See the rain through one eye

4

Mu Qing stands opposite to him on a separate float. He smirks as he moves. Fluid moves countering Xie Lian's yet he doesn't overpower Xie Lian. Even if he could he'd never. As the bad guy his job is to fall to Xie Lian's swordsmanship.

That is what he must do. That is what Xie lian must do. If they want peace and protection they must act out the history of their proud god.

Jun Wu is all that matters to xianle. Even to Xie lian, Jun Wu is above all.

Not that Xie lian will diss the people he holds so dear. They cheer for him. Support him. Love him.

There's rows and rows of crowd.  The people, his people all around him cheering out. They adore him and he will not fail them.

Shouting, crying, laughing. They love him and for a moment Xie Lian thinks he's back at that time. He even uses the crowd to boost his movements putting on a show far more theatrical than the first time he acted this out. It's unnecessary but it's fun. And honestly he just can't help himself.

It seems so long ago now.

Back when he was young and his heart was ablaze with ambition. When the people came first without thought and his powers grew. Back when being a god and acting as a saviour were less sincere than they are now.

Back when he dreamed far to big for his mortal shell. He was always overly ambitious. Even as a god he dare do things he couldn't.

He was slightly arrogant. Thinking himself to be the best. The mindset that only devastation ruined. Absolute ruin that only came to be because of his act of selflessness that happened on this day.

Thinking back, He must be close now.

He could almost feel it even when it was slightly suppressed. The old him had a funny way of trying to overpower him.

Always wanting to shine. To impress to surprise. He'd put his ideals before anything and his ideals were as solid as stone in his mind. Unwavering and set.

Especially in this dream. At first mer days after the incident he used to dream of him carrying on. The boy never falling. The success of him completing the rounds. Xianle was safe in its guaranteed luck and protection.

After a while he didn't care about what ifs. And especially after meeting Hua Cheng. He'd catch him every time. Who cares if his kingdom falls. He gains a life worth living from it.

He sees the high wall in front of them. He knows it's almost time.

They're about to pass under it. And Xie Lian knows this part off by heart. Dreaming of it fondly. The day he saved a life. The day his life grew meaning.

And technically speaking , Yes it's the beginning of the end. Yet it's so much more. The end of his days trapped in the palace. Trapped in his duties. This day brought him clarity and freedom. Things he didn't know he was missing.

The wall closes in and Xie lian smiles behind his mask striking up to meet Mu Qing's hit.

The excitement must be visible as he adds an extra spring in his step. Mu Qing looking at him quizzically. Xie lian can only smile.

Barely three seconds past the tall wall of the gate, a small boy will fall. Gasps of horror and screams and crying and uncertainty will ripple through all spectators. The kingdom will fall and Xie lian will be to blame.

But that's not what gets him.

A small cry from the boy will strike through Xie Lian's heart like no other thing he's ever seen or heard, and he'll immediately parry Mu Qing's hits turning his body. Ready to push off.

Xie Lian in his foolish youth and arrogance to save everyone, will leap off the float, robes billowing like a god his mask will slip causing the crowd to go nuts.

But he doesn't listen. He's focused only on the boy before him. The speed at which he falls and the energy he puts into reaching him.

Then he catches him in his arms.

Xie lian will press him against his chest landing. The boy will tremble but not cry. And the crowd will turn deathly quiet.

Their faces gone, replaced by masks of emotions. Split emotions. The sea of white will envelop him and the boy circling closer and closer.

Then his life will flash in dark twisted fragments all around him until he wakes up in a start to Hua Cheng embracing him.

And it will all have been worth it.

At the thought, two arms circle his waist and Xie Lian relaxes still swinging his sword around in the way he's taught. The way he still remembers. Mu Qing sends him yet another quizzical look and Xie Lian assumes he fumbles the steps due to being weighed down by Hua Cheng's arms. But the look is so real, the cheers so deafening, the smell and sights so vibrant. He could be lead to think he's actually there.

His dreams haven't dared be so life like in a very long time. Not with his failing memory.

Hua Cheng, the simple man he is, doesn't care about how much of a monster he's becoming. As the float passes under the huge archway of the wall the arms circle tighter around the prince.

"Forgive me." Hua Cheng whispers gently. Tickling Xie Lian's ears. Said boy laughs joyously. "Why should you be sorry for the best moment in my life?" He whispers back, putting even more energy into his movements. His heart is beating faster than ever before. His adrenaline pumping through his entire being-

There! A scream and gasp from the crowd behind him. Xie Lian makes a move to turn but the arms hold him in place. "What?" He questioned struggling in the bonds. "San Lang- what are you-"

But San Lang was gone. Hua Cheng was gone. All that was shackling him was the weight of a devotee. "Forgive me!" Hua Cheng yells louder.

Xie Lian tries to thrash about sword flying all over the place. It seams Mu Qing has picked up on his distress, spotting the child from the way he was facing. "Guards!" He calls sharply down from the float.

The guards nod flashing Xie Lian with worried glances. Xie Lian is almost received at the thought they'd free him and he'd still make it to-

"Forgive me gege..."