14 The Realm Within

Apologies if I'm unable to provided detailed descriptions of people's appearances, I've never been the greatest in regards to doing stuff like that. Because of that, I might have to stick with simple descriptions, so bare with me please.

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Despite the hood that was covering Rex Lapis's face, the group could feel his gaze wandering over them as his head shifted every now and then as he looked at each of the members. While they didn't feel threatened, they did feel some pressure as he seemed to be judging them.

Soon enough, Bosacius seemed to step forward and began explaining everything to Rex Lapis. The Archon, or future Archon, just listened silently before merely nodding his head. Rex Lapis then slowly began approaching them, more specifically, towards Kenji.

"Are you their leader?"

"I wouldn't necessarily call myself the leader." Kenji seemed a bit surprised by the question as he glanced towards the others, with Neptune and Kojou just shrugging their shoulders. "Though, I suppose I have been somewhat calling the shots."

"I see." Rex Lapis nodded in response. They were all silent for a moment as the future Archon seemed to be judging Kenji with a thoughtful expression underneath his hood. He then shifted his attention towards Ganyu, he seemed to tilt his head a bit before chuckling. "It seems there's more to your group than meets the eye."

Neptune frowned at this. "What does that mean?"

"Don't worry, just a few thoughts." Rex Lapis chuckled a bit before crossing his arms. "Nonetheless, I must thank you for your assistance in regards to the Yakshas. If you hadn't arrived, then it was quite likely that the Order of the Yakshas would have a few members less. For that, I am truly grateful."

Ganyu was the one that responded "Y-You don't need to thank us."

"Excuse me, Rex Lapis!"

"Rex...Lapis?"

"Uh-!" Neptune seemed to freeze for a second, along with the other three chat group members who stiffened a bit. Neptune laughed nervously before correcting herself. "I-I mean Lord Morax, yeah that! Just a slip of the tongue, don't worry!"

"Very well..." Rex Lapis seemed confused before pushing it to the side. "In regards to living arrangements, it is the least I can do for having assisted the Yakshas. I will have something arranged for you soon enough, I am certain it will be to your liking."

"Oh, thank goodness!" Neptune sighed in relief at this. "I was scared we were going to be sleeping in the wilderness!"

"There will be no need for that." Rex Lapis smiled beneath his hood before turning to look back towards Kenji. "Bosacius told me that you possess the ability to manipulate light, if you don't mind, could you show me these capabilities? Never in my years have I heard of a mortal capable of such phenomenon."

"Hm? Sure I guess..."

All of them watched curiously, especially Rex Lapis and the five Yakshas, as Kenji raised one of his hands up in front of chest with the palm facing upwards. Soon enough, a spherical orb of golden light formed above his palm, releasing a beautiful glow that illuminated the mountain top.

The orb itself was no larger than a tennis ball, but the light it emitted was incredible. The people down below who were still up and about due to Rex Lapis's arrival, could see the mountain top glowing slightly and couldn't help but wonder what it was.

The Yakshas had already heard about Kenji's powers from Pervases, but to see him use them for real was certainly a sight to behold. It was common knowledge to them that mortals don't posses the ability to manipulate elemental powers, nor do they posses any kind of supernatural capabilities.

"I have encountered very few capable of manipulating light, let alone a mortal being such as yourself..." Rex Lapis held his chin as he stared at the orb Kenji produced with curious wonder. "However, this light of yours is unlike theirs... it feels strangely comforting."

Rex Lapis seemed to glance towards the Yakshas that stood beside him, who were all also staring at the orb with clear interest in their eyes. Even Xiao, who would usually remain a bit further away, had come closer to examine. Seeing this, Rex Lapis gave them an unnoticed curious look before turning back.

"Thank you for satiating my curiosity." Kenji merely nodded with a small smile before the orb of light faded away back into his hand. "For now, why don't you have a look around Liyue Harbor? It is dark out right now, so I'm sure it'll be a peaceful look around. I will call for you when I've finished your arrangements."

"Then we'll do just that, thank you."

"Before you go, I'd like to discuss something with you, young man." Rex Lapis spoke up just as the group were about to begin their descent back down the mountain. The one he was addressing was Kenji, earning a blink of confusion from the male. "It won't take long."

"I see no problem, have fun you guys. I'll join you in a bit." Kenji nodded towards the other chat group members who nodded back before walking away with the Yakshas. Kenji then turned back to Rex Lapis. "So, what exactly would you like to discuss, Lord Morax?"

"It's about your... abilities."

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Since Liyue Harbor was very much still in development, the group didn't take a long time to fully explore everything. At most, it took around an hour for them to explore. The Yakshas decided to join them as well, except for Xiao who went off to who knows where.

Just like Rex Lapis had stated, once the group finished their exploration around the harbor, he had come down to them in regards to their new living spaces. However, it certainly wasn't at all what any of them expected...

"It's... a teapot." Neptune deadpanned heavily as they all stared at the relatively large pot that was used to generally pour tea for people to drink. "Are we absolutely certain we aren't being bamboozled here? I may be small, but I can't fit inside this thing!"

Kojou also deadpanned as they all continued staring. "Yeah, this has got to be a joke..."

"Not necessarily." Ganyu spoke up as they all gave her incredulous looks, she didn't appear to be too surprised about the whole situation. She seemed pretty damn accepting of it in fact. "The adepti are capable of using various adepti arts, if I'm correct to assume, they most likely used the adepti art known as Sub-Space Creation."

"For real...?"

"The halfling is indeed correct." They all turned their heads when a new voice suddenly sounded. When they did, they saw a person walking over towards them with a smile on their face. "Lord Morax had requested for me to create that teapot for you. It's also as the halfling says, I utilised Sub-Space Creation."

In front of them was a woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties, having teal hair that was tied into a braided ring, along with having a long fringe that framed her face. Her outfit also had colours that matched the colour of her hair, said outfit also had various golden accents to it as well.

"You are...?"

"While others may call me Streetward Rambler, feel free to address me simply as Ping." The group, aside from Ganyu, blinked at the rather... interesting name this woman had. "I was told some interesting things from Lord Morax. I must say, you certainly do look like an interesting group."

Aside from Ganyu, who had clothing that wasn't really out of the norm here, the other three were wearing far more modern clothing in the form of hoodies, skirts, jeans and more. To say that they'd probably stick out like a sore thumb would be putting it a bit lightly.

Kojou then asked. "I guess it's safe to assume you're an adeptus then?"

"That I am."

"I see, Miss Ping then. You created this teapot?"

"Indeed."

"How do we... use it exactly?" Kenji couldn't help but then ask as he glanced at said teapot. No matter how he looked at it, it was just a fancy looking teapot. A pretty damn big one at that. "Is there some kind of special procedure?"

"Oh, not at all." Ping gave a small laugh at that. "All you need to do is touch it, the pot will do the rest of the work. I won't spoil anything for you, it'll be far more entertaining for you to experience what it has in store for yourself."

"Oh, oh! I wanna go first!" Neptune squeezed on through past Kojou and Ganyu as she now looked at the teapot with a newfound look of curiousness and excitement. She then extended her hand towards the teapot. "Here we go, time to become the genie of the teapot!"

The others just watched as Neptune was covered by a foreign energy before finding herself seemingly sucked into the teapot. Kenji blinked before turning to look at Kojou, who looked just as dumbfounded as he was.

"So, I guess it works?"

"S-Seems so... is it safe?"

"Not to worry, it's perfectly safe." Ping assured them as she gestured towards the pot. "Not only will you be able to rest inside, you can also use it as a form of storage."

"That's certainly useful."

The remaining three members then nodded at one another before touching the teapot themselves, but not before giving thanks to Ping beforehand. Just like Neptune, the three of them were sucked right into the pot.

The feeling of suddenly being transported in was strange, but the members quickly got over the feeling as the three shook their heads before looking around curiously at their new surroundings.

They had found themselves standing on a large circular platform that was floating in a space completely surrounded by golden clouds, they also noticed a four separate bridges made of pure golden energy leading up towards four floating island that surrounded the centre platform they stood upon.

Each of the islands had their own unique layout, but the common similarity between them was that they each had a large tree or two along with an already built house made of wood and stone. It was certainly an interesting yet incredible sight.

"Woah, this place is crazy..." Kojou muttered in awe as he gazed around at the scenery. "So, this is where we're going to be living in? Not bad... wait, where's Neptune?"

"I don't see her..." Ganyu also noticed the disappearance of their fourth member as the three looked around in an attempt to locate her. Neptune hadn't entered too long before they did, so she couldn't have gotten too far away.

"Guys, over here!"

The three all turned their heads to the side and up towards the source of the voice, and when they did, they saw Neptune standing on the roof of one of the four houses. She had a wide smile on her face as she was waving both her arms towards them energetically.

"This place is totally awesome! I'm claiming this house!"

The three just looked at each other and shrugging before laughing lightly.