Kenji sighed as he conjured the past in his mind.
It was the third day, Kenji had suppressed his energy and prepared himself to go to the demonic realm. Xun Yu and Kai stood side by side behind Kenji in the chamber. The three of them stood silently with their energies suppressed. Kenji and Kai fabricated an illusion that they are still in their kingdom and proceeded to head towards the demonic realm.
The colour of the sky changed midway towards the demonic real, the sky was ablaze with shades of amber and violet, casting a fantastical glow over the rocky landscapes.
Kenji, Kai and Xun Yu were carefully and silently heading towards the demonic realm.
Suddenly a gush of wind pushed Kai.
Kenji and Xun Yu rushed towards him.
"What happened ? Be careful." Kenji said.
"My lord, it felt like a gush of wind."
"Come on now. Get up and be careful." Kenji said as he helped Kai get up.
Suddenly another gush of wind passed by Kenji.
"What is this?" Kenji mumbled
Another gust of wind whipped through the air, more powerful than the last, sending a shiver of unease down Kenji's spine. The atmosphere shifted, thickening with underlying tension that seemed to weave through the very fabric of landscape.
"Stay close." Kenji urged, his voice low but firm. "It can be anything."
Kai regaining his balance, nodded vigorously, his expression turning grave.
Kenji moved forward with Kai and Xun Yu behind.
For a while everything was still, silent and calm. No wind or cold air, nothing. Kenji, Kai and Xun Yu kept moving ahead but then, suddenly, another gust of wind passsd through Kenji and he stumbled sideways, almost falling down when a pair of hands caught him, Kenji looked up, startled, "Liuxing…"
"Careful,my lord." Liuxing's voice felt like a wave travelling in the air, piercing the silence.
Kai and Xun Yu backed away from helping Kenji, Liuxing was already there, holding him, helping him steady himself.
The energy was heavy and cold, "The realm does not let any divine beings pass, and my kingdom ….it has a strong security too. You all would have faced a problem ahead."
"Well…I could not have a messenger sent from my kingdom, it would have not been safe, even if I sent it secretly because the security of the divine realm has increased since Xun Yu's case."
Liuxing looked down, a slight smile appeared on his lips, " Did your highness trusted me to be at your service ?"
Kenji furrowed his brows in confusion, before he could say anything Liuxing wrapped his arms around Kenji's waist. Xun Yu and Kai glared at him but Liuxing just signalled them to join him to proceed further.
"Your highness." Liuxing extended his hand towards Kenji, to get on the wayfarer's wagon, it was pulled by an armoured being.
Kenji paused for a bit, hesitated and then extended his hands. Holding Liuxing's hand he stepped on the wagon. Kai and Xun Yu stared for a moment and then noticed the armour clad being signalling both of them to step on the other wagon. The armoured being, sturdy and imposing, began to pull the wagon forward, it's strides powerful and rhythmic. As soon as they reached the threshold of the demonic realm, a crimson boundary became visible, Liuxing lifted his hand towards it and a deep blue energy emerged from his hand, the boundary was drawn apart and their wagon entered. The guards at the threshold bowed down in a rythm.
On progressing further into Liuxing's kingdom, a pathway lined with vibrant flora and ethereal lights flickered like stars.
Citizens of the realm, those were strolling out stopped in their way, and those inside their homes got out. They all stared at the wagon. Bowing in respect to their King—Liuxing. A hush fell over the dense crowd, followed by whispers.
"Is that him?" A young woman gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief, "The guardian of doom and destruction…..it is indeed Kenji Huang."
Kenji appeared like a vision from their dreams, he just stared at the crowd whispering and the girls smiling, women blushing. His hair was like a dark river seated on the left shoulder. The veil covering his lower face appeared to be like the beauty of a pheonix's fire, his dignified posture and the way the light seemed to caress him.
Children clamoured to the front, faces aglow with awe, "Look at his eyes…" one of them said with admiration, he tugged at his mother's sleeve who was already staring at Kenji in admiration.
Kenji glanced around at the faces of the citizens, their face lighting up with admiration and awe.
"He is so beautiful."
"He is like a dream."
"His energy is just….so strong.. it feels suffocating but he is so ethereal."
"He is so handsome."
"He looks so strong."
"His charm is so ethereal."
Liuxing chuckled as the voice of the citizen's compliments became more and more audible, "My citizens like you my lord."
Kenji turned his head towards Liuxing… "I guess so…" he said with a hesitant smile.
"Oh look at him, they are so charming." Girls were whispering and blushing as they saw Xun Yu and Kai.
Kenji sighed and shifted his gaze to his hands, fidgeting the silk fabric of his sleeves.
"Are you okay, your highness?" Liuxing asked wrapping his hand around Kenji's waist once again.
"Oh yes I am Liuxing."
"We will be reaching the palace in a short while."
Kenji hmmed in response.
"Is your kingdom ….normally decorated with such grand lanterns?" Kenji asked after a pause.
"Oh…no not really, I had the lanterns replaced recently, yesterday to be precise. I recovered completely and got back, I called for decoration. I had to prepare for your arrival."
"Oh.." kenji said, his eyes widening with realisation, "You did not have to- did I brought about a great bustle with my arrival ?"
"You did, your highness and it is a good thing." Liuxing said.
"Well…. I did not expect my arrival to be a celebration here."
"Your arrival is a celebration for me, your highness and if it is a celebration for me then it is a celebration for the whole kingdom. How can your arrival, your presence not be a celebration?"