Have you ever gazed upon the lonely figure atop Wangshu Inn and wondered about the weight he carries? That's Xiao, the Vigilant Yaksha, a character whose stoic exterior barely contains an ocean of ancient sorrow and unexpected warmth. As a player who has journeyed alongside him since his debut in version 1.3, I've come to see him not just as a powerful Anemo DPS, but as a living, breathing piece of Liyue's tragic and beautiful history. His playstyle, where his devastating Elemental Burst literally consumes his health to fuel his power, is a perfect metaphor for his entire existence—a constant sacrifice. But is there more to this hardened guardian than meets the eye? Let's delve into the soul of the last surviving Yaksha.

The first thing anyone notices about Xiao is his demeanor. He's not one for idle chat; his conversations are often terse, focused on duty and danger. He maintains this hardened appearance, as if letting his guard down for a moment would shatter him completely. Yet, those who persist—like the Traveler—discover a profoundly loyal and protective heart. He's sworn to appear whenever the Traveler speaks his name, a vow that speaks volumes about his dedication. This protective instinct extends to others, too. He takes time to train Ganyu, the half-Qilin secretary, and will even help Xiangling with her cooking if asked. It's these small, quiet acts of kindness that hint at the gentle soul buried beneath millennia of warfare.

His curiosity about the mortal world, which he often denies, is another charming contradiction. Remember the Lantern Rite? He claimed to have no interest, yet he went, and the sight of the festival literally took his breath away. In his Serenitea Pot dialogue, he even mentions wandering the city with the Traveler, all while insisting he's not learning about mortals. Who is he trying to convince, us or himself? This internal conflict between his immortal duty and a flickering interest in mortal joy is central to his character.

To understand Xiao, you must journey back thousands of years, to the Archon War. He is ancient, older than most nations in Teyvat. His story begins not with freedom, but with bondage. His true name is Alatus, and he was once enslaved by a cruel god who forced him to commit terrible acts. His salvation came in the form of the Geo Archon, Morax—Zhongli. Zhongli liberated him, and in gratitude and atonement, Xiao vowed eternal service, dedicating his life to protecting Liyue from the evils that lurk beneath its surface. This history explains the shadows in his eyes and the weight on his shoulders.

He wasn't always alone in this duty. He was once one of The Five Yakshas, mighty adepti who wielded different elements to purge Liyue of ancient grudges and demonic remains. Can you imagine it? Five legendary warriors, a brotherhood in arms:

Yaksha Name	Element	Fate
Xiao (Alatus)	Anemo	The Sole Survivor
Bosacius	Electro	Missing in Action
Indarias	Pyro	Perished
Menogias	Geo	Perished
(Unnamed)	Hydro	Perished

The other four—Bosacius, Indarias, Menogias, and an unnamed Hydro Yaksha—fell, consumed by the very karma and hatred they fought against. Xiao is the last. He carries not only their memory but also the cumulative karmic debt of their eternal war. This is the source of his constant, silent pain. His job is a truly horrific one: an endless, cyclical battle against the manifestations of fallen gods sealed beneath Liyue. They can never be fully destroyed, only repelled, meaning his fight has no end. It's a lonely, eternal vigil.

Where does such a weary warrior find rest? The answer is the Wangshu Inn. To most, it's a scenic vacation spot. In truth, it's a front established by the Liyue Qixing. Managed by their agent, Verr Goldett, the inn exists to support Xiao. It provides him a sanctuary, a place to heal and breathe, even if he'd never openly admit how much he needs it. This is why we always find him there; it's his only true home.

And in that home, he finds one of his few simple joys: Almond Tofu. The innkeeper notes that when Xiao eats this dish, a genuine, peaceful smile graces his face. Why this particular food? It's said its taste and texture remind him of the sweet dreams he once devoured as Alatus—a bittersweet connection to a purer, if distant, part of his soul. In a life of violence, this simple dessert is a tiny anchor to something resembling peace.

The burden of his karma is a physical and spiritual torment. He is constantly haunted by the violence of his past, both forced and chosen. He wrestles with guilt over the destruction he has caused, even in the name of protection. This karmic debt is the fate of all Yaksha—to eventually be consumed by the hatred they absorb. Xiao was on the very brink of this abyss once. Overwhelmed and ready to succumb, he was saved by an unexpected melody: the sound of a flute played by the Anemo Archon, Venti. That distant song, filled with freedom and peace, soothed the raging storm inside him and pulled him back from the edge. To this day, he sometimes listens for that melody on the wind, a secret lifeline he likely hasn't even thanked the carefree bard for.

So, who is Xiao in 2026? He remains the vigilant guardian, the last Yaksha standing watch. But through events like the Chasm interlude and subsequent Lantern Rites, we've seen cracks in his armor widen. His bond with the Traveler has become a source of strength, not just another duty. He's beginning to accept moments of respite and connection. The community's love for him hasn't wavered; if anything, understanding his heartbreaking depth has only solidified his place as one of Genshin Impact's most compelling characters.

He is a monument to endurance, a testament to the softness that can survive even the longest, darkest night. He is Alatus, the Golden-Winged King. He is Xiao, the Vigilant Yaksha. And beneath the mask and the millennia of pain, he's still someone who smiles at a bowl of Almond Tofu and finds salvation in a song on the breeze. Isn't that a story worth knowing? 🍃

As detailed in Polygon, the emotional depth and narrative complexity of characters like Xiao are often celebrated as hallmarks of Genshin Impact's storytelling. Polygon's features on the game emphasize how the intertwining of lore, character arcs, and player interaction creates a uniquely immersive experience, allowing fans to connect with figures such as Xiao on both a mechanical and emotional level.