They Be Wuthering My Waves ||Wuthering Waves X Reader||

"Normal was never an option for you, Y/N." Jiyan's calm, resolute voice cut through the chaos of your thoughts like a blade slicing through water.

You jumped slightly, peeking at him through the gap between your fingers as you held your face in your palms. His composed demeanor was a sharp contrast to your current state.

"General Jiyan! You're in the Rearguard camp? I thought you were always stationed at the Vanguard camp." you blurted out, lowering your hands.

"I was waiting for you," Jiyan replied, his tone as steady as ever. "There is only one Nexus Tower in this region, and it is here in the Rearguard camp."

Taking a deep breath, you tried to focus, mentally chastising yourself for letting your thoughts wander. Jiyan deserved your full attention, especially after coming all this way.

"You shouldn't have waited! I would’ve come to the Vanguard camp myself—walked or even flown there if I had to!"

Jiyan shook his head, his expression unchanging as he gestured for you to walk beside him. "The path to the frontlines is riddled with Tacet Discords. I could not let my guest face such trivialities."

As the two of you walked side by side, the landscape around you revealed itself in muted tones. The grass was dull, its green long faded into dry yellows and brittle oranges. The trees stood lifeless, their branches skeletal against the sky. The earth stretched barren and lifeless before you, with no flowers in sight. Yet, the warm breeze swirled between you and Jiyan, its touch momentarily softening the harshness of the scene.

Despite the desolation, the frequency of Tacet Discord lingered heavily in the air. Strangely enough, the faint hum of it resonated with you, making your pulse quicken, your senses sharp.

“This place wasn’t always like this,” Jiyan said, his gaze locked firmly ahead. His voice, though calm, carried a faint note of sorrow, like a buried memory resurfacing. “It once had its own vibrance, its own beauty.”

You glanced at him, watching as his eyes briefly swept over the barren landscape before returning to the path ahead.

“But Norfall Barrens and Desorock Highland pass, all turned desolate after the Battle Beneath the Crescent.” his tone steady but weighted with the burden of history.

Noticing the quiet hesitation on your part, Jiyan gently changes the subject. “While the borderlands cannot rival the city’s clamor and glamor, they do possess their unique charm.”

You tilt your head, first looking around at the barren landscape, then back at him. “Like?”

“The full moon and twinkling stars that grace the tranquil night skies,” Jiyan replies, his voice low and smooth as his gaze shifts upward. The golden rays of the sun cascade over the two of you as you continue walking.

“Should you find the time, I would suggest staying the night.”

“Don’t Tacet Discords attack more at night?” you ask, raising a brow.

Jiyan nods, his sharp eyes locking with yours. “Yes, sometimes Tacet Waves grow intense after dark,” he answers, his voice unwavering. “But rest assured, your safety would not be a concern; I would be there with you.”

You feel the steady conviction in his words as you reach the road leading to the Vanguard camp. The soldiers stationed there quickly take notice of Jiyan’s arrival, their faces lighting up at the sight of him.

"General! You’re here—and with a guest, I presume?" A younger Midnight Ranger steps forward, his voice laced with curiosity.

Before you can respond, the boy is smacked lightly on the back of his head by a more seasoned ranger. “You fool! Don’t you know who that is? Show some respect—it’s the Primordial One!” The older ranger bows, forcing the younger one to follow suit. Soon, the other rangers also bow in unison.