The Shackling Prison was a place that Jing Yuan liked to avoid at all costs. It was cold, gloomy, and filled with the Xianzhou’s most dangerous criminals.

So when you were asked to visit the place to record a testimony confirming Jing Yuan’s innocence in the Stellaron crisis, Jing Yuan was not pleased.

He could tell you were terrified, and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t a little too.

“You just need to give your testimony and then you can head back. No need to worry.” He murmured as he cupped your face.

Regardless of his worries, he let you go. You kissed him goodbye before you travelled to the prison to stand in front of the Karmic Mirror.

…

Jing Yuan really should have trusted his instincts.

Not even an hour after your departure, Jing Yuan received word that they lost all contact with the Shackling Prison. Even worse than that, Hoolay, the last Warhead Brood lord of the Borisin, the nemesis of the foxians, was freed from his cell.

Jing Yuan’s been through centuries of war and conflict, yet he’s never felt so scared before.

The thought of your death alone brought him great pain, but the fact that your death might be to Hoolay, a creature known for inflicting pain? It made him sick to his stomach.

He had no way to contact you. He didn’t even know if you were alive.

He was going to do everything in his power to get to you.

…

The Shackling Prison revolt was not one with a nice resolution. Countless died, and Hoolay was no where to be seen.

Every body Jing Yuan passed brought another wave of pain to his chest, the chance that one of them might be you driving him mad.

The relief he felt when he saw you with Dan Heng and Judge Hanya almost brought him to his knees.

It took everything in him to remain professional in front of the others. The moment they departed, he pulled you in close and tight.