Jiayue

The Path to Deatrius

Anything could change in a day, let alone a thousand years. Even if the world stayed still, she was positive he would not. She, too, had shared a fair amount of change where words were no longer her favourite expression. Unlike her older days, she was the opposite of her lover. For days, she remembered pestering him with stories and details, yet now, despite them being side by side, Jiayue felt insignificant. Her days spent with her words tethered to a book made her fear the truth.

The Path to be among the Keepers of the Truths was her desire, and she offered her freedom of speech for it. With such devotion, Jiayue never meant to betray the path assigned to her, for it was a price she needed to pay. At first, she heard unnecessary whispers of the cold, hard ground. It rumbled as she took each step forward during a judgment. Her scrolls rolled from their places, forming circles before the Judge of the Path.

Old Serendipity mocked her for the mess until she felt his voice dissipate and her soul shred apart like bamboo scrolls without their support. As his peals of laughter faded, Jiayue could still feel his light blue and empty stern eyes on her. Right then, she knew her soul was done for.

Jiayue knew by heart that she had not left the Paths by her own will. She knew she never had a choice. The deal she struck was carved in the core of her soul and the very Paths she was assigned to guard with Old Serendipity. She sighed as she rode behind her lover, shoulders relaxed at the longing wind. No more responsibilities and, most importantly, her freedom returned.

One thousand years of holding onto endless books and scrolls. 

One thousand years ago, her voice was robbed.

 And, over the one thousand years, her soul fought for his, just to watch him live in every lifetime.

==xxx==

Jiayue

Almost 9,00 years ago

In the Endless Path

Last she remembered, she hid among the bushes with her back against the large tree stem near the waterfalls. At that moment, it was the safest spot she could think of. Multiple letters filled her pocket, including a special pendant gifted to her. In split seconds, all the materials and the fear weighing on her chest disappeared. Jiayue tumbled among the webs and clouds of dust before feeling a huge pang in her chest. But there was no pain. There was only relief when she no longer saw the armies surrounding the area. She slumped on the ground like a deflated ball, hoping for a chance of escape.

"Where is Xiao Qing?" a harsh voice questioned, slamming the bottom of his spear on the ground, causing sand to splutter against her light blue dress. "Where is he? You held his pendant to draw us away from him, didn't you?"

There was no reply. Her lips parted yet it felt as if they were sewn shut as if she held gold bars in her mouth. Was there danger in uttering his name so openly?

"Speak, child! Or you will bear the punishments for him," another female spoke as she stepped closer, removing the veil that covered her cheeks and lips. "Or should I assume you enveloped the plan together with him?"

"No - I mean, I.." Jiayue startled, standing up. "I have no idea what you are talking about. Xiao Qing did nothing wrong. He was not with me for a long time. He left for the royal barracks almost a week ago. We only communicated through letters. Who are you people? Why are you looking for him?"

Both the figures whispered among themselves. Eyes lingered around Jiayue and the lady bent to pick the jade pendant away from her. She stayed still, silent. She had never been here before. Did she even manage to escape the soldiers from the opposite kingdom? Or were they drugging her with the incense of illusions? Jiayue gripped the ground, hoping the rocks to be sharp enough to wake her, but she felt nothing. Her palms went through and disappeared. Gasping at the sight, Jiayue looked around.

Opposite her, people were walking in lines, humming a tune and mimicking the rattling chains on their necks, arms and feet. Next to them, gigantic beasts ushered them forward. The beasts shouted and mocked the chained figures for their cries and pleas. Their voices spread in the vast lands, travelling far and across before disappearing. A few lightning flashed among the red skies, silencing them, and the beasts roared. As the waves of light exited their mouth, it was then, Jiayue noticed that those people were transparent, just like her.

"She is our source to him," he stated and gripped his spear tightly.

"But, she is not supposed to be here -" she argued, not letting her partner finish his sentence.

"How else would we please His Honour?" he questioned, slamming the spear on the ground, causing it to shake.

"She is not him. It's unfair to judge her based on his sins," she answered, gritting her teeth and those visible skeletons around her face rattled.

"She protected him!"

Jiayue rose from her spot. Her head spun at the new information. These transparent figures, enormous beasts and vast, endless sand were no foreign knowledge to her. The huge contrast between the skies and the sands reminded her of stories her parents had told her, and these colours, she saw their emergence during her first meeting with Xiao Qing. She lifted her palms, and the colour of the scenery behind blended with them. Jiayue bit her tongue, preventing herself from sobbing as she felt cold liquid leak from her eyes, evaporating into thin air as it left her chin. As the bickering continued, Jiayue chuckled, gaining full attention from them.

"Is it that hard to just inform me that I am dead?" Jiayue asked, studying their ghastly and distorted features. "Where am I supposed to go now? What path is there for me to follow?"

"There is no path for you -" the male coughed, tightening his fist onto his spear when a loud smack landed behind him. "What? I am telling her the truth. Can't you see, Ke Xi, she wants the real information? So, I am just spitting the facts for her."

"Doesn't mean she has no path, His Honour is still waiting for her," Ke Xi answered, gazing towards Jiayue's curiosity. "Come with us. Your answer lies with him. You'd better prepare an answer about Xiao Qing. His Honour hates it when no answers are given. Since you are already here, you should give him one."

"I have no answer," Jiayue spoke, walking behind them and unlike others who passed her, she had no chains to drag her down. "But, for someone whom I just met, I refused to let you both talk about Xiao Qing that way. You all know nothing about him."

The trip was rather short. It did not take long for her to realise that she was floating, but somehow, she rather enjoyed the idea. Laid before her was a barren wasteland with a throne covered in bones and flesh painted in multiple ancient languages. Next to it were two generals dressed in huge armour, one holding an axe, the other a sword. Just as she was pushed forward, the throne glowed, a flash of light beamed, and an elderly man appeared dressed in black. His golden eyes outshone his fair skin. For some time, silence was their companion, alongside the generals' heavy and uneven breathing.

"Since you refused to answer their question, I am going to assume you won't answer mine. What you have sworn to protect will never be safe, Jiayue. Xiao Qing is cursed for this eternity, his life, his soul and his whole existence," the man on the throne stated, staring into her eyes. "Is doomed. No one will trade anything to let him crawl out of this. He's cursed. He bears one of the Shen Ming Crests. The fate of his existence has since been sealed alongside his sister's."

"If he is cursed, why do you want him? Why would you want to keep him among these lands?" Jiayue questioned, earning the beast's attention.

"He's not a threat to me, child, but a threat to humanity. The one who bears the Vine Verdant crest would wreak havoc in the universe. The previous caretaker was too lenient in his judgment, but I am not the same. Since it was a need to prevent such a continuation, I will do it myself," he roared when he spotted Jiayue trying to protest again. "I will lock his soul for eternity and let him stay only by my side. Then, I will be able to make sure he cannot ruin those pure lands. If you do not wish to speak, Jiayue, then you, alongside him, will perish."

Lifting his palms high above Jiayue, stinging music echoed in her ears. Those words were true. Jiayue had to admit she never minded loving Xiao Qing. He was violent in many ways, but never to her or his sister. Each time their eyes met, Jiayue could see his gaze soften and his smile broaden. To the world, he was rage, but to her, he was her tranquillity. In him, she found comfort. Qing'er made a lot of mistakes, and Jiayue was aware. Yet, his involvement in royal battles was never her burden. He saved her multiple times, hiding her away from danger. In this life, she was the one who sought it. She wanted to protect him from the evil hearts of his army. Their betrayal would mean his death even if their kingdom earned victory. Yet, despite her eagerness ruining her plans.

"You want him to stay by your side?" Jiayue screamed, stopping the caretaker from his actions. "That's all?"

He nodded with a hum, tapping his fingers on the throne.

"Then, I offer myself to you," Jiayue spoke, staring into those golden eyes as she tightened her fingers on her light blue dress. "Whatever you need him here for, I will do it."

She never hesitated. Jiayue knew the lengths Qing'er would go for her. Staring at the paths ahead where rattling chains echoed, she recalled the time Qing'er was blamed and imprisoned. Ninety-nine days he rotted in those four walls and no one was willing to help despite his loyalty to the royal family. There was already too much suffering for him in the mortal world, and if he could not search for peace here, what would he become? She wanted him to live for himself. Jiayue was willing to strike this deal.

"You will? Even if your opinion is no longer needed? Even if you might need to stay by my side for a million years? Even when the sky rained of blood and tears of the mortals during each trial?" the caretaker asked. "Old Serendipity does not like lies."

"And I, Jiayue, do not take my words back. I am not doing it for free; instead, in exchange, you will let my Qing'er live, as long as time allows," Jiayue answered firmly.

Old Serendipity cackled, plucking a skull from his throne and extracting a long brush from the nostrils of the skull, which immediately absorbed part of Jiayue's soul. Her name floated in the air, tugging on the very core of her soul.

"Very well, Jiayue. I will let Xiao Qing live, so long as you stay as the Keeper of the Truths alongside me, the Judge of the Paths. One day, when you see Xiao Qing here," Old Serendipity laughed with a high-pitched voice. "I hope you will fulfil your duty as the Keeper. You will bear all punishments if you fail this task. Welcome to the Paths of Infinite Doors, Tian Jiayue."

Jiayue froze when Old Serendipity let a smirk and leaned forward to her ear.

"I hope he lives a long, healthy and auspicious life, while you ruined your second chance of rebirth for this scoundrel. There is no way out of these doors, Jiayue. All... the... best..."

==xxx==

Jiayue

The Path to Deatrius

The familiar clicking sound snapped Jiayue back to reality, reminding her of the peace and warmth around her. As she watched her lover closely, she sighed, wondering how much he had been through. Despite those chuckles and smiles he offered to the world, something inside him changed. He was no longer the raging spirit among these mortal lands but someone who seemed to have sailed ahead

Grayson's sword merged with the kingdom's barrier as it vibrated, and the horns echoed, welcoming their presence. Jiayue rode forward, heading towards the West side of the kingdom - the winding road covered with herbs, flowers and fresh berries were singing a song among each other. Multiple tales floated against their petals and fruit as they travelled till the edge where a large mansion was built.

Following Grayson, she got off the horse, letting a maid bring both horses away. She studied the calm surroundings, and the different scent of dried herbs and berries, scattered, reminding her of the green mountains she once resided in. Before them, two figures emerged, one as calm as the moonlight among the dark skies and the other as bright as the scorching sun.

"Grayson, my little general, you are finally back!" exclaimed the elder woman as she hugged Grayson before shifting her gaze to her. "And, I see you bring a company."

"He would not even care to reply to my letters," another rich voice emerged and paused when their eyes mirrored each other before he broke the contact. "- and don't even bother to tell me you brought someone home."

No one aside from her could witness the hidden. It was her gift as a Keeper, and as fate scripted itself, Jiayue never thought she would meet the person she respected most for eternity. Standing before her was Grayson's younger brother, Hayden in this life, but another in the past. How much merit did this couple collect to be granted such luxury? Two legendary beings living under their roof, despite rumours regarding their violence, legendary beings present for protection and auspicious reasons.

"It's nice to see you," Grayson's younger brother uttered and hugged her. "Jiayue. I am Hayden, and I hope the world has been kind to you."

As they untangled their hug, Jiayue smiled, seeing the other Shen Ming crest on Hayden's forehead, gleaming with power. The Moonlight Blossom never faded. It travelled with knowledge and curiosity, selecting the rightful soul and body. In this life, the crest still remained loyal to its soul.

"The world has its circles, and I am thrilled to be able to reunite with you both, even if multiple layers have been peeled throughout time," Jiayue assured.

Merging her senses with the chats and waves of laughter from the large family, Jiayue felt Gayson holding her palms in his, caressing them softly with his thumbs. It was enough to assure her that she was welcome to his large family, and it was also a sight to feast her eyes on. All her sacrifices were worth it.

Finally, after witnessing Xiao Qing's soul stumbling for centuries, he found a family that could suppress his rage and showered him with divine love. 

Word Count: 2,571 words 

Cumulative Words: 13,321 words