That night, Syaoran tossed and turned in his sleep, a disturbing dream taking hold of him. He saw Fang… walking away from him, her back fading into the distance. He jolted awake, breathless, calling out her name. Sweat dripped down his forehead as his heart raced.
The door burst open. Taio rushed in. "Your Majesty! What happened? You were shouting—why are you sweating like this?"
Still gasping for breath, Syaoran looked at him. "Why are you here?"
Taio immediately knelt. "Your Majesty, the soldiers appointed to your watch were on their rounds. I remained nearby in case you needed anything."
"Get up," Syaoran said faintly.
Taio stood quietly, waiting.
"Go and inform Grandfather…" Syaoran began, but then hesitated. "No—I'll go meet him myself."
Taio's eyes widened. "Your Majesty, but now? It's not the right time to visit him."
"Why?" Syaoran asked, his tone edged with irritation.
Taio pointed to the window. The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow.
Syaoran sighed, understanding. "I know… But it's important." He looked away, conflicted. "Fine. I'll see him tomorrow. You go rest. Don't stand watch for me anymore."
Taio chuckled softly and left the room.
Once alone, Syaoran turned to the moonlight filtering through the window and whispered, "Fang… how are you doing? Will you ever forgive me for what I did to you?"
---
The next morning, Syaoran awoke to find maids lined up, waiting to help him dress. His clothes, royal ornaments, and sword were arranged before him.
"Leave them and go," he ordered firmly.
The maids glanced at one another uncertainly, but did as he said.
Outside, the queen happened to see them. "Why are you not attending to His Majesty?" she asked.
One of the maids replied nervously, "The King asked us to leave the items. He said he would prepare on his own."
The queen's eyes widened slightly. "Is that so?"
Her personal maid leaned closer and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty… ever since he returned, His Majesty has been… different."
"I've noticed too," the queen replied. "Let's wait and see."
---
Syaoran readied himself and headed to the assembly. As King of the Lycan clan, he fulfilled his duties with quiet diligence. But his mind was far from settled. The memories of Earth, of Fang, haunted him constantly. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't brush them aside.
Later that day, after completing his duties, he went to see his grandfather. The old man was, as always, deeply engrossed in his strategy game.
Syaoran bowed respectfully. "Grandfather, may I come in?"
His grandfather glanced up with a mildly annoyed expression. "Your Majesty… interested in old men's games now?" he teased.
Syaoran sat beside him. "I have a question."
The elder nodded. "Speak."
"Last night you said I acquired the 'world-changing stone.' What is it? Why have I never heard of it before?"
The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully. "The world-changing stone… it became a threat when Lucian tried to take it from Langshen—the Wolf God."
Syaoran furrowed his brows. "Please… tell me everything, Grandfather. Clearly."
"When your father was a child," he began, "Langshen, the Wolf God, possessed the magic to shift the world itself. But Lucian—driven by ambition—plotted to steal her heart. He couldn't overpower her, so he deceived her under the guise of war. Surrounded by his men, Langshen fought with all her strength. But realizing she couldn't hold on… she pierced her own heart and cast it onto the sacred mountain."
"What happened then?" Syaoran asked, eyes fixed on him.
"Lucian chased it, but that night was a full moon. The moon absorbed the heart's energy. Since then, no one knew what became of it—except Langshen herself. But the day your advisor told me your heart was unstable… I saw the moonlight around you. That's when I knew—you had retrieved it."
Syaoran fell silent, thoughts colliding in his mind.
"Why this sudden curiosity, Your Majesty?" his grandfather asked gently.
"I… just wanted to know," Syaoran replied, masking the emotions in his voice. "Please enjoy your game."
He bowed slightly and left the room.