Love leading to.. Guilt.

Back in the past, even when Jiyan simply joined the Midnight Rangers as a medic, he quickly became the general's favorite for his knowledge of various herbs for treatment. He seemed like a real gem or even treasure among all of his subordinates. It wasn't long before Jiyan finally gained the courage to join the troops as a soldier and actually participate in battle.

One of his first battles was a true memory. For the first time in his life he faced enemies much larger than himself that could easily crush him, but even so, his spirit never backed down. Even from afar, the general Geshu Lin watched him, not thinking about interfering as he saw the rise of the soldier that could possibly become stronger than himself. He spent hours teaching Jiyan all the possible techniques he knew and making sure that all of his moves were perfectly calculated. Not a single mistake is allowed on the battle for it can cause greater damage and they both knew that for sure. As Jiyan trained more and more, still frequently working as a medic and making sure all of his comrades are in good health, he started to notice that the general seemed to keep an eye on him. Whether on the battlegrounds or at the base, he always felt Geshu Lin watching him as if Jiyan was nothing but a prey to him. Only later, even in battle the young man would notice how little to no enemies would come near him and only at a distance, the general himself stood all in dust and torn clothes, with his blade still in his hands as he breathed heavily, looking around, making sure that he didn't miss a single enemy.

Only one rather bright noon, as Jiyan headed to the medical wing of the Midnight Rangers base, he noticed the general himself on one of the beds as he tried to sew up his own open wound. Jiyan immediately came closer with a first-aid kit as he started working on Geshu Lin's wounds in complete silence until he heard the man speak up.

— You're one of my best subordinates, Jiyan. Whether as a soldier or a medic, you have high hopes of becoming the next general once I'm too old to fight, even the strongest person can lose what makes him that way. — he spoke as he watched the other's work.

— .. I appreciate your words, general. However, I don't think flattery is allowable in the military field. Your first lesson during my training was "Forget about your own emotions and attachments". — Jiyan answered shortly, focusing more on the treatment.

— That is right, then again.. I have only one request for you, considering your work in two fields at once. — the man said as he lift up his head. — I want your heart to beat only for me.

Was that a confession? A declaration of love? Jiyan barely knew as he was stunned and finished his treatment over Geshu Lin rather quick, leaving the medical wing. Later in the evening, each base of Military Rangers got the sudden message that the Threnodian had actually awakened. This all seemed like a dream. The sudden fact that Jiyan was special to someone? The awakening of the Ovathrax? Was his own destiny trying to see if he can withstand everything that she keeps throwing at him? Possibly. Nevertheless, he got ready and shortly made it to the Norfall Barrens where most of units already arrived. It'd be his ever first battle that happened at night and no one thought that they'd have to fight against the Tacet Discords only guided by the moonlight.

The battle was hard and he saw as the strengthened by the Threnodian beasts took down his comrades one by one which already seemed the to be a horrifying sight. It wasn't long until the only event took place which others swore doesn't even exist. The retroact rain began messing with the soldiers' which made the fight even harder as countless young souls couldn't tell whether they saw their own comrades or a beast in front of themselves. The general gave his last command to stand firm, despite the rain and continue fighting.

He only noticed that Jiyan looked at him with both fear and hope in his own eyes. It was a faint smile until Geshu Lin rushed closer and closer to the main body of the Threnodian, his blade getting engulfed by the black flames as he prepared for attack. And yet he knew, none of his human strength would be enough to land a mighty blow on the enemy even if he was a resonator. He knew he had to do something greater while he still hadn't landed a single hit. All of a sudden, the same flames began covering his legs as he still kept going despite all the pain. The blaze soon began spreading to his upper body as it finally reached his head, covering him whole. Not a single human could possibly bear such horrible experience, but the general didn't seem to be human at this point. A single leap and Geshu Lin finally reached the main body of the Threnodian as his whole body was covered in the black flames. On in the battlegrounds echoed the loud and clear words "I'll burn for you!" as the general landed the nearly lethal blow on the Threnodian, disappearing from sight. It seemed like no one watched the sight happened except for Jiyan himself who saw every second, nearly mesmerized by the deed.

Despite the fact that Ovathrax seemed to back down after such a hard hit, the Tacet Discords only increased in numbers. Panic soon started to emerge in the units as Jiyan with all his remaining strength rose up and watched the winds turn his broadblade into a whole large spear. He knew that he had to do something and immediately got to the highest point available in the battlegrounds, announcing for the soldiers to retreat despite the last command. With all his might, he cleansed the way off all beasts, hoping to lead the soldiers off the grounds in such a dangerous situation. Back in Jinzhou, Jiyan was met with gratitude for such an honorable act of valuing human lives. Later, even the Sentinel himself emerged to meet the newest hero of Jinzhou and announced his next decision to select him as the new general of Midnight Rangers.

After months of his new job as a general, Jiyan was still shocked by all that happened during that terrible day. One night, he'd climb on the roof of the base as he watched the farther lands, making sure that the patrol executed each beast. Despite all the gratitude, celebration and appreciation, he still couldn't stop thinking about it all. His head tilted ever so slightly as he watched the sun set, sighing.

— Would you be proud of me right now, general? — he began, walking closer to the edge of the roof. — Would you still tell me that you want my heart to beat only for you? After all this time, I still remember watching you sacrifice your own body to the flames as you wished to protect all of Jinzhou even it meant surrendering your life to the altar of the ultimate sacrifice. Would you be angry at my decision that day? Sad? Disappointed? I can't know for sure now. I'm still worried about the Sentinel's decision although I respect it for sure.

He never got the answer or even a faint whisper in the wind which always followed him. Whether he wished to hear it or at least get a sign on how he's viewed, not a single time destiny allowed the general to understand himself. For the rest of his life, Jiyan finally acquired the companion that would never leave him and that was.. Guilt.