Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

“Xuan Yue, we’ve arrived.” Emerging from the black hole, Xuan Yue and Xuan Qing, now transformed back into the human Qing Yue, stood on the land of Nata.

"This is Nata! So many canyons! Hey! Xuanqing, look there's a little dragon cub!" Xuanyue instantly separated from Qingyue, then materialized and ran over there. It was obviously a grass-type dragon cub.

“Hey Xuan Yue, we can hold the dragon cub again later. Now we should go and talk to Xibarak. After all, this is her territory, and as guests, we should go and say hello.”

Xuanqing's reminder brought Xuanyue back to her senses, and she stopped trying to hug the dragon cub. She obediently merged into the body and transformed into that blue eye.

(Okay, I'm back...) The voice sounded a little disappointed.

(I really don't understand you. There are dragons in Inazuma's Abyss and Liyue's Lapis Lazuli, so why do you have to come to Nata?)

(Hey, Xuanqing, just tell me, between these little dragons and Inazuma Liyue's, which do you prefer?)

(...) To be honest, I can't go against my conscience even if I want to.

(Nata.) Xuanqing still told the truth.

(Look!)

(Okay, we're almost there, calm down a bit.)

While they were having a spiritual dialogue, Xuan Qing took the lead and knocked on Shibarak's door.

"Here you are!" It was Shibarak who opened the door, but he was puzzled when he saw Qingyue in front of him.

"Hmm? Excuse me, sir, do we know each other?"

"In that case, it is indeed our first meeting, Lord Kagami. I am Kiyotsuki. We met at a gathering a few years ago."

“A gathering a few years ago…” Hibarak thought for a moment. He had only organized one “Return of the Holy Flame” pilgrimage in recent years, but the person in front of him was clearly dressed as a Liyue person. To say that he went to a banquet in Liyue a few years ago… Hmm, no way.

"Well, let's come in first." Hibarak led Qingyue into the room.

To be honest, Shibarak's room was small compared to the rooms of gods in other countries, but it was particularly cozy.

"Um, if I'm not mistaken, you shouldn't be 'you two,' but Xuan Qing and Xuan Yue, right?"

"You guessed correctly." Xuan Qing nodded.

"So, is there something important that you've come all the way from Liyue?"

"That's not that important..."

"No! It's very important!"

Xuan Yue was the first to disagree with Xuan Qing's words, so she spoke up, which startled Xibarak.

"What the hell! There's someone else?"

Xuan Qing sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation. Then Xuan Yue materialized, put her hands on her hips, and looked at Xuan Qing with an angry expression.

"Ah, so it's Xuan Yue." Hibarak patted his chest, looking utterly startled.

"Lord Vulcan, I'm so sorry to have come uninvited. It was my idea to come to Nata. I'm far away in Liyue, and I heard that the little dragons in Nata are very cute, so I came to pay a visit." Xuan Yue explained her purpose and bowed to Shibarak to express her apology for unintentionally startling her earlier.

"So you've come to see our Nata's dragons." Shibarak covered his mouth and laughed. "Honestly, I thought it was something important that made you travel all this way to Nata."

"I'm so sorry," Xuan Qing sighed.

"Hahaha, we're all family here, no need to be so reserved. I already knew at the party that Xuan Yue really wanted to come to Nata. It's so kind of you to have the time."

"If there is any inconvenience, I will not disturb you. I just came to say hello."

"Would you like me to introduce you to a guide?"

"No need. I'm mainly here to keep Xuan Yue company. After all, we've been separated for too long, and I haven't been to any places with him except Mondstadt."

"You've done a pretty good job as an older brother," Shibarak nodded with satisfaction.

"Here you go, Shibarak, this is a gift for you!" Xuan Yue took out a basket of fruit from her spatial storage, all of which were local specialties of Liyue.

"I noticed you really enjoyed the grapes and mandarin oranges last time, so I brought you some. I hope you like them."

"Wow! Xuan Yue, this gift is exactly what I wanted, I'll accept it."

"If you like it, then we'll take our leave. Bye-bye."

Xuan Yue, holding Xuan Qing's hand, bid farewell to Shibarak. Once the door closed, Shibarak took a note from the basket: "See you at dawn. I have important matters to discuss. Please forgive my abruptness."

(This... was written by Xuanqing? Or Xuanyue? This Liyue language is a bit hard to understand.) Hibarak was completely baffled.

At this moment, Xuan Yue had already led Xuan Qing to the territory of the Suspended Wood People. Because they were standing on the mountainside, trying to determine their direction, they were completely unaware that there was a community behind them.

"Xuanqing, do you prefer Rock, Water, or Grass types?"

"Hmm, I'll choose the wind element."

"You're really just giving me the runaround."

"No."

"Then why did you get a fourth answer in the three-choice question? Are you specifically referring to Dvalin?"

"..." Xuan Qing was speechless for a moment and could only change the subject, saying, "So, should we go to other places to look for dragons or find out about the situation from the humans here?"

There are people there.

Xuanqing did not answer, but simply stepped back. There were many protruding houses on the high mountain behind him, built on the cliff. If he fell, the entire clan would be wiped out.

"Building such a high place, do they think they can fly..." Before Xuan Yue could finish complaining, Xuan Qing's gaze made him look to the other side. Good heavens, there was a group of people with ropes tied to their bodies jumping off the cliff, and several other people recording data next to them.

"..." Very well, his prediction came true.

"The Suspended Wood People tribe is known for its thrill-seeking, and many have lost their lives because of this trait." Xuan Qing's purple eyes flashed slightly as she immediately revealed the tribe's information. Xuan Yue already knew how people died in their pursuit of thrills.

"Look at how much fun they're having, is it really that fun?" Xuan Yue actually started to think about this question, and Xuan Qing said directly, "They can fly, and they won't die from falling."

Xuan Yue's automatic translation: (Because you can fly, there's no danger in doing this.)

"Then, Xuanqing, let's try it together!" Before Xuanqing could speak, Xuanyue pulled him down the cliff while he was off guard.

As they fell, their minds were exceptionally clear. The world was upside down, and the scenery was rushing past them. Just as Xuan Yue was about to savor the experience a little longer, Xuan Qing created a space that transported them to another location.

"Hey Xuanqing! I haven't had enough fun yet!" Xuanyue said to Xuanqing with dissatisfaction, but she didn't get a response for a long time.

Xuan Qing was very calm, so calm that her eyes were unfocused, and her whole person seemed to be shrouded in a gray veil, as if she would disappear at any moment. Xuan Yue bit her lip, hugged Xuan Qing directly, and laughed, "Ah Qing, why are you ignoring me again? Come on, let's go see what fun things the other tribes in Nata have to offer."

These words brought Xuan Qing back to his senses. Xuan Yue took his hand and led him forward. The scene was serene and peaceful. Xuan Qing wore a faint smile. Seeing this, Xuan Yue couldn't help but tighten her grip on his hand a little more...

After a day of fun, Xuan Yue and Xuan Qing soaked in the hot springs in Nata, played with spray paint, and even jumped off a cliff... well, let's not really count that. Then they ran all over the tribe causing trouble... no... I mean, playing with all sorts of little dragon cubs of different attributes. It wasn't until the sun set over the mountains that Xuan Yue pulled Xuan Qing to rest. And so, they finally fell asleep on the bed in the inn.

Until the early hours of the next day—

"I am coming."

"Then come in, I've been waiting for you..." Hibarak was eating grapes and tossed one into the other's hand: "So, what important matter do you want to discuss with me?"

"Xuan Yue."