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A week prior to the Rite of Parting, Lady Ningguang came by the pharmacy.
Qiqi had never met her before. And if she ever did, she had long forgotten.
She was kind. Her smile reminded Qiqi of the moon against the night sky. Very unlike how the other adults described her, too. Qiqi had only ever heard the tales of Lady Ningguang being cold and calculating, eyes on the prize in every situation. But this Lady Ningguang seemed different—warm and considerate. The smile with which she greeted Qiqi felt true.
Qiqi’s memory wasn’t the best, such was a well-known fact. But when looking back at that day, she remembers how Ningguang crouched down when speaking to her, always making sure to meet her gaze.
She’d said: “ Hello, dear one. May I know where Dr. Baizhu is? ”.
Once together, the two grown-ups started talking in big words Qiqi didn’t really understand. But whatever it may be they were discussing, it seemed to be very important. Qiqi would know, because she noticed Dr. Baizhu make that strange expression where his nose scrunches up and his eyebrows almost touch. She tried to replicate it herself each time.
Ningguang stayed for longer than most patients usually did. She remained with them until the sun began to set, when Dr. Baizhu finally gave a firm nod and Ningguang clapped her hands together with a polite smile.
“Excellent, then!”, Qiqi heard her say.
Before she took her leave, Lady Ningguang turned to look at Qiqi and spoke directly to her once more.
“ Don’t worry, little one. You’ll do great. ”
The next day, Qiqi would learn that the harbor was in great danger.
Dr. Baizhu explained it to her, though she once again had trouble getting it all amongst the complicated words and various interruptions from people entering the pharmacy. But she did understand it had to do with the adepti in some way, and the events which followed Rex Lapis’ disappearance, not too long ago. Lady Ningguang had learnt this, and if Dr. Baizhu hadn’t asked her how, then Qiqi wouldn’t either.
But she was surprised to find out she’d been chosen for guard duty.
Dr. Baizhu explained that Qiqi’s role was to help keep the harbor safe. Qiqi didn’t quite understand why she was needed specifically, but it seemed like an important mission, and so she wasn’t going to turn it down.
Ningguang picked her up sometime later.
“There’s nothing to worry about,” she said, taking Qiqi’s hand and gently walking her to the shore. “All you need to do is make everyone follow you along. You’ll be guiding them like a mother duck guides her ducklings, see?”
Qiqi liked ducklings, and so she decided she liked this mission too.
“You just need to remember two things, alright? First: the seaside is dangerous; no one can come near. Second: There will be an evacuation. When it’s time to run away, everyone has to follow you.”
Those were instructions simple enough for Qiqi to remember. She wrote them down in a talisman, ready to go along with her new orders.
Ningguang dropped her off in the harbor, amongst the busy streets and passing people.
Qiqi was, at first, a little confused. Nothing seems out of the ordinary when she looks past the horizon. The waves swayed in a gentle to-and-fro, calm as ever. There was barely any wind; the whole scene was marked by its stillness.
But then she felt it. It was faint, but it was there, and it was growing. A malicious energy emanating from the water, nearing the shore by the minute. She looked around, trying to notice any sign of worry or concern in the bystander’s faces, but saw none. It made sense, she guessed. The source of dark energy must be of adeptical nature in one way or another, then—regular people wouldn’t perceive it.
There were many things about her own emotions Qiqi didn’t understand, but the feeling of dread starting to pool down in her stomach was certain.
She spent her morning running around the harbor, trying to draw the attention of every person she encountered. Unfortunately, no one seemed to be taking her warnings seriously. Most only saw Qiqi as either a scary zombie or a naïve little girl, and weren’t interested in listening to what she had to say. Which was a little upsetting, Qiqi even made sure to wave her arms so people would know how serious she was being!
The mission wasn’t helped by the fact that the shores of Liyue seemed to be busier than ever. And Liyue Harbor was a very busy city.
She’d heard snippets of conversations from the adults—something about Lady Ningguang organizing a grand contest. Qiqi didn’t understand why Ningguang would want people to be so busy if the goal was to make people leave the area of danger.
After her efforts to alert the crowd of the danger hiding in the sea proved to be unsuccessful, Qiqi sat down on the floor, defeated. She hoped Ningguang wouldn’t be too disappointed when she found out.
The serenity of the harbor remained unmoving. But with the knowledge she now had, Qiqi felt a bit unsettled by it. The calm before the storm ; she’d heard the adults talk about it many times.
A few hours later, Qiqi caught sight of two familiar faces amidst the crowd.
The traveler and Paimon were never in the same place for too long; it was hard to know where they’d be next, too, so Qiqi wasn’t surprised about their unannounced visit to Liyue. Once the traveling pair caught sight of Qiqi as well, they walked by to greet her.
“Qiqi! What are you doing here?”
After Ningguang’s explanation of her mission, Qiqi knew the words by heart:
“Seaside. Dangerous.”
Aether and Paimon looked at her, confused.
She elaborates a little:
“Evacuation. The seaside is dangerous, so Qiqi is helping with the evacuation.”
“Dangerous?”
“Evacuation?”
Aether and Paimon asked, so quick their words overlapped with one another.
“Yes. Ningguang said there’s something bad in the sea,” Qiqi said, pointing at a spot amongst the waves where she felt the cursed energy was the strongest. “She sent Qiqi to evacuate everyone.”
Aether chuckled. “People don’t seem to be evacuating though.”
Qiqi looked down as she dropped her shoulders a little. “No one would listen to Qiqi… So, instead, Qiqi is guarding this place!” She made sure to sound as determined as possible, showing a decided look in her face. She wouldn’t let the traveler think she’d given up on her mission so easily.
“We’re sure you’ll do great, Qiqi!” Paimon assured as she floated around the other two. “You’ll protect everyone easy-peasy. Paimon has seen you do some crazy damage for someone so tiny!”
“Hey now, you’re one to talk!” Aether playfully jabbed back at Paimon.
He then patted Qiqi’s head, roughing her hair up a little.
“She’s right, though. With you in charge, everyone should be safe. Let’s hope nothing comes to worst, but if it did, I’m sure you’ll know what to do, Qiqi.”
The pair waved at Qiqi as they walked away, big smiles on their faces. These smiles did not upset her, unlike the ones she got from the harbor’s passersby as they walked away. Qiqi could somehow tell the traveler meant his words and trusted her.
She looked at her reflection in the water, and smiled.
Even while not moving an inch from her usual spot, Qiqi heard the news of Ningguang’s contest ending. She didn’t know much else though, as she had remained unmoving in her guarding spot. She didn't think winning a contest could be of much importance when your home is in grave danger, either.
She wondered if it had anything to do with the Jade Chamber being back in the sky.
That much made sense. Rebuilding the Jade Chamber couldn’t be an easy task, so it would take a lot of people working together for it to work. It would also take a lot of time; time passed by so quickly for an immortal that Qiqi was no longer sure if she quite knew how long it had been since the contest started, but it had to be at least a good couple of days.
It started with a tremor.
A soft yet persistent rumbling, coming from the ground. Lasting way longer than a tremor should do. Qiqi knew immediately, this had to do with the beast hiding below.
The rest happened fast. In a matter of seconds, the sky became dark. But not pitch black as in nighttime, not the dark and serene blue shades of sundown; instead, an eerie green color.
The wind became stronger. So much so that Qiqi could see hurricanes start to form. The sea level rose, too, creating big waves which crashed into one another with the fury of wild beasts.
And Qiqi was afraid .
She wasn’t the only one. The people who originally belittled her, amused at the vivid imagination of a tiny little girl, now stood frozen as they looked up at the ominous shapes forming in the clouds.
Then it emerged.
And people started to panic.
Qiqi’s memories of the last time such a creature appeared in the harbor were quite vague, but she could tell things weren’t too different a second time around. Despite that—or maybe because of that—the crowd soon became a chaotic mess of people running in all directions and screaming for their lives. Trying their hardest to escape the impending doom which seemingly awaited them.
Everyone but Qiqi.
She stood firm in her designated spot, trying to think. What could she possibly do to help anyone in this situation? Even she wanted to just run away!
Then the creature started attacking.
Water based projectiles started falling from all directions. The harbor took a lot of damage; Qiqi knew as she watched the wood floor crack under her.
The grown-ups weren’t going to take it, Qiqi could see that too. Ningguang fought back with her newly completed Jade Chamber, throwing Geo projectiles at it in turn.
The sight was enough to pull Qiqi out of her daze. Others were fighting back with furor, she couldn’t just stand idle and watch! Ningguang surely would be disappointed, given how she was risking everything to keep Liyue safe. She didn’t need to [ think ] about what to do—she needed to get up and do it!
So she sped through the crowd, doing everything she could to call their attention. She tugged their clothes, clinged onto their legs, even dared push when she needed to make way.
The result was as desired—people broke out of their frantic trance, turning to look at the young girl. Some were upset at her misbehavior, others simply confused as to how she could have time for childish play in the middle of a crisis. But the main goal had been achieved: people were looking at her instead of the scary monster.
Qiqi waved her arms again. She shook them up and down like a birdie about to take flight.
“Everyone! Listen to Qiqi! Things are very dangerous right now, but Qiqi can help! You all have to follow Qiqi, and things will be okay. I will guide the evacuation.”
People started whispering. It didn’t seem like they trusted Qiqi, not even after she explained herself.
“Qiqi has been assigned with the evacuation by Lady Ningguang!” she exclaimed, hoping that would at least give her some more authority.
Amongst the adults, it still seemed to have no effect. But a child did step forward.
Qiqi had seen her before a couple of times. Little Lulu was her name, and she sometimes went by the pharmacy. She took Qiqi’s hand and said, “I’ll follow you. If Lady Ningguang trusts you, then so can we.”
Her two friends followed suit. Qiqi didn’t remember their names, but they were two boys the same age as Lulu who often played with her. Or so Qiqi thought, at least; she wasn’t as familiar with their faces.
“Yeah! Lead on!” the boy with the glasses cheered.
“Just please get us out of here…” said the boy with the hat, his eyes teary.
Qiqi smiled at them.
She walked on, and the other kids followed behind her. Just as Ningguang said: like a line of little ducklings.
“Where are you taking us?” Lulu asked.
“We’ll continue until we reach Mount Tianheng,” Qiqi said. Humans and adepti didn’t really commune anymore, but she was certain their visit wouldn’t be met with disdain, given the particular circumstances.
Soon, the number of footsteps Qiqi heard behind them went up. She turned and saw all the other village children following her, too!
Their little parade continued on the streets of Liyue. Their journey was way too slow and calm for someone in their situation; any of the children would’ve told you, if asked: It’s all Qiqi. She’s comforting.
Qiqi should’ve realized sooner—if there was any group of people who might go along with her, it would have to be people her size. Little ones stick up for each other, after all.
The moment she and the other children arrived at a clearing in Mount Tianheng, Qiqi collapsed onto the ground. It wasn’t anything bad, really—just that the stress of the last few days finally caught up with her.
She could tell by the faint voices around her that the adepti in the mountain were helping keep the children guarded, and tending the wounds of those who were hurt.
Qiqi wishes she could’ve smiled before she fell asleep.
Qiqi woke up to a frenzy of parents crying and running to hug their children. It would seem everything was over, and it was the time for heartfelt reunions.
Qiqi hadn’t expected to be part of it all, but then she spotted—
“Lady Ningguang?”
“Ah, Qiqi, there you are!”
“But you should be in the harbor… helping fix things.”
“I was.” Ningguang crouched down again, taking Qiqi’s hands between her own. “But then I thought I should reward you for your evacuation plan. It was quite a success, wouldn’t you say?”
Qiqi looked down at the floor, bashful. “Reward?...”
“Yes, indeed.” Ningguang offered Qiqi a warm smile. “Now, everyone who helped me around with the Jade Chamber got to ask me one question, so I believe it’s only fair you get the same treatment. Go ahead, ask me anything you want.”
Any question at all? Qiqi knew Lady Ningguang was smart, probably the smartest in all of Liyue. She thought long and hard of what she could possibly ask her, but it kept coming down to the same one thing:
“Would you say… you are proud of Qiqi?”
Lady Ningguang laughed—but not in mockery. It was the sound of pure, carefree joy. She squeezed Qiqi’s hands and said,
“ Absolutely, my dear .”