A Blade and an Arrow

Heavenly Sin

n. wrote this at 4-6 am before i went to school ngl. so if it seems a bit... meh i apologize.

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There were many people here.

Gathered around for the festival the chief of the city had announced. Crowded, hot, and inevitably chaotic.

The glare of the sun made it even more difficult to move without sweating. As those of the nobles and higher ranks, or those that has money had even hired people to constantly fan them. To reduce the incredible heat. To help in keeping them sane and alive at such day.

Those that were unable to were left burning under the sun.

The festival itself was for the son of the chief. Inviting people from all around the southwest, and even those coming from the west.

It was because it was rumoured his son had spoken to a heavenly official.

Be it a god or a middle court, all weren't sure. However, they were certain his son had conversed with an official from above. The conversation topic remains a mystery.

The concealed god could not help but scoff.

To have created such big event for something that wasn't even proven. Acting so boastful and irrational they forget to give evidence for something so holy and unbelievable.

However, he wasn't here to join in the nonsense. Wasn't here to linger longer than necessary.

A desperate boy had prayed to his name. And although he doesn't really heed those that prayed outside of his temple and usually pushes it off for further problems, he had realized it was a much more serious matter.

He's only an eleven years god, it was best to keep gaining more and more worshippers as early as he could get.

The chief of the city has two children. One, the boy that presumably conversed with a heavenly official and was seen to ascend as a middle court. And two, a much less seen son. An adopted son, not a child from the chief's blood.

And while adopting children wasn't uncommon, and seen even as a kind gesture - the chief had taken it differently. And seen the adoption as repulsive, and irresponsible for those that birthed it and did not take good care of it. Therefore, it is the child that is to blame.

And by adopting a child, he basically bought a punching bag. A toy and a tool all the same.

He maneuvers through the halls of the chief's manor. Humming, and unperturbed. He is concealed, not to be seen from anyone, there was nothing to worry about.

Regardless, the sooner he gets to his poor worshipper, the sooner he gets to ascend back to heaven and continue filling and answering prayers alone once more.

He hears murmurs, along with faint cries and what seemed to be a plank slapping fabric.

Poking his head through the wall, he arches a brow upon seeing the wife of the chief hissing quietly at a boy not far from seventeen years old, as a younger boy - what seemed to be atleast ten - sat in the corner. Relaxed and grinning as though he had won something.

The god quickly does not like that younger boy.

"I told you not to talk to your brother like that, didn't I?!" The woman slaps his back with the small, thick wooden plank with each word. "If you disrespect him again, what more could he do to you once he become a heavenly official?! He's to ascend as a middle court under a famous, and wealthy god! Much more under Xuan Zhen Jianjun himself!"