《Axis of Retribution》


 Back into Time

    Like everyone else, I guess I died.


    Chao Zhenyu sullenly stared into the void surrounding him. There was nothing there, not even specks of dust or hints of light, only a seemingly inescapable depth he could not escape from. Nor were there any ripples or movements within the darkness- it was as if he was in a world long gone cold. There was only his belief in his own consciousness, and the silence that followed.


    With a slight tremor, Chao Zhenyu sighed, or at least it felt like he did so. In this void, he couldn''t even see himself, much less hear his own breath. In fact, he still wasn''t sure if he was actually staring into the void, or if he was simply conscious in a dead body, staring into the back of his permanently closed eyelids.


    Well, what difference did it make?


    Yet it was still unbearably painful. In this unending boredom, he could only go through again and again the last bits of his memory- his death.


    How unfortunate, to not have been spared a natural ending.


    His throat had been cut; the disgusting scent of iron seeped into the thick air. His tired, heavy body had long gone limp against jagged rocks, twitching fingers the only indication he was still barely alive. His eyes had dimmed, and although he made out a faint, foggy silhouette, he could no longer recollect who they belonged to, or if he knew them at all.


    He seemed to have tried to say something to them, perhaps begging for life or final words dripping with sarcasm, but in the end, all that came out were defeated gargles of blood. And as his eyes began to close for good, he heard the softening sound of footsteps leaving him.


    From beginning until the end, that silhouette had ignored him.


    He had died alone.


    That same, bare agony once again enveloped Chao Zhenyu. Despite having an eternity to think, he couldn''t seem to remember who he was, much less process what exactly he had done. Whenever he tried, blurry memories floated past him, each one unrecognizable, yet painfully familiar.


    What kind of person was I? What exactlyˇ­ had happenedˇ­?


    He seemed to hear those he once knew mock him, as if they knew all along that this would be his fate.


    "ˇ­ Do you see yourself now?"


    "No body to bury, no tears to cry."


    "This is what you deserveˇ­"


    He covered his ears, but it was futile. No matter how hard he tried, how many times he repeated those instinctive motions, the sounds echoed again and again in his mind. Chao Zhenyu bitterly "looked" down at where his feet once were. There was nothing there. Not even a trace of a shadow.


    Chao Zhenyu''s heart leapt, and he quickly stepped back. He glanced at the emptiness around him, but the depth didn''t seem to change. It was as if he hadn''t moved at all. His breath began to fasten, as a deep-set despair took hold of him. The void surrounded him, taunted him, and consumed his very soul.


    He was alone. Even after death, he was alone.


    He couldn''tˇ­ He couldn''t do this-


    He needed to get out!


    Chao Zhenyu reached out towards the darkness aheadˇ­


    ˇ­


    "Young master!"


    Chao Zhenyu gasped, and immediately coughed on the heavy scent of perfume. A young, bewildered servant appeared before his eyes, and behind him lay an expansive luxurious room. Blatantly decorated with gold and jewels in every corner, from the edges of his bed frame to gold threading on fur rugs, Chao Zhenyu was practically blinded.


    He blinked, but the glamor persisted.


    This wasn''t a dreamˇ­ was it?


    The opulence, the excess, was the complete opposite of the nothingness he was used to. Chao Zhenyu parted his lips, yet could not utter a word.


    Had he actuallyˇ­ gone back? Was this "his" world?


    ˇ­Fuck. His head was now beginning to throb in pain.


    Hands tightly gripping the bedsheets, Chao Zhenyu finally remembered there was someone else in the room. Groaning, he rubbed his temples, before narrowing his eyes in an attempt to focus on the boy in front of him.


    It seemed that just now, the servant had parted the translucent curtain over the bed frame. Beaded pearls dangled gently above his head. The moment Chao Zhenyu met eyes with him, the servant immediately stepped back, until all Chao Zhenyu could see was his kneeling silhouette behind the glistening silk.


    "Young master, please forgive me!"


    When Chao Zhenyu failed to respond in time, panic arose in the servant.


    "Y-Young master, please, I didn''t mean to- I never saw anything at all! I-"


    "Wait," Chao Zhenyu interrupted, patience wearing thin. "What''re you talking about?"


    The servant paused. As if realizing something, Chao Zhenyu slowly turned to look at himself. There he sat, loose robe lazily exposing his chest. And there, all over his pale skin, were different colored lipstick stains.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    This- Whatˇ­


    It was then that he noticed small glass bottles haphazardly tossed onto the floor. Within, there were still visible drops of alcohol, or something much worse.


    Face rapidly darkening, Chao Zhenyu released his hand from the bedsheets. Whether or not those were dirty, he didn''t want to think about it. Gagging, he hastily made his way off the bed, and rushed towards the nearest opening- the bathroom.


    "Ah-"


    "Young master!!"


    Panting over the toilet, Chao Zhenyu emptied out everything from his stomach. Head still pounding in pain, he momentarily wished he''d return to that stupid void. The intensity of the sparkling jewelry, the lights above, the night beforeˇ­ Everything was simply overwhelming, and yet he knew nothing.


    Stillˇ­ I can''t afford to make any more mistakes.


    Trembling, Chao Zhenyu took a deep breath, and did his best to compose himself.


    "Go change my bedsheets," he whispered, as the servant rushed to his side. "I''m going to take a shower."


    With a "Yes, sir!", the servant immediately left to fulfill his duties. The moment he heard the door shut, Chao Zhenyu closed his eyes and exhaled, before scrambling to the shower. Turning the faucet on, he finally relaxed into the cold water, thoroughly washing his face. It was a much needed relief.


    But stillˇ­


    Beads of water ran down Chao Zhenyu''s face, as he turned his attention towards his body. He instantly frowned.


    Just as he thought, it wasn''t only his chest. Numerous other lipstick stains and strange marks were peppered around, covering his stomach, legs, and inner thighs. Taking deep breaths in and out, Chao Zhenyu struggled to maintain his composure. He felt bile once again rise in his throat, and an uncomfortable queasiness enveloped him. Gradually, he began scrubbing off each disgusting blemish.


    He wasn''t sure why he was reacting so intensely. It didn''t seem to be a foreign concept, interestingly enough. The idea of bodies on top of bodies, that is. Instead, it was as if there was something else to this, an unsettling feeling he couldn''t shake off.


    The feeling something had happened to "his" own body, in "his" own room.


    And he couldn''t even remember.


    Like outstretched hands sinking deep into his flesh.


    As he stepped out, he glanced by the foggy mirror. Wiping it clear, Chao Zhenyu finally took a good look at his new self. He tilted his head.


    I''mˇ­ unexpectedly handsome.


    The first detail he noticed were his deep purple eyes, and long eyelashes. They gave his face a touch of delicacy. Combined with a sharp chin and thin, angled eyebrows, he had an air of condescending disinterest. And when he smiledˇ­


    The corners of Chao Zhenyu''s lips slightly rose.


    ˇ­Fervid cruelty.


    He was tall, too, with a thin waist and decently built torso. For vanity''s sake, Chao Zhenyu was satisfied. But stillˇ­ if there was one problemˇ­


    He was too young. Most likely coming of age at best. Much too young to hold any real power. If he were to stay afloat, or better yet, seek the answers he needed, he still had a long way to go.


    When Chao Zhenyu finally finished, the servant had already cleaned up his room, save for the bottles. Those were currently being stacked on his bedside table. Chao Zhenyu lifted an eyebrow. He wasn''t sure if the servant thought he cared about those empty things, but regardless, saving them and studying the liquid inside could prove useful later on.


    Just as the servant placed down the last bottle, Chao Zhenyu grabbed his wrist. Before the servant could even open his mouth, Chao Zhenyu spoke.


    "Where were you last night?"


    The servant paused. Tightening his grip, Chao Zhenyu felt the servant subconsciously twitch.


    "I-Young master," The servant began. "I was j-just where I am usually-"


    Chao Zhenyu narrowed his eyes. He didn''t expect me to question him. Were the two of us on that level of trustˇ­ or was "I" not the type of person to do so?


    "Doing what?"


    The servant quickly paused and carefully perused Chao Zhenyu''s expression.


    "Answering young master, I was relieved of my duties earlier last night to take care ofˇ­"


    The servant quickly paused and carefully perused Chao Zhenyu''s expression.


    "...my family."


    When Chao Zhenyu didn''t relent, the servant nervously swallowed. Still, he maintained eye contact, and after a while, Chao Zhenyu finally released him.


    It doesn''t seem like he''s lying. And for him to dare even imply he neglected his duties for personal affairs, it seems like the past "me" knew of it and allowed him to do so.


    In a hurry, the servant rushed towards the door, afraid of angering him further.


    "Wait!" Chao Zhenyu interjected, stopping him. "One last question."


    He needed to confirm something.


    "In this household, do you know where your loyalty lies?"


    "...With you, young master," The servant tremblingly replied.


    Something important.


    "My name," Chao Zhenyu stated, slowly enunciating each word. "Say. My. Name."


    The servant bowed his head until he couldn''t go any lower.


    "F-Forgive me for my impudence, young master. My loyalty will always lie first and foremost with you... Zain Valefor."


    A different name.


    Chao Zhenyu sighed, and gestured for the servant to leave. When the door finally closed shut, he rolled his eyes, and slumped against the bed. In the corner of his eye, he caught sight of one of those glass bottles. With nothing better to do, he took it in his hand, playing with it in between his fingers. Drops of shimmering pink liquid swished inside. And now that he was finally alone, he could take the time to think.


    Zain Valefor.


    Chao Zhenyu scoffed. He didn''t know much about this world, but one thing was for sure: that name practically screamed "evil", or at least an unimaginative writer''s interpretation of it. Andˇ­ with what he knew now, his circumstances weren''t looking too good.


    There were so many questions, he didn''t even know where to start. First, where did he come from and how? Why was he given this new chance, if it was one at all? And why in this body?


    "Zain Valefor."


    Chao Zhenyu tasted the name on his tongue. It wasˇ­ strangely familiar. As if he wasn''t completely opposed to being him. But being opposed or not didn''t matter, when he was forced to regardless.


    If this was who I amˇ­ Chao Zhenyu stared at his reflection through the bottle.


    ˇ­Forget it, let''s just go through what I know right now.


    He was a "young master". Probably a spoiled one at that, given all of the gold in his room. Coming from a practical chasm of destitution, the constant glitter left a sour taste in Chao Zhenyu''s mouth. He was almost jealous of this past body, surrounded by seemingly endless wealth and beauties galore.


    Indeed, was what happened last night worth looking into at all?


    After all, it could very well be of "my" own doing.


    Chao Zhenyu''s mouth twitched, before he let out a short huff. Whatever.


    Speaking of the servantˇ­


    He was probably the most interesting piece yet. Unless he was new, it seemed like he was unused to his seemingly frivolous nature. That was the first point of suspicion. There were multiple times he seemed to care about him, but some actions crossed what was normal. That was the second point. And thirdˇ­


    Chao Zhenyu reminisced on the timidity in the servant''s round eyes.


    Inconsistency. That was the third and most important point.


    Perhaps he was overthinking. Perhaps the servant really was what he appeared to be, a naive boy caught in a trying situation, forced to serve a relentless master. Or perhaps each and every move he made served an underlying purpose.


    Chao Zhenyu placed down the bottle. Bearing a languid expression, he eased into the mattress once more. The painful, drilling sensation in his temples made it difficult for him to think further.


    I''ll deal with this laterˇ­ after a short break.


    He made himself comfortable against the downy pillow.


    One step at a timeˇ­


    He closed his eyes.


    I''ll play their game.

 Presence of Another

    There was a sweet hum in his ears; a familiar lullaby. Soft, like the daintiest of whispers, yet heavy, drilling into his brain and lulling him into deeper ecstasy.


    And Chao Zhenyu let it.


    All around him now were delicate giggles, some cooing something he could no longer hear. Countless hands and lips caressed his bare body, and they laughed eagerly at his faintest moan or blush. Never enough to satisfy him; tenderly leaving him wanting more. Hazy itching caused by strands of long hair was quickly resolved; His sensitive skin scalded where their fingertips grazed, and in a numbing discomfort, he grasped at the nearest woman.


    I can''tˇ­ do this anymoreˇ­


    He must have accidentally said that out loud, for those words immediately elicited a consonance of fervor. Chao Zhenyu gasped, and one of the women took his parting lips as an invitation, kissing him in impassioned rapture. Her tongue swirled into his mouth, saliva coating his chin, causing him to tilt his head back in an effort to breathe. Even the taste was delectably sweet, like children''s candy. It was all he could make out- steam and sugar. He felt the hot breath of another on his cheek, gently licking away his dried tears.


    Chao Zhenyu closed his eyes, and let the pain blossom into dissonant pleasure.


    In the distant dream, a vague part of him thought:


    If I am Zain Valeforˇ­


    ˇ­Then who is Chao Zhenyu?


    ˇ­


    It took a while before Chao Zhenyu finally awoke. And even now, with his eyes half closed, he was still fighting the urge to go back to sleep. He felt hot and uncomfortable all over, pools of sweat causing his clothes to stick to his skin. Painful, cold tingles rippled throughout his body, like thin worms wriggling underneath his flesh. Gritting his teeth, Chao Zhenyu sluggishly raised the back of his palm to his forehead.


    Hot. Burning hot.


    Chao Zhenyu exhaled with a tired breath, and reluctantly accepted his fate to his bed. He had already thought he was at his most vulnerable, but it seems like the gods decided to make it a physical battle too. He was sick.


    Was a fever considered a "natural" death?


    ˇ­Maybe if I die right now, it could be considered a mission accomplished.


    He closed his eyes again, succumbing to the headache and chills. The dream last night, although it seemed like a fantasy, was strangely familiar. He wasn''t sure, but the events of the day before could have unlocked a memory, something his mind had subconsciously hidden away. And if this was his past self, then that ending he feared, the void, had to be avoided at all costs.


    If the dream is a memory, then perhaps "I" really was the type of young master to fall into promiscuity and base desires.


    Regardless, that concealed sadness can''t be ignored. What made my past self feel that way?


    ˇ­Something must have happened.


    Chao Zhenyu snuggled into the thick, cozy blanket. Well, first step''s first. I have to get better.


    Just as he made himself comfortable, he heard the sharp creak of the door. Chao Zhenyu stayed still, pretending to be asleep. As the footsteps got louder, so did his heartbeat, thumping furiously against the throbbing in his head. He felt a drop of sweat trail down his cheek, gathering below his chin.


    Fuck. He resisted the distraction, and focused on regulating his breathing.


    Then, he felt a warm touch to his jaw. With one swift flick, the bead of sweat was wiped off.


    Chao Zhenyu furrowed his eyebrows, chest clenching in uncertainty. Underneath the heavy blanket, he gripped the bedsheets.


    Was this one ofˇ­ those women?


    "Mistress, it seems like the servant was telling the truth."


    A young woman''s voice, blatantly laden with disinterest, caused Chao Zhenyu to pause. Though it was her words, not her tone, that had him thinking.


    ˇ­Mistress?


    If I''m "young master", thenˇ­


    Just as he expected, there was another figure present. A soft hand slowly ran through his messy hair, and Chao Zhenyu grimaced at the touch. Still, as the woman continued, he too began to relax into her palm. It was different from the physicality he had imagined. It wasˇ­ strangely comforting.


    "Lower your voice, Ethel," The mistress- no, his mother- whispered. Even her words were soft. Not sticky sweet, but rather low and mellow, undisguised with warmth.


    Since I have a mother, then what about my father? I''ll have to slowly figure out everyone around me, one step at a time. Especially since I have to assume most are hostile. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    "Props to him," Ethel continued, albeit quieter. "This is rare after all- I still remember all the times he said he was sick before. Even if this was because of his own ineptitude."


    There was a short pause. Chao Zhenyu noted down their interaction.


    "Mistress, why did you visit Zain this time? Did you know beforehand?"


    Inwardly, Chao Zhenyu scoffed. So it seemed like in the past "he" often pretended he was sick. And for what? The only thing that upset him more than the way this new servant was treating him, was the pathetic nature of his past self. And he was forced to inherit it.


    Yet soon enough, his mother''s petting soothed him.


    "I simply happened to pass by," His mother responded. "It wasˇ­ convenient."


    ˇ­Convenient?


    The female servant next to her, Ethel, must have revealed something in her facial expression, for soon after his mother clarified.


    "It''s all the same, regardless. My son won''t succumb to just this."


    And with that, she withdrew her hand, and the two of them left.


    Soon after, Chao Zhenyu heard knocking on the door. Rolling his eyes, he lifted his head from the pillow, and sullenly peeked at the entrance. Whatever. He had a feeling he knew who it was. That, and nothing could override his current determination to stay in bed.


    "Come in."


    The door steadily creaked open, before a familiar head popped through the crack. Of course. A wide grin appeared on the boy servant''s face.


    "Young master," He started. He looked around outside, before quickly closing the door behind him. Then, he made his way to Chao Zhenyu''s bed, carrying a tray of food. The warm and inviting smell caused Chao Zhenyu to sniff the air a few more times.


    "What are you so happy about?" Chao Zhenyu frowned.


    The servant placed the tray on a nearby table, before propping his back with a pillow, helping him to sit up.


    "Please, young master, quit teasing this servant," He beamed. "We both know what I''m happy about."


    Chao Zhenyu had a bad feeling. He eyed the strange food on the tray, before guessing.


    "...The mistress came to see meˇ­?"


    "Precisely!" The servant slapped his knee. "I know you''re reluctant to smile, young master, so let this servant express your happiness for you!"


    Wonderful. Chao Zhenyu pinched the bridge of his nose. I need this to stop before it gets even more outrageous.


    "Calm down, I-"


    The moment he said that, he noticed the servant''s expression subtly change. As if he was genuinely happy for him.


    "I mean," Chao Zhenyu stuttered, looking slightly away. "I am indeedˇ­ a little happy."


    When the servant''s face lit up once more, Chao Zhenyu could only swallow down his true feelings and embarrassment. He did feel much better, however, when the servant placed down his piping-hot meal on a slight ledge in front of him. His stomach growled in anticipation. Due to his headaches and sickness, he hadn''t noticed before, but he was starving.


    But even a starving beast contemplates swallowing down unknown food.


    He stared in front of him, trying his best not to reveal any incongruities.


    And then, under the servant''s seemingly watchful eye, he slowly raised his knife and fork, and began cutting at the dark objects on his plate. Red juices spilled out at each cut. Could this also be deliberate? Chao Zhenyu held his breath. The servant was reminding him of what could happenˇ­


    "...Young master, you''re not supposed to cut those openˇ­"


    His hand on the knife stopped moving. Chao Zhenyu suddenly placed down his utensils and threw himself back into the mattress. Coughing relentlessly, a look of rare helplessness spread across his face.


    "Young master!" The servant quickly moved to help him up, before Chao Zhenyu shook his head.


    "I still seem to beˇ­ slightly sick," Chao Zhenyu managed in between coughs. "Leave me beˇ­"


    "W-Wait, young master, you haven''t eaten for more than a day now- uh- how about I''ll help feed the young master, if you''ll excuse me?"


    Watching the servant frantically sputter about, Chao Zhenyu gave a long look in contemplation, before a seemingly reluctant nod.


    Perfect. Chao Zhenyu relaxed against the bed frame, staring at the servant delicately spooning up the black object, before holding it in front of him. I love the smart ones the best. Chao Zhenyu opened his mouth, before slowly savoring it.


    It was cold to the touch, and seemed to have been frozen beforehand. A thin skin covered it, and once broken into, sweet juices poured out. The rest of the flesh was creamy, and when combined, was smooth, melting perfection. He understood why he wasn''t supposed to cut them open now. It was meant to be relished in bites, so that the juice inside wouldn''t be wasted.


    After he finished the treat, the servant then moved on to the next plate, the steaming hot dish he had smelt earlier. It was full of some type of common porridge. There was a bowl next to it as well, filled with what looked like saucy cuts of meat. If there wasn''t someone else present, Chao Zhenyu would have probably licked his lips.


    "I''m so sorry, young master," The servant commented as he fed him. "Since the mistress is here, the kitchen is more strict than usual, so your meals will be more like this until you get better."


    Chao Zhenyu wondered what he used to prefer. Luckily the servant seemed to know.


    "And as for drinksˇ­"


    "What drinks?"


    "Unfortunately, young master, even the wine cabinetˇ­"


    Chao Zhenyu gave a short nod of understanding. His view on his past self dropped another several degrees. His own moral compass was admittedly rudimentary, but even he knew of the bare basics. Drinkingˇ­ seemed to be fine, but he dimly remembered it was drinking during the day that was looked down upon.


    Even thoughˇ­ I can''t really remember why.


    When he finished his meal, he turned to the servant, who was piling up the plates. In a hurry to satisfy his hunger, he almost forgot to gain more information. He wanted to ask the servant about Ethel, but after thinking it through some more, Chao Zhenyu decided he still didn''t know enough.


    Even if the worst case scenario was improbable, he couldn''t take the risk. If the servant and Ethel were on communicating terms, or even if they weren''t, asking about a person simply unnecessarily conveyed too much. He could be viewed as suspecting Ethel or just disliking her, and if he hadn''t beforeˇ­


    On the other hand, he was fine being seen as stupid or ignorant. It made things easier for him.


    "Mother mentioned she ''simply had to pass by'', what did she mean by that?"


    "Young master, I''m not sure," The servant wondered. "Did you not ask the mistress?"


    "I was asleep."


    The two stared at each other. Chao Zhenyu coughed.


    "...I was pretending to be asleep."


    When the servant still looked at him with that bewildered expression he seemed to always wear, Chao Zhenyu eyed him for a second time.


    "Is there something wrong?" He asked. "If there''s nothing else, then you''re dismissed."


    Forget it. As the servant finished cleaning up and left the room, Chao Zhenyu thought about his next plans. He had wanted to ask him some more about his family, surroundings, and his past self, but it would probably seem like an outright interrogation. Instead, he would have to go around himself.


    He needed to act quickly. Currently, he at least has a breather- he was known to be sick. But soon after, his duties and past schedule would catch up to him. Waiting in bed wasn''t going to be enough. He would simply have to get better physically later.


    Tonight, I''m going to finally make use of this body''s reputation.