Chapter Text
I grieve and dare not show my discontent,
I love and yet am forced to seem to hate,
I do, yet dare not say I ever meant,
I seem stark mute but inwardly do prate.
I am and not, I freeze and yet am burned,
Since from myself another self I turned.
- On Monsieur’s Departure, Queen Elizabeth I
***
Today was a day filled with too many turns and bouts for most Glory fans. The end of the twelfth season brought with them the second win of Blue Rain after 6 years. And… The end of the career of two renowned stars of the pro glory stage. Han Wenqing and Zhang Jiale announced that they were retiring from the pro glory world. It happened right after Tyranny got 2nd place, losing to Blue Rain. It wasn’t unexpected for most people, but it still hit harder than most, especially for those who have seen them grow. Even Blue Rain, who won, didn’t make much of a scene and mourned the retirement of the two alongside the fans.
“Senior Han and senior Zhang are two extremely impactful people to the Glory community. We, Blue Rain, wish them good luck on their journey after Glory. May they find greater heights and may their roads ahead be smooth.” Yu Wenzhou commented on behalf of Blue Rain at the press conference after the match with a small and sad smile.
“The end of the brightest era of Glory. The retirements of the pioneer era members and their brightest moments. Read more on page 2”
“Where is Glory’s next stage? Han Wenqing and Zhang Jiale’s retirement sparks discussion between fans.”
“Fans are sad from the retirement and the complete fall of the pioneer generation. Weibo’s top conversations indicate…..”
“Tyranny will be better! We will make the seniors proud!” Song Qiying announced in his first press conference as vice president. “Tyranny won’t fall!”
***
Han Wenqing refused the suggestion from the club to continue working there behind the scenes as a coach or as a technician. He already made plans to work in his parents' shop. While packing his bags, Zhang Xinjie walked in and just stared at the empty room, memories from before hogging his mind. “Xinjie, you’re here?” Han Wenqing closed his luggage bag and stood up. “Captain.”
Han Wenqing sighed, “You’re the captain now, remember?” Zhang Xinjie chose to reply with silence, or maybe, he just didn’t know what was suitable to say to the one person that has been a constant in his life for over a decade on the day of his leaving. “Take care of Tyranny for me won’t you?” Han Wenqing said after a moment of silence. Han Wenqing left with all his belongings and Desert Dust’s card was already put at Song Qiying’s place in the training room. He didn’t want to face him, this is perhaps why he and Wei Chen could be best friends. Zhang Jiale has already left a few days ago but Han Wenqing has some last things to settle before his leaving. Zhang Jiale decided to go to Beijing, to meet up with Sun Zheping again.
Han Wenqing’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He didn’t check it, he didn’t have the energy since 8 times out of 10 it would be from the pro players’ QQ group. If he checked it though, he would have found him and Zhang Jiale being added into a QQ group named “Best Generation(s)”.
***
Best Generation(s):
Ghosthunter King: What??? Little Wenqing retired??
Flower Pretty: Why is my name like this? Also have you been living under a rock, Old Guo?
Ego Monster: Don’t you like it? We made it just for you.
Flower Pretty: WTF old Ye?!
The best Junior: You also retired, Lele?
Flower Pretty: WAIT WHY IS OLD LIN’S NAME SO BETTER THAN MINE?!
Shameless Bandit: It’s not wrong. You and Little Sun literally taunted us seniors the first time you met us. Like the little shits you are.
Cloud Weeeeee: If it makes you feel better Lele, look at my name.
Flower Pretty: LMAO
Shameless Bandit: LMAO
Ego Monster: LMAO
….
Tiger babysitter: …
Wizard Dad: @Ghosthunter King named it XD.
Ghosthunter King: I’m a genius, don’t be jealous of my talent.
***
The moment Han Wenqing arrived home, which didn’t take long, he ignored his parents' excited welcome and just stayed low and helped his mother prepare dinner. He was quiet the entire time, speaking only when he needed his parents to pass the dish. His parents were caught up in planning meetings with potential partners and complaining about how Han Wenqing spent so much time playing games that he is now with nothing of expertise.
“This is something that doesn’t attract women! How will you continue the Han line?” His mother rambled on. “I have planned out meetings with some of my friends’ daughters. You’ll find one that you want to marry.” Han Wenqing just quietly nodded. Fighting back will only make it longer.
Dinner never felt so long and dragging.
Han Wenqing’s room still looked like it did when he returned during Chinese New Year just the year before. The older computer on his study table from years before still connected to a Glory card scanner. The old bed creaked and he laid on his bed and finally felt the sadness catch up to him. He felt numb the days before, rushing through a series of procedures to ensure Zhang Xinjie’s appointment to captain and the transfer of Desert Dust to Song Qiying went smoothly. Han Wenqing stared at the ceiling of his room and slowly, he fell into deep sleep, and if there were any dreams about him standing on a stage with the champion trophy beside him, that was between him and the Goddess of Glory.
***
Wei Chen's eyes hurt and felt so dry as he controlled his warlord burner account to snatch the wild boss that was newly spawned. He lit a cigarette and put it into his mouth. The taste of nicotine slowly filled his mouth and lungs. On the screen, the chaotic battle between the players started. Wei Chen’s character, Coolest Warlock Ever, ducked and fought back against the crowd. The wild boss still ended up in Happy’s pocket.
Wei Chen rubbed his eyes and placed the finished cigarette butt into the prepared ash urn just a few centimetres away from his monitor. “Good job guys!” Wu Chen congratulated them. His computer pinged from a message from one of the guild members about a new wild boss that spawned. “It seems like today is our lucky day, isn’t it Wei ge?” Wu Chen laughed as he turned back to the computer. “Yeah, especially with lao zi here.” Wei Chen grinned, a cigarette newly lit already in his mouth. Wu Chen had opened up after 2 and more years of working in Happy. The quiet guild leader turned into an optimistic and positive one.
Wei Chen and the rest of the original team are happy to see him moving on from the disband of his original team. He is now one of them fully and Wu Chen himself actually feels happy working in the guild according to one conversation between him and Chen Guo. Wei Chen is extremely jealous.
Don’t get him wrong, Wei Chen understands that he could never be a part of the team again with his age in the way and Happy is flourishing even without him. He already has a champion under his belt and that is more than most people could honestly wish for. He shouldn’t be complaining.
But to be honest, he missed the adrenaline of the stage. The sweat and the tension. The energy of the fans, the high of winning and the lows of losing.
Life in the guild is repetitive and boring to say the least. Every day turned out to be exactly the same. Wake up, eat whatever meal of the day that was suitable for the time, log in to Glory, fight and go down into levelling areas and try to beat the record, putting the things into the storage of the guild, make sure the newbies are entrusted to someone who is reliable, fight the wild boss when it spawns, clear all of his levelling areas’ turns, log out, eat whatever meal of the day that was suitable, sleep. Repeat it all tomorrow.
The day passed in a blur. The thought of leaving like he did years before at Blue Rain flashed through his mind but he put it out before it could even grow. Wei Chen dragged his feet into the room he shared with Ye Xiu. Snoring came from the bed Ye Xiu occupied. Ye Xiu came back a few days ago to catch up and is now fast asleep in the bed next to his.
Wei Chen only had energy to brush his teeth and quickly fell asleep. His mind is still spinning from different tactics to face the pro players when summer holiday season starts. At least it won't be boring with so many pro players in the Heavenly Domain along with them.
Dreams and memories are one and the same to him, at least for tonight.
***
“Passengers taking the 6p.m. plane to B city can start boarding now at Gate 3. If you have any enquiries or need any help, please ask our staff nearby.” The announcement over the speakers prompted Zhang Jiale to stand up and move towards the boarding gate.
Zhang Jiale was a lucky person in most aspects of life except Glory, the part which mattered to him the most. He always got to buy the things he wanted, go where he wanted but could never touch the champion trophy. Even with such last minute ticket buying, he still got a window seat.
He secured his mask and pulled his hood lower to prevent getting himself recognised. The music that he downloaded beforehand played through his earphones and he stared out of the window. The plane started moving right on time.
Zhang Jiale murmured a goodbye to Q city. The houses and buildings on the ground slowly shrunk and shrunk until they faded out of sight. Zhang Jiale felt emotional, he bade goodbye to the place that took him in when now one else did.
Arriving at Beijing didn’t take much time. Sun Zheping came to fetch him back to his new home for how long he needed. The moment he told Sun Zheping he wanted to retire, the former captain immediately invited him to join him in B city. Sun Zheping retired from Heavenly Sword during the winter transfer period. According to him, he was still in B city because of a family business that needed his supervision. Zhang Jiale felt betrayed when he learnt that Sun Zheping’s family was rich. Did Hundred Blossoms suffer through poverty for nothing?!
Sun Zheping’s apartment is quite big by B city standards, with two rooms and a bathroom. One of the rooms was cleared out for Zhang Jiale to use. However, that night, they fully utilised the usage of Sun Zheping’s beer storage.
The night passed fast and Zhang Jiale was sobbing into Sun Zheping’s shoulders before midnight even arrived. “Why can’t I become champion? Am I so weak?” Sun Zheping placed a comforting hand onto his shoulder. “No no, you’re good. One of the best even!”
It was a mess of tears and beer and Sun Zheping found himself steering Zhang Jiale to the bathroom to vomit. “Don’t you feel disappointed too? Big Sun?” “Hmm?” Zhang Jiale was half asleep as he mumbled, “You could have more chances to compete if you haven’t suffered that injury.” After that, Zhang Jiale fell asleep in his hands.
“Of course.” Sun Zheping said softly. Who wouldn’t be?
Zhang Jiale was placed in his bed by Sun Zheping who cleaned everything up after. He collapsed in his own bed and unconsciously pulled the hand that was hurt closer to himself. That night, the duo dreamt of the same blue sky and the same smiling faces.
***
Ensanguining the skies
How heavily it dies
Into the west away;
Past touch and sight and sound
Not further to be found,
How hopeless under ground
Falls the remorseful day.
- How Clear, How Lovely Bright, A.E Housman