Good Karma

One last time

"Ouch, my head hurts."
Aether slapped his forehead.

He lazily opened his eyes to see being surrounded. Ganyu, Baizhu, and Paimon were all hovering around him.

"Tell me traveler do you feel ill other than a headache."
Baizhu asks, the snake slithers from around baizhu's neck to Aether.

"Sorry about that, he's checking on you."
Baizhu gave a small smile, picking up his snake.

"What's going on?"
Aether asked, looking around.

The room was a bit untidy, Ganyu and Paimon wore expressions of relief.

"You've been asleep for days!"
Paimon exclaimed, punching Aether in the arm.

"Ow! Paimon-"
Ganyu thanked Baizhu profusely.

"Traveler, thankfully Xiao and Ganyu came and helped out with the antidote."
Baizhu explained, crediting Xiao and Ganyu.

"Thank you Baizhu, you're too kind."
Ganyu returned the credit.

"Speaking of where is Xiao??"
Paimon interrupted.

.
.
.

Traversing Jueyun Karst he did, Xiao had one job to do. Protect the citizens of Liyue, yet he failed.

He let the traveler get to him, he got too comfortable. This is his price to pay.

Xiao couldn't feel anything but empty, guilt had slowly begun to seep into his wounds.

Xiao walked in circles for hours, unable to find a sense of direction.

He kicked a huge rock, which didn't budge a bit. Xiao sighed, sitting a top of the rock. He pulled his legs into his chest, staying vigilant, but finding a way to relax.

"You sometimes don't understand, do you?"
Aether chuckled softly, sitting down right next to Xiao.

Xiao almost fell off the rock. Aether had caught him halfway.
He brought Xiao back to his balance.

Xiao growled under his breath, before attempting to teleport away.
Aether had grabbed Xiao's wrist, "Please, wait."

Xiao hesitated, pulling his arm away with Aether.
Aether's pleading eyes were almost about to flood.

"Get away from me mortal."
Xiao demanded, glaring at the traveler.
He didn't want to use such a tone with the traveler. However, safety is more valuable than anything else.

"Xiao it's not your fault, karma is everywhere. I know.."
Xiao's blood began to boil, unable to properly articulate his feelings.

"You know nothing, you best to not interfere with the handlings of Adepti."
Xiao hissed, teleporting away. Aether stayed silent for a bit.

"Xiao, I understand. Talk to me, please."

.
.
.
.

(Xiao POV)

He tells nothing but lies...He intends to bring more harm than good...

Stop...

He's lying to you, Xiao.

Why me.

He knows nothing.
Don't let him get close.
You killed so many in the past, why should you find happiness?
You're a murderer, you're a weapon.

"Gah, those voices...so dark."
I shook my head, the voices attacked me.

"Xiao, I understand. Talk to me, please."
I heard the traveler, his voice was a light in the dark.

But I consistently put him in danger, my karma is to be suffered alone.
For that is the duty of the Adepti.

.
.
.
.

"Paimon thinks you need to rest."
Paimon added, a bit concerned.

"No, I'm not stopping till I talk to Xiao."
Aether stated firmly.

"What did you see in that dream?"
Paimon asked.
Aether froze, slowly turning around.

"How did you know about the dream."
Aether asked, Paimon smile turned a bit sad.

"It doesn't matter, but uh, I think Xiao is at Wangshu Inn."
Aether slowly nodded his head.
As Paimon disappeared into a burst of constellations.

.
.
.
.

Xiao was busy playing with a piece of Cor Lapis he had come across.
It was a small pebble, which he twirled around in his hands.

The rock was easy to fidget with.
Xiao silently played with it,

Xiao, he's near.
Get rid of him now.
He's no good.

Xiao clenched the rock in his fist, the voices rang in his head.

He knew Aether was near, however, something compelled him to sit still.

Silence filled Wangshu inn.
The time ticked by, as Xiao waited.

Xiao had heard scrambling and grunting.
Xiao turned around to see the traveler hopping onto the roof.

Xiao stayed silent, turning back around, and fidgeting with the rock once more.

Aether walked over to Xiao, his footsteps were light.
Aether sat down next to Xiao, leaning on his shoulder.

Xiao stayed silent, however, fidgeting with the rock.

"It's not your fault."
Aether said, breaking the silence.

"I know,"
Xiao whispered.
"But I don't want to accept it."

Aether looked up at Xiao.
Xiao focused his gaze on the lands of Liyue.

"Dreams huh, pretty dark."
Aether mumbled, he intertwined his hands with Xiao's.
Xiao didn't hesitate to take his hand.

"If you continue to come to me I'll hurt you."
Xiao whispered, he felt his eyes slowly begin to water.

"I fought a god and a dragon, I think I'll be able to manage."
Aether chuckled, wrapping his arms around Xiao's figure.

Xiao closed his eyes, leaning into the warmth he was greeted with.

Maybe good karma, does exist.

.
.
.
.

THE END
Hopefully, this ending satisfies your tastes. Thank you for reading!!