Chapter Text
“So?”
“So what?”
“How can you withstand my yang energy?” The two of them had just passed by the Golden House and with that the amount of people and guards on the roads lessened significantly.
“Hmm. I'm not sure. Ghosts are beings made of pure yin energy which is why they cannot be in your presence, correct? Maybe it's because I'm not made of pure yin energy.”
“In that case you wouldn't be a ghost.” Chongyun frowned.
“Well, what do you think it could be? Between the two of us, you are much more knowledgeable on the subject than I.”
Despite what Chongyun had said before, ghosts were not beings of pure yin energy; most contain some form of yang impurity. In fact, it is these yang impurities that create different types of ghosts with higher yang impurities creating a weaker ghost and less yang impurities creating a stronger one.
To even appear as a cold spot in a room ghosts already needed a much higher concentration of yin energy than yang. To appear fully in a ghostly form must mean that they have very few impurities. For Xingqiu…
Chongyun has always been aware that whenever Xingqiu died, he was most likely to become a ghost. One of the most common reasons people became ghosts was simply due to having a higher concentration of yin energy in their souls. Not enough to cause any adverse effects in life, but enough that upon death they could become a weak spirit. That being said, they were never around for long and usually dissipated after their body was laid to rest.
The type of ghost Xingqiu was now must mean he contains a very high concentration on pure yin energy, which means that's Chongyun's pure yang spirit should have destroyed him outright.
For him to still be around and as powerful as he clearly was…
“I have no idea. I don't even know how it's possible.” Chongyun mused, shaking his head, “By all means, it shouldn't be.”
“Well, what other things are there? Fae?”
“Fae? I don't think this is how the fae work.”
“How about an elemental being then?”
“You don't give off an elemental signature.”
“Demon?”
“That's a catch-all term for beings who can use karma or abyssal energy. You don't reek of either of those.”
“Poltergeist!”
“Type of ghost.”
“Maybe I'm a hallucination. Or maybe, I'm projecting myself into your mind.”
“That's not possible.”
“Are you sure?” Xingqiu had stopped walking and was looking at him, looking into his soul. Chongyun closed his eyes for a moment.
“Maybe the adepti or gods could do it, but…” He trailed off, opening his eyes again.
“Do I emit any energy, Chongyun?”
Chongyun closed his eyes. It was hard to say, he certainly seemed to be emitting some sort of energy, however, it was one Chongyun was unfamiliar with.
“You do, but I can't place it.” He shook his head. “I'm sorry, this whole thing is just so… weird.”
Xingqiu was quiet for a second before walking up to him, a much more calm expression gracing his face.
“No, I must apologize. I don't mean to push you. I understand this is really hard on both of us. Let's keep going.” Xingqiu locked arms with him and the two started walking again.
They soon found themselves passing Dunyu Ruins, Chongyun instinctively held tighter onto Xingqiu.
“You act like I'm about to fly away.” Xingqiu gave a light laugh. Chongyun didn't comment.
The mountains opened up into a clearing, a crystal blue pond sat at the other edge, ancient structures stood in front of a mountain as it tried to converge, thwarted by a river.
“Here we are.” Chongyun breathed out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He thought it was going to be a lot more messy, the signs of battle, the blood of…
No, it was peaceful, the wind brushed softly against the few trees, birds singing cheerfully above. A place of serenity, not of death.
“The bandits camp was over there.” Xingqiu pointed to the opposite end of the lake.
“Do you want to look?”
“No need, I remember clearing them out easily.”
“Are you sure there wasn't one who… snuck attacked you?” Chongyun's voice quieted. Xingqiu gave a curt nod.
“I'm positive. It didn't happen here.”
“Alright, do you want to head back to Dunyu?”
“No, it wasn't there either.”
“Alright, how about Lingju Pass?”
“Actually, let's go to Luhua Pool. It'll be quicker through Cuijue Slope.”
“Are you sure it was there?” If Xingqiu went from Tianqiu Valley to Luhua Pool, then there was a very high chance he would have run into Chongyun. Was fate really so cruel, to have them cross paths and not even realize?
“I remember going in that direction.”
“Ok.” Chongyun took a deep breath and the pair continued walking.
It was nice walking around with Xingqiu, hand in hand. In fact, were it any other day in any other situation, Chongyun would be absolutely elated. They were, however, walking closer to the place of Xingqiu's demise. The place where Xingqiu might leave… and never return again…
“Chongyun?”
“Hm?”
“You stopped walking.” He had indeed paused his steps. He looked over to his left where Cuijue Slope lay. Where he was running around while Xingqiu was suffering.
“Chongyun.” Xingqiu spoke again.
“I'm sorry, I-I…” He stuttered. He will never see Xingqiu again after this. He will never…
He felt cool tears gather up in his eyes. Suddenly, standing became too difficult and he found himself slinking to the ground. He was having another breakdown. Another. This is his 2nd today. He reached forwards and grabbed onto Xingqiu's arm, the other having knelt down to be level with him. He had to tell him.
“I don't want you to go. I don't want to exorcise you.”
“Oh…” Xingqiu thought for a moment, before once again reaching his hand out and moving Chongyun to look at him. “Again, I think everything will be ok-”
“How can you keep saying that!? Xingqiu, do you not fully realize what's going on? What's going to happen after…” Another sob. He couldn't look at him, he couldn't.
“Yunyun… I promise, I promise I won't leave you, I'll never leave you.”
Did he not understand? Did he not know what death was?
“You're dead. How can you be promising-” Xingqiu placed a finger against his lips causing Chongyun to look up in surprise.
“Just listen to me, ok?” He stressed, pulling his finger away. “You know me, I always keep my promises, no matter what.”
“I just… I can't lose you.” Chongyun leaned forwards and captured the other boy in a bone crushing hug. With no hesitation, Xingqiu reciprocated.
The two sat there, under the shade of the cliff side for a while, the world moving on without them.
“Y-you’re my best friend…” You're more than my best friend. Xingqiu squeezed him tighter.
“I-I'm sorry, I didn't… I didn't realize how you…” For once, Xingqiu seemed to be at a loss for words. Chongyun responded by burying his head deeper into his shoulder.
“Let's just go back.” He whispered. Xingqiu hesitated before responding.
“No. N-no. Let's go to Cuijue Slope.”
“Why?” Chongyun mumbled into his shoulder.
“Becuase I can't lose you either.” Chongyun moved away to see the determination swirling within Xingqiu's eyes.
“What do you mean by that?” Xingwiu gave a long sigh before responding.
“Oh Chongyun, as dense as ever.”
“Hey!” Chongyun let go of Xingqiu and moved to better see him. The other boy stood up and held out his hand to him. Chongyun took it and stood up.
“You were at Cuijue Slope, correct?”
“Yeah, as I said earlier I had received a commission." The two started walking again.
“What for?”
“Just to clear out the ruins.”
“And what happened.”
“Nothing really, didn't we already have this conversation?” Xingqiu gave a sigh of frustration.
“No, Chongyun, think back, what happened at the ruins.”
“Well, I arrived early, warded the place off, then when it became late enough I entered the ruins.” He still wasn't sure what this had to do with anything, unless Xingqiu was really curious about what he was up to when he died…
“What happened after you entered the ruins?”
“Are you mad at me?”
“Huh? What? No?” He looked taken aback, before quickly composing himself. They have reached the ruins. “Just- what happened after you entered the ruins?”
Chongyun looked over at the ruins and the nine pillars that stood, reaching into the sky. What happened after he entered the ruins? He remembered the lead up pretty well, he remembered entering the ruins… then..
He woke up, the first repeat.
That must have been when Xingqiu died.
“What happened? Can you remember?” Xingqiu had taken both his hands in his, eyes scouring his face desperately.
“The day reset. After I entered.” He whispered. “That must have been when you…”
Xingqou frowned, clearly not liking his answer.
“Come on.” This time it was Xingqiu who grabbed his hand and led him deeper into the clearing, to the ancient stone doors.
Suddenly, a strong sense for forbidding washed over him, again causing him to stop in his tracks. Every single muscle in his body started screaming danger.
“Wait, Xingqiu.” He said, refusing to tear his eyes from the doors. “I have a really bad feeling about this.” He would normally put up some wards, however, with Xingqiu so close by he didn't want to accidentally hurt him.
“The doors?” He asked, softly. Chongyun nodded. “Don't worry, I'm with you.” He tried to pull him farther along, but Chongyun wouldn't budge.
“No, A-Qiu, I'm being serious.” He pulled out his claymore. “If we go inside, something really bad is gonna happen.” Xingqiu paused a bit, before continuing forwards anyways.
“Xingqiu! Stop!” Chongyun couldn't move, could only see Xingqiu moving from the corner of his eye. Could he not feel the evil presence? Could he not feel how entering the ruins would lead to nothing but death.
This couldn't have been where Xingqiu died, so why was he being so insistent?
It was only when the other boy had reached the doors did Chongyun find his legs working again. He ran as fast as he could, he had to prevent Xingqiu from opening the doors.
“Xingqiu, stop!” He yelled, catching up to the other boy. He did.
“You went inside before, alone.” Xingqiu whispered, turning his head slightly to meet Chongyun's eyes. “This time, I promise, I'll keep you safe. I just need you too…” He trailed off, looking back at the door.
“A-Qiu, please. I have a really bad feeling about this.” If Xingqiu went inside… what would happen? Why was he feeling this fear? What was causing it? Perhaps, there really was an evil spirit able to survive his yang energy. Is this what it felt like to everyone else?
“Yunyun, do you trust me?” Xingqiu asked, turning towards him fully.
“Yes.” He replied without hesitation.
Xingqiu went to open the door again, this time Chongyun didn't argue. The doors opened up with a rush of cool air, revealing a set of stone steps creeping into the darkness. The sense of foreboding got stronger, yet Chongyun willed it aside.
Xingqiu took a hesitant first step, then another, before Chongyun started following him. The stairwell was damp and smelled strongly of earth.
There. At the end of the stairwell was a vast open space, two statues guarding a doorway on the opposite end.
It was a trap.
“Xingqiu, watch out!” With a burst of energy, he ran in front of him, surprising Xingqiu immensely. He pulled out his claymore and scanned the area.
Last time, the rift wolves appeared from his left and right, so he paid special attention to those directions, listing, watching, looking for anything that might indicate their presence.
He couldn't believe he forgot, he couldn't let them hurt Xingqiu, not like they hurt him.
Like they…
Hurt him…
Oh archons…
“Chongyun! Hey it's alright! Do you… do you remember?”
Did he remember?
He remembered opening the doors, the same rush of cool wind greeting him as he readied his talismans.
He shouldn't have let his guard down just because no one greeted him at the entrance.
There were only three riftwolves at first, small ones, that came at him from the right. They were a bit of a pain to deal with, but not something he couldn't handle.
But then from behind him, on the left side of the room, seven more appeared. Two large ones, and five small ones.
He couldn't take them all alone, but by the time he even realized they were there…
He could still feel the sharp sting on their claws, digging into his skin, injecting their poison.
He didn't remember anything after that.
No.
He woke up.
And the day repeated.
He was on the ground again, Xingqiu in front of him, his pale, translucent hands once again in his.
“I don't understand…” He whispered.
“You… you were really badly hurt… the doctor said you were going too…” Xingqiu trailed off, tears staring to gather at the corners of his eyes as he held on to his hands tighter.
“Am I dead?” Xingqiu shook his head.
“No. I-I was actually trying to hint at it earlier.” A tear escaped his eye and started running down his cheek. Chongyun raised one of his hands to brush it away.
“Yunyun… you're in a coma. They said… you are never going to wake up again.” This time it was Xingqiu who buried himself into Chongyun's shoulder.
“A coma…”
“But you're still here!” Xingqiu moved back and grabbed his shoulders. “You're still here! That means you can still wake up! You just need to wake up!”
“I-I…”
“You remember now, so you should be able to wake up! Please, Yunyun.” He had seen Xingqiu cry before, but never like this. Crocodile tears were pouring down his cheeks now, his hands gripping Chongyun's shoulders like they were the last thing keeping him tethered to reality.
It was weird to think this was how Chongyun was acting just a few hours ago.
“How do I… Xingqiu!” The other boy was starting to fade, light growing dim. “No no no no no! What's happening?” Xingqiu looked down and gasped in surprise.
“I- my time is up. Please, I'll be waiting for you! You just need to wake up!”
“Xingqiu!” He tried to hold on to him as best as he could as he faded from existence. Within a moment, he was completely gone as if he were never there in the first place!
“Xingqiu!” He screamed again, frantically looking around, but only silence responded.
Wake up.
He needed to wake up.
How was he supposed to-