Moonlit Hearts

Chapiter 76: New Beginning?

The next morning, the palace was hushed, as though even the air itself waited. Vali led them to a great chamber carved from pale stone, its floor inscribed with concentric circles of runes and sigils. At the center, the vessel stood — a figure wrought from metal and jade, its shape carefully measured to hold a soul.

Wei Ying's eyes swept over the markings, recognition flickering in his gaze. "These are stabilizing seals," he muttered, stepping closer. "But woven with... blood-forging? That's dangerous work."

Vali inclined his head. "It was the only way to bind spirit to form. Soul alone cannot cling to dead matter. But with runes to anchor and blood to ignite, the vessel will draw Xuanyu forth, body and breath alike."

Wei Ying exhaled, half in awe, half in wariness. "Not simple alchemy, then. A gamble."

"A gamble worth taking," Vali said, voice steady.

Wangji stood at the edge of the circle, his gaze unwavering on the vessel. "What must be done?"

Vali gestured toward the markings. "You will stand in the center. Xuanyu's spirit will respond to the vessel once the invocation begins. But it will take strength from both of you — one to let go, the other to step forward." His eyes softened as they landed on Wangji. "It will hurt. Separation always does."

Inside, Xuanyu stirred, restless. I'm ready. I think I'm ready.

Wei Ying turned to him, voice lower. "Lan Zhan, if at any point it feels wrong—"

"I will stop it," Wangji finished for him.

Wei Ying's mouth quirked faintly, though his eyes betrayed his worry. "Good. Just remember you don't have to do this alone." He touched Wangji's sleeve, brief but grounding.

Vali moved into place, raising his hands. "Then let us begin."

The runes bled light into the chamber, crawling brighter with every heartbeat until the whole circle pulsed like a living thing. The hum deepened, vibrating through the floor, through bone.

Wangji stepped into the center, and the vessel shone in answer. At once, a pull gripped him, sharp and insistent, as though invisible hands tried to tear something out from the marrow of his being. His jaw tightened, but he did not move.

Inside him, Xuanyu recoiled. It's—too strong. I can't—

Wangji steadied himself against the force. Do not resist. The vessel is calling you. Follow it.

But Xuanyu's voice shook, brittle with centuries of fear. What if it fails? What if I scatter and there's nothing left? I've only just—just begun to live again, and if it breaks, I'll vanish. I'll be gone.

Wangji's body trembled once under the strain, breath thinning. Wei Ying, alarmed, stepped forward until his toes touched the edge of the circle. "Lan Zhan—what's happening?"

Wangji forced the words through clenched teeth. "Xuanyu... afraid."

Wei Ying's gaze sharpened, and he crouched low, close to the light though he dared not step inside. "Xuanyu," he said, clear and firm, as though calling to someone standing before him instead of hidden in Wangji's mind. "Listen to me. You won't disappear. You've held on this long, you've fought this long — you won't break now. Not when you have this chance."

The pull surged again, violent enough that Wangji's knees threatened to buckle. Sweat beaded at his temple. The air grew hot, the vessel's glow too bright to look at directly.

Xuanyu's voice was a cry inside him. It hurts! It feels like I'm being torn apart!

Wangji answered through the pain, steady as ever. I will not let you go alone. Follow me. Step forward.