9A/N: Hey everyone, guess who finally returned to the land of the living!
On a serious note, my apologies that I haven't updated in more than a year; the past year was just…horrible. Series of tragedies had hit my family practically nonstop and it was a very painful and depressing year.
I have anxiety and depression which is just absolutely perfect by the way. Everything has been crap and I'm pretty much struggling with life and I'm not in the best of health too.
I'll be updating again albeit slowly since I am in the process of getting better and hopefully things will get better for my family too.
It really makes me happy though that even though I haven't updated, I still get readers. A thank you from me for that! You have no idea how happy that makes me.
Anyway I've managed to gain some motivation again and made the next chapter! Ugh I reread my fic and the typos I never noticed before just grinds me. Sorry about that :P Anyway hope you enjoy the next chapter!
DW belongs to Koei.
Chapter 2 – Taking a chance
Diao Chan stirred as she felt herself beginning to wake but she didn't want to just yet. She was so comfortable and safe; she moved closer at the source, loving how cold yet warm it was but then came a chuckle as she felt it vibrate.
Hold on…
Diao Chan stirred again and opened her eyes, blinking a few times to get the sleepiness off and once her vision had cleared, she came face to face to a familiar clothed chest. Diao Chan's eyes widen but before she could jump away, she felt a cool hand resting on her waist and she couldn't help the shiver that went through her as she felt him rub his thumb on her skin.
"Awake are we?" Diao Chan looked up and blushed to see him looking down at her, he was smiling and Diao Chan couldn't help but admire the view. He was just so…beautiful.
"H-How long was I asleep m-my lord?" she stuttered shyly. Wonderful, she was stuttering now. This man was affecting her so bad. He raised a brow in interest but continued to smile, quite pleased.
"A day." Diao Chan froze. Did he stay with her the whole time?
"Y-You were here the whole time?" she asked. God, she really needed to stop stuttering like this! It was very unlike her…but then again, this man had changer her world in such a short amount of time.
"Yes." She slowly move to sit up, he let her. The blanket that was around her fell and it was only then she realized that they were in, what she assumed, his room.
It wasn't very large but it was enough for two people. There was a table with books and scrolls which were all organize neatly, at the other side was another table and there she saw weapons, throwing axes to be specific though she couldn't clearly see how they looked from where she was sitting, a few drawers, a cabinet and a hamper was there as well, the room itself was quite dark in a sense. It suited him.
"You…You didn't have to stay with me, my lord. I'm sure you had something important to do." He chuckled smiling at her still; he raised his hand and touched her cheek. She was a bit startled by the slight coldness yet she couldn't help but lean to his touch. His smile grew at that.
"Perhaps but you are more important." Her heart swelled at that. But then she remembered that besides being in his room, she had no idea where she really was.
"Um…where and when exactly are we my lord?" she asked, still leaning on his hand. Jia Chong couldn't help but think how cute it was and let his hand stay there.
"We are in my room in Luoyang Castle in 234."Diao Chan's eyes widen before she calmed herself. It was simply mind boggling but even if she went crazy and panicked over it, nothing would change.
The moment she agreed to go with him, she had also given her life to him.
"Oh…can you tell me what has happened after the events at Xiapi?" he nodded and dropped his hand from her cheek. Diao Chan felt disappointed at the loss but resisted the urge to go and sit close to his side.
"Alright…" she listened intently as he explained in great detail what has happened shortly after Xiapi up to this point; he had went back in time at 198 and had continued his watch on history up until when he was turned.
He then jumped much further back at 184 during the Yellow Turban Rebellion and stayed until it reached the events at Xiapi. He had felt the mating pull back then but resisted by not looking for her since he could not tamper with the past. Taking her at Xiapi after was acceptable as she is presumed dead at that point, so history will remain unchanged.
Diao Chan was mesmerized the whole time he spoke; she could listen to him all her life and would never tire of his voice. Of course, she listened carefully and took in everything he said.
"Wow…so Liu Bei and Cao Cao are gone…I was certain that Cao Cao himself would easily rule the land yet now it's divided in three." Diao Chan mused.
"Indeed, Lord Sima Yi and our army are currently at Wu Zhang Plains against Zhuge Liang and Shu." Diao Chan nodded.
"Do you know the outcome?" Jia Chong smirked. It was definitely the hottest thing Diao Chan had ever seen.
"No but I have no doubt that our army will emerge victorious." Diao Chan looked at him curious.
"You…haven't used your ability to see the future my lord?" he shook his head.
"I travel to the past to learn its history but I do not meddle…well, except for you. You are a special case." He chuckled at her blush before continuing. "I enjoy the surprises the future brings so I leave it be. That and I do not fancy playing god even if I could." Diao Chan could understand that. Right now though she wanted to know more on what is her role here.
"Um what should I do now my lord?" she asked. She had never felt so lost before; Jia Chong had successfully destroyed her reality so quickly. She didn't like the feeling of being unaware of a situation.
"You will be known as my wife and will stay by my side." She opened her mouth to speak but he raised his hand.
"I know you can take care of yourself but it would be for the better if you remained with me at all times." He smirked, Diao Chan tensed as his cold fingers tilted her chin and he was suddenly so very close, their lips practically inches apart and their eyes meeting.
"You are a very beautiful and tempting woman, my dear. Even men with the steeliest of resolve will crumble before you. I will have you know that I am very possessive and anyway who dares to touch you inappropriately or even try to take you from me will die a horrible and painful death." He purred; she couldn't stop the shiver that went through her, she was so tempted to jump him right then and there but no, she would resist. She had to.
"I-I understand my lord." Diao Chan managed to finally say. Goodness, he was turning her into mush. He chuckled and pulled away much to her disappointment yet again. He was still smirking and it dawned to her.
'He's doing it on purpose! Damn him!' she scowled making him chuckle again. She sighed, she should be mad really but she couldn't…not for long anyway.
"My lord?"
"Yes, beloved?" she flushed. It really was so different when it was him saying it. It made her heart skip a beat and her insides flip. He smirked again at hearing her reaction, she ignored it.
"H-How are we going to explain my presence here? Surely everyone will suspect and wonder why you suddenly have a wife, especially someone who they had never heard about or seen to even have entered the castle." Ugh. She needed to compose herself really, stuttering was not befitting her. He smiled.
"There is no need for such concern, though I am known here. They are also aware of how secretive I am, they find me quite mysterious it seems." He said amused. Diao Chan looked up in thought.
"Then wouldn't they be surprised if you suddenly reveal me to them? Won't your lord be curious?" she spoke, skeptical. He smirked.
"I am also known to be unpredictable at times and as for my lord, that is unavoidable. They will be curious but they will not meddle." Diao Chan nodded, accepting that for now. "That and I have already been secretly spreading rumors days before that I have a wife." Diao Chan's jaw dropped.
'Days before but that meant…' she felt her eye twitch as she turned and glared at him. His smirk remained and his eyes showing his amusement. 'Sneaky, son of a-' Diao Chan stopped that thought, closed her eyes and sighed. There really wasn't much else that can be done though, at least the situation was settled…somewhat. Diao Chan looked at him and it was only then it sunk to her that his once red eyes were now a light blue. How was that possible?
"My lord…your eyes are…"
"Ah yes, these were the colour of my eyes back when I was human."
"They're beautiful…" Diao Chan breathed but then realizing her words, she turned beat red.
"Uh I-I mean they were red a while ago and uh…w-why are they blue now?" she stuttered again as he looked at her, smiling. Ugh, will she ever stop stuttering in his presence?
"It's something our kind can do to be able to blend in with humans."
"But they turn red still?"
"Yes, sometimes if we are extremely angered, when we feed or to simply frighten our prey or enemy. You can also tell if a vampire needs to feed if the color begins to darken." Diao Chan nodded.
"Is there anything else I need to know about Vampires, my lord?" he nodded.
"As you may have noticed, Vampires are extremely attractive and beautiful creatures. The reason for this is because vampires use their allure to draw their prey, which are humans, to them." Diao Chan blinked.
"Does being turned really change someone so differently?" Jia Chong chuckled at her question.
"Ah not really, I looked the same when I was human but being turned has only enhanced my…allure you could say. I have no doubt that once you are turned that you will be much more beautiful than you are now, men will no doubt fall at your feet and follow your every whim." It wasn't really much different to how men were like to her before, as vain as that sounded.
"Vampires can go out in the sunlight but we easily burn if it's too hot, we receive a bit of a sun burn and discomfort at best though it's nothing some rest and a bit of blood can heal. Vampires are creatures of the dark after all." Diao Chan nodded at that.
"So you are sensitive to the sun…do you ever feel hot or cold, my lord?"
"No. We do feel the change in temperature but over all we are unaffected by it. A Vampires skin is quite cold and much harder than steel which makes us almost impossible to be killed." Diao Chan's eyes widen at that.
"You…you can't be killed?" Diao Chan, though shocked, felt relief at hearing that. It was odd but she decided not to ponder on this for now.
"Unless there is someone that can surpass my strength and skill…then no. I cannot be killed. But to kill a Vampire, they would need to be first dismembered and the pieces needed to be completely burned."
"Burned?" Jia Chong nodded.
"Even dismembered, vampires can still live. Fire is needed to ensure their deaths."
"Can they die if say, they were burned even if they weren't dismembered?"
"It would take quite a powerful fire to burn and reduce Vampires into ash in an instant. You need to remember that Vampires are to be pulled apart so that they cannot escape from being burned and just pulling a Vampire into pieces is a challenge as is." Diao Chan looked up in thought for a moment.
"…What about other vampires? You said that Vampires have enhanced strength, then perhaps that is enough to be on par with another vampire." Jia Chong smiled at that.
"Very perceptive of you my dear, you are correct. Another Vampire can kill their own kind with enough skill but unlike most, they do not possess the power to control time." Diao Chan was again wide eyed at that. He was right, with his gift; he is practically unbeatable and the fact that he himself is a skilled warrior was just a plus.
"Other Vampires are sometimes bestowed gifts correct?" he nodded.
"Yes, though it is quite rare and sometimes other gifts can be simple like the ability to talk to animals or a beautiful singing voice, even the gift of dance. Though there are also such impressive gifts such as mind reading, elemental control, receiving visions of the future or even a shield, just to name a few." Diao Chan frowned in thought. This was…incredible. To think such beings with inhuman gifts exist…and she was to be mated to one.
"Are there other creatures out there beside Vampires?" Diao Chan asked curiously. There was no doubt in her mind that once her life intertwines with Jia Chong, a Vampire, her reality will instantly be pulled in a world that such creatures exist. Diao Chan needed to know if she were to prepare herself both in mind and body.
"Indeed. I have not encountered one but I have heard that creatures known as Werewolves exist in lands far from our own. It has been said that Werewolves are mortal enemies of Vampires but I don't particularly believe nor care for such. I'd prefer to decide for myself if they are enemy or not."
"What are werewolves?"
"Werewolves are humans that transform into wolf-like creatures under the influence of a full moon. When they are in wolf-form, they appear human except for their yellow eyes, fangs, and claws and they use their superior abilities and enhanced senses to hunt humans and eat their hearts. They do not remember transforming or any of the details of what they've done as a werewolf once they return to human form, but it seems that whatever subconscious desires or fears they feel as human translate into action when they are werewolves." Diao Chan unconsciously placed a hand on her chest at hearing this. She was quite horrified but remembering him saying that such creatures were, for the moment, found on Lands far from them was a quite relief.
"…How do you kill a werewolf?"
"Piercing a werewolf through the heart with silver, that and dismemberment but that would be much more of a challenge." Diao Chan's frowned.
"I see…" Jia Chong chuckled at how cute she was when in deep thought.
"We'll discuss more of the other creatures another time. For now, we need to get you settled." Jia Chong said as he stood, Diao Chan blinked but nodded as she too got off the bed. She then remembered her whip and looked around for it, Jia Chong easily noticed.
"It's on the chair." Diao Chan blinked and looked at where he was pointing, there was a chair beside the table where his weapons were, and on it was her whip. She relaxed before turning to a smiling Jia Chong.
"Now then, do you want me to show you around?" Diao Chan smiled.
"I've been in Luoyang Castle long before, my lord. I know the palace like the back of my hand. Of course, unless something has been changed…" Diao Chan trailed off, Jia Chong blinked before chuckling.
"Some changes have been made but mere improvements though it would be best to get reacquainted with it, yes?" Diao Chan nodded. She was going to be Jia Chong's wife/mate after all. She needed to be prepared and knowledge is the key.
Diao Chan kept her arm hooked to Jia Chong's arm as they walked around Luoyang Castle. Though she looked as every bit of an elegant and poised woman that she is, she was in actuality, a bundle of nerves and was incredibly tense and alert. For good reason obviously, though she listened and smiled as Jia Chong quietly spoke to her and somewhat giving her comfort. They had received many baffled and shocked looks, even awed ones as they stared at her. She was used to such looks and was easily able to brush them off, though she did feel Jia Chong's hold on her arm and hand tighten a few times and had seen him stare unnervingly to a few men that dared to look at her in a certain way. Diao Chan could almost feel their fear as they quickly turned away or left abruptly.
'He must be quite feared…then again, in looks alone, he looks quite intimidating but at the same time it only makes him look more attractive…' realizing where her thoughts was going, Diao Chan immediately pushed those aside and shook her head which earned her a look of amusement from Jia Chong, she straightened and looked on. He chuckled as they continued, both aware of the whispers and gossip that no doubt would spread like wild fire.
"You must be famished." Jia Chong said suddenly, though now that he mentioned it. Diao Chan could feel the hunger began to gnaw at her.
"I am a bit hungry." Diao Chan replied quietly. Jia Chong smiled and pulled her along towards the dining area. All eyes went to them as they entered or more so on Diao Chan however with one look from Jia Chong, all had turned away.
They were served their meal by the servants and the pair ate in silent; Diao Chan was mostly in deep thought while Jia Chong was quick in finishing his meal and kept himself occupied by staring down the other occupants, letting out a bit of killer intent and doing so carefully to not affect Diao Chan. He felt satisfied as some quickly left, unnerved by his stare as they felt chills run down their spine.
Jia Chong could smell their fear and relished in it. He nodded to himself, satisfied that they were the only ones left in the dining area while the servants had gone back to the kitchens as they too had been affected by the intent.
"My lord?"
"Hm?"
"Would it be all right for me to bathe afterwards?"
"Of course. I will ask the servants for a dress while yours will be washed."
"Thank you, my lord." Jia Chong simply smiled.
Diao Chan sighed as she sunk into the warm water. The hot spring's in Luoyang Castle is wonderful as ever though it has certainly improved in structure and is more spacious than before.
"What should I do?" she wondered. Diao Chan still felt uneasy, knowing she was in a familiar place helped ease her nerves but she knew no one here and even though her lord Jia Chong had explained her importance, he was still a stranger to her.
She suddenly felt so alone.
'Lord Father…I don't know what to do…I know I agreed to come with him, I wanted to live and see an era of peace but…everything has changed now and…' Jai Chong flashed in her mind and Diao Chan could feel a tingle within her. She knew she was attracted to Jia Chong but she didn't love him.
'At least not yet…' she paused at that thought. Love?
"Am I still worthy of such a thing?" A part of Diao Chan longed for such a thing, a love that was to be cherished and would last a life time but another part told her that someone like her didn't deserve such a wonderful thing. She was…damaged.
'Someone like me is only lusted after and used…never loved.' She thought bitterly.
"Diao Chan."
"Eek!" Diao Chan squeaked as she jumped in surprise. She turned around to see Jia Chong standing there, his expression calm but serious.
"M-My lord!" Diao Chan realized that she was naked; she sunk down the spring, hands covering her chest. Her face was burning as she looked up at Jia Chong but froze to find him standing before her in the spring, he was fully clothed yet he looked as if he didn't care that he had gotten his clothes wet.
"You are distressed." She blinked.
"W-What?" he reached out and took hold of her wrist, pulling her to him. Her eyes widen as she tried to pull back but he was stronger. She shrieked as he easily pulled her to his chest and his arms wrapped around her naked form. Diao Chan was mortified and she could almost feel her head burst at how much blood rushing to her face. "L-Let me go! I-"
"I know it is difficult." She paused as she felt his other hand caress the back of her head, his fingers lightly pressing on her scalp. "You feel alone and you don't know what to do…I have put you in a difficult position and for that I am sorry." he gently pulled her back, enough for her to look up at him. Diao Chan was startled at the emotion in his eyes. "I am powerful and the road I had chosen to take is dark and ruthless…I had told myself that should I ever find my mate that I would never bring them to the dark." He reached out and caressed her cheek.
"But I saw you; you were so beautiful, both in body and mind. I suddenly didn't care. I wanted you…everything that you are. I wanted you to be mine and mine alone."
"I'm not as beautiful as you think…I am not pure, Jia Chong. I am damaged…tainted." She whispered.
"I know and I do not care." Her eyes widen in shock.
"When I said I wanted you Diao Chan, I meant it. I want everything, I wish to know you. Not just Diao Chan, one of the famous beauties of china but Diao Chan, the woman who sacrificed herself in order to put an end to a vile tyrant and uncontrollable beast." he smiled as she swallowed, her eyes shining. "I am selfish and I hope you can forgive me for that but I regret nothing. It will take time, for the both of us but I want this. I am here for you Diao Chan, you can rely on me."
"I…" Diao Chan was speechless. She was afraid, should she really open her heart to him? She looked into his eyes and could see the truth in his words and the deep emotions in them, those emotions that was directed to her. Her heart felt like it was going to burst.
How is it that a man she only met yesterday could have such an immense effect on her? He claimed that they were soul mates, Diao Chan had felt hope fill her the first time he said that but she was skeptical despite feeling the bond.
Hearing him now, the feeling of hope had resurfaced and Diao Chan knew that she had to take this chance. She had given everything for her Lord father's wish; she wanted to be selfish, to be happy and to be loved.
"I want…I…" Diao Chan couldn't stop the tears that fell from her eyes; they fell down her cheeks and onto the spring, her form beginning to tremble. His fingers lifted her chin, their eyes meeting again.
"It's all right…I understand." Diao Chan's eyes widen as he leaned forward and gently pressed his lips onto hers. She felt her heart race, butterflies in her stomach and yet, she felt warmth bloom in her chest and slowly, she closed her eyes, returning the chaste kiss.
It felt right.
End of Chapter 2
I managed to finish the 2nd chapter. Finally! While I was writing this, I received a review and I would like to say thank you! It had actually helped motivate me and really cheered me up! SapphireMarbles, thank you!
As for the werewolf info, Jia Chong only knows the basic which he only learned from 'others'. His information on them isn't complete since werewolves aren't in their lands unless he encountered them himself, other creature information he has will be basic and pretty much just the gist of it.
I hope you readers enjoy the second chapter; I suppose it also helped that I played Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires. So happy about that by the way, anyway! Reviews are definitely appreciated so please leave some and let me know your thoughts.
Til next time!