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The woman screamed, the demon's terrifying visage making her unable to move. Is this how I die? She thought to herself, closing her eyes, as the figure crawled towards her, reaching out a claw-
-which then abruptly stopped, followed by an inhuman screech.
She was frozen in place for some moments before managing to gather the courage to peek through her trembling arms. The sight before her was beyond anything she expected; a young man was standing over the now-slain creature, his eyes a piercing amber color and a spear covered in a dark substance. He exhaled deeply, visibly more relaxed as he moved his gaze to the woman.
"Are you hurt?" She blinked a few times, gazing at her savior as if she just saw god.
It took a few moments before words managed to exit her mouth. "N-no! I'm fine thanks to you!!" They came out loud and overexcited, a blush creeping to her cheeks.
Who was this man? He didn't seem human and yet looked just like one. Despite that, she immediately felt connected to him, attached even. No one cared for her nearly enough to save her like this, putting their own life in danger.
Xiao looked down at the woman, clearly in shock from what just transpired but it was nothing new. Still, he tried to make it easier for them if they were too affected by the demons, after all, he figured that would also be the task of a guardian yaksha. "Good. Don't stray too far from the village, there might still be demons about." Her hands once again tightened into fists, fear running through her for multiple reasons.
She didn't want to meet a demon again but at the same time, she didn't want this man to leave her. She needed him. No one was like him. "N-no! I think there's another nearby, p-please don't leave me yet! I have no one to return to at the village and I'm out here on my own..."
She wraps her arms around herself, dramatically delivering her line. There were people out there, it's just that she doubts she'd manage to make the man stay if she told the truth.
There was a pause in Xiao's train of thought, was there a demon around here that was purposefully following her? It wasn't entirely unheard of, he just didn't know if she was trustworthy enough. After all, humans were deceitful creatures.
Despite that his duty to protect bound him, giving the woman a small nod as an answer. "Very well. I shall stay here for a short while to make sure it's safe."
-
"Wha... Leaving already? You can't!" The woman, Huan, yelled, sat up, and grabbed his arm just as he was about to go. Xiao's brow twitched, such a grip would bruise most people.
"I am. I sense no ill presence and I must be on my way. Call on me if something actually happens."
She wasn't satisfied with the answer and kept complaining until he freed his arm. The woman was clearly distressed and desperate, Xiao did not understand why that was the case on account of her safety.
True, humans are fearful but this felt excessive, not to mention the fact this one got attached, more than others. During their fairly short time together, Huan said all manner of things about herself and her life, some made up and others too in an attempt to keep him at least somewhat entertained but the thing she said next was unexpected. "If you leave I'll kill myself!"
That phrase was new, shock came to the usually emotionless adeptus. Why would she say that?
"Don't be a fool! There is no reason to do that." He raised his voice, it wasn't something he usually did but the surprise got to him. Huan shook, reaching out to him again.
"Please... my life is on you now. Don't leave. I can't be alone again..."
As Xiao stepped back she simply moved forward, accomplishing nothing. Did he feel... bad? What is this feeling? Why is there guilt where there should be none? Conflicted, the yaksha exited the woman's home with not a single additional word, hearing only a desperate scream behind him.
-
For hours the woman's words ran through his mind and what they meant. Yes, he is known as a protector but far more as an exterminator of demons. Despite that the line of his work does automatically include caring for others... does it?
The encounter raised far too many questions that cannot be answered, especially as someone who isn't human and lacks those emotions. No one knows if she actually meant those words or was it a pure desperate instinct of some sort. No matter what the truth is, there was something wrong with that woman, either in her safety or sanity. Attempts to calm his racing mind were failing, and the lack of demon encounters he had after Huan did not help.
And then he heard it. His name being cried out.
He didn't even think of who could've called at him now, but there was a job to do, and he isn't one to slack off.
It led him to a familiar location, not far from the odd woman's home. It was a cliff and someone was at the very top of it, yelling his name again. Once Xiao got close enough it was clear who it was.
"Huan."
Having heard her name being called, the woman turned her tear-streaked face to him, a smile gracing her lips. "You came back... You really care..." She sobbed out, reaching her arms out.
"I came back because you called, apparently for no reason." Xiao bitterly spoke, clearly frustrated with her antics.
Her expression faltered only a little, sniffling. "There is a reason, a very big reason. You said you will protect us? Do you care enough to save me again?" The woman leaned to the side, plummeting down the cliff.
There was no time to think as Xiao leaped, diving down to catch her and pushing off an anemo created surface, safely landing at the bottom. The adeptus' face was a mix of both shock and anger but Huan seemed elated.
"I... I knew it. You do care, you do love me! Ahh, I am special, so very blessed..!" She kept on rambling, holding onto him tightly.
She was saved and happy, his job was done but it's as if there was a chain stuck on him and not letting him get away. It didn't seem like the one he'd imagine for his duty but something else.
He dares even say it frightened him.
Even after she was let down the woman clung to him tightly. Then it happened.
Xiao didn't know what to do and was so overwhelmed he pushed her away angrily, his tattoos glowing. "Do NOT call on me again. I won't protect you from yourself next time!" Huan looked confused, not quite reaching out to him but holding her hands as if she were still half hugging him.
"W-what do you mean..? Don't you care? Do you really not care what happens to me? Isn't this your du-"
"ENOUGH!"
The Yaksha snapped, not wanting to hear those same questions out loud again. "If you keep playing your tricks on me I will throw you off the cliff myself." He snarled and after a threatening stare turned around, disappearing as fast as he arrived, leaving the woman to fall on her knees once more, resuming her sorrow.
-
The day after that, Huan didn't know what to do, her mind lost. It was likely the adeptal energy and lack of company that affected her like that, making her feel hopeless.
She used to spend her days out in the plains, gathering various plants and categorizing them. After all, she did work for a pharmacy, sadly there were no co-workers nor could she concentrate at a place like a village.
Besides, it was too far from where the plants she needed grew.
It was at least good for one thing when it comes to interactions... Taking out a couple of plants she started mixing a concoction. It had a sweet smell, irony considering what its use will be.
"Xiao..." She spoke, staring at the glass, swirling its contents. Once it gets consumed she will clearly never wake up. Well, that's if her knowledge suits her right. "If you're really so caring and powerful, cure me, save me once more..." Calling onto him again, Huan drank the contents of the potion and threw the glass onto the ground, shattering it.
-
Multiple days passed and Xiao was still bothered by what occurred some time ago.
He heard the woman call on him again but this time it felt different. Making up his mind he didn't move an inch. He is a protector, yes, but not a healer. Humans are far too delicate in their ways, too sensitive to his energy.
Even if he was the one calling them sensitive, why did he have nightmares plaguing him? It was just one person.
It was still a person.
He hated it, hated he can't do the right thing and save her even if it wasn't something he's supposed to do. If anything there was something to be learned here; don't get close to anyone, especially humans. You'll either lose them, they'll hurt you or get in your way.
"My job is to slay demons and follow my contract, nothing more." The adeptus tried to convince himself to feel less but there were still demons out there that even he cannot slay.