cursed wings of grief | genshin impact x f.reader

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧

The wind whistled through the trees as Xiao descended from the Jade Chamber, his form cutting through the stillness of the sky. Ningguang's words rang in his ears, her calm voice underlined by concern: an ancient artifact used to seal away a powerful beast had been stolen. The missing relic was crucial, and the lingering presence of demonic chi in the room where it had been held only worsened the gravity of the situation.

Xiao, as the Conqueror of Demons, knew all too well the importance of tracking down this threat before it escalated. Yet, as he flew through the night air, his mind drifted to the unsettling memories from earlier. Inside the Jade Chamber, he had seen the adornments of Qiong Qi wings, real feathers from those winged creatures, now used as mere decorations. A pang of guilt struck him, a distant memory of their plea for help. A plea that he and the other adepti had ignored.

But he forced those thoughts aside. Again.

The trail of demonic energy led him deep into the forest, where the trees grew thicker, their branches casting long shadows under the rising moon. As he landed in a clearing, Xiao felt the familiar tension of old battlefields. The ground here felt different, ancient, heavy with the weight of lives once lived. This place was more than just a forest. He scanned his surroundings, recognizing the overgrown ruins of what had once been a village.

A village that once belonged to the Qiong Qi.

Xiao's sharp eyes took in the crumbled stone, the moss-covered remains of what were once homes. Memories began to bubble up again, of the Qiong Qi soaring through the sky, their powerful wings cutting through the clouds, their fiery presence undeniable. They had once lived with pride, with strength. Now, all that remained were whispers in the wind and the bones of a civilization long forgotten.

He pushed the memories aside, focusing instead on the present danger. The demonic energy was faint but unmistakable, hanging in the air like a bitter fog. As Xiao moved through the ruins, his footsteps light against the ancient ground, he felt it, a presence. Someone, or something, was here.

Without warning, a shadow darted between the broken structures. Xiao tensed, gripping his polearm as his golden eyes locked onto the movement.

"Show yourself," he commanded, his voice cutting through the night like a blade. The wind rustled the trees, but no one answered.

Then, from the shadows, a soft, mocking laugh. "The Conqueror of Demons... How predictable."

Xiao's heart clenched at the voice, it dripped with contempt, a venomous tone that struck at something deep within him. This was no ordinary demon. He scanned the area, catching glimpses of movement in the dark, but the figure remained elusive, slipping through the ruins like a ghost.

"Who are you?" Xiao demanded, his voice hardening, his polearm raised. He moved swiftly, darting from one shadow to the next, trying to catch the figure off guard. But every time he thought he was close, the figure disappeared, faster than any normal human.

"You should know," the voice taunted again, from somewhere just beyond his sight. "You, more than anyone, should know the consequences of your past."

Xiao's grip tightened on his weapon. "Enough games," he growled, his patience wearing thin. With a burst of speed, he launched himself forward, his spear cutting through the air. This time, he was faster. The tip of his weapon met resistance, the metallic sound of his polearm clashing against something solid.