"It is my duty as your mother to be worried about you and all my children, Grayson," Azlea spoke softly, brushing the curls out of Grayson's cheeks as she removed the bandages that revealed the horrid figure on his back after setting the bowl of finished medicine on the side table. "You might have your stories that I am unaware of, but this life, you must remember. I am your mother. And, even if the world goes against you, I will still stand by your side."

Lifting his head to meet his mother's gentle but firm gaze, Grayson felt ashamed of himself for making his mother worried. He had to admit that no one cared for him in his previous reincarnations. He never knew his mother in The First Eclipsing Echoes. The second left him when he was just a baby, and the third murdered herself because of her gambling lover. Most of his life was short-lived, and it was clear he never deserved a precious pair of parents till this life. Grayson always believed he was cursed, with or without the crest on his forehead. Sometimes he went to bed, praying to all the forces in the universe to spare him this life. Just to let him breathe and enjoy.

"What's troubling you again?" His mother's gentle voice steered him back to reality. "Perhaps you are not ready to meet your acquaintances today. I shall let them know to return tomorrow."

As swift as the wind, she spun towards the door, and Grayson immediately caught her by her arm. He disliked the worrisome features on his parents' or siblings' faces. It made his skin itch and his mind go haywire. When his mother turned to pour her full attention on him, Grayson shook his head.

"They can stay. They have been offering me hospitality ever since they saved me, and they must be here for some reason," Grayson started, patting his mother's palms. "I don't think it is right to turn them away after their tiring journey."

"Well, then, I will lead them in once Hayden and Jiayue are back from the waterfalls," Azlea assured, kissing Grayson's forehead.

Grayson returned the smile, watching as his mother exited the door. He was asleep for the whole night, yet his body was restless. Sometime in between the nights, he heard songs of abandonment. This rose that clung tightly to his core was no stranger to him. It was his temporary amusement when he hated travelling down the mountains, and he had no companion to depend on. How dare Perennial?! Grayson cursed in his mind, palms fisting against the sheets. He let out a grunt when he felt a stem protruding into his heart, making blood drip from his lips.

Even a group of mutated monkeys and endless torment from the enemies of the opposite kingdoms were unable to make him yield; hence, what makes Perennial think that she of anything or anyone, could make him bend to her course.

Perennial is nothing. She is no one. She is just a weed among the luxurious lands that no one cares about.

Pressing his palms to his chest, Grayson lowered his head at the sudden strike in his heart. It felt as if someone had stuck a knife in him, tearing everything apart and disembowelling it. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead as he gritted his teeth to swallow the scream. The rose, vines on thorns that latched on his back, danced and grew larger and stronger with every muffled sound Grayson was suppressing.

"Qing'er," the familiar voice called out, and embraced him tightly, wiping his wet forehead. "Don't think about it. I am here. We are all here."

Leaning his forehead against hers, Grayson smiled with his eyes shut. Her presence was enough to calm him, assure him that everything would soon be alright. When Grayson heard those voices announcing themselves into the room, he lifted his head to meet those familiar figures again. One he had not seen before and one he never thought would return so soon.

"Artie?" Grayson questioned, staring at him in disbelief. "I thought your ventures would be until next month."

"Yes, it was supposed to be," Artie answered, plopping himself on the chair next to his mother and the rest of the company. "I was on my way to Thurush, but I overheard this party discussion about ways to break some important news to you, and I had to interfere. I was never going to allow my brother to be mutilated by some plant."

"It would be great humiliation, if that is what you have to carve on my core before sending it away," Grayson answered playfully, earning a sharp glare from his mother.

"I am not allowing any of my children to pass before me, not when I am alive and breathing here," Azlea spoke and continued. "I do not allow the talk of death here in my home."

Grayson caught sight of Yong Min and Wane exchanging a snickery glance. He could always remember the playful Wane, but Yong Min - he seemed to have darkened a lot since their last meeting.

How long ago was his injury? A month? Was it?

Shaking his memory aside, Grayson set eyes on the unfamiliar man who had been staring at him since he arrived. His eyes were steady and sharp, reminding him of a wolf analysing their prey's next move.

"That's Nathaniel," Wane spoke, presumably realising that his brother was staring for far too long. "He can morph illusions on everything he sets eyes on. Technically, he is gifted to see everyone's true form except for the angels."

"Angels?" Artie asked curiously. "I did not know, us land beings can be in contact with angels."

"Well, that's a story for another day, is it not?" Nathaniel answered. "We are here for two reasons. One, Yong Min has sensed a sudden shift in Grayson's body, and two, our clan has been affected since you left. Some of our citizens are left without a home. Some had been killed by vines and thorns that sprang from the ground magically during their late-night runs."

"I hate to break it to you, and even though it does not concern you, which it actually does. In a way." Wane continued, obtaining Grayson's full attention. "Our monthly Crimson Petal Ascension became a blood bath recently. Multiple red veins appeared out of nowhere, murdering innocent lives, old and young. And all of these lead back to you, Grayson."

"We need to know what happened that night," Yong Min said when there was a long pause in between. "The night before Jiayue appeared. What did you do, or maybe I should say, what deal did you make? We need you to be honest with us, Grayson, because..."

Yong Min stopped when he saw Grayson trying to protest, but only when Jiayue held onto his palms, shaking her head, Grayson let his stubbornness slide. Only when Jiayue offered a nod for Yong Min to continue did he proceed.

"Whatever deal you made that night with the red rose of our clan is not just affecting us. It is redirecting us to a better source, and that means you, Grayson. There is a new bud that has grown in our clan, but it will never blossom unless this one withers. One must perish in return for another to thrive. Unlike the Shen Ming crests, our roses cannot co-exist. Unlike you and your sister's legend, Grayson, one must return to the very lands that provide them with survival."

There was a heavy silence in the room, all trying to register the story told by the members of the Red Rose Clan. Grayson held onto Jiayue's palm when she was about to mention something. He held onto her gaze heavily, forcing her to stay put. Between them, Grayson knew there were rare diamonds too heavy to be lifted out of their chests.

"Jiayue," Nathaniel started, gaining the couple's attention. "Grayson. Some bubbles should be popped. Whether one is prepared or not."

Multiple lives were at stake.

Did his plans travel too far?

Grayson felt himself being chained and crushed by showering meteors. He chewed the inner part of his cheeks, pressing his lips shut tight. Everything that he was trying to escape was dragging him back. They were shaking him awake, shattering the walls he built for weeks. If there were another world where he could live only with Jiayue, he would choose it over and over again. His yearnings were fulfilled, but now, Grayson is aware that because of his selfishness, he had ruined innocent lives, just like he always did. He could never change anything, not even when he had to put the world in turmoil just for his foul desires.

"Grayson," Yong Min called out gently. "Please... If you allow the rose to keep feeding on you, you will wither alongside it. Our clan has an endless source, the rivers, the mountains and the farms, all serve as its grand feast. It grows together. You are feeding it with your flesh and blood, and I am sure, you and I both know what it will turn you into."

He felt like a child, being continuously pushed for answers. Somewhere in between the lines, he wanted to retaliate. He wanted to protest about their decision. He had been searching for centuries to protect the one person he had always craved attention from. His fingers shook, and he fisted them together.

He did not want the truth.

He wanted to be lied to.

"Qing'er," Jiayue whispered, cupping his cheeks with her palms. "We'll be alright. In each life, we have always managed to find our way back to each other. I am confident the next one will be the same. Some secrets are too heavy for you to bear."

"No, Jiayue. No," Grayson shook his head, his eyes fixated on her. "I am not letting you stay in that endless Path. I cannot let you be used again and again, robbed of freedom because of me."

"This time, it will be different," Jiayue assured, her shaky fingers brushing his cheeks and her eyes studying his features carefully. "Qing'er, hold onto my words. This time, I will not return to the Paths, and most importantly, I cannot bear to see you hurt over and over again, feeding that tenacious creature that latched onto you. Even the largest lands are unable to hide all the secrets. Let them know the truth."

Grayson felt himself torn apart. He was aware of the truths in her words, yet within them were lakes of uncertainties. He lived multiple lives gambling about his ending, and never won one. He doubted his luck each time he was about to place bets. And, this time, he was aware that the one bet he knew he would lose was with Perennial.

If you cannot decide, let me decide it for you.

He should not have allowed such important matters to be placed in the hands of a flower. In truth, Grayson never remembered the rose he took in as an amusement to his sorrows. Deep down, he despised it. All these years, he wondered. If a kind person's life cannot be spared, how can you be?

Yes, Grayson had to admit he nurtured it with love. He was alone, lifeless, and lost when Hong Xian passed. The only company that he joked, mocked, and laughed at ever since his sister's passing, abandoned him on the vast mountains. He was unable to roam in the mortal kingdoms due to several revelations and new orders from the newly elected member in the royal court.

He was to be hunted day and night, and the only sanctuary for him was the Jin Lao mountains.

Alone.

Ever since then, the Jin Lao Mountains have become his only home. It was his home, and he protected it with deceit and lies.

A mountain filled with man-eating beasts, dark magic and irreversible death - a story he spread himself to prevent the greedy mortals from stealing the remnants of his memories.

Feeling Jiayue's palms on his shoulders, gently brushing them lightly, Grayson breathed a heavy sigh. He shut his eyes, forcing his body to execute his magic. He needed a strong force within himself to prevent Perennial's magic from tampering with him. Igniting the crest on his forehead, Grayson produced a green jade covered with writings.

You broke our promise! Perennial screeched in his mind.

"You entrusted me to seal this secret of yours," Perennial screamed in rage, overtaking Grayson's body, making more vines curl on his back and latching themselves further.

Not saying a word, Grayson took control easily, subduing the evil little plant with his magic. His eyes were burning in Castleton green, and from afar, there were cracks forming on the shape of his crest. It was when he felt soft caresses on his forehead that Grayson sent his magic away fully. He faced the members from the Red Rose Clan with a weak smile.

"Everything you need to know about that night," Grayson said, and stood up with Jiayue's help, handing the plate to Wane. "It's all in here."

Pulling the robe from his bed, Grayson draped it against his body.

"I will be at The Green Snow tavern if you need me again," Grayson uttered, meeting his mother's eyes while holding Jiayue close.

With a nod, Grayson left, picking up the sound of serious chattering from his siblings behind.

Chaos after chaos, and even then, he couldn't retain the one person who kept sacrificing herself endlessly for him.

If there is a wish I could make, let me be free of these endless memories and fate.

Let me be free from the Shen Ming Crests. 

Word Count : 2,288 words

Cumulative Word: 24, 415 words