#imposter!au

It has been 7... 8? Days? Weeks? You've lost all concept of time, all you knew was to run, to hide, to find any scrap of food that you can.

Let's rewind a bit.

Some time ago, you were isekai'd into the world of Genshin Impact. Before all this, Genshin Impact was your favorite game, your escape from reality. It's ironic how your escape from reality became your nightmarish reality.

The last memory you have of your actual reality was of you scrolling on your phone before dozing off. When you woke up, you were in the middle of nowhere.

You've read fanfiction before, of course, you have. You've been obsessed with this game for ages. Would you call yourself a whale? Probably not, but other people certainly will. The point is, you were familiar with the SAGAU genre of fanfiction. You knew how much danger you were in, and you also knew that the land of Teyvat will cater to your every need

You may not have regretted spending money on the game at that time, but that was you in the past. You've been chased all through the land of Teyvat. The nations of Monstadt, Liyue, and Inazuma all have you as their most wanted criminal. You're grateful - no, extremely thankful that Sumeru has not joined in on the hunt. If you ever make it back home, you'll make sure the Sumeru characters have the best weapons and artifacts.

You hoped to get some rest along the river, and as usual, the land of Teyvat catered to your every need. The tree you were leaning on leaned forward to provide some shade, and a cool breeze washed upon you as a sunsettia fruit fell from the tree. You picked it up and began eating, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

Sadly, all good things come to an end. Your rare moment of peace came to an end when you were spotted by the Monstadt army led by the Acting Grand Master. And so, you were back to running.

You ran, and ran, and ran. Where could you possibly go? There were people in the 3 nations that are willing to help you, but their leaders didn't. Sumeru was too far away there was no way you could go there. And even if you did, it's unlikely they would help you, what would they do? Say you're not an imposter and declare war with the 3 nations?

You had nowhere else to go, they had already informed Liyue and Inazuma of your location, and they were circling you.

This is the end, isn't it? You had nowhere else to run, Teyvat can't help you now. You knew there was no escape from this, but still, you hoped at the bottom of your heart that you were able to summon the help of the many creatures of Teyvat to save you, to let you live for another day. And just maybe, in that extra day, you could be teleported back to your reality.

No matter how much Teyvat tried to save you from your impending doom, they were no match for the 3 archons filled with determination to kill you.

You gave up, there was no other choice. They had found you, and they captured you, you didn't struggle, you didn't fight, you didn't attempt to flee.

There are five stages of accepting the inevitable.

Denial; "This couldn't be happening, I- I mean, those were fiction, they were supposed to be fiction..." is what you would tell yourself most nights when they stopped chasing you.

Anger; "How could you do this? I spent so much money on you, I DEDICATED MY ENTIRE LIFE TO YOU" is what you once yelled at them when you were almost caught.

Bargaining; "This is just a dream, a really bad dream. I'm going to wake up, soon. Soon enough..." you tried to convince yourself, but you knew it wasn't true.

Depression; You cried your eyes out, a lot. You saw no reason to continue. But you still carried on, with that faint hope that it would all be over soon.

Acceptance; "Fine, you got me. I won't fight anymore. Kill me, or do whatever you want. I'm done with this world, just get me out of here" is what you told them before being dragged out to your execution.

"Today we are here to execute the perpetrator of the worst crime that can be committed, impersonating our divine creator." You heard the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing - Ningguang announce to her people. You guessed the execution is taking place in Liyue, you don't remember the landscape anymore, you don't want to remember.

"The divine creator has not been in contact with us ever since the imposter has been sighted within the lands of Teyvat. It is only reasonable that we assume the imposter had something to do with the divine creator's disappearance." This time it was Jean speaking, but it didn't matter. No matter who was speaking, the content is the same. You were an imposter.

They put you through every torture method possible, they broke your bones and blinded you. You still couldn't die.

Why? Why must this happen to you?

It had gone on for so long that you no longer felt pain, it was numb, everything was numb. You can barely hear anything. When they finally pierced a polearm through your heart, you didn't feel anything. Just the same numbness. 

The voice in your head got quieter, and quieter. Until it was completely silent.

Finally, at last.

Peace.

“Oh really? Then what about this face that you stole? So weak and pitiful, that's all I can say. Even just… looking at you is pathetic. Disrespecting the All-Creator like this, we did try to teach you some manners. It just wasn’t enough.”

A blue haired Cavalry Captain speaks, retaining his charm even though he speaks in such a chilly tone, that it makes you tremble. When he leans in, observing you up close, you feel the air get cold and your tears stop. Soon they start falling at your feet, frozen crystals of fear.

I can’t help it. I was born with this face, it is mine. Not Theirs. Mine. And yet all your beloved characters that you had got to know stared coldly at your crumpled and tired form while some looked on with pity.

Klee was confused. Albedo hadn’t yet arrived but he was trying to push through the crowd to be able to save you from this horrific fate you were about to meet, from the atrocious act of evil that they had all been involved in. Klee tries to run to you, and you catch the young girl’s gaze. Jean pulls her back firmly, not allowing her to be within even five metres of you. They labelled you a thief, an imposter. A sinner, the lowest of the low. Oh, how can they possibly be this ignorant? How far does all of the peoples of Tevyat stupidity stretch? Albedo wonders, an unknown emotion starting to rise. He would document this if he was not dealing with such a critical moment in this time and place.

The fire is lit by Diluc’s hands. He scowls as he approaches you, pleas and whimpers falling on deaf ears as he turns away to watch you burn with the others. Too late. The blond alchemist was too late.

As soon as the flames fly on your flesh, you scream. You start coughing rapidly, smoke invading your lungs. You couldn’t see—you could barely breathe. The pain was never ending, letting more screams slip from your lips. A cry that pierces the heavens as lightning flashes and rain starts to fall. The cooling drops dampen the fire, soothing your skin and some of the minor burns on your hands and feet. It was as if Teyvat itself was crying out for its creator, trying to save you.

Someone unlocks your shackles, soft hands and soothing whispers as they take you into their arms and shouts erupt from the crowd below you. Your eyes are open yet your mind is elsewhere. The only way you’re barely aware that several others are looking over you is the shadows that they cast. You don’t notice how the Archons are guilt stricken, and Venti is weeping at your side. Meanwhile, Ei and Zhongli feel sick to their stomach for the sinister crime they had encouraged and participated in. As they looked into your eyes, now shimmering with the colours of all the nations in Teyvat, they saw the truth. They felt your warmth, recognized the way the land itself loved you, as they were meant to. You were the All-Creator, Their beloved All-Creator and they had done what they deemed the ultimate sin.

You were in shock and soon enough, you fell into unconsciousness in the lap of the alchemist who had been too late, too late to explain that they were all wrong.

A few days of intensive care and rest allowed you to recover. Quicker than most, Barbara would say. But then again, you were the All-Creator.

Albedo, Klee and Barbara. Those were the only people you trusted after the… incident. Even comfortable in their presence, you were still mildly hesitant with Barbara at times and Alice’s daughter did tend to surprise you on occasion. In those few days of rest and recovery, the three of them visited you. Often, while Barbara tended to your injuries, Klee would entertain you with some story about her treasure or how she recently went fish blasting. You would smile and laugh lightly, before Klee would leave and then promptly fall into a deep sleep in Albedo’s lap.

All the acolytes were jealous of the alchemist. They too wanted to be the ones who held you in their lap as they gained your affections. But their crimes were too great. However, you certainly have a soft spot for children. You adored Klee and Qiqi and Diona. Xiangling often made you signature and special dishes to try, eagerly awaiting your commentary. They were simply sweethearts, young children who didn’t know whether to fear you or not. You would never think about putting any kind of blame on their shoulders.

When you finally did finish recovering, no one dared to look at you. You took your seat in a throne made by the Geo Archon himself, shoes clicking across the floor of the Church of Favonius. Looking at the sea of acolytes bowing down in front of you, a scowl makes its way onto your features. You scoff at the scene. “Get up. All of you.” You say with scorn bleeding into your voice. It makes even the Harbingers and Archons themselves shiver and flinch.

They are unable to hold your hard gaze, but they dare not fidget or move from their place. You desperately wish for Albedo’s presence at this exact moment. Instead, you had made sure he took all the children out, as to not allow them to be a witness to your fury.

“What are you doing here?” You ask, a question that is simply so innocent, but as your mouth speaks the words with such a cold and silent anger, the ground shakes.

It was a few moments before the eerie, ominous silence that fell on the people of Teyvat was broken.

“We are awaiting punishment… your grace. We know what we have done.” Morax speaks, the oldest of the current Archons.

You scoff. “Punishment? You think that low of me?”

It’s quiet. Uncomfortably quiet. The Archon shifted, guilt clear on his face as he started to speak again, before getting interrupted by you. A harsh laugh escapes from your throat. It's insincere and sharp. You walk over to him, despite being so small in stature yourself, as the Geo Archon bows his head, you tower over him and it is clear who holds authority here.

You do.

Grabbing hold of his cheek roughly, you make him face you, your eyes burning with a silent rage. “Look at me when I’m talking to you, Morax.”

A toothy smile greets your face, an expression similar to a shark seeing their prey. “You thought I would be cruel? In the way you were to me? You’re pathetic.” The smile drops off your features in an instant. Letting go of him, you shake your head and sigh, walking back to your throne.

“I’m tired. Leave.” You spat out, surveying the room as your so-called acolytes fled the room like terrified cattle. Catching sight of a particular ginger, you ponder your next actions. You could ask any other harbinger, but Signora was dead and you were once more particularly fond of said ginger. Now you simply said his name with distaste.

Childe’s head perks up, hearing you call his name. He tries to push through the crowd to get closer to you but it's certainly a struggle, even for him.

“Childe. Don’t make me repeat myself again.” You huff loudly, as the church empties.

The 11th Harbinger bows down in front of you, awaiting your words. Maybe he could redeem himself, maybe he could rid himself of the sins he’s committed against you. He’d do anything for that chance. You smirk at the scene of him confessing his absolute undying loyalty to you and only you. Good.. maybe having a little toy would be useful.

“I have a task for you… Childe.” you adopted a sugar sweet tone, the false affection in your voice dripping like honey. The harbinger craved it. He looks at you, nodding once to show he understood. “I heard that Scaramouche has gone missing, is that right?”

When you asked so sweetly like that, he had to answer. He nods again, opening his mouth to speak. “Yes, your grace. That’s true, and he ran away with the electro gnosis as well.”

You hum absentmindedly, seemingly more interested in the way a rock crumbled under your grip than his answer. “I see…”

You wanted to laugh. He acted like a weak puppy down at your feet. Finally placing your focus back on him, you decide to send him off.

“Childe… I want you to find Scaramouche. Bring him back here, to meet me. Alive, of course but I doubt you’d even be able to kill him in the first place.”

There are a few categories, classifications if you will, on how perfect the beings can fake your appearance and voice. The personalities will always be off, but in the SAGAO Genshin Cult!AU, it is very likely that the followers blindly trust them because they don’t act like normal humans of Teyvat. Or, they are in denial of mistaking the Imposter as the real deal, who is you, now staying with Aloy after the numerous manhunts.

In a way, the imposter’s imperfections could mirror the Albedo event’s story. The level of perfection also affects the story and how long the cult takes to snap back to the stark cold truth, the bone-chilling horror of them realising what their denial of you entails.

The reactions from the children of Teyvat also seems like an interesting topic. Children are easily gaslit from their gullible nature, due to lack of experience and knowledge. On the other hand, they have the strongest ties to the supernatural, as well as the most trustable intuition. I had known that a relative would die soon and it had unfortunately become the truth soon after, and I had had dreams that cause in-real-life deja vu. Maybe, we can assume that one of the children are being sent dreams from Teyvat to aid us, the true deity. Or, siblings can suspect and figure out if the person their country is praising feels like the true God. Siblings are more likely to share secrets and genuinely work together for the same cause, in a way that adults would shy away from to keep their name safe from accusations of sacrilege.

So fragile, this light...

Such were his thoughts when he gazed down at the existence the world had revered, yet mistook quite easily. The ichor that spilled onto the snow, the gold that stained the pure white beneath his feet... He feels Teyvat’s unrestricted rage, just as he too felt the burn that threatened to boil over his entire existence with the desire to slaughter.

You have become weak... so very weak.

He loves them, the one who gave him a Reason to be something rather than an existence formed purely by the concept of Destruction. He loves them with everything that he is, with what little he could truly offer aside from unrestrained Destruction that he could only do.

He would give up everything for them, and whatever they asked, he would do it. To be a weapon to deliver their justice, to be a friend that is there to give comfort... to be a protector that grants safety to the body and soul. 

Everything is theirs.

But you are not awake to hear these prayers and vows... for you in all your love have been mistaken by the blind heathens who follow a monster wearing your skin.

He exhales softly and watches the wisp of white fly out from his lips before he gazed back into the figure soaked in gold, the divine ichor dripping upon the snow as the winds whisper to him with urgency to move.

There was no more time to think, for the heathens blinded by the embodiment of greed were on their way.

I will protect you... I will give you everything and more. 

I will be better than them... even if I am worthless as a mere thought that should not be alive.

The person who saved you, Polaris, was an odd person.

You weren’t even sure if  he was supposed to exist since you found nothing of the sorts about him in the game... granted, a lot of things that happened to you were already confusing enough.

This made you rather glad that he was willing to answer all your questions while he had “mended” you from the horrid state you were in before. The pain was undeniably gone, and any traces of the attacks done to you weren’t present either.

Is this another aspect of Destruction he was talking about?

You cannot help but wonder just what rules he could twist with that unique ability of his that put the Archons and Celestia to shame. 

As much as you want to know more about that power of his, you were still fairly exhausted from the week before... you barely survived, after all and you weren’t sure whether to be thankful to live another day with someone by your side at last or be angry that you are alive in this hellhole of a world.

But when the hand as pale as snow gently take your own like glass, you quickly dismiss the feelings of anger as the man who gave you everything he could give quietly settles by your side.

With this small space filled with only comfort and silence, the safety you feel knowing Teyvat itself was protecting you alongside him... it fills you with warmth that makes you forget the cruel world outside.