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The room was silent, not even the sound of insects could be heard. That was the first thing that Chongyun noticed when he woke up, there were no sounds of bodies hitting the ground nor the bone-chilling shriek of enemies and allies alike. It’s peaceful, Chongyun thought absentmindedly, not quite conscious enough from just waking up. The next thing he registered was the soft bed he was laying on and the smell of wood, it feels familiar, it smells like home. But Chongyun quickly notices an anomaly, there a warm piece of cloth on his closed eyelids.
Then it hit him.
The battle against the abyss creatures. He remembers the strong blizzard, a final attempt of completing their mission and retreat. They were cornered, the location that was said to be just a hideout for abyss reinforcements turned out to be a place of meeting for the leading figures from the abyss. And they had infiltrated at the worst possible time. The rest of the team were assigned to assist the travellers to an all-around defence in Mondstadt and Liyue, no one would’ve been able to come in time even if they called for emergency reinforcements.
Three abyss lectors and two abyss heralds, assisted by various abyss mages, all stationed at different locations as soon as they teleported.
He remembered dodging various attacks from all corners, the feeling of numbing pain as hydro blades slashes his skin and disrupted his elemental control. But most of all, he remembered the blizzard. He and Xiao had fused both their elementals to create it, a violent blizzard that ripped apart everything in its path, including its casters. The only reason he and Xiao had managed to survive was most likely because of his strong immunity against his own element and Xiao’s ancient demon blood. But even then, they had to last quite some time with the abyss lectors.
Xiao. The last time he’d saw him was when his vision had become too blurry from the low temperature as pathetically passed out. “Chongyun,” He couldn’t see how his partner was holding up but he’d clearly seen the blue blood seeping out from his many injuries. Xiao.
Where is he?
How is he?
“Chongyun,”
I have to go find him.
I need to go find him.
His breathe hitched “Chongyun,” Two firm hands cupped his cheeks as the voice said gently “Calm down.” He recognises this voice, he could recognise this voice anywhere. Chongyun slowly melted into his touch as he sighed in relief.
“Xiao.” the voice coming from Chongyun’s dried lips were too hoarse for Xiao’s liking, but he hummed in response nonetheless. Chongyun smiled, he could almost imagine Xiao nodding his head right now. “You-“ Xiao quickly placed a finger on his lips.
“Don’t speak.” Chongyun could feel the soft bed dip from what he assumed was Xiao’s weight as he wrapped a hand over his back, helping him sit up before gently guiding him to rest on his chest. He normally avoided anything warm but Chongyun had to admit, this felt oddly nice and comforting. He leaned his ear on his chest as he listens to Xiao’s steady heartbeat and the subtle vibration that came with it. He wanted to fall asleep to the reassuring sound but he knew he couldn’t, not right now.
Chongyun then heard a small click of a glass before Xiao’s clear and gentle voice rang out. “Warm tea.” he did a small bow as thanks but Xiao quickly added “No need to move.” Ah. Xiao truly knew him well. Chongyun gave a sheepish smile as he lowered his numb arms on his lap and he swore he heard a small huff coming from his lovely demon companion. The upper rim of a teacup was then place on his bottom lip, “Open your mouth.” Chongyun complied as the warm drink was gently poured into his mouth.
Once it was finished, Xiao used his thumb to wipe his lips, despite the nice gesture, Chongyun finds himself chuckling at his display of affection. Even though Chongyun couldn’t feel much after being exposed to low-temperatures for such a long amount of time, he knew that there was no way there would be any excess tea on his lips. “Want more?” Xiao asked as he tucked Chongyun’s long blue hair behind his ear. Seeing Chongyun nod, Xiao grabbed a cup of tea that he’d placed on the side table beforehand and placed it on his lips once again. In the corner of his eye, he saw Chongyun’s hand moving. “No need to move.” he repeated but unlike the first time, Chongyun disregarded his comment and placed his fingers on the teacup, trying to push it. His voice lowered as he said sternly “Chongyun.” It was an empty threat, and both of them know it.
Seeing as his idiotic partner was not backing down, Xiao sighed in exasperation as he allowed the weak fingers to push the teacup towards him. “Stubborn mortal.” But he’s his stubborn mortal. Xiao quickly drank from the cup and put it aside. “There happy?” staring at Chongyun’s small smile that looked almost proud to Xiao, he felt his heart skipped a beat, he just hoped Chongyun didn’t notice it.
A comfortable silence then took over but once Xiao saw Chongyun’s smile turned into small frown, he knew it was time to explain some troublesome things. “The mission,” He slides a hand around his long fluffy hair and caresses his scalp, careful not to hurt him with his claws. “There had been a mole.” Seeing as Chongyun hadn’t changed his facial expression, he knew that Chongyun noticed it too. His Chongyun had always been smart and observant, he’d be surprised if he hadn’t noticed.
There was a reason why out of everyone Rex Lapis had chosen them to take the job. Chongyun was a great single target unit, his stealth and speed were held in high regards, pairing that up with his strong cryo manipulation, he was usually assigned to do jobs behind closed doors. With the appearance of Xiao, his familiar, it’d fully solidify his place in the unit. As a team, they were a powerhouse, however because of Xiao’s karma debt and as well as the nature of his fighting style, it had developed into something more…violent. Cold frost that could cause respiratory system failure and sharp blades of anemo that could cut through bones, together they became a force to be reckoned with.
They perform best in enemy territory and away from comrades, where their combined powers could rain terror without worrying about hurting those from their side of battle. They were known for their close-range AoE attacks, they excel in it.
But in their previous battle, the enemies were grouped into four teams, all of them were stationed far from each group. Two abyss heralds cornered them in a close-range combat battle, but rather than a battle, it felt like a distraction, to keep them in place while the other three teams with abyss lectors and abyss mages focus on attacking. After they dealt with the abyss heralds, hydro abyss mages immediately teleported and summoned hydro traps. To Chongyun, that was a solid plan to defeat them, no, it was a plan specifically made to kill them.
Because of the contents of their jobs, their identities were kept secret from the public and most of the vision users from the other units. And they weren’t the only ones who was in the unit. Ganyu and Beidou, if they were there, it would’ve been a way easier battle for them. Ganyu was best suited for small groups of enemies like what they’d encountered, hydro traps wouldn’t have stood a chance against her. And Beidou with her counters, it would’ve been perfect for match for the abyss heralds while providing a shield for Ganyu. There were others besides them too, although it would’ve taken more time compared to them, they would have no problem taking care of it. No one besides Rex Lapis could assign jobs to their unit. Unless someone had disguised themselves as Rex Lapis so well that even Barbatos couldn’t distinguished who’s who. There were only two possibilities, someone manipulated the info given. Or. Rex Lapis’s advisors had recommended them with bad intentions. And Chongyun only knew of two “advisors” whose opinion Rex Lapis prioritize. The travellers.
Chongyun could only reassures himself that Aether and Lumine are good people, they wouldn’t. And besides, they aren’t any evidence. It’s useless to make a conclusion without proper evidence. “Rex Lapis and the other archons are working together to find the mole,” Xiao could practically see the gears in his head turning. And judging from the deep frown on his face, it isn’t a pleasant thought. But then again, there isn’t anything remotely pleasant about a mole. “Don’t think about useless things,” Xiao could see Chongyun’s nose crunched up and sighed. He lowered his forehead against his, his sharp horns barely touching his blue hair. (He wouldn’t want Chongyun’s hair to be tangled up in his horns like the first time they did this but that’s a story for another time) “Lightly, Yun.” Xiao could feel Chongyun wrapping his arms around his weakly, but even so, he was too tense. “Whatever happens, you won’t be alone to carry it,” Chongyun tightens his hold around him while he took in the smell of faint blood and herbs coming from the mortal. “You don’t have to carry such weight alone.”
As an ancient demon, he’d been used to the smell of blood and the painful screams that comes with battles and wars. But when it comes to his human, the smell, even a glance of it was enough to make his guts twist in anger.
Chongyun might not have noticed but he did. Their previous battle had been far too hectic, they had to attack, defend while simultaneously cover for each other. There’s a reason why out of everyone, Chongyun had been his partner, as well as his first partner. There were only few who could match his pace, they had to quick on their feet. One mistake and it could be his partner who’d join the afterlife along with their enemies. That’s the first criterion.
The second criterion was much harder to fulfil. They had to be immune to his karma debt. His karma drains energy from him and those around him, it makes no exception, monsters, plants, animals, they would face their inevitable death if they stayed too close to him. Everything he’d ever cherished was ripped away from him. He couldn’t even be emotional at that fact; strong negative emotions would only fuel his karma more.
He’d went into isolation long ago, only coming back into the human world because of his debt towards Rex Lapis who requested his help in the war. He’d come to accept that he won’t be able to cherish anything, he was just repaying his debt, that was all there is to it. But then came Chongyun.
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“Xiao, I would like to introduce you to someone.” he was on break and Rex Lapis had approached with an outrageous proposal.
“Rex Lapis…” he had a troubled look in his eyes. As much as he didn’t want to disappoint his saviour, his proposal sounded like he was asking Xiao to give a death sentence to that someone. “My karma debt…it’s-“
“No need to fret,” he smiled mysteriously. “I am to interview him here at midnight,” Xiao furrowed his eyebrows. From his wording, ‘he’ sounds like a rookie that came to join the army. But the interview ended a few days ago? “You’re welcome to watch if you’re interested.”
.
.
.
“I’ll think about it. Thank you for the invitation, Rex Lapis.”
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“Nice to meet you, my name is Chongyun, an exorcist of Liyue,” Chongyun, the weird human with a body of pure yang energy. He’d heard about this constitution, but he’d never quite believed in it. A human has a mix of yang and yin energy, it’s nature’s law! But he’d no choice but to believe it now, when a person that stray from nature’s very law was standing in front of him. He doesn’t know how to feel about this, his karma debt had stuck with him for millennia, and the feeling of most of it dispersing is…odd? But so comforting, he’d never felt this alive. His head was clear, devoid of the constant screaming and crying of the souls he’d killed. It felt like…salvation. “Hm, sir?”
Xiao snapped out of his trace as he noticed the human had reached his left hand out. What?
Rex Lapis seen to notice his confusion as he quietly whispered “He’s asking for a handshake.” He’d thought he was the only one to have heard such a quiet whisper but looking at the human’s odd expression, it looks like he too had heard it. Good senses.
But even with Rex Lapis’ guidance, he’s afraid he still doesn’t understand the human concept of this thing the mortals call a ‘handshake’. He could only guess he suppose. He raises his right hand just like the human had. But unlike his expectation, the human looked puzzled as he looked at his hand. “I’m Xiao.”
The human nods blankly before switching to his other hand and clasped his hand. Unlike Xiao’s calm expression, he was feeling the most anxious he’d ever felt. This peace, he’d never thought he’d feel so much peace with this…handshake. But then came another concern, how’s the human? He’d heard from others that had touched him that his presence had been chilling and cold while his touch had been much worse, it was described like pins and needles stabbing their skin and cold like ice. But looking at the confused expression on the human’s face, it was obvious.
This human. He’s immune to his karma.
At the realization, Xiao’s hand subconsciously tightens his hold on the human’s soft hand.
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Xiao reluctantly pulled away from Chongyun’s touch “I’ll have to go,” he caressed Chongyun’s pale cheeks. “I have to give a full report of what happened to Rex Lapis.” Chongyun nods in understanding. He quickly tucked him to bed and whispered “I’ll be back soon.” But before he could turn around, Chongyun’d grabbed his sleeve “What’s wrong?” Chongyun usually never stopped his from his duties, especially when he knew the weight of said duties. So, there must be something really wrong for him to stop him like this.
Xiao focused on the finger that was quickly writing out words on his palm.
“你”
“没”
“事”
“吧”
“？”
‘Are you okay?’
Xiao let out a breath he never knew he was holding and could only chuckle. That’s right, Chongyun was always like this, what did he expect. “I have my demon blood remember?” Xiao said fondly as he patted Chongyun head. But even so, Chongyun hadn’t let go of his palm.
Ah. He didn’t give a direct answer did he. “Yes, I’m all healed up. Nothing hurts.” Chongyun hummed in satisfaction and started writing on his palm again.
“快”
“去“
“快“
“回“
‘quickly go and quickly come back’
Ah, this really isn’t good for his mental health. That’s right, he has a place to return to, he has a person waiting for him to come back. “Yes, I’ll be back soon,” Xiao kissed the back of Chongyun’s hand. Light pink started to spread across Chongyun’s pale cheek. Cute.
Xiao leaned in and gave a light kiss on his forehead and whispered. “So be a good boy and rest. I’ll be back before you know it.” Xiao took a few strands of Chongyun’s long hair and brought it on his lips, giving them a light kiss. “Sweet dreams.”