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After All That Training

Chapter 15: Conquering Demons

Notes:

Hello there...it's been a minute!

Sorry for the delay in the final chapter. There's been a lot of life stuff going on...a death in the family, trying to find a new home and a job...but I was also just burned out a little bit. I wrote so much of this in such a short span of time that I needed a bit of a break. But I'm back! So thank you so much for your patience.

So this final chapter takes inspiration from a story quest in the game. I didn't follow it exactly, but the parallels with what Chongyun is going through just made too much sense to me, so I hope you enjoy it.

Ok...at last, here's the final chapter in After All That Training!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Life was good.

The last six months seemed to have gone by in a blur for Chongyun. Too many incredible places to see, too many interesting people to meet, and most importantly, he was with Xingqiu. Always with Xingqiu.

His love. His dearest friend. The object of his undying lust.

Xingqiu did actually have enough restraint to focus on his work; in the last six months, he had written three short stories, and was about three quarters of the way done with his follow-up to ‘A Legend of Sword’. Chongyun would throw in suggestions whenever he felt he could, and of course the publishing team Yae Miko had strung together was always contributing their ideas.

But ultimately, they were Xingqiu’s stories, and Chongyun could tell how happy it made him to be writing full time. Chongyun often would catch him sitting alone, humming and smiling to himself. It warmed Chongyun’s heart every time he saw it, and anytime he would approach his love in such a state, he always got a kiss.

Oh, how he loved getting kisses from Xingqiu.

Chongyun kept himself busy; he helped unload the ships whenever new stock came in, he wrote down ideas for Xingqiu’s stories and attended the brainstorming sessions, and (his favorite) he was Xingqiu’s personal guard whenever he wanted to go out sailing and exploring the vast islands.

Often, these explorations would end up with Xingqiu flat on his back, with Chongyun eagerly kissing every part of him he could reach. Indeed, their appetite for each other had only grown in the months they’d been living together, and Xingqiu seemed determined to seduce Chongyun any time they got time alone. It had gotten so bad that Chongyun always kept a bottle of massage oil on him, just in case. And he frequently had gotten use out of it.

On one particularly daring night, the two boys had snuck up under cover of darkness to the Grand Narukami Shrine. Only one shrine maiden was there that late, and they had snuck past her and climbed to the top of the Sacred Sakura. They had been delighted to find that there was enough space on top of the tree to lie down. The things they had done up there still lingered in his thoughts in the moments when he was alone.

Or the time when they had taken a small boat out to explore the islands, and Xingqiu had stopped it in the middle of the sea just before sunset. The two of them had made love as they watched the sun disappear into the horizon.

But every once in a while, Xingqiu would push just the right buttons with Chongyun to get him to overheat. He’d prod and prod at him, groping his crotch and whispering the filthiest things in his ear, until he’d let his yang energy go. And of course once that happened, Xingqiu would immediately go limp and play completely submissive to his carnal urges.

Xingqiu really was a little shit.

But it wasn’t just the sex that made their time there so memorable. The two of them had explored every island in the area except for Tsurumi Island, which Chongyun had heard was covered in a thick fog, and was potentially haunted by spirits of the past. Chongyun was desperate to explore it, but the island was the farthest away of any Inazuman island. Xingqiu did promise him they would go there as soon as he could get some extended time off.

They had met all sorts of people in their time exploring. Xingqiu had introduced him to Ayato (who was just as handsome as he had described), they had met a strange dog-like young man named Gorou (who always seemed to disappear whenever Yae Miko came around) and, when Lady Yae had taken them to Watasumi Island on an errand, they had met Kokomi, the high priestess. Watasumi Island was Xingqiu’s favorite island, and Chongyun had to admit it was quite beautiful.

But perhaps the strangest encounter he’d had was a couple months in. Chongyun had decided he still needed a mentor to help with his training. Gorou helped him whenever he had time, but given Chongyun’s close proximity to Lady Yae, he always seemed to be busy. Therefore, Chongyun had found a strange kinship with General Kujou Sara. According to many townsfolk, she was very dedicated to her work, but not very personable. But, perhaps surprisingly, Sara seemed to enjoy his company. Whether it was because he had the same dedication to physical training that she did, or because he was quiet and unassuming, she had agreed to help him train for an hour every other day. And it was during one of those training sessions outside of the Tenryou Commission that it happened.

A bizarre looking man (he later found out he was an oni) with horns on his head showed up, demanding that Sara engage him in a duel. Sara rolled her eyes and attempted to dissuade him, (“He always does this,” she told Chongyun) but he wasn’t backing down. Then he laid his eyes upon Chongyun, and gave him a giant grin.

“Ha HA, well lookie here! Fresh blood! And a claymore user to boot! Maybe YOU will give me the epic duel I’m searching for!”

“Chongyun,” Sara murmured to him, “I would advise against getting involved with the likes of him. Arataki Itto is…formidable. I beat him in our last confrontation, but he gave me quite a fight.”

Indeed, the oni was massive, with rippling muscles and abs that displayed how powerful he was. Still…

“This could be a good opportunity, though,” Chongyun replied. “What better way to test out my skills?”

“ALL RIGGGGHHHT!” Itto roared, flexing his arms. “A worthy opponent! Our battle will be legendary!!!”

After relocating outside of the city (Sara insisted) the two claymore wielders went at each other. Chongyun had been surprised at the sheer ferocity of Itto’s blows. Still, he was able to hold his own. After a few minutes of sparring, Itto held up his hand, and Chongyun stood still.

“You ok there, bro?” Itto asked. “Your face is all red…”

“Oh, um…” Chongyun gasped, breathing hard. “I have this constitution…my yang energy…”

“No wayyyy,” Itto exclaimed, staring at him. “I thought I felt something different…I’m an oni, so I can feel these things…but come on, don’t hold back! I need you at your STRONGEST!”

“But I…”

“Chongyun, wasn’t it?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Chongyun, Chongus, my bro my guy my dude, this is a duel to end all duels! You need to bring your A-game! Come oooooon, show me what you got!”

Chongyun grimaced, feeling the heat rising. He turned to Sara, who looked apprehensive.

“Here,” he said, placing a popsicle in her hand. “If I look like I’m getting out of control, give this to me. It should help.”

Sara nodded curtly. “Very well. Just…be careful, won’t you?”

Chongyun took a deep breath, and let the energy flow. He flew toward Itto, greatsword in hand…

Chongyun woke up with a start. The light of the moon shone through the sliding door at the back of the cottage. Heat pulsed off of his body as he gasped for air. Xingqiu immediately sat up with him in bed, his cool hands massaging his shoulders.

“Hey, hey, Chongyun, it’s ok…shh shh shh, calm down. It’s ok, I’m here…”

Chongyun rolled to the side of the bed, pulling a popsicle from the icebox he had moved next to the end table. He shoved it in his mouth, taking deep breaths as he felt the cold essence seep down his throat.

“Bad dreams?” Xingqiu asked, squeezing his shoulder.

“No, just…it was about the duel I had with Itto.”

“Oh, that?” Xingqiu chuckled. “But you were so cool!”

“But I…I lost control. Again.”

“Oh, come on, Yun, no one got hurt! I mean, you knocked over a few trees, but…”

“I mean it, Qiu…I have more control over it than before, but it still affects me…every time I think I’ve mastered it, I do something stupid…”

“Yun,” Xingqiu cupped his face between his hands. “Please don’t let it get to you. You’re so strong, so talented…”

“I’m just sick of having to live with it,” Chongyun huffed, hugging his knees to his chest. “Why can’t I just be…normal?”

“If you were normal,” Xingqiu replied, playing with the exorcist’s hair, “You wouldn’t be you. Now come on…lie down, let’s get back to sleep.”

Chongyun set the popsicle stick on top of the ice box, and let Xingqiu guide him back down flat on the bed. He smiled despite himself as he felt Xingqiu’s soft lips caress his cheek.

“Let’s take a nice relaxing walk around the city tomorrow afternoon,” Xingqiu whispered in his ear. “What do you say?”

Finally cooling down, Chongyun smiled as he snuggled up to his love.

“Sounds good.”

The purple leaves were falling off the trees throughout Inazuma City as Xingqiu and Chongyun strolled together. The exorcist looked around him, utterly content. In many ways, it was similar to Liyue; there were blacksmiths, chefs, tailors, and food vendors that reminded Chongyun of home. Even the lady at the desk of the Adventurer's Guild reminded him of the one at home. In fact, if he didn’t know any better, he would have said they were the same person.

It had taken a few months, and he would always prefer Liyue Harbor…but this place was starting to feel like home. Then again, he thought as he looked over at his beautiful boyfriend, anywhere they could be together was home.

“Feeling better today, my love?” Xingqiu asked, squeezing Chongyun’s hand.

Chongyun breathed in the crisp air, giving his beloved a smile. “Yeah…I do.” He squeezed his hand back. “But I always feel better when I’m with you.”

Xingqiu giggled softly. “Oh, Yun…you always know what to say.” He kissed him on the cheek. “My big strong exorcist…everything worked out in the end, didn’t it?”

“Yeah…I suppose it did…”

Suddenly, a young woman from the Yae Publishing House ran up to them, out of breath. “There you two are!” she wheezed. “Come on, Yae Miko’s called an emergency meeting!”

“What?” Xingqiu raised an eyebrow in concern. “What’s going on?”

“No time…she’ll explain everything when we get there!” She ran off in the opposite direction. After a moment, wherein the two boys shared an incredulous look, they followed.

“It seems that there is a novel out on the shelves that is a direct rival to Yae Publishing House,” Yae Miko said in a low voice, her staff huddled around her. She sounded just as calm as ever, but there was a certain coldness in her eyes that made Chongyun shiver.

“What is the novel of which you speak?” Xingqiu asked.

“It is called ‘A Firsthand Guide to Summoning Spirits,’” Lady Yae answered. “And people seem to believe that the conjurings within will grant their wishes.”

Chongyun stared in disbelief. A Guide…to Summoning Spirits?? Why in Tevat would people actively TRY to summon spirits?? Perhaps it was simply a book meant to con people.

“In fact,” Yae Miko continued, “I believe one of our own writers had fallen prey to its petty scheme…Junkichi, I believe his name was. He is…no longer with us.”

Yae Miko caught the wide eyed stare of Chongyun, and let out a chuckle. “Oh, pardon me…I meant that he is no longer with the Yae Publishing House. He is certainly still alive…for now.”

She pressed on. “In any case, we need to come up with a novel that can fight against this new challenger. I already have the main body of the text ready to go…but we need to act quickly. I need a cover for the book, I need illustrations for each chapter, and most importantly, I need it printed and in the reader's hands by the end of tomorrow.”

“The…the end of tomorrow?” Shigeru, the editor, exclaimed. “But that’s…so little time…”

“And I have the utmost faith that you can all deliver,” Yae Miko said firmly. “Now go…get it done.” The team began to disperse, but before Xingqiu and Chongyun could turn to go and help out, she beckoned to them. “Except for you two…I have a task I must entrust to you in private.”

The three of them waited until the room was empty, and once they were certain of their solitude, the pink haired woman turned to them, speaking in a purely business tone.

“Firstly…I would like you both to promise to me that this conversation will stay between us.”

The two boys looked at each other, and back at the tall fox-like woman. “Of course,” Xingqiu agreed. “I am a man of my word.”

“As am I,” Chongyun concurred.

Yae Miko nodded, still with that ever knowing smile she always had. “Good… now, Chongyun. I’d like you to take a look at the text in the rival novel.”

She handed the book to Chongyun, who proceeded to flip through the pages. A lot of it was fictional nonsense, nothing to be taken seriously…but on a particular page, he gasped as he read an incantation. This…this was…

“I take it that you know what the words from the novel mean?” Yae said shrewdly, stepping closer to him.

“Y-yes,” Chongyun stuttered. “It’s an incantation…one that summons a spirit! So it is real!”

“Indeed,” Lady Yae inclined her head. “And it could even lead to possession, as I believe it might have already. I need to investigate further. The Traveler will be assisting me in that regard, they happen to be in the area. But Chongyun, there is something that you must do for me. It is no small thing that I ask, but it is necessary.”

“What is it?”

Yae Miko’s gaze bore into his pale blue eyes. “I need you to conquer your yang energy.”

“I…” Chongyu stared. “Wh-what?”

“Your constitution is among the strongest I’ve seen in my lifetime…and I’ve lived longer than you think. My plan isn’t just about combating the novel (although that’s certainly part of it), it’s also about making sure the spirits in question can be freed and sent home. This incantation that ‘A Guide to Summoning Spirits’ has is summoning them forth. But my own incantation that I have included in our book will allow them to be released from their spiritual constraints that tether them here. The readers will believe the incantation will bring them good luck, but in fact they will be setting the spirits free.

“My team is handling the marketing and distribution. I will make sure the spirits have been contacted and know what is to come. But you…you must make sure you can tame your yang energy. If you remain as you are now, the spirits will not be able to come forth and be freed. The amount of spiritual energy this will require will come from the entire island and its populace, and if your yang energy interferes, the entire plan will be all for naught.”

“But…” Chongyun was beside himself. “I don’t know HOW to stop it! If I did, I would have done it by now…can’t I just leave the island until the incantation is done?”

“You could,” Lady Yae agreed, “But my darling boy…where’s the fun in that? I think you want to be free of this curse, and I stand to gain something from it, so I will help you. Surely you have mastered the art of mediation already?”

“Y-yes…it helps me calm myself. In fact, I’ve been able to reclaim lost memories doing so.”

“Wonderful.” Yae Miko gave him a wide smile. “So you already have the basics down. This form of mediation will be even more advanced…it will require you to be under for at least 24 hours.”

“24 hours?!” Xingqiu cried out. “How can that be possible? He’ll have to eat, drink, and…you know…”

“Food and drink, yes,” Yae inclined her head. “And that is where you come in. You must be on hand to feed him and give him water. He will chew and swallow of his own accord while he is under, but he will need you to provide it to him, and lots of it. Meditation of this magnitude requires a lot of energy. And because of the amount of energy he will be expending…there will be no need to relieve himself.”

“Huh,” Xingqiu stroked his chin. “Fascinating.”

“Yes, this is all very interesting,” Chongyun scoffed, freely expressing distaste over his body’s behaviors being discussed so openly. “But how is it done?”

“Ah, yes.” Lady Yae took Chongyun’s hands in hers. “Here is what you must do…”

Upon a lone stone shrine, as the evening sun began to set, the Liyuen boys prepared the meditation circle. According to Lady Yae, Chongyun must sit in meditation within a stone circle for a full 24 hours. The technique was similar to the one Shenhe had taught him, but this one was much more complicated.

“You are used to the type of meditation that will allow you to enter and clear your mind,” Yae Miko had said, “But with this, you must instead focus on your heart. Your spirit, your soul…however you’d like to refer to it. It is not in your mind, but here,” She pointed at Chongyun’s chest, “where the anomaly lies. And the complexities of the soul are even more intricate than that of the mind. You must be careful, my young exorcist.”

With the stones placed, and the candles lit, the circle was at last ready. Xingqiu had a pile of food and water ready, as well as a couple of books to pass the time. Chongyun had prepared a pile of grass and leaves for him to sit on. Even if he would be in a state of meditation, he wanted to make sure he would be comfortable. He had never meditated for this long.

“Ok…it’s ready.” Chongyun said, breathing deeply. He slowly sat down in the middle of the circle, crossing his legs. Xingqiu leaned against the shrine, looking apprehensive.

“Everything’s going to be fine,” Chongyun smiled at Xingqiu, saying it more for himself than his boyfriend. “It’ll work…I know it will.”

Xingqiu nodded. “I know…just…don’t push yourself too hard, ok?”

“Yeah, I…I’ll be careful.”

Xingqiu slowly sat down at the foot of the shrine, and after giving Chongyun one last encouraging look, began to read.

Chongyun brushed the hair out of his face, closed his eyes…and began to concentrate.

He could feel cool water flowing down his throat. He could feel the tips of Xingqiu’s fingers against his lips, his hydro keeping him from thirst. He didn’t dare open his eyes, out of fear of breaking his concentration…but he appreciated that his love was there for him.

“I don’t know if you can hear me, Yun,” he heard Xingqiu whisper, “But it’s after midnight. I’m going to get some sleep…I love you.”

Chongyun didn’t speak, nor did he open his eyes, but he allowed himself to smile so Xingqiu knew he could hear him.

The next time he was aware of himself, he felt cold noodles in his mouth, and the warmth of the sun upon his skin. Subconsciously, he allowed himself to be fed, feeling Xingqiu’s breath against his face.

“It’s midday,” he heard him say softly. “You’re over halfway there…you’re doing so well, Chongyun.”

Deep as he was into his own being, Chongyun didn’t let any emotions show, but he found the statement amusing. How would Xingqiu know how it was going? He didn’t even feel any different…

A cool breeze blew across Chongyun’s face, and he could feel his hair shifting against the wind. The warmth he had felt was gone. Ah…so it was evening again.

He didn’t dare open his eyes. He must be close now…but nothing had happened. Chongyun kept his breathing steady and his eyes closed as he attempted to look inwards. Not into his mind, but into his heart…but it didn’t seem to be working. If anything, his chest felt warmer than normal. Perhaps he was doing something wrong? If he could just…

A powerful, raging heat burst inside Chongyun’s chest, unlike any he had felt before. Chongyun’s eyes shot open as he cried out in pain, clutching his chest. Xingqiu rushed to his side.

“Chongyun! What’s happening, are you ok?”

“It…it burns…”

“Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. If you need to stop…”

“No!” Chongyun exclaimed. “I have to do this…it isn’t just about me anymore. They’ll be trapped here if I don’t…I have to!”

“Ok, ok,” Xingqiu nodded, his eyes welling up. “What…what can I do? How can I help?”

“Just…stay back…” Chongyun groaned, trying to suppress the rising heat.

“O-ok…”

Chongyun shut his eyes tight, struggling with the white hot flames roasting his insides. It was excruciating, almost as if it was fighting back against his efforts to suppress it.

Another dose of pain hit him; Chongyun yelled up to the heavens as he fought to maintain his composure. Keeping his eyes shut tight, he felt a pair of cool arms envelope him, and a voice as soft as silk whisper in his ear.

“Yun…it’s ok. I’m here…just hold on. You can do it…I believe in you…”

Falling deeper into his meditation, with Xingqiu’s soft body and his loving words sustaining him, he found himself plunging deeper into his subconscious, down, down, down…

Chongyun’s eyes flutter open. He looks around; Xingqiu is nowhere to be seen, nor the surrounding mountains and land of Inazuma. He is surrounded by a wall of flame, emitting different colored embers in a circle around him. Beyond the wall of fire he can see nothing, nothing but a shimmering blinding white light. He takes a step forward, his footsteps echoing across the space on some kind of white marble below him.

“Where am I?” he murmurs, looking around. He looks down at his attire; it appears to be the same clothes he had been wearing. And he still has his claymore. How very peculiar.

He struggles to remember what he’s doing here, and where exactly “here” is.

Chongyun’s eyes widen slightly as he sees a part of the flames shift. A figure is emerging from the wall of fire, a shadowy silhouette with no form that he can discern. As the shadow steps out from the embers, the figure ignites, blue flames coursing down its dark form.

“Who are you?” Chongyun calls to the figure, his voice echoing throughout the dreamscape.

A face slowly takes shape on the figure’s head, with blue flames for eyes and a dark opening for a mouth. An evil chuckle emits from the shadow.

“Have you not guessed?”

How strange…the voice seems familiar…

A claymore materializes in the shadow’s hands, and Chongyun instinctively raises his own as the shadow moves with frightening speed. Their blades clash, the sound of metal reverberating throughout the strange space they inhabit.

Now with its face inches from his own, Chongyun gasps as he begins to see similarities…the shape of its shadowy face, the stance, the voice…

“You’re…you’re…”

The shadow grins. “That’s right…say it.”

Chongyun stares into its eyes. There are no pupils, just an empty blue flame for an eye. But it is unmistakable.

“You’re me,” Chongyun whispers.

The shadow disappears, and Chongyun swings about widely as it rematerializes behind him, bringing his claymore up just in time to block another blow.

“No…I don’t know what you are. You might take my form, but I’m not anything like you!” Chongyun cries.

The blue flames seem to grow brighter around the shadow as it laughs, a horrible sound that pierces Chongyun’s ears. Its form grows more substantial; now Chongyun can see a nose, fingers, the shape of his own attire forming on its body.

“Oh, but you are,” it hisses, swinging its blade at Chongyun’s head, missing him by inches. “You could say…I’m the REAL you.”

Chongyun blocks another blow, gritting his teeth. He swings his blade about, and attempts to rain down an avalanche of icicles (for what little good they’d do against fire) but the ice won’t come.

Another horrible laugh echoes out of the shadow, a flaming tongue flicking from its mouth. Chongyun is forced to roll to avoid the next attack, retreating to the far corner of the fiery arena.

“No Vision, I’m afraid,” the shadow chuckles.

Chongyun growls in frustration. “What do you want??” he shouts at the creature.

“What do I want?” The shadow’s flaming eyes narrow. “You’re the one who came here.”

Chongyun struggles to remember, his memories all a jumble. Where is he right now? And why, if he thinks hard enough, can he feel a cool hand within his? He looks down, but he sees no such hand.

“You think he can save you?” the shadow leers, brandishing its weapon. “I know who it is you think of…I feel what you feel. Your romance is doomed to fail, I’m afraid. The young master will only know pain by your hand.”

Xingqiu…he’s talking about Xingqiu…

“I won’t let you touch him!” Chongyun yells, clashing blades with the flaming figure once more.

“Oh, but I already have,” it sneers, its fiery blade scraping down Chongyun’s to the hilt. “Every dark and despicable act you’ve done to him…that was me.”

And finally, Chongyun understands. He knows what terrible figure stands before him. The flames that dance upon its dark form are the same flames he has felt in his chest for years and years.

“No,” Chongyun breathes, walking backwards as the shadow pursues. “You’re not real…none of this is real! Y-you’re just a figment of my imagination!”

“It matters not what I am, what you believe. You seek to vanquish the yang energy within you…well, here I am. And I, for one, am sick of existing in the back of your heart.”

The shadow bursts forward, grabbing Chongyun by the throat and lifting him off the ground. The flames coursing down its arm burn Chongyun’s neck.

“I make you stronger,” it hisses. “I make you bolder…without me, you’re just a pathetic worthless child. I, on the other hand…I can vanquish demons. I can rain down hell upon any opponent, even that infantile oni! And as for your little boyfriend…I’ve delighted in causing him pain. But even now, you’ve been holding back.”

“No…”

“YOU CAN’T LIE TO ME!” the shadow roars, its grip tightening on Chongyun’s throat. “I know what you really want…why you love to inflict pain upon him…he betrayed you. He doesn’t love you.”

“Liar,” Chongyun chokes out.

“He played you for a fool. He wasted your time for months and months with pointless false leads. But even before that, you resented him. He had the wealth and the power you could only dream of. He could eat whatever he wanted, do whatever he wanted, all the things you wouldn’t allow yourself to do out of fear of me…and all the while, he flaunted it. Mocked you. Tortured you with lies and deceit.”

The shadow seems to grow, enveloping Chongyun with blue flames as its essence seeps into his body. Chongyun falls to the ground as his vision is blurred by the growing entity. Its body begins to lose the human form, but the face remains, floating among the shadow and flames, taunting him.

“So go ahead…let me out. Let me take charge. You’ve kept me locked up for so long…give in to me. That petulant child is right next to you…let me punish him. It’s only a matter of time before he leaves you…before he recognizes the true darkness within you. We can end it on our terms.”

Chongyun feels himself growing smaller as the shadow grows bigger, the flames licking every part of his skin. “You’re weak…you’ve always been weak. I am so much stronger than you…and I can achieve our dream. Release me, and I can vanquish every demon, every spirit, every dark foul thing that walks this earth. It’s what you’ve always wanted…what WE’VE always wanted…”

There’s no way out. No way to fight. Chongyun feels his will slipping away. Who is he against this force, somehow channeling both everlasting darkness and piercing horrible light? Who is he, against the power and energy only seen once every ten lifetimes? Who is he to deny his birthright, his abilities? It would be so easy…

“Chongyun!”

A voice echoes from outside the flames. Chongyun tries to look past the shadow, now covering almost all of his vision, but he can see nothing.

“Chongyun, can you hear me? Come on…don’t give up! I’m here, I’m right here!”

Chongyun can only see the dreamscape and the fire around him, but as he closes his eyes, he can feel the stone below him, can feel the cool hand in his own, and feel the sweat dripping down his brow.

“Xingqiu…”

He can feel his lips moving. Did he actually speak? Did the word get through?

“Yes, Chongyun, I’m here! Oh, you’re burning up…come on, don’t stop now, you can do this! I know you can, I believe in you…I love you, Chongyun!”

Chongyun can feel Xingqiu’s fingers intertwined with his, can feel his cool skin against his own…

But most importantly, he can feel his undying love for him.

Chongyun’s eyes snap open, fearlessly gazing into the flames and shadows surrounding him.

“Empty words,” the shadow hisses. “You’ll always be alone; he will see you for what you truly are. I am your true self…you have ALWAYS been me!”

Chongyun stands up tall, glaring at the beast before him. “You…you are part of me. I know that.” He raises his blade up high. “But you do not define me. And I am stronger than you.”

As Chongyun feels his real hand tighten around Xingqiu’s, waves of water pour in over the wall of flames, splashing against the shadow. As the monster hisses and curses at the contact, Chongyun feels a cold burst in his hands. His Cryo Vision, pulsing in his hand, is his once again.

Chongyun swings his blade toward the creature, sending an avalanche of icicles down on it. They pierce through the shadow, freezing with the water engulfing it. The shadow screams with pain, and as the water and ice assault its form, the flames amongst the darkness flicker and die. Chongyun sends burst after burst of cryo energy at the monstrosity, the shadow growing smaller as he grows bigger. The water filling the arena is now up to his ankles, the white marble underneath him sparkling.

As the shadow continues to recede, leaving only the face with a small child’s form cowering in the center, the wall of fire falls to the water still flowing in to reveal a beautiful shimmering sea, the sun glowing across the horizon. The light from the sun warms Chongyun’s skin, but not in the same way the dark blue flames did. This is a warmth he relishes, one that exists in tandem with the cool waters of Xingqiu’s love.

He slowly walks over to the now pathetic form of the creature, shivering in the water. Its eyes stare up at him with hate and malice, still glowing with the last of the blue flames that had once controlled Chongyun.

“You…will never be free of me,” it gasps, coughing and wheezing as Chongyun stands over it, claymore in hand.

“No,” Chongyun agrees. “No, I won’t. But you will never control me again. Now…” He raises his greatsword one last time. “I control you.”

And with a loud cry, he brings his blade crashing down.

“Chongyun! Wake up!”

Chongyun’s eyes shot open; he was back in the stone circle. He was stiff and sore, but otherwise he seemed normal. He looked about wildly for Xingqiu, and found him standing over him, concern reflected in his deep amber eyes.

“Are you ok? Did it work?”

Chongyun felt his chest. There was no heat emanating from it…but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. “I don’t know…”

“Here.” Xingqiu tossed him a Jueyun Chili from the pile of food. “Try this.”

“Wha…how do you even have these here?!”

“Xiangling left some with me when they visited last month,” Xingqiu giggled. “I figured I’d save them for a special occasion…but come on, try it! If your energy acts up, we’ll just have to get you off the island, we might still have time…”

Chongyun grimaced at the fruit in his hand. If ever there was a substance that would instantly set him off, it was this. He sighed. Oh well, no better way to find out if it had worked…

He took a generous bite.

By the Archons, it was spicy! His tongue felt hot as he chewed the Liyuen specialty. And yet…his chest didn’t feel hot at all…

“Yun,” Xingqiu said softly, “Are you ok?”

“I…yeah.” Chongyun was trembling slightly, but not from his yang energy. “I…I don’t feel anything…”

Xingqiu’s face broke out into a wide grin. “Oh, Yun!” he squealed, jumping up and down. “You did it! You did it, you did it!!!”

“It’s not gone,” Chongyun clarified. “Not completely. I can still feel it inside me, a little bit…but it’s not affecting me the way it did before. I can use it if I need to, I think…but it shouldn’t cause me to black out or anything.”

Xingqiu took his face in his hands, smiling warmly at him. “I’m so proud of you, Yun…you’ve come so far.” He sighed, staring up at him with a look of pure adoration. “My beautiful, wonderful exorcist…”

“Oh, look!” Chongyun interrupted, pointing at the sky. “It’s starting!”

The sun had just finished setting, and now the world above opened up. A giant circular cloud formed in the middle of the sky, and lights began to float up from the island around them. Some came from the city, some came from the trees, and still others from the mountains. Chongyun could see the Grand Narukami Shrine up on the highest mountain, and he gasped as a beam of light shot from the center of the shrine.

“Yun, look!’ Xingqiu exclaimed. “That must be Yae Miko…she’s sending the spirits home!”

He rested his head on Chongyun’s shoulder, and the exorcist put his arm around him as the two of them watched the spirits from all over the island rise into the sky.

“It’s…beautiful,” Chongyun breathed. He squeezed Xingqiu closer to him.

They could hear the combined words of the people from Inazuma City, even all the way out here, reciting the incantation that Lady Yae no doubt had placed in the novel now circulating around the city. As the spirits congregated in the sky, Chongyun felt a tear fall from his eye. He had spent his whole life trying to find demons and evil spirits, and being ashamed of his constitution. It never occurred to him to think of the spirits that did no wrong, that might have been affected by his yang energy. But now, he could use his gift…yes, he felt he could call it a gift now…for good. He could summon his yang energy to purge an evil spirit, but without worrying about hurting innocent spirits like these.

He had conquered his own inner demons.

As the lights in the sky began to fade, Chongyun reflected on what he had seen in his vision. His meditation had tamed his yang energy, of that there was no doubt. But had his vision been real? Did his yang energy really have a form, a personality of its own? Did it really live like that inside him, perhaps screaming from a prison he made for it, unable to control him any longer? Or was it simply his mind giving his spiritual battle a physical manifestation?

Ultimately, he decided it didn’t matter. Whichever it was…he had won.

He was his own man now. His flaws, his dark desires were still there…but they did not own him. Not anymore.

The sky having returned to normal, and the stars showing themselves once more, the two boys turned to each other. Chongyun was surprised to see Xingqiu wiping a tear of his own from his eye.

“Xingqiu? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Xingqiu gave him a watery smile. “Nothing at all. I’m just…happy. And I’m so proud of you, Chongyun.”

The young master leaned up, pressing his soft lips against Chongyun’s. The two boys shared a kiss under the dark Inazuman sky, wrapping their arms around each other. More than ever before, it felt like they had their whole lives ahead of them.

They were happy.

“Hey, so…Yun-Yun,” Xingqiu blinked up at him with big amber eyes. “I know you can control your yang energy now…but does that mean you won’t…take me the same way anymore?”

Chongyun gazed down at his beloved. He hadn’t thought about that. It was true; he wouldn’t run rampant and overheat anymore…but that wasn’t to say he couldn’t let some of it show. And as he let his eyes run up and down his boyfriend’s adorable petite body, he found that the wonderfully lewd things he loved doing to him still felt…incredibly desirable.

“Well…”

Chongyun grabbed Xingqiu, pinning him down onto the bed of grass and leaves he had made for himself. Xingqiu let out an adorable squeal as Chongyun bore his gaze down upon him. His eyes weren’t glowing…but they still gave off that same look of pure lust.

“I guess we’ll have to find out, won’t we?”

Notes:

And there we have it!

I actually had a lot more ideas for adventures (and sexcapades) that Xingqiu and Chongyun could go on in Inazuma. I alluded to many of them in this chapter. I'm considering making a spin-off series, or a Part 2 that could focus on these ideas and more. But the main story I wanted to tell has been told, so I'm wrapping it up here for now. It'll be a while before I consider getting it down on paper, but...be on the lookout! I also have a Bennett/Reader story I've been casually working on for a while that I might publish someday. That one will definitely be more focused on fluff, Bennett is too pure for smut.

Thank you all so much for reading this, and coming back for each chapter. Your comments have meant the world to me (I know there's some I haven't responded to yet, I'll get to them, I promise!) and the amount of support you all have given me is staggering. For my first fan fiction I've ever published, it turned out way better than I could have expected. It's reinvigorated my love for writing, and although it might be a little bit before I publish more, I don't plan on being done here.

Thank you again...and happy reading!