275: 6.35 Who I Truly Am

6.35 Who I Truly Am

Jillian didn't complain when Lu Yizhou didn't show up that night to make out with him. Maybe he presumed that the bad news had made Lu Yizhou dejected and the heavy atmosphere wasn't suited for passionate rendezvous, but it didn't prevent him from throwing one hesitant glance after another even as he was working late into the night.  2

He was wrong, though. Lu Yizhou was just preserving his strength for later. He looked at his points and calculated inwardly. Twenty two minutes; that was all Lu Yizhou had left. He had been wondering what he should do if he ought to have a long talk with his lover later but Cyrus had reassured him that Gods didn't have to materialize themselves to see each other. Only then could Lu Yizhou let out a sigh of relief.

Jillian had a restless sleep and Lu Yizhou stayed by his side to caress his hair until his frown between his brows smoothed out. Only then did he get up and wait for the arrival of the God of Plague outside the manor. The night was thick and encased with dark clouds yet Lu Yizhou could vividly discern a swirling ball of darkness that was heading right his way, wriggling and swaying like thousands of tentacles. Darker than ink; so dark that it seemed suck the surrounding brightness away. 

Everywhere the God of Plague passed by, the fire torch outside the houses died down one by one and the world seemed to plunge into eternal darkness for a few seconds.

Finally, the dark tentacles ball halted a few meters away from Lu Yizhou and opened up to reveal the figure inside.

Lu Yizhou's breath hitched on his throat. In a world without color, the God of Plague's silver hair stood out almost blindingly and Lu Yizhou found that he couldn't look away, tracing the silky strand that fell over the elaborate black robe like a waterfall of stars. His silver lashes fluttered open to show a pair of wholly, pure black eyes; pearlescent and so deep that it seemed to suck Lu Yizhou's soul away. When those eyes laid on him, he thought he heard faint cries of wailing and mournful ghosts that resided in the depth of Hell.

The tip of his toes slowly landed on the ground and the dark tendrils disappeared behind his back, seeping into his dark colored robes. Lu Yizhou raked in the sight of him ravenously. His skin was awfully pale and the black marks on his forehead were striking. It gave off ominous feelings. Lu Yizhou wondered how it came to be. 

The God of Plague gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Lu Yizhou," he said almost in a purr.

Lu Yizhou startled lightly at the sound of his own name.

So his hypothesis was true. It was indeed the second villain who ended up retaining the memories. Lu Yizhou let out a faint exhale. He had been prepared to find some differences in his lover. In the previous world, Lu Yizhou had coincidentally dropped his watch when Terra was sleeping and the latter ended up jolting awake and took on a fighting stance even before his eyes fully opened. It took Lu Yizhou a few years to reassure him that no danger would befall him anymore, not on his watch. 

He had no idea when his lover entered the simulation; it could be at the same time as Lu Yizhou, or it could also be a few years prior or even right at the time when the villain was born. 

If Terra still retained such trauma when surviving in the wilderness for a decade, what about the God of Plague? For centuries, or maybe longer than that, he had been existing and spread plagues everywhere, watching as people despaired, crumbled and died because of him. Was he devastated? Or… had he become numb to everything?

When looking into those pure black eyes that contained not a hint of warmth whatsoever and his closed-off expression, Lu Yizhou realized that the damage this world had done to his lover had been the greatest so far. It might even be irreparable.

"Ah, ah. I know what that look means." He singsonged, voice drifting airily along with the wind. Dark and haunting. "You must have thought that I look very different from the previous me, right? Let's see…" He counted with his fingers. "They are all weak, useless, crybaby and—"

"No." Lu Yizhou didn't even realize he was speaking until the God of Plague's eyes snapped to him. He clenched his fists. What was he doing, getting angry at his lover like that? But he couldn't bear to listen any longer. No one was allowed to disparage his lover, not even himself. "Yes, they might be a crybaby but they are certainly not weak, not useless."

The God of Plague showed a blank expression, and then he promptly burst into laughter. "Really… you haven't changed at all. Should I be happy or not, Lu Yizhou?" The smile vanished without Lu Yizhou could even blink and the cold expression returned. "But you're wrong." He took a step forward, another then another. Everywhere his feet landed on, the snow blackened like ink was spilled on it, spreading and spreading wider. The nearest tree crumbled into a pile of soot, and the sky seemed to grow a few shades darker.

Lu Yizhou didn't move from the spot. Not even when the God of Plague arrived in front of him and the darkness reached out their hands as if wanting to devour him whole. "I can feel it." He whispered. "This is who I really am. Everything I touch dies and wither and I bring nothing but pain and suffering to those around me."

Silver orbs clashed with the dark ones, charging with nameless tension. They were so close that Lu Yizhou could count every strand of the silvery lashes that framed the other's eyes. "So what?" He countered, voice betraying none of the sorrow piercing his heart. The God of Plague paused, surprised. "Everyone has a dark side to themselves and so do you… and me."

"Really…?" He reached out to cup Lu Yizhou's cheek but then his hand paused midair before falling back to his side. His nails were painted black, Lu Yizhou noticed. The God of Plague suddenly raised his voice, asking. "Will you still love me even when I am like this?"

Lu Yizhou snorted softly. "Do you still have to ask? Haven't you known the answer to that?"

He tilted his head. "Have I—"

"REGIUS!!!"

Lu Yizhou swiveled around so quickly that his neck issued a crack. His eyes widened when he found Jillian standing on the gate of the manor, hair mussed up from the sleep and still clad in a sleeping gown. How... Lu Yizhou didn't materalize himself so how could Jillian see him?! Could he see the God of Plague too?!

Jillian was gripping his sword tightly and his eyes glanced back and forth at Lu Yizhou and the God of Plague, face as pale as sheet. "Regius, who… who is that?"

Lu Yizhou closed his eyes and cursed inwardly. The reason why he went outside the manor, as far as the range he was allowed to all the while still tied to the doll vessel, was because he didn't want Jillian to meet the God of Plague yet. He cursed his own carelessness for failing to notice Jillian's presence but more importantly… [Why the fuck didn't you tell me that Jillian is here?!]

There was no answer from 666.

[Are you playing dead again?!] Lu Yizhou seethed.

The God of Plague gave him a fleeting glance as he sidestepped so that his full figure was revealed to Jillian's eyes. "Don't bother to seek your little companion." He said in a low voice without turning to Lu Yizhou. 

Lu Yizhou's pupils dilated in shock. "What have you done to 666?"

"Hmm…" He crossed his arms and contemplated. "Just… shut it up for a while?"

Lu Yizhou looked at the figure beside him, perplexed. He had no idea what 'shut it up' entailed and he was unsure if he should worry. Had the God of Plague become so strong that he could disable the system in Lu Yizhou's mind? To what extent did his capability go?

"Who are you?!" Jillian hissed and pointed his sword to the God of Plague. "Let Regius go!"

"Regius?" He turned to Lu Yizhou, amused. "Is that your name in this world?"

Lu Yizhou wanted to tell Jillian not to get close, to go back and wait for him because he couldn't confirm what would happen if the two were to clash right now, but all of a sudden, he found that he couldn't speak. Not only that, he couldn't move as well! What was happening?! 

Beside him, the God of Plague chuckled and turned to Jillian, deliberately snaking his arm around Lu Yizhou's waist and pulling him close. "Why should I let him go? He's my beloved."

Jillian's jaws dropped open and his pale complexion became even more ghastly. His grip on the sword faltered and his eyes immediately snapped to Lu Yizhou, waiting for him to deny, to… to do anything to show that it wasn't true. Lu Yizhou saw as the confusion in Jillian's eyes turned to doubt, apprehension and then disbelief when seconds passed and Lu Yizhou still didn't move. When in fact, Lu Yizhou was desperately struggling against the invisible restraint around his body. Move! He should move and do something!

Lu Yizhou's eyes veered to the side in time to see a smirk playing on the God of Plague's lips. What do you want? He tried to relay through his glare. Why are you provoking him?! Lu Yizhou knew that smile very well. The God of Plague was up to something but… what exactly was his intention here?

"You don't believe me?" Without a warning, he grabbed Lu Yizhou's chin to turn his face toward him, eyes taunting as he leaned in and kissed Lu Yizhou's lips right in front of Jillian's red rimmed eyes.

.

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Mini theater

666, who was suddenly ambushed by an unrecognizable force and experienced a total blackout.

[Holy— what the hell is happening?! 666 has just gotten to the best part! What happens after Jillian arrives?! Are they going to fight? Uwaaa, whoever is so cruel to deprive 666 of this exciting love-triangle show?! QAQ Come out, 666 will fight you!!!]

"I am here." A familiar voice resounded through the space. "Fight me, then."

[EEEEEKKKK—!!! Y—YOU ARE THE GOD OF PLAGUE!!! No, no, 666 doesn't mean anything by that. 666 is just joking hehehe *sweat in 4k* 666 isn't curious anymore! Please spare 666's pitiful life!!!]

[Host, where are you when 666 needs you the most?! QAQ]

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