Zhen Xue panicked, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him. “Relax,” he said calmer than he felt. He exhaled when Ming Yi did indeed stop, shoulders dropping in relief. “Hurting them isn’t our objective.”

“But Dianxia, it’s so unfair,” Ming Yi whined, dropping the rock. He turned back to stare at him with those burning green eyes full of hurt. “What happened to the servants wasn’t your fault.”

His lips twisted together. “It was my fault,” he countered. “I should’ve done better to protect them.”

“Why do you never include me in your plans? Have I wronged you so badly that you won’t tell me anything?!”

His heart seized with discomfort. “That’s not—”

“Did you think I would turn my back on you after everything we’ve been through together?” Ming Yi demanded. “You trust me so little, yet expect me to follow orders.”

“Ming Yi,” he gasped, his chest squeezing painfully. It was hard to tell if the discomfort was his illness or Ming Yi’s words. “If you just—”

“How long am I supposed to endure, Dianxia? When will you trust me?” With a quieter voice, Ming Yi asked with brokenness akin to his entire world fracturing in that moment, “Will you ever trust me?”

His words knocked the air from his lungs. “I do trust you!” Zhen Xue shouted. “But why do I need to explain every little thing? Why do you need to know everything?! You already know what I need you to know.”

When he finished, Zhen Xue realized that his words were probably the cruelest thing he could’ve said. 

Ming Yi was quiet for so long that Zhen Xue feared he wouldn’t speak again. 

“At least I know you see some value in keeping me around.”

Zhen Xue felt true fear in that moment, not for his own life, but what he stood to lose. “What are you even saying?!” 

“I’m saying that I’m not satisfied.” He inched closer. Ming Yi’s gaze darkened and for a heartbeat, Zhen Xue thought he would close the remaining distance. “Do you have those streamed buns you would bring me before sword practice? I’ve been working hard today.” His fingers drummed on the wall beside his head in a slow rhythm. There was an edge to his voice that did not match his words. “I’m hungry, Dianxia.”

Zhen Xue stared at him like he’d gone mad. “Of course not,” he scoffed. “Were not kids anymore.” They’d been so absorbed in their argument that the approaching crowd went unnoticed. Zhen Xue’s eyes widened, watching Ming Yi stumble backwards as he caught a sword barehanded. Blood ran down his arm from the wound. “Ming Yi!”

Ming Yi tightened his grip, pulling the sword free. He tossed it on the ground with a growl in his throat, the metal reverberating against the concrete. The person in front of them flinched, retreating a step. 

Another sword swung toward them from a high point. Zhen Xue grabbed Ming Yi’s arm, yanking him away.

The blade passed clean through the air, connecting with the ground with a loud clang. 

Ming Yi froze in surprise, but recovered fast. He guided Zhen Xue further behind him, unsheathing his own sword. The metal glistened as he raised it before himself. Traces of sunlight peaked overhead as though drawn to such a magnetic scene, like the sun set ablaze at the sight of such ferocity. 

Ming Yi never looked more like the male lead he once imagined than at this moment. Ha, what did titles matter now? Ming Yi was incredible in his own right, regardless that this world wasn’t part of a novel.

With a swift motion, their attacker unsheathed another sword. An orange glow appeared along the hilt, revealing runes that curled around the blade. Flames erupted from the steel, showering sparks across the pavement.

What the hell?! His mouth fell open, side stepping as the sword sliced for his neck, tips of the flames singing his robes. How did they get magically enhanced weapons?

Ming Yi sliced down the person who lunged at him with broad sweep from shoulder to waist. The sickening thud of flesh made his stomach tighten.

Focus, he reminded himself. Things just got incredibly dangerous.

If the rebellion allied with a powerful supporter—a kingdom that was trying to take advantage of Cassanova’s vulnerable state… This was bigger then anything he’d encountered so far. Ming Yi would not survive this fight.

The rebels took up arms side by side, each having some kind of advantage different from the last. Zhen Xue grabbed Ming Yi’s wrist, pulling him out of the alley. 

Sunlight blinded him for a moment as they emerged from the shadows. On the sidelines, a teenage boy with pink hair moved into action from where he was resting against the inn. He put a little green ball into a blowpipe. Runes glowed along the wood. Zhen Xue almost turned away, but an electric current pulsed through the object.

Ming Yi shielded him instantly, throwing himself in front of the danger as a massive wave of energy erupted across the street, but never reached them. Instead, several surrounding rebels fell on the spot. 

The boy looked like he wasn’t anticipating that to happen, nor the silver haired woman that rushed past him with a smile, withdrawing her daggers from her waist. Runes glowed on the hilts, steel tips igniting with electricity as she moved, slicing through her opponents with ease. 

He’d only written about the Unruly’s impact on Cassanova and didn’t know the names of their members, but this woman… the way she fought, she was no doubt the famous priestess. 

The woman never once slowed down, taking on the rebels that approached her. 

Arrows whistled through the air from the top of the buildings, hurtling in their direction. It happened so quickly, Zhen Xue hadn’t been prepared. Ming Yi shifted his grip to him instead, pulling him back into a run. 

Footsteps immediately followed, purple mist bursting around them from the arrows that hit the ground.

For a heartbeat, he considered this might actually be the dead for them. “Ming Yi!” he shouted, feeling something slice the end of his clothes. He held his nose with his spare hand. “Don’t breathe! It’s poison.”

Ming Yi held his hand tighter, his footsteps not faltering for a second. “Keep running!” he panted, raising his shirt to cover the lower half of his face. “They’re gaining on us.”

They followed the river current that led into the Under City. The blue sky disappeared, replaced with a sea of heavy clouds as though light could not reach some place so desolate. The river stopped short, reaching a dead end. Zhen Xue’s heart ceased in his chest, knowing they’d have to fight. Ming Yi twisted around, pulling Zhen Xue behind him. 

There were six rebels armed with leather gear, metal gadgets, and sharp weapons, including the pink haired boy who was loading another round.

Ming Yi moved first. He slammed into the closest man who wielded the flaming sword. The man fell backwards with a thud, giving Ming Yi the chance to drive his knee into the second man who tried to sneak past. 

The second man stumbled backwards, holding his waist with gritted teeth. He glared at Ming Yi, reaching for a gadget at his waist. Realizing what he was about to do, Zhen Xue retreated, not wanting to be in the way. 

Ming Yi dodged a blade that glowed in purple mist. His jaws clenched, throwing his weight into the humongous translucent shield that suddenly appeared in a flash of light. 

“Come on, Ming Yi,” Zhen Xue whispered, more so to calm his nerves. “Don’t let them overwhelm you.”

Ming Yi dug his heels into the gravel, pushing himself forward harder than before as thought he heard him. The brute strength threw the remaining rebels off guard who were hiding behind the shield. The glowing green orb pulsed, nearly erupting across the field.

Ming Yi threw the shield user aside. He grabbed the flaming sword by the hilt, driving it through the woman rebel beside him. The pink haired boy next to her fell on his behind, eyes widening as the woman erupted into flames. Her mouth permanently open as she screamed. Zhen Xue cringed at the sound, adverting his gaze from the scene.

He turned back around, drawing in a sharp breath at what he saw. 

The flaming sword was shaking violently in Ming Yi’s hand. 

They locked eyes, his green eyes usually filled with confidence, fractured for a moment. 

Ming Yi burst towards the river, throwing the sword inside. Steam rose from the surface as the weapon sunk into the depths and the fire was extinguished. The ground began to shake beneath their feet, an explosion erupting under the water. 

Oh shit… This wasn’t just magic. 

The rebels were using illegal magic… The kind that was infused into weapons instead of honed from the wielder. As he finished that thought, the ground split in half a few feet ahead, shaking with unseen force that toppled the buildings around them in one swoop. His eyes widened. He spread his feet apart, trying to stay on his feet as he stumbled backwards, just barely catching his balance. 

Water sprayed down from overhead as the shaking eventually ceased.

Wind brushed against his clammy face, wet from the river water. He looked back finding Ming Yi unharmed, knocking the last rebel out cold with the brunt end of a dagger he stole.

Relief washed over him, nearly bringing him to his knees. 

They’d won. 

Ming Yi actually won. 

He wobbled on his feet, his eyesight growing hazy. 

Ming Yi turned around wide-eyed, trying to reach him as he fell into the river.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Ruby earrings the size of glass beads dangled from the woman standing at the top of the winding staircase. Sunlight beamed through the windows, reflecting down upon her silver hair that was done up in a beautiful bun, curls cascading down the side of her face. She wore a dress of gold and red hues, swirling into a mixture of fabric and lace as she descended onto the main floor to greet him.

“Zenith,” Zhen Xue said warmly, offering his arm. She wrapped her arm around his own, giving him a smile. 

He guided her towards the ballroom like he’d done a thousand times. The extravagant lobby of the Autumn Court pulled at his heart strings. His head throbbed dully as though trying to recall memories that weren’t there.

“What’s wrong?” Zenith lifted her amber eyes to meet his gaze. “I know they say a fallen leaf is better left alone, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer quietly. Pretend I’m the passing breeze, carrying away your concerns.”

Unable to refuse her request, he sighed. “The more days pass, I feel like I’m losing myself...” he said, trying to think about how to explain. “I keep having these visions, hearing voices that aren’t there, but I don’t understand them. They are nothing but fragments. It’s like someone took a loose thread on a cloth and pulled out the stitching.”

Zenith nodded, looking ahead at nothing. She was only sixteen, not much older then himself, but those amber eyes carried tremendous weight. “You’ve sacrificed a great deal to protect this world. I can’t understand what you lost, but if ever a moment you feel not yourself anymore, remember those you cherish and the lives you’ve saved.” 

She carefully took his hand, placing his palm against her stomach. 

At his look of astonishment, she smiled fondly. “I will always view you as my precious friend. Not only did you save me, but you saved my daughter. One day Luna will see you as a friend, too.”

“You decided a name for her?” His hand fell back at his side, offering her a lopsided grin.

“It didn’t take very long,” she replied with a delighted smile. “She will be resilient and shine brightly for those around her, just like the moon… And in a way, just like you.”

Words failed him at how much he adored her. “Don’t you mean yourself?” he asked with a teasing smile, recalling the days they fought side by side as she wielded her lightning daggers, contributing greatly to the war that secured their home in the Autumn Court. His expression fell, looking away. “How will I remember her? As the cycles continue, I’ve become less certain what memories are mine. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

“Don’t be afraid, Zhen Xue,” she whispered, sensing his hesitation. “Love doesn’t simply fade when the mind forgets. Just as the leaves return in spring, your memories will resurface when winter disappears.”

Her voice faded to the sound of rushing water. 

The moment he blinked, he found himself staring at the crystal blue depths where he should be right now. 

His heart rate sped up in confusion, watching as the water rippled like someone had fallen under. 

He leaned closer to the lake to get a better look, but was grabbed roughly from behind. Pain shot through his arm as Ming Yi spun him around. The unfamiliar glint in his stare was enough to make his blood turn cold. 

“What the hell are you doing?!” Ming Yi demanded.

“Dammit… Calm down,” Zhen Xue managed through gritted teeth, trying to pull himself free.

Ming Yi released him, shoving him aside. “Don’t go anywhere!” he growled jumping headfirst into the water.

Water droplets splashed along with pavement as Zhen Xue stared after him, wondering if he truly lost his mind. What the hell was he doing?! Only when the water stilled again did he realize why Ming Yi was acting so erratic. 

The reflection staring back at him was… unfamiliar. 

He stood there with a bated breath, studying the face of a woman. She looked tired and had long brown hair, dark brows and eyes that narrowed as he concentrated. Her jaw flexing when he did, too.

Was that... himself? 

He looked down noticing his smaller body, a woman wrapped in a simple black maid dress. His hands were thinner, skin taunt against the bone. Those were the hands of someone that worked hard.

He retreated away from the lake, noting how he felt lighter. It was easier for him to recover his balance. 

What if in the moment he fell, his soul that was already rejecting his body, flew out of him into the next available source? He had not realized this woman was standing next to him until now.

His current situation washed over him, his heart leaping into his throat.

From Ming Yi’s perspective, he’d been pushed overboard to drown.

Ming Yi would kill him. This was no longer a passive concern.

He broke into a run, trying to put enough distance between himself and the lake before Ming Yi resurfaced.