cursed wings of grief | genshin impact x f.reader

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The air amongst the mountains of Liyue was heavy with the weight of an impending storm, both literal and metaphorical. Keqing strode through the plains, climbing up the rocks, her mind focused as she approached the towering gates of the temple. She had just come from a meeting with Ningguang, and despite the usual calm facade she maintained, there was a crack in her patience.

The Geo Yaksha’s artifact was all that remained on Teyvat's ground. Three artifacts still at large, stolen by the thief, and the situation was spiraling out of control faster than Keqing could tighten her grip on it. Now, stationed at the temple, her soldiers were on high alert. She had personally taken command of the guard, unwilling to leave anything to chance.

Arriving at the base of the mountain leading to the tomb, Keqing surveyed the scene. Her eyes swept over the formation of guards patrolling the perimeter of the ancient structure. Lanterns flickered against the dark stone, and the wind was picking up, whispering ominously through the trees. She crossed her arms, feeling the chill settle in.

Her thoughts, however, were interrupted by the familiar presence of Xiao. The adeptus arrived in his typical fashion, swift and silent, his form materializing as if he were one with the shadows themselves. His golden eyes gleamed, scanning the perimeter with his usual sharp intensity, but there was a distant quality to his expression, as if something weighed heavily on his mind.

“Conquerer of demons,” Keqing greeted, her tone clipped as she approached him, wasting no time with pleasantries. "I assume you know why you're here."

Xiao gave a small nod, but remained silent, his gaze fixed on the entrance to the tomb. His hand rested on his spear, fingers flexing slightly, as if itching for a fight. The stillness of his presence was almost unnerving, like the calm before a storm.

Keqing frowned. She respected Xiao and the adepti, but the recent failures had tested her patience. The stolen artifacts, the thief's growing threat, something made it feel like this wasn’t something Liyue’s military could handle alone, but at the same time, Xiao’s inability to stop the thief in previous encounters gnawed at her. The people of Liyue were growing restless with rumours. The tensions were palpable, and while the adepti worked in shadows, Keqing believed in strategy.

"How long do you plan to keep fighting like this?" Keqing asked, her voice sharp. “Running from place to place, barely keeping up with their movements. This situation is becoming increasingly unpredictable.”

Xiao didn’t respond immediately, his gaze still distant. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold and detached, as it always was. “I do what needs to be done.”

Keqing’s frustration flared, but she kept her composure. “And what has been done so far? They have already stolen three of the five artifacts, and you’ve been one step behind them every time.”

Xiao turned to her then, his expression unreadable, though his eyes narrowed slightly. “The situation is under control.”

“Is it?” Keqing shot back, her eyes flashing. “You’ve failed to stop her at every turn, Xiao. Liyue’s people are growing anxious with rumours of your failures, and now the Geo Yaksha’s artifact is one of the last things standing between us and disaster. We can’t keep relying on reactive tactics. We need a proper defense, coordination between our forces.”

Xiao remained silent, his face impassive. He had heard similar sentiments before, especially from Liyue’s Qixing. Keqing was not wrong in her assessment of the situation, but her insistence on control, on imposing order on something like this, was a human perspective, one that could not fully understand the depths of the danger that lurked beyond mortal sight.