Trails of intertwined stars: Chapter 26

~Chapter 1: Where the Adepti Dwell~

Zero groaned. Everything seemed to hurt. He lay, sprawled across the floor, his limbs pointed and pinned in different directions like he'd fallen from a large height. An extremely large height, at that. He squinted through the piercing sunlight, hearing a crane cry; mixed with the rushing of water and the rustling of leaves. Zero pushed himself up, blinking in confusion at the grass. It was a slightly golden tinted green, like it had been blessed by the sun for many thousands of years. The leaves of the thick trees were also embellished with shimmers of gold, and the roots of each plant seemed to snake around grandly. Nearby the tree, in which Zero had been resting under, was a large pool of water; probably some of the freshest water Zero had seen in a long time. It was dusk, or so it seemed, and the cries of the crane seemed to grow stiller with each passing second. Now, Zero recognised this place. It was Liyue, at least one of the mountains Hikari had shown him; long ago in a photo. The picture did it no justice, for it was much more majestic in person; tranquil and soft.
"Ah, so one is finally awake?"
Zero flinched at the powerful voice, it was feminine and stern. Zero blinked around, hazily, searching for the source; yet all he could find was a crane watching him and a couple fox creatures playing with each other.
"Maybe I hit my head too hard," Zero grumbled, rubbing his head as he pushed himself to his feet," I swear, I just hea-"

"Hmph! One presumes too much!"
Zero blinked, startled. It was the same voice, again! Yet again, however, nobody had appeared.
"Ugh..." The voice groaned," Look to your left, young man! No, no, not that left; a little more forward! Yes, yes, perfect."
Zero squinted at the crane, as though trying to discern whether noise was leaving its beak.
"The...bird?" Zero mumbled.
The crane scoffed," One should be more respectful when addressing an Adepti!"
"Adepti?" Zero frowned," Ohh, I think I know. Your like a minion, sent by Zhongli?"
The crane glared at him.
"Minion!? Why one has never! Gr! Not quite, young man! I, am Cloud Retainer, an illuminated being, who has reached far much more enlightenment than the likes of you!"
Zero raised an eyebrow, skeptical. Cloud Retainer seemed more irritated by this, it was the first time anyone had treated her as an Adepti as slightly irrelevant.
"It would do one good to keep their insolence in check!"
"Hey, Miss Bird," Zero furrowed his brows," If you've reached enlightenment, why are you a bird...?"
"Because it is one's most desired form!"
"It's kinda weird. What do you eat? Worms?"
Cloud Retainer huffed, turning her back to the entity.

"One had saved oneself from falling so large, one could have met Celestia!" Cloud Retainer snapped," Yet, one still insists on disrespect!"
Zero smiled, awkwardly," Oh. Thanks?"
"HMPH!"
"Cloud Retainer, you called?"
Zero blinked, confused, hearing another voice. It was male and slightly gruffer; almost raspy in spots. Zero yelped, jumping as a young male appeared in-between the two through a strange, dense fog. He was short, yet had the body of a young adult; which had been chipped, worn and ravenged by war. His hair was a strange oceanic blue, that fell down to his shoulders at the sides, but we're neatly cut at the back. His outfit was embroidered with charms and obnoxious trinkets to fend off demons; with a strange mask pinned to his hilt. Zero couldn't help but shudder and glance away as his empty, golden eyes met Zero's.
"Ah! Thank Rex Lapis! One was beginning to loose patience!" Cloud Retainer grumbled," Xiao, do talk to this outsider! One must return to their investigations!"
The male, named Xiao gave an almost pouty glare, yet it had no emotion to it," I'm busy too, you know? The missions of a Yaksha is not easy. I have no time for idle chatter."
"It would do one good, child!" Cloud Retainer snapped, she had somehow already made her way to the cave which seemed to be her home.
Xiao glared at her in disbelief, before slowly turning to face Zero. He scanned the entity, before meeting him with a strained expression.

"Who are you?" Xiao's frown only deepened.

"Zero Voidsoul," Zero stated," You?"
Xiao glanced away," Adeptus Xiao. What did you even do to irritate Cloud Retainer so much?"
"I didn't realise she was an Adepti and kinda offended her," Zero gave a wry smile.
Xiao hummed in response, as though in an acceptance of the answer. Clearly, to the Yaksha, it didn't seem unlikely.
"If you'll excuse me," Xiao turned away," I must go, I'm busy-"
"Wait a moment," Zero held his hand out.
Xiao glanced behind, his gaze meeting the entities.
"I'm looking for someone, you see," Zero stated," Can you help me? I'm not familiar with Liyue."
Xiao glanced away, as though pondering it; before letting out a small sigh.
"I may not be of any help. I... I'm not well versed in socialising."
"Her name is Hikari Michaelis. Do you know her."
Xiao seemed to freeze at the name. He slowly glanced back at Zero, his eyebrow raised.
"Why do you want her help?"
"She's my friend. I've known her the longest. I'm not from this world, you see," Zero informed him, he couldn't help but notice Xiao's interest seemed to slightly grow," How do you know her?"

Xiao crossed his arms," Has she not mentioned me? Not even once?"
Zero gave a contemplative look, before shrugging. Xiao let out a strained sigh.
"I suppose I should reintroduce myself. I am Adeptus Xiao, Son of Morax."
Zero blinked in shock. Xiao was Zhongli's child!? True, there were 'similarities', but they weren't exactly noticeable at first glance, like with most children.
"You're Hikari's uncle?" Zero raised an eyebrow.
Xiao nodded, softly," I'm surprised she did not whine about me. After all, I trained her on how to fight."
For some reason, that shocked Zero even more.
"You taught her how to fight!?"
"Well, no," Xiao frowned," There were others too, naturally. I trained all of my sister's children, in case they had any Adeptal powers."
"Did she?"
"If she did, none were noticeable or of any threat."
Zero couldn't slightly believe it. All of Hikari's attacks must have been inspired by Xiao then, right? Meeting Xiao made Zero slightly curious about Hikari's mother, Yun Jin. Hikari barely mentioned her, nor did Sebastian; perhaps as Yun Jin's brother, Xiao would be different?
"So, do you know where she is," Zero asked.
Xiao frowned," I believe she is with Mora-, I mean my father, force of habit. On their whereabouts I am unaware."

"Do you think you could take me?"
Xiao stared at Zero, a frown marring his expression.
"As I stated before, I am busy. The life of a Yaksha is not easy."
"Please," Zero groaned, bringing his voice to a pleading whisper," I don't want bird face to take me."
Xiao exhaled with a groan.
"Fine. Tomorrow. I shall be there. For tonight, rest here. The enemies at night I must vanquish, only increases."
With that, Xiao disappeared. Zero frowned, processing what had happened. The entity glanced up into the sky, squinting. It was still dusk, meaning he'd have time until nightfall. Zero dusted himself off, deciding now was a better time than any to explore Minlin.