Solstice Souls: Solstice Sons (Book 3)

The Final Battle

Wei Ying POV

The moment Wen Rouhan strikes Lan Zhan with a bolt of resentful energy, Wei Ying's world tilts on its axis. All the rage, hatred, and thirst for blood residing in his own dark energy explodes with a hunger only Wen Rouhan's death will satisfy. Its tendrils fly around them in infinite circles, curling around his and Lan Zhan's bodies, deflecting the remaining wisps of the Wen Clan leader's demonic energy burst.

When the second attack comes, Wei Ying realizes they have no chance in hell of getting close enough to run their swords through Wen Rouhan's black heart. The bastard's speed is supernatural, his power magnified a hundred times over. However, the man's ego is still as arrogant as before. And Wei Ying is very good at taking advantage of a man who thinks he's better than everyone else.

There's no time to warn Lan Zhan about his plan. They're being watched too closely. Wei Ying feels the apprehension and fear surging within his husband as he makes his way towards their enemy but he can't hesitate to look back and comfort his jade. He gathers as much resentful energy around him as he can, a cloak ready to become a shield if necessary.

His window of opportunity is brief but Wei Ying acts with the speed of a striking viper and slices through Wen Rouhan's exposed neck. Blood flows from the clan leader's severed artery like the rush of melting mountain snow on spring's first warm day. At first, Wei Ying can't believe he's actually succeeded, that Suibian found its mark. Adrenaline floods his body.

He sees Wen Rouhan talking to him, his blood painted lips forming words. Yet it's as if some strange silencing spell has been cast upon the Wen leader. The only thing Wei Ying can hear is his mother cheering for him along with his father. There are other voices also celebrating his act of courage but the pounding in his chest drowns them out. His heart's urgent beat quickens, its steady rhythm faltering.

It's trying to tell him something his mind doesn't want to hear.

Something's not right.

Lan Zhan's footsteps behind him are swift. Wei Ying sees his name on his husband's lips but never hears his lover's voice. With indescribable horror, he watches the Wen Clan leader slough off his human shell and emerge as a creature of pure resentment. A thousand summer storms flash violently within the ominous form taking shape in front of him. It towers over him, its power dwarfing everything else in the room.

Wei Ying's own resentful energy feels pitiful standing in front of this beast made of pure evil. Never before has he felt so weak when facing an enemy. He barely evades the oncoming lethal tendril of energy headed for his chest, Bichen's blue glare the only thing between him and certain death.

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees their families and friends still fighting for their lives against the giant humanoid monstrosities created by Wen Rouhan. Their offense has suddenly become a hopeless defense. Realizing that he's going to have to use their secret weapon sooner than he had planned on, Wei Ying removes the Yin Hufu from his inner chest pocket.

As the Yin Hufu boldly faces the creature like an ant daring an elephant to step on it, Wei Ying's confidence grows. He feels Lan Zhan's hand wrap around his, their fingers slotting together with a fragile hope. The press of their palms against each other steady his legs. Wei YIng draws strength from this skin to skin union that has always brought him peace and a sense of security.

There's a moment where Wei Ying believes they have a chance. A chance to win. A chance to walk out of here alive. However, when the Yin Hufu turns to him with apologetic eyes, Wei Ying understands just how naive he's been. He watches helplessly as the being who had called them friend merges with the gigantic creature of dark energy in front of them. He wants to scream but he has no voice. He's frozen in fear.