Chapter Text
Xie Lian:
Xie Lian was no stranger to pain; Bai wuxiang had made sure of that all those years ago in that damn temple. And oh his Wu ming how he misses him. But this was a new level that he had never experienced before. The coffin. Oh this fucking coffin, he had never experienced this much pain in his 500 long years of life, not ever. The stake pierced directly into his heart, never allowing it to beat correctly, the endless flow of blood making his head swim constantly. His stomach forcefully twisting, waiting for food that will never come. His mouth thoroughly parched after so long without water. Oh how it hurts. Tears stream down his face, creating tracks in the dried blood and dirt forever sticking to his temples. He's surprised he can even make tears anymore. It's so dark, not even a speck of light coming through the three layers of his prison, and he doesn't even have Ruoye anymore. He's so alone, why can't he just fall asleep and never wake up again. Why can't he just die? He does fall asleep eventually, but unfortunately he does wake up again but not yet, first, he dreams.
Xianle - 500 years ago
Xie Lian walks across a grassy training ground, the sun high in the sky right above his head because of the summer months. (When was the last time he saw the sun?) He has a training sword in a hand trembling with the excitement evoked from what today is. Today is the day he finally gets to spar with Guoshi. He had been training for years waiting for this day, he was finally 17!! His guoshi is standing in the middle of the field, training sword also in hand in anticipation. (Not really his Guoshi is long dead) He continues walking toward the center of the field, butterflies flying loose in his stomach. (Or maybe it's hunger) His ears were buzzing, his shoulders tense yet the most relaxed they had ever been. A kind of burning curls in his gut, he thinks it might be pride but it sort of makes him feel uneasy. (It's the stake, it's always the stake) He ignores it of course, he's finally sparring with guoshi!!! When he finally reaches the center his guoshi looks up, his face flickers with an emotion that Xie Lian is too excited to figure out the meaning of but soon smooths into a neutral smile. (He hates Xie Lian, he has to)
“Are you ready, Your Highness?" He asks.
"Of course guoshi!” Responds Xie Lian in a bright tone, very unbecoming of a crown prince.
"Okay, let's begin,”
They circle around each other a couple of times, feeling out their opponents openings. Xie Lian strikes first, rushing forward with a thrust that Guoshi turns his own sword to parry to the right. Xie Lian doesn't let that stop him, quickly redirecting his blade he slashes at Guoshi’s arm making him leap backwards and twist to avoid it. Guoshi spins and responds with his own slash towards Xie Lian's side, barely missing. They keep at this for a couple more exchanges until Guoshi charges forward with a thrust too fast for Xie Lian to react to and he gets poked in the ribs and flung onto his back laughing all the way down. Guoshi chuckles lightly as well which makes Xie Lian's heart swell with warmth. (Warmth he'll never feel again) Guoshi holds out a hand and Xie Lian takes it, pulling himself from the ground. He looks at his Guoshi as his lips curl into a wide grin once more.
“Well, how'd I do?" He asks expectantly.
“Very well considering who you were up against. Though, you did miss a few openings in your eagerness. Remember to always stay calm, a calm mind is your greatest weapon on the battlefield." His Guoshi praises and scolds in the same breath.
He grins even wider - if that was even possible - and sheepishly scratches the back of his head.
“I'll keep that in mind,” - he says, removing his hand and slowly lowering into a grateful bow -“Thank you for your great wisdom Guoshi.”
His Guoshi nods and walks off with the grace of a much older man than his Guoshi appeared to be. He also turns walking in the opposite direction back towards the washrooms to wash off the sheen of sweat that had appeared during the spar. His mind turned over Guoshi's words, replaying the fight over and over to see what he had missed. This was his favorite thing to do when he wasn't training or sparring, replaying fights to see what he could've done differently. (If only he'd done something different when he was a Guoshi himself) As he walks into the washroom he is greeted with the faces of his two attendants. Feng Xin and Mu Qing. (They weren't his attendants anymore, they abandoned him) One smiled at him and waved while the other looked to the floor and bowed slightly. It was obvious which was which.
“Hello Your Highness, how was your spar with guoshi?" Feng Xin asked politely.
“Oh it was wonderful, he's so amazing, you should've seen it, his form is perfect, he's awe inspiring!!" Xie Lian gushed.
“Your Highness," Mu Qing said warningly “crown princes must hold themselves in a respectable manner, you know that."
“Yes of course Mu Qing," said xie lian, a smile playing on his lips.
“Well you go wash off Your Highness, we'll go to your quarters and get your clothes for the banquet tonight." Said Feng Xin
“Ah yes thank you I'll leave you to it"
The two left with the faint sounds of Feng Xing scolding Mu Qing on his tone but Xie Lian was too elated to care. He stripped his tunic and pants off and lowered himself into the water. It was the perfect temperature and he closed his eyes in relaxation. He had only been in the water for about an incense time when he heard the door open.
“Feng Xin, Mu Qing, is that you?" He asked to the silent room. There was no answer. “Hello?" he asked again, his eyes now open and searching the room. Again no answer, there wasn't anyone there. Suddenly, he felt hands on his shoulders and a chill zipped up his spine. He slowly looked up and his eyes met a half laughing half crying mask that felt eerily familiar. He froze, confused and frightened.
“Xianle, I've finally found you," said a warm voice from behind the mask. (How could that voice ever be warm??)
“Where have you been hiding?" The creature asked “I've been searching everywhere, you're very slippery."
Xie Lian went pale, suddenly feeling very cold.
"W-Who are you?" He asked, cursing himself for stuttering.
“Oh xianle how could you ever forget me?" The creature asked in mock sadness “well no matter, I'll make you remember in due time, first let's get you back home."
Xie Lian felt the creature start to push him under the surface of the water and panicked. Who wouldn't? He thrashed and kicked and punched to keep his head above water but to no avail. This creature was just too strong. He felt the water go over his mouth, then his nose, and finally his eyes and hairline. He continued to thrash against the creature hoping to get above the surface to get some air. (There's never any air) But all he got was tired limbs. Slowly he stopped thrashing, his lungs burned with the need for air (or were they always burning? He couldn't tell.) He finally took a breath in and choked on the cold. He felt water swim down his throat into his burning lungs, slightly soothing them before burning them even more. His vision sparked white and then faded to black. (He hoped he wouldn't wake up again. But then again when was luck ever on his side?)
He woke up with a gasp and a silent scream that begged for mercy. He had unfortunately woken up again. The cycle continues.