Genshin Impact: I'm a dad?

(A/n: 2k word no comment )

The clouds above Mondstadt began to gather, their once bright and scattered forms turning darker by the moment. A soft rustling of leaves whispered through the growing breeze, as if the city itself held its breath. The wind picked up slightly, causing the grass to sway in unison, bending as though bowing to the inevitable storm.

A lone bird flapped its wings hurriedly, soaring through the dimming sky to return to its nest, seeking refuge from what was to come.

Inside a humble home on the outskirts of the city, a single white flower rested in a pot on the windowsill. Its delicate petals quivered under the gentle gusts that slipped through the cracks of the slightly open window.

One petal, loosened by the wind, broke free from the flower. It floated lazily, drifting through the air before settling softly on the wooden table nearby. There, a framed picture of Lucien and Luna stood on its side, capturing a moment of their shared happiness. The petal came to rest atop the frame, a silent witness to their bond.

Outside, more petals began to detach, carried away by the strengthening wind. They floated out through the window, joining the currents of air that guided them above Mondstadt.

The petal drifts through the air, carried by the growing gusts of wind.

It sways, rising and falling as if it has a will of its own, crossing the vibrant streets of Mondstadt. Laughter from children and the hum of life fill the city below. The petal flutters near the towering spire of the Favonius Cathedral, brushing against the stained glass windows before continuing its journey.

The view widens, revealing the cityscape basked in the fading golden light, shadowed by the encroaching storm clouds. The wind howls softly, carrying the petal higher, past the stone walls of Mondstadt and into the open skies.

It glides over Windrise, where the great Anemo Archon's statue stands in quiet reverence, and brushes through the leaves of the colossal ancient tree. The petals of other white flowers dance in the same wind, a fleeting harmony of nature's rhythm.

The lone petal continues onward, leaving the tranquility of Windrise behind. It soars higher, crossing the jagged peaks near Dragonspine, where the blizzard rages endlessly. The storm doesn't deter its gentle flight, as if something unseen is guiding it.

Finally, the petal descends. It flutters down into a darkened cavern, illuminated faintly by the eerie blue glow of abyssal energy. The air here feels heavier, colder, as if burdened by sorrow.

Somehow It lands softly on the ground, near the hilt of a great sword—Lucien's. Nearby, black smoke dissipates, and silence reigns. The petal rests beside the weapon, as if bearing witness to the aftermath of a great battle.

Lucien stood amidst the chaos, his body battered and broken, cracks spreading like spiderwebs across his frame. The telltale signs of Honkai Corrosion had consumed him, purple veins pulsing as the infection gnawed away at what remained of his strength. 

His vision, now reduced to a blur of shifting shadows and faint glimmers, could no longer distinguish if it illusion or real. He stumbled forward, reaching for his greatsword lying on the bloodstained ground. His fingers brushed against its hilt, but his strength failed him, and the weapon remained out of reach. 

Lucien raised his trembling hand to his face, watching as it began to crumble, pieces flaking away into black ash that scattered with the wind. His breathing was shallow, labored, each breath a painful reminder of his rapidly deteriorating state. 

"...Damn it..." he whispered, his voice hoarse and filled with bitterness. 

Around him lay the remains of countless monsters and shattered automatons, the results of a battle waged with everything he had left. Yet, no matter how many he struck down, more emerged from the shadows—Rifthounds snarling, Hilichurls roaring, Abyss Mages chanting their curses. The tide was endless, an unrelenting wave of enemies that left him no room to breathe. 

Lucien knew it. He had known it from the moment he set foot in this place. There was no end. 

His knees buckled, but he forced himself to stand, leaning heavily on his trembling legs. His thoughts drifted for a moment, fleeting images of Mondstadt flashing in his mind. The bustling streets, the warmth of a tavern, and... 

"Luna..." he muttered, her smiling face surfacing amidst the haze of pain and despair. 

Tears that he could no longer feel welled in his blind eyes as he clenched his crumbling fists. Despite the despair, despite the inevitability of his demise, he couldn't allow himself to stop. Not while she was waiting for him. 

Lucien staggered forward, dragging his body toward the endless enemies before him. Even if his sight was gone, even if his strength had withered, he would fight. He would fight until the very last fragment of himself was gone. 

"Bring it on..." he growled, his voice a mixture of defiance and desperation. "I'm not done yet..." 

Lucien gritted his teeth, determination etched into every labored step he took. His body was failing, cracks spreading like fractured glass across his form, but he refused to stop. With his remaining hand, he gripped his greatsword, dragging it along the ground as sparks flew from the jagged metal scraping against stone.

His vision was nearly gone, his enemies reduced to indistinct shapes in the haze. Yet he pressed forward, each step a testament to his unyielding will.

Then, out of nowhere, a pale, delicate hand emerged from the void, pressing gently over his face.

"Dear... enough. You have done enough."

The voice was soft, trembling with sorrow, and carried a warmth that felt foreign in the cold abyss. Lucien froze for a moment, his mind muddled. He shook his head, convinced it was an illusion, and resumed his march toward his enemies.

His steps faltered as another arm appeared, wrapping gently around him. The warmth spread, unfamiliar and disarming.

"Dear... please."

Her voice broke slightly, filled with an almost unbearable sadness. A white-haired woman stepped into view, her expression torn between love and anguish. She pulled Lucien into a soft embrace, her arms draped protectively around him.

"You've given everything. It's time to rest."

Lucien stumbled, his grip on the greatsword loosening as he leaned into the embrace. The woman's touch was like a balm to his soul, soothing the relentless fire of Honkai energy consuming him.

The monsters surrounding them halted as though frozen in time, their energy subdued by the presence of the woman. A heavy silence blanketed the battlefield, broken only by Lucien's ragged breaths.

Lucien close his eyes.....

-----------------

Lucien blinked, his head spinning as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The harsh, suffocating cold of the Abyss was gone, replaced by the warm ambiance of a restaurant. The clinking of dishes, the murmur of conversations, and the faint scent of freshly cooked food filled the air.

He looked around, bewildered. The sleek, modern decor of the place was nothing like the world he had fought in moments ago. Had he just been in the Abyss? The events felt vivid yet distant, like a half-remembered nightmare.

A soft voice broke through his thoughts.

"Dear? What's the matter?"

Lucien turned to see a woman sitting across from him, her radiant white hair catching the light and her piercing blue eyes filled with gentle concern. Beside her sat a young girl.

Lucien's heart skipped a beat as he looked at the two of them. The woman's presence was soothing, her voice familiar, like an anchor pulling him back to reality.

Lucien shook his head, snapping out of his daze.

"It's nothing, Cecilia. I was just... thinking about something."

Cecilia tilted her head, her expression softening.

"Tell me."

Lucien rubbed the back of his neck.

"It was... I don't remember. Maybe it's not important."

The girl beside Cecilia suddenly perked up, her bright energy cutting through the moment.

"Dad, Dad! We're going to the Homu Carnival after this, right?"

Lucien chuckled softly, the sound easing the last remnants of tension in his chest. He reached out and ruffled the girl's hair affectionately.

"Yes... Kiana."

As the girl beamed with excitement, Cecilia's warm smile grew wider. Lucien looked at them both, a sense of peace washing over him. He didn't know how he had ended up here, but for now, it didn't matter.

Lucien leaned back in his chair, chuckling.

"Then let's eat first!"

 "Yeah!"

The father and daughter duo dug into their meals, their lively energy filling the restaurant. 

Cecilia, watching them with a serene smile, quietly sipped her tea.

Then, out of nowhere, she dropped a small bombshell.

"So, Dear... whose food is better? Mine or this restaurant's?"

Lucien froze mid-bite, his mind racing. He coughed awkwardly, scrambling for the safest answer.

"Of course... your food, my love! Hahaha."

Cecilia nodded, satisfied, though the hint of a smile on her lips told Lucien she wasn't entirely convinced.

Meanwhile, Kiana's sharp eyes noticed Lucien's plate, which still had food on it.

"Dad, if you don't want that anymore, I'm gonna eat it."

Before Lucien could answer, Kiana had already snatched his plate and was happily digging in.

"I was still eating that..."

He sighed, leaning over to mess her hair playfully.

"You little rascal, don't just steal your dad's food."

Kiana, her hair now a mess from Lucien's hand, quickly ran to Cecilia's side, pouting dramatically.

"Mom! Dad bullied me! Look at my hair—it's all messy now!"

Cecilia knelt down, smoothing out Kiana's hair with practiced ease as she gave Lucien a knowing look.

"Dear, do you have any idea how long I spent fixing her hair this morning?"

Lucien scratched the back of his head nervously, guilt creeping in.

 "Uh... my bad!"

Cecilia smiled sweetly at him, but Lucien could tell—it was that smile. The one that said he'd probably be sleeping on the couch tonight.

Lucien sighed inwardly but couldn't help but smile at the scene before him.

------------------------

As Lucien finished paying for the meal, he made his way to Cecilia and Kiana, a smile on his face.

 "Let's go, we're heading to the Homu Carnival!"

Kiana, with her usual energetic excitement, jumped around, celebrating the upcoming trip to her favorite place.

"Yes! I can't wait!"

Cecilia, smiling warmly at Kiana's enthusiasm, bent down to lift her up in her arms.

Then, Lucien extended his hand toward Cecilia with a playful grin.

"Beautiful lady, let's go."

Cecilia looked at him, her smile softening, and took his hand.

"Sure, Mr. Handsome."

Together, they began walking toward the restaurant door.

"Ladies first."

Cecilia chuckled, impressed by his manners.

"How sweet of you, dear."

Meanwhile, Kiana, who was watching her parents interact, made an exaggerated face of disgust. She couldn't understand why her parents were being so lovey-dovey.

After they exited the restaurant, Lucien paused for a moment, glancing toward a table where a figure caught his eye.

A girl with white hair, sitting alone, was hiding her face behind a newspaper.

Lucien's brows furrowed in curiosity. He couldn't shake the feeling that this girl wasn't just another passerby.

Cecilia, noticing Lucien's brief pause, called out to him with a soft voice.

"Dear?"

Lucien snapped back to attention, quickly turning toward her with a smile.

"Ah, yes, let's go."

With that, the family exited the restaurant, the warm afternoon air greeting them as they left.

Inside the restaurant, the girl with white hair, who had been hiding behind a newspaper, slowly lowered it. Her eyes narrowed in frustration as she muttered to herself.

"Damn it, I don't get it. Why does Cecilia like him so much? I mean, look at him! He can't even cook, every time he tries, it's a disaster!"

She sighed, clearly annoyed by her own thoughts, but also perhaps a bit jealous.

The waiter approached her with a polite smile.

"Um, where are your parents, kid?"

Theresa's eyes snapped up to meet his, and irritation flared in her expression.

"I'm not a kid! I'm old enough to be your mother!"

The waiter blinked in confusion, not quite sure how to respond. Theresa crossed her arms, grumbling under her breath about the unfairness of it all.