#TGCF AU where all aspects of life are embodied by immortal beings. Not quite gods, but something very close. There's no cultivation either, just to be clear.
Xie Lian is the Lord of Spring, and Hua Cheng is the Lord of Death.
Xie Lian is the Lord of Spring, and Hua Cheng is the Lord of Death.
The story begins with a loving husband and wife. They're love is true, and everlasting. It is only natural that their child, their only son, is brought into the world safely and surrounded by warmth.
It's a terrible thing when that love is torn from him at a young age.
It's a terrible thing when that love is torn from him at a young age.
He's barely old enough to remember their faces. He'll never forget how he wept. Nor how he was gathered into Jun Wu's arms so he might hide his tears.
He'll /never/ forget what he was told that day.
"I'm so sorry they were taken from you, Sapling."
He'll /never/ forget what he was told that day.
"I'm so sorry they were taken from you, Sapling."
"We will avenge them, I promise you."
Xie Lian had sobbed, broken hearted.
"We will make that apocalypse pay for hurting you."
Xie Lian had nodded, trembling as he was brought to the Palace of Eternal Spring. His home in the heavens.
"Stay here, Sapling, where it's safe."
Xie Lian had sobbed, broken hearted.
"We will make that apocalypse pay for hurting you."
Xie Lian had nodded, trembling as he was brought to the Palace of Eternal Spring. His home in the heavens.
"Stay here, Sapling, where it's safe."
So Xie Lian did. Then Spring comes, and he must tend to what was once his mother's duties. He must make the flowers bloom and winter thaw.
He does, and every blossom reminds him of his mother. Every dawn reminds him of his father. Every step reminds him that he's alone.
He does, and every blossom reminds him of his mother. Every dawn reminds him of his father. Every step reminds him that he's alone.
He struggles with that the most. It's hard to say it's lonely work, he has the other seasons to aid him, but he can't help but feel...
Separate.
Xie Lian smiles and accepts Jun Wu's suggestion of staying hidden in his Palace to grieve. He leaves to tend spring, but...
Separate.
Xie Lian smiles and accepts Jun Wu's suggestion of staying hidden in his Palace to grieve. He leaves to tend spring, but...
He always returns when summer comes. He hides away, holed up in his empty palace, and watches the flowers bloom for all eternity.
Years pass, and he forgets /why/ he stays in his palace till winter thaws. He forgets that he's free to wander. He forgets that there is more.
Years pass, and he forgets /why/ he stays in his palace till winter thaws. He forgets that he's free to wander. He forgets that there is more.
When spring comes centuries later, he's all but forgotten how to live any other way.
But seasons come and go, and Xie Lian must tend to his.
He doesn't know when he began, but every season he sneaks out of the heavens at least once to bask in a small grove in the mortal realm.
But seasons come and go, and Xie Lian must tend to his.
He doesn't know when he began, but every season he sneaks out of the heavens at least once to bask in a small grove in the mortal realm.
It is there he feels the most at peace. He basks in the quiet and tranquility, sighing in relief as the sun rains down upon him. The silk of his clothes is soft as a flower petal, but that does not compare to the earthen silkiness of soil and grass.
It is also here that he is discovered.
Xie Lian is surprised to see the stranger standing in the shade of the trees, in the dark of the forest, but the man does nothing to hurt him. If anything he looks...
Surprised.
"Hello." He calls gently, watching the man stiffen.
Xie Lian is surprised to see the stranger standing in the shade of the trees, in the dark of the forest, but the man does nothing to hurt him. If anything he looks...
Surprised.
"Hello." He calls gently, watching the man stiffen.
"Are you here to see the flowers too?"
The man hesitates, then nods.
"They're wonderful, aren't they? You don't have to stay there, you can come out. I'm rather harmless, really!"
"It is not you, I'm worried about." The man hums, stepping out of the dark.
The man hesitates, then nods.
"They're wonderful, aren't they? You don't have to stay there, you can come out. I'm rather harmless, really!"
"It is not you, I'm worried about." The man hums, stepping out of the dark.
He's tall. That's the first thing Xie Lian realizes when the man approaches slowly. He's also incredibly handsome.
His hair is long, tied off with a red string at the ends. There is a braid, a red bead fastening it together. His eyes, however, are entrancing.
His hair is long, tied off with a red string at the ends. There is a braid, a red bead fastening it together. His eyes, however, are entrancing.
They're like stars, brilliant and bright, but also like liquid metal, molten heat.
"I'm afraid we've never met," Xie Lian murmurs, his cheeks warm. "I'm Xie Lian... you are?"
The man pauses, then settles down nearby. "You may call me San Lang."
"I'm afraid we've never met," Xie Lian murmurs, his cheeks warm. "I'm Xie Lian... you are?"
The man pauses, then settles down nearby. "You may call me San Lang."
"A pleasure to meet you, San Lang."
"I assure you, the pleasure is all mine."
They settle into a comfortable companionship, one that has Xie Lian filling the silence with his ramblings about all kinds of flowers and plants. He talks about anything.
Everything and nothing.
"I assure you, the pleasure is all mine."
They settle into a comfortable companionship, one that has Xie Lian filling the silence with his ramblings about all kinds of flowers and plants. He talks about anything.
Everything and nothing.
They talk until the sun sets, and Xie Lian must return to the heavens. It is already likely he has been missed.
"San Lang," Xie Lian gnaws on his lip, fingers twisting about a lock of his hair.
"Yes, Gege?"
"Will... Will I see you again?"
San Lang watches him quietly, then-
"San Lang," Xie Lian gnaws on his lip, fingers twisting about a lock of his hair.
"Yes, Gege?"
"Will... Will I see you again?"
San Lang watches him quietly, then-
"Would you like to?"
"Very much so, yes."
The man smiles, bowing his head. "Then you shall. Until then, Gege."
"Until then, San Lang!"
The Spring Lord returns to the heavens in a brighter mood than he has ever had. It does not go unnoticed.
"Very much so, yes."
The man smiles, bowing his head. "Then you shall. Until then, Gege."
"Until then, San Lang!"
The Spring Lord returns to the heavens in a brighter mood than he has ever had. It does not go unnoticed.
"There you are!" Shi Qingxuan chirps, hooking their arms together as they walk through the streets. "I've been looking all over for you. Where'd you run off to?"
"Oh well..." Xie Lian flushes as pink as his clothes. "I was, y'know, around..."
"Oh well..." Xie Lian flushes as pink as his clothes. "I was, y'know, around..."
"That's avoiding a question, and considering how good of a mood you're in, I would stand to reason you misbehaved." Shi Qingxuan grins, leaning into Xie Lian with her radiant smile. "So? Tell me all about it!"
"I-It's nothing like that! I just-"
"Just...?"
"I met someone..."
"I-It's nothing like that! I just-"
"Just...?"
"I met someone..."
Shi Qingxuan gasps, then leans in conspiratorially. "Who was it? What were they like? Did they make your heart flutter?"
"Lady Summer!" Xie Lian murmurs, his face impossibly warm. "It wasn't like that!"
"Oh but I bet you wish it was!"
Xie Lian suppresses the urge to groan.
"Lady Summer!" Xie Lian murmurs, his face impossibly warm. "It wasn't like that!"
"Oh but I bet you wish it was!"
Xie Lian suppresses the urge to groan.
He feels a bit like an over watered flower, heavy from the weight of it and wilting away. "Nothing of that sort happened! We were strangers!"
"Were being the operative word in that sentence."
"Not. Helping." Xie Lian sighs. Despite himself, he's smiling. Really smiling.
"Were being the operative word in that sentence."
"Not. Helping." Xie Lian sighs. Despite himself, he's smiling. Really smiling.
They laugh and giggle their way back to the Palace of Eternal Spring, where Shi Qingxuan settles amidst the flower garden with Xie Lian.
"In all seriousness, where did you run off to today? His Majesty was upset when he couldn't find you."
"I went out for a walk."
"In all seriousness, where did you run off to today? His Majesty was upset when he couldn't find you."
"I went out for a walk."
"For the entire day?" The look offered is one of amusement.
"I know, I know. It won't happen again!" Xie Lian flushed. "I just... lost track of time."
Shi Qingxuan smiled, pleased. "It's nice seeing you happy."
That startles the Spring Lord. He's been happy before, right?
"I know, I know. It won't happen again!" Xie Lian flushed. "I just... lost track of time."
Shi Qingxuan smiled, pleased. "It's nice seeing you happy."
That startles the Spring Lord. He's been happy before, right?
"You look happier than you have in centuries, and it shows." Lady Summer continues, voice soft. "You light up like the sun breaking through the clouds on a rainy day. It's refreshing."
Xie Lian's cheeks are warm, but as he thinks about his encounter today, his smile returns.
Xie Lian's cheeks are warm, but as he thinks about his encounter today, his smile returns.
He is happy.
He's the happiest he's been since... well forever. San Lang, he...
"He makes me feel... seen." Xie Lian murmurs, the words unbidden. "I like when he listens to me."
"Are you going to see him again?"
"I hope so."
Shi Qingxuan's smile widens. "Good."
He's the happiest he's been since... well forever. San Lang, he...
"He makes me feel... seen." Xie Lian murmurs, the words unbidden. "I like when he listens to me."
"Are you going to see him again?"
"I hope so."
Shi Qingxuan's smile widens. "Good."
That's how it begins.
Xie Lian spends a short while with Shi Qingxuan in the morning, seen publicly, then sneaks off to the grove in hopes of seeing San Lang again.
He does. Every time.
"I'm pleased to be graced by your presence, Gege." San Lang always greets. "I'm blessed."
Xie Lian spends a short while with Shi Qingxuan in the morning, seen publicly, then sneaks off to the grove in hopes of seeing San Lang again.
He does. Every time.
"I'm pleased to be graced by your presence, Gege." San Lang always greets. "I'm blessed."
"You flatter me," Xie Lian always answers. "I'm hardly worth such praise."
Then they settle in the grove and they talk for hours. They talk until the sun sets and the moon threatens to rise. They talk until their voices die naturally, and peace consumes them.
Then they settle in the grove and they talk for hours. They talk until the sun sets and the moon threatens to rise. They talk until their voices die naturally, and peace consumes them.
In these little getaways, there is nothing but them, the grove and the sky above. There is no responsibilities, no expectations, no heaven nor mortal realm, and no /fear/.
Just each other, and the way they look at one another.
Just bliss.
Just each other, and the way they look at one another.
Just bliss.
By their twentieth meeting, Xie Lian thinks he might have fallen for him.
Now, they stand beneath a willow tree. It's on the outskirts of the grove, but that hardly matters.
Not when Xie Lian feels like he may burst into a thousand petals. Not when San Lang looks at him like-
Now, they stand beneath a willow tree. It's on the outskirts of the grove, but that hardly matters.
Not when Xie Lian feels like he may burst into a thousand petals. Not when San Lang looks at him like-
Like he's the most precious thing in the world.
It makes him feel important, beyond his position as a season. Make him feel wanted as himself, and not Spring. It makes him-
It makes him want.
Oh how he wants. It's a greedy thing, coiling within him. He craves this, needs it.
It makes him feel important, beyond his position as a season. Make him feel wanted as himself, and not Spring. It makes him-
It makes him want.
Oh how he wants. It's a greedy thing, coiling within him. He craves this, needs it.
"Can I say something silly, and you won't laugh?"
"I would never laugh at you, Gege."
Xie Lian smiles, cheeks warm. "I want to travel. To see the world."
San Lang's easy smile melts away to confusion and concern. "You've... never seen the world before, Gege?"
"I would never laugh at you, Gege."
Xie Lian smiles, cheeks warm. "I want to travel. To see the world."
San Lang's easy smile melts away to confusion and concern. "You've... never seen the world before, Gege?"
"No. I've been sheltered my whole life. It's dangerous... even here and now I... but I feel safe with you."
San Lang's brows knit together, and he reaches out, always with his left hand, and holds Xie Lian's cheek. "Gege, that's not sheltered. That's-"
San Lang's brows knit together, and he reaches out, always with his left hand, and holds Xie Lian's cheek. "Gege, that's not sheltered. That's-"
But he can't have /everything/.
"Lord Spring! Get away from him!"
Xie Lian startles, turning to see Feng Xin and Mu Qing enter the enclosed space beneath the willow. "What are you two doing here?"
"My lord, step away from him. He's dangerous."
"Dangerous? What are you-"
"Lord Spring! Get away from him!"
Xie Lian startles, turning to see Feng Xin and Mu Qing enter the enclosed space beneath the willow. "What are you two doing here?"
"My lord, step away from him. He's dangerous."
"Dangerous? What are you-"
San Lang has a hand around his waist instantly, pulling him close. "I won't let you lock him up again."
"Lord Spring, please! That man is Crimson Rain Sought Flower! He's the Lord of Death!"
As those words reach the Spring Lord, and Feng Xin moves to attack, the world swims.
"Lord Spring, please! That man is Crimson Rain Sought Flower! He's the Lord of Death!"
As those words reach the Spring Lord, and Feng Xin moves to attack, the world swims.
When the haze clears, Xie Lian shoves away from the body against him. His mind is running a mile a minute. His breaths are too fast, hands shaking.
"Is it true?" Xie Lian whispers.
"Gege, I-"
"IS IT TRUE!?" He screams, voice cracking with grief.
"Is it true?" Xie Lian whispers.
"Gege, I-"
"IS IT TRUE!?" He screams, voice cracking with grief.
The other man hesitates, then nods slowly. "Yes, my Lord."
"You tricked me." Xie Lian trembled, fresh tears falling down his face. "You /lied/ to me."
"I did not mean to deceive you, I thought you-"
"YOU STILL /LIED/ TO ME! REPEATEDLY!" Xie Lian howls, face twisted with grief.
"You tricked me." Xie Lian trembled, fresh tears falling down his face. "You /lied/ to me."
"I did not mean to deceive you, I thought you-"
"YOU STILL /LIED/ TO ME! REPEATEDLY!" Xie Lian howls, face twisted with grief.
"What was your plan?" Xie Lian hisses, snarling like a cornered cat. "Lure me in, make me feel safe before you kill me?"
"/No/, never!" The Apocalypse looks frantic. "I would ne-"
"Take me back."
The red clothed man freezes.
"Return me to the heavens."
"My lord..."
"/No/, never!" The Apocalypse looks frantic. "I would ne-"
"Take me back."
The red clothed man freezes.
"Return me to the heavens."
"My lord..."
"I won't let you kill me without a fight!" Xie Lian hisses.
Hua Cheng recoils, as if he's been struck. "I would never hurt you..."
"You're a very pretty liar, /Crimson Rain/."
Hua Cheng flinches again.
"A shame it's not as pretty when I know it's a lie."
Hua Cheng recoils, as if he's been struck. "I would never hurt you..."
"You're a very pretty liar, /Crimson Rain/."
Hua Cheng flinches again.
"A shame it's not as pretty when I know it's a lie."
Hua Cheng steels himself. Xie Lian watches as the gentle, open man he had spent /weeks/ with closes himself off. He looks...
Cold. Detached.
"I will return you to the heavens as soon as the chaos settles, Lord Spring..."
There's hurt in his gaze, buried deep within.
Cold. Detached.
"I will return you to the heavens as soon as the chaos settles, Lord Spring..."
There's hurt in his gaze, buried deep within.
Xie Lian steels his own heart, glaring. "Then leave me alone."
The apocalypse cannot stop his flinch.
"I do not want to see you."
Another flinch.
"I do not want to hear you."
And another.
"I do not even want to feel like you exist."
Hua Cheng turns his head away now.
The apocalypse cannot stop his flinch.
"I do not want to see you."
Another flinch.
"I do not want to hear you."
And another.
"I do not even want to feel like you exist."
Hua Cheng turns his head away now.
"If that is what you wish."
Something about his tone has all of Xie Lian's fire flickering out.
He sounds /hollow/.
"I'll...." Hua Cheng pauses, then turns away. "You are free to wander... someone will prepare a room for you."
He sounds....
/Broken/.
Regret chills him.
Something about his tone has all of Xie Lian's fire flickering out.
He sounds /hollow/.
"I'll...." Hua Cheng pauses, then turns away. "You are free to wander... someone will prepare a room for you."
He sounds....
/Broken/.
Regret chills him.
The moment Hua Cheng takes his first step, Xie Lian knows.
He knows he cannot undo what's been done. He can't take back his words, and nothing can soothe betrayal.
Xie Lian learns, in that moment, the consequences of not trying to understand.
Regret lasts for eternity.
He knows he cannot undo what's been done. He can't take back his words, and nothing can soothe betrayal.
Xie Lian learns, in that moment, the consequences of not trying to understand.
Regret lasts for eternity.
There is no going back.
He can spend the rest of his immortal days trying to fix his wrong, but there is no promise he will succeed.
The decision is left to the wronged.
and Xie Lian /knows/ he's wronged Hua Cheng, but he had been hurting.
That isn't an excuse, however.
He can spend the rest of his immortal days trying to fix his wrong, but there is no promise he will succeed.
The decision is left to the wronged.
and Xie Lian /knows/ he's wronged Hua Cheng, but he had been hurting.
That isn't an excuse, however.
It doesn't not exempt him from his wrongs. Does not wash away the guilt.
Xie Lian hides. He hides for many reasons, but the largest of them is guilt. He was wrong, and he must live with that.
It's not easy, and it eats away at him.
If he returns, will he really never see-
Xie Lian hides. He hides for many reasons, but the largest of them is guilt. He was wrong, and he must live with that.
It's not easy, and it eats away at him.
If he returns, will he really never see-
He cuts that thought off before it can take root.
He can't let that happen. He won't.
The Spring Lord quietly departs the guest room, walking the many halls of the Palace. He peers into many rooms, hoping to find something to aid him him in his quest.
When he does, he smiles.
He can't let that happen. He won't.
The Spring Lord quietly departs the guest room, walking the many halls of the Palace. He peers into many rooms, hoping to find something to aid him him in his quest.
When he does, he smiles.
Death comes for all things.
That is a known fact of the cycle. All things must come to an end one day. Everyone knows that no banquet can go on forever.
Hua Cheng knows that better than anyone. After all, he is the one who guides you to your end, and returns you to the cycle.
That is a known fact of the cycle. All things must come to an end one day. Everyone knows that no banquet can go on forever.
Hua Cheng knows that better than anyone. After all, he is the one who guides you to your end, and returns you to the cycle.
Back then, it had been no surprise who had come to guide the souls of Lady Spring and Lord Sun to the realm between, the hereafter.
/“I’m not ready.”/ Lady Spring had murmured. /“My son, he’s going to rise and take my place. He’s just a boy.”/
/“I’m not ready.”/ Lady Spring had murmured. /“My son, he’s going to rise and take my place. He’s just a boy.”/
The Lord of Death had only smiled at her, remorse and understanding in his eye. /“You do not have to move on just yet. That is not why I have come for you.”/
/“How long may we stay?”/ Lord Sun asked. There was fear there, but of the boy before him. No, fear that he has failed.
/“How long may we stay?”/ Lord Sun asked. There was fear there, but of the boy before him. No, fear that he has failed.
/“Until you are ready.”/ Death soothed. /“Moving on is not an easy task, but we all must face it one day. Come, let me take you to the Hereafter, and you may linger for however long you require.”/
/“And our boy?”/ Spring whispered as she took the apocalypse’s hand.
/“And our boy?”/ Spring whispered as she took the apocalypse’s hand.
/“He is in Heaven’s arms.”/ They followed the apocalypse to the place between this life and the next. The realm where the dead are as alive as any mortal, the Hereafter. The place where Death reigns, but not as a tyrant. No, this boy was gentle and kind.
The apocalypse glanced back at her, thin lips pulled into a gentle but sympathetic smile. /“They will care for him, and when his time comes it will be my arms he is guided into his next life in.”/
That had brought her some small measure of comfort.
That had brought her some small measure of comfort.
To know that, even if heaven fails her son as it did herself and her husband, at least the Lord of Death will be kinder to him.
Because in the end, death comes for all things.
The one who guides you after, is him. It is /always/ him. The question then is...
Who will guide him?
Because in the end, death comes for all things.
The one who guides you after, is him. It is /always/ him. The question then is...
Who will guide him?
It is a question Hua Cheng has never entertained. He knows who. Not because he knows their identity, but because he knows what they will be.
Only a new Lord of Death can guide him into the cycle.
There hasn't been one for millennium. He doesn't think there'll ever be another.
Only a new Lord of Death can guide him into the cycle.
There hasn't been one for millennium. He doesn't think there'll ever be another.
He shall be the last, and he will do it /right/.
He can live with the reputation. The belief that he is a monster, a creature that seeks to bring death across the world. A beast that sows ruin wherever it treads.
Soft honey eyes flash before his mind, warm with affection.
He can live with the reputation. The belief that he is a monster, a creature that seeks to bring death across the world. A beast that sows ruin wherever it treads.
Soft honey eyes flash before his mind, warm with affection.
/"I feel safe with you."/
Those same eyes warp with fear.
/"YOU LIED TO ME!"/
His heart tightens in his chest, his next breath a shudder of pain.
He can-
/"I do not even want to feel like you exist."/
He /can't/. If it were anyone else, he could. But not him, not Xie Lian.
Those same eyes warp with fear.
/"YOU LIED TO ME!"/
His heart tightens in his chest, his next breath a shudder of pain.
He can-
/"I do not even want to feel like you exist."/
He /can't/. If it were anyone else, he could. But not him, not Xie Lian.
"Yin Yu." He calls, forcing his tone to remain even despite the despair that is curling it's jagged claws into his chest. "Alert them."
"Sir."
"He's here... and they will want to know. Tell them he-" He swallows the lump in his throat. "Tell them he's alive. Only visiting."
"Sir."
"He's here... and they will want to know. Tell them he-" He swallows the lump in his throat. "Tell them he's alive. Only visiting."
"I'll see it done..."
"And Yin Yu." Hua Cheng calls once more. "When you're done, keep an eye on him. Make sure he... make sure he's safe."
"Understood."
Alone once more, Hua Cheng's entire frame shudders once more. He drops himself into a chair unceremoniously, glaring.
"And Yin Yu." Hua Cheng calls once more. "When you're done, keep an eye on him. Make sure he... make sure he's safe."
"Understood."
Alone once more, Hua Cheng's entire frame shudders once more. He drops himself into a chair unceremoniously, glaring.
His stare is pinned on his hand. His right hand. It's certainly fitting for a monster. Like any other, his has four fingers and a thumb, but that is where the similarities end. The void that takes human form shows his bones from within. Just one of his marks as death incarnate.
With a click of his tongue, a silver blade carve through the air.
His glare darkens.
Unscathed, his hand remains perfectly attached. E'ming recoils, returning to its sheathe to hide from him.
No matter. He knew it would do nothing. You cannot change what you are.
His glare darkens.
Unscathed, his hand remains perfectly attached. E'ming recoils, returning to its sheathe to hide from him.
No matter. He knew it would do nothing. You cannot change what you are.
The Heavens is in chaos, a riot having all but broken out as they many lords and ladies demand for Hua Cheng's head. They demand a crusade to go and retrieve the missing season.
Standing aside from it all, three figures share looks with one another in utter silence.
Standing aside from it all, three figures share looks with one another in utter silence.
It is the one donned in the colors of autumn that speaks first.
"It's his season."
"It's far to early for summer to start."
"It'll be fine." Shi Qingxuan gnaws her lip.
"Impossible to be certain." Ling Wen shakes her head.
Shi Wudu crosses his arms. "We'll have to wait."
"It's his season."
"It's far to early for summer to start."
"It'll be fine." Shi Qingxuan gnaws her lip.
"Impossible to be certain." Ling Wen shakes her head.
Shi Wudu crosses his arms. "We'll have to wait."
"It'll be /fine/." Shi Qingxuan asserts. It has to be, because if it isn't-
That means she has let her friend go and face what may as well be certain death. With a /smile/.
Shi Wudu eyes his sibling, brows knit together. Before he can ask, however, She's walking briskly away.
That means she has let her friend go and face what may as well be certain death. With a /smile/.
Shi Wudu eyes his sibling, brows knit together. Before he can ask, however, She's walking briskly away.
"Qingxuan!" Shi Wudu calls, the huffs, and turns back to Ling Wen. "Drinks later. I'll need it."
"That makes two of us." Ling Wen sighs. "I'll inform Pei."
Just like that, Shi Wudu is following his sibling about the streets of the capital. /Would you slow down for a minute?!/
"That makes two of us." Ling Wen sighs. "I'll inform Pei."
Just like that, Shi Wudu is following his sibling about the streets of the capital. /Would you slow down for a minute?!/
He's relieved when she turns and heads into the their shared Palace, following her inside and shedding heavy mantle and cloak.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" he asks after some time.
When Shi Qingxuan answers him, it is in his male form. His dress replaced by robes.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" he asks after some time.
When Shi Qingxuan answers him, it is in his male form. His dress replaced by robes.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Shi Wudu nods, "Okay. Then how do you want this to go?"
Shi Qingxuan extends his arms, and, as easily as breathing, Shi Wudu steps into the circle of arms and runs his fingers through his brother's hair. "I've got you, Didi. I'm here."
Shi Wudu nods, "Okay. Then how do you want this to go?"
Shi Qingxuan extends his arms, and, as easily as breathing, Shi Wudu steps into the circle of arms and runs his fingers through his brother's hair. "I've got you, Didi. I'm here."
Shi Qingxuan shudders, quiet cries are further muffled into the pale silk of Shi Wudu's robes, but he doesn't mind. He keeps running his fingers through long sun bleached strands, his fingers occasionally scratching along Shi Qingxuan's scalp soothingly.
"You're safe, Didi."
"You're safe, Didi."
Those words only make Shi Qingxuan sob harder.
"What if he isn't, Ge? He must be /so/ scared right now."
"Where's all this coming from? Weren't you the one trying to assure Ling Wen and I that everything would be fine?"
"But what if I'm wrong?"
"Everyone is wrong sometimes."
"What if he isn't, Ge? He must be /so/ scared right now."
"Where's all this coming from? Weren't you the one trying to assure Ling Wen and I that everything would be fine?"
"But what if I'm wrong?"
"Everyone is wrong sometimes."
He kneels down before his brother, gently brushing away a few tears. "Everyone is right sometimes too."
"If I'm wrong, he could be hurt."
"And if you're right?" Shi Wudu counters gently. "What then, hm?"
"I don't know..."
"Then he finds he way home, safe and sound."
"If I'm wrong, he could be hurt."
"And if you're right?" Shi Wudu counters gently. "What then, hm?"
"I don't know..."
"Then he finds he way home, safe and sound."
"We have to be brave." Shi Wudu urges gently. "Very brave."
His brother watches him, misty eyes wide.
"Can you be brave for him? For me?"
"I... I'll try."
"Let's both try, and when he's back, and he's safe, we can see if he'll be allowed to host us."
"Okay."
"Ready?"
"Mm."
His brother watches him, misty eyes wide.
"Can you be brave for him? For me?"
"I... I'll try."
"Let's both try, and when he's back, and he's safe, we can see if he'll be allowed to host us."
"Okay."
"Ready?"
"Mm."
Xie Lian is reading when they arrive. He’s fully engaged in the text, but that does not stop him from snapping the book shut when he realizes who has come to see him.
“Hello, my little flower.”
“Mama?” He’s trembling now, eyes wide. “Baba?”
“You’ve grown up well.”
“Hello, my little flower.”
“Mama?” He’s trembling now, eyes wide. “Baba?”
“You’ve grown up well.”
They're just as he remembers. His father is as radiant as the sun itself, his eyes like a thousand stars. His mother is willowy, slender and gentle. She is the one to move first, reaching out towards her son with barely contained tears.
Xie Lian falls into her embrace, sobbing.
Xie Lian falls into her embrace, sobbing.
He had thought this was lost forever, something he cannot get back. Taken and never to return.
Yet, his mother's fingers card through his hair, and she presses a kiss to his head. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. We did not want to go."
His father's hand is warm on his shoulder.
Yet, his mother's fingers card through his hair, and she presses a kiss to his head. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. We did not want to go."
His father's hand is warm on his shoulder.
"We've been waiting... hoping you would come to visit."
Xie Lian's brows knit together, pulling from his mother's arms. "Wait... visit?"
"Yes, Flower. Crimson Rain has let us linger so we might see you again."
The spring lord's gut twists, guilt and regret eating him alive.
Xie Lian's brows knit together, pulling from his mother's arms. "Wait... visit?"
"Yes, Flower. Crimson Rain has let us linger so we might see you again."
The spring lord's gut twists, guilt and regret eating him alive.
"He... He did that?"
The Sun Lord nods. "He did."
His father would never lie to him, even if it's not something he wants to hear.
"I... I thought you had been returned to the cycle, I thought-!" The young man chokes on his cry, throat tight. "I missed you both, so much!"
The Sun Lord nods. "He did."
His father would never lie to him, even if it's not something he wants to hear.
"I... I thought you had been returned to the cycle, I thought-!" The young man chokes on his cry, throat tight. "I missed you both, so much!"
It is his father who embraces him this time. He's strong, warm and bright. Like /dawn/.
"We missed you just as fiercely." The Sun Lord admits, "Had we the power to, we would never have left you there alone."
"I wasn't alone... not really." Xie Lian murmurs, the words hollow.
"We missed you just as fiercely." The Sun Lord admits, "Had we the power to, we would never have left you there alone."
"I wasn't alone... not really." Xie Lian murmurs, the words hollow.
"Oh, sweetheart." Lady Spring coos, heartbreak in her eyes. "It's alright to admit when you feel lonely. Your feelings, they're important."
She draws both her husband and her son into her arms.
"Your feelings are your strength. Your joy can make the trees touch the sky."
She draws both her husband and her son into her arms.
"Your feelings are your strength. Your joy can make the trees touch the sky."
"Or," She murmurs, kissing his forehead. "Your anger can make seeds remain seeds, and ancient willows topple."
"I'm not that strong, Mama." Xie Lian argues.
"Sweetheart, you are a /season/. You are only as strong as you choose to be. You need only wield your power to see."
"I'm not that strong, Mama." Xie Lian argues.
"Sweetheart, you are a /season/. You are only as strong as you choose to be. You need only wield your power to see."
"Your mother once made the heavens an orchard in her clash with Lady Autumn." His father hums, a faint smile on his lips. "If she could do that with only a fraction of her strength, you can do that and more with even less."
"It wasn't an orchard." Lady Spring huffs, smiling.
"It wasn't an orchard." Lady Spring huffs, smiling.
Xie Lian watches and listens as his parents playfully debate the matter, but his mind drifts.
/"A person is not a pacifist if they are incapable of great violence, Sapling. They are simply harmless."/
The power to turn the heavens into an orchard.
Harmless, or pacifist?
/"A person is not a pacifist if they are incapable of great violence, Sapling. They are simply harmless."/
The power to turn the heavens into an orchard.
Harmless, or pacifist?
He raises a hand, gently commanding a flower to grow about his fingers.
Nothing, because nothing grows in the realm of the dead.
He dismisses the wild thought for another time, instead smiling at his parents as they continue to bicker affectionately. Then the Sun Lord stills.
Nothing, because nothing grows in the realm of the dead.
He dismisses the wild thought for another time, instead smiling at his parents as they continue to bicker affectionately. Then the Sun Lord stills.
Lady Spring sets a hand on his arm, but she doesn't seem worried.
Xie Lian watches his father give his mother a gentle kiss, then turns to him.
"It's time, my son."
No...
"I have never been happier, nor prouder, to haver you as my child."
"Baba..."
Father and son embrace.
Xie Lian watches his father give his mother a gentle kiss, then turns to him.
"It's time, my son."
No...
"I have never been happier, nor prouder, to haver you as my child."
"Baba..."
Father and son embrace.
"Don't go, please!" Xie Lian whimpers, clinging to fine silk robes. "Don't leave! I've only just gotten to see you!"
For the last time.
"I'm sorry."
It takes him a long while to come to terms, soothed by his father all the while.
"I'm not going to see you ever again, am I?"
For the last time.
"I'm sorry."
It takes him a long while to come to terms, soothed by his father all the while.
"I'm not going to see you ever again, am I?"
"Just as the sun rises," Xie Lian is smiling despite his grief, listening to his father. "So, too, must it set."
"I'm not ready for nightfall." He feels a bit childish, saying this now, but...
"No one ever is."
"I'm not ready to let go."
He feels the tear fall on his head.
"I'm not ready for nightfall." He feels a bit childish, saying this now, but...
"No one ever is."
"I'm not ready to let go."
He feels the tear fall on his head.
... He never got to be a child, having /this/ torn from him.
"I love you, my son."
Xie Lian weeps, clinging harder to a man he'll never get to know.
"I love you, my son."
Xie Lian weeps, clinging harder to a man he'll never get to know.
His father leaves them with woeful smiles and soft words, but Xie Lian doesn't doubt the love in those bright eyes. Like a cloak keeping him warm, he gathers himself in it, and says his final goodbye.
His mother stays, and she listens.
Xie Lian talks, thoughts tumbling out.
His mother stays, and she listens.
Xie Lian talks, thoughts tumbling out.
He talks about anything. Everything and nothing. He talks until his throat is dry, and-
And it reminds him of the many days he'd spend in a small grove, talking with a gentle heart who smiled at him. Who would laugh at his jokes, and call for him softly.
Who saw /him/.
And it reminds him of the many days he'd spend in a small grove, talking with a gentle heart who smiled at him. Who would laugh at his jokes, and call for him softly.
Who saw /him/.
That same person who was /accused/ of taking his parents from him. He didn't, Lady Spring ensures he understands that, and yet he does nothing to change that misconception.
"No amount of explanations will clear him of those allegations, my flower."
"That isn't fair to him."
"No amount of explanations will clear him of those allegations, my flower."
"That isn't fair to him."
"Few things are ever fair in this world, sweetheart."
It's not an easy lesson to accept, but he tries.
He spends days talking with his mother, reconciling this image he's been fed for years. Jun Wu always made the Apocalypses out to be /monsters/. Ruin bringers. Calamities.
It's not an easy lesson to accept, but he tries.
He spends days talking with his mother, reconciling this image he's been fed for years. Jun Wu always made the Apocalypses out to be /monsters/. Ruin bringers. Calamities.
Yet, when Xie Lian had a chance encounter with one of these so called "calamities", he had felt so safe. Safer than he has ever felt in his entire life. He had felt like he can spill his deepest secrets and they would be kept tucked away, hidden behind smiles and knowing looks.
Hua Cheng was the greatly feared and respected Lord of Death, an Apocalypse. Thought to be final face one would see before their end.
Xie Lian had seen none of that. He'd seen a lonely man and an even lonelier heart. He saw a broken soul looking for that one thing.
No monster.
Xie Lian had seen none of that. He'd seen a lonely man and an even lonelier heart. He saw a broken soul looking for that one thing.
No monster.
How could someone, no /everyone/, get this so wrong?
It's frustrating!
Then, over the course of these long weeks, Xie Lian learns Hua Cheng is a man of his word. The Spring Lords sees hide nor hair of him, and only learns what he's up to by asking one of the spirit staff.
It's frustrating!
Then, over the course of these long weeks, Xie Lian learns Hua Cheng is a man of his word. The Spring Lords sees hide nor hair of him, and only learns what he's up to by asking one of the spirit staff.
"The Lord is visiting the Den. He should return this evening."
"The Lord has to escort souls back into the cycle today."
"The Lord is hunting for lost souls today."
"The Lord is resting and asked not to be disturbed."
How is he meant to apologize for his thoughtless words?
"The Lord has to escort souls back into the cycle today."
"The Lord is hunting for lost souls today."
"The Lord is resting and asked not to be disturbed."
How is he meant to apologize for his thoughtless words?
He's out on the balcony when his mother comes to visit him today, leaning against the banister as he surveys a realm that would look perfectly mundane were it not cast in shades of crimson.
"There you are," Lady Spring sighs, relieved.
"I think I love him, Mama." Xie Lian hums.
"There you are," Lady Spring sighs, relieved.
"I think I love him, Mama." Xie Lian hums.
"I think I love him." he continues, the words falling from his lips faster than he can stop them. "I think I love him, regardless of whether he's an apocalypse or not."
She stills, watching him.
"But few things in this world are ever fair, and even if I love him, could we...?"
She stills, watching him.
"But few things in this world are ever fair, and even if I love him, could we...?"
/Could we make it work? Could we be together, even if the world might try and tear us apart?/
"You think you love him." Lady Spring begins slowly, moving to his side. "Does he make you happy?"
Xie Lian's face twists with his guilt. "He does, but I hurt him."
"Yes." She hums.
"You think you love him." Lady Spring begins slowly, moving to his side. "Does he make you happy?"
Xie Lian's face twists with his guilt. "He does, but I hurt him."
"Yes." She hums.
"I hurt him, and I told him I never want to see him again."
"Did you mean it?"
"No. Not a word." Xie Lian ducks his head, hiding from her piercing gaze. "I can't even take it back."
"And why's that?"
"San Lang, he... He's a man of his word."
"He is."
"I told him that I..."
"Did you mean it?"
"No. Not a word." Xie Lian ducks his head, hiding from her piercing gaze. "I can't even take it back."
"And why's that?"
"San Lang, he... He's a man of his word."
"He is."
"I told him that I..."
The words die on his tongue, heavy and wrong. Xie Lian's nails scrape painfully across the stone banister.
"I can't take them back, Mama. I love him, and I can't apologize for my mistake." He lifts his head again. "I can't even be sure that a romance between us would even work."
"I can't take them back, Mama. I love him, and I can't apologize for my mistake." He lifts his head again. "I can't even be sure that a romance between us would even work."
"An Apocalypse and a Season."
Lady Spring tilts her head, brows knitting together. "What do you mean by that, my flower?"
"He's been deemed an enemy of the heavens, and I'm..." Xie Lian swallows the sob bubbling up within him. "I'm a season, Mama. I'd be a reminder of... that."
Lady Spring tilts her head, brows knitting together. "What do you mean by that, my flower?"
"He's been deemed an enemy of the heavens, and I'm..." Xie Lian swallows the sob bubbling up within him. "I'm a season, Mama. I'd be a reminder of... that."
"Would you?"
"I hurt him, Mama!" Xie Lian cries. "I hurt him, and I can't apologize! I hurt him, and I'm a season! I have to go back to the heavens, I don't have a choice!"
"There is always a choice." Lady Spring counters, tone firm.
Xie Lian pauses, startled.
"Even now."
"I hurt him, Mama!" Xie Lian cries. "I hurt him, and I can't apologize! I hurt him, and I'm a season! I have to go back to the heavens, I don't have a choice!"
"There is always a choice." Lady Spring counters, tone firm.
Xie Lian pauses, startled.
"Even now."
"You say you /think/ you love him." She lifts her chin, looking every bit the season she once was. "Do you?"
A dimpled smile curved with laughter. Eyes like stars, brilliant and bright, but also like liquid metal, molten heat. Soft words, low and rumbling.
There is no question.
A dimpled smile curved with laughter. Eyes like stars, brilliant and bright, but also like liquid metal, molten heat. Soft words, low and rumbling.
There is no question.
Not for him.
"Yes."
There never was.
"I love him, Mama."
She smiles, reaching forward to hold his cheek in her palm. "Love is a precious thing, my darling flower. If you love him, then nothing else matters. Not the heavens, not the Hereafter, not the mortal realm. So /love/."
"Yes."
There never was.
"I love him, Mama."
She smiles, reaching forward to hold his cheek in her palm. "Love is a precious thing, my darling flower. If you love him, then nothing else matters. Not the heavens, not the Hereafter, not the mortal realm. So /love/."
He melts into her touch, and her thumb swipes away a stray tear.
"Love with all you are, your whole being." She draws him into her embrace, fingers carding through his hair. "Love, because that is what you /feel/."
"They'll hurt him, Mama." He whispers, voice broken with grief.
"Love with all you are, your whole being." She draws him into her embrace, fingers carding through his hair. "Love, because that is what you /feel/."
"They'll hurt him, Mama." He whispers, voice broken with grief.
"They'll hurt him, and I won't be able to stop them. He isn't a monster! He doesn't deserve to be treated like he--"
The sound that escapes him borders on inhuman.
"He'd /never/ hurt me, Mama." He sobs, his whole body wracked with sorrow. "I know he would never hurt me!"
The sound that escapes him borders on inhuman.
"He'd /never/ hurt me, Mama." He sobs, his whole body wracked with sorrow. "I know he would never hurt me!"
"Shh, it's alright." Lady Spring soothes. "I've got you. Nothing can hurt you, not while I'm here."
"I can't lose him, Mama." Xie Lian whimpers. "I don't want to go back to that life before him."
"You don't have to." She promises.
"It was so /lonely/, Mama."
"I can't lose him, Mama." Xie Lian whimpers. "I don't want to go back to that life before him."
"You don't have to." She promises.
"It was so /lonely/, Mama."
He clings to her, hiding his face in her shoulder. "I don't feel lonely when I with him."
She holds her son until his exhaustion steals him away into sleep. She carries him to the bed, laying him down into the plush sheets and brushing aside his his bangs to kiss his forehead.
She holds her son until his exhaustion steals him away into sleep. She carries him to the bed, laying him down into the plush sheets and brushing aside his his bangs to kiss his forehead.
"It's time, Lady Spring."
She sits up, still at Xie Lian's bedside.
"Your tethers are severing."
"How much did you hear." It is not a question. It's a /command/.
When she turns to look at him, Hua Cheng is standing in the doorway. His gaze is anywhere but Xie Lian's form.
She sits up, still at Xie Lian's bedside.
"Your tethers are severing."
"How much did you hear." It is not a question. It's a /command/.
When she turns to look at him, Hua Cheng is standing in the doorway. His gaze is anywhere but Xie Lian's form.
She sighs, smiling softly even as the first tear begins to fall. "Thank you, sweet child, for granting me this."
"I haven't done anything worth your thanks, Lady Spring." Hua Cheng's voice is soft, meek even.
"You let me linger." She hums. "You'll take care of him in my stead."
"I haven't done anything worth your thanks, Lady Spring." Hua Cheng's voice is soft, meek even.
"You let me linger." She hums. "You'll take care of him in my stead."
She raises a hand before he can argue with her.
"You /will/ care for him. Not because I've asked you to. Not because you feel guilt." The season stands, her hands clasped in front of her. "You'll do it because you want to. I can see it, even if you aren't doing it in person."
"You /will/ care for him. Not because I've asked you to. Not because you feel guilt." The season stands, her hands clasped in front of her. "You'll do it because you want to. I can see it, even if you aren't doing it in person."
She's walking towards him, her bare feet soft pattering as she crosses the room. "You do it because you love /him/ as much as he loves /you/."
"Forgive me, Lady Spring, if I doubt that last sentiment." Hua Cheng smiles, tight with misery. "I am what they make me out to be."
"Forgive me, Lady Spring, if I doubt that last sentiment." Hua Cheng smiles, tight with misery. "I am what they make me out to be."
"You are what you make of yourself, /my lord/." Lady Spring smiles. "I trust you with my son, sweet boy."
He bows his head for her, allowing her to reach out and hold his cheek like a mother would. "You shouldn't."
"I'll be the judge of that."
/He gets his smile from her./
He bows his head for her, allowing her to reach out and hold his cheek like a mother would. "You shouldn't."
"I'll be the judge of that."
/He gets his smile from her./
"Knowing he'll be loved," She says gently, lifting his chin so he looks her in the eye. "That he won't be lonely, that is enough for me."
"I can't promise that." He warns, leaning into her touch without thinking. "I cannot ensure his happiness, not like that."
"You will."
"I can't promise that." He warns, leaning into her touch without thinking. "I cannot ensure his happiness, not like that."
"You will."
"I know you will."
She pulls away from him, starting down the hall. He watches her for a moment, but hesitates at the door. His gaze falls to his feet, just inside the door, then he's following after Lady Spring. He's leaves without a trace, like a phantom haunting the halls.
She pulls away from him, starting down the hall. He watches her for a moment, but hesitates at the door. His gaze falls to his feet, just inside the door, then he's following after Lady Spring. He's leaves without a trace, like a phantom haunting the halls.
He takes her by the arm when they reach the edge of the city, climbing high along jagged cliffs, to a gate.
It stands twice the size of Hua Cheng himself, making him feel impossibly small. Behind the Roth iron bars is a tall, arch. Climbing up the black marble are dead vines.
It stands twice the size of Hua Cheng himself, making him feel impossibly small. Behind the Roth iron bars is a tall, arch. Climbing up the black marble are dead vines.
Within the arch is an opalescent field that shimmers, colors dancing across it's almost liquid surface.
"I can see him." Lady Spring whispers.
The apocalypse smiles, pulling open the gate. "Then go to him, if you're ready."
She takes one step forward, then another.
"I can see him." Lady Spring whispers.
The apocalypse smiles, pulling open the gate. "Then go to him, if you're ready."
She takes one step forward, then another.
She's at the threshold when she turns to look at him, her bright eyes searching.
He's surprised, but it melts away to a faint smile once more. "Don't worry. I promised you, didn't I? When his time comes it will be my arms he is guided into his next life in."
She hesitates.
He's surprised, but it melts away to a faint smile once more. "Don't worry. I promised you, didn't I? When his time comes it will be my arms he is guided into his next life in."
She hesitates.
"Go." He urges gently. "He's waiting for you."
Lady Spring looks back through the gate, grabbing hold of the apocalypse. "Promise me, one last time, that you'll take care of my little boy."
No one can prepare you for this moment.
"I promise."
When you have to let /go/.
Lady Spring looks back through the gate, grabbing hold of the apocalypse. "Promise me, one last time, that you'll take care of my little boy."
No one can prepare you for this moment.
"I promise."
When you have to let /go/.
It's frightening.
"I'm going to hold you to that."
Facing the end of the beginning.
"I'm looking forward to it." He chuckles.
Knowing that, once you take that final step, there is no coming back.
"I'm scared."
"I know."
"Is it always this..."
"Yes."
"Was he frightened?"
"I'm going to hold you to that."
Facing the end of the beginning.
"I'm looking forward to it." He chuckles.
Knowing that, once you take that final step, there is no coming back.
"I'm scared."
"I know."
"Is it always this..."
"Yes."
"Was he frightened?"
Hua Cheng smiles. "Your husband was very brave."
"Brave... but not frightened."
"I did not say that."
She looks to him again.
"Bravery and fear are two sides of the same coin." The apocalypse hums. "One cannot exist without the other."
"Wise words, for a young man."
"Brave... but not frightened."
"I did not say that."
She looks to him again.
"Bravery and fear are two sides of the same coin." The apocalypse hums. "One cannot exist without the other."
"Wise words, for a young man."
He chuckles. "I suppose I will always be a child in your eyes, Lady Spring."
She laughs, then he gaze falls back onto the gate into the next life. The passage of rebirth.
He reaches out with his right hand, smiling gently when he catches her gaze. "I'm here, it's safe."
She laughs, then he gaze falls back onto the gate into the next life. The passage of rebirth.
He reaches out with his right hand, smiling gently when he catches her gaze. "I'm here, it's safe."
Nothing prepares you for the end. For that moment you are walked to the brink of familiar and something new.
Hua Cheng has walked /countless/ souls to this place, has watched this scene for centuries.
It never gets any easier. Crying child, barely six, or a loving mother.
Hua Cheng has walked /countless/ souls to this place, has watched this scene for centuries.
It never gets any easier. Crying child, barely six, or a loving mother.
Nothing can make it any easier.
She touches the liquid surface first, staring into it's depths. Then she takes that step. He doesn't let go.
Not yet.
His hand is disappearing into the shimmering field, but he can still /feel/ her holding his hand. Scared. Trembling.
She touches the liquid surface first, staring into it's depths. Then she takes that step. He doesn't let go.
Not yet.
His hand is disappearing into the shimmering field, but he can still /feel/ her holding his hand. Scared. Trembling.
His arm all the way up to the shoulder is in the field now. He's not afraid. This isn't the frightening part. Not for him.
He won't pass on. He's neither living nor dead.
It's when he falls back, his hand empty, when he feels fear.
Nothing prepares you for the grief. The loss.
He won't pass on. He's neither living nor dead.
It's when he falls back, his hand empty, when he feels fear.
Nothing prepares you for the grief. The loss.
It doesn't get easier. It does not matter if it is a child who died a casualty of War's rampage, or a weary mother, weathered by millennium of life.
It does not matter if they have family or not.
Because even if there is no one else in this lifetime, /he/ grieves them.
It does not matter if they have family or not.
Because even if there is no one else in this lifetime, /he/ grieves them.
Xie Lian wakes alone, his mother is gone.
Somewhere deep within him, he knows that he won't get to see he ever again.
/"So love."/
He pushes himself up from the bed, steeling his resolve.
/"Love with all you are."/
Xie Lian cloaks himself in her memory, stands, and departs.
Somewhere deep within him, he knows that he won't get to see he ever again.
/"So love."/
He pushes himself up from the bed, steeling his resolve.
/"Love with all you are."/
Xie Lian cloaks himself in her memory, stands, and departs.
There are stories of a place that belongs wholly to itself, between the realms of the dead and the damned. A place where mortal souls go to end their cycle of rebirth, and a place where immortals face something far more terrifying.
The stories claim it belongs to Death.
The stories claim it belongs to Death.
The records claim it came before the first lords.
Xie Lian does not walk. He runs.
He runs through Ghost City, to the farthest reaches of the domain of the dead, to the edge of civilization in the afterlife. He runs until the city is far behind him, and he falls to his knees.
Xie Lian does not walk. He runs.
He runs through Ghost City, to the farthest reaches of the domain of the dead, to the edge of civilization in the afterlife. He runs until the city is far behind him, and he falls to his knees.
Looming above him is a tree.
Standing tall, reaching towards the crimson sky for miles overhead, is a withered tree. It's gnarled branches are barren, except for the thousands of silvery creatures that now flutter away from the black bark and towards the living being.
Standing tall, reaching towards the crimson sky for miles overhead, is a withered tree. It's gnarled branches are barren, except for the thousands of silvery creatures that now flutter away from the black bark and towards the living being.
The Wraith Tree.
The only home of the wildly feared Wraith Butterflies.
This is Xie Lian's destination. He watches, unable to look away, as they seem to dance and celebrate all around him like silver flower petals.
Xie Lian isn't afraid.
/They're beautiful./
He's awed.
The only home of the wildly feared Wraith Butterflies.
This is Xie Lian's destination. He watches, unable to look away, as they seem to dance and celebrate all around him like silver flower petals.
Xie Lian isn't afraid.
/They're beautiful./
He's awed.
"Please..." He's not sure if they can understand him. "Please, I need your help."
The swarm coalesces, as if in response, and pull away to flutter about the tree.
"Wait! Don't go! Please!" Xie Lian is desperate, he knows that. Still, there is little else he can do now.
The swarm coalesces, as if in response, and pull away to flutter about the tree.
"Wait! Don't go! Please!" Xie Lian is desperate, he knows that. Still, there is little else he can do now.
Other than beg, that is.
"I need your help. I was not born touched by the other side."
He watches the swarm. There's a shape in the way the swarm moves. He can't determine /what/ it is, but he can see it's there.
"I want to take your curse, willingly, but I'm a season."
"I need your help. I was not born touched by the other side."
He watches the swarm. There's a shape in the way the swarm moves. He can't determine /what/ it is, but he can see it's there.
"I want to take your curse, willingly, but I'm a season."
The shape in the swarm shifts. It vaguely reminds him of a person tilting their head.
"I have to be able to tend to spring... and I can't do that here..."
"The Butterfly Curse has only two cures." A woman's voice is calling out to him. "Rebirth, or a kiss from Death himself."
"I have to be able to tend to spring... and I can't do that here..."
"The Butterfly Curse has only two cures." A woman's voice is calling out to him. "Rebirth, or a kiss from Death himself."
"I know." Xie Lian bows his head, his first bunching in the silk fabric of his clothes. "I know that, and that is precisely why I need your help."
"What makes you so certain you shall be aided?"
"I'm not certain." Xie Lian counters, straightening his back. "I just won't leave."
"What makes you so certain you shall be aided?"
"I'm not certain." Xie Lian counters, straightening his back. "I just won't leave."
There's laughter, like the chiming of bells. "You won't leave until you have your way, is that it?"
"I have a good reason." Xie Lian gnaws on his lip, nervous. "I need someone to... to come back for me when he lets me go."
"Why?"
"I made a mistake, but I..."
"Ah, I see."
"I have a good reason." Xie Lian gnaws on his lip, nervous. "I need someone to... to come back for me when he lets me go."
"Why?"
"I made a mistake, but I..."
"Ah, I see."
The spring lord is startled, but he doesn't dare question things now.
"You will get your wish. If he will not give unto you that which you desire, however, do not expect our sympathy."
"Thank you." Xie Lian breathes through a sigh. Eight butterflies begin to flutter forward.
"You will get your wish. If he will not give unto you that which you desire, however, do not expect our sympathy."
"Thank you." Xie Lian breathes through a sigh. Eight butterflies begin to flutter forward.
What people don't know about apocalypses is that they know when a person has died. Famine knows when a child goes hungry, War can sense the lives of soldiers passing on. Death can sense them /all/.
Hua Cheng is slowly walking down the mountain path when he feels it.
Hua Cheng is slowly walking down the mountain path when he feels it.
A soul brushing against the other side, not quite dead. /Yet./
The alarming thing is that the soul is /here/. In the Hereafter.
"No..."
There is only one living soul in this place between life and death.
"No no no!"
He runs towards the soul, fear eating away at his heart.
The alarming thing is that the soul is /here/. In the Hereafter.
"No..."
There is only one living soul in this place between life and death.
"No no no!"
He runs towards the soul, fear eating away at his heart.
He knows it is already too late before he arrives, but that does not stop him from dropping to his knees beside the collapsed form of Xie Lian, horrified.
"What have you /done/." Hua Cheng looks towards the tree, glaring. "Answer me Meixing!"
The woman who emerges is smiling.
"What have you /done/." Hua Cheng looks towards the tree, glaring. "Answer me Meixing!"
The woman who emerges is smiling.
She's a perfect reflection of the wraith butterflies, hauntingly beautiful and dangerous. She's dressed in shades of grey and blue, the gossamer falling about her in fluttering waves.
"/I/ have done nothing." She raises a hand, smiling at a butterfly as it settles on her finger.
"/I/ have done nothing." She raises a hand, smiling at a butterfly as it settles on her finger.
"They have minds of their own, Child. You know that better than anyone."
"You /let/ them do this."
"I don't 'let' them do anything. I do not /control/ them, I am their /keeper/."
"You should have warned him!" Hua Cheng snarls.
"I did."
The apocalypses blood runs cold.
"You /let/ them do this."
"I don't 'let' them do anything. I do not /control/ them, I am their /keeper/."
"You should have warned him!" Hua Cheng snarls.
"I did."
The apocalypses blood runs cold.
"You warned him. Yet he's still bears the curse."
"He let them touch." Meixing gestures to the collapsed spring lord. "At that point, there is nothing I can do."
"Be grateful that I cannot kill you."
"You can." She smiles. "You're just not strong enough."
He glares.
"Yet."
"He let them touch." Meixing gestures to the collapsed spring lord. "At that point, there is nothing I can do."
"Be grateful that I cannot kill you."
"You can." She smiles. "You're just not strong enough."
He glares.
"Yet."
Hua Cheng lifts Xie Lian into his arms, murmuring an apology. "How long?"
"Eight months."
He sighs, weary with grief. "Enough for him to tend to his season."
"That was his condition."
"They hardly listen to 'conditions'." Hua Cheng snarls. "They care little about boundaries."
"Eight months."
He sighs, weary with grief. "Enough for him to tend to his season."
"That was his condition."
"They hardly listen to 'conditions'." Hua Cheng snarls. "They care little about boundaries."
He does not listen to her further, marching away with the season cradled in his arms.
Nothing prepares you for grief.
Xie Lian makes a small noise, and the apocalypse feels as though he can breathe again.
Nothing compares the relief, however, when someone still /lives/.
Nothing prepares you for grief.
Xie Lian makes a small noise, and the apocalypse feels as though he can breathe again.
Nothing compares the relief, however, when someone still /lives/.
Hua Cheng carries him back to the palace, lays him down in a lush bed, carefully brushes his hair from his face, then tears his gaze away and leaves the room.
"Yin Yu!" He bellows, voice a roar that has all of his spirit staff halting. Then the weary, annoyed attendant appears.
"Yin Yu!" He bellows, voice a roar that has all of his spirit staff halting. Then the weary, annoyed attendant appears.
"Yes?"
Hua Cheng ignores the minor disrespect in not addressing him as a lord, instead surging forward to grab the spirit by his collar. "You were meant to watch over him!"
"Apologies, My Lord, but under duress of my other duties, I was unable to."
"He /is/ the priority!"
Hua Cheng ignores the minor disrespect in not addressing him as a lord, instead surging forward to grab the spirit by his collar. "You were meant to watch over him!"
"Apologies, My Lord, but under duress of my other duties, I was unable to."
"He /is/ the priority!"
Yin Yu's brows knit together, his surprise evident. "My Lord?"
Hua Cheng has never been one to openly reveal his attachments. He grieves in private, at the gate of rebirth, rather than openly.
The lord curses, shoving Yin Yu away. "Watch over him! Inform me when he wakes."
Hua Cheng has never been one to openly reveal his attachments. He grieves in private, at the gate of rebirth, rather than openly.
The lord curses, shoving Yin Yu away. "Watch over him! Inform me when he wakes."
he doesn't wait for a response, marching away. He hurries to the library, hoping among it's many archives there might yet be a solution to this /disaster/.
/"He let them touch."/
Why? Why would he /do/ that?!
Hua Cheng knows there is no third option. He knows better.
/"He let them touch."/
Why? Why would he /do/ that?!
Hua Cheng knows there is no third option. He knows better.
Still, he looks.
He looks until he cannot see straight, leaning heavily against the bookshelf. He looks until his heaving breaths feel like they're choking him. He pulls at his collar, his ghostly hand threatening to tear the fabric apart.
He looks, despite knowing better.
He looks until he cannot see straight, leaning heavily against the bookshelf. He looks until his heaving breaths feel like they're choking him. He pulls at his collar, his ghostly hand threatening to tear the fabric apart.
He looks, despite knowing better.
Soft.
That's the first thing his mind tells him as he begins to wake.
Soft and /warm/.
He blinks his eyes open slowly, his body heavy as lead, and peers above the black satin pillow at the form of a young man. He's staring into the hearth, at the blue flames within.
That's the first thing his mind tells him as he begins to wake.
Soft and /warm/.
He blinks his eyes open slowly, his body heavy as lead, and peers above the black satin pillow at the form of a young man. He's staring into the hearth, at the blue flames within.
He frowns, forcing his limbs to listen as he props himself up. "Where's...?"
"You're awake." The young man turns to look at him. "Good. Don't go anywhere, I'll send someone to fetch the Lord."
"Oh... alright."
The spirit, Xie Lian realizes quickly, steps out of the room then.
"You're awake." The young man turns to look at him. "Good. Don't go anywhere, I'll send someone to fetch the Lord."
"Oh... alright."
The spirit, Xie Lian realizes quickly, steps out of the room then.
He takes in his surroundings, noting that this room is distinctly lived in. The bed is massive, and with a notable dip where someone often lays. /Alone/.
The desk in the corner is cluttered, books and papers stacked high. There's a dark robe draped over a chair by the hearth.
The desk in the corner is cluttered, books and papers stacked high. There's a dark robe draped over a chair by the hearth.
There's dozens of furs and rugs to keep the cold stone from touching bare feet. It's cozy. Lived in.
But it's also lonely.
The spirit returns then, reaching back to retie his hair in a low ponytail. "The Lord will be here shortly. Rest, and if there is anything you need, ask."
But it's also lonely.
The spirit returns then, reaching back to retie his hair in a low ponytail. "The Lord will be here shortly. Rest, and if there is anything you need, ask."
"I don't believe we've met." Xie Lian begins tentatively. "You are?"
"Yin Yu," The spirit's tone is clipped, courteous but not indulgent. The name is vaguely familiar, tickling a part of the season's mind. "I serve the Lord because I do not yet wish to move on."
"Yin Yu," The spirit's tone is clipped, courteous but not indulgent. The name is vaguely familiar, tickling a part of the season's mind. "I serve the Lord because I do not yet wish to move on."
Before Xie Lian can inquire further, the door is slammed open.
"What were you /thinking/?!? You could have /died/ today!" Hua Cheng roars, crossing the room in short strides.
Xie Lian is startled. He'd never been addressed in such a way before, but he does not /cower/.
"What were you /thinking/?!? You could have /died/ today!" Hua Cheng roars, crossing the room in short strides.
Xie Lian is startled. He'd never been addressed in such a way before, but he does not /cower/.
"Death would be preferable to going back to that place. At least in death I would be free." The 'to be with you' goes unsaid.
"This isn't a joke, Lord Spring, this is serious!" Hua Cheng yells. "Without spring, there can be no cycle. With no cycle, the system falls apart!"
"This isn't a joke, Lord Spring, this is serious!" Hua Cheng yells. "Without spring, there can be no cycle. With no cycle, the system falls apart!"
"Spring would still happen, even if I am not there to guide it, San Lang-"
The apocalypse curses, his gaze anywhere but on Xie Lian. "You cannot /possibly/ know that!"
Anger. He knows that's what it is. He's angry.
/Look at me!/ He wants to shout. /Look at me, please!/
The apocalypse curses, his gaze anywhere but on Xie Lian. "You cannot /possibly/ know that!"
Anger. He knows that's what it is. He's angry.
/Look at me!/ He wants to shout. /Look at me, please!/
"Would you come back for me!?" He shouts instead. "If I had not let the butterflies touch me, would you have come back for me!?"
Hua Cheng won't /look/ at him. He does not answer either.
"Answer me! Would you have come back to see me?!"
He knows. He already knows, still...
Hua Cheng won't /look/ at him. He does not answer either.
"Answer me! Would you have come back to see me?!"
He knows. He already knows, still...
"I would not."
...He needs to hear the admission to accept it.
Hua Cheng's words are cold, void of emotion. It's like someone had carved out his heart, and now he is hollow.
Xie Lian /hates/ it.
he hates it /so much/.
"Then I don't regret it."
"You're /cursed/!"
"I am."
...He needs to hear the admission to accept it.
Hua Cheng's words are cold, void of emotion. It's like someone had carved out his heart, and now he is hollow.
Xie Lian /hates/ it.
he hates it /so much/.
"Then I don't regret it."
"You're /cursed/!"
"I am."
Xie Lian looks down at his lap, smiling sadly. "I am indeed cursed."
"To break it you..." Hua Cheng frowns.
The season looks up, hoping to see the other lord staring back at him. He isn't.
"You have to be reborn." His voice is small, heartbroken. "You'll forget everything."
"To break it you..." Hua Cheng frowns.
The season looks up, hoping to see the other lord staring back at him. He isn't.
"You have to be reborn." His voice is small, heartbroken. "You'll forget everything."
"No." Xie Lian hisses, furious. "I refuse."
The apocalypse is frustrated, angry even, yet he still won't /look/. "It's the only way!"
Xie Lian cannot help his involuntary flinch. The insinuation hurts more than an outright rejection.
It's not a matter of /can't/. He /won't/.
The apocalypse is frustrated, angry even, yet he still won't /look/. "It's the only way!"
Xie Lian cannot help his involuntary flinch. The insinuation hurts more than an outright rejection.
It's not a matter of /can't/. He /won't/.
"Well then, I'll just live like this until the end." Xie Lian murmurs, fists balling in his lap.
Hua Cheng is shaking, hands balled into tight fists at his side.
"I'll return to my room..." He slips off the bed, his bare feet meeting lush fur rugs. "And I'm sorry, San Lang."
Hua Cheng is shaking, hands balled into tight fists at his side.
"I'll return to my room..." He slips off the bed, his bare feet meeting lush fur rugs. "And I'm sorry, San Lang."
"For everything..."
Hua Cheng doesn't stop him when he leaves. That hurts more than his silence.
He can take silence. He can fill it with a thousand words.
But only if he's wanted around. Only if his presence isn't a burden.
A fitting punishment, to be back here.
Alone.
Hua Cheng doesn't stop him when he leaves. That hurts more than his silence.
He can take silence. He can fill it with a thousand words.
But only if he's wanted around. Only if his presence isn't a burden.
A fitting punishment, to be back here.
Alone.
Xie Lian spends the night crying into the soft downs of the guest bed, silent as he trembles from every sob.
Come morning, Hua Cheng sends for him. Yin Yu is the one to retrieve him.
"The Lord is going to return you to the heavens today."
The season only nods, hollowed out.
Come morning, Hua Cheng sends for him. Yin Yu is the one to retrieve him.
"The Lord is going to return you to the heavens today."
The season only nods, hollowed out.
"Why did you do it?" Yin Yu murmurs, their pace slow.
"Because I'm foolish." Xie Lian answers. "And I was desperate."
"That isn't much of an answer."
"The truth is seldom what we want to hear."
"Maybe, but that hardly sounded like the truth."
Xie Lian doesn't answer further.
"Because I'm foolish." Xie Lian answers. "And I was desperate."
"That isn't much of an answer."
"The truth is seldom what we want to hear."
"Maybe, but that hardly sounded like the truth."
Xie Lian doesn't answer further.
It's moments later when they approach Hua Cheng, who is staring far off into the distance.
"My Lord," Yin Yu greets faintly.
Hua Cheng turns his head in acknowledgement, but doesn't /look/.
It hurts.
It hurts far worse than he'd thought it would. He'd have preferred rebirth.
"My Lord," Yin Yu greets faintly.
Hua Cheng turns his head in acknowledgement, but doesn't /look/.
It hurts.
It hurts far worse than he'd thought it would. He'd have preferred rebirth.
But he does not ask for that.
Rebirth means starting over. It means letting go. It means forgetting.
He can't do that.
Xie Lian takes Hua Cheng's arm when it is offered, his gaze cast downward.
Yin Yu briefly thinks they look like a lovers learning they must marry another.
Rebirth means starting over. It means letting go. It means forgetting.
He can't do that.
Xie Lian takes Hua Cheng's arm when it is offered, his gaze cast downward.
Yin Yu briefly thinks they look like a lovers learning they must marry another.
They depart in silence, travel just the same, and arrive at the gates of the heavenly capital without a word spoken still.
Xie Lian wants to scream.
"When the season is over..." Hua Cheng starts, voice soft. "I will return to ensure that you don't..."
"Alright... I'll-"
Xie Lian wants to scream.
"When the season is over..." Hua Cheng starts, voice soft. "I will return to ensure that you don't..."
"Alright... I'll-"
They freeze.
/I'll wait for you./
That's something lovers say. Something precious, almost secret.
They aren't lovers.
"Until then, Lord Spring." Hua Cheng turns away, and Xie Lian mourns.
To many words have gone unsaid. There are even more now, and still he can't speak them.
/I'll wait for you./
That's something lovers say. Something precious, almost secret.
They aren't lovers.
"Until then, Lord Spring." Hua Cheng turns away, and Xie Lian mourns.
To many words have gone unsaid. There are even more now, and still he can't speak them.
Xie Lian watches, waiting until his form is gone, before he falls to his knees. He sits there, staring. Not because he has no where to go, but because some small part of him still hopes that Hua Cheng will come back and take him away. That, despite how unlikely, it could be true.
That love is precious, and it can triumph over all else. That if he loves enough, with his entire being, he'll be able to accept things as they are, even if he hates how much it hurts.
He doesn't move until he's found by Feng Xin and Mu Qing. He lets them haul him away.
He doesn't move until he's found by Feng Xin and Mu Qing. He lets them haul him away.
"There you are, Sapling."
Xie Lian startles at the voice of Jun Wu, but he calms moments later. There's a gentle hand on his cheek, and a worried smile on that face.
But it's not who he wants smiling at him.
"Your Majesty..."
"Are you alright? We were all worried for you."
Xie Lian startles at the voice of Jun Wu, but he calms moments later. There's a gentle hand on his cheek, and a worried smile on that face.
But it's not who he wants smiling at him.
"Your Majesty..."
"Are you alright? We were all worried for you."
"I'm... I'm fine, Your Majesty, but..." Xie Lian steels himself for what comes next, not daring to meet Jun Wu's eyes. "But I have the butterfly curse... and when spring ends, I-"
"That bastard!" A lord cries, infuriated. "How dare he!"
"Wait-!" Xie Lian tires, but...
"That bastard!" A lord cries, infuriated. "How dare he!"
"Wait-!" Xie Lian tires, but...
"Placing that curse on a Season! It's blasphemous!"
"How could he! What if Lord Spring dies before he can be aided? What of the cycle?"
"He's trying to end us all!"
...he can't let this continue.
"He didn't place the curse on me!" Xie Lian screams, pulling away from Jun Wu.
"How could he! What if Lord Spring dies before he can be aided? What of the cycle?"
"He's trying to end us all!"
...he can't let this continue.
"He didn't place the curse on me!" Xie Lian screams, pulling away from Jun Wu.
There's silence for a long while, barely a hushed whisper to fill it.
"He did not place the curse on me, because-" Xie Lian swallows thickly. "Because he does not control them. He was /angry/ when he found out."
"He has bewitched you, Sapling." Jun Wu sounds almost heartbroken.
"He did not place the curse on me, because-" Xie Lian swallows thickly. "Because he does not control them. He was /angry/ when he found out."
"He has bewitched you, Sapling." Jun Wu sounds almost heartbroken.
"He has not." Xie Lian argues. "He will not even look at me, much less try to hurt me. If anything, /I/ have bewitched /him/."
There's a growing murmur that's filling the air around them.
"I was cursed through my own foolishness. I know that." It hurts to admit it aloud.
There's a growing murmur that's filling the air around them.
"I was cursed through my own foolishness. I know that." It hurts to admit it aloud.
"It is my punishment, inflicted because I should have known better."
All of heaven stands quiet, watching the season as he drops to his knees, head bowed.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I will tend to spring, and when it ends I will return to the Hereafter until it returns again."
All of heaven stands quiet, watching the season as he drops to his knees, head bowed.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I will tend to spring, and when it ends I will return to the Hereafter until it returns again."
"Sapling..." Jun Wu frowns, pulling him up to his feet once more. "Go and rest. You've had an arduous journey to the realms beyond."
Xie Lian nods, and feels when Feng Xin steps up to his side to lead him away, and knows that Mu Qing is following closely behind.
How fitting.
Xie Lian nods, and feels when Feng Xin steps up to his side to lead him away, and knows that Mu Qing is following closely behind.
How fitting.
Duty and Conviction.
How fitting it is always them who are coming to take him away, to shield him from hurt. The two who have accepted this role as his caretakers. Who do not leave, even when they've brought him back to the palace of eternal spring. Who /stay/, and listen.
How fitting it is always them who are coming to take him away, to shield him from hurt. The two who have accepted this role as his caretakers. Who do not leave, even when they've brought him back to the palace of eternal spring. Who /stay/, and listen.
"I'll get us some tea." Mu Qing is curt, to the point. It brings the season a measure of comfort, knowing that of everything he won't ever waver.
"Lord Spring," Feng Xin starts, voice low with his confusion. "What you said back there... are you /certain/?"
Xie Lian just smiles.
"Lord Spring," Feng Xin starts, voice low with his confusion. "What you said back there... are you /certain/?"
Xie Lian just smiles.
Leave it to a man who's entire being is built around his devotion, to protection, loyalty even, to worry after him so fiercely.
"I am."
When Mu Qing returns some minutes later, Xie Lian is settled on a chaise, a heavy blanket over his legs as he makes a flower bloom.
"I am."
When Mu Qing returns some minutes later, Xie Lian is settled on a chaise, a heavy blanket over his legs as he makes a flower bloom.
The season takes the tea offered to him gratefully, offering another smile at the other lord and sips. It's light, gentle and soothing.
"What all happened while you were gone?" Mu Qing asks at last, brows knitted together.
"Many things." Xie Lian answers, refusing to meet eyes.
"What all happened while you were gone?" Mu Qing asks at last, brows knitted together.
"Many things." Xie Lian answers, refusing to meet eyes.
"That isn't very helpful, Lord Spring." Mu Qing sighs.
The spring lord does not falter, continuing to sip his tea gratefully.
How is he meant to explain it all? How he met with his parents once again, only to lose them. How he found the realm of the dead oddly charming?
The spring lord does not falter, continuing to sip his tea gratefully.
How is he meant to explain it all? How he met with his parents once again, only to lose them. How he found the realm of the dead oddly charming?
How can he explain that even the denizens were just as wonderfully different and welcoming? How is he meant to explain the haunting beauty of a place that differs from the world they all know?
How is he supposed to explain he found love in what most call a hopeless place?
How is he supposed to explain he found love in what most call a hopeless place?
"It was... different." He decides to admit. "But in a pleasant sort of way."
"The realm of the dead? Pleasant?" Feng Xin barely contains his disbelief from further spilling out.
"Different how?" Mu Qing turns his sharp glare from Feng Xin back to the season, watching carefully.
"The realm of the dead? Pleasant?" Feng Xin barely contains his disbelief from further spilling out.
"Different how?" Mu Qing turns his sharp glare from Feng Xin back to the season, watching carefully.
"It's impossible to describe." Xie Lian sighs. "I wouldn't know where to begin."
"You spent nearly three weeks there, how can you not know?" Mu Qing scoffs, brows knitting together. "There must be /something/."
Xie Lian sighed. "It's just pleasantly different."
"You spent nearly three weeks there, how can you not know?" Mu Qing scoffs, brows knitting together. "There must be /something/."
Xie Lian sighed. "It's just pleasantly different."
Neither of them are pleased, but no matter how much they pester and inquire, Xie Lian remains most noncommittal. He admits he was treated well, but he never comments further. They seem to think he’s hiding something.
He’s not, he’s just… sad. /Lonely./
He wants to go back.
He’s not, he’s just… sad. /Lonely./
He wants to go back.
They leave him be once their realize there isn't much more to get out of him. It leaves him to walk alone in the quiet palace.
It's strange. How a few short weeks can change how you perceive things.
This palace isn't just quiet, it's /eerie/. Aside from his footsteps, silence.
It's strange. How a few short weeks can change how you perceive things.
This palace isn't just quiet, it's /eerie/. Aside from his footsteps, silence.
In the Hereafter, Hua Cheng's palace may have been full of spirits, but it had felt alive. /Lived/ in. Xie Lian could hear the soft chatter of the staff working the grounds, tending to what needed to be tended.
Here, the empty halls welcome him like an old friend. Desolate.
Here, the empty halls welcome him like an old friend. Desolate.
He walks the path to his bedroom, the only sound to keep him company being his footfalls and the quiet shifting of his clothes.
Xie Lian has spent years in this palace by himself. Yes, he's felt separate from the other seasons, but he's never felt quite like this. Like a bird.
Xie Lian has spent years in this palace by himself. Yes, he's felt separate from the other seasons, but he's never felt quite like this. Like a bird.
Trapped.
It's silly, really, when he thinks about it. This is how he's /always/ lived. Hidden away, like some precious flower, from the rest of the world. Even seeing his fellow seasons is a bit of an ordeal. It's just how he's always lived.
/"Gege, that's not sheltered."/
It's silly, really, when he thinks about it. This is how he's /always/ lived. Hidden away, like some precious flower, from the rest of the world. Even seeing his fellow seasons is a bit of an ordeal. It's just how he's always lived.
/"Gege, that's not sheltered."/
Xie Lian freezes. He's standing in the center of the path, a splash of color in a marble hallway.
He had never gotten to finish what he'd been saying that day. It eats away at the season now, filling his core with an emotion he cannot name.
Elsewhere, a white flower blooms.
He had never gotten to finish what he'd been saying that day. It eats away at the season now, filling his core with an emotion he cannot name.
Elsewhere, a white flower blooms.
Perhaps it's fate that something so pure could achieve something so impossible.
"My my, what have we here?"
Perhaps it's fate that life blooms where the dead walk.
"Quite the omen indeed." Meixing hums, interest gleaming in her eyes. "for the better or worse, I wonder."
"My my, what have we here?"
Perhaps it's fate that life blooms where the dead walk.
"Quite the omen indeed." Meixing hums, interest gleaming in her eyes. "for the better or worse, I wonder."
She leans down, carefully lifting the bloom and the soil in which it has taken root, and examines it further.
Despite all odds, it defies the very nature of the land of the dead, a realm where nothing grows.
Meixing smiles. "I know just where to put you, precious thing."
Despite all odds, it defies the very nature of the land of the dead, a realm where nothing grows.
Meixing smiles. "I know just where to put you, precious thing."
When Xie Lian is seen by the other lords and ladies of heaven, they are surprised.
Spring had always been refined, in an innocent and naïve way. The season they see now is an image that reflects his mother. Dignified, demure but calculating. Soft but still dangerous.
Spring had always been refined, in an innocent and naïve way. The season they see now is an image that reflects his mother. Dignified, demure but calculating. Soft but still dangerous.
He has not changed much of anything. He still dons the same soft shades of pink and dark evergreen accents. He still has the same flowers blooming in his hair.
It's in his air, in the way he walks and the way he smiles. The way he looks at those around him.
/"He's changed."/
It's in his air, in the way he walks and the way he smiles. The way he looks at those around him.
/"He's changed."/
Idle gossip, whispers about how Spring no longer looks quite so delicate. The rose of heaven, something beautiful and rich with character.
But roses have thorns. Xie Lian will not let his be cut any longer.
/"You are only as strong as you choose to be."/
He's no seedling.
But roses have thorns. Xie Lian will not let his be cut any longer.
/"You are only as strong as you choose to be."/
He's no seedling.
/"You need only wield your power to see."/
He is a /season/.
When he greets Shi Qingxuan, the transition of spring to summer at last upon them, he softens. He's still Xie Lian, the rose of heaven, but /this/ rose has /thorns/.
"Ready?" Xie Lian asks.
He is a /season/.
When he greets Shi Qingxuan, the transition of spring to summer at last upon them, he softens. He's still Xie Lian, the rose of heaven, but /this/ rose has /thorns/.
"Ready?" Xie Lian asks.
He's not afraid to use them, either.
"Ready." Lord Summer affirms.
When it begins, Xie Lian lets his grief go. It surges, pushed through his body into the power that makes him a season, and shrouds the two seasons in a tangle of wild undergrowth. Sword sharp barbs covered it.
"Ready." Lord Summer affirms.
When it begins, Xie Lian lets his grief go. It surges, pushed through his body into the power that makes him a season, and shrouds the two seasons in a tangle of wild undergrowth. Sword sharp barbs covered it.
Within, however, Xie Lian and Shi Qingxuan are safely nestled against a thick layer of moss, and small bioluminescent motes float about the enclosed space, lighting the dark. Xie Lian is still dripping with power, it falling from his fingertips like petals, and fuels the vines.
He marvels at what he's created, then looks to his fellow season and finds-
"How the hell are you doing that?"
Awe.
"Someone... someone told me that our emotions are power." The two share smiles. "I'm just /feeling/."
"It's incredible!"
"Thanks, but I feel a little silly."
"How the hell are you doing that?"
Awe.
"Someone... someone told me that our emotions are power." The two share smiles. "I'm just /feeling/."
"It's incredible!"
"Thanks, but I feel a little silly."
"Oh! Right, sorry!" Shi Qingxuan does not hesitate, his power rising to meet Xie Lian's. They coil together, making the entanglement above them properly bloom, the summer flowers bursting with a life neither have seen before. It's /lovely/.
Outside, Shi Wudu is being held back.
Outside, Shi Wudu is being held back.
Ling Wen is pulling him away, but her grip isn't enough to hold a frantic brother.
This.... /thing/ has never sprouted before! Every time spring turns to summer, it was a beautiful dance of power, but this?
This is clash of Xie Lian's might as a season against Shi Qingxuan's.
This.... /thing/ has never sprouted before! Every time spring turns to summer, it was a beautiful dance of power, but this?
This is clash of Xie Lian's might as a season against Shi Qingxuan's.
It's terrifying.
It's still growing, tendrils snaking out and coiling around the building and formations of the capital as the ball of barbed vine remains impenetrable.
Shi Wudu knows what it's like to be afraid. He's felt fear before.
What he feels now is utter /terror/.
It's still growing, tendrils snaking out and coiling around the building and formations of the capital as the ball of barbed vine remains impenetrable.
Shi Wudu knows what it's like to be afraid. He's felt fear before.
What he feels now is utter /terror/.
It's not until familiar eyes, like molten metal, are meeting his own that he startles. Not because of meeting another gaze.
"Pei!" Shi Wudu shouts, bordering hysterical. "Let me go! He's still /in/ there!"
it's due to ease in which he's hefted off his feet and carried away.
"Pei!" Shi Wudu shouts, bordering hysterical. "Let me go! He's still /in/ there!"
it's due to ease in which he's hefted off his feet and carried away.
"It's dangerous!" Pei Ming hisses, hauling Shi Wudu away from what can only be described as a pod where two seasons are hidden within. "Lord Spring would never hurt him! He'll be fine!"
"You don't know that!" Shi Wudu screams, clawing at the man holding him to get away.
"You don't know that!" Shi Wudu screams, clawing at the man holding him to get away.
"He has never been violent before!" Pei argues, exasperated. "What could change his mind now?"
"I don't fucking know, maybe the fact he was in the realm of the dead for THREE WEEKS!?" The winter lord shrieks.
Then the heavens shake, and small glowing motes begin to drift out.
"I don't fucking know, maybe the fact he was in the realm of the dead for THREE WEEKS!?" The winter lord shrieks.
Then the heavens shake, and small glowing motes begin to drift out.
"Someone!" Shi Qingxuan screams, climbing out of a rapidly decaying vine pod. "Someone please! He needs help!"
Mu Qing and Feng Xin are moving before anyone can even begin to think, their natures overriding their shock.
They carefully climb over the lip of the pod, then freeze.
Mu Qing and Feng Xin are moving before anyone can even begin to think, their natures overriding their shock.
They carefully climb over the lip of the pod, then freeze.
Inside, nestled amongst the rotting moss and undergrowth, is a shivering season. His robes are stained, the edges of the fabric rotted like flower petals, and his eyes glassy.
Feng Xin turns his head, screaming for a healer. Mu Qing and sliding down into the mess within.
Feng Xin turns his head, screaming for a healer. Mu Qing and sliding down into the mess within.
When the lord of conviction, settles at the season's side, he's stunned to find a warm yet wobbly smile greet him.
"Help me walk back to the palace?"
Mu Qing frowns. "You shouldn't be walking. You're..."
"I just need rest." Xie Lian sighs, shivering again. "I'm... tired."
"Help me walk back to the palace?"
Mu Qing frowns. "You shouldn't be walking. You're..."
"I just need rest." Xie Lian sighs, shivering again. "I'm... tired."
The lord clicks his tongue, pulling the season into his arms. "Don't fall asleep. I'll take you back."
Feng Xin is there moments later, jittery with fear. "Can you-"
"Not here, damnit!" Mu Qing hisses. "And definitely not with you hovering. Go take a hike or something!"
Feng Xin is there moments later, jittery with fear. "Can you-"
"Not here, damnit!" Mu Qing hisses. "And definitely not with you hovering. Go take a hike or something!"
Xie Lian lets out a small, breathless laugh. The season is fading quickly, his mind sinking deeper into the lull of exhaustion.
He'll be fine. He knows that, somehow, he'll be okay. He just feels so... tired. His body is heavy, no longer filled with the vigor of spring.
He'll be fine. He knows that, somehow, he'll be okay. He just feels so... tired. His body is heavy, no longer filled with the vigor of spring.
A flower, living and blooming so beautifully, sits on his desk. It's small, no bigger than a few drops of water in his palm, and oh so delicate.
Hua Cheng admires it, but he dares not touch it. He talks to the flower quietly from time to time, but he never receives an answer.
Hua Cheng admires it, but he dares not touch it. He talks to the flower quietly from time to time, but he never receives an answer.
"Did he make you?" the apocalypse finally asks, voice soft as he lets his hand hover near the flower. "Did he defy everything to make you bloom?"
The flower sways faintly with his breath, still beautiful. Still perfect.
Like that beautiful soul, who /smiled/ at him.
The flower sways faintly with his breath, still beautiful. Still perfect.
Like that beautiful soul, who /smiled/ at him.
"Ah there you are." The door to Hua Cheng's study swings open, in walking a form clad in various shades of rich blues and fine gold. "I've been looking for you all over. What the hell happened?"
"If you heard, why are you asking."
"Oh shit." He Xuan chuckles. "So it's true."
"If you heard, why are you asking."
"Oh shit." He Xuan chuckles. "So it's true."
Hua Cheng send a withering glare at the other apocalypse. "Famine, leave me alone."
"No can do. You have been a hermit since the whole Season fiasco, and we have jobs to do."
"What has War done now."
"Decimated an entire coastal city." He Xuan hums.
"No can do. You have been a hermit since the whole Season fiasco, and we have jobs to do."
"What has War done now."
"Decimated an entire coastal city." He Xuan hums.
"I can't bring the souls back, since y'know, that's your job with Qi Rong doing fuck all."
"The next time I see that runt, I'm throwing him through the gate."
"Please do, it'll save us all the headache." He Xuan drawls. "Now, onto the bigger matter."
"I hate you saying that."
"The next time I see that runt, I'm throwing him through the gate."
"Please do, it'll save us all the headache." He Xuan drawls. "Now, onto the bigger matter."
"I hate you saying that."
"What are you going to do about spring?"
"Nothing." Hua Cheng hisses.
"You can't just do nothing-"
"I don't have a choice, Black Water!" The apocalypse snarls. "He won't let himself be reborn! If he is unwilling there is no guarantee he'll survive the process and return!"
"Nothing." Hua Cheng hisses.
"You can't just do nothing-"
"I don't have a choice, Black Water!" The apocalypse snarls. "He won't let himself be reborn! If he is unwilling there is no guarantee he'll survive the process and return!"
"Then why haven't you-"
"Because I will not force him!" Hua Cheng stands, grabbing his chair and throwing it across the room. The bookshelf it collides with topples, spilling countless tomes. His breathing is harsh, his gaze wild.
He Xuan frowns. "There's more, isn't there?"
"Because I will not force him!" Hua Cheng stands, grabbing his chair and throwing it across the room. The bookshelf it collides with topples, spilling countless tomes. His breathing is harsh, his gaze wild.
He Xuan frowns. "There's more, isn't there?"
When Hua Cheng doesn't answer, He Xuan sighs. "He can't live like this forever."
"I KNOW!" Hua Cheng snaps, his ghost hand leaving grooves in the fine wood as his claws scrape across the surface. "I know."
"You'll have to do something."
"I /can't/."
"Then figure it out."
"I KNOW!" Hua Cheng snaps, his ghost hand leaving grooves in the fine wood as his claws scrape across the surface. "I know."
"You'll have to do something."
"I /can't/."
"Then figure it out."
"Now that the transition of seasons has begun, you don't have a choice. You'll have to go back for him."
"I know!" Hua Cheng wants to scream, but he grits his teeth, glaring. "I know that. I'll figure something out!"
"You better. You're running out of time."
"I know!" Hua Cheng wants to scream, but he grits his teeth, glaring. "I know that. I'll figure something out!"
"You better. You're running out of time."
He knows he is. Soon, Summer will take over completely and Spring's strength with dwindle until it settles into a dormant state, like all seasons do. A season is strongest during their cycle. When Xie Lian's strength gives out...
Hua Cheng doesn't want to think about it further.
Hua Cheng doesn't want to think about it further.
But it's all that he can think about.
Even long after He Xuan has departed, Hua Cheng is thinking about the inevitable reunion.
Seasons come and go so quickly, and he isn't /prepared/.
"Lord."
But that's the thing.
"The heavens are calling for you."
Time waits for no one.
Even long after He Xuan has departed, Hua Cheng is thinking about the inevitable reunion.
Seasons come and go so quickly, and he isn't /prepared/.
"Lord."
But that's the thing.
"The heavens are calling for you."
Time waits for no one.
Hua Cheng does not drag his feet, but his mounting dread deepens with every step as he approaches the gates of heaven. Xie Lian is not waiting for him, as he might have expected, and instead there is two other lords. Powerful, due to their natures, but not enough.
"Where is he?"
"Where is he?"
"This way." The slightly taller of the two says gruffly, glaring the entire time.
If it weren't for the fact he already felt /miserable/, Hua Cheng would probably laugh about it.
If it weren't for the fact he already felt /miserable/, Hua Cheng would probably laugh about it.
The pair lead him through the streets of heaven, looking back at him intermittently to ensure that he's following, towards a looming palace that is enshrouded in all kinds of greenery, flowers blooming from every vine.
The Palace of Eternal Spring, home of said Season.
The Palace of Eternal Spring, home of said Season.
Hua Cheng doesn't need to be prompted, walking forward and through the gate into main courtyard where a small stone path breaks the flora into a navigable area. As he walks, he peers about at the tall gentle curves and arches, and how every inch is covered with /life/.
Wisteria hangs over many of the arches, and roses seem to grow up around those places to meet the soft pinks and purples.
orchids litter every space, splashes of rich blues and purples, soft pinks and even white here or there.
Azaleas, chrysanthemums, and even forget-me-nots.
orchids litter every space, splashes of rich blues and purples, soft pinks and even white here or there.
Azaleas, chrysanthemums, and even forget-me-nots.
He cannot even begin to count all of them, but that does not matter much to him at the moment for he walks the halls like a phantom, seeking the soul that now cries out, desperate to escape from tripping over to the other side.
Nothing prepares you for grief.
Nothing prepares you for grief.
It's late afternoon, and the light that filters through the canopy into this secluded garden within the palace of eternal spring is a rich golden color.
Nothing prepares you for that dread of losing someone you hold impossibly dear.
Laying amidst a bed of gardenia, is Xie Lian.
Nothing prepares you for that dread of losing someone you hold impossibly dear.
Laying amidst a bed of gardenia, is Xie Lian.
The apocalypse approaches tentatively, staring down at that peaceful face, chestnut locks spilled all around the slumbering form like silk. Xie Lian does not move aside from a slow rise and fall of his chest.
The apocalypse hesitates for only a moment, fearing what may follow.
The apocalypse hesitates for only a moment, fearing what may follow.
He kneels, reaching out with his right hand to brush his fingertips along the season's arm, and waits. His hand trembles, the spectral monstrosity of bone and ghostly sinew a start contrast to the living body beneath it's touch.
For a moment, nothing changes, and dread sets in.
For a moment, nothing changes, and dread sets in.
It's a slowly building feeling, that soon is all consuming as the possibility of having failed crests upon you. The fear of never knowing what could have been or how to grieve this sudden and unfair loss.
Then, Xie Lian /breathes/, sudden and deep, and his eyes open wide.
Then, Xie Lian /breathes/, sudden and deep, and his eyes open wide.
Nothing prepares you for the relief that the one you love still /lives/.
"There you are." Xie Lian sighs, easing back into the flowers with a soft smile. "I'm sorry, I know it must be inconvenient to come get me."
Hua Cheng dismisses the thought with a flick of his other hand.
"There you are." Xie Lian sighs, easing back into the flowers with a soft smile. "I'm sorry, I know it must be inconvenient to come get me."
Hua Cheng dismisses the thought with a flick of his other hand.
"Nonesense." the apocalypse says through a tight smile. "It's not an inconvenience if it's you."
What hurts is knowing that it isn't a lie. He would do anything for Xie Lian, so much so he fears there might be nothing he /wouldn't/ do.
The look he earns in return is sorrowed.
What hurts is knowing that it isn't a lie. He would do anything for Xie Lian, so much so he fears there might be nothing he /wouldn't/ do.
The look he earns in return is sorrowed.
Hua Cheng does not meet the season's gaze, he can't. He helps Xie Lian to his feet, but he keeps his stare strictly forward.
Xie Lian keeps his arms hooked about the apocalypse's allowing himself to be lead from the overgrown palace.
"You came for me."
"I did."
"Thank you."
Xie Lian keeps his arms hooked about the apocalypse's allowing himself to be lead from the overgrown palace.
"You came for me."
"I did."
"Thank you."
"You did not leave me much of a choice, Lord Spring."
"Perhaps not." Xie Lian murmurs, voice incredibly soft. "But you could have always left me to die."
No. Hua Cheng thinks, heart in his throat. No I couldn't. Not when you are the only good thing I have ever had in my life.
"Perhaps not." Xie Lian murmurs, voice incredibly soft. "But you could have always left me to die."
No. Hua Cheng thinks, heart in his throat. No I couldn't. Not when you are the only good thing I have ever had in my life.
When they step out of the palace of eternal spring, the streets are filled with the lords and ladies who had all hidden when Hua Cheng had arrived. Standing dead center before the apocalypse and season is none other the heavens' ruler. Jun Wu.
"You cannot take him."
"You cannot take him."
"If I do not, he will perish." Hua Cheng sighs, weary. "He is already claimed by death, and thus, as the lord of, it is my duty to bring him to the land of dead to heal. I will return him come spring."
The congregation erupts into a riot. Hua Cheng shakes his head, but-
The congregation erupts into a riot. Hua Cheng shakes his head, but-
"I am going willingly!"
Hua Cheng turns, eye wide at the outburst of the season. Xie Lian glares, straightening up. He keeps one hand hooked with Hua Cheng's arm, and raises his chin.
"I got myself into this mess, now let me deal with the aftermath with some dignity!"
Hua Cheng turns, eye wide at the outburst of the season. Xie Lian glares, straightening up. He keeps one hand hooked with Hua Cheng's arm, and raises his chin.
"I got myself into this mess, now let me deal with the aftermath with some dignity!"
The crowd is shocked to silence, but Jun Wu's eyes narrow. "Sapling-"
"I would have spent the rest of the year locked up /anyway/, Your Majesty. What difference does it make if I am in the realm of the dead for the same amount of time?"
"Lord Spring..."
"Let me go, please."
"I would have spent the rest of the year locked up /anyway/, Your Majesty. What difference does it make if I am in the realm of the dead for the same amount of time?"
"Lord Spring..."
"Let me go, please."
Hua Cheng watches as the crowd slowly parts, the last to move being Jun Wu himself, who stares harshly at them. The apocalypse keeps his calm when Xie Lian settles at his side, allowing himself to be led away.
They are followed to the gates, and the apocalypse wants to scream.
They are followed to the gates, and the apocalypse wants to scream.
"Hold onto me." Hua Cheng murmurs. "The journey isn't pleasant otherwise."
"I know." Xie Lian answers softly, clinging to him a bit tighter. "I remember."
The world shifts all around them, as if they're seeing it through a kaleidoscope, before reality settles back to red skies.
"I know." Xie Lian answers softly, clinging to him a bit tighter. "I remember."
The world shifts all around them, as if they're seeing it through a kaleidoscope, before reality settles back to red skies.
The moment they are within the realm of the dead, Hua Cheng carefully removes Xie Lian's hold on his arm and starts forward. "You are free to wander, Lord Spring. Yin Yu can assist you should you require anything."
"San Lang-"
"I'll be going now, Lord Spring."
Xie Lian frowns.
"San Lang-"
"I'll be going now, Lord Spring."
Xie Lian frowns.
Hua Cheng leaves, his heart in his throat, and marches to the one place he had resolved, years ago, to never seek solace from again.
"Come, my child."
He goes, falling to his knees in the garden of black flowers. Gardenia, so similar to what he'd seen just minutes ago.
"Come, my child."
He goes, falling to his knees in the garden of black flowers. Gardenia, so similar to what he'd seen just minutes ago.
Fingers card through his hair when his head falls onto a lap, his eye falling shut.
"What happened, child?"
"He almost died." Hua Cheng murmurs.
"You knew it was coming."
"I did."
"It doesn't hurt any less, though, does it?"
"Not at all." The sound is broken, shaking.
"What happened, child?"
"He almost died." Hua Cheng murmurs.
"You knew it was coming."
"I did."
"It doesn't hurt any less, though, does it?"
"Not at all." The sound is broken, shaking.
Nails scraping soothingly along the apocalypse's scalp. "There is a way to save him. You know that."
"It isn't a matter of knowing how to save him, it is a matter of him being willing to be saved."
"Did you tell him his options?"
"I told him about being reborn..."
"It isn't a matter of knowing how to save him, it is a matter of him being willing to be saved."
"Did you tell him his options?"
"I told him about being reborn..."
"Sweet child." Meixing sighs, endeared but exasperated. "That is but one of his options."
"The others are die, or become like me, Meixing." The apocalypse does not meet her gaze, which bores into him like glittering jewels. "Those aren't much for choices."
"Did he say that?"
"The others are die, or become like me, Meixing." The apocalypse does not meet her gaze, which bores into him like glittering jewels. "Those aren't much for choices."
"Did he say that?"
The silence is poignant, and it brings a chuckle out of her. "You have not asked him, have you?"
"How could I?" Hua Cheng lifts his head from her lap, staring up at her now. "He would not want a life like this! Neither alive nor dead!"
She tilts her head, thoughtful. "Perhaps."
"How could I?" Hua Cheng lifts his head from her lap, staring up at her now. "He would not want a life like this! Neither alive nor dead!"
She tilts her head, thoughtful. "Perhaps."
When she moves again, the jewels hanging from her ears, and the beads around her hand make soft jingling and clacking sounds as she moves, barely audible until you get this close. Her dark hair falls around her as she stands, petting his hair once, then raising his chin.
"But, /My Lord/, you should not assume to know another's mind. Destiny works in strange ways, and yours may not always be that which it seems."
"Like the mortal who changed his fate..?"
Meixing smiles, wistful. "Like the mortal who changed his fate, but did not steal it."
"Like the mortal who changed his fate..?"
Meixing smiles, wistful. "Like the mortal who changed his fate, but did not steal it."
To say that he is upset would be an understatement. Xie Lian is utterly furious. Not at Hua Cheng- he could never, not after what happened last time- but at himself.
The fury is all consuming, devouring him in a way that breaks his heart. Leaves adrift in it's wake, alone again.
The fury is all consuming, devouring him in a way that breaks his heart. Leaves adrift in it's wake, alone again.
Xie Lian walks.
He does not stop walking. He keeps going until his feet ache. He wanders, heart in his throat. He keeps going until he's stopped by a low rumbling growl, a territorial sound.
When the spring lord raises his head, it's to see snowy white fur, and crimson eyes.
He does not stop walking. He keeps going until his feet ache. He wanders, heart in his throat. He keeps going until he's stopped by a low rumbling growl, a territorial sound.
When the spring lord raises his head, it's to see snowy white fur, and crimson eyes.
The creature, this spirit, is taller than him, looming with the promise of danger. The season stays as still as he can muster, his quick startled breathes giving him away. The spirit ducks its head, its wolfish snout nosing at Xie Lian's hands and clothes.
He doesn't dare move.
He doesn't dare move.
His hand is coaxed over thick, soft fur. He stumbles when that bulky presses into him too strongly. He doesn't fall, however.
He stares in shock as the spirit tugs him back by his clothes, gentle and staring up at him as if in apology.
Then it lays down, looking up at him.
He stares in shock as the spirit tugs him back by his clothes, gentle and staring up at him as if in apology.
Then it lays down, looking up at him.
The season kneels down slowly, tilting his head and watching this spirit do the same, it's haunting red gaze meeting his timidly.
When Xie Lian runs his hand through the thick coat of fur again, the spirit practically purrs under his hand.
"You're very sweet, aren't you?"
When Xie Lian runs his hand through the thick coat of fur again, the spirit practically purrs under his hand.
"You're very sweet, aren't you?"
The spirit chuffs, ears flicking, then nuzzles into the season's touch again. It makes Xie Lian laugh, settling down to ruffle fur and gently scratch behind the ears of this animal spirit. He squeals, delighted, when the spirit licks a wet stripe up his cheek lovingly.
"Who might you be?" He smiles, endeared as the creature rests it's head on his lap. "You don't look like many of the other spirits here."
Crimson eyes look up at him, but the spirit does not move away.
"You aren't like the others anyway." Xie Lian hums. "Your eyes say it all."
Crimson eyes look up at him, but the spirit does not move away.
"You aren't like the others anyway." Xie Lian hums. "Your eyes say it all."
His fingers work deftly in combing out a few tangles from the thick fur.
"They match his." Xie Lian murmurs after a long moment of silence. "They're pretty."
The spirit chuffs again, nuzzling into the season with more insistence. It makes him laugh again, smile warm and fond.
"They match his." Xie Lian murmurs after a long moment of silence. "They're pretty."
The spirit chuffs again, nuzzling into the season with more insistence. It makes him laugh again, smile warm and fond.
They stay there, hidden from prying eyes in the wilderness, for quite a while.
It isn't until Yin Yu approaches, a lantern held in his hand that casts pale white light, that Xie Lian realizes how long he's been out here. Alone.
"Lord Spring," Yin Yu begins,
It isn't until Yin Yu approaches, a lantern held in his hand that casts pale white light, that Xie Lian realizes how long he's been out here. Alone.
"Lord Spring," Yin Yu begins,
"It's good that you are unharmed."
The season nods, getting to his feet and offering the animal spirit a few more ear scritches.
"It seems Zhen has taken to you." The spirit hums. "Good, he can keep you safe in my absence."
"Why would I need a guardian?"
"You're alive."
The season nods, getting to his feet and offering the animal spirit a few more ear scritches.
"It seems Zhen has taken to you." The spirit hums. "Good, he can keep you safe in my absence."
"Why would I need a guardian?"
"You're alive."
Xie Lian ponders these words as they walk back, and as he does, his gaze is locked onto Yin Yu. Zhen walks at his side, a comforting presence, and catches him when he stumbles.
Yin Yu, however, raises the lantern higher at some points, staring into the dim.
Yin Yu, however, raises the lantern higher at some points, staring into the dim.
The lantern glows a little brighter, pushing the darkness back.
That isn't what causes the season to tilt his head, however, eyeing the spirit leading them back to the city.
Yin Yu will always turn to look back and check on them, and every time Xie Lian eyes him a little more.
That isn't what causes the season to tilt his head, however, eyeing the spirit leading them back to the city.
Yin Yu will always turn to look back and check on them, and every time Xie Lian eyes him a little more.
Sometimes, he swears, there's wisps of something dark and glittering that vanishes within seconds of the spirit turning around. That does not, however, change the fact that is takes some time for his eyes to return.
"Yin Yu." The season calls gently.
"Yes, Lord Spring?"
"Yin Yu." The season calls gently.
"Yes, Lord Spring?"
"You once told me that you served San Lang because you don't wish to move on."
"I did." He agrees, flicking his braid over his shoulder.
"You don't have to be dead to pass through the gate."
Yin Yu is undeterred. "You need only be guided through by the Lord."
"I did." He agrees, flicking his braid over his shoulder.
"You don't have to be dead to pass through the gate."
Yin Yu is undeterred. "You need only be guided through by the Lord."
"San Lang is kind." Xie Lian hums. "He'd never make someone pass through if they were not ready, nor wished to."
"Such is the Lord's benevolence."
"May I ask you something else?"
"Of course."
"Why is a living lord serving another in the realm of the dead?"
Yin Yu freezes.
"Such is the Lord's benevolence."
"May I ask you something else?"
"Of course."
"Why is a living lord serving another in the realm of the dead?"
Yin Yu freezes.
"What makes you think I am alive...?" He asks, caution lacing his words.
"I'm not a fool." Xie Lian hums. "You had me convinced at first, but... well a season who has died is always reborn shortly after, unless of course they have an heir like my mother."
Ah, so that's it.
"I'm not a fool." Xie Lian hums. "You had me convinced at first, but... well a season who has died is always reborn shortly after, unless of course they have an heir like my mother."
Ah, so that's it.
"Are you... Are you the Lord of Night?" Xie Lian finally asks after a moment of hesitation. "The one who has been missing?"
Yin Yu sighs, resigned. "What gave me away?"
"Your using your powers to keep the darkness at bay... it... it shows."
Yin Yu sighs, resigned. "What gave me away?"
"Your using your powers to keep the darkness at bay... it... it shows."
"Do you do that often?"
Yin Yu sighs again. "The hereafter doesn't have a cycle of its own beyond rebirth. The time is a reflection of the mortal realm. When I do my job... it marks another day for the souls lingering here and..."
"And?"
"They find comfort in the moonlight."
Yin Yu sighs again. "The hereafter doesn't have a cycle of its own beyond rebirth. The time is a reflection of the mortal realm. When I do my job... it marks another day for the souls lingering here and..."
"And?"
"They find comfort in the moonlight."
Xie Lian smiles, expression soft. "You help comfort them?"
"Sometimes." Yin Yu motions for the season to follow again, Zhen trailing after. "When time allows. Other times they just follow me around and stand beneath the lantern."
"Do they not like the Hereafter's moon?"
"Sometimes." Yin Yu motions for the season to follow again, Zhen trailing after. "When time allows. Other times they just follow me around and stand beneath the lantern."
"Do they not like the Hereafter's moon?"
"It's... It isn't the same for them." Yin Yu finally says. "Everything here, in the Realm of the Dead, is tinged red with the Lord's power. While the sky itself may be similar to the mortal realm, you also know that during the day the sky is red. They... miss the mortal realm."
"You're that connection back to their lives." Xie Lian murmurs, smiling sadly.
"Yes."
"It's very kind, you know."
Yin Yu glances back at the season, who admires the sky above them.
"What you're doing. Helping them."
"It's... It's my job to help them."
"Maybe so."
"Yes."
"It's very kind, you know."
Yin Yu glances back at the season, who admires the sky above them.
"What you're doing. Helping them."
"It's... It's my job to help them."
"Maybe so."
Upon returning to the city proper, Yin Yu makes quick work of navigating them through the streets towards the palace Hua Cheng resides in.
Xie Lian is more than a little surprised when Yin Yu motions for him to continue following as they navigate the palace halls.
Xie Lian is more than a little surprised when Yin Yu motions for him to continue following as they navigate the palace halls.
“My Lord,” Yin Yu calls. “I’ve returned.”
Xie Lian turns his gaze from admiring a tapestry to an open field.
One where a particular apocalypse stands tall, heaving for breath and covered in a layer of sweat. Chest bare, revealing toned muscle to the many viewers now eyeing him.
Xie Lian turns his gaze from admiring a tapestry to an open field.
One where a particular apocalypse stands tall, heaving for breath and covered in a layer of sweat. Chest bare, revealing toned muscle to the many viewers now eyeing him.
It is this way that Xie Lian learns the extent of the ghostly hand Hua Cheng has. It claims his entire forearm, the bones within visible as he moves.
Xie Lian is not afraid, swallowing thickly as the apocalypse turns, revealing himself fully in only his pants and boots.
Xie Lian is not afraid, swallowing thickly as the apocalypse turns, revealing himself fully in only his pants and boots.
Hua Cheng looks disinterested at best, utterly vexed at worst.
Then he seems to take in that Yin Yu /isn’t/ alone. His expression changes rapidly, his eye growing wide before he’s turning on his heel.
“Good.” He starts, voice shaky. “Back to work with you.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Then he seems to take in that Yin Yu /isn’t/ alone. His expression changes rapidly, his eye growing wide before he’s turning on his heel.
“Good.” He starts, voice shaky. “Back to work with you.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Yin Yu departs with little ceremony, giving the season a meaningful look as he leaves.
When Xie Lian looks back, Hua Cheng is running a hand through his hair, sighing heavily. He stands over a pile of his things.
“San Lang?”
The apocalypse’s shoulders tense visibly.
When Xie Lian looks back, Hua Cheng is running a hand through his hair, sighing heavily. He stands over a pile of his things.
“San Lang?”
The apocalypse’s shoulders tense visibly.
“May I speak with you…?”
“We are speaking now, are we not, Lord Spring?” Hua Cheng doesn’t /look/ at him.
“I suppose that’s true…” the season turns away, hands folded over his lap.
He hears Hua Cheng rustle through his things. “What would you like to discuss…?”
“We are speaking now, are we not, Lord Spring?” Hua Cheng doesn’t /look/ at him.
“I suppose that’s true…” the season turns away, hands folded over his lap.
He hears Hua Cheng rustle through his things. “What would you like to discuss…?”
“There’s…” the season starts, tentatively. “There’s much to say, and things I wish to correct…”
“I see.” The apocalypse, Xie Lian realizes, does not sound as such.
He turns, hand over his chest to protect his aching heart, hoping that he can fix this. “San Lang, I’m-“
“I see.” The apocalypse, Xie Lian realizes, does not sound as such.
He turns, hand over his chest to protect his aching heart, hoping that he can fix this. “San Lang, I’m-“
“Lord Spring.” Hua Cheng starts, half way back into his robes. “You needn’t explain yourself, least if all to me.”
“San Lang-“ Xie Lian tries, fearful of what he’ll say next.
“Rest well, Lord Spring. I’ll be leaving now.” The apocalypse does not bother with dressing fully.
“San Lang-“ Xie Lian tries, fearful of what he’ll say next.
“Rest well, Lord Spring. I’ll be leaving now.” The apocalypse does not bother with dressing fully.
He merely gathers his things and starts for the door, eyes on the ground. “Good night.”
The season can do nothing in the wake of his shock, staring forward as the apocalypse leaves.
Then, just like before, he falls to his knees with heartbreak. A streak his warmth on his cheek.
The season can do nothing in the wake of his shock, staring forward as the apocalypse leaves.
Then, just like before, he falls to his knees with heartbreak. A streak his warmth on his cheek.
Sorrow always comes first. Heavy, always so heavy, like mountains piled upon him.
He cries, silent as a flower bulb.
Then comes the anger, roiling with months of frustration and heartache- longing.
He stands on shaky legs, and turns his glare at the door.
Roses have /thorns/.
He cries, silent as a flower bulb.
Then comes the anger, roiling with months of frustration and heartache- longing.
He stands on shaky legs, and turns his glare at the door.
Roses have /thorns/.
He bares his willingly, stalking through the halls. Flowers grow where he walks, a remnant of his war path. He marches, knowing full well where he is going.
He seethes, silently raging. Zhen joins him, a monstrous creature that snarls at anyone who dares approach the season.
He seethes, silently raging. Zhen joins him, a monstrous creature that snarls at anyone who dares approach the season.
The halls are soon overrun with flora, creeping about every surface and crevice. As jungle forms in the wake of one being's seemingly unending wrath. A tangle of vines, flowers and trees. A frightening display of power as Xie Lian /feels/.
Feelings are power, as he learned.
Feelings are power, as he learned.
His feelings are volatile, raging like a beast in a cage.
His power is to create, to give life in the face of withering. His power is to grant life where there seems to be none.
The souls of the dead merely life blooming where it shouldn't.
They see something beautiful.
His power is to create, to give life in the face of withering. His power is to grant life where there seems to be none.
The souls of the dead merely life blooming where it shouldn't.
They see something beautiful.
They bare witness to a season filling halls and streets with flora. Fulfilling his purpose.
Being the season he is known to be. He was /born/ to be.
The lingering souls watch as the palace of death is made anew. They marvel as trees grow, and flowers bud.
And they hope.
Being the season he is known to be. He was /born/ to be.
The lingering souls watch as the palace of death is made anew. They marvel as trees grow, and flowers bud.
And they hope.
They hope, because for the first time, the Hereafter feels far closer to the mortal realm. They hope because the reflection of this world of lingering and lost souls /finally/ feels like a realm of transition.
That's the funny thing about fate. You cannot predict nor control it.
That's the funny thing about fate. You cannot predict nor control it.
You cannot bend it to your will. Fate will play out as it was always meant to.
Meixing smiles, marveling at the raging reason, and knows something no one could possibly understand.
That fate and destiny are not one and the same, and often times...
"What would you say..."
Meixing smiles, marveling at the raging reason, and knows something no one could possibly understand.
That fate and destiny are not one and the same, and often times...
"What would you say..."
She speaks to no one, her voice carrying to only her own ears, and yet her gaze tears away from Lord Spring's war path to her own wrist. Her wrist, where a string of iridescent black beads gleam back at her. "What would you think of him, sister?"
Destiny is what you make of it.
Destiny is what you make of it.
Xie Lian does not stop until he reaches Hua Cheng's bedroom, slamming the door open in his wake.
Then he stops, staring a single white bloom in a pot on a desk.
A flower that is very much /alive/.
A flower he can still feel the remnants of his power in, no matter how faded.
Then he stops, staring a single white bloom in a pot on a desk.
A flower that is very much /alive/.
A flower he can still feel the remnants of his power in, no matter how faded.
The season lets go of his rage, tears pricking at his eyes, so he might cross the room without destroying this.
Whatever this is.
His hands reach out to frame the bloom, this /proof/ that maybe- just maybe- there is something he can keep fighting for. Maybe all is not lost.
Whatever this is.
His hands reach out to frame the bloom, this /proof/ that maybe- just maybe- there is something he can keep fighting for. Maybe all is not lost.
His heart thunders, roaring in his ears, but the season trembles. He shakes, his tears falling down his cheeks like rain, and he grasps onto his fragile and flickering hope.
It is all he has left, and he will not give it away. He will not let it fade or wither.
He is a season.
It is all he has left, and he will not give it away. He will not let it fade or wither.
He is a season.
He is spring.
He plants the seed anew within his heart, sheltering it from the storm of hurt, and waters it with his love.
He is /spring/.
He creates. He does not destroy.
He renews the dead, carving a way for new life to take root and /thrive/.
So he hopes, despite sadness.
He plants the seed anew within his heart, sheltering it from the storm of hurt, and waters it with his love.
He is /spring/.
He creates. He does not destroy.
He renews the dead, carving a way for new life to take root and /thrive/.
So he hopes, despite sadness.
He hopes, because it is all he has left. Perhaps it was all her ever had to begin with.
Elsewhere, an apocalypse stares in wonder at the forest that has become his home. He reaches out, caressing a vine that blooms beneath his hand.
Watching over it all is a woman who ponders.
Elsewhere, an apocalypse stares in wonder at the forest that has become his home. He reaches out, caressing a vine that blooms beneath his hand.
Watching over it all is a woman who ponders.
War follows him, like famine follows He Xuan, and he revels in the chaos it brings.
Cries fill the air, and he rolls his eyes with a chuckle.
Here stands a ruined village, lonely and desolate after the battle has ended. Only a single child remains now, and he bares witness.
Cries fill the air, and he rolls his eyes with a chuckle.
Here stands a ruined village, lonely and desolate after the battle has ended. Only a single child remains now, and he bares witness.
There’s a kind of satisfaction in watching suffering, a tug at his heart that makes him smile.
But he doesn’t smile this time, staring down at a child who weeps. He stares blankly as the mortal wails, rubbing at his eyes to push away his tears. He can do little else but sob.
But he doesn’t smile this time, staring down at a child who weeps. He stares blankly as the mortal wails, rubbing at his eyes to push away his tears. He can do little else but sob.
The lord of war is not one for gentleness. He is often harsh and needlessly cruel. When spoken of, he is often described as chaotic- like battle itself. Bloody, cruel, violent.
It is sometimes forgotten that not all wars are bloody, and some are fought with kindness.
It is sometimes forgotten that not all wars are bloody, and some are fought with kindness.
It is forgotten that, he too, can have empathy. That he too can show more than wild abandon.
It is a shocking sight to the souls who linger that War leaves this village ruin with company. A figure who is always alone, now standing beside a companion.
A child who clings to him.
It is a shocking sight to the souls who linger that War leaves this village ruin with company. A figure who is always alone, now standing beside a companion.
A child who clings to him.
Qi Rong knows- he is no fool- that his child has long since passed away. That war has taken from him something precious. Something that cannot be returned, but there is a selfish part of him that-
"Papa... Where are we going?"
-That wants to keep this child, protect his /son/.
"Papa... Where are we going?"
-That wants to keep this child, protect his /son/.
He's always been selfish, and he's been content with that. Now, however, he finds himself shucking his heavy outer robe at night, wrapping it around the child soul, pulling the hood up and sitting there for a long while, watching the child drift to slumber. A gesture of kindness.
There's something that Qi Rong hadn't ever considered before. Something he had long since thought dead within him.
Something he thought had withered away alongside his mother eons ago.
Something that makes the apocalypse let the child curl up against his side wordlessly.
Something he thought had withered away alongside his mother eons ago.
Something that makes the apocalypse let the child curl up against his side wordlessly.
The nights are cold. Colder still for those who cannot bring forth heat within themselves.
Never let it be said that war knows only death, for an apocalypse brings the child closer, letting the child sap away his meager body heat, as the night drags on.
"I've got you... Sleep."
Never let it be said that war knows only death, for an apocalypse brings the child closer, letting the child sap away his meager body heat, as the night drags on.
"I've got you... Sleep."
The nights are long. Qi Rong gathers the child into his arms, shielding him from the biting chill and ever growing darkness. Longer still is the journey they make.
For the first time in a long while, War goes the Hereafter. Trailing after is a child bundled in heavy furs.
For the first time in a long while, War goes the Hereafter. Trailing after is a child bundled in heavy furs.
He's greeted by the lord of death, who spares a glance to the child, his gaze softening for a moment.
"This is a first."
"Don't get used to it."
Hua Cheng smiles, but it does not meet his gaze. "Have a soft spot, Qi Rong?"
"I'll throw you into the kiln if you don't shut up."
"This is a first."
"Don't get used to it."
Hua Cheng smiles, but it does not meet his gaze. "Have a soft spot, Qi Rong?"
"I'll throw you into the kiln if you don't shut up."
"That would not hold me for long." The red clad apocalypse hums, lifting his chin. "And it would take far much more effort to get me there, besides."
Qi Rong clicks his tongue, turning away. "Whatever. Eat shit and rot."
"Is that how you speak with children present? Quaint."
Qi Rong clicks his tongue, turning away. "Whatever. Eat shit and rot."
"Is that how you speak with children present? Quaint."
"Don't talk about Papa like that!"
Qi Rong is more than a little surprised to hear someone yell in his defense, turning to see the child glaring up at Hua Cheng, unafraid.
"He is not your father, little one."
"You don't know anything about us! Meanie!"
Qi Rong has gone still.
Qi Rong is more than a little surprised to hear someone yell in his defense, turning to see the child glaring up at Hua Cheng, unafraid.
"He is not your father, little one."
"You don't know anything about us! Meanie!"
Qi Rong has gone still.
"Perhaps not you," Hua Cheng acquiesces, but his gaze pierces through the other apocalypse like ice. "But I do know him."
"No you don't!"
"Little one-"
"Shut up!" The child wails, "Shut up meanie! Leave us alone!"
Qi Rong moves then, taking the child by the hand to leave.
"No you don't!"
"Little one-"
"Shut up!" The child wails, "Shut up meanie! Leave us alone!"
Qi Rong moves then, taking the child by the hand to leave.
Hua Cheng merely watches them leave, hands clasped behind his back. It's a matter he'll have to ponder eventually, but one that can be shelved for now.
There is another matter that take precedence, even if he knows not how to handle it.
He sighs, then starts on his way.
There is another matter that take precedence, even if he knows not how to handle it.
He sighs, then starts on his way.
He makes his way through a scarcely used path leading into his palace gardens, unknown to most for its peculiar placement.
For a being who's existed here for centuries, it's child's play to walk it.
At the end, unknowing, stands his prize. An ethereal being who smiles sweetly.
For a being who's existed here for centuries, it's child's play to walk it.
At the end, unknowing, stands his prize. An ethereal being who smiles sweetly.
Maybe it's wrong to usurp this loophole. To remain hidden here as the season but feet away admires the gardens, but he does not care. He has done /far/ worse for far less- against his wishes or no.
Xie Lian is in shades of lavender today, a surprising change from rosy pinks.
Xie Lian is in shades of lavender today, a surprising change from rosy pinks.
His sun-warmed skin is all but on display, albeit only his shoulders and neck. Still, the apocalypse's gaze lingers.
The season takes to wearing gowns, Hua Cheng notes bemusedly. Today, it seems, Xie Lian has chosen one of the many that line the guest closet.
The season takes to wearing gowns, Hua Cheng notes bemusedly. Today, it seems, Xie Lian has chosen one of the many that line the guest closet.
The bodice and sleeves appear as if made from flowers, which transitions gently into a thin layer of lace that covers fine silk. As if to match his change in attire, the flowers that always adorn his head are various tints of soft purple, the petals falling about his head.
That brings the apocalypse's gaze to the season's hair. It's in a thick braid down his back, loose and perhaps a little messy. Hua Cheng had to guess, he'd say it was self-done.
He's likely correct, knowing the nature of the other being.
Too kind to bother others.
He's likely correct, knowing the nature of the other being.
Too kind to bother others.
Of course, this is just one of many reasons the apocalypse cannot help but adore the season.
"I did not dare to hope."
Hua Cheng freezes.
"Silly of me, really, to jump to conclusions so quickly." Xie Lian speaks to the flowers, unaware of his audience. "Mama taught me better."
"I did not dare to hope."
Hua Cheng freezes.
"Silly of me, really, to jump to conclusions so quickly." Xie Lian speaks to the flowers, unaware of his audience. "Mama taught me better."
"Here I am, making a mess of things."
The apocalypse frowns, his gaze lowering to the flag stone beneath him. Pondering on the words the season is unwittingly speaking to him.
"I've got to do better, /be/ better." Xie Lian hums, smiling at a particularly red bloom.
The apocalypse frowns, his gaze lowering to the flag stone beneath him. Pondering on the words the season is unwittingly speaking to him.
"I've got to do better, /be/ better." Xie Lian hums, smiling at a particularly red bloom.
"I owe him that and more."
/Him?/ The lord of death lifts his gaze to the season once more. /Him who?/
Xie Lian does not answer, of course, and instead resumes walking. With a gentle wave of his hand, the flowers that were slowly dying bloom anew, and the garden is alive again.
/Him?/ The lord of death lifts his gaze to the season once more. /Him who?/
Xie Lian does not answer, of course, and instead resumes walking. With a gentle wave of his hand, the flowers that were slowly dying bloom anew, and the garden is alive again.
Yet, where death walks, life withers and decays.
Hua Cheng steps out into the small clearing within the gardens, and looks at the flowers. Chrysanthemums, all varying shades of red. He reaches out with his left hand, and for a moment he can feel Spring's power within the petals.
Hua Cheng steps out into the small clearing within the gardens, and looks at the flowers. Chrysanthemums, all varying shades of red. He reaches out with his left hand, and for a moment he can feel Spring's power within the petals.
But good things never last, and the petals shrivel and dry out, turning brown as it curls away from his touch.
He glares, knowing that it is the nature of this realm. Nothing can live here forever. The living cannot survive in the world of the dead. It will take them, one day.
He glares, knowing that it is the nature of this realm. Nothing can live here forever. The living cannot survive in the world of the dead. It will take them, one day.
He knows, even if he fights against it, there is nothing he can do to stop it. He cannot preserve life in a land that cannot sustain it.
It is that very reason why all apocalypses are born in a state between life and death. Neither here nor there, beyond the cycle.
Monstrous.
It is that very reason why all apocalypses are born in a state between life and death. Neither here nor there, beyond the cycle.
Monstrous.
It is for that reason the four apocalypses, like the seasons, care for the cycle in their own way, acting as shepherds for lost souls.
At least, that is what they are /meant/ to do.
But the other lords are not meant to live here for long periods at a time. Not even Yin Yu.
At least, that is what they are /meant/ to do.
But the other lords are not meant to live here for long periods at a time. Not even Yin Yu.
Yin Yu who has been hiding away here for centuries, protected by the bracelet woven from shorn hair of two apocalypses, seeped in the aura of the dead and damned alike.
It's an elaborate trick, really. One that must be replaced every few months. It is not a permanent solution.
It's an elaborate trick, really. One that must be replaced every few months. It is not a permanent solution.
One that is utterly useless for the season, now that he has touched beings beyond even Hua Cheng's influence.
Wraith Butterflies. Creatures that, like some of the myths say, are devourers of life. Perhaps that is why their tree cannot bear leaves. They sap the strength from it.
Wraith Butterflies. Creatures that, like some of the myths say, are devourers of life. Perhaps that is why their tree cannot bear leaves. They sap the strength from it.
Alas, there is little the apocalypse can do now, other than wait this all out. He can think and pray all he likes, but it does not change the facts. It does not change the fact that he is powerless without Xie Lian's cooperation.
So he waits, and he prays. Works, and wishes.
So he waits, and he prays. Works, and wishes.
But wishes mean nothing if you are not also striving for them.
Weeks pass like this, stagnant and suffocating. Nothing changes. Xie Lian refuses to be reborn, to forget. Hua Cheng dares not ask after the next avenue.
Fate is a fickle thing, and sometimes it needs a little help.
Weeks pass like this, stagnant and suffocating. Nothing changes. Xie Lian refuses to be reborn, to forget. Hua Cheng dares not ask after the next avenue.
Fate is a fickle thing, and sometimes it needs a little help.
Alas, help cannot be given if those who are in need do not /want/ it.
Thus fate is stuck, and the cycle of pain continues.
Two lovers unable to stop hurting the one another.
One desperately trying to free the other, the other trying to bind them together.
A cycle unending.
Thus fate is stuck, and the cycle of pain continues.
Two lovers unable to stop hurting the one another.
One desperately trying to free the other, the other trying to bind them together.
A cycle unending.
They dance around each other. Apocalypse avoiding season, season searching for apocalypse. A flower seeking its sun, earth and rain. A flower seeking its place in a world that would treat it unkindly. One half of a soul seeking the other, a heart wishing to be made whole.
This is not the first story of its kind, for there have been many over countless eons and worlds.
A prince falling for a commoner
A child falling from the heavens like a star.
An unlucky god and a lucky ghost.
A heart that loves the world, and a heart that loves only one.
A prince falling for a commoner
A child falling from the heavens like a star.
An unlucky god and a lucky ghost.
A heart that loves the world, and a heart that loves only one.
All have their trials and tribulations, for love is not simple nor is it complex. It simply is. Just as the earth is, or the sky, so too is love. Time marches on, fate continues to be woven, the earth grows and decays, and love comes and goes.
It is strength and weakness.
It is strength and weakness.
It is power and powerlessness. Wisdom and ignorance. It is a sword and a shield, boon and bane. Protection and vulnerability.
Quite simply, Love is an omen. Whether it is made into a force for good or ill is a choice. One that cannot be made lightly, nor can it be ignored.
Quite simply, Love is an omen. Whether it is made into a force for good or ill is a choice. One that cannot be made lightly, nor can it be ignored.
Love can be a herald of dark times, of loss and grief, of suffering and pain. It can be the beginning of what feels to be an eternity of darkness.
But love can also be a beacon of light, of hope and elation, a salve over old wounds and scars. It can be a new beginning. Freedom.
But love can also be a beacon of light, of hope and elation, a salve over old wounds and scars. It can be a new beginning. Freedom.
One need only open their heart to the choice, to the emotion that compels them.
Love can take many forms. A friend. A pet. Perhaps a book, flower or place.
Some find love in another, in a partner to share their life with, and from that love comes beings born of it.
Love can take many forms. A friend. A pet. Perhaps a book, flower or place.
Some find love in another, in a partner to share their life with, and from that love comes beings born of it.
The tales of love are numerous, all of which are written in the tenuous weave of fate, a red thread in a myriad of silver.
A string the binds people together. Something that connects even the must reluctant.
The thread cannot be seen by most, but keen emerald eyes watch.
A string the binds people together. Something that connects even the must reluctant.
The thread cannot be seen by most, but keen emerald eyes watch.
They watch as two hearts, bound by something far beyond the designs of mortals and immortals alike, continue to defy it.
How, pray tell, can one know?
Quite simply, when you are the keeper of fate, the one who presides over the near unchangeable future, it is a gift and burden.
How, pray tell, can one know?
Quite simply, when you are the keeper of fate, the one who presides over the near unchangeable future, it is a gift and burden.
Fate is not something one can meddle in. Changing it through force ends only in disaster, and the last to have it done to them ruined not only their own but those of their closest friends and confidants.
Letting it be changed organically, however, is much safer, albeit rarer.
Letting it be changed organically, however, is much safer, albeit rarer.
Ah, be the fates of a season and apocalypse are difficult to ascertain. One cannot simply watch and know. Of course, the keeper of fate is not so clueless, for with every touch to the lord of death reveals his ever changing fate.
Futures that may come to pass. Love, or despair.
Futures that may come to pass. Love, or despair.
Joy or sorrow.
Sometimes the details are different, but the end is the same.
Fingers card through unruly black locks.
Shapes, indistinct, pass by like shades. There are only two forms with clear visages. One donning a pale pink that is almost white. The other in crimson.
Sometimes the details are different, but the end is the same.
Fingers card through unruly black locks.
Shapes, indistinct, pass by like shades. There are only two forms with clear visages. One donning a pale pink that is almost white. The other in crimson.
One lies in a bed of white roses, held together by a glass case. The lid is set aside, and the crimson figure leans down, a tear- a pearl of blood- arching down sharp features. A kiss far too late to save on cold, lifeless lips. Then he buries his love in a glass coffin, weeping.
"I cannot puzzle out what he had meant."
Hua Cheng sighs, drawing her from the vision of a fate that has yet to pass.
"He does not interact often with others, often solitary or with Zhen."
"Have you considered yourself?" Meixing hums thoughtfully.
"Unlikely."
She hums again.
Hua Cheng sighs, drawing her from the vision of a fate that has yet to pass.
"He does not interact often with others, often solitary or with Zhen."
"Have you considered yourself?" Meixing hums thoughtfully.
"Unlikely."
She hums again.
/The things you do not know, dear boy, would spare you countless heartbreaks./
She does not say this, instead lifting some of the apocalypse's hair and beginning to weave it, listening to him ramble what she concludes are excuses born from overthinking. A bad habit, she notes.
She does not say this, instead lifting some of the apocalypse's hair and beginning to weave it, listening to him ramble what she concludes are excuses born from overthinking. A bad habit, she notes.
"The longer he stays here, the more I fear this realm will claim him." The apocalypse at last murmurs, his voice uncharacteristically small. "And I will be powerless to stop it."
She sighs, smiling sadly. She presses the finished braid against his chest gently, catching his eye.
She sighs, smiling sadly. She presses the finished braid against his chest gently, catching his eye.
"Fate may be inevitable, but destiny is what you make of it, silly boy."
"What if it is fate that this realm takes him for itself...?"
"You would not let that happen. You would fight to change such a fate."
Hua Cheng stares at her, brows knitted. "What if I fail?"
/Silly./
"What if it is fate that this realm takes him for itself...?"
"You would not let that happen. You would fight to change such a fate."
Hua Cheng stares at her, brows knitted. "What if I fail?"
/Silly./
"You won't."
"You do not know that."
"Perhaps not, but I know you." She raises her chin. "So unless you're willing to let him suffer."
"/No!/"
"Well, there is your answer then."
The apocalypse swears, turning away. "I cannot stop everything, Meixing."
"Perhaps not."
"You do not know that."
"Perhaps not, but I know you." She raises her chin. "So unless you're willing to let him suffer."
"/No!/"
"Well, there is your answer then."
The apocalypse swears, turning away. "I cannot stop everything, Meixing."
"Perhaps not."
His face twists, his aggravation palpable.
"That is not to say you cannot save him."
She watches him think for a long while, turmoil making a mess of his mind.
"The spirit festival is fast approaching, dear boy." She sighs. "Do not make your guest feel unwelcome."
"Right..."
"That is not to say you cannot save him."
She watches him think for a long while, turmoil making a mess of his mind.
"The spirit festival is fast approaching, dear boy." She sighs. "Do not make your guest feel unwelcome."
"Right..."
She leaves him to his thoughts, allowing him time to think over what has happened and how to proceed.
Meixing watches, and she ponders if he can see the answers that lie before him. Things that anyone can see, if they allow themselves too.
Meixing watches, and she ponders if he can see the answers that lie before him. Things that anyone can see, if they allow themselves too.
She wonders if either of them will forgive themselves. If they will see a truth that has taken her countless years to accept.
People aren't heroes, they're just people, and people make mistakes. Heavenly lord, Apocalypse, or mortal soul. All are /people/, faults and all.
People aren't heroes, they're just people, and people make mistakes. Heavenly lord, Apocalypse, or mortal soul. All are /people/, faults and all.
They make mistakes, say things they do not mean, and hurt the people they love in a moment of fear.
But that's part of being /alive/. That's part of existing in a world that is constantly changing.
It's something she has always struggled with, given her ability to see fates.
But that's part of being /alive/. That's part of existing in a world that is constantly changing.
It's something she has always struggled with, given her ability to see fates.
Knowing how it ends, she once pondered how a soul could make peace with their life. The answer had baffled her, but she loved that heart more with every waking second, for the words spoken to her that fateful night had shaped her own eternity. The only fate she cannot see.
Those words brought her to the Hereafter, where she watched apocalypses be born.
First Plague, a wretched being.
Then War, a forsaken child.
Then came Famine and Death. Famine would always be alright, his fate filled with warm sunshine and affection always, but not Death.
First Plague, a wretched being.
Then War, a forsaken child.
Then came Famine and Death. Famine would always be alright, his fate filled with warm sunshine and affection always, but not Death.
When that boy, lost and alone, stumbled upon her that day under the wraith tree, she had found a son in a boy who did not know what his creation meant.
And when her fingers brushed his cheek for the first time, she wept.
A lonely child, a solitary teen, then a hateful man.
And when her fingers brushed his cheek for the first time, she wept.
A lonely child, a solitary teen, then a hateful man.
/"Who are you?"/ the child had asked. /"What's wrong with me?"/
/"Nothing."/ She had answered. /"You are as you are meant to be. That is, perfect."/
A lonely child, a harrowed teen, then a broken man.
/"I will protect you, sweet boy."/
Loved, wizened, then caring.
/"Nothing."/ She had answered. /"You are as you are meant to be. That is, perfect."/
A lonely child, a harrowed teen, then a broken man.
/"I will protect you, sweet boy."/
Loved, wizened, then caring.
Fate is fickle. No one knows like the Lady of Fate herself.
/"Do you promise?"/
/"I do, I promise."/
He is first soul she has found who's fate is ever changing, never any more certain than the moment before.
Perhaps, she smiles, that is why she knows he will find happiness.
/"Do you promise?"/
/"I do, I promise."/
He is first soul she has found who's fate is ever changing, never any more certain than the moment before.
Perhaps, she smiles, that is why she knows he will find happiness.
Preparations for the spirit festival are well underway, helmed by Yin Yu who makes the logistics of it all seem like child's play. Xie Lian just smiles at him when their paths cross, often walking the streets of Ghost City- a little on the nose, but it was chosen by the people.
Zhen, ever reliable, walks at Xie Lian's side and snarls when a particularly sticky soul tries to use the Season's naivety to their advantage. The spirit earns many ear scritches for his heroism.
They're sitting in the park beneath the spirit of a great willow tree now, resting.
They're sitting in the park beneath the spirit of a great willow tree now, resting.
Xie Lian has a book open in his lap, Zhen curled around him sleeping. The story has a harrowing beginning, rife with conflict and sorrow, but it's in the later chapters, when the pieces begin to fall together, that the novel truly begins to shine. Xie Lian is on his third read.
His favorite part is just a few pages away. The protagonist, a sweet and kind princeling who's learned the hardships of the world, reunites with his first and only love, his loyal bodyguard, after being separated for so long.
It's his favorite part, because they cry together.
It's his favorite part, because they cry together.
Sure, there is a kiss, but it's not romanticized. They kiss mostly because one of them was tired of hiding their feelings away, and when it's returned they cry harder. They're both emotional, calling to each other, clinging and desperate. As if they other would fade away.
Admittedly, It's the culmination of years of longing. Of finding contentment in closeness, then months of separation and fear. A prayer to hold one another again and fighting. Of self sacrifice and complete devotion. The kiss does more than reveal their feelings of course-
Zhen's head lifts suddenly, startling the season from his thoughts and the book alike, then the spirit is clambering to his feet and starting forward. Xie Lian turns his attention and finds another animal spirit. This one is taller than Zhen, lifting its head from his greeting.
Similarly to Zhen, this hound has white fur and hauntingly beautiful red eyes, but their personalities and temperament could not be further apart.
Where Zhen is playful and affectionate, this other hound is calm and possesses a commanding aura. One that makes Zhen bow his head.
Where Zhen is playful and affectionate, this other hound is calm and possesses a commanding aura. One that makes Zhen bow his head.
The wolf turns to Xie Lian then, only to tip its head to him in greeting like any of the other friendly souls have done.
"Lord Spring?"
He startles, and then is amazed when he concludes the woman's voice originated from the wolf before him. "Yes?"
"We meet at last."
"Lord Spring?"
He startles, and then is amazed when he concludes the woman's voice originated from the wolf before him. "Yes?"
"We meet at last."
The wolf bends, her head dropping low as she bows. "I am Binglan, guardian of the city. I have heard of you, in whispers within the Lord's palace, and in my talks with Zhen for the eve."
"Ah, A pleasure to meet you. I'm afraid I'm at a bit of a disadvantage, I was unaware..."
"Ah, A pleasure to meet you. I'm afraid I'm at a bit of a disadvantage, I was unaware..."
Binglan's gaze softens to something akin to a smile, then nods to Zhen who returns to the season's side and curls around him happily. "There is no need for such things, my lord. I tend not to make myself known."
"Oh..."
"You were an exception worth making, however." She purrs.
"Oh..."
"You were an exception worth making, however." She purrs.
"The Lord has a particular interest in you. I felt it prudent to see for myself."
Xie Lian stills, breath caught in his throat. "An... interest in me?"
A sound rumbles from her, and she lays down across from the season.
"What kind of interest...?"
"That you should ask him."
Xie Lian stills, breath caught in his throat. "An... interest in me?"
A sound rumbles from her, and she lays down across from the season.
"What kind of interest...?"
"That you should ask him."
"If only it were that easy." Xie Lian sighs, leaning back into the soft fur of Zhen. "He barely speaks a word to me, much less spend time in my company. I would have written a note if I thought he'd read it and answer."
Binglan settles, rest her head over her paws. "Truly?"
Binglan settles, rest her head over her paws. "Truly?"
"Yes."
The admission is a quiet one, filled with sorrow and longing.
"And I can do nothing to fix it."
So much so, that the wolf spirit frowns in confusion. "That cannot be right. He is often following your shadow like a lost pup."
A heart flutters. "What...?"
The admission is a quiet one, filled with sorrow and longing.
"And I can do nothing to fix it."
So much so, that the wolf spirit frowns in confusion. "That cannot be right. He is often following your shadow like a lost pup."
A heart flutters. "What...?"
"He trails after you, chasing your image."
The season sits up, leaning forward as if that would help him hear her more clearly. "That... that can't be right, I would have seen him-"
"The lord is crafty when he wants to be, my lord." Binglan hums. "When he wishes to be."
The season sits up, leaning forward as if that would help him hear her more clearly. "That... that can't be right, I would have seen him-"
"The lord is crafty when he wants to be, my lord." Binglan hums. "When he wishes to be."
Xie Lian frowned, puzzled.
"He will be here shortly." Binglan stops him before he can ask, tilting her head and flicking her gaze beyond the season meaningfully. "If you learn where to look, his wishes and wants of subterfuge will be... lackluster."
He meets her gaze, thinking.
"He will be here shortly." Binglan stops him before he can ask, tilting her head and flicking her gaze beyond the season meaningfully. "If you learn where to look, his wishes and wants of subterfuge will be... lackluster."
He meets her gaze, thinking.
Then, he gets to his feet. He stretches out his limbs, taking a glance about, but there is nothing to see. He turns back to Binglan, and offers a faint smile.
"Thank you, for humoring my wishful thoughts, but... I won't be someone's fool."
The wolf spirit huffs, but smiles.
"Thank you, for humoring my wishful thoughts, but... I won't be someone's fool."
The wolf spirit huffs, but smiles.
"You are no one's fool," She purrs, "but you are young at heart."
Xie Lian barely manages to not frown, instead turned to Zhen and softly coaxing him to stand.
There's movement just beyond the street, and when the season glances up, his breath leaves him in one fell swoop.
Xie Lian barely manages to not frown, instead turned to Zhen and softly coaxing him to stand.
There's movement just beyond the street, and when the season glances up, his breath leaves him in one fell swoop.
Tucking back behind the buildings a short jaunt away, red silk- nearly black from the beautiful embroidery that decorates it- flutters out of sight. Xie Lian /knows/ that fabric. He'd been chasing it for weeks before he'd finally given up.
"Binglan." he says, a little too loud.
"Binglan." he says, a little too loud.
"Yes?"
"I'm going to the gardens." He declares. "If you've the mind to join me, you're welcome to."
She chuckles, voice low. "Is that invitation for me, or someone else?"
The season just turns to her and smiles, a warm and gentle thing. "Thank you."
She hums, amused.
"I'm going to the gardens." He declares. "If you've the mind to join me, you're welcome to."
She chuckles, voice low. "Is that invitation for me, or someone else?"
The season just turns to her and smiles, a warm and gentle thing. "Thank you."
She hums, amused.
And when he walks away, he knows another is shadowing his steps.
It's not malicious. It couldn't be if Hua Cheng had been so careful about keeping his promise, but even still.
Perhaps Xie Lian should be afraid. Maybe he should force a confrontation.
He doesn't, too content.
It's not malicious. It couldn't be if Hua Cheng had been so careful about keeping his promise, but even still.
Perhaps Xie Lian should be afraid. Maybe he should force a confrontation.
He doesn't, too content.
The gardens greet him as they always do. Reaching out to feel the touch of life- spring- once again. He caresses each bloom, smiling.
He hums a soft tune, a mindless thing to fill the empty air. It's easier now, knowing that he's being listened to.
He hums a soft tune, a mindless thing to fill the empty air. It's easier now, knowing that he's being listened to.
Then a hum turns to a quiet song.
Then to laughter.
Xie Lian is /happy/. He's so happy. This place, the realm between, feels more like home than the heavens ever did. More than that, he knows the man he loves is close- /listening/.
He might just burst into a thousand petals.
Then to laughter.
Xie Lian is /happy/. He's so happy. This place, the realm between, feels more like home than the heavens ever did. More than that, he knows the man he loves is close- /listening/.
He might just burst into a thousand petals.
The season dances about the gardens, letting his joy carry him on its currents, and when he at last stops to catch his breath he finds the gardens have been given renewed life.
Unlike before, when his melancholy had given the garden a nudge, he has flooded the garden.
Unlike before, when his melancholy had given the garden a nudge, he has flooded the garden.
Everything is over grown, leaving the paths untouched but the arches are not shown the same mercy. The roses are in full bloom, vivid with their rich reds. There's carnations, lilies, orchids, chrysanthemums, and dahlias.
Xie Lian stops, staring down at an unassuming flower.
Xie Lian stops, staring down at an unassuming flower.
With a gentle smile, he kneels down.
"I wouldn't have guessed you were growing here." He murmurs. "But you're beautiful. I think I'll take you with me, is that okay?"
The plant, of course, gives no audible response, but when the season carefully reaches out, the flower goes.
"I wouldn't have guessed you were growing here." He murmurs. "But you're beautiful. I think I'll take you with me, is that okay?"
The plant, of course, gives no audible response, but when the season carefully reaches out, the flower goes.
Xie Lian carefully places it in his hair, alongside the others that crown his head, and starts for the palace with Zhen at his side.
His shadow follows from a distance.
His shadow follows from a distance.
• • •
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