Choices and Consequences

His Promise, Her Destiny - Part 1Tā de chéngnuò, tā de mìngyùn他的承诺，她的命运

Nüwa shook her head and waved her hand forward and down. Zhe Yan was propelled down to a seat next to his mother and silenced. He tried to talk but no word came out of his mouth. He watched his mother walk to the centre of the fountain, reached down and extracted a glowing golden orb. Zhe Yan's eyes nearly bulged out of its sockets for in her hand lies an orb that he only read in the most ancient tomes buried in the heart of Kunlun Xu. In her hand is the golden orb of a "Gemini" soul.

Zhe Yan eyes were transfixed by soft, golden light that emanated from the orb. Its soft glow gently reaches out to him. It touched his skin like a soothing balm of a cool breeze on a hot, humid day. He let it envelop him, as it sank into his core, a tugging sensation jolted him out of the stupor he sank into. The dark, malevolent essence has started to syphon his magical core. He fought to expel its hold but it held on. Tentacles of dark mist engulfed him. Drawing in his ancient, phoenix fire, Zhe Yan broke the hold of the mist then everything went dark as he lost consciousness.

Nüwa watched as her son fought the possession of the "Gemini" and broke free but only to lose consciousness. He has to experience the power of the "Gemini" to prepare him for that task he must carry out in order for the prophecy to reach its intended conclusion.

Mo Yuan felt Zhe Yan's phoenix essence pulse wildly then completely disappear. He broke into the chamber and came to a complete stop as he witnessed remnants of dark, malevolent power sink into Bai Qian's forehead. As it disappeared, Zhe Yan fell back on his back, breaking the connection he had with Bai Qian. Mo Yuan conjured a dais and levitated Zhe Yan into it before casting a diagnostic spell. He could see any damage or issues. In fact, all it showed was that Zhe Yan is in deep sleep. He decided to sit and wait for his brother to wake up.

Zhe Yan slowly opened his eyes. His eyes landed on Mo Yuan who's looking at him expectantly. "How do you feel? Mo Yuan asked him. The tone of his voice was both concerned and probing. "I had to break into the room when I felt your essence disappear" Mo Yuan continued explaining his presence in the chamber. "Can I have a drink first before you start the interrogation?" he asked before leaning back into the dais. Mo Yuan left the chamber to speak to whoever was outside the door before coming back to sit in the seat he just vacated. With his arm folded in his lap, he waited for Zhe Yan to explain what he found during his soul walk.

A knock came from the door and at Mo Yuan's command to enter, Changsan entered the chamber bearing tea and cakes. He silently served them then left. Zhe Yan took a restoring sip of his tea, looked Mo Yuan in the eye then said "Xiao Wu will wake up any time now. Her essence has been fully restored." Mo Yuan nodded and waited for Zhe Yan to continue speaking but instead Zhe Yan stood up. "I must get going, Bai Zhe needs to know that Xiao Wu will be home soon. I will be back tomorrow to pick up Xiao Wu." As he left, Mo Yuan called out to him and said "I know there is something you are not telling me brother. I will wait until you feel that you can share it with me." Zhe Yan left Kunlun Xu with a heavy heart and soul. The promise Nüwa extracted from him weighed him down.

Tiangong

The Sky Palace loomed ahead as Zhe Yan passed the sentries guarding the southern gate. Zhe Yan directed his cloud to the entrance then disembarked as it landed. He waved his right hand to send it away before making his way inside barely acknowledging kowtow from the guards. His mind is focused solely on his destination, the celestial lotus pond. The pond is a source of creation and cosmic renewal. Its power strengthens what is pure in a soul. Zhe Yan sat on the edge of the pond in a lotus position then bent his elbows to bring his palms together into a prayer position. He then extended his palms forward then opened them, facing upward. He took a purifying breath then chanted a spell. A shimmering light formed in his open palms and the "Gemini" orb materialised. He lowered his palms in the water. As the orb touched water, it transformed into a pure white lotus with a golden centre that pulsed. Zhe Yan conjured a protective barrier around the lotus. To others who happen to see it, it will appear the same as the others in the pond.

The first part of his promise is fulfilled. He will come back in 60 days to take the orb to its next destination. As he prepared to leave the pond, a voice called out to him from the pagoda at the centre of the pond. A voice he recognised very well. Ye Hua was making his way to where he stood. A wide grin splitting his face, making him look very young and carefree. Ye Hua gave him a hug which he fondly returned. "It's great to see you here, Zhe Yan. It's been aeons since you visited Tiangong. What brought you here?" "I was on my way to see Di Jun but was informed at the gate that he had gone to his mortal trial. As I am already here, I decided to visit the pond to absorb some of its essence before going to Qing Qui to see Bai Zhi." Zhe Yan lied. He couldn't tell Ye Hua his real purpose of coming to Tiangong. "Would you care to join me for refreshment before you go? Ye Hua asked. "I'll have to decline this time, Ye Hua. Bai Zhi is anxious to know about Xiao Wu's well being."

Ye Hua felt a dull pain in his core at the mention of Bai Qian. The Queen of Qing Qui has been on his mind constantly but since his decision to step back for his brother, he has not inquired about her health nor visited Kunlun Xu. Mo Yuan has tried to reach out but he told him that he is tied up with his celestial duties. "Xiao Wu will be waking up anytime now. She has fully recovered and will be back to Qing Qui as soon as she wakes up." Zhe Yan informed him. Happiness shone in Ye Hua's eyes as he said "I am glad that she is healed. I will send Tiansu with a gift as soon as she is back in Qing Qui to thank her for her sacrifice." Zhe Yan bid Ye Hua goodbye and made his way back to the fox den.

Ye Hua decided to go back to the pagoda. As he passed the part of the pond where Zhe Yan was sitting, a soft, ethereal light swept over him. His essence reached out, welcoming its caress. "Su Su" the name came out unbidden in Ye Hua's lips.