Published: 04/20/21
Act I - Spirit of Adventure
CHAPTER IV
Shattered Voices
Archons, while immortal, were in truth only so in the smallest sense of the word. They were powerful and extremely long-lived, but they were not impervious to harm and could die just as any other being could.
The Archon War proved that was the case.
So when a sudden blast exploded across the whole district, Zhongli knew that something was not right. Fortunately, the ground trembled before it did, managing to warn him firsthand of what is to occur. Ganyu and the rest of the mortals were not fortunate in any case. Some stumbled off their chairs, others would lose their footing and drop to the ground, and Ganyu held herself firm. They were the only ones not to be perturbed so easily, as Ganyu fought in the Archon War, and Zhongli waged wars with untold celestial beings.
"W-what was that?" Ganyu desperately asked, a firm veteran she may be, but unstartled she was not. "I must leave. The Millelith must've gathered by now, and they might need some assistance."
Zhongli did not argue, as the Qilin's tired form rise once more, and this time her eyes shone with stark determination. He felt it not necessary to exchange words and nodded. He was Zhongli, a funeral consultant. Every soul in Liyue knows the majestic form of Rex Lapis, the Prime Adepti, and the God of Contracts. But this night, he would rather stay his hands and watch closely.
A shame, truly.
Ganyu left without any other remarks and immediately rushed off to the scene. Zhongli spotted a group of Millelith troops running to the scene with a steady pace, but when they saw the General Secretary of the Qixing, they did not hesitate to hustle up and rush after her, barely catching up to her inhuman speed. Ganyu herself leap from roof to roof with such silent grace, as to not startle the already weary residents, and her form disappeared from the night.
Zhongli felt a tingling sensation from his soul, the ground trembled once more but was only noticeable to him. Pieces of the earth left his control and subsumed another to its whims. A Geo user perhaps?
Whatever it may be, another presence called his attention. And this time was a familiar one.
The urges of annoyance returned to him, a sensation of a certain individual not amused by the evening's events. Zhongli's amber eyes spotted a lone figure up at mount Tianheng. Mortal sight may never have a chance to witness such an individual from his standpoint, but Zhongli felt that it was for the best. Many gruesome sights were seen, and many a sorrowful ones still managed to haunt his old soul.
Fixing up his outfit, Zhongli fashioned out a handful of Mora to a gob-smacked waitress beside him. She accepted the pay with a startled and scared look in her eye. Ah, he remembered how easy it was to scare other mortals, and she wasn't alone by any normal standards. Even folks from down the market and even the terrace raced towards the quiet street to watch the situation unfold. From a distance, of course. No soul here is brave enough to ascertain the danger beyond.
Even a few Millelith and a couple of Guhua students hesitates to risk getting a closer look, and Zhongli doesn't blame them.
Whatever happens today, is merely a catalyst of another, and much more interesting events. He'll stay his hand, and decide when to act, when the situation permits. No one can ever learn if he always plays a role that others should play.
Without any other forethought, the gentleman strode away, uncaring of the emanation of his actions. If the day comes when darkness tries to rear its ugly head, Zhongli will teach them the meaning of his wrath, and a firm warning. For now, the world turns, as it always does. The young funeral consultant has no part to play in this dire hour, for what can the young man achieve that a Adepti and armed warriors can't?
Let fate decide. She always did, and she won't stop now. Not that Zhongli ever tried, he desperately did once. Even an old soul knew that it was futile.
Especially when the dried dust refused to let go of him in her few final moments, a grim stain on his soul, and a reminder of the failure he would never forget.
Aether wanted to bonk his own head, cursing his impatience and self-indulgence.
The explosion was much more devastating than he would assume, not in a terrible way, as there was no civilian casualty. But in a way that nearly screwed him over.
Aether had no assurance if the Adepti were forgiving, and if he managed to piss them of it would merely antagonize him against the people of Liyue. His progress of uniting Teyvat might be in peril if Aether made an enemy with Rex Lapis.
He cautiously kept vigil as numerous people were watching the devastation from far away, as the residents of even those at the central district regard the smoke in the distance. Some watched in horror, but most were just curious. Another corrupt scandal from the Qixing? An incompetent merchant trading illegal stuff and managed to allude the gangs and Millelith with contraband explosives? Maybe a Hilichurl raid in the city? Who knows, and as far as Aether might assume, it might've been a firework show gone wrong.
What matters is that the package was safely tucked within his soul. Whilst it was nearly impossible to keep a living being inside, it was possible to keep a non-sentient item with a living creature inside of his personal dimension. The loop-hole was discovered some time ago when he had gone fishing with Childe, and Aether caught sight of a frozen fox in ice. Childe wanted to bring it to a veterinarian, but it was a little too heavy for even the both of them. It was the Harbinger's insistence that convinced Aether to try and transport it within his soul.
It worked, and when bringing the ice block to the veterinarian to thaw it out, the creature was still remarkably alive. It serve to remind Aether everyday that possibilities were within his grasp, he just couldn't see it yet.
Speaking of old friends, Aether believed to gamble on his ideas for most of the time. Keeping the box was well and good for him, but he needed a safe place to store it and examine the items of the crate more seriously. And he knows of the perfect place for it to be placed. He just doesn't know if the place was opened in the past, as he never deigned to ask details when he first entered years back.
Reaching the place was still a familiar motion for him, find the stairs, navigate the bridges, and find the door. Simple, easy, and very memorable. And so, the front entrance of the Northland Bank was a longing sight to behold. Its unassuming doors felt of so familiar and nostalgic for him.
The massive wooden doors may show a sign of extravagance, but for most, it might as well be a simple door to a rich merchant's house. Usually, the massive glowing sign up top would symbolize the Fatui's influence and wealth. But a mere wooden plank with neatly written words in both Liyue and Sneznhayan languages strapped to the door was a reminder of a different time. Northland Bank, while unassuming, and simple, unlike its future counterpart, was still a very jarring sight.
Heck, there were no guards around.
Aether was hesitant to enter, but he was willing to do so if it meant an hour of peace and solitude. Plus, he needed a space to drown down the heat and tension of the city.
"Well, here goes nothing," Aether drawled, but the motion of opening the door was pensive.
What greeted him was nothing he would expect. The main room where he once watched in horror as a familiar form of the consultant they trusted, along with the beaten up and stressed out warrior, and the bitch who harmed Venti was having a conversation. Ironically, a heated one. The floors were reflected in the splendors of wealth and gold the Fatui hold, the ceiling and walls etched with intricate and expensive designs that accompanied with such grandeur and expectations. Exotic paintings and marveled designs reigned across the halls. Plants and the bright extravagant lighting dominated the sight first seen by other visitors.
What Aether sees now is nothing but disorganized boxes and wooden platforms on each side of the hall, the floor was rough and only a few spaces were covered with wood. The ceiling was barren and empty, no lights or designs. Carpets dominated majority of the floor, but most of them were cheap. Tools were evidently scattered, and even a chair was covered in dusty cloth. The sight was a strange one, and Aether feels like he was intruding on unfamiliar grounds.
A figure strode out of the room and entered the hallway, sensing a visitor of the place, a woman in very intricate Liyue clothing gave Aether a wary look. It was off-putting, especially when the only light source of the hall was but a few candles.
"Oh, um, greetings!" Aether said, his face showed the woman a very uncertain look. "Is this the Northland Bank?"
"It is. But you've come at a bad time, unfortunately. We're still at the renovating period."
She took her time to reply, but Aether felt her shoulders loose in tension. In her relaxed state, Aether noticed that she was from Sneznhaya, even if the clothes would say otherwise. Her eyes and hair was much darker than any other Liyue native, and the very presence of a stranger, she was calm and collected when asked a comfortable topic.
Renovating Period? Must be a recent thing then, but he was sure that the bank was established a long time ago. Guess Aether misjudged it wrong, a decade old bank must've still look quite old to him before.
"What business brought you here?" the woman asked. "I'm afraid we can only perform deposits and withdrawals in this point and time."
"Do you have an available Storage Facility?"
The woman perked her brow, "We have, but the rooms haven't been renovated yet."
A storage facility is merely like a bank for massive items for the bank to store, like treasures and artifacts, and can be transferred safely from nation to nation. Depending, of course, when there is a local bank from the Northland family. The Fatui turned the Northland bank estates into sort of embassies for the Fatui. Transferring their elicit goods under the pretense of innocent cargo of employers and patrons of the bank. Weapons and Delusions, more like.
Aether plans to rent a space, and it can be transacted to another bank. If he buys one here, he would've already paid for the space to store things at the Northland Bank in another nation. That, and it also may act as a sort of hotel and a private area for the person who bought it.
"I don't mind, actually," Aether replied.
"I see."
The woman nodded, and gestured for Aether to follow.
"I also wish to deposit some Mora," Aether said. "Strictly a private account, of course."
The wooden counter was actually finished and would merely need a little bit of polishing. The small safes and lockboxes behind the massive counter were all open, meaning the lack of use, and the lack of investment into the Liyue branch.
"Of course, but I must have your name, signature, and a drop of your blood. Forty-five thousand Mora is required for the Storage Facility, and the annual payment for rent is around twelve-thousand. Sad to say, that we cannot establish a private account for you. Only the Northland Bank of the Sneznhaya branch has the available process."
"Why do you need my blood for?" Aether asked as he watched the woman go behind the counter and pulled out a piece of rough parchment. She started scribbling down some notes, stamped a few times, and folded it. She then draw out a small knife, and to Aether's surprise, drew blood with it.
"It's for the Storage Facility," the woman casually replied, wiping her finger clean of the blood after pressing it into a much different and intricate piece of paper. "That, and the identification of the owner, and would have all the control of their facility without the aid of the staff. Makes it easier to access it without any other hassle and the lack of a bodyguard can cheapen things."
Looking around, Aether noticed that the only presence in the bank were the both of them. It makes sense, and with the lack of proper security, magical mumbo-jumbo can really makes things easier. Well, whatever, as long as there's no drawbacks like using his blood later for experiments. He would rather not take the chance, but what else can Aether do? He needed the space, and the versatility of the Northland Bank can make things easier in the long run.
He picked up the paper the woman pressed her finger into and noticed the golden ink that was written in the entire paper. A binding contract, and one with intricate rules and standards. Zhongli had taught Aether to carefully study and dissect any written agreements, as the consultant would always stress the regrets Aether would have in the future if he agreed to a terrible one.
All in all, a normal contract that merely assures the customer's privacy, security, and even basic maintenance across all of the Northland's Storage Facilities Aether owns. Any loss of currency and theft would be rather the bank's responsibility and duty. Hmm, it even states that a customer can hire a seneschal to accompany and manage the customer's bank account, business, private, or otherwise. Of course, there'll be massive expenses and only a customer can hire one from the main branch.
"Does this require payment?" He pointed to the contract itself, as it looked quite expensive on its own. Aether cannot imagine the cost of a piece of paper.
The woman ignored the sarcastic jab, and wordlessly handed Aether the knife. He shrugged and pierced a finger, pressing it into the contract. She handed a cloth as well, and he gave silent thanks. Writing his name and signature, the deed was done. Aether has a Facility now.
"I'll show you to the room," the woman said, after taking the contract and reading it, seeing if everything's in place. "Payment shall be required later, as customer satisfaction goes first."
Following the woman out of the counter, and heads straight to the stairs, Aether had only been once up there. Childe's remaining funds were exchanged into his own personal Mora, and the storage above was for storing Mora in chests and barred safes. Curious, as the woman softly press into the wall, and a resounding click surprised him. The woman gestured inside, and Aether saw a small hallway that lead to multiple doors to each side.
Finding the one door at the very last and to his left, the woman called him close, and asked to place his hands into the door's knob. Aether felt a shallow shiver in his spine as the door answered to his will.
"This here will be the Liyue branch's storage facility room for you, Mister Aether," the woman nodded her head, entering the room before Aether did, a gobsmacked look in his face. "Other braches might have unique designs and sizes of their own, but ours is still nothing to scoff at. As I had said, the room's interior design is still incomplete, as other rooms are."
Entering the room, Aether did notice the walls might need a proper cover, and the floors were not as polished. He imagined the complete room to be a wooden tiled with marble walls. Well-worth the Mora, indeed. Aether never imagined a space for him, and a fancy one at that, to be just a place to store stuff.
"Can I have a bit of a privacy, or is there something you still need?"
The woman subserviently bowed, and replies, "None. Take your time, but if you are satisfied please enter the hall once more, as I require your payment, Mister Aether."
Saying no other words, the woman quietly left the room, and slowly shut the door. With another soft click, the door's magic activated and placed a charm on the knob. Aether had a feeling that only the trusted staff can have untold access across all rooms for the bank, especially this hallway on the second floor he never saw before. Security indeed, and Aether's impressed. He was a curious one, and having to miss that one was a massive blow to his pride. But at least he knows the banks are a secure place.
With a sudden flash of white light, Aether summoned the crate, and all the contents were still safe inside. It was massive, nearly reaching his height. He peeled off the top again and with a quickened pace, pulled out the medical boxes.
With such intricate designs and carving, one would think that the insides were valuable. It might've been, as the gold lining and black wooden texture was anything to go by.
Placing them neatly on the side of the room, Aether needed space to let out the massive amber. With a grunt, Aether pulled the front side of the crate and lowered it down, letting the hay fall into the floor. Deciding that all the sides must be removed, he started working on it. A minute passed as the final wooden wall tumble to the side, revealing the beautiful amber piece. Aether underestimated the sheer size, and was awed by the ethereal glow it give.
The figure inside was the true value to boot. Who would've thought that an old fiend might drop into his hands. Literally, if Aether's touching the amber was anything to go by. With soft strokes, he brushed his hands around, looking for any potential damage, and let out a breath of relief when he found none.
The form of Qiqi was a sight he thought to never see, not like this anyway. The frozen expression of pain, along with the bloodstained clothes was a jarring sight. It saddened him of how clueless Aether was in her life, her origin and story unknown, and to only hear from Baizhu's lack of info as well. The poor child was clutching a Vision in her tiny hands, and Aether spotted something bright beneath the amber.
Pulling off the massive quantities of hay around the base of the amber, Aether felt a prick of pain into one of his fingers. He let out a soft cry, and the finger that was pricked felt deathly cold. Using the anemo to blow the hay away, Aether let out a gasp at the sight of pointed ice spikes around the bottom of the amber.
What the hell happend? Was Qiqi trapped into the amber when she unlocked her Vision? Or was someone responsible of doing this to her? Aether shoved down the anger, and calmed himself, focusing at the task at hand.
Kneeling before her frozen state of perpetual existence, Aether can't help but think of what he should do with her.
Maybe visiting the Bubu Pharmacy has some merits.
"Who the hell are you?"
Such callous regard, Zhongli laments. Not that he blames the Yaksha for his evident distaste against humans, but he knew somewhere deep down that stained soul, there was a polite and caring man. If only Xiao would lessen the intensity of that baleful stare.
"Wise is it not, to greet another kin?" Zhongli asked. His amber eyes pierced golden ones. "Especially of a man of my caliber, Alatus? And must you really be so callous, as I sure wouldn't be."
Shock filled the young man, as Zhongli straightened up his loose tie, and ignores the pointed and doubtful look of his faithful Yaksha. Xiao's scrutiny did not leave any mistakes, as his eyes widened at Zhongli's confident smile.
"...You find this quite entertaining, don't you, my Lord?" Xiao huffed, crossing his arms, and tries his best to withhold a scowl. "I hate it when the call comes to me like this. So close to the city as well."
Zhongli did not understand the hesitance of the young man when it pertains to the city's well-being. Every soul is welcome to Liyue harbor. Well, not much recently with the daring presence of the Syndicate, but he was confident that such a matter would be soon cleared.
He trusts the Qixing to do the right thing, even if they would be hesitant in doing so. Children need to learn how to stand on their own, and Liyue Harbor feels no different. Of course, Zhongli would rather still look after his people, but he wasn't as hard-headed as he was before.
Nothing lasts forever, and Zhongli knew better than anyone else what it means to live an eternal life.
"Nonsense!" Zhongli replied, giving the yaksha a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "Certainly, this day was entertaining enough for me."
Xiao gave another fierce scowl, but let it be. It was best to be straight with the Yaksha, as the boy hated to fool around the problem. And with the sudden amass of negative energy gathered at the city in the last hour was something that had brought the Yaksha closer to the city than ever before. Of course, Xiao was hesitant to get close, as the alert senses of the folks might warrant unwanted attention to him. Evn his Adeptal arts cannot escape the peoples' fear of shadows.
"The call?"
"I sensed the people's fears, as I always have, and answered their silent calls," Xiao calmly explained, but the fierce stare at the harbor was nothing but intense to say. "You know as well as the rest of the Adepti that the connection between the souls that traverse the city and those that watched over it are shared? Whilst everyday emotions of humans might differ per person, it is much harder to read. But if a shared emotion was suddenly thrust upon our people, the Adepti shall answer the call."
"Indeed," Zhongli nodded, surprised that the Yaksha remembered the pact made a long time ago, when the first days of settlement was founded. The mortals needed protection from the divine wrath of the gods, more so when the Archon War started and when the Assembly was dismissed after the city was burned. "Have the other Adepti answered yet?"
"They have, and that is way they called me here."
Were they truly not interested? Or was the sudden expression fear accompanied by reassuring calm? On his way here, not many mortals were truly concerned, and the curiosity might've had a hand in it.
"Liyue Harbor is fine, Xiao. I believe it was just another scuffle between the Millelith and the Gangs." Or specifically the Syndicate, but Xiao would never be interested in the smaller details. Zhongli doubts the Yaksha might even remember what they were called later, and as long as it matters, Xiao won't care. "I believe that Ganyu has it under her control, no matter her downtrodden state, and has the capabilities to look after herself."
The boy grunted in agreement, but gave Zhongli a curious look after hearing about Ganyu. "What about the half-breed?" Xiao asked, expertly hiding the worried look in his golden eyes. He had met the Qilin quite a few times when she was visiting Cloud Retainer, and the impression he got from her was rather unimpressive. Ganyu was strong, yes, but the hesitance on what her place in the world was very appalling to Xiao. "Downtrodden, you say?"
"Yes," Zhongli replied, giving the Yaksha a very pointed and begging look of which Xiao did not like. Not one bit. "About that... I might need some assistance on acquiring some information about her troubles. I was wondering if-"
"No."
Zhongli was startled at the quick dismissal, and splutters a desperate reply, "You must understand the stakes here, Xiao. A Qilin's dream is nothing to scoff at. Something terrible is bothering her, enough to even make her miss a day on work because of the rash use of my powers. I need you to speak with her."
The severe tone of which Zhongli used managed to stir Xiao's soul a small bit. It reminded him of the day when the Geo Archon demanded answers for the crimes he unwillingly committed. It was true that Xiao did care less for mortals, but having to speak to Ganyu as a small exception can bring no trouble to him. If it pleases his boss, fine. But the memories of ice and ambers still wrung through his tortured soul, a flashback of pity and sadness.
Xiao wonders if he can save a soul. Or will he lose another to his impulsive actions? Only time would tell, and he had plenty of it.
"Very well," Xiao grunted with annoyance, but the clear tone of resignation benefited Zhongli more. "I'll speak to the half-breed, and see to it that you get your answers. I will make no promise for my success but I will try."
"That's all I ask, Xiao." Zhongli ignored the barb for Ganyu, and happily nodded, overlooking the calm night that had consumed the city. He did not witness the contemplative look on Xiao's face, nor the hidden regrets the Yaksha bears for long gone memories and dreams of a child's face. A failure that Xiao too burdens himself with.
The howl... It was that cursed sound that reverberates throughout her gentle soul.
She doesn't recall the last time she felt the meaning of fear, especially not since she vainly entered the dark cave and felt the aching pain in her leg. Her cries for help went unanswered, and the thunder outside the cave was her only companion. Seldom was the time she remembered to sing, a gentle tune of simplicity and happiness.
What happened as to which lead her here? To this damp cave?
She remembered voices, no- commands! Orders to fulfill, and the soft voice that told her to pick flowers around the pillars of solitude and come back as quickly. The name of the place escapes her thoughts, as the thunder continued. Her voice, scared and small, let out a startled yelp. Her scared eyes wandered to the dripping entrance to her cold home, which was not much of at all, and spotted something glowing. The pain was forgotten, as the sensation of uneasiness returned.
She remembered a voice, a gruff yet loving voice, telling her of tales that coax the shadows of her rooms. Tales of monsters and the cold yearning embrace of death. Was the cold really scary?
I̶̗̫͇̰̠̤͉̪̬͍͌͆̃̉͌ͅ ̷̝̠̬͔̭̹̝̩̹̋̄̂̌̿̎͌͜͜w̷̫̋̉̀̄̊̑́͝͝ǫ̶̪͕̻̦̫̱͓̠̍͐̆́̊̕ű̴̬͈̝͂l̵̟̗̈́̇̈́d̸̯̜̗̠̤͕͉̙̈̋̿̈͜n̸̨̨̮̼̠̜͈̯͍͊͌̚͝ͅ'̵̭̑t̶̯͎̯̻̳͓̟͗ͅͅ ̵̯̻̘̖̔̓̀́̆̚͘̚͠k̶̻͍̯͓̗͖͌̈̊͝ǹ̴̢̢̗̱̦̱̬̥͔̊̂̒̍̃͒̍̒̓̋o̷̭̺̗͔̬̩͊͝w̶̜̎͊̉̉.̷̹̣͍͓̣̞͔̖͍̳̓̐͊̐̇͝
A pair of glowing orbs stare back at her, enticing her to enter the dark abyss. What awaited her there, she wonders? But... the thunder continued to strike, and the feeling of fear was replaced by anger. She was alone, far from home. If she had a home, that is. What would she know? Only the dark place and the glow of the abyss was her company, at least for the night. Will the light return? Maybe not. Or just not soon enough.
CRACK
The cold stone disappeared, and she felt weightless. Is this how a feather feels? The sudden disappearance of control made the pain and sorrow disappear. Only darkness greeted her. She heard a thud that echoed across the abyss, and wonders if that was her all along. There was no pain, just a dull sense of regret and emptiness.
A sudden glow appeared, of which she did not see, nor would she be able to witness, as her eyes were shut and refusing to open. Not again, she silently begged. When will the cacophony of suffering end? And will the light leave her too?
The sudden touch of cold sensations greeted her, and to her surprise, was much warmer than the feeling of her damp clothes. Is it winter here already? She vaguely remembers the sounds of joyous laughter at the thought of snow and ice. And familiar voices, one gruff and one soft.
Sensations returned to her body. So did the pain.
Her pitiful cries did little to ease the anguish, and it only made her more desperate. Tap. Tap. Familiar sensations of the cold stone, along with numerous smaller ones around her. Pebbles? No, they were too sharp and too brittle to even be called that. Her little finger desperately caresses the ground, no warmth, but the light was still there. She tried again, and the feeling of her damp fingers making contact with dust and rough rocks. Was that blood? Her blood?
W̴̭̝̄͗̔̓â̴̡̼͓͚̗t̷̀͜ȩ̸̏̈̆̋̊̈́ȓ̸̜̌̃͝ ̵̙͇͙̜̩̉͗̒w̶̹̺̬̣̋̽̽̍ò̸̟̫̼̰͝ù̸̞l̷̨͍͙̥͓̰̽͊̅͑̕d̵͈̠̀ ̴̡̝̥͂͌̉́͝b̶͚̑̊͒͠e̴̩͙̤̗͕̍̿̈́͌͐ ̵̜̻̅͗͐͝ņ̵̢̭̺͓̺̓į̴̞͙͕̐c̸̻̀̎̊͒̋ȩ̵̛̦̮̳̬́̌͘.̴̞͗͝ ̶̟͈͖̃͆̉͝M̴̠̰̬̍͛͛̽̚y̷̗͎͔̫̺̫͆̀̀̚ ̶̺͚̥̙̔̿͜ẗ̴̯̮́̂̒̄͗͆h̸̝̗͍̱͓͚̔̾̑r̷̭̻̫̻̫̽̎̇͆̐͆ǫ̶̦͓̺̜̍̔͝ã̸̯̰t̸̡̫̦͓͈̝͌̃́́̃ ̵͙͈̦͕̰̖̾̃͆̽f̸̳̖̄ë̸̡̤̲͙͙́͑̕͘ẻ̴͓ḻ̶͉͕̿̚͠s̷͍̪͍̫̐̀̓̉ ̸̟̩̈́̄̿ḑ̷̡̛̯͎͖̂̋̎̀r̶͕͎̟̬̋͂͛̒͘y̵̪̣̗̍̓͛͝ͅ.̷̡͓̐̑̇̄͠
Her arm feels numb, but the cold sensation might be the cause of it.
"Pathetic."
A sudden burst of emotion returned to her, as a voice seems to call her. "Nnnggh... Ack!" She tried to reply, but the drowning sensation to her throat might have something to do with it.
The pain struck faster than lightning, and an audible snapped was heard. Her back, it- it was no more. The sensation of pain disappeared again, but she had the feeling that it won't anymore. Her screams echoed across the cave, more of a banshee shriek than that of a little girl. I must... live! Desperate were her thoughts, she didn't notice the form of a young man staring down at her. It took only another second to finally knock her out of consciousness.
And Xiao can only watch in a mask of disinterest, as the small human bled beneath a massive hole she must've fallen in. The pool of blood seems to dry faster than anything the Yaksha had ever seen, and that was telling something. The freezing sensation might've something to do with it. Better clean and pick up the human before Moon Carver felt the pitiful human's mortal essence fade in his grand abode at Jueyun Karst. Xiao knows that the fellow adepti loved his creations, of mountains and caves filled with nature's bounty. Of course, the Yaksha did not understand the love for such things.
He was built for bloodshed and violence. Never caring for plants and rocks.
The Yaksha's swift abilities, unrivaled by many, managed to reach the domain of a fellow adepti, and the one to help him with this dilemma. Said Adepti could only give the out-of-depth Yaksha a metaphorical eyebrow raise, especially when Mountain Shaper spied a little creature in the young man's arms. Mountain Shaper appears as a red and orange colored crane, with a pattern of both on its wings. A majestic creature to most mortals, Xiao can tell, but to the other Adepti; Mountain Shaper is a being of strict particularities.
Mountain Shaper sticks to his principles, and Xiao admires that.
"What brings you here, honored Yaksha?" Mountain Shaper asked, a deliberate and quip tone which suggests that time mattered in his presence. "And what- is that creature on your arms? Please do not suggest I can aid you here."
"Not much I can do on my end," Xiao shrugged as he set the poor girl down before Mountain Shaper's curious form. The Adepti's long neck stretched down on the dying form of the child and takes a much closer look.
"And how did this happen exactly?"
The Yaksha settled on a solid boulder and gave Mountain Shaper a helpless look. "The demon I was fighting amongst Moon Carver's domain at the edge of Jueyun Karst was a problem I've ignored for far too long and he needed to be dealt with swift justice," Xiao replied. "Her on the other hand was trying to harvest a small piece of Violetgrass when the demon was struck against one of the stone pillars and sent the poor human crashing to the ground. I saw her crawl to a cave, and watched her until the storm arrived, but was suddenly a victim of a hollowed ground which leads to a much deeper cave underground. She was bleeding when I found her, and with that severe crack I heard, she must've broken some limbs and her spine."
"And you think I might help you with this?" Mountain Shaper hesitantly asked, and to his surprise, the Yaksha denied.
"No, there was a sudden cold when I entered the cave. The little human was granted a vision." It baffled Xiao how the recently ascended Cryo Archon gave a dying child a Vision on a mere whim. Or it wasn't? He wouldn't be so sure, as the naïve Archon may have not known any better. The last Cryo Archon, one of the original seven and Rex Lapis' old friend, step down a century ago. It created a vacuum of power around the Seven Archons as the young Archon had no prior experience unlike the rest of the Six Archons.
Xiao had a gut feeling that the Cryo Archon wouldn't be the only one to step down next. There was a sudden shift in the stability of Natlan, as many were questioning the strength of their god. Sooner or later, Xiao was confident that the Lady of Fire would be challenged. It would end either way, Murata would step down, or another would take her place. He would place his bet on the war god, as she was the only one to best Rex Lapis in open combat during the Archon War.
But considering her recent illness...
There was no telling of what may become in the coming days. Something big was gonna happen soon, and the shift in the wind can tell Xiao that even the useless god up north in Mondstadt was worried. Something or someone was churning things up in Celestia. Not that he would care of those far away from the lands of Liyue, but when the time that their Prime Adepti would call forth the Yaksha, whatever remains of them, Xiao will not hesitate to answer his call.
He still has a debt to pay.
"Hmm, she will perish soon," Mountain Shaper said, observing the faint breaths the little girl has left. "What would you make of her exactly? I'm no miracle worker, and our sovereign is attending the Millennial Council at Celestia, I have no means to reliably heal her grave wounds. Even my Adeptal arts may not come in handy..."
"Not to worry, as we'll make her an Adepti," Xiao confidently replied. "With her newly requisitioned Vision, she'll make the process much easier." True, at any rate, the Yaksha had witnessed the many trials and errors of the creation of an Adepti. While most entities must complete the 'Heaven and Earth' trial, there were those that proved their worth with immense talent and genius. How else can Cloud Retainer earn the respect of Rex Lapis?
Of course, the genius of Cloud Retainer was nothing compared to the late Goddess of Dust, her stout intellect and stubborn personality made the majority of her efforts that placed her as a high-ranking Adepti. She may have a nasty personality, but the hidden love for inventions and contraptions can easily win her over in a conversation, and it was the raising of a certain Qilin that made her stand out with the rest. Nobody had the temperament and the patience to look over a child, especially among the Adepti.
Moon Carver may have a gentle soul, but he was standoffish at times that even made Xiao hard admitting to relate with. Skybracer would have been a perfect candidate, but he had perished during the battle against the other divine foes with Rex Lapis. He was a very patient individual and has massive admiration for humans. Considering that Ganyu has the heritage of half, the Guardian of the Peaks would have loved the Qilin. It's not that Mountain Shaper was bad with children, he had little tolerance for things that has no clear purpose, and even Mountain Shaper himself agreed.
Of course, Rex Lapis was not a fool to let a child get raised by a Yaksha of all the Adepti. Xiao would murder his boss at the slightest suggestion of doing so. He already had his hands full purging the small demons that roam about, but he was also much younger than Ganyu.
Ganyu herself was a veteran of the war, and Xiao was still a child compared to her. Heck, the Yakshas wasn't even founded until she finally retired and doing menial tasks at assisting the other humans in the city. What a waste.
"Another Adepti? Must there really be another? We've had enough to safely watch over our people the past thousand years, and whilst our numbers dwindle, there is nothing to worry about." It may have seemed that Mountain Shaper was still unconvinced at helping the little human, but the guilt that she was hurt because of his reckless actions may have driven forth his courage to ask favor with another Adepti. Mountain Shaper knew this, Xiao knew this, and he was still stubborn.
"Don't be foolish," Xiao retorted. "Sure, there are no other major conflicts since the end of the Archon War, but that doesn't mean there won't be another one." Bosacius would always drill it in their heads, that conflicts and battles may not be in our sight, there is always one every second. And Xiao knows something is coming.
"Very well," the Adepti finally relented, giving out a resigned huff. "Under one condition, shall I perform the Heavenly Rites."
"Of course." Xiao was sure to pay back the Adepti, as Yakshas always kept their word. Even when pressured by karmic energies, most Yakshas would rather die than succumb to the abyss.
"You must tell me the main reason as to why you are quite stubborn in helping the child."
Urk.
Xiao underestimated Mountain Shaper's desire to know why would a cold-hearted Yaksha ever cared for a human being, especially a dying child of which has no concern for his duties. But there was a small tug within his chest, an unfamiliar sensation of which was gone for a long time. He though he had lost himself at the hands of a cruel god, embellishing cruels acts upon a whim. And Xiao was the tool for his sadistic tendencies.
Women. Children. Butchered by his own very hands. Xiao could never imagine a bloodstain on his hands and not think about the atrocities that he had committed. Such is the way of the world, or so that mad god would say. Worse, he made Xiao slit the throat of his own lover, and consume her flesh. He never tried eating meat ever again. Or any food for that matter.
Xiao was already a being half-dead when Rex Lapis came to 'collect debt' from his former master. He would admit at relishing the sounds of pain that the monster had when the Lord of Geo crushed his skull, but for Xiao it was but a sweet release compared to what the mad god had done. He would done worse.
He thought that his time would finally pass, that his suffering would finally come to an end. Xiao may never go to the heavens, as the crimes and blood he spilled was more than enough to banish his soul into the abyss.
"What is your name, foul creature?"
The words uttered in disgust out of Rex Lapis' mouth was something Xiao would never forget. Not that he had blamed his boss for that, as the form he once had when he had first encountered Morax was anything but fancy. "A-Alatus..." Xiao gave a rasped reply. What Rex Lapis saw was more akin to beast than a sentient being. Crawling on his hands and legs, acting like a rabid dog, and a wild look in his eyes. Both his mouth and sharp hands were stained with dried blood.
It would have been an act of mercy at killing the poor creature, but Morax was anything but merciful in recent years. He already lost a loved one, a city of dreams shared among other gods peacefully was now burned to the ground, a war that raged on for centuries and even millennia, then the outbreak of demons on his front door? Amongst a rebuilding process of a wounded nation? "I think not." Rex Lapis declared Alatus a new name, one befitting his new role and service. A cursed existence of pain, one that Xiao knew best, and the eternal struggle against darkness.
Unlike Xiao, his other comrades were powerful warriors and renowned figures of legends. Bosacius the Worthy, a powerful magus that had destroyed the influence of the Abyss. Indarias the Slayer, one who had burned a thousand demons. Bonanus the Wise King, a former scholar that vanquished the dark brotherhood of those who worshipped the fallen gods. Menogias the Hope Bringer, a powerful spirit warrior that battles darkness day-by-day. And of course, Alatus the Golden Winged King, a former butcher of men and mortals, and a monster turned Conqueror of Demons.
There was nothing for him to prove to Mountain Shaper of what he isn't, or what he can be. Nothing can change or prove that. But still, he must try.
Xiao struggled, suffered, and fought back. He tried to fight back against his cruel circumstance, but he was powerless. But here? With a dying child he couldn't bear to add into his own guilt, he was desperate to ask help. He never did so, even when his fellow Yaksha would accompany him without asking. Bosacius would joke that Xiao was more a Yaksha than the rest, always doing his duties to the letter, and always listened to his orders. Xiao despises weakness because he was the definition of weakness. He hated being weak to do something.
The chance to save a dying child of his actions may bring some form of peace, and maybe let him be free of the burden of his past sins if only for a while, and only then he may return to repaying his debt to Rex Lapis.
Mountain Shaper was waiting patiently of course, the Adepti had the time, but Xiao won't soon enough. The small child was still dying, and his hesitance might be the key to her final breath. Xiao refuses, he will swallow his pride. And if anything, it might help in letting out his worries.
"Fine," Xiao gave a scowl, but it wasn't reaching his eyes. His golden eyes were soft, and Mountain Shaper himself was surprised as well. "It was my fault, alright? The child would die because I was nothing but a cruel monster. I try not to be, no matter my true self would say. My blood was stained by enough innocent blood, and I wish no more, is that such a bad thing? My fights against 'evil' will never change that. No matter what the other Yaksha says; that I'm honorable, that I'm kind and only have a cold exterior. This might be news to you, Mountain Shaper, but I wear no mask except one."
Xiao gestured to the gift that Rex Lapis had forced on him. A mask stained by darkness, a cold and dead wind to symbolize his bloodied past. "This is my prison, my punishment. And if a life of a small girl would live and see another day, even it was not the same, it would help my aching soul find a small semblance of peace. That is enough for me. I would be happy. It might never wash the stain that would forever haunt me, and the innocents that cursed my broken soul, but it would ease my burdens a small bit."
Mountain Shaper was speechless, the tone of sadness that Xiao had carried moved him. Xiao wasn't even finished though, "Let the Abyss have me, and when my time has come, I would at least know that a selfish action of mine would still save a soul."
"I see." The Adepti didn't, but would endeavor proving the Yaksha wrong. Alatus, while dismissive of other things wasn't heartless, as Mountain Shaper knew that there was something that had burdened the boy when they had first met. Everybody enjoy his personality, though. He was rash and bloodthirsty, sure, but the rest of the Yaksha found no safety nor comfort without the aid of the Conqueror of Demons. Even the few female yaksha admitted at finding the boy quite attractive.
"Happy now?"
"Satisfied." Mountain Shaper knew that Xiao had a good heart, but helping a child was not a surprise, only that he had tried to only do so now. "You underestimate your kindness, Alatus. Let no one, even yourself, say otherwise. Our Sovereign may gave this duty to you as punishment, but he was hurting as well. Maybe one day you will forgive his brash decision."
Xiao was flattered, never knowing that another could somewhat understands his plight. For centuries, he had only battled, destroyed, and conquered demons. His interaction came solely on the few Adepti and his fellow yakshas. To think that another would sympathize… no, he had to earn their respect.
"Thank you."
Whilst Mountain Shaper's form may not show, Xiao could easily see the smile and assurance in the Adepti's eyes. "You are never alone. Remember that Xiao."
Xiao nodded, wordlessly picking up the child into his arms, caring not for the blood that stained his clothes. Funny, it would normally put off the yaksha, but the odd comforting silence from both of the Adepti was a silent message of comradeship. He actually felt comfortable in a long while. But first, they must see to the child. "Let us begin the ritual, Mountain Shaper. I doubt she would last long."
"Do not underestimate the strength of a human," Mountain Shaper replied. "Even if she is a child, a spirit of a mortal soul clings to life much harder than any other being could."
Xiao nodded, they reached at the top of the Adepti's abode, where a stone pedestal with carved designs were. The afternoon sky was an agreeable sight to the yaksha, a perfect time to perform the Heavenly Rites. "She needs a name. An Adepti name, one befitting of her cold yet fortunate spirit."
"We'll come up with one after she had survived the trials, Alatus. Do not tell me you are excited?" There was a underlying tone of amusement hidden in the Adepti's voice of which Xiao did not like the implications of.
"Do not worry of things that don't concern you, Mountain Shaper."
"We'll see, if fate decides." The Adepti had the audacity to laugh at Xiao's quick denial of his poorly-hidden elation. "I jest, Alatus. But you must understand the new side that I see you for."
Xiao grumbled, but let no other retort force his mouth. He had gently set down the small girl atop the pedestal, and backed off to let the Adepti do the work, watching closely with unhidden worry in his eyes.
"Normally, our Sovereign would give the Rites, but since he is not present we must make do," Mountain Shaper inspected the girl in atop of the pedestal. "Fascinating, the gifted Vision of the Cryo Archon actually helps the poor human in clinging to her life. Whilst her soul is still intact, her physical form is slowly withering away. But with the presence of the Vision, the child subconsciously commanded her Vision to bring her some time, freezing her body to the brim."
Xiao now understands as to why the girl lasted this long, as he would have usually accompanied dying victims of his battles until their last breath, but the sight of the girl struggling to cling into the living world with such desperation reminded him of his own dark struggles against his cruel fate. No matter, the girl would live. Whatever the cost may be.
"Now, we need a progenitor to give the dying child the blessings of the Adepti." It was quite fascinating in watching the Adepti at work, commanding the runes and magics placed around the pedestal. "I myself was personally gifted by Rex Lapis when I was encouraged to be in his service."
Xiao himself was gifted the same, if not a bit forced. But he was thankful nonetheless. Morax promised him to suffer living a bit more, while consuming the souls of demons to add to the suffering as punishment. Of course, Morax promised his death when he would die in battle. But maybe...
"She can have my blessings."
The Adepti was startled, but relented to the request nonetheless. No being could force another to give up and share their blessings. That, and Xiao was the one who was willing to save the mortal child. Mountain could do nothing but oblige. And asks, "Must I know why? You do know the price of such a thing, yes?"
Xiao grimaced at the thought. The process that was the Heavenly Rites was sharing a bit of the power Rex Lapis has given to another individual, making them related in a sense. Rex Lapis was the Prime Adepti, it was he who had gifted them a part of his divine power to protect Liyue. The Adepti were his children only in name. Skybracer and Moon Carver were gifted at the same time, making them brothers in name and power, but not in blood. Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer were the same, letting them have a unique form.
If Xiao was willing, he would share his blood with the child. Effectively making her a semi-Yaksha, retaining her human form, but having the gifts of the Adepti might even give her supernatural abilities. The only downside to that was the weakening of his powers and strength. Was he really that willing to save the child? Yes.
"I know the price. I'm willing to pay if I must."
"Very well. I hope you know what you are doing."
Xiao hopes as well, but hope did little to endure what he did. He knows the world is cruel and if it meant losing a part of his blessings given, then so be it. Rex Lapis wouldn't be mad, of course, if they had failed. Xiao knew the implications of failure. He would lose the child's life, as well as his own power, and having Mountain Shaper waste his time on such a fool hardy endeavor. The mortals slowly withdraw their usual dependence on them, which made them have more time to themselves, but Mountain Shaper still has to deal with a lot of pilgrimages.
Xiao had spotted a dozen on their way, and if the world was willing, the journey to the summit might take longer for Xiao and Mountain Shaper to complete the trial. The odds of failing was still on his mind, but if there was one thing Xiao can still count on, it was his stubbornness to get things done. No matter the cause.
"Parted from the heavens, and split from the abode of the gods, Celestia hear my calls!"
So it has begun. Xiao watches in a tense moment as the clouds darkened, blocking out the fading sun to the far west. His Anemo Vision picked up the disturbance in the wind, it was callous and scared. The rough winds and the howling sounds in the mountain made Xiao feel small all of a sudden. It had reminded him of when he was first brought here, forced to go through the same trial, and to say it brought terrible memories was an awful understatement. Xiao can still hear Rex Lapis' voice as golden light glowed from above, and leaving a ray of heavenly light to the child's small body, a sign that the trials had truly begun.
"The waters flow freely, and let the spirits of old give their ceremonious laughter from above, as the rite of heaven shall be judged."
"Earth trembles in turmoil, as the mortal realm shatters on its own flawed mandate."
"Fire burns, a sign of eternal passion, and an omen of dread."
"The endless ballad of wind may bring forth fury and delight upon the starved souls below."
"Let thunder and lightning be a dark admonition to the fate ahead."
"And so, bring forth the gleam of paradise, as the cold winds know of what is to come."
Xiao said nothing as the 'corpse' of the child floated with such grace up on the pedestal. Suddenly, the golden light enveloped her, and having Xiao to cover his eyes to the brightness, while Mountain Shaper did not flinch in the slightest. He starkly remembered what it meant to be enveloped in such a light. The poor girl might be confused, and even bewildered at an experience she might never have again, as it was the process of letting the soul of a mortal develop into a fitting host.
He knew of what is to come next, as he stepped forward. The light dimmed, and the girl was still injured, but the powers of the Adepti were second to none in Liyue. She will live, Xiao will make it so.
"Alatus, bringer of death, worthy of the title of Conqueror of Demons, go forth and reclaim the heaven's blessing." Mountain Shaper was now fidgeting with his wings, worried for many things, but has faith in his fellow Adepti. "Let the bounty of the far paradise be shared," Mountain Shaper gave a gesture with his wings, letting a clear sign show that the process has now needed him.
Xiao nodded, approaching the pedestal with measured steps. The girl was finally back down to the pedestal, but a certain glow of gold was in her chest. "I, the Golden-Winged King, share this bounty from heaven." Xiao extended an arm above the girl's chest, and the dark glow mixed with the gold, intertwining both essence into one. He would be mesmerized by such a sight, but the light twitch of the girl's eyes made him focus on the girl's form.
The trial was much more manageable with a Vision. He didn't have any, so Rex Lapis was forced to shoved foreign essences into his already broken soul. It was a painful process that had lasted an hour until a part of him was taken away. He would've been thankful that most of them were his past, both good and bad. But the lingering guilt of his sins was stuck, as well as the bastard who did it to him. Xiao lost the face of his lover, her name, where he came from, what he did before, and mostly the suffering he endured early on.
But a Vision that was recently acquired might make things worse, as it was not a part of the soul of the user yet. Some Vision users did not need their visions close to them at all times, and were entuned to the elements than even the best scholars, making them natural beings of power. But those with new Visions might fight back against other subsatnces apart from the user's soul. A girl gifted with one on her untimely demise might make it worse, or make it better. Or both.
The cold sting in his fingers made the situation the latter, as the gold and dark essence suddenly vanished and replaced by a pale blue and white light. Damn it. Xiao's essence was rejected, but the golden essence fought for control, and for a moment, it dominated the cold. Xiao quickly pulled back and watched in horror as the Vision's power tried to consume and even destroy the golden essence.
"No! Alatus, you must not let the Vision win! It'll undo the trial and even escalate the poor girl's condition if we don't do something."
Just with the desperate tone of Mountain Shaper made Xiao move beyond human capabilities. He struck an arm once again, fearing not the pain he will feel. Fire burned his veins. Not the hot kind, but the freezing kind. He can feel the numbness expand towards him, but did not flinch in the slightest. No! He won't give up easy. He was impaled, seared with abyssal flames, and even got his head bashed into the ground a hundred times.
This? This was nothing to that sort of pain, nothing sort of the failure he would feel if this fails. I already lost myself once, I will not succumb to this again! Xiao furiously thought, as he bears the cold embrace of the Cryo Vision without the limitations or control placed by the wielder. Xiao would rather not think about the implications of failing, screw having to explain himself to Morax, screw having to bear the weight of guilt, but please let the girl live!
Mountain Shaper did not hesitate to help, as the Adepti spread his wings to unleash his power. Summoning multiple pillars made of amber around the pedestal, Mountain Shaper multiplied the trial's power tenfold. The golden glow shimmered once again, but still struggled to overcome the wrath of winter's abode.
"Both of us must dominate the Vision's power, lest it denies the trial's essence." Mountain Shaper struggled to have said, having to actually contend against the god's fruits of labor. "With this rejection, a second attempt might not be possible, Alatus. We must succeed now, or the mortal's soul would be forever be trapped in an endless loop of astromania!"
Xiao's golden eyes widened at the implication. Astromania was a sickness of the soul, trapping a part of yourself and may never have the chance to cure it. It was the same as the Heavenly Rites without visions, but a much worse fate to those who value their identities. Most afflicted were unsurprisingly dumb mortals experimenting with the divine powers that govern the world.
Cursing his luck, he tried again to dominate the Cryo's influence against the user's soul. To no avail, he reluctantly retreated his frozen arm and watched helplessly as the Cryo seems to not only infuse her soul, but her fragile body as well.
"No," Mountain Shaper whispered in horror as the Golden Light was not expelled, but consumed instead. "This... this is a disaster! Adepti powers must be consumed first, not the wild elemental magicks of Visions."
"Is that bad?" Xiao asked as the body of the girl seems to get paler and paler by the second. Ice ruptured around the pedestal, forcing both the Adepti to watch helplessly as the frozen winds raged forth around the little girl.
"It has unpredictable effects." A satisfying answer would be nice, sadly even Mountain Shaper's account was vague at best. "Either she'll accommodate to Adepti energy, which will be highly unlike because of your essence's disruption, or perish as the Vision has the total control of her soul."
This was it then, it was over. He failed again. Xiao let someone die, and this time he actually tried to save her. And he failed, miserably.
"...Or having both the divine essence without the blessing of an Adepti and substitute it with the Vision's power instead. Even then, it's still a long shot in success."
Damn that bird! Must he really put Xiao down like this? Couldn't he just say that first? "A chance then?" Xiao reluctantly asked, nursing his frozen arm with his other, and slumping in defeat. "What are the odds? Give it to me straight."
Mountain Shaper actually had the gall to look at him in pity, before replying. "Fifty-fifty. We'll pray to the divines for that chance."
Grimacing at the scene again, he noticed that the Heavenly Rites were disappearing slowly and the dark clouds parted for the same setting sun. His golden eyes widened at the sight of the poor girl, being enveloped in cold winds before floating to the ground. Golden light surrounded her body, and the glow of divine power surged, but not without the roar of Cryo accompanying it. It worked. She was Adepti, evident on her now heal skin and rightly fixed posture.
Remarkable. So Mountain Shaper was right, the Cryo energy was present within her, but so as the divine power that Adepti's must have. She was a fortunate soul indeed, having to witness a battle between Xiao and a demon, only to nearly die before being desperately saved by Xiao. And to survive a nearly-disastrous rite with her uncontrolled Vision. "...Fortunate. Preserving..."
Mountain Shaper's feather's were abruptly ruffled at the Yaksha's sudden whisper. "A-Alatus? What is wrong?"
"Fortune Preserver."
"Huh?"
"Fortune Preserver. Her Adepti Name." Xiao clarified to his fellow Adepti, looking at the child- no, a sister Adepti -before him, and was elated to actually save her. "Considering that she is at the bridge of life and death, we must give her a talisman. Enough to control the Adeptal powers to conserve her mortal form."
"Yes, with the incomplete ritual, she still has her mortal body to contend with without proper Adepti blessings." Mountain Shaper agreed, using an Adeptal art to conjure a talisman before him. It inscribes; Preserve. Control. Ice.
A perfect inscription to a talisman.
"With this- she can use her new adeptal powers without fear of destroying her body in the process-"
"Ą̷̨̼͈̠͉̤̩̻̬͓͖̟̣̞̜̺̙̥͎͐̂̀̉́̄͒̑̈̽͜a̸͔͇̥̹̫̜̬̗̹̔̾́́̃̎̾̋̓̕̕͝͠ͅȦ̸̜͔͖̮̪͓̭̮͙̙̳̲̙̙͓̜̼͍͓̜̥͆͑̍͜h̵͕̣̥̬͚͖̹͉̦̤͉̩̗͔̲͕̩̘͐͛̂͑̃͊̅̈́̈̍̐͒̓̓̿̔͆̓ä̶̧̡̨̛̝̯͎̱̦̬̣̬̬͔͉̟̫̠̘́́͌̋̒͗̉̃̄̔̋̂̐͛͜͝ả̷͍̝̖̠͉̗̼̼̪̆̃̀̈Ą̶̡͓̩͇̮͍͖͕̉͌ͅA̴̧̛̗͚͖͚̥̲̜̥̹̻͗̑̀͋̾a̸̡̡͕̟̯̯̞̳̱̟̥̖̙̠̟̱̹̥̩̫̖͇̿̆̅̅̽͜ä̴̬̖͈͍̜͉͔̀̑̿̐̏́͠Ä̸͈̺̱̬͎͍̰̟͍́̅̒̊̈́̀̈̀̌̆̀̓̔̆͒͆̓̉̏͗͐͘A̶̢̡̧̛̛̛̦̺̯͒͑̅́͊̈́͋͂̽̄̈́̿̀͘̕͝͝H̴̩̬͇̘̰̬̪͓̭̺̊͛̈͗̽̅̅͐͛̍̏́̍͒̚͝͠H̴̡̟̞̜͍͎̹̳͈͍̪̖̦͉͍̞͔̻̳͔̬̤̆̈́͆͗̔̆̋̎̈̃̏ͅh̴̪̤̮̳̘͂h̷̢͍̘̲͖̼͙̺̗̬͂͐̇͒͂̉͆͋̑̊̃͌̽̔̈́̈́͂̎̕̚͘͜ḧ̵̢͕̹̱̬́̔́̆͗H̷̨̜̦͙̙͕̏̊̊̀̏͛͊͌̆̀̎͒̈̓̉͑̿̚͝H̶̻͇̓͂̑͐͂͛̾̀̈́͛̈̆H̶̡͔̭̼͚̖̫̟̖̤͈̮̮̩͕̜̹̯̤̼̜̲̤͛̍͊͌̉͛̆͆̌̐̎͂̃̕h̸̢̧̘̲͙͍͕̣͎̦̲̘͖̳̳͙̺͕͒̽̇͑͂͌͐͗͗̈́̆̈́̍̚͝͝ͅ!̴̧̢̪̗̖̜̙̥̮͕̥̺̻͇̑̌̇ͅ!̷̍͊̔̀̾͛͆́́̑̔́̌̃̆͝͠ͅ!̵̢̧͖̱̦̮̝̟̥̻͚̭̲̪͚̝̖̥́̅̈́̈̽̿̉͊̊͐̎̈́̄̆̈̕̕͝͝͝͝ͅ!̷̺̮̱̘̣̙͚̻͇̗̟͓͍̤̬͑͗̆͌̆̂͛̊͑̐̓͋̚͝͝!̵̛̛̟̒͑̎͆̀̾̾̈́̌̏͑̌̌͌͗͑͑̚͝"
Xiao immediately recoiled at the screech of a pained child. He actually flinched in pain as her screams echoed at the peak of the mountain. Mountain Shaper himself was faring no better than him, and the poor bird had to isolate his head away from the sound. Such an unholy screech, and Xiao felt more horrified at what he just seen.
Her... eyes. They were not as the desperate ones he stared at before. In fact, there were wide, with a sickly gleam to them, and were looking around with wild abandon. It was as if- NO.
"Astromania... Curse the dark fates!" Mountain Shaper bellowed as the screams subsided. "This-this must be corrected at once!" The Adepti did not hesitate to immediately slapped the talisman on the girl's head, and entrapping her in ice. Now, the hunched child was trapped in amber, ice and a cold wind were the only remnants of her struggles.
"Did it work?" Xiao was hesitant to know, but he really need to, and suffer he will if he knew. He doesn't care. Everything was going alright until...
"Yes... and No. I'm afraid we could do nothing but wait until her rage has quelled. She isn't the same until we find something to remedy that cursed disease. And having such a terrible affliction that has lasted a long while with no cure in sight, her chances of fully recovering in that case is slim. There were rumors of a developing remedy at the Nation of Khaen'riah, but considering the tensions..."
Defeat. A familiar sensation, Xiao accepted such feelings openly. Why? Why did he tried? Why bother? In the end, nothing changed. He was still a monster.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I had a terrible revelation lately.
When I was amidst planning the epilogue of the story, I was curious on how long the process would actually take on completing Our Cruel Fate. After hours and hours of painstakingly reviewing each chapter planned, I realized my mistake. A grave mistake. Our Cruel Fate might be finished at the rough estimation of around five-hundred thousand words. Sure, it was a rough estimation at best, and the numbers would change in the coming days when the overlords at Mihoyo would actually add more content, but the fact that it would take that long was enough to make me re-evaluate my plans. I came up short in the end, as I was not willing to part away from my original plans.
Cutting off the Memento Mori chapters was a blessing, I suppose, because of the massive content ahead. It will not be an easy fight, that's for sure, but the struggles of an author is rarely forgiving. I made a promise that I would finish this story and I will keep that promise. But the massive work ahead, along with the contents that Mihoyo would give us in future updates, might either extend the story, or shorten it at the least of three-hundred thousand words.
Two years.
Another rough estimation of the total amount of time needed to actually finish the story. Whilst any author has a unique time for them to upload and write, many others would take the same path I would, but never quite finished it. I saw many stories in the hundred thousands of words, but majority of them are either not finished, or was inevitably abandoned. It's a sad truth, that may come a day of which might happen to me as well.
But as I had stated, a struggle of an author was never a simple matter, and I am more than willing to take on the challenge. If such a cruel fate would have befallen to me, then so be it.
Back at Chapter II of ACT I, there was also a note that I would write another story. That's true, in a sense, as the original story I would have for Diluc would be delayed for another while. As I would write a crossover before writing the Diluc one. It was meant as a birthday gift for myself, but seeing as how the number of days dwindle, I highly doubt I would be able to upload the crossover story in time. But still, apart from those two, I had an Albedo and Dragonspine story in the near future, a couple of small chapter stories about romance, and a sequel for the Diluc one. The latter won't come for a while, but I'll wait for any interesting tidbits from Mihoyo before starting writing it. Plus, it is a sequel, so I must finish the first one.
Another Omake by Blumstein;
Fischl knows, in her heart of hearts, that this conflict was inevitable.
Lumine was someone that couldn't be fought without full discretion. Soft her features may be, an indication of her relation with Aether, she was ultimately one of the Abyss' strongest combatants. Conflict was inevitable. For the sake of Mondstadt- no, the fate of Teyvat -she needed to be taken down. Dead or alive, Fischl didn't know.
And it was alright. The Prinzessin could not afford doubts to sway her Vision.
Electricity cackled through her taut bowstring, arrowhead pointed straight and true to the emotionless twin's heart. It pains her to know that this was the journey's end. She had followed Aether's quest to reunite with his remaining family as they first met under a hail of heavens' smite. His eyes were distraught, a weariness she hoped to alleviate, and to realize the lines were drawn in opposing sides of the conflict-
One, two, three. Release.
Pivot to one side. The sharp blade of wind caressed her garments, a few strands of hair floating from where they were grazed.
This was war, Fischl reminded herself. The land was awash with blood, countless due to the looming specter of an unknown goddess, an untold many wrought about by the figure in front of her.
The archer moved with breathless grace, mind commanding bolts of Electro and her faithful companion Oz. Her movements were powered by a certain desperation, a resolve beyond herself, and it allowed her an early edge over the Abyssal Princess. What little boons she could afford, she treasured.
For Fischl knew she, herself had to end this. Before Aether was brought back to consciousness only to be confronted with the state of his sister. Before his heart broke once more and, with it, hers as well.
In her heart of hearts, burdened as it is by the revelations of the past hour, it sang with a guileless tune. For it knows that there is only one outcome that is allowed. And it is with her triumph, whatever form it may be.
Xiao is sad boi personified.
This chapter mostly covers Qiqi's unique backstory. In one of her dialogues, Xiao was said to have been a familiar sight to her, and one she seems to have a hard time remembering why. I created a backstory befitting her, and many elements that actually made sense, as I would follow the clues given to us by Mihoyo. First, I believed it was Mountain Shaper that caused her to be locked and imprisoned by amber, as the Adepti was the only entity seemingly able to do so in Liyue. Xiao on the other hand was a much more tricky one to write, as there was no clue or context of his involvement with Qiqi's ascension to Adepti status.
So I took another gamble, and bet that Qiqi was saved by Xiao, as some info was given by her stories that there was a battle against demons which managed to accidently roped her in; Crippling her and was gravely injured in the process. That was sort-of canon, apart from the Xiao bit, but I wanted to give our resident Yaksha a sort of motivation of trying to fix his sins and failing in doing so, making Xiao to decide that it wasn't worth the effort in trying in the first place.
I always wondered why Xiao was hesitant in accepting our help as travelers during our journey. Though it was my take personally, but it fits in the lore perspective and the character of Xiao. I hope that Mihoyo would actually give us a proper story quest of Xiao when the time comes.
Also, can't wait for the next update! The housing system is here! And our boi Zhongli is back baby, and he's gonna kick some ancient monster ass, and we get to enjoy ourselves again. This might be the most hyped update since 1.2 Dragonspine. I mean, new characters, a new boss, new areas to explore, a brand new character quest, a lot of fun activities with awesome rewards! Between you and me, though, I'm more into the primogems myself. wink* wink*
Eula interests me, as she is a descendant of those who enslaved Vanessa's clan, and those who were the heads of the tyrant noble families that had ruled Mondstadt in the absence of Barbatos. I have nothing against her, as she is not guilty of her ancestors' elaborate crimes, and evil acts. I mean, there was a hint of sexual abuse around the Ludi Harpastum's chosen candidates who were, no surprise at all, females. Venti was disgusted and aimed to fix things with Vanessa, in the end house Lawrence was abdicated from position and the knights were born. She was probably not happy in her childhood, only met by scorn and in passing judgement all because of her blood and name. Who knows? Maybe Aether will fix things(which will still take a while) and maybe she doesn't have to be the same person. Plus, her character now is quite the catch, a tsundere and an outcast. A favorite combination of mine.
Yanfei is the one character I might try to get, as I need a pyro character badly for my second team. Her story was kind of short for me to like yet, but maybe we'll learn more.
Huzzah! The final chapter of ACT I is next, as Aether would resolve the conflicts ahead and have new babes to have snuff snuff with. Maybe. Unfortunately, it might as well be the largest chapter yet, even when compared to Chapter II. And with the coming final days of school, it might take the last chapter of ACT I probably around 5-6 weeks at best for me to upload. I like to take time on my writing, but with little time I would have, this would be a massive pause in progress for a long while. But I have hope to start the summer with that last chapter and a whole new bunch of stories. Stay tuned, loyal readers!
P.S. There would be a poll on the last chapter of ACT I concerning my formatting of Our Cruel Fate. More details in the next chapter.