A/N: Not trying to sound like I'm boasting or flexing but I've FINALLY gotten all of my fav female Genshin characters. Raiden Shogun, Hu Tao, Eula, Miko, Keqing, Fischl, Kokomi, Shenhe, Ganyu, Ayaka, and Sara. Not to mention I've won 3 50/50's now. Miko, Kokomi, and Ayaka. Again, not trying to flex but super happy considering I made a wallpaper with these 11 and to have it complete is super satisfying. Might be adding Yelan to the wallpaper. An even 12 I like for than an odd 11.
So a few things.
1. I like Yelan. Solely for her stealth, her attitude, and the dices. I've always like characters who symbolize in dices. Weird and odd I know but that's just me. She's taking the role of an OC character I had written once we get to Book Hydro. That doesn't mean the Hydro OC will be gone. I don't want OC characters to be a placeholder and just die off to even the playing field. Nor do I want to give Relon a bunch of girls without proper development.
2. So, I've had this idea since uploading the last chapter. How do I phrase this? Lumine. I've been FIENDING Lumine's character. I don't know why, I don't know where this extended "heat of the moment" came from but I've been reading a lot of Lumine stories and a part of me kinda wants to add her to the harem. I'd like your thoughts on the idea. Of course that won't be until near the end but I was thinking of making their relationship like Spiderman and BlackCat. Odd, I know. That's just how I am.
3. A question to my fellow Genshin readers. Simply put; what were your teams starting out? For me, it was Raiden Shogun, Eula, Mona, and Hu Tao. I was like AR 12 by the time I got Eula. I wasn't fully into Genshin until that point and I just rocked them and still do. Excluding Mona, those three ae my mains (Hu Tao and Raiden tied for #1). All C0 with Mona ironically being C1.
I apologize if this seems like a lot. Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read and enjoy the chapter.
Book One: Chapter 12
[Dreaming in a World]
"Ahh, I needed that shower." Reprieved from his recent shower, Relon takes a seat on his bed.
Taking the chance to study his odd wardrobe in the odder world, he was taken aback to find numerous outfits he'd never seen before. All of which held the same red and black fashion colors. It was beyond odd to have an entire wardrobe consist of only two colors aside from his school attire he easily solved.
Donned in a black t-shirt with a red jacket, black shorts, and sneakers a combination of the two colors, his eyes lock onto the odd piece of furniture in the middle of his room. The low, wooden table covered by a blanket which radiates heat. While getting dressed previously, he decided to inspect the mysterious object to immediately be met with comfort. Simply laying under the blanket nearly put him back in the tired state he found himself in with Hu Tao.
"Okay…" A mumble escapes his lips as he takes on the next challenge presented before him. "How do I work a phone?"
A small electronic rectangular device fitted perfectly in his hand. Two buttons on the left side and one on the right. A screen on the front and just the brand on the back. Clicking either of the two buttons did nothing but with a simple click of the other, the screen turned on. Eyes taking note of the current time, date, and even temperature, they shift to the picture accompanying the other information. Looking at it, an unsure though comical chuckle escapes his lips.
Wearing their school uniforms, all seven girls are huddled close around him with even Qiqi on his shoulders seeming to be the one to have taken the picture as noted by her outstretched arm. Hu Tao can even be seen giving a peace sign.
"We fell in love…" The teaser's words resurfacing for a moment as Relon's gaze averts from the device.
"There's no actual way… right?" He wonders aloud in thought.
Clearly, the world he was in now was different from Teyvat. Even more clearly, Teyvat itself, his time in the cell with Ganyu, his fight against that monster alongside the Cryo and Electro Armies; none of that was a dream. It was all very real. The girls, even Razor and the others, albeit still not aware of whom Aether or Lumine are, were within this "world." Which begged the question; where exactly was he. Obviously he remembered taking down the monster and succumbing to his tiredness. But waking up in a world where he apparently goes to school, there is no war, and most of all is dating seven girls? Yeah, that's a drastic change.
Pinching himself to the point of slight agony, he lets go. Clearly, it wasn't a dream.
Considering Ei was the Archon back in Teyvat and Miko from what he could remember was up there with her, his best guess was to go to the school and talk to the two. The only issue was figuring out his phone and the tracking mechanic.
Pausing again once his eyes look back to the seemingly wholesome picture, his brows furrow.
"The girls are currently at school so even if I figure out how to find then, going now would be next to impossible. One; I don't know the area much less their schedules so running into them is all but likely. Two; I don't know the location of Ei or Miko without asking and that itself is risky should I run into someone that knows me and will then report to the girls. Then there's what Hu Tao told me. The girls have activities after school, not to mention Sara is meeting with the Ei and Miko after classes are done. What do I do about that?"
Fishing for an answer, nothing comes to mind. With a sigh, he discards the imminent question into the recesses of his mind as his focus draws back on his device. As if on instinct, his finger touches the screen for a line to appear.
[Enter Password]
"Crap. I would use a password to protect my phone. Okay, let's think for a second… What about my name…?"
[Password Incorrect]
"Okay, then what about Qiqi…?" Typing the four letters of her name followed by the enter key, the phone clicks as the screen changes.
Now with a new background, numerous boxes with icons litter the screen. The background itself is a picture of Qiqi sleeping with her head on his lap on a bench. Neither seem to be aware of their photo being taken.
"I swear, I'm…" He stops himself to chuckle. "Now then, time to figure out which of these things will be what I'm looking for."
Noticing one of the icons at the very bottom, he finds one seeming to be of a camera. With a tap, his screen distorts to that of an actual lens.
"Whoa…" Eyes scanning over the numerous functions, a square in the bottom right-hand corner gains his attention where a previous picture is. "Huh?" Touching it, the image replaces the lens.
The location seeming to resemble his living room downstairs, it shows Relon and Qiqi asleep but there is another. One whom Relon does not recognize. Qiq laid out asleep against chest with Relon doing the same to the individual behind him.
Judging by the height difference along with her long legs, one hidden by Relon and Qiqi most likely laying along the inside of the couch, the woman seems to be quite tall with a fair complexion. She has long silvery-white hair fading to black at the end. Said hair covering her right eye as the rest lays in a braid. Her eyes heterochromatic eyes a combination of purple, a light blue, and tint yellow.
Looking at the camera angled so the three are lined up parallel to the couch itself, her arms seemingly wrapped gently and caringly around Relon's chest, she gives a faint smile at the camera.
"Who is she?" Messing around with some functions, the photo becomes smaller as a calendar of sorts appears with other pictures. "This was… taken yesterday? Then-"
Ding dong…
Before he can inspect the other photos, the doorbell chimes for Relon to stand to his feet. Peering out his room and down to the steps, his eyes linger on the door to widen as the knob turns.
"Qiqi, I'm coming in." The feminine voice announces.
"No way…!" He mutters as the individual closes the door locking it behind them.
Turning around, their gaze lifts up to meet Relon's. Eyes widening, Relon pivots back as her voice calls.
"Relon?"
Realizing he's already been caught, he winces before slowly stepping out to be bump into something soft sending him stumbling back. Blinking in slight confusion, his eyes look straight to blush before lifting to meet her eyes. The same three colors as from the photo.
"What are you doing still here?" The woman asks, her neutral tone seeming to mask the care her face wears.
"Um…" He blinks, a simple question to answer, though for the life of him his mind goes blank.
"Relon, is something wrong?" She asks walking forward for Relon to instinctively step back.
Brain, work for me!
"H-How did you get in?" He randomly asks.
Why did I ask that?!
"I used the hidden key under the pot with the Qingxing." She answers without a moment's hesitation. "Now, answer me." Her demeanor beginning to harden as Relon stips onto his bed.
"Um…"
Focusing more on him, specifically the bead of sweat rolling down the side of his face, she leans over for Relon to quickly avert from the slight gap her collar gives of her cleavage.
"Hold still."
Feeling her hand carefully but forcefully snap his face to meet hers, she presses her forehead to his. Relon's vision flashing upon contact.
Unknown
"Shenhe… Thank you. For everything."
"You need not thank me. I am only doing what I believe to be right."
"Big sister… I'll miss you…"
"As will I, Qiqi." The woman kneeling to embrace the young girl.
"She instilled you both with visions. As to why, I do not know but it is no longer safe here. Reach Liyue and boats there should be able to send you two to Inazuma. If not, then Mondstadt will for certain."
"Come with us..." Qiqi urges for a wry smile to come accompanied by a shake of her head.
"I wish that were possible but I cannot. The repercussions for leaving shall already be large with you two. If I were to leave, she may commit an act that will bring more harm to those around us. Should it only be you two who leave, she may not."
"But!"
Cut off as she embraces the teen.
"I came here on a journey as instructed by my master. I did not know what I would encounter but meeting the both of you, I will forever be grateful. But now Qiqi is whom you must worry about." Her form ever so slightly trembling does not go unnoticed to the shocked teen.
"Do not forget what I've taught you." She pulls back to look to him and then Qiqi. "This battle- no. This entire war… Something shall occur that shall cause a shift."
"What do you mean, Shenhe?"
"I do not know for certain, but… be wary you two. Of whom you interact with, of what you do, even whom you trust. Now go, before it's too late!"
A good distance away, both turn to the form of Shenhe looking on. A single tear trailing down her face as the two continue on.
Present
Blinking his eyes, his vision returns Relon to his room.
"Shen…he…?" He murmurs for her eyes to open meeting his once more.
Noticing hers open slightly more, he watches her move to his desk grabbing a tissue before returning to wipe at his closed eyes.
"You're crying. Did something happen?"
Mouth agape, the recently renewed memory flashes in his head on repeat. Slowly, his face scrunches in anger.
"Relon?"
"Move."
Electricity beginning to dance around his form, Relon's hair and eyes flash white as the once clear skies roar with thunder.
"You're not Shenhe…" Refocusing on Relon, his form inverting, Shenhe's once stunned gaze hardens. "I want out. Now!" He growls unleashing a powerful shockwave obliterating the walls around revealing the interior of the home as well as the neighborhood.
"Relon-"
"Don't try it!" He stomps, a surge of electricity striking the floor before Shenhe. "You're nothing but a faker! This entire world is nothing but a fabrication of my lost memories, isn't it?"
"Please, listen-
"ISN'T IT?!" He stomps, shards of ice encircling the woman to point at her throat.
Looking at him, she eases herself vanishing into nothingness. Looking on in disbelief, the world around him begins to distort before the very floor, moreso what's left becomes rugged and grainy.
Once more, he stands within an oasis of sand. The night sky greeting his illuminated form as once again, he finds himself in his ruined garbs from his fierce battle.
"Indeed." A familiar voice sounds behind him.
Turning, he lays his sights upon the Electro archon herself, Raiden Ei.
"Indeed it is." She answers, discarding her meditative stance. "Though it is a world I do not have control over."
"What do you mean?"
"It is as I claim. What you saw was not of my own control but a manifestation of your own memories into a world of its own. Your world as opposed to mine."
"All of that… Hu Tao, Shenhe, the others…! You expect me to believe all of that was based on things I can't even remember?!"
"Yes." The Electro God responds casually, not missing a beat. "As I have control over the Plane of Euthymia, you have control over that world. Or so one would seem. Your control is weak, therefore what was presented was created from your subconscious. Automatic instead of manual."
"And yet you could clearly do as you pleased within it. You were acting as Shenhe, those memories when we touched, were those real?! Or were those fake just like everything else I keep seeing?! Huh?!" He roars, a storm approaches for Ei's eyes to glow causing it to recede.
"That does not work within the Plane of Euthymia." She says calmly, Relon's enraged form remaining as his mane slaps the ground kicking up dust.
"Explain. Everything." He growls emptying out what little sense he has left.
Sighing, she holds out her palm for an orb of electricity to appear.
Looking at it, his eyes go wide. Images of his life spiral around. Time of his youth with his family, raising Qiqi, meeting Shenhe, time Razor and the other Electro-users; all of it.
"Within this, the culmination of all memories from across your life until the point you became the Raiden Shogun."
Seeing what he's yearned for since waking up on Serei Island, Relon's form ceases as he takes a step forward for Ei to discard it with a flick of her wrist.
"Give it back!"
"I cannot."
"Why…?"
"Because I made an oath with you that I would not." She responds, sadness evident in her demeanor as rage fills Relon's.
"EIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
Both draw upon the famous polearm, their eyes glowing in unison. With a roar on one side and a silent reluctance on the other, both charge. A streak of electricity tracing their forms as the two electro-users slide to a halt. At first nothing, but then pain comes to Relon's body. Discarding the weapon into nothingness, Ei finds Relon on a knee as he reverts to normal.
"Damn… you… Ei…" He mutters before succumbing to darkness.
"Forgive me, my chosen…"
Temsen: Well. I am certainly confused as to what's going on. I like Hu Tao though. :P
Glad on the confusion. Was hoping for that reaction and originally planed for Relon to stay longer where he'd come to getting hit by Truck-kun but I'm holding off on that. We need to get back to the waifus- I mean the war! Totally meant war... ehehe.