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Once upon a time, there had been a man.
The man was locked in a room, never to be seen in public, never to experience the direct shades of light.
One day, a woman had gotten into the room and the two had instantly fallen in love. It was like fate, rather than a coincidence. As unauthorized people were forbidden in the room, the woman snuck into the room regularly to meet the man.
The two were madly in love, the woman coming back earlier than the last time she had come. The two dreamed of life beyond the room they were restricted to, dreams of perhaps a child born from two of them. Months of planning came the day of the young man leaving the room permanently.
Unfortunately, it never happened. A guard walked in on them just as the woman was getting the young man ready. The woman was taken into custody and executed. The man too, was killed soon after.
The bitter story of love blooming until intervention ending the life of the two was a sad story, yet it was beautiful in many ways. A bond so strong that not even the walls could block them, and that one would risk their lives for them. It was unfortunate that they had died away from each other.
This was the story of a dream come true. A child born from the blood of the two, raised in a similar way as the man who could be called his ‘father’ was.
“It is time.”
Yet, even with the road he trekked upon with no alternates or shortcuts, Wei Wuxian could not help but think of life beyond the castle walls.
“Follow me.”
Wei Wuxian sighed tiredly, lifting himself off from the bed silently, he followed the guard out of the room who had led him to two large pairs of double doors, where one was left ajar.
His dream would never come true, however. As the Holy Grail there was no other life and no other mission than work for the King until his death.
The existence of the Holy Grail; not entirely human, yet human in every way possible. Originally a holy artifact known to make dreams come true, was nothing but a mindless tool, substitutable anytime. He too, like the previous Holy Grail was soon to die and then replaced by a new one.
“His Majesty is on the other side,” the guard said gruffly. “Don’t make him wait.”
The guard sneered before walking away, leaving Wei Wuxian standing in front of the open door. He rapped on the door lightly and opened it, revealing a dark room that stood out of place in a castle that was bright red. There room was bare except for a hard-wooden bed in the middle of the room with a thick book perched on a stand near the bed.
The king of Qishan smirked.
“You know the drill,” he said. “Go on.”
Wei Wuxian walked up to the bed and climbed onto it, laying down on his back. He closed his eyes, anticipating the pain that was soon to follow.
It was a sting of pain, disappearing as quickly as it came. Then it came back, stronger, a pounding pain. In and out. The pounding pain turned into a burning feeling. He squirmed, letting out occasional gasps of pain.
It felt like hours, yet it was only minutes until the pain left completely, leaving Wei Wuxian panting and twitching. He felt lightheaded and a slight stabbing pain was repeating itself around his arms.
“You’re done. The guards will return you to your room.”
Wei Wuxian got up from the stone bed, letting his feet fall to the ground silently.
“Your Majesty,” Wei Wuxian said.
“Hm?”
“The lanterns… this year…”
The lantern ceremony was a special occasion in the kingdom every year. On the day of Wei Wuxian’s birth, thousands of lanterns would fly across the sky, thanking him for the peace and prosperity that he supposedly ‘enforced’. Sadly, Wei Wuxian was not allowed to see it in person. Only from afar through the small window of his that he would be able to see the small yellow lights that floated into the air.
“Do not bother.”
“…yes.”
Just as Wei Wuxian left, Wen Ruohan looked at the book on the stone altar, pleased with himself as a seemingly random blank page began to be filled with red words, sure to be brown after drying.
“Burning of Lotus Pier—”
“—Cloud Recesses, Lan—”
“—Lan Wangji missing.”
It was the job of the Holy Grail was to bleed out until the book opened. Then the book would write of predictions of the near future. Potential threats and attacks they would do. Ups and downs so that the user could improve whatever that was imperfect. The Holy Grail was only important for what it held.
The bodily liquid that couldn’t even be considered as blood. Lacking in the iron quality, yet red like all humans. Of course, it was because they weren’t human.
The first Holy Grail was an actual object. Gold and beautiful. Then a man wanted the beauty of the cup to become the beauty of a being. And so, it happened. The Holy Grail turned into a semi-human. Pale as a ghost, and at first, they couldn’t even formulate their own opinions.
Pure blood, sacred to the extent that normal humans can’t even hope to touch it. It was the only way that a new Holy Grail would be born after the former one was sucked dry.
Yet, some, like the former Holy Grail, Wei Changze wouldn’t die after being sucked dry. They would die for having their blood tainted by outsiders, falling in love with an imperfect vessel… but he wasn’t angry at that.
No, he was intrigued.
Both were created to be Holy Grails.
One had the former Holy Grail’s blood, while the other held an older former Holy Grail’s blood.
One’s blood could not activate the book, while the other could.
One was thrown away, while the other was locked.
Her name… Wei Cangse at her creation, then Cangse Sanren after being picked up by the infamous immortal Baoshan Sanren.
It was a good thing that they didn’t share the same blood… or at least diluted enough or else it would cause a different uproar.
Fortunately, he was able to get a hold of Cangse Sanren’s blood at her death, taking and combining it with Wei Changze’s. It was what led Wei Wuxian to be so powerful, proving that the combination of two former Holy Grails was more than enough, even though the former’s blood wasn’t as pure.
No one knew about this though. After all, he had killed everyone involved, ensuring that the information wouldn’t be passed on. However, there was one sect that has a scripture of the Holy Grail from centuries ago.
Wen Ruohan smirked.
They would soon have to be eliminated.
-o-
The Kingdom of Yunmeng was attacked. Gusu soon after.
The sole survivor of Yunmeng was Prince Jiang Cheng, only escaped after his mother sacrificed her life. Gusu was different. Both princes escaped, the current Emperor gravely injured, his elder brother dying in the attack.
The four were wanted by the Kingdom of Qishan; who had later taken over of the two kingdoms. Men in red motifs wandered in the five great kingdoms, ordering people left and right to call them if they see any of the wanted men.
Because everyone was alerted to the fact that the two princes of Gusu wore all white, Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen were forced to change their color scheme. Dark blue and Black. A complete opposite to what they usually wore. Their forehead ribbons missing from their usual spot and hidden in a different place instead.
“Brother, are you sure that we can trust the Nie Kingdom?”
“Yes, Wangji.”
The two swiftly stepped into the dark side of the alley, lowering their straw hats in the process as another round of men in Qishan robes patrolled.
“Nie Mingjue and I are very close. He would not betray us and turn Uncle in.”
Lan Wangji visibly trembled for a second before he returned to his usual posture. Lan Xichen’s eyes softened.
“I know, Wangji. It hurts. It hurts a lot, but we can’t let the pain stop us. Nie MingJue recently told me that the missing Jiang Wanyin appeared and told him of his plan to overthrow the Wen Kingdom.”
“Mn,” Lan Wangji replied. It was silent before he asked, “Did he agree?”
Lan Xichen nodded. The two resumed walking, eyes sharp from checking their surroundings.
“The first attack will occur a week from now. We need to stay as far as possible, then.”
“Where is it.”
“A small territory in Qishan. Jiang Wanyin is still gathering new disciples.”
Lan Wangji suddenly stopped.
“Wang…ji?” Lan Xichen looked at his brother, confused.
“Brother… do you remember the book about the Holy Grail?”
“Yes, but?”
The book of the Holy Grail, a detailed history book that they couldn’t save for the fact that it was deep down in the forbidden section.
“The Holy Grail was taken by the Wen Kingdom… the Holy Grail can predict the future.”
Lan Xichen stiffened. It can’t be… right?
“It would mean that Emperor Wen already knows about the plans.” He said gravely.
Lan Wangji nodded.
“We need to inform the Nie Kingdom. It would be vital that they know… although, are you sure that the Holy Grail is real?”
“I heard Uncle talking one day,” Lan Wangji admitted quietly. “About the book about the Holy Grail and how the Wen Kingdom was pressuring them to give it over. Uncle said that they threatened to…”
Lan Xichen understood.
“They threatened to burn down Cloud Recesses, didn’t they?” he said quietly. “Yet Uncle refused, leading the burning of…” he didn’t finish the sentence.
A lone tear fell from Lan Wangji. He was silent, though slightly trembling.
“What will we do, brother?” he said brokenly. “Father has died. Uncle is injured. Our home is gone…”
“We will get through this, Wangji,” Lan Xichen said determinedly. “They will call us for the final attack. We will do our best—”
“The Holy Grail.”
“Wangji—”
“If we can get to the Holy Grail, we can use the grail to our advantage… to destroy the Wens.” Said Lan Wangji.
Lan Xichen agreed. To get the Holy Grail would damage the Wen Kingdom greatly, helping them. Adding to the fact that by using it, it would be an even more plus.
If only they had known that the Holy Grail was all but a living being.
-o-
A small village in Qishan was attacked. Another followed. One by one, from small villages to larger villages, they were destroyed.
A month had passed since the first attack. It was the final attack; attacking the castle. Hundreds of cultivators stood behind, holding items from swords to arrows, varying in size. Many of the cultivators from the Qinghe Nie sect held sabers in their hands, the depleted size of the Gusu Lan holding instruments.
Jiang Wanyin of Yunmeng held his sword in one hand, Zidian in the other. His expression was furious, a permanent frown etched upon his face. Behind him stood new disciples of Yunmeng, like Gusu Lan.
Lan Wangji stood tall as he held his guqin in one hand.
“I got some info,” said Nie Mingjue. “The supposed ‘Holy Grail’ you’ve been asking for is in a desolate part of the castle with a stone door at the end. Not much is known about it. I only got information from one of the spies hearing the guards talk about it, so that’s all I have.”
Lan Wangji and his brother bowed respectfully, each saying their thanks to the sect leader. The two returned to their spots and moments later, Nie Mingjue signaled them and the attack began.
It was brutal. War was what should be avoided, Lan Wangji thought as he ran through the people fighting, using his Guqin to defend himself. Cutting down the enemy was, surprisingly, not the utmost priority, but getting into the castle to find the Holy Grail.
His brother, who ran behind him, cut down the enemies that were bound to attack Lan Wangji.
“Remember, Wangji, the desolate hall that ends with the stone door.” Lan Xichen said.
“Yes, brother.” Lan Wangji answered.
The two continued to run up to the castle. They were nearly there; just meters away before an army of more experienced cultivators neared them. Their swords were unsheathed, held in one hand while their robes shown in the darkness of Nightless city where only fire kept it bright during the night.
“Go!” Lan Xichen yelled. “Go find the Holy Grail and bring him back!”
“Brother—” Lan Wangji began. He grit his teeth and nodded. He began to run away from his brother, not looking back once and instead, focusing on the castle looming ahead.
-o-
Lan Wangji ran. He ran swiftly and quietly, his feet not making a single sound. He turned right, then left, then narrowly avoided a pair of guards walking.
“His majesty told us to guard the Grail—”
“We’re losing, can’t you see? It doesn’t matter anymore. I’d rather have the Grail gone. He’s not worth anything anyways if this surprise attack happened.”
Lan Wangji’s brows furrowed. The Grail could only be the Holy Grail… and if they were talking about how they were supposed to be guarding the Grail then it could only mean that they were directly coming from where the Holy Grail was.
In an instant, Lan Wangji unsheathed Bichen and within seconds he was wiping the blood away with his fingers, returning the sword back into the sheathe.
One of the two guards only had seconds to look back and stiffen as he fell to the ground.
“L-Lan Wang—” he fell to the ground, motionless.
Without looking, Lan Wangji continued to run forwards through the halls from where the guards came, only stopping when he came across three paths.
He only stopped to look at both spots before continuing to run forwards, going for the more desolate path just as his brother had told him. He ran for a few more minutes until he reached the end of the hall. A dark, stone door standing in front of him, tall and wide.
He pushed open the door, surprisingly opening without any problems at all. He froze when he saw the inside of the room.
A young man, flowing dark hair that was dark as night, longer than any hair he had even seen. Perhaps it went to the ground had the boy been standing. It was simply tied with a red ribbon near the middle of the length, rather than used for keeping it up, it seemed to be used to keep his hair from going everywhere.
Pale skin, he noted. Skin paler than snow but not with an unhealthy tint. No, he looked perfectly healthy.
His throat became dry as the young man turned around. Was this the Holy Grail? Was the Holy grail not an object… but a living being? Perhaps even capable of thinking for themselves?
“Who are you?”
Lan Wangji bowed respectfully.
“Lan Zhan. Courtesy, Lan Wangji. I am from Gusu.”
He then walked towards the young man and held the hem of his robes lightly. He briefly scanned the rest of the room, searching for an object that could be the Holy Grail. He found nothing.
“We must go.” He said.
The young man cocked his head.
“Go?” he repeated. “Go where? The lanterns ceremony?” his eyes lit up with childish innocence.
Lan Wangji froze. He swallowed hard. He would not lie. He would take the man to the lantern ceremony.
“Yes.” He said.
The young man’s face broke into a smile. Lan Wangji’s heart stopped for a moment. He stood up from the bed he sat on, his long hair falling to the ground in long tresses.
The two didn’t speak for much of the time walking in the halls. Although the young man seemed to live in the castle, he seemed to be unfamiliar with much of the halls. It was then that he realized that he forgot to ask for the young man’s name.
“My name is Wei Wuxian, if you’re wondering.”
“How—”
“I realized that I asked for your name yet didn’t give you mine.”
Ah. Lan Wangji nodded and proceeded to walk. The two reached the exit of the castle rather early. Wei Wuxian faltered at the last step.
“This is my first time,” Wei Wuxian said nervously. “I’ve… I’ve never been outside before.”
“Mn. It is beautiful.” Said Lan Wangji.
Wei Wuxian smiled. The two walked outside. The scenery wasn’t beautiful. There was fire, bodies, and people fighting with other people. Yet, Wei Wuxian didn’t stop smiling. He continued to walk alongside Lan Wangji as if they were walking in a garden rather than a battlefield.
Suddenly, Lan Wangji scooped Wei Wuxian by the leg and held him up in a princess style.
“Lan… Lan Wangji?”
“Lan Zhan.”
“Eh?”
“Call me… Lan Zhan.” said Lan Wangji.
“Okay? I don’t mind… but why are you carrying me?”
“You are barefoot.” he replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Wei Wuxian’s cheeks dusted a light pink. He turned his head away from Lan Wangji.
“I… I don’t want to be a burden,” he finally said.
“Not a burden.”
Wei Wuxian let Lan Wangji carry him, although awkward and embarrassing at first, it quickly became a comfortable spot. Plus, the body was very warm, and he was able to stare at Lan Wangji as he carried him. Not checking him out, per say, but… observing. Yes. He was only observing.
After walking for quite a long time, the two stopped in front of a man dressed in similar robes to Lan Wangji. They wore their clothes the same way, even their hair, but the two had shockingly different demeanors.
“Ah, Wangji…” he trailed off, confused.
“Brother, this is Wei Wuxian. We will be going to the lanterns.” so it was Lan Wangji’s brother. He wondered what his name was.
“Wangji…”
“I promised Wei Wuxian.” Lan Wangji said with more insistence than needed.
Lan Xichen frowned. In that moment, Nie Mingjue came out, walking towards him with a saber in one hand. He was covered in sweat and blood, a permanent frown etched on his face as he walked towards him.
“You,” he said. He pointed at Wei Wuxian. “You’re the Holy Grail?” he gripped his saber tighter.
Wei Wuxian looked down at the ground. Neither denying or accepting. A few moments later, he nodded slowly.
Nie Mingjue nodded, though looking visibly shaken at the information before raising the hand that held the saber. Lan Wangji’s eyes widened as he unsheathed his sword to stop the blow from hurting the Holy Grail.
A large sound of metal hitting metal. Silence followed.
“Lan Wangji!” Nie Mingjue gritted out.
Lan Wangji flew back gracefully, taking Wei Wuxian’s hand.
“We will go. I will carry you.” He said.
“Eh?” said Wei Wuxian. He had no time to say anything else as Lan Wangji grabbed Wei Wuxian, holding him in a bridesmaid style, flying away on Bichen.
From afar, Nie Mingjue stood their, shocked and angry.
“You dare!” he bellowed. “You dare to betray?”
Lan Xichen started, “Nie Mingjue, he didn’t mean—”
“The Holy Grail needs to be destroyed!” he yelled. “With him alive, he can be taken back by the Wens anytime!”
Lan Wangji heard no more as he was too far away to hear anything said by the angry king. Wei Wuxian trembled.
“Why?” asked Wei Wuxian. “He said that you betrayed.”
Lan Wangji didn’t look back. He continued to fly, carrying Wei Wuxian in a strong grip.
“Because…” he said, “I promised to take you. To take you to the lantern ceremony.”
“Even if I’m the Holy Grail that they seem to want to destroy?”
“Mn. There is no need to destroy. King Nie does not know the circumstances.” Lan Wangji said.
The two continued to fly in the air for an hour before descending to a small village where the hands of the Wen Kingdom had not reached yet.
“Where are we going?” asked Wei Wuxian.
“An Inn.” Replied Lan Wangji.
“To stay?”
“Mn.”
-o-
The inn they had arrived at was a small inn. Due to the small size, there had only been one room available now, raising several embarrassing scenes.
“One?” said the innkeeper, uncertain.
“Yes,” replied Lan Wangji. “One room.”
The innkeeper glanced at Wei Wuxian, who felt extremely self-conscious.
“If you’re so sure…” said the innkeeper. It wasn’t like there was another room open anyways. It was just… “The room is very small. Are you still sure?”
“Yes.”
A sigh. “Okay, follow me.”
-
The room was small as the innkeeper had said. There wasn’t even enough space for two people to sleep on the bed.
The innkeeper glanced at the two one more time before leaving them.
“I will get a bath ready.” Said Lan Wangji.
“Ah, you don’t need to Lan Wangji—”
“Lan Zhan.”
“Eh?”
Lan Wangji looked at him sharply. “Call me Lan Zhan.”
“O-okay…” stuttered Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian went to the bathtub, getting out of his clothes which weren’t much to begin with. Red inner robes and black outer robes with the Wen Kingdom sigil on it. He would have to change his outer robes soon. He sighed as he relaxed into the bathtub…
Only to jump when he realized that Lan Wangji stood there the whole time. Although he was facing the other way, it still didn’t help anything, and was that red he sees on his ears—
“Wei Wuxian.”
“What is it?” said Wei Wuxian.
“I will wash you.”
“Okay—wait what?” Wei Wuxian spluttered. “You don’t need to—”
“Will. I will wash Wei Wuxian.” said Lan Wangji.
Wei Wuxian didn’t have time to reply as Lan Wangji began to wash him, tenderly cleaning each part (although avoiding the upper part of his legs and the lower part of his torso), before cleaning his long hair.
The bath was so relaxing he almost forgot who he was with, and in a moment of relaxation, it slipped out.
“You know… I was never given a second name.”
Lan Wangji tilted his head.
Wei Wuxian continued. “There was a strange humming sound, and before I knew it, I was sitting on a stone bed in front of the King. He grabbed my hand and pulled it down onto something sharp. I don’t know. It hurt a lot. It still does. Taking the blood out, I mean. I remember him smiling, saying ‘Congratulations. From today your name is Wei Wuxian. Remember that.’” On his face was eerily similar expression of Wen Ruohan.
“Wei… the previous Holy Grail had that name, I recall.”
“Really?”
“Uncle had talked about a Grail when I was younger. I did not understand. He said that the name was Wei Changze."
“Wei Changze…” there was a faraway expression on Wei Wuxian’s face. He smiled bitterly for a moment before looking at Lan Wangji.
“Can…” Wei Wuxian faltered for a moment. “Can you give me a different name?”
Lan Wangji froze.
“The name I have reminds me of my place. That I am to have no opinions. No feelings in general. To have no envy. It is a name for the Holy Grail, describing something rather than someone.” Wei Wuxian said. There was a sad smile on his face as he spoke.
“Wuxian. To have no envy. To have no feelings. The perfect name for an object like you. ”
“It’s okay if you don’t want to—”
“Ying.”
Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji.
“Ying? As in…”
“Infant,” the corners of Lan Wangji’s lips quirked up. “You are new to this world. An infant to the eyes.”
“…”
Lan Wangji continued, “To be innocent and beautiful.”
Wei Wuxian—no, Wei Ying giggled.
“I like that name. Wei Ying. It’s really nice.”
For a while, if only a little while, Wei Ying wanted to believe that there was nothing wrong and that there was only the stars and Lan Zhan.
-o-
The next morning a few days was a bustle. Walking down the streets and flying on Lan Wangji’s swords when cultivators from the sects patrolled, surely looking for the pair. It wasn’t long that posters were hung, a poorly drawn Lan Wangji and a poster with only descriptions, perhaps descriptions of Wei Ying.
“It doesn’t even look like you!” said Wei Ying as he examined the poster. “It has no elegance!”
“Mn.” Was all Lan Zhan said.
The two continued to walk down the road, Wei Ying wearing the new robes he had gotten from Lan Zhan the day after he had given him his name. He still felt giddy whenever he thought of that night.
Ying. To be innocent and beautiful .
The two stopped by a small restaurant, hoping to grab some food before traveling back to the Wen Kingdom where they would be holding the Lanterns Ceremony. There was a guarantee that they wouldn’t cancel the ceremony if the King’s behavior was anything to go by. The attack on the castle was in a way, a success as the Holy Grail was taken out of the Wen Kingdom’s grasp… although not even the rebel group had the Holy Grail anymore.
The final attack was said to happen a day after the Lanterns Ceremony, giving the two plenty of time to get away for the final attack.
“Wangji?”
Wei Ying turned around. Lan Zhan stiffened under his arm.
Wei Ying opened his mouth, “You’re—”
“Thank the gods that you’re safe, Wangji.” Lan Xichen said.
Lan Zhan relaxed. He turned around and faced his brother.
“Brother,” he said. “What are you doing here?”
Lan Xichen visibly smiled.
“This village is extremely near to the base we are using at the moment as Gusu has been taken,” his voice took a dark undertone before going back. “As much as I would like you to stay and come with me, it would be too dangerous.”
“Brother—”
“The spy… the spy that told us about the Holy Grail gave us one last tip before being killed. You… you’re going to Qishan in a few days, am I right?”
“…yes.”
“Wen Ruohan knows that you’re going there. And with the Holy Grail.” Lan Xichen glanced at Wei Ying. The information that the Holy Grail was a living being was still processing in their minds.
“Do not worry, brother.” Said Lan Zhan,
Lan Xichen frowned.
“Wangji, it’s not that I’m tipping you off, I’m trying to stop you from going—”
“I will be going to Qishan. With Wei Ying. Do not worry, Brother. I will be fine.”
How wrong he was.
-o-
The two walked in random places, no exact destination except for Qishan. Sometimes they would stay at an inn, sometimes in a forest when the inns were inhabited by cultivators looking for them. Today was one of those days.
Wei Ying sat on a flat rock, his hands hovering over the small fire they had made. Lan Wangji sat across from him, playing his guqin. They were far enough to not be discovered.
“You know… it’s said that the Holy Grail can only use their blood, which is used to make predictions of the future. It’s not true, you know.” Said Wei Ying.
Lan Zhan continued to play the guqin.
Wei Ying continued. “I-I don’t know how, but I know for a fact that that’s not the only ability I have.”
Lan Zhan’s hand stopped for a moment, before resuming.
“If there’s one thing that his majesty—Wen Ruohan doesn’t understand, it’s the term ‘Heaven’s hole’.”
Lan Zhan froze.
“Heaven’s hole can only be used once. And in that once, the user can get one wish granted. Whatever it is, it would happen no matter what.”
“What is Heaven’s Hole?” Lan Zhan asked.
Wei Ying shrugged.
“I don’t know… but I would gladly give it to you if I knew,” said Wei Ying. “I used to think that as long as I see the lanterns, I would be fine. Dying, I mean… but I don’t think I’ll be content.
Lan Zhan… I want to explore the world. I want to see more of what the world has to offer…and I want to do it with you.”
Lan Zhan looked at him.
“It sounds so selfish, I know… if you’d like, I mean, I would like to—” he was cut off.
‘Lan Zhan can surely move fast,’ was his thought as Lan Zhan’s lips were on his.
The kiss was surprisingly passionate, Wei Ying noted. He didn’t not like it, though. It was rather the opposite. The two dueled lightly with their tongues, Wei Ying eventually losing deliberately. It was only a minute later that they separated, only a string of saliva connecting them when the two needed air. Both were panting.
“Want to,” said Lan Zhan. “I want to explore the world. I want to see what the world has to offer… with you.”
Wei Ying felt tears building up.
“R—really?” he asked.
Lan Zhan nodded.
Wei Ying smiled. He grabbed Lan Zhan’s head and smashed his lips onto his. By then, their positions had switched. Where Lan Zhan had been on him before, Wei Ying was now on top of him, sitting on his lap.
He gasped when Lan Wangji began to attack his neck ferociously.
“Lan Zhan—”
Lan Wangji stopped his ministrations. “Does it hurt?” he asked with concern.
Wei Ying moaned wantonly.
“N-no,” he said, then said in a softer tone, “Please continue.”
Lan Wangji’s eyes darkened with lust as he dove down to continue with his ministrations. Wei Wuxian clutched his head, grabbing a bunch of his long hair into his hand as he pushed his head further down on his chest. By then, their clothes were gone. Lan Wangji in his undergarments which were halfway gone while Wei Ying wore nothing like the day he was created. Created. It left a bitter feeling in his mouth.
Lan Wangji sucked on a nipple, bit it, then moved onto the other one.
“-ah!”
As Lan Wangji continued to suck and bite on various parts of his body, Wei Ying simply moaned each time. He yelped when he felt hands go lower.
“Relax.” Was all Lan Wangji said as he kissed him softly, no less passionate than the last time.
It was then that he felt something intruding. It felt weird, like something lodged inside him. It stung.
“What’s going on?”
Lan Wangji said nothing. Simply continuing to look at him while his hands, or fingers, were lodged inside. The two kissed several more times before the stinging became impossible to ignore. He felt like closing his legs that had long since opened with their passionate kissing. If possible, his blush darkened.
“What did you put inside?”
A second finger went in. Then a third.
“What—”
Something large thrusted inside himself.
Wei Ying yelped. Tears sprang in his eyes, yet he couldn’t bring himself to ask him to stop.
“Does it hurt?”
Wei Ying shook his head.
“It does—but this is my first time. I think it would hurt,” he murmured softly. “You can go on.”
Lan Wangji swallowed. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down before he thrust himself deeper in. Wei Ying couldn’t hold back the hiss that erupted from his mouth.
“Go on…” he said when he felt Lan Wangji falter for a moment. “Don’t worry, Lan Zhan.”
Wei Ying wriggled his body a bit to make himself comfortable, unintentionally raising his leg, making Lan Wangji’s length go deeper in, hitting a spot that sent bouts of pleasure. Lan Wangji’s eyes widened. He let his length move a bit out before pushing it right back in, hitting the same spot again.
Wei Ying moaned loudly. Raising his legs higher, he muttered incoherent words that were only understandable by him as his partner used a steady pace of thrusting in and out, sometimes missing the spot, sometimes hitting it.
The two continued the same thing along with occasional kisses and sucking before Wei Ying came, spurting ejaculations on both himself and his partner. Lan Wangji came soon after. It was then that he pulled out from inside him, panting heavily.
Their bodies were slick with sweat and bodily fluids by the end, Lan Wangji’s ejaculations leaking out from inside him, trailing slowly down his thighs. The two stayed silent for a while before Lan Wangji spoke.
He said softly, “To meet once is blessing. To meet once again in a different life is fate.”
Wei Ying smiled.
If only he had met Lan Wangji under different circumstances, then he wouldn’t be suffering so much. Perhaps in another life, he would be the child of the two who he shares blood with. Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren.
Perhaps in another life, he is a cultivator like Lan Wangji, living a normal life as a human being.
Perhaps.
Neither had noticed the soft glow surrounding them.
-o-
The next morning, everything was done slowly. Wei Ying was still sore from the night before and Lan Zhan had patiently waited for him every time he stopped to rest his aching body. He was covered in bruises; not a single spot was left unblemished.
They had reached Qishan early in the morning, using Bichen to get to the borders, then walking the rest of the time. Numerous times, they had stopped to hide in an alleyway when the Wen cultivators patrolled the streets.
“Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan! Look!”
Wangji turned around, only have a mouthful of steamed buns inserted into his mouth. Gently, he held the bun in one hand and bit it, chewing it quietly before swallowing.
Wei Ying grinned.
“Does it taste good?” he asked.
Lan Zhan nodded.
“Mn.” The corner of his lips quirked. His fingers intertwined with Wei Ying…
And then he shoved the half-eaten steamed bun into Wei Ying’s mouth.
“Mmph!”
Lan Zhan turned around, his ears reddening as he gently pulled Wei Ying with him, keeping his smaller frame next to him. The two had walked in a comfortable silence for a while, occasionally looking at the booths with Lan Zhan buying everything that Wei Ying stared for a second too long.
“Missy, you can’t keep your hair that long!”
“Huh?”
Wei Ying turned around, looking at the old man that spoke. The old man gestured towards his long hair, flowing to the ground.
Wei Ying thought, ‘How did I even last this long with this long hair?’ The bustling crowd were barely avoiding the long flowing hair.
“Mn. I apologize,” said Lan Zhan. He took Wei Ying’s hair into his hand and started to walk behind him, ignoring the old man’s confused stare.
“Where are we going, Lan Zhan?”
Lan Zhan said nothing as he continued to walk. He only stopped when they reached a small fountain where several girls were playing with a doll.
Wei Ying understood, “Are you—"
“Mn. Wait here.”
Lan Zhan walked over to the girls, pointing at Wei Ying, speaking something. The girls nodded vigorously in reply as they rain towards Wei Ying. In an instant, the girls had their hands in Wei Ying’s hair. Half an incense sticks later, the girls stood up, giggling as they looked at Wei Ying.
Wei Ying grinned.
“How does it look, Lan Zhan?” he twirled around for good measure.
Wei Ying’s hair was put in an intricate braid with flowers embedded in every spot possible. From daisies to daffodils there were many kinds of flowers.
Lan Zhan’s ears turned red as he took Wei Ying’s hand and intertwined them.
“Wei Ying looks beautiful no matter what.” He said.
He went as far as to raise Wei Ying’s hand to his lips to kiss them. Wei Ying on the other hand was blushing furiously.
‘This is nice…’ Wei Ying thought. ‘And I don’t want it to end…’
But all things eventually end. Good things especially.
-o-
The two had rented a small wooden boat, only enough to fit two, albeit barely. In the slight darkness where only the slightest bit of orange was left in the sky, the two set out onto the lake. Earlier, Lan Zhan had bought them a lantern to raise into the sky. It was a normal lantern, not even lit up, yet Wei Ying loved it. There was a comfortable silence around them as they looked at the dark sky, soon to be lit up with lanterns.
Wei Ying cut through the quietness.
“To explore the world, see what the world has to offer… together…” he said softly. There was a small smile on his face as he spoke. “Where would we go first thing?”
“Anywhere,” Lan Zhan answered. “Anywhere Wei Ying goes, I go.”
Wei Ying blushed. He lowered his head for a moment before raising it. He was smiling brightly.
“Let’s head north! First thing tomorrow, we’ll head north and explore the world! Maybe even ride a boat to other places!” he said excitedly.
“Mn,” said Lan Zhan. “Look behind.”
“Look behind—” Wei Ying froze midway. He stared at the sky.
Three lone lanterns were raised into the sky with hundreds of others following. Wei Ying broke away from the beautiful scenery to look at Lan Zhan.
“All those days watching from the windows,” he began. “All those days outside looking in.
All that time never even knowing just how blind I’ve been.
Now I’m here, blinking in the starlight, now I’m here, suddenly I see.
Standing here it’s all so clear that I’m where I’m meant to be.”
Wei Ying took one of Lan Zhan’s hand and put it to his lips. The lanterns were rising into the sky all around them, illuminating everything.
“At last I see the light. It's like the sky is new, so warm and bright. At last I see the light. So clear and beautiful, like nothing else.
So real, so different… ever since that I saw you.”
Lan Zhan stayed silent. Suddenly, he took Wei Ying’s hand and did the same motion; putting his hand to his lips. He gently held the lantern in his hand and gestured Wei Ying to hold it. The two of them let go at the same time; the gold lantern with the sun motifs going up into the sky.
Lan Zhan opened his mouth.
“All those days, chasing down a daydream. All those years, in white and blue. All that time, following every rule, never genuinely seeing the truth,
Now you’re here, shining in the starlight.
Now you’re here, I have known, if you’re here I know where I’m meant to go.”
Wei Ying and Lan Zhan put their foreheads together.
“And at last I see the light. It’s like the sky is new, so warm and bright. At last I see the light. So clear and beautiful, like nothing else.
So real, so different… now that I see you. ”
“Now that I see you.” Wei Ying repeated.
“Now that I see you.” Said Lan Zhan.
The two shared a kiss, filled with love.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the two traitors .”
Lan Zhan spun around. The boat lurched, left and right, before stabilizing once again.
The second prince, Wen Chao stood on a boat with hundreds of cultivators behind him at the nearest shore, illuminated by the lanterns.
“Cutsleeves ,” Wen Chao spat. “Traitors to the great empire. Especially you, grail .”
Wei Ying flinched at the tone. Lan Zhan’s eyes lit up in icy anger.
Wen Chao sneered.
“I’m sure that you won’t mind coming with us. It’s not like you have a choice anyway.”
The cultivators laughed. Lan Zhan stood up. Wei Ying grabbed the hem of Lan Zhan’s robes.
“Lan Zhan! What are we going to do?” he asked warily.
“Leave.” Replied Lan Zhan. His hand went to his sword…
Only for an arrow to stab him right on the hand.
Wei Ying gasped. “Lan Zhan!”
Wen Chao laughed. The cultivator that stood near Wen Chao raised his bow up high and bowed mockingly. He raised the bow and arrow and aimed near Lan Zhan’s heart. Wei Ying trembled.
“No!” he yelled.
“Wei Ying!”
“No!” he yelled again, half sobbing this time. He pushed Lan Zhan with all his might, jumping in front of him. “Take me instead! Don’t hurt him!”
“Very well,” Wen Chao said.
He waved his hands and one of the cultivators grabbed Wei Ying by the hair. Wei Ying hissed. He was dragged right next to Wen Chao, his hands bound by a rope.
“Also,” said Wen Chao.
The cultivator nearest to Lan Zhan stabbed him in the stomach, the sword entering from one end, exiting from the other.
“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying cried out. He tried to run towards him, only to be pulled back by the hair.
“Wei Wuxian,” Wen Chao said. “You are nothing but an object to be used by our great empire. Remember your place.”
The last thing Wei Ying saw was Lan Zhan’s body falling from the boat.
-o-
When Wei Ying had woken up, the first thing he did was observe his surroundings. He was put into his room in the desolate hallway. There was surely a guard outside, armed and trained. The only thing Wei Ying had that was remotely weapon-like was his long hair pin that was hidden deep inside his closet.
He took his chances, even if there was another guard and he was imprisoned once again, it was worth a shot.
Wei Ying pushed the door open and blindly stabbed at the closest body near him. There was a gasp of pain, but Wei Ying did not let go. Even as warm liquid sprayed onto him, painting an image of a frightening murderer, his grip did not loosen in the least. Even when liquid came from the mouth of the victim, dribbling down onto him, It was only when the body slackened that he pulled out the now-red hairpin to observe the body.
Wen Sect robes, so familiar, yet distant. Brown hair was tied with a long yellow ribbon—no, it didn’t look like a ribbon. At least, not with the end looking like one of Lan Zhan’s tassels.
Alas, there was no time to observe any longer. Wei Ying stepped around the body to go through the hallways, running blindly, vaguely remembering the path that he and Lan Zhan had taken the first time they met. Yet, Wei Ying did not reach to the front door. He reached a large door that was no doubt the throne room. He froze in his tracks, scared to open the door.
Instead, the door opened for him from the inside. The incessant chattering immediately stopped as if a silencing spell had descended upon them.
“Wei Wuxian… or is it now Wei Ying?”
“Your Majesty.” Said Wei Ying.
“You seemed to have been… occupied.” Wen Ruohan remarked, observing Wei Ying who was covered in blood.
There was muttering. From “Who is that disgusting—" to “Why is he covered in blood?”. Yet, Wei Ying heard none of it. His eyes zeroed into the figure on the ground, tied up like many of the others on the ground, yet he did not take any notice to any other.
“Lan Zhan!” he yelled.
Lan Zhan was already looking at him, his eyes uncharacteristically wide as he surveyed Wei Ying. His white robes were covered in blood, the inner robes opened to reveal crudely wrapped bandages around his abdomen.
“Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying said again, this time in a softer tone as he walked towards him. “Lan Zhan,” he began to walk faster, faster, until he was full on running towards Lan Zhan. When he reached the man, he gently took the bandaged hand and kissed it lightly. The crown emitted gasps.
Wen Ruohan smiled thinly. “How… interesting. To think that it was true.
The infamous Second Jade of Lan betrayed his allies to run off with the Holy Grail of the Wen Empire—”
“No.”
The muttering was amplified. Everyone looked at Wei Ying with suspicious eyes, especially the ones tied up. He vaguely saw Lan Xichen in the crowd of cultivators tied up.
“No?”
Wei Ying turned his determined eyes onto Wen Ruohan.
“No,” Wei Ying repeated stubbornly. “I am not yours.
I am Lan Zhan’s.”
Then the crowd exploded. Full on yelling. Some were debating against each other, some were yelling in outrage. There was a loud bang and the crowd was quieted once again.
There stood Wen Ruohan, an arm was in the air, surely causing the bang. He lowered the arm and walked leisurely towards the two. He stopped to look at Wei Ying and Lan Zhan and smirked.
Seconds, was it? Or was it minutes? Maybe even hours? Wei Ying didn’t know. All he knew was that Lan Zhan was falling to the ground in a puddle that was growing larger at every moment.
“Now look at what you’ve done, Wei Wuxian,” said Wen Ruohan. He was holding his sword that was covered in blood, drip by drip, the red fell to the pristine grounds. “But don’t worry. The secret of the Holy Grail will just be between us.” Here he glanced at the crowd around them.
Wei Ying understood. He planned on killing everyone in the rooms. Enemies and allies alike, no one would be spared. There wasn’t even a possibility that he might survive this whole ordeal… and that was why—
That was why—
Even if he went to hell—
He would do this.
Gripping the bloody hairpin, Wei Ying walked towards Wen Ruohan.
“Now there’s nothing to fight for,” said Wen Ruohan. He extended a hand towards Wei Ying. “Come back to our empire with me.”
Wei Ying took Wen Ruohan’s hand—
And pulled the body near him.
It wasn’t easy, per say, but the unexpectedness was the key to the success of pulling him. Instantly, he stabbed Wen Ruohan in the neck with the hand that long since turned white from the force of the grip.
The only problem was that he looked to have expected it. His hand held Wei Ying’s in a strong grip and in one motion, pulled the hair pin out, grabbing the pin out of his hand and throwing it to the ground.
“Enough,” said Wen Ruohan. All traces of the leisure calmness was gone and in place was a stormy expression. “Stop fighting—”
“NO! I won't stop,” yelled Wei Ying. “For every minute of the rest of my life I will fight.”
“W-Wei—Wei Ying—”
“Very well.”
“WEI YING!”
A sword through the chest. The strike that killed the previous Holy Grail. The strike that’s killing Lan Zhan… and most importantly,
The strike that kills him.
-o-
Like my beloved, strong and tall,
I want to grow like him.
To hold a sword in one hand,
I want to be like him.
Proud of one’s blood,
Fighting for their beliefs.
To have dinner with a family in the evenings,
To have a place to go in the evenings.
“Lan… Lan Zhan—”
Wei Ying dragged his body near Lan Wangji, stretching his arm out to reach him. Lan Wangji did the same. The tips of their bloodstained fingers touched, then their fingers intertwined.
“W-Wei Ying…” Lan Wangji said. He coughed out some blood. “I am sorry.”
Wei Ying laughed brokenly. Tears stained his bloody face.
“What’s there to be sorry about?” he said. “I can die alongside you. Isn’t that the greatest blessing?” Lie.
It was a blessing, yet a curse. He had wanted to live with Lan Wangji until they were old and wrinkly, have children, see it grow and make a family of its own. At least he wasn’t alone.
“Wei Ying. It’s okay—”
“No, it's not.” Wei Ying interrupted. His frame trembled as he coughed up more blood. An unbelievable amount of blood was pooling around the two, their blood mixing together. “You’re dying… and it’s all because of me.”
In another life, maybe I’ll be born a human.
In another life, maybe I’ll have a mom and a dad.
In another life, maybe I’ll have a normal life.
In another life…
In another life…
I want to live with you until I turn old. Maybe have a child or two. A world where we can openly love each other and not be killed for it.
Is it such a selfish thought that the heavens punish me with this life?
Wen Ruohan looked at the two intertwined figures in interest just like everyone else. It was more of curiosity than anger, though he would have to take a bit of blood from the boy before it all went onto the ground, mixing with the Lan child… or, perhaps it is a good idea to let it mix and create a different Grail. He would name it Sizhui , or the longing that Wei Wuxian held.
“Your Majesty…” an unnamed guard said hesitantly.
“Hm?”
“Wouldn’t it be important to take the blood before it all gets contaminated?”
Wen Ruohan smirked.
“I know what I am doing, or do you not trust me?”
The unnamed guard paled. He stammered out incoherent apologies. Then, the guard stiffened, swirling around to look at the two figures on the ground.
Wei Wuxian’s blood was glowing slightly, steadily growing brighter. In just minutes, faint wisps of red light surrounded the two. It looked like a combination of spider lilies, forget-me-nots, and hyacinths. Only one of the three was a different shade than the other. A blue shade.
Suddenly, the faint light turned blinding, covering them in red light.
Wei Ying took his last breath.
-o-
“Emperor’s smile! I’ll give you one if you forget you saw me!”
Lan Wangji shook his head.
“Never forget Wei Ying. Never.”
In another life, I was born a human.
In another life, I had parents.
In another life, I was a cultivator.
In another life… I was with my beloved. I had a child that grew big and strong. I had a family.