#i think where venti's is more about personal connection... little things... zhongli's reveal would HAVE to be something big and messy

[quillium]

So you’ve done “what if Mondstadt knows Venti the drunk bard is Barbatos”, so I raise you “what if Liyue knows the moraless walking library Zhongli is Rex Lapis”.

You, dearest nonny, are an absolute genius, I love this to bits.

The internal struggle of reconciling the brilliant, uber powerful dragon Rex Lapis with this grandpa nerd

This is definitely messier than a Venti-is-Barbatos reveal because Liyue is still reeling from the death of their god, still caught in the aftershock. Where I think Mondstadt doesn’t care too much, Liyue feels this reveal. People feel betrayed, angry, grateful he’s still alive, furious he let them think he was dead, confused at why he did it--it could lead to a huge split between those who want Rex Lapis back and those who believe in building their own future on human power

During this time Keqing rises. She talks about how incredible Liyue is--how yes, Rex Lapis gave them this land and these opportunities, but they built the future he fought for--how their trade, their banks, their power, while aided by a god, is built by human hands. She talks about how they never needed to rely on Rex Lapis, that was just an illusion--she talks about how children need to eventually leave their parents, and now, Liyue and its people have come into their own

This is really controversial, of course. I think most people agree with Keqing--this is their land, their future, and Rex Lapis was protection, a safe habour, but they are Liyue and they’re willing to build the future with their own two hands and protect the present with their own two hands. But others say Keqing only wants power for herself and the Qixing--some people who felt lost or alone without their god question it

I think where Venti ultimately decides to keep his form since nothing much changes, Zhongli would have to change his form or leave Liyue. The whole point of his death, the plotting, is all ruined if the people find out he’s alive

Maybe some people quietly thank him, or still pray to him, knowing he’s alive, out there, somewhere, without expectation but simply dedication, loyalty and faith. 

But ultimately, in this era of change and upheaval, “Zhongli” cannot stay in Liyue--whether this means he changes his name and form, or leaves entirely, is up to you. He laid the groundwork for Liyue’s future--but it will never come to fruit if Rex Lapis lives on.

#genshin impact #zhongli #rex lapis #liyue #asks #anon #sorry aoigjd this one kinda got away with me #i think where venti's is more about personal connection... little things... zhongli's reveal would HAVE to be something big and messy #because barbatos didn't really change in any way--Mond is a godless city and the people love that and love their archon equally #but liyue was the city of Rex Lapis... they saw him EVERY YEAR which is??? CRAZY #but they can't have the future that zhongli and keqing spoke of if rex lapis is around so no matter what the people do #zhongli can't remain after a reveal i think which is a bit sad but