A HEART FOR AN EYE.

PROLOGUE.

The night of the Bloody Moon cast an eerie crimson glow over the kingdom of Neju, illuminating the royal palace and the humble homes of its subjects alike. The air was thick with anticipation, for this was no ordinary night.

Legend held that on every thousandth Bloody Moon, the Grand Deity might bestow upon the kingdom the reincarnation of Zehu, the half-god, half-prince who once ruled with divine wisdom and benevolence. Zehu, a beacon of light and hope, born of the Grand Deity's very essence, was a figure of reverence and aspiration for the people of Neju.

Zehu's legend was woven into the very fabric of Neju's culture. Born during a time of great turmoil, he had been the child of a mortal king and the Grand Deity's chosen maiden. His birth heralded a new era of peace and prosperity.

Zehu possessed extraordinary powers, his presence alone capable of healing the sick and calming storms. His reign was marked by wisdom and compassion, and under his guidance, Neju flourished. When Zehu's time on earth came to an end, the Grand Deity promised his spirit would return every thousand Bloody Moons to guide and protect the kingdom once more.

In the royal chambers, the King and the Queen lay entwined, their hearts filled with a mixture of hope and dread. They had tried countless times before to conceive an heir, yet each attempt ended in sorrow. Tonight, they prayed fervently that their union would yield the miraculous birth of Zehu's reincarnation.

"My queen," the king whispered, his voice heavy with emotion, "tonight must be the night. We can not endure another failure."

The Queen, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, nodded. "I know, my King. We must have faith in the Grand Deity. Our kingdom needs this miracle."

The king kissed her forehead gently. "For Neju, and for us. We must believe."

As the royal couple sought to conceive their divine child, the streets of Neju were alive with similar hopes. Husbands and wives, young and old, shared the same dream of being the blessed family to bring forth the reincarnation of Zehu. The promise of divine favor made every household hopeful.

In a modest home near the edge of the kingdom, a young couple, Jisoo and Hyun, held hands tightly, their eyes fixed on the Bloody Moon.

"Do you think it could be us, Hyun?" Jisoo asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hyun squeezed her hand reassuringly. "If the Grand Deity wills it, Jisoo. All we can do is hope and pray."

In another part of the kingdom, an elderly couple, Seok and Hana, lay quietly in their bed. Though past their prime childbearing years, they still whispered prayers to the Grand Deity.

"Perhaps this time, we will be blessed with a grandchild who carries Zehu's light," Hana said softly.

Seok nodded, his eyes reflecting the Bloody Moon's glow. "We can only hope, my love. We can only hope."

In the sky, the Bloody Moon hung ominously, its deep red hue a stark contrast to the usual celestial tranquility. As the night progressed, the chants of prayers and incantations filled the air, a collective plea for the Grand Deity's blessing.

Amidst this fervor, the goddess Shanti, guardian of procreation, began her sacred duty of naming the newly conceived souls. Her ethereal voice echoed through the kingdom, each name a melody that resonated in the hearts of expectant parents.

"Naomi," she sang, her voice like a gentle breeze. "Haru. Sora. Lian."

Each name was met with joyous exclamations, for even if their child was not Zehu, to conceive on this sacred night was a rare blessing. It promised prosperity and protection, a gift from the Grand Deity.