Xie Lian

My eyes shot open to violent coughing and a sound of choking.

It was around the time when the sun set -- I got up and rubbed my head before looking for San Lang. Panic started to settle in.

He wasn't there.

And that was enough for me to get up and move out of the place we stayed. "San Lang?! San Lang!"

I dug my hands in the dirt, hoisting myself up with ease.

There were a few bugs and fish around, but that was all there was. I sighed and took E-Ming out, checking the area with further depth.

"San.." I paused.

Passed a few trees was a figure kneeling to the water.

I took a few more steps before sighing in relief.

San Lang coughed and brang his shaky hands in the water, bringing it to his lips before taking a sip. His throat strained, noisy breathing followed after. "Curse this.."

I moved past the trees, before sitting beside him, my hands resting on my thighs.

San Lang coughed violently, clutching the cloth closest to his heart. "It hurts."

"Where?" I asked softly.

He shakily raised a hand to his neck. "My body is burning, and this headache won't go away. Why is your body hurting so much?"

I can only rest a hand on his back, rubbing soft circles. His eyes raised to mine and I shyly answered,"Ah, I'd got so used to it, I truly didn't notice it hurt so much. The shackles burden the wearer tremendously."

"It's feels so tight." He said with regret. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Oh." Was all I said, glancing back at the water. "It was really nothing. I handled it just great. And you will too, with time-"

"And what about a cure?!" He blurted back. "Why aren't you fighting for another way?! Don't you understand the urgency?-" San Lang took a long and heavy breath.

"There are much more pressing matters than my situation." I answered, before smiling slightly.

I rubbed the back of my head, recalling a few memories. "Once my parents died, that must of been where it all started to get messy. The shackles and my horrendous luck. But, I'm so glad I got to help a few people I've met along the way."

San Lang was staring, the news was big, but he struggled to understand my reasoning. "Gege. Do you really think you are less than some fool on the street?" He asked, almost in disbelief.

"I want to help more people." I say, smiling more. "I strive to help people."

San Lang reached a hand up, grasping the cloth on his neck before yanking it off with ease. Once I was in contact with the shackles on his neck, I couldn't help but feel dread wash over me. I looked away and to the pond instead. The reflection back at me wasn't my own, but I felt comforted that I could see his face.

"San Lang be careful.."

"How are you going to help people when you don't help yourself," He said to me, his hand firm against his neck. There was a desperate look in his eyes. "How, Gege? Have you not tried to figure something out?"

"With how it's going, everything is f-"

"How is it fine when you can't even look at me? At yourself?!" He said back.

"I never found a cure." I said with much guilt. "Believe me, I have tried. I'm sorry, that I can't see what I'm doing wrong."

San Lang gone quiet after that. I hated that look. His eyes were full of sadness, I didn't want things to turn this way.

"You have done nothing wrong. I worry for you." San Lang says before placing a hand on top of mine. "Tell me these things when it hurts. If anything. Promise me."

"I promise." I looked at him. For once, I felt relieved to hear those words. He was so protective, and recently, he always wanted to make sure I was in his eyesight.

"...Need me to help with the water?" I asked him softly.

"I just need a good rest." He said, sighing. San Lang got up and made his way. He struggled a bit in my outfit. "You're robe is much too long-"

I started to smile, getting up with him. "And you're pants are much too tight. I'd think you would have alternative motives."

San Lang grinned at me before shrugging. "I like showing what I aquire, does that embarrass you?"

"Well..no.." I cleared my throat to keep from letting him see the red on my face. "You can do what you'd like."

I was sure he could see the redness anyways, it was clear as day. "E-Ming really likes you." He said to me. "He likes being close to you."

"Does he?" I grabbed the sword and the eye only glistened with joy. I smiled more and stroked the edges. "I like him too."

"How could you? It's annoying. And ugly." He said out of the blue, almost in spite. "Especially the eye. Isn't it revolting?"

"I like it. It's beautiful in every way. The eye is my favorite part." I say softly, before putting it away. "Give it grace."

"It is my prized possession, a powerful one at that, but I wouldn't say beautiful. " He said amusingly, rolling his eyes.

I rushed over, walking beside him with curiously. "Maybe..we should get to know each other a little better. And understand what limits and gains we could take."

"Sounds amusing." He gave me a proud look. "You'd be surprised."

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Once we returned to the hole down below, I made sure he was okay.

"Does it hurt still?"

"No. Gege."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," He laid back, grinning at me. "Come on, tell me a bit about yourself."

"About myself?" I asked.

"Yes, it could be anything." San Lang says. "You said that we should know each other. Why not start small?"

And I was..stumped.

What did that even mean?

I could tell him my favorite color but then it could open up the fall of Xianle-

I don't want to talk about that.

"Can I take these off? It is restraining me," He looked up at me for permission.

And I was at a loss for words, I could only nod. Even though I hated them showing.

I looked up to see San Lang removing the rest of the bandages from the shackles. My stomach churned, but I must let him do what he wanted.

"As you're well aware..I'm terrible at cooking." I said sheepishly.

San Lang laughed more. "Terrible isn't the word I'd use. You are inexperienced. And in desperate need to get taught."

I smiled and added,"You can teach me!"

"Without a second thought, but why hasn't anyone helped before? Isn't there anyone close to you?" He asked.

"Well.." I beamed a bit more. "Jun Wu. He's always been like a father to me. He made sure I was in check, and we've even done a few errands together. But, he has no time on his hands, but I make sure to visit.."

"Jun Wu." The words rolled off San Lang's tongue like sandpaper. "Hm."

"Hm?" I looked at him in confusion. "Have you two met? Was it not a good introduction? He'll listen to me if I assure that you are well-"

"He's a calamity. Lian." He says after a few moments to take a breath. "He must be. I know that name. It feels too familar to be called something weak."

"You must be wrong." I stared at him, furrowing my eyebrows a bit. "He would tell me if he was. He enjoys my company, and tells me about important decisions made-"

"I'm never wrong." He states, leaning back. "There are 4 calamities. Me and White No-Face, along with two others. Are you absolutely sure?"

Sure? Of course I was.

"Yes. He's the only family I have left. He knows what's best for me. I promised to visit and I let him down," I paused and sighed. "I need his advice. Badly."

"You have me, Gege! Don't fret-" He snickered back. "Look, let me get us some water to take and we will continue to get Fei. Deal?"

"..yeah. Deal."

San Lang dusted himself off before heading up. But something in me told me that he shouldn't leave. That something was wrong.

"San Lang-"

He turned his head to me, and I was relieved until there was a loud swoosh and an arrow shot his arm.

He yelled and cursed under his breath, hoisting his body against the tree. I reached up for his hand, but his eyes were wide. It was of pure fire and anger I've never seen before.

"Please grab my hand!" I panicked back.

He snapped out of his thoughts before making a move. It was too late, White No-Face grabbed him first.

"San Lang!" I yelled before pushing myself to the surface. I panted, the flood of emotions made my head spin.

White No-Face stared at me and I couldn't move. I felt frozen.

San Lang stared at me, but he was more angry of what bad emotions White No-Face wanted me to feel.

I screamed desperately for my body to work, to forget the past and focus on Cheng.

White No-Face rolled a dice, and I portal appeared behind him. He and San Lang entered the portal.

I shot up on my feet, rushing to grab the dice before it got sucked in. There was a loud click and the portal sunk closed.

I crashed to the ground, holding my head with my hands tight into fists. I gasped and heaved from the adrenaline, tears caught in my eye.

With trembling hands, I grasped the dice in my hand. The number 6 was left.