Xie Lian

I'd felt a skip in my step -- my sleeves were clean and graceful, my voice clear and announced excitement at all the tickets and treasures. I hadn't realized how infectious it had been -- many idling the streets turned their heads. It was a bit nerve-racking, it wasn't clear if I was friend or foe to them.

I held my coins close before stuffing them in one of my sleeves. Ruoye had soon moved along my fingers, a small laugh escaping me. "What is it?"

Ruoye moved out of my sleeve before pulling me along the pathway. "Hold on!"

"Are you okay?" A man grabbed my arm and stopped Ruoye's pursuit. I sighed in relief and laughed a bit, hiding Ruoye from attracting more attention. "Of course, I was wondering if you had any paint? My friend wants some."

"Paint, huh? Yeah, how much you got?" He asked, pushing it a bit more.

I hummed and shuffled a few coins out of my pocket, looking up at him. "That's enough. Come on, follow me."

I smiled and nodded a bit as he let go. Once behind him, Ruoye started to panic, and I merely stuffed it back inside.

I took in my surroundings as the man led me into a dark alleyway, it was secluded, peaceful. Dark.

This hadn't sat well with me.

I slowed to a stop, my hands digging into my sleeves. "Sir, I'm afraid I've changed my mind-"

"Really?" The gruffness in his voice got more irritated. "I've heard about people like you. Rich folk not giving one cent about others."

I took a few steps back, holding my hands out. "There must be a misunderstanding here!"

"There isn't!" He yelled before running at me. My eyes widened -- there was a cloth in his hand.

I swiftly dodged and tripped him, he clashed against the floor. It was quiet, I panted a bit and continued my way out. "This isn't right-!"

Something sharp pressed against my neck, and my eyes stung closed -- my vision turned black, and the sound of a body crashed the floor.

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Fei Minikui

It had been 5 minutes since I last saw Lian.

"Something's wrong." I told Cheng, glancing over.

Cheng hit the axe through the wood, an annoyed sigh escaping his throat. "Are you always going to complain every single minute?"

"This is Lian we're talking about!" I urged. "Don't you care?!"

Cheng paused and swung the axe handle on his shoulder, glancing at me. "He could handle himself. Do you have no faith?"

"Why don't we go check?" I tried to convince him -- as much as I hated him, I did need the protection if someone were to cause harm. "Let's get him a heartwarming gift! For his consideration to let you stay with us?"

Cheng scoffed and kneeled down, a smirk curved on his face. "Admit you're too scared."

"Scared? I'm not!"

"Then, no. Go by yourself." He mused, a snicker to his lips.

He's the worst.

I huffed and sat on the porch stairs, crossing my arms over the other.

Thud

...

Thud

...

Thu-

"Fine! I'm scared, does that make you happy?" I huffed back, rushing up before heading to town. "Hurry up!!"

"My pleasure," Cheng followed behind, much to my persisting and eagerness.

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Xie Lian

The man gasped as Ruoye tightened around his throat, pressing him against the tree. The power radiating off sent the message that it had no remorse.

It seemed to have knocked out at least 5 other people, laying on the ground in pain.

All I heard were thuds while I was out -- I grunted softly, and held my head. It hurt, this hasn't happened before..

I'd blinked a few times, letting my eyes adjust, and the harsh tug in my sleeve snapped me back.

Ruoye was defending me, but this was much too far. "Ruoye! Let him go!"

Ruoye froze and released its grip, coiling back into my sleeve. I towered above the man, as he hacked and coughed for air.

I frowned a bit and kneeled down. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because you're a murderer!" He shouted at me, throwing a punch to my jaw.

I fell back, eyes wide by what little he'd done to avoid violence.

..Murderer?

My breath hitched a bit, no, that was not true. I had done nothing-

And there's when it hit, my parents. Would they still think of me in that way?.. No, why are these horrible thoughts coming now?

"You're lucky our boss wants you alive." He spat back, huffing a bit. "If I was in charge, I would have killed you!"

Before I could process, I heard a distant screaming. Fei?-

"BACK OFF, SERPENT!!" Fei wacked the man in the back, a sharp yell escaping him.

I winced at how painful that looked and chuckled slightly. "Fei? Thank you.."

"Thank you? He did nothing. I told him you could handle yourself," Cheng whisked behind, disgust on his face.

"I helped! YOU didn't want to go anyways!" Fei argued back, before rolling his eyes. "Whatever-"

"Shut up." Cheng ordered to Fei before kneeling down to me.

I looked up at him before pressing two fingers against my lip, pulling away to reveal a red hue and the copper taste in my mouth. "I didn't get the paint you wanted."

Cheng tilted my chin up to get a better look at my face and the evidence of the violent strike. He delicately thumbs away the streak of blood by my mouth, saying nothing as he examined it.

After a brief pause, my heart skipped a nervous beat as Cheng looked me dead in the eyes. His voice is quiet and tense, his anger barely restrained.

"Who did this to you?"

"It's not his f-"

"Who did this to you?" Cheng spat under his breath.

My eyes glanced to the man on the floor before looking back at his eyes -- I couldn't help it. Cheng chuckled and let me go before walking up to the man.

"Cheng, wait!"

"Break his bones!!" Fei cheered back, laughing a bit more.

Cheng lifted the man off his feet by his shirt collar, lifting his sword up. The man's eyes widened more, yelling for help.

"Cheng!"

"Where's the others? Who do you think you are to mess with me?" Cheng demanded back.

"We're the boogilies! We're looking for our leader, Fei Minikui!" He panicked.

My eyes widened as I looked back at Fei -- he was as shocked at I was. Cheng was even more angry.

"That's still a stupid name." Cheng mused, glancing at Fei. "I can see the resemblance. No wonder I want to punch your face in so bad."

"What?! I'm not involved in these guys!"

"You're more than involved-!" The man hissed in pain as Cheng lifted him higher. "Take us to your clan."

"I'd rather keep my honor!!" He thumped on the ground, wincing as he stared at Fei.

"We have your 'leader.' What's your little clan going to think about you returning empty handed? Is that going to sit well with you?" Cheng asked back.

He's gone quiet.

"Have nothing to say?"

The man seemed to think it over, before sighing heavily.

He'd quickly showed us the way, Cheng turned to Fei and scoffed. "Go ahead, great leader, Minikui."

Fei got red in embarrassment and rushed behind.

Cheng held a hand to me, a smile of his face. "If you were this dire for a protector, I would have volunteered, God of Silk."

I grabbed his hand and stumbled up -- Cheng held my back gently as he stayed close. I laughed a bit and shook my head. "Just Lian! No need for the formalities-"

"You are a God, but if it's what you want, I'll agree with it." Cheng answered.

"It's what I want." I said, giving him a warm smile.

"Good, and I'll worry for that paint. No need for you to get your hands dirty." His voice got low, staring at Fei in hatred.

I could tell his trust for Fei was shattered.