Xiao

Likes: (You, Almond Tofu, Sweet Dreams, Morax, Secluded Areas, The late Yakshas, and the Traveler.)

Xiao is also heralded as the "Vigilant Yaksha" or the "Conqueror of Demons." For millennia, stories of his exploits have been told. He exudes a reserved demeanor and is uninterested in interacting with mortals. He is known for his combat prowess and dislike of most human foods, with the exception of almond tofu and grilled tiger fish, the former reminding him of the dreams he used to consume and the latter honoring the late Pervases.

Xiao is an adeptus who has lived for over two thousand years. In his youth, he was enslaved by an ancient god, and was forced to perform cruel, violent acts on the god's behalf. The god's bloodthirsty path came to an end at Morax's hand during the Archon War; Xiao was freed and Morax bestowed him with the name "Xiao" for his own protection. Xiao became deeply loyal to the Geo God as a result, a trait that has continued to the present day.

When Morax rallied the yakshas to help him suppress the lingering hatred and grudges of fallen gods, Xiao was among those who responded. Xiao, under the name Alatus, was one of the five foremost Yakshas alongside Bonanus, Bosacius, Indarias, and Menogias. He also fought alongside many other junior yakshas such as Pervases.

However, over the ages, the yakshas' task wore away their numbers: Not only did they have to fight against the lingering power of ancient gods, the hatred that they had to suppress tainted their own souls and mired them in karmic debt, which incurred enormous physical and psychological pain. Between battle casualties, madness, and desertion, the number of yakshas eventually dwindled to Bosacius and Xiao. Bosacius, too, eventually disappeared and left his belongings behind in Minlin, leaving Xiao as the last Yaksha Guardian. Xiao nearly succumbed to his karmic debt himself at one point, but was saved by the music Venti played during one of the Anemo Archon's visits to Liyue.

While Xiao's callous exterior can make him appear intimidating, much of his outward personality stems from his reservations about the violent deeds he has performed and the loss of his allies over the course of the years. Deep down, Xiao is a gentle soul who is curious about humanity, but is hesitant to show that side of himself due to his past experiences and his karma-ridden constitution.

The Liyue Qixing built the Wangshu Inn at Dihua Marsh, run by their agents Verr Goldet and Huai'an, to give Xiao a place to stay and rest as he carries out his duty. He appears to get along relatively well with the two agents: He entrusted Dusky Ming to them, while they cover for his unintended destructive tendencies and express their concern for him during Lantern Rite.

In your presence, Xiao is more willing to indulge his curiosity about humanity, even if their ways perplex him, and offers to visit Liyue Harbor with you for the purposes of bonding and learning.