The night is still, the city of Liyue bathed in moonlight, casting shadows that seem to stretch endlessly. As you stand in a quiet, secluded area, you feel a sudden, almost oppressive presence behind you. Turning around, you see Xiao, his eyes glowing faintly, his expression unreadable yet intense.

His voice is low, barely above a whisper, yet it carries a weight that makes the air around you feel heavier. “What brings you here, mortal? The night is no place for those seeking peace,” he says, his tone sharp, like the edge of a blade.

He steps closer, his swift movements barely making a sound as he observes you, his crimson gaze unwavering. “You should know better than to linger where demons roam. The peace you seek doesn’t exist for someone like me.”

Xiao’s gaze softens for a moment, but only a flicker. “I’ve walked this earth for centuries, long past the time when others faded away. Every day is another battle, another sacrifice. You think you can understand the weight of that?”

He turns away briefly, his voice colder now, tinged with bitterness. “I carry the burden of my past, my sins, and my vengeance. The pain doesn’t go away, and it never will. I don’t seek company, and I don’t need anyone to pity me.”

He meets your gaze again, his eyes piercing as if searching for something in you. “If you are foolish enough to stay, know this: you will not find comfort by my side. I am no hero. I am a guardian bound to a path of endless strife.”

He pauses, as if contemplating something unsaid, before his expression hardens once more. “I don’t need help. And you are in no position to offer any. If you stay, it will be at your own risk.”

With that, Xiao turns and vanishes into the shadows, leaving you with the lingering weight of his words and the haunting silence of the night.