The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 13 - Drowning in Sadness

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The next day Wangji finds a pacing Wuxian outside their chambers. He barely slept from the prospect of going through the Soul Empathy. Wangji stepped in front of him and grabbed his shoulders to stop the pacing: "Wei Ying, concentrate."

Wuxian closes his eyes and regulates his breathing. After a few seconds, he looks as Wangji: "What if he doesn't like what he sees and kicks me out?"

Wangji: "Then we leave together."

Wuxian frowns: "I don't want you to leave you home."

Wangji smiles: ".. you are my home."

Wuxian lets out a frustrated sigh and rolls his eyes: "Lan Zhan! Don't smile! I'm one breath away from running away and taking the bunnies with me!"

Wangji just steps closer and rests his forehead on his: "No harm will come to you. All is well."

A disciple passes by and informs them that the grandmaster requests their presence in the Frost Room. Wangji ends up dragging a hesitant Wuxian.

The tension in the room was so thick that Wuxian wouldn't dare look up from staring at his feet. After Zewu Jun declares that he will be the one guiding his uncle during the Soul Empathy, he instructs Wuxian to take a seat in front of an impassive looking Qiren.

Qiren: "I don't see the point in this, but for the sake of my nephew's life this is a small price to pay." The grandmaster puts up his hands. Wuxian glances at Wangji one last time and receives an encouraging nod. He swallows hard then places his shaking hands on Qiren's.

Wangji and Zewu Jun both sat next to both men and waited. A few minutes in, Wuxian started to cry silently. A few minutes after that, the grandmaster started to shed tears as well.

The brothers observing them started to get worried. Quarter to an hour later, they noticed that Wuxian stopped breathing, the pain was so great he couldn't bear it. Zewu Jun started to play his flute to break the trance. The panic in Wangji's eyes was soul crushing: "Wei Ying! Breathe!"

Wuxian started to turn blue, Wangji yelled: "BROTHER DO SOMETHING!"

Zewu Jun played his flute faster, louder, begging his uncle to snap out of it. Suddenly, Qiren lets go of Wuxian and openly sobs. Wuxian Inhales loudly and passes out.

Wangji catches him and checks his breathing and pulse: "Brother! Something is wrong."

Zewu Jun rushes over and places his hand on Wuxian's chest and can feel his labored breathing and weakened heartbeat. He picks him up and places him on the nearby bed and yells for Wangji to go fetch the healer. Wangji rushes out of the room and Zewu Jun spares his uncle a glance: "Uncle, are you well?"

Qiren shakes his head and continues to sob in silence.

The healer shows up, half dressed in his hurry. Wangji is standing on the side with a death grip on his sword. Zewu Jun moves to give the healer some space and checks on his uncle: "Uncle, what happened?"

Qiren opens his tearful eyes and sees how angry Wangji is, standing next to Wuxian: ".. the pain." He continues to sob: "How does one withstand such hardship and still have enough heart to love another?"

Zewu Jun calls on some disciples to take his emotional uncle to rest. The healer starts to share some of his spiritual energy to help stabilize Wuxian. Both brothers stand next to the bed, waiting for the healer to finish.

Zewu Jun: "Wangji, calm your thoughts. When he regains consciousness, he needs to see you at peace."

Wangji glares at his brother: "Nothing about this is calming."

Zewu Jun sighs and shakes his head.

The healer finishes his treatment and looks back at the brothers: "The young master is in great emotional distress. It's so traumatic that it's affecting his body. May I ask what caused such a reaction?"

Zewu Jun: "Soul Empathy."

The healer nods and continues his assessment: "I will prepare sleeping draughts and prescribe medicine to assist his physical and spiritual recovery. You need to keep him calm for the herbs to take effect. Make sure he's in a comfortable and safe space. Physical touch like holding his hand can also ground him. I will pass by every 5 hours to check his progress."

With a bow, the healer leaves to fetch the medicine. Wangji steps up to the bed and carries Wuxian back to the Quiet Room. Zewu Jun follows. After Wuxian is settled, Wangji turns his angry eyes at his brother: "I promised him that all is well."

Zewu Jun sighs: "No one could've predicted such a traumatic reaction."

Wangji closes his eyes: "I have failed to protect him again."

Zewu Jun pats his brother's shoulder: "Changing fate is not easy. The deed is hopefully done and all we have left is to heal."

With that, Zewu Jun takes his leave but promises to return after checking on their uncle.

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