WangXian: The Arrangement ✔️ [Untamed Fanfic]

21-The Dragon Rider of Gusu

Wei Ying nodded and sliced the thread in two. Xue Yang took a deep breath, smiled, and faded away.

Inside Wei Ying, the dragon stretched its wings.

"Lan Zhan," Wei Ying whispered. "I need your strength."

>>>>>>>

Lan Wangji felt the sudden pull on his core, just as the alarm went up from the outer watchtower. He staggered backward and let his weight fall against the wall of his brother's room. 

"Lan Wangji!" 

He swallowed hard, accepting his brother's hand as he slid to the floor. His heart contracted as he felt, but didn't know, the danger Wei Ying must be in.

"It's Wen Clan!" Jinling said, barging into the room. "There's an army coming from the north. They're already crossing the Yiling River!"

Lan Xichen glanced down at his brother, then back to Jinling. "Assemble everyone on the training ground except those already on watch. And send a runner to Lotus Pier to alert Jiang Clan."

Jinling nodded, running back the way he'd come.

"Brother," Lan Xichen said. "We need you."

Lan Zhan swallowed and tried to catch his breath. His family and his home were in danger. His soulmate needed him. 

His soulmate had left him. 

He looked up at his brother. "Go," he said. "I'll catch up."

***

Having finally made it back to his room, Lan Zhan staggered to the bedside table and drew out the red string Wei Ying had given him. 

Outside, the air had begun to smell of smoke as the Wen army set fire to villages on its way to Gusu mountain. Fear and anger sounded in the raised voices of the disciples running around outside.

They needed him. Cloud Recesses needed him.

He held the thread between his fingers. It was taking all his remaining energy just to stay upright. Was Wei Ying doing something or was something being done to him?

"What I really want is for someone worthy to love me best, ahead of everyone else."

Remembering Wei Ying's words sent a tear sliding down Lan Zhan's cheek. 

He took the cover off the bedside lantern and held the thread over the flame, watching as it flared and caught fire. 

"I will try to be worthy, Wei Ying," he said as the flame rose toward his fingers. "I trust you. But please hurry."

***

After some time, the pull on his core lessened, and Lan Zhan was able to drag himself outside and, with the help of a passing junior, join his brother atop the wall. He knew dawn had come and gone, but the dust thrown up by the approaching army cast the entire world into a reddish twilight. 

Between them and the dust-smeared the horizon, the slope below Gusu mountain was black with the bodies of soldiers marching under the Wen banner. It beggared the imagination that Wen Rouhan had brought this display of force to Gusu. Much less would be required to erase them from both maps and memory. Neither Lan brother could escape the feeling of hopelessness engendered by the sight below. 

For the first time, Lan Wangji hoped Wei Wuxian didn't come back. No one could survive what was coming for them. His desperate thoughts were cut short by an otherworldly screech.

A visible ripple of hesitation went through the forces below them, and Lan Zhan met his brother's questioning gaze. What could make this army stop in its tracks?