Work Text:
Zhuo Yichen opened his eyes, white fields were what welcomed him. The snow still falling, and strange enough the cold didn't bother him that much.
"I'm willing to die for the greater good."
That voice made Zhuo Yichen turn around. In front of him stood 2 men, facing each other. One holding a sword that was so familiar to him, while the other stands with his hand behind his back.
Zhuo Yichen stunned, recognized the man holding a sword as his ancestor, Bing Yi. While the other, he's not sure who, but he guessed in his heart.
"You're willing to die, but did you ask about my feelings?"
The man in question didn't answer, just smiling at Bing Yi.
"Even if it's restored, please don't die, Ying Long."
Zhuo Yichen was stunned for a second time. Although he had a guess, hearing the confirmation still gave him a shock. He looks at the man opposite Bing Yi, his face so handsome almost ethereal, yet so familiar at the same time.
Zhuo Yichen had a strange feeling in his heart. How could he not when Ying Long's face was almost identical to a certain demon he know by heart now.
"I can't promise you that. Because my life is actually in your hands."
Bing Yi fell silent. What Ying Long said is the truth.
"If it can't be restored, then, the Wilderness and mortal world will be doomed. Such a world, really makes me sad."
Zhuo Yichen looks at Ying Long, how can this man say such words about his life with a smile. As if what he's talking about is not about himself. Zhuo Yichen was struck with realization once again. Not only did Ying Long share the same face with Zhao Yuanzhou, but their willingness to protect the Wilderness and the world was also the same.
One was willing to die to save the world, and the other swore to protect what Ying Long protected with his life. Both of them are pitiful.
The scene changes, and Zhuo Yichen sees Bing Yi point his sword at Ying Long. Seeing the pointed sword, Ying Long only smile but didn't evade and stayed still instead. He let Bing Yi's sword stab at his heart while looking straight at Bing Yi's blue eyes.
If Zhuo Yichen looks closely, there's only acceptance in his eyes. No regret, no resentment, only relief that he died in his most trusted companion's hand.
Ying Long's body falls, and Bing Yi pulls back his sword. Bing Yi kneeled in front of Ying Long almost dissipating form, his sword stabbing to the ground. Bing Yi didn't cry, nor did his face give away any expression but Zhuo Yichen could hear something shattering.
When Ying Long completely dissipates, Zhuo Yichen sees as if Bing Yi's soul split into two with one part also dissipating and gone just like Ying Long. As if Bing Yi does it on purpose so he can still accompany Ying Long even if he's dead.
Zhuo Yichen stood in his position from the start and didn't move at all. Seeing Bing Yi kneel with only half of his soul, Zhuo Yichen sees himself in it.
The oath he made with Zhao Yuanzhou replayed in his mind, and his voice rang in his ears. He can see it, the day he stabbed his sword into Zhao Yuanzhou's heart, just like Bing Yi did to Ying Long. The day he too would lose half of his soul just like Bing Yi did.
Will their fate be the same as Ying Long and Bing Yi, forever apart by death? Is this fate cannot be broken? Would this loop continue thousands of years later?
Such a cruel fate. Bing Yi is bound to kill the Great Demon Ying Long. His descendants are also bound by the same fate, and in the process, they'll also lose some of themselves like Bing Yi does.
Why did all of this happen?
Zhuo Yichen feels pain in his heart, so much hurt he hand to bend down and kneel. He feels pain for Bing Yi and himself. Zhuo Yichen crying, so sorrowful, because he realizes, he cannot change the fate that had been determined hundreds of years before.
The vision of him killing Zhao Yuanzhou keeps playing in his mind making him go crazy. Zhuo Yichen can picture Zhao Yuanzhou's smiling face even with blood flowing from his lips and a sword piercing his heart. He can hear his usually lazy voice turned softer as if afraid to frighten him.
"Xiao Zhuo-daren, don't cry."
Zhuo Yichen bent down with his forehead touching the ground and everything turned black.