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Her crying face... well tear streaked face of course.
It made his chest hurt. It wasn't the dull ache you would get if you bumped a little too hard into something, or the quick shot of pain that blasted through you.
It was continuous, and it held onto the aching soreness, it felt heavy, suffocating and it pierced through his heart, likened to those stone spears he used to lunge into the mortal plains below.
Is this what it meant to be mortal?
When he was a God, everything else seemed insignificant in comparison. Future foresight; whatever was done now, even if it meant suffering for the people at this point, was in light of the people in the future. So, a measly spot of suffering was but a black dot towards a brighter, prosperous future.
Nevertheless, he was a God grounded in Teyvat. He held his ground here. No matter the wind, water, nature or earth, no matter the sparks of flame or lightning, or even the most inhabitable of elements, permafrost, the Archons were tied here. They were as grounded as him, even if the flames licked the grass in ash, or as the wind blew freely across the earth, it was still confined within the boundaries of Teyvat.
Would I remain but a God, if I left Teyvat?
Rex Lapis hasn't thought of that.
But, Zhongli sure did.
When he laid his eyes on the celestial traveler, it then became apparent to him, how different they were, beyond worlds, experience and ideology.
It was basically existences apart.
What was he, but a God grounded here, only to exist and provide prosperity for as long as his people revered and needed him?
He had long come to terms to the expiry date of his services long before he locked eyes with the celestial being he met here, but meeting her was indeed, a huge eye opener.
Being immortal meant that he was to see the world change under his unchanging time; change is a constant he embraces, telling himself to not hold onto brief attachments, no lingering affections beyond that was required of him, so as to be kind (selfish) to himself (others).
But he was given infinite time. To ponder, reflect and become the best version of himself each time. That was basically the gift of heavens, for his infinite time, meant that he was to make the most of his one infinite life. And that was to serve the mortals with finite ones, and make sure their finite time was as prosperous and splendid as he can possibly make.
Yet... to her.
He was sure that she was immortal too.
But she wasn't immortal the way he was.
She, couldn't be called a God. She had no land to yield under her, nor a population to answer to. She was a mortal, but, given infinite lives; not just time.
With each world she treaded into, accompanied by her beloved brother, she gained a new life to speak about in the next rerun. Each world provided her a fresh new blank sheet, similarly, as long as she did not tie herself too tightly to it, any mistakes was erased in the next life she entered.
She was reincarnating, into changing times, changing worlds, albeit in her own unchanging but changing state.
Zhongli couldn't say he envied her. He was much more, much much more, enamoured by her presence, one that soaked up knowledge and information as if she was but a young child; though her eyes reflected it differently (he recognised infinite time in the eyes of beings).
Time ebbed the glistening jewels in everyone's eyes.
Time was like a river, and their eyes were like rocks. As it continues to flow, it chips and carves it into its shape, but of course, the beauty of the gem remains. He appreciated her existence.
Perhaps... shedding this immortal skin for this...
He was stone cold in his revelation about his gnosis, stone cold as he dealt punished to the God of Salt's believer, stone cold as he dealt with his own death.
Detachment.
He was sure that even Lumine would understand this, but to his shock (despite the unmoving expression on his face), he gazed down at amber eyes; likened to the cor lapis he created, muddled with glistening tears despite the calm expression she gave.
'... Were the books right all along?'
'Pardon... what books...' Zhongli lost his train of thoughts for a brief moment.
Books... what did books have to do with her crying now? Which piece of literature had caused her such agony? Perhaps if he could read it and explain it, maybe, probably, hopefully she would understand and weep less...?
He opens his mouth, but she whispers under her breath.
'The Rex Incognito.'
And he shuts his mouth tightly.
He cannot argue nor debate what others percieved him to be.
'... were the books right? So many authors have mentioned how cold hearted he is in the midst of war and blood battle. Yet... there are so many other stories who mention, the kind deeds he has done.'
The blood drains from his face, he wasn't really intending to hide the fact that he was Rex Lapis all along, perhaps his mannerisms and penchance for the past may have revealed it, but he definitely; for some weak reason, did not want her to see this side of him.
Gods should not have anything to hide from their people, was something reasonably followed by eons and eons of gods. After all, which God will make mistakes?
They were immortal, bestowed with power, they should be right. They should be perfect. They should be flawless; it is a must.
But if you cast your gaze back on God, if God were to stand in front of you, with nothing to show that they were truly God, they would just be man, wouldn't they?
Zhongli reflects on his mortal vessels. If he were such a God, would it make sense that he adopted a look of mortals to talk face to face to mortals themselves?
'I am, but mortal after all.'
And Lumine reaches out to brush the stray tear from his eyes.
'... Allogenes, was it?'
His thoughts cut off, did he just blurt out that sentence, or did he hallucinate the either interaction? The warmth resting on his right cheek told him otherwise, but he shuts his eyes.
'... For how long did you know my identity...?'
She remains quiet, gaze not pulling away from his shut eyes.
'For a while now. Honestly? After the perfumes, if you wish to know in detail.'
'What gave it away?'
'... When you said mortal body. And also, the statues are really obvious-'
Zhongli didn't realise he was holding his breath when he let out a breathy chuckle.
'Ah- Perhaps.'
Lumine pulls away and stretches her body,'Then again, I don't think anyone can fault you for anything.' She gestures to her chest, and places her palms on it,'Without my brother, I think we would have lost touch with who we are, deep down, still human in some manner or not.'
She grasps her hands tightly, pressing it to her chest harder,'Even now, the feeling is fading without his presence. But,'
She gently opens her arms again, facing him, as if beckoning for an embrace.
'For now,' She smiles,'You seem to be in deeper need than me.'
A heart capable of compassion is a great cost.
He almost hears her say, and he knows. The flame in his heart had died over the years... not that it bothered him much. His loyalties... had went towards the land, than its people back then, but reaching back to its original clause, the people, proved harder than it was.
Even the test he devised for Liyue; looked as if it was testing emotionless robots, who would do the logical thing midst chaos, forgetting the sentimental value of the people; which is what makes Liyue, Liyue.
'It is the people who make the land, what it is. Give any population any land, and you get Mondstadt, you get Liyue. But,'
Lumine points to Zhongli's chest,'Take the people away from the land, and the land is just a piece of earth. There exists not, the Liyue you know.'
And his heart feels brighter.
'... I know much. But I have forgotten the feeling of not knowing.'
Lumine looks up into the night sky. 'I hope you can learn more. As Zhongli.' She then rests her hands on his.
'You did a good job, Rex Lapis.'
Ah. How priceless. No matter the amount of Mora... I don't think I can buy this moment ever again.
And the earth bows to the stars.