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Vah Medoh was truly a sight for sore eyes to witness.
It's certainly impressive to think the ancient Violets could construct a metal beast that could freely soar the skies despite its weight. It seems even impossible to imagine, but there it was, circling the village way up in the sky in altitudes only certain Lotus Forge villagers were able to reach.
Some childish hope inside of him wonders if he'll ever be able to touch the skies like them someday. Caelus almost laughed at the naivety.
The trip to Lotus Forge village was a weary one. It was even more so due to the fact that Caelus had to account for an extra person: Lady Asta, Prince Dan Heng's advisor.
She was capable, yes. Lady Asta definitely knows her way through battle and for that he's eternally grateful since they were able to deal with enemies way smoothly. The problem lied in the fact that Lady Asta wasn't all that fond of him either, only her main issue was that she didn't like how she felt like Caelus was peering into her soul, which heaven knows what that means.
Whatever her problem was, it was hers to deal with.
He believes the reason for their visit has to do with some breakthrough for Vah Medoh’s control system, so both Lady Asta and Prince Dan Heng are sharing their new findings with Chief Head Huaiyan, leaving Caelus to wander idly by while they finish.
He was getting ready to head down the spiral built village to peruse the market at the very least when the winds began to stir in a strong updraft. Caelus held his ground so he would not be blown away, wondering if this was a regular occurrence in the village when he heard a familiar sounding laugh riding the current.
It was Yingxing.
Caelus felt his insides twist uncomfortably. It was Yingxing. Great, just what he needed.
The Lotus Forge heir has yet to spot him from where he was flying in the air with his glider, or at least that's what Caelus had been hoping for until those blue eyes zeroed in on him. That jovial, almost unsettling smile on the man's face crumbled the instant he seemed to recognize Caelus, a familiar sneer taking its place as he made a move to dive on the landing in an unnecessary show of flair and arrogant confidence.
“Hah! Impressive, I know.” Yingxing snaps his glider shut with a click!, balancing precariously on the edges of the railing. “Very few can achieve such mastery of the sky. With such abilities paired with my skills as an archer, I don't see any reason why we couldn't easily dispense with Nanook.”
“Caelus, was it?” He steps on to the landing, circling around Caelus like some predator cornering its prey. Yingxing makes no effort to disguise his critical accession towards him, blue eyes narrowing in irritation.
Caelus stands like a statue under Yingxing's eye. “My ability to explore the firmament is certainly of note, but let's not—pardon me for being so blunt—” his body snaps like a taut bow when the man leans a bit too close for comfort in Caelus’ bubble, this time allowing his expression to twist downwards in a disapproving frown. “Let's not forget that I am the most skilled archer and swordmaster in all of Lotus Forge. I worked to get to where I am today, just as I am working towards one day inheriting Old Man Huaiyan’s spot as the chief and lead this village towards greatness!”
Yingxing scoffs. “Yet despite that, it seems I have been tapped to merely. Assist. You. A lone kid from some backwater village–” Caelus clenches his fists, enraged–“with absolutely nothing to his name other than that darkness-sealing sword attached to your back. How utterly asinine and an insult to our warriors.”
How many times will he hear this same spiel?
How many times will Caelus have to let these people backhand his town, his sacrifices, his hard work? He didn't even –
He didn't even want this burden in the first place!
They've already taken his future. They've stolen his youth, his sense of self, his freedom—everything. Caelus can't even muster up a single shred of emotion outwardly due to how many times he's been told to just suck it up and act like a good little knight for the public.
‘Backwater village?’ This kingdom relies on Palmwood Village for its resources. His people work tirelessly day in and day out to send out cargos full of the fish they've caught, for the grains they've so carefully cultivated, and the cattle they lovingly raise so these big name cities and towns can keep their economies thriving.
Caelus’ people lose their lives in the ocean just for the chance to put enough food on the table for their families.
(His mother… the image of her figure was already slowly decaying from his memories after all these years…)
How arrogant. How unjustifyingly opinionated this man was.
(He wants to leave and never come back.)
(It's a foolish wish and you know it.)
“Unless…you think you can prove me wrong? Maybe we should just settle this one on one, right here and now.” Shard Sword was unsheathed in a flash, the tip of the famous blade that has felled countless of enemies in battlefield aims dangerously towards Caelus.
But just as Caelus begins to think that maybe he was actually being serious, Yingxing retracts Shard Sword with a huff. “...It is unfortunately forbidden to issue any challenges in such a public space like this. Pity. I would've loved to see which one of us would come out on top.
But if not here…then how about up there?” Vah Medoh roars in time with her master's gesture, Yingxing's ever present smirk grinding all of Caelus’ nerves.
A feigned gasp slips past his lips. “Oh, you must pardon me. I seem to have forgotten you have no way of making it up to the Divine Beast on your own!”
The vastness of Zhuming’s terrain brings about yet another strong current. Yingxing leaps back on to the railing, swings his glider open, and promptly gets swept up way high into the sky with such practiced ease.
Loathe as Caelus is to admit, as he watches Yingxing's back retreat, he has to compliment the guy for making his moves look so easy and desirable to one day be granted the privilege to soar the skies like that.
And as Caelus begins to make his way someplace else, he swears the wind currents faintly whisper into his ear “Good luck sealing the darkness!” in Yingxing's mocking tone. Typical that the guy gets to have the last laugh as always even through the damn wind of all things.
Caelus never wants to visit the Zhuming region again if he can help it.
—
(“Is he alright? He seems to be walking a tad bit quicker.”
“I'm not entirely sure, I'm afraid. Do you think – would it be presumptuous of me to ask?”
“Would he even deem you with an answer, Your Highness? Genuinely asking.”
“...I guess not.”)
—
He's unable to request for time off to visit his village. Caelus knows this and yet it doesn't help ease his homesickness.
Palmwood Village is a beachside town that lies East of the Necluda, teetering the borders of Faron. Even surrounded by these four walls in the knights barracks, Caelus can still vaguely recall what the ocean breeze felt like softly brushing against his skin. The smell of salt and smoked fish permeating his nose, sand grains sticking to his skin, the gentle waves singing…his village wasn't luxurious like the rest of the settlements but it was home nonetheless.
Caelus tries to write back ever since he departed to the castle all those years ago—four to be exact—but none of what he penned down ever felt right. He didn't feel right.
What would he even say? He had no friends here. His father, a fellow knight like himself, was stationed elsewhere. The prince probably hated his guts, the rest of the champions were indifferent towards him – some (Yingxing) outright didn't try to disguise their disappointment. Just what could Caelus even write about that didn't sound like living in the castle wasn't all that they were expecting? Like he didn't feel so, so isolated and pressured to be perfect?
Palmwood Village…. they probably grew disappointed in him as well. They would hate to know just how much rising to this position has changed him for the worse.
As Caelus ponders his next course of action sitting here in his own private quarters, his musings get cut short when he hears quiet raps against his door. He waits for a moment, thinking that perhaps it could've been one of the knights just playing a prank, or maybe a mistake, but then the knocking gets a bit firmer – more confident, and Caelus pushes himself off his chair and goes to open the door for his unexpected guest. Just who would be—...
Jing Yuan blinks down at him.
Caelus stares.
The former smiles.
“I figured you'd be elsewhere, Little One. Are you busy?”
He shakes his head.
This seems to please the Eldin Champion. “Care to join me for a walk, then? I already let the king and the prince know I'd be borrowing you for the day.”
…
What.
“Come on,” (wait!) “Time's wasting away.”
Dragonvista Central Town was as bustling as always. Though, as expected, you can't have two Champions out in public and not garner any attention by their presence.
Jing Yuan naturally has grown used to it, being a public figure back at Cloudford himself, but Caelus – who rarely even leaves the castle if he can help it – has to pathetically rely on the Eldin champion’s broad build to lessen the stares he's been receiving. Not because he's afraid, but because he's been recently told that his appearance tends to lean on the intimidating side (which isn't something he can really help).
(It was the eyebags, wasn't it?)
(Most likely, yes.)
“It's been quite some time since our last meeting, was it? One-on-one at least. Tell me old friend, is life at the castle treating you well?”
He almost wants to crack and laugh at the irony of Jing Yuan asking him this today of all days. Caelus swears he can spot a bass fish in one of the stalls down the road, the kind you can only find in Palmwood’s waters.
Whether Jing Yuan can glimpse past his barriers he doesn't comment on it. They continue walking until they've reached the castle’s gardens where the crowds begin to lessen until it's just them.
Caelus hears Jing Yuan plop down on the grass with a content sigh. “It's easy for one to forget just how relaxing the grass feels on one's skin being raised on a mountain. In that regard, the Central Lands and Lotus Forge are quite lucky.”
…Was he truly called out here just to watch Jing Yuan indulge in some downtime?
“Little One, you still haven't settled in after all this time, haven't you?” Caelus casts his gaze down at the champion, tense. “Believe me, I know how much of a hassle those two brothers are, even now. Dan Feng hasn't quite changed at all from our growing years. Underneath all that gruffness is a boy who had to grow up too quickly to lead a whole kingdom. It was only natural his brother would follow in his footsteps.”
Jing Yuan talks as if he wasn't just two years younger than His Majesty. Sometimes Caelus found it hard to believe he was the oldest of the Champions whenever he talked about his days growing up with King Dan Feng. “The prince has a strong personality—so strong he can't quite see the range for the peaks, but he's a lot more sensible than his older brother, that's for sure. Remember that and you'll be just fine.”
The champion sits up and reaches for something inside his shirt. He pulls out an envelope and raises it up to Caelus, who takes it with visible confusion. “Don't look so lost now,” Jing Yuan chuckles, “It's an invitation. A private ceremony. This was actually the reason for my visit to the castle but as always, I was, as expected, turned down by our king.”
Caelus eyes the letter, turning it around for any hints as to what it contained. “...?”
The elder’s eyes softened around the edges, an air of gentle fondness surrounding his person – one Caelus hasn't ever seen from Jing Yuan of all people. “I adopted a kid.”
Is…
Is he being serious?
Jing Yuan – a father?
“Shocking, right?” He smiled, drawing Caelus out of his surprise. “He was found alone and crying in the mines. There was no note or any signs that pointed to who his parents were, or from which settlement he originated from. So I took him in, gave the boy a home and a name: Yanqing.”
Learned noble. There's no doubt as to the purpose as to why Jing Yuan took in the boy, then. He seeks an heir, even if it came in the form of someone who had no blood relations to him.
It would be pointless to ask Jing Yuan if he's considered the political uproar this will cause. Chances are he most definitely already has.
…The Eldin Champion was a kind man. Caelus knows this deep down.
“It would be the greatest honor if both you and the prince could attend. Not right now, of course–” Jing Yuan heaves himself off the ground–“after everything’s over, once the prophecy has been dealt with and peace returns to our lands, I will happily welcome the both of you to my home so you could meet him.
Think about it, alright?”
Later that night, as Caelus begins saddling up his horse in search for a missing prince, he thinks back to Jing Yuan’s warm expression bathed under the sunlight's glow, his chest can't help the soft pulse of unexpected joy at the thought of someone whom he assumed viewed him as a neutral presence considered him to such an extent…
He strokes his horse’s mane, whispers a quiet command, and tries not to dwell on those lingering soft feelings.
—
He drifts in and out of consciousness throughout the long desert night. He doesn't dream for once, but at one point during his slumber where his awareness was at the forefront, he feels a hand carding through his hair with such foreign gentleness.
The natural reaction would be to swat this unfamiliar touch and let whoever it was know that he was awake, but then Caelus’ ears register Lady Himeko’s breathing pattern and suddenly all thoughts vanish from his mind. What was she doing?
“You need to get some rest, Dan Heng. He won't vanish if you take your eyes off of him.”
“I'm aware,” the prince could be heard shuffling just a few feet away. “I just worry. Today was–It’s…I've never seen him act like that before, Himeko.”
“It's his duty to protect you. Try as you might deny it, but beyond his role as your knight and the responsibilities that come with it, I like to believe he's grown to genuinely care for your wellbeing. You're worried? Imagine how he felt when you up and vanished without him after I explicitly told you to stay with him.”
Well.
That's certainly news to him. Was he too exhausted that morning that he managed to sleep through all of that?
Lady Himeko sighs above him, her fingers lax in his hair. “Take what happened today as a lesson, and make sure it never happens again. Finding the two of you out there in the state you both were in…I cannot even begin to think what would have happened if we hadn't gotten there in time.”
“I understand. I owe you—the both of you an apology. When do you think he'll…?”
“Who's to say? Look at the poor boy, exhausted to kingdom come. It's admirable how hard he works, but there's only so much one man can stretch himself thin before he crashes.”
Their conversation falls silent after that, and then it picks up again with both the prince and Lady Himeko’s voices mingling together and carrying Caelus’ weariness with them. He was beginning to fall again, sleep coaxing him back into its recesses with every passing second.
As he begins to allow himself to be taken, the last thing he hears is Vah Naboris’ quiet rumbling in the distance before Caelus finally deems it acceptable that they were someplace safe.
And he drifts away….
“Rest.”
When he finally has the energy to open his eyes, Caelus immediately recognizes the familiar ceiling of Freya Inn at Kara Kara Bazaar.
Immediately, his eyes scan the room and his shoulders relax at the sight of Prince Dan Heng sleeping on the adjacent bed from his.
“Ah, you're awake.” Lady Himeko slides into view, a smile adorning her face. “Feeling more energized I take? I would've expected you to sleep through the whole week given your previous state. Hungry?” She's holding a plate. Mushroom Omelet from the looks of it.
Caelus takes it, bowing his head in gratitude. She likely had just made it considering how the plate was still warm and the omelet was just right in milkiness. Gods above, it was delicious to boot.
When was the last time he even had a proper breakfast?
Lady Himeko is gracious enough to let him enjoy his breakfast in blissful silence, moving around the inn, making quiet conversation with the innkeeper away from the sleeping area.
It's not until after he's finished that she returns to his bedside, his Champion’s Tunic freshly washed and returned to him in one piece. Caelus hadn't even realized he wasn't wearing it. “I fixed some of the loose threads, hope it's to your liking.”
She didn't have to, but Caelus makes sure to make his gratitude clear to her.
…Even knowing what he does now, Lady Himeko's presence still makes him feel uneasy. But he still owes it to her to apologize for putting the prince in danger and for his actions leading her to lose a fellow warrior—a sister, by the hands of a legion footsoldier.
Guilt weighs heavy. She could be back home tending to the deceased, but instead Lady Himeko is somehow still here. With them.
And he's…he's been so unjustly unfair to her. He's truly the worst.
“You and Dan Heng are so alike in many ways, you know?” Lady Himeko's words snap him out of his thoughts. Caelus looks up from the bed to find her eyes regarding him with– with the same exact fondness she has whenever she's around the prince. Him. Caelus.
He
He didn't even know she could still look at him that way after all this time…
“You've changed, Caelus,” He hides a wince at the statement. “But deep down, I know you're still that same boy who was willing to bear the world's burdens on his too-young shoulders, no matter how big or small. You just weren't prepared for how big that burden would end up being.
Treat each other well, alright? That goes for you too, little eavesdropper.” Caelus follows her gaze and sees that Prince Dan Heng had indeed been watching them. He drops any attempts to hide his relief at the sight of the prince, wanting to soak up the fact that his efforts weren't in vain after all.
(“Apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt.”)
He was safe.
(“Such behavior is unbecoming of a prince. I merely jest, little bird. I'll get your breakfast sorted out.”)
He was safe.
(“Thank you, Himeko.”)
…His royal garments were still stained in blood in some areas.
Caelus sighs. At least the worse didn't come to pass and they could easily excuse that as condiment stains. Maybe he could convince himself it was anything but blood if he deludes himself enough.
—
“Left flank wide open.” Swish!
“Gah!” Clank!
“Spread your legs a bit more, it'll help with your balance. Again.”
Fwip! Zing!
Firefly seems pleased with the current results. “Yes, just like that. You're a fast learner, Dan Heng.”
“It's all thanks to your teachings. Take five?”
“Approved.”
Caelus approaches the sparring duo, Dan Heng’s waterskin on hand. He was glad Princess Firefly was gracious enough to allow them to take up some of her time for training. Jing Yuan was away on a mission, Lady Himeko had her duties to tend to, and frankly Caelus didn't want to accept Yingxing's version of hospitality, so Firefly happily welcomed them.
Besides, being back in Glamoth Palace was certainly an experience after all these years. His last visit was when he was nine—he’s seventeen now, and even then it hadn't been an extensive visit. Just a welcoming ceremony for his newly appointed position as a knight.
“Are you sure you don't want to browse the market in the meantime?” The prince asks after he's had his fill of water. “It must be pretty boring just watching us from the sidelines.”
He turns down his suggestion. Normally Caelus would've, but the palace’s market doesn't really have anything that he could make use of, and their jewelry even less. If they were enchanted, then maybe, but it seems this month’s restock wasn't up to par with what they usually sell.
(But they do have some of Palmwood Village’s fish for sale. Maybe the taste of home after these long years would certainly appease him.)
No. He can't.
Firefly will notice and that would bring a whole can of worms Caelus doesn't feel like he's all that equipped to answer. It's best to stay here.
Seeing his refusal, Dan Heng doesn't pry—but Caelus does notice he's smiling, albeit he tries to hide it but to no avail.
Could he –....
A shiver. Then…
Move!
“Deciding to stay, then?” It's through sheer instinct that Caelus steps in front of the prince at Princess Firefly's tone and blocks her swinging arch with the Master Sword’s scabbard. The force of the impact pushes him back, causing him to crash against Dan Heng who tries his best to hold them both up.
His arm shakes from the force of it, but Caelus is quick to shake it off and readjusts his grip. Firefly stands before him, brandishing her dual swords with a self assured smile on her pristine face. “Would you be willing to grace me with a spar? I would like to see for myself just how far the prince’s own appointed knight fares in battle.”
It's not like she's giving him much of a choice anyway.
“Are you alright?” Caelus nearly flinches at Prince Dan Heng's touch but he nods. A little shaken, his arm tingling, but he's completely fine aside from that.
Back in their…childhood days, Caelus has never once managed to beat Princess Firefly. He may have gained experience throughout the years, what with being raised in a family of a Royal Knight, but she has always been several steps ahead of him in terms of strength and technique. Welding the Master Sword—for all her known glory and historical feats—doesn’t change the fact that he's never won.
8 years apart…what could have changed during that time?
(You'd known if you had stuck around.)
(But you're a coward. In that regard, you will never change.)
His stance wavers ever so slightly. It was only natural that Firefly would pick up on that and use it to her advantage.
Caelus barely has enough reaction time to move away from the prince to dodge, this time unsheathing the Master Sword for the lack of any other weapon in his arsenal. “Warriors know not to falter in the presence of an enemy. Any experienced swordsman in a battle could've ended your life right then and there.”
She parries his blow with ease. “But you know that already. I don't deem it necessary to lecture you about the mere basics, so why?”
“Why am I seeing so many flaws in your stance at this very moment?” Firefly asks. “Please don't tell me it's because of guilt. I've never held all these years against you, Caelus. So why are you?”
He's not. He was just –
He was…
He didn't know. All of his father's teachings he spent months hammering into him seemed to have left Caelus. This was just supposed to be a regular friendly visit between them, but he severely underestimated himself and his ability to pretend.
Firefly was his friend, and in the end, the prophecy took that away too. But she was standing right here and – and she's never felt so far away.
‘Friends forever’? What a joke. Those were the words of a stupid, naive child who didn't know any better about where the future would end up leading them to. In the end, he was a liar and Princess Firefly was too forgiving.
In that regard, she hasn't changed at all.
Caelus takes a steadying breath. It was subtle, barely noticeable to the untrained eye, but he grew up with her. He knows the princess’ tells and is able to recognize even the smallest of details. Her spar with Dan Heng is starting to show effects.
Three seconds. That's all he needs.
…?
Her hums reverberate through every one of his meridians.
…
(“Firefly, I can understand where you're coming from, but isn't this…”
“He needs to hear it from me, Your Highness…”
“...–haps…it a day…
“...!”)
The world goes silent and it stops. And then…
It begins once more.
Princess Firefly’s swords clatter on the ground. There's a pause. “...Huh?”
“What just—” Caelus waves for the prince’s attention, wordlessly gesturing to the princess’ wrists. Dan Heng hurries over—“are you hurt? Is it the wrists?”
This gets Dan Heng furrowed brows, but at the very least the princess doesn't deny it. “Yes, but the pain was only mild. I could've still…”
He walks over to her, sheathing the Master Sword and reaches into his pouch. It was Caelus’ last batch meant for himself, but he figured the princess could use it more. He hands over the healing potion to Dan Heng. “Take this, it'll help alleviate the ache.”
“Much appreciated. I fear I may have overestimated myself,” she downs the potion in one go, her taut body relaxing as the healing sets in and she massages her joints with a tilt of her head. “That was certainly odd, however. It's completely unlike me to lose focus like that.”
“I don't wish to assume, but perhaps it's just been a long day for everyone. We've been training for quite some time now.” Reasons Dan Heng, but Caelus could pick up the subtle skepticism in his tone. “For now, I believe it's best to call it a day. Allow us to escort you back to the palace.”
“...Very well.”
And if the princess happens to regard Caelus with curious eyes throughout their trek back to the main city, Caelus makes no note of it and pretends. He pretends because that's all he's ever good at and it's much better this way.