Came Because of Our Song ✔️

Banked Rage: Lost

Morning in Lotus Pier is silent today. Not a single sound. Except the sound of a sword cutting still air and light footsteps confident in their aim, agile but strong, the sound came from the sword training area.
A man in black robes could be seen practising swordskills, going through different forms, sometimes using his limbs to deliver a powerful blow in the air around him. Each move appeared calculated and preplanned, every step, slash, pull, kick, and blow so fast one would say that the person must have gone through them thousands of time by now.
Timing is the key to perfect victory. Though the person had his eyes closed, their was a deep frown on the sharp features— lips set in thin line, the man was deep in his thoughts.

Why everything has to go downhill always ? That too when he wished for a break? Why does trouble always follows him and people around him?
Isn't he a bit deserving of something good?
These were the thoughts that kept whirling in his mind for the better half of his sleep. After the dinner ( did it  even count if he didn't eat ?), Wei Wuxian Wuxian wandered a bit in the Pier only for a shaking disciple to tell him that sect leader Jiang had ordered him to go to the west wing, the area where his room had been before the whole Lotus Pier was almost burned and destroyed. Going there he found his room reconstructed just like before and from the looks of it, the place was tidied regularly.
He had tried sleeping, shutting his eyes  as soon as he hit the bed only to twist and turn when those words kept coming to him,repeating, screaming, reminding, warning, teasing, testing him.
Finally, after what felt like only a few shi, he discarded the idea of sleeping and started working on some talismans and ideas.
When dawn came, he left his room and wandered in the sword training area to release some tension and emotions.
That's how the morning sun greeted him— a bead of sweat on the side head, body and mind set on surpassing eachother.
A fleeting change in air and he turned, his body and sword using the air as an extra leverage; his sword pointing straight ahead, just shy of touching something. Opening his eyes, he saw Jiang Cheng standing there with a surprised look on his face and lowered his sword.
" You are awake early ?" There was incredulity and shock in his voice. Of course, Jiang Wanyin had never seen his martial brother waking up early.
" Anything wrong with that ?" Wei Wuxian asked and Jiang Cheng saw, those grey eyes which were often filled with mischief, were now tinged red but looked like a void.
Suddenly, he didn't knew what he should say in answer to the question. Should he scold him for his unusual behaviour or should he deny everything he wants to say and simply order him. He is a sect leader and Wei Wuxian is a self invited guest, a guest whom he had yet to give a lecture about how one cannot just barge in here and expect him to treat them with the hospitality that Yunmeng is famous for.
In the end, he settled for a simple answer " Jin Ling and Sizhui are awake. "
" Oh.." The small response made Jiang Cheng frown but he saw that the information hadn't sunk in really.
And when it did, the other's face morphed into one of surprise, a blink and then the whole expression smoothed out with the tension bleeding out, giving way to relief.

When Wei Wuxian reached the medical wing, his first thought was to turn right, his one foot already set in the direction. But one look at the figure standing in the direction and noticing the sudden tense posture, he retracted his steps and turned left.
Sizhui and Jin Ling were up and about when Wei Wuxian came inside. The Lan instructor simply nodded at him while Master Zhang was not present.
Sizhui immediately called him when he saw him entering while Jin Ling just turned away in mock displeasure.
" Sizhui! You are awake. How are your wounds ? Can you move ? Does it hurt much ?" Sizhui, ever the calm and indulgent one just like his gege, let Wuxian complete his tyraid and then said, " Senior Wei, I am well. The wounds had healed a bit by the time Zhanshi shijie treated us. Our cores and a bit of spiritual energy from her helped in removing any infection which occurred. "
" Don't listen to him. He is the most injured. Lan daifu strictly told him not to practice sword forms for a week if he wishes to cultivate after this."
Jin Ling quipped in between. Sizhui, for his part mainted his smile, though one could see the slight strain in it.

They told their parts of the night hunt to Wei Wuxian, smoothly taking the sail of the story after one another.
Though the story stopped abruptly when they came to the part of Lan Wangji being dragged inside the tent.
" Wait. The way you describe it, Lan Zhan was unconscious when Jin Ling woke up and tied to a wood post even though they rained arrows on him before ? " Wei Wuxian's eyes tinged red, though they remained grey for the most part.
" Yes senior Wei. Hanguang-Jun was kept like that and I don't think his wounds were treated either..." Sizhui answered while looking doubtful.
" But you were unconscious too! How did you know all this ?" This time, it was Jin Ling. From what he remembers, Sizhui had woken up only after Hanguang-Jun was taken inside the tent and so didn't see the events before, or did he ?
" Young Master—"
" Just call me Jin Ling, will you ? I am tired of listening Young Master Jin and Sect leader Jin....It's annoying. " Jin Ling grumbled.
Sizhui blinked in confusion then smiled serenely, continuing with what he was saying " Jin Ling, I was conscious. I woke up before you all but pretended to  be unconscious so as not to cause suspicions. When....Li Taiyang took Hanguang-Jun away, I used the talisman given by Senior Wei to send him a message. The talisman was invented by Senior Wei so that we can send eachother warning messages in dire situations when flares and usual talisman don't work. This one doesn't require spiritual energy and so can be used by common people too."
" But how does it work then ?"
" Little kid, this talisman is already infused with spiritual energy so the sender doesn't need to spend their own. You just have to blow it a bit, even an inch will do, and think about the message you want to send. In case of danger, you can also keep a message stored in it to send without delaying by thinking as many of you will." Wei Wuxian explained with a teasing smile.
" Then what did Sizhui send you for you to appear like that ?"
" That's called entrance style, my dear A Ling. As for what Sizhui sent in the message for me to arrive like that.....it's a secret!" Wei Wuxian said with a finger on his lips, whispering the last words like they were a secret.
" I am sure it was something along the lines of 'get here right now idiot..' "
" You...!"
" Senior Wei, Jin Ling doesn't mean what he said.."
" I meant—" But as Jin Ling was saying this, he looked at Sizhui and...." I didn't...." He grumbled begrudgingly.
" Eh..? What was that ?" Wei Wuxian looked between the two, dumbfound.
" I said that I DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING!! HAPPY ?"
" Uh..uh...very well." He nodded, looking between the two suspiciously, wondering what caused Jin Ling to change his route of tantrum suddenly.

They talked for a while till Sizhui asked hesitantly, " Senior Wei...."
" Yes Sizhui ? Something wrong?"
" No...I...I just wanted to ask...."
" Ask anything A Yuan. You don't need to fear me." Wei Wuxian said gently.
" How is Hanguang-Jun?" The question was softly whispered, like Sizhui feared that a louder volume might make his fears come true.
In an instant, Wei Wuxian's face dropped and his expression closed off. Still he forced a smile on his face and answered in what he thought was a confident voice " He is resting right now Sizhui. Lan Zhan is a fighter, there's nothing which can overpower him!"
But whether he was trying to convince himself or the two teenagers remained a question.

28 May, 2021

Published on: 31 May, 2021