Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Xie Lian knew that he had to act fast. All their lives were on the line, as well as those of hundreds of other people.

And while his only plan right now was protecting the castle, it was still better than nothing. Xie Lian quickly ran back up the stairs and awoke Mu Qing and Feng Xin as well as Lang Ying. While the others were getting ready Xie Lian grabbed the sword Hua Cheng had given him. He felt more secure and powerful with a sword back in his hands. It was comforting to hold such an elegant weapon and Xie Lian thanked San Lang in his head for trusting him with this. Remembering the limited time they had Xie Lian quickly runs back down though and grabs a handful of protective talisman. 

Once Xie Lian was sure he had all his potions he turned towards E’ming and looked at the fire, “Are you okay? Do you have enough energy?” Xie Lian asked concerned.

“Master gave me enough before he left. I will be fine for a while but man...,” E’ming let out a sigh, “I dont know what’s out there but it’s strong.”

Xie Lian turned to the door in concern, “Are they trying to come in?”

It could very well be that this attack was orchestrated on purpose after Jun Wu found out that Xie Lian had gone to Hua Cheng. Maybe this was just a distraction, a way to get them off guard and occupied. Xie Lian really hoped San Lang would take care of himself and stay safe.

E’ming nodded, “It's very weird, they feel normal but aren’t. They are at the door in Port Haven.”

“How long can you protect the castle?” Xie Lian asked. The plan he currently had was unsustainable and he knew that. They couldn't protect the castle door forever while there was a war outside. It just wasn’t realistic. He had to come up with another idea soon. Something that could protect them all and get San Lang back. And maybe stop Jun Wu as well but… first, they had to make sure they wouldn’t die.

“A while… but I am not sure if I can do it the whole night.” Xie Lian nodded. He could hear footsteps come down the stairs, probably the others after quickly getting dressed.

“Why is there never a peaceful day when I hang out with you.” Feng Xin points towards Xie Lian accusingly. Xie Lian ignores him instead decides to give them all the information right away.

“We need to protect the portal to Port Haven… and maybe also the city.” Xie Lian said. He threw Feng Xin and Mu Qing a packet of spells that they caught and quickly checked.

“What exactly is going on?” Mu Qing asked.

“Both cities are being attacked.” Xie Lian answered quickly. “San Lang decided to go to the capital while we help protect the portal to Port Haven.”

Mu Qing shook his head, “We can’t protect a portal for such a long time. Not when there is a war going on. Do you know how hard it is to redirect bombs?” 

Xie Lian already knew that. That's exactly what made this situation so anxiety inducing. They needed to come up with another plan. He just didn't know how or what . 

Xie Lian didn't answer Mu Qing instead walking over to Lang Ying that stood at the side looking a bit fearful. It was understandable since he was only a young boy. “Will you stay here and make sure E’ming stays healthy?” Xie Lian asked. “If something happens you can send Ruoye to me.” Lang Ying nodded and went to sit down next to E’ming.

“Okay, let’s go.” Xie Lian said, already too much time has gone by (and he still didn't have a plan B).

“Wait a second,” Feng Xin grabbed his arm and held Xie Lian back, “Don’t you want to protect the city as well?”

Xie Lian shakes his head. He wished he could. He wished so desperately that he has the power to actually do something, to protect everyone and everything. But Xie Lian knows that that's just a utopian fantasy. One single person can not rescue the world and can not eradicate all injustices, not when it is like this. He's learned from his past mistakes, past blindness on the issue. He will not promise to protect everyone when he can't. 

“Focus on protecting the portal and the surroundings.” Xie Lian answers. It's not a command but more a suggestion. If Feng Xin and Mu Qing want to do more they are free to do so but he will not expect them to do more then help him.

“We’ll try our best.” Mu Qing mutters but his voice sounded defeated. Xie Lian could understand. It was frustrating to see injustice and violence and only being able to do so little. He wished he could just solve all the problems that existed but it wasn't that easy, never was and learning that, learning that you didn't have the power to protect everyone and save the world, was one of the hardest lessons he had to learn. 

Xie Lian took one last breath and then walked out of the door. 

****

Port Haven looked nothing like the beautiful harbor city Xie Lian had come to love. In the dark night, he could see the port burning at the bottom of the hill. Big steamships burning brightly, smaller fisher boats going up in flames and disappearing into the water. He could hear people shouting, screaming, fighting.

Above Xie Lian, in the sky, he could make out warplanes. Those were some of the deadliest inventions Xie Lian had seen. They could drop bombs whenever they wanted, no one could stop them and they would fall onto the cities, usually onto civilian houses and destroy everything. And the people inside the plane wouldn't get hurt. 

Once those things above Xie Lian would start dropping bombs they would be in serious trouble. Xie Lian looked around, covering his face and nose with a wet cloth and tried to breathe slowly. The air was hot and smelled of ash and gas. In some of the small alleys, Xie Lian could detect movement. He took out his sword just to be safe and slowly walked closer, not sure what was hiding there. That question was soon answered, however, when the slimy, weird looking human creatures that belonged to Jun Wu came slithering out from cracks and the shadows. Xie Lian still had no idea what exactly those things were but he didn't want them any closer.

“Bet Jun Wu decided to attack tonight to get rid of us and then pretend like Puji invaded his capital.” Feng Xin hissed out and hit some of the creatures with his arrow. They melted into a pile of goo but it didn't take long until they started to rebuild themselves.

Xie Lian threw some spells at them and they exploded into pieces. It was definitely not a nice thing to look at. 

“These things are dis-gus-ting.” Mu Qing hissed and threw another spell into the direction.

Xie Lian knew the spells couldn't hold them off. They would have more trouble reforming themselves if they were hit with a magical weapon. So Xie Lian jumped forward and sliced some of the gooey creatures in half with then promptly dissolved on the floor.

“I just don’t get,” Feng Xin shouts while shooting his arrows, “What he gets from doing all this?”

Xie Lian didn’t answer since he didn’t have one. He could only assume what Jun Wu was thinking but in truth, he didn't know either. Revenge like this was utterly pointless. But maybe Jun Wu didn't even know himself what he actually wanted.

They fought like that for a while and Xie Lian had to smile slightly. He hadn’t been able to fight like this, with a sword and next to his old companions, for years. They fell into an old pattern that they had developed years ago fighting next to one another, not once getting in one's way. If the situation wasn’t serious Xie Lian might even think it was fun. It was definitely nice having a sword back in his hand and being able to use his old skills. He was surprised by how fast he was able to fall into a well established pattern. Even if decades had gone by his skills and his love for swords had not disappeared.

“I think we have a problem…” Feng Xin shouted and pointed towards another side of the street. Xie Lian jumped a couple of meters back, first getting away from the creatures before checking what Feng Xin was talking about. Xie Lian’s eyes widened when he saw what Feng Xin had warned about. Towards them came a group of Puji soldiers. That should not in itself be a concern since they were in the territory of the Kingdom of Puji, however, Xie Lian could see that the soldiers weren’t normal. Their whole aura seemed inhuman, dark, revengeful. Their eyes had no humanity left inside them and they were holding their guns in a twisted way, some pointed towards themselves, others holding them crookedly. 

“That's exactly how they looked like when we first saw them.” Mu Qing announced, “Not like real humans. But possessed.” Possessed by the old hate fuelled victims of the first war that died in agony and hadn't been given an opportunity to rest. Xie Lian clenched his fist. The inhuman treatment of the dead made him livid.

“We can’t hurt them.” Xie Lian shouted, “They are still human. It's just their consciousness thats possessed!”

“And what shall we do? If we don't defend ourselves they're gonna kill us!” Feng Xin shouted back.

Xie Lian had, at the moment, no answer. If they had a counterspell they could release the soldiers from their curse. But Hua Cheng hadn’t managed to find anything the night before and now it was too late. 

“I have an idea,” Xie Lian shouted. “We put them to sleep.”

“Huh?”

He had heard of the spell a long time ago and Xie Lian wasn't sure if it would work on so many people, especially if said people were possessed by dark magic. But it wouldn't hurt to try. He just needed a special herb that he could burn. “Stay here!” Xie Lian shouted and ran back to the door that leads to the castle. “I’ll be right back.”

When he bursts through the door Lang Ying looked at him with wide eyes, a sword in his hand probably ready to defend himself if Xie Lian would have turned out to be an enemy. “Oh, it's just you,” Lang Ying whispers relieved.

“Do you have Valerian?” Xie Lian shouts and quickly runs to the shelf full of glasses with herbs. He curses himself mentally for not sorting them alphabetically and quickly looks through them.

“Yes!” Lang Ying shouts and stops in front of the shelf next to Xie Lian, “Here.” He hands Xie Lian a glass full of the dried herb. The pink petals look pretty and familiar, just as Xie Lian remembered the herb. He quickly thanks Lang Ying and then runs out of the castle again. Feng Xin and Mu Qing stand back to back. They abandoned their weapons and instead got out the defensive talisman that created a shield around them to hold of the soldiers and the weird creatures.

“They don't care about anything except coming close to us.” Mu Qing shouts, “They want to get to the door.” 

Xie Lian had already assumed this so having it confirmed was not a surprise. Quickly he burned the herbs he managed to gather and chants a spell. The smoke turns a pinkish color, just like the Valerian flowers. The smoke flows towards the soldiers spreading out in the air. Xie Lian waits a couple of seconds, his whole body feels tense with hope. He has no idea if this will help. But soon he can see the soldiers bodies going slack, weapons falling to the ground and then they just… fall. Fall to the ground, close their eyes and sleep.

“That was easier than expected.” Feng Xin muttered.

“Were not done yet,” Mu Qing warns them and points towards the gooey creatures still slimming around. Xie Lian sighs, it would have been to nice for the spell to work on both. 

“We can’t fight them the entire time. They just reform no matter how often you slice through them.” Xie Lian points towards the sleeping soldiers, “ I don't know how long the spell will make them sleep. We need a new idea.”

Mu Qing slices through one of the creatures when they start getting close again, “Honestly, FUCK these things. Been getting on my nerves for weeks now.”

Feng Xin fires of some arrows, every single one slicing through multiple creatures, “Our other option right now is killing Jun Wu though I doubt that's going to happen.”

Xie Lian slices his swords through another couple of the creatures. Jun Wus subordinates were sneaky, could change their form and crawl around cracks and forms. No matter how often they sliced through some they would just reappear. When they used their swords it would take a while for them to get themselves up again however it didn't take to long until they stood again. It was literally like fighting against an enemy that couldn't die.

Xie Lian had to think. There must be something. Some idea, some spell, some talisman he had overseen that could stop these things. Had Hua Cheng said anything? Not that Xie Lian could remember. The first time he had met these creatures Hua Cheng hed just flown over them but Xie Lian can’t do that, not when they have to protect the portal.

Xie Lian was still deep in thought when something suddenly bit his leg. Xie Lian let out a surprised shout and quickly looked down to see what it was. Ruoye had bitten through his pants into his leg and was pulling him towards a certain direction; the door.

“Ruoye?” Xie Lian asked. He knew it must be important if Ruoye had been sent out. Xie Lian trusted his cat with his whole life and quickly followed him towards the castle door. Feng Xin and Mu Qing followed him sensing that something was going on. Ruoye quickly ran through the open door, Xie Lian hot on their feet? Paws?. 

“What happened?” Xie Lian shouted when he burst through the door.

“I don't know!” Lang Ying replied, “Ruoye suddenly wanted out so I let him.”

Xie Lian looked down at his cat who was looking at him with wide eyes and then started to meow, “Ruoye what are you trying to tell me, hm?” Xie Lian stroked the white cats fur but Ruoye just walked away towards E’ming.

“E’ming…” Xie Lian whispered more to himself. E’ming…. E’ming had been from the beginning an interesting presence. Him and Hua Cheng are connected, if one dies the other dies and they could share their power. E’ming told him that Xie Lian could break the curse and admitted that he knew where Hua Cheng's heart was. 

E’ming was also the one controlling the whole castle.

“We need to destroy the castle.” Xie Lian said.

“What?” Feng Xin looked at him with wide eyes.

E’ming’s one eye was wide open and staring at Xie Lian, “You want to kill me?”

Xie Lian shook his head and dropped to his knees in front of E’ming, “No! You see, you're the one holding this whole castle together, the portals, moving it around…” Xie Lian gestured around him, “So if you destroy the whole castle and the portals we will physically be in the wastelands since that's where the original castle is. Jun Wu wouldn't have a reason to send his soldiers to these places and San Lang could come back.” Xie Lian explained. He hoped his plan was clear to the others.

“You think I can just destroy this palace without Masters approval? Because I can't, he made sure of it!” E’ming explained.

“What if you are forced though?” Xie Lian presses, “Someone physically removes you from the castle, what then?” 

E’mings eye if possible widens, the fire stutters a bit and Xie Lian knows he's got it, “Okay everyone I’m going to go out last with E’ming and you all go through the portal that leads to the wastelands.” Xie Lian announces and turns to get a dustpan.

“No! No Dianxia please ,” E’ming begs, “This is a bad idea, really, really bad. I dont know whats going to happen.”

Xie Lian shakes his head. This is the only way possible right now to tackle this. “It's going to work. I promise.”

“Xie Lian, I swear if you kill us…”Mu Qing mumbles, his eye raised skeptically.

Xie Lian is sure this is the right way but his heart is beating frantically and he can feel his palms sweat. “Grab some supplies before going on. We might need them.” He says instead of addressing Mu Qing’s concerns.

Mu Qing lets out a hmph but does what Xie Lian suggested. In the meantime, Xie Lian grabs a couple of pieces of wood and then puts E’ming onto the dustpan.

“Master is going to be so mad at me,” E’ming whispers horrified. 

Xie Lian laughs lightly, “Don’t worry I’ll talk to him.”

Carefully he balances E’ming towards the open door leading towards the wasteland. Xie Lian can already tell that E’ming is struggling, his flame having gone down, becoming less powerful, probably because they ran back inside leaving the gooey creatures outside to freely come to their door and try to break it. “You’ve done such a good job,” Xie Lian whispers and sends E’ming a charming smile, “Holding off all those creatures in two cities, not letting them through the doors.”

“Is Dianxia happy with me?” E’ming asks seeking praise.

“Very.” Xie Lian says back and it was enough to distract E’ming because in the next moment Xie Lian steps through the door with E’ming. The fire for the first time in decades leaves the safety of the house and… the castle collapses. Xie Lian quickly takes some steps backward, not sure if one of the pieces will fall onto him. It's like the whole house never had any kind of structure just collapsing into itself, falling apart and leaving nothing behind.

Xie Lian’s heart hurts seeing the whole castle fall together. As if it never existed in the first place.

“Oh no, Master is going to be so upset. ” E’ming whines.

“Are the other portals gone?” Xie Lian asks E’ming carefully.

E’ming stills for a second before saying yes, “I can’t feel them anymore. In fact, there is nothing really.” 

Xie Lian’s shoulders drop in relief. At least one part of his plan went correctly. The castle collapses like he had predicted and they were safe on the Wastelands.

“Does San Lang know?” Xie Lian asks, “That the portal is gone?”

“I’m not sure.” E’ming answers, “he probably does feel it but I don't know if he's in the right mind to acknowledge what happened.”

Not in the right mind… Right. Hua Cheng was probably transformed right now. Xie Lian pressed a hand against his chest willing his erratic heart to calm down. He would be fine. San Lang promised that he would come back. He promised.

However, Xie Lian was never a person that depended on luck or miracles. He had to help San Lang. Had to get to him, explain that he could come back because they were safe. Explain that he could come back and focus on developing a plan to bring down Jun Wu.

Please be safe.

“We need to find him.” Xie Lian said out loud. He walked towards the collapsed castle and pulled some of the wood and broken pieces aside. He led out a relieved sigh when he saw that the living room was still mostly intact. The fireplace in the corner was still available and the flooring had survived most of the destruction as well. Xie Lian quickly put E’ming back into his fireplace with wood and then kneeled down in front of the fire again, “E’ming, tell me, are you strong enough to make a walking platform? Like a transportation vehicle?”

E’ming starts whining, “Xie Lian what are you doing to me. I’m suffering.”

Xie Lian knows he's asking a lot. He never said this was the best plan… it was just his only idea. “We need to find San Lang. Please? Can you try?” 

E’ming looked at him for a moment before letting out a sigh, “Yeah I think I can do that.”

Xie Lia quickly made sure that all the others were in the room as well and hadn't been hurt. Lang Ying was standing right behind Mu Qing and Feng Xin. Xie Lian turned back to E’ming and gave the fire a nod.

E’ming roared loudly, his fire burning bright, hot and blue and Xie Lian had to take a couple of steps back due to the heat. Around them, the small room that had just collapsed was put together again. The whole floor vibrated, groaned and shifted and Xie Lian stumbled around a bit. The floor underneath him broke off, was lifted and Xie Lian had to sit down in order to not lose his balance while standing.

A couple moments later E’ming turned back into a normal fire and whatever E’ing had made became silent. Xie Lian quickly looked around. E’ming had built together the floor from the living room and some metal acting as feet underneath the floor making a semi plateau. The whole construct didn't feel very safe, was open and Xie Lian could feel the cold of the harsh wind go through his clothes. However, it was more than what they needed. They just needed to get to San Lang as quickly as possible and tell him to come back since the portals did not exist anymore. After that, they could try to find a new place to stay. The construct E’ming made was enough to transport them around.

“Brilliant E’ming!” Xie Lian praised and walked back to the fire. “I know you could do it!”

“Is this safe?” Mu Qing asked skeptically looking around. The rest of the castle that had been destroyed was lying around in chunks and pieces. Xie Lian had to remind himself that they should go back and clean it up once they have time. It wasn’t nice to leave their stuff behind.

“It’ll do,” Xie Lian answered, “E’ming can you get us to The Capital now?” 

E’ming looked already quite tired. The fire demon had gone through a lot today using his powers multiple times. Xie Lian didn't want to overwork the fire but he had no other choice right now. 

E’ming didnt reply instead the metal underneath the floor of the used-to-be living room started creaking and groaning. Xie Lian looked to the side where the landscape was slowly passing by. They were on a more mountainous side of the Wastelands, big mountain tops looming before them and steep valleys next to them. It was stony, cold and windy and Xie Lian wished he had packed a heating talisman to give them all some warmth.

They moved through the mountainous terrain towards a bright, orange glowing spot which Xie Lian assumed was the Capital. He hoped that San Lang had somehow noticed that they had destroyed the portals (and the whole castle but oh well, property can be rebuilt, lives can not be brought back). But Xie Lian couldn't rely on that train of thought so they had to go. Just in case.

You promised, you promised, you promised.

Xie Lian grabbed a piece of metal, that looked like it used to be some sort of pipe and grabbed it tightly. He gestured for Ruoye to hide in his robes like the cat usually did when it became dangerous. The leftovers of the castle were unstable and Xie Lian didn't want anyone to fall off, especially in such rough terrain with one of the sides allowing a person to fall down meters until they hit a stone. Lang Ying was between Mu Qing and Feng Xin, tightly secured and Xie Lian was not afraid of something happening to the young boy. 

The wind got stronger the longer they traveled, closer and closer to the bright orange light where the capital should be. Even from here, Xie Lian can see that the light isn't one of the houses being lighted up but one of fire and destruction.

“How long until we’re there?” Xie Lian shouted at E’ming.

“Half an hour!” the fire replied back. Xie Lian wanted to beg the fire to be faster, to make sure they could be there in half the time, nothing on his mind other than Hua Cheng's safety. But he also knew E’ming was doing his best. 

Suddenly, Mu Qing gave out a shout at warning looking at Xie Lian. Xie Lian’s heartbeat sped up when he could feel someone behind him, coming closer. Xie Lian quickly turned around, grabbed his sword and stood up. He couldn’t be vulnerable, not now.

A figure came towards them, flying, probably using some kind of talisman. And it didn't even take a second for Xie Lian to realize who it was. His throat dried up, his chest felt tight but he stood strong. He couldn't allow himself to make any mistake in such a situation.

“Jun Wu,” Xie Lian greeted the man when he landed on the small platform that used to be San Langs castle.

Jun Wu looked angry, his features revealing nothing of the kind man Xie Lian used to think he was. With a quick side glance, Jun Wu looked at Feng Xin and Mu Qing before turning back to Xie Lian.

“So you know.” It wasn’t a question, just a simple statement. Xie Lian didn't give the other man any kind of answer.  The situation was clear to everyone present.

“It's a pity,” Jun Wu continued, “I thought I could make you understand this time.”

Xie Lian shook his head, “Why didn't you just enjoy your life? Why did you start another war instead of living in peace? What do you gain?” Xie Lian felt like he already knew the answer but for him it made no sense. Why would someone seek revenge like that instead of accepting what happened and moving on.

Jun Wu glared at him, “Xie Lian, you are so stupid.”

The other man took a step closer, then another one while Xie Lian took a couple of steps back. He didn't want to show it but he was terrified. The one thing that could always scare him, always make him feel less and vulnerable used to be Bai Wuxiang. 

“Why do I do this?” Jun Wu sighed, “Because I want you to understand! I want you to apologize!” He shouted.

Xie Lian shook his head. Jun Wu seemed to become angrier by the gesture and threw a blazing talisman in Xie Lians direction which Xie Lian quickly dodged, “Don't pretend as YOU DONT KNOW!” Jun Wu took another step closer, firing a couple more talisman, every one which Xie Lian blocked, “It's only been 80 years and you pretend as you've forgotten? Has love been destroying your brain cells?”

“Stop this!” Xie Lian shouted, “Call off the war and then we can talk!” 

“YOU!” Jun Wu shouted and then jumped with a sword drawn out at Xie Lian. Xie Lian quickly blocked him. They used to study and train under the same teacher and even if it has been years and they learned new techniques some basic movements deeply ingrained in ones body muscles will never change. Their swords clashed against one another. Xie Lian hisses from the strength of the others man’s blow but he pushes back just as vicious.

“You betrayed me!” Jun Wu screams and slashes towards his chests. “You didn't help me!” He continues. “You thought you were to good to join me!” Xie Lian blocks another of his blows. “It's your fault and your fault ALONE that my kingdom died!”

“Are you insane?” Mu Qing shouts from the side, “It was you that started the escalation to greedy for power and recognition! His Highness has nothing to do with your failure to make good decisions!”

Xie Lian feels touched by Mu Qing taking his side. They used to have many arguments about this topic with Mu Qing often taking a different position then Xie Lian. He's glad his friend doesn't blame him.

Jun Wu, however, seems irritated by Mu Qings words, “It's nothing but your fault! We could have won together!” He cries out, “And even now you go to this demon instead of coming to me!” He shouted. Xie Lian is slowly getting more agitated by Jun Wu. He doesn't want to discuss a topic anymore that happened 80 years ago which was one mistake after another with no one benefiting. And he doesn't want people to suffer now because of old feuds between two people.

“Did this whole war start only because you wanted me to help you this time?” Xie Lian asks for confirmation, “I don't have resources! I don't have a kingdom! I have nothing! And you want me to help you? How? FOR WHAT?” Xie Lian shouts, years of regret and anger surfacing.

Xie Lian slashes out, trying to hit Jun Wu in any place he can. This madness needs to stop. Already to many people have suffered. Jun Wu laughs at Xie Lian’s increased effort, “HA! Good Xie Lian, that's very good.”

“Whats wrong with him?” Feng Xin shouts.

Xie Lian now knows that there was no reason behind Jun Wus action other then the irrational urge to get revenge in some way and Jun Wus obsession with Xie Lian. It hurts. It hurts in ways Xie Lian didn't know one could hurt. The guilt eats into his chest and he wished he could turn back time. Warn the Queen that Jun Wu was dangerous, had to be expelled. Kill Bai Wuxiang when they were still young. Anything.

But he can't. And now he has to survive.

“I can't believe you replaced me with this good for nothing demon!” Jun Wu continues, “Hes practically dead anyway so what does it matter? Why did you go to him instead to me!?”

Dead.

Xie Lians heart hurts. It hurts and burns and squeezes and he just wants everything to be okay for once. 

“San Lang has nothing to do with this,” He pants, the strain of the fight slowly taking a toll.

Jun Wu laughs, “That fucker has been nothing but annoying. Constantly looking for you, asking about Xian Le, begging me to use the library of Puji. And you call me obsessed ha.”

Xie Lian freezes at the words. It didn't make any sense, why would-

Jun Wu’s shrill laughter rings through is ears, “Ha! You didn't even know. Oh, this is good.”

Xie Lian shook his head. He trusted San Lang, trusted him with his entire soul and heart. Maybe there were things Xie Lian didn't know but that’s okay. He wouldn't let himself be played by Jun Wu and his words.

Jun Wu continued his dialogue, his slashes having less power behind them, “So if he was gone maybe then… maybe…”

Xie Lian didn't like the way Jun Wu spoke, it made him anxious as if something horrible would happen any second. And before Xie Lian can utter any sound Jun Wu jumps forward, maniac energy overtaking him. Xie Lian raises his sword but only a second later does he notice that it isn't him Jun Wu is jumping towards but…

“E’ming!” Xie Lian shouts and jumps after Jun Wu who grabbed the small fire in his hands and squeezed it.

“Let him go!” Xie Lian shouts and tackles Jun Wu to the ground. Xie Lian is frantic in his movement. He has to protect E’ming, make sure the fire demon is well and secure and not in the hands of someone who wants to cause it harm.

If e’ming dies, San Lang dies.

Xie Lian manages to grip Jun Wus arm tightly. The other man lets out a pained cry, dropping E’ming to the ground. Xie Lian throws themselves away from the fire hoping that Mu Qing or Feng Xin will take care of it.

“WHY DO YOU RUIN EVERYTHING?” Jun WU yells. Jun Wu has a tight grip around both of them just like Xie Lian has a tight grip on the other. However, Xie Lian despises being touched by Jun Wu, having his presence near in any way and pushed the other man back.

“Let go!” Jun Wu stumbles back a couple of steps letting go of Xie Lian in the process. The other man's hair is wild, undone, his clothes wrinkled. He looks nothing like the proud and strong man Xie Lian knew.

But the smirk on the others face isn’t gone. And Xie Lian feels his heart drop. Something screams in him, telling him that there's danger but before he can move, or say anything . Jun Wu grabs his robes and then flungs him over the edge of the platform.

Xie Lian lets out a surprised scream, the cold wind rushing against his skin, numbing it. He's falling down the side of the mountain which dropped hundreds of meters, nothing but stone to catch him. A bright blue light encompasses him.

Xie Lian closes his eyes and falls, falls, falls.

*****

When Xie Lian opens his eyes he's in the middle of a street.

He recognizes the architecture instantly. He's grown up with it, walked through these kinds of cities hundred of times.

He just doesn't know how he's gotten here.

There's a little boy in front of him. He’s dressed in red, his hair wild, unkempt and a bandage around his head. The young boy looks hungry, close to starving, looking through trash and Xie Lians heart breaks. No child should go through such suffering. Especially not in Xian Le.

Xie Lian tries to touch the child, ask him if he needs help but his hand goes through the young boys’ shoulder as if Xie Lian isn’t even there.

“What?” Xie Lian whispers to himself, horrified.

He remembers Jun Wu, members falling down the cliff.

He wonders if this is a dream or another reality.

There are footsteps behind him. Xie Lian turns around only to see… himself.

What the fuck.

Its him just decades ago. He looks a bit younger, more energetic and hopeful. He's wearing the clothes he used to wear as a royal prince. His robes are of good quality, clean, prestige, his jewelry just as much clearly indicating who he is.

Xie Lian can't stand looking at himself.

His past self looks at the young boy and then squats down in front of him. The child gazes at him with wide eyes, uncertain and hesitant.

“Here,” his past self says and takes out a pouch of coins and hands it toward the boy. The young child is hesitant in taking the money bag but eventually grabs it and holds it close to his chest. 

“I’m sorry its not more but I hope you can find some good food.” his past says and smiles, “I'll try my best to protect Xian Le, okay? Don’t worry, I'll protect you.” Xie Lian seems to hesitate for a second before taking out his red earring and handing it to the young boy with a smile. It’s valuable giving the child an opportunity to sell it for some money.

The young boy just continuous staring at him.

Xie Lian laughs at his pasts ignorance and stupid optimism. He should have told the child to run away, take refugee somewhere. He probably died.

The little boy still stares at Xie Lian. “Thank you” he then whispers. Xie Lian laughs and then slowly gets up, “Take care.”

And then Xie Lian walks away.

***

The next time he wakes he sees the little boy again. He still looks shabby and homeless, the dirt on his cheeks more pronounced, his clothes torn. Xie Lian looks around, the city they are in is half destroyed, some of the houses falling apart, bombed or burned out. Xie Lians throat feels tight hating to see what happened to his beloved kingdom.

Xie Lian looks at the little boy climbing over the leftovers of the houses, trying to find something valuable to sell.

Xie Lian stumbles closer, he wants to grab the boy and tell him to leave. Run and hide and just live . Because Xie Lian will break his promise, will not protect him.

But he can't, its like he’s a ghost. Xie Lian doesn't know what to make of that so he just completely ignores it. Its a problem for later.

The young boy finds some books that survived the attacks, as well as a box of jewelry that he puts into his robes. Xie Lian knows he should get quite some money for those things.

Silently Xie Lian follows the boy not sure what else to do.

At one point they come across another group of homeless children. Xie Lian’s heart breaks seeing all the misery and how his people suffered. He should have done so much more. Protected them so much better.

“It’s that weird child again,” One of the boys spits out when he sees the boy Xie Lian has been following. The boy ignores the group of other children and continues walking.

“Hey!” a girl shouts, “Are you stupid as well as cursed? Or why don't you ever speak to us?” The boy continues to ignore them. Xie Lian wished he could say something to disperse the tense situation and help the boy. No one deserved to be treated like that.

One of the boys laughs loudly, it's a fake laugh full of malicious intent, “The only thing the creep can talk about is the almighty Xie Lian. He probably finally realized that his Highness is nothing but trash.” Xie Lian knows the words should hurt him, make him feel upset and angry. But he can't blame them, not after he broke all his vows and promises. Not after he let them down like this. Their anger is justified.

But the small boy in front of him clenches his fists and then turns around., “Don’t speak about him like that!” The boy shouts with his whole chest. Xie Lian is surprised that the boy would defend him.

The other children snort, “Why do you like him so much. He left us down. He's not going to come to save you.”

The boy turns away from the children. Xie Lian follows him until his vision goes grey and the landscape in front of him fades to nothing.

In his last second, he catches another glimpse of the boys face and finds it awfully familiar.

***

He wakes up again.

This time his skin is burning, his lungs hurt, and his eyes sting. He coughs a couple of times trying to get some oxygen into his lungs but it's hard to breathe and everything burns.

He holds a hand in front of his nose and mouth. It doesn't help a lot but makes it more manageable and he squints his eyes open. There is smoke all around him, and he can see the wood of the house burning down. He has to get out of the house, it won't be able to stand any longer not when it's this eaten up by the fire already.

Xie Lians walks to the only window still halfway accessible when he sees a dark figure on the floor crushed by a fallen wooden beam. 

Its once again the small boy. Unconscious and hurt.

In the back of his mind, Xie Lian knows he can't help the child. He hasn't been able to interact with anything yet in this world and he assumes this will be no different. Still, he tries to dig out the boy, tries to move the beam but each time his hands just fall through the objects.

He’s desperate. He doesn’t want this child to die, not like this, not so painfully, young and alone.

Xie Lian wishes for his past self to come right now and help in some way. It's his fault this child is suffering in the first place.

Idiot, idiot, IDIOT.

And maybe his past-self could hear him mentally because not even a minute later someone climbs through the window and walks straight to the child under the wooden beam. He barely recognized himself, his robes blackened from ash and dirt, his hair is messy and not well kept. He has a mask on to protect himself from the toxic air and he looks exhausted. Nothing like the prince he once was; proud and strong.

Quickly his past self helps the child out of the wooden beam and then climbs out of the house. The young boy is still unconscious in Xie Lians arms and Xie Lian hopes his past won't just leave him somewhere. The boy is a couple of years older now than when Xie Lian first gave him the sack of money. Maybe 11 or 12 while Xie Lian was 17 back then.

It's unfortunate how he barely remembers these incidents. The months before and during the war were a blur. One thing happening after the other never giving him a single second to step back and breathe. He doesn't remember this boy.

However past Xie Lian keeps the boy secured in his arms, never putting him down. At one point his past self hides in an alley, the sirens echoing around them but this tiny silent alley is like a safe haven. He gently puts down the child and gets out a water bottle and forces him to drink something. 

The boy wakes up his eyes wide and scared, there are scratches on his face and he looks so incredibly tired for a child so young.

“Its okay.” his past whispers, “You’re okay now.” The young boy stares up at Xie Lian with wide eyes and he looks so familiar.

But then the boy starts crying, months of hardship suffocating him and he lets his inner pain out, “I don't want to be alone anymore,” the boy wails. It sounds so broke and hopeless Xie Lian heart shatters.

His past picks up the child again and presses him to his chest, “It’s okay. It’s okay.”

“I'm scared.” The child cries out and clutches Xie Lian’s dirty robes tightly.

Xie Lian can see how his past self begins to cry clutching the little boy just as tightly. He can tell he's at his breaking point. This memory is towards the end of the war when everything was going down hill “I'll bring you somewhere safe okay?” his past whispers, “i'll make sure you're not scared anymore.”

His face shows determinism and Xie Lian knows he has some kind of plan. Quickly he stands up, the child tightly tucked in his arms and runs away from the city, towards the hills surrounding Xian Le. The boy continues to softly sob, however, stopped speaking.

Xie Lian brings the boy to a small village. The villages have been left mostly untouched and many people sought refuge there in order to travel to one of the neighboring kingdoms. Xie Lian knew who handled this village since he had gone there so often with people, paying the farmer for providing safe transport for these people.

He tries to put the child down but the child refused to let Xie Lian go, “No!” he shouts, “I don't want to be alone.” he cries and Xie Lian can feel his heart break into pieces. 

His past smiles at the boy, it's a tired and strained smile, “The people here will make sure you're safe and can go somewhere where no one will hurt you, okay?”

The child shakes his head and presses his face against Xie Lians neck. Xie Lian sighs sadly but then turns his head to whisper something to the boy. Xie Lian can’t understand what his past self is saying but it seems to work because the little boy nods and allows Xie Lian to put him down again. 

The last thing he sees is his past self bending down to the boy and then the image disappears.

****

Xie Lian isn't even surprised when he wakes up again. 

He recognizes the day instantly.

This was the last day he had gone into battle. The weather was good, the sun shining, cloudless, it was warm but not suffocating hot. Nature apparently did not care if humans killed one another. It wasn't a gloomy, rainy day like in literature. It was normal.

Xie Lian still recognizes the day because of the stillness in the air, the tension, the knowledge that something had to give. It was the capital city, totally bombed out, nothing worthy remaining. However, Xie Lian knows how desperate he had been that day. His country in ruins, people spitting on him for not protecting them better. He remembers how he fought with his last strength even when Mu Qing and Feng Xin told him to leave it. He remembers fighting, all alone and against technology that could kill people without a second hesitation.

He remembers falling. Falling from the sky. Remembers thinking that this was it, that he would die and never return. He remembers feeling peaceful about it.

And the exact same scene plays out in front of him. It's already early evening, the sun slowly beginning to sink. And there the child again.

Why didn't you flee?

The child that somehow connects all his dreams and is so familiar. As if Xie Lian had just talked to the child a couple of days ago.

A child in red with unkempt hair, left behind by the world and a bandaged head.

San Lang?

And it makes sense, it makes so much sense.

Small San Lang runs through the broken city towards a fight in the distance. There are no ground troops only airstrikes and Xie Lian knows he must be up there, using a powerful flying talisman to fight against the aircrafts.

“Dont go there!” Xie Lian shouts at San Lang.

But the boy doesn't hear him. Not now and not like the other times.

The little boy stumbles towards where Xie Lian can be seen in the sky. Talisman explodes around his past self but in the end, don't do anything to actually hurt the enemy’s machines.

“Dianxia!” Small San Lang shouts not slowing down his pace to run towards Xie Lian.

Xie Lian can feel his own heart beating loudly in his chest and an uncomfortable feeling spreads through his chest. It couldn't be, could it? That it was this young child that had helped him?

Xie Lian watches himself get hit in the air and then starts falling to the ground. He remembers how painful it was, how hopeless and defeated he felt. San Lang starts running towards his past figure and takes out some kind of preactivated talismans and throws it to the ground. Xie Lin knew he should have died that day, falling from such heights but he didn't and now, decades later, he finds out why.

His body doesn't hit the ground. Instead, he gently gets lowered, probably by the talisman, San Lang had used. The talisman is powerful, nothing such a young boy should have. Xie Lian wonders how San Lang managed to get such a thing.

“Dianxia?” San Lang asks his voice quivering. Xie Lian is unconscious, his skin hot and sweaty, his clothes bloody from where he was hit and hurt repeatedly. 

San Lang activates another talisman and then they get transported somewhere else. Xie Lian barely manages to understand what’s going on but from one second to the next they are inside a small cottage. It's dark but San Lang quickly puts on some candles casting the small cottage into a comforting glow. Xie Lian watches San Lang carry his unconscious body to a bed. 

Xie Lian hadn’t known….

He had never known who had saved him. Had never found out who had nursed him back to health. Always assumed it was a farmer but never did he expect a young boy to take on such a burden. San Lang shouldn't have… shouldn't have been so kind to Xie Lian just because Xie Lian helped him. Something any person would have done.

But he does. San lang takes care of Xie Lian, dresses his wounds, washes away the dirt on Xie Lians skin and gives him some water while Xie Lian stays mostly unconscious.

Xie Lian watches the two quietly while he stays unnoticed. His heart hurts. And there is so much he doesn't know and doesn’t understand. He wished his San Lang was next to him now and could explain everything to Xie Lian. But he's not. In fact, Xie Lian doesn't even know what happened to his body or why he is here watching all of this.

The biggest question Xie Lian has is how San Lang managed to get such powerful and advanced talisman. The boy hadn't wielded magic when he last saw him but now…

“I gave my heart away for my beloved.” 

Xie Lian closes his eyes. All the information is there but its just so hard to put it all together. He doesn't want to assume anything, doesn't want to-

He gets thrown out of the memory violently and suddenly finds himself in a field. The grass all around him is high, tickling his skin. He can make out flowers in the moonlight but their colors are hard to make out. Xie Lian quickly looks around.

It's a beautiful valley, around him tall mountains and mostly untouched by humans. There is a small lake with a stream not to fall from him reflecting the moonlight and casting everything in a bright silver glow.

And then he sees the falling stars. At least Xie Lian believes them to be falling stars. Pieces of light, silver-blue, fall down and hit the ground all around him. They explode into glitter and then human shaped beings start running out of them before eventually disappearing as well.

Xie Lian can feel the magical energy all around him. These really aren't stars but rather demons and other magical beings falling down to earth infusing earth with new magic. Xie Lian follows some of them with his eyes until his gaze catches the figure of a young boy.

“San Lang!” he shouts knowing it's probably fruitless again. The other doesn't hear him. But Xie Lian starts running shaking his head. If this is the moment where San Lang decides to give his heart away... He has to stop it. There are other ways of gaining magical power but not this. Please not this.

Xie Lian runs towards San Lang. But then San Lang catches one of the falling magical beings and looks down at it. Xie Lian can feel the ground under his feet disappearing and he runs faster and faster and faster.

“DONT!” Xie Lian shouts but he can see San Lang swallowing the magical being.

“I promised to help you!” Xie Lian shouts and for a split second, it seems like San Lang can hear him, his eyes wide. “Wait for me.” Xie Lian shouts and then the floor underneath him completely disappears.

***

He’s falling, falling, falling.

The wind is cold against his skin and burns his lungs. He opens his eyes and sees mountainous stones and grey passing by him. He's falling and he cant stop it.

Then he notices the bright blue light. The bright blue light shining from the ring around his finger. The ring San Lang gave him.

However, the light is slowly dying as if it used up all its energy. Xie Lians hand feels warm, in fact the only thing on his body that's warm at the moment.

And then his body flies back, stops falling and just floats.

Xie Lian looks behind himself where a stick had caught his robes stopping his fall down. Xie Lian raises his eye skeptically not believing that a simple stick could catch him like this. Xie Lian then notices a coat around the stick. A count that looks exactly like the thing the scarecrow had been wearing when Xie Lian was looking for Hua Cheng’s moving castle right after being transformed.

“Did you save me?” Xie Lian asks. He can feel his whole body shivering after the fall. The adrenaline is slowly wearing off and the shock of falling down hundreds of meters finally kicking in. However, now he can try to climb to a safe overhang where the stick was currently holding his robes.

Xie Lian swings himself up, grabbing the edge, while making sure that his footing is stable and the stick not close to breaking. Cautiously he climbs further up until he manages to sit down on a small overhang. He breathes deeply trying to calm down his body, letting it now that he is safe now.

Then he looks to the side where the scarecrow is standing and Xie Lian wonders again what kind of magical being this thing actually is. He bows to the scarecrow and thanks him for saving his life.

“Do you know what happened to the other?” Xie Lian asks. He knows Jun Wu had fallen down with him. And while he never wished death on anyone it would be a huge relief if the other magician would have died.

The stick jumps closer to the edge of the little plateau and Xie Lian looks over the edge to see the ground… not far away at all actually. He could probably climb down the rest. But at the bottom, he sees a figure. Unmoving.

Xie Lian quickly looks away not wanting to actually see what happened to Jun Wu. But the knowledge that the other can not hurt him anymore and cant cause Xie Lian any more anguish is a big relief. His chest feels a bit lighter and it feels like he can finally breathe again.

But Xie Lian can’t rest long. Not when San Lang is still fighting, not when E’ming might be hurt, not when there's still a war going on.

Xie Lian has two options, climb up until he gets to a broader space or climb down. However, down is Jun Wu and Xie Lian really…. He should go down. Make sure the man is actually dead and not just hurt. It's also safer even if Xie Lian doesn't want to ever be close to the other. So Xie Lian starts climbing down. It's not a long way maybe 8 meters but dangerous enough that if he fell he would hurt himself.

When he finally manages to get down he walks towards Jun Wus still motionless body. He bends down to touch the side of his neck and tries to feel for a pulse but the body is already cooling rapidly and Xie Lian can't feel the slightest sign of moment or a pulse. The scarecrow is still behind him jumping around. Xie Lian lets out a sigh, it's more relieved then pained.

“We’ll get his body later.” Xie Lian says with no emotions. He doesn't know what to feel really. He is relieved but also Jun Wus death feels so… sad. Its nothing like what Xie Lian thought it would be. No grand fight, or something glamorous or honorable. It's just sad. A sad ending for a man that spent his entire life trying to get revenge on something.

Xie Lian shakes his head and turns away. He still has to find San Lang and the others, “Come. Let's try to find a way out of these mountains,” Xie Lian says to the scarecrow which starts following him. It's a valley with large pine trees and rocks everywhere. Xie Lian tries to find the best way back to the capital but he doesn't know these woods well and it's the middle of the night. He can't see a lot in these woods and he did not prepare any lighting talisman. 

At one point Xie Lian can feel his robes shuffle and he remembers he had hid Ruoye in there ages ago. Ruoye had always been hiding in his robes when it had gotten dangerous or if the cat just felt like cuddling and sleeping so it really wasn't anything unusual for both of them. Xie Lian released his cat and Ruoye jumps down onto the floor his white fur a stark contrast against the black floor.

Ruoye walks in front of him and the scarecrow. Xie Lian follows the cat trusting Ruoye to bring them somewhere safe. It's not the first time the cat has helped him find something. So Xie Lian trusts Ruoye and walks through the dark forest, his heart still pounding against this chest and his thought occupied by what he had found out.

San Lang used to know him during the first war and he had helped him back then. Now their situations were very different but Xie Lians heart aches for the young child he had rescued. The boy who lived on the streets and felt indebted to him because of some coins he had given the other. Xie Lians wonders if San Lang genuinely likes him nowadays or if he just feels like he has a duty towards Xie Lian.

Xie Lian pushes the thought away. He doesn't want to assume anything without speaking to Hua Cheng first about the matter.

“GeGe!” a voice echoes through the forest and Xie Lian freezes. 

“San Lang?” Xie Lian shouts back because there really is no mistaking of that voice. “San Lang!”

San Langs voice shouts back, sounding desperate, “Where are you?” 

Xie Lian can feel tears, tears of relief flow down his cheeks and he chokes out another, “I’m here!” which honestly, doesn't really help in a forest but oh well. He knows San Lang will find him.

And one moment later San Lang appears. His face is full of worry. His clothes are dirtied and bloody and he looks unbearably exhausted but he smiles when he sees Xie Lian and Xie Lian cant help himself but smile back. 

They run to one another and Xie Lian finds himself held in warm, strong arms. He lets out a sigh of relief and presses his face against San Langs chest, “You're okay,” Xie Lian croaks out, “You're okay.” The fear that something might have happened to San Lang while they were fighting was a constant presence since they said goodbye to one another ages okay. And having him back now, safely in Xie Lians arms, is a huge relief.

“What do you mean, I’m okay?” Hua Cheng cries and detangles them far enough so he can look down into Xie Lians eyes. Xie Lian can feel his breath being taken away when he sees San Langs teary eyed and tear drops slowly running down the others face, “I was sick with worry!” He says back and San Langs voice breaks. Xie Lians eyes widen in shock, he hadn't known San Lang would worry like this.

“Im sorry,” Xie Lian whispers and wipes San Langs cheek gently, wanting to make sure the other is comforted, “I never meant to worry you.”

The other shakes his head and more tears roll down, “I could feel E’ming disappear, break. And then the ring…” San Lang chokes out.

Xie Lian looks down on the ring. The ring that had glown so brightly just a while ago. The ring that probably showed him these memories. The ring San Lang had given him. At Xie Lians silence San Lang starts speaking faster, “I could feel your distress and that something was happening to you and then the entrance to the castle was gone and I thought-” San Lang closes his eyes and leans his head against Xie Lian’s, “I thought you were hurt.” San Lang whispers out.

Xie Lian presses the other man closely against his chest and presses a kiss against the others still silver hair. “I wasn't.” Xie Lian reassures, “I’m fine.”

San Lang put his arms around Xie Lian trying to find comfort in his presence. Slowly Xie Lian could feel the spot where San lang was pressing his face against Xie Lians shoulder grow wet. Xie Lian gently hold the other close.

Minutes later, after San Lang had calmed down a bit he looked back into Xie Lians eyes, “What happened? Wheres E’ming? Why are you here?”

Xie Lian hopes San Lang won't be angry at him for what he had done to his castle. But Xie Lian had seen that as the only way out at that time, “I destroyed the castle.” Xie Lian begins, “It took to much energy from E’ming and you. I thought if I destroyed the connections to other places we wouldn't have to protect them anymore and you would come back.” Xie Lian swallows, “I know it was selfish but… if I hadn't done it I know you wouldn't have come back.”

San Lang doesn't reply just waits for Xie Lian to continue speaking, “Then we tried travelling to the capital to help you. But Jun Wu turned up.” Xie Lian pauses, “I don't know how he found us but he was angry for me not doing what he wanted and finding you.” San Lang still doesn't say anything. The only response Xie Lian has gotten so far was when San Lang gripped him more tightly after he said Jun Wu had found them.

“Then I fought him. At one point he grabbed E’ming. I managed to protect E’ming but we both fell over the mountain edge.” Xie Lian whispers.

San Lang looks at the scarecrow behind Xie Lian, “Did he save you?” he asks curiously.

Xie Lian nods and looks at the scarecrow as well, “He managed to catch me. And I was able to climb onto a standing out rock.”

San Langs eyes narrow, “He’s cursed.”

It's not a surprise. The scarecrow is too powerful for just a simple magical being. “But the curse has been broken,” San Lang concludes.

“Hm?” Xie Lian asks

San Lang takes a step closer to the scarecrow, “Did Jun Wu curse you?” 

The scarecrow jumps up and down as if to confirm San Langs question. San Langs looks lost in thought before turning towards Xie Lian again, “So he died? Jun Wu?”

Xie Lian nods his head, “Yes. He fell.”

And then it hits Xie Lian. If this scarecrow had been cursed by Jun Wu and the curse was now broken due to the others death then-

“Is my curse broken?” he asks hopefully. San Lang looks at him and it's so gentle and loving it takes Xie Lians breath away.

San Lang cups his cheek, “It is. But it was broken before that already.”

Xie Lian looks at him with surprise, “How?”

San Lang smiles, “Gege your powerful enough. You broke it just by being yourself. The curse was only strong as long as you weren't happy. It got weaker whenever you felt happy.”

Xie Lian smiled and, god, he really wanted to just move forward and kiss San Lang. It felt like his entire soul was screaming to fall into San Langs arms and offer the other everything Xie Lian had but he couldn't. Not until he asked.

Xie Lian looks away quickly before the urge to kiss San Lang becomes to unbearable, “San Lang I saw… I saw you.”

San Lang doesn't take a step back. Only presses his body closer to Xie Lian as if he was just as touches starved as Xie Lian felt, “What does Gege mean?” he asks gently.

“I saw you as a child. Saw how I gave you some money and then rescued you from the burning house and later how you saved me.” Xie Lian takes a deep breath, “Did you give your heart away for me?” And then Xie Lian looks up. San Lang meets his eyes without flinching away but Xie Lian can feel him tremble slightly.

San Lang nods, “I did. I was young and saw everyone dying. I didn't care for a single soul in Xian Le. No one there ever treated me with kindness. But I cared about you and seeing you give yourself so completely to protecting your kingdom made me feel like I could do the same. For your sake. I wanted nothing but help to protect you and make sure you could survive. So when I got the opportunity I took it.” He says it all in a rush like if he stopped he wouldn't be able to continue.

Xie Lian shakes his head, “You shouldn't have. Not something as precious as your heart.”

San Lang smiles, “Gege, my heart was very safe all the time. Do not worry.” Then he kisses the ring on Xie Lians hand and Xie Lian finally understands.

“Oh San Lang. ” His voice cracks and he can feel the first tears roll down his face. 

“A small part of my heart I have hidden in this ring. That's how I can always be with you and you never have to be alone again. However, the rest…” San Lang sighs, “E’ming has it.”

Xie Lian nods, “I thought so. E’ming is safe. I promise.”

San Lang smiles and then looks away again, a blush painting his cheek, “Are you okay… with….” He stops in mid sentence, his hesitancy can be clearly heard.

“With what? With your past? With you?” Xie Lian cups San Langs head and pulls him closer, “Of course. You are a wonderful, kind hearted man despite going through so many hardships. The fact that you entrusted me with your heart is more than I could ever ask of.”

San Langs eyes are bright and big and so full of trust and love Xie Lian could cry from how much he's feeling, “Please, dont hate me for this.” Xie Lian whispers and then presses his mouth against San Langs.

Its awkward. Both of them seem inexperienced, hell Xie Lian surely is. He doesn't really know what to do. Doesn't know if he should move his lips or if he should just stay like this. He tries to conjure images in his mind and how other people have kissed before but his brain isn't really functioning. So he just stays like that frozen against San Langs warm lips.

Xie Lian can feel San Lang smile against him and that makes Xie Lian burst into giggles. “Im sorry,” Xie Lian whispers happily, “I’ve never kissed anyone. I just really wanted to.”

San Lang smiles brightly, brighter then how Xie Lian has ever seen him, “Gege, you're so cute.” And then he leans down and presses small kisses against Xie Lians cheeks, nose and then a little peck against his mouth.

Xie Lian wishes they could do this for the rest of the night but from the corner of his eyes he can slowly see the sun going up again and he's reminded of the fact that the others might be looking for him and that there's still a war to stop.

“San Lang,” Xie Lian whispers, “Let's go and give you your heart back, okay?”

****

“You're alive!” Feng Xin shouts when they finally manage to find the others. It's already quite bright outside but due to San Lang and E’ming’s connections they were able to find where the others were.

Xie Lian smiled at the others when they come running towards him, “Mu Qing doesn't want to admit it but he was really worried about you Xie Lian.” Feng Xin smiles and elbows Mu Qing lightly who blushes instead. Xie Lian decides not to tease Mu Qing about it.

“Are you all okay?” He asks. They all seem unharmed. E’ming is resting in the palm of Lang Yings hands. He looks weak but Xie Lian can still see his one eyes staring at him.

“Don't worry about us,” Mu Qing replies, “We didn't fall from a fucking mountain side.”

Silence settles around them briefly. Xie Lian uses the moment to bend forward onto Lang Yings eye level and point towards E’ming. “Do you mind if I take this?” Lang Ying shakes his head and Xie Lian smiles at the young boy before taking E’ming into his hands.

“Hello.” Xie Lian greets the fire.

E’ming blinks, “Thank you for saving me from that disgusting, disgraceful-”

“Behave.” San Lang says to the fire, “No curse words in front of Dianxia.”

Xie Lian turns towards San Lang and gives him a warning look, “San Lang!”

E’ming follows their interaction quietly and then lets out a sigh, “So you know what happened?” the fire asks.

Xie Lian nods, “I do. I would like to return San Langs heart.” Xie Lian tells the fire.

E’ming looks at him for a second without saying anything, “Will you protect it?” 

Xie Lian nods, “I would never even think about causing it any harm.”

“It's a small heart.” E’ming whispers, “He gave it up when he was very young. Be gentle.” Xie Lian nods never wanting to hurt San Lang in any way. He will take care of it.

“Will you be okay?” Xie Lian asks the demon. 

E’ming nods, “I will be free. The contract will be lifted.”

Xie Lian looks towards San Lang, “Will your powers disappear?”

San Lang shakes his head, “No. I managed to acquire enough magic over my lifetime. I can use it even without e’ming but I will not be able to have a castle again like before.”

Xie Lian nods and then walks over to San Lang who looks nervous. He must be, Xie Lian thinks, he's been living decades without a heart. And to have it back now will make one more vulnerable than before. “Its okay San Lang. A heart is nothing to be afraid of. Having a big heart is something you should treasure.”

Then Xie Lian pressed E’ming into San Langs chest where his heart should have been. San Lang chokes and curls into himself and Xie Lian is afraid for a moment that he had done something wrong but then E’ming flies out of San Langs chest now just a small round spirit.

“I'M FREE!” and with that he flies away. 

San Lang on the other hand seems relatively fine. He touches his chest and swallows a couple of times as if he can’t believe he has something so vital back.

“It's so loud.” he whispers.

Xie Lian laughs and presses a kiss against the others cheek. “It means you're nervous or excited. Take some deep breaths and it should calm down again.” San Lang nods and follows Xie Lians suggestion. Xie Lian smiles proudly. What San Lang had done was extremely self sacrificing and courageous. Xie Lian promises himself there and then to stay by San Langs side and make sure the other will always be happy and protected. And never regret giving his heart away for Xie Lian.

Xie Lians wants to turn around and talk to the others about their further plans but San Lang quickly grabs him and presses a kiss against his mouth. It catches Xie Lian by surprise and he lets out a squeak but quickly finds himself kissing back. He smiles into the kiss feeling immensely happy. Their second kiss is so much better than the first. Xie Lian isn’t afraid of doing anything wrong, instead he kisses San Lang back slowly. Kisses him because it feels right.

“Gege thank you. Thank you.” San Lang whispers his voice extremely soft and hesitant.

“Anything for you.” Xie Lian whispers back.

And with that Xie Lian holds San Lang tightly against his chest, not caring that Mu Qing is letting out shouts behind him, not caring that E’mings spirit returns telling them he doesn't want to be alone and would rather stay with them, not noticing how the scarecrow turns into the crown prince of Yong’Ah.

He doesn't care for anything other then the wonderful, brilliant man in his arms.

****

The war ends.

It doesn't even take lots of convincing.

With Jun Wus death a lot of people who had been cursed get freed again. Unfortunately, the Queen of Puji does not return. She is one of the people Jun Wu had killed but her daughter Yushi Huang takes her place and announces to end the war from Pujis side and that she sees a peace agreement with the other kingdom. 

The scarecrow that had followed Xie Lian turned out to be the crown prince of Yong'an who has disappeared months ago. The crown prince agrees to stop the war as well, saying he never wanted it in the first place. He thanks Xie Lian immensely for helping break the curse.

Many people have lost their lives due to the war but the joy of the end is greater then the sorrow. However, people do not forget. They mourn the fallen and gone. They promise to never have a war again and be more kind to one another.

Xie Lians believes that maybe this time it will be fine. Past mistakes have been learned from and vowed to not repeat.

The castle is lost permanently but he and San Lang don't mind. They move into a cottage a bit outside the big city and settle there. They help with the local village, make sure to brew potions that will help the farmers and take care of anything the village might want. They also have a small shop with vegetables, herbs and potions they make together.

Xie Lian never thought he could be so happy, always being on his own and not opening up to other people. But San Lang is different. San Lang is everything good and kind, everything fun and and loving. Everything more then what Xie Lian ever imagined having.

Xie Lian wakes up every morning, warm and comfortable snuggled up against his San Lang. Against the man he loves with his whole heart. He goes to bed every night with kisses and the feeling of being home.

E’ming stayed with them, now as a spirit, however the spirit continues making fire for them saying its routine by now. Xie Lian makes sure to praise the fire every time (much to San Langs dismay).

“San Lang?” Xie Lian whispered late into the night. The other grumbles something and Xie Lian lets out a small laugh. He tightens his arms against the other and presses a kiss against San Langs neck, “Thank you for finding for me.”