The next morning in the Lycan Clan, Syaoran slowly opened his eyes. As he sat up, he saw his mother, grandfather, and royal advisor standing nearby, their faces etched with worry. He tried to rise, but the Queen gently urged him to rest.
He nodded and leaned back against the pillows. But his grandfather suddenly spoke up.
"I need to talk to him alone."
The others exchanged glances but didn't question him. Quietly, they stepped out, leaving the two of them alone.
Once the door closed, Syaoran turned to him. "What is it? What do you want to talk about?" he asked, his voice faint but steady.
His grandfather gave him a knowing look. "You went to Earth, didn't you?"
Syaoran's eyes widened in shock.
The old man chuckled and stroked his beard. "Then I was right," he said, standing and bowing low before him. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on acquiring the World-Changing Stone."
Syaoran sat up abruptly. "Grandfather, what are you saying? Please… tell me clearly. Don't joke with me."
His grandfather gently guided him back into bed with a steady hand. "Rest for now. When you're fully recovered, come to me—and I'll answer all your questions."
With that, he turned and left the room.
Syaoran stared after him, more confused than ever.
---
The wind howled outside as the door suddenly burst open. Taio rushed in, breathless.
"Your Majesty! Where have you been these past years? We feared the worst. Even your soul-bound chamber was unstable… we thought something had happened to your heart."
Syaoran raised a hand and touched Taio's arm, signaling him to sit down.
Taio obeyed, still visibly shaken. Syaoran asked calmly, "Tell me… what happened while I was gone?"
Taio took a breath. "Lucian tried to send spies into our territory, but the Queen caught them. She had them executed immediately. There were whispers of rebellion, but we held our ground."
Syaoran, lost in thought, barely heard the rest.
Taio leaned in. "Your Majesty, where were you? After the war, you just vanished. Not even I knew where you went."
Syaoran suddenly raised his voice. "Enough, Taio. Be quiet."
Startled, Taio flinched and fell silent, watching his king closely.
Syaoran's mind was a storm. Earth. Fang. The violet stone. Langshen's voice echoing in his ears. The surge of power, the memories, the transformation.
It all came together.
Fang wasn't just a girl.
She was something more… someone divine. A reincarnation of a forgotten power.
And the heart he carried—it didn't just belong to Langshen.
It belonged to her.