Chapter Text
It was another Lantern Rite festival in Liyue, marking the end of yet another year. Everyone was celebrating, with festivities, in Liyue Harbor, except for the adepti. Most adepti, such as Cloud Retainer, were watching the festival from the mountains. But, there was another adeptus, who watched the Lantern Rite from a cliff directly above Liyue. He watched the Mingxiao lanterns float above the dark waters, the lights shimmering on the water. He never went down to Liyue himself, during the festival, but he secretly enjoyed the sights from afar. It seemed like just another Lantern Rite festival, just another year, to Adeptus Xiao, the guardian Yaksha of Liyue. The wind lightly ruffled his hair, as he gazed down at the glowing city. It was then that he sensed a presence beside him. He looked to his right, to see a young man dressed in blue wearing a large hat. Somewhat startled, Xiao leapt to his feet and summoned his spear. “I mean you no harm,” said the man in blue. “I simply came to look upon Liyue, during a time of its magnificent splendor.” Xiao did not trust the man’s words and held his spear menacingly. “Put the spear down.” Commanded the man, with a cold glare that could send chills down even a god’s back. “Who are you?” Demanded Xiao, still not putting down his weapon. “...You can call me Wanderer,” replied the man. Noticing the anemo vision on the Wanderer’s robes, Xiao asked, “Are you from Sumeru?” It was true that the Wanderer’s vision was that of Sumeru, but he himself was not. “No, technically speaking, I am from Inazuma,” the Wanderer sighed, his sigh having the air of someone who had been through hell and back. Not wanting to pry further, Xiao sat back down on the grass. He remained silent, but the Wanderer understood his invitation to sit down as well. “I’m assuming that your name is Wanderer because you… wander?” Asked Xiao. “Yes.” Answered the Wanderer. For some reason unknown to him, Xiao felt like he didn’t want the Wanderer leaving Liyue just yet. It confused Xiao, as he didn’t know the Wanderer at all, but… he wanted to know more about him. “How long will you be in Liyue, Wanderer?” question Xiao. “I don’t know. Until I want to leave, I suppose,” replied the Wanderer, shrugging. “...If you need a place to stay, you could stay at the Wangshu Inn. I live there, but there are always extra rooms,” offered Xiao. He didn’t know what made him say that, since he was used to being mildly hostile with most everyone. Why should he have to care about what happened to the Wanderer? He wasn’t a citizen of Liyue, therefore not Xiao’s problem. “Thanks for your offer, but I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet.” Said the Wanderer. The two sat in silence, watching the lanterns drift across the night sky. Once the sun began to rise, Xiao returned to the Wangshu Inn, and the Wanderer had seemingly disappeared. For some reason, Xiao hoped that he’d see the Wanderer again, a small flicker of hope lighting up his shadowed heart.