A Trial by Halves

Another Voice in the Dark

The Celestial Heavens

Exhauted and near depleted of energy, Ci Hang sat back against a far wall to think.  One full day had passed, so he knew that one full year had also passed in the Mortal Realm and he dreaded to think what was happening.  Mo Yuan was still two days away from ressurrecting, Di Jun had used his energy to make the elixir while Zhe Yan had used most of his to collect the fungal grass.  That was two High Gods out of action and being stuck in Di Juns archives was not going to help anyone, least of all himself.

And for hours, not only had he tired himself out, he still hadn't worked out who had taken the power source.  He knew it wasn't Haode.  He may have come for it, but he would never have locked him into Di Juns archives.  In fact, he would have come with an armed guard and uplifted openly and he certainly would not have attacked him.  He may have been a lot of things, but he was no coward.

Growing angrier as every second passed, but too weak to continue and unable to send any messages or even sound through the barrier that was raised, he closed his eyes to think.  He knew whoever had the power source would have found Ye Hua by now and was possibly using it to hurt them or worse though as he sat thinking, he began to wonder what Di Jun may have hidden in his archives that might help get him out of there.

Looking around, he saw many of the ancient texts and a whole section on weaponry and war tactics.  But as his eyes fell on the star charts he had been studying with Di Jun a sudden thought came to mind.  Ye Huas star along with his sons star were now in the sky along with the star of marriage.  The only one missing was his wifes, and that was because she was sealed.  Her star would still be sitting within the consellation for the Fox Clan..  Though when one married, or rather the women of great rank married, their stars not only shone brilliantly within their own constellation but so did an echo of their star beside their husbands.

He knew he couldn't break through the barrier, but he could send out a spell to give the impression of an echo star.  It wasn't a star as such because stars did not move, but they reflected off any star no matter where in the sky it was, the same went for the marriage star, which was why many many stars had its echo in their stars reflection.

Only it would not be Bai Qians star he would use, but rather Haodes.

And he would do it to draw attention to himself.  Si Ming, knew he was in Di Juns Palace and the only one who would understand the meaning of the new star being an avid star gazer.  He would have also learned by now that Ye Hua was still alive and what he planned was elaborate and even dangerous, because it would be visible to everyone.  And this was where the brilliance of his spell lay.  No one could manipulate the night sky except for himself having been the one to create the spells, but he was banking on Si Ming informing Di Jun who would see the sign as a warning.

Bringing forth the spell, one he did not need to be outside for, he quickly chanted the words before throwing out a flicker of magic.  To any onlooker, it wouldn't have seemed as if he had done anything at all, but that too was where the brilliance lay.  It was exceptionally powerful but took no effort which was why he never shared them with anyone.  Now all he could hope for, was Si Ming seeing the unusual pairing and warning Di Jun.

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Southern Guangxi

What had started out as an elaborate plan and a day of fun and activity, was mellowed to a nice meal, a few new toys and quiet play outside in the sun.  It was Er Lis first birthday and rather than spend the day at the markets and then a childrens play, they instead remained at the cabin out of sight.  

Er Li was such a playful child, bright, bubbly and exceptionally inquisitive.  He was also walking, or rather tottering about the furniture and it was obvious to everyone that he was smitten with Nai Nai.  He followed her everywhere she went and though he was yet to talk, they all knew he understood much more than he was letting on.