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✦𝓘𝓽'𝓼 𝓹𝓮𝓪𝓬𝓮𝓯𝓾𝓵 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓷𝓸𝔀...✦

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Under the moonlit sky, Huan and Akira made their way back to the bamboo forest. Dinner had been filling, but Huan had his thoughts consumed by their impending rematch.

Beside him, Akira walked with his katana on his waist. "You're thinking too much again," he said, breaking the silence.

Huan glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Am I?"

"You've been quiet since dinner." Akira said. "That usually means you're overanalyzing something."

Huan sighed, unable to deny it. "Just... considering what went wrong earlier."

"Good," Akira replied, his grin widening. "That means you'll actually try this time."

The bamboo forest greeted them with a soft rustle of leaves, the night breeze weaving through the tall, slender stalks. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting faint, shifting shadows on the ground.

As they stepped into the clearing, Huan gripped Woliu, "You're not planning on losing again, are you?" she teased.

"I don't plan on it," Huan replied silently, his eyes narrowing as he recalled their earlier duel.

Akira's movements had been precise, fluid, and deliberate. He never wasted energy, every strike calculated to exploit an opening. Huan had been on the defensive the entire time, reacting instead of acting. He knew that had to change.

Akira unsheathed his katana, the blade catching the moonlight. "Ready?"

Huan nodded, taking a steadying breath. "Ready."

They began circling each other, the tension between them palpable. Huan kept his stance low, watching Akira's every move, his earlier defeat replaying in his mind. He remembered the way Akira had moved, the subtle shift of his weight before each strike.

Akira struck first, his katana slicing through the air in a quick, upward arc. This time, Huan anticipated it, stepping back just enough to avoid the blade before countering with a swift thrust. Their swords clashed, sparks flying as steel met steel.

"You've been paying attention," Akira said, his tone approving as he deflected the blow.

Huan didn't reply, focusing instead on maintaining his momentum. He pressed forward with a series of quick strikes, forcing Akira to step back.

But Akira wasn't so easily overwhelmed. He shifted his footing, pivoting to the side and parrying Huan's next strike. Before Huan could react, Akira countered with a sharp, diagonal slash.

Huan barely managed to block, the impact reverberating through his arms. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath.

He adjusted his grip, recalling the rhythm of Akira's movements. Anticipating the next attack, he sidestepped a downward strike and used the momentum to sweep his blade toward Akira's side. For a brief moment, Huan thought he might have the upper hand.

But Akira was faster. He twisted, using the flat of his blade to knock Woliu out of Huan's hands. The sword spun through the air before embedding itself in the ground a few feet away.

"Not again," Huan groaned, his heart sinking.

Akira's katana was at his throat before he could retrieve Woliu, the blade glinting in the moonlight.

"Don't be discouraged," Akira said, lowering his weapon with a grin.

Huan sighed, slumping slightly as Akira offered his hand. Reluctantly, he took it, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.

"You're improving," Akira said, his tone genuinely encouraging. "But you're still holding back."

Huan bent down and retrieved Woliu, brushing dirt off her blade. Her blade glowing faintly. "Getting thrown out of your hand hurts, you know," she grumbled.

"It's not my fault," Huan muttered, more to himself than to her.

Akira chuckled, his lips quirking into a small smile. "You'll get better. I know you will."

Huan let out a slow breath, his grip tightening on Woliu as he nodded. "I'll get there," he said.

Akira clapped him lightly on the shoulder, the warmth in his gaze disarming. "Good. Now, how about we call it a night and get some rest?"

Before Huan could answer, Woliu glowed brighter, her voice cutting through the moment. "No. What about me?"

Huan groaned, exasperated. "Yes, yes, Woliu... I remember. You want to go flying."

The sword's glow turned a soft blue, almost smug. "OK, so, there's this very big rock pillar nearby. We can fly there."

Akira's curiosity was piqued, and he gave a small laugh. "I'd love to see it," he admitted, but his expression turned cautious. "What if someone catches you two?"

"No one will catch us if we go through the back," Woliu buzzed proudly, her tone dripping with confidence. "I've navigated a path already. Trust me, I'm not as reckless as he is."

Huan raised an eyebrow. "Reckless? That's rich coming from you." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "OK, but not now. After everyone's asleep. I'm not taking any chances."

Woliu let out a long, exaggerated beep, as though groaning. "Fine, but what do you plan on doing until then?"

Huan considered for a moment before pursing his lips. "I actually want to go to the library," he said finally, his tone sharpening as he turned his gaze to Akira. "And you're coming with me."

Akira blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "The library? What for?"

"You'll see." Huan started walking, not waiting for a reply. "Come on."

Akira sighed, catching up easily. "You're so cryptic sometimes, you know that?"

Woliu buzzed lightly in Huan's grip. "I'm still waiting for the rock pillar."

Ignoring her, Huan smirked faintly to himself. The night wasn't over yet.

The night air was cool and crisp as Huan and Akira walked towards the library, their steps echoing faintly on the stone path. The lanterns lining the route casted a soft, golden glow, illuminating their way through the quiet path. Huan kept his gaze forward, his mind buzzing with uncertainty.

Akira glanced at him curiously. "You've been unusually quiet. What's going on in that head of yours?"

Huan hesitated for a moment before replying. "I want to see if the library recognizes me."

Akira raised an eyebrow. "Recognizes you?" Then he raised both, when he realized, "Oh..."

When they arrived, the library loomed before them. The grand double doors were flanked by guardian lion statues, their gazes seemingly alive in the flickering light. Huan stopped at the threshold, his heart pounding as he reached for the handle.

He glanced back at Akira, who was watching him but said nothing. Turning back to the doors, Huan gripped the handles and slowly pulled them apart, just enough to create a narrow opening.

Taking a deep breath, he extended his hand through the gap.

A ripple of energy spread through the air like water disturbed by a pebble, faintly glowing before settling into a shimmering barrier. Huan's hand stopped, unable to pass through. His breath hitched as he brought his hand closer to examine it.

There it was—the unmistakable Chen Clan symbol faintly on his hand. The sight of it made his chest tighten. "Just as I thought," he murmured, withdrawing his hand.

Akira stepped closer, peering over his shoulder. "So it's true...it recognizes you as a Chen."

Huan nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line. But as he looked at his other hand, something else caught his attention—a second symbol. His brow furrowed as he brought his left hand closer to the light.

It wasn't the Chen Clan mark. Instead, it was the symbol for his surname, Jia(賈).

Huan's breath hitched, and his pulse quickened as his eyes locked onto the unfamiliar symbol on his left hand. "What...?" he murmured, barely audible.

Akira leaned in, his brows furrowed, "What's wrong?"

Huan's mind raced, his thoughts a blur. The Chen Clan symbol on his right hand made sense—it was his birthright, his lineage, no matter how much he wished to sever ties. But the mark on his left hand... It was unmistakably the Jia symbol. His current surname. The name he had taken after being disowned by his father.

But that wasn't what unsettled him.

His mother wasn't from any recognized clan. The Jia name held no weight in the world of cultivation. It was supposed to be mundane, ordinary. Yet here it was, on his skin, acknowledged by the library's ancient barrier as though it carried equal significance to the Chen name.

"Why...?" Huan whispered to himself, the question directed at no one. His knees felt weak, and a heavy knot twisted in his stomach. Unless...

A memory flickered in his mind, the night they left. He had found a picture of a man and her. His mother. She had rarely spoken about her past, and when she did, it was always vague, dismissive. But...was there something she hadn't told him? Something about her family? Her bloodline?

Huan's fingers curled into fists, his breathing uneven. "She wasn't from any clan," he muttered, his voice trembling. "This...this doesn't make sense."

Akira took a cautious step closer. "Why is your surname..." He trailed off, his voice faltering as though he couldn't finish the thought.

Huan turned to him abruptly, his jaw clenched, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I don't know," he snapped, though the anger wasn't directed at Akira. It was aimed at the universe, at the cruel irony of discovering yet another unanswered question about his life.

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady himself, but the weight of it all felt crushing. The ground beneath him seemed to tilt, his world spinning out of control. Just when he thought he could find a thread of peace, another door opened—one he hadn't asked for, one he didn't want.

"I need..." He paused, his voice softer now, almost defeated. "I need air. Let's go for that flight with Woliu."

Akira studied him for a moment before nodding. "Agreed."

_●°•°•°●_

Back at the bamboo forest, Woliu's voice chimed with cheerful energy. "Finally, Master. You are back!"

Huan sighed, brushing a hand through his disheveled hair. "I didn't have much of a choice, did I?" His voice carried a tired edge, his thoughts still tangled from the unsettling discovery at the library.

Akira, noticing Huan's unease, leaned toward Woliu. "So, which rock pillar were you talking about?"

Woliu buzzed with excitement and pointed towards the horizon. A colossal pillar stood far in the distance, appearing like a faint vertical line against the starlit sky. Even from this distance, its sheer size was apparent, towering above the surrounding landscape.

"Alright then," Akira said with a playful smirk, glancing at Huan. "Wanna race?"

Huan arched a brow, his lips twitching into a rare grin. "You're on."

Woliu flew to his side, lowering herself just enough for Huan to step onto her blade. His feet finding their balance.

"One, two..." Huan began counting, "Three!"

Woliu surged forward, slicing through the night air. They wove through the bamboo forest, the trees blurring into green streaks around them. The wind whipped against Huan's face, carrying the fresh, earthy scent of the forest. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, momentarily pushing aside his earlier worries.

Huan glanced over his shoulder, expecting to see Akira close behind. But to his surprise, there was no sign of him. His brow furrowed. Where is he?

The forest gave way to a river shimmering under the moonlight. Woliu ascended, gaining height. From above, the river looked like a silver ribbon winding through the dark landscape. The pillar loomed closer, its massive structure now fully visible, reaching high into the heavens.

As they neared the peak, a sudden gust of wind carried thousands of petals into the air. They danced and swirled around Huan, brushing against his skin in delicate waves. He laughed, the sensation light and ticklish.

"We're almost there!" Woliu announced proudly.

But just as Huan prepared to land, the petals surged around him in a playful flurry. They gathered into a spiraling mass before tackling him mid-air. He yelped in surprise, laughter bubbling out of him as he tumbled down.

He landed with a soft thud—and a solid oof. His laughter faltered as he realized what had broken his fall. His chest pressed against Akira's, their faces mere inches apart. The warmth of Akira's breath fanned against his skin, and for a moment, everything stilled.

Huan's eyes widened as the realization hit him. He was sitting squarely in Akira's lap, his legs straddling him in a way that was far too intimate. Heat rushed to his face, spreading like wildfire.

"I—" Huan scrambled to his feet, his words tumbling out in an embarrassed stammer. "Sorry! I didn't mean to—"

Akira, still seated, waved his hands apologetically, his face equally flushed. "No, no, it's my fault! I—I pushed you... I didn't think you'd actually fall..."

Huan crossed his arms, trying to mask his mortification. "You did that?" he asked.

Akira rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, a small laugh escaping him. "I didn't mean too."

Woliu buzzed, "Well, that was entertaining."

Huan groaned, hiding his face behind his hands for a moment before glaring at both of them. "Shut up Woliu."

Akira grinned up at him, his laughter softening into something gentler. "Come on, Huan. Admit it—you had fun."

Huan opened his mouth to retort, but the memory of his laughter earlier stopped him. He sighed, shaking his head, though the corner of his lips twitched upward. "Maybe a little."

The two stood side by side, looking out over the horizon from the rock pillar's peak. The night stretched endlessly before them, serene and vast, and for a brief moment, the world felt quiet.

Huan gazed out into the vast horizon, the view stealing his breath. The night sky stretched endlessly, the stars shining like diamonds scattered across velvet. Below, the river shimmered faintly, through the dark expanse of the forest. But as his eyes adjusted, he noticed something extraordinary.

Far below, the river seemed to twist and ripple unnaturally, the patterns almost alive. Huan squinted and suddenly realized what he was looking at—a massive silhouette stretching for what seemed like miles. The shape was unmistakable: a sleeping dragon, its long body coiled and curved, resting peacefully within the embrace of the land.

It was majestic, otherworldly, and utterly beautiful. His gaze followed its form from one end of the horizon to the other, awestruck by its sheer size.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Akira said softly beside him, his voice cutting through the stillness.

Huan nodded, unable to tear his eyes away from the sight. But then his gaze shifted, and his heart clenched as it landed on the far-off outline of Mai Bai Mountain. Its familiar peaks rose high, shrouded in shadow, yet unmistakable. Home.

"You're quiet again," Akira said, glancing at him. He followed Huan's line of sight, his expression softening when he noticed the mountain. "That's Mai Bai Mountain, isn't it?"

Huan swallowed, his throat tight. "Yeah."

Akira hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his tone gentle. "What was life like there? Before... everything."

Huan stiffened, his gaze dropping to his hands. The memories swirled in his mind—fragmented, raw, and too heavy to share. "I'm not ready to talk about that yet," he said quietly.

Akira nodded, respecting his boundary without pushing further. The two sat down on the ruff surface of the rock pillar, the vastness of the night surrounding them like a comforting blanket.

After a while, Akira broke the quiet. "What was your mother's name?"

Huan froze for a moment, his fingers curling slightly against his knees. He let out a slow breath, tilting his head back to gaze at the stars.

"Her name was Jia Yuan," he said at last.

Akira looked at him thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. "It's a beautiful name," he said softly.

Huan nodded but didn't reply. Instead, he closed his eyes, letting the serenity of the night soothe the storm within him. The dragon below, the stars above, and Akira's beside him—it all felt strangely comforting, as though for just a moment, his past didn't seem so unbearable.

Huan leaned back, letting the cool night air brush against his face. After a long silence, he turned to Akira, his voice soft. "What about your mother? What's her name?"

Akira smiled faintly, his expression warming in the starlight. "Her name is Fujisawa Ahyumi. Her maiden name is Ashikaga."

Huan nodded, the name unfamiliar but carrying an air of elegance. "What's she like?"

Akira's smile grew, his tone warm with fondness. "She's sweet. The kind of person who makes you feel safe just by being there. She loves playing the biwa—she's amazing at it..." He paused, "She doesn't have a kanji spirit, but her will? It's incredible. No matter what happens, she always finds a way to move forward."

Huan listened quietly, something tightening in his chest. Akira's words painted a picture of a mother so different from the one he had known. He swallowed hard, pushing down the bitterness that rose in his throat.

"She sounds amazing," Huan said quietly. "I wish I had a mother like that."

Akira glanced at him, his smile fading slightly as he caught the shadow in Huan's expression. "What was your mother like?" he asked gently.

Huan looked away, his jaw tightening. He hesitated, the words caught in his throat. "She wasn't like yours," he finally said, his tone distant. "We didn't have... that kind of relationship."

Akira frowned but didn't press further, sensing that the subject was a fragile one.

After a moment, Huan forced himself to speak again, redirecting the conversation. "What about your father?"

Akira's smile returned, this time tinged with irony. "Fujisawa Akhito. I'll admit, I don't like him much. He's too strict, too focused on honor and duty. Everything has to be perfect with him—it's exhausting."

Huan snorted softly. "At least he didn't disown you."

Akira rolled his eyes, though his lips twitched in a small smirk. "We probably shouldn't joke about that, Huan."

"Probably not," Huan admitted.

Then Akira spoke again, his voice cautious. "Huan... why were you disowned? What happened?"

Huan stiffened, his shoulders tensing. He stared out into the night, his thoughts swirling with memories he wasn't ready to share.

"I'm not ready to talk about that," he said at last, his voice low and strained.

Akira nodded, his expression softening with understanding. "That's okay," he said simply.

It's peaceful for now...

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