ShuYan sat on a chair, the moon shining brightly on his face as his fingers plucked the guqin in front of him.

Under the light from the moon and stars, the wind gently blew. His hair was softly lifted, flying in the wind, creating a beautiful scene.

Sitting in front of him was RuJin, who's face had happiness on it, eyes warm as he stared at ShuYan who was playing a song for him.

RuJin felt his heart flutter even more than what it usually did. He couldn't help the light in his eyes as he stared at the image of ShuYan under the bright moon, playing a song just for him. He was happy beyond compared.

Three weeks had pass by. ShuYan was able to pick up the skill of playing the guqin easily but was still a little bit shaky on controlling its power. It didn't affect RuJin much anyways since he was able to fight off the power, but ordinary people wouldn't be able to go up against something like this.

Though ShuYan appeared to be struggling a bit, RuJin knew that he had a talent for this type of cultivation instead. Although his skill at using a sword was also great, he seemed to have better compatibility with the guqin instead of a sword.

"How was it?" ShuYan asked, stopping the sound of the guqin with his palm as he asked RuJin.

"It was great. Now try directing the force of the power to one certain spot." RuJin patiently said to him. He knew that ShuYan was already great for a beginner.

"I always get stuck on that part," ShuYan sighed. He couldn't understand just what he was doing wrong.

"It is fine. You are already doing well for a beginner." RuJin reassured him. He knew that ShuYan was mad at himself because of the upcoming war.

Two weeks ago, the five sects of the Five Nations had declared war upon RuJin, using the excuse of banishing all darkness away from the world. Of course, if it was three months ago, he wouldn't be worried. But now, ShuYan was thrown into this big mess, and he was risking his life for this. This was what RuJin feared. He feared that he would also lose ShuYan too, against this war with people who would never back down.

That was these people's greatest flaw and strength. They never back down against something they have decided on.

RuJin also knew that ShuYan knew about this. That was why he was pushing himself so hard, for the hopes that he could also join the war. But RuJin would never let him do that. Even though the guqin is a strong weapon, he wasn't willing to let ShuYan into the mix, into a bloody battle.

"You don't need to push yourself. Sooner or later, I know that you will be able to comprehend everything." RuJin told ShuYan, getting up from his seat and walking towards ShuYan, sitting by his side and taking his hand into his own.

"Thank you for saying that." ShuYan leaned into RuJin's shoulder, enjoying RuJin's comforting words and the peacefulness around them.

"But I want to be stronger. If I don't become stronger, I won't be able to fight alongside you in the battle." ShuYan spoke, eyes burning brightly.

"I don't understand why they declared war. By doing something like this, they will be sacrificing countless lives. They know better than anyone yet they are doing something as drastic as this. I wish that they will only know what it is they are sacrificing." ShuYan pushed himself off of RuJin's shoulder, staring into RuJin's eyes.

"Humans are greedy creatures. They want more and more even though their mouths will deny it. Deep inside, they yearn for many things, and will do anything to get it accomplish. Even if it means sacrificing something else in return." RuJin said, showing a very small smile that brightened ShuYan's face.

"Yes, that is true." ShuYan said, his hand reaching up to caress RuJin's face. RuJin didn't make a move, merely sitting still and letting ShuYan touch him.

"And that is why I regret the fact that human's won't easily change their hearts. By their mindset, they think that what they are doing is right. Yet what they don't realize is that they will also be hurting themselves by doing something like this." ShuYan said this sentence, his eyes held so many thoughts in it.

He wanted to stop this war, this fight that will only bring about destruction. He worried for the lives that will be lost but most of all for RuJin. He knew that RuJin would be targeted by many for the role he played. ShuYan had almost forgotten what role RuJin was. He played a huge role in this war, he was going to be targeted by many for his identity as the Dark Lord.

But he also knew that RuJin was capable of fighting against them. He also knew that he couldn't stop this war no matter how hard he tried, those efforts will only be in vain. After all, the ones he had to change were the sects, those who have very stubborn minds. Even when he was in the Sect, he never interacted with them. He distanced himself away from these people because of the hidden daggers behind their smiles, a hidden weapon just waiting to be unleashed.

ShuYan suddenly pulled RuJin into his arms, his head laying on the crook of RuJin's neck.

RuJin was left shock at this, but he brought his hand up and gently patted ShuYan's back.

"I'm sorry, let's just stay like this for a while more."

RuJin didn't say anything, silence hung in the air.

ShuYan was in deep thoughts, closing his eyes as he hugged tightly onto RuJin. He took a few deep breaths.

He didn't know why, but he had this foreboding feeling. Something in his heart told him that something bad was going to happen and he disliked it. He wished with every fiber in his body that it was just a gut feeling.