What is mine, stays mine.

Wangshuu Inn

Back in a much younger and naive time, his weaknesses were easier to exploit. They were noticeable, easy to take a hold of. They forced him to serve as their bloodhound, in which capacity he was forced to perform cruel and violent acts.

Many died at his hand, many hopes were crushed, and he was even forced into devouring his victims' dreams. As much as it pained him to do this, he was helpless to resist. This was all he could do, he did not have a choice in the matter. The war was truly cruel and he was just yet another tool in it for the malice they wanted to spread.

Finally, on the battlefield of the Archon War, Morax, the Geo Archon, had a fateful encounter with the yaksha's master. The current state of the world should be more than enough to tell us the results of that bloody battle. Spears clashed, tore flesh open and blood squirted out like a fountain. He hated how that sight did not bother him, for he had seen much worse before.

Rex Lapis liberated the yaksha and gave him the name 'Xiao.'

He still remembered his words, as clear as day, shining bright, "In the fables of another world, the name Xiao is that of a spirit who encountered great suffering and hardship. He endured much suffering, as you have. Use this name from now on."

To repay his debt of gratitude to the Geo Archon, Xiao shouldered the burden of protecting Liyue in the millennia that followed. His past of service under the evil god had rid Xiao of his innocence and gentleness. All that remained within him was the means to kill and the weight of his sins. The only way he could be of service to mortals was in combat.

He did not entirely mind. To repay his debt to Rex Lapis was more than enough. It should have been enough. He never asked for more, even when Rex Lapis was willing to give him more. He made sure to be grateful, to do his bidding perfectly, to not let anyone speak ill of him.

So, why did it turn out this way?

Why did Morax... die? The word "die" and "Morax" being used in the same sentence left a sour taste on his tongue, a heavy feeling on his chest... things he could not comprehend. He was far from human, always has been. Human emotions are nothing but petty disturbances, they'll only weigh him down. That should've been more than clear to all. 

When this mortal and their weird floating thing came to Wangshu Inn, Xiao was reluctant to listen to them let alone have a conversation with them. He thought it was yet another mortal that came to wish out of their greed. He wished to avoid them as much as possible, but they did come with a serving of almond tofu to show their respect to adepti so perhaps this wasn't too bad... yet. 

The taste was the same as Xiao remembered. It was like the dreams he used to devour but the words the mortal uttered were heavier than its taste. It made the ever-confident Adeptus freeze for a moment in hesitation...? No, that was not the right word. Xiao did not hesitate. He couldn't put a name to this feeling, much to his annoyance. Human feelings are complicated, unknown to Xiao. Useless.

Yet he still could not shake off that said feeling from his chest. It was the same feeling he got when master Rex Lapis told him that he has done more than enough for Liyue, for him; only this time it was ten times heavier. It was crushing him, the memories replayed in his head and got him drowsy, yet he didn't show. His facial expression did not move an inch. 

As the mortal claimed to have seen Morax's corpse descend down on Liyue Harbour, Xiao mentally cursed himself for not watching over such an important event. He should've exercised further caution, he was careless and because of his mistake, Morax was...

A lump was tied around his throat, choking him. Xiao bit his tongue to not growl out in... pain? Agony? Anger? No, it was a different emotion. He did not understand it.