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Xiao turns his head around, hearing soft whispers brought by the winds. '..?' He can tell someone is crying somewhere, but who?
Deciding to go follow the wind, he found himself to Mondstadt. He can hear the sniffles and sobs louder and clearer. Enough for him to know who's crying. Venti.
Arriving at the Stormterror's Lair, he sneak a peak on the Anemo Archon. "..." Even if he did came, he's unsure on what he can do.
The green figure sniffed, wiping his tears away. "I know you're there." His voice cracks. "Sorry." He slowly mumble out, knowing how odd his own voice is.
Xiao slowly walks closer, "..." He still don't know how to help, "Are you.. okay?" He isn't sure if that's okay to ask. Since from the looks, he isn't okay at all.
Venti sniffes once again, "un." He slowly sat up from the edge, turning to meet Xiao. A smile broke, "I'm not sure myself.." His laugh broke out, clearly showing how much his voice cracks.
Tears was already dried, but his eyes is puffy red. "I'm just.. tired." He lowly admitted.
Xiao stopped beside him, "Is that so." He held back his hand that wants to hold the hurting bard. He just dropped his palm to Venti's head, patting it awkwardly. "It's okay."
Tears slowly forms on Venti's eyes again, feeling the warmth, although awkward. "Let it all out." Xiao's eyes soften as Venti cried out beside him, crouching down into a ball.
Venti let it all out as Xiao told him to. He cried out, releasing all of his sadness he isn't sure of.
He just became a sobbing mess, with Xiao's comfortable presence beside him.
As time passes, he eventually stopped. Tired from all the wailing, eyes puffy red, voice couldn't come out again.
It wasn't his first time breaking down.
He had countless of times of breaking down, just not every time there's someone for him.
"..sorry to keep you here." His voice was hoarse, creaking. "I'm okay now." It wasn't convincing much to his own dismay.
"It's okay." Xiao replies. "I have time."
Venti gave a cracked smile, "Of course," He shakily replied, "We have all the time in the world.." His voice becoming distance.
Xiao looked at him in worry. "..."
"Did you know?" Venti started all of the sudden, changing the topic. "There's something called ransom."
Xiao tilted his head but nodded.
"It means, a payment demanded for the release of a prisoner." Venti's aqua green looks to the distant sky. "And I am that said prisoner." He mumble out crushing air as he turns his body to Xiao's way.
With a sickening, crazy smile, Venti gazed at Xiao. "I won't be able to attain freedom unless I payed for it. That's why I'm a prisoner." He starts explaining. "And today, I've decided that I will pay and obtain freedom!" He declares.
Xiao find it all odd. He understands what ransom is but he don't get where it is going. What does Venti mean?
Venti chuckles lowly, "I have a favor to ask, my dear yaksha.." Walking closer to Xiao.
Xiao, unexpectedly steps backward as if evading Venti. He himself looks surprised from how his instinct.
The aura Venti gave is different from usual, and not in a good way.
"Lord-," He gulps, "Venti?"
Venti gave a pained smile and halts. "I guess I was too arrogant to think you would do it." He whisper out as his bangs shadowed his face.
Xiao's chest tightened, he winced as he somehow felt pain. '?' He looked at Venti.
"I'm alright now, you can leave." Venti's tone became cold as he turned around, preventing eye contacts.
"Ven-"
"Leave!" The said bard strongly rejected.
Xiao's hand moved to his chest where it hurts, as he looks at Venti who seems to be getting far.
"Venti..." He whispered out softly, pain resounds from his tone.
Venti ignores the voice as he walks to the edge. Slowly, and carefully.
Halting just exactly the edge, he turns around to Xiao, meeting with his eyes.
The bard gave a crazed grin as he mouthed something and let himself fall down.
Xiao's eyes widen, "VENTI!" He yelled out running to the bard, hands reaching to grab Venti's hands, but fails miserably.
He screams as Venti's figure falls fast to the ground. He felt his heart dropped. He couldn't believe what even happened.
He grasped his clothes as he continue to gaze at the splatters of blood on the ground. Tears streaming down from his eyes unconsciously, as he felt immesurable pain and grief.
"With this, I am free!"