The Untamed - Extended Ending

Old Feelings

During the night, Wei-Ying's mind had drifted off into his time spent alone in the burial mounds. Feeling himself plummeting from the sky, the resentful energy of the Yin Iron coursed through his body as it pulled him towards the mass grave site. Hitting the ground with a thump, Wei Ying's rib cage collapsed on his lungs, knocking the wind out of him. As he laid there momentarily paralyzed from the impact, he could smell the sulfur and the decomposition of human flesh as it permeated his nostrils. Finally getting his bearings, he sat up and cautiously looked around him. Holding his sleeve to his nose, he scanned the general area for a way out. Phantasmic, smokey figures danced in the breeze, calling out his name as they gathered around him. He could hear his black flute, Chenqing, playing, but he could not tell where the sound was coming from.

Apprehensively coming to a standing position, he called out into the darkness, "Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan!" Normally when Wei Ying was in trouble, his hero in white would come in the nick of time to save him, but Lan Zhan did not answer. His stomach began to turn from fear, and he sensed his eyes starting to get watery. Desperately searching into the distance, he wailed, "Lan Zhan! Where are you?" Now, Wei Ying began to quietly weep to himself, "Why aren't you here? Please come." In despair, he fell to his knees, placing his hands on each thigh, and his head hanging low. Hearing the disapproving voices of the sect leaders and of the many people who cursed him over the years, his face began to contort in pain. His shoulders convulsed as he wept. Suddenly, he started to feel nauseous as he fought bile from coming up his throat. Trying to wipe away the moisture that had accumulated on his lips, he looked down at his hand in terror. There was blood. Panicking, he could feel his face turn pale, and his eyes went wild like an animal being hunted down. In a last-ditch attempt, he hopelessly cried out, "Lan Zhan!"

Unexpectedly, Wei Ying felt a force grab him by his shoulders and shake him violently. Crying out, he yelped, "Lan Zhan!" His eyes shot open, and he panted with jagged breaths. It was only a nightmare. Lan Zhan was sitting up in bed beside him with his arms around him. Gradually, Wei Ying felt his heartbeat slow down to its natural rhythm and he slumped into Lan Zhan, closing his eyes in relief. Worriedly, Lan Zhan took a few deep breaths and asked, "Wei-Ying, are you alright?" Snickering at himself, Wei Ying replied, "I am fine, Lan Zhan. Thank you." On the other hand, Lan Zhan experienced a tinge of guilt, contemplating what unspeakable things his friend dreamed about to cause him such anguish. He couldn't help but feel blame, surmising it must have been a time when Wei Ying had been all alone, facing so much diversity. The whole time, Lan Zhan should have been by his side. Wei Ying should not have gone through all of that by himself. It was Lan Zhan's greatest regret. Although he would never abandon his friend again, Lan Zhan couldn't help but beat himself up about the past. It haunted him.

Patting Lan Zhan's hand comfortingly, Wei Ying said, "It's alright, Lan Zhan. I'm fine." Swinging his legs and planting his feet on the floor, Wei Ying lifted himself to standing and gave out a big yawn. Lan Zhan took a moment to reflect on his own thoughts and slid himself off of the bed. "Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying bellowed excitedly. "What are we going to do today?" Blinking a few times, Lan Zhan responded, "You will come with me to the back hills. There is somewhere I want to take you." Enthusiastic at the thoughts of a mini adventure, Wei Ying replied, "Oh great! Where are we going?" Unimpressed, Lan Zhan said, "It is a surprise." "Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying exclaimed, pleased. "A surprise? Ahh, Lan Zhan. Do you have more Emperor's Smile for me? Eh?" as Wei Ying nudged Lan Zhan with his elbow, playfully. Wei Ying was always smiling. It was one of the traits Lan Zhan found fondest in his friend. Giving a half-smirk as a response, Lan Zhan began to move towards the doorway.