#one day the dream will end: Imbibitor Lunae & Dan Heng (etheralguard)

[shining-gem34]

||A little short drabble following @etherealguard post here

ENJOY IT, LUNA! HAHAHAHAHA

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The journal opens of their own accord.

Every detail of Dan Heng experience in his dreams, he recorded it all within these pages. They flip one by one, the black ink starts to glow a faint turquoise.

As if summoned, a ghostly shape of the past appears. An ethereal man in white and silver with majestic horns sitting at the crown of his head. Yet where there used to be a pair, only one horn remains on his head and the other a stub. Opening his eyes, a pair of vivid turquoise hues observes the room before him.

The archives, Yinyue Jun recognizes.

Then his gaze lands on the figure hunched over the desk.

Dan Heng, Yinyue Jun smiles and walks over to him.

The High Elder footsteps make no sound, leaving behind him a trail of water ripples and blooming lotus flowers. He stops to examine Dan Heng again, surprised to find him fast asleep. A rarity considering his treasure stubborn nature for many reasons. Regardless, Yinyue Jun grabs the nearby blanket and places it onto his back.

Another pause, Yinyue Jun eyes narrowed to scrutinize the item in Dan Heng hands. They widen upon recognizing it; a horn.

Not just any horns, but his horn

"I see." Yinyue Jun shuts his eyes, "Some time has passed since we said goodbye."

Dan Heng had grown not only physically, but mentally as well. He no longer needed Yinyue Jun guidance to help him understand himself as a person. Eventually, the High Elder will disappear and return to the sea of their souls.

His treasure is no longer a hatchling clinging to his father hand. He is a grown man that must let go of him and blaze the path he had chosen.

Yinyue Jun shouldn't be here.

He shouldn't be here as a spirit haunting Dan Heng. He shouldn't be here witnessing his silent mourning. He shouldn't be here because of his own selfish wish.

Selfish, the High Elder will always be selfish to the end because he never had a chance to express his own desires freely when he was still alive.

But just this once, Yinyue Jun wanted to see his treasure today.

"I'm sorry, Dan Heng. I cannot be here long, because if you see me- Everything we have done will be undone at the seams." Yinyue Jun said somberly, reaching out to pat his head gently. A faint smile drawing his face seeing Dan Heng frown at the touch. "Today is a special day for you, little one. I'm not sure if you remembered the day you were born."

He retracts his hand back to pull something out of his sleeve and places it on the table next to him. A jade stone of a deep green color with a beautiful dragon carved into it.

"My skills are subpar compared to the Furnace Master in my era. However, I hope the sincerity of my gift makes up for it." The High Elder chuckles to himself.

When his form starts to flicker, Yinyue Jun sighs realizing he has little time left here. He pats Dan Heng head again, "I am no longer here to help you, but you are strong. As long as you don't lose yourself, you'll be alright."

"I am proud of you, Dan Heng."

Yinyue Jun places a gentle kiss on the crown of his head, "Happy birthday, my treasure..."

Then he pulls away, taking a few steps back, and spent the remaining few minutes watching his son peacefully sleeping. His vision slowly fading just like his body, and soon Yinyue Jun was no longer there.

The only thing that remained as proof of his presence was the jade stone and the scent of lotus blossoms.

[shining-gem34]

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