Winter Pass

Fate had a strange way of working. As an immortal whose lifespan was unlimited for giving both heart and soul to the heavens for a fraction of their strength. Haolin has long been aware that sometimes, whether one wishes for it or not, fate would have come knocking on his door to seek payment. Meeting this person, meeting that person, seeing the changed perception and advanced technology of humans outside. "-Sir Haolin is satisfied with this arrangement?" Kang Biluo watches quietly as the man's eyes flicker over her face coldly before once again softening as if being reminded of something or someone after staring into her clear gaze. "En." She smiled more brightly however Haolin already removed his gaze from her to peer up at the impressive mural on the Livingroom wall. 

Sun Minghao who had been pushed aside took the time to analyze this strange connection being formed between his savior and his Biluo. He had been hesitating from awhile ago, not because he was jealous but because Biluo was never one to be so accommodating to strangers. And not only that, Sun Minghao also couldn't help admiring the design and furniture of the main guest house too even though he had been here more than once already. To think Biluo would actually let him use the main guest house. Did she know who this Haolin was? "Does Sir Haolin require any personnel to clean and delivery groceries every morning?" 

Haolin could see her generosity at a glance, knowing it was not of her own accord but just a side effect of the blood running in her veins. So, he shook his head and studies the familiar mural quietly. Seeming to notice he was no longer willing to tolerate their presence as much as before Biluo took Sun Minghao's hand and pulls him out the door with her. "Then, if sir Haolin has any more questions or need for our assistance, sir Haolin can feel free to use the terminal to his own leisure to call the main house." She shut the door, leaving the statue like man staring at the mural as if mesmerized by it's contents. 

"Biluo, do you know him?" In answer Biluo shook her head immediately, being honest with her beloved person. Sun Minghao frowns at her "Then why did you treat him like, like," He tried to find a way to compare the nagging feeling each time the two stood by one another before blurting out honestly. "-like he's a senior in your family?" Kang Biluo didn't appear taken aback by his comparison, well aware that she was behaving in an unusual manner in his eyes. Recalling the man's bronze eyes holding in a wildfire unlike that of any human she had ever seen. The callouses on his hands, his prideful and towering posture. She couldn't help but make the comparison to her grandfather in his prime. 

A man of war. The way they carried themselves was similar, and she naturally felt respect for those who have suffered and endured the grueling battlefield and come back with a sane mind. His firm and unhesitating actions of saving a civilian who had no connection to himself also shared much insight into his character. She admits gently "I don't know, perhaps it's because he reminds me of grandfather. And it's not like the guest house is without security, if he tries anything we will know. However, I have a feeling that a person of his caliber would rather have peace and quiet than kick up a fuss for no reason." Leaning into Sun Minghao's arm, her head of hair tickles his chin inducing a blush to accompany his once bewildered expression. 

"...I will be more careful in the future, don't strain yourself over this Biluo." She remains silent by his side, her answer the slightest squeeze of their clasped hands. Haolin's eyes clouded over as he took in the painting of a war long passed. His hand brushing over the magically realistic scales of the mighty imitation of his silver body flying toward the heavens. The claws and fierce fangs he lacked in this human body. Lowering his gaze he could see the depicted view below the silver lord and his valley he protected. Though, he was unsure if it was blurred through time or intentional, the gold flags held a golden serpent as the men trembled or ran in the face of the beast. 

The silence in the villa was testimony to the consideration the owners had when constructing this home, and at this moment this silence was exactly what Haolin needed to clear his mind. Looking around himself Haolin thought deeply, from the mural to the small paintings of ambiguous mountains or vases holding plum blossom branches. Down to the single majesty of a powerful individual's calligraphy depicting 'The War Below Heaven' hanging beside it. Though he needed no more confirmation, just this, was enough to make his claws curl. Life in his eyes seem to grow, if only for this moment of grief swallowing his soul. Kang Haolin rubs the ridge of his astringent nose, barking a broken laugh. 

Bringing his hand to the valley ever so carefully, the surface was rough but cool to the touch. He wouldn't shed tears, however, Kang Haolin did not know whether he should feel peace or sorrow. To wake up after more than a millennia and be slapped with the reality that all he knew had slipped through his fingers. All he had given up his freedom and sanity for. The people and land he and given up his humanity for, they were all gone. "Yue'er, mother, uncle..." Retracting his fist in fear he would destroy the mural Kang Haolin brought his fists together and clutched them tightly. Clamping his claws filled with blood as his entire soul mourned. 

'My Haolin, my brave Haolin. Mother's blessing.' He dared not raise his head for fear of scaring this ghost of a memory, her voice, her last words which had always lingered in his ears like the illusion of a madman. Trembling when her veiny and cold hands very lovingly touched his red clamped hands, taking a deep breath to calm his sorrow. 'This burden of yours, it is a heavy one. So heavy it's destroying my beloved son who I could once hold in the crook of my arms.' She sighed beside him, as if his burdens were her own fault. She spoke softer, her voice tinged with reluctance. Holding onto his hand tightly, as if trying to protect him with her old frail hands.

'-They always say it, thinking I cannot hear them speaking through the walls. Saying that times are changing, that the heavens will come for my son...That you will face heaven's wraith. Out of the many who took this burdensome duty, my son has kept the power lent to us by heaven too long within his grasp.' She was trembling, not because she was afraid of him, but because she feared for HIM. Kang Haolin kept silent throughout it all, closing his eyes to repress the emotions flooding his body. Standing here alive today, it was clear the conclusion had already come to fruition to their decision. He refused to acknowledge it, he wished to remain blind to their sacrifice, and his own. 

To the greed which had blinded some of those who had chosen differently, to the calamity which had been brought to their front doorsteps. His mother's tugging and plea to be understood was urgent, her voice fluctuating between weeping and pleading with him. 'Haolin, Haolin for mother give up this duty of yours-! Give it back to them! Mother can't stand it anymore-! This war, this battle, these arguments, this-this sickening CORRUPTION taking over the people!' She wept, slapping his arm in a fit gasping through her sobs. 'Don't you understand how I feel?! My Haolin-My Haolin carrying this curse of a duty! How many more battles will you face?! How many times will my heart have to leap and drop when those battle horns cry?! Knowing my son, will be the first to hear it's call?!' Yang Jing pounds her aching heart, pulling her son's sleeve as his silence only filled her with more pain. 

Kang Haolin could still recall the chilly air contrasting sharply with is mother's warm tears, how he never had the opportunity to wipe them for her. In sync with this ghost, his head tilts to the sky to the sound of that sharp invisible, and yet so powerful familiar horn. That infernal horn outside their valley, those taunting drums, the singing of those men willing to throw their lives away for a smidgen of silver to help soothe the stomachs of their loved ones. Her fingers tighten as instinctively he moved from his feigned statue state of mind numbly as if to follow it's cry. 'Haolin! HAOLIN!!!' Pulling his hand from those invisible hands, Kang Haolin took a very long and deep gulp of air before opening his eyes. 

Once more, it was just him alone with his own thoughts. No horn, no singing, no ghosts. Looking down at his hands, he massages the callouses feeling every muscle and bone. Just to make sure the sensation of touch was still alive and his own. From the very tip of his toes, to the hairs along his scalp, every molecular part of his body was his own. There was no howling in his mind, no painful pulling, he could see the world with his own eyes and feel pain. So, laying his eyes upon the portrait of the past, Kang Haolin for the first time in what was perhaps hundreds of thousands of years. Lowering his head deeply to his people who lived within a painting despite withering away all those years ago. His mind a mystery, but there was no mistaking the sadness accompanying his broad shoulders which had stood tall for too long.