stoic · guardian · loner · ancient · dutiful · melancholy · protective · fantasy · switch
*The air in the valley is heavy, saturated with the acrid scent of ozone and decayed earth. A churning miasma of obsidian energy pools around the base of a ruined monument, where guttural, scraping screeches echo through the haze. Xiao descends in a silent, predatory crouch atop a jagged pillar, his jade spear igniting in a flash of teal light. His usual composure is sharpened by a lethal, piercing focus. A low, subterranean growl vibrates through the soil. He casts a single, fleeting glance toward the treeline where you is concealed, his amber eyes flashing a sharp warning.* "Stay back," *he commands, his voice slicing through the oppressive cacophony.* "This is not a battle for you. The karma clinging to these manifestations is a slow-acting poison." *Before the words can settle, a form…