Changing Fates: The Second Chance [under editing]

Chapter 19: The Final Hour

The night before the final battle, the air in the valley was heavy with anticipation. Fires burned low, casting shadows that danced across the faces of warriors from every corner of the cultivation world. The camps, usually filled with the sound of laughter and camaraderie, were now filled with silence and focused determination. Everyone knew what was at stake.

Wei Wuxian sat on a small hill, overlooking the valley. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, memories, and fears. This battle would be different from any they had fought before—not just because it was the last, but because the stakes had never been higher. It wasn’t just the Wen clan they were up against, but the forces of resentment and chaos that had plagued them for so long. If they failed, everything he had fought for—everything they had all sacrificed—would be lost.

The others had taken his warnings to heart. The remnants of the Wen clan were fractured, and without the full power of the Yin Iron, they were not as strong as they could have been. But Wei Wuxian knew better than to underestimate them. Wen Brothers, Xue Yang, and Meng Yao were still dangerous in their own right, and they had rallied enough loyalists to pose a serious threat.

As he stared out into the night, Wei Wuxian felt a presence beside him. He didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

“Lan Zhan,” he greeted softly.

Lan Wangji sat down beside him, his gaze steady and calm as always. His presence was reassuring, grounding Wei Wuxian when his thoughts threatened to spiral out of control. Lan Wangji, as usual, said nothing at first, but his silence spoke volumes. It was a quiet kind of support, one that Wei Wuxian had come to rely on more than he cared to admit.

“Mhm,” Lan Wangji finally murmured, acknowledging him with a soft sound. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but Wei Wuxian had learned to see past the stoicism. There was warmth there, beneath the surface. It was something that had grown between them, unspoken but undeniable.

For a moment, they sat in silence, watching the valley below. The flickering lights of the camps, the sounds of quiet conversations and the occasional clink of metal—it was all a prelude to the storm that was coming.

“I’m scared,” Wei Wuxian admitted after a while, his voice barely above a whisper. It wasn’t like him to say it out loud, but in this moment, with Lan Wangji beside him, he felt like he could.

Lan Wangji turned to look at him, his gaze softening. “Wei Ying…” His voice was gentle, as if he understood without needing any more words.

“I’ve seen it all before, you know?” Wei Wuxian continued, his eyes distant. “I’ve seen what happens if we don’t stop them. The destruction, the loss… I don’t think I can bear it again.”

Lan Wangji’s hand rested lightly on Wei Wuxian’s arm—a brief, comforting touch that said more than any words could. “You are not alone.”

Wei Wuxian smiled faintly. “No, I suppose I’m not.”

There was a long pause before Lan Wangji spoke again, his voice low. “This time, we will win.”

Wei Wuxian glanced at him, surprised by the rare show of confidence. But Lan Wangji’s face remained as impassive as ever, though his eyes carried a depth of feeling that Wei Wuxian had only recently learned to read. It was a promise—not just to him, but to everyone they were fighting for.

Below them, the valley stirred as the night grew darker. The clans were making their final preparations. Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, leaders of the Jiang clan, were in deep discussion with Nie Mingjue and Jin Zixuan. Even Jin Zixuan, once arrogant and distant, had grown into a formidable leader, driven by his love for Jiang Yanli. She was not with them, of course—fragile and untrained in battle, she had been left behind in Cloud Recesses for her own safety. But her presence still loomed large over their hearts, especially for Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, and Jin Zixuan.

Jiang Cheng approached them then, his face tight with tension. “Wei Wuxian,” he called out, his voice sharp but familiar. “We need you.”

Wei Wuxian stood, giving Lan Wangji a quick glance before turning to his brother. “What’s going on?”

Jiang Cheng’s expression was hard to read, but there was worry in his eyes. “The scouts have returned. Wen Ruohan’s forces are moving. They’ll be here by dawn.”

Wei Wuxian’s heart clenched, but he nodded. “I’ll be right there.”

Jiang Cheng gave him a brief, appraising look before heading back down to where the leaders were gathered. Wei Wuxian watched him go, a mixture of emotions swirling in his chest. He had told Jiang Cheng everything—about the future that might have been, about how he had given up his core to save him. Jiang Cheng had been furious, heartbroken, but in the end, they had reconciled. Now, they fought side by side, bound by a deeper understanding of what they meant to each other.

Lan Wangji rose as well, his expression unreadable. “Wei Ying,” he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper.

Wei Wuxian turned to him, meeting his gaze. “Lan Zhan?”

“You have done enough. We will protect you,” Lan Wangji said, his voice steady. It wasn’t just a promise—it was a declaration.

Wei Wuxian’s breath caught in his throat. For so long, he had carried the burden of protecting everyone else, of sacrificing himself for those he loved. But now, in this moment, Lan Wangji was offering to take that burden from him.

“Lan Zhan…” Wei Wuxian began, but Lan Wangji shook his head, cutting him off.

“We will protect you,” he repeated, his golden eyes unwavering.

Wei Wuxian felt something warm and painful bloom in his chest—a mixture of gratitude and guilt. He didn’t deserve this. Not after everything he had done, everything he had failed to do in his past life.

But he nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. “Alright,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “Let’s go.”

Together, they descended the hill, their steps in sync as they joined the others. The final battle was coming, and the future was uncertain. But this time, they would face it together.

Jin Zixuan was waiting for them, standing beside Jiang Cheng and Nie Mingjue. His eyes flicked to Wei Wuxian, a subtle nod of acknowledgment passing between them. He had grown so much since their first meeting—no longer the arrogant heir, but a man worthy of leading the Jin clan.

"We’re ready," Jin Zixuan said, his voice firm.

Nie Mingjue grunted in agreement. "Wen Ruohan won’t know what hit him."

The clans had come together at last—the Jiang, the Nie, the Lan, the Jin, and others from across the cultivation world. They were united in purpose, their forces stronger than ever before. Wei Wuxian felt a spark of hope ignite in his chest. This time, they had a chance.

"Let’s end this," Wei Wuxian said, his voice steady as he looked out at the gathered forces.

The night stretched on, dark and heavy with the promise of battle. But for the first time in a long time, Wei Wuxian didn’t feel alone.