[Genshin Impact] Becoming the Early-Death Demon God from the Lore

Guizhong was never afraid of death.

She had once told her friends, her people, and every living thing between heaven and earth that could hear her.

"Every living thing will kindle a flame in this world upon the water, burning the world until it crackles, then singing and dancing, and finally fading away, leaving the earth a handful of deep, dark ashes.

"Once all has fallen silent, no matter how long the years of transition may be, fire will rise anew from those ashes.

"It will burn again, sing again, and die again."

So, at the end of the war, she used her own bones and blood to open up a future for the civilization called Liyue, just as she had wished.

"I won. Even at such a cost, we won."

"We won."

That sorrowful fate ultimately remained unchanged. So many wept at the god's passing. So many recited her name along the road as they migrated south, facing north to bow, again and again as they traveled, amid the golden dust drifting through heaven and earth.

Guizhong left so much to the mortal world: the Lantern Rite that, that year, could finally pass without worry; the spring that came bearing tender green shoots; the myriad beings finally able to walk together through spring; and, beneath their feet, a land forever filled with steadfast hope and dreams.

Only at the very end came her own wish.

"If I am gone, go on without me. Love the world and all its people, its mountains and rivers, its seas and streams."

"Death is not death, and life will yet be born. I have never left your side, only become dust drifting across the four seas. But as the years pass, if you wait for me, I will surely return to you."

Those were the last words she left behind before the God of Contracts went to her death, hidden inside the stone lock she had given her old friend.

The goddess, skilled in mechanisms and versed in the past and present, made her final contract with the God of Contracts using her own life.

Just as she had foretold.

Many, many years later, in a bustling and prosperous harbor, Morax, or the consultant now known in Liyue as Zhongli, met an old friend.

She said her name was Zhonggui.

Zhong as in "at last," and gui as in "return."

And so the snow of years past fell away, the desperate dreams faded, and only a captivating fragrance remained.

After a long and arduous journey, Zhongli had finally waited for her.

Guizhong/Zhongli

Theme: Fate can be changed.