Lotus Blossom | {Nezha x reader}

Ch.15 The Training Gounds

CW: NONE

Look I know it's been three months but I've been busy with other things.

⟪~◈◇◈~⟫

Y/n had awoken quite early in the morning, something they have grown accustom to, as they followed Nezha rubbing the sleep off their eyes

"Where are we going Nezha?" Y/n ask, your tired and groggy voice recognisable as you and Nezha walked the halls, Y/n were wearing their armour that Nezha made you a while back.

"We are going to the training grounds. A place where I or Erlang Shen, train new recruits for the army of the celestial realm, but you're... a special occasion." Nezha explained as he led Y/n to the main area, it look like a hall, it had a stage and ton of different celestials, some female but most where men wearing trainee guard uniforms. They seemed to be conversing with one another.

Before long, a man with long black hair, a black diamond on his forehead, and wearing a gold and white uniform with white tendrils attached to the back of his clothing, his helmet was on his side, and a dog soon followed. The chatter died down as they noticed him on the stage.

"That's Erlang..." Nezha whispered to Y/n as he pointed to the man on the stage, he then pointed to the dog and again whispered "And that is Xiàotiān quǎn his pet side kick."

After a short moment, Erlang's voice boomed throughout the hall "Greetings!" He started as now everyone looked at him "I have no doubt in my mind that you are all capable of protecting the Jade Emperor." Erlang was looking around the room as he spoke, not speaking for a second as his eyes landed on Nezha, and soon you as he stood beside your mentor.

"Do not think this training will be a walk in the park, it will be draining and brutal. Over the course of a week, once you get a taste of how this will go, and you want to go back o your lives here however comfortable that may be, come to either myself or the Nezha the Third Lotus Prince, and we will honourably send you home. All of you are dismissed." Erlang before he walked off of the stage, the trainee's had left in a matter of minutes and then Erlang and Xiàotiān quǎn came up to you and Nezha.

"Hello Nezha, and I take it you are Y/n, the one Nezha claims to be his successor. I am Erlang Shen." Erlang introduced with a slight bow. "U-Um... Yes I... Am. It's an honour to meet you." They responded also giving him a bow of respect as you seen Xiàotiān quǎn sit down.

"The pleasure is all mine, your mentor told me of your circumstances, and though you being here is particularly allowed, on the count of your mortality, we have agreed that the mortal realm isn't exactly safe for you." Erlang explained, crossing his arms over his chest, "You will be permitted to go down to the mortal realm from time to time." Nezha reassured to make sure you don't panic over not being able to see Yuzi or anyone else Y/n may care about.

"Now, do you mind stepping outside so I can talk to Erlang in private?" Nezha asked, you only nodded and exited the room, most of the trainee guards where standing outside the room. Some looked at you with curiosity. Less wondering if they are allowed to speak to you, it was... Overwhelming to say the least, it made Y/n feel uncomfortable.

It took a minute for one of the trainee guard to walk up and speak to you, breaking some of the uncomfortable feeling you had only slightly.

"Hello, I'm Shu. What about you?" she asked after introducing herself, Y/n let out a small chuckle before replying "Y/n." They responded, with a small smile their face.

×××

"You know that they cannot stay here forever, right?" Erlang asked as he faced Nezha "I mean, I know that they are somewhat known, and respected among the guards, they are still mortal." Erlang stated, it was no secret that Y/n was mortal, and it did surprise Erlang that they had begun to make a name for themselves in the Celestial Realm. Nezha sighed after a second "I know, it's only until I can finish their training with any other... Disruptions" Nezha responded, carefully picking out his words, not wanting to delve deep into the past few days. and after the span of training with him over a few months, he was set back because of the events that had happened.

It was silent for a while, the two gods had rarely spoke since Iron Fan left to pursue her love for the Demon Bull King. It was silent until Nezha spoke again "Look, it's only until it is deemed safe for them to return to the mortal realm, or when I've finished their training and get permission to obtain a peach of immortality..." Nezha's voice was soft, he didn't want to see Y/n in danger like that again, he wanted to make progress with Y/n's power and strength. Erlang to notice to this and responded "Well that's rare of you, caring for a mortal child." Erlang teased with a wide smirk and a light chuckle "Though, I do wonder how the other recruits are going to react..." Erlang expressed his small concern, dropping the teasing grin and returning to his more stoic and serious face.

"We don't need to worry about that for now, besides, we would know if they were not accepted as one of them." Nezha responed with a sigh "I know... Those who get recruited can be brutal with the weaker ones. But, that's the way it is." Erlang said back before whistling at Xiàotiān quǎn to follow him as he walked to the door. Xiàotiān quǎn followed behind him, and Nezha walked beside him as he opened the door

The two and  Xiàotiān quǎn were slightly shocked when they seen most of the recruits seemingly making friendly conversation to Y/n. "Well, this is... Unexpected." Erlang muttered before he and Nezha bother got the others out to the training fields, the other recruits was with Erlang while Nezha stayed with Y/n. He motioned them to follow him. 

Y/n was quick to catch up to Nezha, and walked beside him "So, do I want to know how you got almost half of the guards to like you while I was taking to Erlang?" Nezha asked, raising an eyebrow as he led the way, Y/n simply shrugged "I don't know honestly, ne just came up to me and just started to talk to me." Y/n responded as they followed Nezha. They left the place "Where are we going?" Y/n asked curiously "To my own training grounds." Nezha responded, his face expressed little emotion.

The silence between Nezha and Y/n was uneasy, it was making them over think as they walked together.

 'Was Nezha angry at me? Was he disappointed that I'm reckless? Am I too reckless for his liking? Am I...'

Nezha putting his hand on Y/n's head, bringing them back to reality "Here we are." Nezha said, his voice was softer now. But still had a slight edge to it. Nezha's training grounds didn't look like it was there someone would train, but a place to relax, but there was dummies here and there and other things but... it looked peaceful.

Y/n looked up at Nezha, his hand still on their head. He only glanced at Y/n before looking back in front of him, Y/n did the same, looking on at where they will spend the next stage of their life and as Nezha's successor.

⟪~◈◇◈~⟫