The journey had begun, but for some, it was already proving to be a test of patience.
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Scene 1: The Art of Annoyance
The dirt road stretched endlessly before them, flanked by thick forests on either side. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting golden patches of light onto the path. It was the perfect setting for an epic adventure—or at least it would have been, if not for the constant bickering.
"Stop walking so close to me," Devran muttered.
"I'm not," Tianlan replied lazily, arms behind his head.
"Yes, you are!"
"I walk where I please," Tianlan smirked.
Vihaan, who had been watching the argument like a spectator at a play, finally sighed. "If you two are done flirting, we should pick up the pace."
Devran nearly choked. "FLIRTING?!"
Tianlan smirked wider. "Don't deny it, Devran. You seem awfully obsessed with my movements."
Saanvi covered her laugh with a cough, while Vihaan looked completely unbothered.
"I swear, I'm traveling with lunatics," Devran groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
---
Scene 2: The Genius Doctor (Not Really)
As the day went on, the group found a small clearing near a stream to rest. Devran sat on a rock, sharpening his sword, while Saanvi rummaged through her bag.
"You know," Tianlan said, sitting cross-legged on a log, "I heard people call you 'a brilliant healer' at the festival."
Saanvi froze for half a second before regaining composure. "Oh? Did they?"
Vihaan looked up with mild amusement. "Interesting. So, you can patch up wounds, cure illnesses, and heal broken bones?"
Saanvi waved a hand dismissively. "Well, I wouldn't say broken bones, exactly..."
Devran glanced up suspiciously. "Wait. Do you even know medicine?"
Saanvi avoided eye contact. "I mean… how hard can it be?"
Tianlan's grin widened. "Oh? Then what would you do if someone got stabbed?"
Saanvi paused. "Um. I'd… tell them to stop bleeding so much?"
Silence.
"...We're all going to die," Devran muttered.
Vihaan, for the first time, actually laughed. "I like her. This journey just got interesting."
Tianlan wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "If I get injured, just leave me for dead."
Saanvi huffed. "Well, fine! I might not be a real doctor, but I do know how to brew some medicines!"
Tianlan leaned forward. "Do they actually work?"
"...Most of the time," she said under her breath.
Vihaan smirked. "Wonderful. I always wanted to know what it feels like to be poisoned."
Saanvi threw a pebble at him.
---
Scene 3: A New Journey Begins
As the sun dipped into the horizon, the four of them gathered around a small fire. The warmth flickered against their faces, shadows dancing along the ground.
Devran poked at the flames with a stick. "So, if we're traveling together, we need a goal."
"My goal is simple," Tianlan said. "I have unfinished business to take care of."
Devran narrowed his eyes. "You're being vague on purpose."
Tianlan smirked. "Perhaps."
Saanvi sighed. "Well, as long as no one is plotting world dominance, I'm fine with it."
Vihaan chuckled, but said nothing.
"And what about you, Vihaan?" Devran asked.
Vihaan looked at the flames, a mysterious glint in his silver eyes. "I'm searching for something."
Saanvi tilted her head. "What is it?"
Vihaan smiled. "If I told you, it wouldn't be fun, would it?"
Tianlan rolled his eyes. "Great. Another cryptic traveler."
Devran exhaled, rubbing his temples. "This is going to be a long journey."
Saanvi patted his shoulder. "Cheer up, Devran. Think of this as an adventure!"
"Adventures are only fun when you're not surrounded by questionable people," Devran muttered.
Vihaan smirked. "You wound me, prince."
Tianlan stretched. "Enough talking. I'm sleeping."
As they settled for the night, none of them knew what fate had in store. For in the coming days, the real journey would begin.
And secrets would start to unravel.
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Scene 4: The Imperial Headache
Location: The Imperial Capital – Wei Zhan's Palace
While Devran and his group set off on their journey, deep inside the grand halls of the Imperial Palace, Wei Zhan was having a terrible day.
His newly appointed bodyguard, Xie Lian, was proving to be infuriatingly diligent.
"We leave at dawn, Your Highness," Xie Lian stated, standing tall beside the prince's desk.
Wei Zhan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "And remind me why exactly I agreed to this nonsense?"
Xie Lian's expression didn't change. "Because you insisted on investigating the rumors about the Celestial Master. And because your enemies grow bolder."
Wei Zhan sighed dramatically. "So now I have a babysitter."
Xie Lian blinked. "A bodyguard, Your Highness."
"Same thing."
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Scene 5: The Reluctant Partnership
As dawn broke over the palace walls, Wei Zhan and Xie Lian prepared to leave the capital.
Wei Zhan, dressed in plain traveler's robes, grumbled as he adjusted his belt. "You know, if I wanted to disappear quietly, why did I end up with someone who looks like an imperial soldier following me?"
Xie Lian, in armor-less, simple robes, merely raised an eyebrow. "Would you prefer if I wore a clown's outfit instead?"
Wei Zhan smirked. "That would at least make this trip entertaining."
Xie Lian ignored him and adjusted the sword at his waist. "Our mission is simple: Follow the trail leading to the rumored Celestial Master. Keep a low profile. And make sure you don't get yourself killed."
Wei Zhan grinned. "Oh? You sound worried about me."
Xie Lian didn't react. "I would rather not explain to the Emperor why his favorite son was murdered on a fool's errand."
Wei Zhan laughed. "You're so cold, Xie Lian. Are you sure you're not a demon in disguise?"
Xie Lian gave him a flat look. "If I were, you would be dead by now."
Wei Zhan's grin widened. "Now that sounds like a threat. I think I like you."
Xie Lian sighed. "This is going to be a long journey."
---
Scene 6: Paths Destined to Cross
As Wei Zhan and Xie Lian rode out of the capital, their journey had officially begun.
What neither of them knew was that, miles ahead, another group of travelers—Devran, Tianlan, Saanvi, and Vihaan—were on the same path.
Their fates were about to intertwine.
And destiny was about to unfold.
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