A Gatekeeper & The Celestial Sovereign

"A Terrorist attack occurred in Chaoyang Christmas Market, today around noon. So far there have been six confirmed casualties."

As the female reporter spoke several faces of the deceased appeared on the television screen. When Ben Zi's picture popped up, Ray Xi choked.

She'd been holding her phone to her ear, dialling Ben Zi's number. She had been calling him ever since the incident.

Waves of nausea washed over her. Her knees became weak.

She collapsed to the wooden floor and gasped, tears fell from her eyes.

"Ben Zi!!!!!!" she yelled.

Qui Ten ran into the small living room. "Ray what's wrong?!" she crouched down to her and wiped her tears, "Why are you crying, what happened!?!"

"B-B-B-Ben Zi!!" Ray wailed, her hand shook as she raised it and pointed at the television.

Qui Ten looked at the screen in confusion, but then her eyes widened, and her figure trembled. "N-N-No this… This can't be happening!"

"We should have stayed; we should have looked for him!" Ugly tears trailed down Ray Xi's pale cheeks, "When everyone started screaming and running, we should have looked for him. We shouldn't have left!!!"

Ray Xi shook, Ben Zi had been her best friend since childhood. They'd always been together, even when he'd been abroad with his family, they exchanged letters. Ray had lost a lot of people in her life when she came out as a lesbian. Ben Zi was one of the only remaining people she could call family. He had been a brother to her.

"Ben Zi!!!!!" she wailed, "Ben Zi!!!... Why was I so mean to you…? Why did I tell you to stop acting weird and speaking crap...Ben Zi I'm sorry!!! Ben Zi!!!!"

_________

MAO LU'S RESIDENCE

"You know I've been acting like a fool recently. I used to be able to use my brain properly but ever since I became a Gatekeeper I keep acting stupidly. I guess the position got to me, or perhaps it was the pressure that came with it."

Mao Lu confessed as he sat on the patio platform next to his room. His hair and clothes still wet.

Chàng Bo sat next to him on the wooden boards. They watched as the rain poured from the Heavens.

"You weren't acting like a fool; you're just not experienced enough." Chàng Bo replied as the rainfall got heavier. "You know the good friend I told you about…"

"The good friend that you're not sure is your real friend."

"Yeah that friend. He's like you in regard to situations like this. He's a hypocritical good guy, who wants to be the hero and save them all. And you know there's nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with wanting to help people, or feel good from helping them.

But you need to remember that not everyone is worth saving, not everyone can be saved, and that at the end of the day your responsibility is to look after yourself and the ones you love. The fates of others shouldn't weigh on you too heavily. You’re a Gatekeeper not God, it's the Creator who should be stressing out about the fates of his creations." Chàng Bo advised as he stared at the grey sky.

"You're right. I shouldn't let it weigh me down too heavily. I just wanted to be the hero so badly that even though I knew that saving Ben Zi probably wouldn't work out, and that I was making things difficult by trying to save him, I couldn't stop myself. From now on I won't be as impulsive. I won't be as hypocritical. I'll help people where I can, and I'll fight my battles properly." Mao Lu's eyes burned with determination.

Chàng Bo turned to Mao Lu and observed his determined expression. He glanced over Mao Lu's slim figure, which was more apparent due to his wet clothes.

Chàng Bo found himself unconsciously moving towards Mao Lu and embracing him.

Mao Lu was surprised as he felt Chàng Bo's strong arms wrapping around him, and his head burying itself into his shoulder. Lu felt himself blush.

"C-C-Chàng Bo what are you doing?"

"I'm hugging you obviously." Chàng Bo replied briskly, his grip not loosening.

Mao Lu's face went pinker, "I see."

They stayed like that in silence until Chàng Bo pulled away from him and said, "I admire you Lu. I think you're very strong. You know I lost my compassion for people at a young age, and I started comparing people's worth to what they could offer me. I've never really gone out of my way to help others if it didn't benefit me. Yet I see you crying for someone else, and trying to help others from the goodness of your heart. I can't help but feel a bit jealous, I wish I had half of the kindness you have."

Mao Lu's cheeks were still pink as he replied, "You're a good person Chàng Bo. You've helped me and even though I haven't exactly seen you help others know when someone's decent. I wouldn't like you if you weren't a good person."

"Ha" Chàng Bo scoffed, "You're wrong if you think I'm decent. I've never done anything that's not for my own benefit. That includes being with you. Even now it's because I'm here because I benefit from it. Would a decent person use people like tools? Would a decent person have killed so many over the years for their own gain? I don't think so. Lu you're not in love with a decent person." He sighed, "I'm a bad guy."

"A bad guy wouldn't feel guilty and tell me all these things. A bad guy wouldn't want to be a good guy." Mao Lu said as he reached out and moved Chàng Bo's wet hair from around his face. He gently rested his palm on his cheek, "I think you have the potential to be a lovely person."

Chàng Bo's heart throbbed. "You know I've never told anyone the things I've told you. I… I'm using you and I'm abusing your feelings. And now I'm… I'm…"

He pressed his forehead against Mao Lu's. "I'm the one that's falling for you."

One tear fell from Chàng Bo's left eye, "When that monster grabbed you by the throat, I'd never felt so angry in my life. When that Heri girl was talking down to you I just couldn't stand it...I wanted to pretend I was feeling nothing, that when you confessed to me, I had the upper hand. That my heart wasn't stirred. Because… because I'm using you."

Chàng Bo pulled away from Mao Lu, "You're such a good person. You're so naive, and honest, and earnest. You don't deserve someone like me. Someone who will use you for everything you have. You shouldn't trust someone like me Lu. You deserve a lot better. I don't know what you see in me, or what you find so good about me. But someone like m–"

Chàng Bo was cut off as Mao Lu jumped towards him and hugged him. "You like me too; you love me too? It's not just one sided on my part?" Mao Lu questioned as he squeezed Chàng Bo tightly, he'd never felt so happy in his life. He wanted to shout with joy.

"Were you listening to anything I just said!?" Chàng Bo asked in exasperation.

"I have. You're a bad guy, you have blood on your hands, you're going to use me, and you're falling for me, you're in love with me. Right?" Mao Lu stared at Chàng Bo with his clear brown eyes excitedly. He had a silly grin on his face. To Chàng Bo's blue starry eyes, Mao Lu seemed to glow and sparkle.

"You're… you're right, that's what I said...but I don't think you're understanding Lu, I'm trying to tell you to have better taste in men. That it's better if you're not with me."

"Chàng Bo you like me, and I like you. Regardless of your intentions towards me, I don't care. For the blood on your hands I forgive you, and I'm sure you can change, I'm sure you can be a better person. I'm not going to look at anyone other than you. I feel like we're meant to be together for some reason. And since you like me there's no reason for us to not be together." Mao Lu grinned happily.

Chàng Bo sighed, "You're very persistent you know."

"I've been called stubborn all my life." Mao Lu continued smiling as he gently stroked Chàng Bo's hair.

He leaned forward and hugged Chàng Bo. "I'm super happy." he giggled.

Chàng Bo laughed gently, and found himself returning the hug.

_________

Tanaka Kato sighed in relief as he watched the news. Neither Mao Lu nor Chàng Bo were on the list of people dead.

"What the hell happened, was it really a terrorist attack?"

Tanaka said as he sat down on the sofa. Bei Lao was pacing around, ringing Mao Lu, but the call wasn't being answered.

"Terrorists attack my ass." Bei Lao muttered, "It was like that man was possessed. The way he roared and just got up after Chàng Bo kicked him like that. There's something crazy going on. Something seriously not normal."

"Yeah I agree with that. And the way the news is reporting it. They're saying a bomb exploded. A bomb. And for some reason all the witnesses they interviewed are agreeing. This is like one of those cover ups you see in the films." Tanaka commented. To be honest he was feeling pretty scared. That guy would have grabbed him if Chàng Bo hadn't physically thrown him out of the way.

Just what was going on?

"BZZZZZZZ" Tanaka's phone vibrated, it was Fei Bing Bing.

"Tanaka! Are you and Bei Lao alright? I just saw the news; didn't you go to the Christmas Market in Chaoyang today?"

"Yeah we were there, but don't worry we're fine." Tanaka reassured her.

Bing Bing sighed in relief, "Oh thank God, when I saw the news, I thought the worst."

"Well some crazy stuff did happen. We met up with Lu to confront him about all our suspicions and his response was…Well it was problematic. I can't really explain it over the phone. Would you be able to come over?" Tanaka asked.

Fei Bing Bing was surprised, why couldn't he say it over the phone, why did he sound so nervous? "I'll be there straight away okay."

Fei Bing Bing immediately hung up and ran with her car keys to the underground parking lot in her building. Just as she ran into the car park, she saw Zhao Detong's silver Mercedes-Benz. "Ohh great timing!!"

She ran up to his car knocking on the window.

Zhao Detong smiled pleasantly at Fei Bing Bing, "You're in such a rush to see me, I came straight from the office to your flat and you're here waiting for m—–"

"Open the door now, we need to go to Tanaka's place." Fei Bing Bing demanded.

Zhao Detong was startled but he obediently did as he was told. The moment Bing Bing was in the passenger seat they drove off.

_________

"RAP RAP, RAP, RAP," Fei Bing Bing rapidly knocked on Tanaka's door.

"Christ don't break the door!" Tanaka moaned as he let Fei Bing Bing and Zhao Detong inside.

"What's going on? What did Mao Lu say? Is he really involved in some bad stuff?" Fei Bing Bing asked rapidly, she felt anxious.

"It's more than just bad stuff, this may be something really scary." Bei Lao said.

"What do you mean by that?" Zhao Detong was alarmed.

"Sit down and we'll tell you what happened."

_________

[Moments later…]

"What the hell?!" Fei Bing Bing exclaimed.

"This may be some huge conspiracy because even the government and the media are covering up what happened, calling it a terrorist attack and claiming there was a bomb when there wasn't" Bei Lao added.

"What has Lu gotten himself into?" Zhao Detong fretted.

"So, you're saying this guy came up right behind you Tanaka, and then Chàng Bo saved you and kicked that guy out of the way, but the guy was really weird like he was possessed or something?" Bing Bing confirmed.

"Yeah it was crazy and super weird and scary." Tanaka shivered at the memory.

"This sounds like something from a film… Th-Then shouldn't we find Mao Lu and demand him to explain what the hell is going on?" Bing Bing was beginning to freak out, all of this was just a little too bizarre for her liking.

"There's no way Lu will tell us anything. You know how tight lipped and stubborn he can be. And he made it clear to Bei Lao and me, that he didn't want us involved. And to be honest if it's something so big that five people can be killed but the real cause can be covered up then… Then it's probably not something we can get involved in." Tanaka said warily.

"So, what! That doesn't mean we should give up. Even if we can't get involved, we should at least know what's happening to our friend. And my family runs one of the biggest news agencies in China, if there's a secret out there then we have to reveal it." Fei Bing Bing stated adamantly.

"Yeah but where do we even start to find out what this is all about." Tanaka said helplessly.

"Qi Zhou." Zhao Detong said, "Qi Zhou, she's Chàng Bo's stepsister or something right. Let's ask her what she knows. I'll call Frank and get him to bring her here."

Unbeknown to them a black bird was watching them through the window. Little Red and many other practitioners had been altering the memories of those involved in the recent incident.

She'd been about to change Tanaka and Bei Lao's memories when she realised, they were connected to the Gatekeeper. So, she decided not to touch them.

"Qi Zhou, isn't that Lady Winter's apprentice, when did that little snake get so close to the Gatekeepers friends? Hmm seems like something interesting will happen."

_________

MAO LU'S RESIDENCE

Mao Lu smiled warmly at Chàng Bo.

Their hands were intertwined.

Mao Lu felt like he was floating on a soft marshmallow cloud.

The rain had ceased around his house, and the sun had peeped through the clouds.

"Gatekeeper Lu, sorry if I'm disturbing you." A voice said.

Mao Lu jumped up, startled.

Argenti was standing in the middle of the courtyard.

"Ar–Gatekeeper Argenti?"

.