The Dustborne system: tales of the runaway goddess

Chapter 1: The Dust Returns and is on the run.

Guizhong—pressed herself against the rooftop of a teahouse, peeking over the edge as Zhongli walked by, his golden eyes calm, his every step elegant and controlled.

But Guizhong knew better.

She knew what lay beneath that composed exterior.

That was a man who had gone insane when she—Guizhong—died.

That was a man who ripped gods apart in his grief.

That was a man who, if he found out she was alive, would—

[WARNING: Morax's Emotional Detection is Increasing]

[Host Must Evacuate Immediately or Risk Discovery]

Guizhong broke into a cold sweat.

"Shit. Shit. Shit."

The system, ever the cruel entity that it was, chimed in again.

[Host's Fear is Unfounded. Being Captured by Morax Would Yield Extremely High Emotional Points.]

[Projected Scenario Upon Discovery: Host Will Be Taken by Morax, Confined in a Hidden Sanctuary, and—]

Guizhong slapped her own mouth shut before she could scream.

"No. Nope. I refuse. I REFUSE TO BE ZHONGLI'S LOVE-STARVED PRISONER."

[Projected Scenario Includes High Possibility of Morax—]

"DON'T SAY IT. I SWEAR TO CELESTIA, DO NOT FINISH THAT SENTENCE."

The system paused.

Then, in the most gleefully sadistic tone Guizhong had ever heard, it finished:

[Projected Outcome: Morax Will Capture, Worship, and Impregnate Host to "Restore What Was Lost."]

Guizhong fainted.

After waking up Guizhong—was running for her goddamn life through Liyue Harbor.

She didn't care that she was getting weird looks.

She didn't care that she looked like a crazed fugitive in flowing white robes.

All she cared about was getting the hell away from Zhongli.

But the system had other plans.

[New Directive: Exposure Event in Progress]

[Increasing Chance of Discovery for Maximum Emotional Chaos]

"WHAT?! NO! CANCEL IT! ABORT!" Guizhong screeched internally.

[Request Denied. Have Fun <3]

Before Guizhong could argue, a deep, familiar voice called out behind her.

"Guizhong?"

Oh, no.

OH, NO.

That voice was smooth as golden honey, rich with disbelief and something deeper—dangerous hope.

Guizhong froze.

Slowly—painfully slowly—she turned around.

Zhongli stood there, frozen in place, golden eyes blown wide. His composure—so legendary, so unshakable—had cracked entirely.

The streets of Liyue fell silent.

And Guizhong… panicked.

"RUN."

That was the only thing her brain could process before she bolted.

"SYSTEM, YOU TRAITOR! YOU SET ME UP!" Guizhong mentally screamed as she ran, dodging carts and leaping over startled merchants while climbing up the stairs leading to the rooftop.

[Correction: Host Has Entered High-Stakes Emotional Turmoil. EP GAIN: +500]

"I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THE ONE GETTING FARMED FOR EMOTIONAL POINTS!"

Behind her, Zhongli was following.

Just following her while walking.

And yet…

The ground itself trembled beneath his steps.

The air turned heavy with ancient power.

And Guizhong swore she heard a deep, possessive growl from behind her.

[Emotional Surge Detected: Morax—Overwhelming Obsession. +1,000 EP]

[Projected Capture Rate: 90%]

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Guizhong screamed internally.

And then—

A golden spear slammed into the edge of rooftop ahead of her, blocking her path.

She skidded to a halt, heart pounding.

Slowly, she turned, dreading what she would see.

Zhongli stood right behind her.

His golden eyes burned with something she did not want to identify.

And then, in a voice as soft as death itself, he whispered:

"Why are you running from me, Guizhong?"

His hand reached for her wrist—

"Please, my old friend let's just talk."

"NO. NO. NO."

Guizhong having lost all reason vaulted off the last rooftop—

Only to crash directly into Cloud Retainer.

The crane immortal blinked, looking down at the figure holding onto her.

Shocked and amused she said.

"Hoo oh? Now what is this? The long-lost Guizhong in my claws?"

"Shut up, you overgrown bird, I need an escape route—"

A shadow loomed over them.

Cloud Retainer froze.

Guizhong froze.

Zhongli was right there standing on the edge of the rooftop looking at them.

His golden eyes burned, a storm barely contained behind his calm expression.

"Cloud Retainer, my old friend." His voice was too calm.

"Give her to me."

Guizhong shook her head wildly at the adeptus. Don't you dare.

Cloud Retainer tilted her head, intrigued. "Hooo? I recall a time when you forbade her name to be spoken, Morax. And now, here you are, demanding her back like a dragon reclaiming its tre—"

In order to fall down Guizhong kicked her old friend and ran.

[EMOTIONAL SURGE DETECTED: MORAX—PURE RAGE. +3,000 EP]

Cloud Retainer cackled.

"Morax, she is running again."

Guizhong didn't look back.

She didn't dare.

Because if she did—

She'd see the hungry, desperate, completely unhinged look in Zhongli's eyes.

And she knew she would not survive.