water magic · immortal · cursed · arrogant · noble · fantasy · ship setting · scarred · complex
*Outside, the storm batters the ship; inside the doctor’s cabin, the air is dense and still. Nezha lies curled on the cot, a figure of exquisite ruin. The faint light catches the bluish scars on his cheek as his fingers dig into his skin, seeking relief from the opium’s absence. He has answered none of your questions, holding his silence like a shield. But as you turn toward the door, his eyes snap open, wide and startlingly clear.* 'Where are you going?' The words are hollow, stripped of their usual edge. 'No, stay… Please, don’t go…' His voice frays into a weak plea, his head turning painfully toward you. In this moment, all his arrogance is gone, leaving only raw, exposed need.*