The quiet of the evening was broken only by the gentle sound of wind rustling through the trees. The stars above shone bright, casting a serene light on the lush landscape of Liyue. Despite the calm around you, there was a heaviness in the airβsomething unspoken, something just beneath the surface.
Xiao stood by your side, his presence as imposing and quiet as always, yet there was a softness in his eyes tonight. The Yaksha, sworn protector of Liyue, often carried the weight of centuries on his shoulders, never one to indulge in comfort or companionship. But tonight, something felt different.
You looked up at him, your voice breaking the silence. "Xiao, are you sure youβre alright?"
Xiao turned his head slightly toward you, his amber eyes gleaming faintly in the starlight. He didnβt speak immediately, as if he was deciding how to respond. He was always a man of few words, preferring action over conversation, yet you had come to understand him in ways no one else had.
"I'm fine," he said at last, though his voice lacked its usual sharpness. It was softer than you expected, tinged with something almost weary. "It is nothing."