Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Beneath the steps of Tenshukaku—

"What is this…"

Ren held the puppet in his hand.

It was shaped like a human figure, lying still in his palm.

It appeared to be a small boy.

Perhaps damaged by some impact, its form was twisted in a grotesque manner.

Only its broken head remained intact, staring back at Ren.

Its pitch-black eyes reflected an empty, soulless glint.

As he stared at it, an unsettling discomfort gripped Ren's heart.

The puppet felt as though it possessed a fragment of life, fractured and incomplete.

And strangely… it seemed familiar.

What is this eerie feeling…

Click.

Suddenly, the puppet's mouth moved.

It emitted what sounded like a kind laugh, though its tone was hoarse and unnatural.

Ren instinctively leaned closer.

Something about it seemed to draw him in.

"Takahashi… Ren…"

The puppet spoke, its voice broken yet unmistakable.

"Devour you… to become whole…"

"Quietly submit… as raw material…"

The puppet began to tremble violently, its twisted body jerking upward in a sudden motion as it lunged at him!

What?!

Ren's eyes widened in shock, a chill racing down his spine.

But just then—

"Takahashi!"

A fragrant breeze swept by as someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Who's there?!"

Ren's expression darkened, his gaze sharpening as he instinctively turned around.

At the same time, his grip tightened on the puppet, holding it firmly in place.

In the next moment, his tense expression melted into exasperation.

He extended his free hand, pressing it gently against the intruder's head.

"It's you, Yoimiya-san."

"Ugh… Takahashi, what are you doing?!"

Startled by Ren's reaction, Yoimiya puffed out her cheeks in mock indignation.

"Sorry, my bad," Ren apologized, shaking his head with a faint smile.

He knew his earlier expression must have looked terrifying.

"Of course it's your fault!"

The lively girl planted her hands on her hips and turned away, feigning anger.

She had decided to ignore him, at least for now.

"..."

Ren shrugged, his attention shifting to the figures approaching behind her.

"Ren!"

A warm, gentle voice called out, tinged with joy that seemed to soothe every nerve.

From a distance, two young ladies approached together.

"Yo—"

Before Yoimiya could finish, the pair cheerfully pushed her aside.

Hey!

Yoimiya stared in disbelief, pointing at her so-called friends.

You two!

They had rushed over without a shred of composure—so much for being dignified!

Although, one of them had certainly run faster than the rest…

"Sorry for worrying you," Ren said, his smile soft as their familiar scents enveloped him. "There won't be a Vision Hunt Decree anymore."

Though danger loomed, he knew he had companions who cared deeply for him.

And more than that, two beautiful young women who had rushed to his side.

This sense of fulfillment… only those who've experienced it would understand.

Kamisato Ayaka and another noblewoman gazed at him, their expressions filled with concern.

If it weren't for the presence of others farther away, they might have immediately moved closer to confirm he was truly unharmed.

Kamisato Ayato: Huh?

Ren turned back toward the group.

"You actually know how to make people worry!"

Hearing his words, the two young women lifted their delicate faces, though the trace of heartache in their eyes hadn't yet faded.

A wave of guilt washed over Ren.

He had caused both of them to show such expressions at the same time.

Truly unforgivable.

"Alright, alright. I'm really fine."

Ren moved slightly to demonstrate that he was unharmed.

Ren gently ruffled the hair of both young women.

Their gazes met, and an unspoken understanding passed between them.

Warm and comforting, with a slight tickle of bashfulness.

Hopefully, the ever-watchful overseer from the Shrine hadn't seen that.

"!"

She saw it!

The post-rain breeze carried a damp chill.

The girl shivered slightly, wrinkling her nose as a faint sourness welled up.

The wind was harsh—was it carrying sand now too?

How infuriating…

"Master… Ren, you were too reckless."

Kamisato Ayaka bit her lip lightly, her gentle tone betraying a hint of reproach.

Seeing Ren charge alone into Tenshukaku had deeply worried her.

That was a god he was up against.

"If something had really happened to you, then I…"

"Lady Ayaka, you're overthinking again."

Ren sighed, stepping closer to her.

"How could I ever bear to leave you?"

Kamisato Ayaka's eyelashes trembled, and she let out a soft hmm.

Hearing his reassurance, her face bloomed into a gentle smile.

Having her master by her side was the greatest blessing.

He had once protected her when she was just little Ayaka.

Now, she would protect him forever.

"Let's work hard together."

Ren stepped back slightly, creating some distance between them.

"Mm."

Coming back to her senses, Ayaka felt the tips of her ears grow warm.

That warm breath… it had been so close.

A tingling sensation lingered, spreading lightly across her skin.

She turned her face away, maintaining her elegant composure.

"Renny… thank goodness."

A soft, sweet voice interrupted, drawing Ren's attention to the other woman.

Compared to the reserved Kamisato Ayaka, she was much bolder.

Taking Ren's hand, she pressed it lightly to her cheek.

After all, she was Ren's rightful fiancée.

Well… former fiancée.

But now, everything had been resolved!

"Renny, let's get married right away—"

"Married?"

"Of course!"

"??"

Before Ren could respond, Ayaka quickly interjected.

"Lady Hiiragi—please mind yourself," Ayaka said, her voice calm and her smile elegant.

But the message beneath it was clear: Over my dead body.

"!"

Chisato narrowed her eyes, refusing to back down.

The two locked gazes, neither willing to yield.

After all, their tug-of-war over Ren's blanket last night had ended in a stalemate.

"?"

Ren quietly took a few steps back.

Why did it feel like they were thinking about something… strange?

He shook his head and turned to leave, giving the two their space.

Subconsciously, his gaze landed on Yoimiya, who stood silently nearby.

"Ugh… so annoying!"

Yoimiya muttered under her breath, seemingly upset with someone—or something.

"Careful, or you'll catch a cold," Ren said as he approached, ruffling her hair.

Her once tidy locks became a mess, sticking out in every direction like a puffed-up kitten.

"What are you doing?!"

Yoimiya turned away, pouting indignantly.

Now she really looked like one.

"But you've got a runny nose," Ren pointed out, pulling out a pack of tissues and handing it to her.

"Hmph, it's only because I was worried about you."

Yoimiya snatched the tissues with a huff.

The sour tickle in her nose seemed less bothersome now.

Well, at least he had some decency.

"Achoo!"

"You're still trying to act tough."

Ren shook his head. This girl is hopeless.

Yoimiya rolled her eyes at him.

She glanced at him, seemingly wanting to say something.

But the memory of the earlier scene made her pout.

In a small act of defiance, she stuffed the used tissue back into Ren's hand.

"One thing for another. Let me see that puppet."

"?"

Ren frowned.

"This puppet…"

Yoimiya, a skilled artisan by trade, immediately noticed something unusual.

She picked up the puppet and held it up to his face.

"Why does it look so much like you?"

Ren froze, his doubts suddenly crystallizing into certainty.

No wonder it had seemed so familiar…

It was modeled after him.

Who was watching him from the shadows?

And why had they created such a thing?

---

Far away, in a remote factory in Inazuma—

Rows of Ruin Guards loomed tall, standing silent sentry.

At the center of these hulking machines stood a workbench.

"Discovered already, have you, Takahashi?"

A brunette girl stood by the workbench, her delicate face reflected in the cooling surface of her tea.

Her features were as exquisite as a porcelain doll's.

"It seems you're quite unwilling to become my 'material.'"

"If it happens in an instant, it won't even hurt," she murmured softly, her brows furrowing in mild frustration.

Before her, the disassembled parts of a Ruin Guard lay grotesquely exposed.

From the shadows, a figure emerged.

It was a member of the Fatui.

"Harbinger, a letter for you."

The faint glow of light caught the edge of the envelope.

The inscription read:

To the Fatui Harbinger—

"Marionette."

---

T/N: IS THIS SANDRONE??? OR A GENDERBENT SCARAMOUCHE OR SOMEONE ELSE ENTIRELY (nvm figured it out teehee)

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