"One, I cannot keep battling a big baby like him who does not only bite but strangles, and two, I am not letting him hurt you like this, Yong Min. Enough," Wane snapped at the younger when he parted his lips to protest and continued. "How much longer can you hold on to stabilise him? I drag you away from the abyss of lunatics, not for you to waste your powers away like this. It is taking a toll on you even if you are not spitting it out. Give it a break, Yong Min. He's injured. Not dead."

"Since when did we sit in a Ferris Wheel that rotates oppositely?" Yong Min questioned calmly, removing his fingers from Grayson's last wound on his arms and slipping his leather gloves on. "Last I recall, I was the one against his presence here in this very sacred home, not you. Why are you acting like he could kill me with a wink of his eye?"

"That was before his magic popped like a meteor descending from the skies. Did you see his features when he woke? Those Castleton green eyes and scales," answered Wane, sucking in deep breaths to steady himself when he met Yong Min's tired eyes. "Min Min, he is not an ordinary being, and I am worried that if you tend to him with your blood, it will affect you too."

Rising from his seat, Yong Min arched his back, sending his blonde locks swaying backwards like gathered sunrays. Under the pink sheen of the moon, his skin shimmered with an otherworldly paleness, as pale as the Spirits of Asina whose souls were caged under the seas. Yong Min could feel Wane's heavy gaze on him, layered with unspoken concern. It was never a mystery in the clan that Wane had always wielded his powers and emotions openly. He bore burdens none can carry. Unlike the eldest, Yong Min preferred to live in solitude to prevent his unseen forces from stirring and binding him to greater chaos for he knew, despite their sworn oaths, Wane would never allow himself to be protected. If he was no stranger to pain, Wane for one seemed to have his pain receptors sold at a young age. Yong Min could not shake the eerie truth that somehow, it felt as if Wane walked deep lengths into the abyss, instead of him.

"Min Min, are you listening to me?" Wane questioned, setting his palms on his shoulders to squeeze them gently. "Min Min, look I don't mean to lecture you, but ~"

As quick as the passing of the dragons, Yong Min found himself on the ground, arms tightened around his neck as he came face to face with a pair of shining green eyes. His reflexes failed him at that moment when he felt the grip grew tighter. Choking on his saliva, he heard Wane shouting out to him, and palms prying Grayson away but failed. Grayson's gaze held an intense longing for someone in particular, yet this desire was not to reunite but for murder, and Yong Min would never allow such affairs to ruin his clan's reputation. Not sparing another consideration, Yong Min removed his gloves, situating them on Grayson's eyes blinding him. Red sparkles encircled Grayson's sight, blending the green eyes with red as he uttered words from the book. Spells were muttered backwards, and Yong Min forced his magic deep within Grayson's body to wind down the wrath.

Such overwhelming emotions damaged Yong Min's magic. With Grayson's body going limp on his chest, his magic withered against his palms and there were marks on his attacker's skin. It did not damage him, but Yong Min could feel Grayson's rage and greed dissipating within him. His eyes flipped red, dragging him away from reality. Passing through multiple planets and asteroids, Yong Min landed in one covered with dried medicines. In between, a body lay flat, coated with clothes and weapons. He hesitated to proceed despite a tempting attachment towards its unknown horizon. Skies began to grow dark, accompanied by the winds, howling a poem in a repeat. It drew nearer, dragging Yong Min into a whirlpool of wind and debris that knocked him out.

"Min Min," a soft voice called out, caressing his hair away and patting his cheeks. "Min, can you hear me? Min~"

"Yes, I can. I can," Yong Min answered, pushing himself up from the cold, uncomfortable ground. "Right, I will stay away from him for the night. Is he alright?"

"Yes," Wane nodded, pointing to where Grayson was tucked in among the thick blankets. "He is more than fine. It is you I am worried about. Let's retire for the night, shall we?"

This time, without protesting, Yong Min willingly left the room. Fear was nothing to him. They scurried away upon hearing his name, but the entity lying on the bed was not here to harm or kill. Yong Min headed to his room, encompassing himself with the notes and books on his table. Several papers were set on the opposite side regarding the red rose in his clan and its correlation with the newcomer who bore no identity except for the legendary speculations given by Wane. Yong Min wondered if Wane was right about it, and if the man was indeed a legendary entity, how legendary was he that he would be able to break past the barrier built by their clan's main energy source?

= xxx =

The warmth encircling his body and mind comforted him and assured him that there was nothing to escape from. It felt strange for the last thing he remembered was being astray from his team, wet and drowning. This was delightful - the perfect day to laze in, away from endless squabbles. Something felt prickly as if his chest was struck with a million thorns, searching for a humble food source, yet he was relaxed - a feeling he never had for decades. A lingering pain had always loomed near, denying his only request for rest. Guilt. Rage. Violence. That was his life.

Return in glory with the Vault of Antre before Zhea consumes our lands.

Grayson shot up from the bed. His head pounding, aligning with his racing heartbeat. Clasping his palms against his forehead, he gasped for the cold air around him. In between his chaotic mind, Grayson heard soft, deliberate footsteps drawing closer with an increasing pace. He was not alone. He was not in Deaturis. These lands were not his. He curled his fingers against the sheets, ready to strike with his fist. However, Grayson felt his heart stop beating when he saw the figure before him. He searched for assurance among the ebony lands of her eyes that showed nothing but concern. Her palms were against his cheeks as she settled by his side. They were homely, reminding him of the little hut they built and spent time together among the mountains. Just them and their pets.

The last time Grayson held her, she was lifeless. Her body was engulfed in cursed flames, turning into specks of golden dust as rain poured. He was left with no tomb of hers for there had been nothing left except for memories that Grayson fought to retain. Among the corpses, he cursed the mortal lands, including his. And the person before him, she had long been devoid of life.

"Jiayue..." Grayson croaked, his voice hoarse, betraying his apathetic features as he held onto her palms.

She's alive - was his first thought. She's not cold and scared anymore. Hearing her angelic chuckles, Grayson enveloped her in a tight hug. His forehead was against hers as he kissed every inch of her delicate fingers. She's breathing. She's life, weaving Grayson's soul in perfect linens with her breath and touches. He never thought he would be able to meet her again, not when he was assured that her soul was unreachable and not amendable. The Vine Verdant Crest on his forehead glowed against his skin, rousing his hidden memories with her as she set her palms on his chest. For once, after almost two centuries of being alive, he found peace.

The door creaked open, alerting Grayson of the new presence. He could feel his blood tingle when he met the two figures by the door, frozen. Grayson was alert, and aware that they were his saviour. Despite their gratefulness in seeing him awake, there had been utter confusion as they set eyes on Jiayue who began to shift behind him. He saw the hows and the whys and wheres dancing above their heads. Most importantly, the blonde one was staring at his forehead with deadly eyes.

"I'll excuse myself and bring proper clothing for our new guest. I see what I can salvage from our little sister's cupboard," Wane spoke after clearing his throat and eyed his little brother. "Why don't you go ahead and gift an official welcome to our guests, and check on his injuries."

Grayson rubbed his fingers together upon feeling a strange exertion of power within his system as if calling out for a certain item. He brushed the thoughts away when the blonde-haired male stepped forward, opening the other curtains in the bedroom. Flowers bloomed on each tree branch, illuminating their sight with rainbow-coloured fauna. Birds began to perch on the tree welcoming a new day. His strides were steady and calm as if he floated above the ground. Even though his hair was ruffled, Grayson could feel the potency radiating from the male. His leather gloves concealed unfathomable stories that Grayson was intrigued to pry into if he could. He seemed to have been engulfed in one of his inexpressible records.

"I hope you are feeling better after the good night's rest. I'm Yong Min," the man spoke as he positioned himself before Grayson and extended his fingers towards his wounds. "If I may?"

"Sure," Grayson answered shortly, studying his translucent cheeks where his veins were visible, mirroring the molten lake he had once been to. "Thank you. For saving me. The name is Grayson."

"Rest assured, this is nothing. You were in our territory and we could not leave you unbothered. Excuse me for being blunt, but have you been in our clan or been in contact with anyone here before?" Yong Min questioned, removing his bandages before eyeing the lady who studied his wounds. "To be frank, no one can trespass our barrier. For almost two hundred and fifty years, you are the first. And, I could not put my thoughts on it."

"I..."

Grazing his fingernails against his bedsheet, he frowned. Every part of his senses betrayed him for a moment as his surroundings fell into a flatline. He had no memory or anything about how he ended up here. He recalled the salty waters against his lips as if rocks were tied to his legs to prevent him from escaping. The way his lungs convulsed to support his breath and the taste of dirt when he collapsed against the bark of the tree that broke his lips. And, there was his mission. His mission for an ancient artifact that tangled with his family's survival. Yet, as he sucked in the air covered with copper and mandrins, Grayson remembered nothing about anything else but the comfort of the sheets against his body and his lover back in his arms, intact at all parts and corners like an ancient jade vase ready for auction. Nothing of other sorts came to his mind. Only when he felt soft palms caressing his back that he smiled, meeting the eyes of his love,r that brought all assurance to him that everything is alright.

"You don't have to answer me now," Yong Min interrupted, removing all unnecessary bandages and handed him a small container with an assuring smile. "You heal quickly. Keep this ointment with you. It helps reduce the scars and elevate the skin's recovery. Also, add a little touch of beauty as my little brother Fedrick always says. I will leave you alone with your..."

"Found them," Wane's cheerful voice burst through the doors and set a few pair of dresses on the side of the bed. "I am not sure which colour you prefer, and my little Ru advised me to bring them all for you to choose. So, how's our guest doing?"

"Grayson's doing fine. His wounds are recovering speedily. It's a good sign. I was about to invite them to join us for breakfast," Yong Min spoke and added. "We'll be waiting in the dining halls, Grayson and..."

"Jiayue," she answered brightly. "Thank you for the clothes, and I will be sure to come along for breakfast."

"That settles it," Wane smiled and held onto Yong Min's palms. "We will excuse ourselves."

Peculiar. It was a feeling he could not shake away. The way Yong Min eyed them the whole time, it was as if he was trying to piece his life puzzle together. He did mention about the barrier being trespassed, which as a caretaker and a warrior, Grayson understood the danger. Was Yong Min trying to blame him? He was certain that Yong Min was hiding something, something perhaps he needed to know. Wane on the other hand was a little too cheerful to his liking and it reminded him of his little brother in this life, Hayden who was always bustling with chuckles, but Grayson was well aware that these are the ones who shadow the most bitterness in their life. Perennial - Perennial owes. Shutting his eyes to shake the sound of electricity tingling his ears, Grayson wondered about the rose he met in the library. It spoke of its life as if they were once dancing in a tango together. How can a mere flower speak of such stories in detail? Should he ask Yong Min about it or perhaps - well, they would not reveal the secret of their kingdom so lightly to a stranger like him. Maybe, it was not even important.

He was grateful that he was shown such hospitality in this kingdom. His wounds were almost fully healed, and clean clothes were awaiting for him. There had been times he stumbled in places where prison would be his home for a couple of days until they came to a negotiation. Changing into a new set of clothing, he picked up his clean weapon on the opposite table. Its blade was polished and the sheath was free from dirt, ready to charge into a new battle.

"Qing'er,"

The name made him turn around. Grayson knew he had seen Jiayue earlier, and it should not be a shock to him, yet he felt as if he was still living in his dreams. The one person he sacrificed everything for had returned right here in his arms. Stepping forward, he enveloped her in his arms, caressing her soft hair and kissing her temple. She is real. She is here with you. There is no more yearning. Those were what Grayson told himself the minute he set eyes on her. He did not want to know how or why she was here. He did not mind if the Heavens were tricking him, sending her to assassinate him. All he ever craved and dreamt of for one thousand three hundred and sixteen years returned into his arms after one night. Everything was worth it.

Even if he had to trade his own life for her. 

Word Count: 2573 words

Cumulative Words: 6435 words