Chapter Text
I learned your return to home, how you triumphed over a Lord Ravager and opened the seas. Just as we agreed centuries ago, let us meet again for one last drink .
Dan Heng reads the letter as he could hear the sweeping sound of the broom as Pom-Pom swept the not-so-dusty floors of the Astral Express. The letter almost looked so eerie, like how did it manage to sneak past them? Not even the conductor was able to see someone leave a letter.
“That’s just creepy!” Pom-Pom commented as they pointed at the letter as if requesting to see the letter, “Pom-Pom did not even see the letter!”.
As the conductor requested, Dan Heng gave the letter to them. Their eyes went back and forth, absorbing every word the letter had. They showed it to him and tried to raise it to his eye level, “This looks like an invitation letter for Caelus.”.
Dan Heng frowned; Caelus has little to no friends in the Xianzhou Luofu. Even if they were, most of them became his enemies like Jing Yuan, who forced Caelus’ transformation into Imbibitor Lunae. If the letter was from Yingxing, he would have signed it, which there was nothing. If it was from Jing Yuan, he could have been forced to do so by either Yukong or Yanqing.
“But who?” He asked, snatching the letter from Pom-Pom’s grasp, “He’s not exactly well-liked.”.
As much Caelus will not admit it, Dan Heng already knows how most of the locals look at Caelus: with hate and disdain. Personally, he would not stand it (and frankly, he can't even stand within a mile radius with Yingxing), but this is Caelus he and Pom-Pom were talking about, who never takes anything seriously even if it means meeting his worst enemies. Given this letter is from anyone they do not know, he already assumes that this came from someone from Caelus’ past as Qiong.
“Maybe you should give it to Caelus.” Pom-Pom suggested, holding the broom before beginning to sweep the floors again, “Maybe he might know.”.
“Oh, I will.” Dan Heng began walking to Caelus’ room. Ever since the disasters, Pom-Pom built Caelus his own room separate from the Archives before giving it to Dan Heng completely. That allowed them to have separate rooms, but Caelus would visit Dan Heng from time to time for some… Alone times (as if he would ever admit it to anyone).
The walk to Caelus’ room was anything but fast-paced, hesitation clear in every step. Many questions raised in his mind - all of which concerning his dear lover. What if this was another Jing Yuan situation? What if Caelus decided to stay in the Luofu this time? His mind created a lot of what-ifs, most of which he can not even say or think. He just could not handle a life without the golden-scaled Vidyadhara.
His fisted hand hovered over the door of Caelus’ room, his throat swallowing an orb as he gulped. He breathed in and out a sigh before his fist made a light knocking sound at the metal door. “Caelus?” He called out, “You in there?”.
“I’m here.” Caelus’ muffled voice answered from within.
“Can… Can I come in?” Dan Heng asked, his hands hovering over the door.
“Of course.” Caelus answered before the door opened, revealing a disheveled Vidyadhara-in-human form. His move to the newest room was just recent. Of course, the Vidyadhara would want his room to have final touches based on his preferences. Dan Heng knows now that Caelus has those dragon instincts, he would have to make his room as comfortable and warm as possible.
“Uhmm… This is a letter just for you.” He gave the letter to the dragon, who began reading it immediately, “It’s probably an invitation letter, but the question is… Will you go?”.
Caelus pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. He must have thought that his affairs in the Luofu will end with what happened to Bailu, but it turns out: this letter might have proven it wrong. “I have to.” He answered, “It’s time to finish this once and for all.”.
Of five people, three must pay a price.
“What does this mean?” Dan Heng asked. That final message looks eerie - even more so that the other parts of the letter. He almost wants to stop Caelus from going, but from what it looks right now, that option is no longer probable. The vidyadhara is determined to end things with his past, once and for all.
“I don’t want to answer that, Heng.” Caelus shook his head before looking down, “But I have to go while you guys stay here.”.
“What?!” Dan Heng froze and exclaimed, holding Caelus’ hands with both of his own, “What if you get hurt? What if Jing Yuan chases after you again-”. However, Caelus removed his hand from his own before wrapping his taller body in a warm embrace. The vidyadhara distanced himself with a smile, holding his cheeks.
“Don’t worry, Heng.” Caelus purred, the soothing sound rumbling in his throat just to reassure him, “I will be okay. I’m more than prepared to face Jing Yuan or anyone who used to be Qiong’s companions.”.
“You sure?” Dan Heng asked, his forehead leaning against Caelus’ own before they held hands to reassure each other, “I can come if you’d like.”.
“No need.” Caelus shook his head, removing his forehead and hands from Dan Heng’s own, “Don’t worry, I will be fine.”. Dan Heng immediately missed the little touches, reassuring him that Caelus would be fine in his latest would-be adventure.
“Whatever you say, Cae.” Dan Heng sighed, patting the other man’s shoulder, “Just be careful, okay?”.
“I will.” Caelus nodded.
Caelus entered the Exalting Sanctum, catching the eyes of several Cloud Knights stationed in the area. As he walked, his eyes met with a blindfolded Foxian woman with lavender hair. He could clearly see her tail twitch upon seeing (she’s literally blindfolded???) him. The golden-scaled Vidyadhara bowed before walking to Yingxing’s table, meeting Silver Wolf’s eyes.
“If it isn’t Caelus.” The sharp voice of Silver Wolf grated on his ears as she crossed her arms, “Just so you know, I accept full responsibility for the injuries I gave you. They can deduct my pay if they’d like to pay you.”. Caelus almost sighed at the girl’s cockiness. If Dan Heng was here, he would have punted Silver Wolf across the room.
“No need for that.” He shrugged, “You and the Cloud Knights were just doing your jobs.”. Just then, his eyes met with the Foxian’s blindfolded own. She almost feels familiar as if he was drawn to her in one way or another (absolutely, not that way). A grin painted upon her face, which made Caelus recoil.
Just who was this woman?