CW: Violence, blood & gore, graphic descriptions of wounds/burns, mentions of hanging.
There are twenty-odd guards encircling the intruder with their swords drawn, gold lions embossed upon their chest plates flaring with every minute shift of their poised forms.
The intruder at their centre is more ghoul than man with tattered clothes and ghastly wounds that blister across his exposed flesh. He effuses the stench of inferno and death. Izayoma’s hand tightly winds around his form, stifling the very life from his phosphorous red eye.
Smoke soaked hair, matted and curled, falls over his impassive face. It does little to obscure the power of his glare. His figure is hunched and shivering, every muscle taut and flexed. When he slowly draws an arc with his head, the guards flinch and waver at what they see.
A glimpse of the grotesque wounds marring the man’s visage. A melted eye socket holding nothing more than a mangled hollow. The gory sight continues on, a chasm of charred flesh, cracked and seared, sprawled over his neck and chest. His brand is treacherous, nauseating, pulling the blood from more than a few faces.
Rasping breaths respond to the guards’ urgent questions, their blades hovering from uncertainty. This intruder seems to be on his last legs, yet the savagery of his glare sends their instincts shrieking. All of them feel as though they are on the precipice of death itself and to engage would mean taking a step off that sheer cliff.
The circle immediately opens to allow Lee to step through. He casts his furrowed gaze at the wounded figure, clammy hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “You are trespassing on the Governor’s property,” he says loudly, slowing down his speech in case the madman might not understand. “Do you know where you are? Are you aware?”
When that single crimson eye latches onto his, the guard’s insides are doused in ice water.
“…Rin?”
“You know this intruder?” a burly guard to Lee’s left growls. His eyes narrow as he adjusts the grip on his sword.
“I do,” Lee says, faintly.
An inhuman grin splits Rin’s face like an ugly gash, exposing bloodied teeth. “Lee,” he rasps gratingly, head tilting to the side. That hollow pit where his right eye should be stares blindly at the guard. “It has been a while.”
The guard frowns, loosening his grip on his weapon. “We saw each other just this morning,” he says, warily. “Rin. What happened to you?” He steps forwards — only to falter and reel back, hand clapping over his nose. The fetor is so pungent that his eyes sting, as if hit by a cloud of smoke. “There’s a fire?”
“Dasom is dead,” the youth says, impassively. “I tried to save her, but it was far too late.”
The guard freezes. “Dasom is…?” Pale lips push tightly together, hiding the sudden trembling. “Where is she now?”
“She is dead. Where do you think she is?”
“What happened? How could she just die–”
“It was Kahin,” Rin says, crimson eye slicing in half. He sways slightly as if on the verge of collapse.
Lee instinctively moves closer, hands hovering in the air. But he dare not touch him. He doesn’t know why.
“She took her from me,” Rin continues, staring blankly into the ether. It’s clear here. Peaceful. Like the past few hours hadn’t even occurred. “She always said she would. And she did.”
“Why did you come here? You should have gone to Iris.” Lee swallows the hard lump in his throat. He struggles to keep his emotions in check, though his breath and pulse are unsteady. “This is not a good place for you to be. Not right now.”
Rin lurches at the guard, snatching him by the collar with two raw hands. The circle at once seizes and the flash of blades are like small fireworks popping off around him.
“Do you think I want to be here?” Rin hisses, drilling his glare into the guard’s skull. The latter stares back, silent and sombre. “Do you think I enjoy crawling to that snake’s spawn? I loathe the fact that this beats for him, a Hwan.” He beats his own chest, ignoring the blinding pain writhing through his wounded body. “You must ensure this stupid boy does not die. Do you understand?” His curt words crack the air like a lashing whip, causing the guard to flinch.
How strange. This voice…it’s so unlike Rin. And yet incredibly familiar. “Not here. The Lord may arrest you for what you stole–”
“LISTEN TO ME!” Rin bellows into the man’s face, rattling him with immense strength. His grisly features are contorted, his psyche on the very threshold of obliteration. “If he dies, all of you are lost! If he dies…” Ragged breaths heave his shaking form. That one eye bulges, sclera peeking with a maddened glint. “I will kill you myself.”
Movement in his periphery. The Rat shoves Lee and skirts back himself, a rogue blade whistling through the air between them.
“No! Do not attack!” Lee shouts, drawing his own blade to counter another slashing towards the Rat. “He’s wounded, you fools!”
“We all heard him, Lee,” Burly grunts, lunging towards his target.
A delirious giggle bursts from Rin’s lips as he avoids multiple incoming attacks, his movements lithe and fluid. Every slash, hack, and thrust is met with a flowing arc of the body, limbs moving like drifting water.
Lee’s hold on his weapon goes slack. The tip digs into the soil. He watches this man dodge and weave through the steel forest, eyes widening with every move he recognises.
Rin snatches a blade by the hand, near severing his fingers, and dispatches its owner with a snap of the pommel.
His defence slips seamlessly into an attack.
The sword spins like a pinwheel, an alabaster blur as he sweeps the blade around his body. He churns the darkness, bloody froth clinging to the steel.
Bright blood sprays like geysers bursting from severed flesh. Several guards stagger back with pained grunts and cries, clutching at the myriad of gruesome wounds littering their flesh.
A red mist envelops the scene, drenching all within.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Mizudori,” Lee mutters, sheer awe spread across his face. “But how…?”
Pc atf fcv, atf ybvs ojiafgr.
Elc’r obgalolmjalbc mgjmxr jcv rtjaafgr. Obk rkfiir bo qjlc ugbk klat lcmgfjrlcu ofgnbeg. Qjnfr rtjgqfc, ujlc fvufr jcv qblcar. Olutaclcu hjqr atgbeut fnfgs ogjhhifv cfgnf, ygjcmtfr kfivlcu jcv rflhlcu ecali byilnljalbc.
Lf rajuufgr jcv vgbqr ab j xcff, ifjclcu tfjnlis bc tlr rabifc rkbgv. Ktf yijvf vlur vffq lcab atf rbli jr tf rjur, tjgrt qjcar qertfv atgbeut tlr ecibmxfv pjk.
The earth lurches at a sickening angle.
He feels cold steel dig into his throat from every direction – a deadly fanged collar.
“You’re not just an intruder, are you?” Burly growls, stepping into Rin’s vision. The barrel chested man flicks his hand and the collar disperses. A single tag remains, tapping under his chin to raise his head. Burly’s eyes shrink upon sighting the younger man’s visage, upper lip curling in disdain. “Disgusting.”
Rin smiles coolly, sanguine glare like the core of Solaris in the gloam. “Silversword. How does it feel to turn your blade on your own people?”
Burly huffs through his nose. “You’re not my people.”
“You are wrong.” Mirth bubbles on his blood-stained lips. “I can see the Slums in your eyes. When you sold your blade to a Hwan, you too relinquished your soul.”
The steel point pierces his skin, freeing a thin red rivulet. “Stop talking nonsense,” the big man grunts, sinews in his neck popping as he tenses. “You’re nothing but a petty thief. At least I made something of myself.”
“Yes. You made yourself a traitor.”
That meaty hand turns white on the hilt. He rears back his blade to plunge into flesh — when the raven drops bonelessly onto his back, hooks his ankles around the man’s, and pulls himself through Burly’s legs. A sea of grimy locks trails after like ink from a fume brush.
There’s no time to register.
The raven follows through like the sweeping current, form rippling as he pushes himself upwards with just his shanks. He reaches behind, grabs Burly’s collar, and gives a savage yank, choking off his windpipe. The man’s weight is crushing against his back, but he simply tips his own weight forward, encouraged by the panicked gurgles and contracting muscles.
By the way Rin’s gasping for air, it’s like he’s taking the breaths his victim cannot. His legs tremble but remain firmly planted on the ground. Crimson glows with fractal light. Teeth bare in exertion.
Restless bodies converge and scatter before converging again, unable to find an opening without endangering their comrade.
Burly begins to flail. His limbs beating the air and soil as his cheeks turn an ugly shade of purple.
Rin tightens his grip and leans. He’s without expression.
Lee snaps out of his stupor and draws his sword, heart vaulting madly in his chest. “Rin!” he shouts, tone turning urgent when he sees Burly’s movements turn sluggish. “Release him! You’re killing him!”
That sanguine glare glances off the encroaching guard. “That I am, Lee,” he snarls. “All traitors must die.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.” A wretched expression descends upon the man’s face. He’s but a foot away, sword raised but hovering. “Let him go. Please.”
“Ah. So all those years serving Hwan Sun has corrupted you. No matter,” Rin barks a laugh, jerking his hands lower over his shoulder. The flailing limbs go limp. “I knew you would turn traitor anyway. Just not this soon.”
Lee furrows his brows. “What are you–”
“RINNIE!”
The raven jolts and raises his head.
From over the verdant ridge appears a regal man, tall and strong, with shock wide eyes that are lumine in Luna’s light.
Little lord.
As if struck through with a sword, Rin releases the unconscious Burly, letting him crumple to the ground. Sanguine fades to a listless pitch, dulling his gaze. He staggers forth.
Jun’s sharp voice lashes the air, freezing the oncoming rush from behind.
Every step increasingly drags, movements turn sluggish. Cold sweat drips from every pore as the last of Luna’s defence falters and crumbles. He’s left to the barrage of agonies, too excruciating to comprehend.
Someone moves from his path. It’s now clear. And insurmountable.
But the little lord quickly strides towards him, long legs carrying him down the slope and onto the blossoming grounds.
They meet at the pagoda tree, white blooms swaying like clusters of soft stars in the gloom.
Jun holds out his arms. To the exhausted, pain-addled Rat, it’s a relief that almost washes away his suffering. With a fragile smile upon his lips, he collapses into the lord’s embrace, senses failing as the world swings into oblivion.
***
Over the next two weeks, he comes to understand pain quite intimately. He comes to know of its nuances. The different types and intensities. The kinds that he can withstand, if not welcome, and the kind that drives him to the edge of sanity. The worst kind of pain is the one outside of his control. When it’s so sudden and shattering that it leaves him no time to breathe, let alone prepare himself. The kind that leaves him screaming mindlessly like a tortured beast and all he can do is remove himself from his own body.
The best kind of pain is the one he expects. He endures this kind now, sitting quietly and obediently as Jun carefully cleans his wounds.
He has been healing well under the steady care of Healer Wu and the little lord, though there would be irreparable scars permanently marring his visage. The most grievous of which is his right eye, which had melted in its socket, leaving behind a cavity which is now filled with sterile packing. Burns extends down his right cheek and covers a vast section of his neck and chest, the once porcelain smooth skin now angry and puckered. He also has scarring elsewhere on his body in large swatches, but those are mild due to his clothes acting as a protective layer.
Rin hasn’t yet seen himself in the mirror. It’s not so much his sense of vanity as it is the stark reminder of what had transpired. His memories of that day are murky at best and any attempt to probe deeper invites a debilitating sense of fear.
Jun’s face fills his vision as he carefully repacks his eye socket, brows furrowed deeply in focus.
A flinch in Rin’s cheek startles the lord, concern stark in his goldens. “Apologies, Rinnie. I…” He pulls in a short breath. “I will be more careful.” Locking his jaw, the crease between his brows deepens. True to his word, his touch is near featherlight, as if he were handling the most fragile glass.
“How does it look today?” Rin asks, voice still hoarse from sleep. His syllables are a little stiff as he tries to avoid moving his jaw too much, lest he aggravate his wounds. “Disgusting, right?” He hums a laugh, shoulders lurching.
A profound sadness fills Jun’s face, as if Rin had lamented heartache rather than made a callous joke. “Not at all,” he says softly, taping down a gauze pad to cover the socket. “You are healing remarkably well. I think we can leave your face uncovered at least and let your wounds breathe.”
“…Do you think that’s a good idea?” Rin purses his lips, doubt flickering in his eye.
“I do,” is the firm response from the lord. He sets down the bowl of used packing and picks up a simple black eyepatch. This, he presents to his friend with a warm smile. “This is for you. I know I could have picked one up from the Clinic, but I…” A tender blush kisses his cheeks. “I wished to make you one myself. I hope it is to your liking.”
Arching his brow, Rin takes the eyepatch, lifting it in both hands to study it closely. The material is silken and cool to the touch, and there’s a tiny silver rat embroidered into the upper corner of the patch. It’s done rather skillfully and with evident care.
He feels his own cheeks inexplicably burn as he gingerly tugs it over his head. It feels good on his face, like it’s keeping that foreign emptiness at bay. “It’s…nice,” he mutters, brushing his fingertips over the smooth fabric. “I didn’t know you could make things like this.”
The lord’s face brightens at Rin’s obvious pleasure. He hums his affirmation and begins packing away his Healer’s bag. “I learned how to sew from Mira. She says that one can never know when one will need to darn a sock, especially during combat.”
“She…wants you to sew during combat?” Rin blinks and for a gut churning moment, he’s hyper aware of his missing eye. Grimacing, he presses his palm against the patch.
“A soldier’s feet are incredibly important when in battle. A good pair of socks are necessary to protect them against the environment.” Jun clicks the leather bag shut and sets it upon the bedside table. He turns back to Rin, face falling when he sees his grimace. “Are you in pain?”
“No,” the raven huffs, dropping his hand. He switches his grimace for a wry smile. A weak reassurance for the worried lord. “I’m fine. I just find it strange sometimes. Like…I’m missing half of myself.”
A deep ache squeezes Jun’s chest. He reaches out and cups Rin’s uninjured cheek with his palm, thumb sweeping gently beneath his eye. His other hand comes to rest on the other side, pressing lightly against his ear. “Do you feel this? You may have lost your sight, but you are still whole. You are still entirely you.”
Having his face held so delicately within those rough hands brings a heat like no other. Rin finds himself suddenly unable to speak, his eye growing twofold when they meet those honeyed pools. “I-I know that, moron,” he manages to push out, averting his gaze with a half-hearted scowl. “Obviously I’m still me. Who else would I be?”
Jun stares intently, trepidation growing like a toxic bloom. He’s reminded of what Lee had reported after Rin trespassed onto the estate. The youth had apparently acted as if he were a completely different person and displayed great agility with the blade. As far as Jun knows, Rin has had little to no experience with swords. Could this be Luna? Jun absently tucks a stray sable lock behind Rin’s ear. Now that I think about it, we know so little about this ostensible god.
“Ah.” Rin squirms under the lord’s stare, his bandaged hands tugging at the front of his own robes. “So when am I supposed to meet your old man?”
Jun releases him and strides over to the window. The raven feels a twist of regret. He touches the sides of his face, trying to capture the lord’s lingering warmth.
“Tomorrow,” Jun says stiffly, pulling the window open. The late spring air carries with it the scent of ripe blooms. He leans his hands upon the frame, pulling in a deep invigorating breath. “He has agreed to let you stay in the guest house until you recover, mostly for your part in exposing Father Blossom. However, he wishes to test you.”
Rin swings his legs over the side of the bed, wincing when he accidentally pulls the wounds on his torso. “Test me? On what?”
“Your character. Your intent. And ultimately, how useful you are to him.” Jun turns to lean against the frame, folding his arms. An austere look hardens his features. “Lee and I managed to talk him down from hanging you, Rinnie. However, this compromise comes at a price. You must appear useful to him or he may still consider you for the gallows.” He locks his jaw, oaken lashes casting long shadows in his gaze. “That is the kind of man my father is. I hope you do not take this to heart.”
The Rat clicks his tongue in irritation. “Well, it’s not the first time I’ve met a guy like him. In a way, this is easier for me. I don’t know much about character or intent or whatever, but I do know transactions. Token for service. Same thing, right?” He laughs, grin forced crooked to preserve his injured cheek. “I’m impressed, little lord. You actually stood up to him?”
“Not as much as I’d hoped,” Jun says, smiling faintly. “It was mostly Lee who convinced my father. I find it difficult to have him hear me.”
“What, has he no ears?”
“He tends to disregard me.” The lord rubs the side of his neck and tilts his head, exposing a rather forlorn profile. “My brothers never lived up to my father’s expectations. They fled down their own paths, which I find admirable. In a way, I am my father’s last hope. His sole heir, so to speak. Thus, the expectations for me are higher. Heavier. And…much like my brothers, I am not meeting them.” The corners of his mouth curves into a rather vicious smile. So unbefitting the lord. His eyes are hooded and cold. “I will never meet his expectations, Rinnie. Because what he truly wants is himself. And I cannot possibly be the kind of man he is.”
“What kind of man do you think he is?” Rin pushes himself from the bed, finding himself drawn towards the other. The compulsion is profound and impossible to ignore.
He comes to stand toe to toe with Jun and he impulsively wraps his arms around the bigger man’s waist, pressing himself into his body. When he raises his face to the lord, he’s met with a heated look that melts the ice in those goldens.
“First Lord Hwan Sun is the kind of man who speaks face to face with the Mother.” Jun dips his head, resting his forehead upon Rin’s. Lashes flutter upon his waterlines. His breath is steady. His touch secure. “He is the kind of man who sees people as nothing more than pawns. A man so fixated on the Four Territories and the Unknown Lands, that he has lost sight of Hanjuyang.”
Rin raises himself on his tiptoes to press a kiss on the lord’s clenched jaw. “Sounds like a dick,” he hums, hellebore glinting with affection. “Maybe we should grease him up with some drink. Pay for a Rose to lie with him. Do you think he wouldn’t be such an asshole then?”
“Rinnie.” Jun’s brows knit together, clearly disturbed by the idea of his father ‘lying’ with anyone. “You must not underestimate him. Remember, he has the power to send you to the gallows. Even if Lee and I were to protest, it is uncertain whether he would be swayed for a second time. I should not like to take chances with your life.”
“I know,” Rin sighs, plopping his chin upon the other’s broad shoulder. He feels Jun’s arms wrap loosely around his form, minding his wounds. “But I’ll be fine. I can talk myself out of anything, so convincing a dipshit lord of my value is nothing for me.”
A low rumble hums in the base of Jun’s throat. An idle hand rises to play with the raven’s hair, winding silken strands around calloused digits. “I know you will do well.”
The Rat relaxes from the lord’s gentle ministrations. His eyes flutter close and he feels himself drift. Warm spring currents brush against his exposed face, tickling the sensitive young skin. This life might not be too bad, he dazes. If it’s just us…it might not be too bad…
“I visited the Guildmaster yesterday,” Jun says softly, sounding as if he’s on the verge of sleep himself.
“Oh?” Rin murmurs, lazily. “Why didn’t you say anything? I would have come with you.”
“I know. Which is why I did not say anything. You should be resting, Rinnie.”
“Hm. Resting is boring.” Rin stifles a yawn and lolls his head to the side, peeking at Jun’s relaxed profile. “How’s Bucky? Have the Roses said anything yet?”
“Bucky has recovered well. It appears as though she may be joining the Hunter’s Guild. As for the Roses…a Healer from the Clinic who specialises in the mind has been consulting with the Guildmaster. It may yet take some time before the Roses have recovered enough to be coherent. Many of them have also suffered physical injuries to the brain, which can hinder communication.”
Rin wrinkles his nose in irritation. He squeezes his eye shut again. “I can’t believe we still haven’t caught Blossom. He’s just gonna start up another Church somewhere. Especially if the Mother is behind him. Do you think he might contact Kahin?”
“The Guildmaster has placed the Rose Palace under watch with rotating teams of Hunters. So far there have been no reports of Blossom attempting contact. And vice versa.”
“What’s Kahin been doing?”
“The Rose Palace reopened to the public the day after you…well, trespassed.”
Sable lashes quiver. A faint crease digs between Rin’s brows.
The lord’s hand splays flat against his back, rubbing soothing circles.
“What about the Slums?” Rin raises his head, too restless now to doze. “Is…” The rest of his words dry up in his mouth. His heart knocks painfully into his ribs.
Jun glances down at him, his gaze dark and sympathetic. “Nuwa and the Guildmaster had arranged for your mother to be buried in the cemetery. From what I heard…it was a rather…intimate send off. Your house is…it is unsalvageable.”
“Intimate.” Rin says flatly. “You mean no-one showed up.”
“Rinnie…”
“Of course no-one did. Not even her son was there. Why would anyone else bother?” He laughs wryly and pulls away from the lord.
Jun reluctantly releases him. When Rin steps away, a chill quickly enters his body. An unpleasant reminder of the sudden absence. “When you have recovered, we will visit her together. Say our proper farewells.”
“Have you heard anything about Bellow?” Rin asks abruptly, slowly lowering himself back into bed. He winces and bites his bottom lip as sharp pain arcs from the wound on his left rib cage. “Last I heard, he was having a tough time without me.”
The lord rubs his nape, unhappy about the sudden diversion in conversation. He responds nonetheless as prompted. “According to Small, the situation is deteriorating in the Slums. A man by the name of Marquis has seized control of the district. This is particularly concerning, Rinnie. I am wondering if I should ask my father to send some Silverswords–”
“No,” Rin says, curtly. He shoots a cold glare at the lord, eye narrowing. “You think the Silverswords are there to help us?”
“But of course. Silverswords are vowed to protect all citizens of Hanjuyang and the Eastern Territory under–”
“Silverswords are man-shaped guard dogs, little lord,” Rin scoffs, gingerly tugging the comforter over his legs. “They only exist to protect the High District. Slummers are nothing but pests they need to get rid of. If you order them into the Slums, who knows what they’ll do.”
“But this Marquis person–”
“If he wants the Slums, he can have it.” Rin’s complexion turns wan at the mere mention of the Marquis. He gazes down at his trembling hands, chewing on his cheeks. “Nothing will change. The Slums will always be a shithole no matter who’s running it. The Mother, the Governor, or the Marquis. Nothing ever changes.”
A soft sigh sounds before footsteps follow. The mattress dips under the lord’s weight. Warm, rough hands cover his own, stilling them.
He glances up at Jun, feeling rather apathetic. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Sombre eyes pour over the raven’s grey countenance. “Rinnie, what you had to go through…it never should have happened–”
“Yeah, it shouldn’t have. But it did. So there’s no point talking about it.”
Those large hands squeeze gently. An unbearable ache crawls from his chest to his throat, clenching the muscles there.
“It may help to talk–”
“I don’t want to!” Rin snarls, ripping his hands free to give Jun a brutal shove. “Ahh–!” He gasps and hunches over, clutching his middle as jagged glass bites his flesh. He trembles ever so slightly, face creased in suffering. “I can’t, Jun…” His voice wavers and cracks, as if he were on the brink of tears. “Don’t make me talk about it. Please.”
Jun clenches his fists, nails digging deep into his palms. The raven’s suffering echoes in his own expression, as if he too feels his pain. “…My apologies. I will not push you on this matter.”
Rin covers his single eye with his palm, keeping his head lowered. The silent shaking of his shoulders is the only response Jun receives.
***
That night, Rin dreams of a woman standing over his bed.
Her long, wispy hair tickles his face as she stares down at him. Her face is soaked in shadows, but he can feel her smiling. Cold hands caress his face. Linger upon his wounds.
He knows it’s not Dasom, though for a fleeting moment he thinks it’s her. Maybe even hopes.
This woman is too alien. Her aura is unfamiliar. Her smile, however, reminds him of the little lord’s. A generous mouth with a dimple as emphasis.
When he wakes with the dawn, his robes are soaked through with sweat. His pain is the worst kind. Sudden and shattering, leaving him no time to breathe.
He loses control.
He was possessed but by who?? Luna?
And daaamn Lee knew Dasom?? Wtf is going ooooon
😭 Maybe you will find out soon~~Thank you for reading cloozed <3333
Oh no… are those the legendary onion cutting ninjas?? What are they doing here?? I’m scared wuwuwu
Thank you for the chapter!! ❤️❤️
LMAOOO kick those ninjas in the nads!!!! Thank you for reading dondonn<333
“If he dies, all of you are lost! If he dies…” Ragged breaths heave his shaking form. That one eye bulges, sclera peeking with a maddened glint. “I will kill you myself.” – Ahh!!! I’ve got the chills! This was such an epic chapter!
waaahhh!! Thank you for reading curiooo TT—TT <33333