Genshin Impact: Frostburn

Sunlight reached my face as I woke up, my whole appearance is a mess; disheveled, clothes thrown on the floor, papers unorganized on the desk and curtains hanging loosely on the windows. I guess that explains the sudden sunlight, I thought to myself. It's time to start another unproductive day, I got up and took a shower then dressed the bare minimum to look presentable at the very least.

"I feel like I forgot something." Looking back at the apartment where I lived. I scanned the whole place but I still couldn't tell what I forgot. "Whatever I'll figure it out later." Giving up, I go on my way to catch up to the next train.

Looking at the time, I thought to myself. "There's still time to do dailies, phew." Taking out my phone and opening the game "Genshin Impact" I started to do my usual routine in-game. 

I am an orphan, my parents left me on the doors of the orphanage with just a note and my name. Life in the orphanage was not so bad, we could still eat 3 times a day, play and occasionally go on trips with the head mistress. When I started school, my teachers praised me for my high grades. I even got a scholarship on one of the most prestigious University on the country. After graduation, I instantly applied for a job and fortunately got into a managerial position within a large company. My life became steady and better from then on.

"Hmmm, Just one pull." I got introduced into this game by my friend that also works for the company. Since then uhhh let's just say I was never the same. At first it was just genshin impact but as time goes on I got hooked on other gacha games like Honkai star rail and Honkai impact, though I tend to skip some lore on both games. "Raiden or Kinich hmmm..." I pondered on who to use my one pull even though I am not f2p, I still value each and every single primogem I get. "Raiden it is then. What are the odds of me getting her? hehe." Hoping for a miracle to happen I pressed the button. 

"No way!!" A bright yellow star came falling on my screen. I closed my eyes and took a minute until I finally looked at the screen. "Fuck" Disappointment, an utter disappointment. "This is c6 Qiqi my god!" I closed the game and pocketed my phone. "Atleast I'm guaranteed..." Yes, I'm coping...

****************

It's late at night, I am the only one left in the office, and every light in the room is off, only the light on my room is the only one left on.

"This should do it." Stretching my hands on top of my head, I stood up after sending the rest of the files. "Let's get some coffee before going home." Taking my stuff, I made a detour to the cafeteria and navigated my way to the vending machine to buy some coffee. 

Yawning, I walked my way to the nearest train station to catch the last train. Suddenly on the corner of my sight, a flickering red and yellow colors bathe on debris and falling parts of walls. Flames surged and loud banging noise could be heard. 

"What's happening?" I instinctively hid behind the nearest alley. Screaming voices mixed with horror and pain starts to reverberate on the distance. Soon later I could see people running away from the site of the explosion.

'I have to ask what's going on.' I grabbed the shoulder of the nearest person on me. The look of terror and fear washed his face, his hands trembling and his eyes looked mad.

"Sir can I ask what's happening?" A look of confusion instantly turned into a knowing look as he gave me his answers.

"It's the skull! They're attacking the city!"

A look of disbelief and horror dawned on me. The skull, the most notorious group of criminals turned terrorist. They bring death and destruction everywhere they go. They are the most wanted criminals on the world.

"Run if you want to live!" He screamed as he started running away. Without farther delay, I started running myself, trying to get as far away from them as possible.

"Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh" A loud screaming voice full of pain can be heard behind me. The urge to look behind and see what is happening is tempting. 'Don't look, don't look, don't look!'

I urged myself and kept running until I reached the nearest train station. In there, many people are waiting, some are crying while some are screaming names. I sat near the wall and tried to keep a calm mind.

'With this many people not everyone could get in, the train might get overloaded. If they find us here, we're lambs to the slaughter. Going back out is also not an option, there's too many people here.' I looked around trying to find the best course of action I can take.

A loud screaming noise could be heard outside, mixed with gunshots and explosions. 'No they're already here!' I couldn't help but panic, out imminent death waiting outside and soon after they will find us here.

Finally, the train arrived, people keep pushing and pulling just to get inside, and I am no exception. Behind us more and more screams could be heard until the the sound of gunshots could be heard behind us.

****************

I couldn't exactly remember what happened next, all I remember is the shock I felt as the bullets hit me, soon after a burning sensation on my body until I blacked out. 

I couldn't feel my body, I feel like a small baby unable to survive on my own. 'Is this what it feels like to die? Weird.' Time passes as I drift in and out of consciousness

'How much time passed since I became like this? Am I a soul now?' No matter how much I tried I could not do anything. 'I feel weird....' A creeping emptiness filled my whole being, I feel like the experiences and what made me who I am vanishing, replaced by a small empty container, its contents slipping away. I tried to fight back, I may not feel or do anything, but I could firmly hold unto the last remaining memories of my life. Time passed as the tug of war slowly ends, a part of me was lost, replaced by a half empty container. My personality, my experiences, almost everything who made me who I am vanished, except for a dumb last regret that isn't even on my control. 'Ahh, I really wished, everyone had a better ending.' The memories of my favorite game flashed into my mind. The end of those who fell, the gods who sacrificed themselves for their people, the mortals who gave it their all for what they believed. As those last seconds end, I closed the remaining thoughts on my mind and slept.

****************

At a snowy city, a carriage passes the busy road, it's wheels worn-out from its long travels. Despite its sorry look, multiple guards stood firm by its side, not letting even a single ant get close. As it passes each alley, more and more gossips and rumors flew, its contents full of conspiracy and drama spread by the people who craves excitement and thrill.

Finally the carriage arrived at a huge mansion. The gates opened and the soldiers lined like statues. A man came out of the house, He wore a styled black and dark red outfit with golden accents, He wore expensive looking glasses with chains and a long coat. His gaze sharp and exudes authority.

Everyone knelt, no one uttered a word. "Stand." He commanded.

"Lord Pantalone, we have successfully escorted the young masters." One of the agents said. His outfit different than the others, signifying his rank.

"You have done your job well." Pantalone approached the carriage, as the maids carefully took out two babies from inside. His gaze warm, but at the same time it shows regret and pain. Pantalone, reached his hand to the two babies, carefully caressing their faces.

"You are both safe now." He reached for his pockets and took 2 small insignia that resembles masks and attached it to their clothes. "From now on the two of you are named, Leonheart and Leonid.