(Im)permanent Shackles of Duty (cw: torture mentions)

[foresightis2020]

In one moment, the surroundings from the forest appear clear as day, only to suddenly twist into something else. The sensation is almost too-real, the frost of the area washing over even harsher still than that of the North. Instantly, it is as the knowledge that the reason for this is clear (or unclear for Khun or anyone else not Jing Yuan), with the frigidity of this place belonging to an area where criminals cannot hope to ever break free on their own.

To try is to exercise futility.

To defy is to practice complete foolishness.

A familiar voice rings out in the darkness:

Jing Yuan's.

"Dan Feng, guilty of unpardonable sin...in light of past merit, the sentence shall be commuted to molting rebirth, and eternal banishment."

Khun's perspective narrows to the viewpoint of an individual walking upon solid ground, and in a place encased in unfriendly darkness. There are words exchanged with this person in particular, but he should know the cadence of those very well, particularly since it belongs to a certain Jing Yuan. There are gaps in sections where they may speak, making it at first difficult to discern the topic. But it becomes clear the name "Shacking Prison" refers to the area they are in. The only ray of light that exists is where he walks.

Whoever beside him asks if he is certain with the decision.

Jing Yuan merely enters into the cell of the criminal.

The name of which is announced as follows:

Dan Heng, reincarnated from the seditionist, Imbibitor Lunae—Dan Feng. The latter of which, now upon completion of this molting rebirth, is no more.

It not just the cold that is unforgiving, but it is also the treatment. Prisoners are often left alone, but this one was beaten, bruised, and otherwise hurt, so it is no surprise those blue eyes are hard when they first look upon who enters.

But soon, the gaze changes, seeming to recognize whoever entered as no warden or enemy. Dan Heng briefly seems to gaze upon Jing Yuan like he is the sun in the midst of the darkness.

As Jing Yuan orders the Cloud Knights to attend to him, as well as to release him from his bonds. For seemingly just practical reasons, though the personal effects Jing Yuan has ordered to give and the like seem unnecessary to hand over to someone in exile.

His voice carries easily throughout the area, though there is a tinge of bittersweetness upon his tone.

With the memory becoming quite a bit more murkier and changing to different places still, that in of itself is eventually called into question.

What is painted before them is a place much more welcoming, with the temperature becoming much more bearable. Warmer.

Even the cast changes, just a little from the small number of figures walking across the beach. Soldiers, but Jing Yuan as well as Dan Heng being two of them who can be observed as immediately identifiable individuals.

Jing Yuan strolls straight into the midst of where four others stand (with one blond who raises up.) The other three consist of a woman with red hair, the other certainly Dan Heng, and the other is a tall black-haired male with crimson eyes. When Jing Yuan speaks, his tone is full of humor as he says, "Many years have passed since the two of you departed the Xianzhou, and yet the circumstances of your return appear to be equally unhappy. If you still thought of me as a friend, you should've forewarned me."

The crimson-eyed man speaks darkly with a business-like tone that is straight to the point, no-nonsense, "My task is complete."

Jing Yuan merely passes him a smile. "Mm, that it is."

Though, it doesn't last very long as he turns his gaze towards the woman, saying, "Thank you for assisting the Xianzhou in this small matter. Take this person away - I will pretend I didn't see anything this time."

The blond-haired boy at Jing Yuan's side protests, "General?! I..."

Whatever he says next is cut off as Jing Yuan's voice raises, sharp. Commanding. "Now is not the time."

This stops any further protest, and the two—the crimson eyed man and the crimson-haired woman—walk away. Jing Yuan then looks at Dan Heng, stating, "It has been a long time...old friend."

Only for the man to say, "I'm not him."

At that, Jing Yuan can only smile painfully, and reply, "Mm...I'm sorry."

Dan Heng moves to leave, only for Jing Yuan to say, "You cannot leave yet—your Astral Express friends are waiting for you in Scalegorge Waterscape. Shall we go and see them together?"

Though he phrases this similar in the way one would a request, it is clear that Jing Yuan means it is more a command than that. Such as it is, soldiers come converge into the general area as Jing Yuan sends the young blond off.

Jing Yuan takes a boat with Dan Heng, and the small contingent of soldiers to another beach-like area. As soon as they step onto the sands, the General speaks once again. "Lunarescent Depths—a realm of singular beauty. Scalegorge Waterscape is the same as when I last laid eyes on it...and here we stand so different from one another. The flesh of long-life species may be immortal, but the constant of heaven and earth eludes them."

Dan Heng seems less then impressed with Jing Yuan's words, striding forward, past the man. "You know the Vidyadhara hatching rebirth cycle, General. The waters of the ancient sea have cleansed Dan Feng of his past sin. The person that once stood here alongside you is no more."

"I am Dan Heng. Whether Dan Feng was hero or villain has nothing to do with me. I bore his punishment, accepted my eternal banishment without complaint...but do not let his shadow cloud your estimation of me, general."

Jing Yuan merely sighs, "Raising old nets only darkens the water—an exercise in unhappiness. Perhaps it is your visage, the horns on your head, or the unmistakable air of the high elder that makes the separation nigh impossible for me."

This gets Dan Heng to narrow his eyes and immediately start, "...I told you—"

Jing Yuan simply interrupts, tilting his head with a half-smile, "You did...but to what effect? If words alone were enough to change the heart, this world would be without quarrel. If you wish to rid me of the illusion of Dan Feng, you must do something for me."

They exchange more words, Dan Heng protesting a little, until Jing Yuan says, "It is as I said: here we stand so different from one another. Dan Feng is no more—now there is only Dan Heng. But I..."

There is a pause as he closes his eyes, before he reopens them again, his gaze and tone imperious as he continues speaking, brooking no argument, "I am the General of the Luofu. There are things that I wish I did not have to do, and yet I must."

With that, they stride forward, Jing Yuan compelling Dan Heng to move forward for another reason as well—to see his friends.

Though, they stop momentarily in front of the debris of some creature seemingly made one with the sand. If only but a moment, which makes the General give one final comment from the memory, arms folded:

"I have been keeping careful watch against the Abominations of Abundance, the Stellaron Hunters, and the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus...but I never anticipated the Antimatter Legion.

The Hunt is far from over, yet all the while we find ourselves at war with other evil spirits...Hmph, from this battle onward, the Alliance must fight the Legion to our dying breath, even if means the end of the Luofu."