Chapter Text
“With Madame Herta’s latest teleslate upgrade, we can now have it directly tell us what flower species we have. Like this one here. It's a sky lupine,” Caelus leans to read the infographic on the screen. How interesting, it even comes with tips on how to grow it and so on.
“Pretty useful, no?” Dan Heng hands the teleslate to him, sitting back on the grass. Caelus allows himself to take in the scenic view of the vast fields, taking the opportunity to snap a few shots. “They’re not only beautiful. The flowers of our nation can also be repurposed for a variety of things. You could probably even take them to incorporate into your meals—I’d be delighted to try them out someday.”
Tonight? Caelus writes on the screen, showing it to the prince.
“If you're eager, then sure.” His eyes crinkle, but then something seems to catch his eye. Caelus looks down and notices the single flower amongst the crowd. It's a five petalled dual stemmed blue and white flower, the only one of its kind out here.
He leans back just as Prince Dan Heng inches a bit forward to gently graze the flower’s petal. “I had assumed these ones have already gone extinct given how they're rarely found out in the wild anymore…”
Caelus makes a curious sound. He scoots closer to hand the teleslate (which is really called the “Herta Pad”. Not the best of names but whatever floats Madame Herta’s boat) back to Dan Heng.
“This one here is called the silent princess,” he captures a photo of the plant. “Despite our past efforts, we never could grow them domestically. It's a miracle this one could survive out here in the wild. Perhaps it's a display of resilience, don't you think?”
…Perhaps indeed.
Caelus redirects his attention away from the sight, his mind straying towards what exactly he could nab from the field that seems even remotely edible to the human palate. They're running low on ingredients but he thinks he has enough for a simple meat and rice combo, so maybe –
A thud catches his attention. Caelus whirls around, alert.
“I…I actually caught one.” Dan Heng seems to have captured something between his hands, the excitement and wonder palpable in his voice. He's on all fours over the grass, his hands cupped as the prince scoots back over to him. “Caelus, take a look. This delicacy is known to have very potent effects under the right circumstances. Here.”
A frog sits nestled in the palm of his hand.
Huh?
“Research from the castle shows that ingesting one of these can actually boost certain qualities,” what. “With your level of physical abilities, perhaps we can test out our theories. You're practically the perfect candidate one could think of. So?” The frog croaks, and something inside Caelus’ gut churns at the thought of digesting this thing in any capacity.
(Sure he's eaten worse, but this is a frog. A live frog, for God's sake.)
He eyes the poor, unfortunate creature with mixed emotions. Is this an order? What are the protocols for a situation such as this?
Just when he thinks he's mustered up the courage to actually go through with it, Dan Heng lowers his hand and releases the frog with amusement swirling in his eyes. “Of course, you'd have to cook it first to draw out its effects, and I believe I was already promised a meal so we can forgo our investigation for today. What's the matter? Relieved?”
…Hilarious. Does the kingdom know they have a tyrant in the making?
Caelus shakes his head and goes to rise, the telltales of Dan Heng's happiness in this very moment etching itself in the recesses of his mind.
—
(“A, B, C, D, he-ere's your treat… Ho-ow wass that?”
Little Pen gnaws on her carrot, flicking her ears in his direction. Yeah, she's right, he thinks. They need to work on it a bit more.)
—
They were on their way to the Mistveil Village to gather intel regarding the progress on their batch of guardians when they're stopped by a Peppy messenger along the way.
“It's from Arlan,” Dan Heng crouches down to pet the little Pomeranian, rewarding its long journey with a chunk of meat from his skewer that Caelus had made. He takes the note and does a quick reading. “Oh, that's not good. It seems one of their Guardian Stalkers have gone rogue. Said they lost it somewhere around the…swamp that's just ahead.”
Caelus feels his skin crawling at the news. The memory of the time the prince was nearly shot point blank by one of those resurfaces in his mind, hand already on the hilt of his sword. “They're already sending researchers to retrieve it. He likely just wants us to keep an eye out for it. Thank you, Peppy. Safe travels.” The dog yips and struts off, likely towards its next task.
“Are you alright? You seem on edge,” tell him about it. “Right, I recall that one incident with the one at the castle. It's been a year and I never did get to thank you for that…What with how I was behaving back then.”
He gives the prince a dismissive wave, letting him know it wasn't a big deal. Dan Heng didn't seem to share the same sentiment. He didn't comment on it, however, since they've already had this discussion one too many times already. “Well when push comes to shove, I know I can trust you to watch my back. I'll watch yours so the load is less heavy on you, alright?”
And it was as simple as that.
(They do end up spotting the rogue machine a little up ahead in the distance. The way it was scurrying around, restlessly searching for something with its motion sensor. It sent shivers down his spine knowing this machine could cause serious harm if not managed well.
Fortunately, it had already been swiftly subdued by the Mistveil researchers before it could put any unlucky soul out there in the plains in grave danger.
If Dan Heng noticed Caelus walking just a tad bit closer than usual even well after they were far away from the swamp, he thankful didn't comment on it.)
—
(“Lanternflies. Oak wood. Wheat. Water. Statue. House. Cucco. Alone…”
It goes on like this for the rest of the night.)
—
「 Spar with me. 」
“...--done everything I can and yet it's still ‘not enough’. How can he nitpick my flaws but never acknowledge all of my efforts?”
Caelus blocks Cloud Piercer’s swing, pushing back with his—the sword to hopefully catch the prince unbalanced. Dan Heng lets out a frustrated groan at the added weight, but it still wasn't enough to disarm him yet. “I don't understand. How can I have faith in myself if my own brother—the entire kingdom, doesn't have faith in me? Of course I know what the gossipmongers say about me, how could I not?”
The rain pelts harder against their bodies the longer they remain out here. Caelus has nearly slipped quite a number of times, but it seems like neither of them seem to really care about the environmental disadvantage. They were truly going all out for what was meant to be a spar to unload some steam after the shitshow that was the (unfairly one-sided) conversation with the king. This was Dan Heng venting out his deep rooted resentment, and Caelus could do nothing but let the restless waves run their course until he had nothing left.
“A failure,” slash!
“Just do better!” Yes, burn.
“You'll never save anyone like this—” the tip of Dan Heng's polearm manages to nick his collarbone. He winces—“the fate of the whole kingdom, your friends, depends on you. On Us!”
Let him have this, he thinks before the Master Sword slips from his grip, leaving Caelus unguarded for the blunt end of Cloud Piercer to jab straight on to his sternum—punching out all the air out of his lungs with a muffled “oof!” as he lands on muddied dirt. He thinks he hears Dan Heng shout his name, but Caelus can hardly hear him through wet coughs and the sound of thunder rumbling above them.
“I’m so sorry. Can you move? Here, I'll try to be gentle. Be careful, I got you,” Dan Heng slowly leads them towards a makeshift shelter from the storm. Every step feels uncomfortable, his coughing hasn't ceased but at least he's trying to reign it in. The blow definitely hurt, alright. “Let’s– let's try to take it easy. Don't move around too much, it'll only aggravate it further. I'm sure there must be something nearby that will help,”
Ah. The prince was panicking. It was subtle, but Caelus could see even the faintest of tells through his body language.
It was just a minor injury, nothing too serious. “If only I wasn't so self-absorbed, I could've– I'm truly sorry.” Say it. It's just two measly words. You've been practicing for this.
It's okay.
But as always, the words remain stuck in his throat.
He expected it, but the disappointment still stings all the same. Even more so than the growing bruise on his chest. “Caelus? How bad does it hurt?” He shakes his hand in a ‘so-so’ motion, pinching his thumb and pointer finger to signal he was okay for the most part. “Great. Just great. As if today couldn't get any worse.”
Dan Heng falls back on the grass next to him. Their weapons lay scattered on the ground in front of them, and what a sight it makes to see the legendary sword that seals the darkness be subjected to the world's elements without remorse. It's almost…relieving, Caelus admits. Not to have it act as a constant brand as to what he is. A chain.
“I doubt this will let up soon.” Dan Heng says after several minutes of silence. Caelus watches the droplets fall and disappear, recalling how his family used to survive through the ocean's temperamental weather inside their little hut. He briefly wonders how Palmwood is faring through this storm, if it has even reached that far. It's hard to tell through the dark sky. “You seem distracted. What's got your attention, if you don't mind me asking?” Caelus points in the direction of the Faron region. “Faron? Is that where you live?” He nods.
“But your father—correct me if I'm wrong—he mentioned you two have a house on the East Necluda?”
Home away from home. Closer to the castle in a way, he writes on the dirt, hoping it was legible for the prince to catch. “I think I understand. So, Palmwood Village is your hometown. I never would've known… To think we received such a brilliant knight as yourself from Palmwood. You usually never hear of the village folk ever leaving the place.” Because they all die there. They grow up to be fishermen and sooner or later get swept away by the ocean’s embrace, and the ones left in the wake of their disappearance are the children who will eventually follow the same path and meet the same tragic end.
It's a beautiful village nonetheless.
(Does anyone still remember me?)
(Does it matter?)
“A family member of the royal guard, huh.” Caelus carefully regarded Dan Heng's wistful expression. “Tell me, if you had the chance…If one day…you realized that you just weren't meant to be a fighter. Yet the only thing people ever said is that you were born into the family of the royal guard, and so no matter what you thought—what you dreamed of, your desires—you had to become a knight.
If that was the only thing you were ever told, I wonder then…Would you have chosen a different path instead?”
Would you? He wants to ask. But knowing Dan Heng's situation and the implications this line of questioning brings, the answer is clear as day.
Caelus has never entertained the thought of choosing to be someone else.
—
(The prince delays their journey to the spring until he deems it fit for Caelus to venture without restraint.
It's a kind gesture. Unnecessary, but kind.
“Maybe when this is all over…I'll invite him to see the scenery of my homeland.”)
—
.
The moonlight served as their only light source here at the Spring of Power; the waterfall creating ample white noise in the silence following Dan Heng's extensive prayer to the God statue – Breukelen.
Caelus stood guard at the spring’s entrance considering how the shrine was littered with monsters meant to deter the common folk from venturing forth. Countless dangers lurk in the dark. Akkala’s region may have its security measures put in place, but out here in the open, anyone could strike when they least expect it. And with the prince devoid of a weapon, Caelus has to keep eyes everywhere for them both.
Faintly, he hears the prince begin to murmur again. He's been at it since the evening. One glance and Caelus can tell Dan Heng's prayer garments have been soaked from head to toe. He's going to have to take him out sooner or later. Akkala may not be Janella levels of cold, but…
The prince looked so determined earlier. He didn't want to be the one to snuff the small flicker of hope.
“...Father said his own power would dwell within me.” Dan Heng's voice begins to progressively get louder than the waterfall’s cadence, and Caelus soon realizes things might go awry real quick.
He's proven right when the sound of agitated waters blend in with Dan Heng's rising frustration, “but I don't hear…or feel anything.”
“My brother has told me time and time again…He always says: ‘Quit wasting your time playing at being a scholar!’” His voice wobbles at the end.
“Curse you…” The water splashes. This time Caelus pivots slightly on one foot towards the pond. The prince remains where he stands, arms squeezed raw from how tightly Dan Heng was attempting to console himself. “I’ve spent every day of my life dedicated to praying. I've pleaded to the spirits tied to the ancient gods… And still the holy powers have proven deaf to my devotion.”
His eyes narrow in attention.
Dan Heng's figure stumbles slightly.
“Please just tell me…” his breath hitches. “What is it? What's wrong with me…?”
He falls.
And Caelus wades through waist-deep waters to retrieve him, cursing the gods for their silence.
He drops his extra coat over the prince's shoulders, sitting him in front of the campfire to warm up.
Dan Heng hasn't said a word ever since their departure from the Spring of Power. The usual silence that would once blanket them comfortably now feels oppressing. Heavy.
They're located behind Akkala’s stable in the south on the hill away from the inn where they could be alone, away from prying eyes. There's a pot over the fire where Caelus was preparing some meat stew, using the sound of the stirring to compensate for the lack of words. He spares Dan Heng a glance, and then pours a fraction of some rock salt into the pot, mindlessly stirring and stirring and stirring…
Wolves howl in the distance, the inn’s dog chases after a wandering lizard on the ground, horses snore alongside the singing crickets. The world is not truly silent at the end of the day, so Caelus can take some comfort in that. Once he deems the stew ready enough to serve, he pours them both a relatively fulfilling serving and holds it out for the prince. “...”
Some awareness bleeds into Dan Heng's face, eyeing the food in confusion. His hands gingerly accept the bowl, but that's about all he does before he resumes staring idly at the grass. Not even the delicious steam of the wonderfully cooked meat was enough to rouse his hunger.
(Of course it wouldn't. Upon every road, every attempt, all the prince ever finds is failure upon failure.)
(A simple dish won't be enough to fix this.)
Caelus has to do something at the very least. Words don't come easy to him, but maybe with some pen and paper he could manage some reassuring words for his efforts. If they would even mean much coming from him of all people.
You're not a failure.
You're not defected or broken. (What would that make me?)
You've put in the work more than the rest of us.
The sword's voice…I don't hear it either.
“I'm sorry,” he snaps into attention at Dan Heng's quiet confession. The prince seems to have recovered from whatever trance he was in, but it was clear today's events still weigh heavy on him. “You shouldn't have to see me like this. It's unbecoming of me, and you've been nothing but kind and –”
Dan Heng sighs. It sounds definitive, but Caelus has a feeling he's purposefully withholding himself for the sake of maintaining appearances. Gods, he would know. Lady Himeko was right, they really are the same in some regards.
How many times has he poured his heart out to the silence that follows him? Caelus has spent years reflecting and pretending, voice left unheard out of societal expectations that were placed on him. He doesn't wish the same for the prince.
Perhaps out here in the wilds, they could shed their titles and the expectations and just be.
(But do you have the courage to do so, Hero?)
He wants to. The prince deserves this much at least.
So why is Caelus hesitating?
His mouth opens and closes wordlessly, unable to produce a single coherent sentence. The chains around his throat tighten with effort. He reaches deep down to manage a simple “it's okay” but he comes out empty with every attempt.
It's absurd. He's felled countless monsters, has faced men older than him in battle, yet he can't even bring himself to provide even a semblance of comfort to the one person who might understand him the most when it truly matters. He's pathetic really.
“I think I'm going to call it a night. Thank you for the food, it was very –” No, wait… Wait!
“Wait.”
Dan Heng freezes.
Caelus has one hand gripped around his throat, the other holding on to the prince's wrist. They don't say anything for a moment, both of them likely sharing similar expressions of surprise by the situation unfolding. Say something. You got his attention, didn't you?
But he couldn't. He doesn't even know how he managed to pry that one word out of himself.
Caelus gets offered a pen and a sheet of paper. There's no pity in Dan Heng's eyes. Concern, maybe, but not pity. Just a quiet understanding. “It’s alright, here. You shouldn't force yourself on my account,”
…He's done this before. Back in the cave. Giving Caelus an out.
It was kind of him, but even now Caelus still believes he owes it to Dan Heng to try.
“Caelus?”
He has so many missed opportunities to make up for. All those nights he spent practicing…they have to amount to something!
(“You have to be careful with what you say now. One wrong slip-up will cost you your reputation.”)
(“A ‘hero’? I've known men worthier of that title than a mere child.”)
Composure. Control. Composure. Control.
(“Does someone like him have what it takes to serve the kingdom?”)
(They're all watching you. Waiting for you to slip up.)
Composure. Control. Take a deep—
He feels the growing pressure around his throat gradually lessen, Dan Heng's cold fingertips gently prying Caelus’ fingers off one by one. “Don't do that. Not for me. Allow me to at least– to at least earn it first.”
He lets out a broken laugh. “Look at the pair we make. If only the kingdom could see their saviors now,” despite his better judgement, Caelus breaks out a smile at the state of them. The ever-regal prince soaked to the bone donned in his ceremonial outfit, and his appointed knight—their hero—broken and soundless. What a pair indeed.
“That must've taken a lot of courage for you, even for a single word.”
But it wasn't enough…
“But you know something? Seeing your attempt was inspiring in itself,” Caelus blinks. “I'm not ready to give up just yet. So, if I may make a selfish request: save your words for when I finally unlock those sealing powers. And when that time comes, once we finally put this war to an end…you can speak to me as just plain Dan Heng. And if you still can't, then I'll wait however long it takes. Are you amenable to that?”
With how earnest he sounds, how can Caelus bring himself to deny? If the prince was willing to continue clinging on to hope, then Caelus will just have to keep working on one day saying the words he's always wanted to tell Dan Heng. It's a deal, then.
Dan Heng nods, satisfied. “We really should clean ourselves up, though. We don't want to end up sick later.” He begins making his way down the hill and towards the inn.
Caelus takes a moment to process the last 15 minutes before eventually trailing after Dan Heng. As he's rounding the corner of the stable, he spots Little Pen inside her paddock and makes sure to send her a little wave goodnight.
He wonders if she'd be proud of him for the small step he's taken today.
—
(The prince does end up sporting a small fever in the following days.
“It seems we may have to delay our– our—” Caelus hands him a cloth just in time for Dan Heng to sneeze—“next outing as well…Thank you. You are dismissed to do whatever you wish for the day.”
Whatever he wishes, huh…
That was fine by him. Get well soon, Caelus excuses himself and turns to leave with full intention of disregarding the prince’s orders. He's no medic but Caelus knows a good hearty stew will at least perk him up.)
—
“I'm starting to believe you find my horse a much more agreeable company than my own.” Caelus looks up from feeding the prince’s royal ride to see him peering down at him with a slight tilt on his lips. Caelus couldn't help it, really. After spending so much time with Little Pen, seeing another horse other than his own is a privilege in itself, especially considering this is Dan Heng's horse.
It was a pure white stallion donned in a matching set of royal ride gear, its beautiful black mane carefully braided to keep them from obstructing his line of sight. At Dan Heng's comment, Caelus takes an abashed step back, finding it easy to wear a guilty smile from being caught. Dan Heng raises an eyebrow, “I was merely teasing. Though I do suggest you spare some of your time tending to Penelope back there. She appears a little agitated by the lack of attention.” Sure enough, the mare was kicking the dirt and shaking her head after noticing the lack of her rider's attention.
Unbelievable. He'd just given her a carrot five minutes ago.
Sanidin Park Ruins makes for a rather out-of-the-way travel spot. Though Caelus can't really bring himself to complain (not that he would), the vast sight of the entire kingdom is already worth the visit. From here, one can easily spot Dueling Peaks mountain in the distance. The castle as well.
It was almost hard to imagine there was danger looming over them with every passing day the more he takes in the scenic view. “Beautiful, isn't it?” Dan Heng joins him along the railings, his black hair floating alongside the gentle breeze the weather brings. The sun was already dipping beyond the horizon, leaving behind an orange hue to blanket the lands as it slowly began to welcome the moon to take its place. It's been nearly a year since Caelus was appointed as the prince’s knight. Several months of constant ups and downs. The Caelus of before never would've dreamed of standing next to Dan Heng in this manner, the two of them side-by-side as they watched the sunset together. It was truly an honor.
“Seems like you have a lot on your mind,” Dan Heng regards him with a smile. “Though as always, I can't quite get a read on you. At least not accurately most times. Perhaps I should learn to perfect my poker face, it'd be quite useful in certain situations, don't you think?”
Caelus shrugs a shoulder. He believes the prince already has that aspect down to a T. Sometimes Yingxing comments about it whenever they're unfortunate enough to run into him. (Serves him right, he thinks.)
When the prince makes no further attempts to continue upholding the conversation, Caelus glides his gaze over to Dan Heng to find him staring at something in the distance, melancholic. A complete 180 shift. “...?” His noise of confusion draws the prince's attention.
Dan Heng sighs. “See that mountain over there? That's Mt. Janella,” the mist covered mountain peaks glimmered under the fading sunlight, painting a rather imposing sight even from miles away. It was also home of the last remaining spring they've yet to visit. “It takes its name from the Goddess of Wisdom. A combination of it to be precise.”
“Her decree is very specific. It says: ‘No one is allowed under the age of eighteen…For only the wise are permitted a place upon the mountain’. I've prayed at the Spring of Courage, and the Spring of Power, yet neither of them wielded any results in me. But maybe up there… Perhaps I'll find my answer at the spring, the final of the three.”
“Of course, I have no reason to believe that would be the case,” Dan Heng begins making slow strides towards the edge of the platform, a deprecating weight on his shoulders. “But there's always the chance that the next moment will change everything.”
Eighteen? Then that would mean…
“Tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday,” dread filled Caelus’ veins at the revelation, and given the prince’s resigned smile it was clear he was feeling the same thing. “So then I shall go, and make my way up the mountain…”
Caelus looks towards the distant Mt. Janella. And for the first time in his ungrateful life, he prays.
Razalina above, let your holy blessing and guidance pave his path towards success.