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“Paimon snored the moment she hit the pillows.” Xiao turned to see his giggling lover, “That’s what she gets for playing all day.”
He only observed Aether’s movements, how he poured himself a glass of water and drink it while smiling. Aether looked like he was shining, like the moon and the stars under the night sky. He wore a nightdress as if the both of them lived together as if they were a married couple getting ready to bed. He only listened as the golden-haired boy babbled about his day.
“What?” Aether stopped as soon as he noticed how silent the Adeptus is. He was usually silent but not like this. Xiao only shook his head, reaching out his hand to him. “Is it the hair?”
“Oh, I mean, yeah.” Xiao first noticed the hair when he arrived, but it was nevertheless beautiful. He already knew who made his hair like that.
“[Y/n] nee-san kept on practicing on my hair, I never knew there were different kinds of the braid.” Aether fumbled with his own hair as Xiao guided him to the bed.
“It’s beautiful and suits you.” That earned him a smile.
Both of them cuddled as they lay in bed together. Xiao is holding Aether in his arms, his back touching the adeptus' chest.
This was some kind of a thing for them. An action to keep them both grounded, and secure. A reassurance that Aether is still alive because he can still hold him, and that Xiao is next to him as he feels his heartbeat against his back.
“Say, remember that painting we showed you back then? You used to have long hair right?”
Xiao only hummed in response,
“Why did you cut it?”
“... I had to.”
The traveler turned to see his lover’s face and saw the hidden sadness behind his facade. He gently smiled before giving the adeptus a peck on his lips.
“I understand, please tell me about it when you’re ready.” He then snuggled closer to him, and not a minute later a snore can be heard from him.
I’m lucky, Xiao thought, he never said anything but Aether already understood that he can’t tell that story yet. He sighed, before following his lover to sleep.
(Archon War)
The air felt cold while it reeks of blood. There were bodies on the floor, all of them were once his comrades. The immortal gasp for air as he watches the slaughter in front of him.
What happened? He was protecting his master when another god intercepted their plan. He came to his master’s side to protect him but was stopped with a seal secured by strong pillars that he cannot break.
The fight ended in a minute. Not one of his master’s shadows stood a chance with the god.
He watched as that man impaled the heart of his god. After checking if he has killed all of them, he walked toward him, and he trembled knowing he was next.
“What is your name, young man?” The boy looked up and took in the figure in front of him. He is tall, dressed in a white cloak, and his body is covered with golden tattoos. The immortal only took one look to know that this god was the geo archon.
He should be dead like him yet those bright amber eyes look at him with such warmth, a hand extended waiting for him to take it. He glanced at the body of the dead god and back to the live one.
“I am asking you a question.”
“Heavens, Morax, you’re scaring him.” Another person appeared, it was a woman radiating with warm light. The woman has golden eyes paired with her silver hair. She was wearing a long green silk dress. She looked at him with a soft smile on her lips.
“Oh, you poor thing.” She sat in front of him, wiping the blood on his face, “You’re hurt, aren’t you? Here, let me help.”
She placed her hands on his cheeks, and the boy felt sleepy and comfortable. A giggle escaped from her lips,
“Please don’t fall asleep, I won’t be able to carry you on my back.”
He shook his head awake, trying to follow what she said. What’s up with her? Why does he want to follow every word she says?
“Can you answer this old man’s question for me, my boy?”
He turned away, ears red from embarrassment and shame… His ‘name’?
“I have no name.” He answered.
The woman was taken back, but what can he do? He does not want to use the name that his dead master used to call him.
The woman looked at the other ‘old man’, they looked like communicating.
“You’ve been through so much,” The woman continued to pat his head, pity was evident in her eyes, “But you did a good job surviving through it all.”
She stood up, and he felt the warm feeling all over his body.
“Then, do you want a new name?” He tilted his head confused,
“You shall be granted with a name then,” She muttered, “Morax.”
The other man nodded.
"In the fables of another world, a spirit who encountered great suffering and hardship. He endured much suffering, as you have. His name was Xiao. Use this name from now on."
“Xiao?”
“Yes, that’s your name. I am glad to meet you, Xiao. That old man right there is, Morax, the Geo Archon.” She stood up and bowed in a peculiar way. “And my name’s Seire, the Dendro Archon.”
~~
“Why?” Xiao asks as he stares at the food in front of him. Seire placed the soup on the table and sat looking at him questioningly.
“Why what, dear?”
“Why save… me?”
It was a mystery for him. They saved him, severed his master's head for his freedom, and took him home to feed and bathe him. He once again felt warmth in his heart yet he does not want to accept it. He cannot be fooled.
They will eventually use him too. And if not, he should be punished for everything he has done.
“Because that’s what we were supposed to do. And what you deserve.”
“I’ve killed thousands of men in mere years. How could I deserve this?”
“Xiao, tell me, did you do that of your own volition?”
“...I was ordered to.”
“Right, you were bounded by a curse, my child. It was not your intention to give harm, and we knew that.”
She smiled placing her hand on top of his head giving it a reassuring touch.
“We fought your master with that in mind, we were supposed to rescue everyone he imprisoned, but… you were the only one we could save from his control.”
Xiao almost felt his heart stopping, he was the only one they can save? As far as he can remember, there were at least three of them under his master and the rest are mindless shadows. To think he was the only one who got out.
“It’s okay, don’t feel guilty,” Seire said, stopping his thoughts, “No one’s at fault but that god.”
~~
For a few months, Xiao only spoke when spoken, moved if they wanted to, and he was careful not to anger the two archons who saved him. They already told him that he does need to do anything but enjoy his freedom. To be back to his normal self.
But Xiao has forgotten what normal feels or looks like so he does nothing. He only watched as the Geo Archon ruled and the Dendro Archon healed her people.
He offered them to make him fight, but Seire got mad at him for allowing himself to think that all he can do is to fight.
If you will join this war again, give me a good reason why other than serving us. She said, and Xiao looked for a reason to fight.
He did fight, but to protect the village he was staying in. The two archons didn’t allow him to step foot in the real war.
Days passed just like that and he got used to feeling relaxed and calm on the goddess’ side. It wasn’t until she taught her about… humans.
“Xiao,” He hummed in response, sleepy by the way the goddess braid his hair,
“Humans can be so weak, weaker than us, yet at the same time, they can be strong. They are so fickle, so, it’s our duty to protect them. Learn how to understand them, and be kind to them, like I am to you.”
“But they… They also deceive and kill like us.” Xiao huffs, he remembered how he was led to his past master because of those humans
“They betray other’s trust, I don’t understand why you have to—”
“Alright stop, I understand.” The goddess covered his mouth with her hand, “I know they did betray you, some would do. Humans, like us, can also be corrupted, by desire and by any dark power, and they do deserve to be punished. But remember Xiao most of the humans, especially under our domain, are the ones that are beautiful and to be protected.”
She cupped his face in her hands to make him look at her.
“You just need to learn to understand them properly, and you will learn how to love them as we do.”
The boy only nodded, and she gave out a soft laugh in response. Her sweet voice filled the night air.
“Remember these words when you fly, Xiao”
~~
“Why do you fight? For the seats?” The geo archon’s expression dimmed. Xiao was only curious but it seemed that he spoke the wrong thing.
“We do not fight for the seats, my child.” Seire’s gentle voice filled the air as he put a hand on the other archon’s shoulder.
“We fight to protect.” She pointed to the growing town below them, “To protect the mortals who are the reason for our existence.”
"Those seats? They are not important. But these humans, are only the victims of these wars. They did nothing wrong and it is our duty to protect them from those gods who are greedy enough to use them."
"Then they are only victims?" Xiao hesitated, "The heavens... caused it?"
He saw the two gods only smile bitterly, Seire look at him,
"Best not to learn more than this, my child. Fight if we must, but don't ever, ever lose your goal to protect."
~~
“They are weak and useless. It’s better to not interact with them.” Xiao said, earning a slight pinch on his cheek from the goddess beside him.
“Does my teachings don’t reach into your heart?” She sighed, “Yes they are weak, but they won’t break if you touch them, Xiao.”
The woman looked at a fidgeting girl, hiding behind a large tree. She smiled offering a hand to signal that she can come closer.
“What are you doing?” The young adeptus panicked but she holds him down with her left hand.
“I-I just want to give this to you, My Lady. Thank you for always healing us.” The little girl held up a bouquet of different flowers to the goddess.
“Thank you, little flower. Do you want to say something to our onii-chan here?”
She smiled, shy and blushing. Moving a little closer she held a qingxin flower right in front of his face.
“This ones for onii-san! Thank you for always protecting us!” The girl exclaimed, running back to her mother the moment Xiao received it.
The hearty laugh of the girl’s mother and the goddess were the only ones that Xiao can hear as his heartbeats in excitement.
It was the very first human interaction he had, without his intent to kill the human. And she was the reason for it. Somehow it feels nice. Xiao smiled.
~~
Xiao, that was the name he was blessed with. Along with his freedom and name, he started to fight for a different reason. He went on with his life, on the side of the two gods who saved him.
Morax gave him freedom all while she gave him the warmth he has almost forgotten. And kindness he never felt before. He didn’t need to fight in the war, she wanted him to live how he wanted to. Yet, he chooses to do the opposite for her.
He learned to protect, to fight because of the humans who once betrayed him. Because he knew somewhere in there, there are humans worth fighting for.
But it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough that he fought alongside them. So, under the god of contracts himself, he bounded his life to protect the nation he will live in. A contract that will last until the end of time.
Although it was against Seire's wishes, he continued to do what he thinks what was right. Eventually, it was the goddess who first gave him his blessing.
“I bestow to you the name Alatus, the winged Yaksha, and the Conqueror of Demons. May your wings soar higher to protect Liyue.” The gentle voice of the goddess filled his ears.
It was the naming ceremony of the five Guardian Yakshas that will be tasked to protect Liyue in times of war. The celebration was brief as the five went on to their posts. Xiao was tasked to protect the lands of the goddess.
“Alatus?” He muttered facing the goddess who named him. “But… I have no wings…?”
The woman laughed, her voice surrounding the fields, the naiveness of the yaksha is something that will never cease to make her smile.
“You have the vision of anemo, Xiao. Don’t take it literally,” The lady can hardly breathe which made him pout,
“What I meant is that, you are capable of doing what I expect you to do. Xiao, no, Alatus, I named you like this as I have seen you in battles. You can reach and achieve greater things. I believe in you.”
The goddess smiled and turned to comb his hair. A soothing yet familiar feeling overcame him.
~~
“It’s stupid, he could have died and he is weak! How could he rush in the battle and endanger you?” Xiao’s angry voice echoed through the house they were in. “And you! You could have also died when you rushed in to protect him!”
“I know,”
“You knew and yet...” He exhaled, ever since Seire met that stupid, stupid wind god, everything feels like a mess. Xiao was never the one to disagree with a relationship, but two reckless gods are not a good couple, to begin with.
“It’s unreasonable for you right now but someday you’ll understand.” Seire chuckled, “And for the record, he is not weak.”
“How?”
“Xiao, he is an archon like me,” He stopped what he was doing and look straight at her, “Someday you will find someone you would take care of.”
“Excuse me?” The goddess giggled, “Someone? What, like him to you?
“Yes like him. Someone who would be unreasonable yet lovable, annoying but sometimes sweet. Although it may be different, that someone will love you just like he loves me. Someone who can make you understand the irrationality of love. And someone who will be always there for you.”
“Why would I need someone to meet?” Xiao huffs as he remembers her beloved, “I don’t think I need one. I have you and Morax already. No thank you.”
“You’ll understand someday.” She patted her head, leaving him to ponder on her words. “And I trust that you will.”
~~
"I don't need it! Besides, you might put another flower in my hair!" Xiao protested, it seems that the goddess wanted to braid his hair.
They were all sitting under the shade of a large tree, on Mt. Aocang, relaxing. While the other gods and adepti like Morax are sipping tea and talking near them.
"This will just keep in the way of your fighting, child. So don't move and let me braid it." Seire ordered the Wind Yaksha as the other four laughed teasing him.
“It will look beautiful, don’t worry, Alatus.”
“Yeah, keeping it on one tie still hinders your fighting.”
“I also want another flower on me, Lady Seire!”
“Hey wait for your turn!”
"Now, now, don't tease him or I'll shave yours, Bosacius." The said Yaksha stopped and sit still.
That went on for a long time until the goddess noticed Xiao being comfortable and eventually falling asleep along with the other yakshas as Seire hummed a lullaby.
They looked so peaceful and happy. And Xiao wished for this peace to last forever.
~~
“Why, what… Do something,” He looked at the two archons who were only watching her, “Do something Morax!” He shouted,
“Xiao, no.” The geo archon’s voice was stern yet it trembled, “Don’t.”
“NO! She will die!” He was desperate, trying to climb out of the barrier the archons have built in front of him. He looked at the archon dressed in green, “YOU. You have to stop her, please. DO SOMETHING!”
No one moved and only stared, the yaksha was panicking and he did not notice the look on their faces. He shouted her name a couple of times until she looked at him.
She smiled.
The same smile she would wear every time she reassures him of peace, the smile she gives him to remind him of her love. A smile he would never forget.
“No… Please,” He whispered, pleading with his eyes. He fell down on his knees as the flower in his hands disappeared into dust.
“It will be okay, Alatus.”
There was a burst of light and he watched as the Dendro Archon fell to the ground.
It was a blur after that, the anemo archon rushing to her side, Morax stopping and hugging him as he stare at the dying goddess. The rest of the archons watched, crying for the loss.
The wind howled as its archon screamed in pain. The storm didn’t stop. And so Alatus summoned his spear placing it in between his nape and hair.
With one swift movement, the clump of hair fell down along with the flowers it was adorned with in the wilting grass.
You’re wrong, people can still betray us.
~~
It was as if the whole Teyvat comes to a stop.
There was a storm for three days after she died. It was understandable, the wind god has lost his heart. Everyone lost their beloved goddess. Humans and immortals alike mourned her death.
Even Morax was silent the whole time as he tried to stop Barbatos’ raging storm. He only offered a consoling hand to him.
If it wasn’t for the letter she wrote for him, Xiao would’ve destroyed the whole Sumeru.
He gripped the paper in hand, she knew all along, and yet she decided to do that. Her delicate handwriting broke him, he could not believe it still, that she was gone.
“...I hope in the future, whatever may happen, you will find someone who can remind you of everything I taught you. A person you will love regardless of their flaws and who will love you regardless of yours.”
“Xiao, wake up, I already made some breakfast.” A gentle voice calls him, “I fear that Paimon might finish it before you get up.”
The adeptus opened his eyes and was greeted with a gentle smile from Aether. He can’t help but smile back.
“Huh, smiling first thing in the morning, did you have a good dream?”
He did not answer but pulled his lover to him, encasing him in a hug.
“Xiao?”
“Let’s stay like this for a while,” He hummed. A soft giggle escaped from Aether’s lips, half wondering why yaksha is acting like this but also loving it.
“Alright,”
“Aether?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
The golden-haired boy was quick to look at his lover’s face only to see him smiling lovingly at him. Xiao must have a good dream as he was never the one who initiate things like this. Whatever the reason is he loved it.
“I love you too,” Aether buried his face to Xiao’s neck, and the latter only sighed, content.
He hate to admit it but Seire was right, he found someone to love.