"Till fate do us part..." Meilin whispered, a lump forming in her throat, her fingers intertwined with his.
----------------------------------------
In a distant realm beyond the known world lay Astara, an ancient land of demons. The young prince, Feng Deming, who appeared no older than ten years of age by human standards, raced through fields alongside the lieutenant. The grass brushed against his legs as they sprinted into the fading daylight on the horizon, hope and uncertainty pushing them forward until they stopped in the center of the field.
Deming's breath caught, his heartbeat pounding in his ears like a distant drum. The ground underfoot shifted and swayed as hundreds of high faerie lords blocked their path. The faint metallic taste of fear coated his tongue, while the scent of damp earth filled his nostrils. "Enemies," he murmured, a shiver running down his spine as his pupils dilated. Preparing to flee, he shifted his gaze to the lieutenant, ready to anticipate his next move.
"Lord Muchen," the lieutenant whispered.
"Muchen?" Deming's heart raced, a knot forming in his chest as he locked eyes with the faerie leader. 'He killed my father.' A tear escaped his eye, and his fists clenched in fury, replaying his father's last words in his mind.
"Take my son to safety, Lieutenant. Protect him with your life."
Without a word, the lieutenant lowered his sword, its weight pressing heavily into his calloused palm. The air around them grew thick, almost suffocating, as tension pressed between them. The distant murmur of the faeries, a low hum, blended with the rustling grass and the prince's sharp, shallow breaths.
"What are you doing? You're going to get yourself killed!" Deming cried out as the lieutenant approached the faerie leader.
"My lord, you have arrived early," the lieutenant smiled.
"What? Him?" Dropping his jaw, Deming turned to the lieutenant and the faerie leader, eyes widening at the lieutenant's indifference. Like a setting sun, the vibrancy in his golden eyes dimmed as the truth sank in. "Don't tell me... that you..."
"Truthfully, Lieutenant, I had concerns that you would not uphold your end of the deal. However, I admit I was mistaken." The faerie leader, Lord Muchen, nodded and commanded, "NOW!"
With a flick of the faeries' wrists, they activated the chains wrapped around Deming's limbs, empowered by twenty layers of glyphs.
'What... is this?' Deming thought, eyeing the phantom chains encircling his wrists. He struggled to free himself, but the chains held firm, resisting his every effort. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he grasped the futility of his attempts—the glyphs reinforcing the bindings proved too powerful to overcome.
"I promise I shall take good care of my slave."
"Me? A slave?" Deming's jaw clenched, eyes boring into Lord Muchen in anger. He turned to the lieutenant, gaze intense as he whispered, "What is happening?"
The Astaran lieutenant's eyebrows furrowed as he moved forward with suspicion, capturing Deming's attention. He whispered, "What is happening? Your father was a coward who prioritized himself and his son over his own people. I am only doing what he lacked the guts to do for the safety of Astara. And as its new ruler, I will do it right." With a deep bow before the faerie leader, he swept his hand from his chest toward Deming in a grand gesture. "Lord Muchen, as you requested."
With a quickening pulse, Deming's gaze hardened as he fixed it on the lieutenant with a piercing glare. "You..." his voice trembled.
The lieutenant sneered, savoring his victory while maintaining his facade in front of the faerie leader. "In exchange for my life and the Supreme Throne of Astara, I present Feng Deming—the crown prince."
Disgust etched itself into Deming's features. "You despicable traitor!" he spat, voice quivering with rage. "My father was blind to trust a coward who stoops to slavery. You are a mockery of a king."
The lieutenant stepped back, eyes darting between Deming and Lord Muchen, sweat trickling down his forehead. 'I have no choice... If I don't hand over the prince, Astara is doomed. The faeries would wipe us out,' he agonized, guilt tearing at his soul. "I am aware that slavery goes against our principles. However..." Sighing, he acknowledged his treason and the strict prohibition against slavery, a code ingrained within his tribe since its foundation millions of years ago. 'There's nothing I can do now.'
In a final attempt, Deming's eyes pleaded with the lieutenant, begging for compassion, even as the chains held him in place.
Unable to meet Deming's eyes, the lieutenant stared at the ground, his face burning with shame. "He is all yours," he stated, turning away without a glance back.
Eyes flickering with pleasure, Lord Muchen stepped forward with grace, eyeing the prince with satisfaction. "A most generous offering, indeed."
Fury boiled within Deming, a fiery heat spreading from his clenched fists to the pit of his stomach as his once-prestigious life crumbled into a living hell. The iron taste of rage filled his mouth as he spat out his words. "One day, the Faerie Realm will fall, and its name will be forgotten forever—along with yours," he growled, his voice like the low rumble of thunder. "I promise you this!"
As the faeries approached Feng Deming, their footsteps reverberated through the ground, sending drumbeats against his chest. The scent of sharp and bitter ozone filled the air as the distance between them closed. His breaths grew shallow, the bitter taste of anxiety lingering on his tongue as the lieutenant shrank from view, leaving him to face the encroaching faeries.
"You will all regret this, mark my words!" Deming raged, his muscles straining against the chains. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms as he fought the overwhelming force pressing down on him. Resisting tears, memories of his father's teachings echoed in his mind, urging him to stand firm in the face of hardship.
"Listen closely, my son—never allow yourself to be trapped... You are our only hope against their millions of years of oppression. The faeries want to crush our pride and destroy our culture. If we lose our identity, everything our ancestors achieved will turn to dust. We will be nothing... They want to weaken us by making us less protective of our heritage, dividing Astara. If they succeed, faerie worship will occur here and doom us all... that even death is a mercy from the only God there is.
Even if they take away our lands and try to break our spirit, we must never turn the other cheek and abandon our ideology... We are Astarans; we never surrender to oppression or lose our dignity, even if death comes near.
One day, you must lead our people because only you can stand up to the faeries. When the time is right, I will reveal who you truly are. Until then, never forget our legacy, our culture, and who we are as a people... Always remember who you are, Feng Deming."
Hope brightened Deming's eyes. Frowning with determination and lips pressed together, he exhaled through his nose with force. 'Now I see why he never wanted me to waste time and play like the other kids...' Memories of grueling training sessions flooded his mind. 'That deciphering technique... I haven't mastered it yet, but I will... Father, I promise I'll restore Astara's glory... and once I decipher these seals, I'll break free...' A knot of dread tightened in his chest. 'But what if I fail after breaking out... and be trapped again... and never see my home again? What will they do to Astara... and my people?'
"Take this... monster... away," Muchen hissed.
Deming's heart clenched at the accusation. 'Monster,' the word twisted his insides. 'Father knew something about me that he didn't tell. Maybe that's why he trained me all my life. Maybe I am... a monster.'
When the time comes, would his revenge be brutal and relentless, pushing him toward darkness, or would he find a way to remain honorable in his pursuit of vengeance? A burning desire flowed through his veins, already planning his escape as the root of the promised day took hold in his heart.
image [https://img.wattpad.com/52fa537560fc4a7b29317056fd1b425c5b180736/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4c6c4c375549356a474b586347773d3d2d313334393938343939352e313736386437626136383562356130333832383632363838393134312e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Matian Meilin got off the bus, clutching her suitcase. Her smooth and lustrous dark-brown hair flowed down to her lower back, swaying with each step she took with a smile. Her long eyelashes framed her big, almond-shaped eyes, and her black winged eyeliner accentuated the hypnotic darkness of her eyes.
"I can't believe it, Yuming! I'm finally here!" Meilin's eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke into her lilac-colored headphones. 'I prayed to God for so many nights for this.'
"I'm so happy for you! I'm going to miss you, bestie. I know you won't have as much time to chat with me as before, but remember, you're not alone in this. If anything happens, give me a call, okay?" Yuming's warm and reassuring voice cracked through the connection.
"Thank you so much! You know I'm going to miss you too. I wish you could see all of this!" Meilin's eyes roamed the towering buildings that scraped the sky, their shadows slicing through the morning light. The aroma of fresh coffee wafted from nearby cafés, and she lingered by the street vendors offering mouthwatering delicacies. "You know, Yuming, it's a bit overwhelming to be alone in such a big city, but I'm so lucky to be here. This is my dream job, and just imagining being on that stage is so exciting!"
"I wish I could be there too." Yuming's tone shifted, worry creeping in. "I know I've said this before, but can you really handle being in a field that's mostly men? And living with them too?"
"Don't worry about it. I'm used to living with a lot of people, remember? The orphanage?"
"Oh, right! I, uh... You know, besides this, I'm glad you're finally happy and away from that jerk—"
"Please don't mention him. He's not why I'm here." Meilin's fingers trembled, her heart twisting and tightening like a vice. 'Should've known that he... never liked me back...'
"Sorry... for bringing him up."
"Hey, don't worry about it. You know, today is the best day of my life! I won't have to sneak out to the internet cafe anymore. I'll have my own computer, my own room, everything, and maybe one day I'll have my own home!"
Yuming turned silent, contrasting with the bustling city. The crowd's noise and the distant roar of traffic faded as the silence on the other end of the line grew heavier. "I'm happy to hear you so positive, and I don't want to burst your bubble, but..."
'Oh no. It's that judgy tone of hers. Please don't...'
"Is Esports sustainable? I mean, where will you work if this fails? It just seems like there might be some things you haven't fully considered."
Meilin stopped dead in her tracks, the bustling city fading into the background. She swallowed hard, fists clenching around the suitcase handle. "I have to make this work, Yuming. I can't go back to that life..." Her eyes dropped to the ground, haunted by memories she could not escape. "I have literally nothing to go back to. There's no Plan B... Please understand... I have to do something."
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"I... I'm sorry... Maybe I worry too much over nothing. I should trust you more."
Meilin's grip tightened on the suitcase. "Please do."
"Then make sure you do it right!"
"I'll make you proud." Meilin forced the words out before hanging up with a sigh. 'I'm just tired of barely scraping by!'
Meilin recalled pretending to be on a diet to save face because she could not afford restaurants.
'I need the money. I just want to live... to buy the things I've dreamed of but could never afford, no matter how long I saved...'
The image of a muscular, shirtless fictional man—her main champion and a swordsman in the game—flashed before her mind's eye.
'Oh, yes... And then—when I finally can—I'll buy all those figurines of Zayn...' A smile tugged at her lips, her cheeks flushed and eyes dreamy, squealing and drooling.
As she approached the large doors of Ignis headquarters, a famous Esports company known for its remarkable players, a storm of emotions churned inside her. This was her chance, her moment, and she opened the doors, stepping into the unknown. Little did she know, someone awaited her just inside, ready to shift everything she believed about herself and her purpose.
~*~
Meilin entered the company building, her beige trenchcoat shielding her from the biting cold that stung her cheeks. 'I can't wait for summer!'
Bright lights shone overhead as she took off her headphones and crossed the entrance hall to the information desk but found it empty.
She turned to the two guys lounging in the lobby and greeted them with a smile. "Hello, can I ask you a question?"
They turned their heads, eyes widening and mouths open while she approached. Both men could not help but stare at her, their eyes following her outlines from head to toe.
The shorter guy stuttered, "Y-Yeah?"
"Hello yourself, gorgeous." The taller one winked. "You a fan?"
Blinking, she took a step back. "What?"
"Don't be shy. What's your name?"
"I, uh... I'm just looking for the team Solaris. What floor are they on? Could you please tell me?"
The mere mention of Solaris yanked them out of their fantasies like a wrecking ball smashing through fragile glass.
"Wait, so you're not... You're here for them!? Are you their fan or something? You do realize you can't just barge in like this!"
"Oh no, it's a misunderstanding. I'm here to join the team! It's my first time here, so I'm a bit lost..."
"Solaris, huh? THE Solaris?" The taller one chuckled in a condescending way. "I guess this will be the last time we hear of them."
Her smile remained unflinching as she caught the sideways smirks. 'Calm down, Meilin. You knew this would happen at some point. Stay calm.'
"Esports isn't for girls. You should be at home doing something more suitable for your kind."
She clenched her jaw and fists, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Standing firm, she shot back, "I don't remember you competing in last championship to be talking like this."
"Watch what you're saying, rookie." The tall guy stepped forward, peering down at her with a haughty expression. "If you weren't flirting with me a minute ago, I would've—"
"Excuse me? Do you think every girl who talks to you is hitting on you? YOU were the one flirting with me!"
"Don't get any ideas. You're way too loud and aggressive. I prefer girls who are modest and know how to behave."
Her lips trembled, her heart sinking as if weighed down by heavy stones, a memory surfacing:
"Why haven't I confessed to Meilin yet? Knowing her, she'd probably be all over me before I even got the words out!" A young man chuckled, his laughter growing louder. "Yeah, she's fun, but she's also... aggressive... vulgar... I like proper girls, and she's not... the kind of girl I'd want to introduce to my parents or even consider marrying."
She grounded herself in the present, swallowing the lump in her throat. 'If only I were perfect. If only I weren't the way I am, Yichen wouldn't think of me like that and embarrass me...' She vowed never to show her true self again to anyone. 'What's the point... Fictional men are better anyway...'
"I can't believe this company is trying to hire women now," the shorter guy muttered.
'That jerk. No more! If I turn the other cheek, I'll never earn respect.' Meilin lifted her chin, her foxy eyes sparking with mischief as she gave them an intimidating smirk, her voice dropping to a low, threatening growl. "You know what? How would the company feel about its players discriminating against girls? It'd be a shame if someone were to speak to them about this... And not just that. You'd be canceled, and no other company would want to work with you two."
The two guys exchanged glances and took a step back, their cocky attitudes deflating as the notion of their careers ending sank in.
"Alright, princesses, less talking, more practicing," a deep voice boomed through the lobby.
"Ningshun!" their voices trembled.
Meilin spun around, breath catching in her throat as she met the man's gaze. 'Wow, he looks gorgeous.' Her cheeks heated up as the tall, twenty-year-old man stood before her.
The air carried the lingering scent of his musky cologne. His luscious lips curved into a smile that made eyes linger. He ran a hand through his jet-black hair, now slicked back to where his neck met his broad shoulders, revealing pale green eyes hinting at warmth.
"I see you've met Meilin."
Their eyes widened, and they nodded, forcing nervous laughter. "Is she really joining Solaris? But she's... a girl—"
"Yes, and?" Ningshun retorted without any hesitation. "Besides, I was the one who chose her for the team. She's my concern, not yours. You have a problem with that?"
They exchanged doubtful glances, understanding they needed to leave before the situation escalated.
'He was the one who chose me? I'm on the same team as this breathtaking man, and HE was the one who picked me?' Unwilling to avert her gaze, she openly displayed her admiration. Each word he spoke resonated like a melody in her ears. 'Thank you, God, thank you!'
Ningshun, Solaris' Mid Laner, was a well-known Esports figure and his team's best player. With sharp accuracy and a confident yet calm demeanor in matches, he earned the respect of many opponents.
As Ningshun waved goodbye to the two young men, he paused and cocked his head toward Meilin, his eyes following the tremble in her jaw and the twitching of her brows and fingers. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them with a softened gaze and a long sigh.
With a playful grin, he quipped, "By the way... the 'I didn't see you compete in last championship' was... a bit harsh, Meilin."
"You heard that? I'm really sorry." She lowered her head.
"You did well. I'm glad you stood up for yourself... But 'telling the company'? That was terrifying. That was really something!" He burst out laughing.
She crossed her arms and frowned, his laughter crawling under her skin like a snake. "Stop teasing me!"
'Wow, feisty.' His chuckles faded into a grin. "Now that we've sorted that out, are you ready to meet the rest of the team?"
She sighed, allowing calm to envelop her. "I'm ready. Lead the way."
As he beckoned her toward their office, the silence in the hallway tensed her like a live wire. Each echoing step of his that her ears picked up on beat a drum in her chest as heat flowed up her neck. "Ningshun?"
"Yeah?"
Unease twisted in Meilin's gut like a knot. "Were the words I said really that bad?"
"Yes, they were." He stopped in his tracks, took a step back, and met her gaze at a slow pace. "But don't worry."
Relief washed over her, the tightness in her chest easing like a breath of fresh air, and a smile tugged at her lips. "Why?"
Ningshun leaned against the wall, a sleazy smile curling his lips as he murmured, "I like bad girls."
Heat rushed to her cheeks, spreading like wildfire. 'Is he serious? It can't be...' She swallowed hard and released a breath she had not realized she had been holding.
His gaze lingered on her, making it impossible to ignore the tension between them.
She took a deep breath, trying to quell the wildfire in her veins. 'So, he wants to play like that?' As she broke his spell, a mischievous grin curved her full lips. "Oh, you like bad girls?" Her tone held a dangerous sweetness, her fire tearing through like a blazing inferno.
He opened his mouth to respond, but her assertive gaze caught him off guard as she stepped forward, closing the distance until she stood close to his shoulder.
He found himself caught between curiosity and something else. "Meilin?"
She leaned in, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered, "I'm very bad."
Ningshun's eyebrows shot up as he pivoted toward her, staring in close proximity. 'Did she just...?'
"At everything." She pulled back, her eyes daring him to react.
'Oh...' His soft chuckle escaped, growing louder each second.
With one last smirk, she turned on her heel, her steps echoing as she strutted down the hallway, leaving him standing there.
At the end of the hallway, she stopped. 'Wait... why did I leave when I don't even know my way around here?' She turned around to find Ningshun standing near the beginning of another corridor on her right. His grin spotlighted her blunder, and her heart sank like a stone into an ocean of embarrassment as she neared him.
"Lost your way?"
Meilin's laugh stumbled. "I, uh... I meant to go that way!" She waved in a vague direction, her cheeks flushing.
His grin stretched, and he tilted his head as his eyes sparkled like stars caught in mischief. "Suuure." He turned on his on his heel, leaving her to follow.
"H-Hey! Wait up!"
He glanced back, catching her sprinting toward him. A warm, amused smile touched his lips before he focused on the path ahead. He slowed his pace as she caught up, her breath coming in quick bursts. "You good?"
"Yeah, let's go!" she puffed, catching her breath with a cheerful grin.
Ningshun's gaze lingered on her, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "You're pretty quick." He adjusted his stride so they moved in sync.
But as they strode down the corridor, her gaze followed the way his jet-black hair swayed with each step, drawn to his navy shirt clinging to his muscular physique. The fabric stretched tight, accentuating the contours rippling beneath it under the hallway lights. Her pulse quickened, a flush of heat rising to her cheeks as her eyes lowered, tracing the well-defined lines of his arms and the perfect shoulder-to-hip ratio.
Stopping at a door, he turned toward her, curiosity glinting in his eyes as he tracked where her gaze had wandered. With a daring smirk, he teased, "Are you checking out my butt?"
Meilin flinched, her eyes snapping up to meet his, and cleared her throat. "Yes, and?"
He raised an eyebrow. "I see what you did there. You learn fast."
With a cheeky grin, she folded her arms and tilted her head. "You're clearly loving this way more than you should, so I don't see the problem."
Ningshun's smile flickered and died like a flame in a draft. He blinked, his shoulders tensing as he swallowed, fingers drumming on the door handle. "You have no shame, do you?"
A sheepish smile curved her lips as she placed a hand behind her head. "I, uh..."
"Never mind." A sharp breath escaped him. He twisted the handle and pushed the door open. "Ready to meet the rest of the team?"
'I just... ugh, whatever.' Meilin shook her head and stepped into the office.
The team, clustered around a central table, glanced up from their match. A series of stifled snickers and exchanged glances met her entrance.
'Did they hear everything?' she thought as sweat formed on her brow.
The place resembled a tech lover's dream, with rows of colorful LED lights and walls plastered with posters of famous Esports tournaments. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the sleek, oversized monitors and the array of gaming equipment.
Ningshun followed her into the office, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of his teammates' brief smirks and stifled chuckles. His shoulders squared, drawing in a deep breath before clearing his throat. "Everyone, brace yourselves for the new Jungler—Meilin!"
Focusing on their game, Kaili, the Support, gave a kind nod; Hooman, the ADC, offered a wave; and Han, the Top Laner, met her with a warm smile.
"Hi, guys!" She emanated a cheerful vibe as she observed their screens in awe.
Trying not to disturb the match, Ningshun pulled the white gaming chair away from the desk, gesturing for her to sit. "Take a seat, Meilin. Let's have a chat before the coach comes."
"Sure." She sat down, her gaze riveted to their screens.
"Are you comfortable? After all, this is your chair."
"My chair?" she whispered, excitement overtaking her. "Thank you. I'm more than comfortable. I could sleep here," she joked, reclining the chair and lying in it like a bed. Her gaze followed the RGB lights stretching across the ceiling, her mind drifting away.
"Thirsty?" Ningshun's warm breath fanned across her cheek, a gentle whisper stirring a shiver that raced down her spine. His deep, husky voice drew her in like a moth to a flame. Her pulse quickened as he leaned closer, his face so near she could see the pattern of his irises.
"Yes... please," she stuttered, growing tense.
"Good, because we've got all the best drinks in the galaxy—tea, coffee, soda, water..."
"Soda's perfect, thanks," she managed with a faint smile.
As he straightened and moved away, an unexpected flush of warmth spread through her. Summoning her courage, she called out, "Hey, Ningshun."
He turned back, raising his eyebrows with curiosity and a hint of intrigue. "Yes?"
Her cheeks bloomed with a soft pink hue. "Thanks for standing up for me back there."
His eyes softened. A tender smile touched his lips as he turned his gaze away for a moment, reflecting on her words. When his gaze met hers again, a tender warmth shimmered in the depths of his eyes. "No problem, Meilin."
After the team's match, everyone focused on the newcomer. Kaili, who liked to talk the most, shared funny stories about their previous matches to make her comfortable. Hooman, with a stubbled face and a laid-back vibe, joined in with his over-the-top stories, and Han, the quiet one, added a silent but expressive touch to the conversation.
Ningshun returned with the soda, grinning as he handed it over like a royal gift. "Here you go, milady."
She blinked, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. 'No one had ever called me this before.'
"Milady? Isn't that a bit outdated, Ningshun?" Hooman teased.
Laughter echoing off the walls slammed into silence as the coach approached her, a tall man with a trimmed beard and a buttoned-up shirt. He reached out to shake her hand with a skeptical smile. "Meilin, welcome. Glad you could make it. We've heard great things about you."
She shook his hand. "Thank you for having me."
"So, do you think you can work well with our boys?"
"Yes, without a doubt... After all, I can... see through what my opponents will do next." She paused. 'But how can I even explain it? I don't fully understand it myself. It's just... instinct, this gut feeling that somehow guides me.'
"Watching you play, I almost believed you," he quipped. "Okay, now that you're finally here, let's see you play in person..."
She pushed away the flutter of anxiety tightening in her chest. 'I can't mess this up. This is my one shot.'
"Ningshun speaks highly of you, so I hope you're as good as he says."
Ningshun nodded. He leaned closer, resting his arms on the desk, and whispered, "I know he looks scary, but that's all. Just play like you always do."
Meilin took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and met the coach's gaze. "I'm ready. Let's do this."