Chapter 37

What a fool Wei had been, acting alone like that, so irresponsible. Sure, he wasn't completely alone, he had his ghosts with him, but did he really think it would be enough? He should have told someone, he should have talked about it with Yunlan. It probably wouldn't have changed anything, but right now he was scared, and he just wished Yunlan was here with him. No, Yunlan would have been in danger, it was better this way.

His thoughts were interrupted when his mind was assaulted and a startled cry forced its way out of his mouth. He felt incredible pain when all those Shadows tried to take possession over his body. How many, he couldn't say, but there were a lot.

He had let them taste his energy, and they had been driven by their greed to take more. It was distressing. The pain was all emotional, involving his mind and soul, but it was also overwhelming.

He remembered when it had happened to Hong and Yunlan: two very different circumstances, after all Liling had no bad intentions and was not a Shadow, but they had experienced something similar: both had lost control of their bodies, their eyes had lost focus, and once again Wei wondered why for him it was always different.

He was still him. No new conscience to push him to the back of his mind, no foreign will using his body like a puppet. His own was still the only consciousness in charge, he was winning the battle inside his mind, but inside his soul the fight against them was raging on.

He cried out and his friends all tried to help, but it was a hard battle, so few of them and so many Shadows...

Then something happened. Something that he didn't quite understand. Other... souls? had joined the battle inside him, but they weren't Shadows, nor they were the usual friendly ghosts, he understood that much. What were they?

The newcomers were strong, very strong, and they were warm, and apparently on his side because they pushed all those uninvited guests out of him.

Wei heard himself cry out even louder than before, then he felt his body falling, but he was too exhausted to do anything about it.

His eyes closed, but he kept seeing things. Maybe it was more of a feeling, but it was as if he could see them in front of him.

You are safe now, they are not in you, your body is yours only.

Did he hear those words in his head? Was he dreaming?

We are sorry for all that has happened, we were unable to prevent it. Your powers... we did not expect that, and it confused us.

What powers? Confused them how? He didn't understand.

So many interactions between the human world and the spirit world, we were unable to detect the work of the dark spirits in time.

Interactions? Was that his fault, because he interacted with his ghosts on a daily basis? So it really was his fault, like he always knew it was, like Hong had told him...

It was our fault, and our fault only. We did not know what would happen, we were the first, you are the first, and we were not prepared.

Wei's mind couldn't offer anything in response to those words. He was still trying to understand. He forced himself to take a better look at them, if that was the right word given that his eyes were still closed shut.

Two bright figures, one beside the other, were watching him with a warm aura about them that was welcoming, encouraging him to go to them.

"Mum..." he called to one of them, yearning to reach her.

Am I dead? I never saw you before, I must be dead to be able to see you now...

You are not dead, nor are you in danger at the moment. Your body has been brought to safety, but your soul is still connected to us. We wish to talk to you.

Talk about what? If I'm alive, why have I never seen you before? Why did you leave me?

Even if his voice was only in his mind, he could hear the childish whining that accompanied those words.

We forgot, and we beg you to forgive us. We did not know. We forgot about you when we resumed our previous existence, what we were before you, what we have always been.

Wei felt himself crying. He wasn't sure if he had actual tears in his eyes, but his heart was aching.

You forgot about me? How... what are you? How could you?

Let us explain, we beg you to listen. We chose human life, we asked for it when given the chance of a reward. None of our kind had ever asked for this, but we... we wanted a chance at love, together. We asked to become humans for a lifetime, and our plea was granted. We were born humans, we grew up not knowing but we still found each other, as we knew we would.

Why didn't you tell me, why make me believe I was a freak?

We forgot our past selves when we chose to live in your world. We had to, that is the way reincarnation works, but in our case it was only for one lifetime.

Wei remained silent, waiting for them to continue. There was nothing to say, he could only listen trying to make sense of it all.

We were granted a human life, and were born as humans do. We could not remember one another but we still found each other. We cherished our life together, and we were blessed with a son.

The light faded slightly, while the figures dwelled in something like remorse.

We know now that you always told the truth. We are... sorry. We did not know.

Something tugged at Wei's heart. He had never realised how much he craved to hear them say those words.

We were just humans. We did not understand and we were worried. But because we were humans, nobody imagined that you would retain part of our true heritage, it was totally unexpected.

I... I retained what? What am I? What are you two?

We are Guardians of the Light, and our purpose is to guard the balance between the Light and the Dark, to keep the human world at peace.

Not really a good job you did, recently, Wei muttered bitterly. The memory of Yunlan almost strangled by a Shadow was still all too vivid in his mind.

We were confused, there were so many interactions between humans and spirits, we had not anticipated that.

Inside his mind, Wei lowered his head in guilt.

Do not blame yourself, we know now that it was our fault, we should have come earlier to explain all this, but time works differently for us.

I wish you did. I wanted to see you, to talk to you. I missed you so much. So many ghosts, but I never saw you. I thought you abandoned me.

Their light dimmed again for a moment, while Wei's soul ached.

We never wanted to leave you. We learned a kind of love we never knew. You were our child, we loved you immensely, but we could not stay behind.

Am I the same as you? Will I join you, when I die?

No, son, you are human, and you will die a human.

Wei didn't know if he should feel bad about it, but he realised that he didn't.

You saved me, thank you. Can you tell me what happened? Have you stopped them all? Are humans safe now?

We only stopped those that attacked you, we can not eradicate spirits that have not harmed anyone, that would not be right.

So, Yunlan is still in danger...

Who is this Yunlan you talk about?

Wei couldn't find the words to explain it. They were still his parents, although quite different from how he remembered them, more... blinding, and it was never easy to come out to one's parents.

We see, you speak of the human that brought your body to safety. We appreciate that. Is this Yunlan your human of choice?

Wei's heart beat faster at that, Yunlan brought him to safety? He wanted to know more, but it would have to wait. He kept his mind's eyes on them. He had to remember that they weren't humans anymore, and things like gender had no meaning to them. They only saw souls. Wei sighed at his own silliness and admitted the truth.

Yes, the human I chose. The... the man I love.

It sounded so cheesy. He was glad no one could hear him, but it felt good to say it. As unusual as these circumstances were, he still felt like he had his parents approval, and it felt good. A cautious look at the two Guardians confirmed that they cared not of Yunlan's gender, but only of his caring nature. His soul sighed in relief.

Because of that, I wish to stop the Shadows from hurting humans. Can you help me in that?

Yes, son. We came to help you, to strengthen your soul. You are, after all, the son of two Guardians, and you should now embrace your legacy.

Wei saw the light approaching and enveloping his whole being. A comforting warmth spread through him, and a burst of energy sent all fatigue away.

He slept soundly throughout the rest of the night.