away your life at the expense of a failed plan?! What happened to wishing for this war to end?! You've lived for over 3,000 years and now is when you want to throw it all away?!"
"But the army-"
"Screw the stupid ass army! Screw Eula's misguided sense of justice! And screw that general! Tell me this; why are you a part of the Cryos?"
"... When the war erupted between the elements, only those with a specific element were welcome and safe in their respective regions. I saw a chance to become apart of the army so I started out as a secretary but the army took notice and so I took such a chance to rise in ranks in hopes of making a difference…"
"Exactly! You can't lie to me and you certainly can't lie to yourself! You've been fighting hoping to change this war, so why suddenly throw it away now?"
"I've tried, but-"
"No buts." He shakes his head. "If you find something difficult, do you give up or keep working at it until you get it?"
"I… keep going. But this is different from, say, looking for a book!"
"Then whether it's looking for a book or finding a way to stop a war, you still have to put in the effort." He smiles, easing himself. "Nothing in life is easy, Ganyu. We all have a reason to continue." The mention of those last words causes the horned-girl to widen unbeknownst to the teen. "That's why..." As his words begin, their sound is drowned out as another memory resurfaces.
"Are you truly leaving?"
"Yep. It's about time I head out. Much still to see in the world! And those sights are going to come to me which is why I have to go to them. Don't worry, we'll see each other again before you know it. Until then, try getting out some more yourself, Ganyu! I'll be expecting your fair share of ! And don't forget. When you finally venture out there, remember this. Don't lose your way. Always remember why you stepped onto that path and you'll be fine..."
I waited and waited… but it wasn't until one day that I realized…
"Hey man, did you hear? You know, that sightseer always stopping by every other month that goes to the library?"
"No, what happened?"
"Apparently they got killed by some bandits!"
"What?! Are you serious?!"
"Yeah, dude. I'm just as shocked as you are."
"Damn, that's a bummer. I was really looking forward to hearing more of their stories…"
I would never see them again…
The taking of a life for one's selfish own desires, that is truly meant for the most despicable. A villain who, even at the bottom of their life, took another's when theirs were prosperous. For what cause? Where was the justice? Neither answers would ever come and left all alone in the questions' wake… was her.
Alone in a world. No one to talk to and no one to enjoy a moment with. Who can gain enjoyment from fighting one another? I was good with a bow, better than most and that alone assisted me in rising through the ranks. It wasn't long until I met Eula and soon after, Ayaka joined as a lieutenant. My pleas for a more peaceful course of action fell on deaf ears to the general and my status was still too low to request an audience with the Archon. All I could do... was fight. Fight to live. Fight to bring about order. My time in the library- All of the knowledge I have accumulated over the many centuries I would put into battle. One after another, endless resistance from other nations whether it be a battle of offense or defence. After some point, my mind began to forget why exactly I was fighting for. Fighting in honor of one dear to me I knew but it was more than that… If only I could remember...
"That's why...I want to fight for the sake of those who can't!" Snapping out from her thoughts, his words ring to her ears. "Qiqi is priority number one, but after that, I'll fight!" He jumps to his feet. "I want to learn the cause of this war and put a stop to it! If we can just talk things out peacefully, then I'm sure we can come together! And if not, then I'll just keep trying until those archons listen whether I have to beat every single soldier to geto to them or not! What do you say, Ganyu?" He asks grinning at the young woman whose awe leaves her without a response. "Uh, Ganyu?" Relon calls with a tilt of his head.
Staring at the teenage boy, she can only look on mystified. A child a fraction of her age spewing such ideas with full conviction. It's many things to her. Bewildering, insane, even down right suicidal yet… isn't that what she was doing? Long into her campaign as a part of the Cryo army, Ganyu had forgotten her complete drive towards fighting. To honor her friend yes, but it was also to ensure that the same injustice that was dealt to them doesn't become a recurring theme.
Her time at war surely did a number to her mental health. Here she is having not only become acquainted with a prisoner now a prisoner she's known for barely a week has not only snapped her out of such a clouded mentality but helped her regain her cause. The fire within her heart once ablaze in a passion to help froze over with time and now, its every beat radiates a sense of newfound urge to change the unchangeable. All because of him. The boy currently looking at her with that curious demeanor. Like that of a child, it's both cute and innocent.
Finally blinking, Ganyu doesn't answer Relon's question but rather her own. Cute? Where had that come from? Sure, she's read her fair share of romance novels; both fictional and nonfictional and a recurring theme she recalls is the term, "Love at first sight." Surely, she couldn't be falling for him after 3 millennia of absent feelings in romance only to fall for someone she has spoken to for not even five hours, right? In truth, she does find his company to be quite calming, similar to Ayaka's. He has a kind personality and his nature of honesty is something she has grown to respect and simply fond of. Thinking more on it, he does have a slightly mature physique as noted by his muscular figure plus what she can see based on his exposed right arm and leg. A kind and honest personality plus an unwavering determination with a nice body to boot…!
Wait, what was she thinking?! Now wasn't the time to ponder whether she's in love or not!
At the very least, I know I am somewhat infatuated by him...
"Ganyu, hey, are you okay?" He questions for the umpteenth time waving a hand in her face.
"H-Huh?! Oh, yes! Sorry, I was, um, reminded of something. Something very important..." She smiles warmly genty holding her bell, its jingle distracting Relon for a moment.
"O-Oh, sorry."
"N-No! I should be thanking you… I'd forgotten something very important and you helped me remember…"
"Ah… that's why you weren't answering. Haha, now I feel silly for worrying."
"You were… worrying?"
"Well, yeah? Why wouldn't I…?"
"Why would you? We're technically enemies."
What am I saying? Why did I just say it like that?
"Considering you freed me, discussed some pretty impactful stuff, let me nap on your-"
"P-Please get to the point." She pleads with a blush.
"I guess after getting to know and understand you better, you're kind and there's an air to you. It's a type that's hard to describe in words but... I like it." He smiles.
Gazing at that genuine smile she's seen numerous times already, a tingly feeling resonated with Ganyu causing the young-looking woman to avert her eyes, feeling the heat rise even more.
"Really…? But aren't you put off by how different I am?"
"Huh? You mean your horns? Why would I be? Considering I'm waking up in a world where people can use nature's elements, something like that wouldn't deter a child. Honestly, I'm just now really looking at them but they give off a charm of sorts along with the bell. It's cute."
"Eh? C-Cute?" Ganyu stutters, averting her body from the boy.
"Hm? Wait, did I bring up something else important?!" He asks, clear worry in his voice.
"No! Nothing like that! It's just… I rarely get compliments so yours just threw me off…
"Ahaha, sorry. I tend to speak without thinking. One of my faults I guess.
"A fault is the last thing I'd consider your honesty to be." Ganyu dismisses standing to her feet, a small smile adorning her thoughtful demeanor as she places her hands behind herself. "You've surprised me time and time again within such a small span of being together." She takes a step toward Relon to lean forward, said boy now the one to blush. "And since earlier, I've come to adore not only your company but… you as well." Taking her hands in his, she raises them to eye level.
Both unaware of the rising sun outside, their focus remains on one another.
In this moment, my heart speaks the truth and whether these feelings are short lived or become something more, I know one thing. I wish to embrace this moment to the fullest...
Mallory S. Nocturne: ... I'm kinda confused by the setting of the story. Is the story set during the Archon War or is it set during a war with each element as a faction?
Every element/nation is a faction of its own.
TheMexicanAttcker: Good chapter. Thumps for Ganyu. Also have Relon punch Eula Iin the face at least ones very dramatically like the punch in One piece Luffy did to Bellamy.
LMAO, that's a high bar XD! We'll see what happens.