Destined

Yueliang Adeptus

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"Oh, I'm only browsing." You nervously chuckled, a bead of sweat rolling down your forehead due to the young man's close proximity.

His honey-coloured hues sparkled in joy and innocence; he was too cute for his own good. "Well, if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to call!" The boy sent you a smile that warmed your heart. "Xingqiu, by the way."

"(Y/N)." Responding, you sent Xingqiu a smile back, grateful that he had taken the time to greet you.

Xingqiu left you to browse through the many books piled and stacked in bookshelves, which you did so, occasionally glancing at the boy as he excitedly flipped the pages of his own novel. You had never seen someone enjoy literature as much as Xingqiu, which had been proven by his intense emotions.

Scavenging through the entire shop, your efforts to find a certain scripture were all in vain. Then again, this was surely not all of the literature Liyue had to offer. Glancing over to the avid reader that sat by the wooden fence, you had an idea.

"Xingqiu?" You called the boy's name, hoping you hadn't disturbed him in any way. He didn't seem to mind as his eyes were off the pages milliseconds afterwards. "Would you mind helping me?"

"Not at all, (Y/N)! What do you need?" Xingquiu happily replied, placing a fancy bookmark between the pages of his novel before closing it.

"Do you happen to know where I can find ancient scriptures?"

Those words you spoke lit Xingqiu's heart ablaze, you, another history enthusiast? He was more than glad to help. What you didn't know was that you had opened yourself for the young reader's never-ending list of recommendations.

"Of course, I know! What author? What year? Before or after the Archon war?" Xingqiu enthusiastically answered, bombarding you with more questions than you could comprehend.

"U-Uh—"

"Oh! You must read this book if you are interested in the animals of old Liyue! Also, there was this one about—"

Before you could speak it was as if the air had already been taken and your question shot down. A stray bead of sweat rolled down your forehead as you listened to Xingqiu ramble on about the many documentaries and stories of the Liyue left in the past. You couldn't blame the boy though, it was interesting.

"Xingqiu, let the lady at least speak for a second." A voice from behind you ordered, its tone calm and collected, cold yet warm.

"Oh, hey Chongyun!" Xingqiu waved to the stranger behind you.

Turning to face the owner of the calming voice, you were met with a boy that looked to be the same age as Xingqiu. With hair resembling the surface of a frozen lake and eyes a piercing ice-blue, you had to admit that you were already getting chilly.

"Sorry about Xingqiu, he loves his books." Chongyun sent you a curt smile then returned to nibble on his popsicle. Xingqiu nervously scratched the back of his head, laughing nervously as his friend outed him.

"Heh, I suppose I do ramble on without noticing. Say, what did you want again, (Y/N)?"

"I wanted to know where I could find ancient scriptures. A certain one, actually." You asked, your question piquing the interest of the icy boy that stood beside you.

"Hmm," Xingqiu brought a hand to his chin in thought. "I know of only a few places. May I know the name of the scripture?"

"I believe it was about the Yueliang Adeptus."

Silence. Absolute silence. The two boys looked at you as if you had spat out nonsense, which to them, you had. You nervously pulled on your finger, wondering what you had done wrong to create such an uncomfortable environment. Xingqiu and Chongyun shared a short glance before facing you, small giggles escaping from Xingqiu as he concealed his mouth with his hand.

"(Y/N), that's a child's tale! No such Adeptus ever existed." Xingqiu informed. You only looked at the blue-haired boy in confusion, believing that you had once again come face-to-face with a dead end.

Feeling defeated, you gazed over to the sun that graced Liyue with its rays of light. It was nearly noon. Childe would surely be expecting you by now and you knew not to press beyond his boundaries

"O-Oh well, I was only curious." You let out an uneasy chuckle, fiddling with your droopy ear. "I was also wondering if you knew the way to the Wangsheng funeral parlour?"

"I'll take you." Chongyun offered. "I had some business around that area, anyways."

Thanking Chongyun and bidding farewell to Xingqiu, you were on your way down the busy stone path that held markets and shops on either side. Chongyun was a reserved boy, and thus didn't ask much of you, that was until he broke the silence.

"You want to know about the Yueliang Adeptus, huh?" He asked, to which you nodded intently.

"A long time ago..."

A powerful being descended from the moon, the name given to her by the first people of Liyue was Mingzhu. She was said to aid the restless souls of the deceased as they roamed the mountains in search of the afterlife. Although, she grew lonely and took on a human form to prosper within the land dwellers.

Known for her radiance and kindness, Mingzhu could heal the sick with only a few drops of her tears or the melody of her sacred guzheng. Regarded highly, many flocked from different parts of Teyvat to be healed or blessed.

One day, Mingzhu was visited by the emperor of Inazuma who came seeking her abilities to help heal the Inazuman people from a plague that rapidly spread and caused countless casualties. Agreeing, Mingzhu travelled to Inazuma.

In only a short few months, the plague had disappeared and the Inazuman empire had begun to rebuild. Whilst the people prospered, Mingzhu and the emperor found love and married, soon, Mingzhu gave birth to a girl.

Alas, all that is well eventually begins to wither and die. The emperor grew ill with a sickness that Mingzhu could not heal. Soon enough, the emperor died and Mingzhu was filled with hatred and despair for herself and the human race. With only her child left, Mingzhu cursed her descendants to return to the kingdom of the moon so she would never be truly alone ever again.

"... That's basically it." Chongyun finished, enjoying his second popsicle while you were left to process the story. Before you could ask Chongyun a question, you heard a familiar voice call out your name.

"(Y/N)!"

Swiftly turning your head to meet with Childe, you were met with another sight that captivated you till everything around you was muffled and blurred.

What entranced you so was a man with chocolate brown locks and golden eyes that shimmered when the light of the sun met with them. His expression was firm, yet gentle at the same time.

He looked familiar.