To Bask in a Ray of Sunlight: a XiaoAether fanfiction

Chapter 21

Xiao.

It has been days. I don't have any idea how many, but I know several days have passed since I last saw Aether.

I don't feel like seeing him, either--but this won't be fixed until we talk.

However, the last time I saw him was when he was lying unconscious again, but this time, Paimon was calling my name.

"Xiao. Xiao!" I heard a voice inside my head; a familiar one. I wiped my tears, fixing myself before standing up. I crossed the distance between this person and myself with my adeptal power. As soon as I reached my destination, Paimon was I first thing I saw. An unconscious traveler came to my line of sight next. I kneeled down and carried him, carefully placing his head properly to avoid any more incidents and injuries.

"We need to go back to the inn. We can treat him there," I said, turning my back on her. "Wait!" She said.

"Paimon doesn't think that would be a good idea......."

"Then, where shall we go?"

She rested her chin on her hand, thinking deeply. It was then until she looked at me, her eyes wide. "Oh, Paimon knows!" She flew towards us and opened Aether's inventory. She pulled out his teapot and placed it somewhere safe. "Come on, let's go to his teapot!"

The three of us then teleported inside.

It also has been days since I felt constant pain all over my body. It has been long since I had one. I took the jar of painkillers Zhongli gave me once and ate some. It feels more like a snack since they're gummy bears.

Once again, I strolled around the mountains of Liyue as I do my duty to protect the land, subtly looking for him or anything that might lead me to him while chewing some painkillers to keep me going. I visited the highest point of Guyun Stone Forest, seeing the Alcor at the same spot where I first saw it. I somewhat felt relieved.....probably because if I see that ship gone, it might probably mean that Aether has missed his chance--or his only chance--to get to Inazuma.

Or he left with the Alcor to Inazuma without even saying goodbye.

I decided to walk back to Wangshu Inn instead of gliding along the winds. As usual, I still haven't found him.

I continued walking around until I realized that I had unconsciously arrived at Jueyun Karst. Considering that this place is the private territory of the adepti, this is indeed a good place to collect my thoughts. Either way, I am unable to sleep with my current situation.

I fished for a couple of gummy bear painkillers and chewed it both at the same time while looking for a perfect spot to stay for a bit. As soon as I sat on one of the exposed tree roots somewhere right below a hill, a voice became audible to my ears. I was about to hide as those voices are usually people looking for adepti to ask for miracles, but a familiar face materialized from the darkness of the night, walking toward me as he wave his hand.

"How unusual to see someone strolling here at dawn." I said.

"Indeed, it is." Xingqiu sat beside me. I instinctively widen the distance between us. He only smiled, not minding my reaction to him.

"I was only walking around the Guyun Stone Forest to pick up some materials and felt unusually at peace. I only planned to take a walk for a bit but it seems that I've walked around Liyue for too long." He sighed. "How about you, Xiao? What makes you stroll around the place where the adepti resides?"

I raised a brow. "Shouldn't I be the one asking you?"

"We're both trespassers here, as far as I know." Xingqiu chuckled. "Besides, I have already told you my reason. I wish to know yours, if you don't mind."

"Ah." I've only realized that he doesn't know that I'm an adeptus. It's not a secret I want to keep, but a truth that he doesn't even try to discover.

"I only wish to recollect my thoughts here. The ambiance in this place is quite......relaxing, I can say." I said.

He nodded in agreement. "It truly is a peaceful place." He gazed at the moon, his smile wavering. I somehow felt worried; he must be thinking about something problematic.

"I do not mean to interfer with your personal matters, but is there something bothering you? I can probably help," I offered. His gaze turned towards me, his eyes wide. It didn't take a moment before he's gone back to his usual expression.

"I see.....I guess I'm really not that gifted in the theatre department." He let out a laugh. It was melodic, yet it hinted a twinge of sadness within. I didn't budge and waited for him to finish. After a 'heartful' laugh, he wiped the tears from his eyes and went back to his usual expression. "But I appreciate your concern, really. However, I think I should be more concerned about you." Xingqiu said.

"And why is that?"

"I...." he hesitated.

"If you can't tell me, it's okay."

"No! I......it's true, I promised him that I wouldn't tell you this, but.....it just doesn't feel right." He stood up, turning around to face me. I didn't utter a single word; I was all ears on him.

"I did collect some materials from the Guyun Stone Forest last morning, but I actually saw Aether when I climbed st the peak of the forest."

I felt my heart pumped faster than usual. Still, I kept my cool and waited for Xingqiu to continue as I fought the urge to travel back to the forest and look for Aether.

"He told me I shouldn't tell you this because he's sure you'll catch him in no time......but he's leaving to Inazuma with the Alcor today."

I teleported back to the Guyun Stone Forest throught the waypoint. Through my adeptal power, I climbed up to the peak where I can clearly see where the Alcor usually is.

It is true....the Alcor is already moving.

I sat on the ground, my knees feeling weak in disbelief.

"AETHER!" I screamed desperately. He can't leave me just like that.

He could've said goodbye, at least.

"AETHER! AETHER!" I once again screamed, hoping for him to come back.

Yet here he was, standing at the crow's nest, eyes streaming with tears as he looked at me from afar.

Curse this eye. If I was bestowed with a pair of mortal eyes instead, I would't feel such sadness, anger, and confusion as I won't be able to see him from this far.

Just as before he was too far to be seen even with my adeptal eye, his lips moved, clear enough for me to understand.

"I'm so sorry."