Chapter 61

"I can't believe you said no to him." Ning Huo laughed, stepping out of the shrine. Practically everyone was gone, only a couple of Nobles surrounding the area. Hsien Lian laughed quietly. "I think I'll stay as a Melee God for now. Besides, I told her I'll think about it. Just, I wanna focus on myself for a bit." Hsien Lian smiled.

Tao Wu had said the Chao Ju was going to be taken to a place where not even light can reach him. Where that was, Hsien Lian didn't know. But at least he knew why it was done. Chao Ju wanted to be the king. But Tao Wu and Jing Mei were both blocking him from doing that, so he decided to frame them. It was a circumstance of someone becoming power hungry. However, Hsien Lian believes that Chao Ju at first had good intentions, but eating people's souls taints someone's heart. Maybe it just tainted Chao Ju's.

"Well, what are you going to do? Stay in Heaven?" Ning Huo asked, looking over Hsien Lian. The young prince sighs, nodding. "I want to. I haven't explored it. In all, I have barely lived in Heaven for a year. I have been in the Human Realm with you for most of my life. So, I think I'm going to." Hsien Lian answers. Ning Huo softly smiles. Hsien Lian could see right through it.

"You're not going to go with me, are you?" Hsien Lian asked, looking up at Ning Huo. He didn't know exactly where the other was going. He didn't know where Ning Huo was, but he always thought that Ning Huo would end up by his side. Maybe that wasn't meant to happen, though. "I can't. I'm banned from Heaven. But I don't think I was really meant for the Heavenly Deities anyways. That god stuff is not really my thing." Ning Huo laughed.

Hsien Lian slowly nodded. "So, Ge ge-" Ning Huo shoved in slightly, Hsien Lian losing his step for a moment before regaining his balance "Rude. I thought you said I could call you that." Hsien Lian smiled, laughing along with Ning Huo. The Ghost King shook his head. "Call me whatever you want. I just wanted to push you." Ning Huo laughed. Hsien Lian looked around at the beautiful green forest that surrounded them.

Hsien Lian couldn't tell you where he was, or where he was going. But that didn't really matter to him. "What about XingYing?" Hsien Lian asked. Ning Huo smiles softly, his eyes glowing a bright red. But not from anger, instead from happiness. "I like that."

XingYing. The name Hsien Lian was given such a long time ago. XingYing had said he preferred that name over Ning Huo. And slowly, Hsien Lian started to understand why. Ning Huo was a name given to him by those that hated him. Hsien Lian gave it a pure name. XingYing would always be the better choice.

"You remember?" XingYing asks, the forest-y lands becoming hilly meadows. The difference between the two was intriguing. Hsien Lian grinned softly, the small veil over his nose covering it mostly. "Yes, I do now." Hsien Lian answered. XingYing frowned. "So you did forget me." XingYing whispered. Hsien Lian didn't know what to say at first, but soon he nodded. "I wish I didn't." Hsien Lian mumbled. XingYing smiles, patting Hsien Lian's head. "It's ok, Ge ge."

"So," Hsien Lian starts, stepping over different puddles that seem to last forever. If only this moment could last forever. "XingYing, what will you do now that I will be gone?" XingYing thinks for a moment. "What will I do? Take care of my lavender farm. Maybe send some to you one day." XingYing shrugs. Hsien Lian looked down at his hand, seeing the bandage.

"Your hand, is it healed?" Hsien Lian asked, stepping in front of XingYing to grab it. XingYing allowed him to, Hsien Lian inspecting the cut. It was bandaged, the white bandage stained with blood. "Is it healed?" Hsien Lian questioned again, glancing up at XingYing before back down at the wound. XingYing shook his hand. "It stopped hurting when you held it right now." XingYing answers.

Hsien Lian rolls his eyes at the cheesy remark, going to pull off the bandage. He was slow, un winding his hand, until the bandage came off with ease. And there stood, a scar on the wound. The scar was slowly fading into nothing. Hsien Lian continued to hold his hand, allowing the bandage to fall to the soft grass.

"See, I wasn't lying. You healed me." XingYing smiled. Hsien Lian smiled, rubbing his thumb lightly on the scar. As he swiped, the scar seemed to disappear. Hsien Lian froze, making sure not to touch his hand. "I healed you?" Hsien Lian asked. It sounded like a question, but it seemed XingYing didn't take it that way. His hands didn't glow blue, neither did his eyes. A soft breeze did not engulf them, neither did stillness. Hsien Lian let go of his hand.

Slowly, the sun began to rise. Oranges and pinks flooding the skies. "I think it's time for me to go." XingYing says, walking forwards slightly. Hsien Lian frowns but nods. "You're right for once." Hsien Lian jokes. It might be the last joke either of them here from each other. Ever. Hsien Lian didn't think about that though. They continued to hold hands until they couldn't anymore. Until their two lives pulled them apart once more.

"Thank you, XingYing. For everything." Hsien Lian whispered softly and XingYing smiled, wrapping his hands behind his back. "Thank you, Hsien Lian. For everything." XingYing repeated. "I hope you do become The Prince. I have a feeling you will do a lot for the world." XingYing adds. Hsien Lian shrugs gently. "I'll do it, just for you. But you have to promise me that when I Look for you, you'll be right there." XingYing smiles gently.

"I promise."