Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

"Your Majesty, a message has arrived." Morax was discussing matters with Xuan Yue when a Thousand Rock Army soldier handed him a letter. The letter was signed: Aishenris.

"!" Morax sensed something was wrong and immediately unfolded the letter:

Morax, by the time you read this letter, I'll probably have already returned to the ley lines.

You don't need to know who the murderer is. I lost, and I accept it. I am not as good as you, with both strength and intelligence. This was the inevitable outcome.

Our friendship dates back to before the war between the demon gods. I know you value contracts and that you need the essence of the demon gods, so my allies and I want to ask you for a contract.

We hope you will protect our people, even if we surrender our territory to you, even if they change their faith. In return, we will offer the lifeblood of all the demons of our alliance, and—all the demons within our alliance who kill us.

Rather than die at the hands of other demons, I'd rather die at your hands, Morax. You'll agree, won't you?

Morax put away the letter, unable to come to his senses for a long time. After a long while, he sighed and said, "The contract... is complete." This was the first time he had hesitated to say these words.

“Morac.” Xuan Yue looked up from the documents at Morax’s back. He knew the truth: the war between the demon gods was destined to end tragically.

“Go ahead.” He patted Morax on the shoulder, then sat back down in his chair to work on the documents.

"Thank you." Morax said and left, unaware of the bitter smile on Xuan Yue's lips.

(Morax, wouldn't it be too cruel if you had to face this situation again soon?)

Morax flew to the edge of Liyue's coast and found that many daemons had been waiting there for a long time. There were quite a few mid-level daemons and a few high-level daemons, and without exception, they were all opponents he had sparred with before the war.

"You've arrived, God of War." One of the Cloud Demons, who turned around first, said, "It seems that Aishenris's letter has been delivered."

"Why..." Morax wanted to say something, but hesitated.

"Why bring about your own destruction? Is that what you want to ask?" The Sword Demon God beside the Cloud Demon God noticed his confusion and patiently explained, "The Dark Outer Sea has closed."

The implication of this statement was self-evident. The Sword Demon God continued, "Our final fate is nothing more than two things: death from suppression and attrition, or death in battle."

“And we all choose the latter.” The loli-like Frost Demon God took over the Sword Demon God’s words. Behind her stood the Crimson Tide Demon God, who remained silent and simply nodded.

"Morax, Liyue is doing well. With your protection, I believe our people will live well. That's enough." The Cloud Demon God smiled gently, and the demon gods behind him echoed his sentiments.

"Come on, Morax, let's see if your current martial arts skills can convince us."

"Think about it, I was the one who taught you how to use a sword, and you turned around and used what I taught you with a spear! I've been holding this grudge for thousands of years! Was my teaching really that bad?!"

"You're lucky. When I sparred with him, I only threw a snowball at his head, and he immediately started throwing stones at me from the sky. Luckily, I dodged it quickly! Morax, I haven't settled that score with you yet!"

"You guys are nothing compared to him. I fought him, and he said he'd give me three moves, but then he just stood there with his shield up and let me hit him three times. That's an insult to the gods!"

The demons publicly executed Morax for his "crimes," declaring that they would avenge their previous defeat in this battle.

Morax remained silent. Each and every one of those events was a cherished memory, yet the harsh reality filled him with complex emotions and pain. This was the Demon God War.

After a long silence, Morax summoned the Rainbow Spear. "I will carry out my contract."

Seeing Morax's reaction, the dozen or so demons opposite him laughed and drew their weapons. Their faces were no longer solemn, but beaming with smiles, as if they had returned to the time before the war and were just sparring and playing around...

They gave it their all in this battle, holding nothing back.

"Impregnable!" Morax activated his shield at the start, wielding his Rainbow Spear to meet the onslaught of the demon gods.

"The Tragedy of the Sea of ​​Clouds!"

"Red Tide, heed my call!"

"Frost flies, snow falls, the sun shines brightly, and winter is over!"

"Split the heavens!"

.........

The sounds of clashing weapons, shouts, colorful attacks, rubble from the cliffs, and deep ravines all spoke of the intensity of the battle.

Xuan Yue stood quietly on the cliff to the side, watching the final glory of the demon gods.

"Morax! Your title of God of War is nothing more than this!" The Sword Demon God was being stubborn and laughing wildly, despite the wounds on his body.

"Morax, this isn't like you. If this continues, will you let me sit on the throne of the Liyue Emperor?" one of the demon gods teased.

The other demons were also trying to provoke Morax's fighting spirit. Even though some demons were already exhausted, they still picked up their weapons and rushed into the battlefield.

The surrounding area was in turmoil, and Xuan Yue helped suppress it so that it wouldn't be noticed by the humans from all sides. Looking at Morax's gloomy face beneath his divine armor, and at his struggling emotions, the pain of soberly killing his old friend with his own hands was far more indescribable than the death of his friend, even though it was their own request...

Suddenly, the sky brightened, like the sun shining brightly.

"The heavens and earth are in turmoil!" Enormous rock spears rained down from the sky, death began to descend, the mid-level demon gods began their demise, while the high-level demon gods continued to resist...

"That's more like it, worthy of your name, God of War." The Cloud Demon God transformed into clouds and mist, wandering among the rock spears.

The Crimson Tide Demon and the Frost Demon froze the seawater, using the ice to dodge: "Crimson Frost Roar!"

"Morac, don't hold back, we don't want any regrets!" The Sword Demon God conjured a greatsword and held it against the rock spear: "Ten Thousand Swords Return to One!"

"The heavens move, mountains and seas take shape, and stars rise from the barren land, shining as brightly as the sun..." Xuan Yue murmured.

Morax gritted his teeth, hardened his heart, and threw down more rock spears, tears streaming down his face.

"Everyone, in the next life..." he murmured to himself, but could never finish the sentence.

"Hahahaha, so happy!"

"Take care, Morax."

"Let's still be brothers in the next life!"

"Humans are in your hands now..."

"Don't look so gloomy, give me a smile!"

"Thank you for your help. You have lived up to the name of the God of War."

"I accept my defeat wholeheartedly this time."

Take care.

"Take care of yourself……"

…………

"Boom boom boom!" The sky exploded, the rock spears plunged into the sea, and the demon gods met their end in this place where they used to fight.

The demon god was killed, harboring resentment and incurring karmic burdens. Yet, despite the deaths of over a dozen demon gods, the sea remained remarkably clear, suggesting they were willing to accept this fate, or rather, willing to die at the hands of their former friend…

Morax approached Xuan Yue, lowered his hat brim so his expression was obscured, and the atmosphere was unusually somber.

“They were smiling,” Xuan Yue said slowly.

“I know.” Morax turned to look at the rows of rock spears, his thoughts racing: “I wanted to buy osmanthus flowers and share wine, but alas, my old friend… when will we meet again?”

"At least, they are very happy. They have probably been waiting for this battle for a long time, haven't they?"

Morax did not answer, but simply took out a few bottles and handed them to Xuan Yue.

"The essence of the demon god, truly... it seems I owe them a favor, but alas, I can only repay it in my next life..." Xuan Yue sighed. "Let's give this place a name, so we can come here to pay our respects from time to time..."

“…Summon the Lonely Cloud Pavilion…” After saying that, Morax left, leaving Joavis alone, staring blankly at the rock spears.

sorry……