INARTICULATION (MLM/MxM/M4M ORIGINAL)

19: Starry Eyes

A person's eyes can carry a painting of the universe in its appearance. However, this man seemed to carry the universe's weight in his own two arms.

MEMENTO MORI

Xun Jie glanced up at the wall behind Heng'e as it began to change its shape and color as she fell to her knees. It began to swallow the room from every corner of its dark self, and Heng'e did nothing to stop it from spreading.

Xun Jie reached out to grab her before the darkness swallowed her. She didn't like this and began reaching and clawing at Xun Jie's arm as he dragged her behind him and ran.

Wen Jingyi had his hand in Xun Jie's as he ran. The current situation was dire, and in the blink of an eye, he had been swept up into Xun Jie's hold as he continued to run.

Behind him, Wen Jingyi watched as the manor's interior was gradually swallowed by the dark nothingness. After looking hard enough, he saw that this darkness had been those holes in the world created by shifting demons.

They were gateways to other realities.

When he looked down, he saw how Heng'e had still been full of life and vigor, reaching out helplessly with her sharp and monstrous nails even as her neck had been pouring blood unceasingly.

Even if one of them had fallen into that dark void, how would the other manage Heng'e? It would be like the final battle all over again if she isn't taken care of properly.

Wen Jingyi looked closer at her face. More specifically, at her glass eye. The large crack in it had been a result of such an event. Every time the phantom light within so much as flickered, the corners of the emptiness behind would jolt.

As they reached the final set of steps, the entrance to Bing Chuan Manor was visible, but the void was closing in.

Xun Jie gritted his teeth. Wen Jingyi, feeling the urgency and pressure, tightened his grip on Xun Jie.

Just as they burst through the entrance, the void surged forward, swallowing the manor entirely. The once beautiful estate was now lost in the abyss, and the trio found themselves in the cold night air, remaining still as Xun Jie was gasping for breath.

Heng'e, however, showed no signs of relief. Instead, she resumed her struggle, fueled by a growing resentment. Her eyes glowed with a malevolent light as she unleashed a blast of demonic energy from her palm, aiming it directly at Wen Jingyi.

The energy struck another, and the force of it warped a part of Xun Jie's arm which blocked the blow, and he quickly threw her meters away. The skin of the hand he held her with had turned dark, resembling the void that chased them just a moment ago. Heng'e cackled even as her face was buried in the snow, her twisted joy evident as she reveled in causing pain.

Xun Jie only winced at the pain and held his ground. Wen Jingyi, infuriated, jumped out of Xun Jie's arms and stepped forward. He knew he couldn't do much in this situation but shielding him from another attack was all he could think of doing.

The demon sneered, her hatred pouring out in twisted and slurred words.

"Humans and demons can never coexist in harmony. You think you've changed him, made him weak with your pitiful emotions. But in the end, he's just a pawn in my world. I'll make sure he suffers for choosing you."

Heng'e's malicious laughter echoed in the cold winter air as Xun Jie glared at her with seething anger. The demonic energy coursing through him intensified, responding to the tumultuous emotions swirling within him.

"You know nothing," Xun Jie spat, his voice laced with venom. "You're blinded by your own bitterness, unable to comprehend anything vaguely relating to humanity. I won't let you spread your darkness any further."