How To Hide The Tyrant's Child In The Apocalypse

AT THE SAME TIME

EMPEROR LIANWEI POINT OF VIEW:

I stood there, the weight of the room pressing down on me as I bent to gather my few belongings. But then a cold thought sliced through the haze of my emotions — what if she isn't her? The one I've been searching for all these years?

My fingers froze over the worn cloak in my hands. I looked up at Mei Shen, her gentle face filled with concern and something tender I wasn't sure I deserved anymore. I swallowed hard, the truth twisting inside me.

"I need to say something before I go." I started, voice low and rough. "I'm not sure… if you're the one I've been looking for."

Her eyes widened just a fraction, but she said nothing, waiting.

"It's not that I don't trust you. You've saved me when no one else would. But after everything… I can't let myself believe it, not yet."I said.

I bent back down and stuffed the last things into my bag, my hands shaking just a little. 

"I have to keep searching. Even if it means facing the bitter truth alone. You look like her, but I can't hurt you Mei Sheng."I said softly.

I stood up fully, shoulders heavy but resolve burning inside me. Then, from the corner, I heard a small voice.

"Huan?"I asked.

I turned slowly to see the boy watching me, eyes filled with worry.

"Are you leaving?"He asked.

I didn't answer right away. The silence was thick, but finally, I spoke.

"Yes. For now."I said.

I looked back at Mei Shen, a silent apology in my gaze.

"I'm sorry."I whispered.

I zipped up the worn leather bag, the weight of my decision settling heavier with every movement. As I turned away, a familiar, teasing voice echoed in my mind but this time, it carried an edge of something darker.

"Wait, wait." Zeyrith's tone wavered, a rare tremble slipping through his usual smugness. "You're seriously thinking of leaving now? After all the drama? This was supposed to be your dark romance, not a tragedy."

I clenched my jaw, feeling that invisible pressure squeeze tighter. The god rarely worried, but I could sense his unease, like the delicate balance between fate and despair was tipping.

"Don't mess this up." He warned. "Your story's turning, and not in the way you wanted. If you walk away, it won't just be a goodbye, it'll be a shattered tale."

I glanced back at Mei Shen, her quiet strength anchoring me even as doubts clawed inside. Zeyrith wasn't just teasing anymore. He was scared. And maybe… so was I. The room felt too small, too heavy, as he packed his things with slow, deliberate movements. I could hardly breathe. The silence screamed louder than any words. Suddenly, a voice echoed in my mind, smooth and mocking.

"You're watching him slip away, aren't you? Your perfect dark romance is about to tip into tragedy."He said.

 Zeyrith. That damn god was always lurking when things got messy.

"Let me guess, this is the part where you try to stop him? Spoiler: if you don't, it ends in heartbreak. Again."He said.

I clenched my fists, fighting the cold dread twisting in my chest. 

"Not this time." I whispered. "Not like before."

But the god chuckled, amused. 

"Ah, the stubborn mortal spirit. How quaint."He grinned.

I swallowed hard, heart pounding as I took a step forward. 

"Lianwei, wait. Don't leave. Please."I said.

He paused, hands hovering over his things, but didn't look at me. 

"You don't know who I really am… or if you're the one I'm looking for."He explained.

"No." My voice cracked with desperation. "I can't lose you. Not now."

The god's voice softened, warning now, threading through my thoughts.

"If you don't stop him, if you let this end like before... the tragedy will swallow you whole. This story needs to stay dark, yes, but not broken beyond repair."He said.

I closed the distance between us, tears burning in my eyes. 

"Please. Stay. Fight with me."I said.

His hands dropped, and for a heartbeat, I thought maybe he would. But then, the door creaked open and he was gone. I was left gasping, clutching the cold air where he had stood, Zeyrith's mocking laughter fading into the silence.

His footsteps were fading, each one a painful beat against my heart. I couldn't let him go. Not like this. Not without a fight. Without thinking, I grabbed his bag from the floor, clutching it tightly. 

"Lian Wei, wait!" I called out, voice trembling but fierce.

Behind me, I heard little footsteps padding hurriedly. Huan's small face appeared around the corner, eyes wide and worried.

"Mom, what's wrong? Where's Uncle Lianwei going?"Huan asked.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to steady my voice. 

"He… he's leaving, Huan. But we can't let him. Not yet."I said quickly.

Huan's hand found mine, squeezing gently as he followed close. 

"We have to stop him, mom. Please."Huan said.

I took a deep breath, the weight of the moment crashing down, but determination flaring stronger. 

"You're right. We have to bring him back."I said.

As we hurried after the retreating figure, I could still hear the god's mocking whisper in my mind, but I pushed it away. This time, I would write a different ending.

"Lian Wei!" I shouted, voice cracking. "Please, don't go."

Huan's small voice echoed behind me, full of hope.

"Uncle Lian Wei, stay with us!"Huan shouted.

 Huan's little footsteps pounded behind me, a comforting rhythm that steadied my racing thoughts.

"Lian Wei, please." I called, my voice breaking with desperation. "You don't have to carry this alone. Let me help."

He paused but didn't turn. His shoulders sagged, heavy with a weight I could only guess at. 

"Mei Shen…" His voice was low, rough. "I'm afraid if I stay, I'll only bring more pain to you and Huan."

"No." I whispered fiercely, stepping closer. "You've already saved me more times than I can count. Don't give up on yourself now."

Huan caught up, tugging on my sleeve. 

"Uncle Lian Wei, you can stay. You're part of our family."He said.

His eyes flickered with something, pain, regret, maybe hope and finally, he looked at us both. 

"I don't want to be the burden."He said.

"You're not." I said firmly. "We're in this together."

The god's voice sneered in my head. 

"Careful, Mei Shen. This dark romance might slip into tragedy if you're not careful."He said.

But I swallowed down the fear, choosing hope instead. Whatever the cost, I wouldn't let him walk away, not without a fight. Not when the stakes were this high.

"Please, Lianwei." I said, voice steady. "Stay with us. Fight with us."

Huan grinned, tugging my hand. 

"See? Told you he'd stay."He smiled a bit.

The moment was breaking apart faster than my heart could keep up. Lian Wei's steps faltered before I could even reach out properly. His face twisted with sudden pain as I grabbed his arm to steady him, but it was no use, his legs buckled, and he crumpled, collapsing with a heavy thud into my arms.

"Lian Wei!" I gasped.

"Mom, is he… going to be okay?"Huan asked.

I swallowed hard, struggling to keep my fear from spilling over. 

"I-I don't know, Huan." My voice cracked, barely more than a whisper. "But I won't let him go. Not like this."