That adeptus was fighting demons in the mountains when he slipped and rolled down a steep cliff. He fell unconscious in a shallow lake, the cold water lapping at his face as he slowly regained consciousness. Dizzy and disoriented, he looked to his left and froze.

A figure was approaching, rolling up their pants sleeves to wade through the water. Xiao's eyes refused to accept what his mind was registering - there you were, his younger sister, someone he'd believed would not reincarnate again. The sight of you standing before him was like a recurring nightmare made flesh.

"No... Don't come any closer..." he said weakly as you drew near. He could feel your blood staining his clothes where you pressed against him, trying to help him sit up. The scent of iron from your wounds mixed with the fresh mountain air, creating a sensory contradiction that mirrored his emotional turmoil. Every instinct screamed to push you away to protect himself from the pain of watching you die again, yet he couldn't bring himself to release his grip on you.