To Rise, To Fall | genshin impact | ningguang

Night 4: Adepti

Ningguang leans against the wall, arms folded and legs crossed at the ankle. Her eyelids are heavy, but despite the long days of the Qixing and ministries, she fights to stay awake a little longer. Keqing has been indispensable in her planning for repairing the damage to the harbor, and Ningguang smirks at the memory of forcing the woman to sleep only a few hours prior. Keqing asked her to take her own advice, but Ningguang had other plans.

Ganyu opens the door and enters, Madame Ping trailing behind her. The secretary holds a hand to her chest, clutching at the bell around her neck as she frowns at the unconscious Lumine. The elder woman's hands are clasped behind her back, and she no longer wears the serene and kind expression that can usually be found in Yujing Terrace; instead, her brow is pinched with worry.

"Thank you for coming," Ningguang says, standing upright. "I know that despite our agreement, the Qixing and adepti parted on strange terms."

"The harbor may not be the place for the adepti," Madame Ping begins, "but this old woman has been here for many years. You ought to know I am not as fickle as those in the mountains."

Ningguang gives a slight laugh. "Of course," she says. Then, she asks, "Are you... the only guest today?"

Madame Ping sighs, then nods. "I believe the others intend to stay secluded in their abodes. Although, let us open a window, just in case."

Ningguang raises an eyebrow at this, but Ganyu simply pushes open the window nearest to the bed. A light rain falls outside, but the streams that pour off the lip of the roof don't do much more than sprinkle the windowsill with a fine mist.

"In case of what?" Ningguang asks. "The adepti are perfectly welcome to walk in the front doors."

Madame Ping laughs, and Ganyu seems to suppress a giggle. "This might be faster," says Madame Ping, "if he decides to come inside, that is."

Ningguang lets it go, too tired to force her way into the inside references of the adepti.

"How is she?" Ganyu asks, smoothing out the corner of Lumine's blanket. "I heard she went into some sort of fit yesterday."

"The healers say that, physically, she is about the same," Ningguang answers. "But according to her companion's observations—and my own—she seems to be suffering from some sort of frequent nightmare that is only getting worse."

Ganyu frowns, makes a soft noise, and brushes a hand along Lumine's forehead, tucking a lock of hair to the side. Ningguang feels a strange pang in her chest; she had carefully arranged that hair perhaps an hour before.

"The young warrior is strong," Madame Ping comments, "but perhaps we put too much on her."

"She saved Liyue Harbor," Ganyu concurs. "She is... magnificent."

"She's just a girl," Ningguang blurts out, and then she sighs as she remembers Beidou's words from the day before. "I mean to say... she is young, and she did not ask for this responsibility. Not like us."

"Do you feel responsible?" asks Madame Ping.

Ningguang responds, "Don't you?"

Madame Ping gives a solemn nod. "Of course," she says. "This is a result of our adeptal energy, is it not? We should feel responsible."

Ganyu nods along. "I feel terrible," she says. "I only wished to aid in the fight, but this..."

"Hopefully it will pass soon," Madame Ping says, and then a new voice joins the conversation.

"I doubt it," it says, and the three women turn towards the windowsill.

The Guardian Yaksha, Conqueror of Demons, sits perched upon the frame, one hand clutching the top and one foot dangling inside the room. He hops down, and he does not bother to rid himself of the rainwater on his hair and skin.