by Queen
Content warnings: mentions of violence, death, and blood
It had been a miracle in itself that he earned this right. This freedom he’d been given feels more like an act of pity than anything. Like the Wens were mocking him. He hates it and he hates even more how powerless he was to change anything. His brother is dead, his pride stripped away by Wens. He just wishes there was something or someone who could help him. He has to force down that painful spike of hope he feels as he receives word there's been a disturbance, some Wen men killed. Of course it was his job to go and take care of it. He hated accepting and following any orders from the Wen sect. After all they had done, forcing him to watch his brother die. His sect torn apart and he was powerless to stop it. All he could do was watch and hold his anger close. All his grief becoming his only friend. It kept him company at night and nourished him. He’d hold those feelings close and someday he’d find a way to enact his revenge. Somehow.
Nie Huaisang was met with a surprise upon his arrival on the scene. There were many dead Wen soldiers. More than the reports had said and he started to wonder if this was a test or a trap. A sick one set by Wen Ruohan or Wen Chao. A test to see how loyal Nie Huaisang was. It wouldn’t be beneath them to kill their own men in some sick ploy. The Wens knew nothing of the meaning of human life. To them it held little to no value. Only their own lives mattered. A fact made clear by them many times. Nie Huaisang opened his mouth ready to call out for any survivors, but then decided against it. If this was a trick by the Wens, and if not, he couldn’t risk putting himself in danger. If he announced himself then whoever had done this might come after him next. Instead he gripped the halt of his sabor, ready for a sudden attack. He walked along, doing his best to keep his steps quiet and to not step on the bodies. Not because he cared, but because that would make unnecessary noise.
Whoever had done this was skilled. Nie Huaisang was impressed. If this wasn’t a trap set by Wens then they had a real enemy on their hands. And Nie Huaisang just might have found himself a partner. Someone to help him exact his revenge. For a moment Nie Huaisang feels his hope rise. The person he sees however brings him a mixture of feelings.
“Jiang Cheng,” Nie Huaisang whispers. Even with the man’s face partially hidden, even in the dark, Nie Huaisang knows who is standing before him. A sword in hand, blood dripping from the tip. Jiang Cheng looked up and his gaze changes when he sees it’s Nie Huaisang standing there. Not another dog of the Wen clan, but a friend.
“Nie Huaisang, you’re alive.” Jiang Cheng sounds almost surprised. Nie Huaisang steps forward, nodding his head.
“Somehow I am.” Nie Huaisang answers. He doesn’t understand why his brother had to die but he got the chance to live. “I’m glad you managed to survive.”
“How else will I make those Wen dogs pay for what they did?” Jiang Cheng responded. Nie Huaisang felt that in every part of him. Someone had to make the Wens pay.
“Are you the assassin who's been killing members of the Wen sect?” Nie Huaisang asked, watching as Jiang Cheng moved to lean against a tree, he was so graceful and moved so swiftly. Though that was a must for someone hiding in shadows and killing.
“Yes, and I’m assuming they’ve forced you to work under them.” Jiang Cheng said and glanced over at Nie Huaisang. He could see it in his eyes, Nie Huaisang was miserable in his current position. “I know you didn’t choose this. Not after everything they took from you.”
“They took my home, my pride, my big brother.” Nie Huaisang whispered. He felt a tear slip down his cheek. He hadn’t allowed himself to cry since his brother died. He wouldn't give the Wens the satisfaction.
“I’m going to make them pay.” Jiang Cheng announced. Nie Huaisang looked at the bodies on the forest floor. For the first time in what seemed like forever, he saw hope. He stepped closer to Jiang Cheng, trying to fight back his tears. He wiped away the tears that had already slid down his cheeks. He would be stronger, he was a Nie after all.
“I want to help.” Nie Huaisang said, clenching his fists. “Tell me how I can help.”
“Keep me up to date on all the Wens secrets and plans. It’ll be easier to take them down if I know where they’ll be and their weakness.” Jiang Cheng said as he stepped closer.
“You have a deal.” Nie Huaisang replied. He would do all he could to help Jiang Cheng and to avenge his brother. For the first time in awhile, Nie Huaisang felt unimaginable hope.