Five seconds before Destiny

relentless, as if trying to wash away the sins gath

d and betrayal. "He would've died eventually-by age, or by one of the enemies he made over decades

ing the shoulders of his coat. T

d, his voice sharp as a blade behind

ll puddles beneath them, soaked in the storm.

lmost too casually. "That man di

aped Huyan's lips,

the rain like a scalpel. "Guilt is raising a heartless son who can

-anger, unmasked for just a second

caug

"You're cracking, big brother. Don't let it s

himself like a man covering a wound. "Do you

hed. His tone dropp

. W

m sure he knows. And next time..." he leaned forward, his voice venom, "don'

t after a few steps, he st

back. His steps w

Huyan's ear, and this time, hi

guilt in

breath

not for what you think. He didn't regret what he did t

heart st

s own hands... the night she begged him to keep you out of this world.

pa

ved her

is hand shot forward, gripping Ja

rembled-not from fear, but fury. "Take ba

ctions, boy. I'm no longer your sibling-I'm the head of this empir

ngers loosened. He stepped ba

and rumpled. He looked at Huyan wit

begged me-begged-not to let you find out. Said the gui

uneral hall, his silhouette swallowed by the

st the tip of his shoes, soaking his soles. It was cold, but

t like a noose. He loosened it violently,

. Rain mingled with sweat and

lled

und. The storm outside mirror

lla from the steps but didn't open it. The rain hit him like a punishment, an

ories are bleeding into each other... Everything hurts, but I can't tell if it's grief... or guilt... or love. I don't

ed toward

umbrella in hand, h

in," he s

mething deeper than skin. "You knew," he said, his vo

orward, to shield h

ouch me. I trusted you. I thought...

ps tre

se in my life, Yan. Because you watch

d off into the rain

la hung limp in his hand. He watched Hu

But I... I can't help you yet. This war inside you...

finish the

r. The door closed

storm ro