Till The End Of The Moon [SEASON- 2]

11. Mirror of Past.

When Miang Tao was talking about himself, opening up bit by bit, all those buried memories flooded back into Li Susu's heart-memories of the man who once ended his life just to save a broken world. Her throat tightened. A tear escaped before she could stop it, sliding silently down her cheek.

Miang Tao finished, voice heavy.
Miang Tao: "I am completely alone in this world... completely. No one's left with me. No one to talk to about anything. I don't live in the kingdom because... this forest is the only place that feels quiet enough. Peaceful enough."

He sounded distant. Lost. Li Susu's heart ached. Without thinking, she reached out and gently placed her hand over his. The warmth of her touch surprised them both.

Li Susu: "There's a reason behind every wound... behind every silence. Nothing happens without cause. If you're alone, then fate must still be unfolding something for you. You just haven't seen it yet."

Her voice was soft-like a lullaby trying to soothe a storm.

Miang Tao stared at her hand resting on his, then slowly looked up at her face. That one gesture, so simple, calmed something in him. A faint smile appeared on his lips, but confusion stirred in his eyes.

Miang Tao: "What do you mean? What kind of reason could make someone this alone?"

Li Susu (hesitating): "I... It's complicated. Just... think of it that way."

She pulled her hand back, suddenly nervous. But Miang Tao's gaze lingered on her, and after a beat, he smiled faintly.

Miang Tao: "Enough about me. I've spilled my story. Now it's your turn."

Li Susu: "Me? There's not much to say. I'm just-nothing special."

Miang Tao (raising a brow): "That's not fair. I told you everything. Whatever it is... I want to hear it."

She looked down, then exhaled.

Li Susu: "Okay, fine. But don't laugh. I'm... not an ordinary woman. I'm a goddess. I carry the power of the 12 ancient gods."

Miang Tao blinked.

Miang Tao: "What...? Wait-you don't mean the 12 gods who died battling the Devil God?"

Li Susu (nods): "Yes. But... how do you know about that?"

Miang Tao: "Just because I'm an orphan doesn't mean I'm uneducated. I've read the old histories. But... how did you get their power? And-where's Tantai Jiang's father?"

Li Susu took a shaky breath. This was it. The moment she'd dreaded, and waited for.

Li Susu: "I used to be just an immortal from the Immortal Sect. I had a family, a home, a brother. But the Devil God... he wanted the Mirror of the Past, and he killed my father for it."

Miang Tao: "Mirror of the Past?"

Li Susu: "A sacred mirror. It lets you travel backward through time. My father activated it before he died. He told me the Devil God wasn't born evil. People made him that way. They tortured him, abandoned him... The evil bone inside him twisted him over time. My father told me to go 500 years back-to destroy that bone. To kill him before he became a monster but..."

Her voice broke.

Li Susu: "I couldn't do it. I fell in love with him."

Tears were spilling freely now. Her body trembled with the weight of her truth. And Miang Tao sat frozen, lips slightly parted, chest rising and falling like a tide struggling to find its rhythm.

Li Susu: "He-Tantai Jin-was the first and last man I ever loved. And now... he's not with me. My daughter's father isn't here. She doesn't even know him."

Hearing that, Miang Tao's fists clenched tightly at his sides.

Li Susu: "He looked just like you... your eyes, your face, your voice. It's you. I know it's you. Even if you don't remember, I know my Tantai Jin."

Miang Tao (quietly): "Li Susu... I respect your feelings. But I'm not him. I'm Miang Tao. Please try to understand that."

Li Susu: "No! You're my Tantai Jin! I won't accept otherwise!"

He stood suddenly, anger and confusion flaring.

Miang Tao (raising his voice): "Why don't you understand?! I'm not him! I don't remember anything! I'm just Miang Tao!"

His voice echoed off the walls, sharp and sudden.

The sound shattered something in her. She looked at him, lips quivering, then burst into loud sobs.

Li Susu: "I... I'm not going to talk to you anymore! I'm leaving!"

She turned, ready to storm out. Miang Tao flinched.

Miang Tao: "Hey! At least take your child, the one you just said you can't live without! Or was that a lie too? Huh, liar lady?"

The words were harsh. Too harsh.

Li Susu's eyes widened, then narrowed. Anger surged through her like a second heartbeat.

Li Susu: "Maybe your years of loneliness have ruined your brain. I'm not going anywhere-especially not without my daughter. You've driven me mad, I'm going to sit outside before I throw something at you. Crazy man!"

She stomped out.

Miang Tao blinked-then a crooked smile curved his lips.

She called him crazy, but he'd never felt more alive.

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Chapter ended.
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