Zhuo Yichen was dutifully practicing his sword skills in the beautiful backyard of his house, where peaches were blooming giving him a sweet scent that he always carried deep in his heart. Moving swiftly like the wind, with his divine sword shining a deep blue in power, his steps light and precise, like a master swordsman performing his best masterpiece dance. Though he had no audience, for his skills were only displayed to protect his loved ones and keep the demons at bay, so that mankind could keep their world safe from the destruction the demons had brought centuries ago. His breathing was even, his concentration on channeling the power within himself into the Cloud Light sword, which was a relic from the time of the gods, which complemented his own inherited divine power to face all adversity.
He loved the power that ran through his veins, it was something that made him feel more alive and in control of his own destiny. So, every day, when he wasn't on duty, he went to that magical place at home, surrounded by the trees he loved, where he practiced for hours. It was precisely there that his older brother Zhuo Yixuan found him and smiled at him when he finally noticed his presence, stopping to go to where his brother was waiting patiently.
"Brother, I'm sorry... I was too focused on training. This place is always so peaceful that I don't need to deploy my senses to be aware of others, and your energy is so gentle that I barely feel it." Zhuo Yichen said as he happily hugged his brother, who was also an excellent demon hunter, though his off-duty kindness made his energy hard to recognize. He and his father had joked several times that Yixuan would have made an excellent assassin if their world hadn't been disturbed by the unwanted demons.
Zhuo Yixuan laughed as he hugged his brother back, as they had been separated for months when he had gone out to do reconnaissance in the inner part of the Forest of Convergence were he fight the strongest demons. The Hunters' Citadel was one of the most extreme places in the world, as it was just outside the forest where the two realms converged, hence its name and the place where the fiercest battles take place.
"No need to apologize, I'm just glad to finally see you after so long away from home. How's father?" Yixuan asked as they sat down at the edge of the hallway to chat.
"He's fine, he's just getting older, but tell me, how are things going at the Hunters' Citadel? Are they still holding out against the siege of the demons from the Forest of Convergence? Will they never give up on our world? They already have their own, for heaven's sake!" Yichen always lost his temper when talking about demons, so Yixuan simply patted his brother on the shoulder to calm him down.
"We're holding out, but it's never easy, and we lose many hunters every month. Yichen..." Yixuan wasn't very happy with the ruling the Demon Hunter Bureau had issued to each demon hunter household. He knew his brother's power was great and greatly anticipated by those in charge of their protection, but to him, Yichen was nothing more than his younger brother, even though he was a grown man of twenty-three.
"I know about the decree, and it's about time I can finally fight in the big leagues, instead of just in the city patrols. I've proven myself worthy of fighting even the strongest demons, it's in my blood to do more than just take care of the lesser demons that escape the Bureau main force." Yichen said, and Yixuan, looking into his deep blue eyes, agreed that it was in his blood, the blood of their ancestor, the dragon god Bing Yi, who had once been appointed protector of humanity by Nuwa herself. However, in the final battle between the gods and the demons, he disappeared after defeating the demon dragon god Ying Long.
"Don't be so eager to experience war, Yichen. It's not just about fighting demons, but also about watching your friends and comrades fall one by one. The demons you've fought so far are dangerous, but the demons in the forest outside the Hunter's Citadel are ruthless. The carnage is so great it makes you want to throw up the first time you go there. The Forest of Convergence is nothing but a slaughtering ground for both sides. Honestly, I'd like to delay your involvement there a little longer. Don't take me the wrong way, it's not that I don't trust your abilities, it's just that it's mentally challenging, much more so than the strength and power required to survive there." Yixuan explained softly as he knew that in Yichen's heart, more than the hatred he felt for all the demons, he had a very kind heart and seeing friends die left and right would mark him for the rest of his life as it did him.
"I know you worry, brother... but now or two years from now, as was previously the rule for the age of Demon Hunters in Hunter's Citadel, isn't going to make things any easier. I'm young, yes, but if the demons keep killing us, old or young, we'll have no future and are destined to disappear forever. I want to protect you, protect this house, the ones in our neighborhoods, and all the other houses in the human cities struggling to survive an endless war. If the gods had abandoned us, we'd have no choice but to thrive on our own, fighting with all our might to ensure that our loved one also has a promising future..." Yichen replied, and Yixuan felt very proud to have such a younger brother, and he was absolutely right.
"You're right, of course... It's just that I'm a little sentimental sending you to the harshest place in the world, but it's true that you'll go there sooner or later, so at least I can be close to you and do my best to protect you, and if things get really tough, I'll be there for you." At that, Yichen smiled with the love he had always felt for his protective brother and swore to himself that he would bring him home each time without fail.
"Come on, let me take you to greet our father so you can talk, and then we have dinner before we head to the Citadel." Zhuo Yichen said, standing up and offering his hand to his brother to help him up as well. They walked back to the main hall and then to the library, where his father was working on different kind of protective talismans that he would present to the local Demon Hunter Bureau in Tiandu in the hopes of providing greater security for both Demon Hunters and ordinary citizens.
It was a happy reunion after months of separation, and when the time came to part, both sons embraced their father and bid him farewell, while the eldest in turn gave them a blessing for their safety on the battlefield and a safe return home. The journey to the Citadel was thrilling for Zhuo Yichen, despite the dangers that come with fighting at the gates of the Demon World. His brother was a legend in his own right, as a descendant of Bing Yi, but he wanted to walk his own path with his Cloud Light sword and longed to hunt down the demons who had taken so much from them.
The journey to the Hunters' Citadel will take ten days on horseback, giving them time to rest and ensure the journey goes smoothly. Zhuo Yichen was very glad to be able to spend more days alone with his brother before parting ways again, for who knows how long. Once at the Citadel, Yichen will be assigned to his own team of demon hunters, and afterward, they will be sent into the forest for their first fight in the outer part of the forest, or outer ring, where the demons were less ferocious. As they gain experience in this hostile environment, they will advance towards the central region to finally reach the gates of the Demon World, where the most powerful demons come from and where the war is the most intense.
"Seriously, Yixuan, how bad are things in the inner circle, where the convergence is strongest? I've heard stories from other veteran hunters, as well as from our father, but I think they're just sugarcoating their stories to make them seem less disturbing. I need the truth to prepare for what lies ahead." Yichen asked, and Yixuan looked at him in the light of their campfire, giving his brother a shadow of mystery.
"As I said before, it's a place of slaughter for hunters and demons alike, where you have little time to rest, but plenty of time to fight for your life. Appearances can be deceiving, as the forest isn't entirely set in our human world, but in theirs as well, a mix of both that sometimes confuses you. It's as beautiful as it is deadly, so never let your guard down while hunting demons there, no matter which of the three rings you're in. An innocent-looking bunny, for example, can turn into a ferocious beast in seconds, and someone who looks human can become a dangerous demon and those are the strongest of them all."
"Those shape-shifting demons are tricky, as they are cunning and can hide their demonic aura and impersonate other demon hunters. Many hunters have fallen for that trick in the past centuries, making the fight against them tougher every year." Yixuan explained as his younger brother listened intently.
"Have you fought human-like demons before? How do you distinguish them from other hunters then?" He asked curiously, wanting to be as prepared as possible to face such threats.
"Yes, I have fight with them many times, but as for telling them apart... all teams have their own ways, a sort of code that only a demon hunter can answer and also, there is a spell that can give a demon away, but all of those you will learn once your team is established. Just be very careful who you trust outside of your own team, especially in the inner ring." Yixuan warned him, and Yichen nodded in understanding.
"Is there a particular demon you can't defeat?" Yichen asked, having heard a name that made other hunters shudder.
"There's one particularly strong demon who sometimes puzzles me, because his power is unlike any other, but he rarely use it. You see, he can kill any number of demon hunters with a single word, but... he doesn't seem as interested in fighting seriously as the rest of the demons under his command. To be honest is a relief that he only appears occasionally when we have the upper hand. We believe he must be a high-ranking demon, the most powerful one that has shown up in the forest so far. His name is Zhu Yan and you only survive an encounter with him if he let you." Yixuan warned his brother, causing him to reflect on the information he had just revealed.
"How strange, a strong demon who doesn't like to fight? Why is he there then?"
"No one knows for sure, but it seems he's only there to prevent us from invading his demon world."
"As if we could go that far. We've fought demons for centuries, and just to keep them at bay in our world, how can they even think we have enough strength to fight them in their own world filled with millions of them?"
"That's why it puzzles me. If he truly wished for this war against us to end, with just a few of his word spells, he would have massacred us permanently, but he seems to be opposed to it. Perhaps killing us is beneath his status or something. He must think we're too weak to take us seriously."
"Then one day I'll prove to him that we're not what he thinks we are."
"I'll be blessed by the heavens if you never come face to face with him."
"I'm a descendant of a god. I can handle him."
"Me too, Yichen, and having a god's blood running through your veins isn't enough to defeat a great demon. In a way, they're also descendants of their own gods, and unlike us, their blood is awakened while ours remains dormant. I know that in your case, Bing Yi's power run stronger than the rest of us, but is still not fully awaken. You'll soon discover that being a descendant of a god isn't so special. Remember, my beloved Yichen to never doubt yourself, but don't underestimate your opponent either." Yixuan said seriously, and Yichen blushed in embarrassment at his own sudden arrogance.
"Of course, brother, I will take your wise words to my heart. We should get some rest now, we have a few more days to ride." Yichen said as he yawned and Yixuan smiled before going to lie down on his bamboo sleeping mat.
A few days later, they finally arrived at the Hunters' Citadel, which was bustling with activity everywhere, with demon hunters coming and going, performing their duties and enjoying their free time, and Zhuo Yichen was introduced to his superior Fan Ying, who was excited to finally have the most talented descendant of the dragon god Bing Yi join their ranks.
"Zhuo Yichen, I've heard so much about your talent with the Light Cloud Sword from your brother and superiors in Tiandu City, that I'm honor to finally have you here. I know that the sudden decree lowering your entry age to twenty is a little premature from what you expected, which was two years from now, but I'm sure you'll make a name for yourself soon enough." The older man in his late forties, dressed in a silver and black Hunter uniform, offered him a seat in front of a round, reddish wooden table that already have four other demon hunters seated.
"Mr. Fan, the honor is mine." Yichen welcomed him back with a respectful bow before sitting next to a blond young man who smiled brightly at him.
"Wait... Zhuo... Zhuo Yichen?! I can't believe it! I finally see you again! It must be fate!" Another young man in front of him exclaimed, well basically shouting, looking at him with dreamy eyes.
"Hmm... Do I know you?" Yichen asked, a little embarrassed by such a strong reaction that made the two women at the table chuckle softly.
"Of course! You saved me from a demon five years ago, when I was traveling through the forest toward another village. It was amazing! You heard me scream and came like an ethereal god in the night, with that beautiful powerful sword and those shining eyes, and you killed that demon who had me pinned to the ground like it was nothing! You've been my hero ever since." The young man explained, and Yichen did his best to remember something so far back.
"Really? Well, I'm glad you're okay then. Hunting demons is my duty, so you don't need to make me your special hero. All demon hunters are amazing, including you, which is why we're here right now." Yichen shyly reminded him, as everyone in that room was a demon hunter, probably carefully chosen to form their own team.
"Well, I like that he's both handsome and modest, a rare sight in such dark times as ours." One of the young women dressed in white robes whispered to the other sitting next to her.
"Rare indeed." The other older woman responded simply.
"Oh, allow me to introduce you all so you can get to know each other better before we officially depart on our respective missions in a few days. Everyone present at this table is an exceptional Demon Hunter with special divine bloodlines. First of all, as you've heard, the blue-eyed youth there is Zhuo Yichen, the youngest of the Zhuo demon hunter household and heir to the dragon god Bing Yi, the former protector of humanity." Yichen merely blushed slightly at this introduction, and the young man from before nearly squealed with joy.
"It is a pleasure to be here, at your service." Yichen said and the others nodded in greeting.
"Beside him sits Ying Lei, heir to the mountain god Ying Zhao. In addition to being an excellent demon hunter, he specializes in divine barriers and seals. He may be young, like all of you, but he knows what he's doing and values life so much that he even became a chef so everyone can enjoy good health." Fan Ying praised the young man, who smiled even more dashingly than before.
"Nice to meet you, Ying Lei..." Yichen greeted him first, and so did the others.
"Beside him is the youngest healer accepted into any demon hunter team. Although he's only seventeen years old now, even under the new decree, his healing abilities are so extraordinary that we can't form this special team without him. He's also an heir to the goddess Bai Yan, a direct descendant of the Divine Tree of Mount Kunlun. His name is Bai Jiu, so please take care of him. I know he can do his part, as he's a master with needles, but he's still the youngest here." Fan Ying then introduced him.
"I'll make sure to keep him safe, just like I did before." Yichen smiled at the young man, and Bai Jiu nearly fainted from happiness. It was amusing to him all his childishness, but it was refreshing in a way and pleasant to be around.
"Then, let's move on to the ladies. The one in white is my adopted daughter, Wen Xiao. She's an expert in demon lore and poisons. If you need an ingenious way to escape danger, she's your key player. She's also a descendant of the goddess Baize, who died protecting Nuwa in the war between gods and demons." He said, and Wen Xiao smiled charmingly at them.
"Expert in poisons and demon lore... that's quite an accomplishment for someone so young." Yichen praised her.
"I may look young, but I'm much older than you, Zhuo Yichen. I'm actually twenty-five." She corrected him sincerely.
"You're still young," Yichen replied.
"Thank you." She added.
"And finally, we have Pei Sijing, the eldest of the team and, in her own right, the most experienced demon hunter. She is lethal with a bow and dagger, adept at tracking, close combat, and reconnaissance. She will be your commander for now, so everyone can develop their full potential under her protection. She possessed the bloodline of the archer god Hou Yi, once known as Shen Yi. She can also hear at great distances, so you are undoubtedly in good hands." Fan Ying finished the introductions as the young people looked at Pei Sijing in amazement.
"That's amazing, Sister!" Wen Xiao exclaimed, smiling at her with pleasure, and Pei Sijing smiled back, though she didn't say much more than a shy 'thank you' in return.
"Here you are, your fellow members of this squadron in person. We will show you to your quarters shortly after dinner. Spend the next few days getting to know each other, your strengths and weaknesses, so that when you head to the outer ring within the Forest of Convergence, you can return safely. I have high expectations for all of you, so please ensure that humanity can survive this calamity for a while longer." Fan Ying truly expected great things from them and will pray with all his might that their decision to form a team of divine bloodlines will be the ultimate solution to their endless struggles.
The team ages: Zhuo Yichen, 23 _ Wen Xiao, 25 _ Ying Lei, 21 _ Bai Jiu, 17 _ Pei Sijing, 29 _ Zhuo Yixuan, 27 _ Zhu Yan, Immortal
Romantic Pairing: Zhuo Yichen/Zhu Yan _ Wen Xiao/Pei Sijing _ Ying Lei/Bai Jiu
AN: This is an AU version of Fangs of Fortune, so many things will be different. Their ages for example. Thanks for reading and I hope someone like this. Bad English, sorry.