-  A Portkey was a magical object enchanted to instantly bring anyone touching it to a specific location. -

. . .

CRASSHHHH, Slashhh!!

The furniture slashed across the room. All hundred-lit candles flickered wildly to the crushing resentful aura that revolved in fury. Twin Arrays. Drawn with one's blood. Unfortunately the other had its lines wrongfully smushed. The Qi channelling was broken. The array was forcefully broken into.

Wei Ying's eyes glowed red as he proceeded to tackle the other person smashing them to the floorboard, and choking them. 

KILL KILLL KILL KILLL KILLL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL His mind was evaded by screams chanting a rhythm to the resentful to the energy that consumed Wei Ying. His heart wrenched, twisting as he grunted in pain as he choked the preparator. It seemed the only possible end to this agony. It felt as if a thousand arrows had gone through his gut. His heart ripped open and his tongue felt like it did not even exist. The pain was unreal. It was the pain of the past. All the resentful spirits that had been killed brutally, the fox spirits before him and right now he felt every death. The way they went through it. The pleads for help, their hearts beating while they were devoured. The calls drove him insane. This  .. empathy

IT HURT.

HURT SO MUCH

IT HHURTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT,  It was... taking his mind all over, it scared him. His vision blurred. HE WANTS BLOOD FOR EACH OF THE DEATH. BEACUSE IT... HURTTT

His twisted from the insides in pain as his mind was clouded with the memory of the spirits. One was chopped as they were alive, one tired to the alter, their brain still alive as their heart was ripped through. A little girl taken advantage of, she pleads for her death while the preparator still kept her alive to eat their heart. Because they were nine-tailed. BECAUSE THEY WERE NINE-TAILED. JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE FUCKING NINE-TAILED. He screamed along with all the others in his head.  Every death hurt. it hurt... IT HURT

IT HURT, IT HURT, IIT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, T HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT,IT HURT, IT HURT, IIT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT HURT, IT

AAARRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

His mind was churning like a hurricane.'' kill them '' it asked along. This sudden array deviations hazed his sight. 

'w_ei yi_ng' Lan Wangji choked underneath. Holding Wei Ying's hands letting his Qi flow trying to get him out of the bloodlust.

Wei Ying stood alone in the pitch darkness. He was losing it, he knew that much. A tiny light, a voice. ' wei yi_ng!' a little something hit his senses blurred. Not the preparator?' A question came to his mind.

For the second, Wei Ying's strength falters. Lan Wangji ripped himself free, flipping them as he straddled Wei Ying trapping him beneath. He rips his scared ribbon transforming into a semi-human, as he chants a spell tieing it across Wei Ying's claws. The sacred ribbon does not have enough strength to hold Wei Ying down for long, but quite enough. In the meantime, Lan Wangji summons Bichen as he lets his blood out drawing a smaller array around binding and trapping them together. Closing the formerly broken array and mending the Qi channelling.

Closing his eyes in meditation, he channels his Qi chanting the cleansing sutra. Wei Ying snarls as he tries to tackle Wangji. The sutra had Wei Ying scream his voice in the highest pitch possible deafening Lan Wangji. This was already tough enough. Irritated, Lan Zhan snaps his eyes open, he dives pushing Wei Ying onto the floor further, putting his weight on him, their breath mingled and rough.  He was on top of Wei Ying's, their robes dishevelled, and the metallic smell of blood surrounding them. He has taken hold of Wei Ying's claws, trapping them with his one hand above him. Both fought for dominance. Lan Wangji still chanting with utmost concentration. Lan Wangji sweats as he looks straight into the red eyes. Annoyed he pushed further with his full weight, pressing their chests together as Wangji's tresses fell forward covering them. It was taking his all to hold him down with Wei Ying grunting in the influence of the resentful energy.  His chant is now closer to Wei Yin's ear. A little slip and it might end up very wrong.

' Wei Ying! ' his name, called in pristine feelings. The worry, the warmth. A person in white?

The sutra was coming to an end, and the colour of Wei Ying's eyes turned silver grey. Lan Zhan slowed speaking carefully as he finished sealing the mantra. Wei Ying, he said in all his worries, calling him. He fell tired over Wei Ying as he pressed their forehead together. 

His sight returned, and Wei Ying's senses became aware as he finds himself pressed down to the floor. Lan Wagji is on top of him. He finds amber eyes that were looking worried. " Wei Ying" he uttered. He sounded tired, spent and may be worried. Pinned down by his husband, their robes deshelled, well he was messy but this was quite a scandalized situation he found himself in. Lan Zhan was out of breath above him, Hair dishevelled. Wei Ying flushed red, warmth pooled in his lower stomach. His heart hammered in his chest. Their breath mingled too close. Lan Wangji said his name over and over again as a prayer, their lips almost brushing. 

CRACKK! 

The door, ''Watch out''  Wei Ying yells pushing Lan Zhan out of the way as he snaps his fingers summoning fox fire letting the crumbled fallen door turn to ashes.

Now, that he sees it all, the candles, Bichen lying shining in blood, the arrays. He lets out a shaky breath as the events in his subconscious fill him in. He realizes.  Looking at the state of the broken-down room he tries. He lets out a shaky breath"Hah ha AH, guess..... one of Us  really lost it hah." Even though a futile attempt Wei Wuxian's voice was devoid of any humour. 

"I apologize." Lan Wangji utters.

"NO..  ... ah Fuck !, I... I.... don't ... just do not defend me, Lan Zhan. I was subconscious, not unconscious." Wei Ying admits running his fingers through his hair, trembling. What the actual hell?

" It was not Wei YIng's Fault. I miscalculated the amount of resentful energy in the empathy. And we were___

"LAN ZHANN,  You are doing this again, Justifying the devil's actions. hah. Do you think that was the only thing that went wrong, !" Wei Ying interrupts

"It is alright."

"AGAIN AGAIN AGAINNNNNN!!!  'it's alright', 'its nothing, Lan... Zhannn, Can't you see this defence mechanism of yours. How long will you defend this? " Wei Ying points to the mess around.

"It isn't the fact you miscalculated. I.. felt it..... Slipping._My sanity. I .. I I...... FUCKING WANTED TO KILL... you!!  Realize that. " He looks down to Bichen that lay coated in Lan Wangji's blood. He did all of this. 

"And this isn't the first time we failed in dual cultivation. I feel it, reaching my full potential will not save the world but unleash the damned devil." He spewed, voice laced with disgust.

"WEI YINGG is not the devil" Lan Wangji deadpans.

GOD, WHAT are YOU? BLIND? look at those bloody..' His words cease as His eyes fall on the marks on the neck of Lan Wangji. He did that! He gulps " I AM THE THREAT, at what cost will you stop trying?

"Wei Ying!!! You ARE'NT." 

"Hah, Seriously Lan Wangji what has defending the devils brought you So far, other than pain...WHY DON'T YOU get ittttt? You CAN'T DUAL CULTIVATE WITH THE DEVIL LAN WANGJI !!!! WHAT IS IT YOU ARE EVEN TRYING TO PROVE are even trying to prove, THAT I AM NOT WHAT I AM? SORRY I. I ...HAHAHAAAA _

 I AM NOT AN INNOCENT BEING YOU SAVED. HAVEN'T THE FACTS SO FAR PROVED OTHERWISE, THEN WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO FIND THIS SOLUTION TO !? Just do what are you supposed to. KILL MEE.

"I. SHALL. Never." Lan Wangji punctuates.

" HUH, LAN WANGJI, IT ISN'T LATE enough. . at  least,.... at least I will be honoured to die at your hands."

"ENOUGH!, WEI WUXIAN." Lan Wangji loses it. The dragon growls at him, his eyes gleaming in something Wei Ying can't comprehend. and that settles it. No one speaks. Even though years of practising restraint. Appears like his patience can be thin when it comes to Wei Ying. 

 The heated situation comes to abrupt stillness and to be true Wei Wuxian can not meet Lan Zhan's eyes. 

flap

flip

flap

A  paper butterfly flutters. Lan Wangji takes it. He squints reading. When done he dismiss the message to shatter it into pieces. Taking a breath Lan Wangji schools his expressions.

" It would be required for us to visit Shirong," Lan Wangji tells Wei Ying calmly.

"Alright, I ....would set the array." Wei Ying says low, sighing.

" Mhn" Lan Wangji hums.

'"Or should I first heal you?" Wei Ying says whispers. But Lan Wangji had already heard him.

"Yes," Lan Wangji answers as he stands expecting, gathering his hair upwards revealing his long neck. Wei Ying goes ahead. His mind was still stuck on Lan Wangji's voice. He lets out a tense breath and looks at the pale neck marked with claws tearing the pale skin. It sends shivers down his spine as he puts his mouth on the marks.

Lan Wangji's ears turn red.

.

.

.

 " How much longer? "

" Don't know, I think... I .. would require a direct ..u know the contact...

Before he could understand Lan Wangji pulls in Wei Ying crashing their lips together. Wei Ying registers that his mouth was over Lan Wangji, the current running through his spine. He places his hands on Lan Zhan's neck as he draws him in transferring Qi. He lets out a moan, melting into the kiss, their tongue dancing in frenzied tango. It was somewhat sloppy. But it nevertheless set his soul on fire.

When they part, both are out of breath, and Lan Wangji's ears were fuming as if angry. The marks are very light now but are still there. Wei Ying pulls them again but Lan Wangji places a hand on his chest.

"It should be fine now." He manages.

"But just a little more, it will be healed."

" Wei Ying, I will be alright,  you are tired."

"I swear Lan Zhan it's just that the .. the way I pressed in the toxins with resentment has a deep circulating magic which is just .. taking a bit longer. It's not that I am trying to kiss longer or it's just exchanging fluids. " 

" It's alright."

"But.. Lan Zhan."

" It's alright, We are soul bonded Wei Ying. Your minimal magic will not harm me and will fade."

Wei Ying nods as he touched Lan Zhan's mark on the neck, but before he could apologize Lan Zhan utters. " Do not, none of this is your fault. Everything!"

Wei YIng looks at Lan Wangji they redraw an array to travel gateway creating a portkey. He thinks why the fuck Lan Zhan is so sincere laying his all to someone who caused nothing but pain in his life. Gosh! 

"Hopeless aren't you?" He murmurs as they set foot onto the array.

~*~

The strong smell of blood hits them as they make the arch from the forest to the alley. Pungent, metallic and probably left there longer than a week. Coming to the snow-covered downtown the old vast athenaeum, an old leaning building at the edge of the street came into their sight. 

'fleur signus'. Lan Wangji stops.

"We are here." He tells. Wei Ying raises an eyebrow. Lan Wangji whispers a spell as a light blue pattern in the air shows itself before destroying it quickly. 

"Brother expected us to be here."

Wei Ying nods. There were no lanterns on this side of the village, the streets were darkening with the evening.  Well quite advantageous to them if one asks. They proceed to walk along the edge of the forest that surrounded the athenaeum. As expected the back of the athenaeum was not heavily guarded. Reaching the back door Wei Ying frowns. It was way too easy. He cocks an eyebrow at Lan Wangji. He had not made a move either. 

Wei Ying lets talisment fly in. It burns. Of course Protection spells. Lan Wangji holds Wei Ying from trying something else as he extends his hand to analyse. 

" This is a combination lock." 

" By the royals?"

"And Wens"

"Wens? I thought the war had the clan annihilated."

"Not the healers, they were under our patronage."

Wei Ying lets another blank talisman fly in. If his experiments had gone right. This should tell. It runs half-red before burning away.

"Owh! A combined array with protection spells Gosh this old athenaeum deserves that much?."

Wei Ying turns to Lan Wangji who is frowning. Which is never a good thing. 

"Shit" Wei Ying whispers. If they were right, this means not only the royals departed officials on short notice to look into the matter for investigation but the pre-investigation had shown something that required special protection.  And right now...

"HEYYY.!! " 

Wei Ying's blood runs cold. That was faster than he expected. Fuck Even a blank talisman alerted the officials. He snaps his fingers casting a hallucination charm. Even though they were dressed as officials, their state of wealth did not give them that pass and meeting the royals would have them busted. He can't let that happen!

"Hello there, Well guess that was efficient to call you guys!" He greets turns not letting Lan Wangji show his face. Damn it, he wished if he was not fluctuating his strengths at the moment. Seriously, the timing. He is not sure how much the charm shall do but not most people know him. So here goes nothing.

A young man in light blue robes along with a woman in maroon came towards them. 

" What are you doing? "

" Oh Apologies ge ge~ This servant is called Mo Xanyu, We were rouge cultivators. I am here with Daoxhang investigating, Heard about the mass massacre. And you see we were told that this would give access,"  he flaps a talisman quickly and again shoves it in his pockets before giving them any sight.

'but aiya~ it burned. Some complex stuff you got to put in huh?" Wei Ying bluffs.

"Only Authorised Personnel are allowed on this side." The Lady said.

"Xanyu." Wei Ying was a bit taken aback by the hand on his waist.

"Dao zhang, I got ... this." He looks at Lan Wangji afraid that any royal official will recognise one of the twin jades by their eyes but, he bites his tongue holding his laugh. 

Well, he doesn't know whether to curse himself or if this was for the best. Lan Wangji's attire was alright, but his eyes were covered by cloth. His charm did fluctuate. Wow, he thinks. He has a blind kink now.

"Reporting Shadow Royals." He tells them pulling out his family jade heirloom.

Shadow Royals are those who work closely with the royal family, are rarely seen, no one knows who they are. But would be on the site when required. Famously known as the royal spies. 

Before they could get a better look at the jade, Wei Ying steps in front blocking. "I think that is enough huh." Wei Ying says, his tone bewitched.

The officials fumble bowing deeply. " Apologies, Please state the reasons to investigate."

Wei Ying casts a side-eye as Lan Wangji nods slightly. God, How does he know? Nevertheless, he sets his tone.

"Appretences of the 1st jade, the crown prince orders are to investigate the matter, protect the required." Wei Ying states.

" Xanyu," Lan Wangji asks. Gosh, Wei Ying can get used to this. Or maybe he is into the role too much.

"Well since we had to drop the cover, an introduction will be much appreciated as you Lead the way, also what happened here?"

"Mo Gongzi,  This is Wen Qing and Yi Zhen at your service.  Please..."

They place their access jade, leading them inside.

~*~

"The autopsy of the healers had discovered that their death was due to the puncture of vital pints, each stabbed in a swift motion. Rumours are that they were one of the royal personnel. Otherwise..." Yi Zichen explains as they looked at the bodies laid out floating mid-air, midst the walls of scrolls and books.

However, Wen Qing was looking at Wei Ying quietly over the hour and would correct Zhichen when required. But something was off. Wei Ying shivers, trying to fake his smile as his hand is clenched in a  cold sweat. He isn't listening for the past half hour. Lan Wangji turns his head as he looks towards Wei Ying's side.  He can't see, but his senses are trained for every disability. He feels something speaking. Not heard by the normal being.  A code. Sliding his hand with Wei Ying, letting an amount of Qi flow through. The hallucination will not last. 

"We would need to see the maze." Lan Wangji commands.

 Yi Zhichen stills. Both of them stop talking. 

"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji asks taking his blindfold off his face—the amber eyes. In recognition both of them kneel down in acceptance.

" Your Highness," they address

Letting out a sigh of relief, Wei Ying snaps as they switch back to their original forms as Wei Ying collapses into Lan Wangji's arm.

"Rebellions at your service." They both chant. 

Lan Wangji and Wei Ying share a look, as the attendants pull out a key each. The floor comes to life. A hidden chamber underneath comes into view. A low howl of music calls Wei Ying pulling. 

Maze of Answers. It was always been in ancient scripts but no one has ever found the maze of answers. It is said the maze is a magical portkey to the world of lost memories and answers. It can lead to everywhere in the world. The key was lost for centuries. And may be on of the most treasured protected secret of the royals.

"Tap in the pattern if you need us."

Lan Wangji bows to them as they disappear within the magical hidden chamber leading to the maze.

Wei Ying frees himself as they walk into what seemed to be an endless void of darkness. But he could certainly hear a melody pulling.

" I am fine now," He tells Lan Wangji letting his hand free. 

" So, um How did you figure it out."

"Wen Qing told so."

"Huh, she did, I am sure I would have heard or what was.. okay gosh it is so hard for you to explain."

"She told the air so.I felt it."

"Huh!?, Lan Zhan of course I figured that out but what did she say? I mean even if she had doubts she could not just air-quote the wrong person you know. And that was surprising that Yi Zhen was also an ally."

" When we patronaged the Wen Healers, in the wars. There were some young people we saved along. They grew up with us, and Xichen was closer. Now even though I could not see Wen Qing but she might have recognised the jade. "

"Wow, Lan Zhan why do I feel you dodging the question?  It Still does not explain how would she know she would not report me. I mean people like you and support you, but it isn't for me. I am the one who has made you lose your mind apparently, according to the rumours. Why does she help US?"

Lan Wangji looks at Wei Ying. "They have faith my decision was not influenced." 

Wei Ying cocks an eyebrow, it somehow lacks a certain logic he can not point his finger right now. But he lets it go anyways. Wei Ying stumbles on something as Lan Wangji reaches to steady him.

Two staircases, one leading upstairs, one down. The melody he hears have been hearing stops humming.

"We are here." Lan Wangji tells.

"Which way?" Wei Ying asks panting.

"Are you alright?" Lan Wangji asks. 

Wei Ying was to say yes but then he clutched his body as a shiver went down. Lan Wangji could smell Wei Ying. The scent of honey lotus filled his senses. It was so so hot. Wei Ying steadies himself, trying to regain control.

"Yes, do not worry. I am fine. I think I understand the Maze. We would need to see through both ways. And I think the mana of what is this place made of is letting my true form out. "

Lan Wangji furrows his brow. " I will go with you. Select the way."

"No, We might not be able to come here another day. It was fortunate we found our allies but the level of security tells me we might not be in luck for the next investigation."

"Here, these talismans shall tell you if I would need you, But I will be fine Lan Zhan. And I can bet this place will have loads of portkeys."

Lan Wangji is reluctant as holds Wei Ying's hands transferring loads of Qi.

"Gosh Enough Lan Zhan, you know what they say true mates find their way into each other in the middle of the maze." Wei Ying chimes.

"Be Careful." Lan Wangji lets his husband go. they both head towards their path. Letting themselves be consumed in the magical mists. They were stepping into the unknown.

. . .

A/N- Don't kill me guys, I started writing this in November 2022, And since there are not many chapters left. I needed to find the right logic fitting and stitch the story together. This chapter alone had 4 different drafts with over 2k words on each, plus I was half busy with my job and exams and every other chapter needed an edge. But finally, this is where the roller coaster has climbed up the highest. Will let you guys enjoy the down ride. Also, I am coming back to regular weekly updates.