A HEART FOR AN EYE.

CHAPTER 19: THE GENESIS.

The day had finally arrived. The Kingdom of Neju was draped in resplendent colors, the air thick with anticipation and a blend of excitement and fear. Jimin, the young prince destined to ascend the throne, stood at the heart of the Grand Diety Temple. Today, he would become king and come into his power of Zehu, the legendary supernatural prince prophesied to bring peace and prosperity to Neju.

The ritual of stepping into the light for divine recognition was a crucial part of the coronation. Jimin would not be alone in this; his chosen consort, Jungkook, would accompany him. According to ancient prophecy, this act would confirm the rightness of his choice, with dire consequences for any error.

The entire kingdom watched with bated breath. Dignitaries from neighboring lands had gathered to witness the monumental event, their faces reflecting the mixed emotions of the people of Neju. They were torn between hope for a prosperous future and the fear that the prophecy might lead to tragedy.

Jimin wasn't worried for himself. His concern was solely for Jungkook. He would face death without hesitation if it meant being with Jungkook, but the thought of his beloved suffering because of a wrong choice tormented him.

As the time for the ritual approached, Jimin took Jungkook aside, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "Jungkook, I need to explain what's about to happen," Jimin began. "When we step into the light, the Diety will judge our bond. If it's not meant to be, a curse will befall us. We, our families, everyone could die. The same will happen if I step into the light alone."

Jungkook listened intently, his face serious but unflinching. Jimin continued, "You have a chance to back out. No one would blame you."

Jungkook's grip tightened around Jimin's hand. "Do you think I'm afraid?" he asked, a small smile forming on his lips. "I've always talked about wanting to die with you. Seems like now I might get my chance."

Jimin chuckled softly, relief washing over him. "I love you, Jungkook. More than anything."

"And I love you, Jimin. We've made the right choice. Together."

As midnight approached, an extraordinary phenomenon unfolded in the sky. Two moons appeared: a scarred, bloody full moon, the symbol of Jimin's birth, nestled within the curve of a starry crescent moon. It was a sight never before seen in Neju, leaving the crowd in awe.

Then, the divine Nightingale flew down from the heavens, its song a celestial serenade that filled the air with an ethereal beauty. The names of Jimin and Jungkook began to form in the clouds above, as the divine book of fates opened for the first time to record their destiny.

A radiant light shone down through the Grand Diety Temple, and a voice, powerful yet gentle, resonated through the kingdom. "Step into the light, my son, for your mother longs to look upon you."

Jimin felt a surge of energy, as if transformed into a being of pure resolve. He grasped Jungkook's hand firmly. Together, they stepped into the divine light.

"Zehu, Luya, you have finally found each other again," the Grand Diety's voice echoed.

Jimin, his heart pounding, asked, "What do you mean, Divine Mother?"

The book of fates flipped back through millennia, revealing the ancient tale of Zehu and his lover, Luya. The Grand Diety's voice filled with emotion as she recounted the story.

"When I gave birth to you, my beloved Luha, you were the most beautiful boy in the realm. I loved you so much," the Grand Diety began. "You roamed the fields, gathering strays and bringing them home. When you were sixteen, you found a human, little Zehu, frail and abused. You nursed him back to health with your divine blood, growing more human yourself. Your love was never meant to last; he was human, you were a god. In an attempt to prevent disaster, I stripped Zehu of your blood's immunity, not realizing how weak he was. You tried to resurrect him with your blood, but it was too late. He died. You hated me for it and in a feat of fury, you lay the curse of the innocent on my head, never to lay eyes on you until Zehu's last fate in his last lifetime became yours. You would suffer so many injustices in so many lifetimes until Zehu's same exact fate would find you. You vanished, casting a shadow of blindness on me. I could never find you. Only Zehu could lure you out."

The Grand Diety's voice trembled with regret. "Zehu reincarnated with traces of your blood, carrying your aura. He ascended into the divine realm in glory. But I could never find you. Zehu's parents lived through so many different fates, good and bad, had so many children, boys and girls. But none of them was you. For thousands of lifetimes, Zehu begged me to come to earth in search for you. In each lifetime, you refused to be reborn. But Zehu never gave up on finding you. Even with the curse of oblivion, he still did his best. Until in this lifetime when he felt the cry of your blood reaching out to him. My Luha, my Jungkook. Please forgive your mother. I am so sorry, my beloved son. For what I did, for the pain I caused."

Jungkook's eyes widened with the revelation, his breath catching in his throat. Tears streamed down his face as he took in the magnitude of the Grand Diety's words. "Mother," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "I understand now. I forgive you. I have found my way back, and that is enough."

Jimin stood there, tears glistening in his eyes, feeling the weight of their ancient love and the pain of their separation. He looked at Jungkook, seeing in him the same spirit, the same soul that had loved him so deeply across lifetimes.

"Mother," Jimin whispered, his voice breaking. "We are together now. We've found each other again."

The divine light enveloped them, a symbol of their unbreakable bond, and the prophecy fulfilled. The curse was lifted, and Neju erupted in celebration, knowing that their new king and his consort were truly meant to be.