Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Every year, a young woman would vanish into the sea, never returning to the surface, never she would be able to feel the warm sunlight on her skin, the hot soil under her bare feet, the ticklish grasses brushing her ankles, and had to struggle with the fresh oxygen in the suffocating blue water in her lungs. It was a rumor brought by the wind who acted as an invisible messenger to the two godly beings; the Lord of Geo and the Lord of Dust who ruled over the Guili Assembly. It originated from an area with several villages that were not under their rule, but soon to be, as the villages’ elders were in the process of considering the ‘contract’ Morax, the Lord of Geo had generously offered. Protection from a strong god and his band of immortals, who would want to pass up such a golden opportunity?

“I really think we should investigate this rumor further, Morax.”

Morax raised an eyebrow, folding his arms in front of his chest. “Why?” came his question, his tone was flat, indifferent. Either he’s used to Guizhong’s meddling or curiosity as they had been partners in ruling for almost four centuries now, that wasn’t a short time (Time seemed to be longer ever since he met the kind Goddess on that field of wild glaze lilies and had her constant companion as together, they built a civilization and named it Guili). “That territory isn’t ours yet. We shouldn’t meddle with their affairs no matter how grave it is. That is also a part of establishing a contract. The unwanted intervention will only create a crack in our...fragile relationship.”

“I know that,” Guizhong sat down, pouring the freshly brewed tea into Morax’s cup. She’s the host of her own abode, after all, it’s a part of the ethics she taught to the Lord of Geo. “But, I can’t get it out of my head; my curiosity towards the rumor and my worry over those young women. I can’t imagine how they are now in that cold, dark ocean, Morax.”

Ah, Guizhong and her sympathy for humanity (It is my love for them, the woman said to him, he couldn’t comprehend it, of course), Morax wasn’t able to understand that. Because of his inability to understand mortal feelings, it was why his judgment was sound and fair, he held no bias for anyone.

The woman hung her head as her two hands lifted the warm cup, pressing her lips onto its rim and cracking it open slightly so the black tea could enter into her body, relieving her stress with their mild sweetness and rich fragrance. Seeing her frowning wishlist plastering a thin smile on her face (she introduced it as one of the ‘sadnesses’ mortals often exhibit when they had unspoken troubles plaguing their mind), Morax averted his sight to the untouched cup, still full of its tea that he could see the same frown was now on his face. It was Morax's turn to lift it up and repeated the same movement as Guizhong did three minutes ago, he set it down on the stone table after taking a sip.

“Very well,” Guizhong shot her eyes at him, they began to regain back their light, Morax noted mentally, “If you wish to know the truth, then I shall accompany you,” and Guizhong could hear the- “however, you shall abide by the contract I am about to offer.”

“And so do you,” Guizhong grinned thinly, the woman was learning fast about contracts and all even managed to abuse the loopholes at some occasions, truly, the brain of the pair. “Let’s hear yours first.”

In war, those who strike first would surely gain the upper hand and a greater chance at winning, however, it was not always the case, the same as contracts which was a battle between two wits. “We will not intervene further if the situation demands it. And no matter how you feel for those people, you should never step out of the existing limit.”

“Deal!” Guizhong easily agreed, she probably had something else in her mind. “Then my contract for you will be ‘we should intervene further if the situation demands it’.”

Of course, that was to be expected. “Very well. The contract is now set on stone, those who-”

“-break the contract shall suffer the wrath of the rock, my Lord.”

Morax smiled thinly at that, stood up, and left her abode after a word of parting.

…

And thus, they were here, in the area called Mingyun which was famed for the noctilucous jade mining. And it’s not just Morax and Guizhong who made a visit, but also Xiao, the youngest and the newest addition of the Five Guardians Morax took under his wing. The three disguised as mortals, with Morax donning himself in a rather luxurious set of hanfu, Guizhong and Xiao both wearing simpler clothes compared to their lord. They were disguised as a merchant and his two trustworthy assistants (Guizhong insisted that Morax should dress up as a rich merchant hailing from Guili and everyone would surely buy the lie with no qualms, guaranteed, the Lord of Geo, after all, had not only the looks but also the manners and the aura of someone of high stature). Guizhong was staring at the crates and crates of lustrous blue gems stacked on the roadside as if the village was exhibiting their pride for all opened eyes to see, and sure, the air of arrogance was tight in the air, Morax could feel it, but decided not to comment on it as he’s too busy with keeping up with his excited friend. What about Xiao? The young man silently watched them, shielding the expression on his face with the large hat on his head.

“Ah, good Sir, are you perhaps interested in purchasing these gems?” an old man greeted Morax. “They were polished just a day ago and of the best quality.” he handed the Lord of Geo a piece of the most lustrous jade he had and the pair of cor lapis eyes were examining the texture and the lustrousness of the small fragile thing in his hand as it reflected the light of the summer sun. “These jades are popular among jewelry makers, it’s said that those who wear these jades as an accessory will surely be blessed by the greatest luck from the Heavens!”

“Is that so?” Guizhong asked curiously, the old man nodded.

“Beautiful,” Morax said after a long silence. “We’ll take the whole crate of these.”

Everyone around was surprised, standing still with their jaws dropped; well, except the two companions who were with the mysterious, rich young merchant. It was Guizhong who broke the stillness lingering in the atmosphere.

“Mo- Zhongli, no!” she yelped, waving both of her hands in front of the impeccable man. Morax was impeccable, sure, except when it comes to...economy transactions, he sucked so hard on that sector. Guizhong quickly pulled him to the sideline, whispering, “You can’t just buy the whole crate without evaluating the truth of their qualities first!”

“Is that so?” Morax-...Zhongli made a contemplating gesture, a hand around his chin, he hummed a tone. “You’re right, Hua’hui, I should evaluate the qualities of these lustrous jades first,” again he eyed the well-polished jade in his other hand with fondness. “Such beauty...it will be a waste not to buy them.”

“You really need to control your desire to buy everything on sight,” Guizhong had her hands on her hips, smiling in a mixture of endearment and fatigue. “If you really want to buy them, then let’s try to negotiate. I think we can apply burn tests at these gems just like how we did to fabrics.”

“That is interesting. We should try it.”

The pair came back and began their negotiations to test the qualities first. The old man of course didn’t agree but was willing to give them some thin samples when Xiao threw him a threatening look akin to a Death God’s stare. Guizhong noticed this and frowned at the young Yaksha while Morax simply took the samples and thanked the old man for his generosity. The Geo God promised to contact the old man once he made up his mind and they left for a small restaurant not far from the jade store. They sat down on the bamboo benches and placed their orders. Again, Morax was about to buy everything, but Guizhong stopped him (Remember, we are ‘mortals’, Morax, and mortals can’t eat that much food!, she whispered). Three bowls of wanton noodles were served on their table, each one for the customers. Xiao just stared at the well-folded noodles simmering in the clear yellow soup as if waiting for orders from his superior, Morax gave a cue that he should start eating, the young adepti took his chopsticks and silently started to dig in after thanking the Lord of Geo for his permission.

Guizhong, being the more socially talkative person of the group, decided to humor the shop’s owner with praises for the perfect noodle soup.

Then, stillness ensued as she dropped the subject in favor of digging information about the rumors.

“Hahaha, young miss, there’s nothing such as that in our village,” he said. “We have always been living in peace for almost two centuries and have been like this since then. Now, our elders were going to agree to a contract proposed by the Lord of Geo himself. It was an honor to be under his guidance.”

“That sounded fishy,” Xiao said when the man left them. Guizhong and Morax agreed with a nod.

There was nothing out of the ordinary even until the sun set in the west and the sky turned into hues of orange and crimson. Mingyun wasn’t far away from Guili, in fact, they were still a part of the same estuary. Guizhong insisted that they should stay in this village before moving to the neighboring village tomorrow, she wanted to experience everything the area had to offer because it was a rare chance for the adepti from Guili to be venturing outside their territory. And so they rented a room at the village’s best inn, two separate rooms because it would be audacious for men to be in the same room as women. The rooms they rented were different, Morax and Xiao got the second floor while Guizhong got the one on the third floor; theirs was facing the mountains of Jueyun Karst, hers was facing the endless dark sea sparkling faintly under the full moon. Both views were mesmerizing in their own ways, Guizhong felt she should invite her two friends up and enjoy the same oceanic scenery while having a pot of osmanthus tea. Just before she moved away from the window, a sight of something caught her attention...and she quickly rushed out of her room, banging Morax’s door like the end of the world was mere seconds away.

The Lord of Geo wasn’t pleased, judging from the stern expression on his face, but Guizhong’s pants and sweaty face averted his concern away from the rudeness.

“T-there’s something happening out there,” Guizhong said, her panicked voice falling so low it almost like she’s whispering. “There were...rows of fireballs marching towards the sea. I suspect that-”

“-that the villagers are doing something as the rumor said.”

“Yes.”

Morax nodded and turned to Xiao. “Xiao, I’d like you to stay here and keep an eye on the village. Report to me once they made any strange movements.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

The two gods walked out of the inn, the receptionist guarding the post bid them a good evening which was unheard of by the duo. They strode across the dimly-lit street, heading for the sea. As they followed the group of villagers discreetly, they were walking behind the rows of bushes and thick forestation, slowly, soundlessly, like shinobis from Inazuma so as to not invite any unwanted attention that would fail their mission.

The group consisted of several men from the village they stayed in, and the rest were seemingly outsiders from the neighboring villages. Half of the group were carrying various crates that seemed heavy, he didn’t know what’s inside, but upon more careful inspection, he noticed the glint of noctilucous jades and sea pearls in two of the crates. The horses dragged a large carriage containing baskets of fresh fruits, vegetables, and several livestock products.

Morax kept his golden eyes on the red wagon the four villagers carried, taking the most interest in the human-carried vehicle. He could feel a presence inside of the wagon, according to Guizhong’s stories a few weeks ago, the red wagon was often used in marriages to carry the bride to the groom’s home. He couldn’t ask for Guizhong’s confirmation if this group had some ties to the rumor they heard of, he could ask later.

The pair stopped and hid behind large tree bark, spying the group who lined up along the shore of the beach, facing the sea. It was eerily silent, save for the crashing sea waves and the occasional seagulls calling.

Suddenly, the sky darkened. The moon was nowhere up there. The wind picked up its pace, the temperature dropped down by a few celsius. The moisture in the air became damp, the salty tang of the sea was more evident. The sea waves begin to rise in size, growing taller and taller with each wave crashing to the beach. The Lord of Geo noticed several of the men were trembling, his hand was ready to reveal his legendary spear from nothingness to save those men from the incoming danger.

A giant sea clam emerged with a loud splash, floating on the sea surface. Its shell was lighter than the color of the sea, the thin layer of salt gave it a sparkling effect.

“What was that?” Guizhong's eyes grew so wide they almost popped out of her socket. “I-I never saw a clam that big before!”

Definitely, she’s looking forward to seeing it, maybe touching it, or even bringing it back to her abode for the sake of adding it to her collection and gaining more of the worldly knowledge. Morax commented on none of her actions, simply watching the scene unfold in front of his eyes wary.

The giant clam opened its lid, and what Morax saw next was something..not very unbelievable, considering he himself was something otherworldly too.

So did that presence calmly sitting on their throne inside the clam, looking with bored facade at the caravan, head resting on his left hand. The men quickly dropped to their knees, hands on the sandy beach, they greeted whom they called the Overlord of the Vortex like the being was their god.

...If they had their own god, then why consider Morax’s contract? Wouldn’t it be the same as they were betraying their original god’s contract in favor of his? It was unforgivable, but Morax was not someone who made quick judgment just from a glance at the situation. So he continued to scrutinize the people and the mysterious god, hands lowered and relaxed slightly, but he never dropped his caution.

The Sea God walked past the rows of men, stopping just in front of the red wagon.

“What is he going to do with the person in that wagon?” Guizhong asked, biting her lower lip. “Don’t tell me that…”

“It seems that the rumors are true, Guizhong,” Morax nudged his head up for a split second, “Look.”

Guizhong’s eyes returned to the wagon, she witnessed the Sea God take a woman dressed in red from head to toe out of the wagon, a silk red veil with white pearls hanging on its hem covered her beauty beneath it. She could see the woman was gripping her dress tightly with her free hand, she could tell the woman under that ceremonious garb was frightened of her fated doom. She wanted to step out, to save her, yet Morax halted her with a grip on her shoulder.

“Mo-” the woman was going to protest, but her attempt died down as Morax stated:

“Guizhong.” the deep voice, so commanding, paralyzed her on spot. “He knew.”

The Lord of Dust frowned and faced the sea again.

The giant clam was gone, so did the crates of fine jade and pearls, so did the carriage of high-quality foods...so did the newlyweds… Swallowed by the dark sea. Everything was calm, the villagers retreated silently like they were spared from possible annihilation.

And she returned her eyes onto her Lord.

She never saw that kind of glint in those golden amber eyes…

Their enemy recognized their presence. And, what did her Lord see?

A danger couldn’t be avoided now.

To Be Continued...

Chapter Text

Cats out of the bag.

The Elders were on their knees, backs bent down, their foreheads were on the ground so did their trembling eyes. Morax was standing tall, his face placid, devoid of any visible emotion just like his statue the people of Guili made out of the sturdiest stones, and yet even a blind man could feel the cold wrath flashed by his glare. The Lord of Geo had his hands folded, he hid his eyes from them out of mercy for their frightened souls.

“I demand an explanation,” he spoke; that was not a request, that was a command. The Elders’ adam apples bobbed as they gulped down their own spit, shivering from the cold wind and the merciless tone. To add salt to their wound, they knew the God in front of them was capable to end all of their lives before they knew it if they happened to enrage him with lies and denials, Morax was said to never tolerate any liars and traitors, especially those who broke a contract...so befitting punishment from the God of Contracts.

“Y-yes, Lord Morax…” one of the Elders dared to answer, yet he dared not to look up and face the god. “T-this One shall answer all of your questions without fail…” it was hard for him even to speak a word under this dominating pressure. His beads of sweat were glistening under the red-orange flame from the torch beside him.

“You all are bound to contract with that god, yet, you still consider on accepting mine,” clearly, Lord Morax wasn’t pleased, neither Guizhong and Xiao could say a word to ease the tension when he’s in a foul mood. “According to my understanding, you all have betrayed the contract between you and him.”

“I-it was never a contract!” the Elder shouted back, but he quickly backed off and curled like a dying leaf in the winter. “W-we never...we’re never bound to any contract w-with t-that demon!”

“H-he’s right, Lord Morax!” one of them crawled closer to the Lord of Geo, Morax had to step back before those trembling mortal hands reached for his pants. “I-it’s nothing like that! Please, Lord Morax! Please listen to what we have-”

“I am listening.”

The Elders looked at each other, their tense shoulders seemed to relax a bit. Some of the burdens had been lifted off from the air, they sounded braver in voicing out their words.

“Mingyun had always been plagued by tempests and tsunamis for centuries,” the oldest of them began the story after calming himself down. “I believe it started around...three centuries ago.”

Guizhong took a seat nearest to the old man, listening intently, recording each and every one of the spoken words, each frown and fear exhibited on his wrinkled face, the slight tremble of his old voice. Xiao stood behind her, acting as her guard who’s always ready for action should the situation called for it.

“According to my great grandfather’s story, Mingyun was originally a peaceful area, our mines have always been thriving as they are today. And yet…” his hands clenched on the pants, creating creases all over the fabric. “And yet...that demon came, bringing over storms and floods… So we… As you have stated, Lord Morax, the villages had an agreement with the Overlord of the Vortex. A ‘contract’, as you understood it.”

Morax hummed, his reply was as simple as that. His silence allowed the old man to continue and finished what he had started.

“Every year, we need to…offer him a young bride from any of the villages each year, thus how the Rite of Matrimony was born. The Overlord never specified how the bride should be, except for the fact that she has to be young. Aside from the bride, we had to offer him our jades and pearls, also crates of livestock. In exchange, he will bless Mingyun: a year free from all disasters related to the sea and the sky. As of today, we have sent our 295th bride to the Overlord and-”

“-and, you have sacrificed all those promising young souls!” Guizhong had to calm herself down when Morax threw a glance at her. The Lord of Dust sighed, shaking her head slowly, her red lips quivered.

“I-it was for the greater good!” another old man refuted, and the people surrounding them seemed to agree. For the greater good, he had heard of this reason for the n-th time, who knew how many more he would hear in the future.

“What kind of young women do you send to the Overlord of the Vortex?” Morax asked, knowing he couldn’t let Guizhong do the talking this time, she’s seemingly still emotionally shaken from what she witnessed an hour ago.

“W-we offered him the orphans-”

Guizhong was the first one to leave, walking towards Guili. Xiao looked at the woman and then at his Lord, Morax gave him a nod and he followed his other master behind. When Morax returned his attention to the villagers, all of them were staring at the leaving goddess with wide eyes, a look of guilt and fear painted on their faces. Morax could understand Guizhong’s wrath; these people were sacrificing those unfortunate lonely souls so they didn’t have to offer their own daughters. The orphan brides were like stones used to fish out a jade, the jade was the Overlord’s promised blessings. While he knew it was wrong, Morax was always a man who saw the bigger picture, he couldn’t fully blame them for choosing orphans as the bride. No one here was bound to them, they were not their own flesh and blood, there would be no hard feelings as the orphan parted ways with the villagers who sent her to her end.

The Lord of Geo hummed again, attracting the villagers’ attention back to him. He frowned as he hung his head down, his mind was filled with a lot of thoughts and considerations.

“Lord Morax…” an elderly woman who was the Head of the west-southern village approached him. “We knew we had done wrong, but please...have mercy on us. It was a forced contract between us and the Overlord, we never wanted this-”

“Nonetheless, you all still broke a contract by considering mine.”

“My Lord-!”

“-However, we cannot leave you all to live under the constant fear of the storms and the tsunamis. We shall do something about it.”

“Lord Morax!” the crowd shouted in unison, cheerful, brimming with a new hope.

“I shall take my leave now. May the Heavens permit our intrusion upon this matter.”

“Lord Morax! W-we’re forever indebted to your kindness!”

It was not kindness. It was just a duty to be fulfilled. Morax left the premises, heading for his own home.

…

“According to This One’s researches, it seemed that the Overlord of the Vortex did summon the disasters to ravage Mingyun before his first appearance in front of the mortals of that era,” Cloud Retainer placed a scroll containing her reports on Morax’s table, retreating back a few steps.

“Thank you, Cloud Retainer.”

The adepti bowed down slightly and returned to her seat. Morax unfurled the scroll and began to read whatever she had written on the long piece of fabric. Guizhong walked towards her lord and stood behind him, reading from above, her eyes repeatedly rolling from right to left.

“I bet this perverted Overlord by now has at least a thousand of offsprings down there,” one of the Yakshas, Indarias, sneered in annoyance. His temperament wasn’t the most stable, but he actually had a kind heart and a fouler mouth. “My Lord, I suggest that all five Yakshas should go and kill him and free the mortals imprisoned by him! We shall bring over triumph and his head to your table!”

“Indarias, calm down,” Mountain Shaper, being the wiser one, merely spoke out his mind, sipping down his tea. “We should hear our Lord’s wisdom first, for His decree is as absolute and as solid as the stone.”

Indarias clicked his tongue and faced the other way, the two superior gods didn’t bat their eyes, too busy in processing Cloud Retainer’s overly detailed reports...though, some of the lines were very subjective. Nonetheless, among them all, she’s the pro when it comes to research like this.

Morax gave the scroll to Guizhong who accepted it so readily, her grin widened as she reread everything all over, finding the things that her Lord might have missed. He leaned back against his seat, feeling something small and hard shifting in the pocket of his pants. Morax arched a brow as his hand dug into it, fishing out a lustrous milky white pearl. He brought it up to his eye level, inspecting the flawless smoothness of the organic gem with high interest, evident by how his eyes glowed back at the tiny thing in his long fingers. The pearl was tiny, but he noticed that this one was slightly larger than the size he usually saw and it had the perfect, symmetrical roundness.

“Woah… It’s beautiful,” Guizhong stopped reading the reports in favor of examining the pearl. “Where did you get this? The villagers didn’t bribe you, did they?”

“No,” Morax replied, turning the pearl to see its other side. Still flawless, its surface was even smoother than the finest cor lapis he ever found. “This...is an invitation.”

“Invitation?” the other adepti turned to look at the pair, questioning as Guizhong continued with her vague sentence, “You don’t mean…”

“He knew, and this is his invitation,” Morax folded his fingers and brought the white gem in his palm closer to his chest. “Or perhaps, it is a challenge from the Overlord himself. I cannot say for sure.”

“How dare of him to challenge you, my Lord!” Menogias growled in displeasure. “He should pay for his insolence with his blood!”

“No need to get agitated over small things, my friend,” Morax tamed him down with his deep tone. “In fact, I am...quite pleased that he recognized us and chose to be frank about it.”

If there Overlord was serious at that time, they wouldn't be able to save Mingyun. A seasoned fighter such as Morax knew an end of a battle before it started.

“Hmph! Still-”

“Menogias.”

“...Yes, my Lord.”

Morax heaved out a sigh, placing the pearl on the desk, a finger guarded the round thing against rolling off and fell to the ground. He closed his eyes, recalling the ocean blue eyes glowing in the darkness of the night, the rows of sharp white teeth the Sea God flashed at him, and the tranquility of his retreat… A thousand questions formed in his head, waiting for answers that might or might not come.

“What are we going to do, my Lord?” Bosacius inquired, a bit worried. Among the five, it was said that Bosacius was the gentlest, still, it didn’t mean he’s less ferocious on the battlefield. “Are we going for an all-out war with the Overlord of the Vortex?”

“...I am not sure what course of action we should take.”

Something was amiss. Something made him doubtful. The Morax who was always decisive...was now conflicted. Why was that? Was it from the villagers’ one-sided story? Was it the strange Sea God himself that intrigued him to discover the truth behind stories of the mortals who dared to break a contract?

“Well, I’d say we should deal with that insolent fool swiftly before he becomes a bigger trouble later!” Indarias took up his pike and headed for his Lord. “My Lord, permit me to invade his territory and-”

“Indarias, I commend you for your bravery but!” Guizhong had her hands on her waist, “We can’t risk losing a friend in unknown territory! To remain undiscovered for three hundred years despite our existence here, his abode must be leagues beneath the sea. Even if we can locate it, we, adepti of the land, might not be able to dive down to infiltrate his palace. Our bodies are strong, but it won’t be able to stand the pressure of the deep waters!”

“But, Lady Guizhong-”

“I have an idea!” she cut off any attempt for anyone else to go against her proposal by exclaiming loudly. “I’ll go as the next year’s bride and see this Overlord of the Vortex himself!”

“Lady Guizhong! No!” the adepti shouted in unison.

“Guizhong, that’s too dangerous,” Morax stood up from his seat. “You are smart, I do not doubt that, but he's a being whose strength is leagues above you. If anything were to happen to you there I-” the Geo God stopped mid-sentence, fell silent afterward.

“You’re right. I am nothing compared to that man,” Guizhong admitted with a wide smile on her face as if she wasn’t troubled by the great rift between their powers. “But, if it’s not me, then who else? I cannot let any of you go down there and sacrifice yourself, not when Guili needs all of you.”

“And Guili needs you more than us, Lady Guizhong,” Xiao walked to the center and bowed down. “My Lord, I shall go down there and-”

“No, Xiao. You’re new among us, you’re still young. I cannot risk losing you either.”

“But-”

The whole room went into chaos as each of the adepti volunteered themselves to be the bride next year to either kill the Overlord or to confront and negotiate with him. Morax could only witness from where he stood, sighing at the sight of what he dubbed as childish bickering among his friends. Despite that, he couldn’t help but smile, all of them were doing their best for the sake of the humans who were under their guidance.

And he couldn’t lose any of them, especially Guizhong.

So, he cleared his throat, inviting everyone’s silence and eyes to him.

“I shall go.”

The people in the abode went into complete silence.

“MY LORD?!!!”

“MORAX?!!!”

Morax calmly raised his right hand, telling them not to scream. His composure broke not. “There’s no better candidate for this mission other than me.”

“But, my Lord-”

“I am not weak, Xiao. I am of the same caliber as the Overlord himself,” he took the pearl into his hand, showing the lustrous gem to his followers. “And this is his personal invitation to me, therefore, it is appropriate for I to be the one who answers it myself. Even if the worst scenario happened, I can take care of him and his army myself. You do not need to worry about me.”

The adepti glanced at each other, standing defeated because Morax always stated the facts; and he never lied. They acknowledged their Lord’s strength, and if there’s any of them who could face the Overlord of the Vortex directly, it could only be Morax, the God of War himself.

“Morax…” Guizhong called softly, nodding in the next second. “I’ll make the preparations and the plan. We’ll be relying on you, my Lord!”

The Lord of Geo nodded back. “Very well. Now that this matter is settled among us, I have to see the Elders and offer them a revision to our existing contract.”

The adepti bowed down as he marched out of the abode, making his way towards the land ravaged by the storm and high waves.

Thus, a new contract was formed.

And a new myth was about to be written down the pages of Time in the form of history…

A myth about the palace resting leagues beneath the sea, ruled by a mysterious Sea God who took one mortal into his chamber every summer when the sea was warmer, yet the abyss remained cold and dark.

To Be Continued...

Chapter Text

The day of the Rite of Matrimony was nearing, it would happen in less than ten days. Usually, the villagers of where the selected bride was living would have begun to teach her the ways of a housewife, no, they should have been doing this since four days ago, yet here they were, going on with their daily life as if the rite itself never existed. Though, it didn’t mean all the villages were not anxious. Per the Lord of Geo’s new contract, the bride would be someone of his choosing and would be delivered a day before the day of the rite. Thinking it was a test of faith from the soon-to-be-their-God, none of them protested against Morax, but as humans with feelings and emotions, they couldn’t stop the haunting feeling of anxiety and insecurity. What if the Lord of Geo was merely toying with them for displeasing him a year ago? What if Morax made a pact behind their back with their enemy, the Overlord of the Vortex? What if-

Some of them couldn’t sleep, especially the Elders who ruled over Mingyun. Who could sleep like a log aside from babies and innocent children under such suffocating pressure between life and death? They might wake up the next morning to find themselves staring at their own rigid body!

Yet they kept their worries in their heart, doing their best to smile and function like a proper human. Because humans were always the best actor, that was a talent blessed from their desire to survive.

And so, life continued on…

Meanwhile, at the same time, somewhere in Guili...

“No, no… That’s not the right way to cook it,” Harvia spoke in a soft voice as she kept on guiding a woman with long, silky black hair and amber tips, she held the woman’s hand and guided her to flip the batter on the pan with precision. “You should do it like this… And flip it like that-” But indeed, the Goddess of Salt was also well-known for her clumsiness. Some of the hot oil spilled onto the young woman’s skirt. “A-ah! Sorry! I didn’t mean to! L-let me clean your clothes!”

“That is not how One plays the erhu,” Cloud Retainer sighed, by now, this was the 101st trial and error already. Pressing her slender fingers on the upper end of the four strings and dragging the bow with her feelings, she produced a melodious tone out of the instrument. “Repeat. Follow me. Do not lose your focus.”

“Stop, stop!” Guizhong commanded, raising her hand in front of the woman, halting her singing. “You should let your feelings flow-...okay, you really need to understand this one soon. Let’s repeat. Remember, the lyrics on this part are supposed to be sung like this…”

The rest of the adepti were watching from the sidelines as the three divine women were teaching the extremely pretty young lady the skills required by a housewife, which were expected out of her soon-to-be-husband. Of course, this young lady was the one selected as the bride for this year’s Rite of Matrimony. It had been weeks since the training began, the lady at least had perfected her walking and mannerism, that’s two of the long list checked. One down, many more to go, they said.

“...At this rate, she might be as well what those mortals dubbed a...trophy wife,” Indarias snorted.

“This One isn’t pleased to hear that,” Moon Craver rolled his eyes away. But yes, the recent training had taken more time than it was first scheduled. Even the adepti himself began to lose his faith, but still, remembering that this was all part of his Lord’s strategy, as his underling, he should put more faith in times such as this one. “Let’s have faith in our Lord and his plans, for it should be fruitful in the end.”

“Well… Let’s hope so. I’m itching for a fight against the bratty Overlord and won’t hesitate to loop off the demon’s head.”

Moon Craver didn’t reply as he continued to watch the rigorous training the beautiful lady was still having. It only stopped when the pale moon rose to the sky, illuminating the dark world with its weak light. The fair lady retreated back to her abode, she didn’t look tired even after all that. Her golden amber eyes still burned with the same smoldering light of tranquility full of confidence.

…

There were only less than 36 hours for the villagers to prepare for the Rite of Matrimony. This year, the Northern village was selected as the base for the festival. A ‘festival’...because there’s no better word to describe it despite the atmosphere wasn’t as festive as it seemed to be. Well-built youngsters were running back and forth, helping the Elders to prepare the essential offerings for the Overlord of the Vortex. The village was as busy as Guili’s business district during the day.

Finest jade and pearls harvested this year were placed inside the crates, loaded up onto the carriage that would be pulled by a pair of horses. The red wagon was repainted and given some retouches, finished with lacquer, and golden ornaments sent by the adepti were placed on the designated parts. It was said that these gold ornaments were made by the Lord of Geo himself, but no one really knew the truth.

“Don’t let it fall! Be careful! The Overlord of the Vortex won’t be happy even if one of the pearls cracked!”

“Okay, that should be the correct amount of meat. What else do we miss?”

“Damn! The corn harvest this year is bad. Elder, should we change it to potatoes?!”

“Have we completed the list of all the dowries?!”

What a lively hustle and bustle, it would be a perfect scenery of a happy mortal life had it not for the terror ghosting the ceremony.

All activities slowly cease to stop as a group of Guili’s adepti walked into the village’s territory, passing the bamboo gates that wouldn’t be strong enough to withstand a flash flood. People who stood in their way hurriedly went to the side, bowing down in respect (and fear, Guizhong could feel it). The Elders lined up horizontally in front of the divine beings, bowing deeply, honored by their personal presence in their humble village.

“As the Lord of Geo promised a year prior, we are here to deliver you the bride this year.”

“Excellent! We’re always grateful and indebted to you,” the Elder of the Western village smiled before a frown cracked her act. “But...where’s the-”

The fair lady revealed herself by stepping forward. Of all a sudden, the tension in the air dissipated. The lady lifted up her eyelids, revealing her brilliant pairs of golden amber eyes that reflected the summer sunlight, their beauty rendered the noctilucous jades dull, flowers could bow down in shame of their ugliness. Her soft fair skin enveloped by a black fitted dress, her long hair was tied on top of her hair, adorned with tiny golden flowers. Men and women both had their jaws dropped, their eyes could pop out of their sockets at any given moment, they felt as if they had been turned into stone under her bewitching gaze. When the living beauty spared the men a glance, their faces turned as red as the silk flowers; when the living beauty’s hand move to fix a stray strand of her hair to the back of her ears, women went green with envy and started to think that she might be able to steal their beloved husbands away from them; when the lady took a step forward, the children began to dream of having her as their spouse.

“T-this is the bride, Lady Guizhong?”

“Why, yes!” Guizhong exclaimed cheerfully, walking a step to the side so the villagers present can see her form better. “The Lord of Geo has a very peculiar taste, he will only send you the finest of all.”

“I-I see…” there was a look of disappointment on their faces as if they were saying that it would be a waste to offer such a perfect being to the demon living under the sea. Alas, there’s nothing they could do about it, they had to sacrifice this one in order to receive the Guili God’s blessing and be freed from their centuries of torment. “Very well. Ladies! Lead the lady to the house. We’ll start to dress her up!”

The women of the villages scrambled towards her and guided her away from the adepti, singing praises to her flawlessness as they walked towards the prepared house. Don’t worry! We’ll make you the prettiest!, Gosh! Your skin is so smooth… Do you mind sharing your treatments with us?. The lady remained cold and silent, it made the women around her become awkward. But, they had a duty to be fulfilled and so, they began to work once the lady sat down on the cushioned chair.

“Do you think...this plan will work?” the Elder asked warily.

“Of course! Have faith in Morax!” Guizhong looked in the direction of the house, smiling in pure confidence at the sight of the lady having her hair styled. “After all, he’s our God of War. He will definitely win this one.”

Her long, silky dark hair was washed with the purest water from the high mountains, cleaned with the most fragrant shampoo made from silk flowers extracted using the technique that had been passed down for hundreds of years. Stripped off from her old clothing, her slender, curvaceous body was bathed in a tub full of warm water and flower petals, the lady breathed out a sigh of relief, her fair cheeks tainted with a tint of soft crimson. Her face was adorned by the smoothest white powder, sharp red streaks drawn towards the side of her eyes. The women behind her took a brief moment of rest, admiring her luxurious allure before shuffling again to get the rest of their job done. Sunset was fast approaching, and by when night fell, they had to deliver the bride to be sent to the Sea God or else, their doom would be imminent.

Her dried hair was lifted up and styled, braided with tiny golden flowers, golden hairpins, a golden phoenix coronet was fixated around her head. Her naked body was wrapped in a tight corsage pressing her breasts together, she was then donned in the red ceremonious garb with phoenix and floral patterns. A pair of red shangjiao shoes were worn by her feet, protecting her from the dirty earth she was going to walk on. Lastly, a piece of red silk veil with white pearls along its hem was placed on her head, covering her face down to her neck, hiding her ethereal beauty from all undeserving mortal eyes.

For she’s to be the Sea God’s bride and his only.

The lady was guided outside of the building, her steps were slow, filled with grace and sheer elegance as if it was a celestial being who was walking down the filthy world. She stopped right in front of Guizhong, the Lord of Dust smiled at the woman under that covering veil.

“You look truly beautiful.”

The compliment went unanswered verbally, the lady merely bowed down and continued her journey towards the waiting red wagon which would carry her to see her future husband. While according to the tradition, she should have cried and embraced her mother figure, the lady did not so.. Was she confident that she could come back to the surface someday later and this was not a farewell? No one knew what the lady was thinking, even the Heavens questioned her heart and mind. Her figure was swallowed by the vehicle right at the time the night came. After a few more instructions and a row of prayers, the ceremony began.

Four strong men stood on each of the extended red poles, carrying it over their shoulder. The horses were whipped, a command for them to move and make way for the bride’s carriage. The adepti, per Guizhong’s request, hid among the bushes and trees, while the Lord of Dust herself and Cloud Retainer walked beside the wagon, acting as the lady in red’s guardian. The loud ringing of the bells accompanied their slow journey to the shore, calling for the Sea God’s presence from afar.

No one dared to say a word, only the monks were allowed to speak their prayers for the year’s blessings they would receive from the Sea God.

"How are you doing?" Guizhong whispered.

"Do not worry. I am doing just fine."

"Good to hear that," she said, smiling thinly, but the lady inside the red wagon wouldn't be able to see it.

After two hours, they arrived at their destination. The wagon was set down just like the villagers did throughout generations, the mortals lined up on both sides connecting the wagon to the sea, Guizhong and Cloud Retainer remained in their place. The other adepti was biting down her lower lip, a sheathing rage burning in her eyes. Guizhong remained as calm as ever, so did the lady inside the red wagon who patiently waited for her groom’s arrival to take her into his palace.

Again, just like what Guizhong witnessed last year, the wind began to pick up its pace, howling among the high tidal waves. The dark sky grew darker with the thick clouds separating the moon and the earth. The mortals knelt down after the giant clam surfaced from the depths, the two adepti did so as they were disguising as fellow mortals. Cloud Retainer had a handful of rough sand in her clenched palms, she closed her eyes, bracing herself so that she would not unleash her wrath upon the insolent, arrogant being walking out of the shell. A step at a time, the Overlord of the Vortex finally stood tall and high in front of the wagon, the red curtains fluttering lightly in the invitation for him to receive his bride.

Cloud Retainer, as well as the other adepti hiding on their spots, were expecting the Overlord to be rude by throwing threatening words and yanked the poor bride out of her carriage, but he did none of that. They witnessed how the Overlord extended his right hand covered in ocean blue armor past the red curtains, waiting patiently.

The bride eyed the offered hand for a brief moment, inspecting the hard calluses on the palm, a sign of a proud warrior. She reached for the war-torn hand, slowly pulled out of her little chamber by the groom from the depths of the sea. The side of her face rested against the cold plate of steel armor, she could hear the slow beating of the Overlord’s heart underneath. She couldn’t see it, but somehow, she could feel that the man who had her in his arms was smiling.

They exchanged no words as they slowly made it back to the giant clam. The Overlord was gentle and careful, it almost felt that she was treated with...affection. Yet, did the Overlord truly harbor such feelings for her? She didn’t ask, she didn’t have the right to ask for his heart. This was just a part of the tradition, a duty she must fulfill for the greater good of the people she left behind on the surface of the world.

And just like the other brides before her...she vanished into the ocean along with her new family, never would she be able to see the sunlight again. She had become his bride from the moment she took that callused hand belonging to no other but the Sea God.

Guizhong stood up, staring solemnly at the sea. Her right hand gripped the waving billowed sleeve, she finally could release a breath from her lungs.

“...Please stay safe… We’ll be waiting for your return.”

To Be Continued

Chapter Text

Words remained unspoken as the giant clam sunk in deeper and deeper to the ocean floor. The lady remained seated on the seat she’s allowed to take, her calm demeanor changed not, hands folded on her lap. She kept her gaze steady to her front, perhaps imagining how the deep-sea looked like now. In her entire life, she never dived into the lost blue world, she could only project the image of large sea bass swimming in the dark blue watery environment akin to how the birds floating in the light blue sky. As if the Sea God sitting on his throne beside her could read her thoughts and desires, he swung his right hand with grace, commanding the giant clam to open up. And so the clam heeded his order, slowly cracking it's hard lips open. The lady in red was bracing herself for an expected rush of incoming water...but it never came. The water stayed outside the clam, there was a thin, clear bubble-like membrane separating the inside of the gigantic mollusk to the outside watery world.

“Go ahead. Take a closer look at the blessings of the ocean,” unlike how he spoke to the clam, the Sea God’s deep voice didn’t sound commanding at all. She could hear the tenderness reserved in his tone, and a hidden fondness under his words. Seeing his bride didn’t make a single move, the Sea God sighed and lifted himself up, offering her his right hand like he did when she was in the red wagon. The same callused hand was again, being stared at for a good couple of moments, but the Overlord of the Vortex made no move at all, his being was as still as a stone, it was more akin to he was trying to gain trust from a terrified animal.

The woman, however, was not terrified of him at all. She lifted her head up slightly, not high enough to see his face (because she’s not allowed to see the face of her husband before the veil was lifted), but enough to catch the sight of long, jet black strands waving gently, several ocean blue streaks between the dark hair glowing in the darkness. It was...beautiful, so to speak. She extended her hand, placing her little limb on the palm marred with old scars, and stood up. The Overlord guided her to the edge of the chamber, never once letting go of her hand.

The bright amber eyes lit up with sparkles as she witnessed life in the ocean. Schools of fishes swimming towards the surface, the colorful coral reefs hundreds of feet away under them; the deeper they sink, the larger these creatures were, dolphins were now accompanying the giant clam’s descent, singing in their sweet squeals, it reminded her of the villagers who guided her on her way to the shore as they sang and pray, then there were giant whales who swam behind them, whistling the calming ocean melody that wasn’t formed of words like the music of the surface’s humans.

“Do you like it?”

The lady was response-less for a couple of seconds, nodding silently in approval. A proud huff escaped the man’s curved lips. The grip on her hand tightened, but it contained no threat to her well-being. This made her thought of the stories the villagers told her, about the curse the Sea God by her side was laying on them for ages. Were their stories true? Or a mere exaggeration from their fears? The question remained unanswered, she should be gathering more evidence before reaching her final conclusion.

Perhaps...the Sea God himself never knew right and wrong, justice and evil. He did as he pleased, all according to how he saw fit.

The whales and the dolphins disperse away, the lady seemingly disappointed at their sudden leave. She could not request to have them come back here and accompany her for a longer time, they probably had somewhere they have to be now.

“We’re almost there. Look.”

The woman casted her eyes to the direction where the Overlord pointed at, and at the sight unraveling in front of her, her lips parted slightly.

The scenery was...otherworldly mesmerizing. There was a large city, it was well-lit by white lamps, a large bubble was protecting it from the pressure of the depth, she wondered whether the underwater city had an air system like the one inside this clam. She could hear several sounds traveling in the water, she couldn’t precisely nail it but these sounds…they were cheers? As an answer to her question, tiny white lights shot up from the city, exploding into diamond-like sparkles that rained back down to the city but it vanished halfway. The giant clam easily passed through the membrane without difficulty by merging its own bubble with the city’s and landed on the designated area in front of what was seemingly an underwater palace. The palace was larger than men of land could ever build, its pillars were not made from wood, but white stones with colorful corals on them. The transparent membrane was gone with a soft pop, the clam opened its upper shell higher, she breathed just as normally as she did on the surface. The cheerings grew louder, thousands of pairs of hands were clapping in the midst of the festive atmosphere.

This...This was not what the lady had been expecting. Truth be told, she was expecting a somber atmosphere. But the underwater city was not having any of it.

“Congratulations! My Lord!” The crowd around them kept on cheering with bright smiles on their mein as the newlywed couple walked into the palace and their Lord returned their warm congratulations with a wave of his left hand, earning back a loud squeal from the female audiences.

The giant coral gate was shut behind her back, marking the end of the lady’s ties with the surface world and the start of her life under the ocean.

They kept on walking past the Overlord’s servant lining up on both sides of the carpeted hallway, each pair of lips welcoming their lord back from his long journey, and congratulating him on his wedding with less excitement, more elegance. The lady in red spared a glance at them, but they could not see it because they were all bowing down with their eyes closed. The loud creak of doors being opened invited back her attention, she was ready to execute her escape plans the adepti had entrusted her with once she met the ladies and bring them back to the surface.

Yet... the scene that kept on happening in front of her baffled her once more.

“Lord Osial! Welcome back!”

These women...they were…

The women scrambled away from their original spots and hurried to their Lord, surrounding the couple with beaming smiles and radiant eyes, again in contrast to what she had been imagining concerning the fates of the young women who went down here before here. None of them looked sad or afraid, not even on the faces of the old women lining up in front of the couple, and she recalled that the youngest of them, the one who was standing on her right side, was the bride from last year’s rite. Her face was no longer pale, her cheeks had a hint of pinkish tint on them this time. What...was happening?

“I’m back. You’re not bringing any troubles to my servants, aren’t you?” he spoke in a more casual manner this time, laughing when the women shook their heads in unison.

“So, this is the bride this year. Hello, young one,” one of the old women greeted her, and the lady returned by bowing down in sincerity and respect for her elder. “Oh, I can tell she’s a sweet, very well-mannered girl, unlike Qingyu there.”

“Hey! It’s just my personality is wild!” Qingyu replied with her loud tone, she didn’t seem displeased, and the old woman wasn’t slandering her. The large hall was filled with girlish giggles, it made the lady frown, thankfully, the red veil was covering it so they wouldn’t be able to see her reaction.

“Alright, alright, ladies, no fighting,” the Sea God, Lord Osial, chuckled at the liveliness. “You’re here to welcome your new friend. Let’s get started, shall we?”

“Lord Osial… When will you be seriously taking a bride? The villagers probably are thinking about your harem and tons of descendants by now. What will they say when they find out that you failed their expectation?”

Now that she brought up this particular topic, the bride never saw any of the mentioned descendants. They should be here if they exist, welcoming her along with their mothers. But there was none, all the women standing in this great hall were mortals of the surface, their numbers were less than a hundred.

If... if what they said about it was true then-

“Well? Let them be,” Osial shrugged off her concern with a cheeky smile. “I don’t give a damn to what they are thinking and speaking about me. They are just blind idiots, and I never like them,” he growled in pure distaste but soon softened as he turned his whole body to face his bride and let go of her hand. His ten fingers laced themselves on the hem full of pearls, ready to lift up the veil. “Once I lift this up, you’re free.”

Free... What did he mean by that? The lady couldn’t comprehend each of the situations that kept on breaking her assumptions, turning the rumors she had been holding firm for a year upside down. But she didn’t let her guard down, her right hand secretly bloomed, ready to summon something out of the thin air.

Not waiting for her approval, the Overlord of the Vortex lifted up her veil, low hum coming from the sealed lips of the women was filling the space as soon as her neck was shown, next was her chin, then her red lips, the rosy pair of soft cheeks, the golden eyes and lastly the golden phoenix crown. The women dropped their jaws, gasping at the ethereal beauty standing among them.

The couple stood there like a pair of well-carved statues, the groom’s face began to turn red.

Loud cheering boomed in the great hall like an explosion, distracting the bride from her husband. Some of the women shed their tears, but they weren’t crying out of sadness; the wide, relieved smile on their faces told much of the emotion they were feeling right in this moment was that of joy.

“Congratulations, Lord Osial! You finally took a bride in!”

Wait. What did she mean by ‘finally took a bride in’?

“My Lord! Finally, you’re not a single anymore! Hahaha!”

“Celestia above… Today is the happiest day of my life!”

“Lady! You’re so lucky!”

“Ah~ I can’t wait to see your child! I bet they will be as pretty as your wife here!”

“My, my! Lord Osial, your face is so red I almost thought you’re a part of her dress!”

“Please don’t die yet, Lord Osial…”

At that, the lady stared back at the flustered Overlord who turned away instantly to hide his embarrassment. She merely tilted her head slightly, and Osial made a sound akin to a pathetic dying animal of some sort (she found it to be...rather cute? After all, such a reaction was out of her wildest imagination due to his muscular, tall build, not to mention that he was an extremely powerful god of the waters).

“S-shut up, all of you! I’m not going to die just yet, okay?!” Instead of being silent, the ladies kept on laughing and cheering and clapping their hands, some of them teasing the blushing Overlord to their heart's content. Osial scoffed in denied defeat, and his now-unexpected-wife only stared at him with those beautiful golden amber eyes of hers. The red veil went into his pocket without his wife’s notice, but she probably knew now what the women meant by ‘finally taking in a bride’.

“Whoa... you're really beautiful," one of the older women says, "No wonder our Lord is so whipped for you!" agreeing to this statement, the others nodded and some raised their thumbs up.

“Okay, ladies! Enough! Tease me again, and I’ll throw you all out of the hall in the next second!” roared the Sea God, but the ladies merely giggled and quickly scurried away to their own posts.

They adored their Lord, she was sure. Osial...probably wasn’t as bad as how the villagers described it. He could feel flustered, he laughed with them, showered them with luxuries, he...took care of them and he cared about them. He...loved them like… a family (because she felt the same warmth the adepti shared with each other, and Guizhong told her that it was a love of a family). The feared Overlord looked...even more humane than the mortals she knew up there.

Why? Was there a motive or a reason behind his kind treatment of the young women ‘sacrificed’ by the mortals on the surface? Why would he never take them as his wife but let them stay here? So many questions were born in her head, but she couldn’t puzzle it all together now.

But now that she’s here, it wouldn’t take long for her to discover the answers to her piling up questions. Every mystery would soon see the light, all secrets would be uncovered by Time.

For now…

She looked at her still flustered husband. Subconsciously, the man shyly reached for her hand, entwining their fingers together. The lady didn’t tug away, instead, she looked at him curiously. Sapphire blue eyes met golden ambers, his chapped lips stretched into the thinnest of smiles. The Overlord bent down, closing the distance between their faces.

The lady made an attempt to stay away, and she was sure it was not due to the large hand resting on the side of her face, or her right hand was touching the cold armor on his chest without the will to push him away that made her stay still instead. It was all strangely...out of her own will. But she had to remind herself that she had to behave to get on his good side, that this was for the sake of her mission.

In the end, they never grew closer due to the third round of cheering interrupted their romantic moments and the Overlord quickly pulled back, yelling back at the teasing launched at him. The lady’s alluring face remained placid as always, but her eyes were...smiling.

She should stay by his side, as the wife of the Sea God that had been terrorizing Mingyun for three hundred years.

It was her duty.

It was her resolve.

It was her contract.

And yet she had begun to ask herself: will there be a day where she had to leave him under the sea and return to the surface…?

Wait. Why would she ask herself that when the answer was as clear as the poor Overlord’s embarrassment?

To Be Continued…

Chapter Text

According to what she learned from the culture of a mortal’s wedding, on the night of their marriage, they would have to stay inside the same chamber, honey and wine were poured into two goblets linked by a red thread. The bride and groom would take a few sips, then exchange cups and drink the rest. At last, when they were alone, they would be going through what was dubbed as ‘the first night’, an act where they would be bonded physically and pleasuring each other to bliss.

Both the Overlord and his wife did none of the above, Osial simply bid her a good night and went to his own chamber, which was at the other end of the long hallway, as soon as he left her in hers. Seemed that the people of the underwater had a different culture concerning marriage, even just slightly. Or it could be he wasn’t ready or was too tired. Speaking of too tired, today was a long day indeed. There was so much that’s happening, and so much new information that she had to process in a very short time. Up to this moment, here were the things she could summarize:

1. The Overlord wasn’t a totally bad person.
2. He never truly married the brides he took for reasons unknown to her. Perhaps he’s just waiting for the right one, and she happened to be that. Perhaps his original goal was only to give them a safe haven, she just happened to be the anomaly to his purpose.
3. Those women most likely stayed here out of their free will. It was safe to assume they were all loyal to him.

She began to connect the dots and as she did so, there was a great battle between the rumors of the surface and the truth of the underwater as they clashed against each other in her head. She sighed, even thinking took a lot of her stamina and her mood.

There were three knocks on her door, two maids with some aquatic animal features such as a long slim tail with a sharp end and sharp jaw teeth which could be seen as they talked.

“Good evening, my Lady,” the taller maid greeted her as they both bowed down in respect. “My Lady must have been fatigued from the long journey. Upon Lord Osial’s order, we are here to assist my Lady.”

“Ah…”

“Would you like to take a bath?” the shorter one offered a service of hospitality. The lady pondered over the idea for a while, nodding. “Very well. My sister, Mu, shall assist my Lady with her clothing, Mei shall prepare the bath for you. Please wait for a moment.” With that, off she went into the private bathroom inside her chamber, the lady could hear the sound of water running and some fragrant scents she never smelled before.

The maid named Mu walked towards her, waiting patiently. She stood up and walked into the bathroom. It was rather spacious, its size was half her sleeping chamber, the four walls had paintings all over the surface, it looked like the paintings were telling a story unknown to her. She let Mu do her thing, taking off the sash around her slim waist, peeling the thick red clothes off her slender figure, resulting in her shivering from the rush of cold air. The ocean was colder than the surface, she’s not used to its temperature yet.

When Mei had finished preparing the bath, she stepped into the coral tub, sinking her whole body into the lukewarm water while her head stayed on the surface. It was a lot better being in here, the warmth began to work wonders on her tired muscles and ease her mind with its aromatherapy scent. She could feel a pair of smooth hands on her shoulders and almost jump at it, but she willed herself to stay still. Mei began to massage the area, pressing her palms and thumbs on the pressure points, her movements were professional. Mu left the bathroom, her task was to prepare the lady’s sleepwear before she’s done with her bath.

“Is this temperature to your liking, my Lady?”

“...Yes. It is warm enough.”

“Ah. Mei is glad to hear that. Is the massage to your liking, my Lady?”

“Yes. You did a very good job,” she repeated the same praise with more fondness.

“Mei is deeply honored to hear my Lady’s praises,” she smiled, moving her hands onto the lady’s arm. “This is a technique from the surface, I believe it was the 34th lady who taught us about massaging. Lord Osial likes it too.”

“I see…”

4. The mortal women who came before her taught them the skills and knowledge of the surface at some point. Cultural exchange...fascinating.

“Mei, was it?” the maid nodded almost eagerly, a smile lighting up her face. “There is...something I would like to ask.”

“Mei shall do her best in answering all the questions my Lady has in her mind.”

The lady stared at her for a good few seconds, watching her changing places because she’s going to massage her other arm. “Did...Lord Osial never take a wife before?”

Mei didn’t stagger, she kept on doing her job diligently. It wasn’t a sensitive question, then, the lady hadn’t stepped on a landmine. “No. Ever since Lord Osial brought the first woman from the surface here, our Lord never took them as his wife. So, when Mei heard that Lord Osial took my Lady as his wife, Mei was very happy for the both of you.” She didn’t sound lying, the lady could tell that much.

"Ah...” By simply keeping the veil, did that mean she’s accepted as the Overlord’s wife? Was it really that simple?

Another pause as she brooded over what she should ask. It was simply too many questions, but she was glad that Mei was able to answer the ones that made it out of her mouth so far.

“...How long has this underwater city existed?”

“Ah, it was a very long history, my Lady,” Mei replied as she finished her massage and moved to comb the lady’s long hair. “The underwater city has existed since more than two millenia ago, but it was not under Lord Osial’s rule. I believe it was during my mother’s era that he came here...so that should be…” Mei trailed off, looking up at the ceiling while her hands kept on their marvelous work, “ah, it should be more or less six hundred years ago.”

The lady didn’t expect that her number of questions would grow by three. But, she didn’t mind it, these were all precious information for her research. “In other words, Lord Osial was...an outsider?”

Mei didn’t reply for a short moment. “...Yes. Lord Osial was an outsider. None of us knew where he came from, and no one knew exactly when Lord Osial came to power, as in...he rose as the ruler of the city as he is now.”

“Mei, you’re talking nonsense again, aren’t you?” Mu called out from outside and the younger maid almost squealed from being startled.

“I-I’m sorry, sister!”

It seemed that whatever story surrounding Osial and his stay here was considered taboo…why was that? Huh...things were getting more interesting as time went on.

5. Osial was an outsider, but somehow, he came into power. There must be a story, and it would determine the Overlord’s true character which might be different from what the lady and those women in the great hall saw in the man.

“A-ah, my Lady,” Mei bent down slightly, lowering her voice. “Perhaps, the Imperial Library has the information my Lady is seeking. The sixth Queen of the previous dynasty was known for her adoration of knowledge. Mei is sorry for not being able to help further… Mei didn’t know much, Mei swear!”

Previous dynasty. Oh right, something happened in between the lores she was told just now. The Lady could see where this was going to head towards to.

“It’s alright. Thank you for the information, Mei. You have helped me a lot,” the Lady put up a reassuring smile and this caused the maid’s cheeks to bloom in faint red.

“M-Mei is happy to be able to serve my Lady,” she timidly replied. “A-ah, yes...It must be rude of Mei to ask this but...may Mei know my Lady’s name?”

The lady pondered over the idea, she noticed the young maid was fidgeting in panic. Sparing her from the anxiousness, she chuckled and said, “Yes. I go by the name Zhongli. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mei. I hope we can be...friends.”

“Be-being friends w-with Lady Zhongli?” Mei quickly shook her head, “T-this lowly one can’t-”

“You can. We’re all subjects of Lord Osial, are we not? So, we can be friends.”

“M-my Lady…” Mei smiled at Zhongli. “I-if my Lady wishes for Mei to be your friend, Mei shall stay by your side.”

“Thank you,” she stood up from the bathtub and got out. Mei hurriedly wrapped her figure in a fine cotton towel, staying behind her as she made her way out of the bathroom. Mu silently helped her put on her sleepwear and the twin maids bid her a farewell before retreating back to their post. She was told that she would be awakened at seven in the morning and had breakfast at nine, when being asked what she preferred for tomorrow’s menu, Zhongli simply said she would have anything that the imperial chefs made.

She sat on the bed, her amber eyes were glued on the dark red doorframe. She noticed that compared to the other rooms which were blue, doors of the rooms inhabited by the people from the surface were red or brown. On her way here, she noticed that most of them were brown, and hers was the only pair that was painted dark red. Maybe, it was another lesson the Overlord got from one of the women in the chamber or the one who had passed away.

Zhongli laid down on the soft mattress, breathing out all the air from her lungs and taking another lungful of fresh air. Again, another thought crossed her mind; the people born here were some kind of aquatic magical beings, she could feel the traces of elemental energy like the adepti of the land had. Then, she remembered that both Mu and Mei had gills-like slits on the side of their necks...it meant that even in their humanoid form, these beings were still aquatic beasts, and it meant that they could only breath in water, right? So why would Osial let his people live in an almost dry environment that was ideal for land beings but not for him and his own people?

Were the lives of those women he saved hold more value than his own people? Why would his people support his decision that clearly was harmful to their survivability? Mei did mention that she didn’t know the rise behind Osial’s ascension to the throne, Mu either did or didn’t (she seemed to be very faithful to her Overlord for a reason or more). Perhaps like Mu, the underwater city’s people were blindly devoted to Osial...if so, that man must have done something extremely impactful in the past. Bringing down the reign of tyranny that plagued the city? Or perhaps there was a war here and he won a lot of merit in the battles?

The Imperial Library should hold the key to the answers, she should seek it tomorrow and let the current her rest for the time being. And so, amber eyes bid the underwater world a good night, if not for the dimming corridor outside her sleeping chamber, she wouldn’t know it was already late in the middle of the night.

The single pearl bracelet around her right wrist served as the silent reminder of her mission as it glows in pallid blue.

…

Zhongli wasn’t awakened by the chickens’ crowing, nor by the loud, dull knocks from the bamboo tube. It had always been her routine to wake up at six in the morning, and if she were still on the surface world, she would have walked around her room for ten rounds, did a little bit of stretching before taking a bath, changing into fresher clothes and started doing her job after a peaceful morning tea. Today, she woke up to the sight of the Overlord sitting on the edge of the bed near where her feet rested. Before the lady could adjust her sight, Osial had turned his face to the door.

She brought herself up, sitting on the warm bed. “Ah… Good morning, Lord Osial.”

“Uh, yeah. Good morning to you,” he greeted back, still not looking at her. “So...did you have a good sleep? Do you like the accommodations so far, Zhongli?”

He called her by her name, it must be either Mu or Mei who told him, although from their interaction last night, it was most likely the latter who spoke up, she was chattier than her sister. “Yes, I had a good sleep. And your accommodations have been truly excellent, Lord Osial. Thank you for taking care of me.”

“You don’t need to thank me for that,” he waved his right hand dismissively, “you should thank those twins, they always did a great job.”

“Indeed, they are. I should express my gratitude for their service.”

Osial looked at her, there were traces of vague pink left on his cheeks which slowly disappeared, leaving his skin as pale as the moon. He stared at his wife (were they truly married couple?) for quite some time before saying, “...You…are not afraid of me?”

Zhongli merely tilted her head, blinking twice. “Should I be afraid of someone who is taking care of my wellbeing?”

“Well, that…” Osial looked he’s at a loss for words, that was rather cute of him. For a strong warrior to be as insecure as a growing up teenager. “It was just...the others before you were afraid to meet me even after spending a night with the others.”

“I see…” the lady murmured. “Still, I do not see a reason why I should fear you. You did no harm to me so far,” Zhongli shifted to the edge of the bed, her feet dangling in the air. “You have been kind to me...and to them.”

“I did,” Osial scratched his head, it was a fact he couldn't deny even if he were to be humble. “Still, you really are different from the others.”

“Everyone will always be different from one another.”

“Yeah, true but… Forget it,” the Sea God smiled thinly, again, she felt the same warmth he emitted last night. “Those twins would be here soon to help you with your morning routine. I’ll...wait for you at the dining hall.”

“Very well. I shall see you soon, my Lord.”

Osial left the chamber, his tall and muscular silhouette was seen walking towards the right corridor. Zhongli got out of her bed, stretching her back and sighing in relief. As she stared in the direction where Osial went just now, she wondered where the Overlord was heading to. If she remembered it right, that was not where the dining hall was located.

Mei and Mu came from the left corridor, it would be safe to guess that the twins didn’t bump into their lord. Just like last night, they helped Zhongli with her bath, hairdo, makeup and changed her into newer clothes; this time, she donned a regal blue daxiushan with silver floral embroideries, she noticed these flowers were glaze lilies which couldn’t be found at Mingyun and of course, under the sea. These flowers were land floras, and they could only grow under special conditions and in Guili, the wild glaze lilies thrived (it reminded her of the first time she met the Lord of Dust there, between the sea of blue flowers, singing to her silent, little audiences) so the people of the sea shouldn’t have such knowledge unless…

“Lady Zhongli, is something the matter?”

Zhongli blinked, her soul coming back to the present reality. Her eyes were still on the warm tea in the small porcelain cup in her hand, there was a frown on the reflection of her face. The water mirror didn’t lie.

“...No, it’s just…this tea is exquisite. I never had anything like this before.”

Mei sighed happily, smiling widely. “Mei is glad that my Lady enjoys the tea. It was introduced by the 94th Lady who was very fond of tea. She suggested that we should infuse the teas we received from land-dwellers’ offering with a bit of salt from the ocean bed and a tiny bit of grounded seaweed.”

Zhongli mouthed an ‘oh’, smiling at the explanation. “She was truly a genius.”

“She was, yes!” Mei exclaimed enthusiastically, “She and the 95th Lady were sisters, like Mu and Mei! She was very happy to be reunited with her sister, Mei still remembers her smile and tears.”

That could happen too, huh? Orphaned siblings being sent here in a different year. “Were they the only siblings to be sent as Lord Osial’s brides?”

“I think yes…” Mei seemed hesitant in her answer. “Mei doesn’t know some of the ladies’ backgrounds, some of them chose not to tell anyone here. Mei is a lowly servant, so Mei doesn't dare to implore if the Lady didn’t wish for it.”

“I see…” Zhongli drank the rest of the tea and placed the empty cup on the table, heading for the door. “Mei, would you like to accompany me to the Imperial Library?”

“As you wish, my Lady, please, this way.”

The cheerful maid led Zhongli to the library she mentioned last night. It was at the eastern wing of the palace and took around five minutes of walk from her chamber. When they arrived there, they were greeted by a pair of stone doors with coral patterns as tall as three men, it was opened from the inside after three knocks from Mei, and what was inside baffled the lady from the surface.

The library was spacious, it had two floors and a high ceiling, shelves were carved into the walls and the pillars, rows of high shelves lining up on the northern area of the room, all filled with books of various knowledge and stories. Several maids were seen cleaning the floor and dusting the shelves, there was a man standing behind the counter.

“This is the librarian in charge of the Imperial Library, Master Tao.”

Master Tao bowed down to Zhongli, unlike Mei, he didn’t smile, keeping up a professional attitude contrasting the young maid’s. “Welcome to the Imperial Library, my Lady. I have received the news of your visit from our young maid here. Is there anything particular you are seeking? This humble one shall serve my Lady.”

“Thank you, Master Tao,” she walked deeper into the library, her eyes scanning every one of the books lined up neatly on the shelves. Her nose picked up the scent of old wood and grasses, it was nostalgic to her. “Are there any history books about this city here?”

“Of course, we have,” Master Tao waved his hand to the section at the west. “This way, please.”

The both of them walked towards the destination, Mei chose to help the other maids in cleaning the library while waiting for Zhongli to finish her business here.

“This is the history section,” Tao introduced as he stood in front of the shelves. “The ones on my right side have books about this city, the ones at the back is mostly about the palace and the ones on the left side are about the surface world.”

At this point, she shouldn’t be surprised to find anything containing the surface world here. “I see… Do you have the one with information about the ladies, Master Tao?”

“We do. It is at the back.”

The back part of the history section was more special compared to the other ones. The shelves were the same, but there were small crystal boxes lined upon them. Master Tao fished a ring with a lot of keys hanging on it from his long, wide sleeve, picking the right key, and inserted it into the keyhole on the crystal box. It was opened with a soft click, and he took out a thick book with an azure hardcover, showing it to Zhongli.

“This book is the one my Lady asks for,” he said. “It is not updated yet, as the updates are usually done six months after the day the Lady arrived.”

“Thank you, Master Tao. You may return to your post.”

Master Tao bowed down and walked away, the Lady sat down on the chair near the large window. The thick book landed on the table with a dull thud, she watched the scenery behind the large window. There she saw Osial standing on the palace’s central garden, looking up to the surface. What was he thinking at this moment? Was there something he sought from the surface? Zhongli sat down and focused on the book when Osial seemingly noticed her stare and threw a glance at the woman, posing a smirk.

She opened the first page, it was just the index to what was contained inside. She didn’t need to read this one because she’s going to read as many as she could before breakfast was served and she’s called into the dining hall. It meant she only had one and half an hour to scan all the information...oh, worry not, it was nothing compared to all the contracts she had to read in her working hours. She flipped to the next page and began to read.

She would find something here, her intuition told so. Much more evidence to crack more lies and restore more truths hidden under the blue ocean...

To Be Continued…

Chapter Text

By the time she finished a quarter of the book, Mu came into the library and told Zhongli that Osial had summoned her to join him for breakfast. As much as she wanted to continue reading the rest, she knew she couldn’t just turn down the Overlord’s invitation lest she wanted to suffer his wrath (Osial might be kind-hearted, but it didn’t mean that he’s fully innocent and harbored no ill-feelings in his heart, for he’s no sage, he’s the ruler of the ocean), so she left the book to Master Tao and went for the dining hall.

So far, she had recorded the background of the first fifty ladies in her perfect memory. As she had suspected, some of them were not Mingyun locals; a few hailed from either Guili, Qingce or Tianheng, there was one who was rather unique because she originated from Mondstadt. It seemed that the villagers’ priority was that the bride had to be an orphan or at least someone who separated from their family and most likely couldn’t return home. Before her departure, Guizhong said she was going to look for more information concerning the method used by the villagers to lure the orphans into their binding.

If...her suspicions turned out to be true… Was the Sea God the Hero and the villagers were the true villains? No, both sides had their own reason, she had to be fair in her judgment.

“Does my Lady like our Imperial Library?” Mei asked curiously, her eyes brimming with excitement.

Zhongli quickly snapped out of her musings. “...I do. It was larger than my friend’s library, and there were so many foreign books in there. I almost wanted to ask for the library to become my private chamber...”

The young maid giggled with her lips sealed, her body trembling slightly. “My Lady should ask for Lord Osial’s permission. Mei thinks that he would allow my Lady to use it as my Lady wishes for.” That was supposed to be a joke, servants always took everything seriously as it’s required in their line of work.

“Ah...I won’t do that far and please, do not take it so seriously,” Zhongli shook her head. “The library is a public space for all who desire knowledge, turning it into my private chambers would mean I’m monopolizing it. In a contract, both sides must gain profit, monopolization is one of the many reasons why countless contracts have been broken.”

“Whoa…” Mei was amused by the lady’s words. “My Lady is right. Pardon me for my poor insight!”

“There is no need for that. You did nothing wrong, Mei.”

Soon, they arrived in front of the dining hall. The two maids opened the door for her, and as she stepped in, she’s greeted by the sight of all the ladies sitting on the floor with their legs folded, waiting patiently behind their respective tables. Perhaps she should take a table among them-

“You’re to sit here by my side, Zhongli,” the Sea God commanded, his thumb pointing to the table beside him. “I mean...according to the culture, right, Yanli?”

Yanli raised a thumb up, smiling widely at her lord.

“As you wish, Lord Osial,” Zhongli walked across the luxurious carpet that led her to her table, her steps were graceful and elegant. She noticed Osial was watching her every move, but chose to play dumb and sat down on her designated seat.

Soon after, servants came out from the front door, bringing in lavish breakfast and serving them first to the Lord, then to his wife, and to the other women in the hall. It was done with swiftness and precision, all were done in under ten minutes. She examined the prepared menu, there was a bowl of beef porridge with pieces of century egg, a plate of sauteed vegetables, a small bowl of bird’s nest, then shredded chicken, shredded mushrooms, shredded smoked meats, shredded cabbage and cashew nuts, and lastly, a bowl of jewelry soup. What caught her interest was all these dishes were the ones cooked by the mortals of the surface, and she guessed that Osial was in charge of determining the menu. The Overlord somehow had a certain degree of fondness for the surface world despite his display of disagreeing attitude and opinion about it… Those brown and red doors, the knowledge and culture of the civilization on the surface, the dishes often cooked by land mortals… they were just some of the solid evidence of this contradiction.

With tons of thoughts storming in her mind, Zhongli didn’t hear Osial’s cue that everyone could start digging in. This earned a frown from the Sea God. “Do these dishes not to your liking?” He sounded so...concerned?

“No, it is not that,” Zhongli lifted the bowl of porridge with her left hand, taking the porcelain spoon (again, an item from the surface) with her right hand. “These dishes...reminded me of my hometown,” well, that was not a full-bodied lie, wasn’t it? It did remind her of where she truly belonged to; of her friends, her family...her mission.

“I got that a lot from the ladies there. Well, this place after all isn’t your birthplace, also not where you grew up in your childhood to adulthood. So I thought...serving human dishes here might make you feel at home,” he pointed at the women who were talking among each other. “In fact, these dishes were taught to us, the sea dwellers, by the very first woman I knew...let’s say a very long time ago. You can say these are...her greatest gifts.”

Woman, not Lady. The very first woman he knew. A very long time ago, in the past more than three hundred years ago. Why that particular choice of words? Who was she? Why would Osial choose to classify the information now, of all times?

There was a hint of sorrow on the Overlord’s forlorn face that averted Zhongli’s attention away from her train of thoughts. She noticed what she saw at this moment was the same look Osial had when he stared at the surface from his garden. He spoke of her so fondly, she must meant a lot to him in a way or more (perhaps, that was why, he didn’t want others to know because he loved her so much...or she simply wasn't a part of the Rite of Matrimony candidates). His blue eyes were staring at the bowl of bird’s nest with a vivid longing, a sigh escaped his slightly parted lips. “Well, the past remains in the past. She’s no longer here with us. This is our only way to show our appreciation for her teachings.”

“...You’re very fond of her, Lord Osial.”

He chuckled, picking up a piece of shredded meat and inserted it into his mouth, he took his time chewing it before gulping it down into his stomach. “I must admit I was a man with no manners back then, I sat with my legs crossed or one folded up so I could rest my arm on it, using my hands instead of proper utensils to eat. She saw me with that horrified look on her face as if she just saw a demon, and she was the very first mortal who dared to speak up about my bad etiquette...in public. I almost killed her on spot out of shame, but her bravery was commendable, so I let her live.”

Osial was imperfect, just like the human beings she knew. He had a bad attitude, he had someone he admired and he decided to change because of that person. Even character development was possible among the Gods...and it didn’t surprise her considering that she too-

...Maybe, they both were one of a kind.

“I am sure that she...must be proud of you.”

“She better did. Sitting like this for half an hour is painful, you know,” the man joked and proceeded to eat his fill. “My menu will change depending on the season, but that one,” it was the bird’s nest soup, “will never change. It was her favorite dessert.”

“I do agree,” Zhongli examined the translucent soup with boiled gelatinous bird saliva in it. “This is a luxurious delicacy only those who were wealthy could afford. It has very high nutritional values, and there’s a red variation of it named the ‘Blood Nest’, which is believed to hold more medical values and are sold at higher rates. Truly an exquisite dessert, as it needs a lot of patience and skills to prepare it.”

Osial was staring at her, his lips were slightly agape. “...You...sure know a lot.”

“This One is honored to hear your praise, my Lord,” Zhongli nodded her head once and continued, “my memories...are just too good, and my knowledge is limited.”

“Damn. I think that if I leave you alone in the Imperial Library, you might be the Walking Library itself when you’re out of that room. Bet.”

Zhongli laughed quietly at the remark, this small gesture made the Overlord laugh out loud. The ladies turned their head towards the laughing couple, and the peaceful breakfast ended with a red-faced Sea God and an amused beautiful wife. When Osial left the dining hall, the women all flocked to her as if she’s a breadcrumb thrown to pigeons, it hardly surprised her when questions were thrown to her from here and there.

“So, how’s your first night with our Lord? Is he gentle? Is he r-rough?”

“He left me in my private chamber and went back into his own.”

The crowd groaned like dying animals, was it something to be disappointed about? Zhongli was so puzzled at how marriage should have worked.

“What do you think of our Lord, Zhongli?”

“He’s...how should I put it… Ah, he’s kind, his shyness was rather unexpected out of such a man who always seemed confident and powerful,” the ladies nodded in unison, agreeing with her description, “a mysterious man.”

“That’s all?”

“That is all.”

The ladies, again, made a sound of dying animals.

“Why is Lord Osial so dense?! Can’t he be a little more romantic to his wife?!” Qingyu was so frustrated that she pulled her well-styled hair to the side, ruining the hairdo. “Look at her! She didn’t even describe him as one!”

“Yeah, yeah!” The other ladies agreed with her.

“But, being mysterious is also a part of his charm…” one of the younger ladies, Mudan, shyly refuted.

“That’s not the main point!”

“Eeek!!!”

“Zhongli, you should...you know, form a deeper relationship with him! I mean, you’re his wife, he’s your husband!” Kangyue rested her hands on her wide hips, pouting to the point her cheeks puffed like one of those fat fishes she often saw the people of Guili have in their pond and glass vase.

“Ah, you’re right…” Zhongli circled a finger around her chin. “It seems that I have neglected my duty as our Lord’s wife. Is there any way for me to get closer to him?”

“Well, there are! But, urgh… If our Lord was too stupid, then…” Qingyu looked at Zhongli, so did the other women. She smirked playfully, it...probably wouldn’t end good.

For the first time in her whole life, Zhongli prayed to Celestia above.

…

And here she was, walking into the garden where Osial was spending his leisure time. More like, she’s walking towards the Overlord of the Vortex. The ladies had instructed her to do something that in their opinion would please her Lord and made him less dense. She wasn’t sure that their plan would work, but the ladies made her sign a literal contract that she had to fix her Lord’s denseness and she had been trained to do one of the tricks for at least two hours.

So, let’s rephrase that. Zhongli was walking towards Osial who was sitting on the bench, looking up at the dark blue waters outside the bubble membrane. Upon noticing someone’s presence in his garden, he darted his eyes to the newcomer and was quite pleased to see it was Zhongli who approached him.

“Oh, it’s you,” he greeted with a wave of his right hand. “Do you need something-” He hurriedly got up to catch Zhongli’s fallen body, supporting the woman with his two large, muscular hands. “H-hey, are you alright?”

“My Lord…” Zhongli breathed out, her alluring voice slurred, and damn, did it wake something up inside Osial? Now that she lifted up her pretty face flushed with thin red, half-lidded eyes, he was sure something was waking up inside of him and it was- The Overlord was stunned when he felt a pair of hands on his two upper arms, and his mind went haywire right at the moment Zhongli pushed her body against his, and he could feel those...those...those pair of soft- “How may your wife be of service?”

Goddamn Celestia above, she was so inviting! Goddamn Celestia above, was she beautiful! Goddamn Celestia above he-

Osial was too petrified to give an immediate response. The next thing he did was sit Zhongli down on the bench and marched swift like the wind back into the palace. The lady frowned, the ladies slapped their foreheads collectively, winced at their Lord’s stupidity.

Seduction was proven useless because their Lord acted like a blushing virgin despite having that big, strong, muscular frame.

“...We need a new plan.” Lu’e sighed loudly. The others agreed. "No, not just ONE new plan, but HUNDREDS of new plans!"

Hundreds of new plans seemed to be...exaggeratingly a lot.

Zhongli looked at the group of women, tilting her head innocently. “Did I do it wrong?”

“No, Zhongli. You were doing so great, honey. Our Lord is just a lot stupider than we ever expected.”

And so, the tales of a comedic romance continued under the summer ocean.

“Lord Osial likes to eat, you know? Can you cook something, Lady Zhongli?” she noticed the question came from the timidest woman of the group, Xiaojuan. Her fingers were fidgeting against each other, and she hung her head down, looking somewhere else that’s not Zhongli’s eyes.

“Though it is not my field of expertise, I can cook some dishes my friends taught me,” the ladies smiled at her reply.

“That’s it! You can cook him something that you think he will like!” Qingyu shouted from the back and the others nodded in agreement. “Desserts, main dish, appetizers, anything!”

“Yes! I think this will work!”

“Something that Lord Osial might be fond of...” Zhongli muttered to herself, taking her time to decide which dish she should prepare for the Overlord. “Very well. Please wait a moment. I shall have it ready soon.”

“Alright! Xiaojuan, you should go and help her! You’re the best cook we have here!”

The timid woman looked unsure, only after a moment of taking several deep breaths did she take three steps forward and bowed down to Zhongli. “I-I’ll be under your care, Lady Zhongli!”

“Likewise, Lady Xiaojuan. I shall be under your guidance.”

The pair went into the kitchen and began to prepare the dish Zhongli had in mind. The chefs and the assistants wanted to help, but they were instead dismissed by the hardworking ladies who told them that they deserve a rest after today’s hard work. Once the kitchen quieted down, the ladies rolled up their billowed sleeves, smiling at each other and began to work.

Thuk! Thuk! Thuk! Dull sound of sharp knives chopping the leeks filled the room. Chop! Chop! Chop! Salted ham was sliced into slightly thick fillets. Thuk! Trak! Thuk! Trak! Half-a-pinkie-sized ginger and bamboo shoots were cut into thin slices. Water was poured into the pot, the pork belly pieces were placed inside and brought to boiling point slowly. At this point, Zhongli stopped working and walked to Xiaojuan who was washing the dirty dishes.

“Lady Xiaojuan, if you have something else to do, you may take your leave. I shall handle the rest myself.”

“Eh…? Are you sure, Lady Zhongli? I do have a class I have to attend shortly, but...”

“Worry not. I can do this part singlehandedly, and I do not wish to bother you further.”

“Okay. Should you need anything, you can call the chefs from that window. They are resting in that room, so they should be able to hear you. See you later!” Xiaojuan left the kitchen after finishing her work, leaving Zhongli alone.

She pulled a seat out from under the table and sat near the stove, watching the boiling pot, her gaze unwavering. Once the lid started to clatter, she quickly removed it, took out the meat and replaced the water anew. She put back the cooked meat into the pot, adding the ginger, the leeks, some tofu, and the sliced hams. Zhongli went back to her seat and again, her eyes were fixated on the dish, only getting up once in a while to control the fire or stir the soup. The sweet, salty scent wafting in the air, attracting the attention of any living being nearby.

Her friends were watching from the window, waiting for the soup. Yet, it had been minutes...no, it had been HOURS since Zhongli sat there, watching the pot with such intensity, as inert as a stone, and the ladies who watched from the window changed from time to time. What in the world is she cooking?! What kind of ‘soon’ is this?!, the ladies sighed out aloud and decided to leave the Sea God’s wife be.

Eight hours later, Zhongli came out from the kitchen (FINALLY!) with a small black bowl in her hands. The ladies gathered around her with a curious look on their faces.

“Zhongli! It has been EIGHT hours! What kind of dish took you so long to cook?” Qingyu grumbled exasperatedly, hands in the air.

“Ah...Pardon me for taking so long,” she looked down on the small pot, smiling thinly. “This is my specialty dish, the Slow-Cooked Bamboo Shoot Soup. There are still some in the pot if you wish to have a taste.”

“Whoa! It smells nice! We’ll help ourselves then!”

“Oi! Spare some for me!” Qingyu’s request seemed unheard by them. The brash lady remained on her spot, sighing defeatedly at Zhongli who returned the attitude with her usual innocent tilt. There was... a kind of sympathetic look on her face. “Look, Zhongli...I hate breaking it to you. But, do you know what time it is now?”

“I…don’t know.”

“Midnight will strike in another hour. Our Lord has been sleeping since an hour ago…” the sad puppy look on Zhongli’s face really broke her heart. “Uh, it’s alright. We can wake up earlier and cook this again for him some other day, okay?”

The two walked in and enjoyed their late-night dinner together. While Zhongli didn’t get to share the dish she cooked wholeheartedly with her Lord, at least the ladies were happy and showered her with a lot of praises. There’s always next time for everything.

One of the classes available for the maidens was about flora designing. Zhongli sat in the midst of the ladies attending today’s schedule, silently trimming the colorful, fresh flowers her friends picked for her. Deft fingers arranged them into the thin circlet, careful eyes judging the placement of the colors; since Zhongli had always been peculiar about everything, it had to be crafted into perfection. Even the seniors of the class were amazed by her talent as they admired her masterpiece.

“It’s beautiful, no doubt about it, Lady Zhongli. You truly have the heart of an artist.”

“I am honored by your words, Lady Cui.”

The woman in her mid-fifties chuckled. “I suggest you should go to the garden now. Our Lord should be there around this hour. This is the perfect opportunity to show him your capabilities and your love.”

Love… Again, did she truly harbor such feelings for her Lord? She stared at the flower crown, face almost devoid of emotion, ever so flawless.

“Don’t worry. You can let the flowers talk.”

Clearly, the old lady didn’t understand.

Or perhaps, she understood more than Zhongli did.

The Sea God's wife bid her farewell and made her way to the garden. Just as Lady Cui previously predicted, Osial was there, standing on the center of the garden and looking up to the surface like usual. She contemplated whether she should bother him with her presence, but before she could slip away unnoticed, Osial had caught the sight of her waving billowed sleeves. Call it a warrior’s awareness, they were always sharp to their surroundings.

“Do you need me for something?” his deep, baritone voice traveled through the air, caressing her ears.

Zhongli turned around in one slow motion, revealing the thing in her hands that was close to her chest.

“Is that...for me?”

She nodded silently. Her heartfelt...almost nothing, if not for the brief strange ache stinging her beating heart. She did her best in keeping her gaze steady, controlling the strength of her fingers through sheer willpower so they wouldn’t tear the flower crown.

Osial walked towards her and...he kneeled in front of his wife. Zhongli stood motionless, studying his action. The Overlord of the Vortex said nothing else, his eyes were closed. Her hands brought the flower crown up, she placed it on top of his head covered by the silky black hair, fixing its position and removed her limbs away. The man stood up, smirking at the smaller figure in front of him.

“This is beautiful. I love it, but know that I appreciate your diligence in crafting such a masterpiece for me more than anything else.”

With his index finger, Osial caressed her left cheek to the side of her head. A new weight rested in the tight bun. Zhongli reached up to touch the alien item; it was soft, smooth...petals? A flower? More like...a bunch of tiny flowers?

“As I thought. It looks great on you. I hope you won’t take it off soon.”

He left her in the garden, going back into the palace alone. Her hands were still on the bunch of tiny flowers Osial slipped into the tightness of her bun, her eyes widened when she felt one of them was accidentally plucked off. Zhongli examined the flower in her palm; it had small, fragile-looking pink petals, she caught its distinctive fragrance.

Let the flowers talk.

A smile appeared on her red lips. The lady stared at the surface. She should search about the meaning of the flowers both of them used to communicate when she had the time.

To Be Continued…

Chapter Text

Seeing the progress they witnessed after the floral designing class made the ladies even more determined to make the supposed married couple closer and closer than ever (oh, they were so FIRED UP!). Did they see the entire thing? Of course! They were hiding in one of the rooms facing the garden, looking from behind the windows and the doors. Either motivated to see their two happy or to play with the couple’s babies soon, one knew not of their true intention, at least they looked very satisfied. Regardless, they meant no harm and Zhongli could always lower her guard whenever being with them.

However, lowering her guard would always come with a price she had to pay, wouldn’t it?

The ladies gathered around her, intensely staring at the flower sitting in the bun between the golden ornaments decorating the dark strands. Some of them hummed, some of them smiled, and a few frowned in curiosity over their seniors’ reactions. Zhongli merely sipped her tea, unbothered by their presence and intense gaze.

“You know...this is the first time Lord Osial gave someone a different kind of flower as a present.”

Again with the first time. It seemed that many things, if not all, were new to the Overlord of the Vortex.

“You’re right, Cai-jie,” Kangyue confirmed this fact. She crossed her arms and bent down, squinting her upturned eyes. “He always gave us chrysanthemums, irises or the liuchu flower. Aren’t those friendship flowers according to our teacher?”

“Then, does any of us know what the ones on Zhongli’s head mean?”

They all collectively shook their heads, no one knows.

“I’m going to combust if it’s another friendship flower. I can’t stand watching our dense Lord friendzoning his own WIFE...” Lu’e groaned rather dramatically and tiredly leaned against her best friend, Qingyu.

Whispers began to fill the tea room, Zhongli finally decided to open her eyes and the first look she gave was a small, sincere smile.

“Regardless of the meaning it holds, the fact that Lord Osial still considers me as someone he acknowledges still stands.”

“Still…”

“Qingyu, Lu’e,” Lady Cui who sat not far away called the prankster duo. “There is no need to rush. Let him get used to it. Lady Zhongli is his first wife in hundreds of years, even a man of his caliber still needs some time to fully open up himself.”

“Lady Cui here is right,” Lady Wei put down her small teapot. “If you rush him, he’ll just run away. Trust Lady Cui, she has been here for a longer time than any of us. And, don’t you all have your next class soon?”

“Oh right! We almost forgot! Get going, ladies!” they all scrambled out of the room, scattered in different directions. In less than ten seconds, only three women stayed, tranquility soon enveloped the atmosphere, a perfect ambiance to accompany a fine tea.

“...Thank you, Lady Cui, Lady Wei.”

“Hahaha, no need to thank us, young lady,” Lady Cui laughed, her wrinkled eyes shut as her body shook. “Young souls these days like to be in a hurry, so much that they forget to enjoy the scenery around them as they walk.”

“I agree,” came Zhongli’s answer for the wise quote. “Every journey has its final day. There is no need to rush.”

“You seemed to be a lot wiser for your young age,” Wei poured herself another drink and proceeded to open a folded bamboo book on her right side. “I am sure that you’re aware that most of us here were...homeless orphans, forced into training as Lord Osial’s wife for two months. Even with that, many of the ladies still stutter in their conduct, thankfully, the Lord himself is a casual person, he doesn’t really care for our attitude.”

“Yet, here you are,” her eyes were sharp as she glanced at Zhongli. “Acting like a princess or some unfortunate daughter from a royal family. Are you even-”

“Wei Ruiyu,” Lady Cui called her full name out, causing her to cease her attempt from finishing it. The younger woman clicked her tongue, folded the bamboo book, and walked out at a fast pace. The old woman sighed, looking at Zhongli with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. Wei isn’t usually like this. Perhaps, the week is approaching.”

“I understand. And do not worry, Lady Cui, I do not take offense to what she said just now,” if any, she was confused.

“Thank you, Lady Zhongli,” she could see relief washed over the wrinkled face. Those black eyes were darted towards the exit, none of them spoke after that.

And none of the ladies brought up the event when they were gathered for dinner, it seemed that Lady Cui blabbered nothing to them and kept the minor dispute a secret. For that, Zhongli was thankful, she felt she could trust the old lady with more secrets in the future. Of course, she would never reveal her true goals, it was too dangerous, also she wished not to involve the women she tried to save from the palace (was that...even needed now?) into the path of harm.

The inhabitants of the dining hall exchanged laughter and topics as they usually did, with teasings to the Overlord in between certain intervals. She could ignore what had happened in the evening, but the Sea God’s wife was a bad pretender. She couldn’t help but take a glance at Lady Wei who sat the nearest to Osial, returning her a sharp look. As much of a bad pretender she was, Zhongli still could devise a simple plan to escape from the awkwardness lingering in the air; either by sipping the tea or listening to the stories told by her Lord.

“You’re quieter tonight, Zhongli,” Osial called for her attention. “Something bothering you?”

“Ah… No, there is nothing, my Lord. Your stories are interesting, I find myself feeling content upon hearing them.”

Qingyu whistled loudly and the Overlord barked back at her, earning a peal of gentle laughter from his wife. “I heard that you have a lot of stories too, many of them are unheard of,” a thin smile adorned his visage. “You should tell us. Also, my throat is drying up from speaking too much.” His hand rubbed the front of his neck, cleared his said dry throat.

“My Lord, do you know that you can wet your throat by kissing your wife~?”

“Qingyu, one more word, and I’ll tie you to that pillar over there!”

“Ooh~ How scary~”

“I swear you’re a threat to my dignity…” the ladies laughed at his misery, but Osial wasn’t offended and let them have their way instead. He had always been like that. “So, you got any stories from above to tell, Zhongli?”

“Stories…” Zhongli murmured to herself, staring up to the well-lit ceiling as she thought of a tale no one here had ever heard before. “I do. I can tell you the story of the Three Moons.”

“Oh? Never heard of that one,” Osial leaned on his table, his eyes glowed in interest. “Tell us more about it.”

“Very well,” Zhongli places both of her hands on her lap, staring at her audience. “It was a tale from a long, long time ago…”

Her serenade voice filled the atmosphere, bewitched her listeners, and played illusions in their minds, bringing them to the past when the world still had its three moons and the incident that left only one moon reigning the dark sky of the night now. She spared one look at Lady Wei, seeing that the cold lady had joined in with the others to hear her story.

It was peaceful, she wished that it would remain forever. No dispute, no competition as Heavens allowed it.

…

“There you are, Lady Zhongli,” a familiar voice spoke of her name, Zhongli decided to stop reading and pay attention to Lady Wei. The young woman who initially showed a degree of animosity had grown closer and closer to the lady in the recent two weeks they spent together. Of course, all those trials of the ‘Make Our Dumb Lord Kiss His Wifey’ agenda raised a lot of good numbers to their friendship points.

“Ah, Lady Wei, good afternoon,” she greeted back with a smile. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Oh? It seems you have the ability to read my mind,” Lady Wei snickered and took a seat beside the woman. “I do. May I borrow your hand for a second?”

She didn’t question the other’s sudden request and showed her right hand, palm opened. A pair of hands covered it and she felt a new weight. The surface of this mysterious, palm-sized item was smooth. What could it be, she wondered. To answer her unspoken inquiry, Lady Wei removed her hands, revealing a shark-eye seashell with blue hue stripes and a white star on its center. She quickly recognized what this shell was.

“It’s...a starconch.”

“It is.”

“Where did you find this, Lady Wei? I recall that these shells could only be found on-”

“I found it in the backyard garden,” Wei quickly cut off, a wide smile on her face. “You should keep it if you know what it is.”

“A present for me…? But, it’s not-”

“Hush! Let’s say it’s… a friendship gift from me? And…an apology gift from me. Will you accept it?” her eyes grew woeful, seeing it made Zhongli reluctant to refuse the gift and it was rude in the first place to turn it down.

“Thank you for the gift, Lady Wei. I will return your kindness soon.”

“There is no need to do that! We’re friends, right?” Zhongli tilted her head, was it really alright not to return the friendly gesture? “I’m glad that you’re happy with my gift. I hope you can keep it well.”

“I shall keep this gift safe.”

Her golden amber eyes examined the shell in her hands, the kindred thin smile never left her beautiful face. The young lady beside her smiled in satisfaction. There was a glint behind those black eyes that went unnoticed by the Sea God’s wife.

Lady Wei excused herself soon after, and Zhongli left the library sometime after her departure. As she walked through the palace’s corridor, she kept on admiring the shell. A friendship gift..it was not the first time she received these, and yet, every time she did, warmth pooled in her heart. Gratefulness was the name of this feeling according to what Guizhong had taught her years ago.

The rustling of leaves and stormy steps called for her attention. Zhongli stopped in her tracks and turned sideways, finding Osial seemed to be frantically going around from one corner to another. It looked like he was...searching for something? Those blue eyes were wide as he scanned every nook and cranny of the corridor, his brows furrowed so hard that wrinkles decorated his handsome features. Seeing the lord of the palace in such turmoil, she made her way to his side but Osial didn’t even bother her presence.

“Lord Osial, are you looking for something? Please, let me help you.”

“Oh, no, it’s alright,” he replied without sparing a glance at the woman, kneeling down on the floor and looked under the drawer. “I can do this alone. I don’t want you to get dirty for something so trivial.”

Something so trivial would never get the Overlord so worked up for it. The item he was searching for must be very important since it wrought panic onto the surface of his being, it was as clear as the crystal figure on top of the drawer.

“It seems to be something precious, and wouldn’t it be faster if the two of us search for it?”

Osial lifted his body up to stop his wife from crouching down, yet right at that moment...the man was petrified.

Zhongli threw him a perplexed look, her eyes widened upon feeling the strong hands on her upper arms suddenly tightened to the point they threatened to break her delicate bones. It was painful, but what was more painful to her was the grim expression she saw on Osial’s face. “Lord Osi-”

“You…” his voice, usually friendly and kind...was now dark and deep. Like he forcibly pulled Zhongli down into the deepest, coldest abyss. “Where did you get THAT?!”

The woman looked down, he must be referring to the starconch on her hands. “I got this from-”

“NONSENSE!” his roar boomed throughout the space and rattled the walls, with such force he snatched the seashell away in a rage, hurting her hands in the process and left red scratches on the once flawless surface, now covered in a thin layer of crimson dripping down from the cut. “So, it was YOU who broke into my room, huh?!” Broke into his room? Zhongli wanted to protest back. It was Lady Wei who gave this to- Wait...it couldn’t be that- “One of the guards told me that he saw a woman running out of my room! You really had the nerve to STEAL from me after all of my kind treatment?!”

Her heart...clenched. It felt as if there was an invisible hand slapped her face from left to right. “Lord Osial, I would never steal from you,” she retorted softly, yet stern and full of confidence that it grated the Overlord’s anger even more. But, she’s Zhongli who wouldn’t flinch from one’s rage and baseless slander. “It was given to me by one of the ladies. Had I known it was yours, I would have never accepted it and would surely have returned this starconch to you that instant.”

The Sea God’s wrath seemed to lessen at her explanation, her confidence in her innocence aided in her attempt to soothe the man down. The red decorating his face began to diminish, replaced by paler tones as he slumped back to the wall on his right. The two were silent, lips sealed tight. Both were visibly hurt in more ways than one, none could reject the stinging sensation in their own chest. Osial was the first to make a move, sliding down until he’s fully seated on the floor.

He looked dejected, miserable, it was all evident when he folded one of his legs and rested his forehead on his arm. The lady’s face softened, she kneeled in front of Osial, her hands on her own lap.

“...Is that true? That it wasn’t you who stole this…?”

“I mean every one of my words. I shall never lie to you, for that is one of the contracts between our marriage, is it not?”

Osial brushed his face with a hand, sighing loudly, his large body trembled like a leaf. The five fingers around the silent seashell gripped it tighter, an assurance that it had been found. The Overlord of the Vortex took a deep breath, slowly facing his lady. “I… What have I done…” he asked like someone who was recently released from bewitchment. “Zhongli, I… Sorry. I-”

Zhongli cupped his face, stroking his high cheeks all the while keeping her palms in a distance, she didn’t want to stain the Overlord’s face with her blood...his mistake, no, theirs. “I can understand your rage, Lord Osial,” she whispered, “It was your precious treasure. Your wrath and worry signify its value in your life.”

He put the shell on the floor, taking her hands away, and examined the red cuts marring her palms. “...I have hurt you.” Remorse, she could hear that.

She couldn’t deny the fact but chose not to comment on it. At that, the man laughed pathetically to himself, cursing his own person for losing his composure so easily, and flew into a blind rage. He could have hurt her worse, he could have KILLED her! "Please do not worry. I can-” Water enveloped the limbs, glowing with a gentle light. The fluid vanished into the thin air and the scars were no more.

Osial heaved in relief like he just evaded a sure death. His thumbs traced the smaller palms, checking whether there were wounds that previously went unnoticed.

“...Thank you, Lord Osial.”

“No need to thank me for that,” he released her hands, resting his whole weight on the wall. “...Stay?” Osial thought that he deserved not for the chance to explain things, not wanting to be seen as a victim (she could hear the inaudible ‘please’). He deserved not for the woman’s forgiveness and understanding, he deserved not for her companion. Yet he still dared himself to ask. Zhongli obliged and sat beside her lord. “...Thanks.”

They sat there for a long time. The Sea God’s wife remained motionless as Osial leaned his head on her shoulder and dozed off to slumber, burnt out from all the emotional stress he had suffered for hours. He looked...so humane (yet, Gods would forever be believed to be cruel and merciless by the mortals above…).

None of the palace inhabitants dared to disturb the tranquility shared between the couple; guards and servants quickly turned away and walked another path the moment they spotted the couple, the ladies from the harem hastily hid behind the pillars and walls as Zhongli raised a finger in front of her lips.

Somewhere in her heart, Zhongli wished that the Overlord would like to share his story behind the importance of the starconch. She...wanted to understand him even better.

It was not for her mission.

It was solely for...herself.

Osial woke up two hours later, face slightly flushed. He excused himself as soon as his senses returned and went without a trace just like the storm wrought by him. She didn’t seek him, she didn’t worry, at least for the time being, he didn’t seem to be in pain anymore.

That was enough.

To Be Continued…

Chapter Text

“Zhongli, you there?” Osial’s head poking out from behind the high shelves, finding the woman he sought at the place where he was informed of.

The Sea God’s wife turned her face away from the book she was reading. “Lord Osial,” she called back and stood up, bowing down slightly. “For you to seek my presence...how may I be of assistance today?”

“Hey, take it easy,” the man pulled a chair beside her and sat down with his legs crossed, left arm on the table which propped his chin in a lazy many. At least, his face was beaming bright (unlike how he was a few days ago). “I just...want your companion, that’s all. You can go back and read whatever you’re reading now.”

“Is that so…” Zhongli mumbled. “Very well. Shall you need me for something, please tell me.”

“Will do, my Lady.”

With that, the woman resumed with her book. Her eyes rolled from right to left over and over again, skimming the written information with precision as if she was a living recorder. Osial stayed beside her, doing his own thing (if watching her doing hers could be counted as an activity). Since that incident, the Overlord had grown closer to his lady, it was no secret since even a blind man could tell from the atmosphere surrounding them. Those who were still graced with eyesight could see the smile plastered on his handsome features as he looked at the reading lady with fondness.

Zhongli wasn’t bothered by his stare, obviously too immersed in the subject discussed by the old book. Each page was flipped with care, she was treating it as if it was the most fragile thing in the world.

While the Overlord was here, she should tell him her suspicion concerning the starconch incident's culprit. But, she didn't have enough proof, and there were also other possibilities such as Wei truly found it in the garden as she had stated. There was also another reason behind her holding the information back: she didn't know what Osial would do to the woman if she was proven guilty. Zhongli was here to save them, not to hurt them.

“Oh? Is that about the previous dynasty?”

The lady glanced up at her lord and nodded. “Yes. I am curious about its history."

“Huh, most of the ladies weren’t so entertained by history,” Osial leaned back, his arms folded. “What have you discovered?”

“Ah… I have read about its founding by the Great Emperor Yinglong, formerly known as King Yu, who established the Ying Dynasty thousands of years ago. Apparently, this part of the ocean was once home to several dukes and kings until the Great Emperor unified them under his single dominion. I was...surprised to know that there were several great wars happening leagues under the ocean.”

Osial flashed her an unintelligent smile, this woman continued to baffle him from day to day. “Well, yeah...So I heard,” he scratched his cheek, laughing nervously.

“You...didn’t know about this, my Lord?”

“More like I don’t care too much about the past,” Osial waved his hand dismissively. “I only know the gist of it and that’s all I need. I have been running this place for more than half a millennium by now and it’s all good.”

They said that ‘those who didn’t learn from the past were doomed to fall’, it seemed that this didn’t apply to him. The Overlord was able to rule the Palace for such a long time without giving too much attention to the past dynasties he had brought down to an end more than five hundred years ago… This was not due to his luck, there was nothing such luck in ruling a whole empire; if the Emperor was incompetent, then the whole nation was doomed to fall. Osial was nothing short of a competent ruler, he’s extremely talented and charismatic.

That, or…

“I also have the perfect people backing me up; like those Three Excellencies, the Nine Departments, and the structures below. I don’t really have to worry.”

“Ah,” Zhongli made a sound of understanding. She remembered the Three Excellencies because their information was stored in one of the books she read a few days ago.

The Three Excellencies were Osial’s three right-hand officers; the Chancellor - Cao Wenji, the Grand Commandant - Raohuo, and the Grand Secretary - Yang Erniang. They were all the women who supported Osial in his ruling era, the two former had been in his service since his early days as the ruler of the city, while the last one was...a rather unique individual. It was said that Yang Erniang was a human from the harem that ascended into godhood after her death some 150 years ago. It was not rare for a human to ascend into godhood post-death, there were several examples here and there on the surface world too. Since then, she was recruited as one of the Three Excellencies replacing the retiring old officer.

“Speaking of which,” Osial sat up straight and looked into her eyes. “I initially wanted to ask...for your opinion.”

“Oh?” She had to close the book so as not to offend her Lord by giving him the attention he deserved. The woman slightly tilted her head, foreseeing where this possibly led to. “Is this...concerning the state’s affairs?”

“You’re quick to catch up with the situation, aren’t you?” Osial nodded, smirking fondly. “Yeah. It’s about that.”

“I…” Zhongli trailed off, hesitant. “I am not sure someone from the back palace such as me is worthy enough to participate in these affairs, my Lord.”

These words were not a part of her ruse to tempt Osial, no. It was illogical for someone from the harem to be involved in such important matters. It was not her place to voice her opinion and suggestion, for if his country fell and brought harm to the innocents, it would be indirectly her fault even just partially.

“Are you worried that your opinions will ruin my country?”

His wife was silent, eyes on the table. It was not uncommon that women were the source of the fall of a kingdom, she had heard a lot of such cases from other nations residing in Teyvat. Zhongli nodded wordlessly, to her astonishment, Osial laughed out loud in the library as he did in the dining hall.

“Don’t worry. I’m not that dumb to follow everything you say,” Osial said with an assuring smile. “I don’t want you to shoulder a burden because of me. It’s okay to...keep your lips sealed, I guess I just need someone to hear me out, someone who’s not my aide.”

“...Are you sure about this…?”

Her lord nodded twice. “I trust you, Zhongli. Not only as...husband and wife but...something beyond that.”

Something beyond that, she wondered what could it be. What was she to him. “...Very well. However, I shall refrain myself from the discussion.”

“Yeah, that is okay. You can tell me to stop if it makes you uncomfortable, okay?”

The Overlord of the Vortex let out all the mundane matters that had been troubling his mind for several restless nights. Zhongli couldn’t help but feel that Osial was trusting her with the secrets that might potentially be used to bring him down. The woman had no intention to do so, betraying Osial was never on her agenda. She lent him her two ears, listening so attentively, replying in short answers such as ‘I see’, ‘Oh’, sometimes occasional hum.

Her brain kept on telling her to shut up, yet her heart yearned to give her husband a more appropriate reply, an answer to his questions and troubles. She couldn’t follow her heart, for she didn’t belong here.

As the Sea God continued with his story, her expression bent into that of unspoken sorrow. He placed a great deal of trust in her, what if the day of the revelation of her true identity came? Knowing that she couldn’t hide the lie under the rock forever… Would the man still trust her? Would she face the wrath of the vortexes?

Would he still love her the same?

Her fists tightened on her lap, gripping the smooth silk of her robe, wrinkling the once flawless surface.

What...was this feeling gnawing her heart alive? What...was this painful sensation as if needles were pricking her whole living body? She was unable to comprehend it, there was no logic she could use to understand it. She frowned. Stories went unheard, fleeting in the air until it vanished into vacant space around them.

“-Li? Zhongli? You okay?” Zhongli blinked twice, looking up to be greeted by the man’s worried face. “You...don’t seem comfortable with this topic. I’m sorry. I’ll stop here.”

“N-no, it is fine,” she replied. “I...apologize for my lack of manners, my Lord.”

Osial was not convinced easily. He stretched out his hand and caressed the back of her head, slowly pushing her to him. With the left half of her face resting against his chest, Zhongli could hear the soft hum of great power resting underneath those layers of fabric, skin, muscles, and bones. A beating heart...just like hers.

“You can talk to me about what troubles your head, Zhongli.”

“...It is nothing for you to be worried about.”

“Zhongli.” It was a soft command, and she still resisted it. Osial sighed in resignation, retreating to stand up from his seat. “If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s fine. But...care to accompany me for a walk?”

She needed some fresh air, Zhongli convinced herself that and accepted the Overlord’s invitation, walking side by side as they made their way out of the imperial library, heading for a place Osial didn’t tell her about. Curiosity replaced her stresses, she could only imagine where he was taking her to. The path they took didn’t lead them to the chambers, but outside of the palace. But it was not a road that guided them to the city, it was heading for the area at the back of the grand palace complex.

There was a large lake, its water was blue, her sense of scent caught the tang of salt lingering in the air. There was a large salt lake behind the palace surrounded by beautiful rows of coral reefs. On its center was a pavilion without walls, enabling its inhabitants to get the best view of the ethereal panorama.

Osial stood on the lakeside, crouching down, and took a deep breath. He whistled loud and clear, Zhongli witnessed ripples begin to appear on the still surface, heads of sea animals with grey skin and long snout popped up from the depths. They hopped up and dived into the waters as they swam towards their summoner, stopping just two feet away from the Sea God. He whistled again, they returned with their own whistles, the two different species were communicating... How fascinating.

“Can you understand them, my Lord?” Zhongli asked out of curiosity, sitting down beside Osial, eyes wide as she studied the strange animals.

“Sort of. These are my friends; actually, the descendants from the first pods I befriended when I first came here. They are dolphins,” Osial whistled again, and the dolphins turned their head towards Zhongli and moved as if they were bowing at her. “I introduced you as my wife. And let me introduce you to them. The one on the right is Xiu, the second one is Tang, the third one is Ku, the fourth one is An, and the last one - the youngest is Quan. Believe me or not, it was the ladies who named them, they kind of like it so here we are.”

The dolphins giggled, Quan sprung out of the water and lightly bopped the tip of its snout to Zhongli’s lips. The lady was as still as the stone beside her.

“Hey, Quan! How can you steal that from me?!” the dolphin laughed innocently. “I know you like her but she’s… she’s mine, okay? Sides’ you have An with you!”

“Interesting…” Zhongli touched her own lips, feeling the cool water on their smooth surface. “I never knew that sea animals were capable of conveying their feelings…”

“...Pretty sure he did that just to tease me. This brat can be a jerk sometimes.”

The lady let out a soft chuckle upon seeing the small pout on the handsome face. Osial took out a leather pouch from his billowed sleeve, taking out a small dried fish, and offered it to Xiu. Everyone gets one except for Quan the troublemaker. “No treat for you today, Quan. You have to behave.” Quan whined softly and the Sea God groaned in defeat. “Okay, okay. I’ll let you go just this once.”

The youngest dolphin chirped happily and accepted the treat wholeheartedly, munching it down after several bites. Zhongli could hear Osial muttering something close to ‘What a spoiled brat’ under his breath, his face was bright as he watched the dolphins swim away back into the depths of the lake. The Overlord put his pouch back into his sleeve and sat down on the patch of grass-like plants growing on the lakeside.

“They are intelligent animals.”

“Oh, they are,” Osial agreed, tapping his temple with a finger. “They are the smartest animals out there in the sea, second to none.”

“And Quan successfully coaxed you.”

“Hah… That brat is sneaky, and I think I’m too soft.”

“...Would you be the same to your aides and civilians?”

“This and that are different,” Osial opinioned. “Even if they made mistakes, animals are animals, we don’t have rules and laws for them. But all of you are not animals, and we have the rules and laws for you, even me myself.”

“You’re saying that...you’re not immune to your own law?”

“Why should I?” Osial scratched his head. “If I do that, then I will be no different than those guys I gave a good punch to as I tore their corrupted era.”

A new question sprouted in her head. “...What was it like back then?”

The Overlord didn’t reply for a good minute, refreshing his old memories about the corrupted era he mentioned before. “It was...bad. The Palace was split into three rulers - or Princes. Each Prince sought dominion over the others, they wanted to become the sole Emperor as their father did. But, their dispute brought down chaos, corrupt officials everywhere, the people were suffering.”

“The internal conflicts raging on like wildfire. Orders collapsed, it was only a matter of time before the city itself sunk into its death.”

Osial was a noble he-

“But, don’t think of me as a noble hero who saved the city for the sake of the people, sorry to fail your expectation.” He stretched both hands to the air, pulling his backbone in the process. He groaned happily as he heard the stiff joints popping. “I did it...for myself.”

Zhongli shot him a perplexed look at the emphasis, she didn’t comment on it, however, as Osial allowed himself to rest his head on her lap, hands folded on his chest.

“Is this okay with you?” clearly, the Overlord himself didn’t give her the chance to inquire, he steered the topic off just like that and Zhongli complied with a nod. “Say...can you sing a song from your place?”

“I...can arrange that. Although my singing won’t be as mellifluous as Lady Yu’s.”

“Don’t fuss yourself over it. I just want to hear you sing.”

“...Very well. There is an ancient song I knew.”

“Oh~ Let me hear it, my Lady.”

Zhongli cleared her throat and began to sing, she thanked both Guizhong and Ganyu who taught her to sing in her heart. Melodious lyrics filled the atmosphere, mingling with the dolphins’ whistles coming out of the lake. A thin smile formed on the couple’s lips, she didn’t stop singing, Osial didn’t stop enjoying it. He closed his eyes, lulled into sweet dreams by the comforting song, only then she stopped and admired the lakescape.

She was sure autumn was just around the corner, yet the sea was as warm as it was during the peak of summer…

...

Another peaceful day in the palace, it was. While the real sunlight was unable to reach the seafloor, the city was well-lit by the artificial ball of light hovering on the sky of waters. Sometimes, Zhongli found herself staring at the bright scenery for minutes, comparing the civilization advances between the two worlds, and based on her research, she reached a conclusion that underwater civilization had been existing for a longer time than those on the lands. And that was not the only factor playing in their evolution, it was also due to the harsh nature of the darkness and the strong water currents that forced them to evolve faster to adapt. The world was always cruel in its blessings.

Feeling enough of her musing, the lady headed off towards a certain destination, she had promised to meet up with her friends at the back palace chamber before the noon’s bell struck.

The chamber sure brought back a lot of memories of her first arrival into her mind, replaying the events like an old movie.

The images immediately dissipated along with the abrupt stop of her pace. She was sure that she saw a shadow moving between the bushes in the garden, it belonged to someone with a slender figure but as their distance was quite far and the movement was too quick, Zhongli wasn’t able to catch more details of the mysterious person.

A spy? Osial did tell her a few days ago that the Palace was having a dispute with the Three Borders, so a presence of a spy was nigh possible under the current situation. She should report this to her Lord instead of handling it herself.

Not that she couldn’t handle it, but the Overlord most likely would notice her powers and wouldn’t be happy to have a strong intruder in his domain. She had to act as normal as possible. With that in mind, she pretended to ignore the shadowy figure she saw a minute ago and continued walking down the open corridor.

Spoke of the devil and here he came. Osial went out from a nearby room, waving his hand as he made his way towards her. Behind him were the three ladies, or to be precise, the Three Excellencies. All of them were dressed in their own uniforms that were unique compared to the ones worn by the ladies of the back palace. They bowed down at the couple and walked in the opposite direction, talking among themselves, discussing the topic concerning the borders and the internal economy.

“Zhongli, there you are,” Osial flashed her a friendly smirk and stood tall in front of her. “Do you have classes you need to attend this evening?”

The lady examined her schedule in her head. “No, I don’t. Does my Lord need my companionship? I shall accompany you if so.”

“Yeah,” he quickly eyed his side, a faint blush dusted his pale cheeks. “I just...want to hear you sing again.”

“As you wish, my Lord.”

“Great!” his blue eyes sparkle for a brief moment. “Oh, right. I just remember Tao needs something from you. You should go to the library and see him. Seems important.”

“Ah, thank you for letting me know. I will be heading off to the li-”

The rustling of the nearby bushes caught her mid-sentence, forcing the pair to pay sharp attention to that direction. The leaves continued to wave and scratch against each other, there was something leaving the flowerless plant and moved through the grasses, causing the soft blades to darken and lighten in color as whatever thing under it was getting closer to them. From the way the mysterious thing moved, could it be-?!

“Lord Osial! Lady Zhongli!” the women from the back chamber called out in a cheery tone, this however increased the alertness of the pair.

“Don’t come he-”

The strange thing launched itself out of the grasses, heading straight for no other but Zhongli. Its target remained as calm as the stone; her right hand was ready to summon a weapon or a shield out of thin air. She didn’t close her eyes even as something blocked her view and the next thing she knew, there was a drop of blood smearing her cheek, just an inch below her right eye.

Osial stood in front of her, the attacker wrapped its long, flexible body around the bitten arm. It was a snake with a triangle head, scales shining like gems, and a scythe-like tail. Its slit eyes were glaring at the Overlord, hissing when the bitten man returned the glare with the same intensity. Screams began to fill the corridor, inviting the Three Excellencies who were running in a hurry towards their injured lord and several nearest guards.

“Lord Osial-”

Right at the moment the snake loosened its fangs, Osial grabbed its head and trapped it inside of a water bubble, killing it by suffocating the sinister being. The bubble popped, dropping the lifeless corpse to the floor at the same time the Overlord’s back hit the railing behind.

Zhongli rushed to his side, her face contorted in worry. Her deft hands lifted the blue sleeve up, revealing a gruesome bite left by the poisonous fangs. The skin around the bitten area began to turn darker, a sign that the venom had begun to spread through blood circulation. Without uttering another word, she tore her own sleeve and tied the Overlord’s arm, several inches above the poisoned part.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get this-”

Osial’s words were cut off as Zhongli pressed her open mouth on the bite wound, his blue eyes were fixated on the lady who was sucking out the venom as best as she could, spitting the eerie purplish liquid to the floor and returned to suck out another volume. She repeated it five times and left the wet injured arm, sighing relief.

Right, he’s not blushing, was he? He was facing death and...okay, he still had the nerve to act like a blushing virgin. He should have stopped Zhongli but instead, he was too busy admiring those tempting red lips.

“That should do,” she turned towards the guards, saying, “Please call the physician over. Lord Osial should not move so the poison will spread slower.”

“R-right!”

“Wait,” Osial took a breath. “Tell him that it’s the Jewel Head sea snake.”

The guards dispersed in an instant. The tension remained. The Three Excellencies knelt beside Osial, examining their lord’s condition in worry.

“Come on, I’m not going to die from this pathetic venom.”

“My Lord, please refrain yourself from talking!” Cao Wenji, the Chancellor hushed him.

The Grand Commandant spoke, her tone was harsh yet quivering at the same time, “I...I can’t believe that I let this happen right behind me!”

“Not your fault. If you have the time to worry and lament, you should thank Zhongli here for saving me.”

The Three Excellencies kowtowed in front of the Sea God’s wife, expressing their gratitude for her quick action.

“But...why would a Jewel Head be here? These things usually roam the Southern borders, close to the Trench and it is far away from the palace!” Erniang bit her lower lip, trying to find an answer in her head, her fingers fidgeting. “Unless…”

“I saw a figure hiding in the garden before the attack,” Zhongli spoke up, earning a gasp from the Grand Secretary and wide eyes from the others. “I was about to report the strange movement to Lord Osial but...”

“Could it be a spy from those cursed Western border people?!” Raohuo roared out following her fiery temperament, glaring at Osial. “My Lord! Allow me to command our army and raid them before-”

“Raohuo, shut up,” Osial glared back, offended at the woman who dared to raise her voice to him. The lady of war quickly silenced herself after that. “We don’t have any evidence. Besides, traveling from west to south is one hell of a challenge, none of them have the bravery to cross the brine pools extending like dozens of li.”

The brine pools Osial mentioned was a deadly place on the ocean bed, extending along the border of west and south. These were pools made from dense bodies of water that have a salinity three to eight times greater than the normal seawater, they shone in five colors ranging from green to light blue, making it easy to spot but sometimes, harder since some of them blended so well with the ocean’s blue. Not to mention that outside of the bubbled city, the ocean was dark. All it required was one misstep from its careless prey and down they went, salt crystals growing in their lungs and whole body like parasitic mold while keeping them submerged, bringing them a very slow, agonizing death. While the capital and the three borders were floating palace, the ocean they were in was filled with unpredictable, outrageous water currents that would drag the sea dwellers who were not strong enough to go against them down to the sea floor where the deadly pools were.

“You’re right…” Raohuo sighed in defeat. “Pardon me for my poor insight, my Lord.”

“Rather than poor insight, we should work on that hot temper of yours,” Osial joked and barked out a laugh. “Right, while the three of you here, I want you to investigate the incident. The attacker could be an outsider or a traitor. If we follow Zhongli's story, it should be barely less than ten minutes, the intruder won't have enough time to leave the premises. Bring them to me and I’ll see the befitting judgment for their offense.”

“Yes, my Lord!”

“And tell the soldiers to tighten the security especially at night. Search around the city, these bas-...these snakes might be roaming around at Celestia knows where.”

“Your wish is our command!”

The three officers headed out to execute their mission, leaving the Sea God and his women behind. The Palace Physician soon arrived, bringing a box filled with various drugs and antibiotics. The ladies anxiously watched as the physician expertly mixed several drugs and herbs, handing out the cure to the ruler of the palace who drank it down in one straight gulp. Finished with his job, he excused himself, leaving a leather purse containing five vials that the Overlord needed to drink to fully eradicate the poison of his body and to return his stamina.

“L-Lord Osial!!!” Some of the ladies cried as they sat down around their injured lord. “We-we’re really-”

“No need to fret over it again, okay? I drank the potion already, I live, okay?” This didn’t really convince the ladies, of course, but they nodded in unison nonetheless. “Alright, ladies. The palace is in danger. We don’t know if there are more snakes out there. Be careful, especially at night. These as-...these snakes are more active at night. Lock-”

“Lock the doors and the windows, make sure to check your chamber before sleep. Take a bag of sugar from the kitchen, spread it around your bed, in front of your door, on the windowsill. If the snake is about to attack you, do not engage, do not run. Do not sprinkle it with the sugar as it will only agitate the snake. Tell the guards to standby outside of the chambers for a few days until the matter is settled.”

Osial dropped his jaw at Zhongli’s fluent explanation. His wife really was a living library, he really jinxed it!

“O-okay! But-”

“Do not worry. I will stay with Lord Osial. I will protect him.”

The ladies stared at each other before nodding obediently and headed for their own rooms. Guards came and guided their lord to his chamber, Zhongli following behind. Osial didn’t bother to change his attire as he told the maids that they should prioritize their safety over his needs. He laid down on the soft mattress, sighing loudly.

Zhongli placed the leather purse on the nightstand, turning around, and stood still. Come to think of it...it was her first time entering the Overlord’s personal chamber. It was definitely larger than hers, but it contained less furniture, only the necessary ones such as the bed, the desk, a bookshelf, and some candle stands remained as the silent inhabitant.

“You should head back to your room too, Zhongli. I’ll tell Mu and Mei to accompany you.”

“You have to drink two vials left and require a lot of rest, I will stay to help you brew the medicine.” she sat on the chair, folding her hands on her lap. “You saved me from the snake, my Lord. This is the least I could do for you.”

“You shouldn’t push yourself that far for my sake.”

The woman shook her head. “Please, allow me to remain here.”

“...If you insist. I’ll uh...call the guards and have them bring in the spare mattress if you want.”

“I appreciate that.”

And so, Osial did that, a few minutes later, a spare bed was set up on the empty space of his room. Zhongli was busy watching the whole process of a bed being restored to its original shape, she didn’t see how red the Overlord’s face was for his face sunk into the softness of his thick pillow. He had his reasons to justify his shame:

He had never had a woman sleep in his chambers before.

That’s it. That’s all the reason he needed.

Holy Celestia I-

“Lord Osial?” the Overlord stilled on the bed, sweating profusely. “It’s time to drink your medicine.”

“O-oh, yeah…” he wiped off the sweat with his pillow, sitting up and tried his best to look normal.

“Is something wrong?”

There’s a lot of WRONG things! “N-no. I guess the antidote from before got me...worked up. Yeah, must be that.”

“Is that so? Is it a good sign?”

“Yeah, it is…” he was not the best liar, but Zhongli seemed to accept it anyway so he congratulated himself for that effort. A+ for Effort, Osial. You’re doing so great.

“I see,” Zhongli poured out the content of the vial into a small cup, adding in some warm water and stirring it until the fine powder was dissolved. She placed it on a saucer and brought it to him. “Please be careful. It is still hot.”

“Thanks,” Osial accepted the medicine and gulped it down in one gulp, scalding his tongue but he didn’t really care. Zhongli could only widen her eyes in surprise but as usual, she remained calm as her lord didn’t seem to suffer from it. Wrong, he’s suffering, but he steeled himself so hard not to cry from the burn. “I’ll...go to sleep now. The medicine’s side effect is going to kick in at any given moment.”

“You should,” she took the empty cup away and placed it on the tray, then returned to her seat after picking out a book from the bookshelf. Five minutes later, Osial found himself couldn’t sleep at all, not with that woman in his room, reading some random book from his collection as she waited for the next medication period to arrive. He was grateful enough that his back was the one facing his wife.

“What are you reading?” he asked, trying to initiate a conversation in hopes it would dispel the awkwardness he felt, the hard thumping of his beating heart. In the silence of the room, it was so loud that he swore the whole palace, no, the whole city could hear it.

“A tale of a sea warrior,” Zhongli replied nonchalantly, flipping to the next page. “It is an interesting tale with a lot of moral lessons.”

“That’s one of my favorites, though I care less about the moral lessons you speak of.”

She chuckled, smiling thinly as she lowered the book and glanced at the lord’s back. There was a moment of silence. “...You could kill the snake away instead of letting it bite you.”

“I can,” Osial said. “But, I don’t want its dirty blood to taint you.”

“Is...that so?”

“It’s...let’s say it’s my principle that I don’t want to show my weapon in front of you women unless you’re a fellow warrior.”

“Is it because it will scare us?”

“Yes.”

Osial gripped his pillow tightly, furrowing his brows. There’s something more, but he had told her enough. So he felt.

“...Thank you, for protecting me.”

He had received a lot of thankyous from the others; both men and women, and he felt nothing much. But now…his heart felt warm from the same words spoken by the lady behind his back. Was there a difference?

“...You’re welcome.”

The day simply ended just like that, with Osial drinking the second potion, and Zhongli slept on the spare bed soon after. It was sometime around midnight and the Sea God was still unable to close his eyes. He shifted on the bed, looking at the figure of a woman who was sleeping so peacefully on hers. It brought a thin smile on his face, finally, peace settled in his being.

“I should be the one who thanked you for that time…”

The lady didn’t hear it.

Miraculously, she smiled back as if she heard it.

To Be Continued

Chapter Text

Day and night changed yet there was no news concerning the snake assault. The tension slowly lessened as the Palace’s and the Court’s activities went back to normal, but the guards were still stationed just like when it’s on high alert. The ladies’ gossip also began to die down, yet it didn’t mean that Zhongli’s awareness did so too. She was walking around the imperial garden where the snake was presumably released by the shadowy figure, eyeing every nook and corner, every patch of grasses, every standing colorful coral, seeking for any evidence left by the attacker.

The woman bent her back down, picking a thing of interest stuck to the high bushes. It was a piece of blue cloth, its color matched her billowed sleeves almost perfectly although this fabric was older, judging from the whitening on several spots. If there were dogs here, it would be easier to track the owner of the clothing from which this piece originated. Unfortunately, Osial didn’t keep dogs, and there was rain just a day ago because fall would arrive in less than a week so the scent was gone.

Now that she thought about it… She had been living under the sea for almost three months. As if she mirrored her lord’s habit, she looked up to the sky, catching the glimpse of the surface so far, far away. She wondered how Guili was doing now, how were the adepti doing up there.

“Missing the surface already?”

Zhongli faced the interlocutor, seeing it was Osial with a thin grin on his face. Since he rolled up his sleeves, she could see the healing hand. He was a being like the adepti, but more powerful...closer to the ancient gods. Mortal wounds should have taken a mere minute to heal, but venom from the Jewel Head sea snake acted like Yellow Wine against demons, it disrupted the flow of chi on the wounded area, thus rendering natural regeneration useless. The only way to treat the wound was through mortal means such as medication and surgery. The snake bite left four dot-like scars on his arm, it would remain forever until his body turned into nothing. Had the venom spread around his whole body...even a God could be killed by a mere snake.

“...I do, it seems so,” Zhongli replied, walking towards the Sea God and presenting him the small cloth she found. “I believe this is left by the assailant. Have you ever seen this fabric somewhere, my Lord?”

Osial picked it up, examining its both sides. He frowned, his eyes squinted. He kne- “No, I don’t.”

“...Is that so?”

“Yeah. I’m not a fabric expert. Oh, right, talking about fabrics, you can ask the wardrobe department led by Wei, you can find the wardrobe room at the west wing. She’s in charge of textile and clothing, bet that lady probably knows something.”

“I see,” Zhongli accepted the torn fabric.

“I have to meet the Chancellor today and discuss several things. Sorry to leave this to you, Zhongli.”

“I am honored to receive this request from you. I shall execute your orders into perfection.”

“Hahaha!” the Overlord laughed in amusement. “You spoke just like Wenji. Well then, I’ll be waiting for the news.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

Zhongli continued onward to talk to Wei Ruiyu, the Head of the wardrobe department. Lady Wei...she recalled the hostile conversation after the flower designing class, the starconch incident, and the snake assault, strings began to grow in her mind, lacing these events together, all pinned down into a single culprit. The coincidence...it was too…

She suddenly stopped in her tracks. Osial was facing the garden as she spoke, “...My Lord, what will happen to the culprit if…”

It was not a question.

It was a confirmation.

She couldn’t see the expression on the young God’s face, she didn’t want to turn around.

“...There will be consequences they must bear. My laws and judgment are absolute and favor none.”

That was the answer he gave.

With that, Zhongli silently headed for the west wing.

“Lady Wei, good morning.”

She neither replied nor sparing a glance to her greeter, busying herself with checking the new batch of textiles that came this early morning. Zhongli went inside the large room filled with women of young adults to seniors, each working hard on their assigned roles. Some of them were embroidering, some were sewing the unfinished products, and the rest were working on the laundry.

“May I have a little of your time?”

The wardrobe lady finally turned her attention to her, but she didn’t seem...in the mood to talk things out. However, since Osial expected an answer, Zhongli had no other option but to press forward, thus why she showed the older woman the blue fabric.

“Lord Osial asked whether-”

“I don’t,” she answered almost coldly. “Excuse me for now. I’m busy. Winter is coming soon and I have to ready the winter garments.”

“...Very well. Pardon my interruption.”

Wei turned around and talked to her assistant, ignoring Zhongli’s presence. Not wanting to invite more suspicion from the other, the Sea God’s wife went out, distancing herself from the room. She was sure Wei knew something, the flash glint in her black eyes told her so. But, there was nothing in that room that resembled another piece of evidence, she came out almost empty-handed. For now, she didn’t have any way to press the wardrobe’s Head for answers, unlike the officers, Zhongli was not equipped with official documents to interrogate her. She would have to find another way to convince answers out of the suspect.

There was one thing that she noticed, and she was certain of it.

There was guilt marring Wei Ruiyi’s face.

She looked up to the ceiling, wordlessly asking her friend on the surface for a suggestion.

What should I do in this situation, Guizhong?

…

“How is Lord Osial doing, Zhongli?” Liu Yanli asked with evident anxiety painting her whole pretty face. The other ladies around her were looking grim as well, they didn’t seem ready to hear the answer but still, they braced themselves to the fullest.

“Lord Osial has recovered from the venom,” Zhongli said, and the women all sighed in relief, seated fully on the floor. Some wiped off their sweat from their own forehead, it must be a rollercoaster of tension for them. Osial meant a lot for them, she knew it. “However, further medication was required since his chi is still in a state of minor disarray. The Jewel Head’s venom is truly deadly.”

“Are you saying that...if it were too late, Lord Osial could have…?”

“Yes. He would have died.”

A few ladies gasped, colors drained from their faces until it was as pale as the moon above. They muttered words of gratefulness to Celestia that the crisis had been averted and their beloved lord’s life was out of danger’s reach.

“So…” Qingyu got closer to Zhongli, raising her one eyebrow. “I heard that you slept in Lord Osial’s chamber.”

This...wasn’t the very appropriate time to bring it up. However, Zhongli knew that the prankster lady only wanted to ease the nervousness that struck the heart of the women.

“Yes. But we slept on separate beds-”

Qingyu groaned loud, frailing back. “NO!”

At the comedic scene in front of them, the women snickered and laughed. As usual, Zhongli only blinked and tilted her head innocently. Qingyu stood up and hugged the pillar behind her, murmuring something like ‘Lord Osial, you fool’, ‘Lord Osial, you are such an insensitive virgin’, ‘Oh Celestia please slap some sense into our dense lord’.

…

From what she read about the kingdoms existing on the surface, the ladies of their back palace usually were not allowed to go outside the palace area. It was rather cruel and seemed boring, to spend one’s life and death inside the four high walls, never being able to see the outside world again. So, it was quite a surprise when Osial suddenly came and asked Zhongli out to accompany him on his stroll in the city. Of course, the Overlord would be under disguise. It was not only her who was going to accompany him, there were two other ladies who would be participating according to the fixed schedule that had long existed prior to her arrival in the underwater city. This time, it’s Lady Wei and Yueyang’s turn.

The three of them dressed in attire worn by the common folk, a simple ruqun that had lesser luxurious embroidery and more varying colors than the uniform back palace’s attire, and a makeover was applied to their faces for them to blend in easier. Zhongli donned a dark blue robe and a white skirt, a red sash tied around her slender waist, her hair was tied into a bun, decorated with a piece of flower hairpin that enhanced her royal beauty. A fitting choice of style for the high-class lady she’s roleplaying as today, while the two other ladies would act as her friends and Osial would be their silent bodyguard under a different name. It was decided that his incognito name should be Jiye, the Sea God’s wife was the one who came up with that name.

“It was the name of a famous hero from one of the neighboring kingdoms around my homeland,” Zhongli explained. “His tactical prowess and unmatched gallantry in battle were second to none. It...fits you.”

To bear the name of a dead hero...it felt as if Osial was wearing the hero’s ashes on his skin. But he didn’t protest and chose to roll with it. It’s a name his wife personally picked for him, after all. He should be grateful instead of feeling disheartened.

The four went to the city through a secret underground passage which led them to the eastern area of the city. It was less crowded there, so their sudden arrival wouldn’t invite suspicion from the locals. Several soldiers had disguised themselves as the citizen, walking around while watching the four royalties touring around the eastern business district.

The closer they were to the heart of the city, the livelier and busier the life was. Shopkeepers shouting the bargains and products their shop offered, children running around and yelling happily, couples and families walking towards their destination. Its hustles and bustles reminded the lady in royal blue garb of the thriving Guili.

Wei and Yueyang left to check out a clothing shop, leaving the imperial couple alone, standing in the midst of the walking civilians.

“Do you like it here?” came the question from the Overlord-turned-into-bodyguard.

Zhongli looked up to see the face hidden under the straw hat, nodding with a thin smile adorned on her visage. “Yes. It is very lively here...And the people are happy and prosperous.”

Osial followed his lady as she walked towards a stall, her golden amber eyes were glued on the displayed goods of accessories and gemstones. She took a brick red comb with golden floral patterns and three tiny ambers, evaluating its value.

“Such fascinating handwork. These patterns are made from the Golden String flower, molded and pressed onto the fine redwood while it was still alive, and the amber gems are pieces from polished cor lapis. To think that I can find such brittle flowers under the sea...”

“Young lady, you have the keen eyes,” the old man said with a proud, kind grin. “Yes, It was Lord Osial who brought the flowers and the seeds here from the surface. Our Lord gave us the seeds and taught us how to cultivate it. It took us ten years to perfectly cultivate them, hence why their price is very high. A string will cost you a grand. The Golden String I used for this comb is the one my family grew ourselves. It is not of the best quality, but its beauty is decent.”

“Oh,” the lady returned her attention back to the beautiful comb, seemingly pleased with the explanation. “Such beauty. It will be a waste not to buy it. Boss, I’d like this one.”

“Ah, yes! That will cost you three hundred ke, young lady.”

Zhongli froze at the prize. No, it’s actually about the currency. Despite the bilateral relationship between Mingyun and the underwater city, it seemed that the currency used on the surface was invalid here. Even if it was valid, the lady didn’t have a single coin with her. Living in the palace as the Overlord’s wife meant she wasn’t paid as everything would be covered by her Lord. Oh, right, perhaps she should ask-

“Hey, pretty lady~” a drunkard came over in sluggish steps, leaning against the stall with a smug grin on his red face. “I can pay this for you! Three hundred ke, isn’t it? That’s cheap!”

“Ah, thank you for your kindness, sir,” Zhongli bowed slightly to the drunkard, Osial was merely watching in silence. “However, I have no way to repay you back…”

“It’s alright!” he snickered, trying to get closer to her. “You can pay it in…another way~ Say, how about we go to that tavern and-”

The bodyguard stepped in, glaring at the drunkard with hateful eyes, causing the latter to stumble back and cowered in fear. Osial took out his purse, paying the old merchant the price with some extra ke and gave the comb to the unsuspecting lady.

“Let’s go. There is a famous food stall just three blocks away, my lady,” the man gave the trembling drunkard one last look before nodding at the old man and left the scene with the lady in hurry, they had attracted enough attention from the surrounding people, it would be bad if someone happened to recognize him as the Overlord of the Vortex. Zhongli noticed the change of air around the disguised Sea God, frowning at the taller man. The atmosphere felt cold and heavy akin to the sign of an incoming storm.

“...Thank you for buying me this beautiful comb, Lord Osial.”

Her words miraculously dispelled the tense air. The man didn’t smile, but at least he was now calmer, she could tell that far.

“...No need to thank me. Let’s go to the food stall I mentioned. You’re going to like the food there.”

“Yes.”

The pair walked down the street and approached the stall. There was a very long line of people extending dozens of meters away, the sweet fragrance of sugar water and ginger wafting in the air. The stall keeper noticed the couple and quickly told one of her workers to ready a pair of chairs. It was safe to assume that the stall keeper knew of the bodyguard’s true identity, why would Osial trust her to that extent? Was there a story behind it?

They sat down on the prepared chair and Osial moved his fingers, signaling the stall keeper his orders. The old lady chuckled and began to prepare his chosen menu.

“Old lady Ning was an old friend of mine,” Zhongli hadn’t even asked but Osial had answered her question. “When I first came here, she was the one who gave me some food for free. She knew I couldn’t pay her back, but she insisted that I should eat and survive. So...I helped her run her stall sometimes back in my early days here.”

A makeshift table was placed in front of them and old lady Ning served two bowls of sweet ginger soup dessert with colorful glutinous rice balls on it. When the old lady left, Osial continued his story.

“It was just a bowl of rice balls, it won’t make me full as rice did. But…” a wry smile appeared on his mein as he reminisced about the past, “Her dessert is the most delicious thing I have ever had.”

“I hope you’re going to like it, Zhongli,” after that, he proceeded to eat his serving, his mood became better than ever. The lady picked up her bowl, staring at the colorful floating treats. Spooning one of them up, she took a bite, tasting the sweet black sesame filling mixed with the sweet ginger soup, appraising the springiness of the colorful glutinous rice.

“How’s it?”

She took her time chewing the dessert down before answering, “The springiness was constant, a balance between the flour and water. The black sesame filling’s sweetness is just right, creating a harmony when eaten with the warm ginger soup. I never had this before. It is truly a very enjoyable experience, my Lord. Thank you for taking me here.”

“I told you you’re going to like it.”

While they were finishing the rest of the rice balls, Zhongli was wondering about the life of her lord’s early days in this city. An outsider with a mysterious background, a civilian who helped him without any ulterior motives, the fall of a dynasty in the outsider’s hands… What kind of story would these weave into?

The night would soon approach, so the four returned to the palace. Somehow, Osial extended her stay in his room. Sure, he had a valid reason for that; the extra medication recommended by the imperial physician. Zhongli complied with his request without any sign of suspicion, it was her duty to faithfully remain by her husband’s side for she was his wife, was it not?

When the man was bathing, Zhongli would spend her time reading some books she borrowed from the library or the new additions on his personal bookshelf. When the man was having his dinner, she would pour him tea and eat her own served portion. When he was sleeping, so did she. They did converse, mostly it was the woman who spoke since she’s very talkative when it’s about telling the culture of her people and Osial didn’t want to disturb her (he’s enjoying her voice, that’s why). Their routine kept on continuing like this for several days and they found themselves growing more accustomed to having each other presence nearby.

The awkward rift between them began to close like a healing wound, bringing them closer with every second they spent together. Osial began to be more open-hearted while Zhongli...stayed Zhongli, being oblivious to his advances.

The conversations, the private dinners, the whole experience were new to her. It was different from the ones she shared with her friends on the surface, it was also different from the ones she had with the ladies of the back palace. There was this unexplainable warmth caressing her cheeks, comfortable tranquility seeping into her being. The sea finally welcomed and embraced her, so to speak…

This also impacted her own openness towards her Sea God.

“Lord Osial, may I...inquire you concerning several things? Most of them...concern you.” On one full moon night, the lady braved herself to finally ask.

“Oh?” he swayed forward all the while placing the scroll on the low table, grinning thinly as he closed the distance between their faces, locking his blue eyes into hers. Was he trying to intimidate her? Was it a look of curiosity and interest? “You’re saying you wanted to know more about me?” his hand cupped her face, thumb caressing the soft, smooth cheek. “Ask away. I’ll answer.”

“You don’t have to answer everything,” she said, unfazed by the action of affection. “I have heard that you’re...an Outsider.”

“True. Probably you heard it from one of the servants, huh? Ah, don’t worry. I won’t punish them. It’s a trivial matter,” Osial pulled back his hand and sat on the floor with his legs crossed, the look of relaxation never left his mien. “You want to know how I came to power, don’t you?”

Zhongli didn’t hesitate with her answer. “Yes. However, I knew that this topic seems to be taboo, so-”

“Alright, I’ll tell you,” huh? That...easy? Almost too easy, even. “Not here. Follow me.”

The Overlord of the Vortex extended his right hand, waiting patiently for the lady who’s watching the offered palm. She accepted it as she looked up, Osial slowly lifted her from the pillow cushion, leading his wife outside. Passing the long, dimly lit corridor, the light from the artificial moon and shadow from the high walls hit their bodies by turns. Zhongli silently let Osial guide her, her sight was more focused on where they were connected physically.

She once thought the man was cold, her belief was debunked the first time their hands held each other. His hand was...warm despite the pale skin, despite him living in the deep, cold sea deprived of sunlight’s warmth. When she saw those hard calluses, she expected him to be rough, yet once again the man defied her expectation with his gentleness. She remembered the faces of terror on the villagers’ faces, she initially imagined the Sea God to be ruthless and merciless, again and again...her assumptions were proven wrong.

The Sea God was perfect...with his imperfections.

When the pale moonlight hit her whole body, they were standing at the center of the garden. She almost didn’t recognize it at first, there were a lot of differences between its appearance during day and night. The sea corals planted in the garden glowed in multiple luminous colors, some bloomed into flowers with gem petals. Schools of tiny fish and other sea animals from outside the bubble swam in, floating down to the surface and swum around the sessiles with only a tiny bubble membrane protecting them.

The Overlord tugged her as he fell back onto the bench, Zhongli landed against the sturdy muscular body covered by finest azure silks. She looked up, blinking at the wide smile.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? You’re quite lucky to witness this,” he started to speak. “Once every four years, these special corals will go into full bloom for a night, inviting small marine lives here. The people of this city call this phenomenon...the Nine Blooming Jades.”

“It is mesmerizing,” Zhongli complimented, almost sounding breathless from the exotic view mortals often dreamed of in their oceanic fantasies.

“Whatever you have up there on the surface would be green in envy when they saw this,” Osial grinned proudly, his hand caressing her back.

“They will, most likely,” Zhongli sat on his lap, turning her face towards the shiny corals. “Thank you for showing me this.”

“My pleasure,” the Overlord rested his head on her shoulder, the curve of his lips grew thin. “I...I hope this can...make you less angry at what I did weeks ago.”

She quickly caught up that it was about the starconch incident. “I am never angry about it,” the woman refuted in her soothing voice. “Worried, yes...but anger? I felt none of it,” not even when she was wrongly accused, not even when he went overboard and hurt her physically, not even when her heart twisted so hard in her chest.

“...You’re...an overly patient one, aren’t you.”

That was not a question. “To say that is an overstatement. I am...not as patient as you thought.”

“Haha…” He huffed a low laugh. “Guess we’re here, keeping on breaking each other’s expectations, huh?”

Zhongli frowned at that notion. What did he mean by that? Why did he talk as if they have known each other for a very long time?

“Alright. It’s time to tell you the story,” Osial took a deep breath, closing his eyes. “It’s going to be a very long one. Hope you won’t fall asleep.”

“Rest assured, I won’t. It would be a grave insult to the both of us, especially to you who had been very generous in sparing me some of your time, my Lord.”

“Always so serious,” the man shrugged his shoulders, chuckling in his usual low tone. “Before that...I’d like to propose a contract between us, Zhongli.”

“A contract?” she lifted her face up, staring deep into those blue eyes. “What kind of contract will it be?”

“It’s very simple,” he said, “I’ll tell you everything, so you too, shall do the same. No more secrets between us,” he bent down, speaking right beside her ear. “O’ Lord of Geo.”

Her eyes didn’t widen at that, she didn’t flinch from the low, husky voice that revealed her true identity she thought she had been hiding so well for the past months. How? When did Osial recognize her identity as the Lord of Geo who ruled over Guili? Was she too oblivious in her action? Or was it due to some other factors that she didn’t take account into?

There was no use to fret about it any longer. Cats out of the bag. Nowhere left for her to hide, the Sea God had her in his arms already. “Very well. I agree to this contract, Overlord of the Vortex.”

“Good. I was expecting that answer out of you.” So, he opened his lips…

And began to intertwine the story of his past in the forms of invisible words floating in the chilly air. A tale of his origin, his rose in power...and about a certain woman who he held dear in his heart and soul...

To Be Continued…

Chapter Text

Strange land, strange buildings, and stranger people; those were what he woke up to. The ground beneath him was hard, that was the least his hand could feel. Stone pavement, he thought to himself, but he soon was more concerned at the fact that he could only feel the cold, hard stone pavement with one hand.

Wary murmurs brought his attention away from the limb, his ears were still ringing loud, his head was still throbbing from a dull pain. The young man gritted his teeth, doing his best to stabilize his consciousness. Concussion, he barely registered in his hazy state, it was safe to assume that he hit something hard that was most likely the stone pavement, the impact hurt his skull and the organs inside, he felt slightly nauseous. He pushed himself up the best he could, it was hard to propel his weight with one hand.

Another thing he noticed was that...he was now heavier than ever. Like, by a thousandfold or so. And his height also grew by a hundredfold or so, he couldn’t say for sure.

And his hand had five fingers.

Not to mention his skin was soft and smooth, with little scratches and some blue bruises.

He wasn’t given any time to process what was happening to him as gallops from many pairs of feet were louder as seconds passed. When he opened his eyes again, sharp tips of the spears around were pointed at him, forcing his eyes to open even wider upon sensing their danger.

The man in front of him spoke strange words, and he miraculously could understand what the man in the armored outfit was saying.

“Intruder! You’re coming with us to the Court!”

Intruder? The Court? He didn’t understand, and he didn’t need to. These men and these sharp weapons had stated that they meant harm to him. The young man slammed down his hand to the ground, causing water to burst out from underground and diverted their attention away from him. Using the slim chance, he pushed his whole body up and rushed past the water screen, running towards an alley.

As he ran, he noticed that he actually had two arms, but one of them clearly was missing its lower half. He winced from the pain, his remaining hand grabbed the wet cut, he could feel something soft with something hard and sharp in its center. He didn’t have the time to stop and examine whatever was happening to his other arm, the strange angry people with sharp weapons were hot on pursuit. All that he could see before running deeper into the alley was crimson red liquid tainting his light dark skin.

Blood. He knew what it was. Something inside his chest began to pound hard, threatening to break out and kill him that instant. He wanted to voice out a curse, but he couldn’t talk.

He was not-

“DON’T LET HIM RUN AWAY!”

“AFTER HIM!”

“THIS WAY!”

His long black hair with blue streaks flapped violently as he ran on his top speed, water beads dripping down his forehead as his two legs carried him away, he didn’t even question how come he had two very long, moving legs now. He needed to get away first before he could start investigating himself!

Turning right, it was another alley, less crowded than before. Still, it didn’t mean that he’s safe yet, those people were still on his tails, he shouldn’t waste anymore-

Suddenly, he was yanked down, a ragged piece of wide cloth covered his head and a pair of hands forced him to crouch down. There was a high-pitch scream coming from his right, it was annoying, yet he made no comment about it. The hands gripping his shoulders didn’t mean harm, but he was still threatened. So threatened that he chose to stay still, quivering from the sickening sensation he felt once not so long time ago.

“What happened?! Did that intruder attack you? Where is he?!”

“N-no, h-he didn’t attack me…” the same high, womanly voice said.

“Where IS he?!”

“Eeek!” the young man turned to see the woman, looking frightened as well. No, this wasn’t right. These evil men were looking for him, she shouldn’t- “H-he ran that way!” She pointed towards a random direction and the men ran towards that direction, leaving them alone. The woman sighed in relief, facing the young man who stared at her with disbelieving eyes, his cracked lips were slightly apart.

“Hello?” the woman waved her hand, and the man hastily scrambled back, his buttocks landing on the dusty ground, his legs kicking as he pushed himself away from the stranger. “It’s okay…” she spoke softly, extending her right hand, plastering a smile on her face. “They are gone. You’re safe now…”

The man stopped fretting, looking at the offered hand fro and back, clutching the piece of clothing tighter. Seeing the mysterious man wouldn’t be opened anytime soon, the woman didn’t force him and instead, looking down, noting the blood dripping down from his open wound. ...To call it an open wound was an understatement, this man literally lost half an arm.

At this, the woman panicked. “W-we need to get this treated!” she tore her sleeve and covered what’s left of his left arm with it, hoping it could lessen the blood gushing out. “Follow me!” she took his wrist and pulled him up. The man tried to yank her off, startled from the sudden movement, but the woman didn’t give up and dragged him into another alleyway. He wanted to struggle, but a strong pain shot up and caused his whole being to spasm, dizziness struck him like thunder, his vision blackened and he fell face first to the wet ground. The last thing the man could register was the panicked calling before his consciousness faded away.

Am I...going to die here?, no one could answer his inquiry. Celestia decided to stay silent, probably mocking his miserable fate by now.

…

The next time he woke up, he was not on the cold, hard pavement. The thing below his body was soft and warm, also slightly rougher than those stone slabs. There was a faint scent of flowers, he was sure that the bamboo ceiling above meant that he’s not on some flower field. Then where…

“Ah, you’re awake.”

It was a voice belonging to a man, deeper and kinder than those belonging to those scary men from before. The young man wanted to crawl away, it was a shame that he was too weak to even move a finger. The least he could do was to turn his face towards the new presence and focus the blurry images until a single form of an old man appeared.

“I was expecting that you might never make it...but it is truly a miracle that you survived such a grave state and come back to us. Xiao Ning will be extremely happy to see you.”

Xiao Ning…? Ah, that must be the name of the woman who saved him from those people. So...he survived thanks to her and this old fart’s effort? Should he thank them?”

The woman from before entered the room, she smiled from ear to ear and she hurried to his side, kneeling down on the floor, placing the bowl on the small table, and stared at him.

“I’m glad you’re alive!” Xiao Ning said, her face was so bright that she might burn his eyes and blinded the young man instead. “Thank Celestia… Today we managed to save a life, pops!”

‘Pops’ nodded slowly. “But, I never saw any kind of regeneration like that,” his index finger was aimed at him; to be precise, at his injured arm. “Your arm has been like that when I opened the fabric.”

The young man frowned and glanced at his supposed injured arm. To his surprise, a layer of skin of lighter color covered the area which was once exposed muscles and bone, and what surprised him even further was...there was a small hand growing out of it. The sight was bizarre even to him, he almost wanted to chop that odd protrusion out of disgust. But seeing those tiny fingers moved, he canceled his initial intention. His lower arm and his hand was growing back to their original state, so he hoped.

He threw a glare at the woman who was holding back her snort, her eyes were half-lidded, face red. A peal of loud laughter burst out of her open mouth, tears fell down from her closed eyes.

“I-! I NEVER saw something THAT weird!” she laughed out, her whole body trembling from the flood of emotion. The man was so offended that he was glaring with knife-sharp eyes at her, blue orbs glowing from a burning sensation. “B-but… It’s great to see your arm healing, not to mention that you might grow your lost hand back! Even for folks of the sea like us couldn’t do such a feat, you know! You’re really a unique person!”

Folks of the sea? So… he was…

The man was silent, staring down at the blanket covering his legs.

...He remembered that he was being dragged by rushing salty waters before he lost consciousness the first time. Salty waters….right, the sea dragged him down and now, he’s here, in someplace under the sea but it was dry. Why? How can there exist dry land under the sea?

“Oh, right! You should eat!” the young woman handed him the bowl, there were several unusual colorful balls floating in the semi-translucent soup, thin smoke wafting up, his nose caught the sweet, spicy scent. It was…

“Xiao Ning, I told you to bring in the porridge, not the Tangyuan…” the old man looked so resigned. So...he was not supposed to eat it? But it looked so good and…

“Eh? But our Tangyuan is delicious! I’m sure he will like it, pops!”

Pops shook his head and took the bowl, standing up and earned a whine from Xiao Ning. “Please forgive my daughter. She’s so proud of our homemade Tangyuan that she insisted everyone has to eat it.”

“But it’s really good! You should eat it!”

“He’s still recov-”

The man grumbled and snatched the bowl from Pops, opened his mouth wide, pouring all the contents in one go. The two stared at him in shock, their jaws fell so hard leaving their mouths agape. He choked from the chewy colorful balls, the father and the daughter rushed to help him to spill them out. But instead, the man successfully gulped the food down, blinking once, twice, and sighed. He survived a second death. Crap. Celestia wouldn’t be so kind the third time he was on Death’s door. He should be careful from here now on, but what could he do when he was starving so bad that his stomach twisted?

“He...he just gulped them all down…”

“Young man, are you alright?”

He turned to see them and nodded slowly. He opened his mouth to say something. This time, a voice came out.

“I’m okay.”

It was a deep voice, slightly raspy because his dry throat was still recovering, a voice befitting a man of such build. Well-toned muscles, strong body, fierce yet calm eyes that probably had seen wars and all, and a handsome face.

Oh, so he could talk now.

“O-oh...He can speak. Well, that makes things easier!” Xiao Ning seemed to be more eager now, she dragged a stool out and sat down, studying him. “So, what’s your name?”

The man frowned. A name? How should he answer that?

“Osial,” he said in the end, his eyes rolled down and glued themselves on the empty bowl in his hand. He didn't know why, it wasn't his name, yet it flowed out of his lips so fluently that he probably was born with that name.

“Osial? What a strange name…” she mumbled. “But, that’s a nice name for a man like you. I like it.”

“...Is it supposed to be something that you like?”

“Eh...maybe?” the young lady shrugged and took the bowl away. “Well, I’m going to wash this first. You two can get to know each other better while I’m on it!” she cheerfully went out of the room, humming some unfamiliar tone. Probably a song she spontaneously made herself, or the song of the folks of the sea.

“So, young Osial,” the bearer of the name returned his attention to his interlocutor, “where did you come from? Xiao Ning said that you just suddenly fell from the sky...or the Outer Sea, so to speak. Did you come from...the surface?”

That was too much of a question from the old man and from himself. What? Fell from the sky or the outer sea? Came from the surface?

Osial’s frown grew even deeper, he was struggling to piece everything together. He didn’t exactly remember how he found himself lying on the stone pavement, but the pain from the concussion should be enough to tell him that the old fart was speaking the truth; that he fell from the sky and he originated from the surface.

He did originated from the surface, that’s for sure. So, he nodded.

“Oh… Interesting…” the old man gripped his chin, nodding down thrice. “A being from the surface somehow managed to reach this place… You definitely are an eccentric one.”

“Eccentric…?”

“Yes. This underwater city, Shenhai, is located leagues beneath the ocean. None beings from the surface will be able to reach here ever, even a shard of their bones or a piece of their meat. There are many sea monsters swarming in the Outer Sea, not to mention the various natural phenomena there. Yet, you defy the normal circumstances…” Pops Ning smiled wide. “Perhaps...you’re destined for something big, young Osial. I can tell.”

“Uh… I don’t know,” Osial waved his small hand dismissively, uncaring of said destiny. “I live, and it’s thanks to you. That’s all.”

“Hahaha. The type who enjoys the present and leaves the tomorrow problems to the tomorrow you, huh? I agree with you.”

“Huh…”

“Hey, hey! What are you talking about?” Xiao Ning rushed in and sat on her previous spot, pouting.

“Nothing much. I am only confirming his origin. He’s a surface dweller.”

Surface dweller...so that’s how they called those who live on the land as. It wasn’t so bad, at least.

“Oh?!” Osial could see sparkles in those black eyes, she’s sure enthusiastic. “Tell me more about the surface, Osial! Tell me!”

What should he tell? The buildings of the two worlds were almost the same, the life too, seems almost the same. There’s not much difference per se...so what should he tell them? Upon further inspection, he noticed the strange features of these two people, so he pointed them out.

“We of the surface don’t have those weird slits on our neck. And, we don’t look like fish.”

“Then, what are those funny-looking feathery things on your head?”

W-what are these funny-looking deep blue feathery things on his head? Osial reached for whatever thing was on his head. His five fingers could feel some soft feathery things growing there, it's ticklish and sensitive, a sign that it had nerve cells in it. Sparing him a bit of mercy, Xiao Ning showed him a bronze plate, he could see his whole head reflected on the well-polished surface.

There were three pairs of feathery headdresses growing out of his head.

...Oh, right. He was that.

“...Well, I’m a unique one. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Xiao Ning laughed again, this time, accompanied by Pops Ning. Osial felt his cheeks burning, but there was no fire. His face on the bronze plate looked red.

“Setting that aside,” Osial did his best to hide his embarrassment behind a cough, his eyes were sharp once more, “I have to go back to the surface soon. There’s...someone I have to meet. Is there any way to go back up?”

The laughter died almost soon after, the father and his daughter exchanged looks and frown. Osial raised a brow, silently demanding an answer. Pops Ning nodded, but his face didn’t look bright in the slightest. The old man sighed, asking Osial to come with him outside which the younger one complied to. He pointed to a series of luxurious buildings far away from where they were, and asked, “Do you know what that is?”

“...No. I mean, I’m not from here.”

“Hahaha, perhaps you never saw one before up there, huh?” Pops tried to sound cheery, but he failed miserably. “That is the Palace. It was where the leader...or the leaders of this city reside.”

“Uh-huh…?” So, did these leaders have something to do with his return flight?

“The only way to go to the surface is to ride the Emperor Clam. It is a giant clam that is used as the imperial family’s carriage. The clam is very special, it emits some kind of energy disliked by most of the sea monsters out there, so it's the safest transportation available if you wish to traverse the Outer Sea.”

“Oh? That’s easy. It’s a giant clam, right? Should be easy to find it.”

“Not so fast, young one,” this time, Pops’s tone lowered into that of a warning, Osial was aware enough to notice it. “The Palace is ruled by the Three Princes. There are a lot of strong Generals, soldiers, and guards stationed there. Even if you possess some martial skills, I doubt you’ll be able to come out alive, much less in a whole piece.”

Osial remembered his encounter with the people with sharp weapons and bloodlust eyes. A shudder ran down his spine, it wasn’t a pleasant memory to be recalled. To think that his exit was guarded by a lot of such people...he had to take back his previous words.

“The Princes have dozens of strong and able Generals under their command. The First Prince - Yu Zhenyu has twenty strong Generals under his command, the strongest one is Lan Kai, followed by Xiang Chu, and the Xing brothers."

"The Second Prince - Yu Zhenxiu has fifteen Generals under his command, most of them are weaker than Zhenyu’s, but you should never underestimate his Five Xiongsha." The stern face he's putting up meant that these people were indeed serious business. "The Third Prince - Yu Zhen’ou is the weakest among the three siblings, but his Seven Calamities are deadly loyal to him, among the seven were the Jiang twins who are rumored to be even mightier than Lan Kai and the Xiongsha.”

Pops Ning paused for a moment, letting the information sink into Osial’s crumpled brain.

“Do you understand now, young man?”

The old man didn’t have to answer, but he still nonetheless.

“There is no way out of this city...except death.”

Welcome to the underwater prison city - Shenhai. Where lives of the lowlifes were trampled by the strong ones, where the strong ones always competed for power, riches and fame, where blood would always dirty the stone pavement, where death...was the only mercy out of this circle of samsara.

Osial swallowed down, his throat gone dry.

He found himself unmoving from the same spot even when Pops Ning had gone back inside as if fleeing the despair lurking in the shadows. His eyes were closed, he let himself feel the disgusting sensation of fear with all his being. It was nauseous, it was depressing, it made him feel little and feeble. The sharp fangs of the Death grazed his neck, he was shivering. His heart was racing, it wanted to stop beating. And yet, he wanted to beat them, he wanted to defeat them. And so, he willed himself to swallow them all.

Be one with Fear, and strike it into the heart of your enemies instead.

Ah, that soothing, deep voice told him so.

He could see a pair of warm, glowing eyes.

His right hand tried to reach them, only to grasp the thin air, his fist facing the dark ‘sky’.

The young man was laughing all of a sudden. He laughed like he was on top of the world. His back bent backward, a hand covering the upper half of his handsome face. The Ning could only blink at the display of...insanity? No...Osial wasn’t insane, but nor he was sane at this point with that ear-to-ear grin splitting his face in half.

“So...I just need to get stronger, right?”

The parent-daughter pair couldn’t believe what they just heard. Osial peeled off the hand, staring at the high and prideful palace with burning deep blue eyes; passionate, fierce, dauntless.

“I’ll come back… I have promised to you.”

The young man who stood there on the flawed stone pavement...was like the living embodiment of the turbulent vortexes.

He wanted to devour everything down to the deepest abyss.

And there were two people in the tiny shack, motionlessly wondering what kind of beast they just picked up from the streets.

To Be Continued…

Chapter Text

”You...came from the surface.”

“Well, yeah, you can say that,” the Overlord of the Vortex released him, and Zhongli took the opportunity to stand straight in front of the man. “I didn't belong to the sea, yet somehow...I got accepted just like that.”

...

And so, his journey becoming the strongest being under the ocean began. Embracing his weakness, yet he yielded not to it, Osial began to train hard both his body and mind each day.

It all started by helping the Ning family’s small business by running around the city, delivering the orders all the while evading the military who’s always on hot pursuit. The once silent city suddenly became lively as it was filled with shoutings from the galloping soldiers and the laughing rascal who hopped from one roof to another, from one branch to the next, kicking and punching his pursuers when they got too close. And he still could complete all the deliveries despite the situation.

Sometimes, Osial would help the people with their problems, most of them were labor. Fixing the broken roofs (yes, some of them were attributed to his carelessness), building fences, even helping the senior citizens carrying their heavy vases or chairs or shopping bags; he did it all wholeheartedly.

At first, the city folks were fearful that his chaotic tendencies would bring them misfortune and wrath from the Three Princes, but such disaster never came, probably because the Palace viewed him as a mere rebellious teenager of the sort that held no importance to their world.

The people began to be enticed by his sudden appearance that brought life to the half-dead city. As much as they wanted to deny it, they couldn’t shake off the fact that they were viewing Osial as the bright sun illuminating the dark city with his energy and loud, passionate yelling. Not to mention that many of them were enjoying the crumpled face of the beaten up soldiers, some were feeling sorry at their misfortune having to handle this outsider brat.

Going around the city also gave him a lot of new information about the history of Shenhai and its workings; the rise of the Great Emperor Yinglong, the building of the city and his dynasty, the current affairs of the Palace and its impact on the people’s lives. Corrupt officials encroaching the Palace, the people were suffering yet somehow...he still felt detached. It didn’t mean that he turned blind eyes to the situation, the young man had his own way.

“What are you making, Osial?” Xiao Ning curiously asked as she examined the badly-carved wooden mask mirroring the shape of some kind of aquatic animal that she didn’t know about.

“A mask. I figure out that it will be safer to beat those idiots while hiding my identity so...you guys won’t be in danger.”

Indeed, he’s not blind to his bold conduct too. For now, the soldiers didn’t seem to know that he’s living with the Ning, but who could guess what will happen in the future? The sole reason he’s still able to roam around despite his ‘hunted’ status was that due to the Palace not taking his case seriously and the soldiers were unable to act out of order, they were simply like ants with their hive mind.

Xiao Ning laughed, prompting a frown to rise on his face. “Y-you’re pretty bad when it comes to handicrafts, aren’t you?” the woman wiped her tears away, smiling widely. “Let me help you.”

“You don’t-”

“You’re going to bring shame to us all if you go around kicking those soldiers with a bad mask on. It doesn’t suit the image of a hero!”

A hero...she called him that. Did that title suit him, he wondered.

Celestia seemed to favor his choice of life so far.

Xiao Ning’s neighbor was a talented blacksmith family, she and the family’s male heir were good friends. He agreed to help the two making the mask Osial wanted and thankfully, his assistant was a woman of designing talent. The mask came a week later; it was a half-face mask made from a kind of special mixed light steel, painted in hues of white and blue adorned with vortex-like details, two rows of three tiny pearls on its forehead and lined with silver color. It looked so regal that one could only think the character Osial was going to bring into life was not some lowly peasant-turned-hero, but a noble warrior who descended from the royalties who could not stay back and watch the people suffering. The blacksmith didn’t ask for his money, all that he wanted from Osial was to give those soldiers a good beating and he would consider that the young hero's payment.

Once Osial donned the mask on his face, the tales of the appearance of a mysterious hero among the suffering people began.

“You know that 'Xiangliu' who suddenly appeared out of nowhere? I heard he beat up those arrogant soldiers who extorted the Tui family two days ago!”

“Oh, right, right. I heard that he beat those from the western garrison, took all the riches there and threw it all to the people of the area and also returned what rightfully belonged to the Tuis!”

“My daughters have been talking about him for the past week! They even have the audacity to say that they don’t want to marry others but Xiangliu!”

“Aah~ I wish I can meet Lord Xiangliu and ask him to be my husband~!”

“No way! He’s mine!”

Osial walked through the busy streets, closing one eye as his ears kept on hearing the people exchanging rumors about Xiangliu the Thieving Hero. He paid them no further mind and delivered the Tangyuan ordered by the construction workers nearby.

His kindness and noble cause (so the people dubbed) raised his fame in the midst of the civilians and infamy in the military. As the cold war between the Three Princes raged on harsher as decades changed, the people began to adore the Outsider and the hero Xiangliu even more. It was an irony; a rebellious rascal, a criminal, was loved more than the royal Princes.

And one day, his life took even a more fate-flipping turn…

One that would truly birth the strongest being of the ocean — The Overlord of the Vortex...

…

”That is...quite the tale.”

“Glad you’re entertained by it. But rest assured, I’m still holding our contract in high regards, I’m not lying to you about my other identity as Xiangliu the Thieving Hero. I didn’t do it for fame or to gain their favor. I’m just overly irritated by those idiot soldiers.”

The Lord of Geo hummed a long, feminine tone, memorizing the extremely intriguing stories deep in his mind like engraving a history to the stone tablet. Osial also took the chance to take a breath, because the story still had a long way to go.

“Well, let’s continue.”

…

It was during one night in his 40th winter that he met her.

The masked Thieving Hero was running in the silent streets, galloping through the tranquility of the midnight, heading for a tower near the Palace. He received the rumor that the Princes were beginning to take people in from the surface; some said that they were kidnapping the surface dwellers, the others stated that it was a bargain between the two worlds. He needed to see the truth himself, it might lead him to new clues about what’s happening up there and perhaps, a new way out of this underwater city.

He jumped and landed on the high outpost tower. As expected, it didn’t offer him enough view of what’s happening inside. Judging from the number of lights illuminating the area behind the high walls, it must be busy there. Osial hopped down, using his mastery over water to create a safe landing spot on the surface of the wide moat, skating on the water with minimum effort and scaling up the walls, using the shadows as a cover. He was lucky enough that the southeastern side of the wall had minimal guards tonight, he could be discreet in his mission.

He leaned against the stone wall, spying from the gaps. He remembered the giant clam Pops Ning told him many years back, this was his first time witnessing the gigantic mollusk. Guards were lining up on both sides, creating a path that connected it to the palace complex known as the Court. Wagons moved out of the open clam, followed by crates of precious items from the surface. Next were dozens of bamboo cages, he couldn’t clearly see what’s inside, but the still shadows behind the bars were the shapes of humans.

None of the mortals were screaming, too afraid of the possibility of being killed right there on the spot once they made a commotion. Osial watched in disgust as the cages were being herded towards the palace akin to goods waiting to be evaluated. He suspected that the humans were traded by their fellow kin as an offering for something that the Three Princes could grant them. Wealth? Power? Blessings? Who knows.

One of the cages’ poles suddenly broke, it dropped hard to the ground with a loud crash, the bamboo breaking in protest towards the impact, releasing the captive. It was a young girl who’s probably less than twenty years old, she had long messy black hair and wore a ragged robe. Her face was pale from fear as the guards came her way, spears in their hands. The young girl crawled away for her dear life, yelping in panic as a guard yanked her hair that he might tear the black strands off.

It was then something inside of the Thieving Hero snapped.

He called for a water vortex from the moat, slamming it down at the guards below. The armed men jumped away from the surprise attack, weapons were aimed at the diminishing water column, revealing its summoner.

“I-its Xiangliu!”

“W-why is he here?!”

Osial took a step forward, the guards took a step back. He stopped beside the terrified young girl, kneeling in front of her, locking his blue eyes into her light grey eyes. She sat still on the stone pavement, either too afraid to move or too enticed by the oceanic orbs that belonged to her possible savior.

“W-why are you all backing off?! G-get him!”

The war cry from the soldiers and guards broke their eye contact. Osial waved his hand, blasting the captors away with a strong water wave he created out of the thin air.

“Do you wish to be free?” he asked the young girl.

The soldiers didn’t stop, running towards the two targets despite their fear of Osial’s strength.

“Yes...” was the answer that came in a weak, strained voice. "Yes! Please!"

Without further ado, Osial twisted his body around, wrapping them both in a high water pillar as a bluff that would give them a chance to escape. He could release all the other prisoners, but he needed more time. Celestia didn’t give him the luxury and so, he could only escape with this one girl and left the rest to their own fates. He scooped the girl up and jumped high into the air, returning to the city and letting the darkness of the night swallow them. The soldiers rushed out of the Palace gate, chasing after the two runaways in groups.

“After them!”

“Don’t let them escape!”

Those were the words Osial heard before he paced forward, evading the soldiers on the ground by jumping on the rooftops. He thought he had lost them because these soldiers, no matter how elite they were, were unable to perform his level of physical feats. Yet, he didn’t flash a mocking grin like he usually did, Xiangliu was uncharacteristically serious tonight.

Osial jumped back just in time before a sickle slashed his body. The assault didn’t stop there, daggers were being hurled towards him, Osial summoned a water wall to trap the projectiles. One almost stabbed him right through the eye, its sharp tip was just mere three inches away. The young girl in his arms yelped in horror, it served as a reminder of her presence.

“So, you’re that infamous Xiangliu? As your reputation preceded, you’re quite the formidable target,” the womanly voice spoke to him.

He dropped the liquid wall down with a loud splash, glaring at a group of people in uniforms he never saw before. What were these people in black garb and full-face white masks? The woman with long black hair tied high ponytail didn’t put on the mask, she seemed overly confident to the point there was no use in hiding her identity. Her two hands were gripping two sickles connected with a long chain, she must be the one who almost got him.

Osial whistled, grinning at the danger he’s in. With the human in his arms, he couldn’t fight back, even running would be a chore at this point. “Some skills you got there, woman,” he mocked back. “You almost got me.”

“I thought a large gash across your pretty face will make you prettier, young man~” she snickered, eyes glinting with a hint of sadism. “My~ Youths like you thrill my blood the best… Care to join me in my bed, hmm? I promise I’ll treat you good~”

“If gouging my eye out means ‘good’ then sorry, I’ll pass.”

“Oh my, my. How unfortunate. It’s not nice to turn down a lady’s offer, you know.”

“I don’t accept an offer from an old hag.”

The woman laughed in her high-pitched voice, bending her back, the back of her left hand on her laughing lips. “You just signed your death warrant, BRAT!”

She swung her left sickle at him which Osial easily dodged and it pierced the wooden wall behind him. The woman twisted around, swinging the right sickle and again, Osial flawlessly evaded the attack.

“Hey, hey, watch where you’re aim-”

She launched herself towards him with a leg extended forward. A sharp knife sprang out of the back of her boots, it was aimed for Osial’s forehead. He launched himself high into the air, landing on the other roof and the mysterious woman’s sidekicks chased after him. The woman herself retracted the knife just in time, stomping on the wooden wall, and launched forward with a strong push of her legs.

The young girl peered from behind his arms shouted, “Watch out!”

Osial glanced back, avoiding the sidekicks’ thrown sickles with his agility, he didn’t have the chance to fight back with his two hands occupied to keep the girl he saved secured. The man could only grit his teeth and ran faster.

“You’re pretty slow, brat,” the dangerous woman was now running beside him, grinning madly at her prey, eyes flaring with heated bloodlust, a look that could kill weaklings. She swung her weapon to cut Osial’s throat, her slash was so fast that even with his swiftness, Osial could barely get away with his head still intact and a few strands of his blue-black hair sacrificed.

He had to shake off these persistent pursuers before he could take this human back to the Ning family. Osial jumped down and landed on the ground, running away from the soldiers who appeared from the two junctions. The woman seemed to have predicted this move but wasn’t expecting it to be so soon. Using her slender legs as brakes, she made a sharp turn and relentlessly chased from the roofs.

Then all of a sudden, the soldiers stopped in their tracks. The lack of steel boots’ galloping caused her to take a pause too. She hopped down and approached one of the confused soldiers.

“What happened?! Why stop chasing after them?!”

“T-that… T-they suddenly disappeared!”

True to the soldier’s words, she couldn’t feel the escapees’ presence anymore. Either they were somewhere far away or they could hide their presence well. The woman clicked her tongue and sheathed her weapons back.

“...Retreat! I’ll personally report this to the Xiongsha,” the glare she put up spoke of the danger from the failure she just committed.

And so, the hunting came to an end.

Once he deemed they were safe enough, the labeled hero climbed out of a manhole he made a year back and took a minute to check on the girl’s condition. The young girl was sleeping in his arms, it must be a draining day for her since she experienced a lot of stressful and traumatic events. It was thanks to her falling unconscious that they could hide their presence well. He continued walking down the path towards the only destination he could think of.

As expected…

“I-is that a surface dweller?!”

“Wait, Osial?! Don’t tell me that this girl drowned and- wait. You went to the Outer Sea?!”

“Yes she’s a surface dweller and no, I didn’t go out of the bubble,” Osial laid her limp body down the bamboo bed, turning to the Ning family. “I’ll explain later. You should do something about her, Xiao Ning.”

The woman pointed at herself, frowning. “Eh? Me? Do I look like a doctor?”

“At least you knew how to patch me up four decades ago.”

“Urgh, yeah... You and your incredible self-healing,” Xiao Ning sat on the bed, touching the unconscious girl’s forehead with the back of her hand. “She’s having a fever. We’re lucky that we still have a bit of medicine. I’ll go and make some when she’s awake. I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Shouldn’t we call for the doctor, Xiao Ning?” her father asked worriedly. “What if this young girl is sick from a worse disease?”

“We still don’t know who this girl is, pops,” Xiao Ning refuted, looking at Osial. “And, there must be an epic story of the Hero saving a distressed Princess because the said hero is sweating hard now!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m going to tell you that. Let me get some water first.”

Osial sat down after wetting his throat and began to tell the two what just happened from A-to-Z. The story left Pops Ning with a dropped jaw and a sympathizing Xiao Ning.

“So...the Princes now are targeting the surface dwellers…” Pops Ning sounded concerned with the issue. “I think they are aiming for something. I have heard the rumors of the Princes wanting to build a new wall outside in order to tackle the Three Tribes’ assault.”

The Three Tribes were tribes who lived in the three floating smaller cities surrounding Shenhai. They were simply known as the Northern Tribe, the Eastern Tribe, and the Western Tribe. They were once obedient to Yinglong, the First Emperor, but something happened between the Three Princes and the tribes seven hundred years ago, the dispute remained hot in the present.

“It seems, these humans would be...used as construction workers.”

“T-these stupid Princes are-”

“Xiao Ning! Lower your voice!”

The woman backed down and gritted her teeth. Her eyes were burning with a smoldering rage that had been piling up for hundreds of years.

“You’re saying that I just saved a slave.”

Pops Ning sighed lowly, nodding solemnly. “Yes. And now…Xiangliu, you...truly have done it.”

“Huh?” Did his somewhat heroic action lead to something bad?

Pops Ning faced the sleeping mortal, looking troubled by her presence. “The Princes...they won’t let you have your way after this. You’re taking this young girl they have branded their ‘property’. It was the same as stealing from them. The consequences will be...grave.”

“Pops!” Xiao Ning suddenly raised from her seat, glaring at her own father. “We’re NOT kicking them out, are we?! Osial had helped us and the people-”

“Xiao Ning, listen to me for once! The Imperial soldiers will come to US sooner or later and-”

“But-”

“I get it.”

The two stopped their quarrel before it could escalate any further. Osial raised a hand, looking as calm and unbothered as ever. He closed his eyes and got up from his seat, standing beside the sleeping human. He recalled the deadly hunt they escaped from, the man didn’t want to imagine these two sea dwellers who had been kind to him for decades going through the same thing. They wouldn’t survive, not with that ax-crazy, bloodthirsty assassin hot on their tails.

Death would be their only mercy. He did not want these kind people to die from his mistake.

The pair of father and daughter silently acknowledged what he did was an act of benevolence, it was never a mistake to save someone. The whole corrupted imperial system was the mistake, Shenhai itself was a fault.

“I’ll be taking her to Huanghaidai. It should be a safe hideout for the two of us.”

“A-are you sure?” Xiao Ning was worried. “You know what Huanghaidai is, right?”

The Huanghaidai was a unique golden-yellow kelp forest growing a few kilometers outside Shenhai, surrounding the city. As to why he saw it as a safe hideout, it was due to the high density of the tall kelps that obscured even eyes from the city wall’s watching towers. The soldiers rarely went into the forest too, it was a dangerous place, similar to the forest on the land. The city folk said that the forest was filled with wild sea beasts and savage magical creatures, others said that it was inhabited by the vicious sirens who lured unfortunate people into the dense forest and ate their souls alive. No one truly knew whether the truth of these rumors, none had ever ventured outside since Yinglong’s reign.

“I know. That’s why it’s the safest place. Also, we never saw those rumored beasts or sirens roaming around, right? It might be just Yinglong’s stupid bluff or something for Celestia-knows-why,” he sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the young girl. “Just ready the medicine she needs. We’ll depart shortly while it’s still the new moon tonight.”

“Osial, it’s-”

“Listen to your dad. It’s the safest way,” he posed a thin, sincere smile, a sight that would only appear once in a blue moon. “You two have been kind to me by giving me a place in your home for decades. I don’t want to trouble you further with my problems.”

“Osial…”

“...I’m sorry, young man.”

“It’s alright. You’re not wrong, Pops.”

The old man was shaken, his old body was trembling. His legs gave out, he knelt in front of the man who quickly raised up and stopped him from doing what he’s about to do. Old man Ning was crying, so did his daughter, yet Osial could only smile wryly at the sight, whispering comforting words like a son that was going to venture away from home. He was going to depart away from the family he found in this cursed city, it pained him to a degree.

Before dawn broke, the outsider carried the young mortal on his back, a leather bag full of supplies slung over his shoulders. The two Nings were standing on their doorstep, watching Osial rechecking everything before he went away.

“Osial, are you sure about this? What are you going to do from now on?”

“Huh…” the man shrugged nonchalantly. “I’ll just leave tomorrow’s problems to the tomorrow-me," Osial smirked. "After all, I'm always the type who enjoys the present and leaves the tomorrow problems to the tomorrow me."

He hurriedly set out to their next destination. Osial gave one last look before completely devoured by the darkness of the moonless night...

To Be Continued...

Chapter Text

The man stood still outside of the boundaries of the Huanghaidai, looking at the imposing golden-yellow kelps stretching tall and high, some of the gigantic plants almost touched the surface of the bubble just a few miles away. His eyes were focused on the wavy leaves, they hummed with a little bit of magical energy, what a mysterious plant. Osial then gazed beyond the towering flora, remembering the rumor of sea beasts and other creatures that might be thriving inside it. No wonder, they were attracted to any elemental sources, a forest of it was like free real estate for them.

It would be a perfect hiding spot, he convinced himself, because there’s no other place that could offer them protection from the Three Princes’ wrath. The young man turned his head back, staring at the sleeping young girl. She looked so peaceful, unbothered by the turmoil that might come after them once they went into the golden forest. Or...she wholly trusted her life to him, a total stranger that happened to save her life from certain doom.

Osial took a step into the magical forest, the soft leaves caressed their body as if they were inviting the two beings into a safe haven they might or might not provide.

…

“And that woman was…”

The Sea God nodded. “Yeah,” he looked up, smiling thinly. “The very first woman I knew. Well, I mean Xiao Ning is that old lady selling Tangyuan in the city and I met her first but… It’s a different context. I hope you get it.” The chuckle that slipped past his lips was kind and full of fondness, despite how grave the situation sounded, to him, it was a good memory to reminisce.

Another question was answered.

And another more.

“Her name was…”

…

Turned out, Yinglong’s bluff wasn’t a bluff at all. He no longer sprinted on his pair of human legs, Osial was surfing on the hydro waves he kept pumping out of his feet, escaping a shiver of rotting sharks. He was expecting a monster with a weird head or mixed body parts like those portrayed in the children's books he read, but no, a rotting body full of maggots and its nauseating smell was even worse. How were these dead beings came to live and vigorously give them a hell of a chase? He didn’t know, but he suspected the forest ecosystem played a large part in the mystery. He certainly didn’t want to see a rotting dragon coming after them next.

By now, the young girl on his back was already awake and she could only clutch on his shoulders so hard that he was sure her grip left red hand marks on his skin. It hurt him not, but he somewhat pitied the young girl clinging onto him for the dear life that she had to experience two traumatic events continuously.

“Pesky bugs!” He turned around, at the same time jumping two feet into the air, kicking a strong burst of water waves. It hit the disgusting sharks on the mark, the carcasses rolled back, and were strangled by the kelps. The two took a moment to check out what’s happening. It seemed that the sharks were unable to get off from their captors anytime soon so they continued with their journey deeper into the heart of Huanghaidai.

“What’s your name?” Osial asked, they have been acquainted for some time by now and he still didn’t know her name. Because his two hands were full as he still carried the weak girl on his back, he used his tendrils to shoo the tall plants away from their path.

“I…I am Qiao Liang.”

“Qiao Liang…” he phrased the name, it rolled off his tongue easily.

“T-thank you very much for rescuing me… May I know your name, good sir?”

So soft-spoken, so timid; she’s very different from the loud and overbright Xiao Ning. If he had to compare their quality of speech, Qiao Liang was talking just like well-educated people do. Her tone was soft and her vocabulary was rich, it didn’t suit her current appearance. It made him curious. “Osial.”

“Osial…” her lips curved into a wide smile, she then nodded twice. “I have remembered your name, sir Osial.”

Too overly polite to his liking. “Just 'Osial' is fine. It’s not like I’m your master or anything, no need for honorifics.”

“Is that...okay?”

“It’s fine,” the man plucked one of the nearby leaves with a water tendril, examining as its glow began to dim and it turned into a regular dull green kelp. Interesting. The golden-yellow color originated from the magic the main plant contained, could there be the true source of all the magical powers surrounding them? What a curious place.

“V-very well… Si-... Osial…”

“There we go,” Osial threw the practically dead leaf away in favor of patting the young girl’s head with the same tendril. It was made out of water, but her hair stayed dry. “That’s not so hard, right?”

Qiao Liang nodded and twinkled, the yellow glow kissing her dirtied face made her as radiant as the summer sun he saw eons ago. At the sight, the sea dweller couldn’t help but plaster a thin smile. It definitely suited her better than the look of fright and death painting her youthful features last night.

“Where are we now? This place is beautiful...albeit the sharks from before are scary…”

“The Huanghaidai,” Osial introduced her to said beautiful yet scary place. “It’s a forest of special kelps surrounding Shenhai, the city you’re brought into. I’m sorry for bringing you to this dangerous forest, but the city is no longer safe for fugitives like us.”

“I-it’s alright,” she shook her head. “I-I should be the one who apologizes… I have brought you to this predicament and-”

“Don’t think that you’re the one who brought me into this,” Osial quickly refuted, closing one of his eyes in a cocky manner. “You see, I have been on the royal family’s bad side for decades, this just validated my reason to step out of that accursed city and for them to have my head. Mutual validation, I guess.”

Qiao Liang blinked at his words, taking some moments to digest the information. “Are you...planning a rebellion against them?”

“A rebellion isn’t something that I am aiming for,” Osial replied, “I just want to go back home to the surface, I have to be reunited with someone up there. While I’m on that agenda, those bratty soldiers annoyed me, so I taught them some lessons, that’s that.”

“Oh! I thought you’re a sea dweller but you’re actually the same as me!” Qiao Liang’s mood brightened upon discovering fellow kin, it was powerful enough to dispel the grim air of Huanghaidai. “But...you look like a merfolk, Osial.”

“Believe it or not, I really am from the surface.”

“Okay. I believe in you,” the young girl had the gall to chuckle, she swung her legs leisurely and humming an unknown song as they kept on venturing the golden forest. “You said that you have someone you have to meet back on the surface...who is this person? I-it’s okay if you don’t want to divulge their identity!”

“Then let it be a story for another time.”

“Okay!”

“Lower your voice. We don’t want those freaks on our tails.”

“Ah, yes…I apologize… Also, can you put me down? I can walk-”

“Xiao Ning said you have a fever, so stay there until we can find a safe place.”

“I apologize for burdening you.”

“Then, don’t burden me further.”

The rest of the journey was a silent one, save for Qiao Liang’s hearty humming (in a low voice close to a whisper) and the low slosh from the kelps against the two water tendrils. For half an hour, nothing bad happened to the two travelers. There was no sign of their presence attracting more foul beasts, it seemed that the rotting sharks were unable to track their scents too. He recalled that sharks were dangerous for their ability to scent blood even the source was as far as half a li, since none of the two were injured, this particular ability should be rendered useless.

Osial’s eyes were so fixated on the long golden plants around them, looking back on when the shark was entangled by its flexible stem. He didn’t clearly catch it, but there was a symbiosis happening between the rotting body and the golden kelp. He chose to cut the memory off, not wanting to visualize a dead body being absorbed until bones were what’s left when they were going to spend the rest of their lives among these possibly predatory florae.

Along the walk, he discovered that the Huanghaidai didn’t grow up on flat plains, it had its own geography consisting of small hills, large boulders, and several narrow and wide rivers running on the land like veins. It mirrored the land forests so much, but instead of fresh air carrying the scent of damp moss, rain, wet tree trunks, and flowers, the air here was briny and heavy.

His steps came to a halt as they came out of the dense sea plantation. He was expecting a bottomless gorge that would break his hope of ever leaving the cursed underwater city, but there was no such thing in front of his eyes. Instead, the area in front of them was clear from the kelps, on its center was a small stone temple. Old man Ning never mentioned a temple in the middle of Huanghaidai, perhaps its history was long gone, eroded by the passage of time as people never ventured into the forest for centuries.

The small stone temple stood, radiating an aura of seclusion and loneliness, accompanied by strange, unsettling tranquility.

“Oh! It’s a temple,” Qiao Liang pointed out the oblivious thing. “Do you think someone lives there?”

He didn’t answer because he didn’t know. He didn’t sense any living being nearby, much less from the seemingly abandoned temple. There was a stone slab not far away, the engraved writings were unreadable. Osial climbed up the stairs, noting the thick specks of dust covering the railings. The building itself looked so old, it was a wonder how it could still stand on its own without proper maintenance.

It wasn’t even larger than Xiao Ning’s house, there were only two rooms inside, one on the left and one on the right. Between the two rooms was an empty space, at least it’s spacious enough for a third room. The middle room, or rather, the wide corridor had a doorless gate leading to the temple’s back terrace, he should look around later. For now, he had to do something to the human on his back.

“I think it’s safe enough for us to stay,” Osial walked to the room on the left, placing Qiao Liang down on a long stone chest. It wasn’t the best bedding, but it should do for now. She watched her savior who proceeded to rummage through the contents of his bag, taking out a small vial containing seven red pills and a coral flask. “Drink this and sleep. I’ll take a look around.”

Qiao Liang did so obediently and slept with her head resting on the makeshift pillow made from a bag filled with some clothes. Making sure she had fallen asleep, Osial took a stroll to the back terrace. As expected, there was nothing, except a wide rectangular dry pond. He silently measured its depth, it should be enough for a bathtub.

Wait. A bathtub.

Blood sped to his face and instantly it was all red. He shook his head, slapping a hand onto his forehead, shooing the debauched image away. Absolutely not! He had to build a wall surrounding the bathtub for the sake of their dignity! A sharp water tendril sprouted out of the ground behind him, its tip grazed the dry ground around the future bathtub, drawing the plan for their bathroom. The lines were curvy, he knew that, he couldn’t help it.

Another smack onto his forehead. Huanghaidai was filled with kelps, not bamboo and wood. How was he supposed to make a wall without those two materials?! It was at this moment that he hoped that instead of water, he had control of the earth instead, just like that person. Osial squeezed out all of his brain juice, an imaginary light bulb jumped out of his head. He can just bring back those big boulders, cut them into shape, and there they had some walls. To strengthen it, he could just mix the dry ground beneath with water, right? You’re a genius, Osial! It was at this moment that he was grateful Celestia granted him hydro powers instead. Not to forget all those jobs of fixing the roofs and building fences the citizens asked him to do now made him a decent engineer, so to speak.

As for food… Xiao Ning gave him some rations that could probably last up to several days, still, it would dwindle over time until there’s nothing left. Basically, both of them were going to starve next week, then death would be the only thing waiting for them. The prospect of dying as soon as they tasted freedom was not entertaining, he had to do something about it. Thankfully, he had some money with him, he just needed to spend them wisely all the while finding an alternative, because it wouldn’t be easy for him to get a job now that he had a price on his head.

He thought of planting their own crops, but as much as he wanted to do that, he didn’t have the slightest knowledge in agriculture, and he didn’t expect Qiao Liang possessed the skills. Unless…

Osial scowled, cursing in his mind. There was a large farm on the eastern outskirts, but, he was, unfortunately, on the owner’s bad side. The owner was an avid supporter of the Second Prince, and the man was known for his cruelty to his workers. He also monopolized the agriculture market by abusing the power Yu Zhenxiu gave him, if he didn’t like someone, he would arbitrarily raise his price by folds for that displeasing person. That was why eleven years ago, Osial came and gave the man a good punch square on his face for burdening the small home industries such as owned by the Ning family.

It was incredibly satisfying, the fugitive never regretted any decision he had made.

Oh, a grin split his face, That man’s going to make some good karmas soon.

Well, a thief stealing from another thief was better than stealing from the innocents. That was what Xiangliu had always been, wasn’t it? Osial praised himself again, imaginary glitters were floating around the crouching man.

Now that the bathroom and food shortage problem had been theoretically solved, all that was left was the safety of their premises. The Huanghaidai was filled with dangers unheard by the city folks, even if they did, they would shrug it off as mere fantasy or rumor. Turned out, said fantasy was real. They might be safe from the royal family, but not from those unknown monsters lurking behind the wavy vines.

They could approach the two at night when people like them were the most vulnerable, it would be safer for him not to sleep off the night today. He got up and began to work before night fell, going into the forest. It didn’t take long for him to bring back several large boulders, using his expert mastery over his element, Osial cut the boulders as he desired it to be, building the walls he had planned half an hour ago, strengthening it with soil and water mixture. The result wasn’t so shabby, at least the room wouldn’t collapse...soon. He chopped off the kelps and arranged them above the bathroom, now they had something they could call a decent leafy roof.

One done, many more to go.

By the time he was finished with setting up a decent-looking bathroom, night fell. As he assumed dangers increased the closer the clock’s hand towards midnight, Osial decided not to leave the temple and stayed awake. He sat on the front stairs, looking at his surroundings with watchful eyes. He had laid hydro traps around the temple, these traps also helped him in detecting intruders from the back terrace.

Now that time was moving slower, the young man noticed how silent the world was. It also helped him to realize the small details that he previously missed, his brain began to ruminate on the nature of this mysterious forest of gold.

The kelps that were humming with magical energy, what was their source of energy?

Those rotten sharks that could move as if they were alive, what kind of magic was working on them?

The solitary temple that worshipped something written on the eroded engravings on that stone slab, what kind of secret did it hide inside its stone walls?

He stopped thinking about it eventually, he didn’t have enough energy to be a scholar today. He should prioritize their safety over those secondary affairs.

The first night ended without any of the beasts going near the vicinity. None of the hydro traps were activated in the span of ten hours, none of the tall kelps waved as a sign of danger, there was no growl or howl traveling in the empty air. Deciding that it was safe enough, Osial retracted his hydro traps. Soon after, his vision blackened for a while and he almost passed out. His breathing was as labored as a horse which had run thousands of li, beads of sweat glistening on his skin, rolling down and landing on the stone beneath him. He was not used on prolonged usage of his hydro powers and being the first time to actually test his limits, it took a great toll on his body.

His whole circuit felt like they were on fire, his hands were trembling like a leaf in the harsh winter’s storm. Osial took a deep breath, leaning tiredly against the wall.

“Osial? Are you there?”

He gasped quietly at the call. No, he couldn’t afford to make her worry over his condition, not when she was recovering from her fever and shock. The hydro user gritted his teeth, forcing his limbs to stop spasming, and gulped once to clear up his throat.

“Yeah, I’m here. What do you need?”

Qiao Liang stepped out of the temple and sat beside him, smiling brightly as usual. “I just want to say good morning and check up on you! You’re up very early…”

Osial barked a laugh, acting all cocky and mighty. “I always woke up early. ‘The early tiger gets the best prey’, after all.”

“You’re right,” she agreed and stared at the ocean above them, the fragile-looking bubble holding the heavy water outside. “This place is...miraculous. How can a bubble hold all the pressure of the deep ocean when it always easily pops even under the tenderest of touches?”

“Pops Ning told me that it was Yinglong who erected this bubble. Not sure how he did it.”

“Oh,” she blinked. “For that person to be able to manage such a great feat… He must be really strong!”

“Most likely. I’m new here, so I don’t know.”

“New?”

Osial confirmed with a nod and an answer. “I arrived here around forty years ago. Yinglong’s era ended almost a thousand years ago.”

“Ah… I see.”

They sat on the stairs, looking at the golden plants, it felt as if they were the tiny beings living in the midst of golden carpet fibers.

“What are we going to do today, Osial? I-I can help you with the house chores!”

Exactly the kind of help he needed the most, it seemed that Qiao Liang was a rather reliable person. “Since we’re both wanted people, it would be safer if I were to be alone when roaming around, collecting information and supplies. But, I can’t just leave you defenseless.”

What if the theories were wrong as those beasts were more active during the day? He couldn’t be there for her once he’s away from their safe house, she would be left here to die. He didn’t bring her out of the palace to die that early, it would hurt his pride as Xiangliu the Thieving Hero even more.

Not to mention…the realization of him being a weakling that couldn’t accomplish anything. Osial couldn’t take the anxiety and mental damage from that at all.

“But-”

“No buts,” he cut off before the young girl could protest more. “I’ll stay here and familiarize myself with the environment. As for the task… can you cook, at least?”

“I can cook some food! My...mother taught me some recipes.”

Her tone waved the moment before she spoke that word. Osial could only raise one eyebrow at that, yet he didn’t comment about the change in her mood. There’s no need to talk it out if it didn’t concern them both, it wasn’t his concern.

“Okay. I’ll leave that to you. Honestly, I’m a shit cook if you ask me.”

Qiao Liang beamed brightly, nodding her head in excitement. She’s looking forward to all the daily lives they were going to have from this point onward, huh? What a strange human… But the Thieving Hero was comfortable with her presence around and didn’t find it troublesome. Honestly speaking, her smile and positive aura warmed something in his heart. The winter tundra was gone, there was the spring’s warmth blooming in his chest.

Her smile was contagious.

It made the being of the sea...human.

Three days passed, there was no danger approaching the temple at all. Their routine somehow was gaining the right pace and they began to adapt well to their new home. Their mornings would always start with either of them taking a bath first before the other, Qiao Liang preparing a simple breakfast. Some time nearing the afternoon, Osial would sneak into the city, purchasing the items and foods they needed for several days to come and working some part-time that would refill his money pouch even just a bit; meanwhile, the young girl did the chores such as washing and cleaning the abandoned temple diligently.

During his ventures inside the city, Osial would always see posters with Xiangliu’s face on the walls and the bulletin boards scattered around the city. He would always smirk at the petty imperial family’s failure to catch just a single thief. They always had a great pride over the prowess of their imperial might, yet to Osial, it was just the residue of the Great Yinglong’s days. The Three Princes were nothing but shrimps donning regal attires swimming in the ocean.

As evening approached, Osial made his way home, he was greeted by the enthusiastic Qiao Liang who always waited for his stories more than the supplies and money he brought back. They would sit on the floor, with only a carpet weaved from the kelps separating their buttocks from the cold, hard stone floor, the young girl would listen attentively as Osial told her more about his day or the stories revolving around Shenhai. It was unfair for the young man so he asked about Qiao Liang’s own day. She told him that she had finished washing the dishes or clothes, about her new discovery of the things the surface world could never have and sometimes, about the surface world that he had left for God-knows-how-long.

Instead of focusing on the story, Osial was more enticed by her voice singing her tales. At times when he closed his eyes, he could replay her soothing tone perfectly. And it made him realize that he had forgotten that person’s voice...he couldn’t recall how that person sounded like no matter how hard he tried. It made him sad, it made him guilty, but Qiao Liang’s smile would always remedy his wound, and he stopped thinking about that person.

He eventually stopped remembering his goal to become the strongest.

For he was content with what they were having now.

Ambitions sealed inside the nameless temple.

Desires washed away by the ocean’s torrents.

The golden kelps showering him with sparkles of light.

He had always wanted to protect her ever since that day. There was this strange feeling whenever they were together and separated. The desire to always stay by her side as a figure that she could rely on. He wasn't sure if these emotions were the same exact ones he shared with the Ning family who took care of him for forty years.

“Osial, you made even the scariest place a paradise for the both of us,” she said fondly, glitters shimmering inside her lively eyes.

This was...enough.

He wished the Heavens would never rob this happiness away.

To Be Continued…

Chapter Text

Just like how Guizhong taught him how to feel as humans did, Qiao Liang taught Osial how to be ‘human’. Zhongli gazed at the silent man sitting in front of him, watching as the Sea God’s brows furrow, his lips curved into a solemn smile. Osial’s ten fingers intertwined each other, his back slouched forward. It was a position akin to someone who’s praying...he was praying for a soul that had long departed from not only this underwater world but also from the mortal realm.

The Sea God’s bride offered the man no consolation, yet those golden eyes didn’t judge, nor did it perceiving. Only watching, only studying.

They were similar; there was someone who guided them to become ‘human’.

To smile, to laugh, to worry.

And to…

…

”Osial, there’s something I wanted to...ask you.”

The masked hero was sprinting through the busy street, the assassins and the royal soldiers were less than a hundred meters away from him. In his hands, he was clutching a bouquet of beautiful chrysanthemums like they were his lifeline. Warning shouts from the soldiers were ignored, the flying daggers were dodged with mere speed, in his head he was thinking nothing else but to bring these fresh flowers back home.

They were not a present.

The Shangrila Chrysanthemums were the only medicine that could save her. But they only grew in the Imperial Garden and...it would be impossible for you to obtain it. I’m sorry, Osial, Xiao Ning’s words echoed in his head.

Don’t go! I know that Qiao Liang is very important to you but please, don’t go! You will die!

So what if he’s going to die? At least he would die an honorable death! At least, he would be able to save someone before he forfeited his life to Heaven above or Hell below!

No one could see the face under the mask, all expressions cracking his mein were hidden by the blue-white steel. No one could hear his ragged breathing, none could witness the tears welling up in his oceanic eyes. The people stepped aside, opening a path for him but none of the soldiers nor the assassins apprehended them, they just got away from the troubles, no one could blame them.

No one could blame them for ignoring the hero that had been saving their lives for decades.

The hero himself didn’t want to think about...the strange loneliness he was feeling.

His heart was thundering. Time was ticking fast, it waited for him not, so he was racing against it.

“Xiangliu is heading for the Huanghaidai!”

“After him! Don’t let him escape the city gates! If he does, we wouldn’t be able to catch him!”

He didn’t hear anything except the hard beating and the harsh breathing. His ears were deaf to the outside world. They could only hear the sweet, weak voices from the past, so was his choice.

“Xiangliu! Don’t you DARE to run away from ME!” the ax-crazed assassin shouted, throwing her daggers aimed for his legs. Dull stabs filled the chaotic air as the projectiles pierced the hard ground, yet one managed to get his leg. Osial gritted his teeth and did his best to ignore the pain, he didn’t care about the blood dripping from his galloping limb. “XIANGLIUUU!!!”

”...You should rest more. We can talk later when you’re fine.”

He could see the gates began to shut his only exit from the city, he didn’t have much time left. If those gates were closed then-...

”It’s okay. It won’t...affect my health… In fact, I really need to talk about it now.”

”Don’t say that.”

The woman didn’t reply.

“Don’t say that.”

He was...begging. He didn’t understand why he did so, and Qiao Liang complied with a weak crescent adorning her pale face.

Oh, how he begged Celestia to grant him one last luck for him, for them. How he pleaded that he could make it out of the city before those damned grandiose gates shut him in, how he prayed to any higher gods to grant him one slim chance so they wouldn’t be separated. He wished, he beseeched, that the universe would be willing to hear his one request and-

The city gates shut with a loud bam.

The Heavens denied him his wish.

Plunging him into despair, spearing him into the abyss.

The prideful Xiangliu knelt in front of the closed gates, staring at the imposing doors. The grips on the chrysanthemums loosened, one of them fell dramatically onto the ground, laying silently reflecting his demise. The masked hero repeatedly asked the Heavens where he did wrong, what kind of bad karma did he reap that he deserved to have his sole request denied so cruelly. Was it because he kept on stealing from the corrupt people? Was it because he kept on fighting the corrupted empire? Was it wrong to be Xiangliu in the first place?

The wall was too high for him to scale with his remaining power. The cruel Heavens told him that he had done enough, and should face his punishment, atoning for all the sins he had done throughout his life.

“Finally! You’re under arrest, Xiangliu!”

“Hahaha! To think that finally, we can catch him!”

“I want to beat him so hard for all the humiliation he had inflicted on me!”

The ax-crazy assassin stood a few meters away, staring at the man she had passionately gone after for the past decade in disgust as if he had failed her expectation as if he was now a broken toy that couldn’t amuse her anymore.

“Get him! The Princes will reward us all handsomely for his head!”

Armed soldiers marched towards him, in their hands, they were carrying heavy steel chains that would bind him and be used to drag him to their masters.

Osial didn’t retaliate, right at the moment the gates were closed was the moment he resigned himself to fate. His teeth sank into his lip, blood pouring out of the open wounds, filling the air behind the mask with the scent of iron and...salt. His mind repeated apologies like a mantra for someone who was far away, for that someone who was waiting for him under the stone roofs of the small abandoned temple they called home, for that someone with the most contagious smile and laughter that brought him nothing but peace and happiness, for that someone who became his light in the deep, dark ocean.

”Please come home soon...I want us to have dinner together just like we usually do… I'll be waiting...for you...”

He apologized for his weakness in the times she needed his strength the most.

He didn’t even want to portray the cooling bowl of his favorite egg congee on the stone table in their home.

Loud shouting and clashing of steels were echoing in the air. Osial turned his head around, seeing the city folks were barricading the soldiers from ever reaching him. Even under the intimidation of sharp weapons and death, they kept on forming living walls between the defeated hero and the antagonistic imperial soldiers, their eyes were sharp despite the fear lying just underneath their fierce, determined looks.

Among those people was one face he was so familiar with.

“Go! Xiangliu! You can’t let them defeat you here!” The old man shouted, rallying the others to do the same, to encourage their distressed hero.

“Xiangliu! You have been helping us for all these years! Let us, the people of Shenhai, repay all your kindness with this!”

“Xiangliu!”

“Xiangliu!”

“OUR HERO!”

“LONG LIVE THE HERO OF SHENHAI! LONG LIVE XIANGLIU!!!”

“GOOOOOO!!!”

The crowds kept on cheering him as tears raining down from their glistening eyes, their lips were stretched wide into a proud smile. Men and women, old and young, elderly and children, all were standing behind his vulnerable back for him. Osial roared out loud, waves of water burst out of his soles, and he flew out of the city with the very last strength he had, landing just outside of the city walls. And he kept on running, not looking back as he wouldn’t be able to see the fate that awaited those people.

He knew what awaited them. He promised he would return for them.

The last thing he could hear was his name being cheered on in high spirits.

He rushed into the Huanghaidai, roughly pushing away all the vines that were hindering his way. He was smiling, he was crying, he didn’t know what kind of emotion he was feeling at the moment, yet it gave him the energy he needed to make his way back home, it made him light-headed, it made him feel as if he was basked in the warm spring sunlight. He didn’t even care when his mask slipped from his face, thus revealing the look on his face.

There it was, the lonely temple amidst the tall golden kelps. As usual, it stood in silence. Osial hurried on his feet and went inside, kneeling beside the pale woman who was laying feebly on the mattress. Her cheeks hollowed, her limbs were thin and fragile, black circles around her baggy eyelids.

“O...sial…” she called his name weakly, life was briskly leaking out of her mortal body. “Welcome...home…”

“Qiao Liang,” Osial knelt by her side, showing the golden flowers to her. “Rejoice! I got you the chrysanthemums! They will be able to heal you! You will be able to leave this damned bed soon!”

The woman smiled, but it soon vanished when her eyes caught the sight of the bleeding calf. “You...you got yourself-”

“This is nothing,” he assured her, trying his best not to wince at the pain shooting up from his open wound. “I’ll make you the medicine soon. I have everything now and-”

“Osial…” Qiao Liang was crying, but she was smiling, just like him when he was running towards their home. “I’m sorry… I really am…” she was coughing hard, it panicked the young man beside her. Blood dripping out of her pursed lips, she smiled wryly at the dampness and the iron tang ravaging her taste buds. “I am...really sorry…for causing you so much trouble…”

“Speak no more, Qiao Liang! I’ll-”

The woman, despite her weakened state, was still able to grip his wrist tightly, forcing him to stay. “Please...stay… That’s all… I want now…”

“If I stay, I can’t make you the medi-”

“Please, Osial…”

He didn’t have the heart to argue, so he stayed. Osial knelt on the same spot, looking at her with a frown on his face. The sickly woman had the gall to chuckle. Her tender hand, marred with callouses from all the housework she did daily over the past decade, didn’t lessen its beauty, it didn’t make Osial feel ill as the rough bumps touched his wet cheek, caressing the area slowly, caringly.

Light began to dwindle from her eyes.

Osial didn’t want to acknowledge the truth that she didn’t have much time, that she was beyond salvation, that he was too late, that his efforts were going to end in complete vain.

“Can I...speak now…?”

He nodded. The flowers were still in his hands.

“Do you...remember that time when I have...something to talk about with you, Osial?”

He nodded again, leaning his face against the touch.

“I...I always wanted to have a big brother,” she finally spoke up about her desire, it was the most innocent wish that he had ever heard. “In my family...my older sisters...didn’t care about me, nor did my mother. I...always wanted to have a big brother that cares for me, that loves me as his little sister…”

Osial silently listened. One of his hands was touching the hand on his cheeks. He could feel the wetness enveloping the small hand. It was his tears.

“Am I...a good little sister, Osial…?”

He didn’t waste even a single second to answer. He nodded, his head bowed down. “Yes… Yes, you are, Qiao Liang… You’re the best little sister in the whole universe. You...don’t know how lucky am I to have you as one...”

Qiao Liang's almost lifeless eyes widened, Her lips quivered, her eyes curved and closed, tears flowing down freely from the cracks, dark, wet spots decorating the pink mattress below her head. There was a sob, followed by a peal of low laughter, accompanied by the trembles of her smaller body. Mucus spilled out of her nostrils, yet the sight was not nauseating. His heart clenched so tight at the sight, he was crying and laughing along with the dying little sister. The laughter of departing, a cry of returning. It hurt the both of them, yet none of them could stop laughing as tears continued to drench down their faces. For a moment, colors returned to the pale face, she stopped laughing and kept on smiling.

“May I...call you ‘big brother’?”

“Yes, little sister. Yes.”

Her face relaxed, her hand was slipping away if not for Osial’s grip still around it.

“Thank you… big brother Osial… I’m...so happy…”

“I...I don’t understand,” Osial whispered, his voice was whimpering, “how can you still feel happy now?” She was in pain, the strange disease was eating her organs, shutting down the function of her body one by one. The whole process was agonizing, she had been suffering for the last month in this state as it kept on worsening. And yet...and yet...how could she say she’s happy?

“Tell me...big brother, what are you feeling now?”

Osial was silent, ruminating this heart-wrenching sensation that kept on squeezing his tear glands, that kept on pumping his heart vigorously to the point it hurt, that made his head pounding in sickening dizziness, that kept his soul quivering in fear. Qiao Liang patiently waited for his answer, she would prolong her remaining life for as long as he needed, she’s more than willing to give her savior - her big brother, all the world’s time.

“It’s...painful,” Osial finally answered, his hand pressed on the part of his chest where his beating heartbeat underneath. “Right here.”

“My tears can’t stop no matter how hard I try,” he gritted his teeth. “It’s sickening. It’s hurting me, Qiao Liang…”

“Tell me…” a sniffed cut his question, “Tell me, Qiao Liang...what kind of human feeling is this? How could you all live with this kind of pain?”

“Ah...So you can feel it too…” the dying woman smiled, she looked relieved. “To think that...even the Gods can feel it too...I am glad to know that…”

Osial frowned.

“It is what...we humans call ‘sadness’,” she continued despite her struggles to breathe properly, “Just like happiness, it is inseparable from life… You will keep on feeling this...for as long as you live… For life itself…is a form of Samsara…”

“But…” both of her hands clasped tightly on his, “do not...loathe it… if you loathe it...then...you won’t be able to feel happiness…”

“The reason I could...be happy now...is because I...accepted it. I accepted that...it is saddening...me...to leave you behind… But then,” another deep breath, “I remembered all those...happy memories we...made together... Because I am sad...I cherished them...even more...thus why...I am happy… I am very happy, big brother…”

He still didn’t understand, Qiao Liang didn’t force him to understand now.

She had always been helping him in identifying the new feelings he had in the past.

And even on her deathbed, Qiao Liang still helped him to feel ‘human’.

“It is okay...if you can’t...understand it now… One day...one day you’ll be able...to feel it too...and you will be able to-... understand it…”

The whole world went silent after that.

His dearest little sister had departed from the mortal world, free from the worldly affairs and turmoil. Free from suffering, it was evident from the smile that would forever be frozen on her peaceful visage.

The living body beside her trembled.

Osial lifted his head.

The sky was bright and clear, it was a fine day when she departed. The sky refused to help him express the emotions that were ripping his heart, soul and being apart; tearing him down, wounding him.

His throat hurt and he was unable to breathe. He could hear someone’s cries in the distance. Because his throat hurt so much, he then realised the person screaming was no other but himself.

A wounded beast was howling. The small temple witnessed his agony in silence, its solid walls echoed his curses, rage and despair back to his world.

The hero collapsed to the floor, unmoving.

He was…dead.

…

The current Emperor of Shenhai took a deep breath, burying his face in his hands as he bent down. Zhongli moved not from his position, was it heartless of him for not offering comfort to the injured man? Was he being cold now? Yet Osial didn’t ask for it, so he refrained himself.

Though at the sight of the other's crumbling self, Zhongli felt his right hand twitched for unknown reasons. His brows furrowed, he tried to process the new sensation clenching his beating heart.

…

How long had he been lying on the cold stone floor? How long had his little sister departed from this cursed mortal world? He didn’t know, he didn’t want to think, he didn’t want to recall the moment she left him alone in the abandoned temple. His eyes had lost their light, he wished he stopped breathing, but he couldn’t, his lungs kept on forcing him to take newer and fresher air in each passing second. It was the curse of the living, even his own body rebelled against him.

His hands were freezing, yet he still could feel the last of her warmth lingering, ghosting his palm.

Osial closed his eyes, he was...tired.

To be human...must he always suffer from grief?

To feel human...must he always lived with this sadness?

Something tickled his open hand, taking his soul back to reality. As he focused his sight, he caught the sight of a golden-yellowish thing worming its way on his skin. It curled around his limb...no, they were curling around his two wrists. Before Osial could react, a strong force was dragging him outside, raising him high above the ground. When his sight finally came back at him, he could see what was capturing him.

They were the golden kelps. But why? Didn’t they only react to dead bodies like those rotten sharks?! Now that he thought about it, they did nothing to Qiao Liang’s body. He didn’t understand. He thought he understood their home perfectly by now.

“Poor lost soul trapped in his despair and demise…” a womanly voice traveled in the air. The fact that he couldn’t detect anyone's presence nearby but his alerted him; where did this voice come from? To whom did this voice belong? They had been living under the stone roofs for ten years, there was no way someone could slip under those tightly pressed stone floors in their watch. “We can feel it...the pain shrouding you. Ah...such delicacy. We do not wish to waste it, do we?”

Again, there was no one. Osial glared at the empty air in front of him. “Who are you?! What do you want?!”

“Address us properly, impudent fool,” a slap across his face, the pain stinging his reddened skin. No, it wasn’t the work of the golden kelp, it felt more like a solid wind that was hitting him just now.

“What do you want?” Osial growled, the previous ultimatum didn’t deter his ferociousness.

“A foul youngling indeed,” the voice chuckled eerily. “However, your fierce look reminded us of our dear Yu. We might have fallen for you.”

Yu? Wasn’t that the name of the First Emperor, Yinglong? And the owner of this womanly voice addressed him in that honeyed voice...could it be that?

“We were his Empress. You should consider yourself a lucky flea for knowing our identity.”

The whole situation was laughable, for real. He wanted to laugh, but he couldn’t.

“And what does a dead Empress want out of me, a living being?”

Another slap, the voice was chuckling at the pain inflicted on the young man. It was cooing at the display of bravery and wrath burning in his oceanic eyes. “As we have said before, we like the despair plaguing your pure soul…” he couldn’t see it, but he could feel the smirk ghosting on his neck. “It was the best delicacy we ever had in the past millennia.”

“You…”

“And so, we are offering you something you will be very interested in, youngling,” the ‘Empress’ said cockily. “I will give you the power you desire. A power that will make you stand above the Three Worlds.”

Such a promising deal usually came with a high-end price. “And what’s in for you?”

“Nothing. We simply wanted to pass on our power to someone like you. We have been waiting for thousands of years. We are tired. We do not need your soul, rest assured. For your despair was the handsome payment to our offer.”

Silence ensued between the two interlocutors.

“So, do you want to accept, youngling? You won’t have a second chance should you refuse…”

Osial gritted his teeth. Then, his face suddenly grew expressionless.

There was a laugh, it came from the man bound by the golden kelps of Huanghaidai.

The laughter of a man of ambition.

The whole corrupted imperial system was the mistake, Shenhai itself was a fault.

I want to tear it down. All of THEM!

“Let me devour all. I shall devour ALL that OPPOSES me!”

A satisfied chuckle.

“Well said, youngling. You have chosen the wisest decision.”

The vines released him, Osial landed safely on the ground. Suddenly, the golden colors were drained away from the healthy kelps, they were withering into ugly colors and forms. Slowly, they fell to the ground, lifeless. The once fertile kelp forest was gone, to where did their energy that they had cultivated for thousands of years has gone to? The man swung his right hand, the fingers curled around something invisible that shaped like a pole. When the cloud dissipated, the once concealed form reflected the light, it shone in the hues of the ocean for a brief moment, revealing its long pole and sharp, deadly crescent edges.

“Be the vortex that swallows all, O’ Overlord of the Vortex!”

The voice echoed once more before it vanished for all eternity. Osial examined the invisible thing in his hand, feeling it vanishing completely, leaving his hand empty. He went into the temple again, coming out with a long stone chest containing a dead body inside. With his hydro tendrils he dug a hole, he laid the chest inside, covering it with the ground he dug up just now. He planted the wilting chrysanthemums on the fresh grave.

One last look and he left the temple.

He had only one destination left in his mind.

A lonely beast went to the paradise he desired for…

To be Continued…

Chapter Text

Those who opposed the Heavenly Mandate would face the Emperor’s wrath, such was the unchanging rule of the universe that all had to bow down to, especially if one was a mere weak flea. Rebellious scums would be faced with the Ten Punishments.

On the seventh day after Xiangliu’s escape, dozens of people were lined up on the spacious wooden platform, knees bent down, they sat on their calves. They wore ragged clothing, eyes blindfolded, as expected of criminals from the death row. Behind them stood men donned in soldier’s uniform, their faces were devoid of any kind of expression, in their right hands they were holding bamboo poles as if they were holding up a standard flag.

The people stood in silence and fear a few meters away from the high platform, soldiers surrounding them with their spears ready like fences around chickens. They were forcibly herded from their safe, comfortable homes to witness an inhuman slaughter that would soon take place. Many watched with sweat dripping down their pale faces, some were covering their faces and cried silently as they recognized the faces of someone they knew. A man in minister attire stepped forward, unfurling a silk scroll with his two hands, reading aloud the crimes the criminals did and the punishment they would face, it made the already terrified citizens horror-stricken, they froze in their places.

The Tenth Punishment was said to be the most merciless out of all, those who suffered it would wish they were never born. The bamboo poles struck the condemned ones on their back, the strokes would never stop even when their skin was torn off, bleeding profusely...it would only cease only when they laid dead in their own pool of blood.

As the minister stepped back, the soldiers took a step forward, standing beside their assigned criminals and held the sturdy pole with both hands. One young woman rushed out of the lines, kneeling in front of the platform and screaming her lungs out, begging for her father to be spared. The father who noticed his daughter’s cries could only smile, he was ready to face what he deserved for going against the Imperial family. Although he was saddened that he had to leave his beloved one behind, he also felt proud that he would die from doing honorable merit. Two soldiers dragged the woman away and threw her back into the crowd. Red faces, fuming anger, yet none dared to speak up and could only silently support the wailing lady.

The soldiers shouted in unison.

The whole crowd gasped, shocked cries filled the air the instant the first dull smack hit the convicts’ backs. They gritted their teeth, trying to hold back the pain but their executioners were so keen on eliciting their screams that they hit them harder in the following strokes. Red began to bloom on the back of their ragged clothes, crimson tears dripped down onto the wooden flooring. By the twentieth stroke, their blood began to seep from the cracks and create small red puddles on the ground. The air soon developed a strong, nauseating iron tang along with painful screamings from the suffering felons. And the audiences were unable to scream from the sheer gratifying disgust and horror that petrified them.

The old man’s body was the first one to fall onto the floorboard, followed by the others one by one, the splashes of weight landing on the blood puddle were so audible that their ears couldn’t not hear them.

Please, stop this madness, they all begged as another body fell lifelessly.

Please, someone, please hear our pleads, tears that had been welling in their eyes rolled down their cheeks.

PLEASE!, another soul departed in the hands of the cruel executioner.

PLEASE SAVE US! DEMONS OR GODS, I DON’T CARE! PLEASE FREE US FROM THIS ACCURSED OCEAN!

A loud explosion roared throughout the pungent air, at the same time, the strokes stopped. Everyone except the prisoners turned their head towards the source, distinct screams of agony travelled towards them. Another explosion, clouds of dust and debris flew high, the screamings became louder and louder as seconds went by. The iron tang was soon replaced by familiar salt...the scent of the sea they loved so much.

From the ground not far away from them, nine vortexes rose, the swirling high water pillars were slowly dancing around. The soldiers who began to back off, some of them dropped their spears. The vortexes dispersed, almost infinite chilly droplets rained down to the ground.

In the midst of the silence, there was a rhythmic step. It belonged to one person. The soldiers braced themselves, the braver ones repositioned themselves and aimed their spear to the incoming enemy.

“Who's there?!”

It was a man with a muscular build, his long, black hair with blue streaks tied high ponytail was flowing so flawlessly as he walked closer. And that mask on his face...every pair of eyes could recognize it the instant they saw the distinct white, blue, and silver.

“Xiangliu?!”

“W-what is he doing here?! I-I thought he-”

The people in the crowd watched with wide eyes. Their breath hitched, the gloom in their eyes was replaced with a glimmer of hope as their prayers were heard by their hero.

The man stilled in his place, seemingly nigh untouchable as if he was the Heaven itself One step after another, the soldiers began to move closer, spears still aimed forward, their hands were shaky. The moment the Thieving Hero did nothing was even tenser as no one could read what he was going to do next, but they knew what Xiangliu was aiming for. When the man barely lifted his head to take a better look at the sight on the execution platform, their steps staggered.

Xiangliu brought his hand up, gripping his mask, and slowly peeled it off his face, revealing the pale skin underneath, and the pair of oceanic blue eyes that screamed cold wrath.

“O...sial?” Xiao Ning called out in a whisper, she sounded unsure. She knew it was her friend, that hair, that face, that build, those eyes...they had been living under the same roof for forty years, there was absolutely NO way for her to mistaken the quiet man as someone else. And yet...why did she doubt? Why did her heart keep on screaming to her that he’s not Osial?

The man took a deep breath, letting the scent of blood enter his lungs.

Awful. Disgusting.

This was not the paradise he’s aiming for.

“Release them.”

His voice was as deep as the ocean, as powerful as the merciless currents, as cold as the abyss.

One of the soldiers dared himself to bark back, “Ha! Why should we-”

Before he could finish his sentence, a vortex was slammed down straight onto the desired target, consuming the whole squad around the poor soldier in a strong water stream. Those who witnessed it could only gasp and wondered what would happen to them. By the time the serpent returned back to its rightful place, there was a wide crater on the ground where they once stood, it was filled with sea water. The only color one could see was blue, not even a single drop of red tainting its glistening beauty. Where the soldiers had gone to, no one dared to answer, perhaps into the bowels of the waters they were swallowed into, and they would never return to the surface.

“Release them,” this time, his tone was rough, impatient, demanding. The executioners cower in fear and flee, the minister who oversaw the execution was gone since the first explosion. Osial walked past the crowds who instinctively opened a path for him. The man climbed onto the platform, scrutinizing the dying people and the dead ones in front of him.

The familiar old man was still smiling. He looked so proud and satisfied.

“Old man Ning, I’m very sorry...”

Water tendrils appeared behind Osial, carrying the dead bodies away from the pooling blood all the while cleaning their body from the pieces of skin and meat, keeping whatever that remained pristine before placing them on the bloodless ground. He swung his right hand gracefully, balls of glowing freshwater floated in the air and flew towards the dying victims. They were lowered onto the bleeding backs, the injured didn't have enough stamina left to even wince at the flash sting. In a matter of less than a minute, their external wounds closed up, their skin became smooth and flawless as if it was never sadistically battered by hard bamboo poles.

“Hurry and patch them up,” Osial said without turning around, instead, starting to make his way towards the Palace.

The people rushed onto the platform and carefully carried the injured away, they didn’t have time to process everything as many lives were barely hanging on a thin thread of life. Among the city folks who rushed up and down the wooden stage, one hastily chased after the savior’s figure. He didn’t stop, but she did.

“Osial, wait!” Xiao Ning extended her right hand, attempting to reach for her friend. Her hand wouldn’t ever reach him, but upon being called, he stopped on his tracks. “Why?” The man didn’t answer, him turning cold shoulders at the woman prompted her to shout out his name. “Osial!”

“This whole place is a mistake,” he spoke with unsettling tranquility even for someone who had been living in the deep since the day she was born. “I am going to change it.”

The Tangyuan seller bit her lower lip, her hands gripped her robe so tightly that they wrinkled the dirty fabric. “...Come back. Please.”

“...I can’t do that. I have a debt I must repay.”

Xiao Ning watched as Osial continued his journey towards the palace, but all that she could see was him walking towards the point of no return. Deep inside her heart, she knew that once he stepped into the Palace’s boundaries, they wouldn’t be able to share the freshly boiled Tangyuan like they used to do; they wouldn’t be able to share stories before they bid each other goodnights, they wouldn’t be equals; and somehow...somehow she wished that she could pull the man back into their humble home, that way, she wouldn’t lose another one that she held so dear in her life, not right after the death of one of the only two family members she had.

The woman howled his name out loud, tearing up.

There was no rain under the sea, the Heavens was unwilling to accompany her in her cries.

Osial didn’t look back. His eyes were looking forward at the imposing walls that protected Yinglong’s legacies for two thousand years.

Today, he’s going to bring in the flood that would end an era.

And as to how the universe had always been working, after the flood, new life would resurface from the fertile, damp mud…

…

There was a chaotic uproar in the Court. The scholars were debating against each other, so did the generals. The Three Princes could only watch silently, the veins in their heads were going to pop out. They did not expect Xiangliu to come back, thinking that the vile monster had gone for good. But no, once again, the criminal dared to show himself in the middle of the city, destroying their soldiers’ morale, rescuing the traitorous civilians, and now was heading to their sanctuary.

“Silence! All of you!” Yu Zhenyu, the first Prince, roared at the masses filling the Supreme Hall. They all quieted down under his fury and returned to their seats. “As you all are debating, this lecherous offender is heading for this place! Debates are useless now!”

“As much as I hated my brother, he’s right,” the second Prince, Yu Zhenxiu stood up, his eyes burning with rage. “Heed Our command! All troops, get ready into positions! We shall defend Shenhai to the last drop of our blood! Bring Us that wrongdoer’s head!”

“Yes, my Lord!”

The generals quickly hurried to their stations to defend the Palace and the royal families. As the great hall began to empty out, the youngest of the princes, Yu Zhen’ou walked towards his two older brothers. His face was pale and sweaty, he was visibly trembling under the pressure of stress.

“B-big brother,” he started timidly, earning a glare from the oldest sibling. “Do you think we can win against Xiangliu? Huanghaidai has wilted, it means that-”

“Shut up, Zhen’ou!” he shouted, teeth gritting so hard they clattered against each other. His big brother was putting up a cool exterior in front of their dignified soldiers, he couldn’t show a bit of cowardice in the times like this. His fist slammed onto the golden throne beside him, he begrudgingly stared at the empty seat where his mother once sat when she was still alive. “I know that! I know that! Damn it!”

“Out of all times…” Zhenxiu sighed, looking at the same empty seat. “...Do you think mother wanted to-”

“She’s dead! She had nothing to do with this reign! She’s nothing but the past!” he shouted, his breathing grew ragged. “She just wanted to destroy everything!”

“Mother was the strongest warrior alongside our Great Father,” Zhenxiu calmly stated the fact they had not yet forgotten. “Now that she blessed that impudent fool with all the powers Huanghaidai has accumulated over a thousand of years… Their combined strength will be quite the trouble.”

“W-what should we do, second brother? Big brother!”

“Fret not, Zhen’ou. With the combined might of our generals, we could defeat that fool,” Zhenxiu walked down the stairs, heading towards the main square where his soldiers were stationed. “And, there’s a way to stop him, my dear little brother. We will need your help.”

“M-my help…?” his second brother nodded. “H-how can I help you with?”

“Come here. I’ll show you the greatest weapon our Great Father had secretly concealed before his glorious death. It is your time to shine, Zhen’ou. He specially prepared this for you…”

The youngest of them hurriedly followed his second brother outside. Before they were gone from sight, Zhenxiu flashed an eye at the oldest who returned him with a knowing grin. Now that he was all alone in the hall, Zhenyu let out a burst of maniacal laughter, his back bent backward before he slouched forward towards the golden throne belonging to his late Father and soon...soon this throne would be his alone. There’s no other more deserving ruler of Shenhai other than him, the legitimate crowned prince of the deep sea!

There was a blood-curdling scream filling the chamber, blood flowed down so freely from the headless body, following the tiny golden drains that lead the crimson liquid to their goals. The arrow in the center of the chamber began to glow and pulsate, brimming with energy as it sucked all the blood dry from the streams. The second prince pulled the legendary Arrow of Houyi easily, pushing away the rigid body, causing it to land with a loud, disgusting splash.

“Well done, little brother. Your efforts shall not be wasted. I shall see to the fruition of your brave sacrifice.”

No one cleared the room. The nauseating stench filled the air, but never would they be able to reach the leaving prince. As he made his way back to the throne room, loud roars and war cries could be heard even from this distance. He merely sighed and made haste towards his destination, meeting his brother who was sitting on the proud throne.

“Big brother, we shall head out. Judging from the ruckus, it seemed that they were against Xiangliu at this very moment as we speak.”

“Very well. How about the arrow?”

Zhenxiu raised it for him to see. “It’s all ready. Our little brother will be in peace the moment this arrow strikes that imbecile.”

Zhenyu laughed, grinning widely. “Let’s head out and meet that fool, brother.”

“Yes.”

…

“You wretched outsider! How dare you to do as you please in Shenhai?!” one of the generals shouted at Osial who was standing tall on the center of the Court’s terrace, looking at the people in front of him with disinterest. He was surrounded, he didn’t care. He was here fully knowing that there was no way these greedy bastards would pass the golden opportunity to gang upon him. He eyed the ones behind the shouting officer, comparing their attitudes; the silence, the intimidating faces they bear...ah, it seemed that the shouting general was a mere mutt compared to them. He remembered old man Ning’s story about the strongest warriors of the Imperial Army, those people must be the famous generals of the Three Princes.

“So, you are that lowly outsider who dared to oppose Us,” Osial lifted his head up, locking gazes with the two princes who descended down the stairs. At that moment, the soldiers and the generals sealed their lips and knelt to the two in unison, none of them except the Thieving Hero dared to lift their heads up. The Third’s loyalists were asking about their prince’s presence, no one dared to let this question out of their lips.

“To think that it was a mere lowly bug that dared to disturb Our peace…” Zhenxiu spread his fan with an elegant flick and covered the lower half of his face, his eyes were equally cold, degrading, unlike his more fiery brother. “It was a part of Our negligence to let this pest a pass and let it grow into a maggot. We shall deal with you swiftly now.”

Speaking of which, Osial also wondered the same thing. Unlike those tight-lipped loyalists, he flashed a shit-eating grin and asked, “I heard that there are three whinny brats hiding behind their mother’s skirt! So how come there’s only you two if I’m that much of an important pest you all should get rid of before today ends?”

The two flinched, everyone noticed but no one commented. Osial laughed for two reasons; the brothers’ reactions and he thought he just heard their mother growled in his head. Oh, what a funny family, he mused.

“Fine, I won’t inquire further because I’m not much of a gossiper. Also, I don’t want your mommy to kill me yet.”

Zhenyu’s fists clenched at the remark, he bared his fangs in anger. Osial chuckled at the display of a struggling kitten. “So, it’s true that that traitorous woman gave you her power…”

“That explains Huanghaidai’s sudden withering,” the fan was folded back with a slap to the open palm. “That cursed kelp forest was thriving due to our mother’s powers. Even after she departed from this world, her body was mere ashes lost in the vast ocean and all that was left in that small, rundown temple was her prized weapon… We never expected her soul still lingered there until she chose you to bear what’s left of her. Truly, a troublesome mother she was. Yet we still love her the same.”

“Ha, probably your mother thought that she had ungrateful sons!” Osial boldly retorted and the generals were raising their weapons on him.

“Your Majesty! This humble one can tolerate his insolence no longer! Please give us the permission to cut him down!”

“Your Majesty!”

“My, my…” the rebel clapped loudly, stepping forward as if leisurely walking down the park on Sunday morning. “I have always been waiting to beat the crap out of you all, Generals of Shenhai. I have heard that you all are quite the challenge!”

“You-!”

“So, don’t fail me,” his eyes flashed, the grin split his face, “weaklings...”

“He’s right,” Zhenxiu sat on the seat brought in by his servants. His response gained many frowns, but he simply disregarded it and went along with Osial’s mockery. “Do not disappoint us, for you know what’s the price, my loyal soldiers.”

“Catch that man! I want him dead or alive!” Zhenyu roared out, swinging his right hand in fury. The proud warriors shouted a war cry and started to advance at the criminal.

Osial scratched the back of his head, sighing and raised a right hand. “Hey, hey, calm down. At least I came from the front door so I’m quite the polite guest, no?” oh, that did boil their blood so bad to the point they were the same as volcanoes. “Let’s make a deal, Your Majesty.”

“Silence, you-!”

“And what will that deal be, Xiangliu?”

“Zhenyu, you are not going to-!” he was cut off with one glance.

The man laughed at the ‘actors’. Oh, what a comedy of a show it was! “I am willing to give my head for free.”

The whole crowd gathered around him gasped loudly. Zhenxiu gapped, Zhenyu raised a brow in interest.

“State what you want.”

“It’s simple! Really!” placing a hand on his hips, Osial continued, “Send me all your best fighters. If I can beat the shit out of them and send their ass back home, I want you to relinquish your throne and get out of this city.”

“You intend to banish us, the royal heirs?! You insolent-”

“Interesting. We accept.”

“Zhenxiu, you bastard, YOU DARE TO-”

“Huoniang.”

The ax-crazy assassin appeared out of the thin air behind the first Prince, her dagger was dangerously close to his neck. There was an uproar, Osial could only watch the rising intensity of the exchanged not-friendly glares between the officers. What a chaotic family, being of the royal blood didn’t always mean a guaranteed peaceful and safe life, huh…

“Zhenxiu… One day, I swear I will have your filthy head on the pike!”

“Brother, are you saying that you do not trust our warriors’ prowess?” he narrated, “Sit down and enjoy the entertainment.”

The oldest brother begrudgingly sat down, scowling at the younger one beside him.

“I believe Xiangliu isn’t your real name. I shall have your name now, Outsider.”

“You better remember my name well,” the challenger emitted a powerful aura from his body, the playful grin was gone, replaced by tranquil rage. “I, Osial, shall devour all of Yinglong’s legacies!”

“Prideful mutt Osial, We shall remember your name.”

The blast of energy sent shockwaves through the air, knocking back many of the weak-willed soldiers, sending tremors into the officers’ core. Everyone could see that he’s holding something, but the item in his hand remained unperceivable. The two princes since long knew what was the dangerous weapon that he’s holding.

As they said before, their mother’s most treasured belonging. The one that was fated in the old prophecy that would bring down all that their beloved Great Father had built with his all.

The famed pike that once pierced the Heaven and split the Ocean, the destroyer of every principle of the mortal world - the Relinquisher.

The end was nigh, the princes did not deny it.

“Come, brave warriors of this damned city!” the Overlord of the Vortex declared, “Prove me the strength that you always pride in!”

"Afterall... Lowly snake like you with its venomous words...should never dream of conquering a serpent."

To Be Continued…(?)

Chapter Text

“How about saving the rest of the story for another time, Lord of Geo?” Osial smirked, hands folded in haught.

“Our contract states that you’re going to tell me everything.” Zhongli replied, but it’s not specifically because the Overlord decided to break a contract…how should he put it; it’s like listening to an intriguing story in a tavern, only to have the storyteller ending it with a cliffhanger and therefore ‘forced’ him to return to the premise should he grew curious of the story’s continuation or ending. Or like an alcoholic that was forced to stop drinking and suffering from withdrawals.

“Well, I didn’t state ‘when’ I should finish my story.” That’s true, a hindsight on the God of Contract’s part. “Rest assured, all I tell is true.”

Golden eyes gazed on the Lord of the Ocean. Osial didn’t tell him lies and had no motivation to do so. Whether it’s because he knew the repercussion of doing so or…another personal reason, Zhongli couldn’t say.

“I understand,” the Lord of Geo nodded. “Thank you for trusting me with this story, Lord Osial.”

Osial snorts. “Osial’s fine. I am not your Lord, nor you are to me. We’re equals. But…how should I address you?”

All allied gods of this world called him Morax, the mortals and his subjects call him Rex Lapis. The former was his true name, while the latter was his title. While he acknowledged hierarchy exists in this world’s system, he never forces it upon others. Now that Osial knew of his identity, should he let the ocean god address him with either of the two names above? Yet as the Overlord stated; Rex Lapis was not his lord nor he was his ally.

He reminisced the times when Osial called him by that name, ever so gentle and caring with a dash of pride and joy mixed within. He felt that he’s prying into a side of Osial, a novel blend that was privy only to a selected few.

“You may continue addressing me as Zhongli.” He noticed a flash glint in the other god’s sapphire eyes.

“That’s settled then,” Osial clasps his hands. “Before we begin, let’s answer a few questions riddling that pretty head of yours, shall we?”

“Such as ‘how did you know?’” The smirk softened into a smile. That was indeed the first question in Zhongli’s bucket list. “Even a sheltered princess in a high tower can still receive news from the outside, do you know how?”

Taking Zhongli's unresponsiveness as a cue, he continued, “She has cute little ‘spies’ out there, roaming as far as the heart of the city.”

An imaginary candle popped out of his head. “Ah, the dolphins.”

“Correct, you catch on quickly. After I left you that ‘invitation’, I had Xiu, Tang and An spying on the surface. Of course they can’t shapeshift into humans or other animals. But, in the rivers live their ‘cousin’ species — the Baiji. These creatures travel as deep as your adeptus territory, for their limitations are swallow or dirty rivers.”

The realization hit the Lord of Geo. No wonder Baiji dolphins were sighted in Jueyun Karst a year ago; to be precise, it was a couple of weeks after said incident. The adepti found it suspicious at first, but these creatures didn’t prove themselves to be harmful so they left the river dolphins be. Who knew that Osial was able to utilize freshwater creatures as a part of his espionage network…a formidable foe he could be.

“I knew you’re up to something and your subsequent visit to that village proved my hypothesis. However…” Osial tucks Zhongli’s hair back, “never in my wildest imagination I imagine the Lord of Geo himself would physically transform into such a beautiful form.”

Oh, right, he hadn’t changed back into his initial form. Zhongli remained silent, but that strange feeling pooled in his heart.

“And that pearl is a dead giveaway. Why in the world would you bring such obvious evidence to a suspect's territory?”

Osial was NOT going to admit that he only realized it when he had his ‘bride’ to rest in his room.

The Lord of Geo instinctively scratched his right cheek. “I…thought it was a part of the Rite.”

Osial roared a loud laughter, tears streaming down his eyes. His reaction flamed Zhongli’s embarrassment even further. “You’re such a pleasant surprise to have, Zhongli! So, how does it feel to be a Vortex Lord’s wife so far?”

“It’s…” the God of Contracts looked anywhere else but the man in front, “it’s not an unpleasant experience. You have taken great care of me and didn't turn hostile when you know my true identity.” He chuckles with no sign of awkwardness. “In fact, I should apologize for…lying to you.”

“Hah, nonsense.” Osial retracted his hand and looked up. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman physically, it changes not a thing.”

“Is that so…” Zhongli hums. “It relieves me to know that you’re still willing to be acquainted with me after all this.”

Osial sighed and a panic ensued in his mind. Did he say something that displeased his new…ally? Friend?

“Next question. ‘Why did you start the Rite of Matrimony?’” the Overlord looked at Zhongli who confirmed the question with his silence. “This whole ‘bringing sacrifices from the surface into the ocean’ wasn’t initiated by me. It was the Yu brothers as a part of their dominion expansion plan which started .”

“Back then, this…sacrificial rite was called ‘Rite of Devouring’, for the sacrifices — or to be precise, slaves — would never return to the surface. The Yu brothers forced them to build the Great Reef Wall without pay and only provided the most basic necessities, even that didn’t come cheap as the human slaves were only given one food coupon a day. Many of the humans died during that era; from starvation, sickness or torture.”

“Men, women, old, young; the brothers didn’t care. All they cared for was their selfish ambition that hurt not only the surface mortals but also his own people.”

Osial recalled old man Ning’s exasperation on the rising tax’s announcement. As if money grows on trees!, the old man grumbled in wrath and despair. No matter how spiteful they were towards the Imperial family, they were mere peasants with no power and wealth; nor did they have the courage to start a rebellion and the charisma to lead it. Those times were the darkest moment in Shenhai’s history. Emperor Yinglong was a legendary hero of the ocean bed’s civilization, yet his own children turned into tyrants that brought his legacy into ruin.

“After I took the throne, I released the surface mortals back to where they came from, the very same villages I hold dominion over.” he continued, “That should’ve been the end of the immoral ‘rite’, had it not for those mortals who failed to understand my intent.”

Osial heaved an audible sigh. “Whether it was out of their gratefulness or fear, I don’t know. But, I understood that the villagers I saved were trying to repay me.” Osial’s fist tightened, his eyes glaring at the ground. “That…doesn’t mean I can ever justify such cruelty.”

The Overlord of the Vortex offered his right hand to Zhongli, an invitation to walk with him. He accepted the hand and let Osial guided him wherever he pleased.

“The Rite of Matrimony started around three hundred years ago, but there were only two hundred and ninety-five listed ‘brides’, do you know why?” Zhongli shook his head. “It’s because the first few rites were unnoticed by us.”

“Are you saying that…”

A single nod confirmed his worst theory. “The ‘brides’ of the first few rites were…sacrificed by being thrown into the ocean along with all the offerings.”

This fact changed his whole view on the case and those villagers. They were hiding such CRUCIAL information from him!

“I didn’t notice it at first.” Osial carried on, “Neither do the dolphins. They told me of crates filled with riches of the land sinking into the sea, accompanied by a lifeless young lady. I thought she was merely an unfortunate shipwreck victim, or perhaps was thrown out of the ship when the sea was roughed by a storm. I personally sought the body before the sharks reached her.”

“She was wearing clothes that were unfamiliar to me at that time, so I suspected she was a traveler from an unknown land. I took her to Shenhai and buried her here.”

They walked down the courtyard corridor that split the north garden into two halves. Though the garden was eager to flaunt its beauty, the pair cared little for it. Like a boulder tied to their feet, the conversation weighed them down, and it would grow heavier the further they went down.

“A year later, the same happened again; a woman’s corpse and riches-filled crates sinking into my domain. I buried her next to the first victim. And again, again, again, for seven years the very cycle repeated seven times until finally, I caught on,” Osial’s eyes grew dark, “they were sacrificed…for me.”

A pod of whales hummed a song from afar, low and somber. Did they mourn the poor women? Or did they feel the grief gnawing their lord’s heart?

“‘Why are they sacrificed? How are those surface mortals so cruel to their own kin?’. Plagued by this dread, I had the dolphins gather intel. As I had suspected, these women were orphans, undesired and viewed as nothing more than burdens by the villagers.” 

At the end of the corridor was a lake, larger and deeper than that of Lake Lingju. There was a solitary island in the middle, was that the final destination of their walk? Osial raised his left hand, summoning an elemental path leading to the island. Zhongli didn’t take a step forward.

“The path is devoid of water if that’s what you’re worried about. Your skirt and feet won't get wet.”

Zhongli chuckled. “I was waiting for you.”

“Hmm?” Smile returned to the Overlord’s face, and the sight relieved Zhongli’s heart. “Isn’t ‘ladies first’ the common etiquette your beloved mortals uphold? I’m doing my best to be a gentleman here.”

“You know very well I’m not a lady.”

Osial’s laugh was infectious, his lips couldn’t help but stretch slightly. “After you, my lady.”

“Thank you, my Lord,” Zhongli bowed slightly and stepped onto the elemental path, walking side by side with Osial. A soft breeze blew, artificially made by the Tuanshan kelps and the soft crashing of the lake’s wave against the pathway accompanied their stroll. Osial waved his hand, creating a bouquet of white chrysanthemums. Zhongli watched in silence as Osial cradled it close to his chest, he summarized what lies ahead was a cemetery.

Granite tombstones stood tall in the midst of the azure seagrass field, engraved on them were names and a tale of those buried underneath; some however were left with a blank slate. All were free of dust, a sign that they were equally well-maintained and treated with respect. Osial stood in front of the blank tombstones, crouching down to lay the bouquet. Zhongli knelt by his side, offering incense and prayer. He knew that the poor souls had long departed from this world, so he prayed that happiness would follow them wherever they were now.

“The villagers of that time were pale as a sheet when I appeared in front of them. My intervention was right on time as they hadn’t had the chance to throw Sun – the first ‘bride’ — into the ocean.” Osial picked a stray withered seagrass from the tombstone and set it aside. “I knew that even if I were to stop the rite, the orphaned lady would be chased away from the village and left to die in the wilderness. She was trembling like a leaf, in her eyes was desperation for salvation. She was ready to make a deal with the devil if it meant she could surgive.”

“So I became the 'devil' and took her in. Next, I set rules for the rite. This…is my first and only ‘contract’ with humanity.”

Osial moved to the tomb in the middle with Zhongli following in suit. This one was different from the rest; not only was it larger in size, but also built in a mausoleum. On its pristine surface, untouched by erosion, a name was engraved.

Qiao Liang. 

“And your final inquiry for today: ‘Why do you treat all those women so well?’, care to take a guess, Zhongli?”

The Lord of Geo reexamined all the information he had gathered so far, recalling each and every tale with precision from his memory. He looked back on the dynamics Osial shared with the ‘brides’, his female subordinates and Xiao Ning the tangyuan seller.

…And how Osial fell into despair and rose into power after Qiao Liang’s death.

“Throughout your life, women have been treating you well, especially Xiao Ning and Qiao Liang.” Zhongli answered. “They had been the most prominent figures in your growth, so you grew to respect them.”

“Bravo.” Osial nodded. “Mortals believe women should be weak while men should be strong. But women are stronger in a way men can never understand.”

“Despite suffering from grief upon her father’s death, Xiao Ning carried onward with his legacy, developing his tangyuan shop into one of the legendary dessert shops in the whole of Shenhai. She allowed herself to lament from time to time, she didn’t deny it and saw it as a way to connect with her departed father.”

“Qiao Liang was fearful of the sea dwellers from the slavery. But…she quelled her fears to trust me, giving other sea dwellers a second chance in extent. She never doubted my actions and decisions, always doing her best to support me in any way she could.” Osial smiled at the voiceless tomb as if Qiao Liang was there in person. “She taught me many things I initially had little care for, stayed with me through my worst times…and always did her best to smile even when her day wasn’t being kind.”

“She had always looked forward to returning to the surface, she wanted to show me her favorite places and her pets. She dreamt of becoming a traveler, free to roam wherever she pleased and discover new things. I promised her that I would bring her back there but…” he glared at his open palms, “even with this power, I couldn’t fulfill my promise.”

A sigh escaped the Overlord’s quivering lips. “It wasn’t fair how her life was cut short.” He gritted his teeth, “If it were not for that damned disease, if it not for those godforsaken brothers…!”

A hand rested on his shoulder. Osial looked into the golden amber eyes, sadness and sympathy pooled in them. He regained his composure through slow breaths, still his grief lingered deep.

“I couldn’t forgive myself for my failure and thought by taking in the orphaned women, I could absolve myself from the guilt. But, it never really goes away.”

Osial rested his head on Zhongli’s shoulder, feeling the other’s hand caressing his locks. He closed his eyes, trying to find some semblance of peace.

Zhongli understood the rage and anguish, for he too had a woman who brought a life-changing impact to his immortal life.

“Qiao Liang would be proud of the person you are now, Osial.”

“...I’m sure she would.”

They spent the remaining hours of noon in the cemetery, paying respects to each one of the graves. By the time they left the island, the ‘sky’ started to darken and Zhongli had a better grasp of the vortex god’s character. A gentle soul encased in a prideful attitude, his wisdom overshadowed by his brashness, his respect for those deserving was sincere and pure. It was honesty, not a word of a fool. It was a principle, not selfishness. He masked his wounds with laughter and teases, but that mask cracked at times when the pressure wasn’t bearable and he gave into his emotions. He’s not a perfect protagonist; he had his strength and weakness that he embraced wholeheartedly. For flaws exist in flawless, and perfection in imperfection.

Throughout the time he spent with Osial, Zhongli grew fond of witnessing his flustered face, watching his comical retort against the harem’s ladies and…the care he showered on him. Each was different from what he experienced with his people, his friends…and Guizhong.

Fingers welcomed themselves between his own and laced them together. It didn’t feel strange nor awkward at all, rather, it felt…just right. Osial was looking the other way, but try as he might, he couldn’t hide the redden tips of his ear. Zhongli decided to spare the last shred of the Overlord’s dignity by not commenting on his action.

Time seemed to have slowed down, as if the Shade of Time took her respite. 

“It’s your turn to tell me your story, Zhongli.”

“Very well.” Zhongli stared up at the sparkling dark ‘sky’. “As you have known, I am the God of Contracts and the Lord of Geo that rules over Bishui Plains and Minlin. Alongside me in my rule is Guizhong, she is the very first person I have a contract with.”

“Oh?” Osial leaned forward, interest growing. “What contract is it?”

“We’ll protect and guide humanity, that is the first contract I signed with her.”

“Huh, that’s all?”

“That is all.” Zhongli reaffirmed. “Guizhong taught me many things of the mortal world; everything that concerns the little people she loves. My life slowly changed, so did how I do things and perceive situations.”

“We started from a village east of Jueyun Karst, which was often attacked by bandits and oppressed by neighboring kingdoms before we came.” Zhongli raised his right hand slightly. “I erected stone walls and watchtowers all around the settlement, Guizhong created a magical weapon that fires repeating arrows and stationed them on the perimeters.”

“Bandits still tried their luck. One night when the moon was hidden by the clouds, they attacked. The guards stationed at the watchtower lit up a fire signal. Guizhong activated the crossbow and there was a fierce retaliation.”

“Fret not, Guizhong has always been a gentle soul.” The god smiled. “The arrows are created from dust imbued with elemental energy, its end was specifically made blunt and were targeted to non-lethal areas. Our goal was to scare the attackers away, not to commit a massacre. The worst injuries they sustained were black and blue maring their skin. The village never saw another attack since.”

They stood on the lake bank, admiring the calm waters reflecting the ocean outside the bubble. “The villagers became our first mortal followers, and it was due to their worship that our powers grew. Several surrounding villages flocked in after the news spread, and our territory expanded.”

Recalling all these old tales gave him a sense of peace, akin to drinking wine with old friends.

“One by one, the adepti joined our cause. Our followers grew in number. We relocated the mortals near Jueyun Karst to Bishui Plains where the lands are more fertile and spacious. Guizhong and I renamed the settlement into Guili Plains; for this is where people return to and depart from. Guizhong established the four commandments and so, the Guili Assembly was born.”

Zhongli took a momentary pause. “Ah, that must be a lot to process. I apologize.”

“What was there to apologize for?” Osial raised a brow. “I enjoy your stories so far, from the start to where we are now, not once I was bored of hearing it. I think you’re going to be Guili’s best storyteller in history.”

“I see…” the geo god chuckled, a faint tint of red dusting his cheeks. “You’re flattering me.”

“My, it’s an honest remark. But, the story hasn’t ended yet. Continue on, Zhongli.”

He understood what Osial meant. It’s time to get down to business. “A year ago, the elders of those villages came to us, desiring for our protection. They told us of their plight and Guizhong took sympathy in their desperation.”

“The plight being…” Zhongli turned to Osial, “The Rite of Matrimony.”

“Figures,” Osial replied nonchalantly. “And?”

“...We investigated per Guizhong’s worry over the brides. That was how we discovered more evidence about the Rite and your relationship with the villagers.”

“So, you came here to investigate me.” Osial nodded. “Even without the ‘invitation’, you’ll still come down here, into the depths of the ocean.”

“Yes.”

The Overlord hummed, rubbing his chin as he pondered. “Let’s say I were a cruel god that killed all those brides, will you wage war against me?”

“...” Zhongli fell silent, his hand clutched on his hanfu, wrinkling the exquisite silk. “That we shall, for the ‘Overlord’ in that hypothetical setting brought suffering to the beings we swore to protect and guide.”

“I see.” His reply came too relaxed, like a prisoner on a death row who had long accepted his punishment. Osial crossed his arms behind his head, resting on them. “Thankfully, I am not Yu Zhenxiu.”

Yu Zhenxiu…oh, Zhongli remembered. One of the three former princes who fell during Osial’s uprising. In the texts he read, Yu Zhenxiu was considered the most heartless and prideful among the three, however his pride was backed by his capability as a puppeteer. It was he who orchestrated the fall of the Xiyuan Kingdom on the western border, the coup on Beigang Kingdom of the north, and the disunity among the Imperial brothers. 

“Making an enemy out of you is the number one of my do-not bucket list. I know you’ll never forgive me if I hurt any of them.” Zhongli noticed the slight tremble of the mighty Overlord’s body. “Lest I wish to ‘suffer the wrath of the rock’. That won’t be pleasant.”

“It shall not.” Zhongli reaffirmed.

Both marveled at the scenery spread in front of them. Silver sea butterflies fluttering around the colorful corals, the schools of fish swam across the garden and the rustling kelps; after spending a lot of time under the sea, this view felt no different than the ones he saw on the surface. Life on the bottom of the sea was not so different. Kingdoms exist, chaos and dispute broke out every now and then, tales of heroes and tyrants imprinted to the deep sea’s history, and the joy and suffering of its people filled in between its pages. He wondered what Guizhong thought of this place if she were to be here instead of him.

“So, what’s your verdict, Zhongli?” Came the question that broke their silence.

Truth to be told, Zhongli had his answer. However, he was not alone in this issue. “The next Rite of Matrimony is going to take place in three months. I shall return to the surface and discuss the verdict with my friends.”

“I understand.” Osial tilted his head. “It’s harder to pick a decision when there are so many people involved, is it not?”

Zhongli let the words sink in. “...It is.”

“Sometimes I miss my times as a solo fighter.” The Overlord said, “But it doesn’t mean I regret my current position!”

“I can empathize with that.” Zhongli agreed. “This is the burden carried by those who lead, those who chose…or forced to be a ‘guide’.”

Their eyes locked on each other.

They weren’t so different after all.

“I shall arrange for your return to the surface.”

A heavy feeling settled in his heart, urging him to decline the offer and remain under the sea.

“...Thank you, Osial.”

He went against his heart’s wishes and…it ached.

“You’re welcomed.” The Overlord took a deep breath. “Care to stay for a few more days? I think…the ladies deserve some explanation.”

“They do. After all, they have been very accommodating towards me.”

“I’m glad you find their presence pleasant.” Osial turned to her, his face grew serious. Zhongli could tell something was about to happen which would change the harem…forever. “And we shall discuss Wei Ruiyu’s fate.”

Osial had caught on, the suspect of the Jewel Head Snake attack had been identified.

“...What will become of her, Osial?”

“That, my lady, shall depend on fate.”

The seed of a storm had been planted in this garden of luminous corals, when would it hatch?

.

— To Be Continued

Chapter Text

[Timeline]

3000 years BCT - The underwater world was ruled by several god dukes and god kings.

2600~2000 years BCT - Civil wars broke out from time to time. This era was dubbed as ‘Warring States Period.

2150 years BCT - King Yu raised into power and established Shenhai. By this time, Shenhai wasn’t a unified civilization, but another kingdom among many.

2100-2000 years BCT - King Yu launched a 100-years conquest to unify the underwater civilizations, which historians dubbed this time as ‘Unification War’. At the start of the campaign, there were only six kingdoms left including Shenhai. King Yu’s toughest battle happened when he waged war against the fourth kingdom, Shen Long, where he won an impossible battle against it. This famous victory earned him the name Yinglong (赢龙 Yíng lóng) which meant ‘The Dragon of Victory’. 

2050-2000 years BCT - King Yu met his future wife, Moniang, in battle and married her after the war ended. Moniang was the daughter of one of the allying nobles famous for her combat prowess and intelligence.

2000 years BCT - Shenhai was established as the sole empire in that part of the ocean.

1985-1980 years BCT - Moniang gave birth to the three prince; Yu Zhenyu, Yu Zhenxiu and Yu Zhen’ou.

1500 years BCT - Emperor Yinglong passed away and Empress Moniang was appointed as the ruling Empress with Yu Zhenyu as the legal heir to the throne in his will.

~ 1300 years BCT - Moniang was assassinated by an unknown preparator and a civil war broke out between the Yu brothers. The late Empress was buried in Huanghaidai along with her legendary pike — The Relinquisher. 

~ 700 years BCT - A dispute between the Three Tribes and the Yu brothers started for unknown reasons. 

487 years BCT - Yu brothers initiated the Great Reef Wall project.

485 years BCT - Shenhai started taking in humans from the surface world as slaves for the building of the great wall. Thus, the ‘Rite of Devouring’ was established.

~ 350 years BCT - Osial appeared in Shenhai and lived with the Ning family.

~340 years BCT - The enigmatic ‘hero thief’ Xiangliu appeared in the capital.

~320 years BCT - Qiao Liang arrived in Shenhai as a human slave from the Rite of Devouring and was rescued by Osial. The two sought refuge in Huanghaidai after being targeted by the empire.

~ 315 years BCT - Qiao Liang died from illness. Osial’s grief resonated with Moniang’s Relinquisher and became its new wielder. Osial assaulted the palace and dueled against all of Yu brother’s supporters, killing hundreds of famous warriors and assassin alike. The Yu brothers also fell in battle, with Yu Zhenyu being struck down by Osial and Yu Zhenxiu committed suicide. The youngest brother, Yu Zhen’ou was sacrificed by his older brothers while they were still alive to create the Arrow of Houyi, the only arrow that was able to kill a god. After their death, Osial had it sealed in Emperor Yinglong’s Mausoleum of the Divine. He then ascended to the Throne, executing the remaining loyalists and reforming the empire. The first seven years were muddled with many internal power struggles due to Osial’s inexperience. It was by fate that Cao Wenji came to his service and saved the empire from political doom.

295 years BC - The Rite of Matrimory was established, with Sun Xiaoquan as the first ‘bride’.

[Locations]

Shenhai - The underwater region where Osial ruled and the main setting of this fic. It is also the name of the capital.

Shanhu Hai - The underwater imperial garden filled with various beautiful sea floras and faunas. It's "Nine Blooming Jades" corals was the most mesmerizing phenomenon in whole Shenhai

Huanghaidai - The golden kelp forest where the late Empress Moniang was buried along with her legendary pike, the Relinquisher

Western Border - This is the region that borders Shenhai. It's inhabited by the Western Tribe and is in socio political dispute with Shenhai.

Shenshui Pools - The brine lakes that's located in Shenhai's southeren border. The venomous Jewel Head Snake can be found in the surrounding areas.

[Known ‘Brides’]

1st Lady - Sun Xiaoquan. The very first ‘bride’ of the rite. She's one of Shenhai’s Ten Beauties.

34th Lady - Wen Beihe. She was the one who taught massaging and body therapy to the imperial maids.

94th Lady - Xuan Shangxiang. She’s a tea connoisseur who introduced ‘tea breaks’ to the Shenhai.

95th Lady - Xuan Yumei. She’s Xuan Shangxiang’s little sister. She was specifically requested by Osial upon Xuan Shangxiang’s request

132nd Lady - Annalisi (Anneliese). She is the only foreign lady in history. She’s famous for her high alcohol tolerance.

265th Lady - Cui Chaoqi. She is appointed as a teacher in floral designing class. She was the only lady that isn’t an orphan as she was a florist who offered herself to be the bride in exchange for the original one. The orphaned young woman now runs her flower shop.

283rd Lady - Xia Kangyue. She’s one of Lady Cui’s top students. She’s a master in bonsai techniques.

286th Lady - Wei Ruiyu. She’s well known for her arts and fashion. Several of the younger ladies saw her as their older sister figure.

290th Lady - Lin Qingyu. The lady well known for her cheerful, loud and playful personality. Osial considered her as one of his best friends and a must-have member on any game nights. Lin Qingyu is also a pro when it comes to…gambling.

291st Lady - Lu’e. She is a skilled calligrapher who suffers from partial color blindness.

292nd Lady - Mudan. She and Xiaojuan are rivals in cooking.

294th Lady - Xiaojuan. The second youngest of the group that is known for her cooking.

295th Lady - Xinying. She is the youngest among all the current living ladies.

Lady Zhongli - The 296th bride and the ‘first wife’, as well as the newest addition to Shenhai’s Ten Beauties.

FINALLY I CAN GET THIS DONE....I remembered I did wrote this in my twt, but that acc got suspended by stupid ceo and I LOST SO MANY SEA PEARLS THREAD INCLUDING ABOUT THE RELINQUISHER.... 

This list will be updated the further the story goes! I will remind you of updates on the chapter's end notes.

Stay tuned!

Chapter Text

“You are the intended victim of this case, so I have to ask you this.” The Overlord of the Vortex stared straight into Zhongli’s eyes. “Do you wish to press charges on Wei Ruiyu, Zhongli?”

Before he was able to answer, a figure stepped out of the shadows like a soul summoned by a chant. Her unforeseen arrival startled the Lord of Geo, even a god such as he couldn’t sensed her presence. Osial seemed as unfazed as a disappointed paying audience with his arms crossed and expression darkened. The lady walked ever so elegantly in a way that resembled a leisure strolling instead of an overthrown princess walking to the gallows. It’s Wei Ruiyu in the flesh.

“Good evening, Lord Osial, Lady Zhongli,” she bowed slightly, the thin smile on her visage was sweet…and ungenuine. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation a while ago. It seems that my Lord is accusing me of a heinous crime that I might not commit.”

“...Wei Ruiyu,” Osial called her full name, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “I have all the evidence that singles you out as our culprit. Surely, you know what this means, don’t you?”

“I do, my Lord,” Lady Wei nodded. “If you believe that I indeed am, we may as well review everything at this very moment, no?”

Zhongli remained silent between the two, growing wary of Ruiyu’s demeanor. She’s plotting something, but the Lord of Geo still couldn’t figure it out. Who knew that Wei Ruiyu was such a wily character? He catched the Overlord throwing daggers at the suspect; she didn’t only challenge him, but also…betrayed him. Osial was the one who saved her from the villagers, brought her into Shenhai and gave her a comfortable life, a safe haven for she who was abandoned by her kin. And what did he receive in return? A deadly venom that almost took his life, a theft that almost ruined his relationship, and a suspicion that had hurt…his ‘Bride’.

Osial’s fists tightened, no one could tell if it was his emotional outlet or an attempt to suppress his murderous intent. He took a deep breath, maintaining eye contact with Ruiyu.

“Is this how you wish it to end, Ruiyu?”

Once he laid the evidence bare, it would be a one-way trip to the end. Her lips stretched into a soft smile— one belonged to a predator.

“That, my Lord, shall depend on fate .”

Zhongli casted a worried look at the ocean god, one which Osial quelled with a reassuring pat on his shoulder. It failed to complete its task however as the look stayed on his visage, the Overlord knew that only the ending of this chapter would be able to accomplish it. To top it off, he had put his reputation and position on line by accusing Wei Ruiyu; one mistake was all that needed to bring him down.

“Well, Zhongli, as the intended victim of both cases, you’re the one calling the shots.” Osial said. “Let me ask you once more: do you wish to press charges?”

The old him would answer this question with a ‘yes’ in a heartbeat, for there were only two colors in this world— black or white. But, his view of the world and its little inhabitants changed the moment Guizhong came into his life, introducing him to many colors in the form of the human society and mortals with their own behavior, belief and personality. A human that extended their hand to help didn’t always do it out of sincerity, likewise a villain that endangered a society was a hero to someone. Mortals were more complex beings and so he was hesitant in giving his consent. 

On one hand, he knew there was a chance that Wei Ruiyu’s malicious intention would only bring more harm should he spared her now; yet this very woman had been following Osial for so long and before he came here, no one was hurt. Whether he’s the trigger or a catalyst, he didn’t know, but one thing for sure was that everything escalated because of his presence as Osial’s ‘chosen bride’.

It led into one conclusion of her motive: jealousy.

Love and ego are two prominent feelings of a mortal , Guizhong’s words rang in his mind, they could bring joy in the form of warm affection…and misery in the form of jealousy. I have watched relationships flourish from love and broken from jealousy, it is such an ugly emotion.

If it is ugly, why don't humans want to eradicate it , he asked. Or perhaps, they couldn’t?

The Lord of Dust nodded. They couldn't. The only way to ‘eradicate’ it is to…let go, Morax , her voice was quieter, and once they hold something or someone dearly, it is hard to let them go.

Zhongli stared into Wei Ruiyu’s eyes. At that moment, he understood, and his heart clenched.

She wouldn’t let go, thus this madness wouldn’t stop. He didn’t worry of the dangers that might follow him should he spared her, but desperation could drove someone beyond their limits and who knew who was going to be another collateral victim in future incidents.

He regretfully made up his mind, with these words, he sealed the fate of three:

“I wish to press charges on Wei Ruiyu, Osial.”

The lady laughed and laughed like a maniac, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks but Zhongli couldn't tell whether it was due to the intense laugher or...was she crying?

Osial called for his Chancellor through telepathy. “Wenji.”

Hydro particles swirled like a whirlwind nearby, bursting like a blooming flower to reveal the Chancellor. The woman bowed down to her master. “Wenji is present, my Lord, my Lady.” She didn’t even bother with the laughing lady, but she couldn’t stop her ears from catching the hysterics.

“Have everyone present in the capital be summoned to the Hall. We shall hold a trial against Wei Ruiyu without delay.”

“My Lord, are you-”

“Wenji.” His voice was deep and cold, his Chancellor knew better than to challenge his decision once his mind was set on it.

“...Your wish is my command, my Lord. I shall summon all the ministers and generals to the Hall of Everlasting Peace.”

Osial narrowed his eyes at the deep breath Wei Ruiyu took. “Ahhh~ My Lord, surely there is no need for ‘court sessions’, is it? This is not a place ruled by humanity, after all.”

This place is ruled by a monster who led a nation of beasts , as the villagers on the surface would say.

“You’re right.” Zhongli looked up at the other god who continued, “This place is ruled by who your kind calls a ‘god’, and ‘gods’ never need to be reasonable.”

“But,” Osial glanced at the Lord of Geo, smiling thinly at him, “ someone taught me that law and order are needed in a society, as both a guide and a teacher to those who live within. Even the beasts that live in the mountains still have their own ‘rules’. If I am to be unreasonable, I am but a being lower than said beasts.”

A group of guards marched into the garden, surrounding Wei Ruiyu like prison's living bars. The lady’s grey eyes never left her lord’s figure.

“...This is my last mercy for you, Wei Ruiyu. You earned it through your many years of service.”

The head guard bowed down to the Emperor and the Chancellor.

“Guards, escort Lady Wei to the detention room.” commanded Cao Wenji.

“Yes, Cao- chengxiang .”

The guards led the suspect out of the premises. Time seemed to have slowed down as the ocean lord and the lady crossed paths. Wei Ruiyu said not a word and so did Osial. 

“My Lord, do you wish to have the other ladies attend the court?”

Osial contemplated the possible consequences before answering with a shake of his head. Cao Wenji excused herself and followed the convoy, leaving the two gods behind. Only when they were out of earshot was he finally able to sigh. The expression on his visage was that of…a mourning man. “Ruiyu, oh, Ruiyu…” he shook his head, “why would you walk down this dark path despite everything…”

A warm hand pressed onto his shoulder, caressing the area in a circle in an attempt to comfort him. Zhongli looked in concern. “Osial.”

“Ah…I’m fine.” He took Zhongli’s hand and wrapped it with his own. “Thank you for staying through it, Zhongli.”

“You’re welcome.” Neither these words nor the caresses could dispel the turmoil in the Overlord’s heart, he knew. What Osial wanted the most was the conclusion to this conflict chapter whether it’s for the better or worse. But for now, what he needed more is a brief respite that could clear his mind no matter how slight it was. “There’s still time before the trial, I shall brew some tea for you while you rest.”

“No need to trouble yourself further,” Osial scratched the back of his head, doing his best not to break his smile. “But, you’re going to insist that I need rest, don’t you?”

“You knew me well.”

“I might know you better than what you think I do.” Osial made his way hand in hand with his ‘bride’ deeper into the inner court.

“I am not surprised. We have been together for almost a year. I too have learnt a thing or two about you.”

“Oh?” Osial raised a brow, “What are these one or two things you have learnt about me?”

Zhongli was briefly silent before replying, “You’re a noble soul, Osial. Brave and kind, you always help those who need it and use your great powers for the good of the people. You respect and treat everyone the way they deserve to be. But…” he peered into the pair of aqua orbs as if searching for something in the depths of Osial’s soul, “you always force yourself to be strong in front of everyone, after all, you are the lord of this ocean— one who is the pinnacle of Shenhai’s might. For someone who sits on the top, weakness is not tolerable. This, I understand.”

“You carried many heavy burdens on your shoulders and like a seashell, you hid your woes from the world.” Zhongli stopped and stretched up his hand, tucking a few stray blue strands behind Osial’s ear. “But, all those who walk behind and by your side are willing to carry some of your burdens and your woes.”

“So…” Zhongli cupped the Overlord’s cheeks, his thumb stroking a line across affectionately, “remember that you’re not alone, Osial. You never have been.”

Osial closed his eyes and let Zhongli’s words sink in. The God of Contracts was right, but it was easier to say that. He knew everyone was there, ready for him. Xiao Ning, the late old man Ning, his trustworthy aides, the ladies of the back palace and…

“I am here for you, Osial.”

He opened his eyes and was met by an amber gaze; beautiful like that of molten gold poured over lustrous cor lapis.

Yes, he ’s here too— in flesh, by his side.

But, he wasn’t there when-

“Thank you. I’ll remember your advice, Zhongli.”

A rejection, was it not? Still, Zhongli nodded and retracted his hands away. Osial almost wanted to chase after that warmth but decided to reel in his desire. It left him completely in a few seconds, replaced by the cold touch of underwater sea breeze.

It’s alright , both of them thought at the same time, time is what we have in common .

Zhongli guided Osial into his chamber as his was the nearest and had the Overlord rest on his bed. The sea god laid down on his back, staring at the ceiling’s mural in silence. It’s proven difficult to have a nap with all the thoughts of the upcoming court spinning his brain like a boat trapped amidst a storm.

“Shall I play music that might help you relax?” Zhongli offered.

“Huh? You can play music too?”

The Lord of Geo chuckled. “Of course. I went through many kinds of training to be your perfect ‘wife’ before coming here, Osial. Streetward Rambler taught me a few songs that she felt you might like.”

Yet again, Osial blushed at the mere mention of ‘your perfect wife’. Well, he couldn’t blame himself for this natural reaction! And why did Zhongli put it in such a way that likened his adepti subordinates to chefs that were preparing a meal for a picky eater? …Not that he’s ever going to deny this one ‘meal’, wasn’t he? “Sure. I’d like to see how her abilities compare to the imperial musicians I have here.”

“Please wait for a moment.” Zhongli fetched a zither from the corner of the room and placed it on the low table. He sat on the floor, tuning the strings to a desirable tune. Osial laid on his right side, head resting on his right elbow as he watched the whole preparation going down. Deeming the zither was fit for performance, Zhongli started with a pluck of the fifth string.

Fingers glided smoothly across the silk strings, tapping down note positions while plucking the strings. A sweet melody wafted in the air, serenading its listener to tranquility. One by one, the troubling matters began to take their leave away from Osial’s head, replaced by images of the lakeside surrounded by tall mountains, sweet morning dew dripping down from the foliages, and the sparkling water surface as it reflected the soft sunlight.

A familiar sight.

He closed his eyes so as to be able to recall the images more clearly. Those memories were buried deep within his mind, but were never lost. He remembered a pair of hands scooping him up from the filthy, muddy ground; he could see that pair of golden amber eyes casting their gaze on him. So radiant as if the sun had split into two and fell to the earth.

He woke up from that unfinished sweet dream as the music ended, a shame. 

“...We should head for the Hall now.” Osial suggested to which Zhongli agreed. The sheets rustled as he picked himself up from the bed, the door creaked gloomy as the couple stepped out of the room, heading for their next destination.

Before a storm, the sky darkened and the clouds towering. Yet, they were resolved in walking towards its eye. For when gods made their mind, not even cries and wails from the mortals were able to stop them.

— To Be Continued