24. One Shot (Hakuryuu, Hakuren, Hakuyuu): Hakuryuu finds himself in a strange place. While searching for an exit, he meets his dead brothers Hakuren and Hakuyuu.

The last One Shot for this collection. I have to say I am proud of myself that I was able to write all these One Shots and that I really uploaded them according to my list. It was a bit exhausting and I am happy that my project is over. However I will make smaller project likes this next year for Kougyoku, Hakuren and Hakuyuu - and I will write more Hakuryuu stories!

I hope you could enjoy this One Shot collection. I had fun writing them, so I hope everyone else had fun reading them.

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Insecurely he made one step after the next in this unnatural bright world. Where was he and why was he here? Neither Zagan nor Belial were with him right now, but they had been just a moment ago. Losing Zagan also meant losing his Guandao, which meant that he was completely defenseless. He hated the feeling of being defenseless, of being weak and of being useless. Without his djinns he was so useless. Self-hate rose inside him, but was suppressed by his mind that told him to focus on the fact that he was in an unknown place with unknown threats. All he could hope for, was to find an exit before something bad happened to him and that his fist fighting skill were enough to defend himself. However, he would prefer it to leave this place without a fight. A part of him tried to tell himself that this was just some weird dream and nothing to worry about, but why did it feel so real? In case of a dream, should he not be unaware that it was one? So, was this real? It felt like that, yet it seemed so unreal at the same time. This was probably due to the brightness around him. There was no place in the world, which could be so bright and besides him no one else was here. He could not even see anything like a tree or the sky. A blank world.
Strange and scary!

Something small, chirping, white flew past him. At first he was startled by it, but calmed down fast. It seemed like a rukh. Why could he see a rukh? It had been white, so this means that he was in a safe environment, right? Or was this just a trick? As long as things did not go against destiny even hell would be filled with white rukh, right? However, the rukh where heading somewhere. Maybe he should follow? Maybe someone was there – wherever "there" was. Standing in one place would not help him getting out of wherever he was right now. Of course there was no guarantee that he got out by following the rukh, yet it had a better chance of being successful than doing nothing, and even when he couldn't get out, he may find out what kind of place this "world" was. Or he would wake up, in case this was just an extremely strange dream.
While he walked forward, in the direction the rukh had flown, he always looked around just to make sure that no one was following or about to attack him. Seemingly he was alone here. He hated being alone. Since the murder of his family he had been alone, he didn't want to feel lonely anymore, he didn't want to be alone anymore – and he still wasn't over the loss of his family. He still had nightmares about the fire and he often dreamed and thought about his brothers, especially their last words. But this was a different matter.
When thinking about his brothers he felt warm, as if a blanket had been put around him, as if someone had hugged him – despite it being many years since someone gave him a hug, he still could somewhat remember that feeling of it and the comfortable warmth it caused. Well, who had though that he would remember something like this in a place like that? Who had thought that he would ever think about something like hugs again? Despite hoping and wishing for love, he somehow had accepted that something like this was not meant to be for him. His mind had already accepted that thought of never being loved or accepted by others – well, only Judar was on his side and maybe Kougyoku. He and his sister had to do a lot of makeup talks. However, both fell in a different category then the love and acceptance he had once dreamed of, yet he did not want to miss them. Both were important to him and he did not want to lose them! They were all he had! Judar was his only friend and Kougyoku was the only family he still had – Hakuryuu was not sure, how things between him and Hakuei would turn out, when she would wake up, but he hoped for the best.

Hakuryuu shook his head. This was not the time to think about such matters. The past was the past and the present was the present. He should finally stop thinking so much about it. Right now there was a more important issue to handle. The amount of rukh around him increased. Was this good or bad? It could mean that someone else was here. Maybe a Magi? Or a metal vessel user? As long as it was not an enemy, he was fine with anyone. However, anxiety still rose inside of him. What if it was an enemy? And there were still no clue where he was, not to speak of the fact that he did not know how he got here – well, again, wherever that "here" was.
The chirping got louder and he could hear voices. Two male voices. Hakuryuu could not understand, what was said, but a feeling inside him told him that the owners of the voices were not his foes. They somehow sounded familiar. Maybe one of his comrades were here as well? This would be great! In this case they could search for an exit together and defending each other against enemies was easier. A small shower of relief passed through him. His tense posture unbent. Of course, he still stayed alerted. There was no guarantee that those voices really belonged to his comrades and not a foe. It was better to expect the worst, instead of the best, so nothing could surprise him. Better safe than sorry! With a soft "hello" Hakuryuu tried to call attention to himself, which did not worked out, because his voice was a bit too low. The rukh's chirping drowned his voice. Another try, this time a little bit louder, but the rukh's were still louder. How loud did those two still unknown voices speak to each other, if Hakuryuu was able to hear them over the noise made by the rukh? Was he just imagining things?
More and more rukh filled the surrounding area the closer he got to the voices.
"Hello?", Hakuryuu almost screamed, hoping that he now was able to overtone the noise around him.
The voices went silent and the rukh suddenly flew away, which caused Hakuryuu to shield himself from the light. Getting blind was not a pleasant thought.

"Hakuryuu?"
That voice! Hakuryuu knew this voice! Oh, it had been such a long time since he had last heard it. But was this even possible? It was impossible. Never had he thought that he would hear this voice again. He had dreamed about it, but never believed that this dream would came true.
"Hakuryuu, is that you?"
Yes, it was him, but was the other one really his big brother Hakuren? Was it really Hakuren or just an illusion? How could this be? A dream! He was dreaming! Yes, this must be the case. Hakuryuu lowered his arms, with which he had shield his face and thereby his eyes from the bright light of the rukh. What he saw made him speechless. His eyes must played tricks on him! There, just a few steps away from him, stood Hakuren and Hakuyuu looking at him, not moving an inch. Both were surrounded by a faint golden glimmer – the glimmer was probably caused by the rukh.
"Hakuren? Hakuyuu?", Hakuryuu whispered in disbelieve.
The person, who looked like Hakuren, approached Hakuryuu with fast steps. The typical smile on his face.
"It is really you, Hakuryuu! You've grown! Hakuyuu look, it is Hakuryuu!", Hakuren said excited.
It was hard to keep the tears at bay. And it got even harder, when Hakuren started to pet Hakuryuu's head, smiled at him and acted as if nothing bad had happened – as if he and Hakuyuu had never died. Hakuyuu slowly approached his two younger brothers.
"Of course I've grown. We haven't seen each other for fifteen years, brother Hakuren", Hakuryuu explained, still trying to hold back his tears.
His mind was fighting: Was this real or just an illusion? What should he believe, feel or do? He wanted to believe that those two in front of him were really his older brothers. There were so many things he wanted to tell them. Until now he also never had the chance to properly say goodbye to them.
"Uh, really? Fifteen years? Well, that's quite a long time. How have you been?"
A stupid question. Hakuren and Hakuyuu both knew what had happened during those years. They were a part of the great flow and as such they also saw the events of the world. However, there was a difference between seeing something and making assumptions and hearing, how someone actually felt and had experienced the events. They had seen how much Hakuryuu had struggled and suffered, while they could not do anything to support or help him. Hakuyuu had reached his brothers by now.
"I managed it somehow", Hakuryuu answered with tears streaming down his face.
He couldn't hold back anymore. With one hand he hold on to Hakuren's sleeve, like he had done many times in the past.

Hakuren was the fun big brother. Always up for a prank or joke. Breaking rules. Running through the hallways, chasing invisible monsters to save the Empire. Hakuyuu was the stern big brother. Always calm and abided by the rules. Giving advice. Watching after his younger siblings, so nothing bad happened to them, lecturing Hakuren, when he was too rough with his games. Hakuryuu's favorite big brother was Hakuyuu, although he had played with Hakuren most of the time. But just sitting on Hakuyuu's lap and listening to the advices and stories was fun. Well, he probably like Hakuyuu more, simply because he preferred it more clam and quiet. Hakuei had favored Hakuren.
"Hakuryuu, it is good to be able to see and speak to you again", Hakuyuu said with a faint smile, while placing a hand on Hakuryuu's shoulder.
Hakuryuu could feel the warmth of his brother's hand. It all felt so real and it hurt so much. It was hard to stand upright.

"I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry", Hakuryuu cried, unsure what he was sorry for.
There were a lot he was sorry for. For all the things he had done – his brothers must be disappointed with him – and not done. For not fulfilling their goal of uniting the world and changing the empire in such a way. The once military focused empire had now to adhere to the rules of economy. The times of conquering other counties were over. And he had failed as emperor. He was a failure and a disappointment. How could he look his brothers in the eyes? He was not worth their attention, he was not worth their presence.
Hakuryuu's words were barely understandable, because they were swallowed by his sobbing.
Hakuyuu and Hakuren looked at each other, unsure what to say or do. Their little brother always had been an emotional person and easily started to cry, but it also had always been easy to make him smile again, yet they felt so helpless. What was he sorry for? He hadn't done anything wrong to them.
"Stop crying, Hakuryuu. You're such a crybaby", Hakuren teased his little brother, hoping it would help.
However, it did not work at all.
"Hakuren is right, Hakuryuu. There is no reason for you to cry or to apologize to us. Actually, it is me, who should apologize to you", Hakuyuu agreed with Hakuren.
"I … I am sorry. I am sorry for disappointing you two. I failed with everything! I've … I've done so many horrible things! You died protecting me and I failed you two so much! I am so sorry! I … I …", Hakuryuu cried not able to finish his own sentence. His feet no longer would hold him upright and he got down on his knees. His chest hurt. More and more tears streamed down his face. Memories of the fire incident occupied his mind. All the blood on the ground together with the corpses of his brothers and the smell of burned flesh. Soldiers, who had sworn to protect the royal family and fight for the empire had attacked them and murdered Hakuren. Hakuyuu had used his last bit of power to protect Hakuryuu from the flames with his own blood – Hakuyuu had died because of it. Somehow Hakuryuu had survived. Severely injured, but he had survived. Half of his body had been burned and was now scarred for the rest of eternity, but he was still alive.
"It's alright Hakuryuu. You haven't failed us at all", Hakuyuu tried to assure his youngest sibling.
The former crown prince got down on his knees as well and hugged Hakuryuu. Tenderly he stroked over Hakuryuu's back to calm the latter one down. Hakuryuu, on the other hand, clung to his oldest brother. It felt so real! He could see his dead brother, he could heard them, could feel them, could touch them and he could smell them. It was like back then, when they were still alive, when everything was still alright.
Hakuren also lowered himself and said with a soft voice: "He is right, Hakuryuu. You did not fail us at all. You did what you thought was best and you did your best to make things right. We saw you struggling and we are proud of you. You've changed a lot since we last saw each other."
"As I said, there is no reason for you to be sorry. I am the one to apologize. You were just a mere child back then and I burdened you with our revenge and defeating an enemy not even our father could defeat. I've asked for the impossible. Never had I expected that you would be alone with those tasks. I've thought that our family and supporters would also support you, but instead they opposed you. I am sorry. I was blinded by my rage and caused you so much pain with it. Please forgive me", Hakuyuu apologized.
"But I've done so many bad things and I've fallen into depravity and caused a civil war."
This time Hakuryuu's word were better to understand, however he still didn't stop crying. He was overwhelmed by his own emotions. Honestly, this was too much for him. There was a lot he wanted to say and do and apologize for and talk about. The pain in his chest grow bigger.
"You are right, you've done bad things, just like Hakuyuu and I did. We may have gone to war, because we wanted to create a peaceful world, but in the end that does not change the fact that we murdered others and caused them to suffer. You did what you did and you realized that you have chosen the wrong way sometimes. It is a good thing to learn from one's mistakes. You learned your lesson. Things could have been different, if you had chosen to be more open, but it is also understandable that you kept quiet. You were traumatized by the fire incident, by learning that you cannot even trust your own family, so why should you trust anyone anymore? We are not disappointed with you. Actually, we are proud of you. Proud that you never gave up and always tried your best. Proud that you saw your wrong doings and made amends. It is easy to judge and condemn someone else, when oneself is only watching from afar", Hakuren now tried to assure Hakuryuu.
Hakuyuu always had blamed himself for all the things his youngest brother had to go through ever since they had died. It had been him, who had told Hakuryuu about their mother. It had been him, who had told Hakuryuu to take back the empire and avenge Hakuren and him. Back then he had thought that their cousins and retainers would support Hakuryuu as future emperor. However, he had been wrong. Instead of support his little brother had been pushed aside and looked down upon. Seeing this had hurt Hakuyuu. Hakuren was the one, who now lectured Hakuyuu for what the latter one had done. On the other hand, what else should he have done? Not telling Hakuryuu anything about the danger? Hakuryuu had loved his mother the most and would have turned into a puppet of hers – he had been one anyway – if he hadn't known, who she really was.

None of them could change the past anymore. What had been done, had been done. All they could do now, was to make sure not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Well, this was all Hakuryuu could do.
That was the reason why Hakuren tried to change the subject of their conversation. Talking about the fire was depressing and Hakuryuu was still crying. He wanted his little brother to smile again and laugh with them. Their time together was limited, hence should not be wasted by negative thoughts and conversations. Hakuren wanted to give a lot of brotherly advices to Hakuryuu. And he wanted Hakuryuu to meet the really Ren Gyokuen and their father Hakutoku. Those two were also here, standing a few meters away, watching their children.
Gyokuen was afraid of approaching her child. She hasn't done anything bad, but for Hakuryuu her appearance was linked to her imposter Arba and all the horrible things she had put him through. Hakutoku, on the other hand, was not sure, what he was supposed to do. What was expected of him? He and Hakuryuu had barely any interacting due to Hakutoku spending most of his time with meetings or on the battlefield. Consequently, he barely knew anything about his third son. Should he give him some advice? Was he allowed to do so? Did his youngest child even wanted advice from him?
Hakuryuu did not pay attention to Gyokuen and Hakutoku, because he was too occupied with his brothers, with talking and listening to them. For so many years he had wished to meet them for one last time, so he could say goodbye and tell them that he had loved them, that he still loved them and was sorry for the things he had done and that he was fine now. He wanted to hear their voice for one last time, laugh with them and hug them. Just one last time, even if it was just for a second. Never had he thought that this wish would be granted!