The Will to Live - Xiao x Reader

Part 42 - Xiao

"It's a message... From the Fatui." Y/N stood with their eyes shattered with shock. 

What was on that piece of paper? I couldn't wonder any longer. I picked up the closest arrow and read aloud, "This is a warning. Inazuma will soon belong to the Fatui. Let war flourish and so too death." 

"WAR?!" Paimon screeches.

"Did they give a reason?!" Aether asked desperately.

I only shook my head. "I read the whole thing," I explained. This attack was so... Off. There was no date, no extra information and no location.

"I- I don't understand," Yoimiya stumbled over her words.

"This is an issue," Y/N spoke up. "We need to inform the Ei and possibly Sara... Immediately," Their grim seemed to morph into anger. They're going to get involved aren't they, I thought but, bringing up an argument here and now... No thanks. 

"I'll go," Yoimiya stated.

"I'll go with-"

"No." She cut Aether off, pff- denied. "This doesn't involve you, this is between the Fatui and Inazuma." Yoimiya quickly ran off towards the city. 

Aether stood stunned for a moment before he stomped off in the other direction. "Where are you going?" I demanded and forced him to stop, "There's nothing you can do and you know it."

Aether stopped. His eyes were narrow and full of anger. "Run away if you want, but I-"

"And that's enough," Y/N cut him off. "The last thing I need is you two arguing so if you don't mind." They showed their irritation as they mimed zipping their lips. I'd stopped Aether for their sake but, it seems that Y/N isn't worried about either of us at the moment. It had been ages since I couldn't understand Y/N's actions. This feeling of illiteracy (unable to read or write) was infuriating. I wanted to ask. I wanted to know but... Y/N stood still. They looked lost in concern yet ready to fight the war themselves. I was relevant.

Aether noticed my studying eyes and decided to speak up, "What're you planning?" I'm sure his glare meant he was trying to make fun of me, to mock me with confidence that I lacked but for once, I could only feel grateful. 

Y/N snapped out of their thoughts. "I don't know yet," Their voice was still absurdly serious yet Y/N showed a hint of nerves. That truly worried me... I'd seen Y/N nervous. Hell, I've made Y/N nervous. But never over a battle. I was about to ask all the questions that formed but I stumbled over my words, not a single word managed to leave my mouth. I wanted to know what was concerning them. I wanted to know what they planned to do. Y/N must've noticed what I was thinking through my incompetence because they let out a small laugh.

"I want to know if this is just the Fatui or..." Y/N hesitated, "All of Snezhnaya."

Aether pondered for a moment, "Are you not aware that the leader of the Fatui - The Tsaritsa - is also the Cryo Archon?" 

"So basically the Fatui is Snezhnaya," I clarified. "I've only heard gossip but, isn't Snezhnaya the most advanced out of the seven nations?"

"Yeah, it is," Aether answered with what I hoped was just a rumour. "Inazuma's in deep shit if they can't get an alliance or any assistance whatsoever. Even with it... They most likely will lose." Considering that Inazuma had been inaccessible to the outside world for years and technological advancements were just recently introduced, Aether was right. They don't stand a chance.

"Y/N?" Paimon waved a hand in their face, "You've gone quiet again, what's on your mind?"

Y/N blinked out of what looked like a daze. "Uh- Sorry, just... Thinking," Y/N stuttered but they could tell we were expecting more detail than that. "I was... recalling the Archon war. More specifically the suffering and all the death..." Y/N stopped again. They were being very cautious of what they exposed and... What remained disclosed... But why? "I didn't feel... Obligated to do anything about it but," Y/N continued but sighed before finishing the sentence. They seemed to relax a little. "I regret it," They confessed.

"Not obligated?! It was a war!" Paimon through her resentment at Y/N's words. "How could you possibly not sense that you should intervene?!" 

Paimon had a point. I didn't understand how a war between the people who directly served Y/N  was irrelevant to them. A war between gods should be Y/N's problem but. "Because that would require 'picking a favourite', correct?" I assumed. It seemed logical now that I think about it. Y/N couldn't possibly support all the gods and even if they did pick, more resentment would be harboured. They couldn't just take their pick of the lot. 

Y/N nodded, "But circumstances are different now. Ei is loyal to me and the rules I've placed but, Alina... I'd like to actually speak to her. Check her loyalties," Y/N mumbled the last sentence.

"Wait, wait. Who?" Paimon was scratching her head. Struggling to follow the conversation I see, I couldn't help but scoff. Paimon had always been a little... Slow.

Aether raised another question before Y/N had the chance to answer Paimons, "What do you mean 'actually speak to her'? Don't you personally pick the Archons?"

That seemed to remind Y/N of something and they urgently motioned for us to follow them towards the Kamisato Estate, "I'll explain on the way."

Y/N's pace was fast and they seemed very alert. I guess the last thing we need is for the Fatui to get hold of Y/N's purpose and plans; if they informed the Tsaritsa it could mean that all their planning was a waste.

Halfway to the estate, Y/N finished explaining how they'd chosen the Archons however, the Tsaritsa had stolen the Gnosis from the previous Cryo Archon like how the Fatui took Morax's. They hadn't had the chance to establish their name and position to the new Archon which Y/N thought was most likely how the Fatui's plan wasn't outlawed.

"I believe our best bet in assisting Inazuma would be an alliance contract between Inazuma and Liyue. Thoma has had business with Beidou and the Kamisato Clan has the influence and power to get this in the other clans' interest," Y/N explained.

"So basically, your getting involved without y'know- getting involved?" Paimon seemed dizzy from the amount of information she was trying to take in, "Wouldn't it just be easier for you to tell the Shogun herself. You have the power to just tell her this is happening."

Y/N sighed, "Although I'm involved, this is a war between humans. I already have motives against the leader however, I can't fight a war and deal with my affairs, especially considering the distance." With that, we arrived at the Kamisato Estate...

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A/N: Ok so- I've done my research. Snezhnaya is based on Russia therefore I gave the Tsaritsa a 'Russian name' (Idk if that sounds like racist or something but I don't mean it to). I also have Y/N using her name name rather than 'The Tsaritsa' because like- Y/N calls the Shougun 'ei' and Morax 'Morax' so it just makes sense to me. I'll do my best to make Snezhnaya as accurate as possible towards genshin information and shit but there's like nothing so Russia it is! From now on the events are legit just hebejibe shit I've made up so feedback and ideas are greatly appreciated. 

Anyways, I don't think I left you on too much of a cliffhanger this time (Ik thank me later). I hope you enjoyed and as always,

I love you all and take care! <3