Xiao X Reader [A Fragment of My Memories]

[16] A Lone Prayer

"During the festival seasons, the people of Liyue Harbor will offer up incense and pray to the Adepti for their protection.

But none pray to Xiao."

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Lantern Rite turned the Harbor into a completely different city. Even more so at night. You looked around in awe, eyes reflecting the light off of the numerous lanterns and decorations adorning each building. Liyue Harbor was pretty much glowing like gold, and you loved everything it had to offer.

From what you've heard, there rests a Mingxiao Lantern on a platform above the sea. It's a huge lantern that features an Adeptus who died protecting Liyue. Filled with curiosity, you squeezed through the thick crowd to see what it looked like.

Well, it seems like getting through the crowd was tougher than you thought. Before you knew it, you bumped into someone. Hard. 

They fell backward, landing on their butt with a loud thud. 

Your eyes widened as you spotted a girl slightly younger than you on the floor. "Oh my goodness! Are you okay?! I'm so sorry!" You hurried to her side while the rest of the crowd walked past the scene with slightly concerned looks.  

The girl rubbed her lower back in pain. Seems like the impact of the fall affected her back as well. "Yeah! I'm okay!" She replies with a sheepish smile. 

"I'll help you up." You reach out a hand. The girl grabs it, and you pull her to her feet. You sigh in relief. "Thank the Archons nothing bad happened. Are you sure you're okay?"

She laughs in reply. "Don't worry about it! It'll take way more than that to affect me!" she exclaims, before turning to you with an outstretched hand. "I'm Xiangling, by the way! What's your name?" 

You give her a warm smile, returning the gesture with a handshake. "I'm (Y/N)!"

"(Y/N), huh?" Xiangling hums, her bright yellow eyes sparkling. "Anyways, thank you for helping me up! Most people would just yell 'Sorry!' before going on their way. Especially during events like this!"

You tilt your head. "Really? I guess most people here are busy..."

"Well, but you seemed really busy, too! Where were you going?" Xiangling asked. 

Your lips spread into a wide grin. "Oh, I was gonna check out the Mingxiao Lantern!"

"Oh, no wonder we bumped into each other then! I was gonna offer some incense with my dad and my friend, which is in the opposite way from where you're going!" Xiangling laughs. Strange how she found all of this amusing. 

"Offer incense?" You raised a brow. "Why?"

"To pray to the Adepti!" she chuckles. "Hopefully I get to cook more exciting dishes this year!"

"To pray to the Adepti..." you repeat her words as an image of amber eyes and dark green hair flashed in your head. "You know what, I'll come with you. I wanna offer incense, too!"

'Even though I have nothing to say in my prayers!!'  you chuckle to yourself. 'I could just talk to him after all.'

Xiangling's eyes lit up. "Sure! Who are you praying to?" she asks, beckoning you to follow as she continues walking. 

You walk beside her. "An Adeptus named Xiao."

"Xiao?" Xiangling tilted her head. "Who's that?" 

"Huh?" You stopped in your tracks, brows furrowed in confusion. 'She doesn't know who Xiao is? Isn't she a local?' 

"He's the..." you trailed off, trying to think of how to describe him. "Oh! He's also called the Conqueror of Demons if I'm not mistaken!" 

Xiangling hums, slowing down her pace. "Conqueror of Demons? I think I've heard that name somewhere before..." She thinks deeply. "Oh! Is he a yaksha?"

"Yeah! That's right!" You nod profusely, smiling in relief. "Thank goodness. I got really confused when you didn't recognize him." You chuckle. 'I wonder why she doesn't recognize his name. Maybe it's not what the locals usually call him?'

Xiangling eventually stops walking as well, before turning back to you with a confused frown. "Why him, though? I've never heard of anyone offering incense to the Conqueror of Demons before."

'Huh?' You furrowed your brows. "Really? But he's a well-known Adeptus, right?"

Xiangling tilts her head in thought. "I guess so, but the Conqueror of Demons doesn't promise fame and fortune like other Adepti. People don't usually offer incense to him."

Your eyes widened as images of Xiao's form flashed in your head. You were reminded of the sacrifice he went through, and the pain he endures from his karma. Even so, his amber eyes held an unwavering resolve as he vowed to fight off the demons... even though there would be no one to thank him for it.

'But he makes sure Liyue stays safe... so why–'

"Heyy!! Are you coming or not?" Xiangling calls out. 

You snap out of your trance, wondering why Xiangling was suddenly way ahead of you. "Oh... yeah, I'm coming!" you rushed ahead, hoping that you wouldn't lose her amongst the crowd.

'If no one is there to pray for him, or thank him for his efforts... then I'll be someone who recognizes his sacrifice. I'll make sure his actions don't go unnoticed.'

_ _ _

Xiao gripped his weapon, sharp eyes scanning through the bodies of fallen monsters sprawled across the ground. He took off his mask, looking up at the shining moon as he let out a deep sigh. Their screams, cries, demanding more death... those voices were resounding louder than usual in his head tonight. He clutched his chest in pain as karmic debt raged through his body as if feeding off of the energy from the fallen monsters. 

But there was one voice. It was so, so soft, yet it stood out from the others due to its gentle tone. 

Xiao's eyes widened. "A prayer? To me?"

He turned to face the direction of Liyue Harbor, where the voice was coming from. His eyes softened. 'When was the last time...?' he wondered. Closing his eyes, a moment of peace rushes through him as the harsh voices and karmic pains faded away for a moment. 

Xiao let go of his chest, his body much more relaxed than before. He quickly put his mask back on, gripping his weapon even tighter than before. 

"Thank you, (Y/N)." 

And then he disappeared. 

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(A/N) - Hi everyone! Sorry for the late update :(( Going through some personal problems right now, but I'll try my best to update as soon as I can!