Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"This… you must have misheard, Keqing."

Ren tried to stay calm, but his eyes darted toward the ocean as he subtly edged away.

Priority: Protect the [Lion's Roar] sword.

Kitty, why do you walk without making a sound?!

In an instant, Ren imagined all sorts of terrible scenarios.

"…"

Keqing narrowed her sharp eyes and stuck close to him.

Trying to run?

Her suspicious gaze grew more intense.

"Keqing, are you done talking?"

Ren activated his [Topic Diversion Skill].

But the more he spoke, the guiltier he felt.

Wait—did I even do anything wrong?

All he did was have a harmless chat with the adorable little angel that was Nahida…

"Why are you sweating? You'll catch a cold."

Suddenly, the air of danger vanished.

Keqing smiled gently, lifting a hand to brush Ren's shoulder.

"Haha… it's nothing."

Ren tried to shift his body, but Keqing pressed him firmly in place.

Busted.

Keqing's instincts were way too sharp.

"You really need to take better care of yourself."

Unexpectedly, Keqing didn't press further.

Instead, she took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead, her expression soft and caring.

Only—

A subtle darkness flickered in her pretty eyes.

"Ahem, I got it."

Ren coughed lightly, clutching the [Lion's Roar] sword sheathe even tighter.

Don't ask. Just play dumb.

"Ren, are you alright?"

Nahida's soft voice carried concern.

Ren's emotions had suddenly tensed.

Was it because of her?

"I'm fine, don't worry."

Ren reassured her.

As expected of Nahida—always so kind.

Their conversation was purely spiritual—there was no way anyone could detect it.

Totally safe.

Sure enough, after observing him for a while, Keqing found nothing unusual.

"Alright, just finish your call quickly."

She huffed, shoving the communication device against his chest.

Then she turned and walked away, face cool and unreadable.

Not because she was annoyed that Ren was calling Sandrone again. Definitely not.

Ren sighed in relief and looked at the screen.

"My dear partner, what's so secretive?"

On the other end, Sandrone sipped her tea elegantly.

"…"

Ren glanced at Keqing's retreating, slightly huffy figure.

Looks like Sandrone won this round.

As expected of you.

"Actually—"

Before Ren could speak—

Sandrone blinked, then suddenly smiled.

"You made Keqing leave. She won't be mad, will she?"

Of course, she had positioned herself as the older sister—and Keqing as the little sister.

As for how the ranking was decided?

Naturally, it was based on the outcome of their latest exchange.

When it came to verbal battles, she had never lost.

And that proud little cat… was ultimately still in the palm of her hand.

"!"

Far away, Keqing halted, took a deep breath—

That was definitely said on purpose for her to hear.

Damn it… Just wait until I get to Inazuma…!

"Hmph, I'm going to get some fresh air."

Keqing turned back, shot Ren a glare, and left with puffed-up cheeks.

Kitty: Starting a grudge list.

Finally, the surroundings quieted down.

"My dear partner, are we finally about to discuss something private?"

"Don't start, Sandrone."

Ren quickly shut her down.

Nahida was still listening in—no weird jokes allowed.

He adjusted the communicator.

"Look at this."

Ren gestured toward the vast ocean, speaking softly.

At the same time, he was also addressing Nahida.

This is the power of your good mother—the first Dendro Archon, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

"This is…!"

In his mind, Nahida's voice wavered with shock.

A towering tree spread its branches, stretching over the sea.

Such immense Dendro power…

If only she could wield something like that…

"My dear partner."

Even Sandrone's eyes widened in surprise.

The enormous tree piercing through the ocean had caught even this Fatui Harbinger off guard.

"Any thoughts?"

"My dear partner, that's a big tree."

Sandrone covered her mouth, eyes sparkling with amusement.

"…"

Ren clicked his tongue. Not dealing with this right now.

"You made this?"

Sandrone quickly got serious.

"Yeah. Any idea what it is?"

Ren nodded, admitting to it.

"No clue."

Sandrone sighed and shook her head.

This had gone beyond her expectations.

A core originating from Khaenri'ah technology—

And it could control Dendro energy?

What about other elements?

"…"

---

Nahida blinked.

How reassuring. I've met someone else who also doesn't know the answer.

Yes.

Even the God of Wisdom had no clue.

"Ren, this is amazing."

Nahida rested her face in her hands, watching Ren's focused expression.

Without realizing it, she smiled gently.

She wanted to learn more about him.

---

"My dear partner, what exactly did you do?"

Sandrone wasn't even surprised anymore.

Ren had already shown so many ridiculous abilities—

One more wouldn't make a difference.

"This."

Ren raised his hand, revealing the glowing green energy at his fingertips.

At this point, they both knew each other well enough to trust in silence.

There was no need for deception.

"You fused this with the core's energy?"

Sandrone quickly grasped the key detail.

Which meant—

This green light was an incredibly powerful energy source.

At least on the level of an Archon.

"You've been carrying something this valuable?"

Sandrone glanced at Ren, her gaze filled with—

Not desire for the power—

But for him.

She could hardly stop herself from dragging him straight into her lab—

To study him inside and out.

"What are you thinking?"

Ren's expression darkened as he saw Sandrone's too enthusiastic look.

Men really need to learn how to protect themselves.

---

"Let's test it out."

Sandrone suggested.

Ren had the same thought.

If not for Keqing's earlier interruption, he would have tried again already.

"Nahida?"

"I'll help!"

Her soft voice responded immediately.

The leaf in Ren's palm stretched wider, its power responding to Nahida's presence.

The Greater Lord's energy—

Had answered.

"Alright, here we go."

Ren focused, eyes flashing with purple lightning.

This time—

It had to work.

Crackle!

A bolt of lightning struck the leaf, making it tremble.

"It has to work…"

Ren whispered, eyes full of anticipation.

But—

Things never went as expected.

The fusion of the two elements suddenly became unstable.

"Nahida?"

Ren frowned.

Maybe it was better to pull back—

But then, he realized—

Nahida wasn't responding.

She seemed lost within the Greater Lord's energy.

"My dear partner, something's wrong."

Sandrone quickly warned him.

From her vast experience in failed experiments—

This situation was on the verge of exploding.

"…"

Ren was about to withdraw his power—

But suddenly, his vision blurred.

"What is…?"

Ren muttered, feeling dazed.

He saw—

His Electro energy, Nahida's consciousness, and the Greater Lord's Dendro power—

All merging together.

The small green leaf sprouted—

And bore a tiny fruit.

Darkness consumed his vision.

"The world… has forgotten me…"

"Death… must not… happen again…"

That was the last thing Ren heard.

Then—

He collapsed, unconscious.

Distantly, he could hear Sandrone and Keqing's frantic voices.

---

Ren had a dream.

He successfully planted the seed.

He waited as it bloomed.

And when the fruit finally ripened—

It turned into a small, white-haired child.

"What kind of ridiculous dream is this…?"

Ren murmured, picking her up.

As he brushed aside her silken hair, he froze.

A perfect, doll-like face.

Soft, gentle breathing.

White twin-tailed hair, with tips fading into green.

"…"

Ren held his breath, reaching out.

His finger lightly touched her elf-like ear.

"Mm…"

The tiny loli frowned, pouting slightly.

Sensing warmth, she instinctively reached out—

And hugged Ren, nuzzling into him.

"…Where's your mother?"

Ren whispered.

No response.

"Alright then… I'll protect you."

Ren sat down, leaning against a tree.

A massive, towering tree.

Above him, pink light drifted through the dreamscape.

A World Tree, a soft voice murmured.

"Sweet dreams."

Ren whispered.

---

"What the… get off me…"

Half-conscious, Ren frowned.

Something warm was lying on his chest, making it harder and harder to breathe.

He tried to lift his hand, only to realize it was pinned down.

"Don't…"

A soft, sleepy voice murmured, followed by an even tighter hug.

"I'm… suffocating…"

Just as Ren struggled against this unknown entity—

Creak.

The door opened.

Keqing carefully stepped inside, carrying a small clay pot.

"Ren, I finished brewing the medicine. You have to be okay—"

Her worried, gentle voice abruptly cut off.

Her eyes slowly widened.

And in their trembling reflection—

A tiny figure came into focus.

A white-haired little girl was curled up on Ren's chest.

"??"

Keqing was utterly shocked.

Ren…

Since when did he have a child?!

---

T/N: I couldn't find a vic- I mean someone to do endnotes...so here's my obligatory shilling [patreon.com/WiseTL]