#— 強 [Cynosure's Ascendance] ♰ | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

chiyoso · 11 months

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CYNOSURE'S ASCENDANCE: “CONSTRUCT”

▶PLAY. having barely escaped the observant general's sight, you found yourself back safely towards your abode while the problems in the xianzhou luofu continue to worsen, along with your state, not knowing that the severity of your situation had become on par with the ambrosial arbor crisis.

▶CONTENT. timeline takes place during xianzhou arc, multiple povs, cursing, dan heng ptsd, social anxiety(?), mentions of blood and fighting, idk what else to put here ☠️ pretty sfw for now

“Aeons—Ugh fuck,” You cursed under your unsteady breath, sounds of midnight, accompanied by your swift and graceful movements, slithering around the Exalting Sanctum's buildings, and keenly on the lookout for any patrolling cloud knights as you make your escape from the Arbiter General.

Oblivious and unaware, you've manage to accumulate a certain level of suspicion from your ongoing hobby of managing to apprehend criminals, to encountering shady alchemy commission individuals by chance, to victims of mara.

Additionally, the other night in your leisure stroll with the lovely spear you cherish while walking around Cloudford, you managed to encounter and go up againat two important antagonists who continued to disrupt the peace within the Xianzhou Luofu.

Dan Shu. Mauve Moon—and a damn headache.

You were clueless, attenpting to recall your superior's reports. You weren't heavily aware of the current situation, their status, and you most definitely were not aware that they were both high figures of a large group, unaware that they themselves had been one of the main troubling sources of the Xianzhou Alliance, dealing with unprecedented mara-strucked attacks, that you of course, fight from time to time.

History in the saying, you did however drag the former Cloud Knight, delivering his unconscious, tied up body, successfully placing his (alive of course) figure in the middle of the lotus plaza in the Exalting Sanctum. You didn't really know what happened to them after that since...

You were quite bruised and battered up after that.

Reason being?

The male, that Cloud Knight, he took you by surprise, almost devastatingly so on how skilled and imposing he was.

Prior to that night, you did study enough about the subject of the Xianzhou's main line of defenses—to recognize how Cloud Knights fought, their specific fighting style to bury it into your battle lusting mind, all through a thick, dusted book that you borrowed from Yinshu's book shop.

Even then with that knowledge, you instinctively underestimated the Cloud Knight, thinking to yourself he was just as any other mara-strucked soldier that you've been encountering based off your previous expeditions, resulting in a heavily battered up and sweaty victory.

But at day, where those adventures die down for a little bit, having associated yourself with the Realm-Keeping Commission had its ups and quite tiring lows recently.

Jingyan and Dahao informed you and Songyan, as well as other colleagues of yours, about certain trailblazers that had trouble keeping Dan Shu at bay, unfortunately, you weren't really there present in the office to witness the star traveling companions that time they came in, you were at least aware of their existence—somewhat.

Even so, during that meeting, you kept in mind of the slight intrusion of theirs, and despite the trailblazers claiming victor against the Cloud Knight, via information gathering and a bit of a brawl.

That woman. She had slipped away during your intense, bloody dance with him, leaving you utterly unsatisfied and frustrated.

But you won't deny, it was also one of the most skillful and difficult task you encountered, conflicting your emotions as the battle came to a victorious halt, even then — you were grateful for the opportunity, you knew you needed it, you really did, even in your struggle, you needed to use your spear again.

Why?

Your work in the Realm-Keeping commission consisted of paperwork and only paperwork, repetitively dealing with normal, casual affairs along with the oh-so carefree desk neighbor colleague of yours, Songyan, which you think should be fired for his laziness in all honesty.

One of the job's descriptions that consisted of investigations towards criminals, you thought you would participate in such activities, but not at all, you did not expect to drown in heavy paperwork instead, a heavy amount of your time stolen, restricting you from your beloved spear and rigorous training as the daylight approaches, leaving you deprived of your sleep and reliant on the reliable snack snapperfish jam, downed satisfyingly with a warm bottle of puffergoat milk, occasionally an immortal's delight drink for caffeine, instead of a well deserved full meal that your body genuinely needs.

You're thankful though, for the lonely food vendor just outside behind your residence, they resided near the starskiff dock, for setting a place in a... not so lively area at most times.

Though your reliance on her food, her despondency towards their business, and your need for a quick bite every morning, is definitely a win-win situation, a benefit for the two of you, gaining a friend based relationship for your personal needs, and her business needs.

The elephant in the room, was being an almost infamous vigilante of the Xianzhou Luofu, even if the Arbiter General himself hasn't made this situation public yet, ideal?

No. Never. Not at all.

It is a situation that you had just known about based on the short conversations of the Arbiter General and his lone Cloud Knight.

All because of your boredom in the day, and your eccentric nature, accompanied by your lustful battle tendencies that led you up to this moment.

Haa. Shit. Your accursed mind and body's desires for the excitement of wielding your dearest spear—you hated it. You'd start to subconsciously agree with your parent's idea on why they had... negative outputs of you.

You, being someone so dangerous, but you were no killer. Why would you anyways? The more individuals that you would've easily incapacitate and killed, the lesser your fights shall be.

That was your reasoning, and you're having a hard time determining if this aspect of you were a flaw or not, but you didn't dwell on it further as you finally arrived the court of tranquility, nearing your residence.

You were exhausted.

Both from the events that occured and your... ruined orgasm from earlier.

You moved with tired limbs, towards your cozy abode in a tiring daze, the faint blush on your cheeks don't seem to disappear as the Cloud General's voice continue to ring inside both of your eardrums.

“So that's how he sounds like...” You mumbled under your irregular breathing, your mind racing to the important figure of the Luofu, remembering his deep and stern tone, with underlying hints of warmth.

You sigh, placing your spear in hand close to the bed shortly after making your way towards your comfort room, wanting to get rid of your body's sweat and the remains of your womanly juices, that drenched your legs.

You felt relief once the water from the shower head began coat your skin, beginning to clean yourself, as the night pursues, unfortunately only leaving you a few hours of night worths of sleep, before sunrise awakens you forcibly so.

“But Mr. Yang—” A cute, high pitched and lively voice is cut off, placing her hands on her hips as the rising sun took a peek within the Astral Express's interior, its golden rays dwelled upon her cutely designed pajamas, creating a fresh atmosphere towards a new day.

“A distress call from Miss Jingyan arrived. I apologize for asking Pom-Pom to wake you, our presence is greatly needed by the Realm-Keeping Commission.” The man hoisted his glasses up, repositioning his spectacles over his nose bridge with his index and middle finger, as the other hand occupies his cane.

Before walking towards the cushioned seats, the tall figure looks over his shoulder, continuing shortly after, “Do make haste if possible March, please awaken the twins and Dan Heng.” He spoke with a firm and gentle tone, a sense of concern and urgency from the sound of his vocals if one listened deeply to his low and husk chords.

“Uuhg... alright,” with a compliant nod, accompanied with quiet, mumbling from the little lady, she made haste towards the cabins, heading in deeper into the Express while rubbing her eyes in a sleepy daze. How shall she do this efficiently you wonder? Their cabin, sliding doors were locked, and they were very much asleep in this early time of daylight.

“Mm...” She cleared her throat momentarily, as the light haired lady pursed her lips, facing the corridor where their cabin entrances reside, bringing her hands to the sides of her cheeks, inhaling dee—“EVERYONE! MADAM HIMEKO IS STARTING A CHUG FEST WITH HER COFFEE! LAST ONE OUT OF THEIR ROOMS IS TO FINISH EVERY DROP!” She yelled with the top of her lungs with a sly yet cute grin, her voice carrying a high volume as it was clear that anyone can hear her high pitched, urgent yet teasing tone.

“—the FUCK?” “S-Shit.” “MOVE STELLE-”

Panic and danger. Several, jumbled noises of stumbling and scattering within their personal abode, even March is able to hear several cusses from behind their rooms. While waiting for the first person to open their sliding door, she leans her back towards the Express's interior, gazing towards the sight of the galaxy, as well as the Xianzhou Luofu they docked on.

A sharp exhale was heard a few long moments after, her head instinctively turning towards the noise to reveal a tall male with dark hair, slightly disarrayed, his traditional earrings dangle from his movement, adjusting his white jacket, encrusted with a traditional yet modern design as his eyes dart around.

Looking with a sense of urgency outside his room, before laying his eyes upon the sleepy, pinked haired girl whose attire was still of sleep wear.

His eyes narrow to her, his legs bringing him to the individual who yelled and disrupted their sleep. “March—” An interruption ensued, two more doors sliding open simultaneously, displaying two grey haired disorganized individuals.

I can't believe that worked. She then shifted her attention attention towards the three with the signature smug grin creeping up in her lips.

“Rise and shine sleepyheads! Mr. Yang needs us, so hop to it!” She hummed in amusement clasping her hands together momentarily, not elaborating further as she lowers her hands, skipping cheerfully with satisfaction as she proceeds towards her own bunker, planning to ready herself in the process, and sliding the door to close it, leaving the three in a state of complete deep, utter confusion and disbelief.

“W-What about the chug fest...?” Stelle mumbled out in confusion moments after the silence, her tone clearly baffled as she witnesses March walk to her own room, leaving her in a daze as she then steps outside her cabin, her legs bringing her towards Dan Heng.

“Good game.” The grey haired man follows suit, rubbing his adam's apple with a wry, bitter smile.

Dan Heng clears his throat, his dilating, green irises, gazing towards March's door, beginning to speak. “I have no knowledge to give, but uh, I have discerned you two arrived more late, so...” He hummed with a relief of victory, his index and thumb rubbing his nose bridge, leaning his back against the Express' wall behind him, a sigh escaping his lips.

“F- Fuck!” The grey haired man, slumped to his knees as he crouches down, his hands gripping his fluffy locks, yelling at the top of his lungs, his voice's volume along with the dread on his voice, echoing through the corridor as his twin, swiftly moving her right, gloved hand to her mouth, seemingly wanting to puke, lowering her gaze to the floor as her eyes dilate.

Both of their golden eyes, dulling. Sharing a look of dread, their eyes telling a traumatizing tale involving Miss Himeko's brown liquid—or coffee, as she called it.

“What did March do now...” Mr. Yang mumbled to himself, having heard a slight commotion in the cabins while setting his cane onto the table, adjusting his gloved left hand.

Dan Heng's gaze lowered to the poor man slumped onto the floor, seemingly chanting something under his breath while the other grey haired girl whose face was dulled and filled with dread, crouches beside Dan Heng, letting the wall behind her back to support her.

“You two have seemed to forgotten that Mr. Yang needed us as well, the situation doesn't make sense.” He spoke to them in his usual, monotonous voice. Perceptive and observant, Dan Heng had always been, as he tries to make do and assess the stage with the limited information that March provided him.

“No matter... Let us take our leave, Mr. Yang is presumably waiting for us outside just as March said.” He ushers to the two grey haired, bummed out individuals, walking towards the tall entrance to the main area of the express, his demeanor quite neutral—but if observed heavily with a keen eye, he was absolutely, most definitely nervous as bead of sweat dropped from his jawline.

“I-” The grey haired man looked over to Dan Heng leaving, his gaze then faltering towards his twin as a look of determination glints his eyes.

“I'm pretty sure I got out first.” He huffs insisting to her, standing back up, and crossing his arms, as he follows late behind Dan Heng, whom was already out in the main area. Her eyes widened as she hoisted herself back up with her hands, her head facing towards Caelus' behind.

“HEY!” She yelled in disbelief, scurrying and jogging towards him, her gaze unwavering to him, now proceeding to argue over a non-existent problem that March staged for them as they venture outside from the corridor.

March then shortly after, slid her door open to the side, looking around to check if they're still within the now empty hall, before humming with a degree of accomplishment as closes her door, skipping in delight after and following the group of three behind a little late.

The group and a pink haired girl now visible behind them as she closes the entrance to their cabin, are now met with the piercing, brown gaze of Mr. Yang. He was confused as to why their faces grimaced while March's was had her usual lively demeanor, he furrowed his eyebrows at them, pointing his cane towards their direction—or rather March's direction.

“March, what was that shriek earlier.” His tone firmed, eyes narrowed to her.

“We're uh, ready for... for the... chug fest?” She spoke with dread as her face showed visible a grimace, leaving the tall, old figure more so confused as March tried to hold back laughter.

“Chug... fest?”

“W-Well... You said make haste Mr. Yang...” March responded with a playful expression on her face as she rubbed the back of her hair.

With a long sigh, the tall, brown haired figure taps the hilt of his cane down to the floor once, the firm and loud noise following suit, grabbing the attention of group in four as he exerts a serious and calm demeanor.

“You four, our presence is needed in the Luofu as per request of the Seat of The Divine Foresight, Jing Yuan himself.” Dan Heng flinched, his eyes dilating upon hearing a familiar name as a sharp sensation filled his head, causing him to reach out and massage his nose bridge, stepping back from the group momentarily.

His expression faltered into a grimace, looking away towards the window view of the Luofu, his mind, rendered in waves of memories, flooding him relentlessly.

Welt Yang's keen observations noticed his absence immediately, noticing the sorrow filled eyes of his as he walked away discreetly. He understood vaguely since way before about his mysterious past, but he didn't pry further into his life, and Dan Heng was grateful for that.

“Dan Heng?” March questioned, noticing shortly after, looking around as her eyes land upon the disarrayed dark haired man, the twins, silent and looking back to him as well.

“March, it's okay, let him be.” Welt reassured, his spectacles briefly looking towards Dan Heng before returning his gaze to the group once again. Welt cleared the sudden, uncomfortable air, clearing his throat to gain back the attention of the three again.

“I apologize for waking all of you in this time of light, but it is quite urgent. I haven't received details as to why they need us at this time, however...” The brown haired man's voice trails off as he turns his head to look towards the docks of the Luofu.

“Basing from the situation within the Xianzhou Alliance, as well as the recent mission Caelus and Stelle did, it is safe to assume that this is most likely about the group, Sanctus Medicus again.”

“What the heck are they up to now?!” March huffed with a cute frown, scratch her hair in confusion and attempting to follow the conversation.

“But... Didn't we—or Caelus and Stelle gain information from them already? What gives this time?” She continued, her head turning towards the twins, tilting her head to the side.

Welt nodded, his right hand rubbing his chin as he pondered momentarily, seconds before relaying a response.

“You'd be correct, we did give the Realm-Keeping Commission valuable information, however... Dan Shu herself had ultimately escaped, I assume something happened, had it only been a few days since the mission.” He stated, lowering his hand beside him in idle.

“Nonetheless, we are still needed,” je continued, now facing his body towards the stairs up towards the exit.

“We shouldn't keep the commission waiting, let's go trailblazers.” He spoke over to his shoulder, before facing and walking towards the exit of the Astral Express.

March and the still-confused groggy twins follow suit behind Mr. Yang towards the exit, making their way towards Cloudford's Skiff Boarding Area as Dan Heng was left behind with his thoughts and his fragmented memories, continuing to haunt him while a seething sensation throbbed in his head.

“...So no coffee?” Caelus said, his voice mixed with a confusion and uncertainty as March's snickering follows suit.

The rising sun threatens your eyes, its rays indicating another day of living.

You just got out from your bed while the sunrise's radiant glow shone inside your apartment's chambers, with you, having only a few hours of sleep that you managed to get.

Blinking away the grogginess your hazy lids, you forcibly brought your sore, and bruised body towards the contents of your bathroom, doing your quick and hygienic routine, and since you already washed yourself from the eventful night that happened just a few hours ago.

“Nnn,” you were already quite ready for work, not before trying to cover up your bruises around your face and arms with an alchemy commission specialty beauty liquid that you can put anywhere with safety—or so the sales woman claimed.

You figured, on days like this whereas you encountered such skillful opponents that causes your body and flesh to-well... look absolutely battered up, this 'make-up' as they call it, would be able to hide your marks from the nightly battles you kept getting yourself into.

After covering up several discolored injuries that were obvious, (surprisingly with accumulated skill from your constant use of the liquid foundation).

Roughly 40 minutes left. You have time.

You stretched groaning, now dressing up and letting out a heavy, tired sigh as you walk over to your bed. “I'll see you tonight,” you reached down to your spear sighing, kissing the flat surface of the sharp tip, before making your way towards the outside of your residence.

You were met with the sight of your table and the sight Ambrosial Arbor's scenery as per usual, the golden leaves floating around showering the Exalting Sanctum exquisitely along with the sunrise's rays that shone all over your body. You didn't tire of the view as it had a calming effect that slowly washed your mental turmoil away, especially the events of the night that pursued.

Taking a few technical deep breaths, you pressed on towards the vendor behind your place, moving accordingly with your plans—me?

That's a poster of me, right? No? Yes? I-

You checked closer towards the wall just outside your entrance, your eyes squinted, scanning the plastered paper against the red wall.

It wasn't exactly you per say you thought, but rather... it was the color of your hair, a dark silhouette of a woman with a huge question mark on the face and your—“MY SPEAR?!” You choked on your saliva as you instinctively cover your mouth seconds after, grabbing the unintentional attention of several locals within hearing range in confusion, you then turn around to bow apologetically in a hurry before resuming your own tiny investigation.

Shit, why was your spear in the illustration?

Was your unorganized, panicked escape from yesterday from the General's sight the reason?

How much did he see? How much did he witness?

What did—Your racing thoughts were interrupted by the sound of your stomach crying for help, you were already lacking proper food intake, and now you're delaying the hope and savior of your organs? 'Pull yourself together' you thought to yourself, slapping your cheeks lightly and repeatedly as you proceeded to move your legs.

You shook your head in a daze, bringing your hand to your head as a growing headache ensues from your underlying stress, making your way towards the food stall just infront of the Exalting Sanctum's starskiff docks.

Your heart along with your mind continues to race, as you walk towards the vendor who was already eager and waiting for you, since you were her most loyal customer after all. The vendor immensely notices the visible distrsss in your face, as she began to speak, interrupting your train of thought again. “Miss? Lack of sleep again?” She spoke softly, assuming the usual, the bags under your eyes along with the look of distress, visible on your facial features.

“An all-nighter again... Don't worry.” You lied through your teeth, resuming this white, harmless lie as you continued to deprive yourself of sleep.

You worry that your body won't be able to keep up with your love of training and battle if you kept this up, you should really ask Dahao or Jingyan for a break if y—“The usual, miss?" Again, your worries get interrupted by the vendor's soft voice, snapping you out in your hazy, exhausted trance.

“A-Apologies, just the... and fried fish and immortal's delight this time.” You respond without missing a beat, you spoke a tad bit incoherently, slurring your words as the stress is getting to you, creeping up and affecting your body's performance as well.

You usually don't rely on this drink, but with recent events and your sleep deprivation, you started to become heavily reliant on it, yet you had no choice. “Cetainly,” The food vendor hummed, as the sounds of crackling and sizzling satisfied your eardrums, along with the welling up scent of the food you had ordered begin to create an air of delicious aroma around you and the stall.

A tired yawn escapes your mouth, waiting for the food in preparation.

You decide to do the stretches for your body that you forgot earlier, you were not about to lose the hardwork you've put on your body.

The sight was already normal to the vendor, except at first of course.

That being the case, your ears perked up, hearing a starskiff past by and dock into the Exalting Sanctum, but you were too occupied from your stretching as your bare, right leg was now on top of the wooden railings, your whole body pressed against your leg as several voices are heard.

“WOAH! Look Stelle!” A certain high pitched voice rang through your keen ears in the distance, though you weren't sure if the hallucinations from your accumulated stress were finally setting in, or if you really did hear a lively, high pitched female voice.

The mention of you gained the slight attention of the two men behind the duo, as they part from the starskiff. You were a peculiar sight for four, as the pink haired girl's eyes shimmer at the sight of your impressive stretching.

“Your order's almost ready!” Your attention then was shortly called upon the vendor, your food and the immortal's drink, now visible at the wooden counter. “Ah, mhm.” You proceeded to do some final stretching, before cracking your neck and walking over towards the counter, the corners of your mouth seemingly moist as you take in the aroma of your food.

It had never smelled this good before, or was it the stress enhancing your senses?

The latter, definitely the latter.

Steps and mumured voices began to volume louder, finally getting your attention as you look over to the sources of the noise, your head tilting left towards the docks to the sight of two girls coming up to you up the stairs, the two men following behind as you were in the middle of partaking in your feast.

“Miss!” The girl in pink hair in her unsual yet cute blue attire, called out to you in the middle of munching.

“Hrmf?” Your mouth was full of your wrapped breakfast as your attention was sought towards the two girls.

They were definitely, definitely not from the Luofu, all of their attires were heavily different, in contrast to your custom made Xianzhou attire, a black dress, encrusted with golden accents and paired with golden accessories, you most definitely also stood out the rest of the locals, but hey, at least you were wearing familiar clothing, unlike these individuals that—“Hellooooo???”

You were interrupted by the sight of a small, fair-skinned palm, waving over your hazy eyes as you gulped your food down your throat and wiped the corners of your mouth with your thumb, you also notice the two men standing visibly tall in your line of sight behind the two girls.

“Ah,” you feel your cheeks grow slightly warm as all five individuals lay their gazes upon you with curious looks as you clear your throat.

“I-I apologize, what was that miss—?” You softly spoke in response to the little miss's call to you, tilting your head down to bow apologetically, your low, sultry voice had undertones of curiousity. It was obvious that you were tired and fatigued, the observant dark haired man along with the brown haired figure only took notice.

“I said—” The high pitched voice was then cut off by a hand to her shoulder, the hand belonging to a tall, brown haired man with a coat and cane, stepping forward from behind her.

At first glance he looked... quite young but his fanning lines and youthless features can be seen if you observed closely.

“March, let them take their time.” He spoke as his eyes scan your features, his gaze landing upon the covered up bruises along your cheeks and the injuries on your arms, he was curious, along with dark haired man whom also noticed simultaneously the bruises along your skin.

You felt their curious gazes linger to you, letting yourself get conscious and anxious about your form and appearance, your eyes dilating down to your snack in hand, lowering the food down below your chest.

You clear your throat, looking up and glance towards the tall figure towering over the two girls, along with you.

“Miss...—” He spoke again, delaying the S syllable sound as he awaits for your name.

With deep contemplation, you lowered your food towards the wooden counter to the side of you, the vendor idling about in her stall, busy with her preparations for the day as you face towards the fascinating group.

“Y/n. Y/fn. Please address me as so, it's a pleasure,” you spoke in response, placing your right hand on your chest, tilting your body downwards to bow down.

In all honesty, this was the first time in a long while that you interacted with anyone else besides your colleagues at the Realm-Keeping Commission, and the criminals you've been occasionally encountering, you had no idea what to do, so perhaps, a simple bow will do the trick, and that it did.

Your hair fell forward from your shoulders as you tilted your body, lowering your head and closed gaze towards the floor.

You were elegant. “Pretty... Miss—We haven't seen you around before! Who are you by the way?” She said cheerily, her sparkling gradient eyes continued to stare in curiousity as she brought her hands to her hips.

The rest of the group were most definitely intrigued by your sudden appearance near the docks, though—they were right, they haven't seen you around before that's one, and you most certainly were unintentionally displaying a level of intrgue and elegance, based on your 'awkward' movements that you thought were in your head.

You tilt your head up, your gaze landing on her momentarily, before shifting your body back up straight again, observing the other figures around her.

“I work—...” You straighten yourself. “I work within the Realm-Keeping Commission. Y/fn at your service.” Your hand remained on your chest, as you continued your introduction towards the group.

“And... I want to ask, who might be the group before me? Your clothing ehm, all of your attires don't make you look like locals here at all.” You continued, lowering your hands to the same level as your thighs, interlacing your fingers in a moment of your masked anxiousness.

A silence followed your question, you noticing their body language as they straighten their backs, their gaze intensifying slightly towards you.

“Are you like—royalty y/n?” The cute, high pitched voice broke the anxiety inducing silence.

What?

“I'm- I'm afraid not...? Why the question miss—”

“You can call me March! And you look really photogenic too! You sh—” March cuts you off in her excitement, her eyes sparkling and glancing up to your reddening face, continuing to ramble about excitedly in your presence about photos and the Astral Express, though she gets shortly cut off after a few moments of her rambling by the grey haired man behind her.

Pretty eyes. You thought as your eyes glanced back and forth subtly to the both grey haired individuals. “March...” He said, reminding her of her rambling as she flinches to the call of her name, letting go of your hand, bowing repeatedly to you while apologizing frantically as you try to reassure her.

The grey haired girl then pulled March's hand behind her, leading her towards the back of the group as she mumbled with Stelle's gloved hand on her mouth, muffling her noises.

“I apologize for... March's liveliness Miss Y/n,” the man with the glasses coughed into his fist, clearing his throat and stepping to where March was previously were, catching your attention again.

“Prior to your question... We are from the Astral Express,” your ears twitched upon hearing their origins, you have most definitely heard about the existence famous train that wonders through the galaxy, but you definitely did not expect to meet them in your lifetime like this, in this situation.

“In truth be told, we were on our way towards the Realm-Keeping Commission as well, via business per say, and... you call me—” He paused, pondering to himself, shifting his stance before clearing his throat.

“Welt, Welt Yang. A member of the Astral Express.” Welt tilted his head down slightly in respect, shortly after returning your gaze as your lips curl into faint, warm smile.

“First name basis alrea—mmfh!?” Stelle covers her mouth frantically, gaining the other eyes of the other members, quickly dart to March's direction in amusement, except for the dark haired man, his stern gaze piercing March.

“Mmfgp—!!” March squealed as the twins then pulled her by the wrist, towards the food vendor, perhaps to hush her down with food.

“You really need to read the situation sometimes dumbass.” Caelus said, holding back a laughter of amusement, reduced to a faint smirk.

With the noise of clearing his throat, Welt brings his hand up to his face, his fingers adjusting his glasses back onto his nose bridge, and you notice, under his spectacles is a faint, tint of red, swelling up in his cheeks as he cleared his throat in his embarassment.

Your eyes once again, land on Stelle and the twins near the wooden counter, then realizing your food had gone slightly cold, thus beginning to reach out for your wrapped up breakfast again, food held in hand, quite amused and curious at the situation.

Your felt your own cheeks grow hot as you munched on your almost finished breakfast, this was the first time in awhile you've interacted with many this way after all, and you felt Caelus' and Welt's gazes from your peripheral vision, continuing to eye you with a faint tint of pink in their own skin as well.

Ah. Wait. The Astral Express? In the Luofu? A request from the Realm-Keeping Commission?

Ah—The Cloud General's request from last night.

Shit, was it about me? Was it about something else? W-Wait! These- These twins... Jingyan mentioned them I think...?

You tighten your hold on your wrapped food subconsciously, your mind continued to race, the two keen observers of the Astral Express noticed your changed demeanor, your eyes dilating slightly towards the grey haired girl, the grey haired man walking towards the two as a dread creeps up within you.

“Miss Y/n?” You flinch, your deafening train of thought is cut off by the sound of a deep, aged voice, your eyes quickly darting to the man with the glasses towering over you with a look of concern.

“A-Ah, uhm,” you attempt to steer clear of your negative thoughts as you try to compose yourself infront of the tall figure before you.

You did nothing wrong, you and the members of the Astral Express just quite literally met, there's nothing to worry about.

...But why would the Seat of the Divine Foresight request them? Why are they needed?

No, they have more pressing matters. Yeah, of course. The Ambrosial Arbor problem. Mhm.

Your mind wandered back to the conversation of the Cloud General, trying to remember exact words from him as you—“Miss Y/N...” You snap out of it, a soft yelp escaping your mouth as you flinch, hearing his voice call out to you again, only to then feel all of their gazes on you, worried and concerned.

“It is not my place to pry but... Are you alright Miss Y/n?” Welt asked, his gaze softening as he glances to your contusions and marks all over your arms and your bruised, callused hands.

“I didn't want to bring it up, but I have noticed your physical state of being as well as your... exhaustion,” he says with utmost concern as Caelus steps forward beside him hearing his concern as the two men notice your refined, callus hands especially, though you had a feeling the other man was eyeing other things of your figure, respectfully, probably.

They were curious of you, they certainly were aware that those were not normal hands, it was callused, it was refined relentlessly and endlessly, and it was red with marks.

You had the hands of a highly skilled fighter, and it was obvious to the two experienced individuals.

The both of them had an unspoken understanding of their curiousity towards you, you had an air of mystery and slight danger for the two men as the others didn't notice, but him, not Welt Yang.

You were an oblivious expert in hiding your identity from the duality of your personality, oblivious by being unaware that being true to yourself is already deterring gazes and suspicions from you, and that was a trait that a vast majority, along with the Arbiter General himself, wishes it wasn't implemented to your whole being.

Except, your healing wounds were fresh from the fight against Dan Shu, Zhixin and several other mara-strucked Cloud Knights with them, your expertly covered up bruises, cuts and gashes weren't noticable to the other three from the skillful cover up over your discoloration, but not to the veteran, not at all.

It was the first thing Welt Yang noticed when March called out to you as you were stretching previously too.

“I-...” You take a deep, panicked breath, trying to compose yourself as you hastily bring your hands behind you, resting on your rear, lowering your gaze to the floor not knowing what to do as you fiddle with your fingers anxiously.

The two men took note of your behavior, your body language and your expression, though their thought process wasn't as deep as you thought it was.

“I apologize for making you uncomfortable Miss Y/n, we can assure you that we- we mean no harm.” Welt spoke to you, adjusting his coat as he shifts uncomfortably in his stance before continuing.

“It's just—” He gets cut off by the alarm of your phone, buzzing inside your dress's pockets, flinching as your hands scatter to it to turn it off.

Shit, you were late, even after waking early, you hadn't realize how much time passed just from this interaction.

Your face grimaces as you lower your phone, looking frantically to the other three individuals, your eyes landing on your immortal's delight drink placed on the wooden counter, before returning your gaze to Welt.

“I-I'm sorry Mr. Yang, duty calls,” you quickly bow, lowering your red, pretty face to him, before tilting your body back up to grab your drink from the counter, bolting away from the group hurriedly as you make your way towards the Realm-Keeping Commission office.

Absolutely thankful for the Aeons who interrupted—or aligned the stars into your favor from uncomfortable situation.

“W-Wait—Ah.” Caelus reached out, and stopped in his tracks as you bolted, sighing disappointedly, his golden irises having a look tinge of admiration and regret as he watches your back.

“Mmhf-? Whafsdafallabouf?” The high pitched voice said incoherently, her mouth stuffed with snacks as she walks towards the baffled tall figure, adjusting his glasses as he cleared his throat.

Caelus and Stelle huddled up around the girl with the blue attire as they look towards the direction you sprinted swiftly with slight concern and confusion in their faces.

“I-I believe... Miss Y/N had to go urgently, and speaking of which,” he turned his head towards the group, his gaze stern and calculative, placing his cane towards his side.

“We need to move, I'm sure we've kept Miss Jingyan and Mr. Dahao enough,” he stated, beginning to walk inside the Court of Tranquility along its marbled pavements, as the rest of the Astral Express follow suit behind him.

“He- Hey wait!” March exclaimed after gulping down her food.

“Aren't we also going to meet up with her again? She said she worked in the Realm-Keeping Commission as well didn't she?” She said excitedly as Stelle wiped the corners of her mouth, dusting off crumbs of fried bits.

“Stop talking with your mouth full... You look like that one little creature with the puffy cheeks you see eating nuts.” Caelus snickered in his usual stern tone, walking beside his twin as the group continued to make their way towards the office.

His eyes glimmered at the thought of meeting you again in all honesty, who stretches so impressively early into the daylight, who had healing bruises wounds from battles assumingly, and someone who seemed so elegant and mysterious just popping out of no where?

You, you did, and air that coated around you was thick with mystery and allure, intriguing the two men.

You were both in Welt Yang's and Caelus' thoughts, in deep skepticism as they continued to pondered about your wounds and covered up injuries.

They immediately knew you had fighting experience based on their observations, but they were in a stalemate as to why and how it happened to you.

You were a stranger to the Astral Express after all, and the air of your mysteriousness was heavy, the same level as how the Ambrosial Arbor came to fruition within the Exalting Sanctum so suddenly.

“She was really pretty though.” Caelus hummed with a faint smirk, suddenly breaking the comfortable silence as they walk around the lotus plaza, his hands behind his head as he raised his arms to the side, thinking of your presence.

His sudden comment caused Welt to flinch slightly, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Of course someone like you would say that Caelus...” March responded, rolling her eyes as Stelle kept March close to her, silently attentive as the girl in a blue school uniform continued to eat.

He sighs dramatically. “I didn't even get to speak to her a lot though,” Caelus groaned, ruffling his hair in frustration as he continued to think about you.

“Oh shupf upf! Not our fault you continued to hesitate! You'll see herf againmf!” March exclaimed with her mouth full, as she continued to eat her snack.

In essence, the priority of your appearance and of your attractiveness was far back in Welt's list of worries and priorities for him, Welt, but when Caelus mentioned it, he couldn't help but think back to you in another light.

It was nothing serious, but it was definitely an unspoken agreement to his statement. He felt his cheeks grow slightly warm.

“Mm,” hs tinting cheeks come to a halt, as your figure coming into their line of sight, whilst you talked to Guangda (Realm-Keeping Orderly) in a hurry, leaving his thoughts in a slightly disorganized mess.

After greeting the guard outside, you opened the door to the office, swinging the door open with your labored breath, intertwining with the cold air of the office.

You were greeted with Jingyan's usual look of tiredness and disapproval despite her eerie, professional smile.

“Oh? There she is.” Songyan, your desk neighbor colleague hummed in amusement, causing your expression to grimace slightly in annoyance as you hastily walk to your desk full of scrolls and paperwork.

“Jingyan! It's been more than a week or so since the start of her tardiness, Y/N's been arriving late often now!" He continued, adjusting his glasses, looking towards the womanly official, the pillar of the Realm-Keeping Commission, complaining about you.

The woman with the eerie, professional smile then opened her eyes towards Songyan, her gaze unsettling and exhausted as she looks towards him with a glare.

“I shall remind you once more, Songyan,” she stifled to click her tongue. “She does more work and labor than you by 50%.” She said, her sinister smile remaining as her eyes glinted to him.

As if her glare was trying to say 'Leave me alone, or I'll fire you this instant.' Causing him to flinch at her gaze.

Rolling your eyes from the conversation Songyan instigated, you set your drink on the side, nestling in your seat as you begin to try and tend to your work, blocking out the noises within the office, your eyes hovering tiredly.

Eyes trailing, leading upon a specific sea of information that the people of the Exalting Sanctum have been submitting; noise complaints every night, a dark silhouette moving along the shadows under the moonlit darkness, someone spotting a female figure fighting mara-strucked soldiers in Cloudford, and unfortunately, many more that's related to the things you've been doing, only then finally realizing the severity of your accumulated actions.

Aeons, maybe it was because you've been absolutely tired? Sleep deprived? The drastic, negative turn of your diet and lesser food intake?

“Shit man,” You cussed under your breath, slumping your head over the table, the position you're in causes your eyes to instinctively feel more drowsy, your eyelids growing weak, fluttering your eyes close, struggling to stay conscious.

You were weak, your body was certainly not used to this unhealthy routine from years of doing the opposite. Your eyes flutter close, the cold, comfortable office air that smelled of paper and scrolls, envelopes you in your deserved slumber.

Jingyan and Dahao, the two main officials of the Realm-Keeping Orderly, let you rest, noticing your sleep deprived state that had been more frequent since the past week.

They know you work harder than anyone else, on par with Jingyan herself, they let you be as you doze off into your dreamland.

A few minutes after you began to nap, several voices are heard outside the main entrance, swinging open to reveal the Astral Express crew, yet you were in deep slumber despite their liveliness.

“Ah, the express crew.” Jingyan greeted, looking over to the familiar people that had helped them in several occasions.

“The Arbiter General is requesting your presence, The master diviner; Lady Fu Xuan is also waiting for you in the Alchemy Commission, but I shall momentarily lay several details of what's been happening at the moment,” she said, moving towards the surveillance footage area, sifting through a few videos before landing on a specific one—that had your hair flowing freely under the moonlight and the dim lighting of the warm colored lamps as you made your hasty escape into the night hours ago.

The group followed shortly after her movement, beginning to survey and observe the footage that was currently playing. “...What are we looking at exactly?” March said in her questioning tone, her confused gaze glancing back and forth towards her crew and Jingyan herself.

Thank the stars and Aeons for the dark night, your silhouette and face were very hard to determine despite the advancements of the Xianzhou's technology.

You were just a dark, female figure with an elegant looking spear, but that was bad—their options were been definitely dialed down to female suspects, you were still safe, for now.

“May we ask for context Miss Jingyan?” Welt stepped forward to the screen, analyzing the moving image of you, along with the rest of the crew.

Jingyan nodded, showing a few more clips of your hasty escape in the dark, your expert movement catching the eyes of the Astral Express almost immediately. “W-Whoa... She's really quick...” March exclaimed, bringing her hands to her lips to cover it in her surprise.

“...And really cool.” Caelus mumbled under his breath smirking with his arms crossed, his golden gaze "studying" the footage showing, the same goes for Welt.

“The... Arbiter General encountered—or... found someone near the docks to his office as he was walking towards the seat of the Divine Foresight.”

She paused, her fingers tapping and the screen reveals Jing Yuan and his Cloud Knight, talking to each other for a few minutes, it was normal at first, not seeing anything amiss, but then the next few sequences of the footage shows Jing Yuan's attention being caught, as he looks around for what seems to be something.

It caught the crew's interest in a blink in an eye.

The Arbiter General proceeded to go out the line of sight from the camera as—“Darn! Where did he go off to?” March spoke the rest of the crew's thoughts as her voice broke the slight concentration of everyone reviewing the footage.

“The General told me he heard... noises that I will not elaborate further.” Jingyan feigned a wry, cold smile, firm on her decision as she saw March's mouth part to question and immediately retracting back her words and her finger, putting her hands behind her back.

The two men's interests were piqued, confused by her statement, but they didn't have the chance to dwell on their thoughts as Jingyan continued to speak.

“The General had witnessed a spear tip of a silver, crystal-like blade in her escape, he saw when it got hit by moonlight, the blade would illuminate around her and her surroundings.

It was one of two things that he only saw from the scene as she quickly fled.” Jingyan finishes, her professional gaze serious and unwavering as she glances to the surveillance footage of you.

“So-...” March spoke up first from the silence and processing of the vague yet key information of your being, but she then gets cut off by Welt, as he adjusted his spectacles back to his nose bridge.

“Then... Miss Jingyan, what seems to be the problem?” He spoke in his serious tone, his eyes returning Jingyan's as she began to spoke in reply.

“If you are all unaware, there had been a mysterious person who have been apprehending criminals of all kinds and delivering them into the center of the lotus plaza every night, and Cloud Knights would find them tied up, beaten up and unconscious.” She said as her fingers tap again onto the surveillance screen, showing the lotus area of the Court of Tranquility.

The center of the plaza would be seen, along with the two individuals who were tied up, revealing your dark silhouette, your hair and spear illuminating in the darkness as you drag the tied up, unconscious Cloud Knight—“HUH.”

Both the twins yell before hastily bringing their gloved hands to their mouth, grabbing the attention of Dahao, Songyan and the rest of the workers in the commission, though you were still in your deep sleep, your desk was tucked in the corner after all, not noticing you at all.

The twins recognize the unconscious body you were placing in the center of the plaza, moving and inching closer to the screen, trying to analyze you closer as their eyes squint simultaneously, but to no avail.

Your illuminated hair were luckily covering the right spots of your features, and the darkness of the night didn't help them visualize you either.

The silhouette stretches in the footage, then a sequence of you making your hasty escape follows after, and the most noticable thing was only your spear—a beautifully crafted spear.

It was their only clue. Their eyes were drawn and focused on your weapon as you held it close to you in your escape.

Curious eyes observing on the length and size of your black spear as gold lighting or vein marks decorated the bottom of your spear and upwards, as the moon shone on your blade, there was an obvious crystal like main part in the middle, and the other two were downed in size, curved to the opposite of its direction.

It was radiating with elegance and intrigue.

Reminding them of someone they stumbled to as of recent.

Jingyan, and the rest of the express cree can't help but focus on who the spear wielder was as your spear enveloped with the nightly breeze, continuing to create an enigmatic riddle and for them to solve.

Welt Yang then cleared his throat, clearing the tense silence once again as he looked over towards Jingyan, his eyes serious and calculative.

“The unconscious body... is from Sanctus Medicus, correct Miss Jingyan?" He asked, glancing back to the footage again.

Before she had a chance to reply, she was cut off by Caelus, “B-But... but how? How did she- How did they... What the hell?” He said with an obvious dilemma, Stelle's expression mirroring the look of defeat on her twin's face as she crosses her arms with one hand towards her face, her index and thumb rubbing the bridge of her nose.

Their look of defeat were understandable as March tried to comfort them with chuckling as her face secreted sweat, her hands patting both of their backs as her gaze returns to the repeating footage of you dragging their unconscious bodies.

“Jing Yuan is certain that she'd had been the one delivering us criminals in the darkness for several years-” Welt, and the other three's ears perk up.

“Several... years.” He repeated almost immediately, sighing, his brows furrowing, rubbing his thumb along his cane.

The twins then were taken towards the seating area by March, as they wallowed in defeat, their dulled expressions lowering to the floor as March continued to comfort them both.

“So, It's safe to say she's a registered citizen of the Xianzhou Luofu, her attire... is different yet familiar.” He inspected the silhouette of your whole being, narrowing his eyes to the hologram footage.

“Precisely, we've already narrowed it down only to; Female, a Xianzhou Luofu resident, and someone from the Exalting Sanctum.” Jingyan responded, laying out the facts that have been confirmed prior to this.

“But... What seems to be the problem?” Welt stepped in, his brown eyes returning to the footage of you before continuing,

“You said that she'd had been... fighting against criminals and delivering them to you for a few years now. Isn't that good Miss Jingyan?” He said, bringing up his hand to his chin, his mind racing in deep thought.

Jingyan also pondered to herself deeply as well, but before she could respond, Dahao walked up behind them.

“That may be the case Mr. Yang,” he'd step in.

“but this... person figure fought a 100 year old former Cloud Knight, and apprehended the two formiddable oppresors that we, the Realm-Keeping Commission, as well as the whole Alliance also had trouble dealing with for a good amount of time.” Dahao then looked towards the footage of you making your hasty, skillful escape, showing the part of your visible elegant spear, his expression turning more serious.

“She is a formiddable... that is without a doubt, and someone dangerous like her is roaming around the Xianzhou Luofu. What makes it difficult is that, she isn't a former Cloud Knight as well as her fighting style heavily differs to the training regiments of ours, and we aren't aware of her intentions at all.” He said glancing towards the two men who were listening intently.

Welt Yang had started to realize the seriousness of the situation, as his expressions mirrored his serious and stern features. “The General himself as well as the Realm-Keeping Commission realizes of her good deeds, but despite our priorities... we have been also trying for years to get ahold of her, just so we could interrogate her of her questionable actions.” Dahao continued, as the Welt nodded.

“So, the Cloud General, would like to request us to perhaps... get ahold of her whereabouts?” Welt said, his right hand firmed to his cane, quite determined as he, himself was confused by your intentions to do so.

Baffled as his mind continued to wander, he was thinking as to why this person would go such lengths for several years, doing this especially in hiding.

Your intentions did not make sense to the veteran, there had to be more to it.

You, doing this occasionally often whenever you can, for several years, without showing yourself and remained in hiding, for what?

Why wouldn't you want to take credit?

Why wouldn't you want to be known for your great deeds that was helping the Luofu itself?

Especially now once you encountered and brought one of the main problems that the Luofu was experiencing when it came to mara-stricken individuals or victims of the deathly disease.

“That would be ideal Mr. Yang, but as Jingyan previously mentioned, the General had requested your presence in the Alchemy Commission, regarding a serious situation about Sanctus Medicus.” Dahao paused, grimacing as he lowered her gaze, crossing his arms.

“The situation... is absolutely bizarre, our Xianzhou troops were more ways in one formiddable, yet we struggle in heavy amounts.”

Dahao then faced Welt, his eyes full of worry. “We shouldn't keep you waiting guests of the General. Lady Fu Xuan is assumingly in the midst of dealing with the situation right now.” He continued, bowing down, as Welt did the same, calling upon his fellow crew members before setting their destination towards a new, trifling and dangerous adventure that awaited them.

The Luofu already had a lot in their plate, dealing with a re-kindled battle against the phantom ways of the old, against the people who pledged to the Abundance, to continuous mara-struck cases, to the Sanctus Medicus finally acting out in hiding.

The Luofu was a devastating mess, and your mysteriousness just added an unnecessary layer stress and uneasiness, all caused by the flames of desire to wield your dearly beloved spear against a foe, deemed formiddable of it.

You were an existence that had yet to be solved, to the four crew members of the Astral Express, the Xianzhou Alliance, and the rest of the Realm-Keeping commission. Not knowing that you were here, in the office, in the same room as them and your worried coworkers, dozing off your fatigue and stress away.

And they all wanted to solve you.

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#— 強 [Cynosure's Ascendance] ♰#honkai star rail #hsr #jing yuan #jing yuan x reader #jing yuan x you #jing yuan x y/n #honkai star rail x reader #hsr x reader #welt yang #dan heng #caelus #stelle #march 7th #— ⓘ [BANNER] created by CHIYOSO

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chiyoso · 11 months

Text

CYNOSURE'S ASCENDANCE: “DISMANTLE” — jing yuan slowburn.

syp. you, a "normal" citizen of the xianzhou luofu, sneaking around every night, fending off scums and criminals. catching the attention of the seat of the divine foresight, accumulating unwanted speculations of your mysterious, "supposed" dangerous identity in the luofu.

following content. reader backstory · timeline takes place before ambrosial arbor arc · female reader · reader has battle lust tendencies · masturbation · mentions of blood · mentions of alchohol · emotional abuse · attempt of physical abuse · parental trauma · dead dove: do not eat.

You hear the sounds of your own grunts, your erratic puffs in the air every night. Your muscles are so sore, your hands tremble wielding your weapon, thrusting it repeatedly, swiftly, attacking the nightly breeze. You feel weak, you're absolutely drenched in your own sweat, dampening your white tank top as it cascades down your refined, formiddable physique.

You've been dedicating yourself to the crafts of weaponry, as well as wielding it since you were a child. Almost every single day, whenever you can until the nighttime, but, nearing your 18th birthday, of course, what most parents would do, they would kick you out of their home, leaving you to fend for yourself.

You had no prior issues about leaving your household, why? Your parents are sick of not having a "normal" kid. It's laughable because it's true, ever since you were just puny, tiny and cute, your toddler self picked up a wooden stick randomly, just normal toddler things—until the part where you accidentally wacked a fellow toddler on their noggin.

Normal toddler things. Of course, you did apologize... You mouthed the words towards the toddler, and the annoyed teacher, and yet...

Your cute, dainty eyes were sparkling, shimmering like you just discovered the bestest thing ever in the whole existence, like when babies discover ice cream for the first time. But alas, you were a toddler that time, everytime you tried something related to fighting, you would always get scolded, automatically labelled as a troublemaker, the bad child. Maybe it's just a phase, they thought, they hoped. Wrong, it continued throughout your childhood, but since then you've properly tried practicing, begging for your parents to hire an instructor, but ONLY if you did well in your academics, in which case you did because you were so desperate, such a weird child you are. They couldn't stop you because you were doing great in school, you had no choice, you wanted to continue being trained.

Except, you would hear their arguing almost every night once you're done with your training with the instructor, the two unhappy lovers arguing about you, wasting money for your supposed "stupid" passions, oh yeah they were real shitty, but you truly didn't care, you were only focusing on yourself and what made you happy, passionate, you felt alive, you felt like combat was the most exciting thing for you. This all continued to your teenhood, and it only worsened from there on out, they got more verbal with you, yelling, screaming at your face, calling you unlovable, hard to love, you grew more aware of their negativity, their... emotional abuse as you know it.

Unfortunately, you are started to care about it, only a tiny bit though, nevertheless... You knew something was wrong with you, you really did, you grew more aware of your... inability to express heavy emotions normally, ah but for the exception of fighting of course. You did develope... a certain feeling within you, as you escape from your household occasionally to wander the streets around Central Starskiff Haven late at night, secretly fighting thugs, criminals that haven't even been catched yet, occasionally some mara-strucked cloud knights when you venture deeper within secluded areas, basically any bad individual that tries to shit on you. It's hilarious actually, the trained cloud knights of the Xianzhou Luofu, would most of the time be welcomed in the doorsteps of their training grounds with tied up, mouth taped, beaten up criminals that they've been trying to apprehend.

What is most interesting is that, during your battles against foes, you would develop and feel something, something unfathomable within you, more especially if they were a skilled fighter criminal, though you would come out the fight triumphant of course, as well as feeling absolutely warm for some reason after. After a night's worth of dealing with mighty opponents, you would soon make your way towards your household again, your pretty face beaten up, your refined physique bruised as the moon hovers over the world. You wouldn't be greeted though, you would come home to the smell of alchohol, the blank, dull eyes from your mother — staring into the beyond, cleaning her lover's trash, and his remains. It was a really depressing sight, but you didn't care, at least that's what you tell yourself, your heart aches within, but what can you do about it? You were becoming more aware, aware of your struggles in physical and emotional aspects, but you knew what made you happy.

And that's what mattered right? Your happiness.

Once the midnight struck on the supposed happy day, your parents didn't even wait for it to be sunrise when they've decided to wake you and tried kicking you out. You were furious, so devastatingly furious and heartbroken, showing big emotion the first time since you were a child.

Unfortunately, the first emotion you heavily expressed was anger towards them, and because of that rage that you expressed so greatly showed in your expression and tone... Your father, threw his bottle towards you, smashing and shattering on impact towards your concussed head as pieces of glass fall down from you, leaving you completely speechless by his actions as the sight of your blood blinds you, dripping down from your scalp to your heartbroken expression. Your mother flinched, trembling afterwards, yet she couldn't — or rather, unable to do anything but blankly stare at her husband's outrage and the sight of your bloodied face. Everything of your being was filled with pain, your head, seething with pain, your heart, shattering as you lowered your watery gaze to the shards of his bottle.

A sharp, deafening silence followed for a few, tense minutes as you could processed your emotions the first time, dealing with it internally as your eyes glisten with tears, feeling a lump welling in your throat.

It was sudden, your glossy eyes dart to your father's quickly incoming hand as he tries to attempt to hit you in his crazed, babbling and drunken state, but that's where your childhood eccentricness shines, saving you from his attempt, hastily bringing your swift hand to his wrist, stopping his motions in his tracks. You glared at him, tears cascading down your face, mixing with the blood from your head wound, as you gripped your father's wrist, it was clear, you were stronger than him, seeing him wince in pain from your hold on him before you.

"Wh-Who the FUCK do you think you are t—" Your father's haunting tone, being absorbed into your ears gets cut off as you flick his wrist to the side before shoving him against the wall, resulting in a loud noise from the impact. Shit, you were strong, you didn't even exert a heavy amount of force — at least that's what you thought, as there was an obvious small crevice behind his back, a tiny crack when he came in heavy contact to the stone. You stare in disbelief as adrenaline wells up within your nerves, your hands starting to tremble.

"I-...I'm- I'm sor—" Your breath hitched as your voice trembled along with your whole being, trying to muster up the voice to speak, but your voice box fails you. You look to your trembling mother, her dull eyes continuing to witness the situation before blankly going up to your unconscious, reposed father, robotically and blankly comforting him.

You can't bear the sight of this anymore, you truly can't. Everything hurts, you were experiencing such heavy emotions for the first time, your breathing is ragged and not for the same reasons you were experiencing in your fights earlier.

And at that point on, your body in fight or flight mode, your instincts moving you towards to your belongings, trying to find suitable bags for travel, for your incoming inevitable departure from your parents. Once you were done packing, you heard your father gain consciousness again, grumbling quietly as he holds his head, and at that point your legs hastily brought you outside your household, you didn't know where you were going so late at night, your head is throbbing with pain caused by your father's alchohol bottle just moments ago, your vision blurred with tears as you continue your way towards.. somewhere, anywhere.

Drained of your mental energy, you were moving along the pavement in a daze, in denial of what had just occured, your legs eventually bring you towards starskiff jetty. You desperately needed to get away from your parents after what had just happened, especially during your damn birthday.

You were letting the turmoil and heavy emotions get to you as you didn't know how to deal with these feelings, it hurts, it fucking hurts. Your legs want to give in and slump over, but you need to keep moving, it took awhile but a starskiff finally showed up, it was an hour after midnight, there aren't many starskiffs around so late at night, maybe this was just moment of luck blessing you. You hop in, nestling yourself onto seat.

“To... To the Exalting Sanctum please...” You spoke out faintly towards the owner of the starskiff, before tilting your body over your legs, elbows on your lap as you start to quietly sob, your driver ignoring the sadness you're emitting with a guilty frown upon his face.

None of the individuals spoke as the starskiff made its way towards the destination that was spoken quietly. Your mind hopelessly wanders, already tired, continues to exhaust you in pursuit of your remaining energy as you continue to overthink about your childhood.

They're right, you were far from normal, you were absolutely more eccentric than others, at least that's what you thought, and unexpressive towards anything else except for the art of combat. You played with sticks more than toys, you repelled other kids from playing with you as you were too rough with them, but you didn't care at the time and continued to do so. It consumed you, your very well being, you could feel yourself addicted to the thrill of fighting, a hidden battle lust arising within you as you continued to grow of age, including your skills in battle.

These wretched thoughts didn't help you find peace in this moment of ache however.

“Hello?—Ah, we've arrived..." Your driver's voice snaps you out in your deep overthinking, you give the starskiff owner a faint smile before leaving the vehicle and standing there for a few long moments, your whole mental being weakened. You also had no idea where to go, the only places you visited were your school and the food vendors that sell the fruity Berrypheasants Skewers in Central Starskiff Haven that you grew up on. Besides your slight nostalgic reminiscing, you decide to look for an inn within the marbled floors of the Exalting Sanctum, realizing you have to spend your savings for it, yet you had no choice.

You were saving up for a real weapon, you wanted to wield a real weapon, but of course this inconvenience happens. Sighing, you finally stumble upon an inn, met with a grumpy middle aged man as the receptionist, spending a little bit of your savings before settling in, you didn't care about anything but rest at the moment and rest you did, dropping your belongings before finding the bedding, resting your exhausted mind and body to the depths of your comfortable bed.

It had been several years since that dreadful day, you got used to this new life of yours, cutting off complete contact from your parents, although you do wonder in a little worry about your mother, but those thoughts soon diminish as you remembered some memories of her emotionally abusing you during your childhood.

That didn't matter anymore though.

All thoughts begin to replace with an intense flurry of thoughts about your techniques during certain actions, you were thrusting your newly elegant spear with precision and haste, within the space of your traditional apartment complex instead of the dreadful inn, your ragged breath mixes with the air as sweat flies off from your refined muscles as you do your daily routine in the morning for a good while.

You felt good, you started to heal from that traumatic experiencing during your midnight birthday, everything was... okay. You hated the fact that you went through such a thing in your birthday, resulting in yourself to practice controlling your heavy emotions, the negative sides of your emotions.

You were alone. You had no one but your beloved spear, and that's okay, you told yourself, convinced yourself, that it's okay. You were genuinely happy with your spear, even with a deep sense of longing within your heart, you were.

And that little “hobby” years ago? It remained in your routine, up until your adulthood, you were more formiddable every battle that took place, each victory costed nothing but their crimes be brought to light. You continued to fight against these unlawful citizens, denizens of the abundance, behemoths that raged within the Xianzhou, all with an unrestrained passion.

The thrill of battle, the blood you spew when fighting against a skilled criminal, the struggle you go through when dealing with multiple mara-struck soldiers at the same time taking them all on like it was the war against Yaoshi and his accursed creations again, but there you reigned beautifully, come out triumphant in a scorched red as golden leaves scatter against the air from the remnants of your opposer.

Each step, each battle, each glory, heavy with fatigue, but you would always stay in the field, your veins cold, throbbing, your mind reeling with a multitude of thoughts, scenarios as to what you have done better, a use of a technique, a flex of a specific muscle, every battle was experience.

Sure, you bathed in pain, all bruised, scathed in occassions, but it would only mean there was more room to grow, that's all you thought about instead of the death that looms with every grasp of your spear.

Growth accompanied you in tremendous amounts, and so did that eccentric side of yours.

You were more than aware of that impending battle lust that resided when wounds find their way onto your flesh, injuries a skilled opponent that would inflict onto you when they can, making you tremble with this unwelcomed, unnecessary arousal.

Something's wrong with you, your parents are always right, but this... can't be aided any longer.

It wasn't just "loving" the thrill of battle anymore, you were burning with pain and that immensely warm feeling after a defeating by someone who you deemed impressive, too impressive.

You were weak with lust and fatigue, staggering towards a dark, secluded area with a slightly open red gate, you didn't know where you were, but it was silent, secluded, tight.

Enough privacy to get this unnecessary pleasure you were experiencing right now.

“God dammit,” You gasped, coming into contact with your spear's body, grinding your lubricated, intimate area. The blood trickles down under your chest, the stinging of the wounds stimulating your senses, clouding all rationality as you start to focus on that warmth between your legs.

If fighting that strong, Cloud Knight earlier led you to this pleasure that rendered you mindless, who knows what heights your senses will bring once you fight someone stronger.

You want to fight someone stronger.

The renowned legend comes into your mind, the Reignbow Arbiter of the Luofu. You've caught historical tales, whispers from the locals of that immortal Arbitrator General, the first time you saw him was when he was on his way to his office with urgency, he came back from somewhere, your ears catching a glimpse of noise in the quiet cold of night while you hid somewhere to hide yourself, traces of voices were vague, but you heard 'astral'. Something about the stars.

Clouds, white, flufy locks with a red ribbon, broad shoulders that were incomparable to the ones you've fought, your thoughts formulating his build, his physique, what veins were visible, where his muscles were honed, trained, was he formiddable in endurance? A body so well formed should have such impenetrable defense, or did he focus on his body for looks? No, that's illogical, he's fought a millennium worth of wars, he was eternally bound to the ways of bloodshed.

You need to fight him, that Reignbow Arbiter.

“Hmh—Please,” That was more than enough to stimulate you, internally assessing his battle prowess, his skill, clashing against yours, you're sure you would be bested in a heartbeat, showered wounds from his experience, from your lack of experience, both of your weaponry against each other, which lover would reign supreme.

You have to fight him in this lifetime.

Gossip wasn't plenty in your area of where you lived, you haven't even seen his face, only bits of his appearance from behind or from the descriptions of the locals of Aurum Alley.

Vague, but the information regarding to his legendary feats were enough to make you a mess.

“But General I—” Your ears perk up, your body jolting instinctively, now covering your mouth in a hurry as you hear a voice talking with another.

“Must you find difficulty in my simple orders? We will wait for our stellar guests to assist us, I regret to say this, but this is a situation outside the Luofu's expertise, it's about time this matter had cease to accumulate and articulate. It's been years, and, the residents of the Xianzhou is starting to notice something amiss.” Your clit twitched against your spear, using his voice to stimulate your arousal from your most recent fight. You didn't know what they were talking about but fuck, does he sounds heavenly.

“B-But General Jing Yuan, even if this individual-”

”If?” The General scorns, two fingers in between his vision, a mental headache from the unnecessary topic they were conversing in.

“This... mysterious individual has managed to bring us one high figure diciples of the Sanctus Medicus group, do you understand? This brings shame to our abilities—my soldiers abilities, compared to the, tch, to this unknown individual.”

You've also heard rumors, fleeting, short gossips about the Arbiter General. Many have said he was aloof, carefree, even lazy... This proves that people just love to talk, don't they? What he was demonstrating right was sheer authority, decisiveness, and even with anger bubbling within him, he was nothing but calm, commanding, calculative—but that was most natural to a man of his status, his nature, and that was nothing more than but overwhelmingly attractive in your eyes.

Wondering more about how he holds himself in such pressure, such expectations, how can one man force his authority over others without a shred of guilt, or... that's what you assume, anyways.

Fuck, you have to get a taste of his skill, his abilities, you want to meet his unrivaled gaze, you want to perform a clash with him, you have to, you need to, for your own growth, a chance to grow as a spear handler, to have new techniques thrown at you with intentions of cutting of your life—it didn't matter.

It was for your growth. It was either a life of physical prowess, or the uneventful ending of death.

The Cloud General continued to talk to the Cloud Knight infront of the headquarters, and you're over here on the side of the grandiose building, rubbing your clit against your spear more frantically as he talks.

You love the sound of his voice so much, the syllables escaping his mouth rings within your ears, memorizing intensely of the pleasant sounds that reverberate inside your eardrums. You were close, your hips were desperate in movement, continuing to breathe heavily, your whimpering muffled against your other hand, even biting against the fabric of your wrist cannot stop the slightly audible panting from you, fuck you want to fight him, you want him to lay wounds that benefit your skill, your movemen, you w—

“Say, do you hear that?“

Shit, you almost cussed out under your bated breath, frantic irises dart around, your instincts helping you visualize your escape route while the two men look around the source of the noises you've been making.

“Hear what General? It's late into the night...?”

Oh, but Jing Yuan's sense of hearing was greater than the average individual, he knew what those noises were but he wasn't sure as to why the very person engaging in that activity would do such a thing near his headquarters, but it would soon then make sense for him as he looks over to an unrecognizable tight alley way near his office. His eyebrow raised, golden eyes shining with curiousity and amusement as his legs begin to take him over towards the noise.

Towards the area where you reside.

Shit shit shit, you only have a few seconds until you're caught, you hastily look around in a panic, you were still very much in heat, but the literal General was coming and you were their culprit, even if they didn't know, why would a random person engage in such activities with a lengthy spear—near his office. His deduction skills, leading you to your demise as you continue to panic internally, before looking up to the roofs.

“General Jing Yuan?” The last thing you hear before launching yourself up to the roofs using the garbage dumpsters definitely making noise, but you would rather do this than get caught.

“Mm.” The startled Cloud General paused, looking at the empty alley way, he found nothing before hearing a shift against the air, a cloth

There was movement, somewhere.

Narrowed eyes travel up, now widened as he takes witness a part of the elegant, crystal, bladed tip of your spear, it was definitely not a Cloud Knight's spear, nor one of his creaations.

Speechless from the spectacle, his mind starts to wander about, shaking his head before returning to the confused soldier.

“...Send a word to the Astral Express requesting their presence first thing when the sun rises. Dismissed.” The General commands firmly, his Cloud Knight saluting automatically before making his way towards the Realm-Keeping Commission.

Jing Yuan is left alone infront his office, gazing at the nightly sky, showered with golden leaves from the Ambrosial Arbor's influences. The man was disarrayed. He started to question himself, he wasn't that tired right? Hallucinating and hearing voices of a woman's pleasured noises. It rings through his sensitive ears, starting to question his lack of sleep and exhaustion.

He wasn't tired, but the thoughts running through his head were tiring so you could say he's going to tire out soon, mentally anyways.

There was a new presence in this grand hexafleet.

The Stellaron Hunters weren't this clumsy with whatever they were situated with, but even then, you had little time to react to the General, your reflexes and agile movement proved you were skilled, and the fact that you escaped his grasp, his sights, swiftly moving into hiding? Your intentions were unknown to him, and that was enough to be a potential threat to the Xianzhou.

To the Arbiter General anyways.

CHAPTER LIST | NEXT

#— 強 [Cynosure's Ascendance] ♰#honkai star rail #hsr #jing yuan #jingyuan x reader #jing yuan x reader #jing yuan smut #jing yuan x you

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