Brother?

Ruan Yanxi was falling in the darkness. He didn't know how long he had been falling. All he could think of was the vicious look on the crown prince's face and how his mother and brother would be sad when they heard about his death. He kept falling and falling. Would he fall forever? Just when he was about to believe this conclusion he dropped into a pool of water.

Ruan Yanxi struggled for a while in the water before he could surface. He gasped for air before looking around. Around the pond he landed, there were massive peach blossom trees. There was a building not far from here. However, the strangest thing in this place was the floating islands which were connected by golden light bridges. He seemed to have fallen into a mystical place. The floating island he landed on was the largest. Ruan Yanxi looked up, there was only the blue sky on top of him. Only thick white clouds could be found on the bottom of the islands. He approached the building in front of him. Its size was massive with a blue roof. Its walls were painted red and white. But cracks and holes marred its grandness.

When Ruan Yanxi opened the door he found a man floating in the air with his legs crossed. The man was in his 30s with thick locks of black hair. He was wearing a light blue robe. He seemed to be in deep meditation.

Ruan Yanxi stood there, transfixed. Was he the so-called immortals? His mother told him stories about the immortals who could fly in the sky and move the mountains. He had thought that they were all only fairy tales. He shook his head, forcing himself to focus. 

Ruan Yanxi said, "Uh-pardon this little one's intrusion, immortal. I seemed to have fallen into your abode."

The man did not respond.

Ruan Yanxi fidgeted in his place. Was he being too rude and ignorant? His mother never told him how to speak to an immortal. If the immortal got mad would he strike him with thunder?

Just as Ruan Yanxi felt that he had to say sorry and leave, the man opened his eyes. Black eyes locked on Ruan Yanxi, nailing him in place. They both stared at each other for several seconds.

"It didn't expect to ever gain a visitor." The man gracefully landed on his feet. "And a small one at that."

"I didn't mean to intrude," Ruan Yanxi said, looking at the floor. "I fell through a hole and somehow landed in the pond outside."

The man said, "Perhaps it is fate that you come here." 

"Immortal, can you tell me how to leave this place? My brother must be looking for me."

"I cannot."

"Huh?" Ruan Yanxi blinked in confusion.

"If you want to leave you must do so with your own power." The man observed Ruan Yanxi. "And considering your condition, it might take you years if not decades."

Ruan Yanxi protested, "No! I have to go back. My mother and my brother need me."

Suddenly the man disappeared and Ruan Yanxi found himself back in the darkness.

"Need? Why would they need you?" A voice asked. "You're weak and a burden."

Chains of light suddenly appeared and wrapped around Ruan Yanxi, forcing him to kneel. He struggled against the restraint but the chains merely tightened until he could hardly breathe.

Footsteps could be heard in the silence. Someone stood in front of Ruan Yanxi. Ruan Yanxi looked up and saw a familiar face.

"Brother?" Ruan Yanxi said.

*

White looked up. His brows furrowed as he felt disturbance from the bond with Ruan Yanxi. White said to Yulan, "I'm afraid I can't continue to chat with you."

Yulan nodded. "This is a goodbye."

"Don't be like that. Maybe I'll meet another shard of your divine consciousness sometime in the future."

Yulan said, "It is already a miracle that I can persist until now. Live well, my friend. I hope that when your vengeance is quenched you can find a way to move forward."

White did not respond. With a flick of his sleeves, he disappeared. Yulan looked at the swaying trees and bright sky and sighed. Slowly, she closed her eyes.

*

Ruan Yanxi couldn't understand. He could never imagine his brother giving him such a cold look. Any trace of brotherly warmth was absent from his face. It was as if he was looking at an enemy.

"Brother," Ruan Yanxi called.

Ruan Haoyuan said, "You forced me to do this. I'm doing this for your own good. Why can't you understand?"

"What are you talking about brother?" Ruan Yanxi asked. His head throbbed in pain, flashes of memories surging out. The darkness dissipated. Now they stood in their mother's room. It was dark and gloomy. Outside was dark and the rain was pouring down. Ruan Yanxi struggled to see in the dim room but he saw a figure beside him. It was his mother. She was slumped on the ground. A pool of blood spread out.

"Mother!" Ruan Yanxi tried to touch her but the chains held him back. "Brother! Mother is bleeding. Why aren't you helping her?!"

Ruan Haoyuan pursed his lips. "It's her fault. She tried to stop me. Will you try to stop me too?"

"What are you talking about?!" Ruan Yanxi asked.

"I won't let you." Ruan Haoyuan placed his hand on Ruan Yanxi's head. Strands of light began to invade him. Ruan Yanxi screamed as pain exploded in his head. He couldn't think. Something was slipping away. He couldn't remember.

"Tch. How annoying."

Ruan Haoyuan looked down. A hand was piercing through his chest. He looked back and saw White standing behind him with an emotionless face.

"Begone." White narrowed his eyes.

Ruan Haoyuan burst into glittering light. White snapped his fingers and the surrounding changed into blank white. He looked at Ruan Yanxi's prone figure who was gasping in pain.

White clicked his tongue. "I left you for a while and you already got yourself into another trouble." He wrapped his arm around Ruan Yanxi and placed his head on the crook of his neck. Ruan Yanxi was still in his child's form so he easily fit in White's embrace. White slowly sent spiritual energy to calm Ruan Yanxi and removed Seir's encroaching spiritual energy. 

"Annoying rats," White grumbled.