Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"…My mother?"

That soft voice murmured instinctively, as if she hadn't fully processed the words yet.

The God of Wisdom fell into silence.

Mother—was it meant in the way she understood?

The one who nurtures life, who raises and cares for a child.

But from the moment she was born, Nahida had always been alone in this world.

She could not communicate with others, nor could she leave her place of confinement.

Being stripped of freedom meant that even her existence itself had begun to fade.

There were few who still remembered her now.

It had been this way for hundreds of years.

Thankfully, she had found Ren.

Just being able to talk with him like this was already enough.

"That's right—your mother."

Ren recalled the white-clad woman he had briefly encountered in the forest.

That flawless figure, the gentle presence that could soothe all wounds of the heart—

She was unforgettable.

Ren shook his head, feeling somewhat emotional.

Shame she's already married and has a kid…

Just to be clear—he wasn't some homewrecker.

It was just that odd feeling of seeing something precious already claimed by someone else.

Who the hell got that lucky?

"I don't have a mother. You must be mistaken."

After a moment of thought, Nahida answered seriously.

"Little one, you shouldn't joke about things like that."

Ren sighed, rubbing his forehead.

She was being so serious about not having a mother…

What a warm and loving family dynamic.

Did he just trigger some kind of childhood rebellion phase?

Better be careful—if your mom finds out, she might spank you.

"I'm serious."

Her soft voice now carried a trace of firmness, as if she truly wanted to debate this with Ren.

"Alright, then let me ask you a few questions."

Ren pondered for a moment before speaking again.

This little girl wants to argue like an adult?

Sure, I may have lost every debate against Sandrone…

But she was a Fatui Harbinger with a scientific background—losing to her wasn't embarrassing.

But going up against Nahida?

Like I'd lose to a kid looking for her mom!

"Go ahead."

Nahida responded calmly, her tone serious.

Honestly, she sounded pretty convincing—

Except for that unmistakable childishness, which made Ren chuckle.

What a cute little girl.

"How are you talking to me right now?"

Ren smiled and threw out his first question.

"Obviously through—"

Nahida was about to say she had intercepted his communication signal—

But she hesitated and stopped.

That's when she realized—

Ren didn't have any communication device on him.

Then this conversation…

Is a direct link between our consciousness?

"Why aren't you answering, little one?"

Ren smirked, pressing his advantage.

Heh, she's just a kid. One question, and she's already flustered.

Crap—why do I feel so smug about this?

"It's a new vessel."

After a brief moment of perception, Nahida finally realized something.

Her consciousness had connected to Ren's without using her usual dream-based abilities.

Such perfect synchronization—

It exceeded her understanding.

And that natural sense of closeness between them…

Was it because of that night, when their minds resonated?

"What exactly is this?"

Her soft voice was filled with curiosity and thirst for knowledge.

"It's something your mother entrusted to me."

Ren smiled and raised a hand, where a soft green glow appeared at his fingertips.

The very same "seed" that the white-clad woman had given him in a dream—

The one she had asked him to plant.

"Feel anything familiar?"

Ren held up the small leaf and spoke gently.

That tiny green leaf carried the wisdom and power of the white-clad woman.

"Such powerful vitality…"

Nahida whispered in awe.

"Starting to recognize your mother now?"

"I…"

Nahida hesitated.

She did sense a familiar presence.

The immense energy and boundless wisdom within that leaf…

"My consciousness can blend seamlessly into this power."

She spoke softly, feeling warmth spreading through her entire being.

That sensation of returning to her origin…

"Does this help you remember who your mother is?"

"I don't know."

After a long silence, Nahida finally spoke again, her voice quiet.

By purely logical reasoning—

She couldn't actually prove she had no mother.

Thinking back to her birth…

She had been taken to the Akademiya while still weak, and had never been allowed to interact with the outside world.

And now, here was a power identical to her own.

"I have a mother…?"

The God of Wisdom gave up on rationalizing.

"Nahida, little one, stay strong."

Ren sighed, offering a few words of comfort.

Not being able to find her mother—

That had to be tough.

"What does she look like? Is she beautiful?"

Nahida asked softly.

If she really did have a mother…

Then why, after hundreds of years, had she never come to see her?

"She's very beautiful. And incredibly kind."

"…Thank you."

A quiet trace of joy seeped into her soft voice.

Even though Ren was complimenting someone she had never met,

Nahida couldn't help but feel like he was praising her, and the thought made her happy.

"If you want to be sure, you'll have to meet her in person."

That woman might not necessarily be her mother—

But their power was undoubtedly connected.

Just as Nahida's heart began to fill with anticipation—

"I can share my memories with you."

Ren thought for a moment and came up with an idea.

The next second, images of the white-clad woman surfaced in Nahida's consciousness.

"She's… not…!"

Nahida froze.

"What is it?"

Ren chuckled.

Wow, look at her reaction to seeing her mom.

"She's the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."

"The what now?"

Ren frowned.

That name sounded like some kind of ancient king with a long, flowing beard.

"She was the previous Dendro Archon of Sumeru."

Nahida examined Ren's memories and murmured the words softly.

"…?"

Both of them fell into silence.

"So you're saying… you're the daughter of a god?"

Ren took a deep breath, his expression solemn.

Holy crap.

The internet is wild these days—even divine second-generation heirs are out here now.

"To be precise, I'm not a child."

Nahida quickly corrected him.

After all, she was the current Dendro Archon of Sumeru.

But she didn't outright deny the possibility that she was Rukkhadevata's child—

Because… it might actually be true.

The God of Wisdom had unknowingly been led astray by Ren's reasoning.

"Alright then, little Nahida."

"…"

After a brief moment of surprise, Nahida calmed down.

Instead, she shifted her focus to the green leaf in Ren's hand.

"You don't seem excited about meeting your mother."

"That's right. It's over."

Nahida sighed softly, murmuring her words.

Ren blinked in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Your mother is gentle and beautiful—why wouldn't you want to see her?"

"If I had the chance, I'd definitely want to meet her."

Thinking back to the breathtaking, kind-hearted woman, Ren couldn't help but smile.

"Because… the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata is gone."

"…?"

Ren's smile slowly faded.

She's… gone?