FanXing puts the passed-out Guo Cheng on the bed. He sighs, feeling tired. Tired of everything. These strange "dreams" and the ritual. FanXing tried to wrap his head around this, but it seemed crazy and unbelievable, but here he was. A demon now. His new appearance was quite strange. FanXing walked toward the mirror to get a good look. His face was luckily still similar to his old one. But FanXing's features seemed... sharper. Especially his jawline. His body was skinnier than how it used to be. FanXing was bit plumper because of his pregnancy, after all. FanXing's skin was pale, and he noticed a reddish blush on his cheeks, ears, and fingers. It was very noticeable because of how pale FanXing's skin was. And most of all. FanXing's eyes and horns. His eyes were an ocean blue with what looked like golden sparkles. In contrast, his horns were black and small but pointy.

FanXing's hair was to his shoulders, and it looked to be puffier. Now that his mind was clear, he realized he had changed quite a bit. FanXing turns around and walks toward Guo Cheng.

FanXing sat next to Guo Cheng and sighed. He didn't know what to think anymore.

But then he realized something.

My baby...

I killed it.

No...

(Trigger warning)

.

My fingers began to tingle. My body then started to tremble. Breathe. Breathe? Air. I need air. My chest puffed up and down. I started feeling disoriented. My surroundings began to blur. Think FanXing. Think. I wanted to throw up, but I couldn't. My mouth was parched. My baby. Gone. No. My baby? Breathe. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. I struggled to get myself up as I stumbled. Where am I? Home? Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Faster. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Faster. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Faster. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Faster. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy. Think. Baby. Air. Gone. Dizzy!

"FanXing!"

Darkness.

(I am not well versed in this, so I apologize if I did not accurately describe FanXing hyperventilating 😓)

...
After Yibo was released, he went back to stay at his aunt's house. He sighed and lay on the bed, tired. "Come out already," Yibo called out. Yibo (I'll use this font for when the other Yibo appears) comes out of the darkness. "Oh, I see your skin isn't all yellowy and shiny now."

"If I am to coexist with you, I need to conceal myself so the demons can't trace my magic." (He also speaks in fancy, lol)

"So, what's the plan now?" Yibo gets up and looks at Yibo with a hint of annoyance. "I mean, there are demons wanting to kill me and Xiao Zhan. I can't just sleep peacefully knowing that."

"We could stay with Xiao Zhan if that's what you wish for. After he's injured and vulnerable."

Yibo's eyes widen. I forgot about that. "Then let's go right now!" He frantically gets up and walks to the door. "Wait." Yibo rolled his eyes, "what now."

"I have an easier way to get to him."

Yibo looks at Yibo, confused, "how?"

"It's easy."

"What?"

"Hold on tight."

"What!? Whaaa!! What's happening!?"

When Yibo opened his eyes again, he was in the hospital next to Xiao Zhan. Luckily he was asleep. Yibo sighed in relief.

He smiles happily and sits next to Xiao Zhan. In a tired yet gentle tone, "I'm glad he's ok."

"Xiao Zhan is not ok on the inside, though."

"What do you mean by that?" Asked Yibo.

"He... went over his limit. I'll use my power to help heal him from within."

"Ok, can you stop speaking so formally?"

Yibo ignores Yibo's question and places his hand on Xiao Zhan's chest. He closed his eyes and entered into Xiao Zhan's subconsciousness. Yibo was thrilled to see Xiao Zhan again. After so many years. Once Yibo enters, he sees Xiao Zhan mediating. Yibo felt a mixture of many emotions. Nervousness, and shyness, but gladness.

"Xiao Zhan."

...
Fanxing woke up to Guo Cheng looking worried sick next to him on the bed. Fanxing, still shaken up, jolts a bit seeing Guo Cheng.

Guo Cheng is hurt by this but smiles warmly and moves back a bit before speaking, "You're awake." He says ever so softly.

With hesitance, "what happened...?" FanXing asked with nervousness in his voice.

Guo Cheng looks away in almost shame before quietly speaking. "You had a panic attack."

He looked down, not wanting to look at FanXing. "You must think I'm a monster." He says grimly. He smiles a little and chuckles. "I didn't want to lose you. A life without you would be nothing. I'm sorry for being so selfish." Still not looking up. "I really do love you, FanXing. I love you with everything." He sighs and stands, facing away from FanXing to hide his tears. "If freedom away from this mess is what you want, I will erase your memories and give you a new life. I'll seal away your powers and send you off in secret so my father won't come after you."

FanXing stares at Guo Cheng with deep sadness, "what do you mean you will erase my memories?"

Guo Cheng turns around with tears, "I'll erase everything. Even including our relationship and your parents."

FanXing widens his eyes. "What about Yao Zhan?"

Guo Cheng gets back on the bed and moves slowly but closely to Fanxing. "I'll give you both new memories."

"But... that means I'll forget you." Even after everything, FanXing couldn't forget the fact that he was in love with Guo Cheng. Guo Cheng was his hope and life. How could he let go of those memories so quickly? Guo Cheng was FanXing's, first love. He began to cry bitterly. "But can't you erase what I just found out? Can't we start over with new memories? Just erase what I saw." FanXing's trembled with desperation as tears kept coming. "Can't you just come with me? To have a new life and break away from your father?" He grabs onto Guo Cheng's shoulders, slumping his head down sobbing.

Guo Cheng closes his eyes and pulls FanXing in for an embrace. Quietly but softly, "FanXing, I'm sorry, but I can't. I am under my father's command. If I leave with you, it will only jeopardize your life again. It is not fair that you have to deal with the burden of knowing so much. It's better for the sake of me and you if I erase your memories. Then you'll forget I ever existed, and you won't be in so much unbearable misery anymore."

FanXing shakes his head in disagreement. "No, please, Guo Cheng. You can come with me. We can start over." He begged, looking up at Guo Cheng.

"FanXing. Over a thousand years, I'll always love you."

Guo Cheng gets up from the bed, but FanXing follows him.

FanXing felt weak and sick to his core. He couldn't bare the thought of forgetting his husband. Let alone leaving him forever.

FanXing couldn't even get off the bed. His body felt so weak. The pain was indescribable. He had realized that this was happening. FanXing was really going to forget Guo Cheng. He couldn't handle it. He didn't want to believe it and prayed this was all just a bad dream.  "Guo Cheng, don't do this, please." He begged as he sobbed.

Guo Cheng can only smile ever so gently at his crying husband before closing his eyes and casts a spell.

FanXing's vision begins to blur, "N-no. Guo Cheng. Don't..." he reaches his hand up and touches Guo Cheng's face one last time. "Don't do this to me."

Guo Cheng bends down a bit and lets FanXing touch his cheek before pulling him in for a kiss.

"Over a thousand years, I will always be your husband. Goodbye, FanXing."

In much sorrow, Guo Cheng watches FanXing cry while being teleported away to start a new life.

"Guo Cheng, please... I love you."

"...."

FanXing was gone just like that.

Guo Cheng stares at the space in front of him and blinks a few times to make sure it had really worked. Guo Cheng's knees begin to feel weak, and he teleports back to his and FanXing's bedroom.

He looked around the empty bedroom—the place where he slept with FanXing.

Guo Cheng stood there momentarily before moving and picking up the small picture on the nightstand desk. He picks it up and stares at it. It was their wedding day photo.

It was one of their happiest memories. Guo Cheng recalled all their times together. What seemed so close was now so far away. And in its place was nothing but a bloody rose.

Guo Cheng drops the picture and finally breaks down in tears.

He was utterly heartbroken. Guo Cheng felt like he had been torn to pieces. Thorns were pricked at his heart. Every tear was filled with regret. Guo Cheng wanted to so desperately die of guilt. He yearned for FanXing. His touch, warmth, smile, laughter, and happiness. What was the point of living if he couldn't have FanXing?

Guo Cheng grips tightly around his shirt as he collapses on the bed weeping. He shouted in pain. Guo Cheng was grief-stricken. He couldn't believe he sent FanXing away.

Guo Cheng wanted him back, but it was too late.

...
Today was tiring at work. Rude costumers. Annoying co-workers. Lots of nagging.

I, Fanxing, turning 32 soon is, living in an apartment with my brother Yao Zhan. I have loving parents, but... I'm a hopeless romantic. Every guy I've dated never worked up. Half of them were actually scums! Not to mention I work at my parent's cafe shop. It's usually hustling and bustling but today was a hot mess. I'll tell you more about that later. I'm going to go to sleep now!

FanXing gets from his bed and places his diary in his drawer, and heads back to sleep comfortably finally.

Although lately, I keep getting this strange feeling that something is wrong.

To be continued