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Chapter Text

Morax, even if he seems like a soul that was born old and knowable, had been young once in his life, too.

The dragon spent most of his younger days wandering around. Until that is, he met the goddess of dust. She showed him the fragility of human nature, like the life of a lonely glaze lily on top of a cliff: having almost no life span but its existence in itself is the most beautiful thing one can witness.

He vowed to protect the flower until it could stand the harsh wind.

____________________________

Morax was a name feared on the battlefield, even if, at this point, he was just an adeptus who defended the Guili Assembly. In battle, he always saw gods and adepti giving him various looks: fear, annoyance, anger, or just an arrogant eye-roll.

However, he could not name anyone who looked at him like this.

The adeptus's clothes were bathed in dried blood, and injuries tore into his clothes, cutting into the skin. The tangles of his green hair reviling the back of his neck, the black chains keeping the bird trapped.

The child was bowing deeply, his forehead touching the ground.

The cavern glowed a wan gold, as did most of the domain. Expensive glass paintings served as windows, depicting dreams and nightmares alike. Exquisite cloth with scarlet and white patterns of silk flowers decorated the walls.

Only it was all covered in copper-red.

Morax swung his polearm, cutting the chain, then he kneeled on one leg, his chalk robe brushing the ground.

The child was trembling, incardinate blood pooling from underneath him. After battling his Yakshas for so long, most of the others would be unconscious or already dead.

"Raise your head adeptus, you shall not bow before me like that. A bow has no meaning if the other does not put any emotion in it."

The bird does as he's told to. He moves mechanically, not unlike the ingenious machines Ghizhong is so proud of.

"A bow is meant to be an act of showing one's appreciation of another's act. So one shall not bow for something you should have been granted a long time ago, " Morax explained, not unkindly.

The adeptus furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, for a moment, he looked down at his knees, then returned his gaze to the older Adeptus.

Morax sighted and then smiled.

"Would you like to forge a contract with me?"

____________________

The dragon adeptus found himself by the child's bed the next day. He usually left the integration of the adepti to be taken by the Guili Assembly or in his Yakshas's careful hands. But this time, hearing the cruel rumors spread about this child, he took it upon himself to somehow prove them wrong.

He felt fire burn inside him, the raging flames burning the interior of his body, demanding to be let out, screaming at him to ki-

He took a deep breath, calming himself.

Morax wasn't the savior the humans wanted him to be. He protected them because that's what he wanted his life's meaning to be.

Many adepti were tricked or even willingly chose to give into a life of bloodshed and despair. It was only his luck in meeting Ghizhong that kept him from having the same fate.

Morax sighted, he let his head fall into his arms, sometimes, even with all the help, it was too much.

He heard the bed's sheets move behind him, followed by a loud thud. Morax jumped from his seat, summoning his polearm. He turned around sharply.

The vase next to the bed fell. Thankfully, it didn't shatter, but it did manage to pour all the water into the poor child, who began trembling.

Morax offered his hand to the boy, yet instead of taking it, the adepus jerked backward, hitting his head on the shelf. The older adeptus winced, internally cursing himself for his carelessness. This was totally not how he expected things to go.

The child froze, his eyes wide open, the yellowish color clashing with the dragon's golden ones. Morax thought they looked like buttercups. The adeptus blinked, the water dampening his hair and getting into his eyes. The bird quickly moved his sheets off him, moving to bow.

The older adeptus moved to stop him, quickly getting closer, but he suddenly stopped. Maybe he shouldn't touch him. After the child reacted so strongly to his sudden movement, he was at a complete loss for what to do.

He slowly kneeled.

The adeptus's gaze was on him, watching him with fear.

He put one knee on the ground, locking his gaze with the adeptus.

The child stiffened.

He put on his other knee and did his best to soften his gaze.

The adeptus remained silent.

Morax smiled kindly. "It is -"

The child bolted out of his way, heading for the door. Unfortunately for him, he tripped on the tangled sheets.

The dragon caught him, grunting disapprovingly as he carried him. The youger adeptus started biting him and kicking his legs, obviously panicked. Morax felt his patience run out-

He felt blood on his hands, the sticky crimson liquid tainting his claws. Alarmed, he let his grip on the adeptus weaken and inspected him for any injuries.

The other adeptus continued to try to escape his grasp. Morax sighted.

"Little adeptus, you'll only open more of your wounds if you continue." He tried to explain.

The child stopped, the exhaustion was probably beginning to slip in, then relaxed bit by bit, as they felt the bandages freeing his skin, letting red marks where they were tied too tightly.

The younger adeptus let his back rest against the bed, blinking tiredly as he struggled to remain conscious.

"I should go in seek of a healer adeptus, as I, unfortunately, am not the best at treating injuries." Sighted the dragon."But at the same time, I can not leave you here. I'll have to carry you."

But the other adeptus was unconscious.

Morax sighted.

__________________________

Morax had been in many weird situations over the years. He wouldn't call this the weirdest, no, but running to the infirmary carrying a child-adeptus-bloodhound like a sack of potatoes at 5 in the morning was sure a sight.

He slowed down as he entered the building. Menogias and Ping were conversing about healing herbs and rocks. They stopped when they saw the alarmed prime adeptus.

"My lo- Is that a child?!" Menogias blurted.

Ping put a hand on her temples, whispering, "Menogias, I beg you to tell me Morax isn't carrying a bleeding child over his shoulders."

"He is," the yaksha muttered.

The dragon put down the adeptus on one of the beds, and then he turned his head to the healers. Seeing the expressions the two were making, he felt that maybe he could have dealt with this better-

A small hand reached his year, pulling them with force.

"You're lucky, Ghizhong, that just left." The green-haired healer scolded."You probably just undid all our day's work in one morning carrying him like that."

"I deeply apologize-" began Morax.

Menogias sighed longly and turned to the small adeptus, checking what was left of the bandages.

Ping wasn't done arguing with the prime adeptus, but she let it go in favor of helping Yaksha apply medication to the cuts.

Morax sank into one of the chairs, taking deep breaths to relax.

The morning sun was warming the room, rays of sunlight entering through the open windows. The smell of herbs and flowers was always present in this place.

A hand gently touched the dragon's shoulder. The prime adeptus opened his eyes and saw Menogias offering him a small char of water. He tanked him, and after he drank the cold liquid, he patted the Yaksha.

In response, the geo adeptus hummed, closing his eyes.

The older being felt a low chuckle escape him. The geo Yaksha could always be softened with praise.

"What happened?" Ping was leaning into the wall behind her, cleaning with a blue cloth her glasses.

"You were very lucky l with everyone still being asleep or too tired to notice you coming in here. You probably would have given the Assembly quite s scare."

Morax hummed. " It seems that I scared our guest without meaning to " his eyebrows furrowed.' He refuses to speak or to hear what I say. It's most likely the product of his previous treatment. Ghizhong once told me that mistreated animals tend to act irrationally, "

"And you base that on what? " Ping replied.

"Well, one can tell god didn't seem like the one to care too much for the people's living conditions " the dragon hissed.

Ping hummed in agreement.

The prime adeptus looked at the wounded child, gazing with both confusion and worry.

"I think I might need help with this particular case." He concluded.

"Well, It's a good thing you aren't all by yourself."

The soft voice played with every word, like an endless game of tag. The small figure walked silently into the room. The air itself seems to have changed with her arrival.

"Lady Ghizhong, today is one beautiful morning," greeted the Yaksha.

"Indeed it is, even if some of the calmness disappeared after a certain Adeptus ran to the infirmary at 5 in the morning holding our guest. It was truly a wonderful morning. " the goddess sang ."How is the child?"

"I wish I could say he's been better, but after Menogias told me what his sisters found, I can only say that this is the healthiest he's been in years," Ping announced.

Ghizhong's lips pressed thinly in a line, clearly not happy with the answer.

"Not to mention Morax carrying him here over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes."

The prime Adeptus threw an angry gaze at Ping, who smiled smugly.

"Celestia forbid I ever rest." The goddess of dust mumbled, "You two fight like children." Then her eyes widened in realization.

"Hmm, it seems one has forgotten the cleansing bell I had to confiscate." Morax took the chance.

Ghizhong thought about the next reply, but let it go, as arguing at this moment was getting them nowhere.

"Fine, I'll let you have this one,"

Menogias smiled, triumphantly looking at Ping, who refused to meet his gaze.

"It seems one lost the bet-"

"Say what you want from me." Ping fastly caught him off. Both Ghuizong and Morax laughed as they knew how much the adeptus hated losing.

"My wish is for my heroic story of besting Ping herself in her knowledge to be heard by all the children in the Guili assembly" Menogias winked.

"Fine, but they shall also hear about this mighty Adeptus mistaking- " Ping laughed.

"That was one time, ONE TIME-" The Adeptus's cheeks flushed a deep red.

"Are you alright, little one?"

Morax looked at Ghizhong, who was comforting(?) the sleepy Adeptus.

The Adeptus bowed his head, clenching the sheets of the bed, the dragon couldn't see his face.

The goddess gently took his hand in her own."Why won't you speak up? If there's anything that-"

"Why is this one alive...?"

Chapter Text

The goddess shooed away the other three adepti, saying that she wanted to talk with the child.

They didn't like the idea, but seeing that Ghizhong won't back down, they agreed.

She saw his small trembling frame and her heart ached.

But she had a duty.

She can pamper over him later, but now. They needed to talk.

She had to be neutral.

 No matter how much it pains her to do so...

 _______________________________________

Alatus woke up confused, as it only remembered falling unconscious in her mistress's domain.

Right.

She was dead, impaled by Morax's spear right through the chest. It didn't know how to feel. But it knew that it should deal with its emotions later when it was somewhere safe not in immediate danger.

The goddess who introduced herself as "Ghizhong, founder of the Guili Assembly" was pouring a strongly scented tea into two short square cups. The steam was flowing like a river through the cup, quickly dissolving into the colder air.

The suffocating scent was making it feel dizzy, but it didn't dare say a word.

Ghizhong put the teapot back on the table, she spoke calmly:

"This one apologizes for the events that took place this morning. I'll be sure to prevent accidents like these from happening in the future."

It remained silent, not even looking at her. Alatus fidgeted with its fingers nervously.

"This one to be punished " it stated.

 It could not take this sweetness anymore, it would rather be screamed at than this fakeness.Alatus knew it would never be treated this nicely. It didn't want to ever hope again, just to be crushed by reality.

"Excuse me?" She replied, gently putting down her cup.

Alatus stiffened, clearly It offended her now if it didn't before. Its small hands gripped the bedsheets. But it looked into her eyes. Piercing the blue waves with wan yellow.

"This one does not remember the morning you talk about."It pauses, not sure if it should say the next part " It is always one's fault when something bad happens."

The goddess crossed her legs, giving it her full attention.

"What makes you think that?" Her face was neutral, not letting any emotion past her thoughts.

Alatus opened its mouth to reply, but no words came out.

"Did you think that or this is just what everyone told you?" Her gaze was like a furious storm, swallowing everyone and everything without care, it was daring it to lie.

It shivered. "One just... knows?"

"Or" she continued, interrupting him, "you say that to excuse whatever behavior you had without taking the consequences."

It blinked, and suddenly fear took over its body, trembling with adrenaline. But its eyes never left hers.

"Of course, your actions don't show any of these situations being a possibility" The child let a breath out.

Her gave softened, the ruthless storm turning into a gentle rain in summer.

" I wanted to discuss the conditions for meeting with other adepti." The goddess took another sip of her tea.

Alatus bit its lip, lowering its gaze.

"Those will include things like basic attitude and other general rules."

It blinked, turning its head in confusion." Are the rules also part of the contract...?"

Ghizhong shook her head." No, the contract is a mutual agreement that benefits all the ones who signed it. This is more like... a way for easier communication between all of us adepti."

The child looked down, embarrassed.

"Ah, basically, because all of the adepti come from different parts, we have created a way for everyone to understand each other." She smiled.

"What do I need to do...?" It hesitantly asked.

Her smile widened.

"There are only three rules" the goddess relaxed against the back of the chair." firstly, you have to show everyone respect, be it adepti, human, or god."

Alatus nodded. It didn't know what she meant when she said "respect", but if it followed what it learned from its previous master, then it could not go wrong, right?

"Secondly, most of the adepti usually sleep at night. You'll not be allowed outside when nighttime comes." 

"One does not sleep." It refused to look at her.

She blinked, surprised at the statement. "How do you recover energy then?" Ghizhong suddenly looked at him like she was seeing a new species. "Perhaps photosynthesis or-" 

"From eating dreams." It whispered. Alatus wanted to curl up in a ball and forget about this part of itse-

" I see." She looked at it. Her face was once again neutral.

" You can join the night patrols"

Ghizhong turned her head to look at the light coming from the windows.

"And thirdly, you're not allowed with your weapon outside of battle."

Alatus nodded.

"That's all" she concluded.

The goddess allowed a moment of silence. Perhaps she wanted to collect her thoughts.

"Do you want to take a bath? Some consider it relaxing."

It turned his head to look at her.

"Is this one allowed to...?"

"You're allowed to do anything as long as you don't break the rules." 

The child looked at her, it clearly didn't believe her, but it nodded. She made a mental note to talk about this later.

Alatus followed Ghizhong further into the domain. It kept a distance between them. She didn't comment on it.

They stopped.

"Wait here" she mumbled.

It did as it was told. Not moving an inch it was not yet sure of the punishment it would receive if it didn't listen.

The goddess returned shortly, with some white towels and a green-white bottle.

She clumsily gave the items to it.

It didn't know what to do with them. It dared to ask.

"What does one use the items for...?"

She blinked, and then asked him:

" You don't know know what towels and shampoo are for..?"

It nodded, ashamed of its lack of knowledge.

" Mistress said that tools don't need to be clean. She said that one doesn't deserve it."

The goddess remained silent. Her breathing was irregular for a moment. Then she returned to her neutral attitude.

"One uses towels for drying the water of one's body and hair. The shampoo is for cleaning the dirt. You'll use the pond over there " She gestured her hand in the general location.

It slowly nodded, unsure of what to think about the new way he was treated.

"One more thing, please."

Its gaze snapped to her.

She came closer. " May I touch you?"

It stiffened, then nodded. ( it wondered if it was really allowed to say no to an order, or was she just playing with him the same way mistre-)

She took its hands in hers.

"You are a person. Not a weapon or an animal. Please do not think of yourself this way."

It looked into her eyes. The blue waves were swirling with emotion. She was honest.

It opened its mouth to reply, but she cut it off with a movement of her hand.

"If you're not willing to believe all that I said to you, please, trust me, only this once."

"okay..."

The goddess turned her back. "Now, please excuse me.."

Her voice sounded higher...

And suddenly the child was left alone.

It left the towels in a basket near the pond and slowly entered the warm water.

It was only then it hit Alatus.

Hot acid was building up in its stomach, threatening to burn his insides.

It moved to sit on a rock.

All the emotions finally took control over him, he began trembling and hot tears spilled from his eyes.

There were so many things it thought its brain would probably explode.

One thing at a time-

You are a person

He wasn't. He was a monster.

Mistress wouldn't have caught a person and not let them free.

Humans wouldn't have called it that over and over again if it wasn't one.

A person wouldn't eat dreams or hope-

Please trust me, only this once

It couldn't.

If it was a person, then why did all of this happen?

Why would a person need to suffer for others' deeds?

Why would a person kill again and again-

It put a hand over its mouth, trying to stop the sob from escaping its chest.

Why did it happen to him?

Why did he have to suffer so much?

If he wasn't a monster, then what was the reason?

Could a reason even be enough to justify all that he did?

Why was he even here?

He clenched his hands.

He was spiraling.

Could he even trust Ghizhong?

Or Is she the same mistress was?

Why did Morax spare him?

Did the assembly just want another tool to slaughter-

He sobbed.

He felt like he was suffocating.

Everything was just so much-

And it was scary-

For the first time in years, Alatus allowed himself to cry.

His only comfort was the warmness of the water.

______________________________________

Morax entered Ghizhong's realm.

The smell of oil entered his nostrils, refusing to leave him alone. He moved fastly through the small realm. (that was really only used for Ghizhongs workshop).

Unfortunately, his adeptus form was too big ( his horns would tear the ceiling apart) so he changed into his mortal form.

She was sitting at her desk, many parchments filling every space they could.

 An old vellum seal was open. The dragon aproximated to be around 100 years old.

"Morax" She peeped. "Did you have fun?"

He sighed. "If your definition of fun includes listening to Cloud Retainer's complaints for an entire day then yes. I did."

She smiled for a moment, then she turned her head upwards.

"You are correct, the adeptus's case is a difficult one."

Morax moved to sit down on a chair.

"Some thoughts you want to share?" He asked.

She turned her gaze to him. Tears were threatening to escape her glassy eyes.

He blinked, surprised by the sudden mood change. "Oh-"

"I apologize, I know that you're not the best at dealing with other's emotions" The goddess moved her sleeves to her eyes."

Morax awkwardly fidgeted in his chair.

Ghizhong laughed.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Just a bit emotional"

The dragon closed his eyes, announcing with his best attempt at a higher-pitched tone:

"Hm, one would not call isolating oneself in her abode, crying, 'a bit emotional' ."

She snorted. " Please don't try to copy Cloud Retainer."

He smiled. "Perhaps I need to work on this thing the humans call 'joking' ."

"Mhm" Ghizhong looked out the window.

A bird can be heard chirping in the distance.

"Are you alright ?"

"Not really, no"

"Do you wish to talk about it?" Morax hesitantly asked.

" If that means I'll escape your Cloud Retainer impression then I'll do anything" She playfully responded.

Morax chuckled.

" Our talk today revealed some, disturbing things to say the least. " The goddess began.

He waited for her to continue.

" From what the generals told me, It seems like ' his mistress 'was trying to enslave adepti. "

Morax's eyes widened. "That would be very difficult. It would take great power just to force them to do anything." 

He shook his head "Manipulation might work for some time, but eventually they'll figure it out."

"Not if you take them young. If one had the 'luck' of finding a young adeptus that isn't implicated in the war, well"

 Her gaze pierced him

"One'll certanly not pass upon the opportunity. Especially when one adeptus could equal 1000 humans, or even more."

The dragon felt a shiver running down his spine. "That would be..." 

"Yeah" She agreed.

Chapter Text

After the events that happened recently, Menogias didn't know what to think of the adeptus that Morax and Lady Ghizhong  rescued.

On one hand, Xiao was following orders more efficiently than most of others.The geo Yaksha could see the way the child was holding himelf, always tense and ready to react.

On the other hand, Menogias could also see the bones sticking out of the child's body, only a thin layer of pink skin keeping it together. He could sense the fear that was ever present in the adeptus's eyes.

War was cruel. It took lives and gave blood and territories. The geo Yaksha saw time and time again how adepti and humans both broke under the pressure, their sanity mangled as they continued to be slaughtered every day.

This was, ironically, one of the reasons he joined Morax.

He had been young and conceited. Living in a fantasy that made the act of taking one's life seems like a parade of one's strength.

This fantasy was soon to disappear once he joined an actual battlefield.

Menogias clenched his hands. His nails were digging into the palm of his hand 

Screams suddenly deafened his ears.The cries of mothers and children as they saw what was left of their families-

A small paw was holding  the yaksha's robe. Menogias turned his head around in confusion.

Marchosius was tugging on his robe. When he finally got the geo yaksha's attention. The bear gestured to multiple plates that were left on a chair.

The taller adeptus blinked. Then, he took the plates in his hands.

The bear hummed and nodded, and then he slowly walked away, gesturing the yaksha to follow him.

If the sudden act of the stove god requesting him to follow him was weird, then their destination would be

"Huh. What a conundrum." Menogias whispered.

Xiao was sitting on a rock, legs crossed, looking with as much confusion as he was looked at by the geo yaksha.

The yaksha walked closer and sat at the base of the rock.

The child hesitantly moved on the grass and greeted him with a deep bow.

Menogias turned his head in confusion, then moved his hand to pat the young adeptus.

Xiao jerked backward, watching him with even more confusion and even a little bit of fear.

Menogias opened the lit of a bowl, being greeted by a flavorful smell.

"Do you want some?" The silence broke as the yaksha asked.

The child looked him in the eyes.

He stopped, his chopsticks halfway in his mouth.

The child's eyes widened in fear.

The yaksha wonder-

A cat paw landed on his head.

Oh.

He put the chopsticks back on the plate, then took the furry ball of meows in his hands.

The cat didn't take that kindly and started biting him.

Menogias realesd the small animal. Pouting at the rejection.

The cat made its way in the other adeptus's lap.

The bird adeptus opened his mouth, then closed it.

Did... did a cat just break the so much feared "bloodhound" ?

The geo yaksha laughed. Wiping his tears, he smiled.

" I apologize..?" Xiao hesitantly announced.

"Ah, there's nothing to worry about, small adeptus."  Menogias chuckled. "Let me introduce myself, I am Menogias, delighted to meet you."

                    ________________________

Pervases huffed, tierd from the effort of sneaking into the domain.He let the bundle in his arms in his bed.

The child smiled, he finally could show little Ganyu all his toys and interesting story books.

The qilin let out a squeak, confused by her unfamiliar surroundings.

"Shhhh, if you cry, then I might be ground for at least a week! Don't you want to see all the interesting things I have? Let's keep it a secret." He gently put one finger on her lips.

The baby opened her mouth,and she began chewing on Pervases finger.

"Uhh, I'll take that as a yes." The older child tilted his head.

Ganyu, bored of chewing on Pervases finger, began babbling and moving around.

"Let me bring something we can play with, stay here." He hurried to thr doorway." Don't move an inch!" He shouted as he left the room.

Pervases took some games and story books out of the shelf, he-

"WAAAAAAAAAAA-"

Oh, celestia, have mercy on him.

Bonanus was going to exosice him more painfully than the poor demons that dared confront her in battle.

He sprinted to his room.

"-WAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

The baby qilin was on the ground, screaming and kicking her legs.

Pervases blinked. "Oh, you just fell -"
Another loud cry from the qilin interrupted him.The older child cringed.

"You're alright now, okay? Just please stop screaming before -" anoter older voice interrupted.

"What happened here?Why is Ganyu crying? Why is Ganyu even here, Adptus Pervases?"

Oh. He was definitely doomed now.

He hesitantly turned around, even if he could recognize the voice out of one hundred ones.

The geo yaksha was standing, arms crossed, in the dorm frame. His lipes were pressed together in disapproval, a habit taken from Guizong. Menogias's gaze burning the young yaksha, the older adeptus's posture straightened, and one eyebrow was raised in a silent question.

Pervases didn't have the chance to open his mouth before Menogias walked across the room and picked the crying qilin up.The geo yaksha handed the baby to another adeptus in the doorway ( wait, when did another person get here? Was he just there the whole time?? ) and turned to the young yaksha.

A shiver ran down Pervases spine.

"Firstly, you took Ganyu from Cloud Retainer's domain, knowing well that she wasn't allowed outside."

The young yaksha looked down at his shoes, embarrassed at being scolded.

"Secondly, you take her to the Yaksha headquarters, where weapons are are being stored."

Menogias put a hand on his forehead.

"And thirdly, you leave a baby alone while you go to do who knows what."

"But -"

The geo yaksha put a hand up in the air." We'll talk about your punishment later."

Pervases huffed, his eyes refusing to meet the older yaksha.

Menogias sighed,  then turned his head to the adeptus holding Ganyu.

"Xiao, ah , apologies.."

The young yaksha turned his head to the mentioned adeptus.

Pervases laughed as he saw a big chunk of the adeptus's hair in the qilin's mouth. He knew that little Ganyu was probably mistaking the adepus's green tinted hair for Qiungxin.

Xiao was looking at Menogias, a silent panic crossed his gaze.The yaksha gently pulled Ganyu out of the other adeptus's grasp, but the little qilin didn't let go.

The geo yaksha patted the quilin on the head, and almost by miracle,Ganyu fell asleep.

Xiao visibly relaxed. He looked at Pervases for a moment, then turned to Menogias.

"One estimates that there's at least one quarter of the day left before the sun is out."

The other adeptus nodded. "The trip to Cloud Retainer's abode should take about half of the time. We should go now if we want to return here in the evening."

Menogias turned to the other yaksha, who was currently and unsuccessfully trying to escape the room.

"You'll come with us."

Pervases potued, following the other adepti as they exited the room.

              __________________________________

The sun moved slowly to reunite with Teyvat's soil, turning the sky into a pinkish gradient.

The trip seemed a relatively normal one, that is, until Xiao signaled the group to stop.

Leaves were softly rustling. Some birds left the trees in the distance, their small silhouettes disappearing into the sky.

Menogias stiffened, slowly summoning his sword out of the pocket dimension.

A branch cracked.

Pervases held Ganyu closer.

A pack of best-like animals appeared from nowhere. They had black fur and swirling crimson eyes. One snarled at them, inhumane sounds leaving the beings throat.

Another one sprinted at Menogias, who summoned a shield just in time to avoid the sharp claws.

Xiao moved in front of the younger adepti, signaling them to hide.

The beast lit its tail on fire, copprer flames burning the grass below. 

The geo yaksha moved with grace and precision, every hit damaging the beasts while protecting himself from the pyro attaks.

Pyro swirlied as Xiao dashed. Burning himself and damaging the animals with the summoned wind.

As the last animal lost it's balance, and dissolved into black soot, stars began shining in the sky, little dots of white under a sea of dark blue.

Heavy silence filled the air, only distrupted by the screams of the karma two adepti held.

Menogias took a deep breath.

"You may come out now."

The young yaksha walked with hesitant steps, tightly holding the little qilin.

Pervases looked at the older yaksha. His gaze was not holding any of the chidlike attitude, but a burning determination.

"Thank you."

Menogias couldn't help but be a little sad. Prehaps he's been too exigent with the young yaksha.

"As a yaksha, I have a duty to protect the Guili Assembly, but as your "brother" , It's only natural that I'll watch over you."He paused for a second. "No matter who you will become in the future."

The other adeptus nodded.The geo yaksha turned his head to Xiao.

"Are you alright?"

This question wasn't really necessary. Only a blind person could not notice the burnt chlotes hanging from the adeptus. It still amazed him how he could still stand on two feet.

"I'm fine."

"Do you want me to heal you?I'm not really good at it, but I'll try to do my best." Pervases gestured to the ugly burn on his shoulder.

The other adeptus hesitated. "Why?"

"Because you saved me." The young yaksha replied." I want to repay you in some way!"

Xiao blinked, then looked  at the dark sky.

"Okay"

The child smiled, and hugged the other adepus.

The anemo adeptus looked at Pervases in question.

"I just have a feeling that you need a hug." The young yaksha explained."

Chapter Text

A few days passed since Pervases "blunder" in the blink of an eye.

Xiao still felt ... mostly confused.

He could pretend everything was alright. Maybe if he told himself that over and over. He would actually believe it.

The adeptus threw a rock into the pond.

It was so unfamiliar to him that he was being treated this way.

He mindlessly picked up another one, not really feeling the dirt under his nails.

His mind never used to wonder past his mistress's domain while he was there.

Water splashed as the small rock sinked to the bottom...

Xiao denied himself from having any emotion back then.

Perhaps it made it easier to hurt people that way...

But the contract still chained him to the same act of killing.

Has he doomed himself from the start by signing the contract...?

Xiao uncurled himself, wincing at the way his joints hurt.

The adeptus looked at the clear sky.

There wasn't much of a difference between the abode and the outside. 

But Xiao somehow found it nicer outside.

He could enjoy the scenery while it lasts..

" Do you mind?"

Xiao turned around, a bit startled by the sudden interruption.

One of the yaksha crouched beside him, pointing at the spot next to him.She was probably one of Morax's generals, judging by her attire.

"Sitting with you, I mean." She waited patiently.

He thought about it for a bit, then nodded.

Her movements were soundless, similar to a predator while hunting. It was clear that she had way more experience in battle than him. He struggled not to shiver when their gaze met. 

She smiled warmly at him, but Xiao only felt the power of burning pyro within her, like hot magma inside of a volcano.

As a smaller and easily outpowerd adeptus, his mistress taught him by force how to determine an enemy's weakness .

Xiao struggled not to think about this every time he met anyone.

Especially since there were so many people

"I'm have no intention of starting a battle." The Yaksha simply said.

As a warrior to a warrior, they had the same thought at the same time.

The anemo adeptus looked at her, noticing how her hands trembled slightly.

He looked back at her, and her eyes didn't hold any negative intention.

He sighed.

"Why are you here?" 

The pyro yaksha put a finger on her chin, then responded.

"I find the atmosphere in the plains quite tiring at times." She took a rock and threw it. " I just needed a break."

Xiao turned his head upwards,  looking at the sky.

"This place is... nice."

The yaksha nodded." Most of Liyue was this way, I sometimes miss it..."

"...Was...?"

She looked at the sky as well. Melancholy swirling deep in her eyes.

"The war has left many parts of nature damaged or outright wiped out." She blinked slowly."Most of the terrain is also reshaped.I'm afraid most of the plans here won't make it to the next era."

A comfortable silence sat between them. The fresh air and the warm sun are a nice change from the artificial domain.Some birds chirped in the distance.

"I'm Indarias."

"Xiao"

"So I've heard."

He knew he shouldn't be this relaxed around others. Maybe he shouldn't even talk with anyone.

He should have fled long ago.

But he didn't, and won't.

He felt too tired to fight.

Too tired to think.

Too tierd to feel.

To tierd to care if he was vulnerable to others anymore.

He reached a hand to the sky.

A soft breeze blew by his hand.

"I hope, one day, that you can trust us." Indrianas whispered.

He let his hand fall to his side.

The pyro yaksha put a hand on his head, patting him.

"If you endured all of what that mo-" she stopped. "That godess put you through, then I know you'll be able to live. No matter what hardships the world may throw at you."

He let his eyes be covered by his hair.

"How can you be so sure?"

In response, she just smiled sadly.

                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was by pure chance that Morax and Xiao bumped into each other that same day.

Litteraly.

"I apologize. Are you alright?" He heard the dragon's concerned avoice.

"I'm fine." The short adeptus rubbed his head with the palm of his hand."I apologize for one's negligence."

This was the second time they saw each other, ( if you don't count the time xiao had been half unconscious, that is) so neither of them didn't know how to act with one another.

Awkward silence filled the air.

"Do you want to take a walk with me?" Morax offered. "The past few days have been... eventful, to say the least.I think a break might benefit both of us."

"Yes, master." The anemo adepus hesitantly agreed. Morax sighed.

Xiao found himself more and more accepting company. He knew that recently, he began spiraling in his thoughts more and more when he was alone. So he avoided being alone.

The taller adeptus led him to the shore.

The waves were tierdly hitting the beach, moving slowly and wetting the sand over and over.

The salty breeze played with the few crabs that were no longer hiding in the sand.

Xiao crouched before the water, letting the cold liquid wash his hand.

(Morax was significantly distanced from the ocean, holding a long eye contact with a crab.)

"Children enjoy collecting seashells from the beach." The prime adeptus explained. "Most keep them as decoration."

The small adeptus picked the first seashell he saw and handed it to the dragon.
"If you lisen to it -"

Small legs peeped out of the shell.

Morax's eyes widened in horror. His hands dropped the poor seacreature, but fortunately, the other adeptus caught it.

As the prime adeptus recollected himself, Xiao freed the (probably even  more scared) creature back into the sea.

"Why did you free me?"

The dreagon blinked, surprised at the sudden change of topic.

"Would any answer satisfy you?" He asked, not holding any sarcasm in his voice." Or does your heart truly mean to ask another, more specific, question?"

The other adeptus remained silent.

Morax walked closer to the adeptus.

"What would you think if I said that I don't know myself?"

Xiao's eyes widened, and soft amber eyes met his gaze.

Tierd.

He didn't dare meet his eyes before.

The older adeptus spoke with honesty that it almost hurt.

He never once lied to him or went back on his word.

Never once had anyone treated him this way.

Morax didn't lower himself like one would with a child, but never higher himself either.

" I would thank you and do my best to repay my debt."  Xiao whispered.

The dragon looked at the sky.

"This world holds so many beautiful things, that one can't help but be inclined to protect them..." he softly said." It's in any adeptus's instinct to connect with nature."

"That's why we feel sad when flowers die, when animals pass away and when a beautiful sunset ends."

A gust of wind blew Motax's loosely tied hair.

"That's why we adepti grow glaze lilys, porotect humans and animals."

"And that's why we feel responsible for one another. We crave connection and contact with our kind.We like being around others."

"I don't want you to feel that you owe me something,if you truly want to show your appreciation, repay this beautiful world that brought us into existence."

Morax gently put a hand on Xiao's shoulder.

"That's the meaning of the contract I offer others. And why I never go into war before I give others a chance to choose peace."

The prime adeptus took a deep breath and moved his hand from the other's shoulder, leaving the warm ghost of a touch behind.

"How about we go inside? The sun is about to set, and I'm sure the yaksha's would be more than delighted to see that we're safe."

                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morax barely entered the yaksha headquarters when a pillow hit his head, remaining stuck in his horns.

"Oh no,"

"Pervases! How many times have I told you not to  throw pillows around?"

Xiao peeked over the prime adeptus shoulder and saw a small silhouette lecturing  the dendro adeptus.

" OWowowwww-"

The scene before them was quite a sight.

The geo adeptus sighted.

"General Bonanus, please stop 'lecturing' Pervases with a slipper."

'General Bonanus' turned her head and nodded respectfully to Morax.

She had a kind smile on her face,Xiao wouldn't have noticed it was fake if she didn't hold her pink slipper, in the way one would hold a weapon ,to poor Pervases.

"Morax and young Xiao! I'm delighted to welcome you inside.I apologize for my mentee's poor behavior. He recently got a dendro vision and can't control his excitement. "

Her gaze stopped on her mentee and gave him a glare that Xiao was sure could burn a hole in the ground.

( Xiao held Morax's robe a little tighter, The prime adeptus noticed, but didn't comment on it.)

A tall, maybe even taller than Morax, Yaksha picked up Pervases, with his four arms.

"Sister, I understand that your patience has an end, but please try to be  more merciful with our young brother.Only once in his life he would recive a vision, you must understand that he must be very happy."

Bonanus huffed and turned her head to face the wall.

"I am very proud of our brother. A vision may be common among us, but that doesn't mean it's not a thing to celebrate. If he didn't stop causing trouble everywhere he went, I would have asked Marchosius for help in preparing a cake."

Pervases fidgeted with in the electro yaksha's arms.

"I apologize, sister Bon."

Bonanus sighted.

Menogias put a hand on her shoulder.

"What was the saying? 'It takes a whole village to raise a child'?"
Bonanus gave him an empty stare in return.

"It might take a whole nation for our brother."

Menogias raised a hand to greet Morax and Xiao.

Both of them awkwardly moved from the door frame and entered the building.

"Would you like tea? Or maybe you can stay for dinner, since Indrianas is almost ready?"  Menogias suggested, walking closer to the guests.

The dragon laughed." That is very kind of you," he turned to the anemo adeptus. " But It depends on what Xiao wants, too."

Xiao hummed." How many people will be here?"

"Mostly just Menogias, Indrianas, Bosacius,Pervases  and me." Bonnanus explained. "Menogias also asked Ghizhong,  but she said she might not make it since her and Ping are working on a project."

"Alright -" The anemo adeptus nodded.

The sound of a pot breaking interrupted him.

Bonanus put her face in her hands, defeated.

"That was not me!" The dendro yaksha's voice could be heard from another room.

At probably the same time, Indarias came out of the kitchen, flour all over her chlotes.

"My poor house!" Menogias cried.

He completely ignored his sister as he ran to the kitchen.

Xiao concluded he experienced more chaos in the last 30 minutes than in his whole life.

Morax gently pat his head.

Bonanus internally cooed at the cuteness.

The front door opend, revealing Ghizhong and Madame Ping,with their chlotes full of oil, in the doorway.

"Hello - what happened here?" Ghizhong  gestured to the yakshas .

Pervases's head poked out the hallway."Guizong! Morax adopted another brother for us! It's anemo this time!"

The prime adeptus choked on air as both Ghizhong and Madame Ping laughed their heart out.

"Brother! Don't say such things!" Bonanus's cheeks were turning a light pink, most likely from the second hand embarrassment she felt.

Family 

Xiao's mind was blocked on that word.

Was that what he was witnessing right now ?

He never remembered to have one.

But, seeing the connection between all the people here, the love and care they had for one another, Xiao couldn't help but understand how the definition suited them -

Wait.

Did that mean he was now part of it, too?-

No

It couldn't be-

Chapter Text

Long before the archon war, the first glaze lily bloomed.

The goddess of dust was born in a time of peace, being content to learn about the world in her first years. She wandered around the world in her illuminated form, learning of her surroundings and trying to find a purpose for her existence.

However, she didn't stay like that for long, as curiosity led to her first interactions with humans.

The goddess found adepti and gods boring in their nature, blank slates, forever unchanging. Teyvat brought sentience into their powerful vessels to represent an ideal, nothing more.

Most of them remained the same for their life span, as very few were seeking a meaning to their life.

The human race, on the other hand, seemed to change permanently. It was fascinating to her. What was the thing that differentiated them from all species?

What caused this difference? Why was it there at all?

How much time would it take for them to try and kill a god?

___________________________________________________________

At the crack of dawn, she approached the small village she had watched over the past few days.

The goddess decided that it would be better to greet the villagers in a form that mirrored their own, so she took a human form, leaving her pheonix form to dissolve into stardust.

She gazed over the narrow, organized houses and smoke that dared to touch the sky, only to dissappear into nothingness.

"Who are you, miss?"

A few children approached her, watching her with interest. She tried to respond,ready for a hostile attitude,but -

"You have such a pretty dress!" One girl poked her plain white robe.

"Whoa! Your hair is so soft! Can I braid it?" Another child, behind her, offered.

"Where do you come from?" A shy boy asked.

Overwhelmed, the goddess took a step back.

The oldest child immediately shouted. "Silece, please ! Can't you see that you all are scaring her ?! What would our mother say about this behavior with a guest?"

The children quieted down and apologized.

She smiled and waved her small hand.

"Greetings, my name is Guizhong! I'm happy to meet you all!"

(This was how the humans presented themselves, right?)

" What finds you upon this humble village?" A little girl questioned, stumbling over the longer words.

"Eh? Why are you talking so weird? What are you pretending to do? An adep-" the boy behind her received a long glare from the oldest child and closed his mouth.

The goddess used the silece to think of what to say next.

They knew of gods and adepti. She knew it was inevitable since they were more common than the human kind.

Did they have any possible interaction with another divine being? If so, this could greatly affect her study of their behavior. She loahed to think how hard it would be to try to continue studying them if they lied or outright attacked her.

Of course, she may be a weak god, but she was still immortal in every way but to erosion's cold blade.

"You have nothing to be scared about, little ones, I'm just a passing traveler looking for a place to stop." She sweetened her voice, not denying that she didn't belong to their kind. "I'm a traveler looking for the world's knowledge, I happened to stumble upon your village a few days ago and decided to see how the people here make a living ."

(Was she too honest? The goddess didn't interact with many people before. She could only guess how the arts of talking worked.)

The older child simply looked at her, lost in his thoughts.

(Did she mess up?Anxiety bloomed in her chest.)

"You can stay only if you beat us at a game!" The older kid decided, and the others agreed.

(Huh. Prehaps they weren't that different after all)

"Alright then," the goddess of dust smiled, raising one of her eyebrows. " What kind of competition are you thinking of?"

The children smiled back.

__________________________________________________________

A few decades passed since. Ghizhong gladly offered her knowledge in exchange for theirs. She began finding herself genuinely enjoying spending time with humans and helping them more and more often find ways to improve their lifestyle.

This is why she was so nervous now.

She raised her teacup to her mouth and swallowed the hot liquid.

(It was a miracle that they were in this situation now, since things could have escalated much further and much faster.)

She put don her teacup with a loud clink.

(It was not as she could be outsmarted by the individual before her. She could easily manipulate him in her favor)

The goddess of dust gripped on her dress and unsuccessfully tried to stop her hand from shaking.

She took a deep breath.

( This is it, her chance to have the greatest ally or the greatest enemy)

She looked at the young dragon before her.

Morax was tall, even in his more 'human' form, he was almost two time the size of one, his long hair fell like a waterfall on his shoulders, his golden horns crowned his head, hidden by his hood. The man's arms bore geo energy deep into his veins, making them glow like tattoos.

He also wore bright red eyeliner, contrasting with his white silk robe.

In contrast, the goddess of dust wore a plain gray gress, forged with love by both herself and some older women of the villange. It sadly ripped from the use and the moths, gaining some stitches. She didn't wear any makeup, and her (more or less) uneven cut hair was tightly kept in a low bun. 

"What brings you opon this path, adeptus?"she politely initiated the talk.

"I want this territory," Morax summoned his polearm."If you're not willing to willing accept giving it to me, then I'll kill you,"

(Ghizhong almost choked. Weren't they supposed to be diplomatic? Did he really accept her invite just to suddenly take his weapon and threaten her?What was the point if he had already decided what he wanted to do?)

"Well, you see..."He interrupted her.

"Then It's settled then, in three days we will go to war."

(Her eyebrow twitched)

( The goddess of dust may or may not suppress the urge to hit her head on the table in frustration.)

As he got up from the chair, she priced him with her gaze, making his stop in place.

"We will not go to war. We will solve this in a diplomatic way." Ghizhong stubbornly crossed her arms.

"If I attack you, you won't be able to defend against me." Morax pointed out."So you have no reason to keep trying."

(She internally gasped. The absolute nerve of this guy!She may not be the strongest, no, but she could definitely defend her people against this, this -)

"I see no point in further talking to you."

And she was left there, mouth open, and with the burden of war on her shoulders.

Much later in history, many would say that Morax and Ghuizong meet on a beautiful sunset in a sea of dancing glaze lilys.

.

.

.

Both of them later agreed that it was better to let people believe this version of their story than to tell them the truth.

____________________________________________________________

The midnight moon gently lit the forest.

"Ah,I... surrender, it seems I underestimated you, Lady of Dust."

She gave him her best glare."Now, do you think a discussion might be worth your time?"

Ghizhong pointed her jadecutter at the two tied yakshas, and by extension, his 'army'. ( more or less consisting of 30 adepti, all who fell into carefully crafted traps. She owed it all to the children, who worked to tie tope and to cut wood until their hands started bleeding.)

"I'm afraid this is not the most comfortable of positions. If your mercy may permit, I'd like to be in a.. more normal position." Morax even laughed.

(Yeah, because it's totally normal to laugh when you're hanging upside-down, tied to a tree.)

"How can I be sure you're not going to attack me?" She proudly questioned.

(Ghizhong knew that if Morax wanted her dead, being tied upside-down wasn't going to be too much of an obstacle for him, so why did he surrender?)

"Because I need your help."

The goddess of dust lifted her sword, and the blade almost touched Morax's face.

(Wait, does he sleep with makeup, too? or-)

(No.)

He smiled at her, childish flickering in his eyes.

(Morax did not just trick her.)

Her face lit up a soft pink color, embarrassed by being beaten with such a simple trick.

"Don't let the pride cloud you mind, even if -"

"-I could escape. All my comrades would have fallen in one of your traps. You probably didn't set them up to do more than a minor injury since you saw me more as a nuisance than a threat." He finished her words.

(She hated him, or more accurately, hating being outsmarted in any sort of circumstances. Yeah, she may be petty for it, but who wouldn't be when you're the goddess of dust or when you're beaten by this buffoon. )

"That's where you're wrong, Morax." Ghizhong gently cut the string holding him tied.

"Oh?"

"Even you reached the village, you would only find the sick humans that you were searching a cure for." She smugly replied.

His eyes widened." How did you -"

"I've memorized most of your your hiding spot, even almost 100 possible ways to make you surrender."

Morax almost went entirely deadpan."And you couldn't figure out the reason for my plan?"

She turned her head, refusing to look at him.

"I see." The adeptus tried to hide his laughter behind one of his hands."Would you accept the forgoing of a contract?"

____________________________________________________________

"And that's the whole story," Ghizhong concluded.

"How lovely." A very drunk Barbatos laughed." Even when you met, you still argued like two old grandparents."

Morax took a sip of his osmanthus wine, almost slamming his square cup into the stone table at the anemo god's comment.

(He was not that old, and he would not accept any insolent coment made about the goddess of dust.)

Ghizhong laughed, choking on her wine. Makoto patted her back, holding back a snicker.

(Morax supposed that Barbatos will not remember if he threw just a few mountains at him...)

Just as he finished his thought, Rukkadevata raised an eyebrow, smiling at Morax.

(... or maybe not.)

"Morax, you have guests." The taritsa drew circles in her plate with her silverware."They've been waiting for some time."

"Do you want to let them in?" The dragon curiously turned to her."I thought you didn't feel comfortable since you suggested making the barrier so we won't get interrupted."

The cryo goddess shyly nuzzled into her fluffy coat.

"...I did not tell you because...I was intrigued by Ghizhong's story...I'll be fine...don't worry..."

"Oh!I learned how to tell a story from some human storytellers a few years ago. They all have quite a love for fiction." Ghizhong said. "I'm glad It made you feel that way!"

"I let them in -"

"Morax,I'm sorry for the interruption -" Bosacius almost yelled." Oh," the electro yaksha stopped, looking at the several gods before him.

Behind him were the rest of his generals.

Morax instinctively tensed.

(His yakshas looked worried. He should probably end the meeting)

The dragon clenched his teeth in frustration.

(If only it would be that simple.)

The dendro goddess smiled sadly and put a hand on the dragon's shoulder."Don't worry, it's way past the time everyone should go home."

( He knew Rukkadevata saw the dark circles under his eyes. She probably knew of the rumors of the heated discussion between the assembly and Osrial's borders.)

(She didn't comment on it. The goddess just squeezed his shoulders and gave him a sad smile.He was...very grateful for it...)

After a long goodbye from all the other gods, only Morax, the goddess of dust and the yaksha, remained.

Ghizhong tugged Morax's sleeve.

"Will you go talk to Bosacius? I want to escort our guests to the border." She whispered.

He let his head rest on her shoulder for a moment." Don't take long."

"I won't, I promise." She tucked his hair behind his year."Now, the yaksha need you, please."

Morax moved her hand to hold hers."Don't worry, I've got it."

She smiled.

After the goddes of dust left.Morax invited his generals to sit at the table.

"My lord..."Indarias  dared to speak first.

"Make yourselves comfortable. " The dragon invited them to sit, then asked."What happened?"

It was Bonanus who responded."In short? Some soldiers were found dead or injured. Bosacius helped a village save most of their stuff from the fludding caused by the sea." The hydro yaksha slammed her fist on the table."Menogias almost drowned while he was herb collecting, and for the cherry on top, Indarias and Xiao were almost mutilated by a trap set in our territory. We brought this up to some soldiers of Osrials, and they dared to accuse us of making stuff up so we can make them look bad!"

Menogias turned to her sister."Bonanus, please calm down. As a yaksha, and more importantly, a general, this behavior is unneceptable."

The hydro yaksa wanted to argue, but Bosacius nodded in agreement with his brother, and she muttered an apology. 

" The situation is way too heated. We'll have to evacuate the humans as soon as possible. I hoped we could avoid conflict, but I think this isn't going to solve with diplomacy. "The pyro yaksha confessed.

"I agree with the idea of getting the innocent people out of there, but what of their homes?Where will the humans go?" Bosacius asked." If that area is turned into a battlefield, no house will survive."

"Can't they just temporarily move into the city?"

Menogias sighted." The city will easily get overpopulated if so many people come at once, we can maybe get some of them to move inide a few adepti realms, but even then we won't have the capacity to give them all a place to stay."

"What is your opinion on this, my lord?" Bosacius questioned.

"I will need to have more information before I can determine a solution." Morax put a finger on his temple, deep in thought.

Surprisingly, it was Xiao who came with a suggestion.

"How about.. we build some underground chambers?"

All the eyes turned to him.

The anemo yaksha's hands began trembling. He hid them behind the table.

(Morax felt his heart sting.Almost a year had passed, and the young yaksha still feared being in too much attention.)

(He felt even more sad when he realized this was an old habit of Ghizhong's.Did he look up to her?)

(Would Xiao ever look up to him?)

(Wait. Where did that come from? )

"If the issue is lack of space, then maybe we can manipulate geo to form temporary chambers." Xiao hesitantly explained.

Menogias put a hand on his chin."That is... a very creative idea. It might actually be practical."

Bosacius tilted her head. "Did you take for reference to those underground spots humans bury sealed pots to keep them during winter?"

"I...um... I saw similar chambers in.. my previous masters domain. Even if they were used for... different reasons... I think it's worth trying." The anemo yaksha concluded.

Bonanus and Indarias  seemed to pale.

All the generals shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

"That is an idea."Morax agreed."Does anyone else have any more ideas to share?"

"..."

"Well then.I think this meeting is done." 

____________________________________________________________

That same day, Morax stayed past midnight to fill papers and to finish the work.

Ghizhong argued that he was tired, so she should take the work, but she gave up when Morax brought up that it is her who would tell the humans about the evacuation.If she showed up tierd, people would notice. And since it would do no good to scare the Assembly's population even more than they were, Guizong mumbled a 'goodnight' before leaving the domain.

A few hours later, the dragon glanced over the empty teapot. He sighed heavily before standing up from the wooden chair.

Morax carefully picked up the teapot and exited the room.

The nearest kitchen was in his yakshas's headquarters, about 2 minutes if he walked.

The night sky was clear, millions of little stars dancing around the moon.

Morax slowly opened the door leading into the building, not wishing to wake up anyone.

He thought he was the only one who was awake (and rightly so,after all, it was midnight ). Thus, it surprised the geo god when he spoted Xiao very much awake walking the main hall.

"My lord." The anemo yaksha greeted.

"Xiao." Morax nodded.

(Well, this is awkward.)

"I was going to make some tea, would you like to join me?" The older adeptus offered.

"Yes." Xiao clumsily answered.

"You don't need to be so tense around me." Morax put a hand on the other's shoulder." I take no disrespect if you want to refuse me. This is an offer, not a command."

"I did not inted to.." The anemo yaksha tried to explain." I don't want to refuse your offer." 

"Alright then."

The dragon pushed the door to Menogias's spotless kitchen.

Xiao hesitantly moved to grab the teabags in the cupboard while Morax boiled some water over a low flame.

(He forgot the teacups, the dragon realized.)

"Could I perhaps borrow your brother's teacups?" Morax gestured to a colorful teaset, glaze lilys and silk flowers painted on the porcelain surface.

The anemo adeptus nodded, confused by the question.

After the two adepti sat down and poured over tea into two ( this time, not square) cups.

"May I ask something?" The geo god sipped the hot tea.

"You may ask anything of me, my lord." Xiao did not even touch his cup.

"What may be the reason of you being awake so late into the night?" Morax traced the cup's design with his fingers, yet his gaze was on the adeptus before him." Is, perhaps, something bothering you?"

"No, my lord. This one just does not require sleep."The adeptus seemed very much tierd, his voice devoid of any emotion.

(Morax could not bring himself to believe that. Not when the adeptus before him looked more like a ghost than an adeptus. So he concluded that his yaksha's words were prehaps not a lie, but half of the truth )

"I understand." He took another sip." But even so, sleeping can clear your mind and overall, be beneficial to you, even if it's not required."

"I do not wish to sleep." The small adeptus blankly looked at the steam coming of the hot liquid.

"I won't press on then." Morax said.

A few crickets broke the silece, their whispered song cutting the night's comforting silence.

It was only when the dragon moved his gaze to the window that Xiao whispered:

"I have nightmares."

The other adeptus did not react, not even flinched or gave any signal that he heard his yaksha's confession.

(The geo god carefully thought about what to say next. He needed to be cautious with his choice of words.)

"Is that so?" Morax mused, deep in his thoughts."What are your nightmares about?"

"..."

"I have nightmares too, quite often." The dragon looked at the table. His fingers followed the many scratches left by time."It's hard not to, when you decide the fates of hundreds."Morax stopped."Of course, we have drastically different reasons for having a nightmare. So there's no way to compare."

"...What are your nightmares about?..."

"Many things," Morax confessed."From my dear friends's death to me losing control of my sanity or the massacre of my nation. Of course, it's not wrong to be afraid of those possibilities."

The draggon poured himself another cup of tea." Your fears are not irrational."

The anemo yaksha didn't look like he fully believed him, but he slowly nodded.

"I... Thank you for inviting me." Xiao looked at the cold tea."This gave me some things to think about.I won't steal any more of your time, my lord."

"You're leaving?" 

"Yes, I have to return to my duties." The anemo yaksha answered.

"Well then, I wish you good luck." Morax said.

"Farewell, my Lord," Xiao dissappeard into a greenish cloud of smoke.

After his yaksha left, the geo god sighted heavily.He felt the exhaustion digging sharp claws into his body.

But Morax ignored it. He carefully washed the teaset and left it to dry on some dry cloth.

He, however, could do nothing to stop his thoughts.

(Morax knew the yaksha didn't feel fully comfortable in his presence. In almost a year, they almost never interacted with each other.)

(He remembered Ghizhong telling him about how the yakshas began calling him their brother. How the anemo yaksha seemed to change his demeanor drastically depending on who was with him.)

( Morax remembered how he promised to help this adeptus but never truly did.)

(Obviously, he could not neglect his duties as founder of the assembly. But neither should he begin ignoring his adepti because of his work.)

(Morax needed to find balance.)

Something brushed my his foot.

He stopped in place.

Morax picked out a golden feather from the ground.

He frowned.

(Neither Cloud Retainer nor Moutain Sharper visited this realm as far as Morax knew.)

(And the only other other person he knew to have a bird illuminated form rarely changes into it.)

(This realm was specifically designed for his generals, and no other could enter without permission.)

A dark tought crossed Morax's mind.

(Could this be a spy?)

BONUS SCENE

"Waaaa!Ghizhong, your yakshas are so cute!" Makoto cooed.

"Has something happened, marshall Bosacius?" Morax asked.

"My lord, I apologize for the interruption. The matter is not so important as to seek your attention in this moment.I suggest it is better that we leave -"

"Nonsense, I don't see how you staying could be a bad thing!" The pyro godess put her hands on her hips.

"Ah-" Bosacius blinked."Well, then, it would be rude to not introduce ourselves -"

"Your chlotes are so unique, is this the way the people of Liyue chlothe themselves?" The hydro godess asked Bonanus."It's beautiful!I love every aspect of it!"

Menogias's face turned red as a tomato.

"I should bring my sister, Ei, next time." Makoto sighted."She is more of the 'serious' personality type, but I'm sure she will accept the invitation, of course, if some sweet dishes are being served."

Ghizhong laughed behind her hand."You say that as if Indarias couldn't make any dish to be of everyone's taste."

The mentioned yaksha blushed a soft pink."Lady Ghizhong, that's not the entire truth, I've had my fare shares of failures over time -"

Rukkadevata shushed her with a wave of her hand.

"Ohhhhhh! Morax finally added an anemo yaksha to his favorites !" Barbatos dramatically cupped the face of a very (very) frightened Xiao."Has our dear dragon finally realized the true value of freedom?"

Morax 'accidentally' spilled some of the wine on Barbatos's wings.

"I guess not." The wind spirit sighted."My poor wings! How could you?!"

"Karma is karma," Morax shrugged.

"Huh?!What do you mean by that?!" Yelled Venti.