The days that followed were heavy with anticipation. The air was thick with unspoken words, and each step Tianwu took felt like it led him closer to a past he had long buried. Every now and then, his eyes would flicker to Chengyan, who had stayed steadfastly by his side. The prince's presence, though often silent, was a comfort to Tianwu—a reminder that, no matter how dark his past might get, he wasn't truly alone.
But the more Tianwu thought about it, the clearer it became that he had to face the truth, to confront the very thing he had been running from: Lei Xu. The God of Shadows, the one who had once been both his greatest adversary and his deepest love.
As the group made their way through the dense forest, the feeling of inevitability gnawed at Tianwu. It was as though the trees themselves were watching him, the wind whispering secrets that he was only beginning to understand.
It wasn't long before they reached a small village at the edge of the forest. The villagers spoke of strange occurrences—disappearances, shadows that seemed to have minds of their own, and whispers in the night that made their blood run cold. It didn't take long for Tianwu to realize that Lei Xu was likely involved in this, and the realization made the pit in his stomach grow heavier.
After a quiet conversation with the village elders, Tianwu decided that it was time. They would leave at dawn. There were no more delays. He could feel Lei Xu's presence lingering in the air like a silent storm waiting to break.
That night, as the fire crackled, Chengyan sat across from Tianwu, studying him with an intensity that almost made Tianwu uncomfortable. The prince had been quieter than usual, his eyes clouded with something unspoken.
Tianwu met his gaze, searching for something, some clue to the thoughts swirling behind Chengyan's carefully composed expression.
"You've been distant lately," Tianwu said softly, his voice almost a whisper as he stirred the embers with a stick. "What's on your mind?"
Chengyan's eyes flickered to Tianwu, then away again. There was something about the way he carried himself now—his gaze sharper, more deliberate, as if he were weighing every word, every action. "I'm worried about you," he admitted after a pause.
Tianwu tilted his head. "Worried about me?"
Chengyan didn't meet his eyes this time. Instead, he focused on the fire. "I've seen you struggle. With your past. With Lei Xu." His voice dropped lower. "And with yourself."
Tianwu felt the weight of Chengyan's words settle in his chest. He knew what he was talking about—knew that Chengyan had seen the way his emotions had been tangled, the way his heart had torn in two between past and present, love and duty.
"I'm not sure how to face him," Tianwu confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what he wants from me, or what I even want from him anymore."
Chengyan's gaze softened, and for a brief moment, the walls Tianwu had carefully constructed around his emotions began to crack. "You're not the only one who's been torn between conflicting desires. But, Tianwu..." He finally looked up, meeting Tianwu's eyes with an intensity that stole his breath away. "Whatever happens with Lei Xu, I'm here."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. Tianwu didn't know what to say in response. He had no words for the tenderness in Chengyan's gaze, the sincerity in his tone. The prince had always been there, quiet in his support, steady in his unwavering loyalty. And yet, Tianwu couldn't help but feel a strange ache in his chest. There was something in Chengyan's words that made him feel both grateful and painfully guilty.
"I don't know what the future holds, Chengyan," Tianwu said quietly, breaking the silence. "But I'm not sure I can walk this path without your support."
Chengyan smiled softly, but there was a quiet sadness in his eyes. "You're not alone in this, Tianwu. I promise."
The next day, as the first light of dawn began to break over the horizon, Tianwu and his companions gathered their things and set out toward the heart of the forest. The village was quiet in the morning haze, and the only sound that could be heard was the soft crunch of their footsteps on the forest floor.
Tianwu's thoughts were a whirlwind as they moved deeper into the woods. He could feel it—the pull of Lei Xu's presence. It was like a shadow lurking just beyond his reach, a constant weight pressing down on him. The further they went, the more his instincts screamed at him, warning him of the inevitable confrontation that awaited.
As they neared a clearing, the air seemed to grow colder. The trees, once towering and lush, now looked withered and twisted, their branches reaching out like bony fingers. The light was dim, filtered through the thick canopy above. And then, through the haze of his thoughts, Tianwu saw him.
Lei Xu stood at the center of the clearing, his silver hair gleaming like moonlight, his dark eyes fixated on Tianwu. He didn't move, didn't say a word—he simply stood there, waiting.
Tianwu's heart skipped a beat. Despite everything—despite the years, the separation, the enmity—seeing Lei Xu again felt like staring into the face of a storm. The pull between them was undeniable, fierce, and raw. He could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating.
"You've come," Lei Xu's voice was low, almost mocking, yet there was something beneath it—something that spoke of familiarity, of longing.
Tianwu took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Lei Xu. "I've come for answers."
Lei Xu tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a smile. "Answers? I didn't think you were the type to seek them."
"I've changed," Tianwu said, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him. "I remember who you are. Who we were."
There was a flicker of something in Lei Xu's eyes—surprise, perhaps, or recognition. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual inscrutable expression. "So, you remember," he murmured, as though tasting the words. "I suppose it was only a matter of time before you did."
Tianwu's heart pounded in his chest. "You should have told me the truth. You should have told me who you were."
Lei Xu's smile faded, and for the first time, there was something vulnerable in his gaze. "And you would have believed me?" His voice was barely above a whisper now. "After everything?"
Tianwu didn't know how to respond. The memories, the emotions—they were all flooding back. He could feel it—the love they had shared, the betrayals, the lies, the bloodshed. It was all so much to carry, and yet, he couldn't turn away from it.
"I want to understand, Lei Xu," Tianwu said, his voice almost breaking. "Why did we become enemies? Why did you leave me?"
The tension between them thickened, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Lei Xu didn't answer right away. Instead, he took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "Some things... are better left forgotten."
But Tianwu wasn't sure he could forget—not this time. Not when the past was clawing its way back into the present, demanding to be heard.
And so, as the shadows of the past closed in around them, Tianwu knew that the path forward would not be easy. But one thing was certain: the past would not remain buried for long.
To be continued...