Chapter Text
Breathe in… breathe out…
You’ve been through this countless times before, don’t lose your will now.
Holding his head in his hands, he tangles his fingers in his hair as another piercing pain shoots through him. Xiao’s vision blurs.
It’s getting worse…
A moment later, he appears in the lobby of Bubu Pharmacy, materializing from dark smoke and stumbling, still struggling to see straight. A blur of purple approaches him, but he can only hear blood rushing in his ears. Before he can register what’s going on, he collapses.
“Xiao?”
His eyes flutter open.
Did he lose consciousness? How weak.
“Are you okay?”
Lumine. She stands in front of him, a worried expression on her face. They are in the back room of the pharmacy now. He must have passed out. Qiqi walks into the room with Baizhu following, and the two of them walk over to Xiao and Lumine as well.
“Adeptus Xiao, I’m glad to see you’re awake again. You arrived so suddenly, I barely noticed you before you collapsed. It’s a good thing Qiqi was able to catch you in time. I gave you some medicine for the moment, but I doubt it will last long. If you’re still in pain I can call for Zhongli,” Baizhu begins.
Xiao shakes his head, causing him to wince a bit. “That… won’t be necessary.”
“If you insist.” Baizhu seems hesitant to dismiss xiao’s symptoms, but doesn’t disagree.
“Wait! I have an idea.”
Everyone turns to Lumine, who smiles at Xiao.
What is she thinking?
“In my travels through Mondstadt I happened to have met an alchemist who works in dragonspine. I think it couldn’t hurt to get another scientist’s opinion on your condition. And it could be good for you to take a little trip and clear your head! I’m sure he’d be happy to have some company too. Think about it!”
Xiao shakes his head. “Liyue needs me. To leave this land is to abandon my duties as an adeptus.”
“Xiao. If you’re in so much pain you lose consciousness, it can’t be safe for you to brush this off. I’m sure Zhongli can hold off on your contract if it’s for your health-”
He looks at the floor. “I will be fine.”
“Listen, I know how strong you are. I’m not saying you aren’t capable of withstanding your karma.. But if you fall in battle from this pain… What I’m saying is, Liyue needs you, and so you need to take care of yourself. Please, just..consider it.”
Xiao listens hesitantly, and then sighs. “I will ask Zhongli.”
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Dragonspine is cold. Really cold. Xiao hates the way he shivers as he climbs his way up the mountain. He thinks back to what the traveler had said. Does the alchemist really live here? It’s much too cold for most humans. Why would anyone decide to stay here longer than necessary?
Eventually, Xiao arrives at the entrance to a cave. It is dark, and there doesn’t appear to be anyone inside. But various alchemical devices affirmed it was the right place.
Hmm.. No sign of the alchemist here. Not surprising, considering the harsh climate. Maybe he gave up.
As Xiao turned around to leave, however, a second figure made themselves known.
“And what might you be doing here?”
The sudden noise after having been in silence for long hours spiked his adrenaline, as he spun around to find the source of the voice. Before him stood a slightly taller man with blonde hair and a white coat.
Could this be the alchemist?
“Adeptus Xiao, of Liyue. I am here to find the alchemist who studies on this mountain.”
He hated how hoarse that came out. Has it really been so long since he last spoke?
“I see. Well, I don’t usually appreciate unannounced visitors. What do you need? I’m about to begin an experiment, so I request you make this quick, or come back later.”
Xiao began, “The traveler requested I visit you. She thinks you can provide an opinion on the medicine I take, perhaps make it more effective.”
The Alchemist hums, walking around gathering supplies for his experiment, clearing crucibles and beakers from a table to make room.
“Are you listening to me?” Xiao says, annoyance evident in his tone.
“Of course. But I really would appreciate it if you could wait a moment… I need to finish this experiment- oh.. My lampgrass is wilting.” He places a hand to the stem and the flower blooms again, no longer dying despite the frigid environment.
Xiao sighs, walking to the side to lean against a wall. The alchemist seems wrapped up in his work, unbothered by the silent presence of the Yaksha. However, while the alchemist works, Xiao rubs circles into his temples. A particularly painful headache sends him to his knees, however, and he hisses in pain.
“Adeptus? Are you okay?” The alchemist looks up from his work and rushes to the adeptus’s side, who grunts and pushes him away, stumbling into the snow where he promptly loses consciousness again.
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Xiao wakes up laying in a cot in the cave. The alchemist is taking notes at a table not far away. He looks up from his book when he notices the adeptus has awoken.
“You shouldn’t have come near me, alchemist. It’s not safe.” Xiao says sharply.
“My name is Albedo,” the alchemist spoke calmly. “If you had told me earlier how urgent your condition was, I would have put aside my work to help you.”
Xiao glares at the alchem-at Albedo, amber eyes flaring in cold frustration. Albedo sighs, putting down his notes to stand up and walk over to Xiao, who sits up and crosses his arms.
“It's dangerous for humans to be near me when my karmic debt surges,”He sighs. “You could have gotten hurt.” There is a slightly worried expression on his face, but it is overcome by annoyance.
Albedo responds coolly, “If you had said something sooner instead of waiting until you physically collapsed to mention your condition, I would have known of the danger.” He pauses. “But that's in the past now, and I am unharmed. So tell me what I can do for you. You have my undivided attention.”
Xiao relaxes a bit, unfurrowing his eyebrows to maintain civility in the conversation. “The traveler told me you have an aptitude for science. She recommended I come ask you for an opinion on my… recently inconvenient outbursts of karmic debt.”
Albedo mutters under his breath.
Inconvenient... Is that what he calls passing out in the middle of Dragonspine?
“I can hear you.” Xiao adds.
“Excuse my asking, but how long have you been experiencing these symptoms? I'm aware that the adepti of Liyue live quite long lives, so I would hope that this isn't the first time you've consulted someone about this behavior.” Albedo mentally notes that adepti have excellent hearing. It seems like sarcasm will have to stay in his mind for now.
“I have lived about 2000 years. The debt I carry is nothing new to me. But the headaches have become increasingly painful. I take medication prescribed to me by a pharmacist in Liyue harbor, but it does not provide a cure, only temporary relief. I wouldn't have come here if it wasn't for the traveler’s persuasion.” He pauses. “The debt I carry is mine alone, earned after millenia of slaughter. But the traveler is correct. I… cannot perform to my maximum capability like this…”
“I see. Well, I could not turn down the request of such a close friend of the Traveler, and likewise a valuable research opportunity in good conscience. So, you may stay here with me, and I will do what I can to help you find treatment. Additionally, I would be honored if you allowed me to study you. It isn't every day an adeptus shows up at my doorstep. Do I have your consent?”
“You wish to… study me?” He squints at the blonde, trying to detect any ulterior motives in the man's request. Finding none, he cautiously agrees, “... Very well. But do not get too comfortable if you value your health. Humans are not made to hold the weight of the karma I carry.”
To this, Albedo nods. “I will set up a tent for you.”
“Adepti don't sleep.”