Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [138] [30 PS]

Some battles are planned, others are unexpected—but a true Champion embraces them all. Consider this bonus chapter one of those surprises.

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"Do you want to know the truth, my partner?"

"Then go meet her."

The doll-like girl, Sandrone, spoke with a serious expression as she extended her small hand toward Ren, issuing an invitation.

"The truth?"

Ren tilted his face upward, gazing into the night sky.

All sound had been stripped from the world around him.

The stars had vanished, replaced by a dreamlike spectrum of brilliant, kaleidoscopic hues.

It was beautiful—and mysterious.

The Third Harbinger of the Fatui, the "Damselette"...

She was the one who had crafted this place through her song.

But what was her purpose?

"What an incredible ability," Ren murmured, flexing his hands.

The sensations were real.

Was this truly reality, or just a dream?

The doll-like girl on his shoulder offered no response.

"Sandrone?"

Ren instinctively turned his head, his expression shifting.

Sandrone, who had been perched on his shoulder, was nowhere to be seen.

It seemed he was now entirely alone in this strange world.

"What is it you want to do?"

Ren inhaled deeply, his voice low as he murmured to himself.

The space's creator seemed to respond.

The melody began anew, and the world shifted once more.

"This is..."

Ren's eyes widened in shock.

The dreamlike colors were swallowed by darkness, the sky itself seeming to fracture.

It was a calamity buried deep within forgotten memories—a world-ending catastrophe that had already occurred.

Under its overwhelming destruction, everything seemed so insignificant.

Insignificant enough to make one question the very reality of the world.

Life perished, civilizations crumbled.

Ren stood frozen, silently watching the despair that had engulfed this realm.

"..."

The song grew more sorrowful.

Amid the calamity, a spirit Damselette fled from the devastation.

Unlike her partners, who succumbed to the curse and disintegrated, her form remained whole, breathtakingly beautiful.

She was the last survivor of the spirit race.

Suddenly, she noticed Ren.

"I... I couldn't save them," she said, her ethereal voice trembling.

She reached out a hand toward him.

But the collapsing ground between them formed an unbridgeable divide.

"Wait! Who are you?"

The Damselette's profound sorrow stirred Ren to shout.

What had happened to this dreamlike world?

Before he could ask further, everything before him dissolved like a mirage.

The song, now haunting, came from behind him.

Someone was silently observing him.

"Sorry for showing you such painful memories."

The voice came softly from behind.

It was the same voice as the Damselette's in the dream.

As the words faded, the song began again.

"!"

Ren crouched down, clutching his head tightly.

His complexion paled as pain spread across his features.

He realized now—the song was affecting his consciousness.

If this continued...

"No!"

Ren let out a low roar, focusing his will to resist.

Stealing his consciousness? Not a chance!

Crack—

A piercing violet glow erupted in Ren's eyes.

Thunder roared as a corner of the mysterious space above him fractured and opened.

It was the blessing granted by the shrine maiden.

[Elemental Skill: Baleful Omen]

Ren remained conscious, successfully activating his ability.

The melody could no longer sway him.

"A surprisingly strong willpower," the ethereal voice remarked, tinged with surprise.

The divine power wasn't unexpected.

But Ren's ability to stay conscious within the song—it proved his extraordinary nature.

Perhaps even capable of resonating with her deepest memories...

As she silently pondered—

"Phew... Nice to meet you."

Ren slowly straightened and turned around.

Not far from him stood a pale-skinned woman in a white gown.

Her long, smooth hair fell gracefully to her waist, and her skin was ashen, like gray embers. Her eyes remained closed.

She gently plucked at the strings of a lyre, singing a song of unknown origin.

"Have you guessed who I am?"

The pale maiden stopped humming, her soft smile unfurling.

With her at the center, the dreamscape began to stabilize.

It was as if the world-ending calamity had been nothing but a fleeting nightmare.

Ren exhaled softly, his gaze wary.

"Why did you bring me here? What is your purpose?"

"You're the Fatui's Third Harbinger..."

"The 'Damselette.'"

The pale woman raised her flawless face at his words.

Ren froze momentarily.

It was only then that he noticed the velvet mask covering her face.

And her eyes—softly closed—had never opened.

Languid, tranquil, like an angel who had lost her wings.

Yet despite her beauty, she could sing a song filled with such sorrow.

Ren's thoughts drifted back to the Damselette he had seen in the dream.

The two figures began to merge in his mind.

"I know you have many questions," the Damselette said gently, strumming the lyre once more.

"But where should I begin?"

Her tone was light, but her words carried weight.

The calamity in the dream, and the encounter with Ren, had both caught her off guard.

After a moment's thought, the Damselette shook her head with a soft smile.

"As much as I'd like to talk with you longer..."

"It seems someone else is eager to see you."

"She'll explain everything."

With a small wave of her hand, the Damselette's figure began to fade.

"Wait! Explain yourself, Damselette!"

Ren's eyes flared with violet light as he moved to follow.

"Call me Colombina," she replied with a smile, raising a finger to her lips.

"And by the way, you can't tell anyone what you saw in the dream."

"This will be our little secret..."

Her ethereal voice lingered, and the Damselette's figure vanished entirely.

I look forward to meeting you properly, Ren...

"You!"

Ren lunged forward, but found nothing.

Just as he began to focus his senses on his surroundings—

"My partner, what did you see?"

A tap on his shoulder startled him.

"You're..."

Ren turned, his eyes widening in surprise.

Standing before him was Sandrone.

Not the doll-like version—her real body.

"You can't even recognize me now?"

Sandrone huffed, her tone laced with mock indignation.

If she'd known this would happen...

She should've asked Sister Colombina to rough Ren up a bit first.

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A true Champion knows that every battle, every choice, and every unexpected twist shapes the path to mastery. Consider this bonus chapter a rare encounter—one that wouldn't be possible without the right support.

That's why you should support WiseTL at [patreon.com/WiseTL]—where every pledge helps bring more high-quality translations to life, staying true to the original while flowing naturally in English. After all, excellence is in the details.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more to prepare for. But you? You should take this opportunity—you never know what rare finds await.

—Cynthia