Out of courtesy, they should have made themselves present for breakfast, but Grayson needed another few moments with her. Kissing the top of her forehead, he allowed Jiayue to snuggle close to his chest. The feeling of the warmth radiating from her reminded him of the days they spent running away from the cities, just to be in the forests alone. No disturbance. It was something Grayson would have wanted this time too, but he was aware that like many other lifetimes, he was always the one tied to multiple responsibilities. There were no words exchanged between them ever since the siblings left, and Grayson did not mind as he allowed himself to be subjected to the company.

"You -" started Grayson, earning Jiayue's attention that seemed astray and Grayson reached to cup her cheeks gently to caress them as he swallowed the thick lump in his throat. "You won't leave again, right? This time, you will stay with me forever?"

"There is nowhere else I can be except by your side. I remembered nothing except the endless spiral stairs that led me to a fiery pit," Jiayue answered, holding onto his palms as she met his gaze. "This time, I will follow your lead. Wherever you are, that is the place I will reside. I don't know how I end up here. I saw fire for a time too long, that darkness seemed good for an exchange. When I heard your voice and saw those Castleton eyes, I reached out without second thoughts. I was confident it was you. It seemed like the safest sign I could follow among the rest."

"Confident? What if it wasn't me? What would you do?" Grayson questioned, and when he felt her body stiffen at the answer, her eyes darted away from his gaze. Grayson held onto her chin lightly, earning her full attention again. "Don't take it wrong. It's just- It's been so long, Jiayue. I watched the sun and the moon dance for nearly a thousand years as I searched ways to retrieve your soul. Things could have changed in a day, let alone a thousand years. All I know is my love for you - it never withers."

"It will always be you. My soul is only tangled with you. Your eyes, they were everything to me. They hold the same gaze as always. I don't remember leaving you at all. I can still remember the first day we met and the times we spent among the mountains covered with beautiful flowers in marked vases from your magic. Then, everything went in a spiral, leading me to different dimensions of endless flames and pits," Jiayue answered, studying the hint of longing in his eyes that were brimming with evaporated crystals. "But, those, they were nothing compared to the sufferings you faced. Every step you took was carved pins screeching for freedom. And, every day and year was weighed by vengeful ghosts of the past. Qing - Gray-"

Grayson chuckled shakily, arms tightening around her warm body as he pulled her close. He buried his face against the crook of her neck and shut his eyes tight.

"It's worth it. No matter how many thorns and spikes I have to crawl to and no matter what beasts I have to face, it is all finally worth it when I can have you in my arms and have someone to share these departed memories with. I might be Grayson to many," he sighed, leaning his forehead against hers with a wide smile as the crystals descended from their position. "But I am always your Qing'er. This time, just let me remember and feel every inch of your presence for my void is finally filled, and no more confusion clouds my mind. I have been a wandering ghost for far too long. Every part of the world reminded me of you, much of it felt empty and now, I finally find a reason to patch myself again."

"Qing'er, my capricious lover," she whispered and pulled him into a fierce embrace. "This time, let me be your armour, your breath and your soul. No more living your life on broken glasses anymore, my Qing'er."

= xxx =

Sipping on their morning coffee with fresh buns in the middle of the table, Yong Min flipped through the book he was reading. Wane on the other hand was preparing for some scripts in his tiny book that store magic for his convenience while mumbling his way across the lines. Yong Min noticed his brow furrowed from time to time, fingers tapping annoyingly on the table before their gaze met.

"What?" Wane questioned, shutting his book harshly with full intention to not work on it. "They are all so hard to please. We have already agreed on their envoy to be here. What else do they want?"

Yong Min chuckled, tilting his head to the side. "I have already advised you, but you refused to take it. Nate will be home by evening, and he can provide us with remarkable solutions. You and I both know there is no one better than Nate to handle diplomacy."

"You're right, Min Min. You're right," Wane sighed, placing the book on their table. "All things against the forces of the universe, yet we witness the unprecedented."

"Are you asking me to guess what's unprecedented?" Yong Min lifted his eyebrows at Wane. "Because, one, our rose turned into a flower bud - still alive but just a baby now, and two, we have an additional guest that appears out of nowhere, which I assume was from yesterday's ruckus. So which one?"

Wane paused, arching his eyebrows at those and added. "One more, who is Grayson and what is he? Even though that is a question I am not eager to have an answer to. Back to your question, I am talking about Jiayue. She emits an aura of shrouding embers lost in a halo. I am a bad guesser, but this time around, I believe Grayson and her have a tangle with our clan. Not just any tangle, but an unfathomed and esoteric one."

"It's too early to tell," mused Yong Min, tucking his bookmark between one of the pages, when he heard the door creak. "Some mysteries unravel at the most peculiar time of the universe. What matters most is the present to be unharmed. I fear not just for us, Wane, but how this string of fate might detonate into irreparable threads when the time divulges what lies inside."

= xxx =

Grayson devoured the delicious toast with fresh kaya and butter, followed by a sip of the hot coffee, which was refilled for the third time throughout breakfast. He could lie about anything in the universe, but his stomach had been a ruckus ever since he got up. His morning snuggles with his reunited lover were cut short when Grayson's stomach rumbled in the air as if a war was about to begin amidst the pouring rain, which worked well in shielding their plans. Only, there was nothing to protect his screaming stomach, shortening his catch up with Jiayue. As always, they prioritise food over anything, and since they were invited for breakfast, Jiayue had assured that they would not allow the clan's host to wait that long. It would be rude since Wane and Yong Min had showered them with endless hospitality.

Opposite him, Yong Min sat with a stoic expression, biting into the omelette, eyes sharp and unreadable as he admired the beauty of the gardens outside before shifting his gaze to meet Grayson's, a huge desire to continue their broken conversation earlier when he stepped away to get hot brewed coffee. The book he had read earlier was left unattended by his side, pages dancing with the wind. Despite Yong Min's demeanour, Grayson knew the man was calmly enjoying himself. His black leather gloves held a deep story that Grayson wanted to uncover, yet he did not want to interfere with such power on this particular day. Grayson sat upright when Yong Min hummed, setting his spoon down, ready to strike another meaningful conversation.

"The mission you said you were pursuing," Yong Min started, resting his elbow on the empty chair beside him, "I bet it was a grave matter since you attracted some of the most deadly species to our clan."

Grayson nodded and hummed, letting out a long sigh. "Yes, it was. It still is. You seem to know a lot about the creatures. Are you a master of them? Only a master would know their weakness and strengths as well as you do."

"A master?" Yong Min chuckled, shaking his head. "No, Grayson. You speak too highly of me. I am a master to no one. Just to myself and my clan. I was like you, a general and a second-in-command. I have my fair share of knowledge about the world's calamities, including their evil beasts."

Across the table, Wane broke his attention away from Jiayue's suggestion on his question when he heard Yong Min's answer. Unlike Yong Min, Wane's chuckles were free, and he engaged in a lively conversation with Jiayue about the colours and flowers for their upcoming guests. His legs are crossed, pointing at several choices openly, gesturing wildly at some irrelevant choice. Grayson cast a side glance at Wane when he patted Jiayue's palms slightly, assuring her that he will continue their conversation in a bit. Only when their gaze clashed, Wane lifted his palms from Jiayue, slapping the palms that touched Jiayue.

"My apologies, my apologies," muttered Wane with a soft giggle. "She's all yours. Don't set that look on me. I can feel my fur falling off my skin. Well, those Droniks that came by are nothing rare to our eyes. My siblings and I have had our fair share of adventures, but for them to be here, it means that whatever you are looking for, it is something even they desire. If that is your main mission, Grayson, my advice is to start searching for what you have lost because the consequences are too much for any kingdom to bear."

A snort escaped from Grayson's lips, and he smirked. "Any kingdom? Wane, if they get their hands on that artifact, not even the angels can save these innocent kingdoms. It's my responsibility and -"

The wind chimes behind Yong Min's seat tingled against the wind, reminding him of the ancient music he once wrote and shared with Jiayue. Among the halls, Wane and Yong Min's voices withered along the rustling leaves as he reached out to hold onto Jiayue's palms. Brushing them lightly, Grayson craved more time to be with her. He could not delay his journey back to his kingdom, neither could he spend too much time away. Smiling at Jiayue's soft giggle when Wane resumed a silly conversation with choices of colours that did not match. He could see Jiayue's disdain towards such choice of colors, but she brushed it away politely, just like she always did.

= xxx =

"They are our finest steeds," Yong Min assured Grayson, handing him their horse with a small bag. "Once they reach your kingdom, feed them and let them loose. They know their way home. And these are some buns to accompany your journey."

The two white horses neighed, brushing themselves against Yong Min to ensure him of their safety. Yong Min smiled, patting their back as he studied Wane's serious conversation with Jiayue. Perhaps in her, he found a similar aura, just like their little sister who was still venturing the world. Everyone in the clan adored their one and only little sister, but she was too free-spirited to catch up with. Helping Grayson to adjust the saddle, Yong Min felt a surge of energy from Grayson, unsettled and fumbling around as if searching for a desperate exit. Yong Min stepped aside, staring into the open forest as he recalled the bud on the book in their library. Ever since Grayson was awake, he spoke nothing of his encounter with the library. Yong Min tried to push for answers when they were alone, but everything was just a blank piece of paper from Grayson's memory. He obtained a simple answer - attack, blur, and then Jiayue. He breathed out, watching Jiayue returning to his lover's embrace. Could she be his answer? Yong Min battled in his mind, crossing his arms and pinching himself.

"Thank you, again," said Grayson as he bowed. "For everything. Let's hope our paths cross again in the future under better circumstances. I bid you farewell and good luck to all your upcoming envoys."

"Thank you, and I wish you both a safe journey to your home," Wane bid, meeting Grayson's eyes. "Remember to fulfil your duties. I hope we do not meet in a battlefield of regrets and rage."

Nodding in agreement with what Wane had mentioned, he waved, sinking into the sound of hooves riding out of the clan. The barrier across their clan rattled, emitting purple sparkles as assurance of their safe departure. Yong Min clasped his hands onto his chest, feeling the magic in his blood ripple like uncertain waves in the ocean trying to devour all ships that crossed. He breathed heavily, looking at the tracks made by their horses.

"Min Min?" Wane called out as he walked, gesturing for him to follow. "Ease your worries. Should anything arise this time around, it would not be hard for us to track him down. Every meet brings an infinite revelation. Time is what everyone should be afraid of, even for us." 

Word Count: 2268 words

Cumulative Words: 8703 words