I really like to think of Xiao as the youngest of the Yakshas, since his name é (mountain demon) sounds similar to Xiao (ć°, small), which gives me an excuse to make the Yakshas call him Xiao Xiao, so small Xiao <33
Teeny Xiao <33. Baby Xiao <3. The thought of him being spoiled by his big siblings brings me sm joy
I'm so mad about this year's lantern rite lmao. It was centred around Menogias, the Geo Yaksha. Xiao's dead comrade and close friend. His official title was General Kapisas. He's based off Sun Wukong.
And there was nothing about him exept for a few random lines? Barely anything? I don't understand why. This was what Xianyun said about him- completely randomly- and then went back to talking about something else???
"He possessed a singular talent for clothing designs. He had an exquisite eye for not just fabric selection and colour pairing, but also for what accessories could best accentuate a garment's overall styling." (Dialogue one.)
"At a gathering of adepti, Bonanus (hydro Yaksha. She and Menogias went mad with Karmic Debt and killed each other. She and the Pyro Yaksha, Indarius, were presumably close friends. Bonanus' official title was General Chizapus and she seemed to be a gentle person.) once complained in secret to the ladies in attendance that the skirt Menogias made for her was too long and impractical, lamenting that it would only hinder her in battle." (Dialogue two.)
"However, when one asked Menogias his opinion, he remarked that the train of the skirt would serve to enhance her adeptal countenance by exemplifying a certain elegance. Menogias was that type of person. When it came to topics relating to garments and accessories, not even Rex Lapis could best his stubbornness." (Dialogue three.)
AND THAT'S IT?? Menogias designed Zhongli's outfits. Menogias fought in the archon war and was one of the Yakshas that sealed Guizhong away when she passed. He was one of the central figures in Xiao's life and Xiao grieved him terribly after he died. His death along with his siblings' deaths impacts Xiao till this day. He was like a brother to Xiao. Xiao talks in a quest (I don't remember which, sorry) about how Menogias once mentioned wanting to live a peaceful mortal's life-but in the end Menogias lost his sanity for the sake of his nation and his people and killed his sister, someone he held very, very dear. It's tragic. It's heartbreaking. His karmic debt took over his mind and destroyed someone he wanted to protect and live a mortal's life with. Menogias is such a wonderful character? When I saw in the livestream that the main lantern was Menogias, I gasped and sat up. Yaksha lore?! Menogias centric lantern rite?! Instead we dealt with Gaming's fucking family problems. Why couldn't that have been a sub-plot? Why didn't they use Gaming's stubbornness and passion as a parallel to MENOGIAS' stubbornness, passion and ferocity of both mind and body? Why???? Zero stars, I'm admittedly biased as fuck. I love the Yakshas and I wanted Yaksha lore- and this isn't like a "ugh I didn't get what I wanted" thing it's a "this year's lantern rite had so much potential that was absolutely wasted"
Like sure, the Xianyun-Shenhe convo was comedy gold, Gaming running to his dad and hugging him was sweet, but? Couldn't that have been a sub-plot? Menogias was this year's Mingxiao lantern. I don't care if they executed it badly and just brought him up via long winded exposition- the fact that barely anyone knows about Menogias is so sad and it could genuinely have made for such a good story? The fact that Xiao didn't even attend a festival more or less dedicated to him and his family? When "Lantern Rite Festival is a festival celebrated every year, on the day of the first full moon to commemorate heroes of the past."
I wish Xiao could have at least seen the Mingxiao lantern from afar. I wonder how he would have reacted to watch the people he protects honour someone he loved so much. Would he have cried? Could we have gotten a scene where an adeptus comforts Xiao? That was his brother.
Xianyun hangs out with her children, Zhongli with Hu Tao, the Fontaine cast randomly drops in which was kind of nice to see since Furina (<333333) came along. Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper (I cannot believe they got NPC treatment, what the fuck) hung out but Xiao was alone until the traveller releases a lantern with him. On lantern rite. Which is a festival more or less meant to commemorate him. He got what, a minute of screen time?? Two? Three?
In Xianyun's story quest (and obviously this is a spoiler for her story quest) we see just how much the traveller misses their sibling, how desperately they want them back and how much they bottle up their feelings. Xiao must feel the same, right? I can't imagine how guilty he must feel or how much he must wonder what life would be like had they survived. It would even have tied in with Gaming's story- how much he'd want his family to accept him and be there with him on lantern rite. Why didn't we get something about these three? Why was there so much focus on a random four star (I'm sorry if you like Gaming, I love his playstyle but I really don't give a shit about the character).
I feel like they really just want people to pull for Gaming and Xianyun, I really can't explain why they (imo) fumbled this so bad. I expected so much after the Fontaine AQ but man this was so disappointing it literally killed by desire to keep playing the game. I'll just do my dailies and log off, HSR welcomes me with a much warmer embrace
Summary: AU where all Five Yaksha lived, and now must go through the eventâs of Liyueâs Archon Quest together, starting with the failed Rite of Descension.
It was time for the Rite of Descension in Liyue. Xiao was standing alone on the balcony of Wangshuu Inn. He didnât care too much for whatever the citizens wanted to do, especially considering his karmaic debt would put them in danger; it would be too much hassle for just a short event that goes on annually. He was looking over Liyue Harbor from a distance, just silently enjoying the cool breeze of the nearby waters.
âAlatus, Alatus!â The cheerful and peppy voice of the Pyro Yaksha, Indarius, sounded from behind. Naturally, the Hydro Yaksha was following close behind her. Those two were inseparable, always sticking together no matter the situation, whether it was battle or just casual affairs. Theyâd probably explode if they had to be apart for more than a few seconds.
âOh? What are you two doing over here? I thought you were out near the harborâ
âWe were, but we wanted to come hang out with you before the Rite as well!â Bonanus offered a gentle smile. âI know itâs best for us to avoid interaction with mortals⊠but are you sure you donât want to watch the Rite closer?â
âI like where I am right now. I donât want toââ
ââRisk harming anyone. Yes, we get your point.â Indarius giggled. âBut Iâm sure it will be fine! Nothing can possibly go too horribly wrong just because we are there, you know?â
âIf you two want to watch, go ahead. Iâll watch from here.â The Anemo Yaksha sighed and leaned back over the balcony, watching the harbor.
âWell⊠if youâre staying⊠then weâre staying too!!â Indarius huffed, pulling her sister behind her.
âWe are..? Oh- I mean, yes, we are.â The two took a spot on either side of Xiao, watching the harbor with him. âIt starts soon anyway⊠Iâm sure brother Bosacius and brother Menogias will probably get the closer look for us.â
âThatâs right!!â Indarius nodded furiously. âThey can give us more detail!! Oh-! I think itâs going to startâRex Lapis should come down any secondâŠâ she leaned so far over the balcony to try and watch that any gentle push may just knock her over the edge.
âCareful, youâre going to hurt yourself.â Xiao grabbed her top and pulled her back. Indarius just giggled in response.
âWell, if I fall, then I have comfort in knowing youâll be there for me, Alatus!â She smiled brightly. Xiao blinked, then turned away, hiding a small smile of his own.
***
The Rite of Descension had begun, the Tianquan Ningguang beginning the ceremony. Mondstadtâs new honorary knight and his strange floating companion would also be witnessing the Rite, though that would be the only oddity, the only thing that stood out.
Menogias was watching the closest, being just outside the harbor where he couldnât harm any mortals with his presence while still being able to get a good view of what was happening below. He stood out of view, wanting to be sure no random outsider would bother or attempt to approach him. While he told others that he only watches from up close to be sure to protect the harbor in case of emergency, those who have known him for long enough are fully aware he only watches to be closer to Rex Lapis. Though with his lowered guard, he wouldnât be aware of a certain figure approaching from behindâŠ
âMENOGIAS!!â Four arms immediately clung to him.
âAGHâBosacius, good lord!â The Geo Yaksha sighed, turning to his brother after pushing him off and trying to hide his earlier panic. âYou mustnât sneak up on others like that, it gives one the wrong idea.â
âOh really? Because I wasnât even using my powers that time, I just walked behind you.â He backed off, smirking. âPerhaps you are the one who needs to be more aware of your surroundings?â
âYouâŠâ he scoffed, turning away and crossing his arms. Though he acted upset and serious, it wouldnât last long at all. Underneath the Morax-Copycat, he is a lot less strict and rule-bound after all.
The Electro Yaksha sighed. âWell, if youâre mad at me, I suppose I will just leave to watch the Rite of Descension elsewhereâŠâ
âStay.â Menogias didnât turn to face him, still watching. No other words needed to be exchanged as Bosacius went beside him to watch.
***
The sky darkened as the Rite began, adepti and mortal alike watching and waiting for Moraxâs appearance. With a golden glow, the Geo Archon appeared to descend. Though something was⊠off. Moraxâs body crashed onto the platform, the draconic form laying limply. Time seemed to freeze as Ningguang checked the body. She turned back around urgently.
ââŠRex Lapis has been killed! Seal the exits!â The Mililith immediately began to do as told. Citizens were panicking, and the strange traveler and his companion immediately attempted to run. Yet despite all the excitement below, there was a cold, stiff atmosphere around the two Yaksha.
Dead.
Rex Lapis. Dead.
Menogias wanted to speak, to say or do something, anything, but he couldnât get any part of himself to work. Dead. Rex Lapis was dead. He didnât even notice as Bosacius pulled him into a firm hug, trying to calm his panic even amidst his own.
ââŠWe need to tell the others.â Bosacius broke the silence after a moment, moving to use his electro ability to leave. Menogias wordlessly grabbed onto him to travel along.
Possible spoiler warning, might not wanna read if you haven't done the Perilous Trail event yet
Finally did the current event in Genshin and I'm SO glad I didn't look at any spoilers because holy shit!! That brought tears to my eyes... and my headcanon of Bosacius being the oldest and stuff was right! Huzzah! But I'm disappointed that Bosacius is a guy and not a girl... but I shall still think of Bosacius as a girl and shit because- y e s- it just.. fits..
I could always take the idea I originally had and flip Bosacius and Indarius' role. Because in my headcanon, Indarius was the geo yaksha (watch indarius actually be the geo yaksha and not the pyro) and Bosacius was the Pyro yaksha, not the electro. In my headcanon, Bosacius was like a mom or older sister to Xiao and loved to tease him and stuff (technically right, the scene of Bosacius painting on XiaoX's face while he was asleep), and when the yaksha became corrupt, I headcanoned Indarius was the strongest (Bo being Second strongest) and that Indarius (who I imagined as a guy) had tried to attack Xiao in the moment if corruption only to be stopped by Bosacius.
I headcanoned Menogias was the electro yaksha and that he(I viewed Menogias as a guy) went missing a was the one who showed up to the Chasm. For Bosacius' fate in my headcanon she just went into a limbo state. I headcanoned Indarius as kinda cold but if you got past the thick ass walls he had up, there was someone who truly cared. I headcanoned Xiao as the youngest if the 5 foremost yakshas. For Indarius, although he made it seem like Xiao annoyed him, in reality he did care about Xiao in his own way and showed it in moments where he'd protect Xiao, whether from the shadows or not.
I guess I wouldn't mind swapping roles for Bo and Indarius... but the nickname Bo... is so nICE- and it just fITS- watch me alternate lmao-
With this new found information, I may decide that
Bosacius: Electro yaksha, obviously
Indarius: Pyro yaksha
Menogias: Geo yaksha
Bonanus: she stays as the hydro yaksha- until further notice I view Bonanus as a girl-
I still say Bosacius is a girl tho- iTS MY HEADCANON AND I GET TO MAKE THE RULES-
Drew the 3 Yakshas out of the four other apart from Xiao. Didn't draw the Electro Yaksha cause I was too tired and cause he's buff af with four arms and wondering how I'mma draw him.
