A Love Beyond Time

Welcome back, your First Highness

Now that I've finally found you again

I swear on my very life

That I will love and protect you

And make you so happy

That you will forget what it feels like

To cry a river

===

The Mortal Realm-Southern regions

Wandering travelers and adventurous explorers who ventured into the mountainous regions of the Southern mortal realm would never have thought that there was more to the rocky terrain than what met the eyes. For deep within the heart of the remote cordillera was a cave, hidden from prying eyes and curious gazes.

And in the cave lay a great ancient beast-majestic and regal, fierce yet wise. Once deeply revered by mortals, she was now forgotten. Her ferocious battle prowess and courageous loyalty, her benevolent deeds and contributions to mankind's advancements were forgotten with the endless passage of time, blown away by the winds of change like the soft sand of the Gobi Deserts.

Nonetheless, she still stood sentinel quietly in the cave, watching over her precious descendants. And that singular child of her heart.

Now, she watched as the long-awaited reunion finally happened and shed a golden tear over what that symbolized.

And she prayed, her talons on her golden-scales clad bosom.

Child of my heart. Child of my blood. May your love be strong enough, powerful enough, to overcome the tempest that will soon arrive. To change your destinies so that you can come home together.

===

The Valley of the Foxes-Central region

A sharp sickle of a moon hung high in the obsidian sky. Its pearly glow irradiated the forests and gilded the trees in shimmery silver. The midnight breeze whispered through the leaves, making them dance and flit and casting their metallic sheen across the shadowy grounds.

Saito examined the piece of carving he had been working on for the past few months, glad that it was near completion. Tucking his tongue firmly against his left inner cheek and squinting slightly, he pressed the tip of his knife to the carving and added the finishing touches-meticulously, painstakingly, slowly.

There! It's done!

The Byakko held it up to the moonlight and nodded in satisfaction when the luminous glow illuminated subtle highlights of soft purples and pale gold. Tiny bits of crystal in-growth within the carving caught the light, casting sparkling rainbows here and there, adding a touch of radiant glamour.

A smile-tender and dolorous-touched Saito's rugged face. Although he yearned to give this precious work to the one who had inspired it, he knew he could not. Not ever.

This carving would join its predecessors that were carefully hidden in the deepest bowels of his cave. And so would those that come after it.

He sighed, brought it briefly to his lips, and kept it away. Then he took a large gulp of wine.

And waited, swinging a long, muscular leg idly in the air.

"Gao Rui."

Saito half turned at the voice behind him.

===

Shion perched on the heavy branch of the gigantic chestnut tree, his auric sight focused on the rich amber waves before him.