Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

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Under the moonlight, Ren and Mei locked eyes for what felt like an eternity.

"Mei, you..."

"Draw your blade."

"..."

Her cool, detached voice interrupted him, her tone serious.

In her hand, she gripped the small knife she often used to slice fish.

The juxtaposition of the knife with her elegant, high-cold demeanor was oddly out of place.

"...Alright."

After a moment of silence, Ren nodded slightly and unsheathed his blade.

A faint purple gleam flashed as the blade left its scabbard.

The sword hummed softly, its surface crackling with concentrated Electro energy.

Ren glanced at Mei, his gaze conflicted.

This weapon had been a gift from Mei when they first met.

And now, he was about to use it against her...

"Are you ready?"

Mei's fingers tightened around her small knife as she spoke coldly.

The weakness in her heart—she would eliminate it with her own hands.

Ren shook his head slightly.

"If I win, you have to stay."

"You can't win against me," she replied with icy certainty.

"But I don't want you to leave."

Ren's voice suddenly grew louder, more resolute.

Mei blinked in surprise.

He stared at her with utmost seriousness.

They had gone through so much together, created so many memories.

And now she wanted to leave without even giving him a reason? No way!

"So that's how you feel," Mei murmured, her gaze falling to the blade in her hand.

The coldness in her eyes softened, ever so slightly.

To think he would dare to speak to her so boldly...

Did he even realize what consequences that could bring?

After a long silence, Mei sighed softly.

Yet, strangely, she didn't feel any anger.

This growing sense of fullness in her heart—what exactly was it?

"Fine," she said, her eyes fixed on Ren.

"If you win, I'll stay."

"But if you lose..."

"You and I will never see each other again."

Ren's determined gaze flickered with defiance.

They had been through so much together.

He knew Mei was distant by nature and incredibly strong.

But there was no way he would give up without a fight.

His expression hardened as he made up his mind.

No matter what, he wouldn't let her leave!

Mei tilted her chin slightly, as if she could see right through him.

She recalled a certain fox's mocking laughter.

Her grip on the knife tightened.

If they were to fight, she wouldn't hold back.

Not even a little.

"Come at me," she said.

The moment the words left her lips—

A whirlwind of energy erupted.

The power of Anemo surged from Ren, propelling him forward in an instant.

"Forgive me, Mei," he said, reaching for her shoulder.

"..."

The pale green light illuminated Mei's calm, composed figure.

She stood still, her gaze serene.

Instead of dodging, she retracted her knife.

It was as if she didn't care about the incoming attack at all.

Ren frowned slightly.

If he could just grab her, this fight would be over.

Closer, closer—

Ren began to withdraw some of his power.

At this distance, there was no way Mei could avoid him.

He reached out—and grasped nothing.

What should have been Mei's shoulder was nothing more than an afterimage.

Her real body was behind him.

Ren reacted instantly, turning around—

"Too slow."

Her cold voice came from behind, accompanied by the sound of something slicing through the air.

Mei's knife flashed toward him, its speed blinding and its angle precise.

She was aiming directly at his vulnerable side as he turned!

"Mei, you're not holding back?!"

In Ren's widened eyes, her icy gaze was reflected clearly.

If that knife connected, he'd lose a kidney for sure!

Mei snorted coldly, her blade showing no mercy.

Swoosh!

In a flash of lightning, a burst of purple light filled the air.

Ren's figure disappeared, as if vanishing into thin air.

"..."

Mei's cold eyes narrowed as she looked at the knife in her hand.

That strike had missed.

So, it really was that special power...

Her gaze turned toward the distance.

There stood Ren, holding a hairpin crackling with Electro energy.

"How about that? Wasn't I fast this time?"

As Mei turned to look at him, Ren took a deep breath and smiled.

That was close—he'd nearly lost a kidney.

But he could tell—at the last moment, Mei had pulled back slightly.

Was this... mutual probing?

"Next time, you won't escape," Mei said with a cold huff, tossing aside the knife.

Electro energy began gathering at her fingertips.

In the distance, faint thunder rumbled.

Her gaze locked on Ren as she walked toward him slowly.

The aloof shrine maiden was now far more serious.

"..."

Ren stood ready, his nerves taut.

Though her hands were empty, the sense of danger she exuded was sharper than ever.

"You are... unique," she said softly.

"Before I leave, I must..."

Before she could finish her sentence, her form dissolved into lightning and vanished.

"!?"

Ren's pupils contracted, alarms blaring in his mind.

That terrifying aura was locked onto him.

He had to dodge immediately!

But the lightning was faster than anything else.

Before he could react, Mei appeared right in front of him.

Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze.

The next moment—

Boom!

A tremendous force sent Ren's mind blank.

The endless purple light that filled his vision—what was it?

In that instant, he understood.

It was the embodiment of lightning.

It was the absolute difference in their power.

At his current strength, there was no way he could resist.

Thud!

Reality returned as a heavy impact struck his back.

His entire body felt like it was falling apart.

But Ren had no time to dwell on the pain.

The dazzling purple light illuminated his face.

The cold and elegant figure slowly approached him.

"I'm surprised," Mei said quietly.

"You actually made me use a fraction of my real power."

"You're strong enough now."

In her hand was the blade Ren had dropped.

She studied the blade, her voice soft.

"You... you're..."

Ren's gaze fell on the fox mask she wore.

The name in his heart was on the tip of his tongue—

Before he could say it, Mei's eyes turned cold.

Clang!

Lightning flashed as the blade embedded itself into the ground beside him.

Ren's eyes widened slightly.

A ticklish sensation spread across his cheek.

It felt like something was flowing down his face.

He turned his gaze slightly.

The blade reflected a smear of crimson.

"I lost," he murmured, lying on the ground.

His eyes sought out Mei.

So, you're leaving for good.

But Mei merely snorted.

"It's a tie."

"What? A tie?!"

Ren stared at her in disbelief.

What did she mean by that?

"But didn't I just lose..."

Before he could finish, Mei cut him off.

"I said it's a tie, so it's a tie!"

She glared at him, giving him a quick kick for good measure.

After all, she'd used a power far beyond mortal limits.

That alone had ruined the fight's fairness.

And besides, she reserved the right to make the final call.

Got a problem with that?

"..."

Ren's face twitched slightly.

That kick wasn't exactly gentle.

Faced with Mei's unreasonable logic, he couldn't help but laugh wryly.

He recalled the endless purple light.

"Mei... you're actually..."

Before he could finish, the cold figure crouched down swiftly.

Something roughly shoved into Ren's mouth.

"Mmph?!"

Ren's eyes widened.

A sweet flavor melted on his tongue.

Mei had shoved a dessert into his mouth.

The torn-open packaging was conspicuous—

It was the dessert Ren had given her earlier.

Half-eaten by Mei herself.

Wait... didn't this mean...?

Realizing this, Ren stopped resisting.

Desserts hand-fed by Mei... tasted amazing.

Now, if only her actions were a little gentler next time.

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T/N: lmao yes its a tie ren take a hint

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