Ming Ran opened his eyes and found himself sitting again in the forest. He opened his mouth and closed it again. Allowing the familiar silence to swallow him again. As he stood, he looked around. He felt a faint tremble on the earth, and finally the breath of the person most dear to him. He opened his eyes, but hesitated to take off the blindfold.
"Ming Ran!" Cang Mu broke through the foliage and took him into his arms.
Did you miss me?
Ming Ran paused slightly, remembering that his silence wasn't as futile as it once was. Cang Mu didn't notice the pause and sighed in exasperation.
"You have no idea. Your siblings are so ridiculous." Ming Ran pulled him into a kiss, long and wanting. Cang Mu was surprised, but kissed back until the two of them were entwined at the base of one of the trees. This was why. Cang Mu was the reason why he wasn't alone anymore.
How long have I been gone..?
"Five weeks." Cang Mu said, he rubbed Ming Ran's eyes, appreciating their beauty. Ming Ran smiled at him and traced the contours of his husband's face. How long had it been since he had seen him? He sighed. "Your siblings have been going insane. I've been attacked, poisoned, threatened, and bartered with. Your master isn't doing much better!" Ming Ran looked at him, and sighed, deeper and more tired.
...and I take it that you haven't changed your mind?
"If anything, I'm more determined. Ran-er, aren't you tired of adorning the walls and shelves as a glass doll? I wish to see you shine!" Ming Ran looked away, how long had it been since someone had believed in him? He could only hold back tears and nod. He wasn't ready to step back and accept his past, but he was more than ready to step up and embrace the present. Clinging to the past would bring nothing but bitterness and regret.
The Thousand Year Tournament was in a way a lie. It really took place every millennia. Why then, was it called the "Thousand Year" tournament? That was because it was still held every thousand years, however, every time the new millennia came around it was time again for destiny to unfurl and and with it came a new age. It was these times when the world would undergo great changes. New countries rose to power, old countries toppled under the sands of time, families lost power and other families flew into the blue sky! Why was this? It is because every millennia the cycle of rebirth would come around again. The Great Dragon was said to be reborn in this world in some way shape of form, and when it took flight for the first time, it would mark the beginning of a new era-- the next millennia. During this time, new talents would be blessed by the Great Dragon. Whoever was able to win the Thousand Year Tournament would be given the Dragon's Blessing. A mark of great talent and destiny!
"Wen Quinn is relying on this very tournament to turn things around in court. His position has been on the rocks for a while now." Ming Ran nodded in agreement. Wen Quinn had held onto his position with a desperation befitting a drowning man. He was the crown prince of the Qing Empire and the apple of the emperor's eye, one would think he'd feel more than a little stability when it came to his future, however, it was precisely that his position was given to him by his father that he ran all the fastest away from threats. He fought tooth and nail in court, games of smiles and knives, poetic verse and veiled words, spiked thorns upon the most pristine of roses! He became the perfect person for Crown Prince, relying on his past to hold him up. Ming Ran knew the reason why he was truly worried though. How could he not? His past told him everything he needed to know about Wen Quinn. This was his chance to get the Dragon's Blessing! It was a chance for Wen Quinn to grab power with his own hands. No one would be able to question his legitimacy then!
...how foolish... Ming Ran shook his head as soon as he signed this. Cang Mu nodded in agreement.
"There has never been a time when two tigers can prowl the same mountain. There are three more princes now, two will come of age and be sent here to compete in the tournament. Things are about to get very interesting here."
...dramatic more like... Ming Ran deflated. He shook his head free of those lingering thoughts. Are we entering as a team, then?
Cang Mu nodded.
"We cannot allow Wen Quinn to acquire the Dragon's Blessing."