Genshin Impact: The God Incarnate

As the dust settled, Morax processed the words he had just heard.

Accept the covenant?

Could it be that Guizhong, the God of Dust, sought to forge an alliance with him? The object in her hands, the Memory of Dust, was a symbol of such an agreement. To accept it would mean formally acknowledging her covenant.

Morax stood still, lost in thought, his gaze fixed on Guizhong. When had she formed this idea?

He knew that gods typically lived in solitude, fiercely protective of their own territories. While they might form friendships with neighboring gods, formal alliances were rare. In this region, he had never encountered any instance of gods forging such covenants.

As for his bond with Zennos...

It wasn't a formal alliance but something even deeper—akin to the familial bond shared between brothers. However, describing it precisely eluded him.

With a sigh, Morax broke the silence.

"This is all quite sudden." "May I ask, Guizhong, why you wish to form this alliance?"

He stroked his chin and looked at her, carefully avoiding taking the Memory of Dust from her outstretched hands.

For two gods to ally was no trivial matter. Morax needed to weigh this decision thoughtfully.

Guizhong smiled gently, her voice steady with conviction.

"I admire your strength." "As the God of Dust, I know my own limitations. My power alone is insufficient to withstand powerful external threats." "That's why I need a strong ally—one whose might can shield me from harm and allow me to fully exercise my wisdom."

Her candid response reflected her sincerity.

Guizhong made no attempt to hide or embellish her intentions. She understood that forming a lie would only require countless others to sustain it. Thus, she laid bare her motives.

"I see," Morax replied, nodding as he fell silent once again.

Her reasoning was forthright. She valued strength, and indeed, his power was considerable.

Still, Morax hesitated. Accepting this alliance wouldn't just involve him. The lands of Liyue were no longer his alone to govern.

"Forgive me, Guizhong, but I cannot accept this on my own," he finally said. "Liyue is not solely mine to command. I must also consult Zennos regarding this decision."

With that, Morax deftly shifted the burden to Vorthis, his companion, who had been quietly observing the interaction.

"Wait, what?!" Vorthis exclaimed, caught off guard by Morax's sudden referral. You're leaving this to me?!

Vorthis sighed inwardly. He knew Morax had long accepted him as a co-ruler of Liyue. Still, being involved in such a weighty decision felt sudden.

But Vorthis, the unseen catalyst behind many such events, had no reason to hesitate.

"I believe Guizhong's strength lies in her wisdom," Vorthis said with a grin. "She may not be the most powerful among us, but she is by no means weak. Environmental factors have constrained her, preventing her from realizing her full potential."

"If you're asking my opinion," he continued, "I think Guizhong is trustworthy. She's a kind-hearted god with profound wisdom. If we ally with her, she could bring immense prosperity to our people."

Turning to Morax, Vorthis concluded, "So I say you should accept the Memory of Dust."

Morax mulled over Vorthis' words, glancing at Guizhong, who stood before him with hopeful eyes.

Indeed, Vorthis' argument held merit. Guizhong's strength might not rank among the most formidable of gods, but her wisdom undoubtedly did.

Recalling their past conversations, Morax was struck by her innovative ideas and far-reaching insights. With her help, their domain's governance could undoubtedly ascend to greater heights of prosperity.

"So be it," Morax finally said, releasing a sigh. "I will accept the Memory of Dust."

With those words, he extended his hand, taking the artifact from Guizhong.

For a moment, he studied the intricate creation, marveling at its craftsmanship, before carefully storing it within his spatial domain for safekeeping.

"Yay! This means Guizhong is officially one of us now!" Vorthis cheered, his face lighting up with excitement.

Guizhong's smile mirrored his joy. "Yes! If you ever need my wisdom, don't hesitate to ask!"

"Then I won't hold back," Morax replied with a rare hint of amusement. "In fact, I've been pondering some new ideas recently. Perhaps we can discuss them now?"

"Of course! I'd be delighted," Guizhong answered eagerly.

As the two began an animated discussion, Vorthis slipped away quietly.

"Looks like I've become a third wheel here," he muttered to himself.

Unlike Morax and Guizhong, Vorthis had little interest in the intricacies of governance or territorial management. The thought of worrying over such matters exhausted him.

Running a nation is far too much work for me.

Even the rituals Morax would later establish, such as the Rite of Descension—where he delivered divine guidance to the people each year—required meticulous observation and planning.

"That's definitely not my cup of tea," Vorthis muttered as he stepped outside the palace.

Looking around, he admired the beauty of Guizhong's territory.

It was a serene and fertile plain, but therein lay its greatest weakness. Without natural barriers, it was vulnerable to enemy incursions and calamities.

By contrast, Morax had once used his geomantic powers to erect mountains around Liyue, creating natural defenses. However, this decision also isolated the region, restricting its trade and development.

Everything comes with a trade-off, Vorthis thought.

In time, he knew, they would relocate to Guili Plains and establish Guili Assembly, a city that would serve as the foundation for Liyue's future.

But when exactly that move would happen was uncertain.

Given Morax's character, he wouldn't make such a decision lightly. However, the impending Archon War would likely serve as the catalyst for this change.

For now, Vorthis would bide his time, watching as the seeds of alliance took root.