a Flute Amid a Sea of Flowers

The flute that saved me

Xiao POV -

Why? Why must I fight?..

The karma, it's too much tonight. I just want to rest.. no I need to rest. No I must finish finish my duties first. For my contract, for my loyalty to Morax.

"Ugh.. I-.." Another wave of demons came into my vision. My head is starting to hurt more.

Quickly, I finished off the demons... Then the karma hit me all at once. "AGH!" Why am I shouting..? That's not going to fix the karma. Actually why do I fight the karma..?

That question lingered in my mind. Why can't I just summit to the karma already? All my friends have. Oh how nice it would feel to just summit already. My conscious can finally rest if I did.

Oh right. The havoc I would cause for the people of Liyue and Mondstadt. I would tear both of the civilizations to shreds. And it's not like anyone could stop me. Those mortals and other adepti are too weak for me. Only Morax and Barbatos could stop me.

No.. I need to get my mind off this topic... S-Scenery..? Ah the scenery. The fresh air feels nice. No what am I thinking..

Then another wave of karma hits me.., hard.

My vision.. it's hard to see. Must be the karma.

I put my hand over my forehead. Agh.. this headache. Why is it so bad tonight..?

How many demons have I killed tonight? Ah it doesn't matter does it? All what matters is that I protect Liyue harbor and it's people from danger.

Though I must admit.. I am jealous of the people of Liyue for having time to rest and work. Heck I'm even jealous of the other adepti. At least their contracts aren't as violent and life threatening as mine.

Oh when will my contract end? Has it not been long enough? No. This is selfish of me to be thinking of rest. I don't deserve it anyway. I've committed too much sin. I must suffer for my wrong doings.

I have done so much horrible things to others. I've stolen the lives of many innocents. Taken their dreams and ate them whole like it never even mattered.

Suddenly a faint tune. "H-Huh..?"

The tune slowly became a melody. It was beautiful, but faint. I must get a closer look. I must hear thus music in all it's beauty.

Slowly, my feet started moving on it's own. I slowly moved my way to the melody.

Again the karma came rushing to my head. It hurts, it hurts so much, but I must hear the full melody.

I continue on with the karma constantly rushing to my head. The melody getting louder, clearing(?) some of the karma in my head.

Sooner or later I reach Dihua Marsh. Using a tree to lean on, my eyes wander around the scenery. Ah, it's so beautiful.. a sea of flowers complimented with moonlight.

Then my consciousness started to blur. No! No, no, no, no! I can't. No I mustn't faint. I mustn't let the karma take over. No, it's not time yet. Liyue still needs protection. I-..

Everything goes black.

♩♩♩~

"I-..h-huh.?" Slowly my conscious comes back to me. The melody coming to a stop.

"Shh my warrior." A voice? "You've fought enough for today, rest now." The voice is melodic, just like that tune.

I carefully open my eyes. "Barbatos..?" No wonder the tune was so nice and calming. It was played by only the best. Played by an angel.

"I told you that you can call me Venti. There's no need to be so formal Xiao." Ah right. "I'm sorry Ba-Venti." Venti chuckled above him. "Are you okay now? I saw you pass out Xiao, and now you are here resting with me."

A light blush spread across my face as I realized my surroundings. I was resting my head on Venti's lap. "Ah, yes, I am fine now." Venti smiled in response and played with my hair. "That's a relief. Do you mind telling me what happened Xiao?" I let out a sigh at this question. "Hm sure. I was fighting like usual and karma caught up to me tonight."

Venti, the angel frowned. "Still on a contract? The Archon War ended years and years ago."

"I know, but I must protect Liyue until the end of service. That is my contract." Venti's expression changed to a sad, worried, pitiful one. "One day I'll get that old blockhead to break that contract..." Venti's voice had a tone of slight anger.

"Why?" This question I asked seem to confuse Venti. I don't know why an archon such as him would be concerned about a lowly being like me.

"Huh? Why? Oh silly Xiao, I'm the archon of freedom am I not? I have to ensure all beings have freedom." I felt Venti's hands cup my face gently.

"But I am not in the nation of freedom. So why must you care so much?"

Venti lightly blushed. "That doesn't matter. Though I have a new question for you Xiao. What will you do when you have freedom?"

What will I do with my freedom? What an odd question Venti. "I'd rest." Wait why did I go with such a basic answer? I don't even know myself anymore..

"Just rest?" I nodded, reassuring Venti. Then Venti laughed. "Oh Xiao you are so odd but never fail to make me laugh."

That's surprising, I make him laugh..?Interesting.

"Venti, could you play that melody you were playing before I past out?"

"Oh why of course Xiao, anything for my listeners and fans!" Fan..? I was a fan? I mean I guess I am if I'm asking for Venti to play me a melody.

"Please take this as an invitation to rest my warrior."

♩♩♩

Ah yes, the melody. I can finally hear the full song nice and clear. Oh? It looks like Venti is playing it on a flute? Hm, I thought he would use a lyre but I guess not.

This scene was so beautiful to think about. Me and an angel in a sea of flowers. Wrapped in song.

I never wanted this night to end.

I close my eyes and let the music surround me. Drifting off to sleep.

For the first time in a while I smile..

♩♩♩

When I awoke I was still in the sea of flowers, but alone. The melody that was once there was gone. The angel playing the said melody was gone too. The flute he played had really saved me from my karma, from insanity.

The sun is peaking out of the horizon. Ah a new dawn means a new day.

Hm, I hope I'll see the angel again some day...

———————————————————

I'm like half asleep while writing this so I'm sorry if this is bad 😭

1143 words <3