Your giggles stole your breath as you raced down the mountain side only to feel an arm around your waist tug you backwards against a firm chest.

A low chuckle sounding near your ear.

"Surely, you didn't think you could outrun me."

You laughed feeling the man who held you so close rest his head on your shoulder.

"Of course not. But the game is more fun when I try."

The man released his hold on your waist only to guide you in a graceful twirl.

"I suppose you're correct as always." He said lovingly.

You went to look at him but that instant lightning struck awaking you from your dream with a violent jolt upward.

You glanced around then sighed annoyedly. This dream had haunted you for years now. Only bits more being revealed every time you dreamt it. Your mysterious suitor you had never once seen but he was a constant in this reoccurring dream often just beyond your sight.

He seemed more familiar than you could place though. Despite knowing you had never met him, something seemed so constant.

"Mm y/n you good?" Mei asked groggily as she sat up in her sleeping bag. She had slept over since she was going to 'enlist you' to fight the new bad guy. But she'd arrived late so you two would leave in the morning.

"Huh. Yeah Mei I'm fine." You murmured. Realizing your cheeks felt like they were on fire.

"Wait. Why are you all red then?" Mei asked confusedly.

You started a bit. Before getting out of bed.

"Oh I'm just overheated. I'll grab some water and be right back."

"Okie." Mei allowed a yawn to spill from her lips before settling back into bed.

You walked down stairs your mind flashing back to your dream. Of course he wasn't real but- you could almost feel his arm around your waist and his chin on his shoulder.

Feeling butterflies spark to life in your stomach you shook your head. That was ridiculous. Your parents would surely ask you to see a therapist if they'd known.

You grabbed a cup of water then walked back into your room. Mei was fast asleep.

With a sigh you realized sleep would likely not come for hours yet. Glancing at the balcony you considered stepping out for just a bit. With a touch to your cheeks you certainly hoped the night's brisk wind could cool you off.

You stepped out onto the balcony and walked to the railing and folded your arms leaning on it. You lifted your chin looking towards the skies. What could you possibly do against someone who could take on M.k and win? You weren't sure but you'd give it your all.

Just then a glimmer in the distance caught your eye and you frowned on concentration. It looked like a bird with golden wings. With a small gasp you realized it must be the demon henchmen of the bad guy Mei had told you about.

You went back inside and changed into a black outfit with a black hood, and snuck back out to the balcony. The bird seemed to be looking for something. You chanced a look back at Mei.

She'd probably want to fight him, which you had no intention of doing. You only wanted to spy on him. The more information you had on your foe the more likely you were to win.

So you jumped the railing and parkoured to the ground racing in the direction of the bird all the while keeping to the shadows.

You made it to the park before ducking into a bush. The bird was much larger than you'd initially imagined. Taller than a normal man and with sharp talons and golden wings.

He circled over the park seemingly still searching for something. Although you weren't sure what just yet. Just then his gaze snapped to you and you flinched violently.

With a smirk he flew at you. Panickedly you dove out of the way just before he crushed the bush.

He chuckled.

"Well what do we have here? A little spy?!" He grabbed you collar just as you got to your feet and lifted you up so suddenly your hood fell back.

He gave a small start then grinned evilly.

"Well well well, what a surprise."

You frowned in confusion but before you could speak he spread his wings again and shot upward.

Meanwhile

Azure was set on ensuring the celestial realm had no hope of a coup in the early stages of his reign. His mind still wandered back to M.k. his alleged 'nephew' of sorts could be a major issue come time. The boy was too headstrong for his own good, and it would be such a pity to have to end his life when it was still so young.

His distress and frustration must have shown because Peng and yellow fang had given him ample space since he'd ascended to the role of the new Jade emperor.

"Let go of me!" A girl's shout shattered his musings as the door to the throne room opened. "Let go! When I get out of these ropes you're a dead man!" A young woman shouted thrashing against the ropes that held her hands behind her back. Her hood casting a thick shadow over her features.

Peng held her by the back of her jacket as he stepped into the throne room.

Azure stood.

"Peng, what is the meaning of this?!" He demanded stepping from his throne.

"Forgive me, my emperor." Peng said with a bow. "I was on my rounds when I found this spy." He gestured to the girl still writhing in his hold. "And besides you were so upset I thought perhaps a present would improve your mood." With that he pulled back the hood.

Azure gasped as the shadows fell away to reveal the face of his lost love.

Still she squirmed but now Peng placed her down with a small shove towards him.

She stumbled and Azure found himself holding out his hands as if to catch her gently.

You caught your footing and looked up only to freeze. You hadn't imagined the bad guy to look so....concerned. his brow was furrowed in worry and his hands were outstretched as if to catch you.

Your captor stood and walked back out of the throne room behind you.

"I'll leave you two to get more aquatinted." He smirked over his shoulder before closing the door.

"Y/n?" The lionesque figure asked capturing your attention once again.

"How do you know my name?!" You demanded twisting your wrists in their bonds.

The lion chuckled almost sadly.

"You could say I knew you, once."

You glared at him.

"So a past life."

He nodded with a smile.

"Yes."

Just then, like lightning in your veins, a sense of realization and horror slipped through you. The dreams.

Suddenly your mind flashed through your most recent and many other dreams you'd had filling in the blanks with his form, his smile, his eyes.

"No...oh no." You whispered.

The lion smirked and folded his arms.

"I know that look, you haven't entirely forgotten me, now have you?"

You felt your gut roil at the implications. But then you set your eyes on him defiantly.

"That isn't me anymore. Whoever I was then, whoever you were, they're long gone."

His smile fell into a serious line.

"You're right." He stepped forward. "That was then and this is now."

You felt your heart race as he took your chin in hand.

"I once thought to have you back was impossible, that defeating the Jade emperor was impossible, but now I know better." His gaze softened and his hold on your chin remained gentle.

"My friends will stop you." You replied boldly.

The lion sighed.

"You'll learn in time." He then snapped and a rune appeared beneath your feet teleporting you to a fancy bedroom clearly meant for one person.

Peng, as the lion had called him, stood by the door and shut it firmly as you heard a lock click.