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Jing Yuan was pulled out of his empty stare by the melodic voice of his companion, with her lips forming a poisoned smile. But he looked down to her nonetheless. After all, she was the one who held his leash. He could never hold that against her or anyone else. She could give his mind clarity and room to breathe. Something that only she could do, that he knows of. As it was harder for him to keep parts of his memory intact.
A puzzle with all the wrong pieces to it. Jing Yuan wasn’t in dire need to see the full picture at the time.
“Kafka.” She hummed softly while putting her arms behind here watching him.
“Are you nervous about the mission? You know there is nothing you need to worry over. After all, everything has been pre determined in Elio’s script.” He was quick to frown at her words. He glimpsed the script over but had to stop when the mara in him flared at familiar names. Jing Yuan usually always made sure to read Elio’s scripts but this one, he couldn’t. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his comrades or Elio’s vision. He just liked to know ahead of time what he was getting into.
Jing Yuan would always follow through no matter what, even at the detriment of his body breaking, losing mind, blood falling. In the end he was destiny's slave after all.
Fu Xuan was tired. It was as simple as that. She’d been told that a stellaron was smuggled on the ship. That many unwanted visitors would soon be coming to her. That it would cause her a headache to deal with. It was making her more irritated and snappy to anyone who tried talking to her. Her bite was definitely worse than her bark. And for now she was waiting for the newest prisoner to be brought in. A stellaron hunter who had readily allowed himself to be captured and brought to her.
“General.” The young voice of her retainer. Someone who in the time to come may take her spot as general when she retires. She still has a long way to come until then though. Much can happen in that space of time.
“Yanqing. Be on best behavior. We’re dealing with a well known criminal.” The blond boy nodded, straightening his posture.
Her eyes narrowed down the long steps as the large doors were opened, the criminal being ushered in with many cloud knights surrounding him. She could only see those knights as potential leverage against her if a fight was to break out. Golden eyes locked onto her but she ignored the gaze.
“General Fu Xuan, we've collected the Stellaron Hunter Jing Yuan. We also have his weapon stored.” The knight who spoke walked forward to present the blade to her. She made a slight gesture to Yanqing, the boy moving to meet the knight halfway to take it from their hand with a polite nod.
As soon as both were back to their original positions she gestured a hand out in a sweep.
“Leave. I will recall you all once this interrogation is over.” The cloud knights seemed to hesitate before leaving her.
“Stellaron Hunter Jing Yuan. Do you have an explanation of why you’re here? Why you deemed it was a good idea to smuggle a stellaron onto the Luofu? What was your motive for doing so? Speak.” Empty eyes continued to watch Fu Xuan her own widening, it was like she saw red fill them but as she blinked, they were empty and dull once more. She chanced a glance to Yanqing but saw nothing that indicated he saw what she did.
“I'm only here to fulfill my duty and follow the destiny laid out for me.” Jing Yuan lowered his head as he spoke in a monotone voice, with an almost laziness to it that had her bristling. She couldn’t tell if the man was taking her questions seriously or not.
“Why are the stellaron hunters seeking to infiltrate the Luofu? Why are you here? To cause trouble?” She was trying to eke out any information she could from him before he was sent to the shackling prison.
Something stirred in the shackled man who raised his head, eyes flashing red, and she knew she wasn’t the only one who saw it because her retainer tensed a coldness starting to spread. His fingers frosted over as the man moved his hands to cover his face; it didn't hide those red hued eyes though.
“Hm, I remember now. Why I’m here.. I will end them.”
Dan Heng is not unused to seeing that white haired man. Be it in his nightmares or in person. Who had him running from planet to planet, from one ship to another. The man that had him on edge whenever in his presence or nearby.
When he first met the golden eyed man he seemed like someone who was calm, a tad tired looking. A person he could see himself being in the company of. Told Dan Heng that he was looking for ‘them’. Whatever that meant. He didn’t prod and sat relaxed next to the other. After all he wasn’t being chased off for being a stowaway. But this peaceful moment was ruined when he was asked what his name was. A name he was getting used to. His new one that he claimed. That felt right to him.
“Dan Heng.” But as soon as he uttered it a strong hand gripped his arm, startling him. And when he looked to question his voice was taken away from him. That gaze. Crimson filled his vision, the grip getting tighter. Hurting. This person, who he let his guard down around, was now looking at him with harsh malice. So when static started to tingle against his skin he did the only thing that seemed reasonable. And defended himself. Thrusting his spear forward and through the chest of his attacker.
When it happened he thought he didn’t want to kill the man. Just to injure him so he would let go. Allowing Dan Heng to escape. He was quick to run away from the bloody scene.
It left him very rattled when he saw that white haired figure bobbing through the streets of another planet. He didn’t give the man a chance to see him leaving that planet as soon as he could. Those two times wouldn’t be the last he saw of him. Dan Heng would always try slipping away before he could be seen. Successful and not at times. He couldn’t even tell what the motive behind it was. As he never spoke much to him. Basically silent during any of their clashes. He hated the man as much as there was the smallest pull on his curiosity. Because why was he doing it? Any questions he had were usually pushed away from the annoyance he felt at the thoughtless actions.
A man of no reason was dangerous and unpredictable. It would be better to continue staying far away from the man. The new member to the express would soon shake everything up for Dan Heng though.
Yanqing glanced down one more to the.. weapon in his hand, if it could be called that. From what he knows of different weapons this one looked like it could be a glaive. With its long handle and round decorative hilt. And the blade, the blade! It was broken! Just a barely there shattered edge at the hilt. It was basically a stick to him. The only reason he was even slightly interested in it was because of the designs in it. It looked like something his teacher may have made. Which is why he was currently making his way to the house. That house which was as far away as it could get from any living beings. Teacher tried living at Fyxestroll Garden but moved away after saying that the heliobus were too noisy for him.
Him and the General were the only two who visited. His teacher could basically be called a recluse. Or a hermit. But Yanqing also felt like he had a debt to pay to the man. He was the one who showed him how to make weapons, to form ice into those many weapons. Who introduced him to General Fu Xuan and recommended him to be part of the commission. He had much to be thankful for. He made it a weekly occurrence to visit and bring food. Who would have likely starved if not for him and the General. He couldn’t help his smile as he knocked on the door.
“It's open.” A coarse voice shouted.
“You shouldn’t leave your door unlocked. It could be dangerous.” A glare was directed to him at his remark.
“Who but you would come to my house? I purposely go out of my way to avoid interaction, and yet here you are.” He pouted slightly. Yanqing didn’t usually act childish, especially in front of General Fu Xuan, but with his teacher he felt he was able to act childishly.
“Teacher I wanted to show you something. Well, ask more about it.” The older man finally came to view. He sat at a table with a scroll spread out and a pen in hand. He could make out the faintest marks of a weapon design on it.
Yanqing couldn’t deny that he was afraid of the day the man would pass. He was actually shocked when he was told that the man was a short lived species. When he’d been told that initially he’d been dumbfounded. Because his teacher has already passed the age of a normal longer life species.
With white hair that entwined with black strands. Strands that seemed to get less the more years pass. When he hesitantly asked how he could be a short lived species he was told that his teacher has been aging slower. That an accident seemed to reverse his age. Setting his body back to that of a younger man. With time going by he began to notice that he wasn’t really aging. The only tell of it being the mostly black hair starting to pale until white. But now the teacher had a head of white hair with only some darker parts mixed in. It’s why it made him nervous. As much as he was aging slower, Yanqing believed he had less than fifty years left in him. And he refused any visits from Bailu. It frustrated him to no end. Did his teacher stop caring for his life? His health? For him?
“I found this weapon with our-” he paused looking to the side, “your.. It looked like your smithwork. It's why I brought it to show you.” He can’t exactly divulge his work. Right now it was supposed to stay under wraps as General Fu Xuan dealt with the, Astral Express? He was taken out of his thinking as the older man rapidly stood up.
“Where did you get this!?” His teacher hesitantly reached out, a sorrow filling his eyes as he glanced at the broken blade.
“I.. We caught someone. He was holding this blade. But I’m not supposed to tell anyone about this!” He caved way too easily to his teachers' whims.
“A prisoner? What did he look like?”
“He-he had white hair like you. Golden eyes, or.. He looked mad. The man had red eyes. Like the mara struck.” He watched as recognition flashed on his teacher's face. Familiarity.
“Yanqing. May I keep this weapon? It would be useless to you.” He guiltily looked down as moved away from the reaching hand.
“I can't! I shouldn’t have even shown you. This is evidence to the commission. I’m breaking rules just by taking it. Actually, I should go!” He was quick to turn away at the befuddlement the older man had on his face. Taking off to exit the house.
“Yanqing! You brat! Get back here!”
Jing Yuan was restless pacing back and forth like a lion. His blood was burning, his skin prickling. Rarely does his mind ever feel this clear. No longer was his mind clouded and hazy. He wasn’t grasping at water that slipped through his fingers to the absence of mind.
“Kafka. This desired meeting.. Will I finally be able to end them all..?” It was hard to talk, he felt out of breath with a fast beating of his heart. The woman crossed her arms as she tracked him. For at this time he was like a wild animal with his prey in sight, waiting for the signal to attack. And she was the only one who could give it to him. It didn’t seem to matter to him if he had a weapon on him or not. He could and would fight.
“No longer resist, let the mara consume you.” And gold was overtaken by the red of madness
When Dan Heng was led to the man who tried killing him on multiple occasions. The young retainer of the General followed behind him. The boy tensed, he wouldn’t be surprised if the blonde felt like a cattle at the slaughter. Even he couldn’t deny that bloodlust seemed to radiate off the mara struck man. Electricity seemed to spark around his body.
“I’ll make sure all are given a death.” That voice that used to be so calm trembled and stumbled. Was quickly said that he almost missed it. And with a crackle of thunder a fight began.
A weapon formed from lightning struck out at him that was blocked by his spear. He thought he was seeing things when a wavering and faded form of something followed behind the man. Dan Heng could only make out the form of its arms and the weapon it held. That sparked as it led its own strike against him. When the man striked against him he would dodge or block but the figure of lightning would move independently and attack at his opening. He was basically fighting against two opponents and his main one didn’t even hold a weapon. It was frustrating, not to mention he was rattled while they were fighting. This time, he was actually being fought with killing intent.
In the end, he wasn’t fighting at his best. He let his guard down and with a shock of electricity through him the blade entered his chest. (How ironic. An eye for an eye.)
She watched the ensuing fight with entertainment. Jing Yuan was often allowed to let loose, but it was a spectacle to watch when he did. She quirked an eyebrow at the fight that was now against the young blonde boy. I guess the enemy of my enemy is my friend? That the foolish boy thought it ideal to bring Jing Yuan’s weapon with him. It saved them the trouble of needing to grab it. This was a possibility in the script that was written.
She found it a little funny that the two who had been fighting now were teaming. She would admit though, that Jing Yuan when in that state couldn’t think of anything outside of fighting now matter how many times he died. The longer it went the harder it was to differentiate friend from foe.
Kafka let out a breath taking notice of the icy fog that came out. She watched as ice formed a multitude of weapons. To swords, spears, and curved bows. Not perfectly shaped but the weapons did what was intended for them.
Swords formed together to strike, spears shot quickly forwards, and bows shot bursts of ice. She knows with time these techniques will sharpen and improve, but not yet. Because right now the boy was unfortunate to face two of the past Cloud Quintet who held countless years of experience, and a third was soon to join them. A smirk played on her lips as she finally spoke.
Walking to the center stage, he glanced down at his apprentice with a seething glare.
“Go and wait at the boat Yanqing.” The younger flinched, lowering his head in guilt
“I’m sorry teacher.” The youngest was quick to listen and flee. He sighed massaging his temple. He was possibly a little too harsh on him, he’d have to do something to make up for it. But his apprentice thought he could take on two men way more powerful than himself not to mention dangerous. That is what gets soldiers killed. Now only four remained.
He finally took a chance to look at Jing Yuan. He almost looked the same but he had visible scars now showing. Actually, most of them looked like lichtenberg burns. And those wide golden eyes were still half red. Like that madness hasn’t fully left his system.
“Yingxing.” He shook his head at that gasp of a name. The youngest of them looked clueless, that gaze trying to take in as much as he could of what he had likely thought to be a dead man.
“Jing Yuan. Why are you actually here?” At his name he paused before glancing at the woman who stood nearby. Who stopped that fight with a few simple words. She let a simple hum out before giving a shrug. Like it was some way to silently communicate to one another.
“I must give you all a death. You need to die!” He seemed so sure in his belief. And a small seed of grief seemed to plant itself in his chest.
“It’s deserved. It's time. And I can make sure of that… But I didn’t know about Yingqing.” He could only let out a tired sigh.
“If you want to grant me a quick death, this one would not put up a fight. But I’m sure old age isn’t far off from taking me.” That gaze seemed to soften and reach out for him, pausing, before falling back to his side. A new sort of blankness settling on his face. Unnaturally so.
“It’s time. Our task is complete..”
"So what is it you'll do once you've completed your goal? It's not like you can exactly die."
"Do I deserve death? I've always believed I did not."
"So why are you so gung ho about killing those old friends of yours? Or past friends?"
"Well.. They deserve to finally rest. I'll carry the sins we committed. They should be able to finally rest with our friends together again."
"Hm, yes. I see a beautiful end for them. One where they can be greeted by those two, free of burden and guilt."
"...."
"Little dramatic but okay. I got a new multiplayer game so play it with me."
"Alright."