Oath [BL; Book 2]

67

His spear was held closely, another training session to keep himself in top shape. His daily exercise was done for the day as he sensed no other threats. Twirling his spear slowly he made sure to focus his energy on it, an extension of his body. The spear was merely a tool at his disposal, yet the importance it held weighed more than he could admit. With his power focused Xiao stabbed his spear into the ground lifting himself up and in a swift turn he twirled his body taking his spear with him and slamming it into the boulder. "Hmph!" The blade cleanly smashed through striking the ground cracking the very earth.

There was more progress. Just what he wanted to see. To thank the earth he held his spear between his hands and bowed. It was only right, that boulder was there for many years, with day to day training it grew weaker and weaker against his spear. Happy with the progress he made he went to the waterfall to meditate in the brisk waters.

Peace. Sitting here under the waterfall meditating was the peace he savored being alone. However in these moments his head was filled with images of a beautiful being. Golden hair and eyes, a smile so lovely he couldn't look away. Soft skin, slender body. The feel of it lingered on his finger tips, the sounds he heard, the very voice that spoke to him so lovingly. Xiao opened his eyes, Aether stood by the river bank where the water drifted off to the sea.

Standing, he was drawn to him  walking as his own anemo power dried his clothes to greet him with a hug. Aether smiled opening his arms. Xiao scooped him up in a bear hug. He had grown so used to these interactions between them. Having accepted Aether felt like a relief. The light shining through the darkness he now held in his arms.

The very sun, it's warmth. He adored it, he adored him. There were times he wanted to devour this light for himself, and it was often given to him. For this he became spoiled by affection. However this light he held never seemed to dim now, it shined brighter than ever.

More so now as they were together.

It was a short meeting as he was only by for a moment. Waving, Aether left with Paimon who waved too. He watched them go. Back to meditation he, this time, sat by the small pond the waterfall poured into closing his eyes. The river connecting to it flowed.

Nothing else mattered but him.

"For Aether..." Xiao sank deep into his meditation, "I will do anything."

A blade curved from the shadow, his immediate response dropped him forward as it came hurtling from behind crashing into the waterfall stabbing the rock behind. The strange element he knew from a previous battle. Xiao straightened opening his eyes slowly.

"My, did that slip?" Feiyu stepped forth with a testing smirk. His eyes were bandaged again, covered as before. "Apologies, friend. I was only trying to find my way in the dark." Though it was broad daylight, this referenced his blindness.

Xiao didn't answer. He sat there contemplating. The sword was obviously aimed at him and the stab would have easily caused damage had he let it. However, his keen eyes saw the blade had only barely managed to cut into the rock. It was a hard throw, the sheer force behind it, but it was nothing. Deciding not to fight he simply turned his head looking back.

"Feiyu."

"Ah how kind. The Adeptus shows me respect by remembering my name. I am duely grateful." The blade disappeared from where it struck and formed in his hand. "Shall we play?"

"I refuse."

"Very well, allow me to-eh??"

Xiao faced forward again closing his eyes. "If you seek battle for amusement, find it somewhere else."

"Aha? You jest, surely. Have you lost your touch, agile one?"

"I have no need for meaningless exchange of words." He meditated. "Leave."