Chapter Text
Epilogue: Inamorato, START.
Ever since that night, Aether had been unusually quiet. He hadn't been trying to catch Xiao when he came in for his occasional dish of almond tofu in Wangshu Inn. There was none of the usual pestering to tag along with Xiao as he did his duties either. He assumed that the traveler was busy with his preparations to Inazuma. Xiao had seen him more than once pouring over foreign maps of faraway lands. Still, it was...quite lonely without him, Xiao came to realize.
Xiao checked in with him weekly to honor their promise, leaving a note on the top most floor of Wangshu Inn. It was an obvious place, in between the floorboards of the railing. Xiao had left it there the first time, not being able to think of a better way to deliver such a note to Aether. If he had asked Verr Goldet...there was no need to involve someone else. Surely, it was better this way.
Xiao often visited the traveler at night for short moments at a time. He never lingered, as a glimpse was enough to make sure Aether was alright. Aether’s dream from a couple of weeks ago irritated him to no end, filling his head with thoughts of "What if Aether gets another nightmare?" Although it wasn't his duty, Xiao tried his best to protect Aether's dreams. The taste of burnt sugar wasn't at all that pleasant, but he had found himself becoming more and more accustomed to it.
But it was a rather unfortunate thing to get used to. To think that the traveler's nights would be plagued with nightmares so often was something that Xiao never would've been able to figure out. Just from looking at him, anyone would see a cheerful and selfless person. Always handing out his kindness and smiles to strangers far and wide.
He...missed Aether's smile.
"Then go visit him," A voice leered. Xiao watched as shadows started lining his arms. He tightened his grip on his weapon in anticipation for a fight.
"We want to see him too," Another voice said over-excitedly.
Xiao frowned. He wasn't one to usually communicate with the voices. That was a fast track straight to madness, after all. But they had become increasingly more talkative recently, constantly bothering him about a certain blond traveler.
"C'mon," A deeper voice said. "You want to see him, we want to see him. It's a win-win."
Xiao opened his mouth, "No way in hell am I letting you guys get to Aether."
The voices silenced, before a cacophony of laughter started ringing in his ears. So loud were the voices that Xiao had to press his hands hard against his ears to block them out.
"But, darling," A feminine voice crooned. "What makes you think you can continue to protect him?"
"When we want something, we get it," Another voice joined.
And all of a sudden, they spoke in perfect unison, "And we want Aether."
Xiao felt spikes of pain start stabbing through his body, the karmic binds tightening around him. Why were they being so talkative today? The warning signs were all there, and Xiao chose not to waste any time. He rushed into a cave, away from any people or livestock around.
"Don't think that you can run away, Alatus," A voice said. "Once we get our hands on him, we'll destroy the thing that you so care for."
The sound of his old name sent something searing through the adeptus, worse than it had ever hurt. The memories that came with that name were still unpleasant, despite the many years that had passed. Xiao fought back the urge to gag as he felt the darkness of resentment trying to wrap around him again.
Xiao spat, blood coloring the cold stone floor, "Is that it? Your goal is to crush me using him? There's no way I'm letting you do as you please." Xiao took a deep breath, collecting his powers and banishing the karma for a short while. It was a momentary relief, but it would be enough time.
No, it had to be enough time. He would make his way to Wangshu Inn, and he would leave his note and go. And he wouldn't let them have the chance to try and take Aether.
He wasted not another breath, using the winds of Guili Plains to get himself back to the Inn. His breath shuddered in his lungs, feeling the strain of forcefully keeping the karma at bay.
He reached for the paper he had, shakily writing a note, "I'll be gone for a while. Found a place with a huge concentration of karma." At that point, Xiao felt the restlessness of the karma almost overwhelm him. He could feel the taste of ozone in the back of his throat - the lingering remains of ancient powers – as a trickle of cold sweat rolled down his brow.
"Xiao?"
Xiao froze, hearing the light creaking of wood behind him.
There was only one person who would boldly call out to him like that.
He turned slightly, taking in the sight of Aether. Blond tresses strewn over his shoulders, the traveler's expression looked softened by sleep. A really...lovely look on him, Xiao's brain traitorously sang. It really was not the time for these observations.
"What are you doing here?" Xiao tightened his grip on the railing. A bad premonition swirled in his stomach as the karmic bonds finally quietened. It was as if they were watching, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"I...heard footsteps up here, and I know no one else but you comes up here, so," Aether gave him a slight smile. "Thought I'd come to see if I was correct." Xiao blinked, feeling something floating inside his chest.
This again. That stubborn, meddlesome affection that he had towards Aether. Xiao almost felt hesitant to tag a name onto that colorless yet warm feeling. He knew he had to leave – to protect Aether– and yet his legs felt glued in place. There was a relief from the pain and Xiao belatedly wondered if that was the kind of effect Aether had on him.
"You should go back, I just came to leave a note." Said note was tightly pressed against Xiao's palm, all crumpled up in the hurry.
Aether folded his arms, "Well, you can just tell me, can't you? You're right here anyway."
Xiao felt uneasy with how quiet everything was. Just a few seconds ago, his karma felt like it was going to finally succeed in crushing him, after the thousands of years he had endured. But now...absolute silence. It was as if they were waiting, a beast watching its prey as it squirmed and struggled.
"I...will be leaving for a little bit. To the remote corners of Liyue," Xiao felt something sink inside of him as he lied. Was this guilt? He had never felt this much guilt in saying something to protect someone before.
"Hmm, to vanquish the karmic build ups around Liyue?" Aether asked, hand gently grasping his chin; as if thinking. "Right. I'm free this week, I'll come with you."
That simple phrase started something. The karmic energy grew restless once again and Xiao took a deep breath to cover it up.
The voices pestered him, "-yes. Say yes to him. Come on, it's easy, say yes. Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Say yes. Yesyesysyesye-"
"I cannot take you with me this time, traveler," Xiao took a step back. The karma didn't seem happy at that, a jolting pain starting in his chest. Aether looked visibly confused, frowning slightly at the ground.
"Why not?" The puzzled traveler took a few steps closer. "I won't hinder your progress, you know."
Xiao just about wanted to throw himself off the railing and escape this stuffy atmosphere. He out of all people knew that Aether was a warrior through and through. He saw first hand how Aether fought against the Fatui during Osial’s awakening. The karma started to gnaw at his limbs, leaving them feeling numb.
"The karma-" How was Xiao supposed to tell him that the karma asked for him? It wasn't something you can casually tell someone. If he did say it, all that would happen is the long-winded explanation of why this came to be, including all those warm feelings Xiao had for him. He...didn't want Aether to figure out. Not after all that careful hiding he did. It was bad if Aether figured out someone like him held those feelings for him.
Xiao tried again, "The karma is especially menacing this time around. I would not like to see any human succumb to it, much less you. Go back to sleep, foolish traveler." The nickname at the end did nothing to lighten the mood. Rather, Aether was staring hard at him. It felt like he was seeing right through the passive mask Xiao wore.
After a few more tense moments of anticipation, Aether sighed, "If you say so." It surprised him slightly how Aether just went along with it. Usually he'd put up more of a fight, but Xiao was grateful for it.
Xiao turned around, taking a crouching position on top of the railing and getting ready to jump. His wind cycling would do the rest, after all.
A tug on the sash at his back stopped him short. Xiao turned slightly, finding Aether standing a few feet away from him. When had Aether gotten that close? The pain in his chest worsened, half-anticipation and half-pain from the karma filling his body.
"You... If you're injured, you come straight back okay? The karma isn't going anywhere, and your safety is more important," There was a plea in his voice, one that took Xiao straight back to the lantern rite.
"Don't leave...okay?" The tight grip Aether's hands had on him, as if Xiao would disappear if he let go. The way the tears clung to Aether's lashes, glittering in the moonlight. Xiao blinked, trying to get that...that hauntingly beautiful image out of his head.
"I know my limits," Xiao answered shortly, neither confirming nor denying the statement.
Aether let go, giving a lopsided smile and waving, "Come back safely, I'll smack you if you don't." Xiao nodded once, donning his mask and leaping into the chilly night air. The pain felt almost unbearable now, lacing itself between the space where his nerves met his skin.
And Xiao didn't know it yet then, but it would be a long, long time till he would see Aether again. It was, after all, the start of Xiao's self-imposed hell. Day in and day out he would fight, for the voices that usually lay dormant and sated after a few fights would continually awaken. They would lash out at Xiao for not following their commands, and the pain felt etched deep into his bones.
The more they asked about Aether, the more Xiao blocked his ears and continued to fight. The voices rose again and again, ever the glutton for another to fall victim to their darkness...and this time they were determined to ruin him. To ruin whatever semblance of peace Xiao had with himself. To ruin the unexplained feelings coursing through him when the traveler came to mind. And especially, to ruin that star-birthed traveler, until he was nothing but another creature of darkness that Xiao had to slay.
But Xiao, he was the guardian yaksha, after all. If there was one thing that Xiao was exceedingly good at, it was killing to protect others. If it was for Aether, then he could continue on; if only to protect the traveler from the darkness that wanted to taint him.