Chapter Text
The moment Xie Lian opens his eyes to see opulent streets of his past, dread curls in the pit of his stomach. He isn't supposed to be here.
In front of him, a stoic civil goddess with her arms full of scrolls steps forward—a beta named Ling Wen, if he remembers correctly. He doesn't really care at the moment. Eyeing him, she says, "Welcome back, Your Highness. Your ascension caused qui-"
"I need to go," he interrupts, his rising panic preventing him from allowing her the courtesy of finishing her welcome speech. It’s nothing he hasn’t heard before, anyway.
She blinks in surprise, but otherwise remains unchanged. "Apologies, Your Highness. Unfortunately, you should stay and discuss the... effects of your ascension. Quite a bit of damage was caused."
"You don't understand. I need to," he says, voice beginning to shake. At this point, he can't stop his scent from flooding with the sharp tang of omega distress pheromones—a sharp change from the usual light and sweet florals. Lifting his hands to grip fistfuls of his hair, his eyes dart around as if searching for an exit, but find nothing but golden palaces and the judgmental stares of eavesdropping gods. "I have to get back. A-Hao hasn't eaten and-"
While he rambles, he barely notices Ling Wen lift her hand to press two fingers against her temple. Shortly after, his spiraling is interrupted by a new figure.
"Your Highness?"
Xie Lian's eyes cut to side, finding the source of the deep and unmistakable voice. Even after so many centuries, he would recognize it anywhere. Relief washes over him, and he quickly closes the distance between him and the confused alpha. "Feng Xin," he breathes, grabbing his forearm in desperation. "Please help me. I need to go back, but-"
"Such little respect for the heavens, Your Highness," comments a new voice.
"Mu Qing." Xie Lian sees his other old friend approaching, a scowl on his delicate features. He shakes his head rapidly, his panic beginning to spike again. "No, that's not-"
"You've barely been here long enough to take a full breath," says the beta, turning up his nose, "yet you're already so desperate to leave."
Feng Xin growls beside him, looking at the other martial god with murder in his eyes. "Shut your mouth! Can't you tell His Highness is upset?!"
As the two devolve into familiar bickering, Xie Lian's barely restrained control on his distress slips, and his breaths begin to come in short pants. He and A-Hao were alone when he ascended, since San Lang had already left to take care of some business in the city. That means his precious pup is alone. Xie Lian should be there, keeping him safe and feeding him breakfast, but instead he's here, where he had no desire to ever set foot again.
"Your Highness! Take deep breaths," orders Mu Qing, any trace of his previous feigned superiority replaced with genuine alarm.
Xie Lian sucks in a deeper breath, and his vision begins to clear. When had it gotten blurry? Before he can think much more, his mind fills with a comforting voice.
Gege? calls San Lang from inside his spiritual communication array. Where did you go? Is everything okay?
Immediately ignoring the gods around him and raising his fingers to his temple, he asks, Is A-Hao okay?
A-Hao is fine, gege. I'm holding him now.
Xie Lian's entire body relaxes, the panic and distress decreasing tenfold. Oh, thank goodness.
Will gege tell me where he is now?
I've... ascended.
Oh? asks San Lang, voice carefully neutral.
Xie Lian briefly closes his eyes. I'll try to figure this out quickly so I can return home.
Of course, gege. Let me know if you need anything. I'm sure Yin Yu will be happy to watch A-Hao while I come take care of the disrespectful trash up there.
His lips curve into a small smile. I'm sure there will be no need, San Lang. I'll see you soon. I love you.
I love you, too, gege.
He closes out the spiritual communication array, and returns his attention the the gods before him. Clearing his throat, he offers a sheepish smile. "Sorry about that."
While Feng Xin remains hopelessly confused, Mu Qing returns to his previous scowl. "What was that?" He demands. "I though you were going to pass out."
"Ah, well..."
"Your Highness," hedges Feng Xin. "Are you truly okay? Your scent was..."
He cringes. He normally has great control over his scent, honed through centuries of practice and experiences, but it's been harder to maintain ever since giving birth to A-Hao a few months ago. Worrying the sleeves of his robes, he feigns calm. "I was just worried! But San Lang reassured me, so I'm alright now!"
Mu Qing raises a single brow. "San Lang? Is that who you were just speaking with?"
Xie Lian nods. "Mhm! San Lang was just checking in on me after I disappeared."
Frowning, Feng Xin crosses his arms. "What had you so worried, anyway?"
"Ah," Xie Lian says, scratching the side of his head. He braces himself for the inevitable freak-out his explanation will surely result in. "Well, I was with A-Hao when I ascended, so he was left a-alone."
"...A-Hao?"
"Yes," he says. Smiles genuinely for the first time since seeing his baby that morning. "A-Hao is my son."
Both Feng Xin and Mu Qing freeze, jaws hanging open in disbelief. Then, simultaneously, they yell, "WHAT?!"
Even Ling Wen looks surprised, as much as a slight widening of her eyes can be called surprise. "Your Highness, your cultivation?"
"Yes, yes," he says, absently waving a hand as he uses nearly half his focus to keep his scent steady. "I broke my vows, but it's okay! San Lang—he's A-Hao's father and my mate—shares more than enough spiritual energy with me."
Mu Qing narrows his eyes. "How can this San Lang of yours possibly have enough spiritual energy to spare? I don't recall any gods with that name."
"Oh, no, San Lang isn't a god! Well. Not really. He jumped back down as soon as he ascended." Xie Lian taps his fingers on his chin, oblivious to the incredulous looks on the Gods before him. "He is a ghost king, though."
"A ghost king?!" Shouts Feng Xin, aghast. "But none of them go by that name!"
"Oh, no, of course not! That's just what I call him! You would know him by Hua Cheng."
"Your mate," deadpans Mu Qing, "is Crimson Rain Sought Flower."
"Mn! He's with A-Hao now." He looks at Ling Wen, trying to suppress the shaking of his hands that accompanies direct conversation of the sweet pup he doesn’t have in his arms right now. Having used up his willingness to stay and talk, he says, "Speaking of A-Hao, I do need to get back. I didn't get a chance to feed him before I ascended, and he’s too young for solid food. San Lang will only be able to keep him calm for so long. He’s usually eaten by now, so he’s probably already crying. I- I need to get to him."
Luckily for him, not even the Heavens would dare keep an omega from their pup. Ling Wen bows. "Of course, Your Highness. Please return as soon as you can."
Xie Lian nods, immediately turning around and ignoring the openly staring gods around him to prepare to descend and return to his family.
"I’m coming with you," blurts Feng Xin, following closely.
Xie Lian pauses, looking over his shoulder with a furrowed brow. Mu Qing, who was clearly only a step behind Feng Xin, glares at his fellow god of the south. "Why would you go?!"
"Oh, because you’re any better?"
Frustration rising at the obstacle to getting back to his pup, Xie Lian cuts in, "Enough. You can both come. But I’m not staying any longer."
With that, the prince descends with two martial gods in tow.