The fireflies flickered in the night, casting a soft glow over the crumbling streets of the lower districts. The rebellion simmered quietly beneath the surface, the Fireflies' influence growing with each passing day. It had started as a whisper, a fleeting hope for change, but now, it was becoming a full-fledged movement. Yet, the Lords paid little attention to it—at least, that's what they told themselves.
Inside the great hall of Lord Zhen's estate, the atmosphere was tense. The Lords had gathered again, as they often did, to discuss matters of great importance. The others, Xian, Shao, and Xun, along with Lady Moria, sat at the long table, each of them looking far too calm for the world outside.
Zhen stood at the head of the table, his hands clasped behind his back. His piercing eyes scanned the room, but his thoughts were far from the present. Jian Liang was coming into his power, and with it, the burden of what had to be done. Zhen had protected his son from the truth for so long, but the time was coming when he would no longer be able to shield him from the reality of their existence.
Moria's eyes met Zhen's across the table, her gaze sharp as ever. She knew what was coming—she could feel the change in the air. Even now, as they spoke of tactics and strategies to keep the rebellion at bay, her thoughts were elsewhere. There was something else they weren't talking about. The real power.
"Zhen," Moria spoke quietly, breaking the silence. "Are we prepared for what's coming? When Jian Liang finds out?"
Zhen stiffened at her words. His jaw tightened, and for the briefest moment, his composure cracked. It was just enough for the others to see, for the tension to rise.
"We've discussed this already," Zhen replied, his voice a low growl. "Jian Liang will know when the time is right. Until then, we keep him in the dark."
Shao, the youngest of the Lords, looked up from his hands, his voice laced with caution. "You're playing a dangerous game, Zhen. The boy is growing restless. He'll start asking questions, and when he does, we may not have the answers. The truth is a dangerous weapon."
Zhen's eyes narrowed, but he held his ground. "The boy is not ready. No one is. We are the Lords because we bear the burden of power that no one else can hold. And we have done so for centuries. The curse runs deep, deeper than any of you truly understand."
Xian, ever the silent observer, spoke up, his voice smooth, almost too calm. "The truth is that we can't afford to lose Jian Liang. He's our only hope for survival. But we can't let him know why he is different. If he learns the truth, everything we've built could collapse."
There was an air of inevitability in his voice, something that seemed to shake the room even more than Zhen's words had. The Lords knew that the curse was both a blessing and a curse. It had given them power, but it had also sealed their fates. None of them could produce heirs, none of them could father a child who would inherit the legacy of the Lords.
Except for Jian Liang.
Moria leaned forward, her sharp eyes glinting with something that could only be described as frustration. "Zhen, you're gambling with everything. We may not have a choice in the matter soon. The boy must understand what he's about to inherit, or he will be as lost as the rest of us."
Zhen's gaze hardened. He had spent his life hiding the truth from Jian Liang, keeping him sheltered from the darkness that lay at the heart of their world. He had watched his son grow stronger, his potential becoming undeniable, and yet… the boy remained unaware of the price he would one day have to pay.
"Enough," Zhen said, cutting through the rising tension. "The boy will learn when the time comes. Until then, we have more pressing matters. The Fireflies grow bolder with each passing day, and we cannot afford to waste time. We must focus on securing our power."
But even as he said the words, he knew deep down that the Fireflies were not their greatest threat. The real danger lay in what Jian Liang would soon discover. The truth that none of them could escape.
---
The following days passed in a haze of duty and responsibility. Jian Liang continued his training, honing his skills in preparation for the challenges that lay ahead. Yet, he was unaware of the growing weight of the expectations placed upon him. To him, everything was as it should be—his father, Lord Zhen, was a man of authority, a figure to be obeyed without question.
As Zhen spent more time with Jian Liang, the bond between them grew stronger. Zhen's influence over his son was absolute, and Jian Liang, steadfast in his obedience, followed his father's commands without hesitation. He never once questioned why his father did what he did or why the Lords met in secret. There was no need for doubt in Jian Liang's heart. His father's actions were justified in his eyes, and to question them would be a betrayal.
One night, as Zhen and Jian Liang walked the palace grounds, the silence between them was comfortable, a familiar companion. Jian Liang was content to be in his father's presence, to listen to his words and learn. The night was peaceful, the stars above offering their quiet watch over the estate.
"Father," Jian Liang spoke after a long pause, his voice steady, but carrying a trace of curiosity. "What are we going to do about the rebellion? The Fireflies… they are becoming more bold."
Zhen's gaze softened slightly as he looked at his son. "Do not concern yourself with such things, Jian Liang. Focus on your training. When the time comes, I will guide you. You must be ready."
Jian Liang nodded without hesitation. His father's words were enough. There was no need to worry about the details. Whatever his father decided would be the right course of action.
"You are the heir," Zhen continued, his voice laced with quiet pride. "One day, all of this will be yours. And you will lead us with the strength that I have taught you."
Jian Liang felt a surge of pride, but it was tempered by the familiarity of his father's constant teachings. He had heard them all before. There was no question in his mind that he would fulfill his father's expectations. Obedience was not only natural to him—it was his duty.
He glanced up at his father, his expression sincere. "I will make you proud, Father. I will always follow your path."
Zhen smiled, his gaze full of approval. "I know you will, my son. You are destined for greatness."
As the night drew on, Jian Liang felt no unease, no confusion about the path laid before him. The truth, whatever it was, would remain hidden, and there was no need for him to seek it out. His father had provided him with all he needed to know. There was nothing more.
---
That night, as Jian Liang lay in his bed, his thoughts drifted to the future. He had everything he could ever need—strength, purpose, and the unwavering support of his father. He didn't need to ask questions. He didn't need to search for answers. His place was clear, and the future would unfold as it was meant to.
When the time came, he would rise to the occasion. Until then, there was no reason to worry.