Liyue's Internet cafe basked in the midday sun—its 400 rigs a glowing empire, Red Alert 2's tanks rumbling and Monopoly's dice clattering across the LAN—and upstairs, Liam's heart raced, "Ayanami Rei—my goddess," her draw a spark from his past, the Sharingan a footnote to her divine arrival.
He fused—Eternal Kaleidoscope Sharingan melded into his eyes, a crimson pulse behind his vision, "Power's mine—later,"—and he leapt from the bath, water dripping as he dressed, "Not summoning her here—too crude," his reverence a tide, the living room his stage for her debut.
Light flared—blue hair framed a cool, ethereal face, red eyes flickering with faint confusion, her combat suit a white-black embrace of her form—and the Spear of Longinus gleamed in her grip, "Rei—perfect Rei," Liam breathed, her apostle's might a echo from EVA's final war, now his to command.
She spoke—"I work for you now?" her voice a flat breeze, emotion a stranger to her tone—and Liam nodded, "Welcome, Rei," his smile warm, her icy calm a mirror to his memory, "Three Wus' first goddess—orders are yours," her tool-like soul a canvas he'd paint with care.
Downstairs beckoned—"Meet Tier Harribel—your kin here," his steps light as he led her, the cafe's hum rising—and the duo met, teal eyes on red, "Greetings," Harribel's murmur a ripple, Rei's silence a wall, "Uh… right," Liam sighed, "Chat's not their forte."
Harribel stirred—"I'll try—for you," her duty a rock as she probed, "Rei—your spear?"—and Rei blinked, "Longinus—kills gods," her reply a shard, Liam grinning, "Awkward gold—keep it up," their stilted exchange a thread, the melon-eaters below gawking at the new girl.
Envy flared—"Liam's got two now—unfair!" one grumbled, "Pray to Morax—gimme a beauty!"—and Hu Tao paused, her pyro gaze sizing Rei, "Another loss—flat as me, she's not!" her pride a ember, papayas bought, "Potential's mine—watch me bloom!" her vow a spark.
A day passed—Liam bonded, "Rei—meat, not just greens," his plea a jest, her vegan quirk a mystery, "Not human, sure—but eat!"—and noon struck, "Mondstadt calls," his trek set, Tier Harribel and Rei entrusted, "Run it your way—rest if you want," his trust a gift.
North gate loomed—Liyue Port's bluestone road stretched, a steep slope under the sun's glare, "Horse'd be wise—cart's a rattle,"—and he opted for foot, "Days to Mond—savor it," his pack light, the Sealing Amulet a talisman, "Evil's out there—someone'll need this."
The cafe hummed—Rei's 21st-century edge outshone Harribel's novice touch, "Rigs—simple," her calm a blade—and Red Alert 2 roared, Soviet tanks clashing Allied jets, "Build—crush!" melon-eaters shouted, Monopoly's dice a quieter war, "Bankrupt 'em!" their glee a tide.
Zhongli sat—Romance of the Three Kingdoms sprawled across his screen, Cao Cao's ambition a geo echo, "Magnificent—Liyue pales,"—and he sipped tea, "Rei's spear—god-slaying; curious," his retirement a veil, the cafe's pulse a balm for a god weary of eons.
Action flared—outside, Tartaglia slipped, "Bracelet—again," his whisper a dare, orange-red light blooming—and he shifted, a warrior girl twirling, "Hydro Burst!" a geyser shattering a stall, "Power's real!" his laugh a wave, melon-eaters gasping, "He's at it—wild!"
Hu Tao pounced—"Caught ya—show off!" her staff sparking as he dodged, "Back—pyro fiend!"—and their clash danced, Liyue's streets a stage, "Transform more—I dare ya!" her fire clashing his water, "Never—my secret!" his blade a blur, their rivalry a blaze in the noon sun.
Rei watched—"Conflict—pointless," her red eyes tracing the fray, Harribel nodding, "Mortals—chaotic,"—and they turned, "Rigs need us," their silence a pact, the cafe's glow a sanctuary, 400 screens alive with Teyvat's bold, their stewardship a quiet reign.
A subplot twisted—Liam's trek sparked, "Mond—new blood, new wars," his Sharingan a hidden edge—and Tartaglia's bracelet burned, "Fatui'd kill for this—keep it dark," his scheming a thread, Hu Tao's chase a spur, "Zhongli'll force it—wait!" their game a ripple in Liyue's sprawl.
Mondstadt loomed—Liam trekked, bluestone giving way to dirt, the Tianqiu Valley's winds a whisper, "Days ahead—Rei's fine,"—and a shadow stirred, a hilichurl camp, "Ambush—test time," his Sharingan flaring, "Amaterasu!" black flames consuming, "Safe—for now," his path a forge.
Back in Liyue—Rei manned the counter, "Night service—open," her voice a breeze, Harribel flanking, "Rest later—work first,"—and melon-eaters cheered, "More Red Alert—tanks roll!" their rigs a chorus, the cafe a crucible, Liam's absence a void they'd fill with war and dice.
Emotion surged—Liam's nostalgia clashed with duty, Rei's smile a ghost driving him; Tartaglia's pride wrestled whimsy, a Harbinger's edge reborn; Hu Tao's fire craved chaos, her growth a dream—and the cafe glowed, their saga a blaze in Liyue's LAN-lit sprawl.
Zhongli mused—"Liam's road—Rei's calm; balance holds," his geo gaze tracing their threads, "Mond's winds'll test him,"—and he leaned back, "Three Kingdoms—strategy's king," his screen a mirror, the cafe's gifts a riddle, a god's peace amid Teyvat's storm.
Rei stood—"Orders—execute," her spear a sentinel, Harribel murmuring, "He'll return—stronger,"—and the cafe pulsed, Monopoly's greed clashing Red Alert's fury, Liyue's den a forge, Liam's trek a tide, Mondstadt's call a dawn breaking over his empire's heart.
Tartaglia grinned—"Girl form's mine—chaos awaits," his hydro pulse a vow, Hu Tao plotting, "Next clash—he's toast!"—and Liam trekked, "Rei—hold fast," his Sharingan a flame, the cafe's glow a beacon, Teyvat's LAN a tapestry of grit, grace, and looming wars.
***
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