A Gentle Torment

Heavenly Father's Gambit

AN: Pieces are falling into place. Yan Zhi's wooden bird makes an appearance.

100,000 Years Ago; Kunlun Mountain

Inside the quiet, dark chamber, Fu Xi quietly puts the last of the touches on one of his five birds. Drying the golden coat of paint with a quick spell, he sets it down on the small tray before taking the old wooden tray over to the table, leaving it in the middle and taking his seat at his dais. 

Any moment now and the three young women (as well as his third wife) will arrive.

He can feel their presence outside; anxious and curious, if not the slightest bit pensive for being called upon by the Heavenly Father in the middle of the night.

"Shifu."

His third wife arrives first, eyes twinkling with an untamable spark as she greets him properly. He's told her many times not to stand on ceremony, yet she still stubbornly insists upon it.

Even when she's due to deliver her daughter any day now.

"Third," His voice is warm and patient as she takes a seat near his side, "Have the other three arrived yet?"

"The young Fox Princess is still waiting outside. As for your daughter and her companion, they are still pouting by the lotus ponds... but they will come. "

Fu Xi nods patiently before gesturing openly towards the fresh tea he had Zhe Yan bring out, "Drink, then, while the tea is still warm. We will start once everyone is here..."

o~O~o

His youngest daughter, from his second wife, had taken far longer than he anticipated. Wild and unruly, she had been in the midst of a prank on his most recent graduate when his third wife finally arrived to bring them into his private chambers for their brief discussion.

Eighth was none too reluctant to arrive, despite their argument the night before over her choice in abandoning her heritage to move to the lower realm of the Nine Heavens for the sake of being with her beau.

He knows, for a fact, that his youngest daughter will be next to follow. Most recently, she's favored a merman of the Eastern Sea. She hasn't told him, but he knows none the less.

Rising from his dais, he moves to fetch the tray before returning to the small group of young women. Sitting back in his place, he sets it down in front of them, "Each one of you will take one. As I've told you before, these will help your children find each other when the time comes. Remember, no matter what happens to any of you, or the realms, the birds must remain at your children's sides."

His third wife leans forward, picking up the golden pheasant before examining the golden sheen on it curiously as she speaks, "What is so special about these little toys?"

"They will be the keys to repairing the damage that will one day be created from greed in the Nine Heavens. Do not worry, though, they will be safe for the children to keep close during their childhood. Only when the time comes, will they break to reveal their true nature."

The future fox empress picks up a bluebird, examining it as well with sharp eyes before looking up at him, "Heavenly Emperor, if I may be so bold, why are we being put in charge of such an important task? Shouldn't something so monumental be placed in the hands of the Heavenly Empress?"