On the Road to Mt. Aocang
On the way to Mt. Aocang, the three Yakshas did not use their powers to hasten their journey.
They walked—
Just like ordinary people.
In short: sightseeing.
The first reason for this was to observe how Liyue had changed over the years.
Of course, this was something Bosacius wanted to do. It had absolutely nothing to do with Bonanus.
After all, in her previous life—while playing the game—she had already turned this entire region upside down. Treasure chests, puzzles, ascension materials—nothing escaped her.
She had explored the map so thoroughly that she did not even want to miss a single chunk of iron ore.
The only thing that had ever confused her was that mysterious barrier atop Qingyun Peak.
Everything else? Long cleared.
The second reason…
Well, it was probably for reminiscing.
Bosacius and Bonanus both believed that Alatus must be full of questions. What better opportunity to talk than during the journey to Mt. Aocang?
However, the one leading them forward—Alatus—walked silently at the front, saying nothing. He only turned back occasionally to glance at them.
"Hey, Golden-Winged," Bosacius said, slinging an arm around Alatus's shoulders with a hearty grin.
"Your big brother and your fourth sister are back. Aren't you happy?"
Because Alatus was significantly shorter, Bosacius had to bend down awkwardly to hook his arm around him.
From Bonanus's perspective, the scene looked like a grown adult walking beside a middle schooler—it was honestly a little funny.
Surprisingly, Alatus did not brush him off.
In the past, he would have slapped Bosacius's hand away without hesitation.
Now, he merely shook his head.
The longing he had endured for centuries had always been painful. And now—reuniting so suddenly with two family members he had not seen in hundreds of years—
Of course he was happy.
Of course he was shocked.
He just did not know how to express it.
Perhaps he was simply too overwhelmed to speak.
Or perhaps he did not want his family to see how broken he truly was.
So he buried those emotions deep within himself and chose silence.
"Golden-Winged is so cold…" Bonanus tilted her head, her hands clasped behind her back as she looked at him.
Back in the game, Xiao would at least say a few words to the Traveler.
But here? Not a single sentence.
She had imagined a far more emotional reunion.
Honestly… she felt a little disappointed.
"I'm not," Alatus replied quietly, shaking his head.
"Oh?" Bosacius leaned closer with a mischievous grin.
"Then are you still angry about that time I drew on your face a few hundred years ago?"
That unmistakably punchable expression—
Alatus froze.
That look.
That tone.
Yes.
This was definitely that Bosacius—the brother who had always loved teasing him.
"Even if you are the leader of the Five Yakshas," Alatus said calmly, pushing Bosacius away, "I have grown stronger over these centuries. A fight between us would not be so one-sided."
He then instinctively stepped closer to Bonanus.
Compared to this unreliable, troublemaking elder brother, his gentle fourth sister felt far safer.
As his thoughts wandered, memories long buried resurfaced.
Memories of the Yakshas
During the Archon War, before the Yakshas fell under the control of the Dream God, Bonanus had been one of those who cared for him the most.
She was gentle, always playing the role of a dependable elder sister.
At that time, Alatus was still young and naïve. He had even once dreamed of marrying Bonanus someday.
(T/N: Lmao.)
But everything changed with the arrival of that god.
Their minds were controlled.
They were forced to commit acts they neither wanted nor believed in.
The Yaksha clan slaughtered endlessly during the war, staining themselves with blood.
Among the Adepti, they became feared—viewed as monsters.
Alatus, young and vulnerable, was exploited by the Dream God and turned into a powerful underling.
Some Yakshas could briefly reclaim control of themselves.
Bosacius.
Menogias.
Indarias.
Bonanus.
They fought every day to regain their will.
They failed—again and again.
Alatus dimly remembered the agony of being forced to kill… of being made to consume "beautiful dreams."
He was on the verge of collapse.
And every time—
Bonanus was there.
She comforted him. Cared for him. Held him.
Her hands were not delicate or pale like others'.
Yet they were warm.
Even when his consciousness was blurred, he always knew—it was her.
Like seeing light in absolute darkness.
This cycle of pain and warmth continued until the Geo Archon confronted the Dream God.
The difference in power was absolute.
The Dream God was annihilated, reduced to nothing—another loser of the Archon War.
In gratitude, the Yakshas accepted a millennia-long duty to protect Liyue.
They swore to Rex Lapis—to kill for protection, to eradicate suffering.
But endless bloodshed brought karmic debt.
Some went mad. Some killed each other. Some perished alone.
Even the Five Yakshas were shattered.
The Yaksha clan was nearly wiped out.
And Bonanus had nearly died.
When Alatus learned that his siblings were gone—missing, dead, or destroyed by madness—
The pain was unbearable.
Especially Bonanus.
How had he endured these centuries?
Perhaps only through endless slaughter and duty.
Lost in thought, he barely noticed time passing.
"Hey—Golden-Winged?" Bosacius waved a hand in front of his face. "What are you spacing out about?"
Bosacius frowned.
We just came back, and this guy is already zoning out? You really have no heart, Golden-Winged.
He sighed dramatically.
"Well then. Bonanus, looks like he doesn't want us back. Let's head back to The Chasm and sleep."
Bonanus stared at him like he was an idiot.
Big brother… are you awake?
But Alatus reacted instantly.
He grabbed Bonanus's arm and pulled her behind him, glaring at Bosacius like a guarding hound.
"That's impossible," he said firmly. "She won't leave with you."
His tone was resolute.
He had finally found her again.
He would never let her disappear.
Bosacius smirked, stroking his chin.
After all these years—how could he not see through this?
"Ah, youth," he sighed. "Back then you called me Big Brother Bosacius. Now you're so distant."
He waved his hand and walked ahead.
"Still, Liyue really has changed. Mountains green, waters clear—beautiful."
Alatus flushed slightly, quickly releasing Bonanus's arm and turning away.
Bonanus merely smiled.
"Let's hurry," she said softly. "The Adepti are probably already waiting."
Then she added gently:
"We're family. If you're happy—say it. If you're hurting—cry."
"We will always be your harbor."