Chapter Text
Impossible.
Rex Lapis simply can not be dead.
Out considering the absurd story the traveler had told him, the god of war was too mighty to easily be poisoned or killed by the Liuye Qixing. Anyhow, Xiao knew him and the other Adepti will need to confront them, maybe fight them to their death if they see fit. They had signed a contract and swore to Rex Lapis to protect Liuye at all costs. No circumstance can fall under such bonds.
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"Xiao? Are you there?" A voice echoed across the empty distance.
"Rex Lapis?"
"Haha, yes it is me."
Confused, he impulsively asks, "Is this a dream?"
"Indeed."
He didn't know how he entered one, especially one with the consciousness of Rex Lapis in it. Either way, he knew he'd have to ask his one and only- and maybe if the answer were to be true- last question towards his lord.
Still, somehow, he hoped it wasn't. It was too unlikely of a circumstance. If it were to be real, he knew that Rex Lapis would've done something- anything.
"Is what they said true?"
"Hm? You can take a guess, but all I can say for now is that I'm no longer your Archon."
"Huh?" His heart stopped. What could he mean?
"Liuye no longer needs be Xiao, they're capable on their own."
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He woke up, confusion painting his thoughts. Was Rex Lapis still alive? If his dream was more than it seemed to be, and if his assumptions were made right, then yes, he should be. The only question left lies; Why did he not inform any of his Adepti?
Xiao knew there would often be a trickery behind his train of thought, he was smart enough to defeat many gods and gain one of the seats of the seven, after all. Still, he trusted that the Adepti would at least be informed of such impactful events, even if they needn't to interfere.
---
It was after the battle against Osial that he later found out of what truly happened. His assumptions stayed true that Rex Lapis did not die. Though, he would've never expected the other half of the story.
To hear that he had become a mortal himself to walk among them is shocking news. Rex Lapis is one of the strongest god of the seven, so seeing his mortal form for the first time in the top floor balcony of the Inn gave Xiao utter shock. Still, he bowed in respect of the ex-archon.
"That wouldn't be necessary. I go by Zhongli now."
He got on his feet as ordered, saying, "Mr. Zhongli..." with a questioning tone of his own choice of word. It purely felt wrong to use a lowly name of that kind on the geo archon.
"Just Zhongli will do. I trust you've been faring well?"
"The usual."
"I see. In any case, I'll be living among the mortals in Liuye Harbor. I've signed for a job as a Funeral Consultant and will be working with a girl named Hu Tao. She's a lively one... though her sense of humor is not one to talk about." Zhongli states as he softly chuckles in the last parts of his statements.
Xiao stayed silent, he did not mind nor cared much for his lord's personal life. He wouldn't want to intrude in it.
The silence was a signal Zhongli took to continue, "Let me know if you'll need anything, Xiao. I'll still be available if you or any of the other Adepti requires assistance."
The other firmly nodded.
With that, he turned on his heel to walk away. Xiao was left to stand on the lonesome balcony as his thoughts begin to fumble around. It was not something he could comprehend. Why would Rex Lapis doing this willingly? Could there be a bigger plan behind this? (Other than giving away the gnosis to fulfill the contract with the Fatui, of course.) What did Rex Lapis want of him? 'Zhongli' did not tell.
The contract that was signed centuries ago along with his past comrades was signed to Rex Lapis. It did not mention of terms in case of any occasions when one party were to change their identity. This was a fault. Should one continue the contract? If not, what would one need to do now?
He wonders, somehow, if it's truly time for the end of the contract- of an 'era' as how the mortals put it to be. Rex Lapis led no longer, the Qixing were now in handle to coordinate the whole of Liuye. Would they still need him? Was an olden warrior- weapon such as himself would still be useful to this land?
Or has he finally fulfilled his purpose? Has he finished atoning his sins? Has he payed for those who had suffered and died in his hands? Was it enough?