Xiaolumi S5: Clair De Lune

The Trial of Temperance

A/N: So I saw the trailer short when it dropped(broke the replay button too) and thought it'd be perfect intro to the Year of The Rabbit Arc. So here we are, a happy Year of the Rabbit to my beloved readers and fellow Genshin fans, especially to any one that were celebrating the lunar new year at the time. I hope you enjoy this arc's anime opening song.

Twins' Progress: Twins can now crawl and are also attempting to stand and are starting to attempt to learn to stand and walk. They are not yet a month old this arc, but again due to their divinity are aging faster then humans will(I know sound like a broken record but gotta remind some folks). As mentioned before Vesperus and Solis will be a month old on Feb 10th, so 5 days after the festival. This will be the twins' first lantern rite and Xiaolumi's first one as a married couple. <3 Even Venti's here...damn the entire family's here ain't it? XD

Fact of Alatus's Ascension:  Xiao's in 2nd Chorus which is known as the "Chorus of Cherubim" and it contains 3 trials known as Virtues. These are Humility(this awakened him as a god in a cocoon state), Temperance(current), and Generosity. You can consider each chorus to be like 3 stages growths of a butterfly. He will pass the Temperance Virtue very soon. 

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The sight of Liyue as the Year of the Hydro Rabbit had begun to approach with rapid pace here in the 19th century of Teyvet that February evening. Sharp cries could be heard in the soft spring breeze that still had a bit of a cold bite to it. Winter had receded for yet another year as the people of Liyue and the capital, Liyue Harbor were happily in their hustle and bustle getting ready for the two week long celebrations of Lantern Rite. Beautiful xiao lanterns filled the streets as stalls were being set up. Children of various ages laughed in joy as some ran playing with harmless sparklers or some heading home with their family.

It was a sight to behold and enjoyed by all of Liyue's humanity and adepti alike. But in the wilderness exorcists were working over time purifying and purging. Filling the void that had been left by the last yaksha that had been set free from his contract. However one such exorcist roaming the mountains, hair pale silver white as snow tied in red rope was finding something odd. She had been helping her nephew just awhile ago sharp gashes of truly massive talons of a large predatory bird had been left in various places, sharp and deep plunging piercing in the earth, spots where footsteps vanished, and scattered golden snow white vermillion bird feathers.

"Lord Alatus is back from Sumeru?"came her soft monotone observation. Emotions did not show easily but a faint smile and a twinkle of delight at her older brother figure's return. It meant Traveler was with him and two new yakshas. Yes...Liyue and the adepti had much to celebrate this year. "Master will be pleased, maybe she'll stop talking like a mother hen about new adepti children." With a small chuckle she went on her way, she could not rest for if there was one thing the Conquer of Demons and the adepti taught her: Vigilance was a must.

Over in Dihua Marsh Shenhe's conclusion was correct. The lone yaksha for days since returning had been fighting, purging and purifying. The whispers of Kairos' talk with him for this next lesson was proving far more difficult. The Goddess of Wisdom had warned him his new Amurta Elixir, created to be an upgrade of his old medicine, would take time to work properly. The chance of him suffering a severe karmic fit would be very high during this time. But while at one point it did not frighten him his old duties of his race...he was beginning to get frustrated and scared now.

For the first time he was at this moment seeing these demons and ghouls and monsters that were corrupted. He was seeing himself in these cursed beings, his eyes glowing silken gold like the eyes of an owl gleaming in the night for but a moment. Brilliant red threads being snapped one by one at each one he destroyed. The young yaksha begins to understand now why Indarias went mad with fear, if only a little bit as he slashed another out of existence.