Listening to everyone's joyous laughter, Xiao was slightly dazed.
In a trance, he felt as if he had returned to the past, to that carefree past.
Thunder Yaksha Fushe noticed the subtle change on Xiao's face, and he stroked his chin, revealing a look of suspicion.
"Why are you staring at us so intently? Have you forgotten us?"
"Menogias, quickly see if this kid is still drunk."
Menogias nodded, preparing to step forward and check Xiao's physical condition.
Water Yaksha and Fire Yaksha also showed worried expressions, concerned that Xiao's mental state might be problematic.
To them, the Five Yakshas were a single entity; nothing could happen to any of them.
Seeing this, Xiao stood up and slowly replied, "No need to worry, I'm fine."
He paused, then, mimicking Morax's tone, said, "Long time no see, old friends."
It turned out that when he uttered these words, his heart truly felt something different.
A simple "long time no see" was more profound than a thousand words.
No wonder Lord Rex Lapis always liked to say this phrase; now Xiao also understood a few of its meanings.
Bosacius carefully scrutinized Xiao from head to toe, then concluded, "He's definitely still drunk, speaking incomprehensible nonsense."
"We've been living together all this time, so how can it be 'long time no see'?"
The other Yakshas were also puzzled, not understanding why Xiao had suddenly said such a thing.
Yet, Xiao's eyes were so clear and bright, not at all like someone who was drunk.
Most importantly, Xiao's tone of voice truly sounded as if he hadn't seen them in a very long time.
"The food is getting cold, let's eat."
At this moment, Menogias spoke up.
Bosacius then remembered the Fish soup he had simmered and quickly walked over to check on it.
Seeing that the Fish soup was almost ready, Bosacius picked up a ladle and filled each person's bowl to the brim.
Water Yaksha Bonanus gave all the Fish in her bowl to Xiao, explaining, "I'm on a diet recently and can't eat this much Fish, little brother, please help your older sister finish it."
Fire Yaksha Indarias also gave her Fish to Xiao: "I don't like eating Fish, little brother, help me finish it!"
Considering that Xiao had been overworked recently, Water Yaksha and Fire Yaksha unanimously gave him the Fish from their bowls.
One could say, Xiao was truly the pampered one.
Xiao didn't speak, just quietly looked at the bowl full of Fish.
Water Yaksha's figure didn't require any dieting.
And Fire Yaksha...
Normally, her favorite food was Fish, so how could she dislike Fish?
All of this was merely a kind lie fabricated by the two of them, hoping Xiao would recover quickly.
Thunder Yaksha Fushe and Rock Yaksha Minu, though they didn't speak, also silently left the Fish in the pot for Xiao.
After a brief silence, Xiao spoke, "Thank you."
Past memories were presented to Xiao through the dream; it turned out that life back then was also very beautiful.
A group of people sat around a bonfire, laughing and talking.
Bosacius was pulling Xiao to drink, Indarias was tending the fire nearby,
Menogias and Bonanus were looking at the starry sky, whispering something.
After a few rounds of drinks, Bosacius had drunk a bit too much, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "These days are truly good, no war, no death."
"When peace reigns over the world, let's go live among humans too!"
Bonanus nodded along: "I heard human life is very interesting, I want to experience it."
Menogias stroked his chin: "Returning to nature, life should be good."
Indarias said with a smile: "Since everyone is going, then I'll go too."
"Little brother, what about you?"
The four Yakshas' gazes turned to Xiao in unison, awaiting his answer.
"I..."
Xiao actually wanted to say yes; he also longed for peaceful days,
But before the words could come out,
The four Yakshas sitting opposite him suddenly shed their smiles, replaced by vigilance and seriousness.
As if facing a formidable enemy.
Seeing this scene, Xiao suddenly felt a great unease in his heart,
As if something important was about to vanish before him.
He remembered.
Back then, they also gathered like this, laughing and talking, eating together, and imagining the future.
Immediately after, that disaster struck Liyue.
With the arrival of that disaster, the four Yakshas forever disappeared from Xiao's world.
Xiao was unwilling to accept this outcome.
He wanted to do something, wanted to do something for his companions.
He stood up, gripping the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear in his hand.
"Let me go; I alone can hold the line to the death."
"You all stay here, do you understand what I mean?"
Although he knew it was a dream, Xiao's subconscious still wanted to protect his friends and change the story's ending.
If he could, he would willingly sacrifice his own life for the other four.
At this moment, Big Brother Bosacius reached out and pressed down on Xiao's head, his tone showing displeasure.
"What nonsense are you talking about, kid? I don't like hearing that."
"We are all still alive; no matter what, it's not your turn to charge into battle."
"What you need to do is protect yourself and live well, understand?"
Rock Yaksha Minu nodded: "Little brother, Big Brother Bosacius is right."
"You retreat first and go find Lord Rex Lapis; he will tell you what to do."
Water Yaksha Bonanus also replied with a smile: "Little brother, don't worry, we'll be fine, no need to worry."
"It's dangerous here, leave quickly."
Fire Yaksha Indarias also urged Xiao: "Go quickly, go quickly. If you stay here, we'll be distracted."
"It's not our first battle, do you still not believe in our strength?"
Even though Xiao was also one of the Five Yakshas and not weak in ability,
In the eyes of the other four Yakshas, he became the one who needed to be cared for.
Simply because he was the youngest.
They said they would share blessings and difficulties together,
But in reality, they shared blessings, while the older brothers and sisters took on the difficulties.
Looking at the backs of the four Yakshas, Xiao reached out, wanting to stop them.
If he could stop them, perhaps the outcome would be different later.
"Don't... don't go..."
"This war... is not what you imagine..."
Xiao reached out to touch the four Yakshas, but unexpectedly found his fingers passing through their bodies.
The four Yakshas turned into dust, quickly dissipating before Xiao's eyes.
Thunder Yaksha Fushe looked at Xiao with a serious expression: "As the Guardian Yakshas under Lord Rex Lapis, it is our mission to protect Liyue's peace."
Rock Yaksha Minu instructed Xiao: "Little brother, take care of yourself."
Fire Yaksha Indarias's eyes held tenderness: "We'll be back very soon, wait for us obediently until then, okay?"
Water Yaksha Bonanus's face held a smile: "Why do you look so listless? Can you smile for me?"
The figures of the four Yakshas turned into dust and scattered with the wind, as if they had never appeared.
Only Xiao remained, standing alone.
He thought they would meet again soon, so he didn't say a proper goodbye that day.
A fleeting dream, but eventually, the dream must end.
Immediately after, Xiao suddenly raised his head,
Because at that instant, he felt a massive aura rapidly approaching,
The aura was very similar to Lord Rex Lapis's supreme power, yet somewhat different.
The next second, a void rift appeared before Xiao,
From within the rift, a figure slowly emerged.
When Xiao clearly saw the person's face, he was visibly stunned.
"Mr. Faxun..."
Makoto looked at Xiao, then chuckled and said, "Xiao, long time no see."
The sense of reunion in Makoto's tone made it sound as if the two had truly not seen each other for many years.
His face was as handsome as when they first met, but the depth hidden in his eyes indicated he had endured much hardship.
For a moment, the confusion between dream and reality made Xiao unable to distinguish the situation.
Makoto continued, "I won't say much about catching up."
"Now, will you come with me to change the story's ending?"
"Hmm?"
"To pick up your brothers and sisters."
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