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In the darkness of the earth, blind and alone, he howled and howled until someone heard his cries.
The one who heeded his cries and dug him out of the ground was none other than Rex Lapis.
A chisel in hand, the God of Contracts crafted from stone a body for him to walk next to him and his people. A contract was formed between them where if he attempts to harm his people; Rex Lapis- Morax will seal him away once more. Then, the greatest gift Morax bestowed him is a pair of eyes to see the world.
Retuo, the Dragon King, witnessed the rise of Liyue under Morax guidance. The eras are ever-changing as humans advance, but only between the gaps are when Retuo can truly appreciate the beauty of the lands that they, both Adepti and humans have protected.
At the center of the change is none other than Liyue Archon, Rex Lapis, and his people flock to him- revolve around him like he is their sun.
Retuo understood the feeling too well for he too saw Morax as his sun.
But sometimes the sun is so bright it burns when you fly too close to it.
Perhaps that’s why he sought the comfort of the moon embrace on the barren islands far from the mainland. The scent of sea foam and water flowers, a sharp contrast to his Moon stormy temperament, is soothing to his soul. As Retuo closes his eyes to the lull of the waves, he can imagine his Moon sapphire hair swaying in the wind glittering like the jewels of the ocean surface.
Before dreams tug him away, he feels slender fingers carding through his hair and brushing against his horns and the affectionate whisper of “ Gege ” slipping past his Moon coral lips.
But alas, not all good things stay the same forever.
As the deceased Gods taint the land with lingering regrets and wrath, even the Gods of the present will eventually crumble into dust.
Even the Dragon King, whose memories chipped away like the human pickaxe chipping away the bedrocks, will succumb to his fate.
Erosion, an illness of the mind where his kind slowly forgets their humanity and the end result, consumed by infinite rage, they go berserk.
Indiscriminately, they will destroy everything in their path.
Regardless of what state he was in, whatever heartless words he spewed, Retuo never held a grudge against Morax for sealing him into the underbelly of the earth again. The last moments of clarity where he witnessed Morax face twisted in pain and sadness as they fought cemented his decision. With his head held high, he willingly allowed himself to be imprisoned by the Geo Archon power.
A contract was a contract, and the Dragon King will keep his promise.
Time is lost for Retuo, his fragmented mind and soul in constant conflict and Morax is at the center of their war.
There are days when it’s quiet enough for him to sleep, but dreamless sleeps are what they are. Other days, they’re nightmares in the form of memories that have eroded with time and he wakes up raging once more.
But rarely there will be nights Retuo does dream.
Once a month, the fog clouding the Dragon King mind clears and he remembers his old friend's words.
“I’m so sorry this has to happen, dear friend. I cannot release you two as you both are now, or else Liyue will be destroyed in your rampage.”
A stony-dark hand etched with golden lines touches the barrier- the seal he made, but his face is hidden underneath a dirtied white hood. The sadness in his voice rings clear even to Retuo hatred-filled eyes.
“But, there are other ways you two can meet far from the corruption of the mortal realm when the seals are at their weakest.”
When the moon is at its fullest splendor, the ocean tides will rise, and Retuo finds himself standing at a familiar island far from the mainland of Liyue.
His heart squeezes knowing that the very island he stands on is also named Guyun Stone Forest. The same island where Morax sealed the Overlord of Vortex with his mighty stone spears after the God went mad and targeted Liyue.
Reuto shakes his head and let’s go of any negative thoughts he harbors- He already had enough of that in the real world.
For now, he wonders where his dear Moon is-
“Gege?”
Ah, there he is.
Retuo automatically raises his arms to catch his beloved descending from the moon like the celestial maidens in the stories. Smooth hands covered in jewels instinctively grab his shoulders for leverage, but the Dragon King will never let his beloved fall. As stormy blue eyes meet his honey-gold ones, Retuo smiles affectionately at his Moon.
“There you are, Osial.” The Dragon King purrs, satisfied to watch a pretty shade of pink dusting Osial cheeks. He leans forward to peck his cheek, “You grow more beautiful every time we meet.”
“Do you really have to be such a sap every time, you big, handsome oaf?” Osial rolls his eyes at him, but he stares at the wide grin on Retuo's face. “What?”
“You called me handsome.” Retuo points out, laughing at his love growing blush as he sputters insults. The overlord smacks on his shoulders are at best playful like a kitten. He appeases Osial by kissing his red cheeks, trailing down to his neck, “Did you have a safe trip, Love?”
Osial, more or less calm now, shrugs his shoulders, “It was fine, but a mortal had the audacity to wake me up from my slumber to wreak havoc on Liyue.”
He pauses at that and frowns, “Was Morax there?”
“No, he wasn’t.” The overlord answers, idly playing with the ends of Retuo dark locks. “I only saw the Adepti and the mortals of the current era attempting to reseal me without his help.”
“I see.” Retuo sighs softly against Osial neck, “So the time has come for Rex Lapis to let go of Liyue and allow it to prosper on its own two feet.”
Liyue will grow and continue to grow without Rex Lapis holding their hand, but what of Rex Lapis who protected the lands for over three millennia? Will he disappear quietly far from any mortal and adepti eyes until his own end comes?
“Whatever happened to Morax, I don’t really care too much.” Osial admits gently, tracing the curve of his love golden horns and relishes the slight shiver. “But if I were you, I wouldn’t worry too much about what he’s doing now.”
Raising his head to stare directly at his Moon, he was puzzled by the words and Osial snickers at his look. The overlord fingers trail down to his glasses and remove them from his face. He didn’t really need it, not if he had his beloved in his arms.
“From what I gathered, Morax has found someone to complete him just like us.” The overlord whispers against his lips. “So tonight, like usual, forget about Morax and the real world- Focus on me, Gege ?”
Retuo didn’t get a chance to respond when his Moon captured his lips. Like a starved man in a desert, the pair clung to each other to satisfy their thirst- to have their fill of each other before morning arrives.
His beloved sings so sweetly when he suckles his lower lip. A small squeeze on the nape of his neck makes Osial go pliant in his arms and the muffled “Gege” between tongues stirs the fire in his belly.
As they parted away, lips covered in sheen of saliva, the Dragon King was sure he looked no different from Osial; his face flushed and his stormy eyes intense with hunger.
Oh, how Retuo wishes he can have more than one night with Osial
But reality is cruel because dreams must end and they have to wait another month to meet again.
So for tonight, and like many nights before this, the Dragon seeks the comfort of the moon and worships his beloved Osial until they must part when the sun rises in the east.