🎶L'amour o l'eternité🎶

Rafayel feels like throwing up.

His field of vision shrinks and blurs as he runs to the counter table to pick up the silver ring. His fingers shook as he inspected the precious item, making sure that it was the same ring that you've grown quite fond of ever since he gifted it to you.

He recalled you telling him that you'll never ever take it off.

His heart would always swell everytime he catches you randomly smiling and admiring it.

The ring represents your future together.

And now, it's just here.

Forgotten.

Has he really ruined everything?

He doesn't blame you for being upset with him.

He did put himself in danger and have gotten hurt because he'd acted too reckless.

He knows he should've taken you with him. He shouldn't have hidden it from you.

After all, you always tagged alone and supported him everytime he'd go on his... secret missions to avenge his fellow Lemurians that were done wrong in this world. You trusted him just as much as he trusted you.

It's just that this time, he knows you're extremely busy at your work, dealing with a big, serious investigation, and the last thing he wants is to put more stress on you.

He'd be fine, anyways. It won't take long.

Well, that's what he thought.

Rafayel's targets this time ended up possessing new high-tech weapons that he hadn't accounted for, and it resulted in him getting hurt.

At the end, despite all the troubles they've given him, his mission was a success.

But then, as he came home with all his injuries, you were there waiting for him. He saw the horrified expression on your face as you ran over to him.

You were dead silent as you cleaned and fixed him up, listening to his explanation of what he did.

The argument wasn't really much of an argument. Mostly because you didn't say much.

All he saw was the hurt and disappointment in your eyes before leaving without a word other than, "Get some rest, Rafayel."

How could he get some rest now?

His heart is racing as his mind jumps to conclusions.

You took off your ring because you no longer want to be with him.

What should he do?

Should he run after you?

Rafayel starts heading for the door to leave, but then he realizes that he is not in a good condition to go out. He barely made it home without falling apart, after all.

Should he call you?

Will you even pick up?

Rafayel takes a deep breath as he reaches for his phone.

His thumb hesistantly presses your contact name, ignoring his pounding heart.

"What's wrong?"

You greeted him with those words, already sounding concerned for him.

"H—Hey, cutie, I was just...."

Rafayel pauses as he replays your words.

Your tone... it sounded a little off.

"Are you okay?"

"What? Me? I'm fine. Why? You're the one who should be answering that question."

Rafayel frowns. "But you sound like you're stressed about something. Where are you right now?"

"I'm just.... looking for something...." He could hear rustling in the background, which tells him that you're moving around a lot. "Why'd you call me? Are you in pain? Do you need any help?"

"Huh? You sound concern for me..."

"Why do you sound surprised? Should I not be?"

Now, both of you are confused.

"I just thought.... you know.... you'd be mad...." Rafayel looks down at the ring on his hand and fiddles with it nervously. "Because.... of... you know.... I thought you're breaking up with me so I didn't think you'd pick up my call, but like, you don't even sound mad, so—"

"Wait." You interrupt him sharply. "We're breaking up?"

"....Are we....?"

"Wait, what? Rafayel, stop confusing me!" If he wasn't on the verge of throwing up right now, he would have giggled at you. "What do you mean?! Why would I break up with you?"

"Because.... you're mad at me for not telling you about what I did? And for acting stupid and reckless? That's why you left your ring here, didn't you? Because you don't want to be with me anymore?"

"My ring...." You paused for a few seconds before Rafayel hears you let out a loud gasp. "So that's where it is?! No way!"

"Huh?"

"I could cry right now! Rafayel, you life saver!"

"Me? Why?!"

"I've been looking for the ring for hours! I thought I lost it so I was freaking out and went back to all the places I went today! I was seriously thinking that some Wanderer ate it or something! I didn't know what I would do and what I would tell you if it was really gone!"

Right now, he could imagine you crying happily.

He thinks he might shed tears of joy right now too.

"So..... you didn't leave it behind on purpose?"

"Of course not!"

"Oh." Rafayel just lets out the longest breath of relief.

Suddenly, breathing became easy again.

His shoulders feel light.

The lump in his throat had magically vanished.

"That's good... So, you're not mad at me, right, cutie?"

"Weelll..... I'm still gonna scold you about it a few more times, but.... of course I'm not mad at you." Your tone turns soft. "I know you have your own things to do, and you were just being considerate of me.

I really did wish I was by your side when everything happened though. I hated seeing you hurt like that, so I couldn't really say much earlier without saying the wrong things but.... I'm not upset, Rafayel. I'm sorry for making you worry. I'm not going anywhere without you."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

There was a brief moment of silence on his end before his tone shifts to a lighter one.

"So, will you come home and take care of me? I think my injuries are kinda hurting and I might need a pretty Miss Bodyguard to look at them for me. Also, your ring misses you."

The sound of your laughter made his injuries feel nonexistent, even if just for a moment.

He knew at that moment that everything is going to be okay.

"I'll go buy us some food first, so you better be on your bed and behaving when I come home, okay?"

"Okay, but please hurry or else I might die—"

"Stop."

"—I mean from loneliness, cutie."

"Bye, Rafayel."

You found Rafayel at the dining room, resting his head on the table with his eyes closed, with his phone next to him.

You quietly walked up to him and placed a hand on his forehead to see if he had a fever or any dramatic temperature changes brought by his injuries.

Not a minute later, Rafayel opens his eyes and you were instantly pulled into his chest.

"You're here!"

You were caught off-guard with how tightly he was holding onto you, and how fast his heart is racing against your chest.

"Rafayel...." Without pulling away, you shifted your gaze at his face and noticed the relief in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

He takes your left hand and slides your ring on your finger before bringing it up to his lips for a soft kiss. He then flashes you a soft smile. "I'm good now~"

"Promise?"

"Promise." Rafayel squeezes you against him even tighter, nuzzling his face on top of your head. "And now that you're here, you're not allowed to leave for the rest of the night. Actually, not for the rest of the weekend— actually, I'm so terribly injured, so you might have to stick around until I get completely better. I think that's what the doctor said."

"Really? I don't remember him saying that."

"Then, you might've gotten a head injury from fighting all those Wanderers and got a little memory loss. Don't worry cutie, I'll take care of you. Let me put you in bed right now!"

"No, I'm putting you in bed."

You quickly stop him from carrying you to prevent him from wasting energy. He is still recovering from injuries, after all.

Instead, you're the one who carried him bridal-style. Rather than protesting, he happily wraps his arms around you and rests the side of his face on your chest.

You can't help but feel bad for worrying him earlier.

From now on, you must never ever take your ring off. Not only so you don't lose it, but also so you don't make Rafayel misunderstand and worry about something that'll never happen.

You only took it off because you were cleaning up Rafayel's injuries and didn't want it to get in the way or to get it stained. It is quite precious to you, so you're being careful with it. Maybe you were a little too careful.

You made him worry over something so silly.

"Okay, stay here while I shower real quick."

"Can I—"

"Nope."

Rafayel pouts at you. "You didn't even know what I was going to say."

"I think I do, and it's still no." You squish his cheeks with one hand. "I won't take long. By the time I finish, I know for sure you're still gonna be undecided on what movie we'll be watching."

"Hmph. Fine. I'm gonna choose the saddest movies you've ever seen and you're gonna be crying so hard!"

"Okay~"

At the end of the night, Rafayel ended up choosing an awful romantic drama movie that had the two of you asleep within thirty minutes.

Rafayel fell asleep with his head on your chest and an arm around your waist, and you had an arm gently secured around his back.

“damn, I can’t imagine having sex like this.”

sylus’s brow quirked from the other side of the couch, his book lowering out of sudden disinterest. 

“like what, kitten?”

you peered over the cover of your book. 

“like in some of these books I read! the guy actually makes her scream.”

he chuckled.

“oh? and that’s entirely implausible to you?” 

you blinked. 

“well, yeah.” 

his arms crossed, brows knitting together in disapproval. 

your eyes widened a fraction. 

“oh… I-“ you scrambled for words, “- I didn’t mean… you’re very good, obviously-“

his deep laughter cut off your rambling. he slid closer, long arm casually coming to rest behind you along the back of the couch. 

“while I do appreciate the review…” his lips tilted into his signature smirk before dipping to your ear, “I already know.”

your face heated. then you shoved him in the chest. 

“what do you mean ‘you know’?” 

he pulled back to admire the flustered look on your face. 

“well, unless it’s only for the sake of flattering me, you tend to get very vocal.” 

you scoffed, offended. (he was right.) 

“that’s not the same as screaming,” your eyes narrowed in defiance. 

“your neighbors couldn’t seem to distinguish the difference the other night.” 

the color drained from your face at the memory, but you refused to be embarrassed. 

“I didn’t scream.” 

his large frame was slowly beginning to crowd you, his voice lowering as he said, “would you care to demonstrate the difference?” 

you let out a sharp breath. 

“-for learning purposes, of course,” he winked. 

“I don’t need to prove myself!” your finger was suddenly in his face, causing his smirk to widen into a full grin. 

“care to make a wager, then?” 

“like… a bet? on what?” 

gingerly, he slid the book from your hand, skimming the page you had been reading and tapping on a paragraph. 

“on my ability to make you scream my name, of course.” 

you let out a disbelieving laugh, eyes darting between the page and his handsome face. 

“y-you’re serious?”

he nodded. 

you shook your head.  

“you think you can make me scream?”

“my name.” 

you snorted. 

“your confidence is intriguing… but I probably shouldn’t traumatize my neighbors again.” 

“are you scared, kitten?” 

your gaze whipped to his, eyes narrowing. 

“no,” you huffed, “but maybe the terms should include that we’re somewhere more-uh- private? like the base?” 

sylus made a “tsk” sound, shaking his head. 

“you’re going to confine me to the base for this challenge? how boring.” 

“well, if you don’t think you can do it-“ 

you yelped as he snatched your face in his hand, pulling you close enough that your breaths mingled. 

“that little noise you just made gives me all the reassurance I need.” 

you ignored your racing heartbeat. 

“besides,” he drawled, “if we’re at the base, who will be our witness? we’ll need someone  to confirm the results of the challenge.” 

your fist collided with his bicep. 

“pervert!” you glared while he winced with a smile, “don’t pretend luke and kieran have never overheard any of the sick, nasty things you do to me.”

he laughed. 

“I never said they hadn’t.” 

a new level of mortification arose as you mumbled, “at least they’re probably used to it…” 

“so?” sylus tapped you on the forehead, awaiting your answer. 

“I don’t know…” you rubbed the back of your neck, “this is still a pretty risky wager for you, considering I already know what you’re capable of…”

you trailed off as you noticed a sinister gleam in his eye. 

you’d made your first crucial mistake. 

his eyes dropped to your lips for a moment before he leaned back, shrugging. 

“then I suppose you have nothing to lose.” 

it was easy to ignore how flustered you felt when you noted the smug expression on his face. 

so you puffed your chest out, lifting your chin. 

“bring it on, boss man.” 

~~~ 

“JESUS FUCKING CHRIII-Ahh-SSSttt!”

your head slammed back against the headboard, back arching off the mattress as your third orgasm tore through you. 

oh, you’d been a goddamn fool. 

completely unconvinced that it was realistic to scream during intimate activities, you’d given sylus free reign to deem whatever he felt was necessary to achieve his goal. 

so of course he had restrained you, evol spreading your arms and legs wide while pinning you to the bed. 

he’d edged you to oblivion, kissing and groping until you’d eventually fallen apart on his tongue, fingers… and then tongue again. 

but you were technically winning. 

you were still panting and groaning as he wiped his lips against your thigh, rising to his knees to admire the mess he’d made of you. 

“so close, kitten…” he bent over to press a taunting kiss to your forehead, “but that’s not my name.” 

you spit in his face. 

he threw his head back and laughed, wiping the mixture of spit and sweat from his cheek while he sat back on his knees and stared down at you like a god. 

“don’t you think-“ you panted, “-your plan is going to backfire on you?” 

he hummed, one of his large hands beginning to tease your nipple as he replied, “and how would it do that?”

he pinched, drawing a hiss from you and a chuckle from him. 

“I could go hoarse before I ever get to-“ you sucked in a breath as his hands trailed up and down your thighs, “-scream… your name.” 

“oh, does that mean you’re planning to?” 

his smirk was infuriating. 

“better go ahead and get it over with, sweetie. it will save us both a lot of time.” 

you were physically exhausted, body already aching, but something about his tone lit a fire in your stomach. 

“you arrogant, cocky basta-“

a shriek replaced your protest as the mist binding your limbs snapped, instead dragging your body onto your knees while you faced him. 

his large, calloused hands dug into your thighs, your own hands flying to his shoulders to steady yourself as he swept your legs around his waist in a single lift. 

“careful, kitten…” he murmured while sucking a mark into the soft skin of your neck, “you’re getting louder.” 

you’d be lying if you said you didn’t want to give in. 

his resolve alone was impressive, denying the visible evidence of his own need all for the sake of watching you come undone. and it felt so good when he gave a teasing roll of his hips. he was rock hard and leaking with neglect, dragging along your dripping folds with maddening patience.

you draped your arms lazily around his neck, mouth grazing his as you mustered your remaining determination. 

“that’s all you’ve got?” you muttered against his lips.

your second crucial mistake. 

“do you really think the thing that’s gonna break me is your cock?” your taunts continued, “won’t work… I already know how it feelsss- FUCKkkk!” 

you cursed as he slammed into you without warning, filling you in a single thrust. his grip turned bruising as he released a drawn out groan, holding you down while you both adjusted to the sensation of him stretching you so abruptly. 

strings of curses flew from your lips when he lifted your hips and repeated the motion. 

“shit-oh my god-SY-“ you clamped a hand around your mouth before his name fully escaped your lips. 

a dark laugh cut through his panting. he nipped at your hand with his teeth, right eye glowing as he breathed, “you’re so close, sweetie, doing so well…” his mouth dropped to nip at your collar bone. 

“…. just a little louder for me.” 

“nev- unngghh- never,” your nails dug into his scalp as you bit down on his shoulder to keep from screaming. 

but he wouldn’t allow that. 

next thing you knew, your face met the mattress, hips yanked backward and entrance immediately stretching to accommodate brutal, deep thrusts. 

“sssy! SY- fuck-“ your words were a garbled mess as you scrambled for a pillow or anything you could reach to muffle the sounds that were escaping you with increasing volume. 

but your plans were thwarted with a large palm to your back. 

“what do you think you’re doing, sweetie?”

sylus’s voice was rough and wrecked, doing absolutely nothing to help the building heat in your core. suddenly, his palm pressed, forcing your back into an arch so deep that it had you seeing stars. 

the new angle allowed for him to sink impossibly deeper, the thick length of him bruising your sweet spot as he picked up the pace. your bodies, slick with sweat, collided with such a force that it created a vulgar schlick with every thrust. 

you could feel your walls squeezing, feel his cock throbbing, and when he snaked an arm around to rub circles against your over-stimulated core, you groaned loudly through gritted teeth. 

“sylus,” you choked, burying your face in the mattress as his pace became frantic. 

that’s when it happened. 

his fingers threaded into your hair and tugged at the same moment his hips snapped and the other hand pressed against that swollen, sensitive spot. 

your vision went white as pleasure erupted through both of you, your body wracking with tremors so forceful that his name was tearing from your throat in a pitch you’d never heard. his deep moan felt euphoric, reverberating through you as his mouth pressed down your spine in messy kisses. 

~~~

“you never told me what I lost, exactly…” 

you leaned against the counter for stability, savoring a sip of hot tea as it soothed your throat. 

“bragging rights, mostly,” sylus grinned. 

you swatted at his bare chest. 

“come on! what was in it for me?”

he gave you a leveled look. 

“shall we make another bet, then?”

you shivered. 

“I’m not sure my throat can handle that.” 

he chuckled, his hand coming up to scratch his chin. 

“what if…” his crimson eyes flared when they met yours, “you see what it takes to make me scream.” 

your brows flew upward in surprise, then furrowed as you glared. 

“I’m beginning to feel like these bets favor one side…” 

“is that a ‘no’?” he challenged, smirking. 

you sighed, then cleared your throat. 

“it’s a ‘you’re on.’”

dividers by @uzmacchiato

Chinese mythology does not have werewolves the way the western world knows them, with the transformation during the full moon and the curse of biting another human that then turns into a werewolf and is usually malevolent. In Chinese mythology, plants, insects, inanimate objects that gain sentience and animals can absorb spiritual energy from the universe, and cultivate magical powers. They can often gain the ability to shapeshift into human form. They are called Yaoguai or Yao.

In Chinese folklore and modern fantasy, a Wolf Demon is translated as Láng Yāo (狼妖).

In traditional Chinese folklore, wolves are historically depicted as cunning, ruthless and dangerous. A Lang Yao in classical literature is frequently portrayed as a malicious spirit or marauding monster. This is not quite different from how the wolf was depicted in western literature for centuries, I think. Most of us know the story of the Wolf and Three Pigs, or the Boy Who Called Wolf. We know the wolf is also tied to the occult through Dracula and all the depictions of werewolves in modern western media.

In modern Chinese novels, anime, and games, Lang Yao characters generally exhibit specific archetypes: They often possess a hybrid form—such as a human body with wolf ears, fangs, claws, and a tail—or can seamlessly shift between a massive feral beast and a full human disguise. We see Valko do this in his trailer.

They are typically written as exceptionally agile, physically strong, and possessing heightened senses. They often control elements like wind or shadow to execute swift slash attacks.

They are rarely solitary and are commonly depicted living in packs, tribes, or powerful military clans led by a tribal chief or "Wolf King." This is what we see with Valko as well. From the little things we know about him, we have learned that he is the head of his werewolf clan and his standard myth companion is called the Wolf Lord. We also know he has at least a grandma, cousin and an auntie in his pack and from the way he referred to them in Chinese, they were part of his paternal line. I am wondering if we were gonna see more about that in his standard myth, or perhaps in future cards of his, but I guess we won't know now. Even if I hope they bring him back and reinstate him in the game. The Wolf Demon/Spirit lore would be great for a future myth.

WinterzDream on X was so kind to explain most of this, so I got most of the info from her. She also mentioned several stories that are worth checking out. And I fully intend to do that. Yao-Chinese Folktales: The acclaimed animated anthology features various traditional spirits, notably in episodes like The Summer of Mr. Yao (set on Lang Lang Mountain) and Linlin, which beautifully explores the perspective of a wolf spirit trying to integrate into human society. The Wolf of Zhongshan: A famous Ming-dynasty fable that highlights the traditional cultural view of wolves. While it focuses heavily on a wolf's capacity to deceive humans after being saved, it laid the foundation for Lang Yao tropes where wolves manipulate human empathy.