Now here is the proper ending of the story for you. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

"Guizhong... Ping... I've decided on what I have to do now."

Two pair of eyes all fixated on him. One is from an elderly looking woman with glasses on her eyes, and one is from grey haired young looking girl, who's ash grey eyes stared at him with a knowing look, yet the curiousities are still there.

The brown haired man who is object of their interest sighed before taking a deep breath. He opens his once closed eyes, the pair of amber orbs glanced between the two woman before his lips parted to say the words.

"I've decided... That it's time for me to step down from my title as god." He said, firm and absolute.

The two woman on the other side of the table fell silent, they exchanged a quick glance to one another before wordlessly came into an agreement.

"We understand. Can't say if I should be happy or not, but I respect your decision, Morax." The girl with grey hair, Guizhong, nods her head, placing a hand over her chest.

"Aaah, so the time has come at last. It feels almost just like yesterday when we've all gathered amongst the humans, posing as their divine protectors. But alas, seems like that duty should be put to rest as well, along with those we've lost along the way. It's time for the children to learn how to protect themselves." The elderly woman among the three mused with a little sigh, a small smile appear on her lips.

Morax silently nods in agreement with the old woman, Ping, that was her name. As for Guizhong on the other hand, she turned her head to look at Morax before asking a question that has been bothering her mind.

"Now that you have decided to step down as the Geo Archon of Liyue, how will you announce your retirement?" Guizhong asked, curious and confused. "Are you going to announce it to the people in the upcoming Rite of Descension? I know that it's the best opportunity for you to do it, but can you expect the reaction you'll get from the people? What will you say to them if one or two disagrees with your decision?"

"Actually... I do have a plan in mind regarding how will retirement will be announced." Morax paused for a second, before looking at his two conversation partners with a serious expression, his lips parted as he reveals his plan. "I've made plans to fake my death."

Guizhong's eyes widened and her mouth parted with a small gasp. And as for Ping, though her expression didn't show any changes, inwardly, she was as surprised as her old friend beside her.

"Faking your death? But wouldn't that be too much?!" Guizhong asked, standing from her seat, looking at Morax at disbelief. "How do you think the people will react to this? There's gonna be a widespread panic and fear if such thing were ever to happen! The people of Liyue has been worshipping and praising the almighty Rex Lapis for centuries, surely to hear the sudden of their beloved god would be-"

"They do worship me and pray to me. But they need me anymore?" Morax asked, cutting off the rest of Guizhong's sentence. His amber eyes stares upwards, looking at the fabulous city before them as they sat around a table near the docks. Inside his mind, flashes of memories from the first brick placed to what becomes of the city right now appears. "Guizhong... You and I... We may have been the one who built the foundation that would become this great of a city, but we both know that it was at the hands of the humans who made Liyue into the dazzling diamond it was now."

Morax stood up from his seat. Sighing, he turned around to approach the nearby railings overlooking the sea. His eyes closed as he immersed in the sensation of how the fresh morning sea breeze blows towards him, just by basking in it made him remember so many things... The smell of the sea, as much as he hates it, Morax has to admit that it brings some nostalgic memories of the different past. Back then during a more harsher times, when death and bloodshed rampages through the land. When the world is nothing but a cruel and unforgiving land... Yet there exists some soothing warmth in the form of the smallest things. The gathering of friends during free time, the fun and laughter they shared when they're together, and the smiles they shows to everyone including... Him.

Now, though those moments still exists, it's just doesn't feel the same anymore. Not after the many deaths he witnessed, not after that deaths that he caused, not after the seats around him that hosted those people starts to dwindled as time goes on...

"Even if I'm gone, with how Liyue are now, they will eventually get over it. There's no denying it that there will be some who will be saddened by my decision, and some other who will not accept it. But in time... I'm sure they will come to accept it as well. It's time for us, like parents who gave birth and watch their child grow, to let it go." Morax explained, turning around again to face his two friend, both who has their eyes fixated on him.

"I see... I understand." Guizhong said after a while, nodding her head in understanding. "So then... What will you do in order to fake your death? Have you told the Adepti of your plan?" The grey haired girl asked.

"No, I haven't." Morax shook his head. "I've been keeping this a secret from them. So far, only the two of you and a helping party I have in mind to know of this plan. I need the Adepti as part of the plan, but I'll be sure to tell them in time of the truth." The brown haired man explained, taking a seat back to the chair, with Guizhong following him too.

"A helping party?" Guizhong tilted her head in confusion. "You mean a group of people are willing to help you in this scheme? Who are they?"

"The Fatui." Morax answered, and the insant they heard that, everyone fell silent.

"The Fatui? You're not talking of that Fatui, right?" Guizhong asked, disbelief are present in her voice.

"No, it's definitely them." Morax simply replied.

"Why would you ask the emmisary of the Cryo Archon for help? After what happened to her..." Guizhong muttered out the last part of her sentence, gripping the hem of her dress tightly. "Are you sure you could trust them? I don't think I'm comfortable with the aspects of you having to work with those people who usually up to no good." Guizhong's eyes downturned, a look of displeasure is visible in her eyes.

"It's fine, Guizhong. Their aid to my scheme is a direct order they received from her majesty the Tsaritsa herself. It is strictly prohibited under the contract we made that her underling would do anything that goes against me or her wishes." Morax replied, crossing his arms on the table.

"You forge a contract with the Cryo Archon?" Ping asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I did. Just a while ago, after I decided to give this plan a try." The brown haired man nods his head.

"But a contract is about when both sides reach into an agreement and get what they want, right?" Guizhong eyed the man in front of her, looking at him curiously before she asked further. "If you made a contract with her, what did you offer to queen of the Fatui for their help?"

"My divinity."

~o~0~o~

The streets of Liyue harbor are a busy one. People from children to the elderly walked pass by as he stood there in silence, leaning against the wall of the building known as the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's office, a group specifies in dealing with funeral and death, which is also the place where he works. Though today is not a holiday where he usually has a day off, on this particular noon, the man who works as a consultant of the parlor had requested for a day off under the reason of personal business, a request that only got accepted by the director after knowing that a certain someone would be involved in this. A reason he finds ridiculous, but he accepted it anyway since everything works out in the end.

"Ah, There you are! Sorry to make you wait." A voice called our to him, a he looks up to see the sight of her friend running towards him. But that's not just it.

"Guizhong... You are..." The grey haired girl dressed in a pristine white dress, complete with the billowing sleeves. It's a great reminisce of what she used to wear back then... Similar, but not the exact same.

"Sorry for my late arrival. I decided this at the last second." Guizhong apologized, referring to her change of outfit.

"Ah, no, it's fine by me. But why exactly do you choose to change into this? Any special reason?" He liked it very much though, so much that it made many past memories start to flash in his mind, good ones too.

"Well... This is an occasion rarely attend even before today, and you said that this is also the last one. So I thought that I should make it a little bit more special, you know?" The grey haired girl, smiled lightly. She brought her hands up to reveal what she's holding throughout the time. "Look, I brought the Glaze Lilies we need, do you think it's enough?"

"It's more than enough, this should do good." He nods his head, mentally praising their friend for being capable of taking care of the flower with such high quality that they could use for this occasion.

"Guizhong..."

Morax called out his old friend's name after a long silence that befell them after their last conversation. The grey haired in question who bears the name turned her head to look at the only man within their triangle. Her ash grey eyes stare at him silently, pondering what's going through his mind.

"Before we start preparing for the last rite of descension... I... I would like to ask a request of you..." Morax said after some moments of pause.

"A request? What would like to ask of me?" The grey haired girl asked in confusion. The man who asked her turned his head to look at her, his amber eyes stared at her ash grey ones tenderly, as if silently pleading her.

"Would you like to accompany me... To that place? Just for one more time?" Morax asked, to which Guizhong widen her eyes a little.

The girl is of course aware of what he's talking about, he's talking of a certain place that they have visited occasionally before from time to time, either together or separately. For him wanting to visit it together with her would mean that he's...

"Ah, of course! I would love to accompany you there. It's also been a while since the last time I went for a visit." Guizhong said with a smile, clapping both of her hands together. "But for you to go there before we start preparing for your plan... Is there a reason?" Guizhong asked, to which Morax shook his head.

"I... I don't know. It's just... I have this feeling that I should go visit her, just before I fake my death, just before I step down from my throne of being god." Morax explained as best as he could, Guizhong could see just how much confused and lost he was, he truly is didn't understand what he's feeling, but whatever it is, one thing for sure is that it drives him on wanting to do this.

"I understand. Then... I should go get myself ready as well. Ping, if you don't mind, would you allow me to pick some of the flowers from your garden?" The grey haired girl look at the elderly woman on the side of the table, who had stayed silent throughout the conversation between the two. "I've look at how pretty they are thanks to the great amount of care you put into raising them. I know it means a lot, but... Please?"

"Do you really need to ask for this?" The old woman said with a sigh, shaking her head a little. "You are more than welcome to pick as many as you need. Just be sure to at least leave one so that new flowers can continue to grow."

Guizhong smiles softly at that, bowing her head a little in respect. "Thank you very much for your contribution, Ping."

"The pleasure is mine, Guizhong." Seeing her smile, Ping could only smile back at her in return. Guizhong's smile is as gentle and bright as ever before, despite the pain and sadness that lies behind them. "It's the least that I can offer to her, after everything that she has given us."

Now that they have the flowers, it's time for them to go. Their destination is far away from the Liyue harbor, to be exact, it was located on the other side of the nation, near the border where two different nations met. It was a very long distance for them to reach, especially by traveling on foot, but aside from the distance, there should be no other problem for them to deal with.

Liyue has changed a lot since the days of the Archon Wars. The land that used to host a lot of bloodshed and suffering is mostly filled with peace now. And although monsters that roam the wild still do exist, their presence is no longer viewed like a life ending threat all the time like it was before. Thanks to the forces that dutifully guard Liyue known as the Millelith, and also the Adventurers of the guild who took commissions for killing the monsters that are deemed to be a threat for the people.

The time when various gods had roamed the land is long over, and now, only he and Guizhong are the only ones left, with him ascending to the celestial thrones above to be crowned as one of the seven winners of the war, while Guizhong remains safe down on the ground and still standing there besides him to this day, though unfortunately or fortunately, her presence as a god and the close associates of Morax has long faded from the minds of the people, and now, she's simply known by people as the girl who likes to hang around Yujing Terrace to help a certain elderly woman there in taking care of the flowers she planted around the area. Some people also stated in seeing her frequently taking stroll around the city doing various activities which mostly revolved around helping any people in need. She has become a well known figure, so well known that she even make acquaintances with the highest member of the Liyue Qixing, the Tianquan Ningguang. The two were also gets along well based on the report he's hearing.

And as for Morax himself... Though the people now have know him as a god who no longer stood around the mortals and only descent to Liyue once a year during an event known as the Rite of Descension. Morax has secretly took on the vessel of a mortal to secretly walks among them, taking the job as a consultant for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, an occupation he had chosen for the reason that it gives him a better chance to interact with the people that he had long been protecting and guiding throughout the centuries since before and after the Archon War. Another reason for him of doing this is also because he's inspired by Guizhong's decision. There's no better way in understanding a mortal other than having to walk the ground as a mortal as well. It's a decision that he gets a lot of lessons from.

It wasn't easy though, as Morax had found himself having moments where his minimal understanding of the mortal world caused some troubles to not only himself but also the people around, especially the director of the parlor he's working on, who usually stood at the receiving end of his troubles, and often scolds him for it.

But gradually, thanks to the help of Guizhong and Ping as well, he comes to a better understanding as time passes, becoming more and more human, and becoming less timid and stony while around others, with some people like Director Hu even said that he's becoming more livelier than usual throughout the process, he smiles more, looking happier every time an acquaintance of his came to visit during lunch break, taking breaks more often than he used to be as he usually bury himself in paperwork every time he had the opportunity, and there's also the reports of him frequently ordering food in either Wanmin Restaurant or the Third-Round Knockout, a big comparison to the time when he seemingly doesn't even eat at all.

His life as a mortal is nothing but sort of fun. Not only did he get the chance to experience things that he never had the opportunity to get back when he stood as a god, but he also gets to know a lot of people closely as well, people outside his circle of illuminated beasts and gods. Something that he had only experienced once, and it was a long time ago.

His life as mortal is also the reason behind his decision to step down from his other life as a god. After experiencing firsthand how it feels to live as a human in this era of peace, it made him realize just how much things have changed, that this is not the same era as the one where he had to step up every time a problem arises to the people. The gods that threaten them are no more, Osial is sealed at the depths of Guyun stone forest, him and his ancient grudges for him who is responsible for taking the one thing that perhaps means the most to him, his dear wife, Beisht. Though Morax still has some lingering thoughts of what he did that day, he supposed that it's only part of his duty to strike down the god who had caused him so much trouble in the past, though there's no denying it that there are some personal reasons lies behind Morax's action, particularly, it is in a way as to get revenge on him for taking something away from Morax, something that is so precious and irreplaceable to him.

And now that Liyue has the Qixings, the Millelith, and other people as well who saw this land as their precious and prided home, the duty to protect it falls to their hands rightfully, and as for him, it's time for that duty to protect his people to be absolved, like an old man who retires from his work after his years of servitude to his job is fulfilled. It's time to put the name Morax or Rex Lapis behind, and for him to continue his life as-

"Morax, we're here."

Morax opens his eyes to look in front of him. It is as Guizhong just said, they finally arrived at their destination. Though the journey are certainly long, it felt really short because they had stayed silent for most of the times, and Morax who is drowned in his thoughts of the events in his life that have passed throughout the six thousand years that he had lived through. He has no complaints about it though, he much prefers for them to get here as quick as they could after all.

They currently stood on the higher ground, a small plains lies before them, surrounded by a number of trees that sprout bright yellow leaves. This place looks very different from the last time, and the time before that, and the time before and before that as well. Most notably, no flowers have been able to grow here again ever since that day, not even other flowers aside from the Glaze Lilies. But still, there's one thing that never changes in this place despite the passage of time: standing tall amidst the bright golden grass of that plain, a lone tomb exists, signalling the fact that someone had been put to rest here, someone from... A long time ago...

"Hello, Ying, It's been a while."

Guizhong smiled gently upon laying her eyes on the tombstone. Her feet move to approach the small monument. Her lips parted with a sigh upon looking at it a little bit more closely, seeing vines and weeds has overgrown it.

"Sorry for not coming here sooner since the last time, Morax and I were pretty busy, you know? The old man just couldn't stop forgetting about his wallet, and kept bothering Director Hu with the amount of bills he presented to her." The grey haired girl giggles at her own story, causing Morax to sigh.

"For your information, I have repaid her the total amount of Mora I got from those. I have no other debts ever since." The brown haired man said, also walked towards the gravestone, standing on the other where Guizhong is kneeling.

"Hmph, you can say that for now, but I can already see that you'll be pilled with even more debts later, especially after your contract with the queen of Snezhnayan is fulfilled." Guizhong muttered, giving the man a smirk.

Though they are talking and joking around right now, there's no denying the fact that those comments she made are a half hearted one. Morax could sense it clearly, hearing it, behind the joyous and playful words that the girl muttered, lies a well hidden sadness, sorrow, that anchored to her words, as if what she's saying right now is merely a way to hide that sadness in her heart, to put up an appearance that's she's okay, when she's not. And Morax knows exactly the reason behind her sadness, as he glanced towards the old and deserted tomb before them.

"I brought you some Glaze Lilies for today, aren't they lovely?" Guizhong presented the bouquet of flowers in her hand, and placed it to rest against the gravestone. "Ping has made sure to take very good care of them, made sure to always sing to them during noon, and hummed to them during dawn. I even joined her singing session once, if only you were there to see us... I'm sure the flowers would instantly bloom the moment it heard you hummed... I... We missed hearing your voice... You know?"

Those sadness in her voice are a lot more clearer now, in fact, Morax heard the slight crack in her voice. It sounds as though she's holding back the urge to sob, that the most she wanted to do right now is to sit down and cry, but she's persistent to remain strong, both for her and her friend's sake.

"Things are... A lot of things have happened and changed, Ying. I'm sure you would like to hear that."

Guizhong rolls back her sleeves, and then she starts working on tidying up the grave, even if just a little. Picking up some fallen leaves, pulling out the roots and weeds that grow on and around the gravestone, and wiping away the dirt on it. All the while she continues on talking.

"We've recently just found out that Marchosius is alive and well, right now, he's living happily alongside a young chef working in the Wanmin Restaurant. He didn't recognize us because his memories have long been gone since he sacrificed himself to place his powers to the very soil we're standing on, but in time, I'm sure we'll eventually get along pretty well just like we used to in the old days. Oh also... He goes by the name of Guoba now, a rather fitting name for him who has such a cute appearance when he's not a towering giant anymore, don't you think?

That is indeed true. Another reason as to why Morax is frequently seen sitting on the tables of Wanmin Restaurant is because he likes to hang out with his old friend. He didn't mind the barrier that separates them due to his lack of memories of their time together back then during the assembly. Simply knowing that he lives and living a good life in the present is enough to please him.

"Ganyu had grown up to be quite the beautiful lady. Currently, she's serving as the main secretary of the Liyue Qixing. She's not only strong, both in the body and mind, but she's also pretty capable too. I once paid her a visit to her office, and you know what I saw that day? I saw a huuuge amount of paper piled up together on her desk, towering two times over me. Even though I suggested for her to take a break and split her workload for some others to help, she kept refusing my offer, and kept on working on signing the papers all by herself. And you know what? She completes all of them at dawn on the very same day! Pretty impressive don't you think? She had grown to be so mature and reliable, yet some people love to still treat her like a child, I included. I mean, how can you not when you saw that cute chubby little face of hers? Hehe."

Morax hummed along with her. Ganyu had indeed grown a lot. The little half-breed child turned warrior after she got orphaned by the war that took the lives of her parents at a young age is now perhaps one of the most well known figures in Liyue, standing amidst someone like the Yuheng Keqing, and the Tianquan Ningguang. Though Morax has recently detected some growing inner conflict within the girl regarding the place to where she belongs to caused by her mixed races, whether in Liyue amongst the humans, or in the mountains with the rest of the Adepti. But all of those matters aside, Morax has to admit that she's doing pretty well in her duties to serve Qixings, and protect Liyue in doing so, and for that reason, he's confident that the half-Qilin would find the answer to her inner conflict sooner or later.

"Zhenjun... Zhenjun is still the same as ever. She's loud, she's boastful of her creations, and she never shut up when it comes to telling us the story of the various disciples she took under her wings over the years. Poor Ganyu in particular has been tormented by it. Poor girl." Guizhong chuckled lightly at that, before her face returned back to its usual state. "But you know, despite her best effort to remain the same, I can see it in her, you know? She really did miss you, she and Ganyu both. There's never been someone who's as good at solving and having much interest in her mechanisms like you,"

True. Cloud Retainer seem to handle it the best of them. There had been no crying, no silent tears, no shouting, nor any clear sign that she was saddened or missing by the lack of presence of that girl other than what she already mourned of during the day the bad news was delivered. Except... Sometimes, as the avian Adeptus is busy tinkering with her creations, she would fell silent before releasing a sigh, with her eyes downturned.

"And as for the Yakhas... They... They've all passed away since long ago... And right now, as we speak, only Alatus remains. Staying vigilant as ever, dutifully still carrying the orders that Rex Lapis had bestowed upon him. Though in recent years, Morax and I have discussed between ourselves over the decision if we should absolve him of his duties or not. I don't want to see him suffer more than what we already made him. And whether he would accept our decisions or not... We're still thinking of it."

Morax fell completely silent at that. His hand bawled into fists and he grit his teeth. What happened to the Yakhas are... Terrible, to say the least. As they continued on to carry out their duties in cleansing the land from the corruption brought by the grudges of the defeated gods in the Archon War, the task stained them with Karmic debt which wore away at their souls and sanity, causing some to get consumed by the darkness to turn on each other or simply vanish out of existence. But for all that happened to them, one must remember that it was Morax who called for their help in quelling the darkness, ultimately making him to be the one at fault for sentencing them to their doom by doing their duties. Just thinking about it makes a heart wrenching guilt rise on his chest. He wants to puke.

"Ping is... Ping has changed a lot, you know? That woman used to be so annoying that I could not stand her. But now... It's like she did a complete 180 ever since you... Ever since you left." Guizhong toned down her voice in the last part, her eyes came to a close as she sighed. Her hand came to rest atop the gravestone. "She has become wise, kind, and even motherly at times... She really acts like a grandmother towards her two disciples, and I even found myself being comfortable with her around. We still have our different opinions in regards to music, but we never indulge in such childish debates ever again. And now that I think about it, I even get embarrassed every time I think of it." A small smile came to adorn Guizhong's face. A smile full of hidden sadness and longing. "We still have a duet every now and then... But... It never feels the same without you around."

The grey haired girl turned her head to look at him who had stayed silent for a long time, she smiled lightly at him, and that's when Morax realized that it was his turn next.

"You know, Ying, above anything else that happens, I personally think Morax has the most changes of them all."

After that, the former goddess began to recount the events that happened in their lives, starting from the formation of the Liyue harbor, how the city grows into what it was now, their decisions for walking among the mortals to see how it feels, the formation of the ruling body that has now become the Qixing, the progress that the humans made to become independent without the help of the gods or the Adepti. And lastly, Morax's plan for retirement.

"So many things have happened, Ying... Good ones, and bad ones... And my only wish is that I wanted to show you those. I just wanted to make you see the changes, to the people, to our friends, and to Morax here." Guizhong came to pause for a little while, she then looked back towards Morax before asking. "Don't you have anything to say, Morax?"

Morax didn't respond to her at first, but then he sighed before kneeling down to the ground and also placed his hand above the tombstone of the girl who shone so bright in his eyes once, a girl who smiles so warmly and kindly at him, a girl whose laughter made his heart flutter, a girl who... Made him upset for every time he sees even the smallest hint of sadness on her face. The girl Morax had to admit... To be the one to whom his heart belongs to only. To where his feelings and affections are headed, yet he never gets the opportunity to confess them, she died never knowing that there's a man out there who loves him, she died newer knowing that her seemingly endless amount of kindness had struck his heart, she died... By sacrificing her own future and happiness, to give someone else the chance. She died, as a hero, to him, to Guizhong, to the Adepti, and everyone in the assembly that day.

"Ying... Everyone has missed you, I have missed you. You are a bright star that shines in the darkness, you are our light who cheers us up during dark times, who brings hope to us with your endless amount of generosity." Morax closed his eyes as he felt a surge of emotions in his head, his hand instinctively gripped tightly into fist. "If... If there is a chance, no matter how slim it is... A way for me to just... Simply spend a little longer with you by my side, then I would gladly endure that pain of losing you again and again, if only it were to mean I could just... See your face again, to see you smile at me once more..."

He feels like he couldn't take it anymore. He felt this feeling of sadness once more. When was the last time he felt this sad? Not even the terrible moments he had such as when he pound the final nail into Azhdaha's eternal prison, or the immense regret he felt when blood stains his hands after he answers Celestia's call to take part Khaenri'ahs's destruction made him feel like this. No... This pain he felt... It's the same one he felt during that day when he lost her... When he tells the others of it.

"Ying... She's... Gone?"

Morax simply nods his head in response to the question asked by Cloud Retainer.

The Adepti had together after the news of Morax's and Guizhong's safe return after the attack that the Overlord of Vortex had launched into the assembly. The flood he brought brings about the assembly's destruction, but the people have safely been transported into a safe area South of Guili Plains. After Osial was defeated by the lord of Geo, terrible news was then revealed to them: apparently, the sea monster's attack on their civilization is only part of his bigger plan to destroy the assembly, and his other plan includes the assassination of Guizhong who is the brain of their civilization all this time.

Luckily, Guizhong who went outside at the time was accompanied by Ying, a close associate of the two gods and the Adepti. And thanks to her, Guizhong's assassination was foiled, and the goddess could return safely to her people. Only... In order to protect Guizhong from her upcoming death... Ying had sacrificed her life for the goddess who is her close friend. Morax was too late to the scene to save both of them, and now, the Adepti had lost their precious friend.

"This... This can't be!" Ganyu sniffled, tears well up on the corner of her eyes, she starts to sob uncontrollably, the tears made waterfalls on both sides of her cheek. "Miss Ying... She can't... She can't just be gone..."

Cloud Retainer would comfort the crying child afterwards. She looks up to her front, Morax is standing before all of the Adepti, though he's standing tall and remains firm, there's no hiding the clear immense sadness, regret, and guilt that rages in his eyes, and no doubt that his heart would be in a worse condition, nevermind the fact that it was made of stone, in the end, he's still man, and his heart would be filled by pain from what he experienced today.

Behind him, there's Guizhong, the only one that he could save between the two. The grey haired goddess is sitting on a rock, her heads are faced downwards so that her hair would hide the expression she had on her face, but judging from the droplets of water that fell from time to time, it's easy to tell that she's crying, she's still crying over Ying's death even after hours have passed since then. Thankfully though, there's Ping beside her who continues to comfort her as best as she could. It'll take time for the goddess to get over it, but before that, someone needs to be there to help her through the process.

"If Ying's truly dead, then where's her body?" Moon Carver asked the next question, gaining a look from everyone.

"He's right. I didn't see you carrying anything when you get back. What happened to her body?" Mountain shaper also asked, looking at Morax curiously.

Morax releases a sigh at their questions. His eyes narrowed as he looks down. As if saying he didn't know what to say.

"It's hard to believe but... After she died, Ying... She vanishes." Morax revealed, to which the Adepti giving him a collective confused looks. "As her body starts to get cold, and her warmth fading out of existence, I can feel the weight in my arms gradually disappearing. And then before long, her lifeless body shone for one last time, before it disappears into sparks of light. There's so many things I wanted to say to her, but now... She's truly gone."

"Her body just disappeared after she died?" Cloud Retainer asked with a mix of surprise and confusion. "Just... What is she? Is she even human?"

"That is a question that could no longer be answered now that she's no longer with us." Morax said with a heavy sigh, finally fully closing his eyes. "And besides... Who cares whether she leaves behind a body or not. It doesn't matter now that she has passed away." The god muttered loudly, to which most of the Adeptus agreed. Mostly.

"Actually, I do." A voice amongst the crowd spoke up, and everyone looked back to see Bosacius raising one of his four arms. "I do about what happened to her because... I would like to commemorate a funeral for her. Us, me and my friends."

The Adepti has various looks on their face, but Morax in particular, his eyes slightly widened from what the Yaksha said.

"That's right. Ying has been a very good friend to us. Even when she looks annoyed, she never complained not deny my requests for her to be my model." Menogias nods his head, there's tears welling up on the corner of his eyes as he speaks, so Bosacius uses ond of his arms to wipe his tears away with a handkerchief. "She's a good girl, so young, talented, and importantly kind. I cannot rest easy without at least giving her a parting gift. For this, I will make the greatest clothes designs you'll ever see! And I will make it to remember her!" He said with a fierce determination, despite his tears that didn't stop falling.

"Ah, Me too then!" Bonanus raised her hand next. "Ying has always been so nice to all of us. She never cares about our status as Yakhas who has slaughtered thousands, she always smiles at us, laughing in joy even during or after watching first hand of our work. She's... She's special to us." The blue haired Yaksha nods her head.

"Yeah, I agree with Bonanus, and I bet Alatus would've said the same too." Indarias said with a nod, putting her hand on Alatus' shoulder beside her.

"Could you please stop using me as a reason?" Alatus frowned, shaking off the hand on his shoulder as Indarias chuckled at him. "Well, as much as I hate to admit it, she's right. Ying is someone that we could not just ignore. Now that we know that she's gone, I would like to give her a proper farewell." The green haired boy nods his head, crossing his arms.

The other Adeptus stared at the five of them in silence, before they finally broke it.

"Then... I must agree with this as well." Moon Carver spoke up, looking at Rex Lapis who looked back at him. "For our fallen comrade in arms and our friend, I would like to commemorate her passing."

The other Adeptus soon joined in, agreeing with the Yakshas and Moon Carver. And upon hearing their plan, even Guizhong who's still saddened decided to stand up and agree with their plan, and with her, Ping as well. And with everyone collectively agreed. All eyes turn to Rex Lapis.

"So then Morax, what do you say?" Guizhong asked as she eyed the lord of Geo closely.

Morax was silent at first. His amber eyes went to look at each and every one of the Adepti, seeing them all agreed to send their final regards to the girl who is both their friends and comrades in arms. To think that Ying, a single girl, manages to accomplish this, to not only befriend them but also gain their sympathies... It's really outstanding... If only the girl in question was here... To see how much everyone cares for her.

"Everyone..." Morax whispers, he grit his teeth as he breathes. His mouth then closed and his lips curved up, turning into a smile. "Thank you."

It has been a long time since then. Ying's funeral ended up not only attended by him, Guizhong, and the Adepti, but also the whole surviving people of the assembly as well. Everyone gathered that day to say their farewell to the hero who saved them, who protected their goddess, and for simply being someone whose kindness has helped them all.

Morax opens his eyes. Eyeing the tombstone, and noticed the change of color of the light reflected on it. He looks up to see the sun's position, realizing how much time has passed since their departure from the harbour, and when they arrived here. They've spent enough time already.

"It's getting late. Should we start heading back now?" Morax asked her friend, who seems to be immersed in her thoughts right now, as she stares into the tombstone.

"Yes... I think it's enough for today." Guizhong nods her head. Reaching out her hand, she patted the grave of her friend for one last time. "Goodbye for now, Ying. I know I said it multiple times before, perhaps I've said it hundreds of times already but... Thank you. Thank you for saving my life that day, thank you for being such a wonderful friend, thank you for our sweet time together in those years. Thank you... For allowing me to live and witness the many great things that happened. Thank you, truly. I swear I will never forget this gift that you have given me."

"Ying..." Morax began, gulping the lump in his throat, he took a deep breath before speaking. "Goodbye, this will be the last time I visited you as Morax. I won't be visiting you again after this as a god you know of me. So, for the last time, I thank you for everything you've done for us, for saving Guizhong, for saving my people, and for being there with me during those times."

The two bowed their heads in respect for their long dead friend once more. Before standing up as they prepared to leave.

"So, ready to leave now, Guizhong?" Morax asked, smiling warmly at his companion.

"Yes. Let's go Morax." Guizhong nods her head.

"Actually, since we're about to prepare for our plan to fake my death, I think you should stop calling me that. It won't be long before I no longer walk as a god on this land after all." He replied, lightly shaking his head.

"Hmm? Then what should I start calling you then?"

"Call me Zhongli." He lightly smiled at her as the two began walking towards the direction of the Liyue Harbor. Leaving the lone tomb behind.

~o~0~o~

"You look quite nervous, Guizhong."

Zhongli remarked as he saw the girl on the opposite side of the long table visibly fidgeting in place. Not touching the food presented in front of her, or even the tea that has been poured into her cup.

"Well, why wouldn't I?" The grey haired girl said with a pout on her face. "This is the one of the Fatui we're about to meet, and one of the highest ranking ones as well! So of course I'm feeling nervous. Have you heard all of the various rumours going around about them? They say that they're even experimenting on children for an unknown reason! Such a shady organisation should not be trusted at all."

Zhongli sighed at what she said. It is true that the Fatui did so many questionable actions during the past 500 years since its creation ever since what happened during that same year. But... A contract that has forged cannot be easily severed, as such, he feared the consequences of backing up now after the agreement he had with the Cryo Archon regarding his plan. So it's best to let it slide for now, and only act when he needs to.

"No need to worry, Guizhong, everything that they did is based under our contract." He reassured his friend, smiling lightly at her. "I will make sure that anything they did will not bring harm to the innocent people, and should I find them violates that rule, then I will personally deliver them the wrath of the rock."

Guizhong sighed at this, but she nodded her head eventually. "Very well, I shall hold you to that promise that no innocent people will be harmed during the process." She said, to which Zhongli hummed in response.

Not long after, a knock was heard coming from the door, signalling the arrival of their esteemed guest. Zhongli threw Guizhong a look, to which the grey haired girl nodded at her.

"Come in." Zhongli announced to the person outside, to which they obliged.

Soon after, a tall figure enters the room, a man with ginger colored hair and blue eyes. He dressed up in a grey uniform with black boots and gloves, a red scarf around his neck and trails behind his back. A red mask is tucked into his hair.

"Yo! Greetings mister Zhongli, ma'am." The ginger haired man greeted them, waving his hand towards Zhongli and then bowing his head slightly towards Guizhong.

"Ah, greetings master Childe. A pleasure to see you again." Zhongli lightly bow his head to him in greeting from where he sits, smiling lightly at the newcomer. "I suspect that you're here to continue on discussing our businesses from the last time. Why don't you sit down and join us on this fine day for lunch?"

"Ahaha, I would love to. I'll be there joining you shortly. But for now, there's someone I would like to introduce you to." Childe laughed lightly, referring to the closed door behind him which he's still standing in front of.

"Hmm? Is there someone outside?" Guizhong asked in curiosity.

"Yes. She said that she is a traveler coming from afar. But most importantly, she said that she's willing to lend her help in the preparation of the Rite of Parting." Childe explained, his blue eyes glanced to look at both of them.

Zhongli and Guizhong exchange look, before their eyes went back to look at Childe. Inside, they're both very curious of the identity of this traveler.

"Hey, why don't you come in and introduce yourself already?" Childe says to the person behind the door, and he steps to the side to allow them.

Slowly, the door creaks open, someone steps inside with their footsteps echoing through the room. The sound of it is that of a clacking sound made from hills when walking on the floor, which sounds eerily familiar to their ears. And then, the figure of someone steps into the room, and into their sights. And the moment Zhongli and Guizhong's eyes see it, they feel as if their eyeballs are about to bulge out of their sockets.

The one who enters the room after Childe is a girl. With short blonde hair and a pristine white dress that made her look like a knight and a princess at the same time. Her eyes are beautifully colored gold, so bright and warm to look at. And most importantly, tucked on her hair, two flowers of the exact same appearance from the one that Zhongli had kept in his possession for centuries after that day could be seen. This girl is... The exact reflection of her!

"H-Hi..." The blonde haired girl greeted nervously, waving her hand at them.

Before anyone could act. Zhongli acted first, he stood up from his seat suddenly, surprising anyone. With haste, he walks around the table and gets in front of the mysterious blonde girl. Guizhong is stunned to speak or do anything, and she remains sitting on her seat. Meanwhile, Childe merely watches the scene unfold before him, calmly watching while resting his back against the well.

Zhongli's eyes stare at the blonde haired girl, to her body from head to toe and then straight to her eyes. He closed the distance between them, standing in front of her with an unreadable expression appearing on his face. And while he's doing it, the blonde girl merely watches him with wide eyes and slightly open mouth, as if in awe with his appearance and mannerisms.

And after a while full of awkward and suspenseful silence. Zhongli wordlessly raises his gloved hand and offers it to her, with the girl in question looking down at it before looking up at him in wonder.

"Greetings. It's nice to meet you. My name is Zhongli, may I have the pleasure to know yours?" Zhongli spoke up after a long while of silence. Though he spoke in a warm greeting manner, the look on his face could only spell one thing: longing.

"Me?" The blonde haired girl asked, pointing at herself, to which Zhongli nodded his head lightly.

The blonde haired girl looks down towards his stretch out hand. And after a while, she takes it with hers, with a smile adorning her face, a bright, beautiful, and kind smile.

"Lumine. My name is Lumine."

The End

I'll leave it up to you guys to interpret what happened and what will happen after this. But maybe if I could think of a good idea, I'll write a little sequel for this.

Anyway thank you so much for reading this story of mine that I've been working on for two years! I see that I made a lot of people cry because of this XD

I love you all and once again, thank you for reading!