Chapter Text
“There is what here?” shrieked Luo Fumeng, her tone sharp in disbelief at the two tree centennials who came rushing to a spot in the Moors. Wen Kexing could recognize the sound of his aunt’s voice from a mile away. He has his super sensitive hearing to thank for that.
He was in a sour mood, after being woken up by the sound of his aunt. However, he went to see what all the fuss was about. Wen Kexing could not lie and say that he wasn’t intrigued as the Moors was a peaceful place that never saw bloodshed. They kept their distance from the humans on the border and never had any problems. He wondered if he would be proven wrong today.
As Wen Kexing unfurled his black and red tinted wings, letting them warm up in the sun, he jumped off his nest in the great oak tree. He would never tire from the feeling of freedom when he flew, his wings never faltering. They took some time getting used to. The older he became, the more they changed, accommodating his 6 year old body. With every passing year, he grew stronger and stronger.
Wen Kexing wouldn’t be surprised if his wings grew to have a wing span of 12 feet. However, there was no one like his kind to know. The fae no longer lived in the Moors anymore, leaving him alone at a young age.
Wen Kexing glided through the various stalagmites that grew from the ground, almost as tall as the castle in the distance. When he reached Luo Fumeng, she was still continuing to make a ruckus. He gently tucked his wings in, slowing his distance when he touched the ground.
“What’s going on Luo-yi?”
“Ah-Xing, the border guards have found a human thief at the pool of jewels. But we must—”
Wen Kexing didn’t care to hear her warning nor protests as he flew up once more into the air. If a human was here intruding on their land, there could be war. The centennials were quick to follow Wen Kexing from the ground, splashing through the lakes and streams until they reached the pool.
He landed on a cool stone beneath his bare feet, the two border guards instantly on either side of him, pointing their spears forward. If the human thought he could steal from here, they would be sorely mistaken. However, Wen Kexing was more curious to see what a human looked like, for he had never seen one. He remembers Luo-yi explaining to them their appearance, but he never was quite able to imagine it.
One of the border guards spoke to Wen Kexing in their native language and he shook his head, “I’m not afraid.” He turned his attention to the cave opening that was covered with vines, but his brown eyes did not miss the shadow hiding behind it. “Come out!” he shouted.
“No. They mean to kill me,” shouted an unknown voice from the cave.
“It’s not right to steal, but we don’t kill people for it. Come out. Come out this instant!” Wen Kexing conjured as much authority as he could as a child. He would stand his ground.
Whatever he said appeared to have worked, as the vines parted and a young boy with black hair stepped out of the shadows. The child was dressed in brown pieces of clothing, but not enough to appear wealthy. Wen Kexing was intrigued, as the boy before him had no wings, nor horns on top of his head. He was utterly normal, Wen Kexing concluded. Just like his Aunt said.
“Are you fully grown?” He asked curiously and the boy shook his head.
“I believe he’s just…a boy,” Wen Kexing stated, looking up at the two tall guards.
“Just like you. I think.” The boy decided to step out fully into the light, still trending lightly around the Moor creatures. The boy did not know what to make of the creature in front of him with his big wings and black horns.
“Who are you?” Wen Kexing asked, raising his chin up to appear slightly taller. Trying to appear tough.
“I’m called Zhao Jing. Who are you?”
“Wen. Wen Kexing,” he said with a small smile.
One of the guards suddenly barked at the boy, reminding him why they are here and not to socialize. Wen Kexing’s cheeks were a dusty pink of embarrassment and raised his hand in acknowledgement. When he got his blush under control, he turned his gaze back to the boy,“You have to give it back.”
“Give what back?” asked Zhao Jing coyly.
Wen Kexing rolled his eyes and let out a huff, outstretching his hand towards the boy. Zhao Jing let out a sigh and dug inside his pockets, tossing him the aquamarine jewel. When the precious stone fell into his hand, Wen Kexing tossed it softly into the pool, making the still water ripple.
#
After dismissing the two tree centennials, Wen Kexing escorted Zhao Jing through the forest. Confident that he could handle the boy if he dared to try anything, even though Wen Kexing could tell the boy wasn’t stupid. “If I knew you would throw it away, I would have kept it.”
“I didn’t throw it away,” Wen Kexing says, perplexed. “I delivered it home, just as I’m going to do for you.” Just as he finished speaking, they had now fully exited the forest, a vast plain of grass and trees were now in the distance. Even without his sharp eyes, the looming castle could still be seen in the distance. Zhao Jing must have noticed his curious eyes because he stated, “Someday, you know, I’ll live there in the castle.”
Confused as to why he doesn’t live there now, thinking it’s where all humans lived, asked; “Where do you live now?” “In a barn…” Zhao Jing says softly.
“So your parents are…farmers then?” Wen Kexing asks, forgetting the words that humans used.
“My parents are dead.” Zhao Jing says bleakly, lingering pain in his voice.
Wen Kexing was dumbstruck. Never before did he ever think he would meet a human, let alone one that was his age and had suffered the same pain he did. Suddenly, he didn’t want to say goodbye to Zhao Jing, the one person he could see himself becoming friends with. But he knew that he had to go home.
“Mine too.”
Zhao Jing looks at him with shock, and his eyes soften ever so slightly. “We’ll see each other again,” he says firmly. Like he knew the future.
“You really shouldn’t come back here, you know. It’s not safe.”
“And if I made that choice, if I came back, would you be here?”
Wen Kexing decides to tease the boy and morphs his face into one of deep thinking. “Perhaps,” he says, shrugging his shoulders.
Zhao Jing suddenly outstretched his hand, and Wen Kexing was momentarily confused until he realized that this is how humans make promises. He outstretched one of his smooth, jade-white hands over his but suddenly jerked away. Hot white searing pain burning the calluses of his hands. Wen Kexing lets out a yelp and tries to soothe his hand.
“What’s wrong?” Zhao Jing asks in a panic.
“Your ring, iron burns fairies.” Wen Kexing says suddenly, forgetting that by telling him that, he has just told a human one of the many guarded secrets of the Moors.
“I’m sorry” sputters the boy, and to his shock, Zhao Jing takes off his iron ring and throws it into the distance. As he was walking away, the boy called over his shoulder to say, “I like your wings.”
Wen Kexing’s heart glows at the compliment which makes his wings flutter up slightly. Almost like he was showing them off.
When Zhao Jing was long in the distance, Wen Kexing pushed off from the ground seeking an air current. On his way back into the Moors, he thought of how the boy cast away his ring, he whom has so little in the world, so that their hands might touch again. Wen Kexing’s heart was moved at this small act, and the thought that perhaps this boy could become his friend. Suddenly, he looked forward to what tomorrow might bring.
#
Every day, Zhao Jing would meet Wen Kexing by the border, calling his name. The boy enjoyed playing with someone his own age. They often splashed in the ponds deep in the Moors, laughter ringing around them. Other days, Wen Kexing would allow Zhao Jing to touch one of his wings, enjoying the look of amazement on his face. In return, the human taught him about his world, bringing him gifts for him to study curiously. Wen Kexing had no idea how big the world was, and always enjoyed Zhao Jing’s stories. The duo became the most unlikely of friends, for the idea of a fairy being friends with a human was baffling.
And for a time, it seemed as if the old hatred between men and fairies had been forgotten. To them at least. The years passed until Wen Kexing turned 16 while Zhao Jing entered adulthood. At that time, Zhao Jing gave Wen Kexing a bracelet to wear on his ankle. It was woven with the strongest wood and vines from the Moors, and in the centre was the jewel that allowed them to meet that day. He claimed that a bracelet was only given to someone of true friendship. Wen Kexing was captivated by the anklet that his friend had given him, never receiving a gift like this before.
But it was for not.
#
As the years passed, Zhao Jing’s ambition pulled him away from Wen Kexing, and towards the temptations of the human kingdom. Wen Kexing was heartbroken and lost, not understanding the greed and envy of humans. Overtime he slowly began to forget about his childhood friend. bringing forth a chilling heart, and iron walls. Never allowing himself to feel that type of pain again. However, he couldn’t bring himself to throw away the anklet Zhao Jing gave him, that was a memory he couldn’t bear to get rid of.
Devoting his time to training, Wen Kexing became the strongest of the fairies, and the protector of the Moors. His wings were now fully grown, stretching to be a perfect wingspan. He zipped between his home, enjoying the wind of his face as he tucked and dived. He raced with the sea moor folk until he flew up high into the sky, enjoying the sound of the wind as he gazed at the golden clouds in front of him. Wen Kexing savoured the way the sun warmed his wings.
When the sun began to hide and the Moors grew foggy, Wen Kexing found himself walking on foot with no set destination. He often wandered alone and it was during these moments that he thought where Zhao Jing might be. About what made him stay away and the vicious castle walls.
But he was soon to learn. For, the human King had heard of a growing power in the Moors, and he sought to strike it down.
#
Wen Kexing sat perched on a tall cliff, one of his legs dangled off the edge, and the other was tucked up against his chest. He was quickly brought out of his reverie when his sharp hearing picked up the rhythmic beating of marching and hooves stomping the ground. In the distance, a large cloud of dust was coming closer and closer to the border of the Moors.
His eyes narrowed at the sight before him, feeling agitated that they dare try and take the Moors for themselves. Those lousy humans did not deserve to see the true nature of his home and what it had to offer. Rising to his feet, he extends his wings, allowing the breeze to catch hold as he glides down to the ground below. Where he met the awaiting army outside the entrance.
As Wen Kexing made his descent, the men fell silent. both them, and their king staring at the dark fae. Wen Kexing was proud of his striking appearance of black pants and dark brown top. He had pulled his hair back into a half up and half down bun, allowing them to see his sharp cheekbones. Upon landing, he lowered his wings, allowing them to curl around his side’s protectively. Daring them to step forward and attack.
A stretch of silence fell over the battlefield as his opponents began to size him up and down. Smirks grew on their faces when they realized that he was alone, already celebrating mentally at this easy victory.
Fools.
“My, my, is that all you brought? You’ve severely underestimated your opponents. Perhaps you should just go home and retreat.” Wen Kexing cocks his head to his side, loving to get under his enemies skin.
“A king does not take orders from a winged elf.” The King shouted at him, his men following suit with laughter.
Now that is an insult I haven’t heard from before. I can’t wait to snap that arrogant man’s head off of his shoulders.
“Who says you are my king?” Wen Kexing smirks, jesting back at the old man.
The man is at a loss of words, apparently not prepared to be bested by a ‘winged elf’. “Bring me his head” was all the King said after he gathered his pride. His army instantaneously shouting encouragement, preparing for battle.
Wen Kexing didn’t move any further, amusing himself with the soldiers' pathetic actions. The men drawing their feeble shields and swords, and advancing towards him.
“Arise and stand with me!” He commanded, which left the army momentarily confused.
The feeling did not last very long.
Suddenly, countless Moor creatures emerged from both the forest behind, and the ground below. The army was petrified, at a loss from the tide of the battle turning so quickly. Wen Kexing flashed his pearl white sharp canine teeth and cocked his head, always enjoying how his opponents underestimated him.
The King’s mouth was gaped open as his horse shifted back and forth, a sign of nervousness as the ground trembled beneath their feet. Dirt was flying everywhere as the dark creatures emerged onto the battlefield. Once all the creatures were present, they roared as one, the sound deafening. Shortly after the smell of urine filled his nose. He was both disgusted and amused at the strong scent.
Since the King could not afford to retreat at this point in time, he yelled for his men to charge. Wen Kexing did give points for the brave souls that charged forward, but it didn’t last for very long as they were either trampled, thrown, or eaten.
Not wanting to miss out on all the fun, Wen Kexing pushed off from his rock and towards a group of soldiers. Tightening his wings around his body, he barrel rolled into the men, instantly knocking them off their feet or horses. He did not waste his feeble energy on the weak ones, only having eyes for the panicked King. Wen Kexing’s strong wings slashed through countless men to get to his target while his dark creatures took care of the frontlines.
When he made eye contact with the King, he saw that his eyes were wide in fear and he basked in this moment. Smirking, he increased his speed and shot straight into the man, immediately knocking him off his steed. Soldiers desperately surrounded the king, trying to protect him but Wen Kexing sought to create a wind dome with his wings. The sheer force threw the men away from their ruler.
The king lay helpless on the ground. When Wen Kexing lowered himself to his level, he snarled, causing the humans’ breath to hitch. “You will not have the Moors! Not now, nor ever! You–”
His voice broke off when a metal hand touched his shoulder and he instantly deflected the hand away but recoiled in pain. He looked down in confusion as the burn began to fade away and his eyes blinked in shock.
Iron.
Before he could finish off the King, the soldiers immediately retrieved him, and retreated. Knowing full well they were vastly outnumbered. They were never a match for the dark magic of the Moors. Wen Kexing growled, enraged that he couldn’t finish his kill. He hoped he had injured the man gravely enough, for a painful death to come his way.
The dark creatures roared once more around him, their final battle cry as the human ants scurried away back to their castle. When the dust had settled, one of the creatures walked towards Wen Kexing and bowed his head. The dark fae returned it with a smile and nod of his head.
The Moors were once again untouched by the hands of humans, just as it should be.
#
Nightfall quickly fell over the Moors as a masked figure entered the skirts of the border. Grateful for the cover of darkness. Checking to make sure that everything was in order, he began to call out his old friend’s name as he walked deeper into the forest.
“Wen Kexing!...Wen Kexing!”
Just as Zhao Jing was about to turn back, the dark fae glided down to the ground in shock at the man before him. Wen Kexing thought his eyes were playing tricks on him - which was impossible due to his perfect eyesight. He masked his shock as he touched down to the ground and met Zhao Jing. His childhood friend had aged, a fact that Wen Kexing had forgotten as the fae age slower than humans. Wen Kexing still had the appearance of a 20 year old whereas the man before him looked to be in his early 30’s.
Wen Kexing crossed his arms and leaned slightly back against a tree. “So, how is life with the humans?” He asks coldly, maintaining his iron mask.
“Please, Wen Kexing, I’ve come to warn you. They mean to kill you.”
He lets out a chuckle, “It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Zhao Jing dismisses the man and continues on to say, “King Henry will stop at nothing. Please, you have to trust me.”
Wen Kexing can’t help but let his eyes soften, believing that his old friend still cares for him. That he still thought of him all this time and had betrayed his own kind to warn him . With a sigh, he gestured an open arm into the forest and Zhao Jing accepted his invitation.
Finding a spot by a body of water, the duo sat down on blankets provided by Zhao Jing and they began to speak of many things. The years faded away the more they talked and Wen Kexing forgave Zhao Jing for his ambition, understanding. All was as it had been long ago.
Zhao Jing pulled out a bottle of wine and allowed Wen Kexing to take the first sip. The liquor was incredibly sweet with an aftertaste of something he didn’t know. Wen Kexing was too tired to ask what it was, as he had never experienced something like this before.
Suddenly, Wen Kexing felt like he was walking through a haze as his body went heavy. His eyelids fluttered shut, his wings curled in slightly relaxing by his side as he leaned back against the log. Wen Kexing could not speak nor move his body. Time freezing at this moment. He could do nothing but try and control the panic that spread in his chest as he fell slave to the darkness. His last image before he fell asleep was pitch black eyes that watched his every move.