Heaven’S Decree, Unspoke
Chapter 1
Silence ruled the battlefield
Not the silence of peace, but the heavy, suffocating kind that followed slaughter when even the wind seemed afraid to breathe.
The ground was soaked dark, mud and blood indistinguishable beneath shattered arrows and broken spears. Bodies lay strewn where they had fallen, armor split open, hands still clenched around swords that would never be lifted again. Horses lay collapsed on their sides, eyes wide and glassy, their final screams swallowed by the earth. Banners from the fallen kingdoms were trampled into the mire, their once-proud colors smeared into nothing more than stains.
At the center of it all stood a single flag.
It rose unmoving, planted deep into the ground as if the earth itself had accepted its weight. The cloth was dark, heavy, and vast,its edges fluttering slowly in the blood-thick wind. Though it moved, it did not feel light. It carried an oppressive presence, one that bent the air around it, pressing down on the battlefield like a verdict already passed.
Everyone knew this banner.
No one needed to read the sigil embroidered upon it.
This was the flag of the kingdom no one dared to provoke.
The flag that marked the end.
A groan broke the silence.
Near the flag’s shadow, a man struggled against the ground, his fingers digging weakly into the mud. He coughed, blood spilling from his mouth as he forced himself onto one knee. His once-ornate armor was shattered, the gold dulled and cracked, crimson spreading across his chest and side.
He was a king.
Or what remained of one.
His vision swam as a shadow fell over him.
A foot stopped just inches from his hand.
The boot was clean.
That alone sent a chill through the fallen king’s spine.
king
*Slowly,painfully lifted his head*
The man standing before him was tall, broad-shouldered, his stance firm and unmoving, like a mountain rooted into the battlefield. His armor was dark steel trimmed with restrained silver, practical rather than ornamental, bearing the marks of battle without appearing worn by it. A long cloak fell from his shoulders, torn at the edges yet still commanding, as if it refused to bow even to war itself.
His face was sharp and resolute, features hardened by years of combat. There was no cruelty in his eyes only clarity. The kind that made decisions without hesitation and carried them through without regret.
This man did not revel in bloodshed.
He endured it.
king
*Laughed weakly, the sound cracking midway*
king
So… you are the executioner they send now?
The man did not answer immediately. He looked down at the battlefield, at the fallen soldiers, enemy and ally alike with the same steady gaze.
Shen qirui
I am Shen Qirui
Shen qirui
General of this army.
king
*Recognition flickered in the eyes. Fear followed swiftly after*
king
So even you have come *murmured*
Shen qirui
*Crouched slightly, resting one hand on the hilt of his sword not in threat, but in habit.*
Shen qirui
*he said simply*
Shen qirui
Your army surrendered when your left flank collapsed. The rest fled.
king
*Clenched his jaw* And my people?
Shen qirui
If you do not force our hand further.
king
*A bitter smile twisted the bloodied lips*
king
You speak of mercy… while standing beneath that flag?
Before shen Qirui could respond
A sound cut through the air.
A slow, low whistle.
It was not loud.
It did not need to be.
The battlefield reacted instantly.
Soldiers stiffened. Cheers died in throats half-open. Even the wind seemed to falter, the flag’s movement slowing as if bowing to an unseen presence.
king
*Pupils shrank*No…
* whispered* He’s here?
The whistle echoed again, closer this time.
Footsteps followed.
Every step crushed something beneath it broken weapons, bones, pride without pause or acknowledgment. A figure emerged through the haze of smoke and dust, walking through the battlefield as though it were merely a road meant for him alone.
His expression was relaxed.
Too relaxed.
As though this battlefield were nothing more than a mild inconvenience.
He stopped in front of the fallen king.
The pressure in the air deepened.
king
*trembled, forcing himself upright despite the agony tearing through his body. *
king
*Lifted his head , refusing at least in this moment to bow.*
king
So,* rasped, voice shaking despite his effort.* You finally show yourself.
???
*Tilted his head slightly, as if amused.*
???
You held on longer than I expected,” * he said lightly.* lmpressive.
king
*Laughed, a broken, desperate sound.*If this is the end… then tell me. Was there ever a chance we could have survived?
The man considered him for a moment, eyes calm, almost indifferent.
???
No... *he answered honestly.*
That single word crushed the king more thoroughly than any blade.
king
Why? * demanded hoarsely.* What did we do to deserve annihilation?
???
*Smiled faintly.*
You stood in my way.
There was no hatred in his tone.
No anger.
Just fact.
The king’s shoulders slumped. His defiance finally cracked, despair flooding his face.
king
Then do it *he whispered.* Finish it.
???
*sighed softly, almost bored.*
He drew his sword in one smooth motion. The blade was dark, its edge gleaming coldly beneath the muted light. Without hesitation, without ceremony, he stepped forward.
One strike.
Clean.
Final.
The king’s head fell to the ground, eyes still open in disbelief.
Blood splashed across the earth.
The man wiped the blade lightly and returned it to its sheath. A faint smirk touched his lips not from joy, but satisfaction.
Behind him, cheers erupted.
Victory cries tore through the battlefield as soldiers raised their weapons high, the sound shaking the sky itself
Shen qirui
*Exhaled slowly, watching the scene with a mixture of relief and familiarity.*
The man in red turned away, crimson robes fluttering as he walked back toward the waiting army.
The flag behind him stood tall.
Unchallenged.
Unyielding.
The capital revealed itself at dawn.
From a distance, the city looked as though it had grown from the mountains rather than been built upon them. Vast stone walls curved like the spine of a sleeping dragon, layered and reinforced, rising high enough to catch the first light of morning. Watchtowers stood at precise intervals, their silhouettes sharp against the pale sky, banners hanging still as if in disciplined silence.
Beyond the gates, the city unfolded in structured elegance—wide stone streets, canals reflecting the sky like mirrors, rooftops arranged with deliberate symmetry. Everything here spoke of order, of control held so tightly that chaos dared not breathe within its borders.
And above it all
The palace.
It was not delicate.
It was not ornate.
It was overwhelming.
The castle rose from the heart of the capital like an unmovable truth, built of dark stone polished smooth by time. Its walls were tall and unbroken, its towers sharp and imposing, their shadows stretching across the city even in daylight. Red banners lined the battlements, heavy fabric bearing a sigil that needed no explanation.
Inside, the feast hall burned with life.
Golden lanterns hung from the high ceiling, their warm glow reflecting off lacquered pillars and polished stone floors. Long tables stretched across the hall, laden with dishes untouched by restraint steaming meats, jeweled fruits, wine jars stacked high. The air was thick with laughter, the sharp clink of cups striking together, and the curl of smoke drifting lazily upward.
Victory had loosened tongues.
Soldiers drank deep, some already flushed with alcohol, others recounting battles with exaggerated gestures. Smoke from pipes lingered between conversations, blurring the edges of the hall, softening the sharpness of steel into something almost human.
At the far end of the hall, elevated above the rest, was the throne platform.
He sat there.
One leg drawn lazily up, elbow resting against the armrest, fingers loosely holding a cup of wine he hadn’t bothered to drink. His posture was relaxed—too relaxed for a ruler who had just crushed another kingdom beneath his heel.
Red robes spilled around him like liquid shadow, the fabric catching the lantern light with every subtle shift. His long hair fell down his back in a dark cascade, a few strands framing his face carelessly. And at his ear, that single earring gleamed faintly, unmoving despite the noise below.
He watched the hall with half-lidded eyes.
Detached.
Amused.
As though this celebration belonged to someone else.
Shen qirui
*Entered quietly.*
He moved through the hall with practiced ease, nodding to officers, ignoring the drunken calls for him to join. His steps slowed as he reached the stairs leading to the throne platform. Each step upward felt heavier not from fear, but familiarity.
When he reached the top, he stopped a short distance away.
The hall did not quiet.
But something shifted.
Lie yan
*Turned his head.
Slowly.*
Lie yan
*His gaze slid toward Shen Qirui, sharp and lazy all at once. One brow lifted slightly, expression unreadable half curiosity, half mild irritation at being interrupted.*
Shen qirui
*Clicked his tongue.*
Shen qirui
That look again
Shen qirui
*he muttered, rolling his eyes.*
Shen qirui
You really enjoy acting like everyone’s a nuisance, don’t you?
Lie yan
*Lips curved faintly.*
Shen qirui
*Crossed his arms.* You didn’t even drink.
Lie yan
*Glanced down at the untouched cup in his hand, then shrugged*
Lie yan
It tastes the same every time.
Shen qirui
You’re impossible
Lie yan
And yet *replied smoothly* you keep coming back.
Shen qirui
*Snorted, stepping closer.*
Shen qirui
Someone has to make sure you don’t scare your own people into silence.
Lie Yan’s eyes flicked briefly toward the hall, toward the soldiers laughing, shouting, alive. The faintest shadow passed through his gaze before disappearing just as quickly.
Lie yan
They’re loud enough
Shen qirui
*Studied him for a moment, expression softening.*
Shen qirui
The war’s over. You can stop pretending now.
Lie yan
*Leaned back against the throne, red fabric pooling around him.*
Lie yan
Pretending? *echoed lightly.*
Lie yan
General Shen, I’ve never pretended a day in my life.
Shen qirui
That *replied dryly* is exactly the problem.
Lie Yan chuckled under his breath, lifting the cup at last and taking a slow sip. His eyes never left Chen Qirui’s face.
Shen qirui
*straightened instinctively, professionalism sliding back into place.*
Shen qirui
No remaining resistance. The capital surrendered by nightfall. The people have been secured.
A brief silence settled between them not uncomfortable, but weighted.
Below them, laughter rose higher, cups clashed louder, victory burning bright and fleeting.
Above it all, Lie Yan remained seated on his throne untouched, unmoved.
Chapter 2
The feast burned on behind him.
Laughter rose and fell in waves, cups struck against tables, and the thick scent of wine and smoke lingered in the corridors.
But Shen Qirui had already lost patience with it all.
He stepped out of the hall, boots echoing sharply against the stone floor as the doors closed behind him.
Shen qirui
Unbelievable *he muttered to himself, tugging loose the clasp at his collar.*
Shen qirui
Absolutely unbelievable.
He turned down one corridor, then another, already knowing what he would not find.
Empty rooms.
Quiet halls.
No trace of red.
Shen qirui
He vanishes the moment you blink
Shen qirui
*grumbled, voice low but sharp.*
Shen qirui
Does he think this is amusing? Or does he genuinely believe the world will wait just because he tells it to?
Shen qirui
*Exhaled slowly, pressing his thumb against his temple.*
Shen qirui
(Lie Yan had always been like this.
Appearing when he wished. Leaving when he pleased. As if time bent differently around him stretching, folding, breaking in ways no one else could follow.)
Shen Qirui Pushed open a side door.
Cool night air rushed in.
The balcony opened wide, overlooking the sleeping capital far below. Lanterns dotted the streets like fallen stars, their light reflected faintly in the palace canals. Above, the sky stretched endless and dark, the moon pale and distant, clouds drifting lazily across its face.
And there
At the edge of the balcony
Lie Yan stood alone.
He leaned casually against the stone railing, one arm resting along it, fingers loose and unburdened. His red robes caught the moonlight, darkening into something deeper, richer like embers glowing beneath ash.
His long hair stirred gently in the night wind, strands brushing his cheek, his neck, the faint glint of that single earring catching the light like a quiet promise.
Shen qirui
*Clicked his tongue sharply.*
Shen qirui
So this is where you ran off to.
Shen qirui
*scowled, striding closer.*
Shen qirui
You disappeared.
Shen qirui
You always do that.
Lie yan
*Hummed softly in acknowledgment.*
Shen Qirui stopped beside him, gripping the railing hard enough to feel the cold stone bite into his palm.
Shen qirui
Do you have any idea how irritating it is to look for you after a battle? The entire palace could collapse, and you’d still be standing somewhere staring at the sky.
Lie yan
*Lips curved faintly.*
Lie yan
Then I trust you’d find me.
Shen qirui
*Scoffed.* Don’t flatter yourself.
The night air cooled the heat lingering in Shen Qirui’s chest. Slowly, the edge of his irritation dulled, replaced by something heavier something he did not name.
Shen qirui
You should be inside.
Lie Yan finally turned his head.
Moonlight brushed his features, softening the sharp lines just enough to make him seem almost gentle. His eyes were calm, deep, reflecting the sky like still water.
Lie yan
Why? * asked quietly*
Shen qirui
They’re celebrating you.
Shen qirui
You won another war.
Lie Yan looked back at the sky.
The word carried no triumph.
Shen Qirui watched Lie Yan for a long moment before speaking again.
Shen qirui
That’s not a random number.
Lie Yan’s gaze did not waver from the sky.
Shen qirui
*exhaled through his nose.*
Shen qirui
So it’s finally loosening.
Lie Yan’s fingers tightened against the stone railing, just slightly. The movement was so small most would miss it but Shen Qirui did not.
Lie yan
The heavens don’t loosen anything.
Lie yan
They only allow it to end.
He remembered.
He remembered the price paid in blood and years and silence. Remembered the day Lie Yan had returned alive, whole, and yet not untouched. Remembered the weight that had settled over him like a shadow that never moved.
Shen qirui
*muttered under his breath.*
Shen qirui
You waited centuries.
Lie yan
*smiled faintly, eyes still lifted.*
Lie yan
You make it sound long.
Shen qirui
*turned sharply toward him.* It was long.
Lie Yan finally looked at him then.
The smile lingered, but it was thin now, fragile around the edges.
Lie yan
For someone else, perhaps.
Shen qirui
*Voice dropped.* And now?
Lie yan
*his gaze drifted upward again, toward the moon half-hidden behind clouds.*
Lie yan
There is one week left where I must not cross the line.
Shen qirui
*Frowned.* The conditions?
Lie yan
If I step into that kingdom before the last seal dissolves, the curse resets.
Shen qirui
*sucked in a sharp breath.* Resets?
Lie yan
Everything, *replied calmly.* The waiting. The distance. The forgetting.
Shen qirui
*swore softly under his breath.*
Shen qirui
Those damned heavens-
Lie yan
They were generous.
Lie yan
*interrupted gently.*
Shen qirui
*stared at him.* Generous?
Lie yan
*lowered his head slightly, the moonlight catching on the earring at his ear.*
Lie yan
They allowed reincarnation. They allowed time. They allowed me to remember.
Shen qirui
And took everything else *said bitterly.*
Lie Yan did not argue.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The wind stirred again, cooler now, carrying with it the distant sound of a bell somewhere in the city. Shen Qirui leaned back against the railing, eyes fixed on the sky.
Shen qirui
So after one week…
Shen qirui
You can finally go.
Lie yan
*lips curved again just barely.* yes.
Shen qirui
*hesitated.* And if… if he doesn’t recognize you?
Lie yan
*voice was steady.* He won’t.
Shen qirui
And if he doesn’t feel anything?
Lie yan
*closed his eyes.*
For now, *said softly* that is how it must be.
Shen qirui
*Clenched his jaw.*
Shen qirui
You fought the heavens themselves. You bled for this. You shattered kingdoms just to reach this moment, and you’re telling me you’re prepared for him to look at you like a stranger?
Lie yan
*opened his eyes.* There are worse things, He is alive. That is enough.
Shen qirui
*Laughed, but there was no humor in it.* You’re unbelievable.
Lie yan
*glanced at him.* You’ve always known that.
Shen qirui
*Shook his head slowly.* You’re ruthless to the world, And unbearably gentle about him.
The night did not fade.
Instead, it folded inward.
The balcony, the moonlight, the distant city lights all of it softened, dimmed, as if memory itself had reached out and pulled Lie Yan back by the sleeve.
It had been another war.
One among many.
The kingdom’s borders were marked by scorched earth and broken watchtowers, its armies crushed swiftly, efficiently without spectacle. By the time the last banner fell, dusk had already begun to bleed into the sky, staining the clouds with muted gold and ash.
Lie Yan stood at the edge of the battlefield, boots resting just short of the border stone.
Beyond it lay the conquered land.
Behind him, his army waited in disciplined silence. No cheers. No premature celebration. They had learned long ago to watch him first to measure the moment by his stillness rather than sound.
Shen Qirui had been there too, though he stood farther back, giving Lie Yan space. He remembered noticing it then that strange pause. That hesitation that had nothing to do with tactics.
Lie Yan’s gaze was fixed on the land ahead.
It was nothing remarkable at first glance.
Low hills stretched into the distance, softened by early mist. Sparse forests leaned under the evening wind. The kingdom’s capital lay far beyond, hidden by terrain and time. There was no reason, no strategic reason for him to linger.
And yet
His chest tightened.
Not painfully.
Not sharply.
But with a pull so sudden and precise it stole the breath from his lungs.
Lie Yan’s fingers twitched.
Then
It happened.
Heat flared beneath his skin, threading through his veins like fire chasing silk. His red thread usually dormant, silent as an old scar glowed.
No.
It blazed.
The invisible bond tightened around his heart, tugging once clear, undeniable.
Lie Yan froze.
The world narrowed.
The battlefield fell away.
The noise dulled, as though he had been submerged beneath water.
There.
Right there.
Across that border.
His breath caught, sharp and unsteady, the first in centuries that had not been entirely under his control. Slowly, he lifted a hand to his chest, fingers pressing flat against the place where the pull burned strongest.
His lips parted.
For a moment, no sound came out.
Then he laughed.
It was soft.
Almost disbelieving.
So quiet that none of the soldiers behind him heard it.
Lie yan
So that’s it *he murmured.*
The search was over.
All the wars. All the blood. All the kingdoms he had turned upside down, scoured, destroyed not for conquest, but for traces, for echoes, for a feeling he could never fully describe.
And now
Now it had answered him.
And now
Now it had answered him.
Lie Yan closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, they were wet.
He did not wipe the moisture away.
He did not need to.
A smile curved slowly across his face not sharp, not cruel, not the one the world feared.
It was gentle.
Unguarded.
Almost boyish.
Shen qirui
*He stepped forward instinctively, concern flickering across his face.* Lie Yan?
Shen qirui
*Blinked.* What?
Lie yan
Order the army to pull back, No further advance.
A murmur rippled through the ranks.
Shen qirui
*frowned, confusion sharpening into disbelief.* The capital is still—
Lie yan
We do not cross the border
Lie yan
*voice steady, final* Not now. Not later.
Shen qirui
*searched his profile.* Is this—
Lie yan
Do not investigate this kingdom, *interrupted gently.* No records. No searches. No questions.
Shen qirui
*hesitated.*And the reason?
Lie Yan’s gaze softened, lingering on the unseen land beyond the border stone.
Lie yan
My answer is here, *said quietly.* That is enough.
Shen qirui
*studied him for a long moment. Then, slowly, he nodded.* As you command.
The orders were given.
The army turned.
Banners lowered.
The soldiers obeyed without understanding because they trusted the man who had led them through hell and brought them back alive every time.
Lie Yan remained at the border until the last footsteps faded.
He stood there alone as the sky darkened, the first stars emerging shyly above the horizon. The pull in his chest did not lessen.
If anything, it felt warmer now.
Closer.
Lie yan
*He exhaled shakily, the sound breaking despite his effort to steady it.*
Lie Yan turned away at last, walking back toward his waiting fate with moist eyes and a smile he did not bother to hide.
Behind him, the border stone stood unmoved.
Chapter 3
The memory loosened its hold.
The battlefield faded, the border stone dissolved into shadow, and the quiet hum of the red thread softened until it became nothing more than a distant echo.
The night air of the balcony returned cool, steady, real. Lantern light glimmered faintly behind them, and the city below slept unaware of the weight resting on one man’s heart.
Lie yan
*Smile lingered on his lips.*
Not the faint curve he wore for the world.
But something warmer.
Something alive.
Shen qirui
* already noticed.*
He stood a short distance away, arms crossed loosely over his chest, watching Lie Yan with an expression that carried years within it--years of battles fought side by side, of secrets kept, of waiting endured. There was fondness in his eyes now, unmistakable and unguarded, like an elder brother watching a stubborn child finally reach for something long denied.
Shen qirui
Well, that smile is new.
Lie yan
*Glanced at him.* Is it?
Shen qirui
*Huffed a quiet laugh.*
Shen qirui
Don’t play innocent. You only smile like that when you’re about to do something reckless or when you’re thinking about him.
Lie Yan did not deny it.
Instead, he leaned more comfortably against the railing, moonlight washing over his features.
Lie yan
I believe *said lightly* this would fall under anticipation.
Shen qirui
*Raised a brow.*
Shen qirui
Anticipation? That’s one word for it.
Lie yan
How would you describe it?
Shen qirui
*Tapped his chin thoughtfully.*
Shen qirui
Centuries of restraint finally snapping.
Lie yan
You make it sound violent.
Shen qirui
It is usually *his lips curved.* So, One week.
Lie yan
*Nodded.* One week.
Shen qirui
*grin widened.*
Shen qirui
You’re counting the days now. Should I start crossing them off for you?
Lie yan
*Gave him a sideways look.*
Lie yan
I’m not that impatient.
Shen qirui
You conquered twenty-two kingdoms!!!
Shen qirui
*shot back.* Out of patience.
Lie yan
*Laughed quietly, the sound low and unrestrained*
Shen qirui
*Shook his head, amused.*
Shen qirui
Honestly, if the heavens could see you now this calm, this composed, they’d never believe how eager you actually are.
Lie yan
*Turned his head, eyes glinting faintly.*
Lie yan
And how eager do you think I am?
Shen qirui
*Studied him, then raised one finger.* This eager.
Lie yan
*Smiled.* You overestimate me.
Shen qirui
*Snorted.* I’ve watched every shade of your life. Don’t think I can’t tell.
For a brief moment, the air softened between them warm with familiarity, with shared history too deep for words.
Lie yan
you’re not coming with me.
Lie yan
*Looked entirely unbothered.* You heard me.
Shen qirui
*Straightened.* What do you mean I’m not coming?
Lie yan
*Tilted his head, feigning thought.*
Lie yan
Exactly what I said.
Shen qirui
*Stared at him.* You’re joking.
Lie yan
*Lips curved.* Am I?
Shen qirui
*Took a step closer.* You cannot be serious.
Lie yan
*Turned fully toward him now, eyes bright with quiet amusement.*
Lie yan
Someone has to stay behind and look after the kingdom.
Shen qirui
*Frowned.* And that someone is me?
Shen qirui
*let Out a sharp laugh.*
Shen qirui
Obviously? I’ve followed you through wars, curses,, and heaven-defying nonsense for centuries and now you’re telling me to stay home?
Lie yan
*Nodded solemnly.* The king needs a capable guardian.
Shen qirui
I am the capable guardian *snapped.* For you.
Lie yan
*Waved a hand dismissively.*
Lie yan
Temporary reassignment.
Shen qirui
*Groaned, dragging a hand down his face.*
Shen qirui
Unbelievable. You finally get what you want, and you’re leaving me behind like an old piece of furniture.
Lie yan
*Watched him for a moment, then laughed.*
Shen qirui
*Paused, suspicious.* Why are you laughing?
Lie yan
*Straightened, the teasing finally slipping from his expression.*
Lie yan
Because you should see your face.
Shen qirui
*Narrowed his eyes.* Lie Yan.
Lie yan
*Stepped closer, the smile turning warm, familiar.* I was joking.
Lie yan
Of course you’re coming with me, Did you truly think I’d let you stay behind?
Shen qirui
*Let out a sharp breath.*
Lie yan
I need someone to complain at.
Lie yan
And someone to stop me from doing truly reckless things.
Shen qirui
*Stared at him for a long moment.Then laughed, short and incredulous.* You are insufferable.
Shen qirui
One day, I’m going to stop falling for your nonsense.
A man stood where heaven’s light refused to linger.
It was not a place meant for the living, nor the dead a fissure between realms where even time hesitated before passing through. Beneath his feet lay a circular formation carved into black stone, each symbol older than recorded history, each stroke fed by resentment that had survived dynasties.
He raised his hand.
The air screamed.
A ripple tore through the space before him, shadows folding inward as if bowing. His eyes glowed faintly not with madness, but with clarity. The most frightening kind.
？？？
So *said softly, voice low and deliberate*
？？？
The heavens have grown impatient.
The warning had come three days ago.
A whisper carried on celestial wind: The threads will shift.
？？？
*Lips curved.* They always do.
He stepped closer to the formation, blood-red light igniting beneath his boots. Images surfaced in the air broken palaces, burning skies, a man drenched in blood who refused to kneel, and another who always stood beside him, laughing even as the world collapsed.
？？？
*Fingers clenched.* Again and again
？？？
*murmured, gaze darkening.* You defy death. You defy fate.
The air trembled violently.
？？？
I was born to end this *said, voice sharp now, cold as winter steel.* Born to sever what should never have existed.
？？？
This time *he promised, eyes narrowing with chilling certainty*
I will not let you meet.
Morning arrived without ceremony.
Sunlight slipped through carved windows and fell in thin bands across the polished floor of the inner palace. The capital stirred awake quiet footsteps, distant voices, the soft clink of armor changing shifts.
Inside the most heavily guarded chamber in the palace, the curtains remained drawn.
He lay on his side, long hair loosened across silk pillows, crimson robes discarded carelessly over a chair. His breathing was steady, untroubled an expression of rare peace resting on his features, as though even war and heaven had decided not to disturb him for once.
The sound echoed sharply off stone.
Lie Yan did not move.
Shen Qirui stormed in, robes half-fastened, hair tied hastily as though he had dressed while running. His eyes were wide, expression caught somewhere between fury and panic.
Shen qirui
This is bad *declared loudly.* Very bad.
Lie yan
*turned his face into the pillow.*
Shen qirui
We are in serious trouble *announced loudly.*
Lie yan
… Later *muttered.*
Shen qirui
Did you just say later?
Lie yan
*Shifted slightly, pulling the blanket higher.*
Lie yan
I fought twenty-two kingdoms *said drowsily.*
Lie yan
I am allowed to sleep.
Shen qirui
*Stared at him in disbelief.*
Shen qirui
You are not allowed to sleep when fate is actively trying to ruin your life.
Lie yan
*sighed deeply, the sound long-suffering.* Qirui....
Shen qirui
*Twitched.* Don’t ‘Qirui’ me.
He marched to the bedside and shook Lie Yan’s shoulder once, twice.
Lie yan
*Groaned.* If this is about breakfast, I’m not hungry.
Shen qirui
This is not about breakfast!
Lie yan
*cracked one eye open.* Is it about war?
Lie yan
*shifted slightly, clearly attempting to return to sleep.*
Lie yan
Qirui *said lazily* unless the palace is on fire or the heavens are falling, please allow me five more minutes.
Shen qirui
*Stared at him as though reconsidering their entire friendship.*
Shen qirui
The heavens are falling!
Lie yan
*Groaned.* They do that every other century.
Shen qirui
*Grabbed the edge of the bed and leaned in.* I found him.
Lie yan
Oh? *he said mildly*
Shen qirui
*voice came out sharp.* Don’t ‘oh’ me.
Lie Yan sighed and finally sat up, pushing hair back from his face. Sunlight brushed his features, unhurried and composed, as though he had not just heard the worst possible news.
Lie yan
You found him *repeated calmly*
Shen qirui
Yes! After months of searching. After the heavens warned us that the notices would change...do you remember that? Of course you do, you remember everything, I followed every trace, every disturbance—
Lie yan
*Reached for tea and took a slow sip.*
Shen qirui
*Watched him in disbelief.* …You already knew.
Lie yan
*Nodded.* A long time ago.
Shen qirui
*Eye twitched.* How long is ‘a long time ago’?
Lie yan
*Thought for a moment.* Before the warning.
Shen qirui
… Before the heavens warned us?
Lie yan
*Smiled faintly.* Yes.
Shen qirui
*Pressed a hand to his forehead.* Why am I always the last to know these things?
Lie yan
Because you panic.
Shen qirui
I panic because you never tell me anything!
Lie yan
*Chuckled.* You would have searched anyway.
Shen qirui
*Fell silent, then sighed heavily.* … You’re not wrong.
Shen qirui
*Straightened, expression turning serious again.* He’s different this time.
Lie yan
*Fingers paused briefly against the teacup*
Lie yan
He was born for this.
Shen qirui
*Frowned.* Born… for this?
Lie yan
*Looked toward the window, gaze distant.* Just as I was.
Shen qirui
Not only that, but he’s not hiding anymore. He wants us to know. He wants you to know.
Shen qirui
He said he would never let you meet!
Shen qirui
*stared.* That’s your response?
Lie yan
Qirui *said, voice low and steady*
Lie yan
No matter how many times he is reborn, no matter how many times the heavens interfere this will not end the way he wants.
Shen qirui
*Studied him carefully.* …You’re not afraid.
Lie yan
*Shook his head* I’ve already died once.
Shen qirui
*Shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips despite himself.*
Shen qirui
Then at least let me finish yelling at you before the world collapses.
Lie yan
*Chuckled softly.* Make it quick.
Shen qirui
*Folded his arms.* You owe me for this stress.
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