Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

"Mark Hughes, how did you get so small!" On the second day of the Lantern Festival, Xuan Yue stayed here out of curiosity. While strolling around the streets, she happened to see many miniature versions of Mark Hughes helping to cook in every household.

"Lulu?"

"Hey, it can't speak. Is it Mark Hughes's puppet?"

"Hahaha, that's not my puppet, it's a part of me." A miniature version of Mark Hughes walked over and stood in front of Xuan Yue.

"!" Xuan Yue was startled and immediately picked up Mark Hughes in her hands, then looked him up and down.

"What's wrong?" Mark Hughes asked.

"Mark Hughes, could you teach me this ability? I want to use it to be with Xuan Qing." Xuan Yue's eyes were already gleaming with golden light.

"Uh...it seems not. This is a split in myself, but the main body of the original consciousness is mine, and they are different from you. They have no self-awareness. You, on the other hand, have already developed spiritual intelligence."

"It's nothing, I was just asking," Xuan Yue said with a smile, but the light in her eyes dimmed slightly.

“No need…” Xuan Qing’s ethereal voice rang out, not loud, but loud enough for the two of them to hear clearly.

"Who!" Mark Hughes exclaimed warily.

“Hey, Mark Hughes, it’s a misunderstanding, it’s Xuan Qing.” Xuan Yue immediately recounted his story with Xuan Qing to Mark Hughes.

"You're expending too much energy like this, change back," Xuan Qing said again.

"Uh, but I..."

"Change back." Xuan Qing said this time with an unquestionable tone.

Xuan Yue sighed, then a flash of white light appeared, and he transformed back into a boy of about 12 years old.

"By the way, how's your recovery going?" Xuan Yue, who had shrunk, was holding Mark Hughes, so she put him down and asked Xuan Qing.

"It's acceptable," Xuan Qing said succinctly, his words carrying a hint of surprise.

(Well, that's the same as saying nothing at all.) Xuan Yue thought to herself.

“I can hear you.” Xuan Qing’s voice came again. Xuan Yue’s expression froze, but Mark Hughes looked completely bewildered, as if he didn’t know what had happened.

"Ahem, um...aren't you guys going to Jueyun Pass?" Mark Hughes interrupted the awkward atmosphere.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yue came to her senses and asked, "Why do you say that? Is there some special reason behind it?"

“On the second day of Lantern Festival, people visit relatives and friends, symbolizing meeting again next year and reuniting with other friends,” Mark Hughes explained.

"Don't go."

"Okay." Xuanqing and Xuanyue had completely different attitudes.

“I’m in charge now, listen to me.” Xuan Yue chuckled, then bid farewell to Mark Hughes and immediately flew to Jueyun.

— Jueyunjian

"Your Majesty, the war is not pressing at the moment, so what are you pondering? Why do you look so worried?" Liu Yun asked.

"Nothing much, just thinking about some things." Morax picked up the tea in front of him and took a sip.

"Come, come, try the soup I just made." Gui Dian brought the soup, which was served in a white jade bowl, to the poolside.

"Perfect timing, I still have some Mora meat here, Your Majesty, would you like some?" Liu Yun said casually.

"Oh? What good stuff is this? It smells so good." Xuan Yue appeared at just the right moment.

"Xuan Yue, you've come at the perfect time. The sunrise is lovely today. Liu Yun and I have made something to eat; would you like to try some?" Gui Zhong invited.

"It must be because of my superior skills."

"That's not necessarily true." The two began their silent competition again.

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” Xuan Yue waved her hand, conjuring a white jade bench next to Morax’s seat.

"I have good news for you all, Xuanqing has woken up."

“Oh, that’s really good news.” Morax’s lips curled up slightly at this point.

"Xuan is awake! Quick, quick! Bring him out, I have something to say!" Gui Zhong hurriedly said.

"What is it? I can do it too," Xuan Yue said defiantly.

"Then... Xuan Yue, could you use the authority of the Mirror Demon God that you were stripped of last time to help copy the Returning End Machine? After all, mass-producing this thing is very laborious," Returning End said uncertainly.

"Oh, and my Taiwei Instrument Plate. You said you wanted to modify it a bit and then give it to a human as a keepsake, so I should keep one for myself," Liu Yun added.

“Um… old friend…” Morax spoke up at this moment, and Xuan Yue stiffly turned her head and said, “Do you want to copy something too?”

“That’s not it,” Xuan Yue breathed a sigh of relief, but the next second, “It’s just that my old friend Xuan Qing has woken up. Could you show us your true form? After all, I’m also a little curious about the dragon’s form other than Ruo Tuo.”

"Crack!" (Xuan Yue froze into a stone statue)

(Sigh~, you rest.) Xuan Qing's voice entered her mind. Xuan Yue obediently switched places with him, then drew circles in a corner...

Xuan Qing appeared before everyone dressed in a black robe, but he had grown considerably, now resembling a boy of about 15 years old, and silver patterns had appeared on his black robe.

"Don't bully him." Xuan Qing's voice was cold. Liu Yun sneezed. The other demon god was fine, but he felt the temperature around him drop sharply.

"Old friend, try to ward off this chill," Morax said casually, glancing at the frozen tea, before brewing another cup.

Xuanqing noticed Morax's subtle movements but said nothing, focusing on containing the chill to prevent the tea from freezing.

"I'm sorry, my injuries haven't healed yet. Let's make this quick." Xuan Qing's tone carried a hint of apology.

“My current abilities are limited, and I can't replicate many. I will share the authority with Xuan Yue, and he can replicate them.” Xuan Qing summarized his meaning simply: he was still unwell and unable to use this authority, but he could delegate it to Xuan Yue, who was currently in charge.

After Xuanqing finished expressing his meaning, he turned to Morax, a look of helplessness on his face: "I'm sorry, Morax, Xuanyue didn't hear what I said. He only heard one word: our true form is not a dragon."

"I see, but it's alright. I was just a little curious."

Xuan Qing nodded: "Yes, if you're curious, you can show me something when you have some free time."

"Alright, I should go now. Have a good time." Before anyone could stop him, Xuan Yue, who had already changed back into his white robes, still looked like a 15-year-old boy. His white robes were adorned with golden patterns, and his expression was slightly melancholy.

"Have you reached an agreement?" Xuan Yue asked.

"Um, Xuan Yue, we're not..." Gui Zhong still sounded slightly apologetic.

"It's alright, I'm used to it." Xuan Yue smiled and poured herself a cup of tea, saying, "Although Xuan Qing and I are both Ruoyavis, we are two different individuals. We each have our own duties, so it's inevitable that similar situations will occur. So, don't worry about it."

“Xuan Yue…” Liu Yun also expressed some apology.

"Alright, alright, Xuanqing has already told me. Leave your copies to me, I'll handle it." Xuanyue started to liven up the atmosphere and quickly ladled Guizhong's soup into her bowl.

"Hey! You bastard, leave some for us!" Liu Yun panicked and started grabbing too.

"Don't rush, don't rush! I'll burn it later!" Gui Zhong hurriedly tried to stop the two from fighting, while Morax just sat aside drinking tea, seemingly unconcerned.

"Yes, it is truly a unique and beautiful sight."

--after a while

"I'm so full." Xuan Yue rubbed her stomach and said contentedly.

"Xuan Yue, you're supposed to be a demon god, you should act like one," Gui Zhong said, laughing as he looked at Xuan Yue.

"I'm not like Xuan Qing, who has to be mindful of his image all the time. That would take away so much fun. I think life is about making yourself happy. Even if you have to leave someday, at least you won't have any regrets," Xuan Yue replied with a smile.

“My old friend is right. This insight surpasses that of most demon gods,” Morax said at the opportune moment.

"By the way, shouldn't you explain this war between demons? I still don't understand it."

Morax, Liu Yun, and Gui Zhong's expressions began to turn serious.

"The War of the Demon Gods, in the end, is nothing more than a game played by those celestial beings. I am but a pawn in this game, yet I have no power to resist," Morax spoke first.

"The War of Demons, as the name suggests, is a war where demons from all sides fight and kill each other. The seven demons who emerge victorious will become the gods of this world," Gui Zhong explained.

"You've arrived at the right time. If it had been any earlier, there would have been far more demons than just these. Initially, this place had the most demons, and they were all engaged in chaotic battles. Most of the early immortals died in those battles..." Tears welled up in Liu Yun's eyes, but he quickly calmed down and continued, "Jueyun Realm was very lively at first, not just with us immortal beasts, but also with Qilin. Oh! Right, I almost forgot to introduce you to Xiao Ganyu. She's a half-immortal beast, with half Qilin blood flowing through her veins. Her mother was very brave, fighting to the very last moment on the battlefield." Liu Yun sighed deeply again.

"Thank you for your hard work." Xuan Yue seemed to feel something as well, wanting to say something but not daring to speak.

(Speak, they are trustworthy.) Xuan Qing said in his sea of ​​consciousness.

"I think I can tell you a little about Joavis's past memories, Joavis's memories, you know," Xuan Yue said with a light laugh, but his eyes lacked their usual mirth.

"In a faraway land, the times are peaceful and serene. The demon god protects the land, and the people rejoice. Though the demon god's face does not show it, his heart is filled with warmth. He longs to stay in this moment forever."

"But fate played a cruel joke on him. As he searched for new land to plant, an invader cast a curse, and none of his people survived their god's rescue. His best friend fought to the death but fell in the icy river..."

"The demon god rushed back, his rage causing the earth to tremble. He embraced his friend's body, but it was only for the last time. The once warm city became hell, and the wronged souls of the people cried out, unable to be reincarnated."

"Revenge was his obsession. He pursued the invader for 500 years, determined to fight him to the death. Like a beast without reason, he relentlessly stripped away the strength of those who stood in his way. When he finally found his enemy, he cursed his people before the enemy's very eyes, saying: 'I am not you, but you have committed an unforgivable sin. My people are wailing day and night, so your people will also suffer this pain. Their souls will fall into hell and endure a thousand years of torment before they can be reincarnated.' He shattered the demon's soul and then returned to his homeland."

"He wandered his territory like a walking corpse, watching the souls suffer. His last thread snapped. He buried his entire kingdom deep underground, split his soul in two, used his last shred of sanity to purify all the dead, and finally fell into a deep sleep..."

"Life is unpredictable. Some people are always alive, while others have already left. Shouldn't those who are alive experience a new life?" Xuan Yue chuckled softly, if one ignored the tears welling in his eyes...