Moonlit Hearts

Chapter 17: Homecoming

Wangji couldn't sleep. He was used to being in Cloud Recesses, where everything was peaceful. But now, in this new place, he felt restless. He didn't have much to do and didn't know where to go. So, he just lay there, unable to relax. The dream realm was his only escape, but now it brought torment. Every time he saw Wei Ying, his heart ached. But just as he reached out to him, Wei Ying would vanish, leaving him alone and longing. Wei Ying's reaction was always the same—he would flee at the sight of him, his face twisted with pain and fear. No matter how Wangji called out to him or reached out a hand in desperation, Wei Ying would vanish into the shadows of the dream realm, leaving Wangji alone with his longing and sorrow. Each encounter left Wangji with a deep ache in his heart, a reminder of the distance between them that seemed impossible to bridge.

Despite the overwhelming urge to reach out to Wei Ying and confront him about their shared past, Wangji knew that it was futile. Each time he tried to approach Wei Ying in the dream realm, the same heartbreaking realization dawned upon him: Wei Ying didn't remember him. Their brief exchange of words during their initial encounter had confirmed this painful truth. Each attempt to approach Wei Ying in the dream realm ended in disappointment, the painful realization sinking in deeper each time.

Wei Ying's absence from home wasn't just a matter of forgetting. It was a profound loss, a rupture in their shared history that left Wangji feeling adrift. Not only did Wei Ying fail to remember A-Yuan or Wangji, but he now seemed to fear Wangji, the very person who had once meant the world to him. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that the memories they had shared had been erased, replaced by a void that seemed impossible to bridge.

Wangji felt a solitary tear trace its path down his cheek, a silent testament to the anguish that weighed heavily on his heart. The fear of failing to bring Wei Ying back home, of breaking his promise to A-Yuan, loomed over him like a dark cloud.

As he struggled with his emotions, a voice cut through the silence, dripping with sarcasm and amusement. Wangji opened his eyes to find Hel, the Mistress of Death, regarding him with a smirk.

"What a sad sight I behold," she remarked, her tone laced with mockery. "Our esteemed God of the Moon, wallowing in despair. Does my humble abode not meet the standards of the illustrious Hanguang Jun?"

Wangji's jaw clenched, his gaze unwavering as he met Hel's taunting expression. Despite the weight of his sorrow, he refused to show weakness in the presence of his adversary.

Hel's voice echoed through the chamber, a haunting melody that reverberated against the stone walls. "there there, don't look at me like that my beloved," she said, her tone dripping with amusement as she settled onto an old desk at the far end of the room. "I am no enemy to you," she laughed, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light. "Will you marry me, Hanguang Jun?" she asked, her words carrying an eerie charm.Hel's laughter echoed through the room, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Wangji's spine. She lounged on the decrepit desk, her gaze fixed on him with unsettling intensity.

"Marry you?" Wangji repeated, his voice steady despite the unease that gnawed at him. "I would sooner embrace death."

Hel's amusement only seemed to grow at his response, her grin widening into a sinister smile. "Ah, the stoic Hanguang Jun," she mused. "So steadfast in your refusal. But remember, even the mightiest gods have their weaknesses."

Wangji remained silent, his resolve unyielding in the face of Hel's taunts. He knew that engaging in a battle of words with her would only serve to fuel her amusement. Instead, he focused on maintaining his composure, knowing that in this realm, defiance was his greatest weapon.

"I wasn't here to marry you anyway. While you may be handsome and powerful, you're still not a man I wish to keep," she suddenly declared, hopping off the desk and taking a seat on the bed next to Wangji.