Xiaolumi S4: Edge of Dawn

We Are The Voice of Nature

A/N: Xiao willingly letting himself be locked up in the confinement room in order reach out to Nahida with his abilities. Alone and feeling lost, Xiao comes to an epiphany causing something astounding to happen.

Song Xiao & Yaksha tribe Sing: "Hanging Tree" fan cover by Peter Hollens.

-WARNING-
Contains themes/mentions of mental abuse(gaslighting, abandonment, emotional abuse), slavery, PTSD 

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"Wah!! Don't lock us up!!"

"AAAAHHHHH!!!! Let us out!!!"

Xiao let out a chuckle of amusement from where he had just seconds after the guards left the area teleported out. Silly humans thinking that this room could keep him contained. Paimon's little performance had gone beautifully as he teleported back inside with a spark of mischief in his eyes. Appearing right behind her to startle the fairy. "You can stop now."

"Wah! Must you always do that to Paimon, Xiao?"squeaked Paimon.

Xiao just put his hands to his hips playfully sticking out his tongue a tiny bit like he did when he had been a cub. He had always been such a mischievous youngster when playing with the tree nymphs, the spirits of the forest's memories. Ever since the Wag Festival much of his old self before the trauma was beginning to surface again far more willingly. He was still reluctant and anxious in crowds and new faces but he was finally and truly free. No contract bounded him other then to himself and his family, no shackles bound him from slavery, and no grief. However the scars of his past he knew would never truly leave him but now like Liyue he was moving forward. "You make it too easy."he hummed. "You put up a good show back there with Alhaitham."

"Wait, are you actually praising Paimon!? Hehehehe~! Though Paimon might have gotten a bit carried away with that last bit just now."giggled Paimon at the praise as she watched Xiao start investigating the room. "So what did you think of Paimon's acting just now, Xiao?"

"Not bad, but worse than Lumine's would have been. However you did good so I'll be sure to let you have my specialty once this is over."Xiao promised as he hopped over one of the tree roots. That promise makes the celestial fairy's mouth water and eyes sparkle with joy. Xiao's homemade almond tofu far surpassed that of regular almond tofu and he rarely ever would make it. The last time he made it was in Inazuma as a treat for Ei and Lumine during the Irodori Cultural Festival.

"R-Really? Yippy~! Everything is going to plan so far, so now we just gotta wait for Nilou to finish her part of the plan. Paimon can't believe we managed to trick Azar. Alhaitham sure can act and cook up a scheme."giggled Paimon.

"Yes. Sage of Fools indeed, goes to show how ignorant and prideful that man is."agreed Xiao as he finally found what he was looking for. There was a spot among the tangled roots that was very rich in dendro energy of the dendro archon herself. The soft scent of the flowering lotus vines coming from it as he stroked the mossy root. "He led a Dream-touched Yaksha straight to where I can perform my arts. Such a fool."

"Dream-touched?"echoed Paimon.

"Don't tell me you forgot our conversation at the meeting back in Aaru Village. Dream-touched yakshas are golden yaksha and yakshini that were born at the Tree of Dreams. I can do things Azar and the sages can't even fathom."reminded Xiao as he gathered some of the candles stuck on the scattered stones and bricks. With care placinging them around in a very particular way.

"Oh yeah Paimon remembers now. It's why you don't need the Akasha like Lumine would have. So we accounted for this after you told us what you could do."realized Paimon at the reminder. "Do you want Paimon to keep watch?"