Chapter Text
Finale
After all parties went their separate ways, Stelle was never seen again. Confined to Hoolay’s side, she was no longer allowed to venture out. The last bit of her freedom had been stripped from her as punishment for defying his will.
As Hoolay had initially warned Moze about, the Yaoqing had begun to make their preparations... for calling martial law. When that time comes, Hoolay and his followers would be ready to fight.
Over the coming days, Moze kept his attention firmly fixed on his duties as a Shadow Guard. However, his thoughts would inevitably stray to Stelle. He found himself feeling an uncomfortable ache of some kind in his chest every time she came to mind. Her words from the day they met came back to mock him.
He couldn’t save everyone, no matter how hard he tried. And she was yet another person he couldn’t seem to help. Her complete absence was hard to ignore.
He tried to dismiss the feeling- to tell himself that it didn’t matter. That he was too busy to worry about the likes of her. But the feeling persists against his will.
Two weeks later, on the day martial law had commenced, Hoolay gathered his subordinates to rally for the fight.
Amid his speech, Stelle was in her room going through her belongings, bidding a final goodbye to the place, when she laid eyes on something familiar folded neatly in her drawers.
Moze’s cloak.
’The next person you find who needs help, leave them my cloak. I’ll know.’
Those were the words he said to her when he passed it on. His promise.
So much for that.
A bittersweet smile forms on her face as she picks it up fondly. Even though things didn't go the way she hoped, he'd really been a boon to her. A true symbol of hope in her life. As she clutches the cloak closely in her arms, she could only feel glad to have met him.
While the rallied crowds were preparing to march, Hoolay had called Stelle to his office to have a word. It seemed he had something important to say.
“You called?” she answered upon entering.
“You’ve done well as of late. Quite obedient. I’d like to reward you with your freedom as thanks for your relentless loyalty. You can consider yourself unleashed once this is all over. Am I clear?” he said.
“Yes, master,” she nods with acknowledgement.
“Good. Then let’s be on our way, shall we?”
Stelle knew better. She knows exactly what he truly meant. He'd said it before...
'The only freedom you will ever gain is through death...'
She steeled herself as he walked away from his desk.
I will set us free. All of us. I promise.
She recited the words to herself with resolve, before Hoolay swiftly gashed at her abdomen with his claws, sending her flying to the wall with incredible force...
...all while she’d managed to throw a poisonous dagger at him and successfully penetrated his neck.
If she was going to die, then she was taking him down with her.
She coughed up blood after sliding down the wall to the floor. Excruciating pain from her wounds left her paralyzed, and the quick loss of blood was rendering her to lose consciousness.
“Y-You… son of a-“ Hoolay fell over onto the ground. When did she find the time to secure poison?
Then it occurred to him. Oh... of course. She must’ve gotten it after meeting that shadow guard. Damn her, cunning... I was.... careless...........
And then everything went black.
The muffled war cries of those rallied outside could be heard, signifying the battle had begun- unaware that their leader had just been killed.
Stelle’s final thoughts before passing out were filled with relief that the bastard was finally dealt with... and the regret that she would not get to see Moze one last time. If only to thank him for what he'd done.
Moze was on the battlefield fighting alongside his fellow Guards on his orders. His focus was fixed on the task at hand; eliminating the enemy and protecting his allies and civilians in the process.
He moved through the chaos like a silent whirlwind, slicing down anyone and anything that dared threaten him. No room to think about anything else when your life is on the line. Not even for Stelle.
As time went on, with so many lives lost on both sides, the war became futile and the battle eventually came to an end... on the grounds that a truce was made to end the bloodshed and make an effort for peace talks.
Many mourned the loss of their loved ones. And it was only during this time that one of the undergrounders thought to question Hoolay’s whereabouts. No one knew where he was. No one had seen him at all.
Jiaoqiu, a foxian healer, was scouting for survivors amongst the rubble with Moze in tow. A sudden holler from afar could be heard from one of the underground dwellers.
“We found him!”
Others began to gather at the location, full of hope that their leader was well. Only to be met with quite a shock, when they were told that he'd been found deceased in his own office.
“What? Who killed him!?” one of his most devoted followers demanded to know.
“I think we’re looking at 'em...” another pointed at the answer. To Stelle, who was the only other person in the same room. Lying still against the wall in a large pool of blood -a wound that could have only come from Hoolay himself.
With the news spreading like wildfire, it didn’t take long for it to reach Moze’s ears. And eyes.
He froze. Eyes wide. Thoughts having come to a halt as the words went through his head.
She... died?
What made his chest tighten most was the fact that... she was even wearing his cloak.
The pang in his chest felt like a knife had struck through him. The memories of their earlier interactions since their first meeting flashed across his mind. The smug looks, the defiance, her annoying flirts and touches, her obnoxiously coy taunts, her sincerity towards her fellow victims, the no-nonsense attitude she had towards the powerful figures she disliked, the warmth he felt on the dagger she returned to him... never to be seen again...?
“Let me see,” Jiaoqiu pushed through the growing crowd, insisting on confirming for himself. He checked Hoolay’s body first. The dagger visibly plunged all the way to the hilt into the side of his neck, and notably laced with the purple liquid that seeped out -the poison.
He shakes his head, informing the others of his fate. “Dead. By poisoning,” he states. Then his gaze falls on Stelle. His eyes widen. Wait… He recognized that cloak.
Surprised, he instinctively looks over at Moze, who was standing there with a shocking expression he never thought possible.
The look of a man with a shattered heart.
He knew her?
The sight of her wounds would be enough to know it was fatal. But as a doctor, he was bound to check and truly confirm the status regardless. Especially, for the sake of a close comrade, who never showed his emotions.
When Jiaoqiu closely inspected her, he could've sworn he felt a pulse. Barely noticeable to the average person, but to a well-experienced doctor, it was there.
“She’s… alive,” he said under his breath. “She’s alive! Quickly! Help me get her to medical. Now!”
There was no telling how much time she had left.
Moze didn’t hesitate. In an instant, he zoomed through the crowd, shrouded by dark mist, towards Stelle’s motionless form. He gently lifted her into his arms, cradling her close.
Jiaoqiu was already barking orders to clear a path as Moze followed close behind.
She wasn’t gone yet. He truly hoped she could make it. And if she did, he’d make sure this never happened again.
Hours had gone by. Jiaoqiu tended to Stelle’s injuries, with relentless determination as best as he could in solitude. Moze’s actions towards her idly sat in the back of his mind, fueling his will.
As one of his closest friends, he could tell that Stelle was very important to him, even if Moze himself didn’t actually realize it. He’d make sure he would be able to bring Moze good news.
With the last surgery done and his patient in stable condition, Jiaoqiu leaves the room to meet with his comrade.
“The worst has passed. Your friend will live,” he informs. “A rather stupendous miracle, I must say. She’s incredibly lucky to have survived that long enough for me to help her, as fatal a wound it was," he comments. "But, I’ve done everything I can for now. She will be needing a lot of rest during her recovery. I'm not really supposed to do this, but... just this once, I’ll allow you to see her,” he gives him a firm pat on the shoulder as he walks past, offering him some privacy.
Moze nodded in silent gratitude, still attempting to maintain his poker face. Though, the look in his eyes hinted at the relief he was feeling.
He took a deep breath before walking into the medical room. He approached her bed slowly, footsteps light and careful not to disturb her rest. He stared down at her, taking in the sight of her current state. As he took a seat beside her bed, his hand moved of its own accord, grasping hers with a grip that was unusually tender.
Eventually, Stelle woke to him sitting there. It took her a long moment to realize she was very much alive and currently bedridden.
“Well... this is a predicament. My entertainment is here sulking at my bedside. Come now, you can’t be looking at me like that,” her voice came out raspy, but there was still enough strength in it to emit that playful and teasing tone that had begun to grow on him.
It was only matched by the rare look of sorrow on his face. The guilt he felt for not trying hard enough to save her. He didn’t let go of her hand, grounding the two to the present moment.
“Don’t talk. You’re still recovering,” he said sternly. The edge from before was gone.
“Aww~ prince charming actually cares about little ol’ me? How cute,” she beamed. She missed messing with him.
She sighs. What a joke.
Here she thought she’d be dead after Hoolay’s attack. She planned to take him to hell with her if it meant freeing the others from his rule. Willing to accept that the only thing she wanted, the only thing she couldn’t have, was the desire to see Moze again.
Apparently, death didn't want her. There she was, lying there bandaged and stitched with a wound that would leave scars for life. And with Moze sitting right there beside her.
“Tch! Fate sure has a way of toying with me,” she spoke to herself before shutting her eyes.
Moze had no response to that. Not with words, at least.
Instead, he reached up slowly, almost hesitantly, and brushed a loose strand of her grey locks away from her face, his fingers lingering just a moment too long near her temple. His voice was low when he finally spoke.
“You’re not allowed to die. Not without my permission.”
His tone was flat, but beneath it, a crack in the armor. Something raw.
Although his words fell on deaf ears since she’d fallen asleep... The exhaustion had wiped her of any energy she had left. Her days would surely be filled with much needed sleep until her wounds healed.
It was a shame she wasn’t awake to feel Moze planting a delicate kiss to her head.
…And secretly watching from outside the room, was Jiaoqiu.
Good for you. He smiled, happy to see that his friend had found someone special.
A couple of months passed before Stelle was finally cleared to be up and about again.
“You’ve recovered wonderfully. Though you will carry those scars for the rest of your life, let it be a reminder of the miracle you fought for and earned. Your freedom,” Jiaoqiu smiled.
“Thanks, Doc! Mmm! It’s good to be up~ No offense.” Stelle performed the largest stretch she ever did in ages.
“Haha! None taken. Now off you go. If I recall, Moze should be in his office right now. With your divine beauty gracing his vicinity, no doubt he’ll be elated to catch a surprise break from all that exhausting paperwork,” he added.
Sly fox.
“Hehehe~ You read my mind,” she winked. And off she went.
Moze was indeed buried under an unholy amount of paperwork. Reports, documents, forms, notes... everything. His jaw was clenched in barely restrained annoyance as he signed off on yet another tiresome report.
The sound of the door opening all of a sudden caught his attention. It was supposed to be locked. His eyes flit up from the document in his hand, exhaustion already well-worn into his expression.
Only, when he saw the door open, there was no one there. That familiar foreboding creeped into his gut.
And then suddenly-
“Down here, pretty boy~” Stelle’s head randomly emerged between his legs from beneath his desk, wearing that delicious smirk.
Moze had to struggle suppressing a startled jolt at the unexpected intrusion. His face went from surprised to annoyed in a matter of seconds. He glared down at her. “...You’re unbelievable.”
But even as he said the words, his shoulders visibly relaxed, now aware of no real threat.
Stelle couldn’t hide her victorious chuckle as she slowly rose to her feet, pressing a finger to his lips as she playfully uttered a hush, before cupping his face and gracing his lips with her own.
She let them linger for a few moments before pulling away swiftly- stopping before the doorway after flipping backwards over the desk, just to stick her tongue out with her hands behind her back. Cheeky brat.
He went still. The warm tingle that bloomed on his lips as she kissed him was gone as quickly as she pulled away. And her audacity to wink at him with her tongue out....
Damn this woman!
He was up in an instant. Before she could escape, he caught her around the waist and pushed her against the door, where he could take a good long look at her.
“Ohoho~ When predator meets predator,” she purred under her breath, meeting his eyes with an alluring glint.
She was dressed clad in brand new garments that matched the color scheme of his uniform -courtesy of Jiaoqiu- and of course, it had to stay as shamelessly revealing as her old clothes.
And her scar....
Moze lightly grazed his fingertips along that dark memory across her abdomen, before leaning in. “Then you won’t mind if I keep you.”
He then ported her to his desk through his shadowy mist, and had her laid across it, hovering himself over her while pressed between her legs.
Lilac eyes burned with a silent intensity that equally matched her lustfully golden gaze. There was no hiding what was there behind that mask of his; longing, possessiveness, desire.
Before she could tease him again- he kissed her. Not gently. Not remotely close. Firm. Assertive. Claiming. Like he’d been waiting months to do it....
...Who was he kidding? He absolutely had.
~Fin