The scenery shifted once more — as if her past self was telling her she was ready for the truth, or at least part of it.
— I should have stopped them… but I didn't take Hao's words seriously — her voice faltered as the ground beneath Yuanling's feet began to change.
Yuanling recognized the place immediately: Hēiyě Forest. Where she had met Shizuma and briefly spoken with Ling Hao. A mysterious woman stood before something, and Yuanling had to step closer to see what it was. Her stomach twisted at the sight.
Mutilated bodies lay scattered everywhere — some burned, some torn apart. And in the midst of all those lifeless forms, there they were: Shizuma and Ling Hao — their faces pale, their souls long gone. The woman stood over them, eyes red and swollen, yet with no tears left to shed.
— That. That was the moment I made my wish. I couldn't let this happen… I had to do something — Yuanling felt as though she were justifying herself.
The memory continued to unfold. Now the woman was on her knees. She no longer looked sad; determination burned in her eyes. Slowly, she began to draw a circle around the bodies, moving them if necessary. Within the circle, she inscribed symbols that Yuanling could not understand — a language foreign to her.
Once she finished, she stood before her completed work. The circle was drawn. She conjured a staff — white wood adorned with blooming peach blossoms. The same symbols she had inscribed in the circle were etched across the staff as well. Soon it began to glow, a faint blue light flowing from the staff into the circle.
— As the Ryogen of Creation, I beg the ones who dwell within the circle of life and incarnation to hear my call! Hear my prayer as the one loved by life itself! I will make my last wish in this life, and I command you to obey!
The more she spoke, the more the place seemed to react. Lightning sparked within the circle, dancing chaotically, but the woman did not waver.
— Hear my call and grant my wish! By the authority of Creation, I command you!
A deer appeared within the circle, walking calmly, unafraid of the storm around it. Its fur was pure white, its posture majestic. Its eyes were a soft pastel blue, and it bore no pupils. When the woman saw it, she smiled — not a happy smile, but one that was almost desperate.
— I will give away my life! My own life! My memories with them! Take everything you need! Just bring them back! It is an order of the Authority of Creation!
Then a voice was heard, though no one was speaking.
— We accept your wish, Ryogen of Creation. We accept your payment as well.
The voice was deep, resonant — like the forest itself was speaking.
— They will return, as you desire. But they shall not remember you. And you shall lose one life and be bound to another. To be with them again, you must be born anew. In this life, Creation could not create its own life; in the next, Creation will be bound to another life. Does Creation accept these terms?
— By the authority of Creation bestowed upon me, I accept these terms.
As soon as she finished, the circle blazed with light — so intense that Yuanling could no longer see what was going on before her. When the glow finally began to fade, what had once been two bodies was now one.
— They will live united from now on, until the conditions are fulfilled. One must purge its sins, the other must collect its pieces. Once beginning, finality and creation meet you shall all be free.
The memories ended there. Now, she was once again standing before that woman — her expression serious as she began to speak.
— Something is stirring in the shadows of the world, something that can only be stopped by your power. The Authority of Creation is now awakening within you, and with it come heavy responsibilities. Once you enter my domain, you will find clearer answers there… Find my divine key — my staff. It will guide you.
— I didn't ask for this! I'm not you!
— If you want to be free — truly free — and I know you do, because I have lived inside your soul, you will do this. Otherwise, you will bear heavy consequences. If you try to hide from the Authority, the Authority will find you and have its way. One way or another. Ask your mother about it.
— Shuqing? What does she have to do with all this?!
— Oh no. I'm talking about your Ryogen mother — the one who paid a heavy price for abandoning her Authority.
— What?!
— Our time is almost over… My staff is where I last used it. Until next time.
—
Yuanling woke up startled, every detail of what had happened still vivid in her mind. She had fought so hard for her freedom — to the point of not speaking to her mother for almost a year. All because she wanted to be free. And now, she found herself bound by the chains of a destiny she had never asked for. All because someone who came before her had been selfish and self-centered.
— Yuanling! My daughter! — her mother's voice pulled her out of her raging thoughts.
— Mother…? How did I get here? — she asked, confused, as her mother embraced her with her usual warmth. — Am I…?
— Yes, you're back on Mount Tayuan, my dear… — her mother's joyful expression faltered for a moment. — She was very worried about you.
— I'm sure she'll make that clear once she starts telling me what a mistake it was to leave — Yuanling's tone was sharp, but her mother simply caressed her cheek.
— She won't say such a thing. But we do need to have a serious talk about what happened… Just not right now. Let's eat something first, alright? I'll be right back.
Her mother, Shuqing, left the room soon after, leaving Yuanling alone — or at least seemingly alone. She knew better than to think she was truly alone on this mountain. Wherever she was here, she knew she wasn't alone.
— I know where you are. You can come out now. — Yuanling's voice sounded a little defeated, like a child who knows she's about to be scolded.
From the shadows of the room, Xuanyi emerged. Yuanling didn't expect a hug or tears — those were things only her mother Shuqing could offer. Xuanyi was different. In all her twenty-five years of life, Yuanling had never seen her expression change from its neutral tone. Not even now.
— I'm not going to lecture you. — Xuanyi's voice was cold and stoic as ever. — I should've trained you better. Harder. You almost got kidnapped. If it weren't for Shizuma—
— Shizuma actually helped me? That man?
— I was as surprised as you. But that's not the point. What I'm trying to say is that I should've prepared you better for the things out there — things beyond my reach.
— I don't think any preparation or training would've made a difference at this moment… With everything I found out, with all the things apparently bound to me… Did you know? Did you raise me knowing I had a destiny? Is that why you were so against me leaving this place?! — Her tone grew colder with every word.
Yet Xuanyi didn't flinch. Her expression remained the same, even as Yuanling's bitterness sharpened.
— I will tell you everything I know. And answered every question you have as best as I can.