"Life's a book filled on pages, just awaiting to be written.
Some don't open it for ages, maybe afraid of being bitten."
― Ana Claudia Antunes

----------------------------------------

Lan Wangji

When Wei Ying was attacked I was certain that it was a part of a bigger plan that we were unaware of. I prepared myself since I expected it to be bad. But what Wei Ying found out was unbelievable, and unlikely to be done by any sort of an attacker.

"Wei Wuxian?" my brother exclaims, shocked by the white light emitted from the spiritual energy collected between Wei Ying's hands.

White is the color spiritual energy takes at its highest power, and it can only be acquired by a high-level cultivator with a powerful core. Since Wei Ying's body first belonged to Mo Xuanyu, who was unable to form a core at the required age resulting to have low spiritual power, this should be impossible.

"How-"I pause in the middle, unsure of how to form the question.

"This talisman is used to insert a large amount of energy into a person's spirit." Wei Ying says diminishing the energy. "I think, the spirit transferred all the energy collected by it in the past few days to me. That explains why I had an aura of energy when I was unconscious. And for the color," he indicates the bottom part of the inscription, "this part is used for dark energy. So what the spirit transferred to me was a mixture of spiritual and dark energy, which makes its color turn into red."

"The man in front of you was not the spirit," I say suddenly realizing the fact. "He was a distraction. It must have attacked you from behind when you were focused on him."

"Yes," Wei Ying replies with a nod. "Which means, the spirit is still alive. But since its wish is fulfilled, most probably it won't bother us again."

"But what's unclear is the reason behind this. Why would it take troubles to make Childe Wei powerful?"

Both of our eyes turn to Wei Ying, who looked troubled. "I don't know." He replies with a soft voice.

"We should find the spirit. We can track it with the talisman."

I could see that Wei Ying as not in favor of the idea, from the subtle expressions in his face. But he nodded nevertheless.

We need to talk. I made a promise to keep him happy, and by all means, I will keep it.

***

Even though I needed to talk to Wei Ying, my duties kept me from doing so. When I finally reached Jingshi, I heard his flute when I was at the bottom of the steps, and I knew that he was troubled.

I find him standing on the porch, Chenqing on his lips, and it felt as if that the atmosphere was heavy with melancholy.

I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around him from behind. He melts into me with his eyes closed.

"Wei Ying?"

"This power," he says after a while, "was taken from innocent cultivators. I don't want it, Lan Zhan. I don't want any of this."

"You're not at fault for it."

"I know, I know." He turns around and hides his face on my shoulder. "It's just... unfair."

"It will be over when we find the spirit."

He sighs. "I hope."

"Lan Zhan," his eyes find mine, "you should know. That talisman was one of my inventions."

I was suspecting this. "I guessed."

"But I destroyed it before anyone could see," he says,

"Then how does the spirit know of it?"

"I don't know..." he sighs. "When are we going to 'spirit-hunt'?"

"In two days."

"Hmm. I think I know where this takes us. And I have a feeling that we won't like it." He sighs. His eyes meet mine and stay there for a moment. "Lan Zhan, I love you."

"I love you-"

"No, I mean it. Whatever happens, I love you. I need you to remember that."

Wei Ying...

I could only nod.

"Anyway," he smiles, "Come in now. I want another round."

He drags me into the house and closes the door behind us.

***

He was smiling, he seemed happy, but something was not right.

That night he didn't sleep. Twice, I saw him sitting near the table with his head on his hands, lost in his thoughts.

The third time I asked him what was wrong and he said that he had a nightmare.

But I know you, Wei Ying, you haven't left my side before unless things are very wrong and you need space. What's wrong Wei Ying? I see you stumbling just in front my eyes. What am I missing? I'm worried...

Wei Wuxian

Yesterday, after discovering my power I decided to test it. For his safety, I chose a time when Lan Zhan was not in Jingshi to try using Suibian.

I loved every part of it. It felt like going back to those good old times. But it didn't take long for reality to strike me hard.

After practicing a few moves I felt my body weighing down. The sword felt too heavy in my hand. I thought that it was because I used it after a long time. But after a while, I felt a pain in my heart, as if something was crushing it. The last time I felt this pain, I was on the edge of losing control of Stygian Amulet.

This is impossible. I was using spiritual energy.

And then I realized, that my guess was not right.

It's not just 'something is wrong', but 'everything was beautifully falling apart'.

I figured out what's in front of me to face, and why the spirit gave this energy to me.

And I hated it.

Last night, I couldn't close my eyes for a bit. I felt the old insecurities creeping into me. And due to prior experience, I crawled out of the bed to think on my own. To figure out a plan. But nothing came to my mind.

There was no solution.

I could only entrust someone with my conclusion. And I decided that it should be someone who was closest to Lan Zhan.

***

I stand in front of Hanshi for some time doubting if I'm doing the right thing.

You will be breaking all your promises now Wei Ying.

I take a deep breath and knock on the door.

Zewu Jun opens the door.

"Wei Wuxian?"

"Zewu Jun, can I talk to you?"

-------

I know, I'm cruel when it comes to cliffhangers
Till next time...