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Chapter Text

The looming building of the Jade Chamber Administrative Establishment made for an imposing figure. 

The building boasted majestic quartz pillars which guarded high glass walls, the grand doors situated at the front entrance flanked by two traditional lion statues. Reflections of the grey sky outside danced across the gleaming windows, partially obstructing the scene of parliament officials and diplomatic personnel working diligently at desks and in conference rooms on the ground floor. A neatly-swept staircase greeted visitors and employees alike, with no traces of the autumn foliage abundant in the surrounding streets and sidewalks resting upon the stairs.

A crisp chill breezed through Xiao’s hair, ruffling his undercut and causing him to delve deeper into his scarf to ward away the cold. The soft gusts of wind carried the sounds of the city with them; the screech of tyres on the roads and the roar of engines as citizens chased the morning rush, and the chatter of the streets as businessmen in freshly-pressed suits strutted in the direction of their offices and shop owners opened their doors - welcoming the beginning of trade for the day. 

The grounds of the most significant governmental building in Liyue were immaculately maintained. Sprawling grass lawns and luscious amber trees surrounded the magisterial establishment that was of the occupation of the Liyue Qixing - adequately named after a historic establishment of great antiquity with folklore rumouring it to have once been a grand floating palace in the sky. However, what is left of the legend has fallen into ruin alongside the palace itself, with its current state now an archeological site of great tourism. Xiao remembers visiting it a few months ago, one final outing with the team before they were all officially inducted a few days ago as the newest generation of Liyue’s elite forces - the Yakshas. 

The Yakshas traditionally operate with 5 members, and perform under the direct orders of the Tianquan of the Qixing. They are also assigned the honour of carrying the identity of one of the five guardian yakshas who protected the lands of Liyue during the Archaic Era of past times.

Xiao was assigned the name of Alatus.

He remembers last night; how the team were lounging on the couches of their shared residence - a flat in a high-security apartment complex only a short walk away from the current Jade Chamber - when Shenhe knocked on their door. Their trainer’s usually blank expression was instead one of muted excitement, and in that moment the whole team knew what news Shenhe’s arrival was to bring. It was a moment they had been waiting over three years for; finally being appointed their first major assignment.

The arrival of the morning brought along with it restless anticipation. Their team would be greeted with the presence of the Tianquan for the first time since the initiation ceremony, and she would be personally allocating them a major assignment as Liyue’s elite forces.

Xiao stopped outside of the revolving glass doors of the Jade Chamber. He could hear the chatter of his teammate’s voices behind him, and another presence came to a halt on his left side.

“Nervous?” His trainer asked, and Xiao’s gaze locked with Shenhe’s. She, too, had a scarf wrapped snugly around her neck, but Xiao knew it was to assimilate with the crowd. She didn’t get cold.

Xiao looked wearily at the intimidating silhouette of the Jade Chamber, bright morning sunlight glaring off the windows.

He shook his head.

“Attaboy,” Shenhe nodded, her signature blank expression on her face, but Xiao thought he could see a hint of pride behind her eyes. Xiao’s lips quirked at the corners.

“Zixin would be the one who’s nervous, xiansheng.”

“Oi!”

Xiao turned around, a slightly more prominent smirk visible as he faced his teammate in question.

Zixin was a well-built man with a triangular form and strong shoulders. His skin was slightly tanned, with the ghost of freckles dusting his square cheeks and high nose bridge, and had windswept navy hair dyed purple at the tips. Zixin was assigned the identity of Bosacius, the Yaksha rumoured to have been associated with an archaic ability rooted in electricity. Xiao thought it quite fitting, with his energetic nature and somewhat unpredictable personality. 

Xiao remembered the time Shenhe had to talk Zixin out of going ‘night skydiving’ because he wanted to see a bird’s eye view of the city at night for himself. To be fair, he was nursing a pretty nasty hangover in the morning.

Said man was now stomping up the remainder of the staircase towards Xiao, his 6”0 figure towering over Xiao’s 5”7.

“What’s this about me being scared?” He asked, straightening his back and puffing out his chest. That posture lasted about 3 seconds before he was slapped forcefully on the back.

“Zixin, you went up to the fucking Tianquan herself and asked her the directions to ‘Ningguang’s office’.”

A second figure emerged from behind, glaring at Zixin’s pout. Weijiang, a wolfish individual with a wolf-cut to match - except with two long bangs creeping down their face like jagged claws - prowled to his side before catching Xiao’s gaze. Their expression always seemed inconvenienced and grumpy, with a round face eternally pulled into a frown, dark glinting eyes and brown skin. They were wearing a silver tag necklace, with the name “Bonanus” engraved on the front. 

“Where's the shame in wanting to be on time?!” Zixin fired back.

“You? Being on time? I could laugh.”

“Well good thing no one’s finding it funny, because you certainly don’t have a sense of humour, Weiwei.”

“You call me that one more time and I’m gonna nail your mouth shut-”

“Gods, do you two ever shut up?” A third voice joined the conversation, a lilting, mature tone, “We’re all going to age fifty years before we even start our first assignment.”

Stepping between the two arguing individuals was a tall, elegant woman with a sharp face and delicate features. She had dyed blonde hair and naturally pale skin, soft cheeks and a pointed jawline, large eyes and a small nose, graceful mannerisms and an optimistic tone. The brown eyes of Agent Indarius always seemed to simmer. Xiao always liked to compare them to twin fires whenever the sun caught her eyes.

“You tell Zixin to actually consider being a responsible adult, ‘cause clearly no one listens to decent advice.” Weijiang sneered, blue bangs casting their irritated eyes into shadow. 

“Can you hear something, Jiayi?” Zixin retorted, cupping a hand to his ear and drawing himself up to full height, pointedly ignoring the glare being sent his way.

“Actually, tell Zixin he’s an ass and I hope he catches his head on a power line.”

Jiayi sighed, her quirked lips betraying her amusement at the two’s antics. The pristine waves of her hair rippled down her back as she turned to face Xiao and Shenhe instead, with Jiayi’s pearl earrings reflecting the last hints of morning light before the sun fully rose. 

“Sometimes it still amazes me how you managed to put up with training us all for two years straight, Shenhe-xiansheng.”

“Trust me when I say there were many moments where I nearly kicked you five out of the program because of your lovely tendencies to induce headaches onto anyone who comes within 10 feet of you lot, including me.” Shenhe sighed, taking a sip of her morning latte. “Actually, especially me. I don’t get paid enough for this.”

Xiao looked back in the direction that the usual row between Zixin and Weijiang had occurred, and saw that the final member of their team had managed to disband the quarrel between the two, instead captivating their attention with a caterpillar that he had found and picked up on a fallen leaf. 

Yihong, at first appearance, was a stoic man with a stony expression and intimidating figure. Barrel-chested and heavily muscled, with a chiselled jawline and small dark eyes, one would not usually feel invited to initiate a casual conversation with him, however Xiao had always found solace in his soft nature. Steadfast and steady, yet with a gentle voice, Yihong was assigned the identity of the Yaksha Menogias.

Xiao found it calming to watch the three of them peer down at the small caterpillar with mild curiosity, reminding him that no matter their differences nor playful banter, the five of them were officially a team; both legally and in deeper bonds that only form from having mutually experienced rigorous training, mental hardships and a collective goal.

It was a reassuring thought knowing that he was finally a part of a collective, of something bigger than himself, that he holds the trust of the other four and he can place his trust in them.

The thought would always bring a seeping warmth into his chest.

Behind him, the sound of heels clicking on concrete surfaced from the revolving doors, with a soft cough to clear one’s throat following shortly after. Xiao turned around.

Standing there in front of the glass building was Ganyu, the secretary of the Qixing which the Yakshas have only met once before; during their induction ceremony. She was a soft-spoken woman with baby blue hair and a reserved yet polite smile, wearing a smart navy blouse and an A-line skirt. 

“Honourable visitors,” Ganyu bowed, a formal tone and professional posture, “Lady Ningguang is preparing for your meeting as we speak. She shall be ready for you in just a moment, if you would follow me please.”

She turned around and strutted back into the building, Shenhe not hesitating to follow behind. Jiayi caught Xiao’s eyes and grinned excitedly, motioning for them to catch up. Xiao nodded and trailed after Jiayi into the building.

As the group manoeuvred through the lobby, they were greeted with the soft chatter of voices and ringing of phones that filled the atmosphere pleasantly. The high windows allowed for natural sunlight to come pouring through, capturing the morning heat to ward off the frigid cold outside. Ganyu led the way amongst the plush seating areas and scattered reception desks.

She turned left and followed a group of well-dressed employees to the spacious lift hall, motioning for the six others to accompany her into a lift which had just arrived.

The inside of the lift was filled with polished mirrors and tiled floors. Ganyu pulled out a security card and pressed it against a scanner, then selected the button for the third floor. With a soft chime, the doors of the lift rumbled to a close.

“So,” Ganyu began as generic elevator music filled the quiet space, looking down at the clipboard held close to her chest, “Lady Ningguang has a few items to discuss with you today. As a summary, you will be discussing your first formal assignment, and she also has a gift for the five of you.” 

“A gift?” Zixin piped up. Jiayi and Xiao both smirked at the sudden expression of interest from the taller male.

“Indeed,” Ganyu affirmed. 

The doors of the elevator opened and Ganyu strutted out again, leaving the rest of the envoy to quicken their pace to catch up. She led them across a suspended walkway above the two other floors of the Jade Chamber, encompassed by short glass walls and steel railings, and opened up to a neat waiting area with more plush couches and modern coffee tables. In the centre of the waiting area, aligned with the walkway, were two looming redwood doors with heavy traditional handles.

Xiao took a seat on a cosy red cushion, Weijiang plopping down to his left and Yihong sitting with a small smile to his right. Across from them, Jiayi and Zixin shared a couch, and Shenhe remained standing, seeming as cold as ever in her striking pale suit and inky black heels.

Ganyu disappeared behind a small camouflaged door to the right of the main entrance to the Tianquan’s office, and returned a minute later carrying a sturdy silver tray and nursing a porcelain tea set.

“Tea while you wait?” Ganyu offered, placing the tray on the table. Xiao helped himself.

However, only a few moments later, a soft series of pings resounded throughout the waiting room. Ganyu straightened her shoulders and strutted over to the doors.

“Lady Ningguang is ready for you,” She said, pulling open one of the heavy doors and motioning for the group to enter inside. A few members looked wearily up at Shenhe, but their mentor merely shrugged and manoeuvred inside. Yihong, Jiayi and Xiao were the first to follow, flanked by Weijiang and Zixin. Ganyu closed the door with a soft thud behind them. 

The first thing Xiao noticed when he walked into the office of the Tianquan was how grand everything was. Mahogany polished walls held ancient tapestries and paintings depicting the majestic peaks of mountains, upon timber floors laid luxurious carpets of red and gold, and redwood furniture with plump crimson cushions resting atop were sprawled across the room - the epitome of grandeur. Lounging behind an intricately-carved desk draped in maroon, and with sheafs of neat paper perched meticulously on top, was the Tianquan herself - Ningguang. 

She was a woman of dominance and power. Her relaxed posture was contradicted by her piercing gaze, hands perched calculatingly on the redwood table. Her entire form was one of intimidation, wit and majesty, with her pale hair tied back and fastened with an expensive hairpiece. Her gold-trimmed blouse and expensive accessories, including sleek gold bracelets and numerous sophisticated rings, one of which suggesting marriage, indicated the mountain of wealth that the Tianquan possessed.

Standing behind Ninngguang was her bodyguard; a burly woman by the name of Beidou. She had grisled hands and a scarred face, a black eyepatch covering her left eye and a hawk-like gaze that would be forever on the hunt for those who would dare to harm the most important woman in Liyue. Similar to the Tianquan, she was a woman who could intimidate easily, with her darkened eyes and muscular figure beneath her smart black suit. Jiayi once compared Ningguang and Beidou to being the ‘brains’ and the ‘brawn’ of intimidation respectively, and Xiao felt inclined to agree. However, as far as their few interactions went, the Yakshas all agreed that Beidou was surprisingly rather amiable. 

Ningguang’s crimson eyes examined each of the newcomers as they stepped through the doorway, before gesturing to the five redwood seats she had arranged before her desk. Xiao sat in the centre, with Yihong and Jiayi to his left, and Weijiang and Zixin to his right. Shenhe remained standing, as always, sharing a curt nod with Beidou.

Ningguang, too, had tea on her desk, and she sipped leisurely from a delicate cup before placing it down and addressing her elite forces.

“Thank you for joining me today, I am glad to see you have all found my office with relative ease this time.”

Zixin grinned sheepishly. Ningguang chuckled.

“Alas, I would like to congratulate you all once again, for progressing this far through the candidate programme and training procedures to secure your spot as the Qixing’s newest generation of Yakshas. If there are no objections, I would like to record this meeting to have documentation of today’s discussions. Of course, everything said will remain firmly confidential within our highest-security databases.”

Everyone nodded their heads without hesitation; no one wanted to be on the bad side of the Tianquan before they had even received their first assignment.

Ningguang smiled pleasantly, and motioned to Beidou behind her. The brown haired woman nodded back, and revealed a small remote from within her suit’s inner pocket. With a soft click, a projection screen descended down the wall behind Ningguang’s desk with a soft hum, as well as a small projector on the roof. With a second click, a small red LED lit up on the remote, which Xiao took as a sign that the recording of their meeting had started.

Ningguang stood up and began to pace in front of the blank projector screen.

“Date of meeting, 23rd of September, 8:30am. Conductor; Tianquan Ningguang, 7th year in office, with the members of the 115th generation of Yakshas present, 7 days since induction, as well as their designated administrator and trainer - Shenhe. Contents of meeting: delegating first official assignment of the newest generation, as well as discussing heightened criminal activity within Mondstadt.”

Out of the corner of Xiao’s eye, he could see Jiayi and Yihong look at each other with confusion. Ningguang paused from her pacing and turned to address the five seated Yakshas.

“Now,” Ningguang began with a small smile, “Your first assignment, I would dare say, is quite the unconventional one.”

Beidou handed her the black remote, and Ningguang clicked the projector on, displaying a collage of varying images, the majority of which seemed to have been taken from CCTV footage or cropped in the background of photos. Xiao examined the pictures - there seemed to be two hazy individuals he could make out from this distance; a woman with deep hazel hair and an expressionless face peering over her shoulder, and a man with pale blue hair and a disturbing grin on the phone walking along a sidewalk somewhere. Xiao noticed that one image was just an all-black square.

Ningguang then strutted back to her desk and picked up a pile of files, distributing one each to Xiao, Weijiang, Zixin, Yihong, Jiayi and Shenhe. Xiao flipped over the beige cover with the word ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ printed in bold on the front, to a page titled ‘MISSION OUTLINE’.

“Your assignment,” Ningguang said, “Is to assist the Ordo Favonius of Mondstadt in dismantling a newly-surfaced criminal organisation that goes by the name of the ‘Abyssi Familia’. I have been contacted personally by Mondstadt’s Head of State; Prime Minister Varka, about an increase in criminal activity within the nation of Mondstadt which has been traced back to the Abyssi Familia, and emphasises that quelling the group is of utmost importance as their actions and intentions could very well have lasting impacts on the rest of our nations.”

Ningguang’s eyes flared momentarily before returning to her explanation.

“Further, our alliance with Mondstadt constitutes that we provide support to their nation in times of crisis, as would they in return. Mobilising a branch as large and tedious as the military or our millelith's S.W.A.T forces would be too obvious, and secrecy is of great value to the Mondstadt enforcement’s current stance, because as of yet, our specialist intelligence is unsure that the organisation has realised our awareness of them. 

Thus, Mr Varka and myself have come to the conclusion that the most tactical decision is to deploy the most elite force Liyue has; small enough to retain stealth yet powerful enough to provide the assistance of which Mondstadt needs.”

She motioned to the images displayed behind her, and unveiled a fan from the inside of her blouse, tapping it rhythmically on her hand.

“However, Mr Varka is currently preoccupied in an overseas matter, so this mission will be overseen by the careful eye of Miss Jean Gunnhildr - the head of Mondstadt’s Ordo Favonius. Miss Gunnhildr shall provide you a more detailed explanation and overview of your assignment, however, you have your rough outlines in front of you,” Ningguang nodded to the files in the hands of the Yakshas, “By agreement, your mission shall not conclude until the individuals shown behind me have been either subdued, arrested, or have deceased - by which stage the Abyssi Familia will be deemed ‘dismantled’ and you will be extracted from Mondstadt to return to Liyue.”

Ningguang ceased her pacing and gestured her fan towards the images.

“Within your files you will find more detailed information regarding these individuals, provided by the Knights of Favonius Branch of Military and Police affairs. Everything that is currently known about these individuals, including personal information, known visited locations and possible leads, can be found within that file. It is crucial you do not lose it.”

Everyone nodded. Ningguang smiled sardonically.

“We live in an age of technological advancement and interconnection. With it naturally brings surveillance. No longer do we merely rely on physical traces. Eyes are now everywhere, and the walls have ears most literally. Those who are able to somehow, impossibly, remain a complete mystery are most dangerous,” Ningguang said cryptically, “Do practice caution during this assignment, as I would loathe to lose my newest generation so quickly into their new roles.

“Once again, you will be briefed further upon your arrival in Mondstadt, however there is an itinerary which you can find in your folder, which includes your temporary place of residence, as well as confirmed meeting times with the Knights of Favonius and the predicted length of your assignment. Your first meeting with Miss Gunnhildr is almost immediately after you arrive - you may have an hour at most to briefly unpack your belongings and depart for the Mondstadt National Administrative Order building. I also expect full reports at a regular interval of any developments on the assignment, whether that being a major apprehension of one of the individuals shown behind me, or the smallest scrap of intel. Any form of knowledge is precious, and I do not trust Mondstadt to provide full details.

“Your flight for tomorrow is also scheduled on the itinerary, so you have the remainder of the day to organise your belongings and set straight any personal affairs. I will personally see you off at the private terminal of the airport tomorrow. Are there any questions before we proceed to the next point?”

Jiayi raised her hand, nodding. Ningguang’s vermillion gaze focused on her. 

“My lady, if you would excuse my bluntness, would it not be more appropriate for our first mission to take place in Liyue, taking into account how recent our induction was?” Jiayi asked. Surprisingly, Ningguang’s gaze softened.

“I do agree that the conditions under your first major assignment are not what’s typically delegated,” The businesswoman said, resuming her pacing, “However, I have seen the reports and listened to the statistics. The Abyssi Familia may have the capacity to cause major impact on a number of other nations within Teyvat - Liyue especially, due to our close proximity.

“I am a woman who takes chances, not risks. I do not share my precious Yakshas lightly. And while our dear Mondstadian friends may see a probability of collateral damage as a result of the Abyssi Familia’s actions, I have seen far too much to not suspect that something deeper is at play here, directly involving Liyue or not. Perhaps a new criminal trade route, or an expansion of the Familia within our borders. This organisation is composed of some of the most dangerous and powerful criminals to currently walk this continent - I’ve been told - and with power comes ambition. Should whatever scheme in Mondstadt succeed, and if they are as threatening as our intelligence emphasises they are, this organisation is most likely going to set sights on the next nation to undermine. These suspicions are the main reason for your dispatch to our neighbouring nation.

“Everything I do is for the sake of Liyue and her prosperous golden future. The motivations behind the creation of the Yaksha force are the same. To have the opportunity to quell a major threat and protect our safe harbour - what an honour for a first assignment. I daresay any other generation has been given a similar opportunity.” Ningguang concluded, her smile all pearlescent white teeth and calculating eyes. However, somewhere deep down, Xiao thought he could see the shadow of a woman whose only desire is to protect her home, forced by the world to become ruthless and cunning in order to progress far enough to make any real impact.

A moment of silence drifted across the room, broken by the soft rustle of papers as the Yakshas filed through their folders. Xiao briefly scanned his.

‘Flight details; 

Boarding private flight JCE:19, hosted by Jade Chamber Priv. Diplomatic Escorts

Authorization number: #39724

Time of departure: 7:05 am (CCT +0)

Time of arrival: approx. 11:35 am (CCT +3)...’

As Xiao looked back up, he noticed Ningguang clicking the remote again, disabling the red LED. The heavy air in the room dissipated slightly at the soft beep the remote made, signalling that the official meeting recording had ended.

“Now that all of our administrative points have been covered,” Ningguang said, taking a seat behind her desk once again and elegantly placing one leg over the other, “I would daresay it’s time for your little present that I’m sure Ganyu has already alerted you of.”

Zixin sat up straighter. Jiayi and Weijiang snickered, Xiao suppressing a grin.

At that moment, the large redwood doors creaked open once again, and Ganyu walked through, balancing five large metallic briefcases in her arms with an impressive grace. She placed them on Ningguang’s desk, nodding politely to the Tianquan before exiting the meeting once again. As Ningguang motioned to the briefcases, Xiao noticed out of the corner of his eye that Zixin was looking at them wearily, Jiayi attempting to smother her laughter beside him.

“These,” Ningguang said, “Are your presents.”

She motioned to Beidou behind her, who hauled the five briefcases and began passing them around to the five seated Yakshas. As Xiao received his, he saw Alatus engraved smartly on the front of the steel casing, and an intricate clasp on the side keeping the briefcase securely fastened shut with a number lock embedded into the front, alongside a keyhole.

After Beidou had finished handing Yihong’s briefcase to him with a curt nod, she began making another round, fishing out a ring of keys from the pocket of her black pants and distributing them along the seated Yakshas once again.

“The numerical code to your briefcases are your birthdays, and the key that is being handed to you now will unlock the clasp when the correct code is inputted. I do advise you to keep those briefcases, however you do not necessarily need to keep the contents inside it whenever you are not using them. It is merely for ease of transportation.”

As Xiao clicked the number code to show 1704 and turned the key to unlock the briefcase, he could hear soft gasps around him as his teammates observed the contents. He looked inside.

Staring back at him, was an inky black mask with two horns curling out the front, with muted silver details decorating the intimidating eyepieces and along the base of the horns. High cheekbones curved into a menacing grin, revealing defined silver teeth glinting dangerously. Below the mask, he could see a cybernetic black bodysuit and dismantled pieces of armour; intricately assembled metallic wristguards, boots, elbow pads, knee pads, shoulder pads, collar and a futuristic helmet with built-in earpieces. A practical utility belt with firm straps and what appeared to be a sturdy back piece also peeked out from under the mask, all neatly distributed amongst different sections divided into the briefcase. Xiao felt the air leave his lungs.

“These are your new on-field uniforms,” Ningguang said, snapping Xiao out of his haze of admiring the contents of the briefcase, “Usually, they are to be distributed at your induction ceremony, but I thought that giving them to you now would be much more entertaining.”

Amusement glinted through Ningguang’s eyes as a smile rested on her face. Xiao could feel the excitement vibrating throughout the room, himself equally in awe and exhilaration at being given his new uniform.

“Now, if you want to try them on, there are bathrooms right outside. Ganyu will be waiting for you just outside this office, she can show you where they are.”

Almost immediately, the five Yakshas tentatively stood up and thanked Ningguang for their ensembles, turning to leave the office. As promised, Ganyu was waiting just outside.

She led the five back across the suspended walkway, across back to the lift hall where bathrooms were tucked away, just out of sight. Jiayi and Weijiang turned left to enter the women’s bathroom, with Xiao, Zixin and Yihong turning right. Ganyu waited out the front, to deter anyone who might walk in on the Yakshas changing and compromise their identities.

Xiao didn’t expect anyone to also be in the bathrooms on this level, but he was thankful nonetheless for no one else except his teammates occupying the pristine white bathroom on the Tianquan’s private level.

Thankfully, there was a modern wooden bench mounted next to the sinks that Xiao was able to put the case on, unfastening the catch again to release the lid with a soft whirr. Zixin placed his briefcase next to Xiao’s, Bosacius similarly engraved on the steel casing. Yihong changed in one of the bathroom stalls.

There was silence as the three of them manoeuvred into their uniforms, Xiao placing his clothes next to the briefcase as he changed. He zipped up the sleek black bodysuit, feeling the fabric to be deceptively thick and relatively sturdy. There seemed to be smart patches of a lighter grey covering his chest, arms and legs, with hexagonal patterns glinting in the fluorescent light. He secured the intricate metallic wrist guards and elbow pads on his arms, doing the same with the modernistic boots and knee pads. He was impressed with the combination of the functionality and support they provided, and their light, manoeuvrable weight.

Xiao also strapped the belt around his waist and familiarized himself with the gun holster built in on his right side. 

Finally, Xiao fastened the back piece across his shoulders and fastened the mask in place. A soft whirr sounded as the dark eyepieces were illuminated to let him see the tiled bathroom wall once again, albeit with a soft blue tint. Xiao noticed the HUD projections cast into his field of view by the mask; on the left were geological coordinates, heart rate and blood pressure, predicted blood sugar and water levels - and when a warmth seeped across his body - any projected injuries or health compromises he may have (which were thankfully none). 

On his right, he could see the heart rates of his teammates; 75bpm for Bosacius, 76bpm for Bonanus, and no readings for Menogias and Indarias yet. 

“Woah…” Zixin hummed beside him, having secured on his own mask; similar to his own except with horn-like eyebrows and two upturned silver teeth. Xiao turned to the mirror, and emotion exploded in his chest.

Staring back at him was that black mask, as menacing and mysterious as when he first opened the briefcase, yet with the eye pieces softly glowing an electric blue. The bodysuit fit perfectly, accenting the physical evidence of his rigorous training and cutting a fearsome figure - the perfect mix of intimidation and the anonymity that the mask of Alatus granted. His armour further built upon his silhouette, making him appear taller than he usually was, and placing emphasis on his strong physique. Xiao also noticed that the small LEDs scattered intricately across his mask, armour and bodysuit had illuminated a neon turquoise, softly adding more dark contours to his appearance.

Standing here, in front of the sleek mirror of the Tianquan’s private floor’s bathroom, wearing the uniform and mask of Alatus, he couldn’t help but be reminded of how much he’d been through to finally get to this position: a member of the most elite force Liyue has to offer. 

He remembered being pulled aside three years ago - while he was still a fresh recruit in the Liyue Millelith Police Force - during a practice drill one day by Shenhe herself to be offered a position into a top-secret prestigious program, which only those with the finest potential would get an invitation into. He remembered accepting, and being told to meet in the grounds behind the Jade Chamber in a week’s time at exactly 5 in the morning.

He remembered the candidate program; the 50 or so hopeful individuals competing against each other for a spot in the ever-decreasing remaining positions the next month’s elimination process had arrived. He remembered how the numbers slowly dwindled, and the workload steadily increased. He remembered running, sprinting, climbing, jumping, swimming, participating in time trials and technique evaluations alike. He remembered the burn of his legs and lungs and arms and whole body as he gruellingly fought his way through every training session and every assessment.

Xiao remembered the moments of desperation, of hopelessness, of fear that he would not make that months’ cut of candidates and throwing away this chance that was given to him, and the guilty relief he felt when he heard his name called and saw the expressions of the other anxious candidates fall when theirs were not. 

And finally, he remembered his final trial: a physical aptitude evaluation which ranked him 3rd, an intelligence, strategy, and reasoning assessment which ranked him 2nd, and finally - the dreaded Personal Stasis Assessment; the ability to remain collected under a high-pressure environment. 

Candidates had to manoeuvre alone through a dark, dingy labyrinth of corridors and halls, find hairpins stuffed in the backs of drawers and along the edges of where the wall met the floor, pick locks and hack softwares to open doors and hidden passages, and utilise their training to avoid or defeat humanoid automatons who were hunting them down - all while the air of the labyrinth was slowly being laced with a sleeping agent. 

The rules were simple - fall under the agent and you fail. Too high of a heart rate would cause you to inhale more, and spending too long on decoding a password in a specific room would risk the air becoming heavier and heavier. Candidates had to memorise locations of exits and different puzzles, remain calm and composed in the face of intricate ciphers and codes, and work quickly and brutally efficiently if they wanted to dedicate adequate time to each puzzle and prevent having to scramble down endless corridors if they wished to escape the sleeping agent.

Xiao had stumbled through the final door with the fastest time of 31:25.60, legs and lungs screaming and head fuzzy from the combination of the mentally taxing puzzles and resisting the sleeping agent. He was announced to join the 9 other progressors into the next phase of the candidate program.

Thankfully, the second phase was not nearly as long as the laborious two years of the first phase. It had lasted five months maximum, and was mainly centred around team challenges and collaborative tasks. The 10 progressors had been split into two groups of five - groups which seemed to have always changed the next time the progressors were called into the training grounds from the dark gardens of the Jade Palace at 5 in the morning.

One day, Xiao remembered that the head trainer Shenhe had immediately dived into announcing the final selection of the next generation of Yakshas upon their arrival. He hadn’t quite believed it at first when the icy woman beckoned for Xiao to stand with the other four successful candidates, and momentarily felt that guilt spike once again at seeing the heartbroken expressions on the other five’s faces when they comprehended what Shenhe was insinuating, and that their hard work and tenacious commitment had not paid off. He especially mourned for another undergraduate like himself, a man by the name of Pervases - he had gotten close to the bright eyed and bubbly individual, and it pained him to see the misery etched across his usually cheery expression. 

However, that lingering guilt soon transitioned into triumph, as the newest generation were congratulated on their successes and perseverance, and Xiao remembered the six months that passed in a haze, focused on establishing a deep bond between the Yakshas - physically, mentally and emotionally.

He remembered the induction. The small ceremony with only the highest officials in Liyue’s governmental and military positions present. He remembered the congratulations and the tears, the pride he felt seeing his teammates pledging service to the Qixing, and the exhilaration he felt after he had recited his vows and duties - and stood up a new man. A man by the name of Alatus. 

And finally, he remembered seeing a familiar face in the crowd - one which had watched him heal and grow - and the beaming smile full of so much emotion that was directed at Xiao was enough to move him to tears. 

“HAHAHA, GUYS LOOK AT THIS!”

Xiao nearly jumped out of his skin. He whipped around to see Bosacius climbing the wall of the bathroom. 

His attire, similar to Xiao’s intrinsically yet with slightly different contours given by his armour and mask, was thrumming softly as his boots were secured to the marble wall and his hands placed firmly on the tiles likewise. The white of the bathroom wall was reflecting a neon purple from his LEDs, and Xiao heard Bosacius’s cackles of laughter relay through his earpieces as he manoeuvred further up the wall and crawled across the ceiling.

Xiao glanced over to Yihong, who had just re-emerged from the stall. The dark-haired man had re-tied his ponytail into a bun, and was watching Zixin wearily while cradling his mask and helmet.

“They seem to be a combination of suction and magnetism,” Bosacius hummed, straightening up and peering down at his illuminated boots planted right next to the fluorescent light fixtures. He laughed again and crossed his arms haughtily. Xiao thought he most likely had a mocking pout on his face.

“Guys look, I’m Weiwei and I’m always really pissy,” He said in a bad attempt at replicating Weijiang’s throaty voice, before breaking out into a fit of snickers. He then yelped at the sound of the bathroom door slamming open, with Bonanus themself standing there - arms crossed and rightfully furious. 

“You realise I can hear everything you say through the mask you fucking moron-”

Indarias appeared behind them right as they began stomping towards Bosacius, grabbing their arms and attempting to hold them back from charging at the cowering taller male. Menogias sighed in exasperation, crossing his arms and pointedly looking at Bosacius - ‘You can’t say that wasn’t coming.’

Xiao watched as Bosacius slipped and lost his footing on the ceiling, tumbling down to the floor. He landed in a practised roll, before immediately sprinting into one of the bathroom stalls as Indarius lost her grip on Bonanus and they took off right after him, banging repeatedly on the locked door.

The other three glanced towards each other, shaking their heads.

___

The first thing Xiao noticed about the private jets of the Jade Chamber were that they were as grand and luxurious as the Tianquan herself. There was a modernistic divide between the pristine white of the front half of the jet, and the sleek black back half of the jet, lined by a large clean stripe of gold. The crest of the Liyue government was imprinted on the tail; Xiao read the name “Planet Befall” printed in gold under the cockpit window.

An… interesting name choice for a plane. But quite fitting, as Xiao supposed it has the same domineering emphasis as the presence of the Tianquan. 

Said woman was standing just outside the private terminal behind them, watching the group walk towards the jet with a hand on her chin. Even standing on the tarmac of an airport on a windy day, Ningguang managed to look as pristine and elegant as ever - not a hair out of place nor a wrinkle in her white suit. She had helped them navigate through the airport, and traded pleasant farewells before they had stepped through the glass doors which led to the aircraft’s parking bay. Xiao knew better than to wave at the Tianquan, so the ‘goodbye’s’ and ‘goodlucks’ had been left at that.

Xiao turned his head back to face the jet. The captain and first officer, as well as their private cabin steward, stood on the tarmac before the plane in their pristine Jade Chamber uniforms - a combination of black suits and skirts, white undershirts and gold linings harmonious with the plane behind them. As the group approached them, they bowed with a calm finesse. The captain spoke up.

“Welcome, honoured guests. We are delighted for your presence on board today.” The captain seemed to be a middle-aged woman with slightly greying hair, the passage of time gracing her features. However, her eyes were pleasantly alert, acknowledging each of the Yakshas in turn by making eye contact and a polite smile, “My name is Yu Yuan, and I will be your captain for this flight.

“Joining me in the cockpit is Haoyu,” Yu Yuan motioned to her right, where the other pilot was standing alert, “He will be your first officer, and your senior member of the cabin crew is Feng Mian,” She motioned to her left, where the stewardess stood - a plump woman with a youthful face and a kind smile.

The Yakshas nodded at each of the flight staff as they were introduced. The stewardess, Feng Mian, assisted in carrying the hand baggage up the flight of stairs that led to the cabin. The interior seemed just as luxury as the exterior, with polished wood framing the walls and interior furniture. Six seats with white leather sat at the front of the cabin, two seating areas were situated just behind, and a bathroom and stewardess’ quarters all the way at the back of the jet.

“Bougie…” Zixin hummed as he stepped through the doorway behind Xiao, small suitcase in tow. The rest of their larger luggage was already in the luggage compartment at the bottom of the plane, with a sizable amount courtesy of each of the 6 passengers. Because of the approximate duration of the trip - which the folder suggested was anywhere between a month and half a year - Xiao had to pack nearly his entire closet from the Yakshas’ shared apartment. 

Xiao took a seat next to the window, which gave him a view of the mountain scenery behind the enclosed fence of the airport. Yihong sat across from him, reclining back in the other window seat of their row. The taller man glanced over at Xiao, and shared a nervous smile.

In all honesty, Xiao hadn’t been on a plane before, let alone left the borders of Liyue. He could feel his heart thumping, and a quiet anticipation and excitement bubbling in his chest, but also mingled with worry. While he was no longer afraid of heights - the candidate program ruthlessly trained that out of him - Xiao still felt slightly uncomfortable at the thought of being confined to the mercy of a luxurious box to get him to Mondstadt safely.

“Are you nervous too?” Yihong asked. While he was reclining in his seat, Xiao didn’t fail to notice the tenseness in his shoulders. Xiao nodded.

“I’ve never been on a plane before,” He responded. Yihong nodded with understanding.

“Yeah, I get that. Flying isn’t the problem for me, it’s more so the idea of falling,” The taller man chuckled, turning back to face the window. Xiao pondered on the statement.

‘More so scared of falling’, he thought, ‘That’s… actually pretty relatable.’

The jet took off not too long after, slicing across the runway and soaring into the open sky. Thankfully for Xiao, the takeoff was smooth and flawless - with only the powerful rumble of the engines causing nervousness to spike again. He watched through the window as the the impeding mountains and ridges of Liyue receded below the loft of the plane, disappearing behind hazy clouds that settled into a smooth layer of wispy white mass. Trending box office dramas and world news feeds helped pass the time, with Xiao pausing the coverage of ‘Mondstadt versus Sumeru IFAL soccer game selling record tickets…’ at one stage when beverages and small snacks were being served by Feng Mian. She gave Xiao an approving smile at his choice of a cup of coffee and a warm muffin.

As the plane began to descend, Xiao peered out the window again to amaze at the difference in landscape between the golden earthy tones of Liyue and the saturated, flooding greens of Mondstadt. A combination of rich farmland and sprawling meadows wove a patchwork across the hills and slopes of the landscape, accented by intervals of forests and woodland, lakes and rivers, and the occasional town or two - all intertwining to build a resplendent panorama. 

His awe at seeing Mondstadt’s iconic landscape for the first time in person was alleviated slightly when the jet encountered turbulence on arrival, just before its arrival at Mondstadt’s largest airfield; Löwenzahn Airport. Xiao had gripped the arms of his seat in alarm, yet a moment of eye contact between himself and Yihong was enough to comfort him somewhat, the plane touching down on the runway only a few minutes later to the relief of both. 

After thanking Yu Yuan, Haoyu and Feng Mian for the smooth journey, Shenhe directed the group through the ‘Private Transit’ customs process of Löwenzahn International Terminal.

“Do you have your declaration form?” The customs worker asked as Xiao walked up to the glass desk. She was a lady with a sharp inflection in her tone but seemed to hold a warm gaze in her blue eyes. Xiao pulled out the pale slip of paper Shenhe had completed for all the Yakshas during the flight. 

Xiao handed it to her silently. The lady inspected the slip behind her rectangular glasses, before nodding her approval and signing at the bottom of the paper. She motioned to the passport in Xiao’s other hand, and he handed it over in turn. She looked over the information and inserted the passport into what seemed like a scanning machine, tapping a few words into her computer and stamping the passport on a new page. The lady handed it back to Xiao.

“Welcome to Mondstadt,” She smiled, and Xiao felt a sudden rush of anticipation at the thought of being in Mondstadt, or even outside of Liyue, for the first time. 

Shenhe shepherded them out of the private customs and through into the public arrival lounge of the airport - where the unfamiliar but welcome scents of cafes selling Mondstadtian refreshments wafted across the space, and the scent of crisp, sweet air could be detected lingering through the sliding glass doors.

Looking around the group, it didn't seem that Xiao was the only one admiring their surroundings in fascination and wonder. When Shenhe had turned her back to take a quick phone call, Jiayi had dragged Yihong off to the souvenirs shop in the far corner, Zixin scurried over to one of the closer cafes to gawk at the baked goods in the display cabinet, and Weijiang had inconspicuously grabbed the hem of Xiao’s shirt to follow them over to another lounge area - one which was playing clips of soccer matches to the delight of a few young boys who were also there.

Xiao had never fully understood soccer, especially since he’d never played it for himself, but he knew enough to recognise that Mondstadt had one of the most proficient soccer teams out of the nations - rivalled by Sumeru. Back when the Yakshas had been finalised to progress as the next generation, Xiao remembers the hours spent in each others’ company dedicated only to strengthening the emotional bonds between them, which usually resulted in hour-long discussions held between the five. Xiao remembers how, eventually, Weijiang began to open up about their love for soccer, and dedication to following the major leagues and teams. Xiao also remembers their favourite player at the time was a member of the Inazuman national team - Shikanoin Heizou. The love and passion which Weijiang obviously held for the sport, displayed through their unusually-animated talking and expression of enthusiasm, always captivated Xiao and further served as a reminder of his love for the team he’s a part of.

As Xiao and Weijiang took a seat at the lounge, the screen switched to a chart of statistics between top players of Mondstadt and Sumeru.

“This game coming up seems like it’s going to be a big one,” Xiao noted, glancing over at Weijiang. They had that look in their eyes - one of excitement that Xiao only ever sees whenever they’re at practice or around the rest of the team.

“It’s the grand finale of this year’s IFAL season,” They replied, dark eyes looking back at him, “And it’s gonna be held here in Mondstadt - in a few days' time.”

“Why don’t we see if we can go?” Xiao asked, “If it fits into our schedule, I’m sure Shenhe-xiansheng will let us.”

“Y-Yeah,” Weijiang muttered with a  reserved look on their face but the slightest glint of excitement in their dark eyes, “That… that would be really cool.”

The two swept their eyes back up to the screen, the numbers and percentages flying right over Xiao’s head but being absorbed eagerly by his teammate next to him - if Weijiang’s small nods and soft murmurs were any indication.

The moment was a simple one, but a nice one.

That is, until a hand suddenly gripped the top of Xiao’s head.

“I leave you alone for three minutes,” Shenhe snarled, the young boys on the other side of the lounge whipping around in alarm at the aggressive tone from the tall woman, “And you all go scurrying off like toddlers. There are other ways to get me to send you on the first plane back to the Tianquan.”

Xiao and Weijiang shuddered simultaneously. 

Shenhe began to drag the two of them out of their seats - Xiao winced at the fierce grip on his head and Weijiang cried out in alarm. He looked up and saw his three other teammates standing in the centre of arrivals - and from the sight of Jiayi, Yihong and Zixin also rubbing their scalps, Xiao guessed that Shenhe didn't stray from using the same tactic on them too.

When Shenhe had finally released her grip on Xiao and Weijiang, the two stumbled over to where the rest of their teammates were waiting. The icy woman’s scowl had not abated even slightly. The five Yakshas shuffled uncomfortably.

“We have a meeting with the head of the Ordo Favonius in less than an hour. From what I’ve been told, it is a deeper introduction to your mission, and will also cover the finer details of this assignment,” Shenhe said, voice sharp as she strutted ahead through the arrivals terminal, flipping through a black paper binder tucked under her arm. From experience alone, the rest of the Yakshas immediately understood to follow her swift pace as she continued talking, “That means that you all should refresh yourself on the contents of your files, as I doubt that our Mondstadtian hosts will be willing to keep repeating the basic details.”

The group exited out of the airport, and were greeted with a strong gust of wind carrying that sweet scent from earlier. Now that it was more clear, Xiao could detect the smell of damp earth from recent rainfall, and the tangy aroma of grassy fields. The sky was clear and blue, with fluffy, towering clouds gracing the horizon - emphasising the perennial beauty of the Mondstadt sky. Passengers departing or returning home milled up and down the walkway while the airport transit buses lined along the road. Surprisingly, however, their surroundings were filled with green - luscious green. Ridges and mountains towered over the distance, while woodlands and grassy fields concealed the airport in a blissful eden.

However, peeking just over the top of the hilly landscape, were the recognisable outlines of skyscrapers.

“We sure seem far from the city,” Zixin smirked next to Xiao. He sounded like he had a suspiciously full mouth.

Xiao turned to face the taller man and, yep, he was eating some kind of lustrous bread twisted in on itself. Huh.

“What’s that?” Xiao asked, gesturing to the baked good. Zixin’s occupied mouth broke into a grin.

“Apparently, it's a Pretzel. Fucking delicious, may I add - ow!” He cried out suddenly, leaping backwards from Weijiang having stamped down on his foot. 

“Stop fucking swearing,” Weijiang snarled. Zixin gawped in outrage.

“Excuse me?! Don’t be a fucking hypocri- OW, OW!”

“Keep testing my patience.” Shenhe snapped, having followed in Weijiang’s footsteps quite literally.

“Anyways, there will be a representative from the Ordo Favonius coming to collect us in a few minutes. Our luggage will be transported to our accommodation for us, but that does not mean you can forget your hand baggage.” The icy woman continued, not minding Zixin’s dismay as she walked back to the front of the group. 

True to their word, a sleek black transport vehicle pulled up right in front of the group not even a minute later, with an individual in a dark dress suit and earpiece stepping out of the car. The representative observed the six Liyuen personnel, before removing their blacked-out sunglasses and flashing them all a shining smile. 

“Ah, you must be our Liyuen cohort, lovely to finally meet you,” The person said, a smooth voice sounding out. He appeared to have short-cropped brown hair and rich sepia eyes - which glanced across the group once more, before bowing his head. He continued to reveal an intricate eagle badge from his suit’s inner pocket, displaying it to the group before replacing it back once more, “I tend to go by Huffman - and I am a senior member of Mondstadt’s Knights of Favonius division. I trust your flight was pleasant and safe?”

“That it was,” Shenhe responded for the Yakshas, answer as sharp and pointed as always, “I believe the Master of the Ordo Favonius is awaiting our presence?”

“Ah, yes. Miss Gunnhildr wishes to extend her thanks once again for your assistance in this case,” Huffman replied, still cheery even when responding to Shenhe’s acute words. “Speaking of, let us get going. We have refreshments of water and nuts for you in the vehicle, but Miss Gunnhildr has directly requested for a larger variety to be supplied throughout your meeting - if you wish to have any.”

Huffman stepped aside to let the Yakshas on, helping to carry on Jiayi’s bag - much to the blonde woman’s amusement. They departed from the airport not too soon after, pulling onto the highway and speeding across the countryside of Mondstadt. Green fields and traditional Mondstadtian houses flashed past the window Xiao had his cheek leaning against, with the occasional flock of birds soaring over the hilltops.

Around half an hour into the trip, they began to arrive closer to the urban centre of Mondstadt, with the historic towns merging into quiet streets lined with storefronts and newer houses - yet still retaining the iconic renaissance architecture. 

Finally, the sleepy countryside fully receded into a bustling urban landscape of modern establishments. Crowded pathways of cheery people lined the road, shaded by towering oaks and elms and flourishing foliage, and the balmy Mondstadt sunlight gently cradled the city in a warm embrace. Buildings and townhouses were structured with a form of neatness and grace which wasn’t present in the towering jungle of Liyue’s cities, nor did the skyscrapers rise nearly as high until the car truly delved into the heart of the city of Mondstadt. 

The vehicle eventually turned off the major road just before a particularly busy intersection to drive towards a large estate - with high stone walls and grand statues of winged angels. The walkway immediately in front of it was almost entirely bare of pedestrians, and the traditional road leading through was immaculately maintained from stray foliage. Peering over the top was another grand building - presenting a majesty only present in buildings of old - and protected by an enclosed courtyard with a substantially large security gate denying access to outside visitors.

Huffman rolled down his window and spoke into the intercom next to the stone walls guarding the entrance, and the gates opened a moment later. The car drove through the sprawling lawn and circled the decorative fountain centred in the middle, but seemed to pull off course right before approaching what appeared to be the official entranceway with grand doors and security personnel - instead taking a side route which led behind the major central building. From an outside perspective, the course would be dedicated to lower employees; cleaning staff and catering services perhaps. But Huffman drove on with confidence, and a glance next to Xiao confirmed that his mentor detected no suspicion in the route.

Sure enough, the back of the building was still enclosed by those towering stone walls, but concealed water tanks and plumbing instalments. Huffman parked in a slot right beside a particularly hot air conditioning unit, and opened the door for the Yakshas to disembark. 

“I’ll also be driving you to your accommodation, so you can leave all of your personal luggage here in the vehicle,” Huffman said, a charismatic grin once again appearing as he escorted the group further back behind the building. Tucked away behind a group of appliance maintenance access areas was a slightly dirt-ridden lift, with no floor indicator or buttons present except a black bar at waist-height.

At the sight of the apprehensive looks on the Yakshas’ faces, Huffman burst out a short bark of laughter as he once again removed the eagle badge from his suit pocket and tapped it against the bar. The lift doors immediately opened and stood at attention, revealing a neatly polished carriage with wooden backdrops and mirror accents, and with another set of lift doors situated at the back.

When everyone was inside the lift and Huffman had scanned his badge against the identical black bar inside the carriage, the man turned around with a sheepish smile on his face.

“Yeah, I know. It looked sketchy as hell, but it’s for privacy reasons that you six don’t use the front entrance. This lift leads directly to Miss Gunnhildr’s private office, so you can still conceal your presence whenever attending meetings. This will be the route you’ll all take when coming here, and I will usually be accompanying you.”

“Huh,” Zixin hummed, on the far side of the lift from Xiao. Yihong and Shenhe nodded next to him. 

A few moments later, the doors at the back of the carriage opened, and the group were greeted with an airy waiting area boasting tall windows and a stunning view of the vibrant city centre of Mondstadt. Tall indoor plants were situated in the corners of the waiting area, further giving the illusion of opening up the space, and drawing in some of the green foliage and blue sky from outside the glass. White, modernistic couches and seats were situated around a polished wooden coffee table, and sat opposite a polished futuristic desk curving in a semicircle against the far wall. 

However, seated behind the desk appeared to be a tall woman with mousy brown hair and a deep purple blouse. Half-moon spectacles perched in front of her eyes, which peered up at the approaching group with interest.

Huffman motioned for the group to vacate the lift, and nodded to each of the members of the Liyuen cohort as they walked out of the carriage doors. His deep eyes caught Xiao’s on his way out, and he gave a polite half-smile to the shorter man as he closed the lift doors behind them.

Finally, the group turned to fully acknowledge the lady strutting towards them from behind the desk. Unlike Ganyu, her steps were not efficiently precise - the walk of a busy individual who was not currently burdened by their responsibilities - yet walked with a similar grace which was instead all leisurely strides and unhurried lustre.

“Now, what do we have here?” The lady said, keen green eyes discerning the group from behind her glasses, “You must be our lovely Liyuen auxiliaries.”

Xiao felt Shenhe tense next to him - a small tell which he has learnt to detect, “Well, your lovely Liyuen auxiliaries are here to host an audience with Miss Gunnhildr,”

Shenhe removed some paperwork from the black binder, handing them swiftly to the lady in front of them. His mentor’s stiff posture indicated that she was wary of the individual in front of them. 

The lady in the purple blouse flipped through the paperwork lazily, but her eyes held a scrutinising gaze to them as she observed the sheets. Finally, she handed the papers back to Shenhe with an even more curious glint in her eyes, and trained her gaze on each of the other Yakshas respectively.

“Everything appears to be in order,” The lady said with a quiet huff of amusement, “Glad to know that there isn’t a cohort of individuals parading about as world-class secret service members.”

Xiao stiffened at that. From the second chuckle sounding from the lady, apparently the rest of the Yakshas did too.

“Ah, you’re all adorable. I’m Lisa Minci, the secretary for Miss Gunnhildr. She’s expecting you, if you would all follow me please.”

The lady - Lisa - turned around and strutted to the other side of the waiting area, where a twin set of frosted glass doors resided. She opened one and motioned for the group to enter.

The doorway opened up to a similar environment as the waiting room, except with shelves stacked high with books and papers neatly pressed against the back wall and a sleek modern desk situated in front. Sitting behind the desk was a tall woman with a soft face - her blonde hair tied back into an elegant ponytail, and wearing a high-collared black dress shirt fastened with a royal blue tie. She also wore a white vest and had a navy blue blouse draped over her shoulders, ruffling slightly as the woman shifted to rise from her seat. The blonde woman walked with a smart strut from behind the desk, and approached Shenhe at the front of the group with an outstretched hand.

“Miss Shenhe,” The woman said, shaking Shenhe’s hand with an agile manner, “I must extend my greatest thanks to you once again for your assistance in this case. I am Jean Gunnhildr, current head of the Ordo Favonius, it is a pleasure to finally be able to meet you in person.”

“The pleasure’s all mine,” Shenhe responded curtly, but from the relaxation of her shoulders, Xiao could tell she was much more comfortable in the presence of Jean, “I hope our arrival was not too late.”

“Oh no, you’re all perfectly on time,” Jean said pleasantly. She turned to each of the other five individuals in turn, shaking each of their hands as well. When Xiao shook Jean’s hand, he noticed it was particularly warm, almost comforting - a far cry from the Tianquan of the Qixing.

Each of the Yakshas and Shenhe took a seat at one of the modern chairs in front of the desk, and Jean remained standing to lower a projector screen in front of the shelves. Xiao felt a weird sense of Déjà vu.

“If you do not mind, there will be a few other attendants to this meeting, mainly from our information branch. They should be arriving shortly,” Jean announced just as the doors to the office opened once again. Xiao tilted his head to observe the newcomers.

There were three individuals walking through the door, with Lisa being one of them - a deceitful smirk present on her face, though not out-of-place. The other two were tall males; one with a husky and broad stature on the left, and the other on the right seeming more slender than his counterpart. The man on the left boasted fiery red hair in contrast to pale skin, and a prominent scowl emphasised his slow and guarded footsteps, whereas the man on the right had sleek, deep blue hair and smooth brown skin. His footsteps were instead open and confident, presenting an aura of charisma and charm.

He also had an eyepatch. Huh.

“I’m sure you have already been introduced to Lisa,” Jean said as the three made their way to also stand at the front of the room - the man with blue hair leaning against the side wall with crossed ankles, and the man with red hair folding his arms over his chest, “By the looks of it, she thankfully hasn’t managed to scare you away. Yet.”

Xiao could feel his eyebrows rise, but from Lisa’s sharp giggle, he had an inclination to agree with Jean.

“And that wasn’t an invitation, either,” Jean directed to the woman next to her with an air of exasperation. She motioned to three individuals with a sweep of her hand, “These three are highly valued members of the Ordo Favonius’ Intelligence Department, and they will be working with us throughout this mission. Lisa is the head of the department, though juggles being an acting secretary for me during busy periods.”

“So basically a full-time secretary,” Lisa huffed.

“And these two gentlemen here,” Jean continued past Lisa’s interjection, “Are Kaeya Alberich and Diluc Raginvindr. Both are field agents for the intelligence department, and have worked with the Ordo for a very long time.”

Kaeya, the man with blue hair presumably, lifted a hand and waved graciously. Diluc offered a curt nod.

“Now, if I’m not mistaken, you’re Jiayi, Zixin, Weijiang, Yihong and Xiao, correct?” Jean asked, turning her warm gaze back to the five individuals and making eye contact with each of the respective Yakshas. While she seemed to stumble over some of the consonants of the foreign names, Xiao appreciated her effort to learn more about their team, especially since they would be in collaboration for such a lengthy period of time. Soft murmurs of affirmation rebounded from the group, small smiles on their faces - Xiao included. Jean seemed to relax slightly, immediately sweeping back into the topic of the meeting.

“I trust that the Tianquan has already walked you through the oversight for your mission?” The woman asked, flipping through a clipboard on her desk. From the nods given by the Yakshas, Jean continued, “You have been dispatched here to assist Mondstadt in quelling the Abyssi Familia. This is a criminal organisation that we have known about for quite a few years now, and our intelligence has been keeping track of their activities. However, their activity from known members and supposed contacts has begun to spike within the past few months - and their current known motivations are very alarming - which is the main reason which Mondstadt has requested the further assistance of some of the most capable special forces within Teyvat.”

Jean opened the laptop on her desk, and in the next moment a projection hummed to life on the screen. Behind her were those images from the file again, the same grainy quality, yet slightly more distinguishable this time. She walked up to the projection screen and gestured to the images.

“Even with their reputation for secrecy and stealth in their operations, we have been able to identify that their organisation comprises over a hundred officially inducted individuals. However, the vast majority of those individuals are either small-time thugs and criminals wishing to join an organisation of large power, or people looking for quick monetary reimbursement for their service. However, where the Familia’s danger lies is in the structure of their upper echelons. A concerning number of notorious individuals are involved in their bigger schematics, most dangerous of whom are currently projected behind me.”

Jean gestured to the first image - the one depicting a woman with hazel hair and an unnervingly blank stare.

“This,” She said, “Is the founder and current leader of the Abyssi Familia and their actions. She is a woman by the name of Rhinedottr Kreideprinz.”

Jean tapped her laptop and the projection flipped to the next slide. Rows of information were displayed next to a more refined image of the woman. Her clothing appeared to be tailored and expensive, a costly watch visible on her wrist and an even more costly purse hanging by the side of her suit. However, even with the display of wealth evident from the woman, her most striking feature were her pale blue eyes, so sharp they almost appeared to be glowing white.

Xiao began to read the information to right of the image;

‘Name: Rhinedottr Kreideprinz

Known Aliases: ‘Gold’

Identification: Target 1

Age: 52

Height: 6’1

Sex: Female

Date of Birth: 13/10

Place of Birth: Mondstadt

Role: Founder, Current Leader

Status: Alive, Active

Confirmed Kill Count: 12

Attributed Crimes: …’

“She is a dangerous woman with a high level of intelligence. We have thankfully been able to be privy to some of her knowledge, but a lot is unknown about her ambitions and current projects,” Jean explained as she flipped to the next slide.

There was a pale-haired woman next, with the same brutally pale gaze as Rhinedottr yet not as unnaturally blank. A scowl was set deep on her face, harsh makeup leading to her presenting a haunting display of both beauty and anger.

‘Name: Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter

Known Aliases: ‘La Signora’, ‘The Fair Lady’

Identification: Target 2

Age: 50

Height: 6’2

Sex: Female

Date of Birth: 3/2

Place of Birth: Mondstadt

Role: High-Ranking Person of Importance

Status: Alive, Active

Confirmed Kill Count: 19’

“This is a woman who goes by the name of ‘La Signora’,” Jean said with an air of sadness, “She was a previous contact of the Knights, however the passing of her husband caused her to undergo extreme mental reforms, leading her to divert to the Familia. She is a strategist of sorts, and our intelligence suggests she may perform the roles of negotiation and communication between the Familia and other underground organisations.”

Another click, and another flick to the next slide.

There was the man who had pale blue hair and an unnervingly wide smile. His beetle-black eyes flared red from the light of the camera, and he wore what seemed to be a stained lab coat hidden under a large jacket. The most disturbing part, Xiao thought, was how he seemed to be staring not at but through the camera, as if his unhinged gaze was piercing through the confines of the photo and right through Xiao. 

‘Name: Vladimir Sauveterre

Known Aliases: ‘Il Dottore’, ‘The Good Doctor’

Identification: Target 3

Age: 52

Height: 6’0

Sex: Male

Date of Birth: 14/11

Place of Birth: Fontaine

Role: High-Ranking Person of Importance

Status: Alive, Active

Confirmed Kill Count: 25’

“This man goes by the name of Il Dottore, and was previously known to be an unethical doctor before switching to more… extreme practices. Mr. Sauveterre graduated with numerous high distinctions in certificates such as Medicine, Engineering and Applied Science. We have received intel that he may be responsible for the production of blueprints for future projects of the Abyssi Familia, however, I will get into that shortly.”

The next image depicted a man looking seemingly mundane in comparison to the previous three images. There was nothing outwardly off-putting about him, with soft cheeks and a mild smile - dyed green hair pulled back into a loose braid and oval glasses perched on his nose. However, there was something that caught Xiao’s eye - was that a snake around his neck?!

‘Name: Baizhu Chen

Known Aliases: None

Identification: Target 4

Age: 47

Height: 5’11

Sex: Male

Date of Birth: 21/6

Place of Birth: Liyue

Role: Involved Contact, High-Ranking Person of Importance

Status: Alive, Active

Confirmed Kill Count: 2’

“Mr. Baizhu, while a readily involved contact with the Familia, seems to also pursue his own endeavours. He has now been blacklisted on all records, but he was previously a lecturer of pharmaceutical sciences at the Yanwang Dijun University of Liyue. He is also a highly intelligent man with an extensive knowledge on pharmacodynamics and biochemistry, and is also suspected to be in frequent close collaboration with Mr. Sauveterre. Do not let his confirmed kill record fool you; the number of deaths indirectly attributed to his name is nothing short of notorious. 

"And our final top-priority individual…”

The last image was of that pitch-black square. However, the larger size of the image, as well as the boosted contrast, allowed for Xiao to depict that it was not in fact just a dark square, but the inside of a building’s hallway. The quality was still incredibly grainy, yet at the end of the hallway was the slightest outline of a figure disappearing behind a corner.

Underneath, however, was what appeared to be a police sketch of a person in an oversized hoodie and wearing a gas mask. 

‘Name: [Yet to be Identified]

Known Aliases: ‘Arsenic’

Identification: Target 5

Age: [Predicted] 20 - 22

Height: [Predicted] 5’4 - 5’5

Sex: [Predicted] Female

Date of Birth: [Yet to be Identified]

Place of Birth: [Yet to be Identified]

Role: High-Ranking Person of Importance

Status: Alive, Active

Confirmed Kill Count: 567’

Xiao baulked at that last statistic.

“And this,” Jean said, face serious and expression severe, “Is an individual known as Arsenic. We know little about them, except for the fact that they are likely the most powerful weapon the Familia has in their arsenal. They are a mercenary with a terrifying record. In fact, Arsenic has never failed a hit - except for one.”

The atmosphere of the room suddenly grew tense and cold. Gone was Jean’s previous warm and accommodating demeanour - in its place was the stance and face of a hardened politician fearful for the safety of her nation. The difference was jarring, putting Xiao on edge. 

“They are notorious for utilising poisons and toxins of a wide variety during their hits, either in a gaseous form or inflicted in weapons such as bullets or daggers - hence where the street name ‘Arsenic’ arose from. What makes them the most dangerous, however, is the lack of information anywhere on them. Our intelligence networks spread far and wide, yet Arsenic has almost no traces nor leads, remaining a complete enigma even to the residents of the underground circles. Needless to say, they very well may be the most consistent danger you’ll face in this mission, especially because they tend to do the dirty work for the Abyssi Familia .”

“Miss Gunnhildr,” Jiayi asked hesitantly, watching with weary eyes as Jean took in a shaky inhale, “If so little is known about Arsenic, how has your intelligence been able to predict their age and gender?”

Jean’s eyes found the gaze of Kaeya. The blue-haired man nodded, stepping forward. 

“We’ve had to project our assumptions based on reports of “encounters” - a polite way to refer to their assassinations. Security cameras and video monitoring always manage to lose Arsenic during her escapes, so our resources are limited. However, surveillance does show that she possesses a level of agility and stamina that is only achieved during a human’s peak years of athleticism. 

“We’ve spoken to elite sports coaches and physiotherapists to gauge a narrowed age range, and we have also been informed that Arsenic’s natural weight distribution, flexibility and stature allude to her most likely being female. Further, the gas mask which she wears pitches and distorts her voice to a deeper level - a common tactic used to divert expectations and hide a higher, more feminine voice. 

“It’s not ideal, I know,” Kaeya said with a sheepish expression but a confident tone, “However, when it comes to a case like Arsenic, any direction is better than none.”

A few of the Yakshas nodded their heads in understanding.

“Now that you’ve been introduced to your targets, we can focus on the main outlines of the mission,” Jean said, ticking off an item on her clipboard and drawing the meeting back to the previous topic, “Because of the structure of the Abyssi Familia, if these 5 targets are removed from the equation, the organisation will naturally fall into ruin with no one to guide the lower levels of thieves and conmen. Therefore, your mission will be deemed complete when these five targets have been arrested, killed, or put out of commission in a detained state. 

“You have received permission and leniency to use heightened force when dealing with any members of the Abyssi Familia, and lethal force is permitted to be used when strictly necessary. The sole exception is when confronted with any of these five persons of importance - you may use any force required in order to complete this mission.”

Jean picked up a small pile of papers from her desk and handed them to Shenhe. Their mentor flipped through them with a careful eye.

“This is the paperwork for their use of force. If any of the contents seem unclear or ambiguous, please don’t hesitate to let me know,” Jean said, returning back to her clipboard. 

“Now, this brings me to my next item. While most criminal organisations seek money or power, there are a select few who seek some kind of reform in this world. And, objectively speaking, these groups can develop to become more dangerous than those who already yield great influence within the underground world - as ones who wish to influence society are more likely to cross into and threaten the safety of the general public. It has recently come to our attention that the Abyssi Familia may be one of these groups - due to a portion of their motives that we have recently uncovered,” Jean said, looking towards Kaeya. The blue-haired man straightened his shoulders immediately, a knowing look on his face. Behind him, Diluc tensed up.

“Kaeya was recently dispatched as a double agent to infiltrate the Abyssi Familia for a few months. During that time, he discovered intel regarding a project of the Familia’s - officially titled ‘The Collider’, and has been in collaboration with our intelligence team to construct hypotheses on its purpose and uncover clues about its use,” Jean said, switching to the next slide. Behind her seemed to be photographs depicting a massive skeletal cube - only consisting of the steel framework and a few circuit boards, and slightly grainy due to the lack of light in the room containing it. The photos were dated to have been taken a few months ago.

Kaeya walked over to Jean, sharing a nod with her before taking her place in standing before the group. He cleared his throat, a carefully blank look on his face, before addressing the six individuals.

“The only way that the Knights were previously able to prove the existence of the Collider is through these photos you see behind you. They’re quality images, I know,” The man joked humorlessly, crossing his arms and pacing before the group, “I was able to use a fellow contact in the Familia to get these. However, the fact we even know of this project is a miracle. There was never any discussion or mention of the Collider within the ranks of the organisation, even within the higher levels I was able to get access to.

“But right before I was extracted, I was able to get a base schematic outline of this machine,” Kaeya said with a small smile, clicking the laptop to project a blueprint behind him. It looked almost identical to the previous photos of the Collider, with the only additions being a few labels of different assets, and metric dimensions of the machine. Xiao noticed that it was supposedly 4 metres by 4 metres in length, height and depth.

“So. The only information we have been able to obtain about this elusive machine,” Kaeya accented his sentence by forming air quotations with his hands, “is that it is currently under construction, and that it is supposedly some kind of weapon.”

He gestured to one of the tubular pipe systems running along the outside structure of the machine.

“This is the only clue we currently have about its function. These are reinforced and heavily-insulated energy pathways, meant to direct large levels of energy towards the internal structure of the Collider. Our engineering team has predicted that if we had access to the internal schematics, we’d have potentially found a massive compartment dictated to the storage of this energy - temporarily accumulating it in order to be released in some form. Most likely in a way that would produce extreme collateral damage.

“Now, I have good news and bad news,” Kaeya continued, pausing to face the group, “The good news is that, because of how excruciatingly hidden this machine is, there is a good chance that if we were able to eliminate the main 5 targets of the Familia, the construction process of the Collider would halt, or be stopped altogether. The bad news, however, is that the construction of this machine is directly tied to the continued activity of the five targets. This basically means, if your mission is a success, we have two major threats eliminated in one. Two birds killed with one stone.

“However, if you were to fail, the five power rangers over here may very well blow a lot of things up. Including, but not limited to, the nation of Mondstadt itself. Or potentially,” Kaeya’s eyes flashed over to where the Yakshas were sitting, “some neighbouring regions.”

Xiao’s insides felt frozen. Next to him, Yihong shuddered, and there were a few soft gasps around the room. There was a moment of pungent silence before Kaeya continued on.

“We do have one potential lead though - which just so happens to be related to the increased spike in activity that alerted us to the rising threat of the Familia in the first place. We have noticed their increased interest in underground deals or public negotiations involving artefacts related to or from the Archaic Era. This includes certain items, archeological discoveries, or information relating back to the period before or during the Last Stand. We do not yet know the reasoning behind this interest, but we assume this could be attributed to research on how to construct the Collider, or maybe use some of these artefacts as components for the machine. Whatever their purpose is, we know that their interest is so large that they have even been rumoured to be investigating internationally.

“However, on that note, I should reaffirm how deconstructing the Abyssi Familia will result in the abandonment of the Collider’s construction. While this machine is a major threat to national security, our intelligence suggests that it is still in the early stages of construction. Best case scenario; we won’t have to deal with it at all - hence your overall objective of focus for this mission remains first and foremost to eliminate your five targets.”

Kaeya looked back over at Jean, who inclined her head and stepped forward. Kaeya retreated back over to where Diluc and Lisa were stationed, while the blonde woman once again checked something off her clipboard.

“Now, going back to their spike in activity, we have been able to project a condensed timeline of events or congregations the Familia will be involved in, and opportunities for us to obtain more information on their motivations, the collider, or begin the deconstruction of their organisation,” Jean flicked to another slide where a series of future events were listed, as well as their dates.

‘Mondstadt International Science and Technology Exposition (“SciTech Expo”
[Confirmed] Date: 8/10

Abyssi Familia Suspected Warehouse Raid
[Confirmed] Date: 13/10

National Museum of Mondstadt Exhibition Assets Shipment
[Confirmed] Date: 30/10’

“As you can see, your first objective is in two days’ time. You will be delivered a training schedule directly to your accommodation later this evening, however, you have your first training session tomorrow morning at a designated training facility allocated by the Ordo Favonius. This facility will be for your use only during the period of this mission, and we will be in collaboration with you to arrange any specific training environments or assets you may require, as well as to make amendments to your schedule if necessary. 

“Tomorrow’s training session will be to familiarise you with your new suits provided by the Tianquan, as well as the provided weapons which Lady Ningguang has delivered directly here to Mondstadt. You will also be trained on potential combat situations you may encounter during your mission, as well as specialised techniques to combat any of your five main targets should you engage with them this early. While it is unlikely, we should always remain prepared,” Jean stated, the severe expression still adorning her face, “You will also have a mission briefing tomorrow before your training session, to give you an outline of what to expect, and what the parameters of this upcoming objective is.”

And with that, Jean checked off an item at the bottom of her clipboard and placed it down on the desk, with it releasing some of the tension in her shoulders. She gave the group a weary smile.

“That is all of the items that were scheduled to be discussed today,” She said, closing her laptop and taking a seat behind her desk, “I will not keep you from getting settled at your accommodation, I understand today must have been taxing on you all. Huffman should be waiting outside to escort you there, but before we depart, do you have any further questions?”

Shenhe nodded her head silently. Jean looked over at their mentor.

“To clarify, to what extent does Huffman know of the reason behind our presence? He’s indicated that he understands our collaboration is to be well-concealed, but does he know our roles here in Mondstadt, or the… nature of our group in general?” Shenhe asked, blunt tone ringing out through the room. Jean inclined her head.

“The extent of Huffman’s knowledge is that you are foreign diplomats from Liyue attending a highly-classified political pursuit. He is not aware of your status as Yakshas, nor what that title means. I have entrusted Huffman to his current duty of escorting your group because he has clearly proved his loyalty time and time again to the Ordo Favonius, and to the Mondstadt Order in general. Thus, your identities, presence and purpose is as concealed as possible.”

Shenhe seemed satisfied with the answer, leaning back in her seat with a small nod. It was Jiayi’s turn to catch the gaze of Jean, the Yaksha having raised her hand politely.

“Please excuse my naivety, Miss Gunnhildr,” She said with an inclination of her head in apology, “But I don’t fully understand the difference between the Ordo Favonius, the Knights of Favonius and the Mondstadt Order.”

The corners of Jean’s eyes crinkled in amusement, and she smiled warmly.

“It can seem a bit confusing. The Mondstadt Order is our centralised government, similar to your Qixing in Liyue. The Ordo Favonius is a branch of the governmental body which oversees the safety of our nation, and holds domain over Mondstadt’s two main public services; the Knights of Favonius, which refers to the collective of our military and police forces - similar to your Millelith - and a second branch known as the Church of Favonius, which consists of our fire brigade and healthcare services.

“However, because our current Prime Minister is attending to an international political issue and is not currently present in Mondstadt, this mission has fallen under the regulation of the Ordo Favonius, amongst some other responsibilities. This is why I am the one who has been in contact with the Tianquan for the organisation of this mission, though it has still been approved by Prime Minister Varka himself.”

Jiayi nodded and returned her hand to her lap. A moment passed, and when no one else indicated they had any questions, Jean sighed with a soft smile. 

“Alright, I think that’s all for this meeting today. I’ll see you for your meeting tomorrow - the time will be finalised and sent to you with your training schedule this evening, but rest assured, you will not be expected to start your day too early. Rest well - we have an arduous task ahead of us.”

There were soft murmurs about the group, and the scraping of chairs as the Yakshas stood up and stretched, having sat down for so long. The three members of the intelligence team also filed out of the office alongside them, saying their goodbyes to Jean as the woman remained behind at her desk.

They opened the glass doors and reentered the waiting room which, true to Jean’s word, Huffman was standing on the far side of. Xiao watched as Diluc stalked off towards the elevator, looking back at the group for a split second before pressing the button to call for a carriage and striding inside. Lisa threw a wink towards the Yakshas as she returned to her seat behind the sleek desk, and as the door to the office closed behind them, Kaeya paused beside the group. 

Xiao looked over inquisitively, as did a few other Yakshas. Kaeya’ eye held a faraway gaze, a suddenly sombre expression permeating his usual charming manner.

Xiao saw Shenhe, seemingly uninterested in the unusual actions of the blue-haired man, turn to continue walking towards Huffman. However, Kaeya glanced at the group in his peripheral, and exhaled quietly.

“When Jean says that only one person has ever survived an encounter with Arsenic so far,” He muttered, voice lowered and laced with warning, “Do not think for a second that she meant that they emerged victorious from the fight. It’s inevitable that you’re going to cross paths with her, but you have to remember at all times that if Arsenic lets you live, she’s got a reason for doing so. While no one of your proficiency or skill has ever crossed her, stay vigilant, because if you want to take her down, you need to recognise when the moment comes that you do get the upper hand, and you need to be able to take it. It will happen, it just hasn’t happened yet.”

Xiao’s stomach dropped, but nonetheless he nodded alongside the other Yakshas. 

And with those cryptic words, Kaeya continued to walk unbothered towards the elevator, as if nothing had ever happened. However, as Xiao glanced over to Shenhe, having paused near Huffman with taught shoulders and tense posture, he could tell that his mentor had heard Kaeya’s every word. He wondered if he was as pale as he felt, if the ghostly faces of his teammates were any indication. 

Heart pounding, Xiao led the Yakshas over to Huffman, the man seemingly ignorant to the tense atmosphere following Kaeya’s warning. He shot a charismatic grin to the group, motioning his hand to the elevator.

“Let's get you guys to your accommodation,” He smiled, pressing the button to call the elevator. Xiao turned to look out the massive windows to his right, watching as the Mondstadt sky began to transform from its clear blue to hues of crimson, orange and gold. The sun had begun to set behind the city skyline, the halcyon gaze of the waning sunset casting soft shadows around Xiao as he stepped through the elevator doors.