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In ancient times, Liyue was a land of misery where the shadow of evil loomed large.
As slained gods festered, their vengeful wrath cursed the world, manifesting in infermal forms.
When demons stirred, miasma, monsters and mutations infested the land.
Then Rex Lapis summoned the Yakshas to vanquish the demons.
They swore an oath:
"Restore order through slaughter."
"Purge evil through battle, to this we dedicate our lives."
Eons of bloodshed later, Karmic debt weighed upon them, phantom wrath seeing into their broken souls.
They went mad with fear.
Turned on each other.
Or succumbed to the darkness.
Of the Five foremost Yakshas, Death came to three, while the fourth vanished without a trace.
In the millennia since, One Conquer of Demons remains the sole surviving Yaksha in the Mortal realm.
And only on moonlit nights, in the glow of Guyun, and in the sound of the Dihua flute…
Is his memory preserved.
- Prime of the Adepti, The Geo Archon Rex Lapis
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All things are impermanent, and to exist is to suffer. We yakshas have no need of sympathy or tears. My comrades who have passed on would see your tears as a stain on their legacy.
- The Conquer of Demons
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It was around half past six in the evening when Artoria returned from her encounter with young Beidou.
She once again slipped by undetected through the halls of the Wangshu Inn with the use of concealment magecraft. Her movements were silent and graceful as she passed through the simple wooden corridors of the inn.
She hoped that nothing of immediate concern had occured when she was out this afternoon. Before she left earlier, she gave specific instructions to Crepus, Melisa and Yuan to make sure to preoccupy any person who wishes to see her that afternoon in order to conceal her absence.
Crepus and Melisa entertained a group of merchants as planned while Captain Yuan and a few of her Honor Guards were doing their own discrete investigation around the inn and its immediate surroundings.
They had already managed to identify at least three Fatui operatives hidden amongst the staff of the Inn, which was not a surprise for Artoria.
The Liyuen branch of the Northland Bank was established about a year ago in a partnership with the Qixing, and it was expected that the Fatui would try to place their agents in any strategic location they can get a hold of.
When she finally arrived back in her lavish quarters, the scene that greeted her was one of domestic and adorable chaos.
She was met by the sight of Fou and Dvalin, both brought out from Avalon earlier that afternoon, staring each other down in the middle of the room in a sort of showdown!
The two compact size critters, one a fluffy white creature made from the very essence of her divine powers and the other a miniature ancient dragon born from the sky, were now having what seems to be a contest of dominance.
Both were butting their heads against each other with Fou occasionally T posing in front of Dvalin while Dvalin in return spread out his little wings and squealed.
The two powerful beings, both of whom possessed the power to turn entire nations to ashes, were now reduced to something akin to two small children squabbling over a toy!
Barbara, Bennett and Venti were surrounding them, their faces filled with amusement as they made a sort of betting ring to see which of the two would win in their contest.
"Dvalin is going to win! He's a dragon!" Venti, who was perched on a small stool, enthusiastically proclaimed.
The former Anemo Archon, now turned child, was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. He was even waving around his little green colored scarf in the air like some sort of football fan back on Earth!
"No, no, Fou is going to win! Fou is the fluffiest and the strongest!"
Bennett, the most adventurous of the bunch, countered back as he waved his small hands in the air in support of the household's newest little fluff ball.
Meanwhile, Barbara, ever the sweet little angel, was just giggling at the ridiculous scene in front of her. Her hands clapping in delight as she watched the two adorable creatures face off.
While all of that was happening, Artoria saw Jean, her ever responsible eldest daughter, sitting on the bed and was preoccupied with her own little hobby.
Instead of joining in the fun with her baby brothers and sister, she was meticulously brushing the shell of her pet tortoise, Sir Kay, with a small, soft brush.
The tortoise, who was gifted to her by Artoria during the little girl's seventh birthday, seemed to be enjoying the attention with its little head poking out of its shell as Jean brushed the little critter with care.
For Jean, there's no need for a contest, for she believe that her Sir Kay is the strongest and the bestest of them all!
Artoria couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Her family, her world, was right here in this room. And for a moment, all of her worries about the Abyss, about the Qixing and about the fate of Teyvat, just melted away.
"What's going on here?" Artoria asked, her tone now a playful, amused murmur.
Venti turned to her, his eyes now wide with excitement.
"Mama! Fou and Dvalin are having a contest to see who's on top!" he exclaimed, pointing at the two squabbling creatures.
"I bet 10 mora from my Piggy bank that Dvalin is going to win!"
"I bet 20 mora and a piece of apply candy that Fou is going to win!" Bennett countered, his cheeks now flushed with pride and excitement.
Artoria couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all!
She then watched as Fou, now in a show of dominance, let out a mighty roar that was more akin to a cute squeak than a menacing growl and charge towards Dvalin, who in turn, also charge forward with a squeak of his own!
The two then collided with one another, paws and claws grappling against each other trying to overpower the other!
For Artoria, the scene was so similar to a usual sumo match, with the two participants now pushing each other in the middle of the ring….only this time, the ring was a fancy Liyuen carpet, and the participants were a fluffy white creature and a miniaturized dragon!
'Seriously?!' she thought, trying to stop herself from bursting into laughter.
'A sumo match between an Anemo dragon and the divine beast from Avalon?! Who would've thought I'd live to see this day!'
It didn't take long for the two to tire themselves out though.
With a final, simultaneous squeak, the two combatants collapsed onto the carpet, panting heavily as their little bodies now became a tangle of fur and scales.
They were exhausted, their energy spent, and their pride wounded.
And then, in a move that was both surprising and hilarious, the two creatures then started cuddling with each other!
Fou began using Dvalin's small wings as a sort of makeshift pillow while Dvalin in turn snuggled against Fou's fluffy white fur. It seems that their little contest had ended in a draw.
Venti and Bennett now looked at each other, their faces now a mixture of disappointment and confusion.
"I guess it's a draw," Venti said, scratching his head.
"So... who wins the bet?"
"Nobody," Barbara replied with a giggle.
"You both lose!"
Artoria couldn't help but amusedly shake her head at the sight.
"Well," she said with her playful tone stone present.
"It seems that you two have a lot to learn about the art of betting."
She then looked at her four precious children with her heart now aching with maternal love and affection.
"Now, with that out of the way, how about we all get ready for dinner? I've heard that the chefs here have prepared a special treat for us tonight."
The children's faces immediately lit up with excitement.
"Yay! Dinner!" they all cheered in unison as their previous disappointment was now seemingly forgotten.
As the children were preparing, Artoria momentarily excused herself from them, promising that she would be back in a few minutes.
She had to check on her confidants to see if there were any issues that popped out during her brief absence during that afternoon.
*****
After their mother had left the room, the children, with the exception of Jean who was still preoccupied with her tortoise, started to talk amongst themselves in pure unadulterated excitement and anticipation about the meal (feast) that ws to come.
"I wonder what they're going to serve for dinner tonight," Venti said, his stomach now growling in anticipation.
"I hope it's something sweet. Maybe some Almond Tofu with apple sauce!"
"I hope it's something meaty." Bennett added, his cheeks now flushed with excitement.
"Like a big, juicy steak!"
"I hope it's something savory and spicy!" Barbara said in a barely concealed squeal.
"I hope they bring out some delicious Liyuen tea too!"
"Ugh, not anything spicy please," Bennett replied with a slight shudder.
"It hurts my tongue…"
"Tea?!Why would you like that horrible leaf juice Barbara?! Weren't you also disgusted by the taste of that Liyuen concoction when we first tried it back at that nice grampa's shop?!"
Venti added with a slight gagging sound as he was surprised by his sister's sudden acquired taste for the bitter brew.
"Hmph! Mama said that as nobles, we should learn to appreciate the finer things in life." Barbara replied with a huff, her little chest puffed out in an attempt to appear mature and sophisticated.
"Plus, Grampa Theron once told me that the Anemo Archon loves tea!"
The little girl then added, "Maybe if I start drinking tea, I'll get noticed by the Anemo Archon!"
"The Anemo Archon loves that horrible leaf juice?! LIES! The Anemo Archon loves Apple juice just like me! Mama told me so!"
Venti refuted, now crossing his arms in defiance.
"The Anemo Archon loves both tea and apple juice! HE HAS A VERY SOPHISTICATED PALATE!" Jean, who was now listening to her siblings' conversation while brushing her tortoise, interjected.
"I've read it from a book in the library! The Anemo Archon loves to try new things. That's why he's the God of Freedom, he's not bound by any single preference!"
"Huh?HE? But Nanny Elspeth and the maids once told me that the Anemo Archon is a girl!A very pretty one too, just like Mama!"Barbara then countered.
"Those are just rumors! According to Mama's storybook, the Archon is a boy! A very handsome one at that! He even plays the lyre!" Venti shot back.
"The giant Statue in front of the Cathedral doesn't look like a boy. Looks more like a girl to me though. It's kinda sus!" Bennett then added, now joining the debate.
As the childish debate that was initially about food devolved into an argument about their nation's patron deity's gender, Jean's mind momentarily drifted away from the conversation.
Something odd just popped up inside her head, a question…a thought that has been bothering her for a while now.
She then momentarily stopped brushing Sir Kay and turned to her three younger siblings who were still preoccupied with their little debate about the Anemo Archon's gender.
"Hey guys," Jean said with a voice laced with curiosity.
"Did any of you notice something odd about the moon?"
The three younger children paused, trying to contemplate the weird question suddenly thrown to them by their older sister with their young and innocent minds.
The room was silent for a moment with the only sound present being the soft, gentle breathing of the two sleeping creatures, Fou and Dvalin.
Venti was the first to break the silence.
"The moon? You mean the one outside? What about it Big sis?" he asked, his face now a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
"It's just the moon. It's always there."
Jean looked at her little brother and shook her head
"No Venti, not the moon here. I mean the moon outside Mama's big magical castle. The one that we saw through those huge glass windows every night when we were inside that place." she said, with her hands now gesturing towards the general direction of the door leading to the balcony as if it were connected to their Mama's magical castle.
"Every single night while we're still inside that place, it's…been changing color and shape. Last night, before we arrive in this inn, it has a beautiful shade of light blue."
"The night before that, it was shimmering with a golden hue and appeared to be slightly bigger!" the little girl explained, her eyes now wide with curiosity as she recalled the wonderful sights she had seen inside the magical castle of her mother.
"And three nights ago, before we arrive at the Stone Gate, I saw it turn into a beautiful shade of pink!With sparkles too! Lisa even took a picture of it using her Kamera."
The three younger children now looked at each other, their faces now a mixture of confusion and contemplation.
They had all been inside their mother's magical castle for the past few days, and although they were not allowed to explore the rest of the building, they were so busy playing and having fun that they didn't really pay much attention to the moon.
Bennett, ever the excited one, was the first to speak.
"Oh yeah! Now that you mentioned it, I did see that!" he said, his eyes now wide with realization.
"I thought it was just some sort of cool magic trick!"
"Me too!" Barbara chimed in, her own memories now being jogged by her older sister's words.
"I thought it was pretty, like a big, shiny jewel in the sky!"
Venti however, just shrugged, still not understanding the significance of his elder sister's question.
"Well, it's Mama's magical castle," he explained, as if it were the most obvious explanation in the world.
"Of course it's going to have weird magical stuff in it. Mama can do anything! I bet she can even make the moon change color if she wants to!"
The two other younger siblings just nodded in agreement, seemingly satisfied with their little brother's explanation.
For them, their mama is super strong, not only is she the leader of the Knights of Favonius but she also has some cool magical powers!
For the three younger ones it was only natural for her to have a magical castle with a moon that changes color and shape.
Their Mama is probably the second strongest person that they know just below the Anemo Archon whom they've heard is the strongest in Mondstadt!
For Jean however, the explanation didn't somewhat satisfied her curiosity. It only made her more curious, more intrigued.
For a very long time, Jean had always wondered why her Mama was so strong and how she even possess such amazing magical powers.
The very existence of their huge apple orchard at the outskirts of Mondstadt, which is seemingly always in a state of perfect condition regardless of the time of the season was already a proof of her Mama's powers!
Yet for some reason, the magic that her mother possesses seems to be far more unique than those possessed by the average mage or sorcerer that they usually see in the city.
Her magic seems to be more... potent, more profound.
Jean was always been an observant child, and she had seen things that her younger siblings had not.
She had seen how her mother's eyes glow with an otherworldly light when she was angry, move with a speed and grace that far surpass even the captains of the Knights of Favonius, and most frequent of all, she and her siblings would usually see their Mama conjure up things out of thin air, such as potions or knitting kits as if it were the most natural thing in the world!
Even Captain Muscovado needed some fancy alchemical jargon just to produce a single simple healing potion.
She knew that her mother was special but she didn't know how special.
She had heard rumors that her Mama was blessed by the Anemo Archon and was given a Vision.
That would explain why she has some of her unique abilities but for some reason Jean and her siblings had never once seen a Vision in their mother's possession.
They had even asked her about it once but she just told them with a smile that she doesn't need one for she has all four of them.
Is it possible that... she doesn't need a vision to use her powers in the first place?
Did the Archon really bestowed something else to her? Some sort of power that is far potent than Visions? But if that's the case... why her?
The more Jean thinks about it, the more confused she becomes.
She wanted to ask her mother, but she was afraid that she might be overstepping her boundaries.
She was afraid that her mother would think that she was prying to some sort of secret or that she was being disrespectful.
So for now, she decided to keep her questions to herself and continue to observe from afar.
She knew that one day, she would get her answers. One day, she would understand the truth about her mother, about her powers and about her true nature.
For now though, she would just have to be content with the love and affection that her mother showers her and her siblings with, every single day.
____________________
Dinner was as grand as the kids had expected.
The chefs of Wangshu Inn had truly outdone themselves once again. The dining hall was filled with the aroma of several delicious food, from the savory scent of Sautéed Matsutake to the sweet and tangy smell of the Crystal Shrimp.
The entire feast enough to feed a large platoon though in this case, it's for the Gunnhildr family!
Bennett finally had his juicy steak, while Venti got a large glass of apple juice along with a plate of Almond Tofu drizzled with apple sauce, much to the irritation of the Liyuen Chefs.
Barbara was positively giddy as she began savoring the various spicy meals presented on the table which included roasted Jueyun Chili Chicken, Chilli-Mince Cornbread Buns and Hot & Sour Soup.
True to her words earlier that night, the little princess enjoyed a cup of the finest brewed Liyuen tea…though she made sure to add three spoonfuls of honey for taste.
Venti just looked at her in disgust as Barbara just giggled at her little brother's childish reaction.
Jean however was more reserved with her food choices, preferring the simpler yet equally delicious dishes such as the Stir-Fried Fish Noodles and the Braised Meat, which she shared with her pet tortoise, Sir Kay, who she brought along.
She enjoyed her meal just as much as her younger brothers and sister though in a more quiet and dignified manner as befitting of her image as the eldest sister.
She still thought about of the questions earlier that night concerning her mother but the delectable dishes presented in front of her had slowly but surely pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind.
After finishing their meal, Artoria went over the Inn's main lobby to briefly entertain another group of persistent Liyuen merchants and gentries, who were eager to get a few moments of her time and exchange pleasantries.
Some were eager to engage informal trade deals with Mondstadt, though Artoria politely brushed the topic off for the meantime, stating that once again any official business would have to be conducted in Liyue Harbor after the Rite of Descension.
Afterwards, at around half past nine in the evening, after she tucked in her precious children and making sure that they were all sound asleep, Artoria excused herself once more from her guards and confidants, stating that she wanted to get some fresh air.
Carrying with her a plate of her own specially made Almond Tofu drizzled with a special honeyed applesauce made from the finest apples from her orchards, Artoria made her way towards the topmost balcony of the inn.
The night air was cool and crisp, and the view from the top was breathtaking.
The moon was full and bright, illuminating the marshes below.
The stars twinkled in the night sky, like countless gems carved into a vast void canvass.
Although she's certain that what she's gazing was all but an illusionperpetuated the heavens, she could not deny the tranquility and peace it has brought her as she gaze upon its beauty that very night.
For a brief moment, she felt a sense of peace, a brief respite from the responsibilities and duties that weighed heavily upon her shoulders.
She then went to the railings and similar to what she did the night before, she placed the plate of Almond Tofu on the flat wooden rails at her side as she once again returned to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the night sky.
Without even turning back her back, she greeted her lone guest, who had been silently observing her amongst the shadow.
"I know you're there, little bird."
Her voice was a soft and gentle whisper that was carried by the wind yet it was enough to make the elusive figure who had been watching her flinch in surprise.
"You know, it's considered quite rude to spy on a lady without her consent, especially while she out gazing upon the stars at night." Artoria added with a soft playful tone, still not looking back at the figure.
"I...apologize, your grace." a hesitant, young sounding male replied from the shadows.
The voice belonged to none other than the Conqueror of Demons himself Xiao, the last Yaksha.
"I did not mean to cause you any distress. I was merely... observing."
"Observing, you say? Or perhaps you were more interested on the small plate of Almond tofu I have over here, similar to the one that I had left on these railings last night?"
Artoria countered, now with a slight chuckle as she slowly turned her head to face the Yaksha.
Her action allowed the moonlight to illuminate her unblemished face.
Xiao, who was initially hiding within the shadows, stepped forward making himself visible to Artoria.
The young-looking adeptus was wearing his usual attire, though this time his expression was a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.
He was once again caught off guard by Artoria's ability to sense him.
Xiao hesitated for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
He was not used to being detected so easily, either by fellow adepti or rarely, by humans.
This lady before him, however, was a different matter entirely. She feels so human yet whenever he tried to look closer he would sense an aura of power and wisdom coming out from her that was both intimidating and captivating.
He was also taken aback by her beauty.
Up close, she was even more breathtaking than he had initially thought. Her long blond hair shone brightly under the moonlight's glow, her green eyes sparkled like jades, and her flawless skin seemed to glow with an otherworldly radiance.
No ordinary mortal woman could possibly possess such features!
"Um…" Xiao tried to find the right words to say, but nothing came out.
'This is getting awkward' he thought to himself.
Being close to this person was like speaking to his Sovereign Lord, Rex Lapis for the first time. The pressure was immense!
Artoria, sensing Xiao's unease, decided to ease the tension.
"It's alright, little bird, there is no need to be shy around me." she said with a warm motherly smile.
"And also, I will appreciate if you drop the whole 'your grace' title…"
"Not to disrespect you my Lady, but you're the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. You are effectively the leader of all Mondstadt baring the Anemo Archon himself. It is only proper for me to address you as such."
"I see. And it also appears that you had done some research about me, after all, I haven't yet properly introduced myself."
Artoria lightly bowed her head for a moment while placing her right hand over her chest, a gesture of respect towards the lone Yaksha.
"My name is Artoria Pendragon Gunnhildr, Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius."
Xiao was momentarily taken aback by the gesture. In his long life, no one, other than the Lord of Geo and the Lady of Dust, had ever shown him such genuine act respect and humility!
After a few short moments, Xiao followed suit and bowed, though it was a bit more stiff and formal.
"My name is adeptus Xiao, the Conqueror of Demons. Others call me General Alatus... It is an honor to finally meet you in person, your Grace...I mean, Lady Gunnhildr."
Artoria just smiled at the Yaksha's attempt to adjust to her request.
"So, it seems you have taken a liking to my small offering last night. I am glad you enjoyed it." Artoria then gestured towards the plate of tofu on the railing.
"Please, help yourself. I made it especially for you."
Xiao was surprised once more by the lady's kindness.
He was still hesitant though, the last thing he wants is to be indebted to another powerful being.
The Yaksha's duty is heavy and burdened by karmic debt and adding another 'debt' to someone is not something that he wants to experience again.
However, the alluring sweet smell of the almond tofu in front of him was a temptation he found hard to resist!
Artoria then noticed the Yaksha's dilemma and decided to playfully push him a little bit.
"It's not poisoned if that's what you're worried about." she said with a smirk, her emerald eyes now sparkling with a bit of mischief.
"Though, if you don't eat it soon, it might get cold."
She then paused for a moment, before adding, "And I assure you, it's much better than the ones they serve down in the main dining hall."
With a sigh of defeat, Xiao gave in.
He carefully took the plate of Almond tofu from the railing and sat on a small wooden bench nearby, silently enjoying the sweet treat in front of him.
The taste was heavenly as before, far better than any he had ever tasted from the Inn.
The almond tofu itself was smooth and silky, and the sweet sauce that came with it, which he now realized was apple sauce mixed with honey, was a perfect complement.
As Xiao enjoyed his meal, Artoria once again turned her attention back towards the beautiful night sky as she gaze upon it once more.
There, on the top most balcony of the Wangshu Inn, a lone adeptus feared by many across Liyue, and a goddess disguised as a mortal noblewoman from Mondstadt, shared a silent moment of peace and tranquility under the false moonlight.
*****
After finishing the meal, Xiao placed the empty plate on the bench beside him and turned his attention back to Artoria, who had been silently watching him.
"Thank you, Lady Gunnhildr. That meal was...delicious."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Xiao."
Xiao then took a deep breath and gathered his courage. "Lady Gunnhildr, there is something I must ask you."
Artoria nodded, encouraging him to continue.
"Almost two years ago," Xiao began, his voice now serious.
"I've heard a song, a beautiful foreign melody that was carried over by the wind from the direction of Mondstadt. It was a song unlike anything I've heard before and….and it saved me."
He then paused for a moment, as if trying to recall the memory of that fateful night.
"At that time, demonic attacks had become more frequent across the land, particularly around the areas of the Bishui Plains. Demons, abyssal creatures were running more rampant terrorizing everyone that they come across."
"Naturally, as a Yaksha, I took upon myself the duty of slaying those beasts and banishing them back to the dark void from whence they came."
"However, with every demon I slew, with every monster I sent back to the abyss, my karmic debt steadily increased. The mounds of those whom I had slained kept on rising alongside my debt until it came to a point where I almost succumbed to the madness of my own karma."
"The whispers of the souls I had condemned for the past thousands of years became more audible that they would torment me day and night."
"The weight of my burden was so great at that time that it felt as if I was drowning in a sea of my own darkness."
Xiao paused as he took a deep breath and continued his tale.
"It was then when I heard that song, and like a miracle, it slowly neutralized my pain and my suffering to a point that it became bearable. The voices slowly became silent once more, no longer punishing me into the brink of insanity."
Xiao's hands now clenched into fists as he recalled the torment he had experienced.
"I have long since accepted my fate as a Yaksha, my life is but a perpetual battle against the darkness, and my suffering is the price I must pay for the sins of my past."
"It is a contract that I offered to my Lord Rex Lapis in order to bring order into this land. Yet, that song, that mysterious melody gave me a sense of peace for the first time in thousands of years since I had taken up my spear."
He then looked directly at Artoria, a glint of hope now shined in his golden eyes.
"I have long searched for the source of that song, hoping to find the one who had saved me from my own demons, but to no avail."
"I had even traveled as far as Mondstadt in secret, but I could not find the source."
"After months of searching, I…I even came to a point that I thought that it was some sort of lost memory of a past friend, a ghost that my mind had conjured in its desperation."
"....But then, you arrived, and I felt it again in you. The same aura, the same warmth, the same...essence as that song. I have to know, Lady Gunnhildr. Do you know the one who sang that song? Are you connected the one who saved me that night? Please...I have to know!"
Xiao's words now hung heavily in the cool night air.
The Yaksha, who had always been stoic and composed, now laid bare his soul to the mysterious woman in front of him.
He was vulnerable, desperate for an answer, desperate for a glimmer of hope in a world that had only brought him so much suffering and pain.
Artoria's heart went out to the Yaksha. She could feel his pain, his sorrow, his longing for answers.
She knew what it was like to be burdened by a past that one couldn't easily escape. To be haunted by the ghosts of ones own making. In a way, she saw a reflection of herself in the Yaksha's eyes.
Instead of answering directly, Artoria, out of curiosity, decided to ask him a question of her own.
"Before I answer your question, let me in turn ask you something, Xiao." she said, her voice now calm and gentle.
"You've done your duty for the past thousands of years, safeguarding Liyue from the shadows, rarely receiving any sort of praise or thanks."
"You've honored your contract, yet I couldn't help but wonder...were you satisfied at least? Are you happy on how things had become?"
Xiao was taken aback by the question.
He was expecting a direct answer, but instead, he got a question that made him reflect on his own life.
He was silent for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Happy? Satisfied? Those are words that are rarely associated with my kind." He finally answered with a serious yet somber tone.
"My purpose is to slay demons in order protect Liyue from the darkness. That is my duty, my burden to bear. I…"
Before he could finish the words Artoria held up her hand stopping him.
"I think you had misunderstood my question Xiao. I didn't addressed that question to Xiao the Yaksha. I'm asking you as Xiao the person."
Artoria's voice was now laced with a motherly warmth that seemed to cut through the Yaksha's defenses.
"You see, I may not know the full well the nature of Karmic debt, but it appears to be the lingering residue of fallen beings, their power....their emotions....their anger or wrath at the time of their demise, acting like some sort of poison to anyone who comes across it."
Artoria put her hands behind her back as she circled around Xiao
"And since this 'poison' harbor such intense negative emotions, it's only natural for it to cause a profound effect on the pysche person who is exposed to it…. especially those who harbored a great deal of regret."
She paused for a moment, letting her words sink in.
"You had served for countless years, taking on the burden that no single individual, may they be god or mortal, is capable of bearing alone. Surely you must know how much negative emotions you had experienced throughout your long years of existence."
"And now, to top it all off, you have this debt, this 'poison', that had accumulated over the years, that could easily amplify those said negative emotions turning them into a living nightmare that can push you into the edge of the abyss."
Her words now seemed to carry an unspoken weight, a deep understanding of the Yaksha's plight.
"A life of solitude...a life of endless suffering...a life of eternal torment...is that something that you truly want? To live for the rest of your life, watching as the world changes around you, while you remain the same...trapped in a cycle of pain and duty...until you inevitably either get consumed by your own Karma or fade away into nothingness?"
Xiao was now stunned by the lady's words. It was as if she was looking directly into his very soul, laying bare the deepest, most hidden parts of his being.
He had never spoken about his feelings to anyone, not even to his Lord Rex Lapis or to any of the adepti. He had always kept them locked away, hidden behind a facade of stoicism and duty.
But this woman, this strange, beautiful person from Mondstadt, had seen through it all.
His own mask, the one he had carefully crafted for thousands of years, was now slowly crumbling into pieces. He couldn't help but look away from Artoria, unable able to meet her gaze.
"I....I…" he stammered, at a loss for words.
Seeing that her words had struck a chord, Artoria then took a step closer to the Yaksha, until she standing just a few imches away from him.
She then looked at him with a gentle and compassionate expression.
"Do you have any regrets, Xiao?"
That was the final question that broke the Yaksha's composure.
Regrets.
The word echoed in his mind, bringing back a flood of memories from his long and tormented past.
He remembered the faces of his fallen brothers and sisters, the other Yakshas who had fought alongside him in the Archon War.
He remembered their screams, their cries of agony as they were consumed by their own karmic debt, one by one.
He remembered the look of despair in their eyes, the feeling of helplessness as they were slowly but surely being driven mad by the very thing they were supposed to fight against.
Though he never knew what fate had befallen to his eldest brother, he remembered what happened to the rest.
He remembered their final moments, their last words, their last breaths, their last...
Xiao's heart ached with a pain that was so intense, it felt as if it was tearing him apart from the inside.
He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms drawing out blood.
He wanted to scream, to cry, to lash out at the world for the cruel fate that had befallen him and his brethren.
But he couldn't.
He had to be strong, to endure, to carry on their legacy and to fulfill the contract he had made with his lord.
But...if they were alive right now...would they want the same exact fate that had befallen to them to be experienced by their last surviving brother?
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice that Artoria had gently placed a comforting hand upon his head.
It was just like how Guizhong used to do when he was still young.
The warmth of her touch, her gentle caress, it was enough to bring him back to reality.
He slowly looked up at Artoria, his golden eyes now filled with tears, tears that he had long suppressed for centuries.
He didn't say a single word yet his eyes spoke volumes. They spoke of pain, of sorrow, of loneliness, of regret.
And to his surprise, what followed next was something he hadn'texpected.
With her palm still upon Xiao's head, Artoria began to sing a soft hymn all the while calling upon one of the innate abilities that originated from the aspect that bore the title 'The Second Fairy of Paradise'.
~O Aderyn y To Bach, paid ag ofni mwyach oherwydd byddaf yn canu'r gân hon i ti.~
(~Oh Little Sparrow, fear no more for I shall sing you this song.~)
~Am ganrifoedd dirifedi rwyt ti wedi llafurio, gadewch iddo fod yn hysbys nad yw dy faich na'th unigrwydd yn bodoli mwyach.~
(~For countless centuries you've toiled, let it be known that your burden and loneliness be no more.~)
~Trwy'r rhodd hon a roddais i ti, gadewch i'th galon gael ei llawenhau fel y môr tawel.~
(~Through this gift I bestowed upon thee, let your heart be gladdened as the calm sea.~)
~Ni fydd gwenwyn marwolaeth yn llywodraethu dy dynged mwyach. Edfan nawr, hedfan yn rhydd a phennu dy Dynged dy hun.~
(~No more will the poison of death govern your fate. Fly now, fly free and dictate your own Fate.~)
As she sang, a soft golden light began to emanate from her palm, enveloping Xiao in a warm, comforting embrace.
She called forth into existence a portion of her noble phantasm, The Song of the Faey, the very crystalization of her ideals as Artoria Avalon and blended it with another one of her abilities, Avalon Le Fae, a power once hidden under the name of 'Protection of the Lake'.
By the merging of these two potent supernatural abilities, Artoria performed a miracle.
Through her song, she manipulated the innermost nature of lone Yaksha, his soul, halting and purging the rot karmic debt from his being.
By the power of Avalon Le Fae, she blessed him with a divine protection that would protect him from any further corruption and suffering stemming from the consequence of slaying corrupted beings.
Xiao was utterly speechless.
He couldn't believe what was happening to him!
For the first time in thousands of years, his mind froze. What was happening to him was fundamentally different from anything he had ever experienced before.
This was no adeptal art nor was it similar to any divine power he had encountered before including those originating from his Lord the Geo Archon.
This power, this light, was different, it was both warm and gentle yet the sheer potency behind it was overwhelming!
His body, mind and soul were become lighter and purer.
The voices in his head, the whispers of the damned that had tormented him for eons…they were now all gone, vanished without a trace.
The darkness that had plagued him for centuries, the weight of his karmic debt, it was all being driven out of him, not suppressed nor contained, but completely and utterly purged!
Pure golden wings, a pair that was not originally his, burst forth from his back as his senses were becoming more clearer and the world around him became more vibrant and alive.
He could feel the gentle breeze caressing his skin, the cool night air filling his lungs, the warmth of the moonlight on his face.
It was as if he was experiencing the world at its fullest for the first time.
After the last verse was song, Artoria gently removed her palm from Xiao's head and smiled at him.
The golden light that had enveloped Xiao gradually faded away alongside the pair of golden wings that had sprouted from his back.
He was now left in a state of awe and bewilderment, not being able to form the exact words to say.
Xiao tried to look directly at her but he couldn't.
The pressure he felt from her presence was so immense as if he was gazing at the primordial sun itself!
However, he did caught a glimpse of her eyes.
They were no longer the vibrant green colored ones he saw earlier rather they now seemed to glow a golden hue.
They...they were not the eyes of a mortal but the eyes of a divine.....a god.....a goddess.
Slowly and stutteringly, Xiao asked Artoria,
"Who...or what are you?"
Was she a friend of the Anemo Archon Barbatos?
Another deity from the north? Or...could she be the Anemo Archon herself?
'No, impossible!' Xiao exclaimed inside his head.
'Barbatos was a man, one of the original seven who stood equal to my lord. I had seen him once before, hundreds of years ago, and although my memory of the said encounter was quite fuzzy, I am certain that he does not look like her!'
He had never heard any ascension of any new deity among the ranks of the seven recently, nor has he heard any rumors regarding the possible death or retirement of the Anemo Archon.
The goddess in front of him must have some sort of connection to the Anemo Archon though it is highly unlikely that she's the Anemo Archon herself!
"Who am I? Hmmmm, that's a bit of a complicated question, little bird."
Artoria's voice was now back to its gentle, motherly tone, her golden eyes returning back to its usual green.
Feeling a bit cheeky, she then added,
"I am just a simple noblewoman from a distant land, who happened to stumble upon your beautiful country through an invitation and decided to stay for a while."
She then winked at the Yaksha, a gesture that both surprised and flustered him!
"If you truly want to know who I am, I'd suggest you discover it yourself."
Xiao was now even more confused.
He had so many questions, but he knew that the goddess in front of him would not give him any direct answers.
He could only accept her words for now and try to uncover the truth on his own later.
But one thing is certain, the lady in front of him had given him a gift, a gift that he could never repay.
She had freed him from his eternal torment, from the curse that had plagued him for millennia.
She had given him a new lease on life, a chance to live without the constant fear of being consumed by the darkness.
For that, he will be eternally grateful.
Slowly, Xiao knelt down on one knee, then the other.
He lowered his head, and with a deep sense of reverence and humility, hekowtowed in front of the goddess before him. His forehead touching the cold, wooden floor of the balcony.
"Thank you." he said, his voice now filled with an emotion that he had not felt in a long, long time.
"Thank you for your gift, my lady. I am eternally in your debt."
Tears streamed down his face as he poured out his heart to the goddess.
He had only done this act twice before in his entire life, once to his lord Rex Lapis, and the other to the Lady of Dust, Guizhong.
But now, he was doing it for a third time, for the mysterious goddess from Mondstadt, who had shown him a kindness that he had never known.
"Thank you! Thank you so much my Honored Lady for saving me from my own darkness! I shall never forget this act of kindness for as long as I live!"
(To be continued….)
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██ ….. ██….█…█…█….█
Deep below the subterranean realm of the world….
Far from the reaches of ordinary mortal hands….
Lies the great repository of knowledge, the world tree, ███
The collosal silver tree continues to grow downward….its branches extending down towards the core….while its innumerable roots spread outwards towards the surface creating Leylines…..collecting and cataloguing every being…. every event that happens at the surface…
Every data….every soul is carefully stored…and represented by a single leaf…
...
And in one particular branch….
One that had sprouted thousands of years ago….
A single leaf that symbolizes the very soul and existence of one particular ancient being…broke off from its bud and slowly drifted towards a golden tendril flowing in parallel from the great tree….
█ Data…█ information…unable to find ██….error…error…error….█
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Another soul…another Fate, once again taken, and now finds refuge upon an everlasting dream….
The nascent world anchored by the Pillar of the End welcomes you, oh Last of the Yakshas….
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(List ofArtoria'sNoble Phantasms)
A). Song of the Faey (Can y Tylwyth Teg):
- The Song of the Faey, is the crystalization of the ideals of Artoria Avalon as the second Fairy of Paradise, just as Excalibur is to her saber aspect.
- This ability emerged in response to her ascension to godhood, elevating the magecraft skills that she possessed into 'True Mysteries', sources of all supernatural phenomenon, whose levels of power are just below or almost on par with that of 'True Magic', the highest class of Mystery.
- Since fairies or faeys are extension of the world itself (or as in the case of fairies from the nasuverse), this skill is potent in manipulating the very foundation of nature itself, and can be use to conjure up or dispell storms, cause the sudden proliferation and growth of flora, and even halt and disperse the rot of darkness.
- Hymn of the Ancient: a song of creation and renewal, an ability which if sang can command the very forest and ground itself, and bind it to ones will.
B). Rhongomyniad
C). BrightEhangwen
D). Round of Avalon
E). Invisible Air
F). Excalibur
G). Avalon
H) Caliburn
I). Secace Morgan
J). ???
K). ???
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(Artoria's Class Specific Abilities)
Here are some of the abilities and skills that Artoria has access that originated from her various forms.
A). Taken from her Goddess Rhongomyniad aspect/form
- Artoria can summon the Knights of the Round Table. However, they retain their free will, and as such, she has no way to make them follow her commands against their desires. She can further empower them by bestowing Gifts upon them, granting them special abilities.
- Artoria has access to powerful spells that allow her to create Enforcement Knights, unique phantasmal beings with no will of their own that give off similar life energy signatures that are comparable to humans. Their nature closely resembles those of low ranking Heroic Spirits. Due to her near limitless power, she can create vast armies of them if she wishes.
B).Taken from her Lancer and Mysterious Heroine X aspects/forms
- Riding (EX Rank): She is able to operate all manner of vehicles and beasts freely including Machines, Divine Beasts and Dragon Kinds. Artoria can readily summon her horses "Dun Stallion" and "Llamrei".
C). Taken from her Ruler/Summer Bunny aspect/form
- Royal Card: This is a Skill that represents Artoria's ability to handle cards as a casino dealer, and throw them like daggers at enemies. Also, this skill brings HIGH AMOUNT OF LUCK when Artoria is doing any form of gambling, making her literally unbeatable in any gambling games.
D). Taken from her Artoria Avalon (final ascension form of Caster Artoria) aspect/form
- Artoria Avalon/Caster is the 'Second Fairy of Paradise', a being created by Faerie Britain's system akin to the Counter Force that the isle itself uses to fight back when it is in danger. Being born a fairy, this form allows Artoria access to latent skills such as Fairy Eyes.
- Fairy Eyes: a skill that allows her to see the true intentions of people and perceive the lies of the world. It also allows Artoria to see the 'True Names' and desires of people.
- Item Construction (B Rank): Able to create tools that harbor Magical Energy.
- Territory Creation (EX Rank): 'The one who stands within the white walls of Camelot—stronghold of the Human Order.' She gives form to one of the greatest defensive formations in a confrontation with a "Threat to Humanity".
- Avalon le Fae (A Rank): A power concealed under the name "Protection of the Lake". The power possessed by Artoria to bless life and protect the target from all sorts of corruption.
- Magecraft: Allows Artoria to access all kinds of Spells like Heating, Detection, Healing, Linguistics, Camouflage, Lockpicking, Stealth attacks, Explosives (pipebombs), and Obstacles.
- Marmyadose: A large sword that has the appearance of a staff. It was forged by a God of Fire and granted to great heroes in the past. It is said that this sword exceeds Excalibur in power alone, and sometimes Artoria would use this large sword as a substitute for Excalibur.
E). Taken from Artoria Pendragon (Saber) aspect/form
- Artoria Pendragon is the legendary King of Knights, the one that ruled over the battlefields in the age of legends. In life, she commanded the Knights of the Round Table, the greatest knights to ever live and heroes that would later be sung of in legends. If summoned as a Servant, any of them would boast indisputable fame and strength,however, even among them, Artoria stands at the top.
- Instinct (A Rank): Artoria possesses the ability to always instantly identify "the best personal course of action" during combat. This is strengthened to the degree that it is essentially a sixth sense in the realm of predicting the future. Because this skill allows for the prediction of trajectory, it is possible to avoid attacks from firearms, and along with listening to the sound of cutting air, she can be said to have a protection against all projectile weapons.
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(Artoria's Unique Skills)
Since becoming a goddess formed from the amalgamation of all her variants and aspects, Artoria was able to unlock and access new abilities.
A). Marble Phantasm (?) (Avalon)
B). Divine Arms Mastery
C). Soul Sharing
D). The Root of Authorities
E). Genesis of Creation
F). ???
G). ???
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