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1
Ye Xiu’s mind was on an axis, tilting and falling as if his world broke.
His chest hurt, his breathing shallow. Ye Xiu couldn't believe the news he was given. Beside him, Su Mucheng fell apart. She was inconsolable.
“I’m sorry, but he didn't make it.”
He held onto the girl beside him, comforting her with words that caught in his throat, as if he had eaten cotton.
2
Su Muqiu was pronounced dead upon arrival. The car that hit him, wrecked his body to an almost unrecognizable mass, drove away once they knew he was dead. The multiple tire tracks on the road, still fresh according to the coroner that investigated the scene of the crime, made Ye Xiu understand the situation. The police officers gave him the little items Su Muqiu had on his person when he went out.
The pitying condolences flew by his head.
His mouth felt dry and his eyes burned.
3
They had him buried on a lonesome hill.
They visited everyday.
4
It was a given he ran away.
He'd done it for most of his life afterall.
Ye Xiu abandoned his family to escape the heir title pushed onto him. Now the very same thing he used as a crutch, that supported him when he needed it the most, made his heart ache.
Glory gave him everything he could have hoped for, a passion, a want, a happiness he could get lost in. But it also took those feelings away, the game now only reminding him of what one player could've been. Of what he was now not.
5
He came back to the very thing he ran from. At the very least, Ye Xiu could support the sister Su Muqiu untimely left behind. Ye Xiu had to make sure Su Mucheng had a proper education and lived well. As an esports player, he couldn't give her that with the meager income acquired. He didn't want to step foot on the court anymore either, at least not now. So he chalked up the last of his dignity and pride as he stood in front of his father and mother.
He wasn't expecting to be welcomed back with open arms, to a mother that cried at the sight of him and a father that cared enough to hug him.
His brother, a face so familiar yet so alien, looked at him with red eyes. Ye Qiu whispered to his ear as he clung onto him tightly, “Welcome back.”
6
He no longer gave his heart to his once loved Glory fully, only shielding himself from the inevitable pull.
Everyday, Ye Xiu would tell himself that he hated Glory. And yet, he still watched it from afar. Looking at forums to immerse himself and at matches between ever growing powerhouses shaping the future of the game, living vicariously through videos and taped PvP between two characters in internet cafes. Ye Xiu knew the ins and outs of Glory, but his hate for its constant reminder always present in his heart.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Lord Grim’s account card. The lump in his stomach felt heavy.
7
Sometimes he'd log on to Qiumu Su, tears threatening to fall onto his keyboard. Why did he still feel affected after a year had almost gone by? Why did it still hurt him?
He'd move around the avatar, play a bit, cursing the fact that the avatar’s face was similar to Su Muqiu’s.
It was a ritual he did almost daily until he felt numb.
8
This time, instead of stealing his brother’s luggage and sneaking off into the night, he went straight to his father and asked a simple question.
9
Tao Xuan never expected a call from Ye Qiu of all people. The man disappeared along with Su Mucheng ever since her brother died. It was surprising, but not unwanted.
10
Excellent Era reign of prosperity started as soon as Ye Xiu entered. He still went under the guise of his brother’s name, as per their previous contract.
He gave them three seasons. Three seasons of straight wins. Ye Xiu was known as the God of Glory. The elusive god that never showed his face and the one that many admired.
11
Then momentary high receded, the adrenaline that pumped in his veins gone, replaced with a cold numbing sensation. Ye Xiu told himself that winning would lull the dull pain he felt. It went away. But he still felt like something was missing. Why?
As if a bag of bricks dropped down on him, weighted his shoulders down, the change in his morale was instantaneous. The following years after their back-to-back wins were nothing but losses.
12
Ye Xiu stood in front of Tao Xuan, a man changed by greed and the passage of time.
“Ye Qiu. Give Sun Xiang your One Autumn Leaf.”
Instead of resisting, he gave it away swiftly, as if he didn't waste years cultivating it to be named as the Battle God, just for a replacement captain to take it all away.
“I hope you’ll use him well.” His voice was soft. Ye Xiu had so many things to tell Sun Xiang, but he couldn't bare to say it, “Remember that Glory is meant to be played with others.”
Sun Xiang said nothing and carefully took the account card from his senior’s hands.
13
“I just have one question. You were on top. How… did you fall so low?” Sun Xiang blurted out right when the man was about to leave the conference room. He may be confident, arrogant even, in his abilities, but that doesn't make him an idiot.
Ye Xiu turned back, looking a bit surprised Sun Xiang even spoke to him. But he just smiled mysteriously, “I realize that I'm missing something in my life. Glory couldn’t fill that hole.”