The solitary light of the lantern lit the narrow path enfolded by thick thorny bushes. A hooded figure carried on through the trail, expertly avoiding the dangers of the ground, stepping through the bushes in familiar energy. The figure looked over their shoulder once in a while, cautious, arriving at a withdrawn cottage in the end of the path encased by enormous maple trees, the leaves shading the thatched roof and the wooden walls, wrecked, exposed to the nature around it. They knocked twice, whispering a string of words as the door opened a crack.

Two pools of black looked up at the figure, studying them in suspicion before nodding in acknowledgment. With one look over their shoulder the figure slipped in, closing the battered door behind them. The woman in the cottage had seen many years passing behind her. Once smooth skin wrinkled by experience and the fatigue of old age. Midnight black eyes were sunken wells in her face, a thin film of white already spreading through.

The hooded figure peeled off her satin hood, revealing pale eyes, the glittery moon colouring her pale skin in a ghostly white. "Adeline, I need your help."

The old woman trotted to the nearest chair, aged like her. The wood protested weakly as she sat, her heavy frame barely fitting the chair. "Queen Cordelia," Her raspy voice, heavy with the years behind her said. Each syllable placed carefully. "I'm surprised you remembered this old woman."

Cordelia dragged out the only other chair in the cabin, sitting uninvited. "Adeline. I do not have time for small talk. I need a potion."

Adeline kept her eyes fixated on the cotton pieces of cloth in front of her. Her fingers worked briskly to make small dolls out of the fabric.Thin, fragile little toys. Cordelia tapped her fingers on the wooden surface, grunting. "Adeline." Her voice held the authority of a child too young to be matured.

The woman raised her head, the scar running down her neck disappearing by the end of her high collared dress darkening the shadows in her skin. "I heard visitors came. Is this regarding them?"

"Yes," She asked, eager. It will only be a matter of minutes before the guards come searching for her, tearing the woodland apart. "I need a potion," Her eyes shifted to the set of vials neatly lined along the iron boards attached to the wall, rusted. "A love potion."

Adeline raised her brow, her eyes following Cordelia's to the multi-coloured vials. Nights of devious rituals were the cost for their strength. The Queen pulled out a purple bundle, the sound of coins rattling echoing through the empty hut as she dumped it on the table. "I will pay handsomely."

Adeline sighed, pulling herself up with some effort. She had questions, but it was not her place to ask them. She might've thought against it. She never agreed to forced love. But despite her pretty face, Adeline was aware of the capabilities of this child. Nor did she have any objection to the money. There was only half a loaf of bread and a little milk in the place. She was not in the state for manual labour and her dolls were selling less and less as the other vendors kept introducing new colourful playthings for the children. From the collection she picked a small container, a silver outlined vial with deep purple elixir inside. The colour seemed to swirl inside like a mist, almost as if the liquid was alive.

"This will do, your highness."

Cordelia smiled, gathering the vial carefully. She placed it somewhere in her hood, tipping the cover back over her head. "Thank you Adeline." She walked out of the door, stepping swiftly through the wood with only her lantern and the glitter of the moon to guide her path. Adeline watched her disappearing, small figure. The very same figure that used to be so happy and innocent. She shook her head, placing herself in the too stubby chair, going back to her dolls. Her worn lyre standing in the corner, the only alive thing amidst a series of deadened furniture, still humming with music where Adeline's aged fingers had played it.

---

"Where are we going, Lui?" Shu asked, pulling the cloak tight around him. The stinging morning air needles against his skin, piercing through the fabric of the heavy cloak. Lui had woken him at the crack of the dawn, when the birds were calling out their songs to the still darkened sky. Without a word, he started guiding him through the quiet hallways, some maids already treading the hallways, acknowledging the two of them with a dip of their heads.

"You'll see," Lui said, his fingers wrapped around Shu's wrist. They walked up a small hill by the end of the enormous lake. The dew bushes sparkling, catching the first light of the day. The horizon was a pale grey now, the crimson patches indicating the approaching sunrise. Oh- sunrise. Suddenly their small journey made so much more sense.

Shu shivered as another wave of breeze passed them through as they reached their destination. A rock attached to the top of the small hill they climbed. Shu balanced himself on the smooth surface, "How did you find this place?"

"Arvin told me." He turned towards the sky, the crimson surged through the monochromatic sky of the dawn, Shu watched transfixed as the colours danced, painting the clouds in a kaleidoscope of colours. The lake below captured the scene, reflecting it against the ripples of water. The fishermen dispatched their boats, their early morning callings for each other a distant echo.

Lui's fingers interlaced with his, squeezing. A familiar comfort in the world that was awakening around them. Standing on top of this lonesome landscape, Shu felt they were the last two people alive in the world. A surreal sense of loss and discovery riddled through his mind. When half a sphere of sun bloomed from the horizon, chasing the remains of the darkness, Lui placed a hand on his chin, turning his face from the enchanting nature to himself.

Their hands found each other's bodies. Lips pressed against each other in sloppy intimacy, Lui pulled him closer, their bodies pressed against each other as the warm, fresh sun rays of the new sun caught through their figures. As the world awoke around them, the call of the vendors penetrating the morning silence, they parted, breathless. Shu's flushed face, his white locks glowed golden under the sun that for a moment he looked ethereal. Lui reached down and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. "How's the sunrise?"

Shu moved his tongue along his lips, turning back to the sunrise, still enveloped in Lui's arms. "Beautiful," He said, turning back to the male. "But if I have to choose, I'd choose another kiss over this."

Lui didn't need any more invitations. He laughed, closing the distance yet again murmuring yet another I love you against Shu's soft lips.

When they finally decided to walk down and join others for breakfast, the others were already there. None of them commented about Shu's flushed face, their hands intertwined with each other, being too used to their intimacy by now. But Free didn't let go of the pair without a smug grin. Arvin glanced, puzzled but questioned no further as the two took their seats in the far corner of the table. Cordelia was nowhere to be seen. Only the guards stood, dressed in their crisp white uniforms, bordered with sky blue.

"Where's the queen?" Valt asked, turning to Arvin.

"She's having her breakfast in her room." He gave them a tight lipped smile. "Her highness is not feeling well."

"Oh. I hope she gets well soon," Valt said. A friendly smile on his face. The breakfast didn't draw out. After the satisfying meal, they went towards the training grounds. If they were going to face the Demon Lord's armies, they might just as well be in their best shape.

Once they engulfed themselves in the intensity of the training, the presence of Cordelia in the edge of the training grounds went unnoticed. She had arrived shortly after they had started their training routines. Her eyes were fixated on the pair in the corner, sparring against each other. Shu's hands flamed with fresh bursts of fire.

He lunged forward at Lui who stomped his foot on the ground, creating an ice wall, blocking his attack. Shu halted on his feet and aimed a burst of flames against the ice wall, puddles of water on the ground. Shu summoned his axe and launched forward, Lui's ice sword crossing against the weapon.

Shu pressured forward, but Lui refused to give him an inch but instead snapped his fingers, building four ice walls around Shu which the latter brought down just as easily with his fire. But then he stopped, panting as he stared at his open palm. Cordelia frowned, watching Lui walk over to the albino, a series of words passing among them. Shu smiled at the end of it, nodding to whatever the suggestion Lui made.

"Your highness," Free's voice drew her out of the staring. She forced her lips to a smile, turning to the approaching prince.

"Prince Free."

"Are you feeling well now?" She heard the suspicion in his voice. His inky eyes following her line of vision to Shu and Lui who were hugging?

"That's their synchronisation," Free answered, noticing her puzzled look. "It's a method of power fusion."

"But their powers aren't compatible for a fusion!" She exclaimed, surprised and annoyed. Water and ice were a better pair, compatible with each other. Her water powers had more potential than the negligible bursts of fire the other exhibited. "It's not possible."

Free raised his brow, feeling the depth of her statement. The blonde had always been a silent observer, familiar with the behavioural patterns of humans. And now he did see the ulterior motives behind her words. The annoyance and jealousy. Ugly, green, festering jealousy infecting her attractive face in a sombre shadow. "You won't get his attention," he spoke, his face passive.

Cordelia whipped her head to the side, mouth opening in protest. Free shook his head, "Maybe your mind might not let you see it. But the way he looks at him tells everything you need to know.

It's love, Cordelia. Pure, intense love. They'll let that passion burn them down to ashes if it comes to that." He shook his head, smiling. "Honestly, look at Lui," He grinned, "He looks at Shu like he's the only person left in this world. And that's love at its greatest."

Cordelia glared, refusing to let the words clear her to senses as she stomped down the staircase, disappearing to the nearest hallway. Free sighed, rubbing his temples hoping this was not the start of something dreadful.

---

Cordelia looked at the potion clutched in her palm. Buying it from that old woman Adeline was the easier part of her scheme, getting Lui to drink the potion will prove more challenging than the previous step of her plan. It had been a while since she had actively stepped out of the throne room or her familiar balcony to chase past a fever dream of her own. She didn't miss Arvin's worry as she dismissed the guards, saying she was retiring in her room for the day.

She didn't retire. Instead, she found herself in the kitchen where the staff was readying themselves for the evening tea party organised to welcome the guests to the castle; the heroes from across the seas, people were calling them. She paced back and forth, pale eyes glancing at the golden brown pastries, cakes topped with strawberries. She ignored the eyes of the staff, their whispers. She clenched her fists, the sharp lid of the vial biting into her palm as she stormed out, leaving perplexed staff behind.

She made her way into the garden with a different plan in mind. She needed help from a trusted ally. There was one person she could think of, the only other member in the palace that was around her age. Arvin had taken her under his wing nine years ago when she was just a child, Miya, the bizarre, mischievous teenager who had been her partner in crime, the only person who understood her mind.

She found her in her usual spot, in front of the tiger cage, not alone. Prince Free stood beside her, his hands clasped behind his back. Eye flecked golden under the glare of the sun. Miya turned, "Cordelia!" She chirped, striding to her, her short black locks bouncing, framing her little face. "Hello!"

Free turned with her but watched them from afar. Cordelia was satisfied with the distance. The blonde made her uncomfortable, almost as if he could read her every move. She shot a glare at the Prince, the earlier conversation still fresh in mind. Without another word, she took hold of Miya's slim wrist, dragging her through the forest towards the archway in front of the palace. "Whoa," The girl said, messaging her wrist. "What's the hurry? I couldn't even say goodbye to Prince Free!"

Cordelia huffed, rolling her eyes. "Don't get too close to him."

Miya blinked, "Why?"

She shrugged, waving her hands to indicate it was not important. "Anyway, I need your help." She took the vial out of her sleeve, the colour a dazzling violet.

Miya leaned closer, her sapphire eyes reflecting the vial. "Is this what I think it is?"

Cordelia nodded. She knew about her knowledge of potions. Before Arvin took her under him, she had been the slavegirl of a lewd old man who had been obsessed with potions and charms. Miya gave her a Cheshire cat grin, "Is it the blonde prince?"

Cordelia shook her head, fiddling with the end of her sleeve. "It's Lui. Prince Lui."

Miya's eyes went from surprise to confusion. She tilted her head, parting her lips to speak. Cordelia beat her to it. "That's exactly why I need the portion!"

There was a moment of unease, "But Cordelia, is it right?" She shrugged her tan shoulders, looking to her right where a stray rose had found its way through the perfect red roses. "I don't know. Will this even make you happy?"

Cordelia's ears flushed. "Yes, it will!" She clenched her fists, "No one will listen to me. That's why I came to you. I need help, Miya."

The girl hesitated, before a resigned sigh escaped her lips. "Okay, fine. I'm doing this because you asked me to. But remember I do not like this plan." She extended her palm as Cordelia placed the vial on her hand. She didn't need her permission, she didn't want anyone's permission. What she needed was Lui's gaze on her own, the same gaze he gave Shu.

They watched her friend walking away, her shoulders still stiffened. Cordelia didn't care, she looked over to the balcony, already counting the minutes until the time to the tea party.

---

The evening sun started dipping under the thin line of horizons as they gathered around the table, faces flushed after a refreshing bath of the hot springs in the castle. Smiles upon their lips after the relaxing day. It was the first after arriving at the Dark continent. They had fought consecutive wars. Threaded through danger like it was their second nature. This day was like a gift.

Amidst the excited chatter, Cordelia's eyes focused on Miya who was dressed as a maid. She had successively sent Arvin to solve a small dispute in the city, allowing Miya the freedom to place the fated cup in front of Lui. She had seen Miya's quick hands working on the vial as she dropped the content to the cup. She tugged at her robes under the table, fingers crumpling the fabric.

Her heart thudded against her ears. Mind closed off to all the conversations around the table as her vision narrowed to the pair to her right. Shu's eyes on the pristine white table cloth as his finger traced lazy circles on top of it. Lui said something beside him, drawing a smile out of the former.

She rubbed her sweaty palms on her dress, her eyes numb to the watchful, confused crimson eyes which were on her. Shu frowned, feeling the intense glare of the girl in the far corner of the table. Though Arvin's words confirmed she was sick, Shu had little faith in the lie. He could see her perfectly fine, perhaps a little pale. Her intense gaze followed Lui as the latter brought the cup to his lips, taking a sip.

A quick smile on her lips as she dipped her chin, averting her gaze to hide her face behind her own cup of tea. Shu tilted his head, not thinking much about the strange interaction. He had been replaying the incidents with Honey the whole day. The sparring match between Lui and him had gone smooth until he had been struck with a sudden memory of the screams. He wondered if they had come back, but realised it was more a memory than a resurgence of the previous haunted voices.

"Prince Lui," Cordelia's voice drew him off his daze. Lui looked up without a word. "Would you accompany me for an important discussion?" She didn't elaborate on the reasons. Shu turned to Lui expectantly. To his surprise, the White Tyrant stood without so much as a look at his direction, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"My pleasure," He said, walking towards the girl standing with a bright smile that lifted the gloom in her face. Shu felt his stomach sinking, an uneasy feeling clawing at his gut. Without a single look over his shoulder, his reassuring gaze brushing over his own crimson, Lui was gone.

Silent fell over the table for a second, "What the hell?" Honcho wondered aloud, turning to Shu. The albino stared back, disoriented.

The maids around them shifted. Shu discarded the thoughts from his head, maybe he was overthinking it. He just shrugged at the other, "Maybe they had something to talk about," Shu said, more to convince himself than the others. "I'm going to go check on Lunar. I haven't seen her around the whole day."

He didn't miss Free's face as the blonde raised his brow in a silent question. Shu shook his head with a smile, walking out of the stuffy tea party, his mind replaying the instance before. Lui's eyes never met him, almost as if he had never existed. He was overthinking the situation. He sighed, looking around to see any snippets of Lunar. After a few minutes he found her sitting in front of the ponds beside the archway, staring at the fishes keenly. "Lunar?"

The wolf snapped her head towards Shu. "What are you doing here?"

Lunar turned back to her fishes, silently lamenting that she couldn't attack any of them. Shu smiled, sitting beside her, fingers combing her soft white fur. He pulled his knees to his chest, leaning against the massive wolf, fur tickling his skin. His thoughts drifted towards Itsuki and the rest of the squad back in Moeru, the information they had sent must've reached there by now.

"Shu!" Valt skipped his way to his best friend, sitting beside him. "Want to go to the city?"

Shu's hand froze mid-action, fingers entangled in Lunar's soft fur. He pulled away from the Wolf, "The city? The sun is already setting, Valt."

"I know! But I heard it's beautiful there at night. Let's go!"

Shu frowned, uncertain. He wanted to stay and talk to Lui when he got the chance. He wanted to make sure things were okay between them. That some unknown force had not evoked abruptly, sharpening the edge of some splintered secret they had not yet shared. Maybe all he needed was some time, "Okay." He stood, looking at the gloom of the forest, shadows dancing on the ground. "Let's go then."

Valt grinned, guiding them through the forest. He waved at one of the boats, beckoning them towards the empty benches on it. The city bloomed in front of them in the twilight, a kaleidoscope of colours blinking back at them. Shu stepped out of the boat, Lunar had decided to stay back. Valt hopped to his feet beside him, both drinking in the charming scenery in front of them.

Shu sucked in a breath. The shops lit with orange flames, dancing to the subtle evening breeze. Multi-coloured stones hanging by the shop fronts threw colourful dancing shadows across the ground. Children ran from side to side, chasing those shadows and peering into the evening snacks sizzling on pans. The crispy, sweet aromas of sweets filtering through the open evening market.

"We need to try something!" Valt cheered, taking his wrist as he weaved his way through cliques of citizens, talking among each other, doing some evening shopping in the market. Shu smiled, feeling the positive energy sink to his veins. Valt stopped, indecision seizing his mind. "But I want to try everything."

Shu chuckled, "Start with one, Valt."

"You're right," He said, dragging him to the nearest stall where small round wheat pancakes were sizzling on the pan. "We'll take two!" Valt chirped, grinning down at the food.

"Good choice lad," The shop owner said, placing a lotus leaf on the front counter, dropping two golden brown pancakes and scooping a generous portion of honey from a nearby jar. The liquid dripped down the delicacy. "That would be four coins."

Valt dropped the coins to the counter, taking the food as they mixed into the crowd again. "These are the stuff of heaven." He munched on his food.

Shu licked his fingertips, "It is tas-" He stopped, eye catching a familiar sight. Lui and ... Cordelia? Hand in hand, waiting in front of a jewellery shop. The latter tried a pair of bright green earrings, Lui watching with half a smile on his lips. His heart clenched, mind clutched in a whirlwind of thoughts.

Valt focused on his line of vision, "Wait is that-" He didn't need to finish, a voice behind them did.

"It indeed is Lui and Cordelia."

They both turned to the blonde, his arms crossed over his chest, dark eyes narrowed in disordered emotions. "I thought those two were back at the castle, trying to discuss some serious issue. C'mon Shu." He didn't give the albino a chance to speak as he took his hand, making their way to where Lui and Cordelia stood.

They turned as they arrived. Lui with his usual neutral look on his face, his violet eyes barely brushing over Shu, for a moment the albino wondered if he could see him at all. "Lui," Free said, no smile on his face. "Fancy seeing you here." The sarcasm was not lost on anyone.

The White Tyrant shrugged, "Cordelia wanted to come here." He smiled at her, "So, here we are."

"You didn't tell me you were coming," Shu declared, already weakened with an unsightly feeling flowering in his gut; jealousy.

"I'm not bound to tell you everything I do."

His cold voice lurched Shu back to their old days of rivalry. But you used to, Shu wanted to say. But it was hard to speak of anything without sounding as if he was a five year old. "I guess..." He muttered, eyes dropping to their interlocked hands. Cordelia took great pleasure flexing her fingers, squeezing Lui's arm in her hold. But still you could've told me.

"Well, if you gentleman can leave us alone, there's so much I have to do with Lui. Aquarius is a city of beauty and wonder."

Free raised his brow, tilting his head to the side. "I bet it is." His dark eyes wandered through the stalls before stopping in front of a Spicy Noodles stall, "What if we all try a bowl of that? Wouldn't it be fun to spend time together?"

"But Shu hates spice," Lui's voice interfered. Shu turned to him, expectant. Cordelia's eyes darkened at his statement but what astonished Shu was Lui's expression, almost as if he was ... lost. His brows wrinkled and met as the White Tyrant tried to recall how he knew that piece of information. Shu and Free shared a glance, puzzled as Cordelia took his arm, "We should go. These people are messing with your mind!"

Lui surrendered to her words and let her guide him through the throng of people. The smile replacing the frown upon his lips. "That's not Lui," Shu blurted out, fingers curling on his robes.

Free hummed beside him, "I had my suspicions."

Valt decided to interfere at last from his position just behind them. "Do you guys think Cordelia did something to him?"

The pair jumped, spinning on their heels, having momentarily forgotten the presence of their friend. Shu placed a hand over his racing heart, blinking out the daze. "You startled me, Valt." Valt grinned.

Free ran a hand through his messy blonde locks, "Well, I think she has done something. It's going to be tricky to find the cause. We don't know what these people are capable of after all. Did you guys know that Cordelia is an elemental user?"

"She is?" Shu tucked a stray strand of his hair behind his ear, "I didn't know that. What's her element?"

"Water," Free answered. "Arvin told me she's really talented." His eyes darkened, "And dangerous."

"Water," Valt murmured, "It's quite close to Lui's powers. Is that why she wants him?"

Shu felt his stomach rolling from unpleasant emotions. He looked to his side where Lui and Cordelia's back disappeared just a moment ago. Ice and water; two remarkable elements that would be an exquisite collaboration. Shu knew it was not only the power Cordelia was after, she was after Lui himself. The great physique, charming charisma, the royal aura he carried. Free nudged his shoulder, "Don't underestimate yourself so easily. You're the one Lui's madly in love with. Don't forget that."

Shu gave him a sad smile, the positive energy vibrating the air around him detaching from himself as twisting gloom closed off on him. Suddenly, he wanted to be alone. But he dreaded going back to that lone room he shared with Lui the night before. He dreaded walking into the castle to see Cordelia and Lui in corners whispering secrets at each other. He turned at his two friends, "I think I'm going to leave now. I'm tired."

It was fascinating how the word 'tired' summed up half of the emotions wedged up against one's mind. Tired, Shu was. Tired to take one more step and risk a glance at Lui. He had to figure out what Cordelia had done to him, but a small selfish part inside him didn't want to do anything. He wanted Lui to prove it. Come back to him. Prove what they have is worth more than any shallow trick Cordelia has upon her sleeve.

Yes, for now, he'll wait.

Valt took his hand, "I'll come with you," He said and Shu didn't deny him. It was better to have his best friend by his side than being alone with his thoughts. "See you later, Free!"

The blonde nodded, already turning to where Cordelia and Lui went. Shu smiled at his dedication to ascertain the truth behind this complex web of incidents. "Let's go," Shu said, making his way back to the lake where the boats waited to take them towards the palace. The once beautiful palace; now nothing but skeleton of all the things he had lost in just a day. 

Free being a shui shipper is my religion, and yes! there is a part two to this chapter because if i write the whole thing you guys will have to wait another two or three weeks, so i decided to break it into two! I'm busy these days with assignments and shit, so the updates are going to be super slow, but i will do it when i can, thank you for all your patience. Comments and votes are much appreciated. Thanks again!!