Chapter Text
There was a legend in the Xianzhou Empire of a demi-god living amongst them, wearing the same skin as the vidyadhara did. The vidyadhara considered HER above them. She went by many titles. Child of Ruin. Seed of Destruction. Hope of the Vidyadhara. Goddess of Chaos. None of these titles held any true meaning or any ill-omen or prophecy. It’s simply because who sired her…Nanook, the god of Destruction. He was close with the revered god of the vidyadhara, Long and, as such, Nanook’s daughter was blessed with vidyadhara looks to better fit into a world that would accept her.
For a time, she remained merely a myth, a vidyadhara female whose power rivaled the High Elder’s of the vidyadhara race as a whole. None saw her and none were allowed close to the palace she called home, not without consequences at least.
When she was finally revealed to the public, many sought her hand but none could pierce the indifferent and cold demeanor she kept up. None tried hard enough to get through the walls she kept up around her heart and even the few close friends and allies she had sought her protection in everyday life. None was more protective than him…Phainon Khaslana. Blessed by Nanook himself, the boy was raised alongside the woman, they saw one another as siblings but they were not.
His blessing extended his life, he would live as long as she did.
Her reveal caused an uproar shortly after suitors stopped pursuing her; as they realized she had been behind every decision the Preceptors and High Elder’s made. She had the final say and, if there was something amiss, she would send Khaslana out to investigate. It was because of her efforts that Sanctus Medicus was no more and it was because of her the abominations were kept back as long as they were. They also realized it was SHE who helped General Feixiao bring the Borisin down and it was she who helped Diviner’s pick the right path to take for prosperity.
She was held on a pedestal but they realized none knew her name.
The Preceptors said she was called Xingguang but they were adamant that none were allowed to see her. That she could not be ‘tainted’ by interacting with mortals. The people were upset but didn’t question them…except for one group. A group of five known as the High Cloud Quintet. Their fame earned them recognition and the Preceptors were polite since one of their members was a High Elder, the Azure High Elder, Imbibitor Lunae and he was not a man to be denied. He was said to be a direct descendant from Long, even more so than the other High Elder’s.
He questioned and snuck around, forcing his way through and eventually met her.
It was a connection.
He broke through her walls, tore down her guard and had her open up, eventually learning Xingguang was trapped within the palace and wasn’t allowed to leave past the inner palace walls. Khaslana tolerated his presence near his charge, near his sibling but he supported the relationship that was blooming despite the unease in his heart that something would go wrong. The Preceptors were growing uneasy day-by-day with Imbibitor Lunae’s continued visits, the man…Dan Feng making his presence known within the palace that he was close to Xingguang.
And the unease in Khaslana proved to be correct.
Dan Feng promised Xingguang he would bring her out of the palace, that he would remove the shackles placed on her by the Preceptors and that she would be free. Once he took her as his mate, she would no longer be a prisoner within her own home. The Preceptors found out however and forced her to watch as they killed him and even her powers couldn’t stop his death. She had warned Dan Feng this would happen to him, told him to wait until the Preceptors weren’t so uneasy but Dan Feng didn’t want to wait.
Because he knew who she was to him.
His death closed Xingguang off completely and she blamed herself for his death…and sent the Preceptors into an early rebirth. She had been given pardon and with the Preceptors’ memories intact as they grew, the Preceptors stated she had attacked them in a moment of grief and that they ‘wouldn’t hold it against her’...but they shackled her more.
Visitors were restricted from the inner palace.
Guard patrol was increased.
For a century she was to not leave the palace at all.
Even High Elder access was denied.
Eventually Xingguang was allowed to leave the palace but she was still bound to the inner palace walls, unable to cross the bridges to the other places without pain befalling her. Due to the shackles, they had bound her with cloudhymn magic and forced her hand, using her name to bind their magic. Xingguang was to never leave the inner palace grounds.
However, Xingguang had a few tricks of her own and Khaslana was able to carry the necessary tasks out by alerting Nanook.
Baiheng, one of the High Cloud Quintet was brought in as an advisor for Xingguang and it couldn’t be refused because it came in as an order from Nanook. The High Cloud Quintet’s restricted access was lifted, also an order from Nanook. The High Elder’s restricted access was lifted as well, another order from Nanook and the Preceptors were enraged.
It felt like everything that had been done to bind Xingguang and use her was unraveling at the seams and their hold over her weakened.
As the years passed, Xingguang’s cold demeanor gradually lifted and her indifferent attitude slowly shifted to a woman that knew how to express her emotions and would speak her thoughts. She grew a backbone and didn’t let the Preceptors push her around, becoming exactly who she was meant to be. A woman who, despite her powers, stayed kind and true to what she knew was right and sought equality among her people.
But not everything is as it seems and the one they thought they had lost, was not truly lost.
Notes:
I'm sorry if things seem confusing here for the first chapter, I did try and make a setting of some sort but if things still seem confusing, please let me know. I also apologize if I jump back and forth between the name Stelle and Xingguang. Stelle goes by two names due to certain circumstances that will be explained.
The Prologue is just to sort of give an idea of what the setting is like and a theme. As I said, if some stuff is still confusing, please let me know and ask me questions and I will try to explain. (I may even update the prologue to make it more understanding for future readers.)
Well, hope this sets things in motion and that you enjoy~! (Prologue is short because its just setting up the stage and giving background for the events that follow.)
Chapter 2: The Newcomer and The Mystery
Summary:
He came from nowhere but even he didn't know where he was from, only remembering darkness and pain. His name was familiar to Xingguang but, Khaslana has a duty to protect her...but they needed to keep an eye on this newcomer.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“GOT HIM!”
The dark, short haired male thrashed against the sun-shaped shackles binding his wrists together behind his back. He should have known he couldn’t bypass this man! He was one of the best guards in the empire for a reason and he was feared by many! There’s a reason even the Preceptors didn’t bother this man or even go near where he was stationed most of the time.
“Let go of me!” The dark haired male hissed, pale, jade-blue eyes glaring at the man holding him, who narrowed blue eyes, the gold within beginning to overtake the blue. “I don’t think so. How did you get past security and get so far in here?” The guard hissed, before grabbing the male by his wrists and dragging him with him. “I can’t take matters into my own hands without consulting her Ladyship. She’ll decide what to do with you.” The guard stated and the male growled.
He thought he escaped one prison just to walk straight into another one!
Minutes later he grunted as he was thrown down before a set of stairs, the guard letting him go as he rounded him to head to the stairs. Moments later, his form changed. Pale gold hair took the place of silver, gold eyes overtook blue and even golden scars covered a body that gradually grew blackened and gold parts, even as a black wing and a gold wing sprouted from his back, an odd halo-like design behind his head as the male turned to face their intruder.
“I brought him, your Ladyship.”
The male looked up, seeing a young woman before him. She looked no younger than him, maybe in her early twenties…but that was to be expected of a vidyadhara. She had gold horns that almost looked like glass, and a silver scaled tail with ash-silver fur trailing the top and tip of the tail. The woman opened her eyes, revealing bright gold eyes that almost looked bored, her head resting upon a closed fist. She hummed and lifted her head just slightly, her legs crossed as she regarded him slightly.
“A human?” She questioned and the guard looked at her. “He somehow got past security. He looked to have been heading for the exit.” The vidyadharan woman gave another hum, looking thoughtful before she sat up straight, her black and gold outfit matched her ash-silver hair that reached just past her shoulder blades. “I don’t sense any magic around him, so either he’s actually human or someone else is disguising his looks.” The woman stated, before she shook her head. “It does not matter.” She stood and the dark haired male was stunned by a sense of familiarity but he didn’t know why.
“What’s your name, young man?” The woman asked and he jerked a bit, before narrowing his eyes. “And why should I tell you?” He hissed. Her guard gave a snarl, ready to unsheathe his weapon but the woman held a hand up. “Don’t Khaslana. He’s on edge and I can’t blame him for that. The inner palace isn’t exactly comforting with how steeped in cloudhymn magic it is.” The woman eased her guard, Khaslana, who huffed and stayed his hand, instead crossing his arms as he kept a glare on the male.
“Please, your name. I don’t want to force you.” The woman stated and the male huffed, closing his eyes and relenting. “...Dan Heng…” He stated and the woman tilted her head, looking to the side thoughtfully before shaking her head. Just a coincidence. “I see. Do you know where you are, Dan Heng?” She asked and he gave her a blank look. “Obviously somewhere I shouldn’t be.” He snarked and she would’ve laughed if it was appropriate. “You are on forbidden grounds, my home, a restricted area by order of the Preceptors.” She stated and Dan Heng jolted.
This was a restricted area?! How did he get here then?!
Judging by his confused look, the vidyadharan woman seemed to notice he had not expected to stumble upon this area. “You weren’t expecting to be here.” She mumbled, looking thoughtful before Khaslana turned toward her. “My lady…” He began and she sighed, looking at him and he nodded before she hesitated, then gave a nod as well. “How did you get here?” The woman asked and Dan Heng frowned, seeming to debate before he sighed. It would be best if her cooperated for now, they might just spare him if he did.
“To be perfectly honest, I wish I could.” Dan Heng stated as he shifted to his knees, tired of having laid on his side but still aching from all the running. Being on his knees wasn’t much better. “All I can remember is a dark room and then I woke up in a forest.” The woman frowned at his words, even as Khaslana hummed. “A forest…” The guard muttered, even as the woman tapped her chin. They were surrounded by a forest but there was no path from the forest into the inner palace. The large walls and the mote prevented access by land. The only way through was by bridge.
However there was no access to the palace by bridge with the forest…
“Khaslana.” The guard looked at the woman. “After this, do a perimeter search.” He nodded, determined and Dan Heng had to admire the man’s sense of duty. If circumstances had been different, maybe they would’ve been friends. “Until we can verify your story, Dan Heng,” He looked back at the woman, “you cannot leave the inner palace.” She stated. “As such, you will remain here in the palace guest rooms until we can determine where you are from and how you got here.” Her eyes glowed. “And make sure your not a threat.” Dan Heng was surprised she was technically letting a stranger stay within her home.
Wasn’t she worried he may be an enemy?
“I must object to that.” A deep voice stated and, looking toward the doors he was dragged in, was a blonde haired male with gold eyes and red markings. He was wearing gold armor and red cloth but he seemed human since there was no power buzzing around him. “Mydeimos.” The woman stated and he crossed his arms. “I’m sorry, your Ladyship, but I must object to letting this stranger stay within your home.” Gold eyes locked onto Dan Heng in a glare and Dan Heng felt his hackles rise. This man screamed danger! “He could be a spy from the Preceptors, or just an enemy sent to kill you.” He hissed and Dan Heng frowned.
As if he would follow an order from the Preceptors!
The woman sighed, shaking her head. “As much as I know you love throwing people into the dungeon, Mydeimos, that dungeon is more of a death sentence than an actual death sentence. Not to mention the torture and I’d rather see someone innocent before proven guilty.” She stated firmly and Mydeimos frowned but conceded. He’d listen this once but only because he cared about her. “As you wish…” He grumbled and she looked at Dan Heng. She regarded him for a moment, before she snapped her fingers. “Castorice.” A pale, purple haired woman with a butterfly design appeared from behind the woman.
Dan Heng saw Mydeimos perk beside him.
“See to it that this man gets escorted to a room. He’ll be staying with us for a bit…and remove the cuffs please.” The woman, Casotrice, gave a nod with a bow and Mydeimos frowned. “I shall follow.” The vidyadharan woman sighed but relented. She understood his reluctance to let Castorice stay near anyone he didn’t know and he was only tolerating the few he did know. Casotrice came near Dan Heng but stopped a respectable distance away before she knelt, her eyes were kind and she had a small smile but Dan Heng knew that even the kindest souls were capable of cruelty.
“May I remove the cuffs?” Casotrice asked and the way Mydeimos bristled and Khaslana tensed told Dan Heng they didn’t like that idea. He glanced at them, before frowning. “Something tells me the two don’t like that idea.” Dan Heng reasoned and Casotrice gave a mysterious smirk. “Oh, don’t worry. If you did mean harm, you wouldn’t be able to do anything.” Dan Heng didn’t like that look she had but he wasn’t going to say anything about that. Besides, he was still a prisoner so all he could do was allow himself to agree to their words or commands.
He nodded and Casotrice rounded him, brushing against Mydeimos who tensed a bit before she removed the bindings on Dan Heng’s hands. Dan Heng rubbed his wrists before Mydeimos forced him to stand but Casotrice smacked Mydeimos’ arm. “Ack, Casotrice!” He hissed and she glared at him, making him go silent. He didn’t need to be so harsh and, by the way the vidyadhara’s eyes had narrowed at him, he had almost crossed a line in her eyes. With a huff, Mydeimos let Dan Heng go, before following the two out of the inner palace’s mock-up of a throne room.
Once they were gone, Khaslana returned back to his human form, before looking at the woman. “Xingguang, is this wise?” He asked and the vidyadhara woman, Xingguang, sighed. “Without others around, Phainon, you can call me by my true name.” Xingguang stated, yet Phainon sighed. “Stelle…are you sure this is wise?” He asked, walking closer to her. “The forest around the inner palace can’t be accessed, the guards outside the walls have made that clear.” The silver haired male explained, he had overseen the patrols himself even!
Stelle sighed, sitting down as she thought. “I’m aware but I don’t think the man is a threat. Castorice isn’t wrong in that, if he tried, he wouldn’t get anywhere.” She tilted her head at Phainon. “I’m not the Daughter of Destruction for no reason.” He sighed, knowing what Stelle meant. As a daughter of a god, specifically the God of Destruction, she wasn’t exactly defenseless but Phainon was protective of her since they were raised together. He had been taken in by Nanook and was raised beside Stelle. Despite everything that happened and any personal matters that may try to interfere, he always prioritized his duty to protect Stelle above all of that.
His fiance, Cyrene, understood and accepted it even. In fact, she had been blessed by Stelle.
“Will you be seeing Cyrene later?” Stelle asked Phainon who blinked and nodded. “Yes, in order to make sure she makes it to the temple safely.” Stelle closed her eyes with a nod. “Good. Ask High Priestess Cyrene and her Diviners to see if they can dig anything up about the man.” Phainon nodded. “Do you wish for me to do this now?” He asked, yet she shook her head. “Wait until she awakens. I want her to get her rest. Her, Diviner Fu Xuan and the others have been exhausted lately and I don’t wish to take their rest from them.” He nodded, understanding what she meant.
High Priestess Cyrene and the Diviners oversaw multiple futures for the battle against the abominations. They told Stelle what they saw, what actions they believed should be taken and the results of actions. As such, Stelle considered every possibility and ran through every option before she made the final decision. Her advisor, Baiheng, often carried her orders to the frontlines before she’d return. It had been awhile since she left with the recent order and Stelle was worried but she also knew how capable the foxian was.
“Though I do have one favor to ask…” Phainon raised a brow. “Do you know if Hyacine is awake?”
***
Dan Heng sighed as the door closed behind him, looking around the room. It looked well maintained, the furniture was all dark and the room was sparse but he didn’t need much. Not like he’d be staying here anyways. He looked at the single window and walked over, attempting to open it but realized it was shut with cloudhymn magic and he frowned. Well that wouldn’t do. He couldn’t use cloudhymn magic so he couldn’t make a run for it out the window…though he doubted he’d get very far.
Khaslana proved to be a very effective guard.
Dan Heng hadn’t been too sure what he was expecting when he woke up outside the cold cell he had previously called home. Granted that cold, dark cell was a prison but it had been all he had known, though he knew he wasn’t supposed to be there but he didn’t know why. All he knew was that he was being made to pay for someone else’s crimes but someone released him. Waking up in the forest had been a blessing, so he took it and ran…only to find himself stumbling into an open area and then seeing a bridge he ran toward it, only for Khaslana to catch him.
Dan Heng doesn’t even remember how he made it into the inner palace area.
He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. Everything was fuzzy with his memory and he wondered if it was because of how heavily this place was saturated in cloudhymn magic. Was everyone here just immune to the suffocating feeling of cloudhymn magic? Dan Heng doubted he’d ever get used to it. A knock at the door caught his attention and he turned toward it, wary. However he went to open it all the same, seeing a pigtailed, pink haired woman who smiled. “Oh good, your awake~” The woman chirped and Dan Heng was starting to wonder if only humans were here.
Was the vidyadhara woman the only vidyadhara here?
“Uh…hi…” Dan Heng wasn’t sure what to say to her. The woman giggled. “My name is Hyacine. I’m a doctor working here within the inner palace. May I come in?” Dan Heng was surprised a doctor had come to visit him but let her in all the same. “Sure.” He let her in and went to the bed, sitting down. “Can I ask why you are here?” She gave a small smile. “I was asked by Lady Xingguang to do a checkup on you. She may have had Khaslana capture you but that’s because there’s not supposed to be anyone here that doesn’t work here.” Hyacine explained and he noticed she had a small bag with her.
Her words confused him though. “Lady Xingguang…?” He mumbled and Hyacine perked. “Oh, she probably forgot to introduce herself again. The vidyadhara woman you met is called Xingguang.” Dan Heng looked at her and hummed. The name sounded familiar. “Despite her attitude earlier, she does care but she has to think about the safety of those within the inner palace, as well as her own but she won’t let anyone suffer if she can help it.” Hyacine explained, pulling out a stethoscope and a few other items. “I’m going to do a normal check-up, then ask some questions, so please, answer truthfully.” Dan Heng nodded.
Not like he could refuse.
Notes:
And now the actual story begins. I do apologize as there will be quiet a few time skips that we encounter but that was because I had no ideas for filler and didn't want to clog the story will a bunch of half-thought out filler time so...yeah...if it seems rushed its because it kinda was but I don't want to clog a story with fillers. Well, enjoy~! ^^
Chapter 3: A Report, the Library and the Professor
Summary:
She had a report on his wounds, Hyacine had stated he had been tortured.
But he had been holed up in his guest room for days, so Xingguang decided it was time he got out and explored. There was no proof he was guilty, so she decides their first trip will be to the library.
Anaxa merely hopes none of his books get damaged.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
It was an hour later, as Stelle was in her office going over reports, that Hyacine skipped in. “Done!” She chirped, handing the report to Stelle, who perked. “Thank you, Hyacine, for checking him over.” Stelle said gratefully and Hyacine giggled. “You know I’m an early riser. Really, I have Luocha to thank for that.” Stelle hummed, wondering how the blonde was doing. It had been some time since he had also been sent to the frontlines and he trained Hyacine to take over before he left. It seemed the need to wake early stuck with Hyacine.
“Still, thank you.” Stelle said as she looked at the report given. “Detailed as always.” Stelle muttered, turning the page before going pale at what she saw. “Hyacine, what-” “He’s been tortured.” Stelle looked at Hyacine, seeing the concern in her teal eyes. “I don’t know who tortured him, or what it was for and even he didn’t seem to know who gave him the scars or why. He was pretty tight lipped about it but my specialty IS getting people to open up.” She sighed. “But…that kind of damage…it’s even more understandable why he was so tense.”
Stelle frowned at her words, even as Phainon frowned as well. “Maybe I should have been more gentle…” Phainon muttered, feeling a little bad as he saw the picture Stelle was looking at, yet Stelle merely waved a hand. “What is done is done, you didn’t know.” He still felt bad. “However, I would believe this is further proof that he’s not here for any ill purpose. These wounds…he may have escaped whoever was hurting him. He did say all he remembered was a dark room, then the forest.” Stelle muttered as sunlight began to peak through the window behind her as it finally began to rise.
Stelle flicked through the rest of the report, before nodding and handing it back to Hyacine. “May I ask you to continue overseeing his health while he is here?” Hyacine perked and nodded, giving her a smile. “Of course.” Stelle nodded, before she interlaced her hands. “Make sure to hide the reports. Can’t let the Preceptors know I’m housing someone here that they don’t know of.” Hyacine’s expression soured at the mention of them. “Ugh, are they causing trouble again?” She asked and Stelle nodded. “When AREN’T they causing trouble?” Stelle muttered, leaning back in her chair.
“If it’s not one thing, it’s another and if it’s not that, they turn around and try to frame someone else.” She shook her head. “I wish Glaciator would let me send them into another rebirth with their title, memories and rank erased but, alas, I have already lashed out once and thus, I cannot do so again.” Phainon scoffed. “Considering what they did to Dan Feng, they deserved a rebirth ten times over.” Stelle and Hyacine couldn’t agree more. “At least Jingliu, Jing Yuan and Yingxing are due from the frontlines soon and Baiheng sent a letter that she will be returning as well once the frontlines settle down.” Stelle commented, looking to the ceiling.
With everything Stelle had done and the strings she had pulled, the mansions outside the inner palace belonged to the High Cloud Quintet, a way for Stelle to keep her allies close. It was so she could ensure their safety and so they could ensure hers as well. She sighed, missing them already. While she was not as close to them as Dan Feng had been, they still considered her as one of their members, granted an honorary member but a member all the same. Their presence soothed the pain Dan Feng’s death caused though she knew the pain would never truly fade.
“While we wait to have Dan Heng’s story verified, and that he doesn’t pose a threat nor do a runner, I am not opposed to him roaming around.” Phainon frowned. “And who, pray tell, will you have tailing him? The guards can’t be used as personal watchdogs and you know I won’t abandon my post to you.” Phainon stated and Stelle smirked. “I plan to have Cipher tail him. She’s never turned down a job from me before.” Hyacine snorted at Phainon’s deadpan look. “Because you spoil her! You know Aglaea gave you a scolding last time, right?”
Stelle gave a mischievous grin. “Whatever do you mean? Algaea reaped the rewards I would say~” Stelle purred and Phainon balked. “Please never say that again in that tone.” Hyacine laughed as the two dissolved into bickering with one another like the siblings they were. While there was no blood relation between the two, they were raised together…but there had been a third among them at one point. A boy called Caelus, a vidyadhara who bore the same features as Stelle did. Golden horns, a draconic tail, short silver hair and gold eyes. He had been Stelle’s blood brother but he had been killed by the abominations years ago.
It had been long before Hyacine’s time, it had even been before Stelle and Dan Feng met but Caelus had left a last order with Phainon and it seemed Phainon took that to heart with how devoted he was to protecting Stelle. Caelus did not have the reputation Stelle had, preferring to keep to the shadows and enter the picture only when needed.
Hyacine shook her head, opting to remember the stories at a different time. Right now, she just enjoyed watching Phainon and Stelle bicker. It was interesting to see how close they were. Maybe, one day, Stelle would have more days like this, where she could be herself and make connections with other people outside of the inner palace. Maybe one day, she would be free from the Preceptors shackles.
**(Four Days Later, Thursday-May 7th; Afternoon)**
Stelle made her way down the hallway, intending to finally see Dan Heng and speak with him. They were still searching for how he may have gotten into the inner palace but she noticed he had not left the room. She had been clear in her orders to the maids and butlers to let him know he could roam the palace grounds so long as he didn’t leave the inner palace area. Casotrice or Hyacine often brought him his meals when the maids and butlers couldn’t and Cipher had agreed to keep an eye on Dan Heng when he would roam outside the palace. So, Stelle decided that, for his first trip, she would give him a tour.
Phainon was busy as it was, her work was complete so she had free time.
She knocked on the door and Dan Heng opened it, jolting as he saw Stelle. “Xingguang…is everything alright?” Dan Heng asked warily, letting her in and Stelle nodded, resisting making a face at the name he said. Xingguang was her vidyadhara name but her true name was Stelle but she didn’t trust telling him that just yet. She also knew that Hyacine had told him her vidyadhara name, so it made speaking to him a little easier. “Yes, I merely had free time so I figured I would come and see how you are settling in.” She turned toward him after entering his room. “No one has given you a hard time, have they?”
While she trusted Hyacine, she knew Mydei would follow Casotrice if she went to meet someone.
Dan Heng shook his head. “No, I’ve been well.” He looked around the room, frowning a bit. “Though, there’s not much I can do.” Stelle looked around the room as well, before she frowned. “Had you not been informed your allowed to roam?” She asked and he jolted. “...I was not told that…” He murmured and Stelle frowned. Looks like she had to remind the maids and butlers to relay information directly. She sighed, rubbing her temples. “I see…I should have suspected that I guess…” She grumbled, knowing that not all the maids and butlers wanted to listen.
Stelle was generally a laid back person…but that meant it made the maids and butlers think they could slack off once in a while.
She took a breath, before folding her arms in her sleeves. “I apologize. That’s an oversight on my part that you had not been informed.” Stelle stated, before moving toward the door and motioning her head for him to follow. “Come with me then. Since you are allowed to roam, I shall give you a tour. While we have yet to verify your story, I have a feeling you aren’t here for an ill-intent and, despite what others may say, I have a pretty good sixth sense.” Stelle stated and Dan Heng nodded, following her. If she trusted him, even a little bit, that was enough for now.
They left his room and headed down the hallway, heading to the first floor and exiting outside. Dan Heng sighed in relief upon being outside, the warm air felt nice and Stelle raised a brow. “Were you cold inside?” She asked, wondering if she needed to make some changes for him to be more comfortable. She didn’t want him to be uncomfortable while within their custody. Dan Heng gave a nod. “It was cold inside.” He said softly and Stelle hummed thoughtfully. “I apologize. Due to my powers and my heritage, I generally run hot but I’ll see to it that accommodations are made for your stay.”
Dan Heng jolted, attempting to dissuade her yet she shook her head. “I will not hear protest. While some may see you as a prisoner, I see you as a guest and will treat you as such. Do not worry, you will be taken care of while you are here.” Dan Heng went silent at her words, before deciding that silence was his best course of action. He wasn’t sure how to respond to her wanting to treat him as a guest rather than the prisoner he was sure he was. He wasn’t used to people caring about him and it felt odd to him that she did.
As they walked under the awning, enjoying the warm air but staying in the shade it provided, they came upon a building that was attached and Stelle opened the doors, motioning him inside and he walked in with her. The windows let a lot of light in, as did the hanging lights attached to the ceiling, their design similar to that of floating lanterns…but what caught Dan Heng’s interest was the shelves, filled to the brim with books. “I spent most of my childhood here and books are a good way to bypass the time.” Stelle commented, walking further in and Dan Heng followed, eyeing the selections with wide eyes.
Yes, he could spend his days here and never grow bored.
Stelle watched him from the corner of her eye, smiling as she noticed a spark of hope and joy in his eyes. He was looking forward to spending time here, she could tell. Stelle looked up toward the ceiling, seeing Cipher was already there, ready to keep an eye on him and she gave a small smile. Good, the cat was ready to work. “You aren’t the only one who visits the library here, so you may encounter others but, as long as you don’t damage the books, I don’t think they’ll mind you staying here to read.” Stelle commented, when footsteps were heard.
“If he damages a book, I’ll be expecting you to replace it, Lady Xingguang.” The two turned toward their left, near a desk that seemed to be where people checked out books, seeing a male with pale-green hair and an eye patch. “Ah, Professor Anaxa, surprised to see you awake so early.” Stelle teased and Anaxa frowned at her, looking displeased. “It’s Anaxagoras, my lady.” He grumbled and she grinned, surprising Dan Heng at this playful side she was showing. “Aw, and here I thought I was given leeway as I was SUCH a good student.” She teased and he growled, shaking his head.
“You had leeway while you were a student, no more and no less. It was annoying hearing you complain.” He grumbled, closing his book and placing it on a nearby table. Stelle shook her head with a scoff. “The fact I needed to undergo re-education after that failed assassination attempt is still a wound on my pride.” Stelle stated, making Dan Heng stare at her wide eyed. She had nearly been assassinated?! Anaxa seemed to notice Dan Heng’s surprised look, before he scoffed. “Don’t look so surprised, boy. Assassinations among anyone with power is common, no matter what position they may hold.”
Dan Heng looked at him, taking offense to the word ‘boy’. “I’m more surprised that Lady Xingguang had been wounded.” Stelle waved a hand in dismissal. “Oversight on my part. I trusted the person and did not realize they held a device that would summon abominations straight to them.” Stelle sighed. “Nearly cost me my life and Phainon was left VERY unimpressed.” Anaxa raised a brow at Stelle. “He’s technically your brother, why wouldn’t he be unimpressed? He warned you that the person couldn’t be trusted.” Stelle bristled, wanting to retaliate but didn’t. She should’ve known she couldn’t trust anyone sent from the Preceptors!
Dan Heng had ignored their bickering to look at some of the books near him, his eyes drawn to the history section they were near and he tilted his head, pulling one out gently and reading the back of it. Stelle had stopped bickering to watch him before she looked at Anaxa who heaved an internal sigh. The young man seemed quiet and, as long as Dan Heng didn’t seek to constantly bother him to talk, he guessed he could let the man read as much as he wanted. At least he seemed more respectful than Cyrene’s apprentice, March.
Stelle nodded in thanks when Anaxa gave a nod and went to speak, when the doors opened. “Lady Xingguang!” Dan Heng’s head snapped up as Stelle and Anaxa snapped their heads to the guard. “What’s going on?” Stelle asked, quickly at attention and the guard gave a salute. “We’ve made a discovery, your ladyship.” She frowned. “Very well.” She turned toward Dan Heng and Anaxa. “I shall take my leave. I hope you enjoy your time reading, Dan Heng.” The male nodded and then Stelle was quickly leaving with the guard.
She hoped they found something that proved he was innocent.
Notes:
So this is where Caelus gets mentioned, at the very least but it's explained later what happened to him. I love writing the dynamic between Phainon and Stelle as being siblings, even if its not in the blood-related sense. Nanook raised Phainon alongside Stelle and Caelus, so in a way, they are siblings.
Generally when I write siblings, I have the brother being overprotective of the sister (literally based off my own brothers who are overprotective of me to the point of violence) so I generally enjoy writing that troupe because its funny. (I laugh at my own brothers when they embarrass themselves with their protectiveness.) But I dialed it back a bit with Phainon not being overprotective of Stelle...at least not with everyone who lives within the inner palace areas.
Against the Preceptor's that's a WHOLE other story...
Also, in case anyone is wondering, this story does mostly feature Amphoreus characters, at least until later on when we start seeing some others.
Chapter 4: One Question Answered Just Brings More Questions
Summary:
They found out how he got there but not WHY the hole was there.
How long has it been there? Why did they just now notice it?
With this question, a request is made to the Temple and the High Priestess and her Apprentice will answer it if they can. There are risks with memoria though.
Risks that have to be taken to learn the truth.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“No wonder he doesn’t know how he got here.”
Phainon looked at the brick wall, before pressing a hand against it…only for his hand to go through it and he frowned. Cloudhymn magic…strong enough to create a mirage as well. This spelled trouble for their security. How long had it been here and how far did it stretch? “I’m here.” Stelle said and Phainon turned toward her. “Lady Xingguang, we found out how he may have gotten here.” Stelle looked at the wall, then Phainon’s hand, seeing it was going through the wall and there was a ripple. A mirage…cloudhymn magic. It was strong, she could sense locks connecting with other locks and even a tied knot of harmony keeping it still to make it seem solid.
A guard came through the mirage.
“On the other side, facing this way, it merely looks like an endless forest. The mote is there but there’s a path that leads directly to this spot, large enough for multiple people. One wouldn’t know they would be heading to the inner palace. Can’t even see the wall.” Phainon frowned at those words. That really did spell trouble. Stelle huffed and held a hand up. “Let’s break this farce.” She hissed and the guards and Phainon backed away, letting Stelle do as she needed.
She lifted a hand, gold and teal magic forming as she held it forward, letting her magic tear at the mirage and watching it slowly break and fade away, revealing a large hole that the mirage hid. The hole wasn’t overly large but it made sense why it was a two sided mirage, it was so anyone on the other side didn’t suspect a thing. A large portion of land separated the mote, a clear pathway to this spot specifically and, if one wasn’t paying attention, they wouldn’t even think they were entering a restricted area.
Stelle frowned as Phainon let off a string of curses. How could they let this happen?! How did they not know?!
‘When did this happen? How long has it been here? I’ve been here my whole life and not ONCE have I sensed this.’
Stelle thought, before looking around the land behind her.
‘Could the level of cloudhymn saturating the inner palace have been used to hide this? What else could be hiding here…’
Stelle noticed that the massive amount of cloudhymn magic, in this specific area, was weaker than it once was and it had her concerned.
Who put that mirage there and were there more?
“Phainon, send word to High Priestess Cyrene and her Diviners.” Phainon looked at Stelle, attentive and alert, not surprised to see her eyes glowing. “I have a different task for them instead.” She growled and Phainon gave a salute, dismissing the guards and walking closer, awaiting her orders.
Moments later he walked into a familiar temple. Mirror fragments lined the walls and multiple people were at glowing blue holographic computers. Desks sat before the computers, scrolls rolled out before them as they spoke over various topics but it seemed most of the people were doing the task given to them previously that week. At the center, above the computers and watching the mirror fragments was a petite, pink haired girl with pink eyes and blue, diamond-shaped pupils.
A slightly taller pinkette stood beside her, wearing pink and blue robes while the petite pinkette was wearing purple and gold robes. “Still can’t find anything.” The petite pinkette said, before she sighed and the shards went dark. “Odd, it’s almost as though Fuli, God of Memories, doesn’t want us trying to figure out who the boy is.” The taller pinkette frowned a bit. “I’m guessing he believes we are not yet ready for the truth.” The petite pinkette sighed. “This is annoying.” She grumbled and Phainon chuckled.
“As expected of the Master of Memories.” The shorter pinkette perked and spun, eyes brightening. “Phainon!” She ran toward him and he caught her in a hug, spinning around with her. “Hello, Cyrene.” He murmured, giving Cyrene a kiss who happily returned it. “Come on you two, PDA!” The other pinkette huffed in amusement, making Phainon chuckle as he and Cyrene pulled apart. “Apologies, March.” The taller pinkette, March, shook her head fondly. “Please, I’m used to it now but we have a job to do.” Cyrene, the petite pinkette, gave a giggle.
“Fair, we still can’t find out anything about Dan Heng.” Phainon sighed. “About that. Stelle wants it put on the back burner for now.” The two perked, curious as to what he had to tell them. “We found out how he got in.” He explained the situation, letting them know about the mirage they found and how the cloudhymn saturation in that area, specifically, decreased upon the cloudhymn mirage being dispelled. At the end of his explanation, Cyrene frowned. “That is a cause for concern. How did we not detect it until now?” March frowned a bit. “Is that…how Caelus may have been killed?”
Phainon paused at March’s words before he had to remind himself who March was.
March was the daughter of Fuli, God of Memories and, after Caelus had been killed, was locked in ice until Stelle finally figured out how to unseal her. While March lost a lot of her powers and a vast majority of her memories, the memories she had with Stelle and Caelus had not disappeared. She had regained most of them by now but her powers were still greatly diminished and thus she was working under Cyrene to practically relearn her powers so she could be seen as worthy by her father, Fuli, once more.
Caelus’ death had cut her deeply, their love had been true and deep…but that love was ripped apart by the abominations killing him. When March awoke, she was devastated by feeling a torn bond but Stelle had done what she could to help March learn how to live with the tear. Even the mark upon March’s pulse had gained a dulled color, signalling a broken bond. Due to his uniqueness, Caelus did not undergo a hatching rebirth, which was something vidyadhara went through but, like Stelle, he was not a true vidyadhara.
As such, rebirth was not an option for demi-gods.
Phainon gave a sigh at March’s words. “It might have been but we’re unsure. Though that hole has been there for a long time, we’re all unsure how we never sensed it till now.” The silver haired guard stated. It had been years ago, but that day was clear in Phainon’s mind. The raw panic and concern that seared itself into his heart when the alarms rang out around the inner palace grounds as abominations swarmed into the area and started killing people.
Phainon had rushed to Stelle’s and Caelus’ side, intending to protect the two as they had been meeting with March. It was a conversation about the Preceptors, their treatment and if it was possible to replace them due to their shackles on Stelle. Phainon had burst into the throne area where the three were talking and told them to run and hide…but then he was stabbed and fell to the ground. March had screamed and Caelus had moved to protect his mate and his sister. Phainon had changed form in order to keep fighting, trying his hardest to stand despite corruption and pain running through his body.
A spear, filled with mara and a convergence of elements came hurling into the room, heading straight for Stelle.
Phainon had screamed and reached a hand out, intending to shield her…but Caelus had stepped before his sister, taking the spear instead. The spear had ripped through the power inside Caelus and his own powers died out, a power that both he and Stelle bore…pure destruction as Nanook was their father. The scream March gave as the bond began to burn and fade was something he never wanted to hear again.
…But what scared him the most was how Stelle’s eyes began to glow, as did the star on her chest.
As Stelle was the daughter of destruction, just as Caelus was the son of destruction, they had something called a stellaron as their soul. The raw embodiment of pure destruction, their physical body was just a host but they were a stellaron. The attack had been so sudden and devastating that it tore through Caelus’ stellaron…but Stelle’s was still active. The glow of her eyes and chest…her power tore from her and began to burn everything. Phainon had moved his shield from Stelle to March before he was on his feet, rushing toward the pinkette and protecting her.
Destruction did not burn him…but it would’ve killed March.
Stelle’s power as a demi-god nearly leveled the inner palace and surrounding areas…but she had pulled it back when she felt there was no more abominations. After the destruction, Caelus had been buried and March was placed within the Temple of Memories, as ice encased her, until Stelle would unseal her. It had taken centuries to figure out how to unseal March but, by the time Cyrene became the High Priestess, Cyrene was the one to figure it out and they unsealed her.
That day would forever serve as a reminder that Phainon had to do better so Stelle’s stellaron never activated again.
So far it hasn’t despite the Preceptors seeming to try and provoke it into activating once again. The scars along Stelle’s body were still there, faint golden lines that were almost unseen to the untrained eye but Phainon wasn’t just a normal human so he saw them along Stelle’s arms whenever the sleeves were pulled up. He saw them along her shoulders and faintly along her collarbone due to the ceremonial yukata she wore. Stelle said he protected her and the others well, that he was the best…but the scars he saw seemed to taunt him, saying he didn’t protect her well enough.
“Phainon?”
He blinked a bit, coming back to the present and seeing the concerned looks of Cyrene and March and he gave a soft smile. “Sorry, just…lost in thought…” Cyrene frowned at his words, knowing he thought back to the past and wondered if he could have done things differently. While Stelle, March and everyone who had been alive during that time told him he had done well, that he didn’t mess up…he never believed them and Cyrene knew why. While she didn’t act like it, she saw the faint golden lines across Stelle’s body, the scars that had healed but were still there.
Phainon saw them every time he looked at his charge, at the woman he called sister, and saw it as him having failed his duty.
Cyrene knew words wouldn’t comfort him though, she had tried but the expression of pain when mentioning that day never left.
Cyrene took a deep breath and let it out. “What I think we should focus on is how the wall broke to begin with.” Both Phainon and March looked at her. “The inner palace was built by both Long and Nanook, the walls were reinforced by Nanook’s older sister Qlipoth, the God of Protection.” Cyrene explained with a firm tone, remembering what Fuli showed her so she could best serve as the High Priestess of Time and Memories. “If those walls broke, someone as powerful as the Gods would have had to break it and, even with all High Elder’s combined, that’s nearly an impossible task when it comes to breaking something the God of Protection made.” She ended, arms crossed.
Phainon frowned at that, knowing Cyrene was right. But who had that much power? Only Nanook, Lan and maybe even Nuos had that power but none of them would seek to jeopardize the safety of Stelle. Lan didn’t care as long as she didn’t jeopardize the safety of the Xianzhou Empire. Nuos, well, he’d have to hack at it for a few years but still unlikely. He didn’t seek to harm others, he sought knowledge. Nanook, that’s obvious, Stelle is his daughter. Truthfully, none of the Gods would seek her harm as they wouldn’t want to earn Nanook’s ire.
The only ones who didn’t like Stelle were the Luofu District’s Preceptors…but none of them had the power to destroy the walls…did they…?
“We can try looking into the past but if this was years ago,” March began, looking thoughtful, “it’ll take a while to get to that timeline. Then we’d have to scrub through the memoria and see if they had possibly been tampered with first before we actually watch the memoria and see what happened.” Cyrene nodded, knowing that was true. There were some people who had power over memoria like her and March, but that was few and far between, though one could never be too careful.
Fuli would help them if they both asked though.
“We’ll begin trying to find out how the wall broke.” Cyrene told Phainon who nodded, a small smile curving his lips again. “Thanks dear.” Cyrene nodded with a genuine one herself, hugging him once more. “You keep doing what you’ve always done, Phainon. You keep her safe.” A hitch of his breath and then he was hugging her tightly and she smiled sadly. Phainon…he was enough, how did he not realize that?
One day, she hoped that would change.
***
Stelle sighed, shaking her head and putting the quill down, rubbing her temples. She had guards stationed at that area now, making sure nothing got past the hole and she was having it fixed. It would take time, they’d have to contact Qlipoth to reinforce the walls again to make them stronger but Stelle knew Qlipoth would want the details on how it broke first. Details Stelle couldn’t provide until Cyrene and March found what they needed. The Preceptors would no doubt want to know why she was distributing funds to build but she could merely tell them there was a security risk and they’d leave it at that.
It would take time before they gathered the courage to confront her as it was.
Granted they had her shackled but it wouldn’t stop her from being able to kill them and send them through a rebirth, thus they still feared her.
She looked through the scrolls and papers she still had to get through, before a small note slipped from one and she raised a brow, grabbing it. It was messy handwriting, meaning a child had sent it and she sighed sadly at what she read. It wasn’t the first time a child wanted to meet her, even if they had once before. There were vidyadhara children that had met her before her shackles prevented her from leaving the inner palace area but with a rebirth came a clean slate and thus, their past memories were gone.
The only ones who didn’t forget were the Preceptors and High Elders.
Stelle had never undergone a rebirth, as a demi-god, she was immortal and had lived past even the High Elders. She would forever look in her twenties, just as Caelus had…until that spear took his life. Rebirth was not an option for her…and it had not been an option for Caelus.
A drop hit the paper and Stelle realized she was crying.
It hurt…it hurt not being able to see her people, it hurt not being able to personally help them without the Preceptors poking their nose into every little thing she did. How she wanted to fulfil this child’s wish to see her and celebrate her discovering her cloudhymn abilities at such a young age. It was a personal invite to a party to celebrate…but Stelle couldn’t attend due to her shackles…but not like she could tell that to a child. None of the populace knew she was shackled to never leave. They just thought she was busy leading the district alongside the other High Elders and couldn’t do much outside her duties.
The Preceptors were good with their lies but they had never been able to paint her in a bad light to the public.
Glaciator Marum and Caelorum Venti had made sure of that, as had the High Cloud Quintet.
Stelle put the letter down, before the door opened and Phainon walked in. “Cyrene and March are-huh?” He noticed Stelle’s teary eyes and the letter before her and sighed sadly. Another child wanted to see her? “Another one?” He asked and she lifted her head, nodding silently and he felt his heart crack a bit. Stelle wanted to walk among her people once more, those she helped from the background and join in their celebrations but she was bound to the inner palace through her name as Xingguang and with her own blood. She couldn’t leave this place.
Nanook and the other God’s had tried to sever the shackles, but Stelle screaming in pain and her body breaking apart had them stop.
Bound as she was…severing the shackles proved too dangerous until they could get the Preceptors to remove them, themselves. Despite the threats and the fact Nanook had sent them into a rebirth a few times himself, the Preceptors REFUSED to remove the shackles. They wanted someone they could control who had power, they wanted someone to be forced to listen and bow to them…they wanted someone shackled. Stelle was their punching bag, so to speak, though not in the physical sense. She was who they bound and, while at one point they had been able to control her and make her do what they wanted, they could no more.
She did what she thought was right and didn’t let their words sway her. She was no longer their puppet and they hated that.
Phainon walked over and looked at the letter, sighing sadly before looking at Stelle. “Do you want me to find a way to let her down gently?” Stelle shook her head. “I want to respond…I want to be able to join my people once more.” Stelle looked at the letter…before she looked thoughtful, then looked at Phainon. “Do we still have a recording stone?” Stelle asked Phainon, who seemed confused and then hummed. “We should still have a few. What are you thinking?” Phainon asked Stelle, who perked a bit.
“I may not be able to physically meet them, but a recording stone shows a hologram of who is speaking as it gives a message.” Stelle ran a finger over the letter. “She discovered her power at a very young age. Generally, a vidyadhara only discovers their powers into their early teen years, but she isn’t even twelve.” Which was the youngest recorded age for someone to discover their powers. “I may not be able to attend the party invite she has given but this is my next best option, alongside a small gift.” Phainon gave a smile, glad to see a spark in her eyes.
“So, what are you thinking of doing?” He asked as he stepped back, hands on his hips and she smiled. “Grab a recording stone and then check the chest in my room. I can always replace something but this girl deserves a gift. I think a white sakura pearl should do the trick.” Phainon jolted. “The white sakura pearl? Stelle, that thing is priceless. They can only be found in Belobog water once every thousand years!” He hissed and she smiled. “It holds more value if given to her as a gift.” Stelle had found that pearl herself before learning the history behind it.
Having found it before her shackles, she kept ahold of it…but it would hold more value if she gave it to the little girl.
Phainon sighed, before giving a fond smile. “Alright, let me grab the recording stone. Head to your room so that you can sit comfortably, please.” Stelle nodded and stood from the chair, heading to her room while Phainon went to the storage room. They held small, miscellaneous items in a room on multiple shelves and the recording stone wasn’t actually a stone. It was a small, diamond shaped device that projected an image of who was speaking, almost as if someone was watching a movie.
Getting the device and present to the little girl wouldn’t be too hard, Phainon was allowed to leave whenever he wanted. It’s how the people still knew Xingguang, knew that Stelle, was still there and watching out for them.
It was closing in to the evening when he returned, the sun beginning to set and he saw Dan Heng leaving the library with Anaxa. The two seemed to be having an interesting conversation as Anaxa didn’t look annoyed and Phainon noticed Cipher was standing atop the awning, cat tail swishing as she did her duty and Phainon wanted to chuckle. Stelle had to have spoiled her again, Aglaea was going to throw a fit but Stelle would be unfazed.
“Thank you for letting me borrow these books, sir.” He heard Dan Heng say as he neared. “You are a seeker as I am, Dan Heng. Just make sure you look after yourself, I don’t need Lady Xingguang coming after me brimming in rage for making someone sick again.” He grumbled and Dan Heng lifted a brow, confused about that, then Phainon spoke. “Professor, still as indifferent as ever I see.” The two looked at him and Anaxa sighed. “How do I put up with you people?” He huffed under his breath, shaking his head. “Well, since you are here Khaslana, I guess I can leave Dan Heng to you.” Anaxa looked at Dan Heng.
“You are allowed in the library wherever you wish. Just be sure to return the books on time and undamaged.” Dan Heng nodded. “I will. Thank you, sir.” Anaxa gave a nod, before turning around and heading back to the library and Phainon chuckled. “Well, it seems you and the Professor are getting along.” Dan Heng looked at him, before glancing away. “He’s a smart individual. I respect people who seek knowledge and the truth, rather than blindly following another’s words.” Phainon wondered if that was meant to be an insult or if that was just his blunt honesty.
Eh, either way, he’d treat Dan Heng as a guest as Stelle wanted.
“Well, it’s getting late so I’ll take you to your room unless you haven’t had dinner yet.” Phainon said as he motioned Dan Heng to follow him. The face the male made was humorous. “I had dinner. Anaxa practically dragged me out and then I saw why. Hyacine was there and was forcing both of us to eat. Once we were out of the library, she dragged BOTH of us to the dining area.” Phainon laughed at that, startling Dan Heng a bit.
“I’m not surprised it was Hyacine to do that. She’s the only person brave enough to scold the Professor about taking care of himself.” Phainon let off a few more snickers and Dan Heng huffed. “She has…a surprising amount of strength despite her small frame.” Phainon nodded, grinning a bit. “She’s a doctor but a doctor doesn’t need that insane amount of strength. Half the time, I wonder if she was blessed by Qliptoh or Lan for her insane strength.” Dan Heng wouldn’t put it past a god to bless someone just for the heck of it.
It had been written before that the Gods did tend to just bless people randomly.
They entered the main palace and Phainon perked seeing Cyrene there. “Ah, Cyrene, going to see Xingguang?” Phainon asked his fiance, making her look over. She was about to ask why he called Stelle by her vidyadharan name…but then she saw Dan Heng and realized why. No one was to know of Stelle’s true name outside of those in her inner circle. Even the Preceptors couldn’t get her to reveal her true name to them. The last time they tried, Nanook sent them into a rebirth when she told him.
“I was going to give her these reports, but since your here, maybe I can just give you the reports instead~” She teased and Phainon gave a fond scoff. “You know Xingguang likes seeing you, herself, you know.” He teased back and Dan Heng raised a brow. Were these two…together? Cyrene gave a chuckle. “I know, your busy.” Phainon nodded, before turning toward Dan Heng. “Let me get introductions out of the way first. Dan Heng, this is High Priestess Cyrene. She oversees the Temple of Time and Memories here on the palace grounds.” Cyrene gave a small wave, even as Dan Heng gave a nod.
“She goes to the library often, so you may see her and her apprentice, March.” Phainon explained and Cyrene snorted. “You know the Professor doesn’t like March.” Phainon smirked. “She’d still go in there to annoy him.” Phainon commented and Cyrene sighed. True, she did know. “Well, it’s nice meeting you Dan Heng. Don’t let Phainon here be too harsh on you~” She joked and Phainon flushed. “Ow, low blow Cyrene!” He pouted and she giggled, waving farewell before heading down the hall to the office where Stelle was most likely waiting.
Phainon gave a chuckle, before motioning Dan Heng to follow and the dark haired male did with a hum. From Phainon’s and Cyrene’s interactions, he was pretty sure it was safe to assume the two were in a relationship but it’s not like he’d say anything. There was no reason to point it out. As they walked down the hallway on the second floor, Phainon felt for a door that lacked any cloudhymn magic and stopped at the door. “I think this is your room…” Phainon muttered as he opened the door and spotted Dan Heng’s jacket.
“It is, thank you.” Dan Heng and Phainon nodded, before tapping the door. “Should probably get you a plaque for your room.” Dan Heng raised a brow. “I wouldn’t suspect I’m staying here permanently.” Dan Heng stated and Phainon shrugged. “It’d just make finding your room easier. Your room wouldn’t be the only one with a plaque.” Phainon pointed to a different door that had a plaque with two names. ‘Feixiao, Jiaoqiu’ it read. “We host others from the other districts often enough that we have designated rooms for them, just easier that way.” Phainon explained as he looked at Dan Heng.
“Even if it’s not permanent, a plaque would make finding your room easier for you as well in case you ever have to get back to your room on your own.” Dan Heng raised a brow. “You don’t suspect I’d try and make a run for it?” Phainon gave a sharp smile, as if amused Dan Heng thought he could get away. “You wouldn’t be able to get near the bridge to leave.” Phainon watched Dan Heng enter the room, smirking. “Besides, what makes you think your not under watch?” Dan Heng tensed at that and Phainon turned around. “Goodnight, Dan Heng.” Then the door closed.
Phainon made his way to the office, wondering if he went a little too far. The man had just been stating a fact, why would he be alone…but Phainon had been subtle with his threat. Dan Heng wouldn’t get far. Not with Cipher watching him and the cat knew how to incapacitate someone or capture them herself. She may have been a thief once before but Aglaea knew how to bribe Cipher to behave and Mydei had become a professional at tracking her down and capturing her if she slipped into her old ways. That hadn’t happened in a long time though, thanks to Stelle seeming to spoil her and Aglaea knowing how to keep her in-line.
He entered the office, seeing Cipher there already with Cyrene sitting in the chair across from Stelle. “Thank you for escorting him back, Phainon.” Stelle said as she read over the report and he nodded, heading toward the chair Cyrene was in and letting her pull him closer by his belt. “It was no trouble. I was on my way back as it was.” Phainon explained, letting Cyrene lean against his side despite her sitting position. Stelle nodded as she opened a drawer and flicked a yellow gem out, passing to Cipher who stared at it with starry eyes. “Is that a-?” Stelle nodded and Cipher grabbed it greedily.
“Pretty~” She purred and Stelle huffed in amusement. “You’ll get different trinkets and gems so long as you do the job.” Cipher nodded. “I’m well aware. You spoil me enough so there’s no job I won’t take from you.” Cipher hopped off the desk and stretched. “Well, Algaea will be wondering if I’ll be home soon, so I’ll see you all later. Ciao~” Cipher was out the door with a blink and Phainon chuckled. “Still as enthusiastic as ever.” He muttered and Stelle finally looked up. “After getting a gem, why wouldn’t she be?” Stelle put the report down, before looking at Cyrene.
“Did you find anything about either task yet?” Cyrene shook her head. “Not yet. We hadn’t found anything on Dan Heng despite combing through the memoria. Either Fuli thinks it’s irrelevant or he just doesn’t want to reveal what he knows.” They’d have to try a different day after they completed their newest task. “As for the newest one…we found some troubling concerns.” Stelle’s gaze sharpened. “As in?” She asked and Cyrene sighed. “Someone has tampered with the memoria regarded that time. The further back we went, past even Caelus’ death,” Stelle’s expression pinched in pain, “we started noticing tampering.”
“What kind?” Phainon asked. “It was as if someone was trying to interrupt a signal almost. The memoria kept flickering and a static would fill our ears, drowning out words. The memory, itself, would glitch out and we’d hear words overlapping to where we couldn’t tell exactly what was being said.” Cyrene explained, before looking at Stelle in concern. “Whoever made that hole KNEW it would be discovered eventually and tampered with the memoria in the temple. I discovered what FEELS like cloudhymn magic but I couldn’t tell if it actually WAS cloudhymn.” She explained further and Stelle sighed, rubbing her temples.
This was beginning to stress her out.
“How long until you think the memoria will start affecting you all?” Stelle asked Cyrene, who hummed thoughtfully. “If we continue thoroughly, I’d say about two, maybe three weeks. Then we’d need to stop for a few days before we resume.” Cyrene explained and Stelle sighed. “First case of memoria infection, stop and see Hyacine immediately.” Cyrene nodded, knowing memoria infection could be deadly. There had been a few cases before on her colleagues and those in the temple, but they were generally taken care of easily.
Memoria infection was where the infected would see hallucinations and hear voices not their own. It would gradually get worse as the infection progressed, causing paranoia and schizophrenia. It would then progress rapidly to panic, violently lashing out and sometimes screaming. The person would begin to harm themselves and others, dementia would set in and the person would forget themself, see someone else in a different person’s place. It could spiral to out of control violence or their mental functions shutting down completely. There was a cure but it would only work in the early stages when hallucinations and voices were the first sign.
Cyrene would HAVE to keep a close eye on herself and her people so they caught the signs early.
Stelle sighed, before lowering her hands back to the desk. “Continue investigating and scrubbing at the memoria. If it seems like the cloudhymn has completely saturated the memoria, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.” Cyrene nodded. “We still have to go back further to get to the memory but, as you know, the further back one goes, the more likely infection is to happen.” Stelle nodded. “I’m aware but it has to be done. We need to know how and why that hole was made and how long it’s been there.” Cyrene nodded as she agreed.
They needed the details. Only then would they be safe.
Notes:
So this is where we learn the truth of what happened the Caelus. Yes, March and Caelus had been bonded but his death nearly killed March, which is why she was sealed in ice, until the pain faded. March is a demi-god as well but she has to prove herself to Fuli first before she can regain all her powers, which is why she works under Cyrene and not the other way around.
I'm still unsure if I'll have Himeko and Welt make an appearance. I want them too but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to make it work and not take away from the story. Also, yes, Phainon and Cyrene are together in this. (His happy ending was taken away in the beginning, let my boi be happy!) Also, yes, Aglaea and Ciper are a couple. 3.3, where Cipher died and saw Aglaea before dying...I totally thought there was something there. (I used to be a Aglaea x Phainon shipper before that too...)
Well, hope you all enjoyed the story so far~! ^^
Chapter 5: Question's and a Dinner
Summary:
How could he feel the cloudhymn when he wasn't one of them? It shouldn't affect him but it was and he was curious as to why. A small question leads to dinner, which leads to a tentative friendship with the Daughter of Destruction.
But not everything is peaceful and that peace may be shattered soon...
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Three weeks had passed since Dan Heng was allowed to roam around the palace grounds and since Cyrene and her people got their new orders, now being Friday, May Twenty-Ninth. There had already been three cases of memoria infection, so the temple was to hold off on tasks for a week before they would resume their normal tasks. March and Cyrene still dealt with minor tasks or looked over the frontlines for Stelle to keep the abominations back but they were careful in how much work they did. They had a higher resistance to memoria infection; Cryene due to her blessings and March because she was a demi-god as well, but they still had to be careful.
Hyacine had her hands full with those who had memoria infection. While they could cure it, it took a few days for the cure to truly take effect and work the memoria out of a person’s system. As it was a mental infection starting out, it had to be dealt with carefully, lest they permanently damage someone’s mind. Anaxa was also helping as he did research on memoria infection at one point, so he was hardly in the library which generally left Dan Heng alone. It wasn’t too bad and if he had any questions, he wrote them down and would leave them for Anaxa.
Anaxa would respond by leaving the letter on the desk in plain sight, answers written down so at least Dan Heng knew he wasn’t being ignored.
His last question had been given an answer that Dan Heng wasn’t sure he understood.
‘Can cloudhymn be felt by everyone and, if so, how have you all withstood the suffocating feeling?’
Dan Heng had just wanted to know how to minimize the feeling of being suffocated. He wasn’t actually lacking oxygen but sometimes it felt hard to breathe with how saturated the land was. The answer Anaxa gave had him wondering how he felt it.
‘Cloudhymn magic can’t be felt by normal mortals, like myself or Hyacine, or even Mydeimos and Castorice. Khaslana is able to sense cloudhymn magic because he learned how to from Xingguang, however he can shut his senses off to cloudhymn so it doesn’t affect him. As far as I have been made aware, you should not be able to sense or feel cloudhymn magic unless its being focused on you. I would suggest you seek out Xingguang’s answer as she would be able to answer your question better than I can.’
Dan Heng sighed, shaking his head a bit. He had wanted to avoid asking Xingguang as he didn’t want to bother her. She seemed busy and the last thing he wanted to do was ask what he was thinking might be a stupid question to her. It did make him wonder why he felt it if the others didn’t. Khaslana sensing it wasn’t a surprise, with that second form he had showing he was blessed by Nanook, it meant that he had more sensitivity to feeling anything around as he was a guard.
The fact he could shut his senses to cloudhymn magic was interesting though. Maybe he could ask Khaslana how to do that.
Dan Heng folded the paper up and placed it in his pocket, before putting the book back and leaving the library. First he’d see Xingguang since Khaslana was busy lately and he had been shown where the office was just in case Dan Heng needed to see her about something. She had told him he was a guest and could see her when he wished since he was staying in the inner palace until they knew more. He didn’t mind staying here, the people were nice and respectful though he did notice there was a tenseness the past two days and he wondered what caused it.
As he neared the office, he paused at hearing different voices.
“For the last time, Preceptors, I DO NOT need you to remind me how to do my job!” Xingguang did NOT sound happy. But why were the Preceptors here? “It’s just a bit of expendable funds that can be transferred, my lady. If you would just sign-” What sounded like skin hitting skin had Dan Heng jolting. “These are funds for the people, not your personal bank account that you CLEARLY want to use for yourself, Preceptor. You have MORE than enough credits to cover the expenses in this report.” A thud and he almost ran in, thinking Xingguang was in danger but a male grunt reached his ears instead.
“Now, before I lose my temper, I suggest you leave and NEVER come to be about taking funds from the treasury again. Each Preceptor has their own funds and if you’ve already blown through that for the month, then that is your own fault. You won’t get the next set of funds until the designated date!” She snapped and Dan Heng looked around as he heard shuffling, not wanting to be seen by the Preceptors. He hurried into the closest door, noting it was a closet and hid.
“Dammit, too cautious for her own good.” He heard one of the Preceptors grumble as they passed the door. “If we can’t control her, we will never have our way again.” He heard another snip and their voices continued as they passed until he could hear them no more. He cracked the door open, seeing them leave and exited the closet entirely. Thank goodness they were gone. He recognized their voices from the time he spent in a dark cell and the torture he endured. He figured one or two of them might have been in on what he suffered all that time ago.
“Dan Heng?”
The male turned his head, seeing an exhausted Xingguang who seemed surprised to see him. “Are you okay? You look pale.” Xingguang commented and he sighed, shaking his head. “I’m alright but are you okay?” He asked as he turned toward her completely. “Heard raised voices. You didn’t seem happy.” Xingguang waved a hand dismissively. “Just idiots being idiots and not knowing how to handle money.” She replied, before tilting her head at him. “Did they do anything to you?” She asked but he shook his head. “No…I hid before they saw me. I…don’t see them in a good light.” He wouldn’t explain more than that but he could let Xingguang know that he didn’t like them.
Xingguang nodded, still a little worried about how he seemed pale but wouldn’t push. They were still, technically, strangers though she had been trying to find ways to befriend him. A few temple workers had continued to look into him, but so far it was pointing toward him being innocent. The memoria was fragmented regarding him, showing SOMEONE tried tampering with it but another power had attempted to protect it and, as such, the memoria was fragmented.
They were doing their best to piece it together little by little though.
“Alright, as long as your okay, that’s all that matters. Did you need something though?” Xingguang asked, picking up his curiosity through his scent and he perked. Oh, right! “I did, actually.” Dan Heng said, crossing his arms. “The cloudhymn magic here…how can you all stand it?” She raised a brow. “I find it…difficult to breathe some days.” Dan Heng said honestly and Xingguang frowned a bit. “A human shouldn’t be able to sense cloudhymn magic that sensitively. Only Phainon and like three others can but that’s because they trained themselves to feel it.” Xingguang responded, crossing her arms and rubbing her chin.
“I’m surprised your able to sense it at all but I can block it from affecting you.” She held a hand up, palm up and golden magic forming around her hand. “Can I ask you to trust me?” Xingguang asked with a tilt of her head and Dan Heng tensed a bit, looking at her hand warily. She didn’t blame him, she understood his reluctance but she could help him. Dan Heng took a deep breath and nodded, before sliding his hand across her own and she gently wrapped her hand around his own. Dan Heng was surprised to note that her nails, sharp as they are, were painted gold in color.
She closed her glowing eyes and he noticed there was a golden glow in the center of her chest as well. Dan Heng was also seeing what he thinks were thin gold lines…or were those white in color? They…they almost looked like scars. He suddenly felt something enter his body through his hand and rush through him, gently he noted though and warm, reassuring so he didn’t panic and realized it was Xingguang’s power. The suffocating feeling of cloudhymn magic slowly seemed to lift from him and he took a deep breath, sighing in relief. He felt so much better, like he could actually breathe now.
A few seconds later, Xingguang pulled her hand away and opened her eyes, the glow ceased as did the glow on her chest. Her brow was furrowed in confusion, having noted there was something…different about him that she had not been expecting to feel. It felt like that was something wrapped up within him, like something was suppressing power or hiding something. Xingguang would actually attribute what she felt to the cloudhymn sealing magic the Preceptor’s used but when would they have ever met Dan Heng? While he did say he didn’t see them in a good light, she attributed that to Dan Heng and Anaxa having spoken about them.
She dismissed the thought. It could just have been the cloudhymn around the inner palace seeping into him.
Dan Heng looked at his hand, before he looked himself over, realizing there was nothing different physically, he was just able to breathe much more easily. “Thank you.” He said gratefully and Xingguang nodded. “No need. The fact you were able to sense how dense the cloudhymn magic was means that your just more sensitive, so all I had to do was create a protection around you so you could breathe more easily.” She explained and Dan Heng sighed in relief. “Still, now I feel like myself again.” Xingguang gave another nod before she seemed thoughtful.
“Have you eaten yet?” She asked, yet he shook his head. “Not yet. I just finished reading a book and put it back.” He didn’t think it was relevant to tell Xingguang about the questions he was leaving for Anaxa. If it was, Anaxa would have mentioned it to her already. Xingguang nodded, her silver tail flicking before giving a small smile. “Well, I have not eaten yet myself. Missed lunch because of the Preceptors but, if your not opposed to the idea, maybe we could eat a late lunch together. Despite the time you’ve been here, we haven’t really spoken much.” Xingguang suggested and Dan Heng hummed a bit.
True, despite living in the same palace, Dan Heng realized that he hasn’t had much of an opportunity to actually speak with Xingguang. She seemed kind the few times he’s seen her as she did go to the library once in a while to speak with Anaxa about something. Plus his first few days here, she had been kind to him after their first meeting. He doesn’t think it would be a bad idea to spend lunch with her, she was kind after all.
“I don’t see a problem with it, so I’m not opposed to the idea.” Xingguang gave a small smile, pleased before she motioned her head for him to follow her. “Then let’s go eat.” Dan Heng followed her to the kitchen and, after making themself both a plate, headed to the dining room to eat their meal together. “So, despite you having roamed around the inner palace grounds, is there any place besides the library you’d go to?” Xingguang asked, yet Dan Heng shrugged his shoulders.
“Not really. Khaslana showed me the training grounds but I don’t find myself spending time there. I prefer studying over fighting.” The dark haired male stated truthfully. Xingguang nodded, smiling. “So, if you were to fight…it would be with words and reason?” She asked, taking a sip of her tea and he chuckled. “More satisfying when you can counter a decision that would have ill-effects with proof and they can’t respond in turn without sounding like an idiot.” Dan Heng replied and Xingguang resisted the urge to snort at his words.
“I do that day-to-day with the Preceptors.” She snickered out instead. Dan Heng gave a smirk, a brow raised. “And is it satisfying?” He asked and she grinned in turn. “Very satisfying.” Xingguang replied, making him give a chuckle. The two spoke a bit more, though it was mostly questions from Dan Heng to which Xingguang would answer as best she could. Though she did ask questions in turn about what books he found the most interesting, to which he would respond what he found interesting or what just seemed ridiculous.
From the entrance to the dining area, doing their best to stay hidden around a corner was Castorice, Hyacine, Mydei and Cipher. “They seem to be getting cozy.” Cipher muttered, blinking a bit and Mydei sighed. “How did I let myself get dragged into this?” He grumbled, making Hyacine look at him. “You know why, don’t play dumb.” She muttered and he gave her a half-hearted glare. “Now, now Mydei, be nice to Hyacine.” Castorice replied, before looking back at Stelle and Dan Heng speaking. “He seems nice to her.”
Mydei sighed with a shake of his head, wondering how they were all calm while he felt like going over and thrashing Dan Heng. Granted Stelle would probably maim him if he did such a thing but this was an unknown stranger in their home! Stelle may be able to tell he meant no ill but Mydei wouldn’t trust him until the man proved himself. For him, actions spoke louder than words though he knew Castorice would merely continue to ask him to give Dan Heng a chance.
Still, a part of him did hope this man could help heal Stelle.
**(One Month Later, Monday-June 22nd; Afternoon)**
The days continued to pass and, as June came in and the weather got even warmer, that was when Stelle got word that the frontlines had hit a stalemate so the High Cloud Quintet was looking to return but Baiheng was already on her way back. It made Stelle happy to know one of her friends would be returning soon. The rest of the HCQ would wait until the soldiers rotated before they returned and Stelle understood that. They always returned last.
Phainon smiled as he noted Stelle’s smile. “Good news?” He asked as he neared the throne chair where she sat and she nodded. “Mhm. The High Cloud Quintet will be returning soon. Baiheng should be here though in the next few hours.” Stelle responded, putting the note away. She had gotten a letter two days ago from Baiheng and, knowing Baiheng, she most likely took her personal starskift with her. The thing was fast but could only fit two people but Baiheng was stated to return alone so she most likely had no detours that would delay her arrival.
Phainon nodded as he stopped beside her. “That’s good. The wall is almost completely fixed but we’ll have to get Qlipoth to reinforce it at some point.” Phainon commented, making Stelle hum. “That’s gonna be fun to explain to my Aunt.” She grumbled and Phainon gave a chuckle. “Yeah, she’ll want to know how it was destroyed.” Stelle groaned. “I don’t even know how that happened!” She pouted and Phainon sighed. “On another note, Cyrene and March are digging again now that those who had memoria infection are cured.” Stelle sighed at that.
“How corrupted it was for several people to be infected at once is what concerns me.” Stelle stated and Phainon nodded. “They’re gonna look into it because that worried them as well.” He explained, before he gave a grin. “But I’m curious about something, regarding you…” Stelle froze like a deer caught in headlights. “You’ve been spending an awful lot of time getting ‘cozy’ with Dan Heng.” He tilted his head innocently. “Mind telling me about that, sis?” He teased and Stelle narrowed her eyes at him. “Why do I feel like my answer will result in you going after him no matter what?” Phainon laughed loudly at that.
He had to make her sweat a little bit~.
Stelle sighed. “To be honest Phainon, he seemed lonely so I’m looking to befriend him. As I stated, I doubt he’s here to do harm and the medical file showed he was being tortured. Granted, those wounds have healed thanks to Hyacine but I’m worried that whoever harmed him might try to harm him again.” Stelle explained and Phainon hummed. It would make sense that whoever attacked Dan Heng would search for him and try to harm him once more. But why was he tortured to begin with? He was a human, not a foxian or vidyadhara; there was no reason to cause such damage to anyone.
“As such, my protective instincts are actually being triggered by that,” That made him jolt. “And, as such, it’s why I’m trying to befriend him. I want him to know that someone is watching out for him.” Phainon hummed at her words, before sighing. “Just don’t forget you got me, alright?” Phainon asked, patting her head. “While you protect others, I’ll protect you.” She smiled at him. “I know that brother, and I thank you for it.” He gave a boyish grin at her words…when a familiar sound he never wanted to hear again reached his ears.
Then he heard the scream...
Notes:
Originally this was kind of going to be a short chapter, but I did add a bit more just to increase the length and yes, I left you all on a cliff hanger I would think.
I'll try to get the next chapter up soon, I promise!
Chapter 6: The Terror That Consumes
Summary:
Previously:
“Just don’t forget you got me, alright?” Phainon asked, patting her head. “While you protect others, I’ll protect you.” She smiled at him. “I know that brother, and I thank you for it.” He gave a boyish grin at her words…when a familiar sound he never wanted to hear again reached his ears.
Then he heard the scream…
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
It started with a scream…then the alarms rang.
His entire body tensed and he donned his second form instantly, spinning right as the doors slammed open. “Wha-abominations?!” Stelle hissed in horror, gold eyes wide before she snarled, power swirling in her hands. “How did they get in?!” They shouldn’t have been able to get past all the cloudhymn magic so easily! “Stelle! Phainon!” Mydei rushed through as he impaled one abomination with blood-red crystals, looking at them in concern. “Mydei, protect the people! Send the word out!” Stelle ordered as Phainon charged one abomination, impaling it on his sword before he was swinging toward another, a golden arc cutting it in-half.
“But what about you two?!” Mydei asked, crystals forming in his hands that he thrust at an abomination, impaling it and killing it. “We’ll be fine!” Phainon replied, even as Stelle lifted a hand, a thin golden spear ripping through an abomination, making it disintegrate. “Me and Stelle can handle this place. Go protect the others!” Phainon ordered and, even though Mydei snarled, did as asked as he spun and headed back out the doors, killing abominations as he went. Phainon jumped back to Stelle, snarling as more came in. “Let’s show these creatures what true destruction is.” Stelle nodded at his words.
The doors were forced to close with a snap of Stelle’s fingers and then the glass ceiling broke, making her look up and curse. If the doors were closed, they’d find another way in! At least it had only been her and Phainon in the inner palace, the maids, butlers and others had been outside since it was nice and warm.
The two dashed to the sides, prepared to take down as many enemies as possible. Stelle wasn’t defenseless, she knew how to fight and she proved it as destruction formed around her, creating a multitude of golden spears that she hurled at the abominations. With all the blessings she had been gifted as the Daughter of Destruction, Stelle was a force to be reckoned with. If she wasn’t harnessing destruction, it was generally her Uncle Lan’s power she’d call on, or even Uncle Nuos. If she needed to defend, she had no qualms about calling on Aunt Qlipoth’s powers.
It all depended on what the situation called for.
Stelle hoped the others would be okay though. Castorice and the others knew how to fight, they knew how to defend themselves and defend others. No doubt they were getting those who couldn’t fight out of the inner palace grounds and across the bridges, keeping the abominations back. The guards would raise the bridges once all those who couldn’t fight were out of the inner palace grounds and then they’d guard the other areas in case the abominations were able to cross the motes that separated each place. She wondered where Dan Heng was. Was he fighting or did Anaxa and Hyacine seek to get him to safety as well?
The doors were thrown open again and Stelle gasped as she saw it was Baiheng!
She was due back today but she was already here?!
“Stelle! Phainon!” She cried in terror, bringing out a pair of pistols and Stelle’s eyes went wide as the foxian charged in, seeing an abomination manifest behind her. “Baiheng, watch out!” Stelle called in terror, rushing past abominations trying to get her, raising a hand as she switched to the powers of Qlipoth to try and protect her friend. “Baiheng!” Phainon called in terror, seeing the foxian turn around and her eyes go wide, seeing the enemy. “No!” Stelle shouted, eyes beginning to glow as did her chest…when the sound of rushing wind and glass breaking got her attention.
A green spear came hurling in, stabbing into the abomination and taking it down. Baiheng fell back, eyes wide and wondering why the spear looked familiar…when a male jumped through the broken window, grabbing the spear and chucking it toward Stelle. The woman spun, watching the spear sail past her and stab into another abomination. Glowing golden eyes snapped to the spear and she yanked it out, grabbing the abomination by the face and watching gold flames devour the creature as she activated the powers of destruction.
Stelle spun, coming face-to-face with Dan Heng, who smiled. “I’m glad your alright.” He muttered and Stelle merely handed the spear back to him. “I thought you didn’t fight.” She muttered and he shrugged, impaling another abomination. “I will if I must.” Was his simple reply and Stelle sighed but gave a nod. She was merely glad he was okay and that he saved Baiheng. Stelle then turned and rushed toward Baiheng who jolted upon Stelle hugging her. “Thank god your alright.” Baiheng hugged her back, sensing Phainon come close.
“Phainon, help him fend them off.” Phainon nodded and charged the enemies closest, intending to make his way to Dan Heng and help him. Stelle stood with Baiheng and lifted a hand to the doors again, forcing them closed once again; it was easier to deal with enemies when they were in an enclosed area. It forced the enemies to bunch together. Stelle sighed before she looked at Baiheng in relief. “We’ll talk in a moment but let’s get rid of these enemies first.” Baiheng nodded, following her lead and readying her pistols again.
As the fight continued, and her stamina started to dwindle, Stelle came to notice she wasn’t the only one. Dan Heng seemed to be struggling and Baiheng was most likely already exhausted before she came in to help. What worried Stelle was that she didn’t know where they were coming from and it annoyed her there was so many! They would defeat one and three more would take its place! At this point she was going to have to resort to drastic measures in order to get rid of them.
“Phainon!” He looked at her, seeing how bright the glow around her eyes and chest were. “Protect them!” His eyes went wide, sensing the surge in power around Stelle. “Are you crazy?!” He shouted, swinging his sword and his arc cut into two abominations. “You remember what happened last time, right?!” He snapped, eyes quickly snapping to another enemy that he cut down and she snarled, another spear slicing through two enemies. “At this point we’re going to be overrun! Now, I order you to protect them!” His body pulsed and his eyes went wide and he snarled.
She hardly ever ordered him like that!
“Fine!” Phainon dashed to Dan Heng and grabbed him, before he blew enemies back and hurried to Baiheng. A golden shield fell over the three of them. “Close your eyes and whatever you do, don’t leave my side!” He hissed at them, before looking at Stelle. “Now!” He called as the two closed their eyes. Stelle sighed and raised a hand, destruction swirling around her quickly and cocooning her like golden threads, forming the shape of an egg.
Though his eyes were closed, Dan Heng felt a warmth fill him, a sense of urgency filled him as well and he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to keep his eyes closed. A draconic roar reached his ears, making him clasp his hands over his ears to drown out the sound as well and he felt the foxian he saved shift to do the same. He felt a warm hand wrap around the back of his head, drawing him closer to a body and he felt fur by his side, signalling Baiheng had been drawn closer as well.
What felt like feathers brushed against his back.
Was Phainon…shielding them more?
Then everything was still, heat seemed to burn around them and rush outward to break the stillness and then the hand pulled away as the feathers moved away. A hand grabbed at one wrist gently, pulling his hand from his ear. All he could hear was the sound of leaves burning. “You can relax now.” Dan Heng was still tense but opened his eyes and lowered his hands, before gasping at what he saw. The abominations were disintegrating where they fell and in the center of the massacre was Xingguang, looking more exhausted than ever before but an emotionless look was on her face as she stared at what she did.
Her glowing golden eyes snapped to a body that twitched and it went up in golden flames.
She seemed so different.
Phainon heaved an internal sigh and made his way out of the shield, before he gave a nod and the shield lowered. Dan Heng twitched at the heat that hit him but he adjusted quickly, looking around and then back at Xingguang. He heard Baiheng gasp and looked at her, seeing she saw the bodies that faded away as well. “She hardly ever has to resort to using THAT power…” Baiheng muttered, before looking at Xingguang. “Stelle…” She murmured and Dan Heng raised a brow.
‘Stelle?’
He wondered, looking back at Xingguang and Phainon.
Phainon was silent as he pressed a hand to her cheek before he relaxed and switched back to his human form. “Hey, your okay now. Everyone is safe.” Xingguang slowly looked him in the eye as the glowing ceased around her eyes and chest. “I’m…so…tired…” Her eyes slid close and Phainon caught her. “Whoa, hey, hey, Stelle!” Dan Heng frowned. Why were they calling her Stelle? Did she have two names? Baiheng rushed over at that point, eyes wide. “What happened?!” She cried in worry…when the doors slammed open once more, this time breaking off the hinges!
“What happened?!” Dan Heng looked over, seeing Mydei, Castorice, Anaxa, Hyacine, a cat woman and a woman with short gold hair, as well as two pink haired women. “Oh my god! Stelle!” A pinkette wearing blue and pink robes ran past him, heading toward Xingguang. “Wha-?” Anaxa stopped beside him. “It would be best if we keep our distance.” Anaxa said to Dan Heng, eyeing how tense Phainon was. “March, grab a doctor!” Phainon snapped at the pinkette and then Hyacine rushed forward.
“I’m right here!” Hyacine said quickly when March flinched back at Phainon’s harsh tone. “Dammit Phainon, control yourself!” Mydei snapped in turn, hurrying over and Dan Heng raised a brow. There were too many people here and too many new names he was hearing. “Stelle? Phainon? Wha-?” Dan Heng attempted to say when Anaxa interrupted him. “Phainon is Khaslana’s first name. Phainon Khaslana.” Oh, that made sense. “Then is Stelle actually Xingguang’s first name?” Anaxa gave a slow nod. “Sure…let’s go with that.”
Dan Heng wasn’t sure how to interpret that.
Dan Heng watched Hyacine help Xingguang, a mixture of unease and anxiety in him and he wanted to go help, but with how tense Phainon was, he was thinking that was a very bad idea. “Where did you get that spear?” Anaxa asked as the others hurried in and gathered around Stelle and Dan Heng looked at the weapon he held. “I’ve had it for as long as I can remember. Just never had a need to use it.” Dan Heng let the spear go and it faded away, making Anaxa hum. He had seen such an ability before but now was not the time to mention it.
First, it would be a good idea for him to get Dan Heng to his room or maybe they could wait in the library instead. It would be safer there since Anaxa wasn’t sure how damaged the inner palace itself was. He had seen what Stelle did, they all did which was why they rushed here but he didn’t know if Dan Heng had seen. He wasn’t asking questions but he could get the story later. “Come with me to the library, there are too many people here.” Dan Heng nodded, following Anaxa with one last look to Xingguang, then they were out the doors.
***
The sun had set a while ago before Dan Heng and Anaxa saw anyone and it was Phainon, who looked tired. Anaxa was the first to look up, which caught Dan Heng’s attention and he perked. “Phainon, how is she?” Anaxa asked and Phainon looked at him, seeing Dan Heng was there and sighed. He could know, he helped after all. “Exhausted and drained. Her powers of destruction ripped through the inner palace and the courtyard where they were being summoned. Someone had planted a summoning device in the courtyard and activated it remotely. We’re unsure who.” He explained, heading toward the table where the two were.
“However, due to the damages, the inner palace is currently off-limits, which means those within are going to have to find temporary sleeping arrangements until repairs are done.” Anaxa sighed. “I have a room here in the library that has a few spare beds so I can make arrangements for Dan Heng, you and Mydei at least.” Dan Heng jolted at that. “Are you sure?” Anaxa nodded at him. “Like our lady, I can tell your not someone of ill-intention and if Mydei is the only one who has a problem with it, then he can take it up with me.” Phainon winced at that.
Anaxa was not someone you wanted to anger.
Phainon sighed, saying; “Knowing Cyrene, she’ll look to accommodate the women then. You all got everyone out from what Castorice told me.” Anaxa nodded. “Getting those that couldn’t fight, like the temple workers, maids and butlers was our first priority. My next priority had been to find Dan Heng and get him to safety…then Xingguang released that attack.” Dan Heng sighed. “Just because I dislike fighting doesn’t mean I can’t but I understand that you all didn’t know.” Anaxa hummed in agreement and Phainon sighed. “Thank you for helping save Baiheng though.”
Dan Heng tilted his head. “Was that the foxian?” Phainon nodded. “Yes. She’s Xingguang’s trusted advisor and her closest friend, almost like a sister to her. Me and Xingguang wouldn’t have been able to save her in time but you did, so thank you.” Dan Heng gave a shrug. “I just did what I thought was right.” Phainon sat down in the chair, rubbing his temples. “I never thought a situation like this would rise up again.” Anaxa sighed, having read the story in the history books about the incident that happened many years ago.
“You did your best then and you did your best now.” Phainon looked up at Anaxa, vulnerable and it caught Dan Heng off guard at how vulnerable he looked. How seemingly human he was. “But it still wasn’t enough. We lost someone back then and we almost lost someone this time. Everything I do is never enough!” Phainon snapped in anger and Anaxa frowned. “You may have been blessed, Phainon, but even the strongest need help. Never see it as a weakness to rely on others. How many times have I, and even your sister, have had to tell you that?” Anaxa stated firmly, making Phainon wince.
Truly, he was smart but he didn’t have to shoulder the world alone!
“I figured you all would be here.” The three looked up, seeing Mydei enter and Anaxa pulled his hand from Phainon’s shoulder. “And the women?” Mydei sighed. “Hyacine, March and Baiheng are staying in the infirmary with Xingguang. Meanwhile, Cyrene is having the other women sleep in a makeshift room in the temple.” Anaxa sighed. “It’s at times like this that we need a separate housing area in case this happens.” Mydei scoffed. “Yeah, you have fun explaining to the Preceptors about how we need funds for that.” Anaxa snarled.
“I’d rather rip out my other eye than speak to those moronic, brain-dead, stubborn, dead weights about proper usage of funds.” The pale haired man stated, his red eye glazing with fury and Mydei scoffed. “Just as I’d rather die before being caught in the same room as them.” Dan Heng huffed. “Glad I’m not the only one who hates them.” Phainon raised a brow at him. “You know the Preceptors?” Dan Heng shook his head. “Not personally, but the dark room I was in before finding myself in the forest…I would hear voices. I heard two Preceptors with Xingguang a few weeks ago and they sounded familiar.” Phainon hummed, wishing Dan Heng would speak more about his past.
But Cyrene and Hyacine said it was never a good idea to push someone who had a bad past.
Mydei sighed, looking exhausted as well. “How long will repairs take?” He asked Phainon, who hummed again. “Well, last time this happened, it took three months. This was more controlled, so it’ll take about a month, I think…maybe two.” Phainon muttered and Mydei sighed. Anaxa looked up to the second floor of the library. “Come with me everyone. We should get some sleep.” The other three nodded, too tired to protest and followed Anaxa to the second floor, seeing a room with four beds.
Until repairs were done, this is where they would sleep.
Notes:
So I apologize that this chapter is a bit short and that the fight scene is...crappy...
I'm not the best at fight scenes though I HAVE been trying to get better at them. It's a little rushed because I did rush through it a bit and I did edit this scene a few times but, like I said, I'm not good at writing fight scenes. T^T
Still, I hope it was okay enough for the story and the whole cocoon, golden-thread thing, that was actually inspired by a different story I'm doing. (However in THAT story it doesn't cocoon who it represents, it just flashes.)
Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you all in the next chapter! ^^
Chapter 7: Hearts Connecting
Summary:
Dan Heng sees Xingguang once again now that she's recovered and, with her recovery, comes a connection that slowly begins to form between them.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Three days, a Thursday, now June Twentyfifth, had passed before Dan Heng saw Xingguang now that she had recovered. Phainon, Mydei, a woman called Aglaea and a few others were helping with repairs in the inner palace. The maids and butlers, those that could or wanted to, had volunteered to help and, until the inner palace was repaired, they were either staying with family or friends. Xingguang, herself, was staying in the infirmary to keep an eye on her condition though Dan Heng didn’t ask what that meant. She was a child of destruction after all from what he got Phainon to tell him, so it’s likely there was a specific reason for her to be watched over.
Dan Heng had been helping Anaxa with the library until repairs were done, since Anaxa was being requested to help with the reconstruction. He wasn’t a builder by any means but his intelligence was unparalleled and he would know the best materials and the best set-up so that nothing was changed too much with the rebuilding. As such, Dan Heng was keeping an eye on the library instead. The other members of the inner palace, like Castorice, Cyrene, March and Hyacine were busy with other tasks.
He’s only spoken to Hyacine a few times, generally when she was checking on his health since she knew about his scars so he didn’t mind her presence. He tensed whenever Castorice entered the library, knowing Mydei didn’t seem particularly fond of her being around others but she was generally looking for books that spoke about memoria. Apparently she was helping Cyrene and March were their temple work but Dan Heng never asked questions.
By day three, he was used to a routine already, so he was surprised when he saw Xingguang in the library before he had even woken up. She was searching through the history section, specifically the section that spoke about the god’s, so Dan Heng decided to help her. “Lady Xingguang.” He greeted as he came down the stairs and she perked, looking his way and smiled. “Ah, Dan Heng, hello. I didn’t wake you up, did I?” She asked yet he shook his head.
“The room is pretty soundproof, so I didn’t realize you were here until I came out of the room.” He explained, before looking at the shelf. “Is there something specific your looking for?” He asked and Xingguang nodded, pulling her hand away from the shelf. “Anaxa tends to rearrange the library sometimes, so I’m trying to find the books that speak about the god, Nanook.” Xingguang explained and Dan Heng perked a bit. “That’s further down. Follow me.” He headed down the path and Xingguang turned to follow him.
At the end of the shelf, Dan Heng looked at the row above the one that went to his waist and saw the books. “Ah, here they are.” Dan Heng tapped one and stepped back. Xingguang looked at them before she sighed and grabbed them. “Thank you Dan Heng. I fear I may have gone through the whole shelf before finding them.” She said gently, running a hand over the cover with reverence and Dan Heng gave a nod at her words. “I’m glad I could have helped. I helped Anaxa out with rearranging the shelves a few times, so I knew where they were placed.”
Xingguang lifted her head to look at him. “Anaxa did inform me that you were watching over the library while he helped the rebuilding efforts.” Dan Heng gave a shrug. “I volunteered to help rebuild but Phainon said he’d rather have a guest rest than work.” The dark haired male stated and Xingguang gave a giggle. “Just as I treat you as a guest, Phainon is doing the same. Nothing points to you being a bad person, so why would we treat you as one?” Xingguang explained simply, before she grabbed the other books. “Once more, thank you Dan Heng. I’ll return them to the shelf before I leave.”
Dan Heng raised a brow. “Your reading here?” She nodded as they left the shelf area. “My office is still unstable and they don’t want me helping either.” She gave a sigh. “So, because I have the time, I might as well brush up on my destruction powers and see if there’s anything in the books that speaks about the powers destruction can have.” The vidyadhara said before she bid farewell and headed towards one of the walls that had windows, allowing the natural light to give her better reading light.
Dan Heng watched her settle down before heading to the desk and picking up the book he had been reading, opening back to his page. Dan Heng had been curious as to why everything but the inner palace was fine but Anaxa had explained it was because of Qlipoth’s blessings. Plus, the rush of power from Xingguang happened within an enclosed area. If she had released her attack outside, the other buildings within the inner palace square would’ve been damaged as well.
It made a little sense but he knew not everything was explained to him. He didn’t really care to ask questions though. He was, essentially, still a stranger to them despite a few of them treating him like a guest…which was nice honestly. He had only ever known pain and cruelty but Xingguang and the others? They were kind to him, some even cared and spoke to him in a friendly manner. It was different, something he doubted he’d ever truly get used to…but it was a nice change and one he hoped he could fully understand one day. Despite his rather abrupt appearance in their daily lives, the mistrust the first week was seemingly gone…at least with a few of them.
He glanced back over at Xingguang, noting she had a notebook, a quill and an inkwell beside her as she wrote down a few things she read. He wondered if she had set that up the moment she walked in. The day passed by eventfully, the two had lunch since the others were working and by evening, Phainon had returned and practically dragged Xingguang off to have dinner, the two playfully bickering the whole way. Dan Heng had raised a brow, slightly amused, before a wrapped meal was placed before him and he looked at the item.
“Huh?” He looked up, seeing Hyacine as she smiled at him, even as Anaxa passed by her. “I figured you wouldn’t have eaten yet, so I grabbed some dinner for you and Anaxa.” True enough, as Dan Heng glanced at the taller man, he saw a wrapped meal as well and wanted to chuckle. The wrapping looked so out of place on his person. “I had delivered food to the others as well since everyone is hard at work.” Hyacine gave a tired sigh. “Why can’t people realize that, in order to work, one needs energy to do that and energy comes from food?” She pouted and Dan Heng let a chuckle slip, even as Anaxa gave an amused smirk.
“Some of us didn’t realize how much time had passed.” Anaxa stated, sitting down by the desk and Hyacine pouted. “Professor, your the worst aside from Xingguang.” He gave a sharp smirk. “And where, exactly, do you think Xingguang picked that up from? I can say it wasn’t me.” Anaxa knew that Xingguang most likely got used to not having three full meals a day because of the Preceptors. Despite them fearing her father, they did their best to control Xingguang but she was strong willed and refused to be their puppet.
Hyacine gave a sigh of despair. Why was she having to play babysitter?!
A few more days passed like that. Dan Heng would wake up and see Xingguang already there, either she’d be looking for a book or would be at a specific table working on papers. As her office was unstable and dangerous, she had to do her office work in the library but Dan Heng didn’t mind. Oddly enough, her presence was a comfort to him, soothing and easing his mind and he found it odd that a child of destruction had such a presence around her. He never let his thoughts show though, however he did do subtle changes around the library as a result.
The chair she sat in was replaced with one that was plush, allowing her to be more comfortable when sitting. The quill and inkwell were placed atop a tray so that Xingguang didn’t have to worry about possible spills with the inkwell. Books that she had put away would already be out, bookmarks placed where she left off and, sometimes, Dan Heng was already awake before she’d arrive.
If Xingguang noticed any of it, she didn’t say anything but the gentle, grateful smile she’d send his way was enough for his own lips to quirk up in a small one himself.
By the time two weeks had passed, now a Friday, July Tenth, a routine was set in stone for the two and didn’t look to be changing anytime soon. The others had noticed the changes but didn’t say anything, even Anaxa didn’t make a comment but Dan Heng did notice a paper that seemed like a request for different, more comfortable chairs. Xingguang wouldn’t mind helping get the funds for that but Anaxa prayed Mydei and Phainon didn’t make it a competition of who could carry the most chairs back. The last thing anyone needed was those two hurting each other.
Dan Heng had been out most of the current day, asked by Anaxa to come confirm something about a few odd plants he had discovered. When the two returned, it was to a pouting Hyacine, an annoyed Mydei, a concerned March and a sighing Baiheng. “What happened for all of you to be here?” Anaxa asked with a sigh, his words short and curt. The plants he and Dan Heng had were being studied but the guards at the bridges DEFINITELY gave them a hard time trying to get someone to collect the samples.
Hyacine looked up and sighed. “We can’t get Xingguang to leave her work and eat.” Anaxa wanted to groan. She wasn’t that far behind, why was she worrying about it? “We tried to tell her that her work would still be there when she’s done eating but she muttered something about the Preceptors demanding more from her.” Mydei stated in annoyance. Anaxa broke a few incense sticks he was holding and stared at his hand in surprise, before giving a harsh sigh. Can they somehow get ahold of Nanook and tell him what was going on? Surely he’d be able to fix their treatment of her!
“It’s at times like these that I wish Glaciator Marum would make a visit and let Xingguang do what she wants. Xingguang is above her in rank, she’s a demi-god, why does she have to listen to what others tell her?!” Baiheng hissed, tail swaying in agitation and March sighed. “I told her that we don’t have to, but Xingguang has always wanted to be seen as an equal. She hates being placed on a pedestal above others. It’s why she asked Glaciator Marum to place her under vidyadhara laws, so that she didn’t abuse her authority as a demi-god.” The pinkette explained and they all sighed.
Dan Heng had only paid half attention to the conversation, eyes fixated on Xingguang. She seemed tired but her gaze was sharp, focused, intense even and determined. He admired her determination, but he’d prefer she eat to continue her work. Plus, he was noticing he cared about her as a friend.
“March, can’t you get her to eat?”
“I may be her sister-in-law, but even I don’t have that power.”
“Where’s Phainon?”
“Still working. Him and Aglaea had a special delivery, so they are acquiring that.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Castorice asked me to check on Xingguang since she went with them.”
Without a second thought, Dan Heng started making his way toward Xingguang and they went silent, watching. Mydei jolted and made to move forward when Anaxa held out an arm, stopping him as he shook his head. While Anaxa had stayed silent, there had been a few times he stayed in the library and observed their interactions. While the two didn’t speak much, he had seen the subtle shifts in Dan Heng’s action and demeanor toward Xingguang. There was chemistry there, a buzzing energy that drew the two closer and he knew Baiheng noticed it as well with how her ears perked and the expression of recognition and slight shock that crossed her face.
What did she see that was familiar?
“Xingguang?” Dan Heng said softly, catching her attention as she looked up. “Oh, Dan Heng. Your back?” She asked with a small smile and he nodded. “Just got back since it was closing in on dinner.” He made sure to mention food to gauge Xingguang’s reaction. “Ah, well I hope you enjoy dinner. You and Anaxa deserve it with how long you two were gone.” Dan Heng gave a hum, eyeing the files she was working on. She was almost done, enough so that she could leave the files and come back to them after eating.
“Actually, I have a suggestion.” She tilted her head, confused. “It’s been a while since we’ve eaten together, so I was wondering if we could grab some dinner together.” He made sure to pointedly look at her files. “Your work is almost done.” Xingguang seemed conflicted as she looked at the papers she was working on, wanting to take Dan Heng’s suggestion. “I’d…I’d like to eat together but these reports have to be finished today.” She sighed. “The Preceptors will throw a fit if they don’t get them tonight.”
Mydei had to hold Baiheng back as the foxian gave a snarl, ready to find someone and start thrashing them!
Dan Heng tilted his head, before giving Xingguang a reassuring smile. “The files will still be here when we return.” He leaned forward a bit and this time they all had to hold Mydei back as he jolted with a snarl. “In order to look after one’s people and continue one’s work, one must look after themself first.” She lifted her gaze back to him, seeing his reassuring expression. “And looking after yourself requires you to eat. So…” He held out a hand and she felt her breath hitch, “will my friend join me for dinner?” He asked, patient and willing to wait.
Xingguang looked back at him in slight shock, before looking at his hand once more. A part of her told her to take his hand, let someone care for her just as she had cared for others. The other part stated to not get too close, lest he be used as leverage and that hand and offer was leverage that could be used against her. However, Xingguang had been trying her best to befriend him and his words were proof that he saw her as a friend. He had made slight changes for her being in the library all the time as well, changes he didn’t have to do but changes he, himself, made all the same.
She made her decision.
She carefully placed the quill in the inkwell and let it go, making Dan Heng smile.
He rounded the table, helping her stand, even as she patted her outfit down, before giving him a smile. “Let’s go eat.” He said and she nodded, following him out and ignoring the other’s surprised looks.
“How…how did…?” March muttered and Baiheng snorted with Anaxa. Mydei looked like he was ready to kill someone and Hyacine merely blinked in surprise. They had begged Xingguang to forget her work and get food…how did Dan Heng achieve that so easily?! Anaxa ushered the others out, stating they all needed to eat and then he made his way toward the files that Xingguang was working on. He stacked the files neatly and then looked at her inkwell, noting it was almost empty and sighed, going toward the reception desk and grabbing another one, placing it on the tray as well.
He had seen how Dan Heng had made the small changes to make Xingguang’s work more comfortable. He was fine with it, Xingguang needed someone, aside from him and those who worked around the palace, to care about her. While he knew Phainon, Baiheng and March were her closest friends, with Phainon and March being related in some way to her, they had their own lives. He had noticed that, with Dan Heng, he was slowly revolving his world around Xingguang and everything she did.
Heck, Dan Heng was waking up early just to be there when Xingguang arrived!
While to a normal person this could all seem platonic…to Anaxa, it seemed something entirely different. To him, the buzzing energy between the two…he had a feeling there was something there. Something that was once severed that was trying to reconnect but with so much mystery around Dan Heng and where he came from, the buzzing energy couldn’t settle and connect. He sighed, maybe he was reading too much into it. Algaea had once teased him, when he was younger, that he was a closet romantic and maybe he was.
Though he valued reason over the heart, he couldn’t deny that, for once, he hoped the heart won between those two.
Phainon would probably say the same thing…as long as he doesn’t pull the same act Caelus did.
**(Two Weeks Later, Saturday-July 25th; Evening)**
Phainon knocked a hand against the wall, senses on alert to see if anything was wrong and sighed in relief when everything turned out alright. A month had passed and they had JUST finished repairing the first floor of the inner palace. It helped to have so many hands on deck and having vidyadhara that could reinforce items with cloudhymn magic. He was still somewhat surprised that Qlipoth, herself, came by to oversee the rebuilding process but he understood why.
The golem wanted to make sure her niece would be okay.
“By next month we should have the second floor done.” Aglaea said to Phainon who nodded, though he wasn’t looking at her. His eyes were trained on Xingguang and Dan Heng. The two had been spending a lot of time together and, while he once teased Xingguang about trying to get ‘cozy’ with Dan Heng…it seemed Dan Heng was returning the favor by seeking her out himself once in a while. While Phainon generally wasn’t overprotective to the point of violence, like Caelus had been, he was still overprotective of his sister.
Nanook would approve of his protective instincts.
“You really should turn your glare elsewhere.” Aglaea commented with a raised brow. “No, let him set the man ablaze.” The two looked behind them, seeing Mydei making his way toward the two with Castorice by his side. “Says the man who is secretly praying that the two get together.” Castorice teased and Mydei blushed, looking away with a grumble and making her giggle. Truly, how Castorice could continuously fluster her husband was astounding. Aglaea shook her head fondly, crossing her arms with an amused smile at the two. “And where were you two while we checked over everything?”
Mydei’s blush got darker and Castorice flushed as well, stumbling over her words and Aglaea let off some chuckles. “I’m just teasing you two…” They sighed in relief, “...mostly.” They flushed darkly again and kept their gaze averted from Aglaea, lest she read them like a book. Phainon shook his head amused, before turning back to look at Dan Heng and Xingguang, tilting his head a bit as Dan Heng looked at the book Xingguang was showing him…but a different scene flashed before his eyes.
A vidyadhara male with long black hair and green eyes, looking at something Stelle was showing him, a fond look in his eyes. Xingguang smiling at him, affection bright in her gold eyes, a teal tail wrapped around a silver tail, a hand around her waist as he kept her close.
The pain of Dan Feng’s death was still very real…but what had Phainon confused was why he was seeing similar mannerisms in Dan Heng when it came to Xingguang. Dan Heng was as gentle towards Xingguang as Dan Feng had been and their looks were somewhat similar…if Dan Feng had been human. Though the hair was shorter for Dan Heng. He wondered if Dan Feng ever cut his hair short…he doesn’t think he did. Still, he noticed a buzzing energy between the two, something that he could tell Anaxa felt as the man was watching not too far away, before he continued to the library.
So, it seemed he wasn’t the only one then.
“I swear, he looks like HIM.” He heard someone say to his right and saw it was Baiheng, coming over with March. “I mean, he does kinda look like him now that you mention it.” March agreed as the two stopped by Phainon, who turned toward them as Aglaea continued to tease Castorice and Mydei. “Seeing what I’m seeing, Baiheng?” Phainon asked Baiheng, who looked at him, then at Xingguang and Dan Heng, then back at him with a nod. “Yep. Dan Heng looks like a human version of Dan Feng…which is kinda weird to be honest.” The foxian muttered with a pout.
Phainon chuckled. “To be honest, I was thinking the same thing.” He looked back at the two. “He looks so much like Dan Feng and the energy between them is somewhat similar.” Baiheng sighed as March tilted her head. “So I’m not the only one picking up on the energy between them.” The pinkette muttered and the two nodded. “Even Anaxa picked up on it and he’s never met Dan Feng.” Most of them that called themselves the Chrysos Heirs didn’t sense the energy but Anaxa could sense it.
Phainon was sure Aglaea could if she paid attention.
“How are you handling it?” March asked Phainon, who gave a long sigh as Xingguang and Dan Heng walked off, most likely to eat. “I’m…surviving.” He muttered, shaking his head. “I’m trying not to pull a Caelus move and get all violently overprotective but…” Baiheng gave a sympathetic smile. “She’s still your sister.” Phainon nodded with a groan. “Yeah. Nanook raised me with Stelle and Caelus like I was one of his own.” He turned toward where Xingguang and Dan Heng had gone off. “It may not be by blood we’re related but, at this point, that no longer matters. She’s still my sister and I’m protective of my family.” March nodded, understanding.
Even though Caelus was gone, Xingguang still treated March as a sister and stated their bond was one forged over years of friendship and care, not because someone they once loved was gone.
“Family has to stick together.” March commented and Phainon, giving her a small smile. Just as March was close to Xingguang, she was close to Phainon as well. “Always.” Phainon agreed, patting March’s shoulder and Baiheng pouted a bit. “Ah, you two make me wish I had a family of my own.” Phainon chuckled, shaking his head. “Hey, you got Yingxing so, when are you two gonna have kids?” Baiheng flushed such a dark shade of red, March was worried she’d self-combust! “Y-you…YOU HEARD THAT?!” Baiheng hadn’t told anyone but Xingguang!
Her outburst had others around look over in confusion, even as Phainon gave a smirk.
“I was right outside the door when you told Xingguang that you and Yingxing were working towards kids.” Baiheng cast her gaze to the ground, slightly mortified that someone ASIDE from Xingguang knew. March started to bounce where she was. “You two are working towards kids?! Any success yet?” March asked Baiheng excitedly, even as the foxian whimpered, not liking all the attention being on her and Phainon chuckled again before bidding the two farewell, ignoring Baiheng’s glare. He wanted to see how Cyrene was doing.
He cast his gaze to the left as he treaded the path to the temple, seeing Xingguang and Dan Heng sitting at the gazebo, food with them and he smiled. Maybe Dan Heng could heal the hole left by Dan Feng’s death. He hoped they got a happy ending.
Notes:
Took a bit for this one as I was debating adding the time skip to it but I figured I should since I have a good way to start the next chapter! ^^
Stay tuned for the next chapter!~
Chapter 8: Return of the Past, Return of Friends
Summary:
His memories were coming back.
Her friends had returned.
But when the two collide, what will be revealed?
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
**(One Week Later, Sunday-August 2nd; Before Sunrise)**
“We can’t let him leave. If she finds out he’s not dead, well, Glaciator may just let her have her way.” Who was that? “I agree…but it feels wrong to keep him here. We killed that man just to control her but we didn’t account for her blowing us up!” A heavy sigh was heard. “We also didn’t account for that Preceptor to turn on us, grab the egg and run either!” Footsteps neared where he was but he couldn’t open his eyes. “It doesn’t help that his friend has been asking around about the child we’re holding here.”
A groan. “Because there’s no report of a crime, plus that man never actually committed a crime so, technically, we are breaking the law.” A sigh. “The law states that, when they go through a rebirth, they are cleared of their past life but he never committed a crime except for falling in love.” A huff. “You want him to go back out there and have THAT woman see him and realize who he is?” A snarl was heard. “We should just kill him again.” What sounded like skin hitting skin echoed around him.
“We’re already breaking the law and the man doesn’t seem to know WHO he was. Better this than anything else. We can’t afford to lose the Azure High Elder power completely.” A grumble was heard, then the sound of a cell door opening was heard. “Looks like he’s waking up.” It was hard but he opened his eyes, looking up with blurry vision and seeing two men standing over him. A single horn and long ears. Preceptors?
“Well, this will make you atoning for your crimes more fun.” The Preceptor closest, with dark green eyes and a brown horn stated with a dark smirk. “Time to pay, Dan Heng.” A knife was raised, his eyes went wide…
Dan Heng shot out of his bed, before groaning and running a hand down his face, feeling his forehead covered in sweat. Dammit, he hadn’t had a nightmare about the prison since his first week here. Why were they popping up again? “Hey, you okay?” A lamp turned on, momentarily blinding him and making him blink rapidly to clear the spots. “S-sorry…” Phainon? What sounded like a smack hit the hair. “HKS.” A groan. “What does that even mean?!” Phainon complained and heard a sigh. “Both of you, quiet.” That was Anaxa, he could tell.
Something cold pressed against his forehead and he jolted, casting his gaze up and seeing Anaxa was handing a cup of water to him. “You look like you could use it.” Dan Heng sighed and accepted the cup, taking a sip, grateful as it soothed his throat. Mydei tilted his head, before sighing. “You were tossing and turning in your sleep.” He looked away, feigning disinterest. “They were worried.” At those words, Anaxa smacked Mydei upside the head, making Phainon snort in amusement. “You were worried as well, Mydeimos, don’t act innocent.” Mydei groaned, rubbing the back of his head but didn’t retaliate.
There was a reason no one sought to earn Anaxa’s ire.
Sensing Dan Heng had calmed down a little bit, Anaxa looked at him. “Though Mydeimos isn’t wrong. We are worried. Is everything alright?” Anaxa asked, crossing his arms as he wondered what would shake Dan Heng. The man was generally level-headed and calm. Seeing him frazzled from a dream wasn’t something he was used to seeing. Dan Heng gave a sigh, shaking his head. “Just…a memory…from before arriving here.” Dan Heng replied, running a hand through his hair as he attempted to gather his thoughts.
Granted, these people had treated him kindly (even Mydei despite his coldness at times) but did he want to tell them what his memory was? What his past had been like?
Sensing his discomfort, Phainon gave a reassuring smile. “You don’t have to tell us now,” Anaxa and Mydei looked at him confused, “take your time and, when your ready, know we’re willing to listen.” The silver haired male gave a boyish smile. “That’s what friends are for afterall.” He added and Dan Heng seemed surprised, before giving a grateful smile. “Thanks Phainon. Once I’m ready…I’ll let you know.” That seemed to ease Phainon as he nodded, leaning back on his bed. “Alright, then let’s get back to sleep guys.”
As Anaxa and Mydei went back to their beds, Phainon gave Dan Heng one last smile. “We’re here when your ready.” Dan Heng gave a nod and Phainon turned off the lamp, settling back into bed as did Dan Heng. While Phainon wanted to know more about Dan Heng’s past, he knew one couldn’t push. It never ended well and it was better to let the person come to you on their own so they didn’t feel pressured; leaving that option open was a sign that someone cared and they were willing to listen.
Phainon hoped Dan Heng trusted them enough to come to them at some point about his past. Till then, they’d wait.
Morning came quickly it seemed and the first thing Dan Heng saw upon leaving the library was Xingguang talking with Qlipoth, the giant golem seeming to encompass the vidyadhara as they overlooked the building blueprints. “And that should be the last of the materials we need.” Xingguang looked up at her Aunt. “Though seriously Auntie, you didn’t need to grab all of this.” Qlipoth gently tapped Xingguang’s head between her horns, her version of an affectionate ruffle. “Of course I did, I must protect my niece and make sure she gets the best of the best.” The gruff voice of Qlipoth stated, making Xingguang smile.
“Thank you, Auntie.” Qlipoth gave a nod, before Xingguang sensed Dan Heng and looked over, smiling. “Dan Heng.” She gave a wave and he returned it, getting closer and giving a nod to the golem, who currently had their large arms around Xingguang. Xingguang moved a hand and patted one of the arms, making Qlipoth move her arms away, allowing Xingguang to step away. “Once more, thank you Aunt Qlipoth, for obtaining the materials and reinforcing both those and the wall.”
Qlipoth gave a nod. “I shall stay a few more weeks, my dear, to ensure the building goes smoothly and reinforce the building once it’s done.” The God of Protection crossed her arms. “You will not come to harm like this again. Nanook also plans to visit when he has time.” Xingguang gave a nod and then Qlipoth disappeared in a blaze of fire, opting to hide her presence once more. Like her father and some of her other Aunt’s and Uncle’s, Xingguang knew Qlipoth adored mortals and would seek to protect them. It merely helped that Xingguang lived where her Uncle, Lan, was generally posted.
“First time seeing a God.” Dan Heng stated, making Xingguang look at him and giggle. “My Aunt’s and Uncle’s generally visit from time to time, though it’s sparse due to their duties.” She rolled up the blueprints to give Dan Heng her full attention. Dan Heng hummed, thinking a bit. “So…your related to them all?” He asked and Xingguang paused to think, before shaking her head. “No, but as I’m the daughter of Destruction, and the God’s see each other as kin, they consider me their niece due to my blood relation to my father, Nanook.” Xingguang explained, coming to stand beside him.
“As such, I see them as family just as they see me as family.” Dan Heng gave a nod, smiling softly. “I feel like that would be overwhelming.” Xingguang gave an amused snort. “At times it can be, with their protectiveness can come…consequences.” She explained further, still amused and Dan Heng shook his head fondly. Xingguang tilted her head at him, smiling softly now. “Anyways, have you had breakfast yet? You slept in a little but we can grab a late breakfast.” She explained and Dan Heng raised a brow at her. “You haven’t eaten?” He questioned and she flushed a bit.
“The moment I woke up, I was requested to overlook the blueprints and Qlipoth was helping me check over them.” She explained and the male gave a sigh, shaking his head. “You really are bad at taking care of yourself.” He stated and Xingguang gave a nervous chuckle at his words, rubbing the back of her head. “I, uh…got distracted.” Dan Heng gave her another fond smile and gently took her free hand, making her jolt a bit. “Come on you, let’s go get something to eat.” He suggested and Xingguang smiled, nodding as she stood closer, heading to the kitchen with him.
This routine continued for some time. Dan Heng and Xingguang continued to grow closer as the construction of the inner palace continued. Dan Heng continued having nightmares regarding his time before meeting Xingguang and, though Phainon seemed a bit concerned about Dan Heng’s silence, he wouldn’t push. As long as Dan Heng continued to show no signs of malice, he was free to do as he pleased. A month later, by September Fifteenth, things began to vastly change.
Xingguang was back in her office, the area now stable enough to continue working and, though there was still some construction going on with the second floor, the inner palace was nearly done being rebuilt. A knock came at the door and she looked up. “Enter!” She called and Baiheng opened the door, smiling. “Guess whose back~?” She chirped and Xingguang brightened. At that, Baiheng opened the door all the way, allowing four others to enter. “Jingliu! Jing Yuan! Yanqing! Yingxing!” Xingguang stood up to greet them, rounding the table only for the blonde to tackle her with a hug.
“I missed you teacher!” The blonde stated and Xingguang smiled softly, patting his shoulders. “I missed you too, Yanqing.” She commented, before smiling at the others. “I hope your mom and dad took good care of you.” Xingguang teased and Jingliu chuckled, Jing Yuan standing beside her. “He did well commanding his own unit on the front lines.” The white haired, red eyed woman responded, letting Jing Yuan wrap an arm around her shoulders. “I’ll learn to trust your instincts more in that regard.” Jing Yuan said to his wife, who smirked.
Yingxing shook his head, amused before looking at Baiheng with gentle blue eyes. “I trust everything was okay on the way back home?” The dark haired male asked his wife, in which the foxian nodded. “The trip back was fine…until I got to the inner palace and saw it being attacked.” At those words, they frowned. “We heard about the attack.” Jing Yuan said, sighing a bit. “How did they get here?” Jingliu asked as Xingguang pulled Yanqing back, going to sit back at the desk, amused when Yanqing stood beside her. She was his Godmother and the boy adored learning from her.
“A teleportation device.” Another voice added and they looked at the doorway, seeing Phainon enter. “Uncle Phainon!” Yanqing greeted, rushing to the silver haired male, who chuckled as Yanqing hugged him. “Hey squirt, good to see you. You didn’t give your parents any trouble, did you?” He teased the blonde, ruffling his hair a bit. Xingguang smiled at the scene, before giving a nod. “What Phainon said is accurate. There was a teleportation device hidden within the courtyard, remote controlled and it allowed the abominations to be summoned here directly.” She explained, interlacing her fingers and resting her head upon them. “An oversight on my part.”
Yingxing sighed, shaking his head. “You didn’t know. It could have been there for years before being discovered.” The man explained, crossing his arms. “What matters is if anyone was hurt.” Xingguang shook her head. “No, thankfully.” She looked at Baiheng, who gave her a warning glare…but Xingguang wasn’t one to hide the truth from them. “Though I almost lost Baiheng.” Yingxing and the others, except Phainon, snapped their heads to the foxian in concern. “Are you okay?!” Yingxing asked first, holding his wife by the shoulders and she sighed. “I’m fine, I’m fine. I was saved by a friend of Stelle’s.” Baiheng explained.
At that, Jing Yuan hummed, before Jingliu looked at Xingguang. “By the way Stelle, who is the person? The letter you sent merely stated that you had someone new.” Xingguang perked at that, gold eyes sparkling. “That would be-” The door opened again. “Excuse me, Xin-” The words died in the man’s throat as everyone looked at him. He looked between them all, before looking at Xingguang. “I can come back later.” Dan Heng stated, yet Xingguang shook her head, standing. “It’s alright. Was there something you needed?” She asked gently and Jingliu raised a brow at her.
Her tone…was almost affectionate.
She felt her husband stiffen beside her and looked at him, seeing him staring at the newcomer in a mixture of regret, surprise, horror and confusion.
‘Jing Yuan?’
Jingliu wondered, confused as to why her husband looked like that, before she looked at the man again. He looked…a lot like Dan Feng…had Dan Feng been human. “Anaxa urged me to give these to you as quickly as possible. Sorry if I interrupted anything.” Xingguang shook her head, even as Phainon came forward, patting his shoulder. “It’s alright Dan Heng,” Even the name was similar! “We were just catching up.” Dan Heng nodded, looking around.
His gaze lingered on Jing Yuan as he raised a brow, before he shook his head and looked back at Xingguang. “Will I see you for dinner?” He asked and Xingguang nodded. “I should be free around then if you want to eat together.” He nodded and she smiled. “Then I’ll see you around dinner.” Dan Heng gave a small smile, before giving a nod to the others and left, closing the door softly behind him. Once his footsteps faded away, Yingxing released a sharp breath. “Holy shit.” Baiheng slapped him upside the head. “Language.” She hissed, seeing Phainon had quickly covered Yanqing’s ears.
“He looked a lot like Dan Feng.” Jingliu stated, crossing her arms and Xingguang hummed. “I’ve been treating him as a guest since his mysterious appearance. We’ve determined enough from Fuli to know he’s no danger but there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding him.” The vidyadhara woman stated, putting the files Dan Heng gave her atop the ones she was working on. She’d deal with those first as they dealt with the library. “There’s a reason he looks like Dan Feng.” Jing Yuan suddenly said, making everyone look at him in surprise.
“Dear?”
“Dad?”
“Jing Yuan?”
Jing Yuan sighed, running a hand through his hair before looking at Jingliu. “Do you remember, dear, when I was called to the Shackling Prison regarding a child?” Jing Yuan asked his wife, making Jingliu hum as she rubbed her chin. “I vaguely recall that. You spent a whole month going back and forth between the Prison and the Ten-Lords Commission, trying to get information about something the Preceptors were trying to keep from us.” As Jingliu and Jing Yuan were married, they were leaders in the Luofu District. Xingguang was considered a leader of the vidyadhara in the Luofu District since she resided there.
Jing Yuan nodded, crossing his arms. “Apparently the Preceptors were holding someone there illegally.” Xingguang’s expression darkened. “And Hanya and Xueyi were able to send me reports about what the Preceptors were hiding from me.” Jing Yuan connected eyes with Xingguang. “I believe I have something to apologize for, Stelle, as I’m the reason he’s here.” They all froze at his words. “Jing Yuan?” Yingxing asked with a brow raised and he sighed. “Let me explain the best I can.”
“It began after Dan Feng’s death,” Jing Yuan began, even as Xingguang’s expression pinched, “and he reverted to an egg. However, a Preceptor who didn’t agree with what happened took the egg and ran, trying to prevent Dan Feng’s reincarnation from dying. They didn’t get far as one Preceptor broke off to chase after them, killing the Preceptor and taking both eggs.” Xingguang had not put all of them through a rebirth, only a majority. Two had been spared as they had not been there when she lost control of her powers.
“However, they spared Dan Feng’s egg,” Her eyes went wide, “and smashed the Preceptor who tried to save him. The egg they showed you was his egg, not Dan Feng’s.” Tears ran down Xingguang’s face, even as Phainon hurried to her side, laying a hand on her shoulder. “But…the laws…rebirth is…” Jing Yuan shook his head. “The Preceptors had been breaking the law for years. They believed with his death, they had full control over you and, for a while, they did.” True. After Dan Feng died, Xingguang was a shell of who she once was, doing anything that was asked until Phainon helped her.
“However, they couldn’t afford to lose the Azure High Elder’s power completely, otherwise they would risk alerting Glaciator Marum.” Glaciator Marum had an item that alerted her if one of the High Elders suffered a true death. She would be required to seek a replacement and she would inquire about what happened, investigate and find out if someone broke the law or not. As such, if someone was breaking the laws, she would remove their powers, title, rank and place them through a rebirth with their memories removed. She had as much power as Xingguang over the vidyadhara’s, even if she stated Xingguang was above her.
Xingguang looked at the desk, before lifting her gaze. “And…Dan Heng?” She asked and Jing Yuan sighed heavily. “A few years ago, I was alerted that a young vidyadharan boy had hatched in the Shackling Prison. When I went to investigate, because why would someone hatch there, I found a human boy instead.” Jing Yuan rubbed his temples. “Hanya told me that, after he hatched, the Preceptors used a device that transformed the boy into a human. Needless to say, the boy’s vidyadhara side had been shackled and locked within him and, since he had his memories sealed…well…you can take a guess.”
Xingguang’s expression pinched. They wouldn’t know who they were, what they were or how to change to their true form. “So…Dan Heng is Dan Feng’s reincarnation?” Xingguang asked and he nodded. “I would believe so. The Preceptors did their best to limit me seeing the man. While I was on the front lines, I ordered Hanya and Xueyi to release him so he could be free. When a vidyadhara undergoes a rebirth, they are cleared of their past sins, that is law. Even then, Dan Feng did not commit any crime, so what they did was against the law.” He sighed. “However, there is no record of Dan Feng’s death, no record of Dan Heng having been in the prison. Nothing. All trace of what they’ve done has been erased.”
Xingguang sighed. “Hanya and Xueyi looked into it?” He nodded. “They don’t do as they’re told without looking into things. They tried getting proof of what happened but, shortly after they released Dan Heng, everything about him and what he underwent vanished.” Xingguang frowned. The Preceptors must have realized and erased all the evidence to ensure they wouldn’t face backlash. However, Hanya and Xueyi had automaton bodies, their memories could be uploaded and shown as evidence.
“Ask Hanya and Xueyi to upload their memories onto a flashdrive and hand it to the Ten-Lords Commission. Ask them to make a few copies as I want one as well.” Her golden eyes glowed. “I need to see what they put my friend through.” She growled and Jing Yuan nodded, pulling his phone out and stepping out to call Hanya and Xueyi. “So that’s why he was visiting the prison so much.” Jingliu said softly as her son came to stand beside her, letting her straighten his hair after Phainon ruffled it. Baiheng frowned before looking at Xingguang, seeing her pained look.
“Stelle?”
The vidyadhara sighed, shaking her head. “They killed him and called him a criminal…because of me.” Phainon frowned at her words as well, running a hand through her hair. “It’s not your fault, Stelle. You two fell in love, that is not a crime.” He stated softly and she looked up at him, the glow ending as her expression was vulnerable. “The Preceptors will get their due and see it this way, he’s back with us.” He cupped her face, trying to get his words across. “He’s alive, living a new life and healing.” He pressed his forehead to her own, careful of her horns. “YOUR healing him.” He stated firmly.
Xingguang let out a sigh as Phainon pulled back, standing straight as he crossed his arms. “We’ll keep him safe this time.” Xingguang looked up at him and smiled. “I know we will.” He smiled, glad to see the light back. This time, they would protect him. Jing Yuan came back in, saying Hanya and Xueyi would start recording their memories and upload them to a few flash drives so that the evidence of what they’ve seen was at the ready. Xingguang then dismissed them to settle back in and get some rest, though Jingliu and Jing Yuan did have to drag their son out of the room so Xingguang could get some work done.
As evening came, Xingguang was with Dan Heng at the gazebo once more, enjoying the slowly cooling air. As she ran hot, due to being a stellaron, the cold air felt amazing to her though she was glad Phainon had given Dan Heng some thicker clothes for the slowly cooling weather. “So those were the High Cloud Quintet?” Dan Heng stated after Xingguang told him about her meeting with them. “Yes, though I’m sure Baiheng had mentioned it.” He nodded, she had. “They’re close friends to me, almost like family.” She tilted her head.
“You know the two estates that flank the inner palace sides?” Xingguang asked and he nodded. “The one to our left, currently, is Yingxing’s and Baiheng’s estate.” Dan Heng raised a brow and she smiled. “They’re married in case your wondering.” He blinked a bit at that, not having expected it though it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Interspecies marriage was commonplace from what he’s learned. “The estate to our right belongs to Jing Yuan and Jingliu, also married and the blonde boy with them is their son, Yanqing.” Dan Heng choked on his drink and she snickered. “He got his hair from his father’s side. Jing Yuan has some family members that were blonde.” That explained some things.
“Must get lively when they’re home.” Dan Heng mused, wondering why this all sounded familiar and Xingguang smiled. “It can, at times, though I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” Xingguang took a sip of her tea. “They’re family in a way.” Dan Heng hummed, tilting his head a bit. “What about you, Xingguang?” She perked a bit. “Hm?” She wondered what he meant. “Do you have a significant other?” Xingguang seemed surprised, before she sighed. “Maybe I would have…but my partner of choice, at the time, had been killed…” She said softly and Dan Heng jolted. “I…I’m sorry…” He hadn’t meant to bring up any bad memories.
Xingguang gave a small smile, waving a hand dismissively. “It’s alright, you didn’t know. There are some days it’s hard…but I’ve been able to survive due to the others.” She responded, before tilting her head a bit. “By the way, Dan Heng?” He turned his attention to her, curious. “You can call me Stelle.” He seemed surprised. “Stelle?” He questioned, testing the name and the vidyadhara nodded. “I have two names that I go by. Xingguang is my vidyadhara name, the name I was given by Long to better fit into Luofu society. However, my true name is Stelle, the name given to me by my father.” She explained and he was surprised.
“Two names…Anaxa said Stelle was simply your first name.” As Dan Heng had heard it but continued to call Stelle by Xingguang since he thought it was appropriate. Stelle gave a small giggle, shaking her head amused. “We try to not let the Preceptor’s hear my true name, lest they bind and shackle me that way.” Dan Heng jolted, eyes going dark. “What?” He rasped out and Stelle blinked, surprised he didn’t know…then realized who would have told him? He knew they didn’t get along but he didn’t know they had shackled her.
Stelle sighed, taking another sip of tea to calm her nerves. “As you know, I don’t leave the inner palace grounds.” He nodded. “There’s a reason for that…I can’t.” His eyes went wide. “The Preceptor’s do not enjoy the fact that I have power, much less that I have power over them. In order to control and shackle me, they tricked me into making an oath that I would uphold vidyadhara laws among the Luofu…before adding on additional oaths that would make it harder for me to do as needed.” She sighed.
“Due to the power of the oaths, ones I had been tricked into saying, I had been restricted from leaving the inner palace. This prevents the people from seeing me and thus giving me joy, prevents me from seeing how any order I give affects them and thus weakening my position on the Luofu.” Stelle explained, looking into her cup of tea, watching the liquid swirl a bit. “Thankfully, they had only bound me by my Luofu name, Xingguang. I have a little bit of freedom, however, it’s enough of a shackle to prevent me from leaving the inner palace and seeing my people.” She sighed. “However, they cannot know my true name.”
Dan Heng frowned a bit. “Lest they shackle you by that name as well.” She nodded. “My father and the others have tried to sever the shackles but when they tried, my body began to break apart, so they stopped. The shackles placed on me are so interwoven into my body that they can only be removed by the Preceptors themselves…or if they undergo a true death.” Which Glaciator Marum or Stelle could do easily. However they would need to have a reason to do so and the shackles were tied in with the oaths of her upholding Luofu law.
Dan Heng sighed at her words, feeling upset on her account. It wasn’t fair she was shackled like this. He reached over, laying a hand over one of her own. “I’m sorry you have to live with those shackles. It can’t be easy.” She sighed softly. “It’s something I’ve slowly grown used to, though it does make it hard interacting with my people.” Stelle replied, turning her hand a bit so she could hold his hand. “Thank you though, for caring.” She replied gently and Dan Heng gave a small smile. “Just as you’ve cared for me here, I care about you. We’re friends and that’s what they do.” She giggled, easily agreeing with him.
She was glad to have him as a friend.
Notes:
I struggled a little bit to name this chapter but we finally have the HCQ showing up, alongside Yanqing. Also, yes, Jingliu and Jing Yuan are a couple in this because I thought it would be cute.
But! A bit of Dan Heng's past has been revealed in this chapter, a little bit at least. Still having pretty bad writer's block which is making me struggle with chapters but I am trying. T^T Please be patient everyone...
Well, hope ya'll enjoyed~!
Chapter 9: A Heart-to-Heart
Summary:
With his real identity known to Stelle, things were slowly becoming more clear. The Preceptors truly could not be trusted and evidence was being gathered.
A confrontation with a Preceptor leads to a Heart-to-Heart between Stelle and Dan Heng.
Notes:
There is a little bit of spiciness in this chapter but its nothing major or explicit and doesn't really go anywhere but there is a moment had.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
**(Two Weeks Later, Wednesday-September 30th; Afternoon)**
Stelle sighed as she looked over the garden in the backyard, giving a smile; good, the plants were growing well. She had recently started working on a garden in order to give some more life to the inner palace, hoping to make the staff feel more at ease. She looked to her right, seeing Yanqing was there, training against Phainon who had a smirk and she chuckled. The past few days, Yanqing had wanted to spend time with Stelle and Phainon, often asking his parents if he could see ‘Teacher’ and they were fine with it. They were all family in a way, so they wouldn’t deny him wanting to see his Godmother.
With the second floor officially done in the inner palace, Yanqing had his own room that he slept in. Dan Heng had returned to sleeping in the inner palace as well, though Anaxa did say Dan Heng could continue sleeping in the room in the library if he ever wanted to. At the moment, Dan Heng was actually outside in the garden as well, though he was sitting in the shade of a tree, reading a book. Stelle had asked if he wanted a chair or anything but he had said he was fine…though he didn’t seem to be all there.
From what Anaxa and Phainon told her, he was having nightmares of his time before being there.
Stelle hoped he got better, she hated knowing he was suffering and that she was unable to do anything about it.
“And let’s stop there, Yanqing.” Stelle heard Phainon say as she stood up, smiling at them once more as Phainon rubbed Yanqing’s head. “Now go give Stelle a hug!” Phainon stated and Stelle jolted before she had an armful of blonde hair and a laughing boy, making her laugh in turn. Phainon shook his head in amusement, knowing Yanqing wouldn’t be able to resist the chance of catching Stelle off guard. He looked over at Dan Heng and noticed his intense look, his head tilted and Phainon wondered what it was Dan Heng was seeing. For the past two weeks, Dan Heng had been plagued by nightmares every night and had started to confide in Phainon about what he was seeing.
Though it was also making Phainon notice something.
Whenever Dan Heng recounted the memories to him, his eyes would glow a jade-blue color, almost like there was a power stirring beneath his skin that wanted to break free but couldn’t. Phainon knew that Dan Heng was practically Dan Feng reborn but it was obvious that Dan Heng didn’t know what he was. His memories of Dan Feng were sealed. A High Elder retains their past memories when they are reborn, a way for them to keep knowledge so they know how to continue leading their people.
Sadly, with his memories sealed, he wouldn’t be able to do that and, as such, in his place Stelle and the Preceptors were leading the vidyadhara of the Luofu District.
Phainon suddenly tensed as did Stelle, who moved Yanqing behind her as a Preceptor showed up. “Lady Xingguang.” Her golden eyes narrowed. “Preceptor Dique.” Dan Heng looked up and his eyes went wide, body going rigid as he froze. Phainon noticed his breathing pick up and realized that Dan Heng knew who Dique was. He looked ready to bolt! “Is there something you need, Preceptor?” Stelle asked, her silver tail flicking with annoyance and then she noticed he had focused his eyes on Yanqing, a slight sneer on his face and she snarled, grabbing his attention.
“I would be careful where you aim your gaze, Preceptor.” She hissed and he frowned at her, opening his mouth to speak as he swept his gaze across the garden…before he went pale upon seeing Dan Heng. “You…” He muttered, eyes wide and then Phainon was stepping forward, aiming his sword at Dique as he transformed. “Turn your gaze elsewhere, Preceptor Dique.” The, now golden haired, swordsman stated, yet Dique seemed to ignore him. “You’ve been here…this whole time…?” He muttered, breathing picking up and Stelle went tense. “Yanqing, get inside.” Stelle said urgently to the blonde, who nodded and hurried from her side, going to the inner palace.
Once Stelle heard a door slide close, she headed toward Dan Heng and knelt in front of him, blocking his view of Dique. “Dan Heng, can you hear me?” She asked gently, feeling Phainon step closer, knowing he’d keep them safe. Dan Heng’s eyes, slowly gaining a jade-blue color, focused on her. “I…I think I know him…” He whispered and then footsteps quickly approached. “What are you doing housing a-?!” Phainon reacted before Stelle could, a hand closing around the throat of the Preceptor, lifting him and snarling at the man. “Must I remind you whom it is you are speaking to, Preceptor Dique?” He hissed, gold eyes harsh.
“That is the Daughter of Destruction, a demi-god, the child of Nanook and she whom was blessed by Long. You will speak to her with the proper respect she deserves and no less.” Phainon snipped, eyes blazing with fury at the blatant disrespect Dique showed. The Preceptor balked a little, put-off by Phainon’s aggressive protectiveness and then Stelle stood. “Let him go Khaslana.” Phainon was unsure but did as asked, before she turned her head the slightest. “Please, get our guest inside.” Phainon nodded and rounded Stelle to kneel beside Dan Heng, getting his attention.
“Now, wait just a second Lady Xingguang!” Dique snapped, panic seeping into his tone…before he went pale as blazing golden eyes snapped to him. “I know what you’ve done, Preceptor.” Phainon pulled Dan Heng with him urgently, yet Dan Heng reluctantly followed. He didn’t want to leave Stelle with that man! Once she heard the door close, Stelle turned toward Dique fully, expression turning cold. “I know who he is and you have made a grave mistake. It’s vidyadhara law that the moment a vidyadhara undergoes a rebirth, they are cleared of their past sins and that man is truly a vidyadhara.” Stelle held up a hand, eyes still glowing.
“I can feel the cloudhymn enchantments on him locking something in place. They’ve been unravelling, which isn’t a good thing for you.” She gave a sinister grin. “However, it just means that you and the rest of the Preceptors have made a GRAVE mistake. Tell me, the egg shells you brought me…you claimed they belonged to Dan Feng’s egg. Whose egg did you truly smash, Preceptor?” She asked in false kindness. If he refused to answer, she would make him!
Dique paled a bit, realizing they did sorely make a mistake. They should’ve kept Dan Heng under better observation, otherwise he wouldn’t be having to deal with Xingguang’s rage at the moment. Seeing his hesitation, Stelle huffed, her hand glowing with gold and teal magic; a combination of her own powers and cloudhymn. “I see then. Very well…” She snapped her fingers towards him and cloudhymn sigils wrapped tightly around his throat, before Stelle bound him down with gold vines, forcing him into submission.
“Now, tell me, whose egg did you break?” Stelle ordered, gold eyes showing no kindness, thinly veiled rage shimmering underneath. By breaking an egg, the culprit would undergo interrogation at the Shackling Prison; it was a crime to damage a vidyadhara egg. However, what surprised her was that Dique didn’t answer, despite the fact her power was forcing him. She felt…something blocking her power, preventing him from answering. An oath…she felt the familiar shackles of an oath blocking her power and snarled.
Of course, a fail-safe in place to prevent loopholes.
“Of course, an oath…your lucky I don’t seek to burn the oath out of you. I’ve seen what trying to remove it does.” Stelle stalked forward, standing before the Preceptor as she took her power off him, now merely keeping him bound. “However, let me make it clear, Preceptor, that evidence is being gathered.” His eyes went wide in panic. “Not everyone there is loyal to you all, they obey my orders more than they ever will yours. Beware that your days, as a Preceptor, are limited and the moment the evidence reaches Glaciator, as it’s bypassing the Ten-Lords Commission…well…” She gave another dark smile.
“I will RELISH sending you and the Preceptors into a rebirth, STRIPPED of your memories, title and power.” She strode past him. “Now leave before I have Khaslana escort you back…in pieces.” She snipped, eyes still blazing in fury. It was a hoax, one she couldn’t follow through but it’s not like, if Phainon did lose his cool with the Preceptor, that anyone would blame him. Dique was not authorized for a visit today, so his appearance was unwelcomed and unwanted; it would be considered trespassing and Phainon’s duty is to protect Xingguang.
He’d be acting within his right if he did attack Dique.
However, the knowledge that Xingguang knew, and that Dan Heng was free and living with her had drained any rational thought and tore at Dique’s composure. He quickly bowed before excusing himself, his earlier reason for visiting forgotten and she growled in agitation. Her good mood from being with family had been soured by Dique’s appearance…and now he would most likely alert the Preceptor’s that Dan Heng was in her custody. “Dammit.” Stelle hissed, running a hand through her hair, making her way back inside, tail coiling in annoyance and concern.
The Preceptor’s had been the reason Dan Heng was locked away to begin with, they had been the reason he was tortured and the reason his true self was locked away. She sighed sadly, feeling stress piling on her once more. “Well my day has been ruined.” She grumbled, when she felt someone near and a hand on her shoulder. “Stelle, are you okay?” She turned her head to her left, seeing Dan Heng was there and she gave a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine…but, more importantly, are you okay?” Stelle asked as she turned toward him completely, tilting her head in concern.
“I saw how you reacted to Dique.” She explained and Dan Heng sighed, before looking around the inner palace first floor. Phainon was there, doing his best to reassure Yanqing he was fine, while Jingliu and Jing Yuan stood off not far from their son, speaking in hushed tones. Phainon had told them about the Preceptor’s unauthorized visit. Mydei and Castorice were also on the first floor, looking out the window and Dan Heng knew they were contemplating asking the guards to raise the bridges to give them all a few days of true rest. With this many people though, Dan Heng wanted to talk to Stelle in private.
“...Is there someplace private we can speak?” He asked gently, only to sigh as he felt Mydei’s eyes glaring into the back of his skull. Stelle gave a small smile and took his hand, making him jolt. “Of course, follow me.” She urged, pulling him to follow her and he did without hesitation. Phainon and Jing Yuan had to hold Mydei back from following. Truly, he acted more like an overprotective brother than Phainon! Jingliu sighed, before looking behind her and seeing Baiheng was doing her best to dissuade Yingxing from following the two.
‘Does Stelle not realize how many of us are protective of her?’
The woman thought, slightly amused.
She’d help the two have their private conversation.
Stelle opened the door to her room, allowing Dan Heng to enter first before she closed it behind them. It was more private than the office as she knew the others would definitely seek to eavesdrop in on their conversation there. Here though, no one would dare try and hide outside her door. “We should have privacy here.” She headed over to a pair of couches that she had in her room, before motioning Dan Heng to sit down. He could admire the room later.
Dan Heng walked toward where she was and sat beside her, somewhat conflicted. “I know who he is…from before arriving here.” He explained and Stelle tilted her head. “Is this…about your past?” She asked and he nodded, he didn’t want to hide it from her. “Yes. I didn’t tell you or the others where I’m from as I have no true recollection. All I knew was pain and how dark the place I was in was…but, lately, I’ve been having nightmares about where I’m from.” He explained, hands curling into fists as he didn’t want to keep this from Stelle any longer.
Phainon had told him that Stelle was far more understanding than others gave her credit for and that she wouldn’t hold it against Dan Heng for keeping this a secret. Dan Heng wanted to believe that, he truly did…but the words and threats of the Preceptors said differently. That no one would forgive him for holding secrets, that he couldn’t be trusted because of who and what he was. While Dan Heng had never understood, he guessed they simply didn’t trust him because he was a human.
…Though something inside would stir in anger whenever he thought that.
“I never told you or the others simply because I didn’t want to go back to that dark place. I always thought that, if anyone knew, I’d return to the darkness and pain I was so familiar with.” Glowing, jade-blue connected with Stelle’s golden and her breath hitched at the familiar color she had once been so used to seeing. “But…I was held in a prison before arriving here.” Her expression pinched in pain and she sighed softly. “Me and the others spoke about it,” Stelle began, making him tilt his head, “especially because of the scars you had from Hyacine’s reports.” Ah, she had looked those over he realized.
Stelle didn’t want to tell him everything they had uncovered, it was too early and Dan Heng didn’t know who he was before arriving at the prison. Stelle also wanted to remove the cloudhymn tied into his body that was hiding his true form and his true power. Until that was removed, she didn’t want to reveal she knew everything. After all, she felt that, if he knew then he could hurt himself trying to break the cloudhymn seals himself, or he may even remember how he died as Dan Feng and that was trauma she wanted to hold off on for a bit.
“We speculated that you were held somewhere and tortured, but for what reason we don’t know.” She explained further, before giving him a reassuring smile. “However, from what we’ve uncovered, even if you were held in a prison, there’s no proof or record of you having actually committed a crime.” Stelle held a hand out and he placed one of his atop her own, feeling something urge him, within, to hold her and never let go. “You’re safe here, Dan Heng. I’ll make sure of that. Your past, whatever it may have been, holds no effect here. You are your present, here and now; the past, whatever it may have been, is not who you are today.”
Dan Heng felt heat build behind his eyes…but he didn’t know why. Her words struck a chord in him and he gave a choked sound, making Stelle look at him in concern. Seeing his glowing eyes were watery, Stelle gave a small, sad smile and wrapped her arms around his head, bringing him close into an embrace. Dan Heng didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around Stelle in a hug, burying his head against her shoulder. Her words were far more comforting, far more soothing than he had anticipated.
It occurred to Stelle that they’ve never been this close, this was the first time she’s ever hugged him. She vowed to continue giving him comfort when she could. He deserved it for having to bear a crime that wasn’t his and had never been made to begin with. “I’ve got you Dan Heng, you don’t have to hold back here.” She felt tears hit her shoulder and tightened her hug, her silver tail moving to curl behind him, the silver limb a comfort against his back.
As his tears fell, Dan Heng told her what he had remembered. He had been chained, always suspended or chained down to the concrete floor. Malnourished and beaten daily, the Preceptors, he only ever saw two at a time but one always showed up the same and the Preceptor he remembered vividly looked exactly like Dique, sounded like him too. It had continued like that for years until two women came into his cell, both human and he was expecting more torture until everything went black.
“After that, I woke up in the forest with little to no recollection of how I got out of there.” Dan Heng explained, his face still pressed against Stelle’s shoulder. “All I can think of was they might have released me, but I’m unsure.” He sighed. “When I suddenly appeared on inner palace grounds, I was confused but saw a bridge, figured that was my chance and ran to it only for Phainon to catch me.” He shook his head as he pulled back, keeping his arms around Stelle but able to see her face now.
“I thought I had escaped one prison, just to stumble into a trap and figured cooperation was my best chance of being spared any more pain and chains.” Stelle’s heart broke a bit, lifting a hand and pressing her palm against his cheek, gaining his attention. “That’s why you were so guarded and tense.” She responded and Dan Heng sighed, moving one hand to cup the one on his cheek. “You all didn’t treat me as a prisoner though, so I let my walls down.” His eyes flashed and he turned his head, pressing his lips to Stelle’s palm and making her flush.
“Especially with you…”
His admittance to that made her blush darken, then his eyes flicked back to her. “I don’t…understand it myself, if I’m being honest.” He turned his head so she was cupping his cheek again. “But it was easier for me to let my walls down when I was around you. Despite wielding the power of destruction, there was a sense of calm when I was around you. One that I wouldn’t associate with the need to destroy.” He gave a scoff, shaking his head. “I’m…probably not making any sense, am I?” Stelle gave a small, reassuring smile despite the flush. “Maybe just a little.” She reassured, making him smile fondly.
“First we’re talking about my past, now we’re talking about feelings.” He shook his head, even as Stelle giggled. “I got sidetracked.” He murmured before Stelle pulled him closer into another embrace, wrapping her arms around him and he easily slid his arms around her waist again. “That’s fine, Dan Heng, because it just means your comfortable around me.” His glowing jade-blue eyes flashed again and Stelle felt him shift against her, moving to press his lips to her pulse once more and she froze.
What was he-?
Stelle jolted as his hands moved from her waist up to grip at the back of her outfit and she felt what distinctly felt like claws. “I…” Dan Heng gasped in what seemed to be pain and Stelle grew concerned. “Dan Heng?” She questioned, attempting to pull back but he didn’t budge. “Dan Heng, what’s-?!” Stelle went rigid as what felt like fangs sank into the skin covering her pulse. Her blush returned with a vengeance and her hands instinctively clenched at his shoulders, her claws nearly tearing into the fabric. Her tail, which had merely been laying behind him wrapped around his waist and she felt something in the air beginning to tear.
Cloudhymn magic.
Stelle gasped as Dan Heng leaned against her, forcing her to shift her position as she felt the cloudhymn seals within Dan Heng tearing, fraying and pulling apart. Stelle gave a grunt as her back hit the armrest, Dan Heng leaning against her, keeping her pinned and her legs bracketing his hips. Stelle was about to say something when Dan Heng moved, lips still locked over her pulse but she gasped as his knees forced her legs higher, her thighs now braced against his hips as he nearly curled against her. Pleasure rushed through her from where Dan Heng had bit her and her tail moved from his waist to slip around behind him, curling around one of his legs.
She had to get her instincts under control!
“Dan Heng, what’re-AH!” Stelle arched against him as she felt his tongue against where he bit her. The cloudhymn within him frayed more and Stelle knew that whatever was trying to lock his true form was weakening. As much as she enjoyed him being pressed so close to her, she also knew how dangerous it was for someone to let instinct take over, especially someone who wasn’t prepared for it like Dan Heng. Stelle moved her hands from his shoulders as he pulled his lips back from the bite, laying a kiss against it instead.
With his teeth no longer on her, Stelle grasped his head and pulled his face away so she could see him clearly. “Dan Heng!” She said his name firmly, though a part of her was very pleased to see a dark flush on his face as well. At least she wasn’t the only one affected! Dan Heng winced and closed his eyes, a hiss of pain leaving him. “Ngh, what’s…” He didn’t know what was going on but his entire body was burning. Stelle shifted and pushed him back a little to create some proper distance, before she cupped his cheeks with both hands, frowning at the warmth radiating from him, even as her tail unwound from him.
“Your burning up…” She muttered in concern, brow drawn in worry before she focused on her cloudhymn magic and a cooling sensation swept over him, making him twitch a bit with a gasp. “I know it’s cold, but this will help.” Stelle commented, letting her power sweep through him and help ease the pain within him. Dan Heng blinked a bit, trying to get his muddled thoughts in order, feeling like he did something but he was in too much pain to realize what he did. Stelle took notice of his dazed expression and frowned, realizing he hadn’t been acting consciously.
‘The cloudhymn seals on him are repressing his instincts so much that, when they slip through, he’s not even conscious of what he does.’
Stelle thought in concern, before she pulled a hand back to touch her pulse. She felt the dent of his teeth but, as she pulled her hand back, noticed he didn’t pierce her skin like she thought. Stelle gave a sigh, somewhat grateful before she laid a hand over the bite, letting her powers heal the wound before she jolted as Dan Heng slumped against her. “Dan Heng?” She questioned gently, holding his shoulders again and he gave a groan.
“My entire body and head hurt…” He complained and she smiled, glad that he seemed to be himself again and ran a hand through his short hair. “Most likely the cloudhymn around the inner palace is affecting you again.” Stelle covered and he groaned, feeling her cloudhymn rush through him still, easing his aches and pain. He blinked a bit, wondering how they shifted their positions but her hands threading his hair was distracting so he merely closed his eyes.
Drowsiness was creeping on him, making his eyes feel heavy and Stelle noticed. She shifted once more and Dan Heng blinked sleepily as he noticed his head was resting on her lap. “Stelle…” He opened his mouth to protest, but Stelle flicked his ear, making him jolt and flush. “Get some rest, Dan Heng. You look like you need it.” Stelle said softly and he glanced up at her, seeing her reassuring expression. “I’ll be here when you wake up.” His eyes had stopped glowing and he closed them, not willing to argue. Stelle smiled, running her hands through his hair again…before his next words froze her.
“I truly…can’t imagine life…without you…”
She stared at him in shock, eyes wide but he was asleep, breathing even and face peaceful and Stelle’s expression softened, a sadness touching her eyes.
‘Those words…were the same words Dan Feng said to me when he confessed…’
Stelle sighed a bit. “Your not Dan Feng, but I believe your feelings are your own.” She nuzzled his temple. “And I’d say they are not one-sided, Dan Heng.” Stelle confessed before she leaned her head back, feeling somewhat drowsy herself. She had used her powers a lot and the earlier adrenaline with Dan Heng’s actions was fading fast.
She closed her eyes, letting sleep take her as her powers swirled around them. They both deserved some rest.
“Where are they?”
Phainon was heading to Stelle’s room with Cyrene, March and Baiheng, the group of four wondering where Stelle and Dan Heng were. They hadn’t been seen since Dique’s departure a little after lunch and it was now past dinner and they still weren’t seen! “Well,” Phainon closed the door that had a plaque reading Dan Heng’s name on it, “Dan Heng isn’t in his room.” Cyrene hummed, even as Baiheng gained a mischievous grin. Phainon paled at her expression. “Baiheng, no.” He hissed, yet she smirked. “Could they be together in her room~” Her teasing tone was anything BUT innocent.
Phainon jerked violently at her words, every instinct in him screaming to find Dan Heng and thrash him, even as Cyrene snorted. March blushed at the implication, before shaking her head, not really wanting to think of her sister-in-law like that! “Baiheng!” March snapped, embarrassed and Baiheng cackled, wrapping her arms around her stomach as she burst into laughter. Cyrene raised a brow before she gave a smirk. “Don’t forget, it was Stelle who locked you and Yingxing in a room together, herself.” Baiheng blushed at Cyrene’s words, her laughter dying instantly but it made Phainon laugh.
“I remember that. You were so embarrassed afterward but Stelle was smug.” Baiheng gave him a half-hearted glare. “I’m still half-convinced you were the one who gave her the idea.” Phainon gave a vicious smirk, eyes glinting in amusement. “Maybe~” He teased and she bristled. “You little-!” Phainon laughed as he took off down the hall, Baiheng hot on his heels. “Your no saint! Your a devil!” Baiheng insulted and Cyrene with March shook their heads, incredibly amused. “And these are the people we call friends.” Cyrene said to March, who giggled. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world though.” Cyrene nodded as they continued down the hall.
Phainon and Baiheng had stopped their chasing outside Stelle’s room, Phainon in a weak headlock from Baiheng…who also looked to be attempting to strangle him with her arm around his throat keeping his head in place. He was laughing though, so she wasn’t putting any strength into what she was doing. “You shouldn’t tease~” Phainon joked and Baiheng frowned. “I think Dan Heng would be good for her!” Phainon frowned, looking up at her. “That’s still my sister your talking about.” She raised a brow. “So?” She responded and Phainon sighed and shifted his shoulder, which made Baiheng let him go.
“Just protective instinct talking there.” He responded and Baiheng sighed as Cyrene sided up to Phainon, making him wrap an arm around her waist. “He seems to genuinely care though. Anaxa stated Dan Heng has been spending less time reading and more time just being in Stelle’s presence.” The foxian explained, tail swaying behind her and March perked. “I did notice that. I went to give some files to Stelle from the temple and Dan Heng was in there, talking about something with her, but I wasn’t sure what it was.” March explained and Cyrene hummed at that.
“And I’ve noticed Aglaea being rather giddy over the two being near one another. She kept saying she saw love blossoming.” Phainon groaned in dismay. “My little sister has finally found a man.” March raised a brow. “Aren’t you and Stelle the same age?” She questioned. “I distinctly remember Caelus stating you and him were the same age and, technically speaking, Stelle is older as she was made before Caelus.” Phainon gave her a playful glare. “S-shush…” Baiheng giggled before knocking on the door. “Stelle~” She sang, tail wagging, “are you awake?”
No response.
Baiheng cocked her head to the side, ears flicking before she sighed. “I’m coming in.” She opened the door and looked around the lavish bedroom. “Ste-” Baiheng froze with the others, seeing that Stelle was, in fact, not alone and was with Dan Heng…sleeping…with Dan Heng sleeping on her lap. Phainon made a choked sound, like he wasn’t sure how to feel about what he was seeing. Cyrene gave a small gasp, covering her mouth and trying to not smile. March blushed a bit but there was joy shining in her eyes and Baiheng slowly closed the door, blinking a bit.
“...Well, we know where they’ve been now…” Baiheng muttered, before shooting daggers at Phainon. “No interrogation.” She snipped and he jolted, staring at her in shock. “Hey, I’m not overprotective like Caelus was!” Phainon retorted and March snorted. “You may not have been but your still protective to the point of violence on occasion, Phainon.” March reasoned and Phainon pouted. “...Only with the Preceptors…” He defended, turning his head away with crossed arms and Cyrene smiled, patting his shoulder. “Well, I say we let them continue sleeping and we ask the cooks to set some food to the side for them.” March nodded at that. “I can ask them since I was going to grab a snack.”
Baiheng sighed, tail swaying a bit. “I hope nothing ruins their happiness this time.” She murmured, making Phainon smile at her. “We won’t let it be ruined this time.” Phainon stated, making them look at him. “We’ve all already spoken about how we plan to protect him this time. The Preceptors, if they try their hand at him again, will learn what it means to face true Destruction as I will alert Marum, myself, about what has happened which will give justification to what we do.” Baiheng hummed at that. “What of the evidence that’s been collected so far?” She asked as her, Cyrene and Phainon parted ways with March.
“Hanya and Xueyi are already putting everything in files and me and Stelle have been compiling what the Preceptors have been doing on the Luofu. Jing Yuan, Jingliu and Yingxing are also compiling their own lists for more weight behind our words. From what I know, Marum is already suspicious of our Preceptors as she sent a letter, asking about tampered reports.” That meant Marum knew the Preceptors were up to no good. “As long as they don’t twist their words to paint Stelle in a bad light, we’re good.” Baiheng murmured, when Phainon smirked.
“Marum would sooner trust Stelle’s words than even look at a Preceptor.” It helped that Marum adored Stelle to be honest. The woman had even offered Stelle to settle within the Fanghu District if the Preceptors gave her a hard time. “That’s good.” Cyrene said as her and Phainon stopped outside of their own room. “We’ll see you later, Baiheng.” The foxian waved farewell, before heading off and Phainon sighed, looking at his fiance. “Let’s get some rest.” She nodded and they entered their chambers.
The future was looking to be promising.
Notes:
Not a confession...not yet. XD I am working towards it though but Dan Heng needs to transform to his vidyadhara self before I allow THAT to happen.
Will there be smut? Maybe but I might make it a separate chapter as I want this story to focus on just the plot of the AU. I added the spiciness as a lil teaser to the fact that Dan Heng's vidyadhara side is trying HARD to break through the seals on him.
I may go with his Permansor Terrae form rather than his IL form, due to the fact that I feel Permansor Terrae is how his vidyadhara form is meant to truly look had he undergone a true rebirth rather than a botched one. (though I'm gonna keep his eyes glowing teal instead of glowing gold when he uses his powers as teal IS his color.) Plus his Permansor Terrae form is all about protection, and he's becoming a guard in this story so...it fits. (I was gonna go with his IL form but his PT form is more fitting for story reasons.)
...And I'm gonna make you all HATE me (and the Preceptors even more if possible) with what will happen in the next chapter. But I gotta finish the end of that chapter first.
Enjoy~!
Chapter 10: Protection and Truth
Summary:
Dan Heng was officially under Stelle's protection but a visit into the main city from Phainon reveals a few truth's he wasn't expecting to hear.
They had a hand in what happened all those years ago?!
Notes:
...I'm about to make you all either REALLY hate me...or continue to flame your burning rage against the Preceptors. XD
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
**(Two Weeks Later Tuesday-October 13th; Evening)**
“You can’t seriously be considering a human like him, Lady Xingguang!” Stelle raised a brow at Dique, even as Jing Yuan, Phainon and Mydei stood near her. “What is that supposed to mean?!” Mydei hissed, anger flashing in his eyes, yet Phainon ordered him to stand down. If they get too aggressive, this meeting will spiral into another shouting match. Stelle gave a harsh sigh, shaking her head. “It is as I stated, Preceptor Dique.” Stelle began firmly. “The human by the name of Dan Heng will be under my protection and shall be considered part of this family. If any harm were to befall him, I would have the right to retaliate against anyone who seeks him harm.”
Stelle narrowed her eyes at him, the golden irises shining with a threat. “Is there a problem with that, Preceptor?” Dique tensed alongside Taoran, both who were displeased to hear this. “In case you are unaware,” Jing Yuan began, crossing his arms, “the ritual to perform such oaths had already been had and had been overseen by the Aeon’s.” Dique went white at that. That explained why, last week, they noticed several Aeon’s around the inner palace. They had witnessed the oaths.
“The oaths were also put in place because Dan Heng is also seeking to become a guard.” Phainon stated, crossing his arms. “I’m going to be training him in fact.” Phainon gave them a vicious smirk. “There’s no one better to train him than me.” That had them worried. Phainon was already an excellent guard and was training Yanqing. If he started training Dan Heng…there was no hope of removing him to weaken Xingguang. Not that it would work with the oaths she had now placed upon him.
Seeing how nervous they were, Stelle gave a hum. “I must ask,” They snapped their eyes to her, “why are you two so worried about this? Surely you haven’t done anything illegal…” Her eyes glowed. “Have you?” While she had confronted Dique about Dan Heng’s true identity of being the reincarnation of Dan Feng, she had not confronted them about what they’ve done in the Shackling Prison. Granted, she knew the two before her most likely kept Dan Heng there as they oversaw procedures in the prison, which would explain their nervousness.
When Dique and Taoran shook their heads, Stelle huffed, the glowing of her eyes ceasing. “Good, I’d hate to have to remove you two from your positions…permanently.” They went blue at her tone, knowing she had the power to do so. Especially if she got Marum involved and, while she had threatened Dique about it, he wasn’t sure if she had been bluffing or not. They had deleted all the evidence they had the moment Dan Heng went missing. They STILL didn’t know who released him! The cameras that had been on his cell had been tampered with, so they don’t know who released him or how he got out!
Stelle waved a hand at the two, dismissing them. “Now, I have a ton of work to catch up on due to recent events, so I would appreciate it if you two were escorted out. Jing Yuan, if you please.” The white haired man nodded, and motioned Phainon to help him escort the two out. If he dragged Mydei with him, the blonde would likely smash their faces in before they were officially gone. Stelle sat down with a sigh, rubbing her temples once they left the room, and Mydei looked at her in concern. “You’ll burn yourself out at this rate.” Stelle merely hummed, looking up at him.
“It can’t be helped. Dan Heng needs protection while he’s here and the best way to do that is labeling him as staff, thus a guard works.” Stelle leaned back. “I’m still surprised when Phainon came to me with the request that Dan Heng asked to be a guard.” The vidyadhara stated, tilting her head a bit. “As someone who once stated they prefer words over weapons, that request caught me off guard.” Stelle admitted, remembering the conversation two weeks ago, shortly after her and Dan Heng had their private conversation.
~Flashback~
“He what?”
Stelle blinked at what Phainon said, the silver haired male giving a nod. “As I said, Dan Heng has requested to become an official guard of the inner palace.” He made his way toward Stelle. “Really, you’re the only one who can grant that right. The oaths, the blessings; we’d need the Aeon’s to oversee the ritual as well.” No way would they trust the Preceptor’s to oversee the procedure! Stelle frowned, sitting down as she processed what Phainon said.
Why did Dan Heng want to be a guard?
“Did you ask him why?” Stelle asked Phainon, who smiled. “Of course I did. His response was simple. He merely wants to help ease your burden and protect you.” He smiled softly. “The desire to protect…it was evident in his eyes that I couldn’t find it in myself to refuse. However, I told him I did have to consult with you about it.” Phainon explained, the setting sun casting golden glows across the room through the circular window. Stelle hummed, looking at the files before her.
She thought he preferred words over weapons!
Stelle closed her eyes a bit, thinking it over. It would grant him protection from the Preceptors, which was their goal. Plus, he would be seen as a worker and not a guest, making it easier to keep him within the inner palace. Guests couldn’t stay forever but this way…if she had him as a guard or even an archivist like Anaxa, she could keep him safe. She gave a nod and looked at Phainon. “Send a message to father and ask him to gather the others and to gather the required materials.”
She gave him a smile. “Dan Heng will become a guard of the inner palace.”
~Flashback End~
Mydei hummed, before leaning against the desk. “Castorice has stated that Dan Heng seems to be spending more time with you in the office. Is it because of the new duty he’ll be undergoing?” Stelle gave a nod. “Yes. As Phainon will be training him, Dan Heng is to follow Phainon’s example and shadow him. When they are not with me, they will be training in the courtyard.” Stelle explained, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair. “Plus, I’ve been trying to uncover something within him.” Mydei raised a brow.
“Uncover?” He questioned and Stelle nodded, resisting the urge to blush. “The cloudhymn sealing his powers and true form, they are beginning to fray.” His eyes widened at that. He remembers the conversation Stelle had with everyone after she had a meeting with Jing Yuan, Jingliu and Yingxing after they had returned. Things had been explained and it was after that conversation that Mydei had decided to fully trust Dan Heng. He had heard the stories about Dan Feng from Jing Yuan, held a lot of respect for the High Elder and thus, extended that respect to Dan Heng.
Plus, Dan Heng had proven himself.
“Do you think you can break the seals?” Mydei asked and Stelle frowned a bit, uncertain. “I can but I’ll have to do it slowly and carefully. He’s had the seals pretty much his whole life and if he was unsealed suddenly, that rush could damage him, or worse, kill him.” Since he wouldn’t be equipped or prepared on how to handle the sudden rush of power, she had to be careful. Mydei sighed, crossing his own arms. “I guess that makes sense. What of the evidence?” He asked afterward, wondering what was being done on that front.
Stelle gave another sigh. “Hanya and Xueyi have all the evidence from the prison, from my reports and meetings, from the Quintet and reports from the people.” She looked up at him. “As far as I know, they will be escorting it to Glaciator Marum, themselves. They are merely awaiting approval to travel to the Fanghu District as Glaciator closed off her district due to an increase in mara-struck victims.” The lockdown was the reason that Jing Yuan, Jingliu, Yanqing, Yingxing and Baiheng had gone to the frontlines to begin with.
Hopefully, when the lockdown was lifted, Glaciator Marum could meet with Hanya and Xueyi.
“The evidence is safe with them, correct?” Mydei asked and Stelle gave a nod. “That was a concern we all had as well. As such, I had given the two a charm that keeps all the files and everything they’ve gathered safe so it can’t be taken from them. If something happens to them, the charm will also activate to send everything to me.” They weren’t taking chances of the evidence they had being damaged, taken away or tampered with. Mydei nodded, relieved. “Good.” He murmured when the door opened and Castorice poked her head in.
“I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” She asked softly, yet Stelle smiled, shaking her head. “The meeting is over, so you can come in.” At that, Castorice perked and walked in, standing beside Mydei who wrapped an arm around her waist, pleased to see his wife. Stelle smiled at the two, remembering a very arrogant, proud and young Mydei trying to befriend the shy, timid and young Castorice. They’ve come a long way since those days and marriage had done well to strengthen their relationship.
She was still waiting for them to have children, which Castorice said her and Mydei were actively working toward having children.
“You don’t have to keep me company, Mydei.” The blonde looked at her. “I’ll be fine by myself.” He frowned a bit, knowing that wasn’t entirely true. Stelle enjoyed having her friends nearby but she also knew that people had their own lives and she didn’t want to get in the way of that. “Go on. You two enjoy your day.” Mydei hesitated, as did Castorice as she didn’t want Stelle to be alone. “Are you sure? We can wait until Phainon gets back.” Stelle shook her head, smile soft. “I’m sure. Go on now.” She gave a nod of dismissal and Mydei sighed.
“Alright. If we see Phainon though, we’ll tell him to double back.” Stelle shook her head. “No, you don’t need to. I’m certain Cyrene wants to see him and I’d never keep my brother from his fiance.” At those words, Castorice perked. “Oh, when are they getting married by the way?” Castorice asked and Stelle smiled. “Next year, the beginning of spring.” Castorice smiled at that. “New beginnings.” Stelle nodded. “We’ll be having it in the courtyard, since it’s big enough to host the people invited, in which you two should have gotten invites.” Mydei nodded. “I do remember Cyrene handing me an envelope.” He murmured, reminding himself to open it when he and Castorice returned to their room.
With a wave, Mydei and Castorice left and Stelle sighed, telling herself she wasn’t lonely.
For the past few days, she had been feeling a hole in her heart growing…and she knew why. It was the hole Dan Feng’s death had left, never having been filled and while she knew Dan Heng was Dan Feng’s reincarnation, she refused to see him as Dan Feng. He was his own person, he didn’t deserve to live in Dan Feng’s shadow and she wouldn’t force that on him. While she had grown to like him before she found out he was Dan Feng, she didn’t want to use him just to fill that hole.
While her instincts as a vidyadhara urged her to stake a claim on him, she didn’t want to give in until she knew if Dan Heng felt the same. While he had that moment in her bedroom, where instinct urged him to attempt something, she didn’t want it like that and he hadn’t been conscious of what he had done. She wanted him to be conscious of what he does, of what he wanted with her and she wanted verbal confirmation on his part. She was falling for him, she knew that and she was letting it be natural…but she also wanted it to be natural on his part.
He seemed to feel something…but she doubted he knew what he was feeling.
Stelle focused her attention back to the scrolls before her, all pertaining to Dan Heng getting the required equipment he would need as a guard, including maintenance and registration of his spear that he stated was called Cloud-Piercer. Once those files were done, she turned her attention to the files pertaining to the people and sighed in dismay. How did Dan Feng do all of this and not lose his mind?! “I’ll never understand how someone can do this much paperwork and not lose their mind.” She grumbled, grabbing the first file and opening it.
“It could be worse.”
Stelle yelped, dropping the file on the table.
At the doorway was Dan Heng, who gave a sheepish smile. “Apologies. I thought you noticed me.” He commented, walking into the office and she snorted.
‘Liar.’
She thought fondly, giving him an amused smile. “I may have if I wasn’t braindead from the Preceptors.” At the mention of them, Dan Heng frowned. “How did the meeting go?” He asked, fixing the gauntlet Phainon gave him, making sure it was secure. It felt a little big but Yingxing offered to make a new one that fit better. “Annoying, as usual.” Stelle commented as Dan Heng rounded the table to stand beside her.
“Did they-?” He let the question hang and she sighed. “They threw a fit, yes, I won’t lie but I’m staying steadfast in my decision. You wanted to be a guard, the gods oversaw that, themselves. Even if they protested and filed to revoke the decision, they wouldn’t win. The gods oversaw the ritual themselves of the oaths you took. Their decision overrules even my own final saying, so they truly can’t counter the decision.” Stelle stated, interlacing her fingers and laying her head upon her hands. “As such, they can’t remove you from my staff. You are safe and protected here.” She reassured him once more and he gave a soft smile, grateful.
Stelle always knew what to say to reassure him.
“Have you had dinner yet?” Dan Heng asked, yet Stelle shook her head. “Not yet. With the files needing to be finished, plus the meeting with the Preceptor’s, I haven’t had time to leave to grab food.” Stelle admitted, sighing a bit. “It’s gonna be another long night for me.” She grumbled and Dan Heng hummed, looking at her files and seeing she did have quite a bit to get through. But he had a suggestion. “How about I grab food for the both of us and bring it back here. You need to eat and I’d rather eat here with you than be alone.” Dan Heng offered and Stelle was surprised, before she gave a grateful smile.
“I would like that if you don’t mind.” Dan Heng gave a nod, before saying he’d return and quickly hurried out.
‘He is NOT good for my heart.’
Stelle thought, laying a hand against her chest and feeling her powers and instincts swirl in excitement. Truly, Dan Heng did not know the effect he had on her but she couldn’t say she didn’t like the way he made her feel. Her tail swished in excitement behind her chair and she shook her head amused, willing her tail away. She had files to finish and she wanted to get through them quickly so she could focus on eating with Dan Heng.
About forty minutes later, Dan Heng had returned with takeout, surprising Stelle as she raised a brow. “You went out?” She asked, yet he shook his head. “Phainon had apparently gone out to grab food for everyone and had even gotten us something. I offered to bring the food to you since I told him we’d be eating together.” Though Dan Heng had a feeling Phainon had been seconds away from strangling as his eyes had turned pure gold before he seemed to reel his protective instincts in.
Dan Heng somewhat understood Phainon’s protectiveness, having heard the story of how Phainon was raised with Stelle and how there had been a third sibling among the two. A boy called Caelus. He didn’t know everything but he knew the boy, Caelus, had been murdered years ago; March had told him a bit about her husband and the broken bond she had bared as a result. He felt sadness and agony for her, though he didn’t know how he could understand the agony she felt…something had snapped and writhed within him hearing she had a broken bond.
He focused on the present though as he laid the wrapped box down on the desk that contained Stelle’s meal, the second wrapped box was in his hand, containing his meal.
“Phainon knows our tastes.” Dan Heng commented and Stelle giggled, closing the file she had to focus on the food. “I’d hope he’d know mine as he’s my brother.” Stelle commented with a small smile, pulling the food closer. They spoke as they ate a little bit, mostly what they had been doing since the ritual last week as Dan Heng had been busy with training and Stelle had been busy with her duties. “I just finished the files that are in regards to you wanting to become a guard. I’ll be asking Yingxing to commission some training equipment for you since he’s trustworthy.” Stelle explained, taking another bite of her rice.
Dan Heng hummed, looking thoughtful. “I’m guessing that means he’ll also be responsible for the maintenance of Cloud-Piercer?” He asked and Stelle nodded. “If you prefer someone else, I can arrange that.” Stelle commented but she didn’t really trust anyone but Yingxing looking after Dan Heng’s stuff. After all, Cloud-Piercer was originally made by Yingxing for Dan Feng, it had been his weapon. With Dan Heng being the reincarnation, the weapon now belonged to him, so Stelle was confident that Yingxing was the perfect person to commission.
Dan Heng shook his head. “No, I have a feeling he’s a good smith. He even offered to make me a new gauntlet.” Dan Heng showed Stelle the one he was currently wearing and she noticed it was loose. “Phainon’s arms are a little bigger and longer than my own, so the gauntlet doesn’t fit right.” Dan Heng took it off to look it over better, admiring the sun, moon and star design the gauntlet had. He knew the sun represented Phainon, and the stars represented Stelle…but he didn’t know what the moon represented.
Though he felt that familiar tug in his heart indicating he should know.
Stelle hummed a bit, overlooking it before she smiled. “He’s good at what he does, which is why I commissioned him to be the one to overlook the maintenance of your weapon. He’ll probably have a new gauntlet for you within a week.” Stelle stated and Dan Heng chuckled. “I don’t deny that.” He agreed easily, able to tell the man was a master at what he did. “Though he also seems to be a very capable fighter.” Stelle nodded at his word, taking another bite and swallowing. “He is. He takes each weapon out for a test swing to make sure they can withstand fighting.” She added.
Dan Heng hummed, swirling his cup of tea before taking a sip. “Phainon will start my official training tomorrow?” He asked, yet Stelle shook her head. “No, once the papers are filed to the Ten-Lords and Yingxing looks at your weapon, THEN you’ll begin training with Phainon.” She explained, smiling at him. “You’ll have time before you begin official training with him.” At that, Dan Heng’s eyes flashed as he contemplated his next words. If he had free time before he began official training, he wanted to do SOMETHING with Stelle, feeling something within urge him to take this chance and get closer to her.
Looking at the files she still had, he hummed a bit before nodding to himself. “How important are your files?” He asked and she raised a brow. “Pardon?” She asked and Dan Heng tilted his head a bit. “I know we can’t leave the inner palace, due to your shackles, but there are still things we can do, right?” He suggested, before flushing as he realized the implications of his words. “I…just want to be close…” That was NOT what he meant to say but no taking it back now!
Stelle seemed surprised, before looking at the files she had to do. They weren’t overly important, she had already done Dan Heng’s files, she just hasn’t sent them out yet. With a hum, Stelle set the file down and stood up. “The rest aren’t as important and I can leave a note for Phainon to take your files to the Ten-Lords Commission so that you can begin official training.” Dan Heng looked back at her and nodded with a small smile, feeling happiness coil within him. “Shall we take another tour?” Dan Heng suggested and Stelle giggled as she could sense he was excited at the prospect of spending more time with her.
“We shall.”
The door to Stelle’s office opened and Phainon looked around. “Oh, I guess she already finished. Hm?” Phainon saw a few files on the desk still incomplete but there were some in the complete bin, so he made his way over. A note was on her desk, indicating him to take the files to the Ten-Lords Commission, so he grabbed the files. They had Dan Heng’s name on them and he flipped through them, before nodding to himself and then he sensed Stelle’s cloudhymn magic, glad when he detected it.
There had been times the Preceptors had tried to slip files into Stelle’s complete bin to try and get something shady done.
After confirming these were the files Stelle wanted taken to the Ten-Lords Commission, he left the office while throwing the note away. He hadn’t seen Stelle or Dan Heng since giving Dan Heng the food meant for the two. He had decided to eat with Cyrene since Dan Heng wanted to eat with Stelle…though he had restrained himself from straggling the man where he stood.
‘Caelus would probably have cheered and egged me on.’
Phainon thought as he headed across the bridge that led to the main city to get to the commission.
Normally, when going into the main district, it was quick in-and-out…but not this time.
Phainon left the commission but stopped upon hearing a familiar voice.
“If we can get into the inner palace and grab him, we can still remove him.” His eyes narrowed and he headed toward the sound, hand going to the hilt of his sword. Was that…Dique again? “You heard Xingguang!” He heard another hiss and he frowned. Taoran. “He’s bound to Xingguang through oaths now. We can’t touch him!” Were they talking about Dan Heng? Damn right they couldn’t if they were! “There HAS to be a way!” Phainon heard Taoran snarl. “If we kill Dan Heng, Marum will be alerted through that pendant she has!” Phainon felt Destruction coil in his veins, the gold threatening to take over his eyes.
They were planning a real death this time!
Phainon pressed against the corner and looked over the slightest, catching sight of Dique, Taoran and he was guessing two other Preceptors. He guessed the other two were still at their estates. There had been seven Preceptors at one point…but when the Preceptors smashed another’s egg to fool Stelle into thinking they smashed Dan Feng’s, they dropped their numbers to six. In a way, it truly represented the six districts of the Xianzhou Empire now. Still, the one they killed had been a righteous Preceptor, one who didn’t agree with what the others were doing and reported everything to Stelle.
‘Mutvin didn’t deserve that…’
Phainon thought in despair…Mutvin had been a nice vidyadhara and sought to do good for his kin. He had been kind…and now he was gone. He had been the youngest of the Preceptors and had admired Dan Feng…and was killed for doing what was right. Phainon looked back over the corner, taking note of the other two Preceptors, one female and the other a male. There were only two female Preceptors; this one looked to be the older one.
‘I believe that is…Xei-Lin. The male beside her might be Zhuli.’
Phainon thought, taking note of the female’s dark red and light orange horn. The male, Zhuli’s horn, was a pale yellow, with dark blue; similar, somewhat, to Taoran’s horn but not as vibrantly colored. Zhuli was the one that survived the destruction Stelle razed upon the Preceptors all those years ago.
“With those oaths on him,” Xei-Lin began, green eyes beginning to glow a bit, “we can’t get near him to get rid of him.” She hissed and Phainon brought out his phone and pressed a recording button, staying close enough to listen. They needed all the proof they could get. “We took his egg to the Shackling Prison and smashed Mutvin’s to fool Xingguang to control her. That didn’t work.” Dique hissed, shaking his head. “So, we have to find another way.” He continued and Phainon took a deep breath to stay calm. He was close to confronting them.
“That guard of hers, Khaslana,” Phainon’s eyes went wide at Taoran’s words, “could we get rid of him?” A harsh laugh left Zhuli. “You kill him and you kill Xingguang. They’re lifebound because of Nanook. Killing one kills the other.” At that, Xei-Lin raised a brow. “Then how come they didn’t die when we unleashed the abominations all those years ago and successfully killed Tiankong?” Phainon felt himself stop breathing. What?! Tiankong was Caelus’ Xianzhou name. They…they were the reason the abominations got through all those years ago?!
THEY’RE the reason he and Stelle don’t have their brother anymore?!
“The life-bond was made after his death.” Zhuli stated, waving a hand in annoyance. “Upon Tiankong’s death, Nanook asked Xingguang and Khaslana if they would be against the life-bond. It would keep them safe and they would be together. The two weren’t against it. Tiankong’s death nearly did the two in and that human, March, nearly suffered a death as well.” Fuli would not have been pleased with that and Nanook had barely kept his brother from lashing out when March was encased in ice.
Phainon was breathing heavily at this point, feeling Destruction wanting to break through his body.
He had to keep his composure just a little bit longer.
“Getting back to the topic, if we can plant another device in the courtyard,” He almost lost it at Taoran’s words there, “then we can direct the abominations to target Dan Heng. It’d prevent them from knowing it’s us, since they don’t know who planted the last device.” Xei-Lin scoffed. “Xingguang is already suspicious of us as it is, who could get in to plant it?” She hissed, her eyes still having that dangerous glow. She was worried and rightfully so. “The last time we tried to get the abominations to just kill everyone, it would break her and make it easier to take control of her. We almost succeeded when we nearly got Baiheng.” Dique stated, when Zhuli scoffed.
“But Dan Heng saved her. Though we discovered something at that point.” They looked at him curiously. “Xingguang’s draconic form.” Phainon felt his blood run cold, knowing what they were thinking. “Are you saying we force her into that form again?” Dique asked Zhuli, who nodded and held up a glowing orb and Phainon’s eyes went wide. Wait, THEY HAD IT?! “If we use the power in the Transmutation Arcanum, we can trap Xingguang in that form. She’d be a mindless beast, especially if we successfully kill Dan Heng and a few others, like March and Baiheng.” He put the orb away.
“All we would need left is to get Phainon and the others locked away, frame them for turning Xingguang into a draconic beast mindless of what she does. That would throw all the power and control into our hands. Nanook may even seek to sever the ties Khaslana has to Xingguang or kill them both off as they’d be a threat.” Zhuli stated and Phainon had heard enough. He closed his phone and made to move away, only to come face-to-face with one of the other Preceptors. “Shuyi.” He muttered, seeing her sharp, dark blue eyes were on him.
“You shouldn’t be here.” She backhanded him, shocking him as he stumbled into the alley and the other four looked over. “What the-Khaslana?!” Dique went pale, seeing how his eyes were glowing gold. “You all…were planning to destroy everything?” He hissed, his hair turning gold as his body began to change and transform. Seeing what was happening, Shuyi quickly got him in a chokehold, making him jolt and then Taoran rushed over, helping wrangle Phainon to the ground. They were far enough in the alleyway that no one would really notice or hear.
Phainon was keeping his transformation muted as he didn’t want to kill them…not without orders.
Phainon snarled at them, his wings forming and throwing Shuyi and Taoran off him, slamming them into the brick walls around them. “I ought to kill you all where you stand.” He snarled, the moon now high in the sky and making him look more like a demon. Dique backed up in fear as did Zhuli. Phainon…had he heard everything? Phainon summoned his sword, making Xei-Lin gulp at seeing the blade that the Zhuming specifically forged for him. “I…will make each of you bleed for killing our brother. For killing Dan Feng. For trying to destroy everything precious to us!” Phainon shouted and was about to strike them down when a voice seemed to call to him.
“Phainon, return now!”
He froze…Stelle was ordering him back.
His sword lowered as he lowered his head. “Tch. Luck is on your side today.” He glared at them upon lifting his head. “Just be aware your luck won’t last long.” Then he was shooting into the sky and heading off in a golden arc back to the inner palace. The Preceptors were pale, two of them battered. “Shit…” Dique hissed, they had even more limited time. They had tried to stall the evidence making its way to Marum and now Phainon had heard everything. While they had some time if he didn’t record them, Phainon was smart enough to record what he heard.
Then there was the temple of Memoria…they could use it to watch what happened that way.
They had to act…soon…
Notes:
I had trouble naming this chapter...and I could't keep this away from you all. I could have made it longer but it was long enough as it was. As for the reveal that they were behind everything...there's a reason I said you all might end up hating me. XD
But yes, the Preceptors were actually behind Caelus' death and it was the result of Caelus dying that Phainon and Stelle are bound to one another, where if Stelle dies, Phainon dies. Their combined death would FLATTEN the Xianzhou Empire...and possibly the entire planet. (As all the places we've been to are more on a single planet rather than separate planets or ships. Like Belobog is too the far North of the Xianzhou Empire in which the Empire is separated into Districts.) Due to Caelus' death however, that was why Nanook suggested Stelle and Phainon life-bond one another.
Also, as we see there was ONE good Preceptor...but he was killed by the others and his egg smashed. T^T
However, we can also see the Preceptors have a plan but, as I have hit another writer's block, it'll be awhile before I get the next chapter out so...yeah...I shall apologize for the wait. ^^;;;;
See you in the next chapter~!
Chapter 11: Revelations
Summary:
They knew the truth now and they had to be prepared.
The Preceptors could not succeed in their plans and they needed to buy time in order to keep them back and expose them.
But with the truth out comes revelations and with revelations comes the truth of one of their own.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“What?!”
Stelle fell in her chair, eyes wide at what Phainon told her and what the recording played back, tears running down her face. “They’re the reason…?” March questioned in turn, tears also running down her face and Cyrene hugged her. “March…” She said softly, feeling her heart crack for her apprentice. “They’ve been planning this for years.” Phainon hissed, the gold had not left his eyes, even though he had reverted back to his human form. “What is their vendetta against Stelle?” Dan Heng hissed, feeling his hackles rise. “What reason would they have to continuously attack her like this?!” He snapped, feeling something within him beginning to unravel.
“It’s about power and control.” Dan Heng snapped glowing jade eyes to Stelle, whose head was lowered, hiding her expression. “The Preceptors here on the Luofu had been under the impression that I am here to replace them. I have power and control over them, even if I don’t assert my authority over them.” She held a hand to her head, further hiding her expression. “Time and time again, I have repeated I am not here to replace them. I was placed within the Luofu District to help it thrive. The other districts needed no such help.” Stelle stated, claws forming without her consent.
“Me and Caelus had always upheld the laws of the vidyadhara among the Luofu, the laws laid down by Glaciator Marum, whom is a close friend. The Preceptors within the Luofu have grown greedy and power hungry, seeking every possible way to take me out of my position so all the power falls in their hands.” She lifted her head, revealing violently glowing golden eyes. “And now they seek to destroy everything I hold dear. They seek to harm those I love and care for. They seek to change who I am so they can control me and control the people.” She stood up, her silver tail slamming against the ground.
Baiheng and the others jolted, even as the lines along Stelle’s chest and collar began to glow, revealing the scars for what they were.
‘They were scars…’
Dan Heng thought in sadness, feeling his heart clench, before seeing the rage in Stelle’s eyes.
‘If we don’t stop her, she may very well go after them and get in trouble as the evidence won’t have reached Marum yet!’
Dan Heng thought in concern. “Phainon, make a copy of this recording and get it to Hanya and Xueyi as fast as you can.” Stelle ordered as she restrained herself. Phainon nodded and rushed out of the office, intending to get to them as fast as possible.
“Jing Yuan!” The man jolted, straightening as he awaited her words. All of the High Cloud Quintet had been called to the office the moment Phainon had returned. “Call Hanya and Xueyi, ask them to stay for just one more day as we have more evidence.” Jing Yuan nodded and pulled out his phone, stepping out of the office to call the two. “Jingliu, Yingxing,” Both looked at her, ready and waiting, “order the guards to raise the bridges. We need to keep the Preceptors back as much as possible. They’re most likely already making plans.” The two nodded and hurried off, even as Baiheng kept Yanqing from following his mother.
He was safer in the office.
“Cyrene,” The pink haired woman looked at her curiously, “I need you to gather the Chrysos Heirs and tell them they are to stay within the Inner Palace from now on. I also ask that you keep temple operations running. The Preceptors are not allowed to enter the Temple without direct backlash from Fuli, so you all will be safe.” Cyrene nodded and, after one last hug to March, hurried out as well. A heavy sigh left Stelle and she slumped in her chair, sitting back down and worrying those still there.
“Stelle!”
Dan Heng rested a hand on her shoulder and she turned faintly glowing golden eyes to him. “I’m so tired of this, so tired of them. To think…they could’ve gotten away with all of this…” Stelle muttered and Dan Heng felt his heart clench. Seeing her eyes get heavy, he sighed and pulled the chair back, making her jolt. “Dan Heng, what’re-ah!” Stelle yelped as Dan Heng lifted her into his arms after making her stand. “Your falling asleep and, as much as your chair may be comfortable, you should still sleep in your room.” March opened her mouth to protest, but Dan Heng snapped his eyes to her, the glow returning.
March went silent, seeing a familiar teal flash around him. Did he…did more seals unravel?
“I’m taking Stelle to her room. Let the others know when they return.” Baiheng, March and Yanqing gave silent nods, before Dan Heng left the room with Stelle, who protested against being carried. March blinked once, twice and then glanced at the other two. “Phainon may actually kill him this time.” Baiheng sighed as she shook her head, even as Yanqing raised a brow. The sword was so much easier to understand than Phainon’s protective instincts he noted.
“I could’ve walked myself.”
Dan Heng raised a brow at Stelle as he set her upon her bed, the gold silk sheets a comfort to her. “That may be true, but your tired Stelle and what we’ve just learned has stressed you out. You need rest to deal with the upcoming days.” She sighed and he stood up. “I’ll wait outside your door for Phainon and let him-” Stelle grabbed his sleeve before he got far, making him turn toward her. “Actually, can…can you stay…just a little longer?” Stelle asked and while Dan Heng knew he should say no, insist she get rest…a part of him told him to listen. He sat down slowly, feeling her tail curl around behind him, as if urging him to stay close.
Stelle almost jolted as she felt more cloudhymn seals on Dan Heng snap and fray even more. Just a little bit remained but he seemed to be adjusting quickly. It was a good thing that his body adjusted quickly but the seals were still holding strong and she wouldn’t break them until they unraveled themselves. While it would probably be a good idea to remove what was left, just in case the worst came to pass sooner than expected, she didn’t want to force it. The unraveling should be natural so his body handles the change better.
“Hey,” One of Dan Heng’s hands brushed against her cheek, making her look at him tiredly, “what’s wrong, Stelle?” Dan Heng asked in concern, the glow of his eyes faint and Stelle sighed. “I’m just…so tired of dealing with them.” Dan Heng frowned and sat closer, wrapping a hand behind her head and pulling her closer, letting her head rest against his chest. “You’re incredibly strong to have made it this far against them, Stelle.” He admired her for her perseverance and strength in continuing to fight back against the controlling efforts and manipulation of the Preceptors.
“It hasn’t been without its difficulties.” Stelle mumbled against his chest and Dan Heng gave a soft huff. “Nothing is without problems, and that’s especially true with what is worth fighting for.” He responded, nuzzling Stelle’s temple and making her grumble. “The Preceptors won’t make any moves until they know they’ll have the upper hand.” Dan Heng hummed, knowing that was true. The Preceptors were nothing if not thorough. “We’ll be ready for them.” He responded and Stelle gave a tired nod, her eyes getting heavy. “Can…can you stay, till I fall asleep?” She asked tiredly, she didn’t want to be alone right now.
Dan Heng knew he should say no, Phainon would kill him if he saw them in her room again, the male having already threatened him once…yet he couldn’t bring himself to. A pull, a strong urging within his heart told him to say yes, told him to stay close to keep her safe and Dan Heng felt more like heading that call than listening to logic. “Yes,” He responded, laying his head against her own, “I’ll stay as long as you need me to.” He murmured and Stelle gave a tired nod, closing her eyes and letting sleep take her.
Dan Heng listened to the sound of her breathing evening out and sighed softly, a hand running through her hair as he thought over the past few months. Dan Heng looked down at Stelle as she slept against his chest, his eyes glowing once more and brushed his lips against her forehead. “You won’t be alone when facing the Preceptors. I’ll be by your side, protecting you and doing all I can to make your happy.” The dark haired male responded, closing his own eyes and letting sleep take him.
He would do all he could for her.
**(One Week Later, Friday-October 23rd; Afternoon)**
Dan Heng didn’t know what to think as he looked at his hands, seeing claws instead of his normal nails. “What the-?” He had merely been training with Phainon before he started feeling…off…his body was hot, his head hurt and his jaw was aching. There was an ache down his spine too which didn’t help matters. When Dan Heng had asked Phainon if they could end training early, the swordsman seemed concerned, only to jolt when Dan Heng ran into the palace. Dan Heng knew he worried Phainon when he did that but he was trying to understand what was happening to his body.
The past few days he had felt these pains, since he comforted Xingguang about what they discovered with the Preceptors.
Last week on Wednesday it was bearable. There and gone.
This past Sunday it started to become persistent.
Yesterday morning it had been even more persistent, accompanied by a throb and progressively got worse to today.
The pain had subsided a little bit, not as bad as it had been that morning but he saw his hands and he could feel even his teeth had changed. He could feel fangs whenever he ran his tongue over his teeth, it was weird. He could also clearly sense cloudhymn magic more effectively…and what terrified him was he could feel it WITHIN him. It was blocking something, keeping a part of him locked away and chained. While a part of him wanted to tear down the locks, remove the chains…another part of him was deeply worried.
Why did he sense cloudhymn within him?
Who caused it and where did it come from?
Was it always there?
It felt…frayed, as if someone had tried to tear the seams apart.
He wondered if Stelle felt it…and if she did, why didn’t she say anything? How long had it been there inside him? Surely she would have felt the cloudhymn within him. Was that why he had been so sensitive to the cloudhymn magic that saturated the inner palace area? Because he had cloudhymn inside him?
Dan Heng stood up, a little unsteadily and tried to focus on what he felt within. If he had cloudhymn magic inside him…could he use it? If so, could he remove the locks he felt? He closed his eyes, trying to grasp the cloudhymn magic he felt swirling within his body. The seals were intricate, it was like he could see what made each lock and there were many! Had these been on him since he awoke in the Shackling Prison? He tried to grasp one of the many chains attached to a lock, tried breaking it only for his concentration to falter as pain racked his body.
“Ah!” Dan Heng fell to his knees with a wince, grabbing his head as it throbbed more. His head felt like it was splitting open! “Dannie, are you alright?” Hyacine? “I-ugh!” Dan Heng tried to reassure her, she must’ve been passing by and heard him fall. “Dan Heng!” Phainon! “Hyacine, move back!” The door flung open as Phainon slammed his weight into the door, forcing it open…only to pause and stare at Dan Heng with wide eyes. “What…what the-?” Phainon jolted, before stopping Hyacine from entering. “Hyacine, go get Stelle, now!” Phainon ordered, before closing the now crooked door and making his way to Dan Heng.
“Dan Heng, listen to me and listen closely,” Pained filled, glowing jade made contact with pure gold eyes. Phainon had taken his other form. “I’m going to get closer. Try not to lash out when you feel my hands, okay?” Dan Feng had not liked anyone but Stelle laying their hands on him and, with how Dan Heng often acted, Dan Heng was the same way. Dan Heng winced, not liking that idea but nodded all the same despite the pain running through him.
Getting his approval, Phainon inched closer and laid a hand upon Dan Heng’s back.
The reaction was instant!
Cloudhymn frayed more and a large tail formed and hit Phainon who winced but stayed where he was. Dan Heng looked ready to apologize before he practically doubled over, groaning in pain even more and Phainon frowned. Dan Heng hadn’t meant to react but his body was in fight mode, the pain within inescapable and thus, he lashed out without his consent. Phainon wouldn’t hold it against him. “Dan Heng, focus on my touch. Try to focus past the pain.” Phainon instructed and Dan Heng tried doing as told…but his concentration kept faltering, Phainon could see it.
They needed Stelle!
“I’m here!”
Phainon looked over in relief, seeing Stelle enter the room and she froze, obviously seeing the changes happening to Dan Heng. A long, white and teal tail lay behind Dan Heng, jade and gold horns rested atop his head and his hair was slightly longer. “Stelle, he needs help.” Phainon said urgently, even as Dan Heng looked up, seeing her shocked expression. “St-Stelle…” Her eyes dilated and she darted towards Dan Heng, kneeling before him. “Release him, Phainon.” Sensing the order, Phainon jolted and backed away, his wings giving a shiver at the power radiating from Stelle. She was drawing as much cloudhymn magic to herself as she could.
“Dan Heng,” She lifted her hands, cupping his cheeks and making sure his attention was on her. “I’m going to work my cloudhymn into you to break some of the seals. It will hurt and I apologize for that, however, it MUST be done.” Dan Heng winced at her words, feeling another wave of pain course through him. Stelle drew him closer, letting him rest his head against her shoulder, even as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “If the pain is too much, just hold onto me.” She knew his claws would likely tear into her but it couldn’t be helped. She could take the pain.
“Phainon, order everyone out of the inner palace. Do not return until I call for you.” Phainon nodded and, returning back to his original form, closed the crooked door once more and hurried off. He had to get everyone out of the palace! Stelle’s eyes began to glow and she rested her head between his horns, letting her own tail manifest and slip behind him. Dan Heng twitched, feeling something slide against his new appendage, wrapping gently around it and he dazedly realized it was Stelle’s tail. He recognized the feeling of her scales but all it did was make him dizzier.
“S-Stelle, what’s-ngh!” Stelle shushed him gently, letting the cloudhymn magic she gathered coil around him and gently run through him. The seals were already weak as it was but they were still trying to tie him down which was causing the pain. She had wanted to let it happen slowly, naturally…but his body was rejecting the process. Now she had to force the seals to break! She tightened her hold on him, closing her eyes and searching for the seals she felt within him, finding the first one and, with no hesitation, barreled through it!
Dan Heng gasped and jerked against her, pressing closer and she jolted a bit, repositioning herself so she didn’t slide back. Stelle waited for him to stop shifting and did it again, finding another seal and breaking it. With each seal she snapped and destroyed, more of his features changed.
His tail was now mostly teal with a white underbelly, what seemed like fur, at first, was now hardened dark teal, gold accented spines down the tail; spaced out. The tail tip, which had also looked like fur, was now hardened like a branch, dark teal with gold inlay. His horns, which had, at first, been a mix of jade and gold and coral-like, were now pure gold and jagged, almost like the Droma’s that come to the Districts from merchants from Okhema. His hair was back to being short, with some longer strands, enough for a low, thin ponytail.
She sighed, breaking more seals…only to jolt as she felt teeth sink into her shoulder again. “NGH!” She knew it was instinctual on his end, unable to control what was going through him. She could tell he was conscious as he tried to pull away but couldn’t. She knew he probably bit her because he was trying to not bite his own tongue and muffle his sounds. She felt his claws more clearly as he gripped her shoulders tightly, once more trying to withstand the pain and her expression pinched. Stelle hated the fact he was in pain but she couldn’t use two powers at once; she needed to focus everything onto the cloudhymn she was using to break the weaker cloudhymn seals inside him.
One last one and, with a silent apology, she threw the last of the cloudhymn she had gathered into the last seal.
Dan Heng let her shoulder go with a cry of pain, his entire body convulsing and Stelle instantly grabbed the power of abundance inside her, rushing it toward Dan Heng to help him through the last of his transformation. Then she felt it. The shielding power of her Aunt Qlipoth formed and solidified around Dan Heng, as if helping protect him from the pain and she sighed in relief. Of course, her Aunt Qlipoth would always help her watch over those under her protection. Stelle closed her eyes again, resting her forehead between Dan Heng’s horns once more, giving a silent prayer of thanks to her Aunt and using her powers to heal the bite and claw marks.
Stelle felt Dan Heng shift and opened her eyes, pulling back. “Dan Heng?” She questioned and he slowly looked up, his eyes a mix of glowing gold and teal and she merely smiled. “There you are.” She brushed a hand against his cheek and he jolted, leaning against her hand despite the flush. “Sorry about…biting you…” Stelle shook her head. “It’s already healed.” She assured and, looking at the exposed part of her shoulders, he saw she was right. The bite mark was no longer there. A part of him felt disappointed by that…and he had a feeling he knew why.
Looking over his back, he saw a draconic tail, light wrapped around Stelle’s own dark silver tail. Reaching a hand up, he felt the jagged horns atop his head, different from Stelle’s slightly coral, glass-like horns. He felt the fangs and noticed he still had the claws and he could feel his hair was longer. “What…?” He wasn’t sure how to explain his confusion and Stelle tapped his shoulder to gain his attention. “The cloudhymn seals on you,” She began softly, “they were hiding your true appearance and powers.” She frowned a bit. “My guess is because it made it easier to trap you.” That was the only thing she could think of with the Preceptors.
At her words, Dan Heng perked. “Did you…” She focused her gaze on him, “know I had these?” She seemed surprised, before she sighed and shook her head. “Not at first.” Stelle began softly, sitting straight and folding her legs under her despite the hardwood floor. “When you mentioned your sensitivity to cloudhymn magic, I felt…something similar to cloudhymn magic within you but it made no sense. I couldn’t detect what it was hiding, nor why it was there to begin with.” Stelle crossed her arms, seeming thoughtful. “I pushed it to the back of my mind for a while.”
Dan Heng frowned a bit, looking at his hands. “So…I’m a vidyadhara?” He asked for clarification and Stelle nodded, even though he wasn’t looking at her. “Reincarnaton…who was I?” He mumbled and Stelle almost flinched, except her expression pinched and Dan Heng noticed. “You know…” He didn’t ask and Stelle sighed. “I…should explain what me and the others found out.” Stelle said softly, voice laced with pain and Dan Heng felt his instincts urge him to comfort her. Why was her scent coated in sadness? “Do you remember when I spoke of a previous intended I had?” He nodded, feeling something sharp in his chest.
“His name was Dan Feng,” Dan Heng felt his body pulse at those words, as if the name resonated with him, “and he looks like you with some differences. Differences that were showing when I first came in here and saw you transforming.” Dan Heng frowned at her words, but his eyes urged her to continue. “He had long hair, longer than yours and his horns were jade in color, looking similar to my own.” He looked at her horns, imagining a jade color instead and hummed. Dan Feng had horns like that? “And his tail was pure teal, though he never kept it out as he stated its length was a hindrance.” He wanted to chuckle.
He knew his own tail was going to cause him problems.
“However, due to our plans, the Preceptors killed him and then showed me a smashed egg.” His eyes went wide, feeling his new instincts roar in anger. Even he had a feeling the eggs shouldn’t be touched! “However, it was a ploy. They never smashed Dan Feng’s egg…” She locked eyes with him. “Instead, they took the egg to the Shackling Prison,” His breath stopped, “and a boy hatched. Upon his hatching, they immediately used an artifact to lock down his vidyadhara powers and his true form, locking it away so none would know who he is. They created false claims to keep the child there so they could torture him and thus, weaken me as they had control of me for awhile.” Her expression turned sad.
“That child…was you. The reincarnation of my previous intended.” Dan Heng went to speak but Stelle held up a hand. “But do not mistaken my actions and your past as being the reason I have treated you the way I have.” He went silent at that, his body slowly relaxing. “The others and I did not find out the truth until September and, even then, I was not going to shackle you to my past intended. You are your own person and, when a vidyadhara undergoes a rebirth, they are stripped of their past life and are granted a new one. As such, you are not my past intended and I recognize that.” Stelle answered honestly, crossing her hands over her lap.
“I had every intention of telling you all of this as well, once more of the seals frayed and snapped. I wanted to be careful with them breaking, as I was worried the sudden rush of power would be too much for your body to handle with how long you had been suppressed.” Dan Heng understood that; she had been looking out for him. He looked at his hands again and flexed them, trying to get used to the feeling of claws…when one of her hands cupped one of his. “You can will your claws to revert to nails, allowing you to do the things you normally would without worry of ripping something.” She explained, showing her own hands.
Dan Heng watched as her claws slowly turned back to normal nails, before looking at his own and willing himself to calm down. Slowly, his own claws turned back to normal nails and he blinked a bit. It was that easy? He huffed a bit, before looking at Stelle, somewhat uncertain. “I’m…unsure how I feel about all of this…” Dan Heng responded and Stelle gave a gentle smile. “Take your time. Slowly adjust and get used to your new abilities.” She lifted a hand, cupping his cheek again to gain his attention. “I’ll help you however I can, okay?”
Dan Heng relaxed and gave a grateful smile nodding in turn. “Thank you…Stelle…” She smiled in turn and pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around his shoulders again and he wrapped his arms around her in turn, returning the embrace. With Stelle at his side, he would adjust and, with the power he could feel coursing through his body, he’d be able to protect her better.
‘I swear, with this new power coursing through me Stelle, I will protect you and your happiness.’
He nuzzled her temple, hearing a purr from her.
‘And maybe then I’ll gain the courage to bare my heart to you.’
Dan Heng was well aware of how he saw Stelle.
Upon her mentioning he had been Dan Feng, the first thought that ran through his mind was the pull he felt was because of that past connection. However, thinking deeper on it, he realized that wasn’t really the case. He had undergone a complete rebirth, that past connection was no longer there and, in the beginning, he had merely sought nothing more than friendship. He had felt nothing for Stelle until they actually started getting closer and spending time together. Now that he was unsealed, he knew it was his instincts silently urging him to get closer and confirm what he felt.
He would confess one day but, until then, he just wanted to revel in what he felt and what had been unsealed. He would bare his heart in due time.
Notes:
So as we have seen, Dan Heng's true form has been revealed and, yes, I'm using his Permansor Terrae form as it seems more fitting. A few of his Imbibitor Lunae features were present but those changed the more the seals were taken off.
From this point on, Dan Heng will pretty much permanently be in his vidyadhara form and I do plan to eventually get a full smut scene down...or at least REALLY imply it later on. (I may make the smut chapter separate from the main story as I don't wanna take away from the plot of the story.)
Also, this is were the updates will really start slowing down as I have officially caught up to what I have written so far and trying to get ideas to keep the story moving (and get to the confessions) have slowed down. T^T
I'm trying but it might be awhile before the next update.Still, hope ya'll like this chapter and stay tuned~! ^^
Chapter 12: A Short Reprieve and A Visit
Summary:
With revelations out of the way, its now about having the time to master his new powers and trying to get used to his new form.
Then there's the visit from the Father of Destruction and he has brought two others with him.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
**(Three Days Later, Monday-October 26th; Afternoon)**
Dan Heng grunted as he was soaked as his power fizzled, then he groaned as he shook his head, blinking a bit as water dropped into his eyes. “Is this…” He glanced up, seeing Mydei and Jing Yuan, both looking as if they weren’t trying to laugh, “a new…uh…cleaning technique?” Mydei asked, looking at the soaked floor and Dan Heng grumbled, shaking his head again and brushing his hair from his face. “No. I was testing out my powers.” He responded, his tail coil behind him nervously.
Jing Yuan hummed, a brow raised before shaking his head, amused. “Reminds me of when Dan Feng kept doing the same thing.” Dan Heng frowned at his words, before perking as he saw someone behind Jing Yuan. “It would do you well, General,” Jing Yuan straightened as Mydei jolted, “to remember he is NOT Dan Feng.” Stelle passed Jing Yuan, turning glowing gold on him. “Least I give you a permanent reminder.” Jing Yuan gulped but nodded, knowing Stelle would give him a painful reminder as well. Stelle had made it clear that Dan Heng was not to be seen as Dan Feng.
They were two different people and they should be seen as such.
Stelle sighed and turned toward Dan Heng, even as her silver tail swiped Jing Yuan’s legs out from under him, sending the General to the ground with a thud. Mydei winced, making a mental note to stay on Stelle’s good side. “There’s a training ground for a reason, Dan Heng.” Stelle said in amusement, coming to stand beside him and held a hand out. Dan Heng sighed and took her hand, letting her help him up. “I didn’t want to interrupt Phainon and Yanqing training.” He explained and she hummed, tilting her head a bit. “Well, if that’s the case you need to merely ask and I can help.” She responded and he flushed a bit, looking away embarrassed.
“I…didn’t want to bother you.”
Stelle shook her head, once more amused at Dan Heng’s embarrassment. He had no need really, he was welcome to ask her anything; especially since he was learning about his heritage. “You can ask me anything, Dan Heng. Your a vidyadhara, like I am, so if you have questions, you can ask them.” She explained and he sighed, running a hand down his face. “I feel like I should know this stuff already.” He complained and Stelle gave a patient smile. “And you’ll learn but don’t force yourself to learn things faster than your able to.” Stelle stated, moving around him and messing with his hair.
She pulled the water from his hair before she repositioned the clasp keeping his hair together. “Take things slow at first, get used to your new form. Then slowly work on understanding your new powers.” Stelle further suggested, rounding him again and messing with the front of his outfit. “She’s like a fretting mother hen.” Mydei muttered, even as Jing Yuan sat up, rubbing the back of his head. “I’m too old for her tricks.” He muttered, standing up with a grunt. “I’ll trip you again Jing Yuan if you complain.” Stelle threatened and he, wisely, kept his mouth shut, though he did grin with promise of a challenge.
They could start a new competition later.
Once confident he was okay, Stelle stepped back though her tail did twitch as she wanted to stay close. Judging by the twitching of Dan Heng’s own tail, he wanted the same thing. “You should be dry now. Are you still wanting to learn more of your cloudhymn?” Stelle asked and Dan Heng nodded, eyes brightening at the prospect of learning directly from Stelle. He wanted to master his new powers and stay close; this was a win-win for him! He gave a nod and Stelle smiled, willing her tail to stay still but Dan Heng’s was freely wiggling in joy, making Mydei bite his tongue to not laugh and Jing Yuan to cover a chuckle with a cough.
Truly, Dan Heng showed his emotions too freely with his tail.
Stelle and Dan Heng headed off so Stelle could teach him how to utilize cloudhymn magic, even as Phainon and Yanqing returned from training. “Oh, tea-MHM!” Jing Yuan covered his son’s mouth before Yanqing could be noticed. Once Dan Heng and Stelle were outside, then Jing Yuan removed his hand. “Dad?” Yanqing questioned his father, in which he smiled at his son. “Let them have some time alone, my boy.” Jing Yuan suggested and Yanqing frowned, yet listened to his father. He had wanted to get some training in with Stelle but Dan Heng did need her help more.
Phainon, for his part, twitched a bit but told himself to not worry about it.
The bridges had been raised.
Qlipoth’s power circled around the inner palace grounds.
Xueyi and Hanya had just left for the Fanghu District that morning.
And Nanook was ready to call two people to the District if things got too bad.
Phainon sighed, they would be alright; they had Aeon’s watching over them. He just prayed it was enough so the past wouldn’t repeat itself.
As time passed by, Dan Heng slowly got a handle on his powers, able to now use cloudhymn with ease. Stelle attributed it to cloudhymn being part of him and thus, he learned quickly. Phainon had known that was a subtle jab at how long it took him to sense cloudhymn magic. It took him almost a century to be able to sense it and prevent it from affecting him. It took Dan Heng almost a week to grasp it and use it. While there were times it would fizzle, this only happened if someone purposefully attempted to shatter his concentration. This usually meant that Mydei, Phainon and Jing Yuan were the ones trying to break his concentration.
Stelle had put a stop to that the moment she saw it.
As they rolled into the following week, now Tuesday, November Third…Dan Heng had not seen Stelle since they had breakfast. “Phainon!” The silver haired male looked up from talking with Cyrene, Castorice and Mydei, raising a brow at him. “Hey Dan Heng, what’s up?” Phainon asked the vidyadhara, wondering what Dan Heng needed. “Have you seen Stelle?” Dan Heng asked, a brow raising curiously. Phainon blinked a bit, before he perked, a smile crossing his face. “Yeah, she’s in the courtyard. I was coming to let the others know since dad was visiting.”
Dan Heng frowned in confusion. “Your…dad?” He questioned and Phainon nodded. “Yep, our father, Nanook.” Phainon explained and Dan Heng jolted, remembering who Stelle and Phainon were. They were the children of Nanook, God of Destruction. “Phainon.” The silver haired boy smiled more and spun, eyes showing joy. “Dad!” He ran toward the person who showed up, making Dan Heng spin and freeze. The raw power radiating from the man was immense, almost oppressive but it was obvious this man was holding his power back so no one was really affected.
“That’s Nanook.” Mydei said as he came to Dan Heng’s side, making the vidyadhara look at him. “Phainon and Stelle’s dad.” Dan Heng hummed, turning his attention back to Nanook. The silver haired, tanned man had easily caught his son who practically launched at him but Nanook hadn’t budged from the tackle. He was covered in scars, all gold in color and it somewhat resembled the golden lines that Phainon bore in his secondary form. “Did you already talk to sis?” Phainon asked and Nanook nodded. “Yes, I left the two I brought with her.”
Phainon tilted his head as the others decided to come over. “The two you brought?” Phainon questioned and Nanook nodded. “Himeko Yang and Welt Yang of the Astral Express.” Phainon’s eyes went wide. “You brought Akivili’s successors here?!” He exclaimed and Nanook gave a dark grin. “After learning what the Preceptors have done, it’s the least I can do. As the Xianzhou Empire is not my home and is, instead, under Long and Lan’s law, I cannot interfere directly.” He chuckled. “However, that doesn’t mean I can’t give my kids and their allies some back-up.”
Most God’s weren’t allowed to directly interact with mortals unless they were given permission by the God overseeing that place. Since Long was gone and Lan mostly oversaw the humans and foxians of the Xianzhou Empire, everything regarding laws of the vidyadhara was left in Glaciator Marum’s hands and she was not fond of the other Gods. As such, the God’s respected her word to not interfere in matters of the Xianzhou Empire, at least not in matters regarding the vidyadhara.
And since this was about the Preceptors, the God’s could not interfere unless she gave consent.
“Thanks dad.” Nanook rubbed Phainon’s head, making him chuckle. “Caelus would be proud of you protecting your sister as well as you have done.” Phainon rubbed the back of his head, before Nanook turned his attention to the others. However his eyes locked onto Dan Heng and began to glow, making Dan Heng tense and take a step back. “You’re…no, your not him. There are similarities, yet differences…” Nanook muttered, narrowing his eyes at Dan Heng. “However, her cloudhymn magic is tied with yours…why?” He muttered and Phainon cocked a brow. “Dad?”
Nanook gave a hum, before sighing and shaking his head and the glow ceased. “Apologies, it’s just…Stelle’s cloudhymn is tied to your own cloudhymn and I’m unsure why.” At that Dan Heng perked. “I’m having trouble controlling and utilizing my cloudhymn sometimes, so Stelle gave me an enchantment that allows my cloudhymn to follow her guidance.” Dan Heng held up a necklace he wore. “It’s coral from Scalegorge Waterscape and it’s been enchanted by Stelle’s cloudhymn and is meant to guide my own.” He hid it back under his shirt. “As such, that’s probably why her cloudhymn seems to be tied to my own.” Dan Heng explained.
Nanook merely hummed at his words, still somewhat unconvinced but didn’t question it. The cloudhymn he was sensing wasn’t any kind of guiding magic but a protection deeply tied into Dan Heng’s own. It would activate when Dan Heng was in danger and practically teleport him, against his will, to where Stelle was. It was a heavy protection, one that Stelle had been taught by both Qlipoth and Long themselves and she tied the two protections together in order to make that kind of enchantment. But, if Dan Heng didn’t know that was what she tied into him, there was a reason for that.
“Dad!” Nanook lifted his head and spun, just in time to catch Stelle who latched onto him. “Ste-ack!” Stelle pulled at her own fathers cheeks, a pout on her face. “YOU DIDN’T TELL ME THEY WERE AKIVILI’S PRODIGIES!” Nanook groaned, realizing that while Phainon knew, Stelle did not. Most likely because Stelle couldn’t leave the palace and had to rely on Phainon for all information. Phainon most likely forgot to tell her. “I thought you knew.” Nanook muttered, pulling Stelle’s hands from his cheeks to speak properly.
Stelle merely pouted more, before she spotted Dan Heng and perked. “Ah, you finally got to meet my dad.” Stelle tapped her father’s arms and he set her down, allowing her to move to Dan Heng’s side. “I told dad what happened. He said he’ll talk to Marum if Xueyi and Hanya can’t get an audience with her.” Even though the lockdown had been lifted last week, Xueyi and Hanya had stated they couldn’t get an audience with Glaciator Marum just yet. She was dealing with the aftermath of the mara and, thus, was booked in meetings.
Nanook could circumvent those meetings however.
“That’s good. That’ll allow Marum to know what’s going and, hopefully, she’ll send the order for them to undergo a rebirth and be stripped of their power and title.” Stelle agreed with Dan Heng’s words, before two others joined the front area. “The palace here is lovely.” A woman said and, stepping up beside Nanook was a woman with fire red hair and kind orange eyes, wearing a white dress with a black jacket dropped over her shoulders. “I have to agree,” A male chimed in, “this place is stunning.” The male had short brown hair and brown-gold eyes, glasses and was wearing a brown outfit.
“Thank you Himeko, thank you Welt.” Stelle said to the two, glad they seemed comfortable. “I shall take my leave then.” Nanook said to Stelle, who frowned a bit. “Already?” She questioned and Nanook sighed, giving a nod. “I have duties to attend to, as well as keeping an eye on the Fanghu District so I can speak with Marum if your assistants, Xueyi and Hanya, cannot get an audience with her.” Nanook walked toward her and rested a hand between her horns, seeing her upset expression. “I’ll visit again when I get the chance, my daughter.” Stelle nodded sadly, before hugging him and he returned the hug. “Be careful dad.” He sighed. “I should be saying that to you.”
Nanook pulled back before looking at Phainon and the two gave each other a nod. Phainon would continue protecting his sister, no matter what. At that reassurance, Nanook took a few steps to the side and then shot into the sky in a golden arc. He would visit again one day.
Once he was gone, Stelle sighed before turning to look at Himeko and Welt Yang. “Let’s get you two settled into the palace, then I’ll have Phainon show you two around.” At those words, Phainon stood straighter and walked toward Stelle as she motioned for Himeko and Welt to follow her into the inner palace. “Those two…” Mydei began, looking impressed, “they were Nameless.” Dan Heng tilted his head. “Nameless?” He questioned, curious and Cyrene nodded. “They’re members of the Astral Express, generally called Nameless. They don’t have an official place they call home except for the train that takes them from city to city.” The pinkette explained.
“They go where they are needed most and have no qualms about helping others.” Castorice explained further, looking intrigued. “From what Phainon once said, they follow the God, Akivili’s, footsteps. Akivili and Nanook were close and, with Akivili having died alongside Long years ago, Nanook now oversees those that follow Akivili’s path, making sure none fall like he did.” Dan Heng hummed at her words. So because Akivili was gone, Nanook oversaw the old Gods path and had called on them to help? Makes sense. He remembers reading a bit about Akivili and knew the God sought justice and doing good above all else.
That meant they had allies at least.
Notes:
This is mostly filler but it also allows Himeko and Welt to make an appearance, as well as giving some insight into how things work with Glaciator Marum since Long is gone. (Akivili as well but there's no need for anyone to uphold his law since he didn't have a singular place he overwatched like the others.)
Also, this chapter was a pain to name but I found something that works.
Hoping the next chapter will be the confession chapter.
Chapter 13: Confessions and Becoming Mates
Summary:
(Beware this chapter does contain smut. If that is not your thing, when you see the bold (**), you can skip to the next bold ***)
His jaw had been aching for some time now and it was getting hard to continue resisting the urge to mark Stelle. However, when she gets a hold of him and gets him to explain what's going on, Stelle decides to take matters into her own hands and confess.
With a confession leads to them finally accepting what's forming between them.
Chapter Text
**(One Week Later, Tuesday-November 10th; Noon)**
Dan Heng growled as he stretched his jaw, feeling his teeth ache, before rubbing at his jawline and wishing the ache would dissipate. He wasn’t too sure why the ache suddenly popped up when it did, all he knew was that it was persistent and throbbing whenever he thought of Stelle. For the past few days, he had been unnaturally testy around her…at least, he was testy when he was around her when other males were present. This wasn’t something he could allow to continue, not when she had a lot of male friends who visited her often, despite most of them being in a relationship.
He even found himself somewhat testy when other females were around and that REALLY couldn’t continue.
He winced as his jaw ached again, growling at the pain. It only happened when he thought of Stelle and he desperately wanted to know why. He felt mortified at the thought of asking Stelle, despite the fact he wanted to be around her and practically bury himself in her scent…he jolted, flushing as that thought crossed his mind. Dammit, he had to think rationally. He could go to the library but he didn’t want Anaxa to see what he was reading, the man would let Stelle know and, once more, he felt mortified by that thought.
‘Why does it bother me letting her know about my jaw aching whenever I think of her?’ Dan Heng thought in confusion, now starting to wonder if his jaw aching was tied to his attraction to Stelle. He did swiftly leave her presence, after all, when he caught sight of her untouched neck and he had bitten his tongue to prevent a growl escaping. He could ask March, since she had been bonded to Caelus, so maybe Caelus had mentioned something to her when they got together?
He would go to Phainon, but Phainon wasn’t with a vidyadhara…and he was pretty sure if he mentioned this to Phainon, the male would kill him where he stood; past friendship be damned.
His tail coiled in agitation and unresolved tension. He was feeling incredibly worked up for some reason and he didn’t know why. Everything pointed to Stelle and his feelings but he wasn’t sure how to approach the subject. He wanted advice and maybe some reassurance that what he felt for Stelle was mutual but he didn’t want to go to Stelle herself…just in case it wasn’t.
‘I should consult with March.’
Dan Heng thought, leaving his room and making his way to the stairs to head to the temple.
Luck, however, was not on his side as he got to the first floor.
“Ah, Dan Heng, there you are.” Dan Heng winced as his jaw throbbed painfully, yet turned all the same to face Stelle who was walking toward him. “I was just about to send for you. Phainon was wondering if you were free for more training tomorrow.” She stopped beside him, tilting her head curiously. “Himeko, Welt and some others will be joining in the training and Phainon wanted to make sure you would be okay with that.” Dan Heng gave a nod, though his attention wasn’t on her words…it was focused on her neck. His instincts reared their head and his jaw ached, making him wince and rub his jaw once more.
Stelle frowned in concern, seeing the reaction. “Dan Heng?” She questioned, reaching up and touching his jaw. “What’s-?” “Don’t.” His voice was firm as his hand snatched her wrist, pulling her hand away from his face. Stelle frowned more in concern, golden eyes shining with worry. “Dan Heng, what’s wrong?” She asked, seeing how he grit his teeth, as if trying to hold himself back. “If you touch me…” Dan Heng let her hand go, reluctantly she noted, “I don’t know-NGH!” Dan Heng held his jaw again, feeling the ache increased tenfold.
Dammit, his instincts were urging him to grab her and never let go!
Stelle was growing more concerned, seeing how Dan Heng was reacting and how his scent was rapidly changing. She couldn’t get a read on him. “Dan Heng, you’re worrying me, what’s wrong?” Stelle asked, getting closer and his eyes began to glow. Stelle froze in that moment as his scent spiked upon looking at her and pieces began clicking into place in her mind.
‘Aching jaw, a touch of heat to his scent, glowing eyes and he seems to not want to be touched.’
Stelle held her hands to her chest.
‘His instincts are surging forth again and based on his scent…’
Stelle tilted her head, trying to get a better look at his expression and Dan Heng jerked back, tail lashing against the wall they were near. “S-Stelle, stay ba-!” Stelle knew that was the last thing he wanted or needed. Stelle instead cupped his face firmly and dug her nails slightly into his cheeks to keep him still and to force him to focus. “Dan Heng, I need you to listen to me.” He winced but kept his eyes on her. They were still glowing but she could see he was focusing on her. “We’re going to head to my room-” He winced, cutting her off to say; “That’s…that’s a r-really bad idea…” He growled out yet Stelle huffed.
So stubborn!
“Being around me right now, I know, is sending your instincts into overdrive.” Stelle had known he was acting weirdly the last few days but she trusted he’d come to her if he had a problem. Apparently, the problem may be her. “However, it may help you focus as well if all you can catch is my scent and no one else’s.” Her room was the best place for them to be where no one else’s scent would muddle his thoughts and make his instincts growl in anger. It was very likely being able to scent multiple people was throwing his instincts into a frenzy. She could sense, through his scent and her cloudhymn tied to him, that everything was centered around her.
This wouldn’t be happening if there was no attraction and she wanted to reassure his instincts that his attraction was returned.
“Let’s go.” Stelle pulled her hands back and grabbed his wrist, dragging him behind her and he stumbled, not having expected the sudden tug. Thankfully they were the only ones in the inner palace today. Most everyone else was out doing random tasks or spending time with someone so the inner palace was empty. Once she got to her room, she pulled Dan Heng inside before closing and locking the door, before looking at Dan Heng with determination, yet there was a bit of nervousness in her expression as well.
She would do her best to help him reign his instincts in, but there was no longer any way they could continue ignoring the elephant in the room.
But first, she had to figure out how to calm his instincts.
Seeing Dan Heng still had a wince and was gritting his teeth, she sighed and walked closer. “Dan Heng, I need you to take a deep breath.” Stelle said gently and Dan Heng looked like he wanted to refuse but did as asked. Upon catching only Stelle’s scent, he relaxed and even his jaw stopped aching. There was still an insistent urge to bite something but it wasn’t overwhelmingly powerful now. The tension had also left his body, making his arms drop to his sides instead of having them crossed. Stelle, sensing he had relaxed a bit, came closer. “Feel better?” She asked softly, and he sighed heavily.
“I-I’m sorry…” Dan Heng ran a hand through his hair, careful of his horns. “I didn’t mean to make you worry and…I didn’t mean to be harsh.” Stelle gave a small smile, before she shook her head in fond exasperation. “Dan Heng,” She began gently, making him look at her with his glowing teal eyes, “why didn’t you tell me you were struggling?” Stelle asked and he flushed a bit, before averting his gaze. “Keeping my calm and composure…it’s been harder to do so lately around you.” Stelle was surprised at his blunt words, before she gave a patient smile. “I told you that you could ask me anything, Dan Heng.” She reminded him.
Dan Heng closed his eyes, pinching the area between his eyes. “This was…different.” Dan Heng forced out, hating to admit that. “I…I didn’t want to tell you until I figured it out.” Stelle gave a sigh at that, crossing her arms. “Dan Heng,” She began firmly and he went rigid, attention solely focused on her now at her tone, “I could tell from scent alone that something was going on. Judging by your actions, it has something to do with me.” She raised a brow. “With how you were rubbing your jaw, your jaw aches, doesn’t it?” He winced but gave a nod and she tilted her head.
“There could be multiple reasons as to why your jaw aches but considering your actions…” Stelle didn’t want to jump to conclusions just in case she was reading his actions wrong. Dan Heng sighed, rubbing his temples. “My jaw aches only when I think of you…” He admitted, still flushed red and Stelle also flushed at both his easy admittance and the blunt way he said it. With how he hadn’t wanted to tell her at first, she was surprised he admitted it.
‘He admitted that easily. Guess he realized he couldn’t hide it.’
Stelle thought, somewhat grateful he didn’t try to deny it.
Now to explain why.
“Do you know why?” Stelle asked, gauging his reaction, her tail coiled nervously behind her. Dan Heng’s own tail began to coil nervously as he flushed more. “I’m…well aware it’s because of my feelings…and what my instincts want me to do.” Dan Heng admitted, unable to keep the truth from her. They were both nervous and he merely prayed this wouldn’t be a mistake. Stelle took a deep breath and stepped closer, making Dan Heng stiffen just a bit. “And what does your instinct want?” She pressed and Dan Heng narrowed his eyes at her, somewhat certain she was teasing him. “Are you…?” Dan Heng raised a brow and Stelle sighed.
“I’ll come out and say it straight then.” She stated, realizing Dan Heng was going to stall. Stelle pressed closer and her tail moved forward, rubbing against his own and Dan Heng jolted, looking down and seeing the silver tail was wrapped around his loosely. He blinked once, twice and then jolted once more as Stelle wrapped her arms around his shoulders, moving to rest her head on his shoulder. So close to her neck, he felt his instincts purr in content, urging him to bury himself and take in her scent. His tail unconsciously wrapped around her own, keeping her close, even as his hands gripped her hips, trying to stay rational.
“Stelle?” He questioned, feeling her purr vibrate against his chest. “I’m interested, Dan Heng.” Stelle admitted and his eyes went wide. “Highly interested.” Stelle added, nuzzling against his neck and he gasped, unable to resist. The energy between them snapped into place, as if it had been waiting for a catalyst and that catalyst was Stelle admitting she was interested in him. He pressed his nose to her neck, taking in her scent and almost moaned as he pulled her closer, one arm around her back and the other around her waist.
“The same?” Stelle muttered, flushed and Dan Heng nipped her shoulder playfully, careful to not break the skin. “In case it wasn’t obvious, yes.” Dan Heng rasped out, moving to try and press closer to her. Stelle took a step back to try and brace herself, only to gasp as Dan Heng had her pressed against her door, crowding around her. The aching in his jaw was still there, he still wanted to mark her. He pulled back a bit and lifted her, making Stelle yelp as she wasn’t expecting it.
“I’m not going to mark you while your pinned to the door.” Dan Heng muttered, before turning and making his way further into the room. Once he got to her bed, he gently set her down upon the golden silk sheets, before leaning closer but stopped shy of kissing her. “If you don’t want this, Stelle, tell me to stop.” He stated, letting her make the final call.
“Shut up and kiss me.” Stelle hissed and he didn’t hesitate.
His lips connected with hers and it was like an electric current ran through them both.
(**)
The energy between them sparked to life and coiled tightly, as if whatever had been building had finally connected and everything felt like it finally came together. Dan Heng pressed forward more, forcing Stelle to lay on her back but she didn’t complain as her arms came up, linking behind his neck. His tail quivered and coiled more with her own, making them both moan at the sensation. Dan Heng pressed against her and he felt her legs against his hips. He moved a hand, caressing her left leg and Stelle shivered in pleasure as his claws lightly grazed her skin.
Dan Heng’s hand continued up, crossing her chest where he paused, his hand skimming the scars lining her chest. He pulled back and glanced down, his thumb tracing one. “I had thought I was seeing things.” He murmured and Stelle glanced down at his hand, moving a hand to cup his. “Does it hurt?” Dan Heng asked, worried the scars still hurt since she stopped his hand. Stelle shook her head. “No, not anymore. They’re healed.” Stelle explained and he hummed, glancing at the scars again.
“Is this from when your stellaron exploded?” He asked and Stelle nodded, when Dan Heng leaned down, pressing a kiss to one and she jolted at the feeling. “I promise to do what I can, so that you never experience that kind of pain again.” Dan Heng vowed, pressing another kiss to another scar on her chest. Stelle flushed at his words and at each kiss he left on her scars. The care he showed, the protective instincts he had regarding her, the love she felt in each kiss…she knew he’d keep to his word.
Dan Heng moved back up to kiss her, the hand previously tracing the scars now cupping her jaw so he had access. Stelle wrapped both arms back around his neck, even as he shifted to curl against her, forcing her legs to bracket his hips once more. Like the previous time when his instincts surged forth, however this time he was conscious of his actions. The chemistry and connection between them couldn’t be tamed, it was a bond that had been waiting to be completed and this time, there was nothing holding them back.
Dan Heng moved to her neck once more, placing open mouthed kisses along the skin, feeling his skin beginning to grow hot. “I…I want to mark…but…” Something still didn’t seem like he was doing this right. His mind and instincts told him there were too many layers between them. Stelle moved to cup his face, pressing her forehead against his and feeling his racing heart. Like him, her own skin was beginning to heat up.
“I swear Dan Heng, you better remove your clothes before I tear them off of you.” Stelle was starting to feel riled up and impatient and it had Dan Heng growl slightly at her words. He grabbed her obi, gripping it tightly. “Yours needs to go as well, Stelle.” Then he yanked and tore her obi, letting her kimono fall open to his gaze. Stelle pouted a bit before she yanked at his shirt. “This. Off. Now.” She stated firmly and he smirked. He grabbed at the back of his shirt, pulling it up and off, discarding it to the side.
Stelle didn’t get to have a chance to admire him before he dove back onto her, kissing the star mark between her breasts, his hands fondling her chest and she sighed in pleasure. Stelle pressed her hips closer to his own and he hissed, his throbbing length pressing tightly to her clothed core but he could feel how worked up she was. “You are a vixen.” He grumbled, paying attention to her breasts and Stelle moaned. “I’m impatient-AH! There’s a difference.” Stelle gasped out, giving another moan as Dan Heng rocked his hips forward, letting her feel exactly HOW worked up he was.
“See what you do to me?” Dan Heng growled out, giving another thrust to her clothed core and she gave a pleasured yelp. “Dan Heng.” Stelle hissed and he smirked and pulled back. “You’re lucky I’m impatient, otherwise I’d make you wait.” Dan Heng rasped out, and Stelle lifted herself enough to pull her open kimono off, looking at her obi in exasperation. “You owe me a new obi.” Stelle stated, before yelping as Dan Heng pushed her back down, now as bare as her. “I’ll get you a new one. Maybe embroidered with accents to mark you as mine.” Dan Heng stated, kissing her once more before she could respond to his words.
She didn’t mind that at all though! She liked the idea of being his.
Dan Heng pulled his tail from her, making Stelle ready to protest before he flipped her onto her stomach, making Stelle flush at the positioning. “Wha-but, Dan He-AH!” Stelle yelped as Dan Heng pressed against her, making her look toward her stomach and moan, seeing how long and thick he was. Oh, he’d fill her nicely~! “This feels more natural.” Dan Heng responded, feeling her tail drape across his left hip, curling with his tail once more.
She liked this bold side of his, though she knew it was mostly instinct talking, she could tell it was his own thoughts and feelings too.
Dan Heng gripped her hips tightly, pulling back to position himself, rubbing against her, before leaning over her back. “Stelle, how do…?” He let the question hang and she leaned her head back, nuzzling his jaw. “Go fast so the pain doesn’t last long.” Stelle had never had the chance to be intimate with Dan Feng, nor had she been with anyone before or after him. Dan Heng nodded, well aware this would be her first time and returned her nuzzle with one of his own. He wrapped one arm around her stomach to hold her close, the other still on her hip, before he thrust forward, pushing forward until he was hilted.
Stelle had pressed her face to the pillow to muffle her shout, eyes wide as she felt something within snap. It wasn’t pleasant but it wasn’t overly painful either. She felt Dan Heng go still, his scent giving way to concern as he allowed her to adjust. He planted both arms on the bed, keeping his weight from crashing onto her, his arms shaking as he forced himself to stay still. He leaned over, pressing kisses to her shoulder and the back of her neck to help her relax. Slowly she did, feeling her body slowly adjust to the intrusion and she lifted her head, groaning a bit as he twitched inside her.
“Stelle?” Dan Heng asked, moving to nuzzle her neck and she tilted her head, giving him access. “You can move…” She mumbled and Dan Heng wrapped both arms around her waist, giving a slow, hesitant roll his hips forward. Stelle’s tail tightened around his own as she gave a moan, feeling pleasantly full and Dan Heng pulled back before giving a sharper roll forward. Stelle gasped again in pleasure, before she pushed back when he rolled forward once more, wanting to match his thrusts and make the pleasure climb higher.
Dan Heng groaned at the feeling, pressing his lips to her neck, his arms tightening around her. His thrusts started to increase in speed and strength, his instincts urging him faster. Stelle did her best to match his thrusts, her tail tightening around his tail each time he hilted. Dan Heng grunted, feeling he wasn’t going to last much longer. “S-Stelle.” He groaned out, moving a hand between her legs where they connected, gently pressing against the bundle of nerves and Stelle yelped at the feeling, body shaking as pleasure rushed through her.
“M-more.” Stelle pleaded, eyes glowing slightly as did the star between her breasts, a signal she was close. Dan Heng gently pressed his thumb to her clit once more…then sank his teeth into her neck, marking her as his and Stelle shattered. With a cry of pleasure coming from her throat, she tipped over the edge and Dan Heng pulled both arms back to her waist to hold her against him as he tipped over the edge as well, coming undone as she tightened around him, feeling his knot lock him in place. Dan Heng grunted against her neck as he spilled within her, his teeth still locked on her neck.
She was his…
Stelle groaned as Dan Heng pulled away from her neck, using his cloudhymn to heal the wound he made, before he nuzzled her neck. “Mine.” He growled possessively and Stelle moved her head to nuzzle his jaw. “Yours.” She agreed easily. Once she felt his knot deflate enough to where she could pull from his safely, Stelle turned and kissed him hungrily, before she pushed him down to the bed, making him grunt before she staddled him. Dan Heng had no time to react as her own teeth latched onto his neck, her fangs easily sinking into his skin to mark him as hers in turn.
Dan Heng gasped at the pleasure that zipped through his body, his tail once more coiling around hers. After a few moments, Stelle pulled back, her cloudhymn healing the wound as well. “And now you’re mine.” She replied and he cupped her face. “I’m yours as you are mine.” Dan Heng stated, kissing her before he pulled back, seeing his mark upon her neck. The mark was in the shape of a crescent moon, teal in color and he purred at that, kissing the mark and making Stelle shudder in pleasure. Her own mark, upon his neck, was also a crescent moon but was gold in color due to her powers.
They were officially mates.
***
“That had escalated quickly.”
Dan Heng groaned, running a hand through his tousled hair, tail swaying nervously once more. “I had not anticipated my instincts surging forth like that.” He narrowed his eyes playfully at Stelle. “You did not help.” Stelle smirked, pausing in brushing her hair. A tray of tea and snacks rested on the coffee table between them. Stelle had asked one of the maids that had returned early to bring them something and now her and Dan Heng were talking about what just happened. “I certainly didn’t complain.” Dan Heng gave a fond scoff.
He leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling a bit. “I didn’t either. To be honest, I was tired of keeping my feelings back.” He tapped his jaw. “I had a feeling my jaw was aching because I wanted to mark you.” Stelle gave a small smile, brushing her hair once more. “Our instincts recognized our mutual attraction to one another. We were just too blind to see it.” Dan Heng gave her a soft smile. “Until you confessed.” Stelle shrugged, placing the brush down now that her hair was presentable.
“I was tired of trying to hide it.”
Stelle stood and rounded the table, amused when Dan Heng’s tail wrapped around an ankle and she sat down beside him, her own tail moving to wrap around his tail. Dan Heng leaned down, nuzzling the mark he made and Stelle resisted moaning. “Touch that again and we’ll be making our way back to the bed.” Stelle stated and Dan Heng chuckled, pulling back and giving her a gentle kiss. “As much as I wouldn’t mind, I’m certain you’re sore.” Stelle shook her head amused. “That’ll happen when your knotted three times.” Dan Heng flushed at her words, looking both pleased and guilty.
“You insisted.” He chided and she smirked, resting her head on his shoulder, making him wrap an arm around her shoulders. “I wonder how the others will react.” Dan Heng muttered and Stelle chuckled. “As far as I know, some of them have been betting.” Dan Heng groaned. “Jing Yuan and Yingxing?” He asked and she nodded. “And Baiheng, Cyrene, March, Cipher, Mydei and even Anaxa have all joined the bet.” Dan Heng looked at her in surprise. “Even Anaxa and Mydei?” Stelle nodded, pulling back to talk to him properly.
“Anaxa doesn’t act it but he’s a betting man. Though he states he bases everything off science…he takes bets.” That shocked Dan Heng. He hadn’t expected Anaxa to be someone who made bets. “I…wouldn’t have expected him to be in on the bet.” Stelle shrugged. “Having known him since he was a child, he’s always been the betting type…and slightly insane.” The amount of explosions Anaxa has made when he had a thought in mind due to alchemy and science…Stelle was glad she reinforced the library walls when she did to withstand his madness at times.
Stelle yawned and stretched, making Dan Heng look at the clock she had in her room. It was almost twenty-two, meaning it was ten at night. “We should get some sleep.” Stelle nodded, looking tired before Dan Heng lifted her up and she rested her head against his chest. They had freshened up already and had changed the bedding so it was fresh. Dan Heng and Stelle both got changed into night clothes, before Dan Heng laid down and Stelle snuggled into his side, resting her head over his heart.
Tomorrow would interesting.
Notes:
God I'm outta practice with writing smut and sorry if it does seem like this was sudden but I couldn't really figure out how I wanted the marking to go but I do know I wanted it to happen when they were intimate.
The whole jaw aching thing, that was his instincts demanding he mark Stelle but it seemed wrong for him to just mark her and NOTHING happens...that's not how I imagine it working tbh. Plus my brain was like: "I require intimacy between these two as there is a lack of intimate DanStelle stories." So I decided to make my brain happy and try my hand at smut again instead of just implying they had sex.
As ACE as I am, writing smut DOES NOT come easily to me, at least not anymore. I used to be good at writing smut...until I just stopped for some reason. So...yeah, writing smut has become a challenge lately.
Anyways, as usual, I hope you all enjoyed this story and yes, the tags will be changed as will the rating.
Chapter 14: Shackles Released
Summary:
Information spreads quickly when developments are made and breakthroughs are discovered. With her shackles now weakened, she could be freed of the oaths and traps she had been placed under.
However, with every actions comes a price.
The Preceptors know and they have a means of keeping her under their control, this time permanently.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
**(Next Day, Wednesday-Novermber 11th; Morning)**
Dan Heng froze as footsteps neared him with intent, then a hand clapped on his shoulder and he paled, looking at his shoulder. He recognized that hand. “I heard from a little ‘fox’ that you were with my sister all night last night.” Dan Heng looked over his shoulder, seeing Phainon was there, brow twitching and smile strained, eyes pure gold. “Mind explaining that…friend?” Phainon’s tone was falsely cheery and Dan Heng knew if he answered honestly, Phainon would kill him.
Anaxa, who was near sighed and made his way over, since they were in the library. “I would suggest you remove your hand Phainon, before-” “Before
I
do it for you.” Phainon froze, eyes going wide as cloudhymn magic snapped onto his hands and yanked him away from Dan Heng. He grunted, hitting the ground before looking up, seeing Stelle was there with a brow raised. “I had hoped you wouldn’t pull a Caelus act.” Stelle muttered, before making her way to Dan Heng, her magic fizzling as she let Phainon go.
Phainon groaned, rubbing his back as the gold left his eyes, before Anaxa held a hand out. “I was going to warn you. You should know better than to get between mates.” Phainon jolted, eyes going wide. “Wait, what? Pardon?” He looked at his sister and Dan Heng. “Mates?” They marked one another? WHEN?! Stelle sighed and moved some of her hair back, revealing a teal crescent bite mark on her neck. Dan Heng’s outfit covered his mark. Phainon blinked once, twice then his jaw dropped. “WHEN?!” He asked, eyes wide and Stelle smiled, stepping closer to Dan Heng. “Developments were made yesterday.” Stelle explained.
Phainon scoffed. APPARANTELY!
Anaxa held a hand out and Phainon dropped some gold into his hand. “Thank you.” “Shut up.” Stelle gave the two an unimpressed look. “Really?” She asked, not having expected Phainon had been in on the bet. Phainon sighed, crossing his arms. “I knew it was only a matter of time but I was expecting to wait at least a few more months.” Anaxa turned a page in his book, saying; “And I called it after Dan Heng transformed that it’d probably take three weeks.” He explained. Phainon went to shove his arm when Anaxa took a step back and slapped him upside the head.
“OW!”
Dan Heng scoffed at the familiar scene, before looking at Stelle. “We should probably leave those two to bicker.” Dan Heng said as the two did, indeed, start to bicker. Stelle agreed, leaving the library with Dan Heng and heading to the office, where Cyrene and March were. “Huh?” The two turned as the door opened, before they perked. “Oh hey, we were just about to-” March suddenly went silent, body stiffening as she felt her mark spark and she took two steps back. “March?” Cyrene questioned her apprentice, seeing how March’s eyes zeroed in on Stelle’s neck.
“Your marked…” March said simply and Cyrene jolted, looking at Stelle’s neck and also taking two steps back. “Oh…that explains Phainon’s annoyance this morning after talking with Baiheng.” Cyrene muttered, sounding more amused than anything and Stelle sighed, even as Dan Heng’s tail curled around her own. As a newly mated pair, they couldn’t really be separated for long and they’d crave contact with one another at some point. “At least one of you is amused.” Stelle said to Cyrene, who smirked. “Considering how Phainon instantly went to find you two, I suspect he pulled a Caelus.” Stelle nodded.
“He did.” She said and March snickered. “Can’t really blame him. You two are siblings.” Stelle knew that but she had been hoping he wouldn’t pull the overprotective brother act. Though she did know Phainon was incredibly on edge because of the Preceptors. Marum had gotten the evidence but something was wrong and Xueyi and Hanya couldn’t return to the Luofu for some reason. Nanook had gone to force Marum to meet with Xueyi and Hanya urgently…but then something happened.
Marum had contacted them but the call had disconnected halfway and then she got a letter stating Xueyi and Hanya could not return to the Luofu District. The Preceptors were suspiciously quiet and the Temple of Memoria was experiencing a massive technological problem and Cyrene, with March, were trying to protect the memories saved within the temple. Them being here must mean things calmed down on that front at least. Stelle made her way over to the desk and sat down, forcing Dan Heng to stand beside her chair though she knew he’d do that anyways.
He had taken his guard duty seriously after all. He’d take it even more seriously now that they were mates.
“How are the protections in the temple?” Stelle asked, curious about information on that front. Cyrene sighed, looking exhausted. “We’ve been able to save a back-up of the most important memories and history. However, we’re going to have to do another scrub through the memoria to see what else we can retrieve, restore and clean.” Stelle frowned at that, looking concerned. “Same as last time, take caution and be careful. I’ll be increasing security around the inner palace and the temple due to the Preceptor’s silence. It’s likely they are preparing for something.” The two pinkette’s nodded.
Stelle crossed her arms, tapping a finger against her arm. “It’s also likely that they are the reason Xueyi and Hanya can’t enter the Luofu District and why my call two days ago with Marum was disconnected.” March frowned. “Are you still unable to reconnect?” Stelle nodded. “I’ve been trying since the disconnection. Something is blocking the signal from getting through. There’s also been a sudden ban on docking in the Luofu. It states ships and transport from the other districts is banned in the Luofu for a limited time.” Stelle gave a snarl. “I tried to revoke it but for some reason, the order still went through.”
Cyrene frowned at that. “Isn’t Jing Yuan and the Ten-Lords in charge of letting those orders go through?” Stelle nodded. “I spoke with both sides. Jing Yuan stated he never had such an order pass his desk and the Ten-Lords Commission is currently going through their files to see who let the order go through to be implemented.” Dan Heng frowned at her words. “Sounds like the Preceptors are bribing someone or going through illegal channels to bypass you.” Stelle wouldn’t be surprised if they had found a loophole. They were always trying to undermine her authority.
“There’s going to be a lot of problems I’m going to have to fix soon.” Stelle stated firmly, looking annoyed and Dan Heng nuzzled her head. “One step at a time.” Stelle relaxed at his nuzzle, making March and Cyrene smile. They were glad Dan Heng could calm her down. “I see there’s been a development made.” The four looked up, seeing Jing Yuan and Yingxing enter the room. “Looks like we’ll owe Anaxa money later.” Yingxing muttered, crossing his arms and Jing Yuan laughed.
“You two were in on the bet as well?” March asked and Stelle sighed. “I’m starting to think everyone was.” Stelle muttered to Dan Heng who sighed. “I hate that you were right.” He grumbled, making her smirk. “Oh, come on!” Another voice chimed in, making them all jolt and it was Cipher who was at the doorway, twirling a coin. “You couldn’t have waited, like, two more weeks?” She questioned, flipping the coin and Stelle gave a fond scoff. “Our instincts said no.” Stelle smirked as Cipher frowned, Dan Heng and March flushed, Jing Yuan and Cyrene laughed, even as Yingxing shook his head.
“And these are the crazies I call friends.” Yingxing muttered under his breath, before looking at Stelle and Dan Heng. “I heard the conversation about the Preceptor’s and the temple. Baiheng is currently with Jingliu and Yanqing to see if they can help the Ten-Lords Commission.” Yingxing stated as Jing Yuan crossed his arms. “And I’ve double and triple checked everything that came across my desk, finding no copies of the ban order, meaning this is an illegal order.” Stelle frowned at his words. “If I could leave the palace, we might be able to fix this but I can’t.” March raised a brow. “Stelle…that’s not entirely true.” They all looked at March, confused.
“Huh?”
March crossed her arms. “Remember what you and Dan Feng spoke about when you two mentioned your shackles?” Stelle raised a brow and March sighed. “Seriously Stelle? Remember? Binding yourself to another weakens the oaths and shackles placed on your since your bonded to someone else and not the oaths anymore.” At March’s words, Stelle jolted, remembering the conversation. Dan Feng knew that binding to someone else would weaken the shackles on Stelle, since she’d be swearing her loyalty to another and not the oaths she had been forced to take.
It was just pure luck that Stelle and Dan Feng, at the time, had been attracted to one another.
Now that she was mated to Dan Heng, Stelle felt for the shackles inside her, feeling them faintly. They were still there but they were shaking, showing they were trying to hold on and Stelle growled. “Someone call father. I need him to help me shatter the shackles. They’re weakened.” Cyrene left to find Phainon and have him call Nanook and the other Aeons. Maybe they could finally free Stelle!
Moments later, in the courtyard, Himeko and Welt stood after drawing the needed ritual circle that would help burn the shackles that held Stelle. “Is that what it looked like?” Himeko asked March, who was holding a bundle of memoria, watching what the Preceptors did when they made Stelle take the oaths previously. “Yep, that matches.” March stated, putting the memoria away, before they all felt a pressure fall upon them, before it vanished. Appearing from the corner of the palace was Nanook, followed by Qlipoth, Xipe, Fuli, Yaoshi, Lan and Aha. “Dad!” March called to Fuli, waving and the crystalline Aeon gave a wave in turn.
“Seems we can finally free you from the shackles.” Yaoshi said to Stelle, lifting her chin and Stelle nodded. “Yep.” Yaoshi gave her a hug. “Let’s break those shackles my dear.” Stelle gave a firm nod, before Nanook cleared his throat. “Take positions.” He ordered the Aeons, who formed a circle around the outer edges of the ritual circle. “Does anyone remember how this was activated?” Nanook asked those present and Phainon looked at March. “What does the memory show?” March looked at the memoria bundle again, frowning as she saw cloudhymn sink into the circle.
“I’m not sure what the intent was, but it looks like cloudhymn was used.” Nanook frowned, when Dan Heng stepped forth. “Maybe it activates to just cloudhymn in general then.” He looked at the circle, frowning a bit. “Stelle, can I…?” Stelle nodded and Dan Heng sighed, lifting a hand and letting his cloudhymn seep into the circle. Instantly it reacted as it began glowing and chains shot from each circle to Stelle, wrapping around her and pulling her to her knees, making her grunt. “Stelle!” Dan Heng moved to try and get to her, but Nanook held him back.
“You step onto that and you’ll be bound yourself!” Nanook hissed, even as Qlipoth came over, having to help hold Dan Heng still. The vidyadhara snarled, his protective instincts to keep his mate safe surged forth and a dragon of water began to form and Nanook hissed. “Dammit!” He slammed a hand into the back of Dan Heng’s neck, making the vidyadhara jolt before going unconscious. A loud snarl was heard and he looked at his daughter, seeing she was snarling at him, her tail lashing side-to-side in anger and her eyes and chest glowing gold and he winced.
“That wasn’t smart to do in front of her.” Lan stated and Nanook sighed, rubbing his temples. “I forgot how strong the instinct of protective dragons can be.” He mumbled and March snickered, remembering something similar from Caelus whenever something happened to her. “Those bindings really have weakened.” Xipe muttered, seeing how the bindings were currently straining to keep hold of Stelle and Nanook nodded, looking over each circle. “These could have been broken sooner.” Welt suddenly chimed in, making them all look at him. “What do you mean?” Aha asked, curious as to what Welt was seeing.
Welt looked at the circle and tapped one seal, pouring power into it and the binding snapped, before it disintegrated. “All Stelle would have had to do was swear loyalty to another and these bindings would have begun to weaken. Since she is mated and thus has sworn loyalty to her mate, which supersedes all else, the shackles have weakened as well.” Welt crossed his arms. “Swearing loyalty to another weakens previous bindings.” He explained and Nanook felt like an idiot.
They could have broken these shackles long ago!
“Can we break them without harming her this time?” Nanook asked and Welt hummed, looking the bindings over. “Yes, they’re weak enough that she won’t be harmed this time.” Nanook nodded, before lifting a hand. “Yaoshi, keep your power flowing into Stelle. Though she shouldn’t be harmed, I want to make sure she’ll be okay.” Yaoshi nodded, lifting a hand and vines wrapped around Stelle’s hands and legs, a green glow coming from the plants. “Qlipoth, keep a shield at the ready. I don’t know how her power will react to the breaking power. Her stellaron may detonate again.” Qlipoth nodded, their rocky body glowing gold in color.
“Fuli, Aha, Lan, Xipe, pour your power into the seals and let’s start breaking them.” Fuli, Aha, Lan and Xipe all lifted a hand, a coalescence of power forming and flowing into the circle. Stelle jolted and went rigid, gritting her teeth in pain before screaming pain. Golden scars began to form but, as they did, they were healed by Yaoshi. Nanook’s eyes went wide, before he snarled. “I thought you said she wouldn’t be harmed!” Welt frowned, looking around. “She shouldn’t be unless there’s someone around that’s trying to strengthen the seals!” Welt stated and Himeko looked around as well.
“Phainon, scout the perimeter!” Nanook ordered his son, in which Phainon nodded, taking his other form and hurrying off. “Mydeimos, gather some guards and do the same!” Nanook ordered the blonde as well, in which Mydei nodded and hurried off to gather some guards and do as ordered. Stelle thrashed against the bindings, trying to escape the ritual and then Nanook saw it. As one seal almost shattered, it suddenly strengthened and glowed, almost as if someone knew. He snarled seeing that.
“FIND THEM!”
He ordered, his voice booming across the courtyard.
Phainon snarled as he heard the order, looking for the culprit but it wasn’t a person he found. He followed the trace of an unfamiliar path of cloudhymn magic and came across a diamond shaped device, grabbing it and turning it over. The cloudhymn was familiar but not like Stelle’s or Dan Heng’s…it was from someone else but he detected one, specific familiar trace. “Dique…” His eyes were glowing as he stared at the device. He’d recognize Dique’s specific feel of cloudhymn magic anywhere…the man had never been good at hiding it.
He broke the device.
The instant that happened, three seals snapped on Stelle and she gasped and nearly curled in on herself. Yaoshi’s vines prevented her from actually doing so but the woman frowned, pouring more power into Stelle and healing the wounds that were still forming. Two more seals snapped. Nanook glanced around, seeing Phainon return with the remnants of a device and he narrowed his eyes. Another device had been planted? Who was coming onto inner palace grounds or had it always been there?
He had some guards he’d be questioning later.
Qlipoth looked down as Dan Heng slowly awoke, groaning a bit as his mark urged him back into consciousness. “Nanook, he’s waking up.” Qlipoth stated worriedly and he looked over only to frown in distress. The mark…of course it would help Dan Heng regain his senses…his mate was in pain. “Hurry! Break the last of the seals!” Nanook called, thankfully Stelle wasn’t screaming in pain but Yaoshi was having to pour more power into keeping Stelle healed. “The last seal won’t break!” Lan stated and Nanook frowned. Was there another device? Mydeimos was searching for it so hopefully he’d find it soon.
“That’s the one that prevents her from leaving.” Xipe stated, frowning in distaste and Nanook snarled, eyes glowing gold. Damn the Preceptors! Just as he began gathering power to try and shatter the seal with force, Dan Heng lifted a hand, pouring cloudhymn into the ritual circle, looking to weaken the seal as well. “Fight cloudhymn with cloudhymn.” He snarled, focusing on unraveling the seams of the spell by force, cutting unseen threads that bound the spell to Stelle. “Now!” He called out, seeing the seal was now straining to hold on.
Nanook poured an influx of destructive power into the last seal, shattering it.
As he did, Stelle’s eyes dilated and she gave another scream of pain, her stellaron buzzing under her skin and heat began to flood the area. Phainon’s eyes went wide, panic forming. “Shit! Her stellaron!” It was about to detonate! Nanook cursed, even as Qlipoth formed a shield around the place when Dan Heng rushed forward. “Dan Heng!” Welt called in panic, eyes wide as he was unsure what the vidyadhara was thinking. “Dammit!” Nanook hissed, turning to go and pull Dan Heng from Stelle, when the male wrapped his arms around Stelle.
Dan Heng held a hand to Stelle’s chest, where the stellaron rested and let off a burst of cloudhymn, coiling his power within Stelle. “Stelle, it’s okay, your alright.” He whispered, his tail coiling around her waist, teal eyes glowing as he attempted to calm her stellaron down. The heat in the area began to dissipate, even as the violent golden glow of her chest began to dim and the buzzing of the stellaron went quiet. Stelle slumped against Dan Heng, groaning and weakly wrapping her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms tighter around her, keeping her standing.
“Never again…” She groaned and he huffed in agreement, even as the others relaxed. Nanook was shocked. He had never known someone, aside from him, to be able to subdue a stellaron from detonating. He heard a hum and glanced at Welt who stood beside him. “Looks like my help wasn’t needed.” Nanook gave a subtle nod. He was well aware Welt knew how to subdue stellarons as well, a secret Nanook taught Akivili who, in turn, taught Welt and Himeko. However, only Welt truly had the ability due to his affinity with the power of Nihility, whereas Himeko did not have that power.
Thankfully, neither Welt nor Nanook had been needed to subdue the stellaron.
Phainon relaxed and reverted back to his human form, about to make his way toward Stelle and Dan Heng when someone called for him. “Khaslana!” At the use of his last name, Phainon donned his other form instantly and spun, seeing Mydei dragging someone to them. “Report!” Phainon snapped, well aware everyone had looked over, even March who stood beside her father. “Found this man hiding among the butlers, holding a strange device.” Mydei held up another broken, diamond shaped device and Phainon snarled.
They had a traitor?
Phainon locked gold eyes onto the butler, who lifted their head in defiance. “A traitor?” He hissed and Mydei crossed his arms. “A Preceptor’s lapdog. Look at the insignia stitched to his uniform.” Phainon stalked toward the butler and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him up and looking at his uniform. The butler clawed at his hand but his nails couldn’t pierce the gold plating his hand had. Stitched to the collar of the outfit, small but now obvious, was the insignia that those who serve the Preceptors wear.
A snarl ripped from Phainon and he dropped the butler, bringing his sword out and the butler showed true fear. He would be killed where he stood. “Lady Xingguang, what do you want me to do with him?” Phainon asked his sister, who looked over and snarled, standing with Dan Heng’s help. “Lock him in the dungeons for now. We’ll speak later.” Phainon nodded and looked at Mydei who nodded. Mydei grabbed the man by the back of his neck and forced him to stand before dragging him away. They’d deal with him later.
Once he was gone, Stelle groaned, holding a hand to her chest. “It feels weird…being so light now…” She muttered, making Dan Heng bring a hand up, slowly pulling her hand back. “Your claws are out. Don’t want to tear your skin.” He stated and she sighed, leaning her head against his chest. “I’m exhausted from that.” She muttered, even as Nanook came over, pressing a hand to her forehead. “At least this time you didn’t get sick.” Nanook commented, remembering the last time they tried to tear the shackles off Stelle she got sick. It seems that didn’t happen this time.
Stelle huffed. “I feel like it though.” She responded and Nanook chuckled, before he rubbed her head. “Just take it easy for a few days.” Stelle nodded, before she pulled from Dan Heng, moving to hug her father. Nanook wrapped his arms around her in turn. “I’ll try and request another meeting with Marum but, after my last meeting with her, she’s not happy with us Aeons.” Stelle groaned. “Did you question how she runs things again?” She chided and Nanook sighed. “...I might have.” Stelle thumped her head against Nanook’s chest, making him jolt as her horns dug lightly into his chest.
“Daaaaddddd.”
He sighed, rubbing her back. “Your being targeted by the Preceptors, Stelle. I apologize if I’m being overbearing but I’m worried about you.” Nanook stated, even as the other Aeons came closer. “And he’s not the only one, dear.” Yaoshi stated, crossing her arms. “We’re all starting to show some concern.” Lan added, crossing his own arms. “The Preceptors have even tampered with memoria.” Fuli added, placing a hand on March’s shoulder. “We’ll do what we can, but things are starting to get serious, Stelle.” Qlipoth stated and Xipe with Aha gave nods, also signalling their concern and Stelle sighed.
It was true. Things were starting to get serious.
“I’ll keep her safe.”
Everyone looked at Dan Heng, seeing the determination in his eyes. “Not just because it’s my duty, not just because she’s my mate but because I truly love her.” Dan Heng came to stand beside Stelle, his tail coiling with her own. “I won’t let you be harmed.” Stelle gave him a grateful smile, pulling from her fathers hug to nuzzle Dan Heng, who embraced her, returning the nuzzle. Nanook sighed, crossing his arms but happy that Stelle finally found happiness with someone who truly loved her. While she never got to have her happy ending with Dan Feng, she would have her happiness with Dan Heng.
“In the meantime,” Nanook began, grabbing their attention, “I’ll try to get another meeting with Marum and keep an eye on the Districts with Lan.” Lan gave a nod. “If the Preceptors bring the other races, like the humans and foxians into the crossfire, then we’ll be allowed to interfere but it seems they are trying to keep the other races out of the crossfire for that reason.” Lan explained, making Nanook nod. “So you all must stay vigilant.” They nodded and then the Aeons began to leave one by one, leaving only Nanook who closed his eyes with a heavy sigh.
“Please…be careful.” Stelle gave a firm nod, then he looked at Welt and Himeko. The two gave Nanook a nod and he relaxed a bit. They would keep her safe as well. Nanook then shot into the air in a golden arc, leaving the Luofu District. Stelle sighed, before Dan Heng nuzzled her cheek, making her relax in his arms. “What of the butler?” Phainon asked as he walked over, curious as to what Stelle wanted done with him. Stelle frowned at that reminder, before she sighed. “Interrogate him.” She hissed and Phainon seemed surprised.
“He was working for the Preceptors. I want to know if he has any information of what they’ve prepared, any other possible devices on inner palace grounds. How he got into personal staff and WHY he was helping the Preceptors.” Stelle gave a cruel smirk. “Once we’ve gotten everything from him, execute him as an example to the Preceptors that I do not take betrayal lightly!” She hissed and Phainon gave a dark smirk. “With pleasure.” He stated with eyes turning gold, then turned and made his way to the dungeons. He’d let Mydei know what they were doing.
March shivered in fear. “Damn you and your brother are scary.” Stelle gave March an amused smile. “Only to our enemies.” She replied, sounding tired and Dan Heng lifted her. “You, my dear, need to sleep.” Stelle groaned. “But it’s early~” She whined and Dan Heng scoffed. “That tone won’t work with me.” Stelle groaned in dismay, before Dan Heng looked at March. “Can you let the others know that Stelle needs rest?” March nodded and then Dan Heng left with Stelle. His mate needed rest and he was going to ensure she got rest.
At last, she had finally been freed from her shackles.
**(Elsewhere, Scalegorge Waterscaped; Evening)**
Dique paced back and forth, pale and sweating, waiting for someone to show up. They were officially out of time. Stelle had just killed their inside man, she had been freed of her shackles which they don’t know how and she was now questioning not only her staff, but those at the Ten-Lords Commission as well. She was even questioning the Six Charioteers and they would not lie to her. They risked A LOT getting that order in so they could delay Marum coming into the Luofu and stripping them of their power, title, rank and memories.
All she had to do was say one word and Stelle would send them all into the next rebirth INSTANTLY!
“Dique.” The Preceptor looked over, seeing the two guards let the man go, a Sanctus Medicus member. They had all been arrested and placed within the Shackling Prison but they had the means of creating what the Preceptors needed. “Do you have it?” Dique asked, voice harsh as his dark green eyes had a faint glow. The alchemy commissioner winced but held the bottle they had up, a swirling mix of inky black, sickly green and poisonous purple liquid was within the bottle. None of the colors seemed to be mixing, yet it made Dique smile all the same.
THIS was what they needed.
“Give her a taste of this and that woman will become a mindless beast.” Dique muttered, holding the potion up. “It can be applied through the skin as well.” The alchemist stated and Dique smirked, pleased by that. Once Xingguang touched this liquid in any way, she would listen to them! “It has to all be used at once. If exposed to air too long it will lose its potency.” The alchemist added on, making Dique hum. Well then, they’d be quick when they used it. Surely they could do that. “It isn’t good for ingestion. Your more likely to kill her and make the stellaron explode and it has a peculiar taste as it is.” Noted.
“Good, very good.” The alchemist crossed their arms, looking annoyed. “Now keep your end of the bargain and let me go.” Dique raised a brow, before he smirked. “Very well then.” He snapped his fingers and, once the shackles were removed, blood splattered the ground as a sword was driven through the alchemist’s chest from the back. “You have outlived your usefulness and shall reap the ‘reward’ you were meant to have all along.” Dique hid the potion in his sleeves. “Death.” Then he walked off, the two guards disposing of the body.
They had what they needed.
Notes:
I figured I'd go ahead and get this chapter out, though this update is a little earlier than i would've expected, this is what happens when you allow yourself to be sleep deprived and then finished a chapter on 4 hours of sleep PLUS a work shift so...yeah...I had ideas.
As we can see, Stelle is FINALLY freed of her shackles...but it seems the Preceptors have found out and now they have a trick up their sleeve.
No evidence will be left behind with that they plan.
Anyways, as usual, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned~!
Chapter 15: Of Plans and Preparations
Summary:
Previously on 'A Vidyadhara's Heart':
“Good, very good.” The alchemist crossed their arms, looking annoyed. “Now keep your end of the bargain and let me go.” Dique raised a brow, before he smirked. “Very well then.” He snapped his fingers and, once the shackles were removed, blood splattered the ground as a sword was driven through the alchemist’s chest from the back. “You have outlived your usefulness and shall reap the ‘reward’ you were meant to have all along.” Dique hid the potion in his sleeves. “Death.” Then he walked off, the two guards disposing of the body.
They had what they needed.
----
The Preceptors were ready but so are those within the inner palace. Stelle is done playing nice and has decided, with her shackles gone, that it is time to take the fight to the Preceptors.
Plans are made and there are preparations to make.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Stelle frowned at the static her communication gave, before she turned it off with a sigh. Even though three days had passed, now be November Fourteenth, she still couldn’t get through to Marum and the Glaciator had ordered the Aeon’s to leave the vidyadhara matters to her. Stelle wanted to let her know what was going on and why they wanted to interfere but with her being unable to get ahold of Marum, she couldn’t. “Still can’t get through?” Baiheng asked and Stelle looked up, giving a nod. “Yeah, I can’t seem to contact anyone.” Stelle couldn’t even get a hold of anyone in Zhuming of Yaoqing. They were pretty much cut-off from the other Districts.
Now that her shackles were released, Stelle had gone to the Six Charioteers and they were looking into matters as well. The traitor they caught had told them everything he knew which, sadly, wasn’t much.
There were other devices but he didn’t know where they were planted, nor what they did.
He got into the personal staff a long time ago, in order to keep an eye on the inner palace going-ons.
The Preceptors had something big planned but he didn’t know what it was.
They did smash Mutvin’s egg to fool Stelle.
They got the order in somehow but he wasn’t privy to that information.
Granted, the butler had been useless information-wise…but the fact they were planning something big was enough to worry Stelle. She didn’t know what they were planning and the traitor didn’t know either. She had also, recently, gotten a report from the new commissioner that a Sanctus Medicus member had been removed from the Shackling Prison and had been found dead near Scalegorge Waterscape. That had worried Stelle. If the Preceptors had been the ones to remove him…then why and for what reason? They didn’t need immortality with their ability to reincarnate…so for what reason would they need a Sanctus Medicus member?
‘For some time they had once revered me…when did they get corrupted by power and greed?’ Stelle wondered, wishing things were back like they had been long ago. At one point in time, she had been seen as above them and, back then, the Preceptors had been kind, civil and polite…but with time and power came corruption and greed. She should’ve bound them by oaths but she had hoped they would change…that had not been the case and they bound HER with oaths.
Oaths she was now freed from, giving her the freedom to fix things!
“I thought I felt you getting worked up.” Stelle and Baiheng looked up, seeing Dan Heng walk in with Phainon. “The others back at the estate?” Baiheng asked Phainon, who nodded. “Yeah. We’re keeping the bridge to your estate with Yingxing and the estate of Jing Yuan and Jingliu. However, the other bridges had been raised and even reinforced.” Stelle frowned, looking confused. “Who-?” “Qlipoth.” That made sense. Qlipoth was the only one with enough power to truly reinforce the bridges to stay where they are and prevent damage.
If they took enough though, those protections would break.
Another sigh and Stelle stood up. “Now that my oaths and bindings have snapped, I will be requesting a meeting with the Preceptors.” They all jolted at that. “Sis, please tell me your joking.” Phainon pleaded, eyes showing concern. “I’m with Phainon on that, it’s too risky!” Baiheng commented, even as Dan Heng frowned, looking at Stelle in concern as he wrapped his tail around her own. “Dear?” He questioned and Stelle straightened her spine. “We’re out of time and out of options.” Stelle explained, folding her hands into her robes.
“We know they’re planning something and the announcement I made, yesterday, after the execution of the traitor was meant to be a warning.” She shook her head. “The Preceptors know my shackles are gone, how else would I have left the palace. Even if Marum has not given me permission, I shall still send the Preceptors into a rebirth.” They all froze, eyes wide. “I am done playing by mortal rules.” Stelle hissed, eyes glowing gold. “I am the child of a god, specifically the Daughter of Destruction. If Marum has a problem with me undermining her authority, then I will state it plainly that, as a demi-god, it was within my right to protect MY people.” She snarled.
“I will make anyone who harms those I care for learn to truly fear Destruction.” The door opened. “I had wondered when you would finally take your role as a god seriously.” Looking at the doorway was Jing Yuan with Yingxing, Yanqing and Jingliu with Cyrene and March. “Reports?” Stelle asked and Jing Yuan nodded, walking into the room. “The Preceptors have been acting suspicious and have ordered a major lockdown on the rest of the District.” Stelle’s eyes went wide. “They…what?” She hissed, body tense and tail shaking in Dan Heng’s hold.
“They even ordered some Cloud Knights to revoke their service to you. They tried to refuse..but some did seem to join the Preceptors.” Jingliu frowned. “We’re not sure what’s going on and the guards around the inner palace and estates are showing concern.” At least those here were under the direct employ of Stelle and their allegiance could not be swayed. What worried them the most was that they ordered Cloud Knights to revoke their service to Stelle. What were they planning?
“This is getting out of hand.” Phainon muttered, unease forming in his heart, before he looked at his sister with pleading eyes. “Please Stelle, think this through carefully. We still haven’t found the other devices.” Phainon stated and Stelle sighed. “I know…but they are officially taking things too far.” Stelle looked at Baiheng and pulled a scroll from her sleeve. “I need you to take this scroll to the Ten-Lords and tell them to deliver it to the Preceptor’s meeting hall.” The Preceptors would all be in attendance that way.
“Afterwards…I want you all to raise the bridges to your estates.”
Their eyes went wide.
“Stelle?” Jing Yuan asked, seeing the tired and sad look in her eyes. “I’ve lost too many people to the Preceptors. I don’t want you all to get caught in the crossfire. Even if you all were targeted, because your are under my protection, you are placed within vidyadhara law, preventing the other Aeon’s from interfering." Stelle looked to the floor. “This is my battle with them. I’ll even be asking the others within the estate and the Temple to leave inner palace grounds.” March and Cyrene jolted.
“Stelle, no!”
“You can’t be serious!”
Stelle gave them sad smiles. “I CAN’T lose you two.” She stated firmly but with care, when Phainon stalked forward and grabbed her by her shoulders. “What the hell is going on, Stelle?!” He snapped and Dan Heng snarled at him, getting between Phainon and his mate, radiating protective fury. This made Phainon snarl in turn, eyes turning gold. “Stelle!” Phainon snapped and Stelle frowned sadly. “I plan to confront the Preceptors and send them into rebirth. I don’t know what they’ll do and I don’t want you all to suffer any repercussions should things go downhill.” Stelle stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on Dan Heng’s arm.
Dan Heng slowly relaxed but kept a protective stance beside her, his tail moving to curl around her waist instead.
Jing Yuan sighed at this. “As much as I admire your will, Stelle,” He stepped forward and placed a fist against his chest, “I cannot let you face them alone.” He folded his arms behind his back. “We’re friends, allies and family. As such, I am choosing to ignore the order and I shall stand by your side as you face the Preceptors.” Stelle frowned in concern, opening her mouth to protest, when March stepped forward. “I am siding with Jing Yuan, Stelle. You are my sister-in-law and, even if we were not related, I would still not stand aside and let you through yourself in harm’s way.” The pinkette gave a smile. “You’re not alone.”
Jingliu stepped forth with her son, also holding a fist to her chest, her son copying her actions. “We will stand by your side as you face the Preceptors.” Jingliu stated, Yanqing nodding. Yingxing copied the action, as did Cyrene and Stelle felt tears gathering. “Guys…” She felt moved and then Phainon took out his sword and knelt, bowing his head as he held his sword up with both hands. “I had sworn, the day I took up the mantle as your guard, that I would not leave your side, sister.” He looked at Stelle, the blue back in his eyes.
“I gave Caelus and our father, Nanook, my word that you would never be alone. You are my sister and we face every challenge side-by-side, together.” He bowed his head once more. “I won’t let you go alone. If you insist, then you are to strike me down with my own sword.” Stelle’s eyes went wide and Cyrene gasped as well with the others. Phainon had given Stelle an ultimatum. Either she faces them with them all…or she shatters the last bond she had with them all and strikes down Phainon.
Stelle felt the tears run down her face and huffed a watery laugh. “You idiot…” She reached a hand forward, pushing the sword down. “You know I could never hurt my own family.” Phainon lifted his head with a smile and Stelle motioned him to stand and he did, sheathing his sword. “Your all stubborn…but that’s why your my family.” Dan Heng nuzzled her temple. “And I wasn’t going to leave your side at all.” Stelle gave him a smile, turning her head and nuzzling his chin. “I had a feeling you were going to say that.” He gave a chuckle.
“And I speak for all the Chrysos Heirs,” They all looked at the door, seeing Aglaea, Castorice and Mydei there, “when I say we aren’t leaving either.” Aglaea gave a wicked smile. “I’ve been wanting to get my threads on them for quite some time.” The blonde stated and Mydei smirked. “I’ve been waiting for a chance to get my hands on them.” Castorice gave a mysterious smile, butterflies floating around her. “Surely you won’t exclude us from having revenge ourselves?” She teasingly asked and Stelle huffed another laugh. “All of you…” She murmured and Aglaea giggled.
“Stelle dear, we’ve all wanted to see the day the Preceptors get their due.” She smirked. “And that day has arrived.” Stelle shook her head, amused. “I swear, I’ve been blessed with the best.” Dan Heng nuzzled her temple again. “We care about you, Stelle, that’s why we’re standing with you against the Preceptors..” Stelle smiled, closing her eyes. “Thank you.” Stelle murmured, before looking at Baiheng, who nodded with a smile. “I’ll be back soon.” She took the scroll and was out the door, Yingxing following her to keep his wife safe.
“In the meantime, we all have plans and preparations to make.” Stelle stated, before looking at Phainon. “Tomorrow morning, call all the guards and train them as best as you can. We will have a week before the Preceptors arrive and we need everyone in top condition.” Phainon nodded at her words, before Stelle looked at Cyrene and March. “Get the temple workers out of the inner palace and set somewhere safe. I know you two can fight but the staff cannot. They must be kept safe.” The two pinkette’s nodded at her words.
Stelle turned her eyes to Jing Yuan. “You, your wife and son will be training alongside Dan Heng and the Chrysos Heirs in order to strengthen yourselves. If there are others you believe need training, bring them in as well but make sure everyone knows what to do.” Stelle looked at Aglaea. “Call on Hyacine and ask her to get her doctors prepared for a fight. There will be wounded that will have to be taken care of during the confrontation.” Stelle looked at her hands. “I have no doubt a fight is going to break out,” She clenched her hand closed, “which means I’ll have to take that form again.”
Phainon’s expression pinched. “Are you sure, Stelle?” She looked at her brother. “Everytime you take that form, it takes a toll on your body. It’s taxing on the body.” Stelle gave a sigh. “It’s only taxing because I hold back. This time, I’m not. Qlipoth’s protections will keep the buildings safe…for a time. It just means I’ll have to end the fight quickly with whatever the Preceptors plan.” Phainon sighed. “Just be careful.” Stelle gave a smile, feeling Dan Heng press closer and she nearly purred in content.
“I have a mate and family to return to.” Her eyes began to glow gold in color. “I’ll keep everyone safe and return. You’ll see.”
“
We’re
not to be taken lightly.”
Notes:
I'm sorry this chapter is so short but I cannot deny how HARD it was to get this chapter out. Like...my brain was sitting there saying: "I don't wanna write." But I was all like: "I NEED TO GET A NEW CHAPTER WRITTEN."
Took a bit but FINALLY got this out. Ugh...I suspect I have about...2 or 3 mores chapters? Maybe 4...before this story is done.
It depends honestly because I don't wanna just JUMP straight into the combat scene (which is gonna suck. I'm HORRIBLE at fight scenes) but I can, at least, summarize what happened through the week leading up to the confrontation before the Preceptors and Stelle fight because...yeah, she's taking her dragon form again.
I still need to determine if her draconic form will be gold or silver. (I'm thinking gold despite her silver tail in her human form but I'll probably have some silver markings or she'll be silver with gold markings, still determining that tbh.)
Also, the reason the "We're" is bolded is because it's not JUST Stelle speaking, nor is it any of the others that were there. The other group is ready as well. >=3 I will not be nice during the confrontation.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and stayed tuned for more~!
Chapter 16: The Confrontation
Summary:
Plans had been made and preparations were done, they were now ready to confront the Preceptors.
With accusations, a fight breaks out and upon taking her more destructive form, Stelle decides to go after the Preceptors themselves.
However, it seems that was what they had been waiting for and Dique had the perfect item needed to keep Stelle under thumb.
Chapter Text
The week was full of preparation and chaos as everyone got ready for the confrontation with the Preceptors. The bridges to the other two estates had been raised, meaning everyone was staying within the inner palace in order to prepare for the confrontation. While Phainon continued training the soldiers, Dan Heng trained with the High Cloud Quintet and Chrysos Heirs. March and Cyrene had gotten everyone out of the temple and left them with a message to send to the Ten-Lords Commission about what was happening, asking them to find a way to bypass the current orders to get the message to Marum.
Stelle still couldn’t contact her and they were running out of time quickly.
Stelle had also joined in training, though she was mostly training at night against Phainon, though she wasn’t letting anyone see their training. She stated they’d all freak out if they watched.
Dan Heng had officially mastered his power of protection using cloudhymn, able to cast a skin-tight barrier around people and he could feel Qlipoth’s power float through him when he did so. She was helping his power along. However he knew that was all she could do. Since everyone in the inner palace was under vidyadhara law, because they were under Stelle’s protection, they would still need permission from Marum to interfere if any of them got hurt.
Dan Heng had also trained against Cyrene and March, surprised both women were proficient at fighting. March used a bow but stated she knew how to use dual-swords as well, though she preferred her bow over her swords. Cyrene used an odd staff that had a crescent bladed tip but, like the others, she knew elemental magic as a result of having been blessed by Fuli. The fact March and Cyrene could keep up with the Chrysos Heirs had surprised him considering their nimble build but it was reassuring that they had such dedicated fighters.
Despite how busy they were, everyone still found time to spend together with each other or their loved ones.
Now though, it was the day of the meeting and Stelle sat in the main meeting room, the throne mock-up they had and she was waiting for the Preceptors to show up. The Chrysos Heirs and the High Cloud Quintet were there, at the ready though they showed a calm, if civil outward appearance. Phainon stood next to Stelle, eyes pure gold but was holding his power back. No need to cause a scene right off the back. Dan Heng also stood next to Stelle, on her other side and his tail was lightly coiled around the tip of her own.
The doors opened and the Preceptors walked in, all six.
Dique.
Taoran.
Zhuli.
Xei-Lin.
Shuyi.
Soren.
Each of the Preceptors kept their heads held high, their translucent tails swaying behind them as they weren’t restraining their powers. Stelle narrowed her eyes. They were too calm, seemed almost smug too…she’d remedy that soon enough. “I assume you all know why I called you, do you not?” Stelle asked, sitting straight with one leg crossed over the others, glowing gold eyes fixated on the Preceptors. She was sure they knew she wasn’t pleased but if they decided to play dumb, well…she’d get more enjoyment out of sending them into a rebirth for undermining her authority and planning to kill those she cared about.
Dique huffed as he stepped forward, eyeing Dan Heng and seeing he was unsealed. He grimaced, seeing the male also had his tail lightly coiled with Xingguang’s. That was something to question as they decided to play civil before they decided they were done playing nice. The Preceptors were well aware that Xinggang had been trying to void the orders they sent through and she had an investigation going on with the Sanctus Medicus member that was removed from the Shackling Prison that was later found murdered.
She had been taking steps…and she was ready to show her hand.
“And what would that be, Lady Xingguang?” Dique asked as the Preceptors crossed their arms, looking offended that she called them here. Stelle sighed and stood, power radiating from her, destructive power that made Dique back up at how potent it was. “I’ve heard everything, Preceptors…and the man you sent in squealed like a pig when he was confronted with death.” She gave a cruel smirk. “I have to wonder…how long have you been planning to kill me and everyone here?” Dique balked at that, before Taoran stepped forth. “And what proof do you have of these accusations, Lady Xingguang?” Taoran hissed and Stelle snapped her fingers.
“March.”
March held up a mass of memoria and Taoran went pale, seeing what March had. The temple…they hadn’t damaged it?!
“Play it.”
March, using the power of her father, formed multiple mirror-like fragments that formed a cracked screen and the memoria played on the screen. The butler that Phainon and Mydei had tortured and killed told them everything. From the fact the Preceptors were behind the mara-invasion that killed Caelus to the problems they were facing in trying to contact Marum but couldn’t. “This is not the first time you have undermined my authority…” Stelle tilted her head, smile anything but kind. “However, you
killed
my brother, killed my previous intended, shackled me like a dog and have tried multiple times to kill those I care about!” Destruction crackled around Stelle, almost as if her body couldn’t contain the power she had.
“I am DONE playing by your rules, Preceptors.” Her chest began to glow, causing the scars on her skin to give a faint glow as well. “You have crossed the last line and I no longer will seek Marum’s permission to do what is, by my right, to give you all the punishment you all deserve!” Stelle snapped, teeth barred and that is when everyone took their weapons out, showing they were supporting Stelle’s decision. Xei-Lin hissed, turning green eyes full of anger toward Stelle. “Have you gone mad?!” She demanded but Stelle looked bored. “Mad? As if.” Stelle stated, shaking her head. “I am merely taking matters into my own hands and enforcing my right as the demi-god of Destruction and current leader of the Luofu Vidyadhara to enact punishment.”
Stelle lifted a hand, pointing a finger at the Preceptors. “Preceptors of the Luofu!” She began, making them snarl at her. “I hereby declare you traitors of the Luofu for multiple crimes against, not only the people of the Luofu, but against me and my kind. I declare you stripped of your powers.” Shackles clamped on their wrists. “Stripped of your position.” They were forced to their knees. “And you will undergo a rebirth with your memories removed, unless I am given permission to give you all a true death.” Stelle stepped down the stairs leading to them, forcing her to unravel her tail from Dan Heng.
“You will await trial at the Shackling Prison with your powers, title and position stripped from you.” She held a hand up once more, cloudhymn and destruction forming in her hands. “This time, you can’t stop me.” Dique lowered their head, before they chuckled. “Your forgetting something, Xingguang.” She narrowed her eyes at the lack of him using ‘Lady’ but it was of little concern. “We have you outnumbered.” The doors were slammed open and the glass ceiling broke one more as mara-struck flooded into the room.
And not just mara-struck.
Other abundance abominations were there.
“Wha-?!” “STELLE!” Dan Heng dove toward his mate, wrapping his arms around her and rolling out of the way of an attack. As her concentration was broken, the power she had binding the Preceptors snapped and they quickly took position to fight. “They were cloud knights!” Jingliu shouted, her sword cleaving through two mara-struck, before she jumped away from the jaws of a white wolf-looking creature. “That’s why they forced some away. They changed them! AH!” Baiheng was pushed away by Phainon who blocked the attack, before striking a mara-struck down. “Everyone focus on the fight and don’t let the Preceptors escape!” Mydei grinned.
“Gladly!”
Mydei slammed a fist into the ground and everyone felt the ground rumble and shake as blood-red crystals sprouted everywhere. If one were to look outside, they were see a large barricade of blood-red crystals, preventing anyone from leaving the inner palace, effectively trapping everyone there. “No one in, no one out.” Mydei smirked, when Shuyi laughed. “You think they are coming in on land?” She asked with manic eyes, before she snapped her fingers. What looked like blue ripples appeared and more mara-struck appeared. Anaxa snarled, that was the power of Nihility he felt! “Why would IX help you?!” Welt snapped, having felt the power as well.
Shuyi smirked cruelly. “I’ve had this power longer than you, boy.” She hissed, before she ordered the mara-struck to attack, making both men snarl. Dan Heng felt the familiar power of cloudhymn and Qlipoth course through his veins and he thrust a hand forth. Invisible barriers formed around everyone, giving them a small reprieve from worrying about dodging to focusing on their attacks.
Yingxing helped Baiheng and March get to high ground, before he took a guard position by Cyrene as the woman focused on a spell, before she thrust her staff forth. Ice-like shards formed in the air, before impaling multiple mara-struck, but they merely stood again and she hissed. Cipher grabbed Aglaea by the waist and dodged the mara-struck before she got to the rafters. “Stay here and use your threads from afar.” Aglaea nodded and then Cipher was jumping back into the fray, using her speed to her advantage.
Mydei was more brutal with his attacks. If he wasn’t punching the enemies, he was impaling them with blood-red crystals. Aglaea was able to keep enemies bound for a short time with her threads, allowing Castorice to quickly pick them off with her scythe, butterflies forming around her whenever she swung the deadly weapon. Phainon was trying to keep the Preceptors in his sight, they were fighting as well with cloudhymn but seemed to be locked in combat with Stelle and Himeko. Dan Heng was locked in combat with an ape-like creature alongside Jing Yuan and Yanqing.
Jingliu rushed past him, ice forming along her blade that she swung in an arc, blowing a few enemies back. “Qlipoth’s protections are still going strong but we’re barely making a dent in the number of enemies appearing.” Jingliu said to Phainon, who cut down a few more. “I noticed.” His other form flashed, before looking at Jingliu. “Got after Shuyi. She seems to be summoning them.” Jingliu gave a nod and charged the blue haired, blue eyed Preceptor. Shuyi sensed Jingliu getting close and gasped, dodging the strike aiming for her head and, attached to her waist, Jingliu saw a diamond-shaped device.
She was using a combination of Nihility and the device to summon the mara-struck.
“Aw, you dodged, too bad.” Jingliu gave a vicious smirk. “Looks like I need to try harder.” Shuyi snarled and she held an arm out, ice forming along her hand and making a blade-like icy formation along her arm. “Jingliu, Former Commander of the Luofu who retired upon having a son, then came out of retirement to help with the mara situation.” Shuyi gave a vicious smirk. “I’ll take ‘good care’ of your son once your dead.” Jingliu snarled, red eyes sparking with murder. Shuyi had, originally, applied to be taken on as Jingliu’s next pupil but was bypassed for Jingliu’s own son and thus, Shuyi joined the Preceptors instead.
She had always made slights against Yanqing and Jingliu had no doubt Shuyi would torture her son if she had the chance.
That was a chance she wouldn’t let come to pass!
Stelle grunted as she was blown back by a gust of wind from Taoran, yet Himeko stepped forward and sent out her drone, allowing the small machine to keep the Preceptors at bay. “We can’t keep going back and forth like this Stelle.” Himeko looked at her, expression serious. “I think it’s time you show the improvements you’ve been making in that secondary form of yours.” Stelle nodded before she jumped away from another attack, standing on the seat she had previously occupied and held a hand up, closing her eyes and calling on the pure, raw destruction within her.
Gold and teal began to flow towards Stelle, swirling in her hand and cascading down over her, forming the familiar cocoon as the teal strands turned gold as it began to solidify around her.
Phainon spun as he sensed the destruction, holding a hand out and destroying an enemy, seeing the cocoon form completely.
‘...I have a bad feeling about this.’
Phainon thought as he narrowed his eyes, before he cast his gaze to Dique, seeing him smirk madly.
‘He’s too happy about that.’
Phainon thought, before he had to dodge the attack of another enemy, grunting as his wings slammed two enemies back. That actually hurt a bit. Dan Heng seemed to sense his barrier had faded and jumped away from the ape, sending another burst of power out and the shields formed again.
March strung her bow, pointing it at Shuyi, before ice formed around her.
‘Please hit!’
March thought, releasing the arrow and the ice shards sped toward Shuyi as well, who gasped, trying to dodge the ice attack. However, two impaled her and she screamed in pain, hitting the ground. “Shuyi!” Zhuli shouted, before red glowed at his side. “Meet your maker!” Mydei slammed a fist into Zhuli’s chest and sent a surge of power through Zhuli. Blood splattered violently from Zhuli’s back as the blood-red crystals tore out his back and Zhuli dropped to the ground, lifeless.
Moments later they glowed and shrank, revealing an egg and Mydei sighed. The power of Long…preventing a true death unless the egg was smashed. Mydei was tempted to destroy it…but he wouldn’t. Not unless he was told. Instead he slammed a fist into the ground and blood-red crystals surrounded the egg, keeping it protected. The crystals were nearly impossible to break...unless someone use pure destruction on the encasing, it wouldn't break. “Zhuli!” Shuyi cried out in horror, having seen what Mydei did, then a sword was to her throat. “Your next.” Jingliu said before she pulled her sword back and struck Shuyi through the chest. Shuyi’s dark blue eyes were wide but the light was diminished and Jinglu pulled her sword back.
March lined up once more and pointed her arrow at the device, before releasing and the device cracked and broke.
The unstable air around the palace seemed to disappear…when another ripple appeared and more mara-struck appeared.
“Another one?!” Yanqing cried in annoyance, before Jing Yuan wrapped an arm around his son and blocked an attack with his glaive. “Focus on the fight, Yanqing!” Jing Yuan ordered and Yanqing shook his head, focusing back on the fight. Yunli would scold him if she found out his focus faltered like that! “One of the other Preceptors must have one!” Welt explained, pointing his cane at a few mara-struck and tapped the cane down. What looked like a miniature black-hole appeared before it exploded, sending the mara-struck down and they disappeared.
Suddenly the cocoon cracked.
Golden shields formed around everyone before the cocoon shattered like glass and, emerging from the cocoon was a pale gold, serpentine dragon who roared as they emerged. Glowing gold eyes looked around and, along the dragon’s chest was what looked like a crystalized star with glowing golden cracks, also looking to have a somewhat crystal-like quality to them were along its chest. “Haahaahaa, finally showed your true form Xingguang?!” Dique cried maniacally and she roared at him. “That’s Stelle?” Dan Heng questioned as Hyacine came to his side, having been hiding.
“Yes, that’s her other form. This form encompasses destruction in its purest form, able to wield it perfectly in this form.” Stelle struck for Dique who jumped back, looking far too pleased. “But something is wrong.” Hyacine narrowed her eyes. “The Preceptors generally fear this form of her, so why is-?” Dique pulled something from their robe, grinning madly and Hyacine saw it looked like a potion. It…it didn’t look right. Anaxa looked over as well, having finished the enemies near him, before his single eye went wide, able to clearly see what Dique was holding.
‘No…’ Anaxa thought in horror. “Finally.” Dique lifted it and Anaxa pointed his gun toward the bottle. “STOP!” He shouted, gaining everyone’s attention as they all looked over. Taoran tackled Anaxa, sending him to the ground and making Cipher snarl. “Professor!” She sped toward him and kicked Taoran off…but it was too late. As Stelle turned toward Dique, he lifted the bottle. “Say goodbye to your friend!” Dique threw the bottle as Stelle lunged for him but the bottle smashed against her snout and she faltered, missing and shaking her snout, the smell was foul!
However, shaking her head merely made the liquid spread and splash on other parts of her body…and then her star began to glow violently.
Stelle began to shake her head harder, as if she was trying to stop an oncoming headache…then snarls began to escape her and she roared, slamming her head against a wall. “Stelle?!” Dan Heng’s eyes were wide, blocking the attack of another mara-struck, before Phainon was by him, killing the enemy. “She’s not your friend anymore, Dan Feng reincarnation.” Dique sneered, yet his eyes were far too wide, smile far too large, eyes holding maniacal glee. “She’s
OURS
now.” He ended as Stelle gave another roar and opened her eyes, revealing red pupils as the vidyadhara tried to regain control but couldn’t.
She was officially under Preceptor control.
Notes:
Do ya'll hate me for what I've done or the cliffhanger I've left you all on? XD
I'd say sorry but I like keeping everyone in suspense...also, I apologize that the fight scene sucks but there was too much that would be happening at once and I REALLY wanted to get to what happens to Stelle.
By the way, Anaxa KNEW what that potion was. He had seen it once before back when he was a student himself. He doesn't remember everything about the potion but he knows how dangerous it is which is why he was going to destroy it...but Taoran was like: "Oh hell nah!"
Now everyone had to deal with the mara-struck, the preceptors AND a rampaging Stelle.
Will they be able to bring themselves to harm Stelle to stop her...or will she kill them first?
Stay tuned to find out~! Hope you all enjoyed the chapter~! ^^ *goes and hides to continue writing*
Chapter 17: The End Of Everything
Summary:
She was under Preceptor control now...she was their enemy and tried to kill them.
She wanted to resist, they could see it...but she couldn't break the control.
Will they have to kill Stelle...or will she kill them first?
Notes:
So...yeah...this chapter, itself was 10 pages but there was no good point in which I could break this chapter apart. Originally this was going to be a 2-part fight because of how long I made the fight but there was no good breaking point, so...uh...yeah...enjoy this really long chapter.
@.@
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“What have you done to her?!” Phainon demanded and everyone backed away from Stelle, who was snarling at everyone within the throne room, muscles coiled tightly. “Just a small…experiment to keep her under control.” Dique added, yet even the other Preceptors seemed concerned by this. “I thought you said we would use the Transmutation Arcanum to keep her under control?!” Xei-Lin shouted, eyeing Stelle warily. “Oh, it’s being used.” Dique held it up, revealing the Transmutation Arcanum was glowing brightly. “She can’t transform back, nor use any of her other powers. She’s effectively trapped as a mindless beast…under MY command.”
Dique looked at Phainon and smirked. “Xingguang, kill Khaslana.” Phainon froze and, while it seemed like the dragon tried to resist the order, Stelle roared and dove toward Phainon, attempting to bite him. Phainon was quick to dodge her jaws, gold eyes wide and concern heavily weighing on his heart. This was completely unprecedented…as far as they knew, Stelle shouldn’t be able to be controlled as she was! It’s obvious that whatever was in that potion was actually working! It was controlling her and making her listen and bow to the orders of others.
The walls shook as Stelle slammed into the wall upon missing Phainon.
“AH!” March fell from the rafter she was on but Aglaea was quick to manipulate her golden threads to catch her, wincing a bit at the strain before lowering March carefully. “Kill them.” They heard Dique mutter and, with another roar, Stelle charged the nearest person, who was Mydei but she missed as he dodged. However her tail came swinging and slammed into Mydei, making him shout in pain as he hit the wall. Stelle gave another roar of pain, swinging with one of her front paws when golden threads wrapped around the wrist, preventing Stelle from hitting Castorice.
“Cas, move!” Aglaea shouted, grunting in strain as she tried to control where Stelle’s paw went. Castorice was quick to get out of the way, slashing at a few mara-struck and abundance abominations. Aglaea let the threads go, allowing the paw to slam on some mara-struck and abominations, killing them. Another roar of pain let her and she swung her tail up into the rafters, breaking the rafter Aglaea was on. “Aglaea!” Cipher shouted, eyes wide and Jing Yuan cursed. He rushed forward and jumped up, catching Aglaea and taking the damage from the fall instead.
“Watch out!” Cyrene called out in terror, eyes wide as Stelle had turned to charge the two. An invisible barrier formed and blocked Stelle’s attack, making her roar as she stumbled back, shaking her head. “Dan Heng!” Anaxa called out, seeing the vidyadhara male had used his powers to block the attack. The male vidyadhara though wasn’t looking good. He was clutching his mate mark, gritting his teeth in pain. Hyacine was quick to his side with Anaxa, even as the others made sure to keep Stelle’s attention on them.
“Dannie, what’s wrong?” Hyacine asked as Dan Heng fell to his knees, wincing. “W-whatever was done…” Dan Heng began, eyes glowing, “to Stelle…i-it…it burns…” He growled out, trying to resist digging his claws into the mark. It wouldn’t do anything and he’s just hurt himself instead. Anaxa frowned before he turned his gaze toward Stelle, gaze assessing the situation. Due to the mate bond between Dan Heng and Stelle, he felt the pain Stelle clearly felt…as if her snarling and pained roars were any indication.
Just what was happening to her?
Stelle gave another roar of pain and the star on her chest began to pulse. Heat flooded the room as a bright, golden light began to form around Stelle’s slightly open maw, golden threads making their way toward her mouth. Phainon’s eyes went wide as he pulled Cyrene from the rafters, realizing they were all in danger. “No, Stelle, don’t!” Phainon pleaded, gold eyes wide and Dique began to laugh. “Dique, what is-?!” Stelle turned towards her allies and Dique gave a mad smirk. “Destroy them.” He ordered and Phainon cursed.
With a clench of Phainon’s hand, golden shields formed over everyone and Dan Heng used his powers again to set an invisible barrier…right as a beam of pure, gold, raw power erupted from Stelle’s maw.
Everyone shouted or grunted in strain as the attack hit them and the shields formed cracks from the raw destructive power coming from Stelle’s attack. Her power ripped through Qlipoth’s protections on the palace, tearing through a wall and the roof as Stelle threw her head back and the Preceptors, who seemed unaffected by the heat, had to scatter and dodge the falling debris. However, Shuyi’s egg shattered as a portion of the ceiling fell, destroying her egg and Phainon winced.
He may despise the Preceptors…but he’d prefer the Preceptors getting their due.
Plus, with what would be done their memories would be removed and thus, the new life in the egg would have been innocent as they still upheld the law.
The past sins do not affect the present, nor future incarnations.
The sound of glass shattering had Phainon spin around in horror, seeing the shield around Mydei had shattered and then the man was blown back, once more into a wall. “Mydei!” Phainon shouted with wide eyes, even as Castorice ran toward her husband, seeing the blood coating Mydei. “MYDEI!” She cried in horror, kneeling beside him as Mydei attempted to get to his feet but he couldn’t. The destructive beam from Stelle was potent, destruction coursing through him and trying to destroy him. However, his own blessing from Nanook was keeping him alive.
“I’ll…I’ll be okay…” Mydei wheezed out, holding a hand to his stomach where a nasty, bloodied was as blood hit the floor. Castorice frowned in concern, even as Hyacine rushed over…when Stelle’s tail swiped toward her. “HYACINE!” March shouted with wide eyes and Phainon rushed forward, grabbing Stelle’s tail even as golden threads wrapped around the tail as well from Aglaea. “Go Hyacine!” Aglaea ordered and the twin-tailed girl nodded, getting to Mydei and Castorice without injury.
March snarled before pinning the Preceptors with a vicious look and leveled her arrow at the next one she saw, which was Soren. “YOU’LL PAY FOR THIS!” She let the ice arrow fly through the air and it struck its mark. Soren shouted in pain as the arrow impaled his shoulder…but it caught Stelle’s attention. She snarled, eyes wide and unfocused as she went to strike whoever had her attention. “Wha-?!” Taoran shouted when Dique scoffed. “Stop.” He snapped and Stelle froze, a snarl on her face as though she wanted to resist but couldn’t.
Dique looked back at the others. “THEY are your targets.”
Stelle snarled as she turned toward the others slowly, taking slow steps forward…the steps of a predator and her unfocused, hazy eyes showed nothing of her former self. She was, as the Preceptors had wished, a mindless beast at the moment. Phainon snarled, grateful there were no more mara-struck or abominations. When Stelle released her attack, the other device must’ve been dropped and destroyed…but the Preceptors weren’t defenseless and they had Stelle working for them at the moment.
Stelle, by herself, was already a challenge…especially since only Phainon could stand up to her…but she had broken through Qlipoth’s protections. Despite his shield, despite Dan Heng’s protection, she had been able to hurt them as evidenced by Mydei who was now receiving treatment from Hyacine. Looking around, he saw that both Shuyi’s…and even Zhuli’s eggs had been destroyed. The broken ceiling had shattered through Mydei’s crystal and broke Zhuli’s egg. He sighed, before looking at the others.
They were all sporting a wound of some sort, either from the mara-struck, the abominations, the Preceptors or Stelle’s ruthlessness.
He had no choice.
Phainon took a deep breath and steeled himself, determination blazing in his eyes. He wouldn’t let his sister continue to be controlled like a mindless beast. She was in pain, both he and Dan Heng could feel the pain she was in. With a silent apology to his brother Caelus, to his father Nanook and to the others, Phainon lifted a hand toward the sky…and the air began to heat once more. Destruction was gathering at his command as well.
Cyrene gasped and looked at Phainon wide eyed. “Phainon, what-?” He gave a sad smile. “I’m sorry my dear…but I can’t continue to let my sister be controlled. I HAVE to stop her.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “But you’ll both die!” Everyone’s eyes went wide, realizing what Phainon was planning. He gave a choked laugh. “If it means you all live…I’d sacrifice myself time and time again.” He looked at Stelle, seeing she had her eyes on him. “And she would do the same.” Destruction began to swirl in his hand and Welt growled.
“Dammit Phainon, there’s another way!” Welt stated but Phainon was no longer listening and instead charged Stelle, the destructive force in his hand would be enough to subdue her…then he would have to end her.
‘I’m sorry Stelle but this is the only-’
“STOP!” A spear flung through the air, stabbing into Phainon’s arm and throwing him off course, and also allowing Stelle’s jaws to miss snapping onto him, making the dragon slam into the wall instead and growl in pain as she stood, shaking her head.
Phainon winced, the destructive power he had gathered had fizzled into nothingness and he pulled the spear out, looking at it. That…that was-footsteps quickly approached and before Phainon could do anything, a fist slammed into the side of his face, snapping his head to the side. The shock was enough to revert Phainon to his human form. “Are you an idiot?!” Dan Heng snapped, eyes wide with vicious protectiveness and rage as his body shook. Phainon looked at him in shock. The man had never struck him before, even during training!
Seeing the dumbfounded look on Phainon’s face merely fueled Dan Heng’s rage, oblivious to the fact the others were now engaged with Stelle in another fight as the dragon had been ordered once more. Dan Heng grabbed Phainon by the collar of his outfit, forcing to his knees, shouting; “Not only is she your sister but she’s my mate, she’s family to everyone here!” Dan Heng grit his teeth as another wave of pain coursed through him but he HAD to push through it. “Before we give up on saving her, we have to actually TRY first!”
Dan Heng wasn’t going to give up!
Phainon’s blue and gold eyes were wide, having never seen Dan Heng lose his composure like this before. “We have to actually try and save Stelle first! Before you decide to be so self-sacrificial, think for one second!” The vidyadhara snapped, body still shaking but his grip starting to loosen. “They MADE something to control her and what is made can be broken! Already I can feel the potion weakening but now it’s whatever Dique has that is controlling my mate!” Dan Heng was gasping for breath at this point, tears running down his face.
Tears gathered in Phainon’s own eyes, realizing Dan Heng was right. Phainon had accepted defeat far too easily and had sought to end both himself and his sister. “I…I’m sorry…” Phainon choked out and Dan Heng gave a jerky nod. “Even…even if we can’t break the arcanum, I’m certain…I’m CERTAIN we can save her.” Dan Heng locked glowing eyes with Phainon. “Can you take care of the Preceptors? If you stop them, I’m certain I can bring Stelle under control.” Phainon saw the determined gaze in Dan Heng’s eyes and nodded. “I’ll deal with the Preceptors.” Dan Heng nodded and helped Phainon stand, even as he took his spear back.
Phainon went back to his other form, his wound healing and then the two nodded at one another.
They charged back into the battle.
Phainon headed first to Xei-Lin, the woman turning his surprise as Phainon was right by her, in the thick of the Preceptors. He had a special hatred for Xei-Lin, who had openly flirted with Dan Feng and had attempted to convince Dan Feng to take her as a mate but Dan Feng had chosen Stelle instead. However, this had caused Xei-Lin to make remarks and insult Stelle whenever she could. So, to make up for everything he and his sister had to endure, he would kill her first!
Xei-Lin snarled, long red hair whipping around her like a flame as she attempted to protect herself from Phainon’s blade. The other Preceptors jumped to action as well, their cloudhymn magic ready but Phainon was a child of destruction just like his sister. He would not be brought down easily. Phainon blew them back with his wings, before turning toward Soren and binding him with destructive power, only to quickly dodge at the last second from a sword Taoran carried. Right, the Preceptors also had weapons, Dique and Taoran knew how to fight aside from their magic.
Xei-Lin attempted to impale him with a spear of cloudhymn, however Phainon merely dodged and was right before her once more. “For every insult you’ve made toward my sister,” Destructive power was in his hand once more, “may you suffer a thousand deaths forever more.” He thrust a hand against her chest and what looked like golden flames flared around Xei-Lin, before the power began to tear at her body, making her scream in pain. Phainon grimaced but had to jump to the side to avoid Taoran’s blade and he scoffed. “Insolent pest.” The guard snarled, before he held a hand toward Xei-Lin.
He clenched a fist.
The power he had forced into Xei-Lin exploded and she dropped, an egg taking place where she once resided.
The remaining three winced, seeing Phainon’s emotionless expression. “You three…are next.” He hissed, eyes glowing and charged Soren, slamming him away from the other two into a wall. Taoran snarled before looking at Dique. “We’re losing, Dique.” The Preceptor snarled at Taoran’s words, before he turned toward Stelle, only to growl at seeing her being restrained by multiple golden threads but she was successfully keeping the others occupied. “Dammit, we’ll have to subdue him ourselves or kill him.” Taoran snarled. “We kill him, then we lose the only thing keeping the others back!” The Preceptor hissed…before a body dropped before them, Phainon’s sword sticking up from Soren’s chest.
Phainon landed by the body and pulled his sword from Soren’s lifeless body; he also turned into an egg. “Then there were two…” Phainon muttered, eyeing the two warily. Dique and Taoran were by far the most experienced fighters and the most cunning of the Preceptors. Zhuli had been the oldest and wisest, Shuyi had been the youngest with the most stamina…but Taoran and Dique were the manipulators. They were, by far, the most dangerous of the Preceptors and Phainon knew this. If they had another potion on them and used it on him, then they were done for.
However, he could sense their panic so he doubted they had another potion.
An arrow whizzed past Stelle’s face, making the dragon growl and snap her eyes toward March, who quickly dodged the tail swinging at her. “We’re tiring her out!” Himeko noted, sending out her drone to grab Stelle’s attention but Stelle was quick to get the drone in her jaws and slam it into the ground, breaking it. Himeko winced…maybe they weren’t tiring her out. Welt was quick to get Himeko out of the way when Stelle lunged for them. “She’s still dangerous.” Anaxa retorted, lining his gun with her hip and letting off a bullet.
However it merely bounced off her scales and he frowned. These were alchemical bullets, why wasn’t- “Professor!” He gasped and the barrier appeared again, making Stelle’s claw bounce off the attack and she roared in annoyance. Looking over, Anaxa was glad to see Dan Heng was no longer crouched over in pain but Anaxa did note that the vidyadhara was in pain.
‘I hope we have a plan to stop her.’
Anaxa thought, jumping back to avoid another attack. At least she hadn’t decided to use her destructive breath again. Dan Heng’s shield, alone, wouldn’t keep them safe.
Mydei rushed forward and slammed a fist to the ground, blood-red crystals came up, trapping Stelle’s legs and making her snarl and try to free herself. Cipher ran forward at that and jumped toward Mydei who held an arm out. She landed on his arm and he gave her a boost into the air, allowing Cipher to get above Stelle’s head. Stelle looked up, jaw opening when Cyrene let off a blast of ice that slammed into Stelle’s chest making his roar in pain and snap her eyes towards Cyrene.
Cipher spun and slammed her feet against Stelle’s head, slamming her head to the ground. Dan Heng saw his chance and ran forward. “Stelle!” He reached her and saw her eyes slide to him…she was getting worn out but the potion was still holding her. “Stelle, it’s me.” He pressed a hand against her scaled cheek and saw her eyes focus a bit. A bit of recognition was there. That was some relief. “You can feel it, can’t you?” He saw her eyes glance toward his neck where his bond was, before going back to his eyes. “You can fight this off my mate. Keep fighting.” He assured, leaning his head against her snout.
She HAD to keep fighting!
“XINGGUANG!”
Her eyes lost all focus and shrank, the potion within her forcing her to focus on the voice calling her name. “KILL THEM!” Dique shouted from where he was engaged with Phainon, who tackled him once more, trying to run him through with his sword but Taoran tackled him away. The two were proving to be bothersome!
Stelle roared and lifted her head, eyes locked on Dan Heng and time slowed.
The blood-red crystals snapped and she turned her head, jaws opening to clamp down on Dan Heng.
“DAN HENG!”
Blood splattered the ground as Dan Heng was thrown back by a body slamming into him.
“FATHER!”
“JING YUAN!”
The white haired General had slammed his body into Dan Heng to protect him but Stelle’s jaws had clamped onto him instead. Worried gold connected with wide jade. “Are you…okay?” Dan Heng gave a nod, eyes wide and Jing Yuan gave a pained smile despite the teeth around his waist as Stelle had turned her head to get the body. Stelle lifted him before throwing him aside, leaving a gruesome smear of blood as Jing Yuan hit the ground. He was still alive as he stood but was unable to take a step forward. Jingliu and Yanqing ran toward him, even as Aglaea, once more, used threads to try and direct Stelle’s attention to them.
Dan Heng grunted as he stood, looking at Stelle in shock.
She could have easily clamped her head down on Jing Yuan’s own and killed him but she had, instead, twisted at the last second to go for the body. She even tossed him aside as if trying to keep him from the fight. It was almost as if her subconscious knew and, while she was hurting them, she was also trying to keep them back. She had also proven she wasn’t entirely loyal to the Preceptors with how she nearly attacked Soren. Dique, however, had ordered her to stop.
Was it possible that only Dique had control?
Was it because Dique held the Transmutation Arcanum?
Phainon had to try and break it!
And Phainon was.
Phainon kept slashing at Dique’s clothes, trying to figure out where the male might have the Transmutation Arcanum located. He didn’t want to kill Dique, just in case the Arcanum disappeared inside the egg but they needed it! Dique growled as another swiped hit his leg but he was noticing something. Phainon’s eyes were intensely focused but he was assessing, scanning, trying to figure something out and Dique wasn’t sure what it was. What was it he was trying to understand?
Taoran came up from the side again and Phainon snarled, getting frustrated and blew the man back, before he surged forward, grabbing Dique by the throat and lifting him. “Where is it, Dique?” Dique grabbed the hands around his throat, snarling at him. “Where is…what?” He hissed and Phainon’s eyes glowed. “Don’t fuck with me. Where is the Transmutation Arcanum?!” He ordered and Dique seemed surprised, before he gave a vicious smirk. “Oh, that’s what you were looking for.” He taunted and Phainon growled low, body giving a faint golden glow.
Taoran saw his chance and charged, his sword however broke when it made contact with Phainon’s body and the male turned glowing gold eyes to him. “Your annoying!” He hissed and held a hand out to Taoran and a blast of destructive power slammed into Taoran. The same flames that ended Xei-Lin engulfed Taoran and Phainon looked back at Dique. “Where is it?” Dique gave a mad smile, the same madness from earlier seemed to have returned. “Oh, I have it…it’s inside me.” Phainon’s eyes went wide, wondering how that was possible.
Only a High Elder could keep the Transmutation Arcanum within them and even then, it wasn’t recommended as the power from the Transmutation Arcanum could drive someone mad.
Was that why Dique seemed to have lost his mind?!
“There’s a lot you can accomplish when you inject High Elder blood into your own body and are seen as a High Elder by the arcanum.”
Behind him, Taoran fell, dead and became an egg but it was merely white noise to Phainon. Dique…he really has gone mad! “You…” Dique grinned, eyes glowing and then lifted a hand and a surge of cloudhymn hit Phainon, blowing him back and thus making him release Dique. “Well, not that you know that, you really can’t be allowed to be free.” Dique looked at Stelle, seeing she was, once again, shaking her head in pain. She was still fighting the potions effects. How pitiful. “Xingguang,” Her eyes snapped open, body rigid, “kill Khaslana.” Gold magic began to build in her maw once more, intending to use her destructive breath.
Then Dan Heng had an idea.
“Aglaea, clamp her jaw shut!” Aglaea was quick to act and threw golden threads forth, the glowing string wrapping around and snapping Stelle’s jaw shut. Stelle snarled and thrashed, slamming her head into the ground and trying to snap the threads as she dragged her head along the ground but as she did was bruise her face. “Mydei, restrain her legs!” Mydei slammed a fist into the ground and the blood-red crystals sprouted forth, binding her legs. “Oh no you don’t!” Dique charged forth, intending to stop them but Dan Heng encountered him head-on!
“Keep binding her and try to bring her back!” Dan Heng ordered, thrusting his spear toward Dique, who flipped back and sent a blast of cloudhymn at Dan Heng. His protective powers surged forth and kept him protected, the invisible barrier flashing with the sign of Qlipoth. Dique snarled. Oh course an Aeon would protect him!
Hyacine ran toward Phainon and dropped beside him, helping him sit up. “Are you alright?” Hyacine asked and Phainon groaned, even as Cyrene hurried over with Baiheng. “I’ll be okay.” Phainon looked around and spotted Dan Heng fighting Dique, even as the others were trying to keep Stelle pinned. “I need to help Dan Heng have Dique bring out the Transmutation Arcanum.” Phainon stood shakily before shaking his body, brushing off the unsteadiness the cloudhymn blast had infected. “If we can break that, we can release Stelle.”
Baiheng frowned at his words. “Or just have Dan Heng reclaim it.” They looked at Baiheng confused. “What do you mean?” Phainon asked, even as Baiheng looked at Dique and Dan Heng fighting. “That Transmutation Arcanum CAN’T be broken. It was made by Long, himself, and is resistant to pretty much everything.” The foxian explained, before looking toward Stelle. “However Dique is not the original owner of the arcanum. Stelle and Dan Feng were. Since Dan Heng is Dan Feng’s reincarnation, that means Dan Heng is the owner alongside Stelle.” Baiheng looked back at them.
“However, Stelle can’t break the control over her. If Dan Heng gets control of the arcanum, we may be able to break the control. The potion was used to weaken Stelle and Dique then used the arcanum to fully control her. It’s not the potion she’s fighting off, it’s the arcanum she’s fighting off.” At those words, Phainon hissed a curse. If it wasn’t a potion, then they couldn’t stall and just wait for the effects to wear off. She was being controlled by the same item she was gifted by Long. She had given it to one of the previous Azure High Elder’s as a peace offering.
The fact she never got it back when Dan Feng died meant that the Preceptors took it and kept it from her.
Dique must’ve known he would never be accepted by the Transmutation Arcanum as its wielder and thus took blood from Dan Heng to be seen as its holder, allowing him to pull the arcanum into his body to hide it. However, that caused this madness they were seeing, what Dique sought to do and has accomplished, the strings he pulled to get what he wanted. They needed to get the arcanum off Dique and get it into Dan Heng’s hands! Even if he’s never used it before, even though he’s had no training with it, Dan Heng was still, technically, a High Elder! The Transmutation Arcanum would react to him and he could merely control the flow of cloudhymn from it to help clear Stelle’s mind!
“Help the others restrain Stelle.” Phainon stated, his sword appearing in his hands once more. “I’ll help Dan Heng deal with Dique.” They nodded before they broke off. Baiheng, Cyrene and Hyacine went to help the others, while Phainon hurried towards Dan Heng. “Dique!” The Preceptor dodged Dan Heng’s spear, turning to see Phainon rushing over and snarled. Dammit! Looks like he had to take care of the two himself!
Phainon thrust his sword forward, attempting to get ahold of Dique but the Preceptor was nimble, ducking under the sword and kicking up, getting Phainon in the chest. While airborne, Dan Heng tried to swipe at him but, with a burst of cloudhymn, Dique was able to quickly get out of Dan Heng’s reach. With the Transmutation Arcanum inside of it, Dique was drawing power from the item in order to boost his own powers, having seen Dan Feng and Stelle use the item in such a way many times before. With the boost in power, he was on par with other High Elders and the Transmutation Arcanum, alone, had the pure raw power of Long within.
While none but Stelle could use the Transmutation Arcanum to its fullest, with how she’s a demi-god, that boost alone would provide Dique with enough power to keep Dan Heng and Phainon back.
But it was still two-against-one, he was outnumbered and, even with the arcanum at his disposal, if he doesn’t bring it out and tap deeper into its powers, he was going to be defeated. Casting a quick glance at Stelle, he saw ice form and snap over her snout, further sealing her jaw shut and he cursed.
‘Dammit! I thought that by getting control of Xingguang they’d all hesitate.’
He dodged another swing from Phainon’s sword.
‘They did for a short while but they know how to restrain her.’
He sent a blast of cloudhymn to Dan Heng, before diving away from Phainon’s blast.
‘Still…they’ve forced my hand…’
Dique focused on where he had stored the Transmutation Arcanum in his body and the glowing, golden orb dropped into his palm. He winced as it appeared, the item burning his hand. That was unusual…it’s never done that before. Seeing the familiar orb, Phainon’s eyes glowed brightly. “That isn’t yours to have!” Phainon snapped, charging Dique again and Dan Heng grunted as he sat up, before he saw the orb. Instantly, his eyes glowed once more and his instincts surged forth, urging him to retrieve the glowing golden orb and he followed his instincts.
They’ve never been wrong before!
Dan Heng saw and felt the cloudhymn coming from Dique was now stronger with the orb out, the power coming from the orb working alongside Dique’s own. Dan Heng’s instincts growled at that, making Dan Heng snarl at seeing Dique use what Dan Heng was pretty sure the vidyadhara shouldn’t be using. Once Dan Heng was close, he thrust his spear forth and Dique barely dodged the strike, snarling…before he winced as the Transmutation Arcanum began to pulse and burn his hand again.
‘Why is it-?’ Dique’s thought was cut off as Dan Heng spun, his spear clipping Dique’s side and then Phainon rushed forward. Phainon reached for the arcanum but Dique noticed and panicked. He tried to pull the arcanum back into his body but Dan Heng was quick to reach for it as well. The arcanum burned Dique’s hand again and he dropped it, unable to keep holding it and Dan Heng got his hand on it, before he felt cloudhymn rush through him. It was as if the Transmutation Arcanum was welcoming him, the cloudhymn he felt coming from the orb was quick to respond to him and he felt his instincts purr.
The orb was back where it belonged.
“DAN HENG!”
The vidyadhara looked up, seeing Phainon pull Dique into a chokehold, however something was…off. Dique…he looked like he was going absolutely feral! “Help Stelle, quickly! The arcanum your holding is what is controlling her!” Dan Heng jolted and looked at the arcanum in his hand. “I’ll keep hold of Dique but help Stelle!” Phainon ordered and Dan Heng nodded, rushing toward where Stelle was. Dique’s blazing eyes snapped toward them. No, no, no, no, no! HE WAS NOT LOSSING HERE!
“XINGGUANG!” He may not have the arcanum…but he still had some control on Stelle left. He could give one last order! “KILL DAN HENG!” The order was absolute and Dan Heng spun, eyes wide. There’s no way-the roar was loud, guttural and then the ground began to shake. Looking towards Stelle, she was breaking from her restraints, destructive power surging around her and blowing the others back. The threads snapped, the crystals cracked and the ice melted and then golden, unfocused eyes snapped onto Dan Heng and he froze.
She was still looking at him like he was prey!
Stelle roared and rushed towards him and Dan Heng braced himself, closing his eyes as the invisible barrier appeared around him…then a sudden stop. He felt breath ruffle his hair and opened his eyes, seeing familiar gold eyes looking at him in what he could only register as horror…regret maybe? The red was gone but Stelle was panting heavily in her draconic form, finally having control and the recognition and clarity was back. “...Stelle?” Dan Heng asked gently, unaware the arcanum in his hands was pulsing.
His cloudhymn had worked without his knowledge and had cleared her mind, helping her regain control as the arcanum responded to his mere desire. His desire for her to be freed.
“Are you…back?” He asked hesitantly and then the dragon glowed gold in color, shrinking in size…and it seemed like the cocoon formed again within the golden light. It unraveled quickly and Stelle stumbled as she got her bearings back, no longer in her draconic form…but she looked sick. Her eyes were wide, there was a tremble to her frame and Dan Heng could feel that her emotions were everywhere. She knew what she did, what she had done and everything that happened…and it sickened her.
“Aeon’s I…I’m so…” Stelle gave a choked sob, tears forming and holding a hand over her mouth, unable to withstand the horror and destruction she caused to those she cared about the most. She couldn’t believe she had been so easily manipulated. “Stelle.” Dan Heng breathed in relief, rushing to her and pulling her into a hug. “Thank Aeon’s you’re back.” He choked out, hugging her tightly and he felt her arms move to wrap around him in turn. “I’m so sorry…” She sobbed but he shook his head. “It wasn’t you in control. You have nothing to apologize for.” Dan Heng muttered, relieved that she was no longer in pain and that she was back.
However, there was one person who was unhappy.
“NO!”
Phainon shouted in pain and then a roar reached Dan Heng’s and everyone’s ears and, looking toward Phainon, the male was blown into a wall. However, the roar came from Dique…who was no longer in his normal vidyadhara form. As someone who had injected himself with High Elder blood, he was now a large, serpentine dragon, just as Stelle had been. However he was dark green and gold, his eyes showed his madness as he roared.
‘If I can’t win…I’ll at least kill her!’
Dique thought and charged Stelle while she tried to get her bearings. She was not herself, he had a chance!
Dan Heng’s eyes went wide, moving to keep Stelle firmly behind him…but Stelle’s instincts surged forth.
“Protect him! Protect them!”
And Stelle listened.
With no hesitation, seeing her family had been hurt, her mate had been hurt and that Dique was going to cause more damage, even without her in his control, Stelle stepped forward. “ENOUGH!” Stelle shouted, eyes glowing violently and, in a torrent of golden light, she was once more in her draconic form and grappled with Dique, the two dragons rolling and slamming into a wall, bringing it down and making more of the ceiling shake a fall. “STELLE!” Dan Heng shouted in horror, eyes wide before he felt arms around him and he was yanked back.
“WATCH OUT!” It was Yingxing! A portion of the ceiling fell where Dan Heng once stood. “Wha-!”
“THE EGGS!”
Jing Yuan spun where he was and saw two more Preceptor eggs had been smashed. Soren’s and Xei-Lin’s eggs. He winced at that…all that was left was Taoran’s egg. “Someone find Taoran’s egg!” Yanqing and March both jolted, before rushing to the other side where Phainon was, even as Cyrene and Hyacine made their way to Phainon. He had reverted to his human form, having used up too much energy to continue maintaining his other form. “Phainon…” Cyrene whimpered and hugged him, even as he hugged her with one arm. His left hung limp…it was broken.
“I’m still here…” Phainon reassured, even as Mydei hurried over, giving a ‘tsk’ at the condition Phainon was in. “HSK. C’mere…” Mydei knelt as Cyrene moved, then the blonde was helping Phainon stand, the silver haired male wincing. “Where’s Stelle?” Phainon asked before he looked up, only for his eyes to go wide at seeing Stelle was locked with Dique in a fight, the two dragons grappled as they tried to overcome the other. “Stelle! AH!” Phainon had tried to move forward only for his body to protest the movement and he groaned. “Dammit Phainon, you can’t fight anymore!” Mydei snipped, glaring at his friend.
They had to try and leave the palace!
Stelle could handle the fight now that she was back in control.
“Taoran’s egg is smashed!” March shouted as she came back over with Jing Yuan with Yanqing and Jing Yuan gave a curse. Dammit! “We need to try and get out of here.” Dan Heng gave a snarl. “But what about Stelle?” The walls shook again and more of the ceiling collapsed. “Stelle can handle herself but she can focus more on the fight if we’re not here.” Jingliu stated, keeping her son close and Dan Heng growled. He didn’t want to leave Stelle to fight Dique alone. “Jingliu is right.” Everyone looked at Phainon as he, Mydei, Cyrene and Hyacine neared.
“Stelle is currently holding herself back because she knows we’re here.” Phainon looked toward his sister as she got her jaws around Dique’s neck, slamming him into the ground. “She can let go if we’re not here.” Phainon stated, before Baiheng looked around. “If we can get past the crystals, we can leave.” Mydei sighed at that. “Jing Yuan, Yingxing, take him.” Both men moved forward and took Phainon from Mydei, before the blonde rolled his shoulder. “I’ll make a pathway for us.” Mydei looked at the blood-red crystal that was blocking the door and took a deep breath.
He pulled his arm back before slamming his fist into the crystals and the crystals exploded forward, destroying the door they were blocking and making and opening for them. “There we go, now let’s-!” Another wall collapsed and the ground shook, before a familiar roar of pain reached their ears. They spun, looking back at Stelle and Dique and saw that Dique had Stelle pinned, a portion of the ceiling collapsed on her and Dan Heng’s eyes went wide.
‘No…NO!’
Without thinking, Dan Heng spun and rushed to help Stelle.
“Stelle!”
“Dan Heng, no!” Welt shouted, seeing Dique turn his eyes towards Dan Heng. He moved off Stelle, who growled weakly in pain and tried to move. She wouldn’t be able to hold her draconic form much longer. Dan Heng snarled, even as Dique roared and charged him…when pure gold covered Dan Heng’s vision and he felt cloudhymn swirl harshly within him. Suddenly blood splattered the ground as he was knocked back and to the side, hitting the ground roughly with a shout of pain…even as a familiar roar reached his eyes.
Dan Heng looked up, eyes wide at seeing that Stelle was where he once stood and the necklace he had suddenly broke, making him look at it with wide eyes. Wait…the necklace, why did it break. The cloudhymn he once felt in the necklace was no longer there either. Had that…not been what had been guiding his cloudhymn? He looked up as gold light caught his attention and Stelle was no longer in her draconic form and was in Dique’s jaws in her vidyadhara form, blood staining her outfit as Dique’s teeth dug into her flesh.
“STELLE!” Dan Heng cried in horror, feeling his body grow weak and heat build behind his eyes. No…no! Suddenly Phainon shouted in pain as he clutched at his chest, wincing heavily in pain. What the…what was happening?! Suddenly he felt a link sever and his eyes went wide, feeling like part of him had been stripped away. No…only one person could do that! He looked up with wide eyes, seeing Stelle had stretched an arm out to him.
“I’m sorry…but I’m not taking you with me like this…”
A bright light began to leak from Stelle’s chest and his eyes went wide.
“No, Stelle, stop!” Phainon jerked forward but Jing Yuan and Yingxing had to hold him back. “You’ll kill yourself if you do this! Why?!” Thick golden vines sprouted from the ground and wrapped around both herself and Dique, keeping them bound. “I’m…sorry…” Stelle gave a bloodied, pained smile and Dan Heng felt tears appear where he had been knocked to, Mydei helping him stand. “No…no…not like this…” Dan Heng whispered, the tears freely running down his face.
Stelle’s sad smile did nothing to ease the pain that he was going to lose his mate. The golden light spilling from her chest got brighter and the room began to heat up, even as Stelle closed her eyes, smiling despite the tears that flowed down her own face. “I’m sorry…everyone…” She opened them one last time. “Now go. Run…please…” Destructive power began to build up and she held one hand to Dique’s jaws around her body, and Dique began to thrash as she slowly began to tear him apart.
Welt, realizing what was happening, cursed. “WE HAVE TO GO!” He pushed Himeko, Aglaea and the others towards the door. “No!” He wrapped his arms around March when she made to move towards Stelle. “March, no!” March struggled, reaching for Stelle. “No, Stelle, please! I lost Caelus, I can’t lose you too! Please, no!” Welt had to physically pull March out of the room and Mydei hissed. “Dammit! Jing Yuan, Yingxing, get Phainon out of here!” The two pulled Phainon out, who couldn’t really struggle as he was physically dragged out by the two men.
He was going to lose his sister…just as he lost his brother.
Anaxa and Mydei had to drag Dan Heng out as he struggled against them, even as Jingliu and Cipher had to force Baiheng out. “No, I’m not leaving her!” Dan Heng struggled more, reaching a hand for Stelle. “I can’t!” He choked out, reaching one hand forward and feeling the power of Qlipoth rush forward. “Stelle!” She closed her eyes and then blinding gold light filled his vision…as her stellaron detonated and his eyes went wide as what felt like cold harsh fingers dug into his skin and white noise filled his ears.
“STELLE!!!”
Everything had come to an end…
Notes:
*looks over brick wall* So...uh...before you all get angry at me, I swear the next chapter is better, I promise!
And god I suck a fight scenes. T^T This chapter gave me SO much trouble with the fighting and I just, could not, for the life of me, get anything to flow smoothly the first few times I wrote things. I finally got it to this point that was decent...but...dear god. Why are fight scenes hard. Add in the emotional damaging aspects of Stelle being self-sacrifical near the end and Phainon feeling like he just lost everything with how numb he went...
Let's not even get into me trying to remember everyone that was supposed to be there during the fight and trying to make sure they all got some screen time! UGH! T^T
My head hurts after this...so does my heart. Like I generally don't hurt myself when writing things because I know how everything turns out...but it actually hurt me to write this because of what I was going to do and how mean I was going to be with this chapter.
B-but I SWEAR! I PROMISE! Next chapter is going to okay! Things get explained, I promise!
But...uh...well, yeah here's uh...here's the next chapter.
*adds more bricks to the wall* Now excuse me as I continue writing and try to get the next chapter posted before you all successfully break the wall down and get a hold of me. XD *starts furiously typing away.*
Chapter 18: From The Ashes, They Will Prevail
Summary:
The Preceptors were gone, they all could breathe...but what about those that sacrificed the most?
What happened after everything was said and done?
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The sound of a quill scratching against paper was all that was heard in the office, even as a silver haired, blue eyed male stared at the document with tired eyes. Three months…three months had passed since everything ended with the Preceptors, now being February. It still felt like it all happened a month ago if he was honest. The door to the office opened and the male sighed. “Please tell me your not bringing me MORE papers to sign.” A giggle and the male looked up, eyes connecting with his wife. “Oh Cyrene, sorry.” The pinkette, Cyrene, gave a small smile. “You thought I was Baiheng?” He sighed with a nod.
“She IS still an advisor after all.” Cyrene came to his side and hugged him, making him sigh. “I don’t understand how sis did all of this.” Phainon muttered, glancing at all the files he was working on. “You know you don’t HAVE to do the work, right?” Cyrene commented, moving back with a smile. “Marum’s assistant, Argus, had stated he could do the work himself.” Phainon sighed, shaking his head. “I feel like it’s my responsibility because…well…” Cyrene smiled, knowing why Phainon was doing the work.
A sigh left Cyrene, before she lifted his chin, kissing him gently and his body relaxed. She pulled back, giving him another, reassuring smile before she pulled on his hands. “Come on, you need a break and I know there’s only one place you want to be. You can leave the work for Argus.” Phainon hesitated, before relenting with a sigh and standing, letting Cyrene drag him to the medical room within the inner palace. The inner palace had been rebuilt after the fight and looked the same, though they did expand the inner palace so that there was more space for more things now.
The few doctors and nurses were currently out in the main district, gathering more medical supplies so Phainon and Cyrene walked into a single room, looking to the bed and Phainon relaxed completely. There, on the bed, sleeping soundly…was Stelle.
Dan Heng was asleep as well, leaning against the bed, clasping one of Stelle’s hands with his own.
Granted Stelle had already awoken but she was still incredibly drained. “She’s alive Phainon.” Cyrene said as she reached up, brushing a hand against his cheek and making him look at her softly. “I thought I was going to lose her that day…with how she snapped the lifelink and everything.” Cyrene gave a small smile once more, knowing that day had haunted Phainon. To be honest, they ALL thought they were losing Stelle that day, even Dan Heng still had nightmares about that day as well.
Right after Stelle’s stellaron had detonated and gone off, Marum had somehow appeared and rushed in to save Stelle and she hadn’t been alone. Nanook had also appeared alongside the other Aeon’s and they all had rushed in to stop Stelle from dying a true death. Marum had broken the law by, practically, trespassing onto the Luofu as the lockdown order was still in place but it had been for good reason and she had not faced any repercussions for what she had done. It was through Marum’s power as a High Elder and through the power of the Aeon’s that they had saved Stelle and kept her stellaron from truly burning out and thus facing a true death.
It had been a close call though, too close and they had all been traumatized by that day of almost losing her.
Stelle had only regained consciousness earlier this month and it would be another month before she would be allowed to move and walk around from what Doctors said. Having drained all of her power to set off her stellaron to end Dique had left her body incredibly vulnerable and she did have trouble staying awake. Doctors stated that all the sleep she was getting was doing wonders for her health and Yaoshi did stop by with the other Aeon’s to help her recover a little bit. They had to be careful how much power they used on her though as her stellaron was still somewhat unstable, so they had to pour power in little-by-little.
However, upon regaining consciousness, everyone had given her a firm tongue lashing about scaring them as she had and none of them wanted to really leave her alone. March had been just as affected as Phainon had, seeing as March had been with them their whole lives but none had been as affected as Dan Heng. He had refused to take care of himself until Stelle awoke and the vidyadhara had collapsed multiple times from that fact. Stelle, despite her tired and drained condition, had given Dan Heng a lecture about taking care of himself.
While Stelle had been recovering, Phainon and the others had taken over the duties around the inner palace and the district. Phainon and Cyrene had also taken the chance to host a small ceremony to signify their marriage. They had felt guilty about doing it while Stelle was asleep but none of them knew when she would awaken, so they merely went and signed papers. Stelle had been displeased when she awoke but understood. Now that the Preceptors were gone and no longer a threat, everyone in the inner palace could live more peaceful lives with those they loved.
The Preceptor’s egg remains had all been found, even Dique’s egg had been smashed…but by Marum herself. The other Preceptor eggs had been destroyed during the fight but Marum decided to get rid of the one who caused all the chaos herself by smashing Dique’s egg. She felt no remorse for what she did to Dique’s egg. He would not get a second chance.
Phainon sighed and made his way over to the bed, going to Stelle’s right side and resting a hand against her forehead. He winced as it was slightly cold. Stelle’s body temperature had dropped considerably upon her stellaron detonating and it brought vivid memories back of when her stellaron first exploded from her when Dan Feng died. While it had only taken a month back then, her powers exploded on their own back then…this time, she used everything to force her stellaron to detonate this time. Phainon had never wanted her to resort to that…and it took a long talk from Stelle and Nanook to have Phainon forgive himself.
He does an amazing job but drastic times call for drastic measures and he shouldn’t blame himself for what Stelle thinks is the best course of action.
Dan Heng shifted and Phainon looked at him, wondering if Dan Heng was waking up…but by the way his brow pinched and his body tensed, it was a nightmare. Phainon frowned and was about to reach over and wake him up…when one of Stelle’s hands moved and brushed through Dan Heng’s hair, easing him. Phainon looked at Stelle wide eyed, seeing she was awake. “Stelle?” He asked as Cyrene came over, her long pink hair like a curtain behind her. She had decided to grow it out and she had been complimented for how it looked.
Stelle turned her gaze up toward Phainon and Cyrene, before she gave a tired smile. “Hey.” She greeted and Phainon huffed in amusement, leaning down to hug her. “Hey yourself. Feeling any better today?” Phainon asked, telling himself to keep his tears back. He had cried enough when she awoke, he didn’t need to shed more tears. Stelle gave a small nod, leaning back against the pillows, her hand still in Dan Heng’s hair. “The life-link helps.” Stelle replied with a sigh, feeling a bit better.
Upon regaining consciousness, Nanook and the other Aeon’s had mentioned that a life-link might help with her recovery. While they all offered, Nanook stated very few had the actual power to withstand a life-link as both individuals had to be powerful. It’s why only Phainon had been life-linked to Stelle. As a child of destruction, he’d already live as long as his sister, however the life-link ensured they’d never be alone and it would help the flow of power from him to more easily speed along her recovery. As such, Phainon reestablished his life-link with Stelle to help her recovery but he wasn’t the only one. Dan Heng and March had also established a life-link with Stelle to help.
Phainon had playfully threatened Stelle she wasn’t allowed to snap it this time. She didn’t argue.
Phainon brushed her fringe back before casting his gaze lower, then looked at Cyrene. “Can you check Stelle’s mark?” Cyrene nodded and moved around Phainon as he backed away. Cyrene pulled the hospital gown by a little to see Stelle’s stellaron mark, seeing it was still a pale gold color and she frowned. They’d have to call Nanook, see if they could help her stellaron regain its powers. Cyrene remembers the heartstopping moment when they all gathered around Stelle and the mark had been almost gray in color, showing it had burned out…but then color had suddenly returned as the Aeon’s and Marum had worked to keep her alive.
More color had returned since then but that pale gold was still of concern.
As Cyrene fixed the hospital gown, her gaze swept over Stelle’s chest and collar. More scars had appeared and spiderwebbed across her chest. They were more noticeable now, a darker coloration of her skin with a faint golden sheen. The skin didn’t feel raised like a normal scar but it was deep in the skin and had healed over…but this time the scars wouldn’t fade. Not anytime soon at least. “Its still pale in color,” Phainon’s expression pinched, “so I would call Nanook and see if he can come and check on the stellaron.” Phainon nodded at her words and Stelle sighed.
“It’s fine you two,” They looked at her curiously, “it’s going to be pale for a while as I recover. Wounds like this don’t heal fast.” Phainon gave a harsh sigh. “Still, your skin is cold to the touch, Stelle. Colder than usual for you at least.” Stelle gave an amused smile. “I’ll heal, you’ll see.” He gave another sigh, this time in defeat. “I won’t argue.” Mostly because he didn’t want to work her up. Doctors warned that getting her upset and worked up could make the stellaron more unstable and even drain her more than she already was. As such, they had to be careful to make sure she didn’t get worked up.
“On a different note,” Stelle began, frowning a bit, “what of the advisors? Have they found replacements yet?” Stelle asked Phainon, who shook his head. “Argus, Sila, Tingting, Lee-Lee and Lustif are still looking at potential candidates.” He explained, crossing his arms. “Marum said if she can’t find anyone but the time your fully recovered, she may just state the Luofu as the first district without Preceptors.” Stelle hummed at that, when the door opened. “I think that would be for the best.” At the door was Anaxa with Hyacine, March and Baiheng.
“After all,” Anaxa continued, walking into the room, “we all know the laws and rules surrounding the vidyadhara and the Xianzhou districts as a whole. We could easily fill any role needed instead.” Anaxa stated, crossing his arms and Stelle hummed. “I can send a request in and ask.” At those words, Hyacine sent Stelle a sharp look. “I was clear, Stelle. No work until your fully recovered.” Stelle groaned, leaning her head back. “I’m so bored though…” Hyacine huffed, crossing her arms. “No work. That INCLUDES paperwork.” Stelle huffed, before Dan Heng lifted his head with a groan.
“You’re all loud.”
They all looked at him and Baiheng snickered. “Wakey-wakey.” The foxian teased and Dan Heng gave her a half-hearted glare. “I’m still not accepting anything you give me despite your innocent tone.” Baiheng stuck her tongue out at him, huffing as she turned away. “You needed food AND sleep. Can’t blame me for purposefully knocking you out so you got rest.” Dan Heng gave a suffering sigh at her words. Baiheng had often brought drink and food to Dan Heng when he refused to leave Stelle’s side while she was comatose for those two months.
There had been a few times he woke up in his room and would panic, before he came to realize Baiheng was slipping sleeping pills into his food so he got some sleep. He started refusing her offered food and drinks afterwards.
Stelle reached a hand up, brushing her fingers against his cheek and he leaned into her hand, grabbing her hand to kiss her palm. “How are you feeling?” Dan Heng asked and she smiled. “Better, thanks to the life-links.” At those words, March smiled. “That’s good. I’m glad they help.” Anaxa sighed at March’s words. “It’s just a shame that not everyone can perform a life-link. I know me and the other Chrysos Heirs and the High Cloud Quintet would all offer in a heartbeat.” Anaxa had offered but, apparently, humans don’t have the power needed to perform a life-link.
Dan Heng was able to because he was both Stelle’s mate and a vidyadhara and March had been able to because she was a demi-god as well.
“Dad said he’ll be coming by later with the other Aeon’s to check your recovery.” Phainon explained, eyes coming back into focus and Stelle nodded. It would be good to see their dad. Hyacine did a quick examination since that was why she was there, before she deemed Stelle could start having heavier food. Stelle had been stuck having light meals for a while but Hyacine was reducing it to one heavy meal per day. If it seemed to help, she’d up it to two heavier meals but Hyacine was being cautious. Stelle couldn’t handle much as her condition was still precarious.
She was stable…but that could change in a second.
Nanook came by later, like he said but he only had Yaoshi, Fuli and Qlipoth with him. The other Aeon’s were busy but the four had time and they didn’t need all the Aeon’s. They each poured some power into Stelle, before Nanook focused his gaze on the stellaron within and sighed. “Your stellaron is still a little weak but no longer unstable.” He pressed two fingers to where her stellaron scar rested. “It’s likely pale simply because your drained. In a few more days, it should be its bright gold once more.” The Aeon explained, before looking at Stelle in concern. “Are you sure your fine though?” Stelle nodded and Nanook gave a sigh.
“I would say a few more days of rest, then maybe speak to the Doctors about walking around to try and regain your strength.” The others looked at him as he said those words. “The life-links you’ve made have helped you regain strength at an accelerated rate. As such, I’d say by Friday, see about walking around to try and get your strength back in your body.” Stelle gave a nod, before Nanook pressed a kiss between her horns. “Just DON’T exert yourself, please.” Nanook pleaded and Stelle sighed gently. “I won’t dad.” He smiled at her words, grateful she would listen.
Stelle could take her time to heal now.
The days passed and, by Friday, Stelle had asked to try and walk like Nanook requested. Everyone was there to support her as she asked to roam around the inner palace, all of them keeping an eye on her so she didn’t try and push herself. Stelle was able to make it pretty sure, able to make it to the inner palace entrance before her legs began to shake and then Dan Heng carried her back. This continued on for about a month and, by the end of March, Stelle was able to walk without any help. She had done her best to not push herself and her restraint paid off as she could walk on her own.
As April rolled in, now April Fourteenth, Stelle was back to her normal duties. As Marum and the Preceptors sent could not find any potential candidates to replace the Luofu Preceptors, Marum had allowed Stelle to forgo any Preceptors. However, Stelle did appoint Anaxa, Baiheng, Phainon, Aglaea, Cyrene and Dan Heng to help with district matters. Since they all knew vidyadhara and Luofu laws, they agreed. Jing Yuan was glad to have trusted people helping Stelle with her work as it made it easier for him to go through the files as well…and Anaxa was meticulous about things being placed properly.
“How has Yanqing been by the way?” Stelle asked Jing Yuan as she handed the last file to him. “I haven’t seen him lately.” Stelle stated and he chuckled. “He’s been well. He’s been spending more time with Yunli as she’s visiting for the week.” Stelle smiled. Yunli, originally from the Zhuming District and was the granddaughter of the Zhuming Leader. She had started dating Yanqing two years ago at the Wardance Ceremony the Xianzhou Empire hosts.
Stelle had watched from the palace and Yunli had entered the finals and had gone against Yanqing in the battle, which ended in a draw.
That day, Yunli had challenged Yanqing every weekend and, from combative rivalry turned to friendly competition to something deeper forming. Stelle saw the signs easily, remembering the same signs her and Dan Feng had exhibited with one another and had subtly pushed Yanqing in the right direction. It was Yunli, however, who confessed first when another woman had confessed to Yanqing in front of her. It hadn’t taken Yanqing long to catch up with Yunli when she ran and confess.
Stelle was glad he took her words to heart. Never let the one you love slip through your fingers. If you have the chance, take it.
“I’m glad he has someone like her. Yunli is good for him.” Jing Yuan nodded, agreeing as he rounded the table to help Stelle stand. “I’m able to walk on my own, Jing Yuan.” Stelle commented with an amused smile and he chuckled. “I’m well aware, but we’re all still a little worried, Stelle.” And the vidyadhara knew that, she did. It’s why Jing Yuan came to pick up the documents himself actually. The door opened and Dan Heng perked, smiling a bit. “Done?” He asked and Stelle brightened, nodding and Jing Yuan took a step back, seeing Dan Heng’s tail flick in annoyance.
The vidyadhara male had not been pleased to see Jing Yuan so close to his wife, even if he knew the General wouldn’t do anything.
“Just gave the last of the files to Jing Yuan so he can turn them in with his own files.” At that, Dan Heng’s slightly tense posture relaxed. Jing Yuan held the files up, saying; “I’ll head out then. Jingliu is expecting me home soon, so I’ll see you all later.” The two gave a farewell wave to Jing Yuan as he departed, and then Dan Heng was pulling Stelle from the office. “I have something I want to ask, but let’s head back to your room.” He tilted his head, frowning a bit. “After all, I hear a certain foxian trying to find a way to eavesdrop here.” Stelle snorted as she heard a thud and footsteps scurry away.
Baiheng, forever mischievous.
They made their way back to Stelle’s room, the door closing and a noise cancelling enchantment flashing over the door. Upon the inner palace being rebuilt, Stelle had the room redone to have the door block noise and for the room to host her colors and Dan Heng’s colors. Surprisingly enough, gold and teal go well together when you add in some white and black. “How was your trip into the city?” Stelle asked first, curious about how it went. With Stelle able to leave now and Dan Heng no longer needing to fear being dragged back to the Shackling Prison, he had taken the chance to explore the main city.
Baiheng and Mydei had gone with him.
“It was well. Surprisingly lively and many are hoping to see you in person at some point.” Stelle gave a gentle smile as she sat on the bed, Dan Heng sitting beside her on the silk sheets. “I hope to be able to go into the city myself at some point. I need to catch up on all the work I’ve missed though.” Thankfully Stelle didn’t have much left to get through. Argus and the others had handled things incredibly well but there were a lot of problems that had to be fixed from the Preceptor’s greed and corruption. “Hopefully that’s soon.” Dan Heng replied, giving Stelle a kiss that she eagerly returned.
His tail lightly wrapped around hers, her own tail curling with his.
As Stelle pulled back, she leaned her head against Dan Heng’s. “What did you want to ask?” Stelle asked, feeling Dan Heng’s arms wrap around her waist. He was silent for a moment, before taking a deep breath. “I think…we should make it official.” Stelle raised a brow, pulling back to look at Dan Heng curiously. “Make what official?” She asked, seeing Dan Heng’s serious expression. The vidyadhara male pulled out a long, slim box and Stelle’s eyes went wide. She recognized that type of box.
“Even though we’re mated, we never had the ceremony, though I know that was because of the Preceptors.” Stelle turned her gaze back to Dan Heng. “So, now that we no longer need to worry about them, I want us to have the ceremony.” Dan Heng looked at the box he held. “I was reading through vidyadhara history and came across the courting and marriage section. While rings are common, we adopted that tradition from humans and foxians.” He handed the box to Stelle, who took it with reverence. “However, us vidyadhara use hairpins to signify union. I want others to know that we’re together, that we’re mates.” He nuzzled her head.
“So, this is my gift to you, my mate.” Stelle opened the box, heart swelling and her gaze turned soft, a purr coming from her as she nuzzled Dan Heng’s neck. “It’s beautiful.” She murmured, gazing back at the hairpins. They were gold in color, a teal dragon inscribed on each one and one had a silk lotus hanging from it. “I learned a bit about vidyadhara from talking to Phainon, March and the others as well. Lotus is something we use to signify new beginnings.” Stelle nodded, fingering the small flower. “I love this…and I accept.” Stelle said as she nuzzled his neck again.
Dan Heng felt a rumbling purr escape him as well, pressing a kiss between Stelle’s horns. “I now we don’t have to have the ceremony, considering our marks, but I still want us to have the chance to enjoy everything that goes with being together.” Stelle gave a giggle. “I never thought you’d be one to want to enjoy a ceremony.” Dan Heng gave a chuckle as well. “I generally wouldn’t…but with you, it’d be worth it.” Stelle smiled and pulled back, before she pulled her mate into a kiss.
She would like to have a ceremony. They would have their new beginning.
Notes:
See? SEE?! I PROMISED IT WOULD END WELL!
We still have one more chapter though, I'm not ending it here just yet. I'm sure we all want to see a true happy ending don't we? ^^
I'm still writing the last chapter so it'll be a bit but it shouldn't be too much longer now.
Anyways, stay tuned for the final chapter! ^^
Chapter 19: To Family
Summary:
With the wedding said and done, there are more surprises on the way.
What news does Stelle have to tell the family?
Chapter Text
**(Two Months Later, Friday-June 25h; Evening)**
Phainon rubbed Stelle’s back as the vidyadhara tried to get her stomach to stop churning. They had the ceremony and had gotten it done in record time. Apparently Dan Heng had been working on preparations once Stelle first awoke. Baiheng, March, Phainon and everyone had been helping when they had time and Anaxa had constantly been giving books to Dan Heng that spoke about the marriage ceremonies the vidyadhara held, courting rituals, gifts to give, multiple things and Baiheng had sneakily added in honeymoon spots.
It took a month for them to have the ceremony ready, perform it and then go on a honeymoon for two weeks. They just got back last week but Stelle was feeling a little under the weather the past few days. Always in the morning and before bed.
Dan Heng seemed to know what was going on as he was more protective and he had even kicked Stelle out of the office, taking over her work for her. Jing Yuan had found it incredibly amusing until Dan Heng glared at him with glowing eyes. Baiheng seemed to know what was going on as well as she was always smirking, even Jingliu seemed to know what was going on as she had passed some credits to Baiheng who smirked happily at what Jingliu gave her.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to grab a doctor?” Phainon asked as he helped Stelle back into her room where Himeko, March, Baiheng and Cyrene were. “They’ll just tell me the same thing they told me when me and Dan Heng got back.” Stelle commented, sitting down on the bed beside March. “And what did they tell you?” March asked, ignoring Baiheng’s smug smirk. Stelle sighed, before looking at Baiheng, who was wagging her tail. “Your dying to say something, aren’t you?” Baiheng snickered and nodded, making Stelle sigh. “Then you say it.” Stelle was too tired and needed water.
Baiheng laughed. “Stelle’s pregnant!” She cheered and everyone in the room had different reactions. Himeko held a hand to her mouth in shock, Cyrene smiled, eyes going bright while March and Phainon’s gazes snapped to Stelle’s stomach. “YOUR PREGNANT?!” They all exclaimed and Stelle gave a nod as Baiheng cackled. “No wonder Dan Heng’s gotten more protective and kicked you out of the office.” March commented, moving to poke Stelle’s stomach. “I take it he knows?” Stelle nodded, watching her sister-in-law poke her stomach.
It was a little more firm but Stelle was only a few weeks in.
“Congratulations Stelle.” Himeko said with a soft smile, even as Cyrene reached her hands, giving congratulations as well. Phainon, however, was silent and Stelle looked at him curiously. “Phainon?” He reached forward and poked her stomach as well. “Your…pregnant…” His eyes went gold and Stelle knew he was using his powers to try and feel for the life growing within. Seconds later he pulled his hand back, eyes back to normal and he was feeling both overjoyed and curious. “But…how? Vidyadhara…t-they can’t…”
Stelle gave a nod at his stuttered words. “They shouldn’t be able to but you have to remember, I’m not a real vidyadhara. I’m a stellaron and my powers perform miracles, just like Caelus could. We have pure, raw energy inside of us and our powers can work against our will and grant us our deepest desire.” Stelle ran a hand over her still flat stomach, feeling her powers wrap around her womb. Phainon looked at her stomach once more and gave an amused huff. “Caelus would be over the moon.” Stelle gave a nod, knowing that was very true.
Word spread quickly through the inner palace that Stelle was pregnant, though Stelle wasn’t trying to hide it. She was just wanting to see how long it took people to find out. Jing Yuan and Yingxing had been the first to congratulate her, followed by Aglaea, Castorice and Mydei and the others followed soon. Marum and the other High Elder’s of the other districts sent congrats as well, having learned from the Ten-Lords Commission and others from the Luofu District that Stelle was pregnant as well.
Nanook visited more frequently upon hearing his daughter was pregnant, though he had planned to as Welt and Himeko had decided to settle in the Luofu and call it home. While they would continue to travel when needed, they had a home to return to. It was a crazy few months until they learned Stelle was having twins, making her joke it ran in the family. Phainon couldn’t help but laugh at that since Stelle and Caelus had been identical, as had Nanook and Akivili with the difference of eye color. Upon learning Stelle was having twins, it became a betting game of if it was twin girls, twin boys or one of each.
Stelle let them have their fun, able to tell what she was having, as could Dan Heng and Baiheng, but both had been sworn to secrecy. Baiheng had a harder time staying quiet, wanting to spill all she knew but she wouldn’t.
Eight months in and fate decided to intervene.
**(Eight Months Later, Friday-February 25th; Afternoon)**
Stelle frowned in annoyance, placing a hand where one of her children kicked. “I’m guessing that’s you, Aster.” Stelle muttered, before she felt a hand press to the other side. “And that would be Esther.” Stelle murmured, rubbing a hand where her daughter was pressing. As it turned out, Stelle was having a boy and a girl; March had been over the moon to hear that! As had Cyrene whenever she visited and it turned out that Cyrene was also pregnant, though gender was still uncertain as she was only two months in.
“So, if it’s a girl, we’re thinking Mem. Cyrene’s been wanting to name a girl she’d have that for some time.” Phainon said as he paced the office where Stelle was. She was getting some last minutes documents done. “And a boy?” Stelle asked, putting a file aside…but the silence seemed tense, so she looked up. “Phainon?” Stelle asked and he shifted a bit. “Would it…be alright, if me and Cyrene do have a boy, to call them Caelus?” Stelle was surprised by that. “I mean, I’ve always wanted to honor our brother in some way and this seems like the perfect way.”
Stelle chuckled a bit. “He was your brother as much as he was mine, Phainon. I think he’d be thrilled.” Phainon gave a small smile. “I just…felt like I should ask before I make an actual decision.” Stelle shook her head, amused at his slightly sheepish expression. “Speaking of children, having Yingxing and Baiheng made any progress?” Phainon asked Stelle, who hummed. “I think they were talking about getting medicine made. They’re having difficulties getting any results.” The ashen haired woman stated, before jolting at another kick. “Aster, stop that.” Stelle smacked a hand where her child hit, making Phainon frown.
“That’s mean.” She leveled a glare at him. “His fault.” Stelle pushed her chair back to stand. “He always gets more-” Stelle cut her sentence off when she stood, feeling water run down her leg and she quickly went pale.
‘Oh no….oh no, no, no, no, no…’
Stelle casting her gaze down, seeing the small puddle and her tail began to sway in slight panic. “Stelle?” Phainon questioned, worried about his sisters sudden silence. Stelle lifted her gaze, eyes glowing gold and claws digging into her desk. “Uh…my…my water just broke…” Phainon blinked once, twice…then gave a curse and hurried to her side.
He instantly lifted her up, before handing her his phone. “Call the others and tell them to meet us at the medical wing!”
Dan Heng was pacing back and forth outside the waiting room with the others, all finding a way to keep themselves calm and distracted. Aglaea was focused on two small onesies, one teal and one gold. Cipher was playing with her coin, tail flicking nervously as she waited for news. Phainon, Jing Yuan, Yingxing and Mydei were playing a holographic card game to keep themselves distracted. Baiheng, Jingliu and Castorice were discussing baby looks, like if they’d both have dark hair or light hair. Himeko was busy trying to keep March calm, while Welt would occasional flick his eyes to the clock.
Cyrene was running a hand over her own baby bump while Anaxa’s leg bounced up and down in impatience. It had surprised everyone that he had been the first to lay his stuff down to get to the waiting room. Even Hyacine wasn’t in the birthing room as she had no childbirth experience but she was definitely going to make it the next thing to learn. Yanqing was fidgeting with his hands, impatient to see his honorary niece and nephew. Out of everyone, he had been the most excited, if a little impatient as he had spoken about taking them under his wing to train them once they were old enough. Now though, now he was just anxious.
Eventually the door opened and everyone snapped to attention.
“Would everyone like to see the new arrivals?” The nurse teased, offering everyone to come in and they headed inside. Dan Heng entered first and instantly, his expression softened as Stelle, exhausted, was handed two bundles and she smiled. She looked up, her gaze connecting with Dan Heng and the others. “Say hello to Aster and Esther.” Heart swelling, Dan Heng made his way over, gazing at the two bundled children with adoration and he gave a choked laugh. They were beautiful.
The girl, based on the scent, had a patch of dark hair and two teal stubs serving as the base for her horns. Pointed ears matching the boy poked to the sides and there was a dusting of red below each eye. The boy had ash-silver hair and two gold stubs similar to his sister’s teal stubs. However, there was no dusting of red for him.
March came to Stelle’s other side and her own expression softened. “They’re adorable.” She said softly, reaching a hand down and brushing it against the girls patch of black hair. Phainon stood by Dan Heng, smiling at the twins before looking at his sister. “How do you feel?” He teased and Stelle gave a tired chuckle. “Tired…but overjoyed.” Stelle murmured, nuzzling the twins and they twitched a bit. Cyrene, who stood beside March, smiled widely as the twins opened their eyes. The girl had gold eyes like her mother and the boy had bright jade like his father.
As everyone gushed over the twins, Welt and Himeko stood near the door, smiling before Welt looked behind him. Standing where they once stood was Nanook. “Don’t you want to come in and say hi?” Welt asked as Himeko walked in. Nanook turned toward Welt, yet shook his head. “I’ll visit later when there’s not that many people.” He explained and Welt hummed. “I take it Marum will be visiting as well?” Nanook nodded, crossing his arms. “And the other High Elder’s. They’re all over the moon, wanting to visit and spoil the two rotten.” He gave a chuckle.
“They’ll have no shortage of friends as they get older.” Welt gave a hum, before looking back to the room. “They’ll grow up without fear.” Nanook gave a nod and then Welt walked into the room, even as Nanook headed off. He’d visit later with the other Aeon’s.
Things had finally settled down and there was no fear from the Preceptor’s causing a ruckus again. Dan Heng was freed of his past haunts and Stelle had a brighter future to look forward to with her children and her mate. Phainon still had his family and it would continue to grow as he and Cyrene awaited the arrival of their own child. The Luofu would continue to prosper without things getting out of hand and those within the inner palace could finally have peace.
“I love you, Stelle.”
“I love you too, Dan Heng.”
They would always be together, just like the stars and the moon.
Notes:
So, for anyone wondering, the reason I didn't write out the wedding was because I'm not that well versed in what ancient wedding traditions would've been like. (Much less what a Chinese weeding would be like.) And thus, with my brain fried (as I was also in the process of moving), I nixed the wedding and jumped straight to children. The names Aster and Esther seem to be my staple for DanStelle children...
Also, I thought it would be nice that, if Phainon and Cyrene did have a son, that he would be called Caelus, in honor of Phainon and Stelle's brother.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the story and thank you everyone for who read and left Kudo's! ^^
Chapter 20: Author's Note
Chapter Text
Hey everyone, this is just a small call out to everyone who read the story and left kudo's! I hope you all enjoyed reading the story as much as I did writing it. ^^
I originally had a different ending planned for the story, one that would've had Mother Seraph make an appearance but I decided to not go with that ending and keep this completely separate from Mother Seraph stories.
But, for those of you who may have wondered, this would've been a story Mother Seraph read to Aster and Esther (with the gruesome parts omitted of course) but she would've known Stelle was listening as, after the book close; Aster and Esther would have been found asleep and Mother Seraph would look to the doorway, seeing Stelle wide awake and smiling, listening in on the story.
I also want to thank everyone who left a comment as I like hearing everyone's thoughts on a story as it progresses. Despite the headaches this story gave me (like the fight scene T^T), this was still very fun to write.
I am working on another story that you may have seen mentioned in the comments, a A/B/O story (where I will be using my OWN version of A/B/O as there are certain things that I'm NOT comfortable writing so...yeah) which is in the works and already has a few chapters ready. I will most likely start posting those later this week. (Or tomorrow...or later today. We'll see. XD)
Anyways, as I always say at the end of every chapter...
I hope you all enjoyed this story, thank you for the kudo's and comments and I shall see you all in the next story! ^^
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