Widened Eyes

2

When Xiao felt his consciousness beginning to return he wanted to curse everything. He felt...so angry, and upset, at everyone, and everything. He had been going on for so long and yet even still was not allotted a death. He would have thought had it been any time, it would have definitely been then, yet he still woke from what he thought had been a sure death. It was....so frustrating. He Would merely have to once more fight, and it was something he found that he was definitely not looking forwards too, and was in fact...dreading. It was a terrifying thing. He supposed it made sense, to some extent, he was not one that deserved such a painless death, he understood that, he had yet to continue and fulfill a contract he was not even sure was still in affect. Surely, surely Rex Lapis would inform him if he had voided his contract, even if his death had seemed to be rather sudden. Xiao was certain that his Master would at least give him that decency, but then again, who could ever know the thoughts of their Master? It was not Xiao's place to question it either.

He almost let out a whimper when he felt the muscles against his torso tug painfully as they pressed against his ribs. They were definitely injured. Probably strained or maybe he tore something. It was no matter, he had gone through worse. Bearing with the pain he continued to push himself into a standing position. His weapon was not on him, and whoever had taken him was wise to take it away from him. At least he was not underestimated. That did little to really comfort him, but it would seem as though whoever had managed to heave him from whatever hovel that he had been in had at least not underestimated his ability. It really was nothing much to dwell on, but Xiao was able to find some sort of joy in that regard. He hated being underestimated.

Upon further inspection, he found that he was still in Liyue, the flowers gave themselves away. Qingxin only grew in Liyue, despite the close nature between Liyue and Mondstant, it was a flower only found on one half not the other. He had found that odd, really, considering the areas that QingXin would grow were quite close the the border between the two countries, yet the delicate white flower was only known to be in Liyue, though he was certain perhaps the reason for that was quite simple. Mayhaps when originally choosing the borders, that had been a part of the agreement. Xiao did not know, but it was something he liked to think about, it helped clear his mind a bit, even if it were not much.

Quietly, but with a deal of swiftness despite his injury, he made his way out of the room, and carefully crept down the staircase that led to the main living area. Xiao supposed perhaps it was an unwise thought to try and escape, considering he did not have his weapon, and he had no idea where it was and how to retrieve it. Then again, he did not really want to stay any longer in this house. Something about it, leveling a sense of uneasiness in him that he did not really care for. He would much prefer to put some distance between himself and this house, at least, as much as he could. His sense of duty once more pressed against him, and he fully intended to continue his job.

It was really a lucky call more than anything else, that had Xiao capable of finding his polearm, and with the comfortable weapon's weight back within his hands, he felt a thousand degrees better, mentally at least considering his body was still scrapped to nigh nothing. His sleep had done him good, and surprisingly he was far more agile then he normally was when he had gotten into that condition. Idly, he wondered if Barbatos had been forced to intervene again, and his mood took a dive down to the rocks.

As much as he may resent the Anemo god for refusing to take on Rex Lapis' contract, the Archon was still Xiao's vision Archon, and respect was given where respect was due. He felt bad causing the Archon distress, as he knew that he did. Barbatos was not happy with his choice to continue filling Morax's contract, Xiao had seen it in his eyes, despite the insistence that Xiao choose his own path. It weighed on him heavily to have disappointed his Master, and his Archon, both so soon between each other. Xiao understood, however, he was not something easily fixed. Morax had tried, and that had gotten him killed.

Xiao shook his head, these thoughts were not conductive. He needed to focus, and get back to his task. He had to get out of this house to do so, and it would not due to get caught, after all. It would be useless to get so close only to fail because he could not focus. He had a task to do, and a contract to fulfill. The last thing that Morax had entrusted him to do before...before....

Keeping his guard up, Xiao crept out the front door, but stopped, as something...felt wrong. He was not sure what it was, but this was going far too easily than it should. He knew that there was no way that he should be able to wander about like this without at least raising some sort of alarm, and yet he was able to. Growling at himself, Xiao hurried forwards, knowing that he could not waste much time. It was not good for him to stay whilst he had the chance to get away, and he most definitely did not want to still be at the little hut whilst whoever it was that had taken him decided to return.

Swallowing, he deftly moved across the terrain, trying to get as far as possible before he was caught. He had no idea why it was that he was taken, but he would much prefer to not allow it to happen again. It was so...so...shameful. The feeling curling in Xiao's body, even as he continued to press it to its limits and beyond as he collapsed, falling onto his knees and panting heavily.

Morax would be so disappointed in him.