Chapter Text
All he could hear were screams of terror, cries of children, and alarms blaring from every direction. The entire world was covered in red. The floors were red, the lights were red, the red was splattered all over the walls and even the ceiling… Everything was covered in blood. The Borisins have arrived. He could hear their sickening howls and their teeth gnawing on flesh and bones.
No, no, no! This wasn’t supposed to happen! Not yet! It's too early!
Blade didn't even get to say goodbye to his family or even try to save them. Why was this happening now…? Why!? He just returned to the past! He didn't even get the chance to live a normal life- have one day of a happy childhood!
He saw one of those wolf-like monsters approaching him, fangs and teeth bared with crimson red blood dripping out of their mouths. Their eyes were filled with moon-rage as they came at him with every intent to kill him and consume his flesh. Just as a Borisin came and extended their claws at him… he woke up, gasping for air as he opened his eyes to see sunlight pouring into the room from the window. He was still in his childhood bedroom. Safe and sound. No alarms were blaring in the distance, no red anywhere in sight…
Borisin dreams… I haven't had one in years. Oh, it's a new day.
So he didn't get sent back to his own time. That's good. At least, for now. Right now he needs to find a way to save his parents. He will find a way to return to the Stellaron Hunters later.
Blade took in a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
Nothing happened, he told himself. It was just a dream. Dreams aren't reality.
He sat up on the bed and noticed the huge amount of sweat that was soaked into the sheets and his clothes. Why was his body reacting so badly to a dream he had dreamt countless times before…? Could it be because his body and mind were different? His mind is that of an adult, seven hundred years into the future. But this body is that of a child. A child version of him, of Yingxing. Does that mean that he… Lost all the skills he learned in his previous body? No. No. No. Muscle memory exists, right? How could he possibly forget- but this body never had any training. There was no muscle memory in this body. Only his mind remembers.
Yingxing jumped out of bed and ran out of his bedroom. He had to see if it was actually true- did this body really have no skills? Could he still forge weapons or use a sword at all? His mind still remembers but this body…
Yingxing looked around the house for anything useful. There wasn't a single sword in this house. Only dull kitchen knives. Well of course there wouldn't be any swords! His parents never had the need for weapons, they weren't trained in combat like cloud knights or anything like that! They were just regular people. And that is why they lost their lives. Because they couldn't defend themselves from the Borisons and because they simply didn't have the means to.
Yingxing forged weapons for only one reason, revenge. His whole life was centered around avenging his parents and forging a weapon capable of slaying the one who was behind all his pain and suffering. Yaoshi, the Aeon of Abundance. The Plagues Author is the reason for the Borisins existence and so THEY are to be blamed for the death of his parents, his people, and countless other souls across the cosmos. Funny how Yaoshi wishes to eradicate pain and to “save” everyone by giving them immortality but THEY only end up causing more pain and suffering to all those people THEY “bless” and to the people around them who didn’t receive their blessing.
Yingxing’s creations have fundamentally changed the Xianzhou’s warfare strategies for centuries after his “death”. He always firmly believed that he wouldn't be able to slay his enemies, that he was not capable of doing so because of his short time, but that his weapons could. Even after his death his weapons will still continue to exist and they will eventually lead to the fall of the Aeon of Abundance. That is why Yingxing chose this path, to forge a future where Yaoshi is defeated and people can live in peace without having to fear the abominations of abundance coming to their world and ruin it like they did with his.
The weapons he forged were made only for those who could use them properly and wield them against the evils of the cosmos. No amount of money could ever convince him to forge a weapon for someone who wasn't worthy in his eyes. His weapons weren't decorations, they were tools of justice, bringing death to monsters and peace to humans.
Now, he had no sword and no weapon to see if he still has his swordsman skills. The skills that were forced upon him by a woman he once considered a friend. By the woman who killed him hundreds of times… What would he have become had she not taught him the way of the sword and passed her skills onto him? Is it possible to change fate? Can he change it all on his own…? Elio did say that even the smallest actions can create new possibilities. If a possibly where he saves his parents exists, even if it's just a very small chance, he will take that sliver of hope and try to do something in order to change fate.
“Yingxing! Why are you awake so early, starlight?”
Blade almost jumped out of his skin when he heard his mother calling him from behind. He didn't sense her coming at all- didn't even hear her footsteps… This body truly had none of the survival skills he had acquired during his lifetime. That proves his theory. He doesn't have his skills anymore. If he lifts a hammer, he’d miss his strike. If he swings a sword, it won't leave a mark on his enemy.
“Mom… You don't happen to have a sword, do you?”
He knew the answer was probably going to be no, but if he can convince his parents to buy him a sword maybe he’ll be able to protect them from the Borisin.
“A sword? What, like a toy sword?”
She asked carefully.
“No. A real sword.”
His mother gave him a strange look and raised one eyebrow in confusion.
“What do you need a real sword for? You know, those are dangerous.”
“Exactly! Mom, I need you to buy me a sword so I can protect you from the Borisin.”
He said honestly. He didn't care how ridiculous he sounded right now. A child asking for a sword is ridiculous, he could cut and injure himself easily, but he isn't exactly a child either.
His mother was holding back laughter.
“Sweetie, did you have another nightmare? It’s okay- dreams aren't reality. No Borisin is going to attack me.”
Oh how he wishes that last sentence was true…
“You don't understand, Mom! The Borisin are coming- you have to believe me!”
She let out a small giggle but then immediately stopped herself by putting a hand over her mouth. How could she not laugh? Her son was talking nonsense!
“Starlight, swords are expensive and besides that, where am I going to buy you a sword? You're too young. No one is going to sell a sword to a child.”
She tried to reason with him. Her words are true though.
Blade gave up. There was no way he could convince her to buy him a sword. No one would sell a sword to a child anyway- Yingxing wouldn't either. He only sold swords to those who could wield them. Never to reckless people with no experience who just wanted to flaunt their wealth. Asking was a bad idea anyway.
“Anyways, since you're already awake go brush your teeth and get dressed. We’re going to the park.”
“The park?”
Suddenly Blade remembered that his family had a little tradition of going to the park on Saturdays. That must mean that today is a Saturday. Wait, why does he even remember that? How come he remembers such an unimportant detail of his life? Maybe it’s because this body isn't mara-struck. His memory feels so clear and not painful… Still, he isn't sure how he remembers that. Maybe it’s because of the stellaron or maybe it's because he's re-living moments of his life. He doesn't know for sure though.
“It’s a Saturday, silly! Now hurry and get ready. I’ll go make sandwiches.”
And with that, she turned and walked away towards the kitchen.
Yingxing was left standing there alone. Only his thoughts kept him company. What was he supposed to do now? He can’t protect his family. This body is weak. If he was in his real body- his strong, immortal, indestructible body then maybe he could’ve protected them. But now he can’t. He doesn’t even have a sword. What is he supposed to do if he can’t protect them?
Suddenly an idea came to his head- they could leave the planet! Fleeing is a cowardly act. Something he never would think of before. But now, he was desperate. If he can get his parents off this planet then they can be saved. Let’s just hope they believe him and listen to his words.
In the meantime, Yingxing went to brush his teeth and get ready to go to the park. Again, most of his clothes were that of cartoon characters, but he did manage to find a normal pair of shorts and a T-shirt that had a smiley face on it. That was the most normal looking outfit he could find in that childish closet.
After he finished getting dressed and putting on shoes with Velcro instead of normal shoes with laces (Seriously, did he not know how to tie his shoes at this age?) he went to the kitchen to find his mom. She had just finished making the sandwiches and wrapped them up nicely in plastic wrap. Two beautiful looking turkey sandwiches with lettuce and tomatoes were placed into a small basket and one average looking peanut butter and jelly sandwich was placed in after them.
Why does he get a peanut butter jelly sandwich while his parents get the healthy and delicious turkey sandwich? Do children actually like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? No- the question should be, did he like peanut butter jelly sandwiches as a kid? He doesn’t remember. But he does know that Silver Wolf and Elio like those sandwiches. Those are the only sandwiches they are willing to eat. Kafka likes fancy dinners and exotic foods, she would never eat a regular sandwich. Firefly… She can’t eat anything at all. She gets all her nutrients through feeding tubes in her life-support pod. Sometimes he feels bad for her. She just wants to live a normal life. He will do everything he can to make her wish come true once he goes back to his own time. Right now, he needs to focus on saving his parents.
“Mom, there's something I need to talk to you about.”
“Oh? What is it, Starlight?” She asked carefully.
“It's really important, Dad needs to hear this too.”
“Alright. Dad!” She called out.
“What is it, mommy?” His dad yelled back in response from the bedroom.
Mommy?
“Come here!”
“i'm coming! Just give me a sec-” His dad came out of the bedroom with his shirt half-buttoned. He must've been in the middle of getting dressed when mom called to him. Could he not finish buttoning his shirt? Is my dad really that submissive to my mom that he answers at her beck and call like that? On top of that, he called her “mommy” too, dear god my father is a simp. Have some self respect and button your shirt, man…
“Yingxing has something to say for us.” She explained.
“Oh what is it, little star?” His dad started buttoning the rest of the buttons.
Now that both his parents were in the same room and listening to him, he could finally tell them the truth of the fate that awaits them.
“Mom, Dad, I need you both to listen to me and believe me.”
“We’re listening.” His dad reassured him.
Yingxing took in a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the conversation that was about to happen.
“Mom, Dad… The Borisin are coming to attack this planet.”
“Again with that dream? Starlight, I already told you-” His mother started speaking but he cut her off.
“It isn't a dream, Mom! You have to believe me, I'm from the future-!”
“Hahahahaha!” His dad started laughing. He put a hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing any further and faked a cough. “I’m sorry- I’m sorry, continue.”
“I'm serious! We have to leave this planet, we can board a spaceship and save ourselves-”
“Starlight, please. Boarding passes are hella expensive. Where are we going to get that kind of money?” His mother stated. He knew they weren't all that rich but they have more than enough money to live comfortably!
“We can sneak onto a ship!”
“And get arrested for trespassing?” Dad chirped in. He was right, they could get arrested for trespassing. It's easy to sneak onto spaceships when you have Elio to tell you the steps you need to take in order not to get caught. But now, he doesn't have Elio and his parents aren't expert criminals like he is.
“...”
Yingxing fell into silence. He started feeling helpless. They weren't listening to him at all. To them, he was just a kid making stuff up. No one was going to believe a kid saying “I’m from the future!”, absolutely no one.
“Please… You have to believe me, you're going to die!” Yingxing’s voice cracked and tears prickled at the corners of his eyes. He suddenly felt an overwhelming amount of sadness and helplessness.
“That's enough, young man! I understand you had a nightmare but that is not an excuse to say such things. We are not going to die any time soon.” His mother huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. She was starting to get frustrated with him.
“Mom… Please…” Yingxing felt tears running down his cheeks. He was on the verge of begging now but that would just make him look even more pathetic.
“Come on, little star. Don't cry, I promise everything's going to be okay. Let's go wash your face and drink some water to calm down.” His father spoke up, trying to calm him down and make him feel better.
Yingxing wiped the tears off his face. Was there really nothing he could do? Is this fate? How was he supposed to save his parents if they weren't going to listen to him? They don't believe him… and it's going to get them killed.
His father went and poured him a glass of water.
“Here you go, drink.” He said as he handed him the glass.
Yingxing took the glass and drank the water. After that, he took a deep breath and calmed himself down.
“Little star, we don't have to go to the park today if you don't want to. We can stay at home today. I know you've been having nightmares lately and that's okay. Why don't you go draw something? You like drawing.” His father spoke to him in a soft and gentle tone. Reassuring him that they can stay inside, protected from any danger and harm. Telling him he can draw something instead as a way to keep him entertained and distracting him from his “nightmares”.
And he did, in fact, like to draw. Yingxing was always an artist in his heart. Artist, craftsman, blacksmith… He was all those things. All those things required being creative and artistic. He isn't sure how good his drawing skills are at this age though. He can only hope that he's better than drawing stick figures.
Yingxing looked at the small, child sized table in the living room that was covered in crayons and coloured pencils. He could work with that. He could draw a Borisin- to show them that he really knows what they are and that he isn’t making stuff up.
He walked over to the small table, sat down on a cheap plastic chair, picked up an empty piece of paper and started drawing. He sketched the Borisin out as best as he could but none of the lines were straight. They were wobbly and scratchy. His hands are not as precise and as dexterous as they should be. They’re underdeveloped. They’re too small, he is too small. His bones are not fully set yet. Being a child makes everything so much harder.
“Mom, Dad, look at this. This is a Borisin.” He raised the paper up for them to see.
“How do you even know what Borisins look like?” His mother asked, sceptical. She had every right to be though. Yingxing is just a child, how could he possibly know what those monsters look like?
“Because I’ve seen them before! Why won’t you believe me?!” Yingxing was starting to get frustrated. He raised his voice, this was the only way to make them hear him and listen to his words.
“Do not raise your voice at me.” She glared at him as if daring him to do it again.
“Honey…” His father put a hand on his mother’s shoulder. Trying to get her to calm down.
She took in a deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. Calming herself.
“I’m sorry, Starlight. But let’s not raise our voices, okay?” She said honestly.
“Mom, Dad… Please just hear me out. The Borisin are coming to attack this world. It’s not too late, we can still escape! Or maybe-“
“Little star,” His father cut him off. “Do you know when will this ‘Borisin attack’ happen?”
Yingxing fell silent. Truth be told, he didn’t know. It was so long ago that he didn’t remember the exact day when it happened. His silence only served to make his parents’ disbelief in him grow even stronger.
His mother just sighed and his dad looked a little awkward at this whole situation.
“Starlight, why don’t you draw something else? Like me and dad.” His mother offered him a way out of this situation.
Yingxing nodded his head silently in agreement. He walked back to the small table and sat down on a cheap plastic chair. He fell deep into thought and without noticing, picked up a pencil and started drawing on a piece of paper.
They don't believe me. There's nothing I can do to make them believe me. It's all useless, I'm useless. I'm a useless son. Why am I even here if I can't even save them? Why? Why? Why?
By the time he snapped out of his thoughts, he saw a drawing of three stick figures holding hands together, smiling happily, standing in an open flower field with v-shaped birds in the sky and a sun in the corner of the paper. Each stick figure represented a member of his family. The one with long navy blue hair was his mother, the taller one with wrinkles under its eyes was his father, and the small stick figure standing between the two was meant to represent him, the child Yingxing.
Did he draw that? it wasn't pretty or anything, it was mediocre at best. Truly, he did not have any of his artistic skills anymore.
“Oh my, Starlight, you drew that?” Suddenly his mother appeared out of thin air and crouched down beside him. He couldn't even sense her presence. He needs to train those skills again.
“That’s so pretty. Good job, Starlight.” She praised him. As if he would believe that. He knows what true masterpieces are- this drawing doesn't cut it. It's not worthy of praise.
“Stop it, Mom. It's not pretty at all.” He stated like it's a fact.
“Why do you say that?” She asks, genuinely curious as to why her son is suddenly insecure about his art. He didn't act like this before. He's been acting strange ever since that nightmare.
“Because it's bad, Mom! The lines aren't straight, the proportions are wrong and I couldn't even colour in the lines I made!” He snapped.
“...But Starlight, this is the best drawing you've made so far.”
Yingxing’s eyes widened. Suddenly he realised that she was right. All the other drawings he saw on the table were just messy scribbles. This is the best drawing he made so far. But he can make even better drawings if he keeps on practicing. His best is just what he's currently capable of, and he can keep on growing more and more and practice until his best is able to make masterpieces!
“Thank you, Mom...”
“You’re welcome, Starlight! Now, go eat the sandwich I made you earlier and get ready for bed.”
What? Was it already near 20:00? He must've been too deep in thought to notice the change in time.
“Yes, Mom.”
Yingxing went to the kitchen and took the peanut butter and jelly sandwich out of the basket it was placed in. As he ate, he noticed it wasn’t as bad as he thought. It was pretty good and accommodating for a child’s palate and taste.
And so he went to take a shower, the scent of the strawberry shampoo sticking into his hair. He put on a cartoonish pyjama and climbed into bed. As he covered himself with a blanket he suddenly noticed how tired he was.
Yingxing’s eyes were starting to droop. Soon, sleep will take over. And just as he was about to fall asleep…
Alarms started blaring from every direction.