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In the middle of the yawning darkness that enveloped their rising adeptal platform, Aether could see a speck of light — a speck of hope— shining up above. And slowly, but certainly, it started growing bigger and bigger with each passing second.
Everything was going to be fine, he thought, lips pursed, they were all going to come out of this alive. But almost immediately the darkness around them started taking shape. His friends also noticed, everyone moving away from the edges as formless monsters battered against their waning barrier, screaming, shrieking, desperate to consume everything in their path.
Aether drew his sword, joining his friends as they all readied themselves for when the barrier broke.
But when it did, shattering into a million pieces of fading light, Aether crumbled to his knees as the shrieks grew in intensity, piercing through his head, echoing inside his brain with crippling pleas.
A fireball searing the monster in front of him snapped him back to his senses.
“Watch out,” Yanfei desperately called out even as she continued launching purifying fireballs to keep the shadows at bay, Yelan unleashing a volley of hydro arrows in the gaps between her attacks. Aether joined the defense immediately afterwards, while Shinobu focused on protecting Xiao and Itto. They worked well together, Yelan and Yanfei covering more ground, and Aether’s electro-tinged whirlwinds eviscerating anything that stood too close.
For a desperate moment everything was fine, but with every amorphous tendril that touched their platform it slowed down even as the injured Yaksha bared his teeth and forced even more energy from his crumbling body.
But they were almost there, Aether thought desperately as he sliced the cloud of despair seizing Shinobu’s arm and turned to send another whirlwind behind Xiao. Almost there. Almost there. Soon Xiao would be able to rest and they’d…
The floor shook. The platform continued to lose speed.
Aether chanced a look at the speck of light above and his heart sunk like a rock as he realized it was once again a faraway light.
They were falling again.
Seized by desperation, Aether decided to teleport them all anyway, he’d never done so with so many people, and it wasn’t likely he’d succeed but anything was better than…
He met his friends’ eyes and saw their shoulders sagging, the resigned smile on their lips.
They had tried their best, they seemed to say. They did everything they could have done.
The platform cracked.
Aether immediately sought out Xiao, trying to ask if he was okay.
He met amber eyes, he saw Xiao’s lips move and even though he couldn’t hear him, Aether knew, he knew as he lunged towards him, trying to stop him—
Pillars of soothing green enveloped them all and—
Darkness.
(Cubes of darkness stealing away their wings. His sister. She was gone. Gone. Gone.)
The world brightened once more, and Aether found himself standing on the outside of the Chasm.
The world was bright, the screaming was gone.
Aether’s outstretched arm hovered in the empty space where Xiao should have been.
(“Goodbye.”)
“What happened?” “Itto’s waking up!” “Is everyone okay?” “Wait, where’s Xiao…?” “Aether?”
“No,” Aether said, hand grasping nothing, hearing nothing. No. No. No, he wasn’t losing anyone again. Not like this. Not like this. Not like…
“Aeth—”
He teleported.
Only to be immediately bounced back by an invisible force with an explosive boom.
“No,” He said again, blood trickling from his mouth as he desperately threw himself against a barrier he couldn’t see, a barrier that wouldn’t let him reach Xiao. Xiao. Xiao. Xiao. Blood continued to spill from his mouth, his nose, but he kept trying, trying, and trying even if his vision blurred and blood dripped down his ears with every violent rejection. Xiao was still in danger. He was in danger. “No, no, no.”
“Traveler.” A new gravelly voice finally pierced through the desperate trance he’d found himself in. A voice so painfully familiar that dredged up unpleasant memories and who Xiao had… “You are scaring your friends. I must implore that you stop what you’re doing.”
“Zhongli.” Aether teleported himself above the man, descending like a vengeful angel, hands fisted at his collar, static sparking from his bared teeth as he hovered in the air. Shapeless wings seemed to form at his back. “Where is he? Where is Xiao?”
The former Geo Archon closed his eyes as if in pain. “… I’m afraid the space he’s trapped in is not…”
“Shut up,” Aether snarled, forcing Zhongli to bend down as he touched the ground before releasing him, already preparing himself for another teleportation attempt. “I am not losing him too. If you’re not going to help, then shut up.”
“Killing yourself is going to help no one, traveler.” Zhongli declared, his heavy hand landing on Aether’s shoulder, gripping harder when he tried to shrug him off. “You are already a creature that breaks the rules of this world, surely there’s another way for you to reach him.”
Aether didn’t have the words, but his eyes glowed, incandescent gold bright with outrage. Zhongli remained undisturbed.
“If… you can’t go back to the place you were before, would it not be possible to go to Xiao directly?”
“What the fuck do you think I’m trying to do?”
“Not to a location. Just to him. Do you have anything that belongs to him to open a connection?”
Aether didn’t move for a beat, two, as he tried to make sense of the words. He spun around sharply, dropping to his knees with a horrifying crunch that he didn’t even register, too busy spilling the contents of his bag on the floor, trying to remember if he had…
His knuckles brushed against a brittle starconch, and for a second the world slowed to a stop.
A gift. It had been a gift. Xiao had gifted it to him, with a red tint to his cheeks and a reluctance to meet his eyes.
With trembling fingers, he picked it up, and put it against his ear without a second thought.
With the slow crashing of waves as a backdrop, Xiao’s voice floated up to him once more.
“This is ridiculous,” The words were whispered, forever stored in the precious shell he held between his hands. Xiao had thought it silly but had easily complied with his request, blowing words into the shell’s memory. “Aether…. Aether… This is my gift for you…”
Tears spilled down golden eyes.
He pressed the conch against his chest, hands in a praying pose, as he tried thinking about Xiao. Xiao. Where was he? Xiao. Xiao—
Unease rattled in his chest, aching with despair and a physical pain he’d yet to acknowledge. Nothing felt different. Would he really be able to…?
“Aether, wait! The Fantastic Compass! It wants to go back to the domain, maybe if you hold onto it…!” Yanfei careened over to him, the dissolving gadget held between her hands.
Aether lunged towards it, conch held firmly in one hand, the other closing around the compass as Yanfei let it go.
The compass shone gold.
“Take me to Xiao,” He pleaded. And before he finished speaking his name, he was gone.
Xiao’s last will had been accomplished. For a soul who’d known nothing but slaughter for endless centuries, finally knowing peace after saving someone had only seemed the best possible outcome. That was why when he sent the– his friends— away, he didn’t even try to protect himself, allowing his body to tip over the dissolving platform and into the awaiting darkness. Already his consciousness was fading, so it was not as painful when the monsters started tearing his body apart. Poisoned teeth sinking in, muscle and bone ripped apart. The pain was a small price to pay in exchange for their safety, in exchange for his own peace…
In the middle of the void, there was light.
Gold coalesced before his tired eyes, deliriously thinking it was calling his name. He thought it was fitting. The last call he’d answer as Xiao would be Death’s.
It didn’t seem like a bad way to go, then.
He closed his eyes.
Aether rushed towards him, ripping through shapeless monsters, like a thrown spear. He dispelled the darkness clinging to Xiao’s mutilated body and for one crippling, all-consuming second, Aether looked at his mangled body and thought it would have been more merciful if he’d died as soon as he fell.
Gently, ever so gently he grabbed onto him, cradling his broken body in his arms, whispering a shaky. “Let’s go home, Xiao.”
He teleported them away just in time before a gigantic maw of darkness engulfed the space they had been in.
(A gloved hand reached towards Aether’s heart and grabbed the front of his scarf in a desperate, silent plea.)
There was light.
People were screaming. A steady Geo pulse purifying the last of the shadows clinging to them both, and there were hands. And feathers. And water.
Sigils.
Healing.
Aether blinked out of his stupor as he realized he was inside a hydro barrier, surrounded by countless adepti in different forms as they all fed their energy into the barrier.
Into them.
Aether wanted to leave the minute he understood. He didn’t want to diverge the healing flow away from Xiao in any capacity, but…
The thought of letting him go terrified him as much as his waking nightmares, and he would not be the one to dislodge the weak, mangled hand clutching at his scarf.
His knees gave from under him, and Aether struggled to keep Xiao close to his chest in as much of a gentle hold as he could afford as he unceremoniously crashed down on his ass.
Still very disoriented and with tears of blood staining his cheeks, the traveler watched as the adeptal energy wrapped around Xiao’s body, crawling under his skin and sealing his wounds, breathing life back into a body so injured.
Slowly, ever so slowly, amber eyes fluttered open.
“Ae…ther…?”
Aether buried his face in the crook of Xiao’s shoulders and sobbed.
“Don’t leave me.”
The healing ritual continued for what felt like hours, and as Xiao recovered from the throes of death, he started hearing the messages imbued in the energy, in the lifeforce they were being gifted.
“Thank you,” They said. “Conqueror of Demons, thank you.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done, Conqueror of Demons.”
“Thank you and all the Yaksha for protecting us.”
“Thank you for never giving up.”
“Thank you.” “Thank you.” “Thank you.”
Confused and exhausted, Xiao couldn’t understand what they were thanking him for, but each gift, each little burst of energy that was freely given, made something ease in his soul, and when he looked up at Aether, searching for an answer, the golden-eyed divine smiled down at him and spoke.
“Thank you for coming back, Xiao.”
(Xiao didn’t understand.
Why, if he felt the positive energy cleansing his body, why if Aether was holding him, why if he could hear their prayers, their gratitude, why then…
Why would the tears not stop?)
The moon was high in the sky when Xiao came to again, awaking to a soft humming that echoed in his chest.
Just as he was thinking how very soothing it was, it stopped.
“Are you awake, Xiao?”
His eyelids were worryingly heavy, and his mouth was beyond dry as he struggled to reply. “…Aether?”
“I’m here.”
“You… fool.” Xiao felt himself say, already regretting the words spilling like blood from his lips. But still the guilt weighted heavy on his chest, and so the words surged forward. “I didn’t sacrifice myself for you to… get hurt.”
“…I’m not losing you, Xiao.” Aether immediately said, golden eyes boring holes into his as soon as Xiao managed to look up at him. Xiao wasn’t sure what to feel as he realized he had his head resting on his lap. “I know… You are tired. But I can’t lose you. Not like this. I… You… I know you are tired, but don’t you see? Everything you’ve done… Everything you’ve done has saved so many people. Their gratitude flows in our veins now, can’t you feel it? You’re not a heartless murderer. You don’t… Your life has meaning. You’re a hero, Xiao.”
“You call me that… because you do not know.”
The hand that was resting over Xiao’s heart clenched as Aether started to shake.
“There is always senseless slaughter in war, Xiao. But how you choose to carry yourself outside of combat does matter.”
Xiao struggled to sit up, immediately missing the warmth around him as he turned to look at the trembling Aether bathed in the moon’s melancholy. Even though he was uninjured, he still smelled of blood, and his eyes were dark and sunken, lips cracked and skin pale. His hair that should have spilled beautifully outside his braid hung limply at his back, covered in dirt.
“I hurt you.” Xiao said in the ensuing silence, unable to deny it any longer. His actions, his sacrifice. He had hurt him. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t… don’t leave me, Xiao. Not like this.”
Xiao slowly, hesitatingly reached for him, cradling a cold cheek with his gloveless anemo-stained hand, and when the traveler did not flinch away, he leaned in closer, pressing their foreheads together. “I am… exhausted, Aether. I cannot promise…” Unbidden, the pleas imbued in the healing ritual began to whisper in his ear. He sighed, trying his best to be careful of his words. “Sometimes… Sometimes when the pain is too much, I can’t help but wonder if my time has finally come to join my brothers and sisters. If it’s finally time for me to rest.”
“I see,” Aether voice, although small, was free of any accusation and that was somehow worse.
“I can’t promise… I will stop thinking like that. But… I can see that I hurt you, and that is something even worse than death.” Aether chuckled weakly, but Xiao frowned wanting to get his point across. “You saved me… so thank you, Aether. Thank you for giving me a second chance. And for not dying trying to save me.”
“You’re… starting to sound like the other adepti. Did their thankfulness rub off you?” Aether asked, even as hot tears rolled down his eyes.
Xiao huffed out a laugh, feeling the effort burning in his chest. Oddly enough, he welcomed the ache. It meant he was alive after all. “I do not know how else to convey my emotions to you.”
But then Aether sobbed louder, an agonizing wail that had Xiao scrambling to hold him, to protect him, what was wrong? “Aether!?”
“The- the conch you gave me. I- I lost it.”
Caught unprepared, the Yaksha struggled to understand. “…What?”
“The… the starconch… I made you record a message and- and- I was trying to find you, but I couldn’t- there was a barrier, and I couldn’t reach you so the conch… I tried using it and I lost it– “
Xiao shushed him gently, letting him cry into his chest, holding his precious star close, combing his hair in soothing motions. “Breathe, Aether, breathe. It’s okay, I’ll… get you another one, a better one.”
“You don’t— You don’t have to I lost it, I…”
“You used it to… find me, correct?”
“Yeah…”
“Then it served a purpose. And now I have an excuse to give you a better one.” Perhaps this wasn’t the actual reason his star was crying, but it was the best he could offer as the Yaksha scrambled for a way to reassure him.
“Sorry… I’m… I’m such a mess right now…” Aether laughed wetly, trying to separate himself from Xiao’s chest, “This is so embarrassing…”
“…I’m sorry.” Xiao said softly, not letting him pull away, keeping him in his arms until Aether relaxed against him again. “I didn’t know… I still don’t fully understand why… I’m sorry my actions caused you pain.”
Aether did not reply this time. He just held onto him even tighter, and Xiao just continued combing through his hair, trying to stop the fresh tears that fell from his eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, Xiao found it in himself to ask.
“…Are the others…your friends… are they safe?”
“Yes.” Aether had calmed down considerably, now cradled in Xiao’s arms. “Zhongli took them all back into the city. Shenhe volunteered to watch over us, and the rest of the adepti returned to their homes to rest.”
“…I see. We should let little Shenhe rest as well.”
“Not until we’re safe. I’m exhausted, and so are you, it’s dangerous.”
“Oh. We should probably go, then. Wangshu Inn will welcome us.“
Aether hesitated. “That’s so far away, Xiao. I don’t think I can make it there. My… body is not stable enough to teleport right now. I… I may have… injured myself trying to get to you.”
The guilt he had tried so hard to soothe, hammered itself anew in his chest. “The adeptal energy did not heal this?”
“… It’s not an injury so much as an unbalance. I will recover but… it’ll take time.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Hey, it’s okay. You’re here with me now, right? That’s all that matters.”
Xiao had a lot of things to say to that. But in the face of his mistakes, and their exhaustion, he could do nothing else but accept it.
“…Still, I cannot just let you stay out here in the open.” Xiao insisted, wracking his brain for a suitable alternative. “Do you remember Tongque’ shrine?”
“… That’s not that far away, we can probably walk there. Let’s go tell Shenhe.”
(As it turned out, Cloud Retainer had given Shenhe very specific instructions regarding her babysitter duties. So, at the first suggestion of them going anywhere on their own had Liyue’s Hero and the Conqueror of Demons slung over Shenhe’s solid shoulders, clinging for dear life as she bounded her way to the shrine as if they didn’t weigh anything at all. At least the shrine was deemed safe enough that Shenhe did not insist on joining them despite them standing like newborn fawns.)
“Careful,” Xiao reached for Aether’s shoulders as he stumbled on the uneven slope that led to the temple’s entrance. As if he had any right to be worrying about anybody else, both of them looking on the edge of collapse.
Aether only smiled in thanks before crossing the entrance, offering a bow to the stone statue before shouting, “Ping'an! Are you there!?”
“So loud.” Xiao huffed, closing his eyes for a second, a small smile tugging at his lips when Aether shoved him playfully.
Someone hurried downstairs with a few muttered curses as the man probably stubbed a toe in his haste.
“Who called me!? T-traveler?! Master Xiao!?? Can I help you? I mean I’m at your service, whatever you need, um…”
“At ease.” Xiao mumbled as the man dived straight for a bow, too nervous to meet their eyes. Xiao’s mouth formed a thin line. He turned away from the man to gaze at Tongque’ statue, and the offerings around it. “You are the one who built this temple, correct?”
“Ah- yes, yes, I did. Is… is it to your liking?”
Xiao was quiet for a moment, anemo-stained hands picking up one of the offered poems and reading it in its entirely. “This is… Excellent work. If this is fruit of your honest labor, I am most pleased with your change of heart, Wang Ping'an.”
“Ah, thank you so much, Adeptus Xiao! It means a lot, especially coming from someone as esteemed as you uh… May your humble servant inquire… er, what did you need me for? I don’t suppose you would need to hear Tongque’ story…?”
Xiao seemed thoughtful. “Perhaps another time. I… I suppose I would like to hear what the humans remember about him.”
“We… We’ve had some difficult times,” Aether explained when Xiao did not continue, saving them all from the awkwardness. “We were wondering if it would be alright to crash here for tonight?”
“I-yes, of course, yes… I only have one bed though... Oh, I would be absolutely elated to give up my bed for my esteemed guests and—”
“No, no, nothing of the sort,” Aether quickly interrupted the poor man. “We’re not invading your room, we just… Would like to be here. Just by his statue would be enough.”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly let you sleep on the floor!” But the man saw the exhaustion on their faces, the tear tracks on Aether, the red around Xiao’s eyes, the tattered state of their clothes, and despite his nervousness he offered. “I…Well, if you’re sure I can bring down some blankets? Perhaps pillows too, I’m sure I have some more stored somewhere.”
“That would be great.”
Aether’s voice cracked, but nobody called him out on it.
“I’ll go look for them now, if it’s alright with you.” Ping'an halted in his retreat already offering some sticks at them. “Oh, and before I forget, here, if you’d like to burn some incense...”
Bundled in colorful blankets, the divine and his adeptus sat down in front of the statue, the scent of incense permeating the air.
Xiao had reached towards the cold grilled ticker fish, nibbling gently on it without a second thought, swallowing before offering it to Aether. The traveler dutifully took a bite as well, quietly shaking his head at the nervous Ping'an who hovered between stopping them from eating the offerings for Tongque and respecting Xiao's wishes.
Tongque would have been happy to share his meal with a friend, after all.
Once they finished eating the grilled fish, they thanked Tongque’ statue, crowding a little closer to the still nervously sweating Ping’an.
“Do people come to this temple?” Aether asked, trying to make the poor man focus on something else.
“Yes! It’s taken a while getting the word out, but more and more people are visiting, and when I can get my book published, I’m sure that will boost popularity!”
“… You’re writing a book?” Xiao looked from one man to the other, something vulnerable in his hesitance. “About Tongque?”
“… Yes, well. About Tongque mostly, but I am trying to compile truthful stories about the Yaksha… But to tell the truth I haven’t been very successful. There are so many rumors and myths that it’s difficult to separate what is true from what is fake.”
“…Would you…” Xiao stopped, looked away before he continued. “Would you like to hear about them?”
“Eh?”
“As generals… as family. We promised each other to always be together. To give rest to the fallen, to learn about their end. I… I think…”
“Xiao?” Aether reached for his hand, giving an encouraging squeeze.
“…I would like people to know about them. Not as the slaughterers we were known as. But as my brothers and sisters. About who they were…away from the bloodshed.”
“Heroes, Xiao.” Aether corrected him with a heavy voice. “You are all remembered as heroes, not…”
“I… I would be honored, Adeptus Xiao, master, I- I- can I take notes? Can I write about what you tell me?”
Xiao frowned, not in annoyance but merely in thought. “If you think it will be useful for you… Go ahead.”
And like that, as the midnight oil burned, and as the night slowly gave way to early morning, Xiao talked.
He talked about a young Yaksha named Tongque, who had trained under Fushe. About a bronze-feathered crane with a penchant for weaving poetry in the early hours before plunging into combat as soon as night came.
He talked about his affinity with lightning and thunder, about how he had tried manipulating Fushe’s lightning by accident and that’s how these two met.
Fushe had always been a gentle soul. An adeptus who insisted he had been given four arms to hug all the more people, to protect more people.
“As it turns out,” Xiao said. Voice deceptively light. “Even when his karmic burden claimed his sanity, his heart remained true, and he… died… protecting Liyue. His soul lingered. And while I’m glad to know he’s finally known rest I do wish…” He stared at his empty hands, glowing a gentle teal. “I do wish I had something of him. That belonged to him to remember him. I… may have tried to keep a fragment of rock he broke apart in that time-warped domain, but of course it disappeared as soon as we were out.”
“Wh-what?” The poor Ping’an couldn’t help but ask, looking at both of them for an explanation.
“It’s a long story,” Aether said, smiling apologetically. Xiao yawned, and Aether added. “You should sleep, Xiao. We can continue once you— once we’ve all rested.”
“It feels disrespectful.” Xiao frowned, even as his eyes slowly closed. “That I don’t talk about all of them. My family. They… deserve to be remembered…”
“I got you,” Aether whispered into his hair, gently easing his body so he’d lie down, head propped in his lap, blankets pooling around him. “It’s okay, you can tell us all about them after you awaken. It’ll be okay.”
“Aether…” Xiao blindly reached for his hand, grasping it firmly between his. “I’m here. With you. I’m here..." And like that he fell asleep.
Aether couldn’t help the tears, the trembling, too tired to try to exert any form of control, or embarrassment. Fortunately, Xiao was too tired to be waken, and Ping’an…
“Master Aether, sir…”
“Just Aether is fine,” Aether said softly, sniffling. “I’m not an adeptus or something similar.”
“Right,” He said, doubtfully. “But sir, you should rest as well. I do not know what happened, but you both look tired. I… I know I’m not much but at least I can stand watch if it’s of any help?”
“Thank you, Ping’an.” Aether picked himself up as best as he could, wiping his tears, squaring his shoulders. “But aren’t you also tired? We kept you up all night, after all.”
“Nonsense! You’ve given me valuable information, I must write this down right now before the inspiration leaves me!” Ping’an’s smile waned. “But in all seriousness, I will be awake, don’t you worry. Oh and…”
“Yes?”
“I do not mean to intrude, but I was thinking, would it be… proper to collect relics belonging to the Yaksha Generals? I built this temple to honor Tongque but…I think he would have liked to have his friends… his family with him. And…”
“They’d finally be together.”
“Yes.”
“…I like the idea. I know some people who may be able to help us. We… we’ll help…” Aether’s eyes began to close as well, and he barely had the awareness to not dislodge Xiao as he too lied down.
Ping’an hesitatingly walked up to them, another blanket in hand. “Is it alright if I…?”
Aether smiled as all reply, and as Ping’an gently tucked the fabric around them, he was already out.
It had been an interesting turn of events.
Shenhe had returned to Jueyun Karst once dawn had broken, giving Cloud Retainer a status update. Which of course meant that Mountain Carver, Moon Shaper, and Madam Ping were soon made aware of the Conqueror of Demon’s current whereabouts (as well as to his method of transportation).
Madam Ping was the first to visit the temple, to make sure Xiao and Aether were both okay, and to finally see for herself the temple she had heard so much about. Yanfei accompanied her of course, taking a break from her duties as soon as she heard.
“Xiao!” Yanfei had exclaimed upon spotting him, running all the way up to the bundled up adeptus and engulfing him in a hug. “You’re safe! And Aether too! Oh man, I was so worried about you two… You guys were so injured I…” The legal advisor swallowed heavily as she hugged Aether as well before picking herself up as best as she could. She brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes. “You… You guys are okay, right? Is there anything I can do to help…?”
“Conqueror of Demons,” Madam Ping finally made her way to them, something fond and warm in the wrinkles of her smile. She put a hand to her chest and bowed deep. “It pleases oneself to see you alive and well.”
“Yanfei. Streetward Rambler.” Xiao nodded at them still looking somewhat tired, bundled in colorful blankets, leaning heavily against Aether. He hesitated. “I did not mean to cause concern. For that I must apologize.”
“What are you apologizing for!? You saved all of us! We should… we should be apologizing for putting you in such a complicated position.” Yanfei tugged at her horns, swallowing heavily again before the fire reignited in her eyes. “But you’re here now, and that’s what matters. If there’s anything you need, rest assured I will do everything in my power to help.”
“Actually…” Yanfei had been so excited she had completely glossed over a third person sitting in a wooden chair beside the pair, pen and paper in hand. “I do not mean to impose on you but… we were discussing about… growing this temple if you would be interested in helping?”
“Growing the temple?” Madam Ping asked, brow furrowed as she looked back at the stone statue. “In what way?”
“We would like to honor all the Yakshas.” Aether answered, voice somewhat gravelly. “Especially Xiao’s family. We want to reunite them.”
Madam Ping was silent for a moment.
“This… may be presumptuous on my part.” Xiao spoke next, eyes averted. “I know that building a temple to honor slaughterers goes against the nature of the adepti but...”
“Conqueror of Demons, please do not misunderstand.” Madam Ping interrupted, voice terse. “Do not mistake silence for disgust or disapproval. Oneself merely could not believe none of the adepti had ever thought about this. It is a gross oversight on our part.”
“We did not want glory either. Nor glory, nor veneration. None of us would have accepted.”
“That has never been the purpose of temples such as this.” She shook her head with a sigh. She took a seat in front of him, “You are however correct that you would have— have always— criticized any writing and poem of the Yakshas. What brought up this change of heart?”
“Ours is… a duty to Liyue. We fight, we bleed, we die to keep everyone safe. But… we also kill. We slaughter. I’ve been fighting alone for so long that even I… Even I forgot that we were once more than butchers.”
“You need to learn,” Aether said, clutching Xiao’s shoulder, as Yanfei covered her mouth in horror, Ping closing her eyes briefly.” You need to learn how your stubbornness can be so hurtful. In none of the books, the poems I’ve read does anyone speak of the Yakshas like that.”
“Your judgment is skewed by your affections. You do not know…”
“I don’t know because you refuse to tell me things! How am I to know the way you think about yourself if you won’t talk to me!”
This was not a new argument between them, but somehow every time Aether’s voice cracked, it echoed Xiao’s own heart. He needed to do better, to be better. For him.
He sighed in defeat, lowering his eyes. “I suppose you’re not wrong. I suppose… I should strive to…” He swallowed heavily, eyes wide as the words refused to come.
Aether deflated with a sigh. “You’ve led a difficult life, Xiao. I do not want to imply you’re less for struggling. But please… Can you at least try to not be so quick to disparage yourself?”
Xiao opened his mouth. Closed it. And with a familiar scowl he said. “On my name, I promise. I- I will try.”
Aether drew in a shuddery breath, relaxing his hold on his shoulder.
In the fragile silenced that ensued, Madam Ping slowly got closer, kneeling down in the mess of blankets with ease, to place a wrinkled hand on Xiao’s knee.
“This one apologizes for the interruption.” She said gently. “If one is not wrong, the Conqueror of Demon was telling a tale. Would you let this old lady listen as well?”
Xiao arched an eyebrow, looking amused. “You’re younger than me.”
Madam Ping giggled and all was well in the world.
Yanfei eventually had to return to the city to continue working, but she now had a purpose in mind. As soon as she clocked out, she went straight to Yelan, knowing that she would move earth and sky to find what they wanted.
Yelan went on to inform Ningguang of the situation at the Chasm, adding a request to her debriefing, and while she mobilized her underground information networks, Ningguang announced yet another city-wide contest.
To find information regarding the fallen Yaksha’s possessions.
While the humans worked together (and against each other) to win the contest and Yelan’s and Ningguang’s favor, Madam Ping returned to Jueyun Karst. There she spread her own message by word of mouth, every able-bodied adeptus was on their way to find the remains of their precious brothers and sisters, eager to find something to remember their sacrifice by.
Like that Tongque’s temple grew.
Liyue invested heavily into expanding the humble abode, putting a nervous Ping’an in charge of directing the architects, and the builders and even the adepti that came to either bring a relic, or help out with rebuilding, seemed to defer to his judgment.
Needless to say, Ping’an was very stressed.
So, when an oni twice his size, and four times as loud came knocking at his door he was right about ready to pass away. But as it turned out, it was a blessing in disguise, as all the “one and oni” Arataki Itto did was help around with construction work, and acting as Ping’an’s assistant, helping him carry Tongque’ and his own belongings into storage to ensure they would be safe until the construction was done and handling most minor errands so Ping’an didn’t have to worry.
Itto’s right-hand-woman (and potentially his handler) arrived a couple days later, looking aggravated beyond measure. She apologized profusely to Ping’an on her boss’ behalf, but by then Ping’an had gotten quite endeared with the oni.
Shinobu had been concerned at first, then decided there was no need to fix what wasn’t broken, choosing to spend her time teasing her boss about his new job as a “shrine maiden” instead.
Having an oni trailing after him helped a lot, but still sometimes Itto would be away on an errand, and some nasty people would start whispering about how Ping’an had no rights being so close with the other adepti or handling such an important task as this.
Fortunately— or perhaps unfortunately, depending on who you asked— the Conqueror of Demons had just materialized himself behind them all during one of these arguments, and without even a hello had proceeded to stamp a sigil of permission on poor Ping’an’s forehead.
To Ping’an‘s horror– and all nearby adepti’s amusement– the sigil burned away, leaving its script branded on his skin for all to see. Showing unequivocal proof that he had the adepti’s blessing.
Aether, who was always by Xiao’s side could only offer the panicking man an apologetic smile before Xiao pulled him away to offer his prayers to the growing altar dedicated to the Yakshas.
At the center of the room there were three cracked masks, over which Tongque’ statue watched over. Minu. Fanan. Yingda.
Aether and Xiao had stumbled upon Fushe’s Will, and recovered a wealth of possessions, but even though his art, and poems filled an entire side of the room, there was still something missing.
It would be Zhongli who completed the set.
He arrived early one morning, with no guests on sight. The divine entered the temple trailing dust behind him, skin swirling with golden cracks, immediately putting everyone on high alert.
But Zhongli only smiled as he made his way to the altar, and with great care he produced two halves of a purple mask, gently placing them down next to the others.
“Rex…” Xiao ate his following words, unsure of how to address him. In his silence, it was Aether who asked.
“Where did you find him?”
“I needed to make sure the Chasm was safe, and I thought I might as well explore the lovely underground.” Zhongli smiled, but it was tired, the cracks lengthening just briefly. “I am fortunate I could do one last thing for them. For all that they did for Liyue, for all that they continue to do.” He continued, looking at Xiao. “You have my utmost gratitude, dear Yaksha.”
Xiao was quick to bow. “My- Rex…” He frowned at the ground. “The Chasm is a dangerous place, I should have been the one to…”
Zhongli sighed, as he was prone to do. “Let us not fight for things already past.”
Xiao pursed his lips, never one to just back down, but as he looked at Rex Lapis’… No, Zhongli’s eyes he could not utter a word. Not when he could see the same pain when he looked into Aether’s eyes when the nights grew longer, and their nightmares darker.
He bowed his head.
“Very well.”
(Maybe it was his imagination, but he could have sworn Zhongli breathed a sigh of relief.)
As the days passed, things continued to change.
Itto and Shinobu had to return to their home, with a very loud promise that they’d be back with all of their gang.
Yelan also popped by once to supervise the relics that had been retrieved so far, and then to have a staring match with the Conqueror of Demons himself.
“It’s good to see you in good health,” She allowed, looking away first. She nodded politely at current company and left before anyone could stop her.
“She’s so disrespectful.” Fire Weaver commented lightly as she left, looking at her senior for any signs of anger or annoyance only to find mild exasperation.
“There is a difference between disrespect and bluntness, little one.” Xiao replied with a hand against his forehead. “I was the one to suggest the humans drop their formalities and now I have to shoulder the consequences."
"You are so dramatic.” Aether pointed out as he walked into the room, bringing a tray of food to them. “You’re going to give Fire Weaver the wrong impression.”
The young adeptus giggled, her fiery hair undulating around her, her four eyes crinkling at the corners. She was on her feet in seconds, helping Aether distribute the food with her four arms.
The last dish, a plateful of cornbread, she kept to herself, meandering over to Ping’an and sitting by his side, her head leaning against his.
The man that had been thoroughly engrossed in editing his manuscript jumped in alarm before realizing who it was. He smiled fondly as he put his work aside and ate with her.
“Your newest illustration is coming along as beautifully as always, Fire Weaver.”
“This one still has much to learn,” She answered as she always did, with that dreamy tone to her voice, as she gazed at her most recent depiction of the Five Yaksha Generals. “Nonetheless your praise is appreciated.”
The portrait was a simple scene, just the five of them sharing a meal, the happiness and familiarity imbued in every strike of her brush, and if Aether focused, he could almost hear Fushe laughing, Yingda and Minu arguing over the food, while Fanan pilfered the vegetables off their dishes. Alatus sat in the middle of the chaos, eyes closed, arms crossed. Looking at peace.
“One of these days I’ll have to commission you,” Aether nibbled on his grilled fish. “I want Xiao’s beautiful smiling face greeting me every morning when I wake up.”
The aforementioned adeptus immediately scowled, ears tinted pink. But then he said, “I will not have you replace me with a painting, Aether.”
Aether’s entire face quickly colored red, as he laughed into his hand.
“I appreciate the gesture, master Aether but as previously stated, this one’s purpose in coming here was to educate oneself on the history of the esteemed Yaksha.” She said as she picked up Ping’an’s fallen pen and started sketching something on a discarded piece of paper. “As an adeptus and as the Conqueror of Demon’s ardent fan, it would be a failing on this one’s part if there was payment involved. Not to mention your Mora has no meaning for the adepti.”
She finished her sketch with a flourish and smiled down at it. “With that being said, it would be an honor to capture your love in a painting… If it’s agreeable with the both of you?”
“It is, yes.” Xiao answered before Aether had the time to splutter. “Do take your time.”
“I miss teleporting,” Aether lamented to no one in particular. “I could have left this embarrassing conversation ages ago.”
“Who’s being dramatic now,” Xiao huffed but still moved away from his plateful of almond tofu to sit by his side, an arm around his waist.
Aether immediately leaned into him, kissing the underside of his jaw.
“Perhaps,” Ping’an whispered to a googly eyed Fire Weaver. “It would be best we leave these two alone.”
She giggled, getting up with one fluid gesture, her already empty plate held in one of her upper hands, offering the human a hand to get up.
He took it, and then even though his cheeks colored red as if there was also fire running through his veins, he did not let her go. They walked the inner corridors towards the kitchen like that.
“Do you think it would be improper if I… um…”
“Yes?”
“I was thinking I could write a poem to accompany your artwork of these two. I just think… You know I’ve been having trouble trying to come up with a proper ending to my anthology of Yakshas' memories. So, I was thinking it would be fitting to end it with the last Yaksha finding love.”
“Oh,” His adeptus friend said, softly so softly. “Ping’an, this one thinks that would be perfect. Truly the end of the Yaksha. The end of war. New beginnings. Oh, Ping’an, that is perfect, we must make haste and begin immediately!”
“Oh, wait, slow down, slow down!!”
Sometimes the end of an era is marked by great change. By the fall of a great civilization, by the conquering of nations.
Sometimes it is the death of one's family, own's town.
But for the Yakshas, the beings forged in bloodshed and war, their end hadn’t come at the hands of their misery. They had not ended when the crimes they had been forced to commit corrupted their minds, driving them to insanity.
For the Yakshas, their end came when the last of them found peace. When the last remaining Yaksha put down his weapon, freed from his contract in order to find love.
Their end came in a small humble temple where they were all reunited. In the temple where the last one and his heart reside at times, filling the air with their voices.
Thus, the Yakshas have finally left us for good. As humans we thank them for their sacrifice. As adepti we honor everything they did.
And we all pray for Xiao to write the next chapter of his life by his own hand. For his life to be filled with peace and healing. With love.
Farewell, beloved Yakshas.