cursed wings of grief | genshin impact x f.reader

𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 (𝟏)

The last festival

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The forest was alive with the hum of excitement. Above, the sky blazed with the hues of a setting sun, casting the canopy in gold and orange. In a secluded glade, the Qiong Qi, an ancient adepti race of winged beings with tiger-like features, gathered for their annual festival, a sacred celebration of their heritage. Their wings shimmered in the fading light, a vibrant array of feathers ranging from bronze to jet-black, while their sharp eyes and feline ears twitched with anticipation.

Among them, Y/N, still young and small in comparison to the elders, darted between the festival preparations. Her tiger-like ears twitched with excitement, her wings tucked carefully behind her to avoid brushing against others. The smell of the earth beneath her feet mingled with the scent of the bonfire that crackled at the heart of the clearing.

It was a celebration of life, a gathering meant to honor the strength and resilience of the Qiong Qi. Their kind had once roamed freely, feared by some, revered by others. Now, only a few remained, and it was in these moments, during the festival, that they celebrated their survival. Together, a proud, untamed people.

Y/N's heart raced with excitement. The festival was the only time they could fully display their wings without fear of judgment. The flickering firelight cast dancing shadows as her elder brother, Zhen, stood at the edge of the circle of performers, stretching his powerful wings. His feline ears twitched, and with a confident grin, he called to her.

"Look at me, Y/N!" Zhen shouted as he took to the air. With one powerful beat of his wings, he rose above the bonfire and dove back down, twisting in a dazzling display of fire-dancing. He spun mid-air, the flames he controlled curling around him like tendrils of light, illuminating the stripes that marked his skin.

The crowd cheered, and Y/N clapped her hands together, her heart swelling with pride. The festival was in full swing. Drummers pounded a steady rhythm, their hands slapping against taut skins, while dancers twirled gracefully, their movements accompanied by the sweeping grace of their wings. The Qiong Qi used to do this in broad daylight, but with the growing fear from Liyue's people, the festival was now held under the safety of dusk.

As nightfall settled and the sky turned to indigo, Y/N's mother, Lian, stepped forward. She stood tall, her wings extended fully, tiger ears perched above her dark hair. "Tonight," she began, her voice strong, "we honor the memory of our ancestors. The forest was once ours to protect, and though our numbers are few, we carry on their legacy."

The crowd, filled with friends and family, roared in approval. Pride filled Y/N's heart as she glanced at her family, each of them standing tall under the starry sky. The sense of belonging was overwhelming.

Lian smiled and raised her arms, the firelight glinting off the beads in her braided hair. "Let us dance for those who came before us. Let us remember the beauty of what we are."

The music swelled again, and the Qiong Qi moved in perfect harmony, their wings flaring with every step. Y/N joined the dance, laughing as she spun in circles, feeling the wind beneath her wings. For a brief moment, there was nothing but joy.

Then, the wind shifted.

At first, it was a faint smell, barely noticeable. But soon, Y/N's sensitive ears twitched, picking up the crackling sound of something beyond the usual festival fire. Turning her head sharply, she saw it: beyond the edge of the glade, flames licked up the dry underbrush, hungry and wild.