4.13 Imaginary friend

Xuval and Shu XinYi walked through the moonlit forest side by side. Shu XinYi was out for a hunt but it turned into a leisurely walk. Xuval opened "I haven't felt this peaceful for a long, long time."

Shu XinYi kept walking straight ahead as he said, "I am glad I met you."

Xuval plucked a purple rose from a nearby tree "Isn't it beautiful?" Xuval placed it on Shu XinYi's ear saying, "Yes. Indeed Beautiful." answering his question himself.

Shu XinYi smiled and kept walking forward. Xuval plucked an other flower. Blue, this time. He said "Isn't it beautiful?" Shu XinYi smiled and replied "Yes it is." Xuval picked out an autumn leaf this time saying "Isn't it beautiful?" Shu XinYi gave it a look and kept walking forward as he said "Yes it is."

Xuval threw the blue flower and the leaf away saying, "I like you. XinYi. I like you a lot. I love you. I can't even comprehend it. Just that, with you everything feels beautiful, worth living for."

Shu XinYi finally paused in his steps and faced Xuval. He interlocked his fingers with Xuval's and said "Then don't try to comprehend it. Just keep loving me." Shu XinYi was strongly embraced by Xuval. Xuval said in a low voice "XinYi, You are soo.." Xuval tried to form a sentence to describe his feelings, but he couldn't.

Shu XinYi returned his embrace saying "I know." They held each other under the spilling rays of the white moonlight.

After 10 minutes of silently lying in each other's embrace, Shu XinYi finally spoke in a spoiled tone "I am hungry." Xuval reluctantly parted saying "Okay. I'll cook."

Shu XinYi replied in a matter of factly tone "Obviously. Who else?" Xuval didn't reply but instead got to work. From hunting to gathering the spices and fruits, all was done in 10 minutes. They returned back to the cave, but they didn't enter. Shu XinYi wanted to be alone with his amnesiac husband for longer, so they camped near the cave.

Xuval lit up a fire and got to work. Shu XinYi was sitting on a branch, on a nearby tree. Xuval said as he worked "I might have an idea why Shira wants to kill me."

Even though they were sitting apart, they could hear each other clearly. Shu XinYi asked with curiosity "Why?"

"At that time, I had just come to Sivaal." Xuval was ofcourse talking about when he "killed" Shira by pushing her into the ditch. It was around the time he had just arrived here.

Xuval continued "When I faced her, Shira kept shouting profanities and she had said "No, You shouldn't exist. You have to die. I can't go to that hell for any longer." At that time I didn't understand what she meant. But after hearing your dream and from what you said, I considered all the facts. Shira is forced to hold up the planet, for months or years at times. She has long intervals in between though, where she is free of the burden. When I came to this planet, I think my power over weighed on the constitution of this planet. Forcing Shira to constantly hold up the planet."

Shu XinYi could also guess this reason, saying "So your guess is that, Your power forced her to hold the planet constantly. And if you die, then she won't have to hold up the a whole planet. Constantly atleast? Makes sense."

Shu XinYi thought for some time, "Oh.. So you didn't "open up the f*cking ground" like Eclipse had said." Shu XinYi said air quoting.

Xuval roled his eyes saying "No, I didn't open the f*cking ground. The ground opened up itself, taking Shira away to hold up the planet. I did push her in though, She was trying to take me down with her so I had to do it."

Shu XinYi jumped of the tree and sat crossed legged on a stone nearby the fire. He said "Shira would have fallen regardless. There are still 2 questions I have. Why is Shira forced to hold up the planet? And why does Eclipse not know that his wife is Shira?"

Xuval said while showing off his culinary skills "The answer for the second question is an easy guess. Whoever or whatever is making Shira hold up the planet, requires from her to keep her role/identity a secret. I don't know the answer for the first question. Ask your imaginary friend. It seems to know a lot."

Shu XinYi asked in confusion "Huh? My Imaginary friend?"

It was Snow who replied while Xuval silently cooked "It's me. Master, I am the Imaginary friend."

Shu XinYi said disbelieving "No way."

Both Xuval and Snow said in sync "Yes way."

Shu XinYi said in an irritated tone "It is not my "imaginary friend" You can hear it too, how can it be my imagination? It is a S- mmph-" Shu XinYi's talkative mouth was blocked by Xuval.

Xuval said after breaking apart from a red and panting Shu XinYi, "Don't say it. Whatever you are about to say. I feel like you shouldn't say it." Shu XinYi realised his mistake and shut up. He silently asked Snow the answer for his first question to which Snow replied "I don't know, Master. There is no information about why Shira was forced to hold up the planet."

Shu XinYi said out loud "My imaginary friend doesn't know sh*t."

Xuval chuckled softly saying "It's okay. Some questions are better left unanswered. The food will be ready in a while. Go call your friends."

Shu XinYi stood up and walked towards the sitting Xuval and raised his chin up to kiss him deeply. "I am hungry alright." Shu XinYi said looking at the pheonix eyes. Xuval rubbed Shu XinYi's ear saying "You can have as much dessert as you want later. But eat the main course first. Go call them."

Shu XinYi lightly bumped his forehead with Xuval's, whispering in his ear "I love you." Then he pecked Xuval's ear and obediently went to call his friends. Xuval didn't move from this position for a whole minute. XinYi was really.. really... everything. He's my everything, Xuval thought.

Shu XinYi called the three from inside the cave. "Boss? Did you hire a professional cook? I can't wait to eat." Ariya said excitedly, smelling the air.

Shu XinYi calmly replied "It's my pet. He can multitask."

Mira said suspiciously, "Xiao B can cook this well? What exactly is he boss? I have never seen a beast like that."

Shu XinYi kept walking as he replied "I trust him. That's all you need to know." Mira didn't question any longer, it was as boss said, if boss trusted him then that's all she needs to know.

Shu XinYi missed this food a lot. He didn't have the heart to share it with even his friends. But Shu XinYi just silently ate his share. Xuval looked at the little bunny stuffing his face with food, his cheeks red, his eyes satisfied. Xuval was now seriously regretting not having dessert first.

After eating, all of them sat around the fire sharing stories about their past. They were not sad stories. Just random instances that made them question life.

Once all of them had talked enough, they just sat around the crackling fire, being in each other's company. Shu XinYi broke the silence as he took out 2 vials from his space, "This is a healing potion known as Aqua lin. It-" Shu XinYi wanted to explain how the potion would heal them when Mira cut in "B-boss. We can't take this."

Ariya was not as reserved as she joined in "Boss, is this really that potion? Did you make it for us?" It seemed that Mira and Ariya knew what this potion was capable of doing.

Shu XinYi replied "Yes, I did make it for you. It's ok. It's a small return for your help."

Mira said "Boss, it's you who has been helping us all this while. How can we-"

Shu XinYi said "If you want to thank me, then just accept this without any reservations. I made it for you. It is useless to me." Shu XinYi kept the vials down on the ground then said standing up "I'll be heading in first. Rest for this moon, we will be busy after today."

Shu XinYi walked inside the cave and obviously, Xuval followed behind him. Ariya picked up the 2 vials without any pretense and said, "It will take a while for the potion to take effect. Let's take it now and sleep under the open sky." Ariya offered a vial to Mira. Mira took it and asked in a daze "Why? Why did boss help us like this? He has no reason to. I don't understand."

Ariya thought of it and replied, "Sceptor considers us friends. You don't have to have a reason to help your own."

Mira never had an actually friend in her life so she found it difficult to understand. Ariya meanwhile said to Hector "It's better if you don't go inside the cave right now. Xiao B might just punch you if we interrupt them again."

Hector nodded in understanding, saying "It's ok, I'll just stay here. You don't have to worry about me, Just be careful."

Mira and Ariya headed out towards the open woods, finding a safe space take the potion.

------x------

Inside the cave Shu XinYi was resting on Xuval's lap as he evaluated somethings, writing it down on his notebook. The cave was large enough for them to sit at a comfortable distance, but both of them were only comfortable sitting together.

"Once the beast tide and Luxin's raid engage in a battle, we'll head towards the cave. Although the oracle did say that you need to be killed for the key, obviously that should not be the case." Shu XinYi said pointing to the cave's location on the map.

Xuval held his hands from behind and positioned it towards the actual peak of the northern mountain saying "Here. Directly below this is where Shira is. The cave mine should be nearby. but what then?"

Shu XinYi interlocked his fingers with Xuval saying "We'll improvise. In any case, we should remain vigilant. Do you think Eclipse and Shira really love each other?"

Xuval honestly replied "I don't know."

Shu XinYi put the maps and notebook aside, resting his head back on Xuval's chest. He softly yawned saying "hmm. I guess it doesn't matter. Let's see what happens."

Xuval wrapped his arms around Shu XinYi and softly nibbled on his ears. Shu XinYi complained "I am sleepy." Xuval asked with some hope "You just ate. Shouldn't you exercise?" Shu XinYi did want some dessert but he really was sleepy right now. When Xuval first transformed, Shu XinYi had first hand experienced the preservence of a beast. Now if they did it, Shu XinYi won't be able to last long.

Shu XinYi just closed his eyes and said "Not now. Let me rest. Stay like this." Xuval didn't say anything more and just made himself a comfortable bed for his bunny. Shu XinYi was very soon in dreamland.

Only when the White moon had reached it's seams and began to set, Xuval woke up Shu XinYi and said to a very sleepy Shu XinYi "Still sleepy? Want me to carry you?"

Shu XinYi was moody as he asked "Time?"

Xuval answered "Half the day has passed, the moon is at it's seams. It's an optimal time to travel. The north is far away. Your friends can head out later too, but we should leave for the northern peak now. I will call my kind to the southern cave, once the Golden moon rises. Tell your friends to reach the southern cave by then."

Shu XinYi was still clinging to Xuval's warm chest, saying "Then we should head out." Even though Shu XinYi said this, he was still resting on Xuval, breathing softly. After only 20 minutes did Shu XinYi finally get up. "I wanna shower." Shu XinYi said as he stood up.

Xuval too stood up, saying "Let's go then. There is a stream nearby."

Both of them headed to bath. Shu XinYi quickly washed himself, since the water was cold. After that they went to find Hector and party.

Shu XinYi found Hector near the cave, sleeping next to a fire. Shu XinYi woke him up and offered him some water asking "Where is Mira?"

Hector took a sip and replied "They should be nearby. They said they would be back in a few hours."

Shu XinYi wore the extra clothing Xuval made him wear and asked Hector "Why didn't you sleep inside the cave? It would've been wamer."

Hector coughed "Ahem. I uh didn't want to disturb you."

Shu XinYi oh'ed saying "That.. anyway. You hungry?"

Hector nodded saying "Yes. Xiao B, you told me to make contact with other planets. I would need some equipment for that. Don't worry though, I won't disturb you for this. I just need Mira and Ariya's help. I don't need a lot of things. And with the maps and everything I know where to find things. So if you could help me ask them."

Shu XinYi was about to refuse when he heard a soft voice speak "Why not ask us directly? We don't bite." It was Ariya who had joined them, along with Mira.

Both of them had got their original forms back. Mira's wings were now sapphire blue and the energy around her had become more concentrated. The same could be felt around Ariya, whose wings were now pure black. Shu XinYi smiled as he waved to them, saying "I am cooking. You hungry?"

Ariya came at Shu XinYi's side, saying with matching enthusiasm "Yes boss. Let's eat some real food."

Mira took a notebook from Sceptor's bag and gave it to Hector saying "Write down a list of everything you need. We'll look for them together."

Hector politely replied "Thankyou. I won't forget this."

Xuval obviously helped Shu XinYi to cook some dishes. Shu XinYi rested for a while as the meal cooked. Shu XinYi looked at Xuval who was changing the temperature of the fire from time to time making sure that the meat is cooked well. Ariya was asking an endless trail of questions from Xuval about cooking. Xuval answered all the questions, showing her ways she can cook well in this environment, what ingredients she could use. Ariya listed everything down in her notebook, listening to him diligently.

Mira was sitting beside Hector, who was telling her about why he would need all those materials. The conversation led to them talking about their past lives, about what they used to do back on their planets.

Shu XinYi breathed in the subtly cool breeze, carrying the delicious smell of the meal. Shu XinYi didn't want this moment to end. He didn't know if he had a family in the real world, but this was nothing less.

Obviously every moment comes to pass. After having a fulfilling lunch, Shu XinYi said goodbye to Mira and party. He had already explained them about when they should go the southern cave, and other important things. Who knows if this would be their last time meeting each other. This moment of parting was not an emotional one, but moreso an anticipated one. Since all of them had been waiting for something to happen, a chance to fight. A reason to justify their existence. An end to the aimless wandering.

Shu XinYi left right after, with Xuval. They had to travel on foot so they had to start early. "How have you been?" Shu XinYi asked thinking about the life span of more then 500 years that Xuval had spent.

Xuval replied after a long pause "I don't know. It seems insignifant to remember the time that was before you. I don't want it to be a part of my life." Xuval softly sighed saying "But I can't change that. I did live for all that time. I fought wars and battles. I lost somethings. I may have gotten somethings in return too. In the end, I think all that matters to me the most is meeting you."

Shu XinYi held Xuval's hand as they continued to walk on the gradually steeping paths. The temperature got colder as they walked ahead. The change was apparent. The exposed skin on Shu XinYi's hands and face had tinged red. Shu XinYi said in a small voice, "You really are hopeless."

Xuval used his methods to warm Shu XinYi through their joined hands saying, "Mhm. Can't do much about it now."

Shu XinYi chuckled and walked ahead. He didn't notice the subtle nervousness on Xuval's face. There is no reason for this man to stay with me. Once I have helped him save the humans, we won't have a journey to share. Why is it that I can't hold him forever? Why is it only me, hopelessly in love.

Xuval felt weak. Never in his life did he ever feel weak, helpless.

Shu XinYi asked out of nowhere "Why did you save me?"

Xuval made a confused face, it was this man who had saved him.

Shu XinYi asked again "You could've escaped after you injured me. You chose to heal me. That was the reason you weakened even more, turning into Xiao B. If you had walked away the-"

Thud! Shu XinYi was walking without looking back. Their conjoined hands were the only indication that Xuval was beside him. Shu XinYi heard something fall, and his hand lost the grip of the other hand he was holding. Shu XinYi anxiously looked back to find Xuval sitting on his knees. Even though this was Xuval's most powerful form, right now he looked so weak and fragile. Breakable with just a word.