Deviant: No Longer Human

".... It's a prison."

The realization hit Wang Xiao like a hammer. Neither of them was truly free. Maliketh's cursed immortality ensured he would rise again and again, while the woman—her strength immense—was shackled to this eternal cycle of destruction.

For a long moment, Wang Xiao simply stood there, silent, watching the battle of wills repeat itself.

Finally, he let out a breath, stepping back into his body. His eyes on the throne and the golden chains.

"An endless fight," he muttered, his voice low. "What kind of hatred traps two people like this?"

A part of him wanted to intervene, but another part… didn't.

Maliketh, locked in eternal torment, was oddly satisfying. Oh, Wang Xiao had no qualms about Maliketh suffering forever—he just wanted to be the one doing the torturing. Still, this situation smelled too strange to ignore. Something deeper was happening here, and he needed answers.

Reaching into the sky, he sent out a silent signal. If anyone could shed light on this, it would be her.

___

A few minutes later, a ripple in the air announced her arrival.

Athene stepped through the void, her presence sharp and precise, like a drawn sword. Her glowing silver eyes locked onto Wang Xiao instantly. "What do you need?" she asked, her tone curt as always.

Wang Xiao didn't bother with pleasantries. He simply gestured toward the scene. "Any idea what's going on here?"

Athene's gaze shifted, following his hand to the throne—and then to the woman. Her reaction was immediate. Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second before narrowing, sharp and calculating. Her usually stoic face twisted into a scowl.

"Elyria?" she whispered, almost to herself.

Wang Xiao's lips curved into a faint smirk. "So, you do know her," he said. "I had a feeling."

Athene didn't reply immediately. Her expression turned grim, her lips pressing into a tight line. For a moment, the sharp, untouchable warrior looked genuinely shaken.

Without another word, Athene moved toward the woman—Elyria, as she'd called her. The chains holding her shimmered faintly, resisting as Athene placed her hand on them. A soft glow spread from her fingers, and the golden locks began to crack.

Wang Xiao watched, arms crossed, as Elyria's body slumped forward. Athene caught her easily, cradling her with a gentleness Wang Xiao had never expected from her.

He raised an eyebrow. "Didn't know you had a soft side."

Athene shot him a glare, but she said nothing, carefully shifting Elyria's weight onto her shoulder.

"Taking her somewhere safe?" Wang Xiao asked casually, though his mind was already spinning with questions.

"Yes," Athene said curtly. Her tone carried no room for argument. "She needs time to recover before we get any answers."

Wang Xiao didn't protest. Watching Athene like this—calm, almost protective—was more than enough to pique his curiosity. He made a mental note to follow up later.

Once Athene disappeared with Elyria, Wang Xiao turned his attention to Maliketh.

The man's body was already reforming again, his ashes swirling together in that twisted cycle of revival. But Wang Xiao wasn't about to let him get comfortable.

"Not so fast," he muttered, his eyes cold. With a snap of his fingers, a black vortex opened beneath Maliketh's throne. The immortal's half-formed body tumbled into the void, disappearing into the endless darkness.

Wang Xiao smirked. "Enjoy the solitude. Let's see how long it takes before you lose your mind."

This was just the start. Wang Xiao had no intention of letting Maliketh off easy. First, he would isolate him, let the madness of loneliness break his spirit. Then, when the time was right, he'd begin the real torture. After all, Maliketh had answers—answers Wang Xiao would extract one way or another.

And if Maliketh happened to break in the process? Well, that was just a bonus.

As Wang Xiao left the chamber, his mind shifted to the larger picture. This Elyria—Athene clearly recognized her.

She wasn't just another random warrior trapped by Maliketh's schemes. No, Elyria had to be one of them.

A Pangean.

It all lined up now—the golden chains, the power radiating from her even in her weakened state. She was one of the ancient warriors who had walked the shattered lands of Pangea, wielding strength that could shake the heavens.

Whatever had happened here, it wasn't just about Maliketh. It was something far older, far more dangerous.

Wang Xiao frowned, his thoughts churning.

"This isn't over," he muttered to himself.

For now, though, he had other priorities. According to his sources, his mother's flight would land back in Shanghai on December 1st. That left him with four days.

Two names burned in his mind like smoldering coals:

The Netherworld. Zeus.

His enemies were closing in, but Wang Xiao had almost dealt with his all 'internal' threats. The path ahead was clear, and it would be paved with blood and answers.

Smiling to himself, he stepped into the shadows, vanishing without a sound.

_____

26th November, 2031!

"Here."

Morning's cold grip lingered over the Murong estate, seeping through the walls like an unwelcome guest.

Qian Ruixin moved up the stairs, a tray of tea in her hands, her steps soft but her thoughts loud. She wore a modern white hanfu, its fabric light and flowing, the faint floral embroidery brushing against her wrists. Her hair, tied in a loose bun, left her slender neck exposed, a clear stark contrast to the rigidity in her expression.

It should have been a routine morning—delivering tea to her mother-in-law. Yet nothing felt routine anymore.

Wang Xiao.

His name had lodged itself in her chest, heavy and restless. Ever since that incident, he'd made her life a quiet mess, stirring emotions she'd couldn't forget.

She paused at the door, exhaling slowly to steady herself.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Click!

"Mother, your tea."

She opened the door and stepped inside, her voice light and practiced.

But as her eyes adjusted to the light, her breath caught. Her fingers tightened around the tray.

"You—?!"

Li Xiaoqing lay peacefully on the bed, her violet silk robe flowing like water over the sheets. But next to her, in the space no man should occupy, sat Wang Xiao.

He lounged like it was his throne, propped up against the headboard, a book in one hand and a teacup in the other. His black robe hung loose on his frame, exposing the sharp cut of his collarbones and a hint of his chest. His dark hair, messy, framed a face that was equal parts smug and infuriatingly handsome.

What stood out most, however, was the amused glint in his eyes as he looked at her over the rim of his teacup while standing up and walking closer to her shocked self.

"Ah, Rui," Wang Xiao said, his voice low and smooth, filled with a teasing warmth that made her pulse quicken. "You're just in time. I was wondering when you'd show up."

Casually, he picked up the teacup and took a slow sip, his movements unhurried, as if the entire situation were completely ordinary.

Qian Ruixin's fingers tightened on the tray, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure even her sleeping mother-in-law could hear it.

What the hell is he doing here?!

Her pulse pounded in her ears. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, and for a moment, all she could do was stare.

Snap!

The spell broke.

Qian Ruixin stepped inside quickly, closing the door behind her with more force than she intended.

She set the tray down on the nearest table, her hands trembling as her thoughts scrambled to catch up. Crossing the room in a few quick, almost soundless steps, she reached him before he could say another word.

"Rui, you shoul—"

Whoosh!

Her palm clamped over his mouth, abruptly silencing him as her body leaned in close.

"What the hell are you doing here...?" she whispered harshly, her voice trembling but sharp.

His breath was warm against her hand, scented faintly with the tea he'd stolen. Her soft floral perfume creating a pleasant private domain between them, the tension crackling like a storm just waiting to break.

Wang Xiao's eyes crinkled at the corners, his amusement deepening as he made no effort to pull away. He looked at her like a cat toying with a mouse, daring her to scold him further.

"Shh," she hissed again, glancing nervously at the bed.

Li Xiaoqing stirred, her breathing hitching for a moment before settling back into the slow rhythm of sleep.

Qian Ruixin let out a quiet sigh, her hand still over Wang Xiao's mouth. She turned her glare on him, sharp and burning—until he moved.

His fingers slid up, firm but unhurried, cupping her face. He tilted her chin up, and her breath caught.

"Huh?"

Her heart jolted as his dark eyes held hers. She was supposed to be the calm one here, the one with control. But he didn't stop.

Wang Xiao leaned in, and before she could even blink, his lips were on hers.

"Mmm…"

The kiss wasn't soft. It was slow, deliberate, and hungry. His lips moved over hers, firm, like he was claiming her. His tongue slid against her lower lip, teasing, coaxing her to respond.

Her lipstick tasted faintly sweet, a lingering trace of rose. But beneath that, there was her—warm, soft, maddeningly intoxicating. Her scent surrounded him, rich and floral, like a rose on the edge of blooming.

His hand tightened slightly against her jaw as he deepened the kiss, his tongue slipping past her lips, exploring. She tasted clean, fresh, with just enough sweetness to drive him mad.

Her body stiffened, but she didn't pull away. She froze, her thoughts scrambling, her hands twitching uselessly at her sides.

When he finally pulled back, his lips hovered just over hers, his breath brushing her skin.

"Stop overthinking, girl," he murmured, his voice low, teasing, and soaked in heat. "You're supposed to kiss me back."