Shifting the blame
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The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows through the emerald of the forest where the Qiong Qi called home. A sense of unease lingered in the air, clinging to the leaves like the morning mist that refused to lift.
Y/N and Zhen had retreated to a secluded glade deep within the forest, a hidden space where they could train away from prying eyes. The area was vibrant with wildflowers, their colors a sharp contrast against the verdant greens. Here, they could unleash their powers without fear of being spotted. At least, that's what they hoped.
“Okay, Y/N, let’s go through it one more time,” Zhen instructed, his voice steady but warm. He stood before her, wings spread wide, the sun glinting off the glossy feathers, giving him an ethereal quality. “Focus on your breath. You want to feel the fire within you, but you also need to control it.”
Y/N nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. They had been practicing for weeks, and every session brought her closer to mastering her abilities. She took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill her lungs as she concentrated on the warmth gathering in her chest, coaxing it to the surface.
As she exhaled, a flicker of flame danced along her fingertips, illuminating the glade in a soft glow. Zhen watched intently, a proud smile on his face. “Good! Now add the anemo. Feel the winds around you and use them to guide the fire.”
With renewed determination, Y/N summoned the breeze, feeling it swirl around her. The flames flickered and roared to life, twisting in the wind, a fiery ribbon of light. She felt a surge of triumph as she managed to control the elements, the two forces swirling together in perfect harmony around her wings.
"I'm- I'm doing it!"
Zhen stepped back, observing her with admiration. “You’re getting better every day, Y/N. Soon you’ll be able to defend yourself against anything.” He paused, his expression turning serious. “But we have to be careful. The tension with the humans is worse than ever.”
Y/N's triumphant smile faded. “..Do you really think they would hurt us?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“They’re scared,” Zhen replied, his wings folding back as he stepped closer. “And fear makes people do terrible things. We've said this about a hundred times, haven't we?"
Y/N sighed. "Not just scared. At this point, they hate us." She crossed her arms. Zhen wrapped a wing around her as an act of comfort.
The warmth of the moment was abruptly shattered by the distant sounds of chaos filtering through the forest, a rising tide of fear and anger that seemed to swell from the nearby villagers. Y/N’s heart sank as she recognized the voices of villagers raised in panic. Weren't they supposed to be alone here?
“We need to listen,” Zhen said, suddenly serious. They stepped out from their secluded spot, drawn toward the sounds. Y/N’s heart raced as they moved through the trees, her keen senses picking up snippets of conversation carried on by the wind.
“What if they’re planning to attack?” one voice exclaimed, quaking with fear.
“They could summon a disaster if we don’t do something!” another added, sharper, tinged with anger.
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cursed wings of grief | genshin impact x f.reader
Fanfiction"..i guess we really aren't that different, you and i." when the time was right, she would remind them of the power they had dismissed. she would make them remember the qiong qi. and she would watch them burn. __ -this is a xiao x reader published...
