The waxing gibbous Moon, partially hiding behind the wispy night clouds like a chaste maiden, peeked shyly at the Valley below, bathing it in bits of silvery light. Deep within the forests, the falls thundered as torrent after torrent of rushing water spilled recklessly over the edge, the clear water sparkling as though lit by countless tiny crystals.
Up on the cliff, Seimei stood, still as a statue. Memories of the past swarmed his mind, as clear as though they had just happened mere moments ago. With the memories came fierce longing, sweet tenderness, intense love...and wrecking agony.
Shi-Yuan.I have finally found you. My little dragon...
The Celestial Kingdom-Jade Fox Forest, 2000 years ago
It was once said that the Immortal Realm was made up of eight immortal lands-the Celestial Kingdom, the mightiest of all, was nestled in the heart like a sacred jewel. To the far north of the Kingdom, separated by a winding river, laid a mysterious forest, green as an emerald drop. A massif of mountains rose dramatically from the center, proud and majestic among the blanket of clouds, the cerulean skies a perfect backdrop for their rich slate gray. Swirling mists shrouded the land like a protective parent, adding to its mysterious aura. Known to immortals and celestial beings as the Jade Fox Forest, it was, as its name indicated, the dwelling of Yu-Hu, the Celestial Fox Deity. He was the only animal fairy to be accorded the rank and title of a Deity in the past 90,000 years. But, as far as all were concerned, the defiant and headstrong Yu-Hu seemed more a rogue than a dignified celestial being.
Deep within Jade Fox Forest, two figures were embroiled in a fight, with the swishing sounds of a swinging sword echoing through the trees. One of them, dressed in a forest green robe with a satin belt of the same color encircling his waist, wore an owl mask. He wielded a sword with graceful precision, the sharp blade slicing menacingly through the air. His long hair, the unusual color of freshly minted silver, flowed with his movements. The other figure, clad in a lilac robe, met the attacks with bare hands. Although unarmed, he was a formidable opponent, generating strong energy waves to deflect the sword slashing relentlessly toward him in tight arcs, twisting and pirouetting his lithe body fluidly as he danced out of the weapon's way. All the while, an impish smile adorned his face as though he was enjoying the duel immensely.
Suddenly, the figure in lilac wavered in his steps, creating an opening for attack. Seizing his chance, Shi-Yuan leaped towards his target, his sword ready for a downward swing. In a flash, however, the figure vanished. The next thing Shi-Yuan knew, he was held in place by an invisible force, and his owl mask was gone. His opponent reappeared a few meters away with it, alongside a triumphant grin that dissolved into stunned admiration as he gazed upon the face previously hidden beneath the object.
Yu-Hu's startled gaze drank in the exquisite face before him. It was a flawless oval with refined bone structure-sculpted cheekbones, an elegant chin, and a long straight nose. A bow-shaped mouth with soft pouty lips that begged to be kissed. Thick eyebrows the exact striking shade as the hair was drawn together in a frown above a large pair of eyes. As perfect as the rest of the features were, those eyes were the absolute crown jewels. Fringed by double rows of lush black lashes, they were shaped like peach blossoms, large and watery, with an elegant upward sweep at the tails.
Peach blossom eyes, Yu-Hu thought, eyes that would arch into crescents when smiling. However, those eyes were now glaring at him with resentment. As Yu-Hu's eyes lingered on the young immortal, something stirred deep inside him. In his heart. In his blood. Something primal and intense. Something heated and dangerous. Something life-changing.
"This is the first time I have met someone whose looks rivaled mine. Now, I feel a little threatened," Yu-Hu teased as embarrassment and mortification tinted Shi-Yuan's face an appealing pink. He now knew why the latter wore a mask. He was too beautiful, even more beautiful than the Goddesses and immortal maidens. His looks were a distraction to the other celestial beings. Perhaps a danger to himself even.
YOU ARE READING
A Love Beyond Time
Fanfiction"Sagiri." Shion turned to the young lady beside him, a soft smile of quiet bliss and wonderment adorning his handsome face. "Have you ever, ever imagined that things would turn out this way when we embarked on that assignment to Shinsekyo those year...