Chapter Text
For him, embracing his sin wasn't a vice; it was an awakening, a revelation that offered him this very chance. He marveled at the idea of freedom. As the whispers of judgment stripped his identity raw, clarity emerged from the chaos. The ache of need pulsed within him for something far deeper than material possessions - connection, understanding, and perhaps even redemption. The option of becoming human wasn't a " yes or no " but an instinctual pull. He was enthralled by humanity's complexities—their love, their flaws, their relentless pursuit of purpose. He understood what he had to do: he knew there was someone he had to see again. Amidst the complexity of their shared existence, he embraced his hunger for more: more moments, more challenges more connections that tethered him to his borrowed body. In his world where existence is often blurred into monotony, why settle?
Greed was born in Xing, an orphaned child with memories that weren't his own . They named him Liao Gin. Greed fought relentlessly, within him a constant urge for more. Climbing his way to the top of the ladder, he wielded ambition like a sword. Each day blurred into the next, a monotonous routine. The thrill of getting his person back propelled him forward, feeding the drive that defined him.
As he stood before the emperor of Xing, Greed felt a surge of pride. The opulence of the grand hall is adorned with intricate carvings and gold accents. It was as if he had transcended his humble beginnings, transforming into a figure of magnitude larger than life itself. Shoulders squared and chin held high, Ling Yao exuded an air of confidence that was both intimidating and inspiring. The small, nagging stress lines etched on the emperor's forehead hinted at the struggles he’d faced alone during Greed's absence; they were reminders of Xing's renewal. The throne loomed large behind him, embodying all the power and authority he had fought tirelessly to claim. There was a buzz in the air, a sense of fulfillment that coursed through his veins. His pissant was no longer just Ling Yao; he was a force to be reckoned with a name that would echo through the books of Xing’s history and Greed wanted in.
" You wish to be my guard? You wish me to hand my life to you ? " the emperor questioned, with incredulity. He gazed at the figure before him. It was a bold proposition, the weight of the emperor's expectation hung heavy. Greed lowered into a bow, a smirk playing on his lips. " It's been a while since I last seen you, but I’m by no means unprepared " he replied, his tone dripping with confidence. A flicker of possessiveness danced in his eyes, as he met his soul friends, igniting the long-suppressed memories of power and obsession granted through a stone. " I protect what's mine, " he added. Ling Yao opened his eyes, in shock as he tried to reconcile the remnants of the past with the present. Greed hoped desperately for recognition—a spark of acknowledgment that would validate his claim, an assurance that somehow their fates were intertwined once more. The emperor's hands gripped his throne. His eyes blazed with a mixture of anger and pain as he faced ' Liao Gin ', “ You're a liar,” he spat. To anyone else, this accusation would be directed at Greed's boastful claims of devotion. But to him, it was a poignant reminder of their last encounter. Greed stood defiantly before him. “ Your games will not work on me, not again ”. The Emperor's Guard stepped forward from her spot behind his chair, her voice trembling with both authority and uncertainty. "How are you here ? Why have you returned demon ? " she demanded. LanFan had seen the homunculus, that creation of alchemy, face insurmountable odds, risking everything to save her lord. She had also seen the destruction they caused. The guard’s eyes darted nervously, caught between duty and her emotions. " The homunculus risked his life in the end " she continued, her voice softening as her heart wrestled with her logic. "And that I am respecting of . But sir , you can't be considering this ... right ? " Her question hung between them. Ling understood the reasons for Greed's sacrifice, but he couldn't help but wish there was another way. It wasn't Greed's fault. Trust could manifest in many forms, and sometimes, acceptance was the first step toward forging a new relationship. “You lied to me. I will not forgive that.” The words hit deep, a dagger of betrayal that cut through the fragile remnants of hope. Greed looked up, the bravado he typically wore like armor now faltering under the weight of the man's confession. His gaze, once sharp and unwavering, revealed a flicker of vulnerability; sadness pooled behind his eyes, masking an ocean of unresolved emotions. “ But I remember once, explaining to you how chosen family cannot be erased from one’s soul ” Ling continued, his voice trembling. Perhaps it was the memory of shared tragedy, perhaps it was the shocked silence after Greed's death that brought the salty tears of Ling Yao to fall.