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Lumine has heard of many tales during her search for her brother. Liyue is no exception. Compared to Mondstat, the ancient village is a treasure trove of legends. Wonders that make adventurers buzz in excitement, mysteries that make even the bravest shudder.
One tale in particular catches her fancy.
Liyue’s adepti.
Powerful beings that serve as the village’s protectors. It is said that they aided the mighty Rex Lapis in founding Liyue after Guizhong’s death. Now, they reside in seclusion at the highest peaks, guarding the land from afar.
Among these, were elites known as Yakshas; summoned by Rex Lapis to battle the demons spawned from the remains of defeated gods. They had strength, though it came at a cost: darkness that would readily devour them should they succumb.
And while the notion of adepti and Yaksha piques her interest, the golden haired traveler never imagines chancing upon one.
But alas, how fate works. (Especially if one’s climbing Liyue’s mountains on a daily-basis.)
She mindlessly stumbled into his abode moments earlier.
He half expects her to run away immediately, or drop onto her knees begging for mercy. Some of the previous unfortunate intruders did both; tripping over their feet, scrambling to their knees, and screaming their heads off once they realized their location.
The girl is different though.
Until now she remains silent, staring off into the desolate cave.
Golden eyes regard her from the shadows, verily intrigued at the peculiar trespasser. Her hair is pale, as from what he could glimpse from the light filtering through the entrance. Her features look foreign as well. Perhaps she isn’t aware of the tales around these parts?
His internal musing is unfortunately cut short as the girl suddenly steps further into the cave. Her gait is determined yet wary, judging by the pace and the distance from each step. It appears she's not as naïve as he initially thought.
Xiao tenses, preparing for an attack. But his muscles slowly ease as he sees her place a bundle on a nearby rock. She gives another glance, but this time towards his direction. He wonders if she could see him amid the darkness, and waits for her to approach.
Moments pass. Xiao narrows his eyes as he tightens his grip around the staff of his spear. He could not fathom what the girl was thinking nor what she could possibly seek, and he's half-tempted to force the answer out of her. But then she turns around and leaves without a single word.
His shoulders relax once he senses that the girl is gone and he casts his gaze unto the bundle. Overcome by curiosity, he approaches the girl’s offering and unties the knot.
Almond tofu.
Xiao shifts his gaze towards the entrance where the girl once stood. He has to admit, the girl was strange.
But she definitely has taste.
The girl returns again the following day.
And the days after that.
She always brings a plate of almond tofu, gingerly placing the offering on its usual rock. Most times she would leave immediately. Although recently, she would take a seat and start talking.
Her voice was gentle, yet it had a sense of firmness to it. It was soothing, like a welcoming breeze during the scorching days of summer.
He learns of her name. Lumine, she says.
Light.
And he thinks it’s fitting. If not for the paleness of her hair, then for the ease of her presence.
On her fifth visit, she tells a particularly intriguing tale that a comment had unexpectedly slipped from Xiao’s lips.
“Huh.” He hears a humored huff and sees a grin on her lips as she tilts her head teasingly, “So you were listening to me all this time.”
Before he knows it, they have formed a routine of sorts. And though he would never admit, he starts to look forward to her visits.
Sometimes she wouldn’t return for weeks. Xiao’s half-tempted to leave his cave and search for her, but she always returns—with an apologetic smile and more servings of almond tofu.
Lumine tells him of her travels. The places she has visited, the people she’s encountered. She had come from Mondstat before reaching Liyue. The sudden shift from the nation of freedom to one of binding contracts makes the Yaksha raise an eyebrow, but he makes no effort to point it out.
She narrates her battles with pride in her voice. She is proud of her accomplishments, of the enemies she fought and conquered. Lumine was a warrior who wasn’t ashamed of her scars. And Xiao much prefers this over false humility.
Although, as she mentions meeting a Fatui Harbinger in Liyue, her voice becomes tinged with fondness.
Strange. They were supposed to be her enemies, after all. Xiao’s eyes narrow in distaste as the Harbinger’s name leaves her lips.
He changes the subject for the first time. Xiao asks about the reason for her journey and Lumine is startled by his question. Or perhaps by the fact that he even asked her a question. Nonetheless, a welcome smile forms on her lips.
She’s looking for her brother, she sighs as her expression morphs into yearning.
“Why spend all your time here, then?” he asks from the shadows.
A wistful smile graces her lips. “Who would bring you almond tofu, then?”
“Why do you shroud yourself in darkness?” she suddenly asks one day.
He peers at her through dark lashes, gauging whether the statement was made out of insult or purely dumb curiosity.
Her big, innocent eyes convince him it was the latter.
“Is it not obvious?” he says, “My presence only brings fear. There’s no use in stepping into the light.”
Deeming their discussion over for the day, he turns around and moves to walk deeper into his dark lair.
“But do you want to?”
He pauses mid-step, one foot dangling mid-air, caught off-guard by the seemingly simple question.
“Do you honestly think it’s a simple matter of what I do and do not want?” His tone is mocking, condescending. How dare she waltz into his cave and imply such frivolous things. Did she not know the burden of a Yaksha?
“Should it not be simple?” she asks. “After all, you’re an adeptus.”
He scoffs. "I'm a Yaksha."
Adeptus. Protector of Liyue.
Empty titles given by the villagers in hopes to appease his temper and keep him at arms-length.
Pathetic.
What did she know? Had she spent her life scorned into solitude?
A single glance at her tells him that wasn’t the case.
She’s well-loved by the people. Humans are feeble-minded creatures after all. Angels are revered, whilst demons are hunted. They worship the pure and shun the scarred. And Lumine, the naïve human girl clad in gold and white, who had willfully stumbled into his abode and barged into his life, was the very essence of the former.
So he remains silent. Perhaps if he ignores her, she’d yield and he’d be left in solitude once more.
Moments pass in silence, and Xiao would assume that the girl had left if not for her tell-tale breaths. It makes him wonder what the hell is taking her so long to leave—
“Will you come with me?”
The Yaksha’s eyes widen. Has she gone mad?
He abruptly turns to face her. But his harsh retort dies on his tongue once he sees her expression.
The sun’s rays filters through the cave’s entrance, framing her form with a golden halo. She was glowing.
Lumine.
She’s an angel, he concludes. His gaze travels from her outstretched hand to her tender smile. There was no doubt about it. After all, only a being as pure as her would smile upon a shameful, worthless demon like him.
And her eyes. Even the most brilliant cor lapis in the whole of Liyue would dull in comparison.
Everything about her was so bright. She was blinding yet enchanting. He knew he should shield himself and hide in the darkness where he belonged.
He couldn’t. He did not want to.
He was completely and utterly enamored.
Xiao takes a step towards her. One small step after another, until he’s barely covered by the shadows. And he sees her smile grow as she finally glimpses his silhouette.
His hand slowly reaches for hers, like a moth drawn to a flame. Yet it drops down to his side once more.
Xiao senses she’s aware of his hesitation. Most would have left by now, deemed him hopeless and unredeemable, but not her. Her eyes are patient, her open hand remains outstretched.
Maybe she would be worth the risk. The thought crosses his mind as he meets her gaze.
It has crossed his mind multiple times throughout her visits. Never had he seen such innocence; such strength and kindness. Never had he encountered such a paradox that is Lumine.
Yes.
She definitely would.
And if he ever succumbs to his curse, he’d be at peace knowing she could stop him.
So without a second thought, his large calloused hand grips her smaller yet warmer one. Her smile grows even brighter and her eyes shine like the sun.
And for once in his life, darkness clung to him no more.