Chapter 5: Shadows of the Past

As Rye Kai opened her eyes, she was welcomed by a man's deep voice, "You're awake?" The voice was soothing, almost deceptively so, as if it were designed to lull her into a false sense of security.

Slowly sitting up, Rye Kai's vision began to clear, and she saw the man in front of her. Cold sweat ran down her spine as recognition dawned. It was Lie Yan Shen, the villain she had been wary of the most. His presence was commanding and fearful, a dark aura enveloping him like a shroud. He sat in a chair beside the bed where she lay, his cold eyes fixed on her as if calculating every possible way to eliminate her.

How did she end up here, in front of him? And more importantly, how was he able to see her? These questions spun in her mind as she struggled to remember how she ended up in such a precarious situation.

One Day Ago, After Thirty-Two Years Later…

On a snowy mountain, Rye Kai and Ai Ran, as always, watched over Lie Yan Shen. He had grown into the formidable villain they had anticipated, his ambitions now inching closer to fruition. Yet, despite his ruthless nature, he had not yet fully embraced the power of the demon dragon.

"After this meeting, the plot will truly begin, Ran," Rye Kai whispered, her gaze fixed on the scene below. Both Rye Kai and Ai Ran cloaked in magic, remained invisible as they observed the ongoing meeting.

Lie Yan Shen's right-hand man, a tall and imposing figure dressed entirely in black, stood behind his master, ever vigilant. His hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, a scar running across the left side of his lips, giving him a perpetually stern expression. His sword hung at his side, with daggers strapped to his belt, a clear indication of his readiness for battle at any moment. The aura he exuded was nearly as powerful as Yan Shen's, making even the Marquis's guards wary of making any sudden moves.

Today, they had come to meet the Marque of Fu, an ally in their plan to overthrow the Duke of Yan. This plan had taken years in the making, and today marked the final step in setting their scheme in motion.

Lie Yan Shen and the Marque of Fu sat across from each other at a rough-hewn stone table, illuminated only by flickering torches on the cavern walls. The sound of dripping water and the occasional echo of distant rumblings filled the silence as they began their critical meeting.

"The time has come to finalize our plans for the takeover of the Duke of Yan," the Marque said, leaning forward with an air of seriousness. "We must ensure every detail is perfect."

Lie Yan Shen's gaze was cold and calculating as he regarded the Marque. "Indeed. I have already secured the necessary resources and have my men ready for the operation. What about your end? Are the alliances secure?"

"Everything is in place," the Marque assured him, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the stone table. "Our alliance will be unbreakable once we proceed. But we must move carefully. The Duke of Yan is not to be underestimated. His guards are well-trained, and his inner circle is loyal."

Lie Yan Shen nodded thoughtfully, his expression unwavering. "I trust you've covered every possible angle. Any unexpected move could jeopardize the entire operation."

As the two continued their intense discussion, Rye Kai and Ai Ran, cloaked in their invisibility spells, took their seats on the empty stone chairs beside the table. Rye Kai, ever the mischief-maker, could hardly contain her amusement at the seriousness of the meeting.

"Look at them," Rye Kai whispered to Ai Ran, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "So serious about their little plans. It's almost endearing."

Ai Ran smirked, his eyes darting around the cave. "And you're just here to watch and make fun of them?"

Rye Kai grinned mischievously. "Of course. It's not every day you get to see high-stakes scheming up close. Plus, I have a little surprise in mind."

She conjured a delicate feather and waved it gently across the Marque's neck. The Marque's eyes widened in confusion as he swatted at his neck, trying to rid himself of the invisible annoyance.

"Is something crawling on me?" the Marque muttered, glancing around the cave with irritation. "I can't seem to shake it off."

Lie Yan Shen's eyes flicked towards the Marque, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Are you alright? You seem distracted."

"Probably just a fly or a mosquito," the Marque replied, continuing to brush his neck vigorously. "Nothing to worry about."

Rye Kai stifled a laugh, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You should see your face. It's priceless."

Ai Ran chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're incorrigible. But I have to admit, it's quite entertaining."

As the Marque's irritation grew, he began to fidget more, occasionally glancing around as if expecting to find the source of the irritation. Meanwhile, Lie Yan Shen remained focused on their discussion, unaware of the ongoing antics.

The conversation turned to the specifics of their plan, with the Marque outlining the various phases of the operation and Lie Yan Shen asking pointed questions. Despite the seriousness of the discussion, the occasional twitch or frustrated swat from the Marque provided a light-hearted contrast.

At one point, Rye Kai leaned over to Ai Ran, her voice a soft whisper. "This is too much fun. Should we give them a break? Or add a little bit of spice"

Ai Ran raised an eyebrow. "You really can't resist, can you?"

"I just want to make sure they're not too comfortable," Rye Kai said with a grin. "And besides, it's a good way to pass the time. And here I go", she pulled out a sharp needle from thin air. Rye Kai pricked the Marque in his bosom.

The Marque screamed as he stood up and began pacing the cave, muttering to himself about the mysterious irritant. Lie Yan Shen watched with a mixture of amusement and mild concern.

"Calm down, Marque," Lie Yan Shen said. "We need to stay focused. This meeting is too important for distractions."

The Marque took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "You're right. Let's get back to business."

Rye Kai on the other hand fell to the ground as she laughed hysterically, "this was the best", she said barely.

"That was too much, Kai", Ai Ran couldn't control he laughter now and he joined Eye on the ground. Both laughed to their hearts content. 

As the meeting continued, Rye Kai and Ai Ran enjoyed the brief respite from their usual responsibilities. The Marque's visible discomfort and Lie Yan Shen's patience provided an entertaining backdrop to their covert observation.

As the Marque's irritation grew, he began to fidget more, occasionally glancing around as if expecting to find the source of the irritation. Meanwhile, Lie Yan Shen remained focused on their discussion, unaware of the ongoing antics.

At one point, Ai Ran checked the time and sighed. "I have other work to attend to. I'll leave you to enjoy the rest of this amusing show."

Rye Kai's eyes widened slightly. "You're leaving now? But the meeting is far from over."

Ai Ran gave a casual shrug. "I've got pressing matters. You can handle the rest of this, can't you?"

"Alright, alright," Rye Kai said with a grin. "Just don't be too long. And also bring some goodies, I am hungry here."

With a final, amused glance at the meeting room, Ai Ran slipped out of the cave, leaving Rye Kai alone with the unfolding drama.

Suddenly, a sharp pang of heartache pierced through her chest, causing her to gasp quietly. She placed a hand over her heart, her breath catching as a wave of emotion washed over her. The ache was intense, unexpected, and deeply unsettling.

"What is this?" Rye Kai murmured to herself, her brow furrowing in confusion. The feeling was foreign and out of place amidst the light-hearted mischief of the moment. She closed her eyes, trying to steady herself, but the pain only seemed to intensify.

The echoes of the meeting in the cave faded into the background as she struggled to focus on the source of her distress. Memories of her past life—her sacrifice, the rush of saving her friend from the truck—flooded her mind. The heartache felt like an echo from that fateful day, a reminder of the life she had left behind.

She could see Ai Ran's face, a fragment of a memory from when she had last seen him as a human, concerned for her wellbeing. The image was accompanied by a familiar pang of longing and sadness. Rye Kai's eyes opened slowly, a mix of confusion and sorrow reflecting in her gaze.

"What's happening to me?" she whispered, her voice trembling. The emotional turmoil was almost overwhelming, and she found herself clutching the stone wall of the cave for support.

Her heartache seemed to be more than just physical pain; it was a deep-seated grief tied to her past and the emotional bonds she had forged. She was reminded of her past life's final moments, the pain of knowing she would never see her friend again.

The intensity of the heartache grew unbearable, consuming her thoughts and vision. Rye Kai could no longer focus on the meeting or the jokes she had been enjoying with Ai Ran. The emotional weight was too much, and she felt as if she were suffocating under its pressure.

Desperate to escape the crushing feeling, she stumbled towards the cave's entrance, her steps unsteady and frantic. Her hands gripped the rocky walls as she moved, the familiar surroundings blurring through her tears. Each breath she took was ragged, her heart pounding in her chest like a relentless drum. She breathed deeply, trying to ground herself, but the heartache remained, a gnawing ache that refused to dissipate.

She wandered through the snow-covered terrain, her boots crunching softly on the frozen ground. The landscape around her was serene, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside her. She felt disconnected from everything, the cold and the quiet only amplifying her internal struggle.

Her thoughts raced back to her past life, the sacrifice she made, and the friends she left behind. The memories were vivid, almost tangible, and they tugged at her heart with a persistent ache. Rye Kai collapsed onto a nearby snowbank, her breath coming in shuddering gasps.

"I thought I had moved on," she whispered to the empty sky, her voice trembling. "I thought I had left that pain behind. What is causing these memories to flood back? There is no way I still left with any fear, so why? Why now? "

She lay there, staring up at the cloudy sky, trying to make sense of the emotional turmoil. The snowflakes gently falling around her seemed to mock her vulnerability, their cold touch a stark reminder of the isolation she felt.

Minutes passed, or perhaps hours—time seemed to lose meaning as she wrestled with her emotions. Finally, all what she could see was darkened.

As the meeting in the cave concluded, Lie Yan Shen, sensing that something was amiss, decided to investigate further. He walked through the cave, his steps echoing against the stone walls. The remnants of the meeting—murmurs of discussion and the faint scent of the Marquess's cologne—still lingered in the air.

His keen eyes soon spotted Rye Kai's unconscious form lying outside not far from the cave entrance. She had staggered out from the cave, the intense pain causing her to collapse onto the snow-covered ground. Her body lay unmoving, the pale light of dusk casting an eerie glow over her as she lay in the snow.

Lie Yan Shen's heart skipped a beat as he saw her. He moved quickly, his imposing figure cutting through the snow as he knelt beside her. His gaze softened as he noted her distress, the pain etched onto her face even in unconsciousness.

Gently, he lifted her in his arms, his strength evident as he carried her with a surprising tenderness. Despite his reputation and the cold, calculating nature that defined him, there was a quiet urgency in his actions, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

Rye Kai opened her eyes for few second to see a figure carrying her was a vague blur against the snowy landscape. Through her haze of pain and exhaustion, she could barely make out the contours of a person—a shadowy silhouette with a commanding presence. The cold ground beneath her, the steady rhythm of his footsteps, and the warmth of his body as he held her close were the only sensations she could distinctly perceive.

As Lie Yan Shen carried Rye Kai, her vision was blurred by the rush of movement and the cold air against her face. Her weak voice barely managed to whisper, "hey?"

 "You're safe," Lie Yan Shen replied, his tone calm and reassuring. "You fainted outside the cave. I ensure you will receive proper care."

Rye Kai's eyes took final look at the silhouette, "Thank you," she said softly, her voice tinged with gratitude.

Lie Yan Shen nodded, a subtle hint of concern in his eyes. "Rest now"