Quinn's brows furrowed slightly as the fire crackled between them. He could tell there was more to this tale—it wasn't just a story. Zhenyu's tone, the bitterness hidden beneath the faint smile, it was too sharp and too personal.
"And what became of that boy?" Quinn asked quietly, his eyes never leaving the flames.
Zhenyu stopped pacing. He turned slowly, his gaze falling on Quinn with an unreadable expression. "That boy… was me."
Quinn's eyes flickered, though his expression stayed calm. "I see."
Zhenyu chuckled dryly. "You don't look surprised."
"I've seen enough of the world to know that the brightest crowns often hide the darkest chains," Quinn replied.
For a moment, silence pressed between them, heavy and unyielding. Then Zhenyu walked back and sat across from him, his face half-shadowed by the firelight.
"You asked why I'm interested in you," Zhenyu said. "It's simple. I was born with nothing—less than nothing. No spiritual root, no recognition, no true family. Everything I have, everything I will have, must be seized with my own hands. That is the path I've chosen. But…" His lips curved faintly. "The moment I saw you, I knew. You're the same. You don't bend, you don't grovel, and yet power lingers around you like a storm waiting to break. You are not ordinary."
Quinn didn't respond, his dark eyes unreadable.
Zhenyu leaned forward, his tone soft but dangerous. "And that is why I want you by my side. Not as a servant, not as a follower but as someone who will help me carve out my fate. Alone, I am strong. But with you… I could be unstoppable."
The fire crackled again, and the shadows danced across the cave walls.
Quinn's gaze remained on the flames, his voice calm but sharp. "Be careful, prince. Men who hunger too much for power often choke on it."
Zhenyu smirked. "Perhaps. But men who refuse to seize power? They die forgotten."
The two boys sat in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken challenge. Zi shifted in her sleep, and Quinn glanced at her once more before finally saying, "Whatever your story, whatever your fate, remember this—I will not be used. Not by you, not by anyone."
Zhenyu didn't respond to that but inwardly, he could not be more than happy. With Quinn by his side, though he still has a long way to go, he is certain that things will start to go smoothly for him.
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The next morning came cloaked in mist, the abyssal land unusually quiet, as if even the beasts lurking in the shadows sensed something was about to change.
Quinn stood at the cave's entrance, gazing out at the jagged cliffs and endless darkness he had once called home. The faint glow of abyssal flames shimmered within his pupils, but for the first time in days, they carried no hostility—only silent resolve.
Zi clutched his hand tightly, her small fingers trembling despite her brave face. She turned once to look back into the cave, her eyes reflecting the fading warmth of the fire they had left behind. She was finally going to leave the place she thought would be her home forever.
"Brother… will we really never come back?" she asked in a hushed tone.
Quinn lowered his gaze, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "No, Zi. From today on, we walk a different path."
Zhenyu adjusted the folds of his robe, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he watched the siblings. "You speak like an old man, Quinn. But perhaps you're right. The abyss is no place to live—it's only a place to survive. Come, the road to the capital will not wait for us."
Without another word, Quinn led Zi forward. The three of them stepped out of the cave and began their trek across the barren wasteland. Their footsteps echoed faintly against the desolate ground, each step carrying them further from the shadows and closer to the uncertain light of a new destiny.
The deeper they walked toward the border, the more oppressive the air became. Abyssal energy clung to their skin, heavy and suffocating, yet Quinn pressed forward steadily, his grip on Zi never faltering.
Soon, the jagged cliffs gave way to the flowing expanse of the river that marked the border between the abyssal land and the demon realm. Its waters glimmered faintly, reflecting both the abyss behind them and the distance glow of the realm.
Zi tightened her hold on Quinn's hand, her voice trembling. "Brother… once we cross… everything will change, won't it?"
Quinn looked ahead, his jaw firm. "Yes. But whatever changes, one thing will never—" he squeezed her hand gently—"I'll always be here."
Zhenyu's smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable as he stepped forward. "Then let's go. To the capital."
Together, they crossed the river, leaving the abyssal land behind.
As soon as they crossed over to the demon realm, a carriage was already waiting for them there.
The carriage was nothing short of elegant. Polished wood gleamed beneath the pale morning light, its frame adorned with faint gold patterns that caught the eye without appearing gaudy. The wheels were reinforced with fine steel, and the insignia of the imperial family was etched subtly into the sides. Two white horses, tall and magnificent, were harnessed at the front.
Zi's eyes widened, her lips parting in awe. "Brother… they're so pretty…"
"They're imperial steeds," Zhenyu explained with a proud grin. "Strong, swift, and loyal. They've carried me since I was a child. Today, they'll carry us to the capital."
Quinn's gaze lingered on the horses, then on the carriage. His brows furrowed faintly. "You prepared this in advance?"
"Of course," Zhenyu answered smoothly, adjusting his robe as he approached. "Did you think I would leave matters to chance? Last night, while you were resting, I sent a message ahead. I dislike uncertainty."
Zi tugged gently at Quinn's sleeve, her expression torn between excitement and unease. "Brother… it looks so warm inside…"
Quinn crouched slightly so his eyes met hers, his tone steady. "Stay close. And do not be deceived by what the eyes see, not all that glitters are gold."
She nodded obediently while Zhenyu chuckled.
Quinn ignored him and helped Zi into the carriage before climbing in himself. Zhenyu entered last, shutting the door with a soft thud. The interior was luxurious—cushioned seats lined with velvet, delicate curtains swaying gently over the windows, and a small incense burner that filled the space with the faint fragrance of sandalwood.
As the horses started forward, hooves striking the ground in rhythmic thunder, Zi pressed her face against the glass window. Her small eyes sparkled as the endless wasteland of the abyssal land slipped farther and farther behind them. For her, it was like stepping into another world.
Quinn leaned back, his hand resting protectively on hers. His expression remained calm, but inside, a quiet fire burned. Whatever awaited them in the capital, he would face it head-on.
As for Zhenyu, his face had suddenly turned gloomy ever since the journey began.