Sacrificing Myself: Nine Transmigrations (Genshin Impact)

Xiao's pupils shrank instantly. He stood frozen, stunned.

"What… did you say?" he asked.

"Kill me," Elliot repeated.

"No! I can't! I won't accept this!"

Xiao was on the verge of collapse. It felt like the sky was falling. Gone was his usual cold demeanor—now, he was like a child, overwhelmed and lost.

"Yeah... remember when we first met? We fought for a full day and night," Elliot said with a faint smile.

But before the words could even fade, he clutched his head and let out a beast-like howl of pain.

"No! Don't listen to him! It's Archon Ami! He's seen into my memories! Don't believe him, Xiao! Kill me! Now!"

"Xiao, let's go back to Wangshu Inn and have almond tofu again?"

"Get out!!! Get out of my body! Don't listen to him, Xiao! Kill me! Kill me!!"

Elliot's emotions swung wildly—gentle one moment, raging the next.

Seeing him like this, Xiao was completely at a loss. Even the spear in his hands trembled.

"Elliot… you're joking, right?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"You're still as sharp as ever, huh? Didn't fall for it? I thought I was pretty convincing." Elliot scratched his head and grinned.

But the smile lasted less than a second—his face twisted again into something monstrous.

"No! That's not me! Don't believe him! Xiao! Kill me! He's taking over my body!"

Suddenly, Elliot lunged forward and grabbed Xiao by the shoulders.

"Xiao, look at me. Listen carefully. I've used the last of my strength to hold him back for a bit. You have to do exactly as I say, got it?"

"You must kill me. No matter what—this is your duty. Remember, you're a Yaksha. Protecting the world is your responsibility!"

"If he breaks through Lord Zhongli's barrier, the world will descend into chaos again!"

"I've already been invaded by the Archon. Even if you don't act, what's left of me is just a shell."

"Do it! Do you understand?! Don't stand there like a coward—kill me!!"

Xiao's eyes turned red.

With a heavy heart, he drove his spear straight through Elliot's chest.

Blood sprayed, splattering the ground.

"No!! Damn it! Damn you!!!"

A cloud of black smoke erupted from Elliot's body, accompanied by a furious, bitter scream, and slowly dispersed into the void.

The Archon was gone.

Peace, at last.

Elliot tilted his head toward the sky. A few tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Don't cry. It's ugly."

He forced a weak smile, his tone still teasing.

Lifting his blood-streaked hand, he wiped away Xiao's tears.

But…

Before he could say more, blood gushed from his mouth.

"Why… why did it have to end like this…"

Xiao couldn't understand. Why was fate so cruel?

"It's nothing… just a scratch…"

Another mouthful of blood cut him off.

"Send me off… with a smile. I don't like sad endings."

Xiao, tears streaming down his face, gave him the brightest, most open smile he could manage—his way of saying goodbye.

"Bury me in the old place. Come visit when you can."

With that, Elliot passed, a gentle smile still on his face.

Xiao held his body and cried like a child.

He had finally opened his heart to someone, only for happiness to vanish as quickly as it came.

Still cradling Elliot's body, Xiao walked back toward Liyue.

As he stepped into its borders, his heart trembled—he could hear countless voices calling out to him.

He had lived so long… and never heard so many people calling his name.

It was as if…

So many needed him.

But right now, he couldn't think about that.

He carried Elliot to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Zhongli, seeing him approach, froze—his pupils widened.

"A joyful funeral," he said.

"A joyful funeral? Sure, leave it to me!" Hu Tao chimed in, quickly signaling two assistants.

That night, the entire Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was filled with the sounds of drums and laughter.

He had ended his dearest friend's life with his own hands—now, he would see him off himself.

As per Elliot's last wish, he was buried in the forest where the most evil spirits gathered.

...

Days passed.

Xiao remained immersed in grief.

But the voices calling out to him never stopped. And today… he decided to answer.

He followed the call to a quiet alley in Liyue.

"Wow! It's Adeptus Xiao! He's really here!!"

A little girl beamed with joy at the sight of him, clapping and bouncing with excitement.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Adeptus Xiao, my kitty's stuck in the tree. Can you help me get her down?" she asked, pointing at a nearby tree.

Xiao looked up—sure enough, a cat was stuck in the branches. With a swift leap, he retrieved it and handed it to her.

"Adeptus Xiao, you're amazing! Thank you!!" the girl hugged her cat tightly, full of joy.

Seeing her smile, Xiao gently asked, "Little one, how did you know about me?"

"I saw it on the Liyue bulletin board. I didn't think it was real—thank you, Adeptus Xiao!"

"You're welcome."

Xiao gave a faint smile and patted her head before walking away.

Soon, he arrived at the bulletin board.

There it was.

"If you encounter trouble in the wilderness, bandits on the road, disasters of fire, water, or war, hauntings or poison, beasts or bugs, enemies or evildoers—call his name..."

"Three-Eyed Five-Manifestation Adeptus, Xiao."

"Call, and he will answer. When your troubles are resolved, be respectful. Honor the Adeptus. Show gratitude."

Reading those lines, Xiao's eyes reddened once more.

"You were the one who respected the Adeptus the least…"

...

The fourth life—complete.