A Love Beyond Time

Welcome to the Thalassic Kingdom

The ancient immortal realms—three weeks ago

The world beyond was an absolute abyss of murky darkness, so thick it smothered and so utterly oppressive that it felt like a cage, a prison from which there was no escape.

Tian-Di stood at the edge of the realm. His realm, which he had ruled for the past thousands of millennia, a realm that had seen the most glorious of times and experienced the bloodiest of eras. Now, there was nothing left except this terrible darkness.

No thanks to the ruler of the new immortal realm. The Celestial Kingdom.

That should never have happened. The ancient oracles had foretold that both realms would co-exist peacefully as long as the Celestial Kingdom was ruled by one of pure blood. Tian-Di had gone to great lengths to ensure that the prophecy would be fulfilled, to the extent that he had gifted a trusted subject to the late Jade Emperor as the latter's Consort. To forge a political alliance through marriage, one that would be fortified through their offspring who would have blood of both ancient and new realms running through his veins.

Yet, who would have guessed that the late Emperor was a philanderer? Who could have predicted that he would impregnate a maiden of unknown origins? Who could have foreseen that the bastard child of that tainted union would unleash such havoc?

Not the ancient oracles. And definitely not him.

Perhaps that bastard child was not wholly at fault. If only 'it' had not awakened, then things might still be controllable, possibly even salvageable. If only...

Admiring the view, Tian-Di?

The voice came first, a caress of his mind. Soft, melodious, gentle, with a subtle icy bite. Winter dawn's first breath yet warmed by the sun. Chills gushed through his veins, broke through his skin in goosebumps when he felt the presence behind him.

Tian-Di turned around very slowly. To the sight of the large nine-tailed creature, nebulous and phantasmal, an apparition conjured from winter mist and wispy dreams. So insubstantial and flimsy, punching or flicking it would be like punching or flicking through the air. What should have been eyes were a pair of galactical pools of swirling and glittering lavender-gold.

A warning tingled within him when he belatedly realised that the wards he had crafted around the perimeters of his realm remained undisturbed. He eyed the creature warily.

"How did you get in? What are you doing here?"

I thought you already knew? Couldn't your noble, all-knowing Self predict my arrival?

The subtle amusement lacing that voice, the very idea that this—'it'—could slip past his wards unnoticed and get into such proximity, rankled and unsettled the proud ancient ruler. He reached discreetly within himself, hoping to grasp some of his magic to repel the presence before him.

I wouldn't do that if I were you, Tian-Di. Besides, I mean you no harm.

Those galactical swirls shimmered, shifted, and turned from lavender-gold to silvery-blue.

I would like you to return to the Dragons what you had taken away from them.

"What if I refused to?" Tian-Di retorted through clenched teeth. "You have no right to barge into my realm to demand things from me."

Then things will worsen, and this darkness will continue to prevail.

There was a whisper of a sigh, and the apparition wavered.

I only want to restore order, Tian-Di. Nothing more.

"Order? What kind of order?" Anger and unease sharpened Tian-Di's voice. "You were the one who caused this! You!"