"Have you forgotten anything? Remember not to follow any other strangers that approach you. Once you reach the archives, don't be worried, nothing will happen to you. Also….."
The continuous rambling of Duanxian Yu keeps playing in the room like a broken record. Looking blankly at the grown man in front of him pecking like a mother hen, Fu Xi, whose patience has reached the end of the line finally couldn't hold it anymore. "Are you my mother or what?" He muttered grudgingly in a barely audible voice.
But even in such a low voice, his words pierce through to the ears of the mothering hen. Pausing abruptly in the middle of his sermon, Duanxian Yu became silent for a moment before smiling gently at Fu Xi.
"Your right, our little daoist has grown up." Patting Fu Xi's head in tender indulgence, Duanxian Yu's hand slid from the top of his head all the way down to the end of his hair. Taking a hold of those soft brown strands, Duanxian Yu skillfully twisted it up into a loose bun before restraining it with a hairpin.
"Hm? What did you put in my hair?" Curious, Fu Xi went to peer at the mirror and saw a beautiful black wooden hairpin carved into the shape of a dragon. The mouth of this majestic creature tightly clamps onto a pearl the size of a dime. Although he is not a professional, judging from the size and shine, the price of this gem wouldn't be less than a mansion.
A tiny hole is drilled into the middle of the pearl to enable some strings to run through and through that small opening, it allows a charming scarlet tassel to hang on the side. With every step, the tassel sways to and fro in an alluring rhythm. Adding a dignified charm to Fu Xi's cultured aura.
"This…" Hovering a hand over the pin, widened eyes stare at the figure standing behind him with a gentle gaze.
Cold fingers ran over the loose strands of hair that escaped from the bun while an airy question rang near Fu Xi's ear. "Do you like it?" Duanxian Yu asked, joy clearly evident in his voice. Turning his eyes upwards, he maintains contact through the reflection in the mirror.
"I…" Hesitating to speak, upturned eyes locked firming onto those purple irises before glancing back at the hairpin. Turning away from the mirror, he lowered his sight onto the hand wrapped around his waist at some unknown time. "This pin is too precious." I have no reason to accept this gift.
But instead of continuing this line of conversation Duanxian Yu glances briefly at the clock on the wall before moving away. With a simple snap of his fingers, a black gate formed from condensed mist. Pulling Fu Xi towards the gate, his mellow tone consoles like a parent to a child. "It's time to go."
The doorway opens in silent beckoning the closer they approach until fully revealing its dark abyss.
"Wait a minute." The youth pulled back to stop the walking Duanxian Yu. "The hairpin…" Not even waiting for his sentence to finish, Duanxian Yu wrapped an arm around his waist and twirled him in a circle before settling him in front of the entrance. Staring at the dazed expression on his face, a chuckle unconsciously came out of his lips. Unable to stop himself he bent his back forward a little and delivered a light peck on his little daoist's cheek. Cute.
"?!" Cheeks flushing at an alarming rate, thin lips became agape with incoherent words, "you!"
Abruptly, a causal push to his chest caused him to stumble backwards into the gate. Sensing an entering presence, the black doors commence to close and barred anything from entering or leaving. "Wait!" Stretching his hand out as if grasping for something or, perhaps hoping for someone to clasp onto him. A familiar chill ran through his back the moment his eyes collided with the person standing on the other side.
Cold purple pupils narrowed gradually as Duanxian Yu curved his lips into a faint smile without temperature. "No need to return that pin. It belongs to you in the first place." His voice is as gentle as flowing water which seems to reflect on the emotions of the tear mark next to those eyes. Tender but emotionless that continues to course without a thought to those around him.
Those were the last words left behind before the doors fully closed and left him in a state of darkness.
The person left behind stood staring at the disappearing gate, smile slowly vanishing. What's left is the bitterness unconcealed in swirling purple irises. "I'll see you later." He said to no one in particular, as he slowly closes his eyes. The small beauty mark at the corner of his eyes akin to a drop of tear threatening to fall.
__________
Staring at the same spot where he last saw Duanxian Yu's figure, Fu Xi's mind temporarily ceased to work.
Remembering the last image of his face mixed with a complicated array of expressions, Fu Xi became speechless. Why did he make such a melancholy smile?
Wavering over the pin still fastened onto his hair, another question emerged in his mind. "I don't remember having something like this?" As he continued to ponder, a sudden wave of incongruous feelings washed over him and stiffened his limbs. Breaths shorten into gasps as badly shaken hands tremble with moments of dizziness.
However, before there is a chance for something else to happen, a bright voice penetrated his muddy thoughts and brought him back from the brink of frenzy.
"Let's go." Chilling and chocked full of annoyance, it was this highly unexpected voice that awoke Fu Xi like a slap to the face.
"Dog?" Fu Xi mumbled uncertainly, eyes unable to discern due to the darkness.
"Stop wasting my time." A glow gradually luminated the area as well as the face of the figure in front. Black furry ears twitched with displeasure as round glittering eyes narrow with disdain. A cute red tongue dangles to the side of a cylindrical mouth that occasionally bares its sharp canines. An adorable triangular nose twitches against the brilliance of the light and highlights the moistness of his nose. Observing more clearly, a small exquisite lantern the size of a mug hung upon Blackie's collar.
"Why are you here?"
"Why wouldn't I be here." Blackie snapped back, black gemstone-like pupils flicker over the hairpin before turning to leave. "Hurry up. If it wasn't for you, I would be in the battlefield with Her Honor by now."
"What did you say?" Other than the first two words, the rest is inaudible. Not wanting to be left behind, Fu Xi quickly ran to catch up. Unable to receive a reply after waiting for a while, he decided to follow and submerge back into his thoughts in silence.
Everything is still in a state of confusion and remoteness, however, there is this unexplainable feeling that the path he chose is preordained. No matter what happens later on, there is one thing that is for certain, his worldview will shatter and reconstruct.
__________
"It's time to go." A voice full of dominance rang out in the enormous hall. Sweeping a light glance over those gathered below the stairs a strange emotion welled up in Chu Nuan's heart. No sadness, no happiness, anger, or even burning vigor, nothing but slight fatigue for the ridiculousness of this mess.
For the sake of one person, Duanxian Yu killed countless people and demons alike. Broke the boundary between worlds and riled up the demon army for a second warfare. Only for the simple reason of fulfilling a wish he thought needed to be fulfilled.
Even going as far as to drag her into this play he orchestrated. "Is it really worth wasting so much time on a goal you're not even sure of?" She whispered under her breath.
"Your Honor?" A servant by her side asked.
"Nothing." With no intention to answer, Chu Nuan stepped out of the hall followed by an army of fifty.
Approaching the transportation array, her light voice blew away along the floating petals of spider lilies. "Duanxian Yu, I'll be seeing you soon."
A blinding flash erupted, leaving red petals to fall benevolently on the ground. They carpet the ground like a farewell gift, or perhaps, a prediction of the coming future.