Chapter Twenty-Six: Yue & Xander


    Sunlight hit Yue’s face. She looked up at a white-painted ceiling. Where the hell was she? She sat up and looked around.


    Dammit! She’d fallen asleep in Neena’s room in the hospital wing. She and Xander had talked late into the night here in Neena’s room. Xander had eventually gone to bed, or at least Yue had tried to force him too. His eyes had betrayed his exhaustion and Yue had pushed him away.


    Seems like he hadn’t been the only exhausted one.


    She was laying on Neena''s bed. She hadn''t realized that she''d fallen asleep here.


    She stood up. Her back hurt a little, but it was fine. She should probably go eat. It was already light outside. The Wolf would be pissed if she arrived late to practice, although he might be a bit lenient considering the circumstances.


    She was putting on her belt when she heard a rustle behind her. She turned and smiled. Neena was looking at her groggily.


    Neena was awake!


    Yue hugged her. “You’re okay. You’re alive!” She wept tears of joy.


    “Of course I am,” Neena responded. “Why wouldn’t I be?”


    “We were all so worried for you,” Yue responded.


    “How long have I been out?” Neena asked.


    “Two or three days, I think;” Yue responded.


    Neena sucked her teeth. “That long?”


    Yue nodded. “But you’re awake now. That’s good!”


    Neena smiled. “It is. How are the others?”


    “They’re all okay,” Yue said. “We’re still not sure how Artemis’ leg is, but the others are all okay.”


    Neena nodded. “Great. You’re leaving, aren’t you?”


    “Yes,” Yue said. “I have to go to training soon.”


    “I understand,” Neena replied. “But tell the nurse as you leave that I’m awake and feeling fine. Can you do that?”


    “She doesn’t need to,” The nurse said, coming in through the doorway. “You’ll have to stay here for a while, though, Neena. You’re still not healthy enough to leave.”


    “I expected that;” Neena smiled.


    “It’s good you’re awake,” The nurse told her. “You’ll be good in no time.”


    — — —


    “Eva’s back,” Aster told Yue.


    “She doesn’t look happy,” Alyx said. They were both out of the hospital now. There were now only two in the hospital, which was a blessing. They were healing.


    Xander winced. “I’m pretty sure both Joanne and Eva are going to ignore you, though, Yue. They’ll also be ignoring each other.” He chuckled. “It’s a triangle.”


    “I just wish Joanne stopped ignoring me,” Yue responded. “She’s really nice. I feel like I betrayed her.”


    “She’ll get over it,” Alyx shrugged. “But it doesn’t matter anyway. She’s a Cultist. You know the crazy thing they make you say, Xander. You can’t possibly believe that she has our best interests in mind.”


    “She’s right, Yue,” Xander said. “We can’t trust Joanne, so I think it’s a good thing you two aren’t friends anymore.”


    Yue frowned. “But she’s different. She…”


    “She what, Yue?” Alyx demanded.


    “She cares, okay? She cares about us. Most Cultists wouldn’t.”


    “How do you know?” Xander asked. “How would you know that other Cultists wouldn’t care? And for that matter, how do you know Joanne cares?”


    Yue stood up sharply. “You’re against me too, Xander? Why do y’all feel the need to argue about this?”


    “Yue,” Aster said softly, “We were just saying what we believed. We don’t mean anything wrong by it.”


    “Well, if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say it,” Yue told them. She walked away angrily.


    She didn’t know why she was so mad all of a sudden. She didn’t usually explode like this but she guessed she was very sprung up after Joanne’s arrest and subsequent release.


    She sat down on a bench and put her head in her hands. She felt bad already for exploding. She felt a hand on her shoulder.


    “Mind if I sit?” Xander asked. She shook her head and he sat down.


    “We’re not mad, if that’s what you’re wondering,” He said. “I understand what you’re going through, Yue.”


    “I just… I just feel so exhausted from everything that’s been happening these last few days. It’s been so much. And now you are being forced to try to kill me. It’s just too much.”


    “Imagine how I must feel,” Xander replied. Yue sucked in a breath. She hadn’t thought about that. He laughed. “You know what I think every time I want to explode or collapse from exhaustion.” Yue shook her head. “I think about you. You’re always here for me. These last few weeks, you’ve stuck by me through everything, Yue. Before Diamond died, I didn’t even know you that well, Yue! But after… You were always trying to help me. After I joined the Cult, you were the one always in the hospital watching over me. Was it a little creepy? Yes.” Yue laughed. “But it got me through it all. Because you care, Yue.”


    Yue smiled. “I would do that to everyone I love, Xander.”


    “What did I do to deserve it, Yue?” Xander wondered. “That’s what makes you special. None of us did anything for you. You do everything for us. If you think Joanne is okay, then we’ll trust you.”


    “Did Alyx set you up to this?” Yue asked suspiciously.


    Xander shook his head. “No. She wanted to let you cool off.”


    Yue shrugged. “Sounds like Alyx.”


    Xander grew serious. “Yue, I have something to say.”


    Yue looked at him, heart sinking. “What is it, Xander?”


    “I need to say this in case anything happens. Yue, I think I love you.” He sighed nervously. “I understand if you don’t feel the same. But ever since Diamond died, you’ve just been there. And you’re so beautiful and..:” Yue interrupted him with a kiss and his eyes widened. Then he hugged her and leaned into it.


    “I love you too,” Yue said softly. “I love you, Xander.”


    Yue pressed her body against his, lips against his. It was the calm after the storm. Yue felt love and passion inside of her. They kept the kiss up as long as they could, Yue only breaking apart when she couldn’t breathe anymore.


    “Well, this might get awkward,” She said. “With the others and all.”


    “Not as awkward as you watching me sleep.”


    Yue slapped his shoulder. “You probably liked it.”


    Xander shrugged. “I was asleep. Couldn’t really have enjoyed it, could I? I know you did, though.”


    Yue laughed. “Only way I could stare at you without it being weird.”


    “It very much was weird.”


    “Shhh,” Yue put a finger to his lips. “Don’t make it weird.”


    Xander sighed. “I can’t win this one, can I?”


    “Nope,” Yue grinned.


    “Well,” Xander laughed. “Of all the things I thought could happen today, this was not one of them.”


    “Same,” Yue responded. “I didn’t think you felt the same way.”


    “I hoped you did, but imagine how embarrassing it would’ve been if you didn’t.”


    “It would’ve been cute,” Yue exclaimed. “Plus, I do love you, so you don’t have to worry about that.”


    “I guess not,” Xander said. “I’m just relieved I’ve finally said it. And excited because you feel it too.”


    Yue felt excited too. Many in the Vanguard were dating, and some were married, but it wasn’t too common of an occurrence. She hoped that whatever happened with Xander would be good. She wouldn’t be able to take it if something bad happened between them.


    She put her hand in his. “I’m excited to see where this goes.”


    “Me too,” He said, leaning in for another kiss. “Me too.”


    — — —


    “So, you finally admitted it to each other,” Aster said proudly, noticing their locked hands.


    “You knew this whole time?” Yue asked.


    Aster shrugged. “It was pretty obvious. We were waiting for you to work it out together.”


    “We bet on who would admit it first!” Alyx exclaimed. “So who did?”


    Yue locked games with Xander and smiled. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”


    Alyx groaned. “Come on! There’s coin on the line here.”


    “Not if I don’t want there to be,” Yue replied.


    “I already hate your relationship with him,” Alyx grumbled.


    “Only because you couldn’t get a boyfriend no matter how hard you tried,” Xander teased.


    “I don’t want to,” Alyx grimaced. “I’ve seen enough with Artemis and Poli. Y’all two will tip me over the edge.”


    “She’ll change her mind one day,” Aster told them. “She’ll meet a guy and she won’t be able to stop herself then.”


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    “I thought y’all just said I couldn’t get a boyfriend,” Alyx protested.


    “There’s always someone for everyone,” Xander replied. “But he’ll probably be ugly, though.”


    Yue didn’t join in this time. She knew her friends were just teasing but Alyx was pretty, that much was obvious. And if she wanted a boyfriend, she’d have one by now. She really didn’t want one. And Yue didn’t blame her. With the stress they had had recently, it would be hard having to pay attention to someone else.


    Not that it would be hard with Xander. He knew what could happen.


    They would have to talk about that soon.


    She saw many warriors heading off towards the green.


    It was time for practice.


    — — —


    Yue rushed at Alyx, sword swinging precisely. As she got closer, Alyx stepped back and Xander stepped in. She began to spar with both of them, her blade defending both of theirs.


    “Kol!” She yelled. “I need you.”


    “I’m trying,” He groaned, straining as he fought off three different people.


    Yue had bet that she and Kol could take on five different Vanguard members. Of course, Alyx and Aster accepted the offer immediately. Xander had stepped in as well, telling her he wouldn’t go easy on her. Yiro had stepped in to join, which worried Yue a bit. Another Vanguard soldier had decided to join as well, which persuaded Kol to agree to the match.


    Obviously, the Wolf was all for something like this. It was good practice.


    Yue was already regretting her decision to do this. It had only been going on for about fifteen seconds and already they were getting a beating. She had overestimated how good she was. Again. She’d totally forgotten how good Xander was and now she was paying the price.


    She ducked and stepped back, quickly retreating from the fight she wouldn’t win on her own.


    “How’s it going?” She asked Kol.


    “Yiro’s too good,” He replied, shirt soaked in sweat.


    Aster broke off from Xander and rushed at Yue. Yue had expected this and smiled. She dodged the strike and swept her blade up, nicking Aster on her arm.


    Aster groaned but left the match.


    One down. Four to go.


    Once again, Xander went after her, and she vowed to not let her new boyfriend beat her. It was okay when they weren’t dating, but now it would be a problem.


    She really did not want to lose right now. If she won this match, not only would it prove to herself that she had the strength, but it would cement in her mind that she would win the tournament. If she could win against more than one of the most elite warriors in the world, then the tournament should be easy.


    She twisted to the side as Xander struck. Her moves were lithe and quick, but not rushed. She had to maintain a level head. That was the most important part. She struggled to keep herself level-headed when Alyx came in. The girl attacked ferociously, and Yue retreated until she was back to back with Kol.


    "So, you still think we''ll win?" Kol asked.


    "Definitely," Yue responded. "We already are."


    Kol grunted but didn''t respond. She struck at Xander, fully expecting him to be defenseless. Somehow, he was able to put his sword in the exact place and she groaned. She wouldn''t last much longer unless something happened. From the corner of her eye, she saw a glint of metal. Her eyes narrowed and she stepped to the right and swung, connecting with the leg of the Vanguard warrior she didn''t know. The warrior groaned as a sliver of blood flowed out.


    Three left. Xander saw what happened and attacked even harder, trying desperately to disarm Yue. Alyx, thankfully, moved on to Kol, who was looking very tired. Yue swung, connecting with Xander''s sword. Then she pushed hard. He was stronger, but he was still forced to defend himself as her sword got closer to his body. Seeing how desperate he was to defend himself, she quickly slid her sword off and changed its direction, shocking Xander. As the sword sliced his right arm, he smiled grimly.


    "Good job," he told her. She nodded and moved on to the next opponent.


    There were two left, and Alyx immediately saw her advancing. She retreated slightly like a lioness assessing the hunt. She glared at Yue and Yue glared back. When Alyx launched herself, Yue was ready. She stanced herself to block Alyx''s incoming attack, and the sounds the steel made pleased Yue. The sounds of swords clashing was always beautiful.


    That was just the way of the world.


    Alyx swung, but Yue didn''t let her attack. She pushed forward, leaving Alyx strained, so she retreated. Yue rushed forward and heard a warning. She barely turned back in time to see Yiro rushing at her. She stood to block Yiro''s path. That''s when the unthinkable happened. A flash of pain greeted her from her side and she turned to see a small cut oozing blood from her side. She glared at Alyx who was already gloating.


    "That was low," Yue said. Alyx shrugged.


    Yue reluctantly left the fight and watched as Kol was left fighting the two girls. She wondered how Yiro was able to break apart from him and attack her. However she did it, her plan had worked. Yue had been eliminated. It all depended on what Kol did now. Except he was clearly losing. There was no way he could take on both girls. They were simply too good.


    As he swung around to block a strike from Alyx, Yiro took her shot, thrusting at his side. He tried to move, resulting in him tripping on the ground. His subsequent fall caused both Alyx and Yiro to attack him wildly.


    Yue gaped as he deflected shots from both of them on the ground. Somehow, he was able to keep himself from losing. Eventually, he was able to rise to his feet. As he stepped back, Yiro and Alyx shared a glance. Yiro attacked Kol and he stepped in to fight her.


    Kol swung his sword, and she squealed. Her sword flew out of her grasp, and he smiled triumphantly. He scraped her shoulder and just as he was turning, Alyx put her sword to his throat.


    “You lose,” Alyx said.


    Kol fell to the ground exhausted. Yue went to sit next to him.


    “Well,” She told him. “We got close.”


    He grunted. “We got four of them. I didn’t even expect us to get three.”


    “Were you underestimating me?” Yue asked.


    “No, I was overestimating them. Yiro was by far the best one. The others are great, but…”


    “Not as good as us,” Yue finished.


    Kol nodded. “Exactly. I think the tournament is going to be really boring.”


    “Why?”


    “Well,” Kol smiled. “Clearly, we’ll be the ones passing on each time. I’ve already sparred with y’all hundreds of times. I don’t need another tournament like that.” His tone was slightly teasing, but she could tell he did feel that way a little.


    “We are supposed to be the most elite army in existence,” Yue replied. “I think it’s only obvious we’re the ones winning the tournament. That’s a good thing, though, isn’t it? The purpose of the tournament is to show the world that Magefell is the strongest.”


    “Is it?” Kol asked. “Is that really the purpose? It seems so weak! So confusing and somewhat convoluted. That can’t be the real purpose.”


    Yue had no answer to that.


    — — —


    “I have to speak with you,” Yue said, entering Artemis’ room. Artemis was awake, and Poli was by his side. Yue had directed her statement towards Poli, but she was hoping to have a conversation with both of them.


    “What’s up?” Poli asked.


    “Are you still going to leave the Vanguard?” Yue asked. “I remember you told us you would if things got worse. Well, thighs have gotten much worse now, and you haven’t left. Do you still plan to?”


    Poli sighed. “Well, there’s no way to do it now,” She said, pointing towards Artemis’ foot. “But honestly, we decided not to. It just didn’t sit right with us. Plus, there is some hope now. It isn’t worth it to leave our job.”


    “What about Axl?” Yue asked, remembering Poli’s Cultist friend. “Have you heard from him recently?”


    Poli shook her head. “I broke ties with him after Jos’ death. I knew it was the Cult doing this, and when I confronted Axl, he was very hostile. So I stopped talking to him. Last I heard, he was raging about me to his friends.”


    Yue winced. “Oof. I’m sorry, Poli.”


    Poli shrugged. “I don’t really care. He was a bastard anyway. The Cult always puts themselves first. If you’re not part of the Cult, then you’re evil according to them. Axl never really cared about me. And I bet Joanne never really cared about you.”


    Yue’s face darkened. “You can’t be sure about that.”


    “You’re right,” Poli replied. “I just have experience with this kind of thing. Axl was the last person I thought would be a fake friend. But he was. I’m sure Joanne is too. At least to some degree.”


    Yue sighed. “You’re probably right. I just don’t want to think about that.”


    “Neither did I,” Poli responded. “But I had to face it. You do, too. If she offers a white flag, I wouldn’t take it.”


    “Thanks for the advice.”


    “You’re not gonna take it, are you?” Artemis said.


    Yue just looked somberly at them.


    — — —


    Yue walked aimlessly around the Vanguard grounds, just thinking. The search for the murderer had completely stopped now. She didn’t have any clues anymore. She had no idea what she would do. The Wolf told her that he needed to talk to her soon and that they would discuss it, but she really didn’t know how to keep going yet.


    And it was really bothering her.


    The murderers were out there! And they must be so happy right now, thinking about how they got away with it.


    Plus, they probably weren’t done. Yue wondered what they would do next. They could do so much, what were they waiting for?


    Yue spotted a spy watching her from a tree. She was getting tired of seeing them. She was pretty sure they intruded everywhere. She couldn’t see them most of the time, but they were there. It was hard sometimes, having a conversation knowing someone you didn’t want was listening in. But she had to get used to it.


    “YUE ZHANG!” A voice yelled at her from behind. She turned sharply and saw Eva walking somewhat quickly towards her. She winced, expecting to get an onslaught of insults. Instead, the girl smiled. “It’s good to see you again.”


    “Huh?” Yue replied. “You’re not mad?”


    “What for?” The other girl laughed. “You gave me a vacation. I needed it.”


    “Glad your back,” Yue told her. She didn’t know if she actually believed that, but she had to say it. “Are you ready for the tournament?”


    “Hell, yeah,” The girl responded. “I’ve been practicing while I was away.”


    “But you weren’t allowed to!” Yue protested.


    “Shhh,” Eva said. “They don’t know anything. Don’t tell them.”


    Yue shook her head. “Well, at least you’re back now. In case you’re wondering. Joanne is not the murderer.”


    “Tell me more,” Eva replied.


    “We arrested her then indicted her,” Yue said, embarrassed. “No more needs to be said.”


    “Oof, must’ve been awkward,” Eva laughed. “She should’ve stayed in jail, though. She deserves it.”


    “You’re the one who beat her up,” Yue pointed out.


    “I’d do it again, too,” Eva said. “I don’t regret anything. In fact, I kinda want to relive it. So Joanne better not come near me.”


    “You really shouldn’t say that.” Yue was thinking of the spies. She couldn''t tell Eva about them, but she was trying to give hints.


    “I don’t really care, Yue,” Eva said. “Anyways, it’s good to see you. It’s great to be back.”


    Yue nodded.


    — — —


    “I think we need to talk,” Yue said, sitting next to Xander.


    “About what? He asked.


    “Us.”


    He cocked his head. “I thought we already did.”


    Yue shook her head. “No. All we did was admit our love. But we still haven’t talked about how that fits in what the Cult wants you to do.”


    Xander hung his head. “I didn’t want to talk about this. In my opinion, you should stay away from me, Yue. It’ll only hurt you more when I turn against you.”


    “But I’ll know you’re not you!” Yue protested.


    “But you’ll be forced to kill me!” Xander exclaimed. “I know you don’t want to admit it, but you know the truth.”


    Yue stared at the grass, thinking.


    She knew that most likely if theCult actually sent Xander against them, then killing him could be the only option. She desperately searched for any other solution. There had to be something they could do!


    “How about you hide? That way they can’t tell you to do anything,” Yue said.


    “You think that will work?” Xander protested. “The Cult is mostly made up of mages. I’m sure if they wanted to find me, they could.”


    Yue sighed. “I know. There’s nothing we can do, is there? We really made the wrong decision sending you there.”


    “No, you didn’t,” Xander soothed her softly, wrapping his arms around her. “It was a good plan. I just didn’t take advantage of it.” Yue knew he wasn''t telling the truth. “But Yue, no matter what happens, I want you to know that I do love you. The true me would do nothing to hurt you.”


    “I know,” She locked eyes with Xander. “I know, Xander.”


    “But I also need you to promise me something.”


    “What is it?” She asked Xander.


    “I need you to promise to let them kill me when I turn.”


    “NO!” Yue shrieked. “I can’t do that!”


    “You have to. I’ll never be able to live by myself if I kill anyone. You have to let them kill me immediately. And if it comes down to you, promise me you’ll do it. For me.”


    Yue shook her head. “No. No. No. No. I won’t do it, Xander. You know I can’t.”


    He sighed. “Then I guess this is better for both of us.” He stood up sadly. “Yue, I don’t think we should date. I’m really sorry, but if I turn, then I need to be put down no matter what. Maybe this will make it easier for you. I’m so sorry.” Yue could see he was on the verge of tears. He started to walk away, and Yue bit her lip.


    Truth was, she understood Xander. She understood that doing this would lessen the pain if something happened. She knew that he was only acting harsh to make it easier when he died. Because he knew he would die.


    She knew the only way to make it better for him would be to kill him.


    And she also knew that if she was in his place, he’d do the same thing.


    “Wait!” She screamed at Xander. He turned towards her.


    “I’ll do it,” She told him. “I’ll go to hell for it, but I’ll do it for you.”


    He hugged her. “I want my last memory of you to be a happy one, Yue.”


    “But what about mine?” She asked him.


    “I’m so, so sorry,” He whispered.


    “It’s not your fault.”


    She kissed him. “I guess we should enjoy the time we have left.”


    He nodded. “That we should.”


    Yue snuggled next to him on the bench. “We’ve got time.”


    “I hope so,” He responded, hand in her hair. “Whatever happens, Yue, just remember that you saved my life. After I joined the Cult, I really hated myself. You caring for me really helped. Whatever I do, you’re the one I care about most. I hope you can forgive me for what I will do.”


    “I already have, Xander.” Yue sighed in happiness. “There’s nothing to forgive you for.”


    “I know, but—”


    “Just be quiet and enjoy it,” Yue said.


    “Okay.” He replied and closed his eyes.


    The day grew darker as they rested there, enjoying the sunset together. It was a perfect day, and Yue was just happy to experience it with Xander.


    He kept his eyes on her, which was slightly creepy, but then again, she was doing basically the same thing.


    She never thought that she would be the person to fall so hopelessly in love. Just showed that life was unpredictable.


    She really hoped she could find a way to save Xander.


    If not, she didn’t know if she could live with it.


    Xander was the better person. He deserved to have a life. And she didn’t want to take it from him.


    This just made her hate the Cult more.


    Whatever happened, she would do anything to take the Cult down.