It was a dream

Jiang Cheng was fighting against the pain to remain conscious. The needles were sending agony in his hand. He focused on breathing. The sole thing he could do. Because otherwise, his thoughts would be far more disturbing the physical pain.

Wen Qing. The woman he loved. A woman he secretly grieved but whose death was dimmed by the whole loss brought by war. For Jiang Cheng, the war finished with the death of his siblings. A chapter of his life he would prefer to forget.

Wen Qing. The person who allowed Wei Wuxian to give Jiang Cheng his golden core. To give Jiang Cheng his future. To sacrifice utterly.

The Yunmeng sect leader had been trying hard to hate his demised brother. He was adamant in hunting those who followed the path of diabolic cultivation. Little had he known that they were mostly under Jin sect protection. The few whom he caught were frightened young cultivators who managed to channel their fear or despair in shock. Jiang Cheng wanted to hate them, to punish them, but all he could have done was to offer them a shelter. A place they could maybe one day call home…

Yunmemg was not home for Wei Wuxian. Not any more. And it hurt.

And now Wei Wuxian nearly got killed protecting them, saving Wen Qing. Why was his brother so ready to sacrifice himself even now, when he was betrothed to the man whom he loved?

It felt good to think of Wei Wuxian as a brother. It gave hope that not everything in Jiang Cheng's life was lost.

If Wei Wuxian survives…

Losing Wei Wuxian would ravage Jiang Cheng further. This time the Yunmeng sect leader was aware of this and certain that he would not be able, or willing, to prevent it.

Nie Huaisang fainted. Wen Qing seemed not bothered or she simply did not see it, too focused on the ritual. Suddenly, she lifted her head, her eyes met Jiang Cheng's and he understood that things were not going as they should.

"I've underestimated the damage", she whispered, fear and regret in her eyes.

"Do anything you need to save him", Jiang Cheng ordered.

Wen Qing was looking at him as if she was searching for something in his eyes. A confirmation? It seemed like she found it, and she nodded slightly.

The pain was becoming all-consuming. Jiang Cheng bit his lips and tasted blood. He was dreaming about losing consciousness but he still was aware of the agony he experienced.

How long Wei Wuxian was suffering from the core extraction? A day? Two days? I don't remember but I deserve to pay with pain… even if he would never want him… who will take over my sect if I perish? Is my head disciple ready for it?

Lan Xichen and Lan Mei slowly entered the cave. There were people who tried to stop them, to convince them they should wait. They simply had to ignore any warnings. There were five bodies lying on the floor. They were partially covered with blankets. It was hard to say if they were breathing. They all looked like corpses - deathly pale with some traces of crusted blood. The healers crowded around them, turned towards the newcomers and watched them in grim silence. Had the healers not courage to share the terrible news or were they not sure what had happened?

Lan Xichen knelt at his brother's side. He gently took his hand. He relaxed minutely when he felt the energy coursing in Lan Zhan's meridians. The steady flow of energy towards Wei Wuxian. The energy levels between these two seemed to be equal. This meant his brother gave nearly everything.

Lan Xichen checked on Wei Wuxian. He could feel the new scars, the weakness of his body but the injuries were gone.

So you two shall live.

"Give them energy.", he instructed the healers.

Lan Xichen could feel their hesitance and understood that. The traces of a powerful ritual were still palpable in the air. The energy of the place was disturbed and unstable. The man focused on Nie Huaisang. His condition was also reassuring. Some energy, good rest and food would be enough.

Jiang Wanyin? Lan Mei was at his side. She looked very concerned. Lan Xichen checked on him. His energy was a mess. One thing was its disturbingly low level, the other the way his meridians were damaged. It was difficult to say yet how severe was the damage as Jiang Wanyin's energy system was quite unstable and the flows were dynamically changing.

"The woman is in far worse condition. I am not sure I can help her.", Lan Mei offered sadly.

"Try to stabilize him. I'll check on her.", Lan Xichen replied warmly.

A woman. It was a slight surprise though he took her hand to check her pulse. He did not doubt Lan Mei's diagnosis. Unfortunately she was right, it would be extremely difficult and quite risky to save this person.

Only then he looked at his patient's face and froze. She looked like Wen Qing. Like Wen Qing the day she surrendered herself and was executed.

"It's her. It's my sister. She was turned into stone. She was conscious", Wen Ning whispered brokenly.

"I'll do my best to save her, Master Wen.", Lan Xichen replied solemnly. Maybe this was the redemption he was searching for…

Wei Wuxian suddenly became aware that he was lying on something hard and he was thirsty. There was crusted blood in his mouth and he felt truly awful.

"I've prefered the rabbits", he whined, surprised that his moan was audible but not understandable.

"Master Wei!", he heard a voice. One of the healers, probably, "Are you cold?"

It was then when he realized he was shivering. A blanket was spread over him, but he knew it would offer small comfort. Wei Wuxian wanted to go back to sleep. However, there were people whose plans were different. He felt a cup pressed to his lips.

"Drink, Master Wei", a voice which tried to be as respectful as demanding.

It was easier to obey. It helped with thirst, even if it left a bitter aftertaste.

"Lan Zhan?", he mumbled pitifully. He needed to hide in his arms.

"It's good to see you awake, Master Wei", another voice replied.

Lan Xichen!

What was this man doing here?! Where was this "here"? And where was Lan Zhan?!

"Lan Zhan?", Wei Wuxian chose the easiest and the most important question.

"He's here."

It was alarming, Wei Wuxian fought hard to open his eyes. Everything was foggy and black spots started their dance when he tried to move his head.

"Calm down, Master Wei. He's unconscious but he'll wake up when his energy is replenished.", Lan Xichen sounded like he believed in his words.

Wei Wuxian did not want to calm down. There was something important he had to say. However his thoughts were acting like a herd of frightened rabbits running away in all possible and impossible directions.

"What is the last thing you remember, Master Wei?", Lan Xichen asked and Wei Wuxian felt that he would have blushed if only his body could spare some blood.

Why the blood loss when he remembered Lan Zhan's kisses, green grass and rabbits?

It was a dream.. a dream of a dying man. Why dying?! Wen Qing! The ritual!

"Wen Qing?", Wei Wuxian gasped.

"I hope we're able to save her", Lan Xichen replied.

"Jiang Cheng?", Wei Wuxian felt the vice of terror around his chest.

"Bad. Lan Mei, one of our best healers, is taking care of him. Master Nie is in far better condition", Lan Xichen added before Wei Wuxian asked.

Why? What's wrong? What has happened to them? I am conscious and they are not. I was dying and now… any amount of healing energy could not have saved me… Wen Qing… I remember… there was a method. An unorthodox one of injuries transfer and when properly done there was a chance to heal part of them before they affected the new host. Stupid, foolish people! Why are they in such bad condition?!

Suddenly he saw it clearly and understood.

"No! The ritual! The trap inside the trap!", he tried to get up but Lan Xichen put his hands on his arms and held him down. Wei Wuxian had to admit that it meant nearly no effort for Lan Xichen.

"Master Wei, please calm down and explain to me what you are talking about.", the other man tried to sound reassuring but there was an alarm in his eyes.

"The energy… the explosion. I've shielded them… hoped there'd be enough… they tried to save me. Take the injuries away. Put them on themselves but.. they were dedicated to me. They broke the seal. It backfired...it's my fault…", he barely could say more than a few words between his shallow breaths.

"Can you tell me what we're dealing with? A curse? A poison?", Lan Xichen asked sternly.

"Poison… Poison based on energy.", Wei Wuxian replied.

He needed to find a way to save them. A poison based on energy should not be difficult to transfer on him. However to do it, he needed to get up, to touch the victims.

How can I perform the ritual when I am fighting to remain conscious?

A/N

Betad by awesome Legate_of_Apples.