Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [186] [50 PS]

In the real world, Ren had no idea he was the subject of a spectacular disaster.

At this moment, he had already fallen into the warm embrace of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's dream, sinking into a deep sleep.

…

"This is Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's dream?"

Ren slowly opened his eyes, taking in this unfamiliar world.

But his expression darkened.

This was nothing like the serene jungle where he had first met her.

The sky here churned with an ominous, murky gloom, twisting and writhing unnaturally.

A creeping chill slithered through his body, like a venomous serpent winding its way into his bones.

"What the hell happened here?"

His pupils contracted slightly.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata… She was a benevolent god, yet this place—

"The world… has forgotten me…"

Chaos. Agony. Madness.

Countless, unfathomable waves of despair whispered directly into his soul.

At the same time, darkness surged forward, threatening to swallow him whole.

"Where are you?!"

Ren shouted, calling out to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata as he instinctively retreated from the encroaching black void.

His gut told him—if he got swallowed by that darkness, he was done for.

"…I'm sorry… for letting you see me like this."

"It's surprising, isn't it? A God of Wisdom who can no longer maintain herself."

"Heh… how ridiculous…"

A frail, trembling voice echoed.

With those words, she shared a portion of her knowledge with him.

And at last, Ren understood everything.

"How… how could this happen…?"

He shook his head, his expression filled with sorrow.

So that was the truth.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's physical form had long perished, leaving only her soul behind.

And for the past five centuries, she had been locked in an endless struggle against the forbidden knowledge that had polluted the Irminsul—enduring ceaseless torment.

Five hundred years…

This gentle god had suffered in silence, trapped here alone.

Until today, when she finally had someone to confide in.

"It's alright, Ren."

"Since you're here, put an end to all of this for me."

"For me… and for our child…"

Her voice rang out again, as if offering comfort.

The moment the words left her lips, Ren froze.

Instinctively, he turned around—

Thud.

A small figure with white hair threw her arms around his waist, rubbing her face against him.

"Big Brother."

Nahida looked up at him, her expression filled with cautious joy—hope mingling with anxiety.

My sun, please… save Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

She almost spoke the words aloud.

But in the end, she bit her lip and swallowed them down.

She didn't want the one person who was her light to throw himself into danger.

"Nahida."

Ren ruffled her hair, his gaze softening.

Then, he reached out and scooped her up into his arms.

"It's dangerous here. Let's go find your mother."

"Then we'll leave together, alright?"

Nahida stared into his serious eyes, her long lashes trembling.

My sun… so cunning.

With words this gentle…

How could she possibly refuse?

"…But it's too dangerous. I won't be of any help."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice barely above a whisper.

The warmth of his presence still reassured her.

Nahida wanted to do something, anything.

But the sages of the Akademiya had bound her true form, restricting her divine authority.

So frustrating…

Boom!

The world around them trembled as the darkness surged once more.

An unfathomable malice fixed its gaze upon Nahida, drawn to her connection with Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

Ren only smiled.

"You know where your mother is, don't you?"

"…Mhm."

Nahida pointed in a direction.

"Then why do you say you can't help?"

Ren's tone carried a hint of mock displeasure, teasing her.

A little angel should always be smiling, after all.

As for all the burdensome troubles—those were his to carry.

After all…

"Just like your mother, I, too, wield divine authority."

His words were light, as if he were making a casual remark.

But in reality—

Ren was now a man with one foot in the realm of gods.

Crack—!

Thunder roared across the chaotic dreamscape.

"Big Brother… you're amazing…"

Nahida's bright emerald eyes sparkled as she clung to him tighter.

Such immense Electro power…

Even greater than when he had once wielded Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's power upon the sea.

Was it because of the Heart of the God of Thunder?

"…"

Ren raised his hand—arcs of violet lightning crackled around him.

Boom!

With a deafening explosion, the darkness was torn apart, revealing a shattered pathway.

At its end lay the Irminsul.

Ren smirked.

"That's it?"

Under the might of thunder, all evil recoiled.

This was only a fraction of the authority he had gained after absorbing the Heart of the God of Thunder.

And clearly, his power extended far beyond even that…

A soft, ethereal melody began to echo.

"…Singing?"

Ren blinked, momentarily taken aback.

With how much he had interacted with divine authority, his perception had long surpassed mortal limits.

This intangible power, one that isolated the madness from the outside world—this, too, was a form of divine authority.

He recalled the memory of that pure white chapel…

Of a girl with an angelic voice, playing music alongside him.

This time, it was Columbina aiding him.

Could it be that… her true identity was also connected to the gods?

"…Focus."

Ren pushed the question aside. Now wasn't the time for distractions.

With two forms of divine power aiding him, he had absolute confidence.

Lady Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, I swear—I will save you!

You wouldn't want to see your daughter suffer, would you?

"Big Brother, I want to help too."

A surge of emerald light flowed into Ren's body—pure life energy left behind by Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

Nahida, the ultimate portable battery, was back online.

"Thanks, Nahida."

Three distinct glows merged within Ren's eyes.

At this moment, he wielded the power of three divine authorities!

"Wait for me."

Murmuring under his breath, Ren's figure blurred into a storm and shot forward.

He wove through the terrain effortlessly, using various wind-based abilities to ignore all obstacles.

Climbing mountains? Crossing valleys?

None of that mattered—because when it came to wind, he was the king of mobility.

"Ren…? Why are you…?"

A voice filled with surprise echoed.

It was Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

She had been watching him all this time.

Initially, she had been worried…

But now, as she saw the inky chaos crumbling before Ren's unstoppable advance, she realized—

Nothing could stand in his way.

This was sheer, overwhelming power.

…Had that aloof Raiden Shogun secretly given Ren some kind of special training?

Boom!

There was no time for Greater Lord Rukkhadevata to react.

A thunderous explosion split the air.

Following Nahida's guidance, Ren tore through the shattered void, piercing the corrupted sky—

And arrived directly in front of her.

"Lady Greater Lord Rukkhadevata!"

Shing—!

Blades of lightning slashed outward, obliterating the dark shackles that bound her.

Her body swayed—weak, on the verge of collapse.

Ren swiftly reached out, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling the gentle goddess into his embrace.

Now, at last, mother and daughter were reunited.

"Mother, we finally saved you!"

Nahida's voice brimmed with joy.

She extended her hands, channeling pure life energy into Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's body.

"Yes… we made it."

Ren let out a quiet sigh of relief as he looked down at the goddess resting in his arms.

The darkness tainting the Irminsul had begun to fade.

It was over.

"Ren… you came."

"…Such a warm feeling."

Nestled in his arms, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata stirred slightly, slowly raising her face.

She was still breathtakingly beautiful—an image of gentle grace.

But—

Reflected in Ren's shrinking pupils was something different.

A smile.

One that grew ever so slightly distorted, a twisted kind of joy creeping in.

At last, she was free.

"…Here."

"…Kill me."

"My sun…"