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Yue the Gentle Fairy
Trapped in the Fairy Realm, Lina struggled to navigate dangerous paths. She sought solace in a tall, lush tree within the sprawling Shuyu forest. Beneath its massive branches, a hollow space offered refuge. Nestled in this space, a determined thought blazed in her mind: ‘Survival is a must. I’ve fought so hard to stay alive, and I won’t give up.’
The forest stretched before her, a surreal symphony of beauty. Giant mushrooms and shimmering flowers painted the landscape in a mesmerizing array of colors, akin to stepping into the fantastical worlds of video games and fantasy films. Yet, haunting sounds cast a shadow over the wonders.
Amidst her thoughts, Lina voiced her anxieties, saying, “I could’ve sworn those were monster sounds. This place terrifies me. All I want is to return home.” She pouted, her body trembling, reflecting on her hunger, fatigue, and yearning for her normal life. “I miss my friends, my bed, my computer, my phone…” Amid distant echoes of monstrous growls, her breath quickened, and her face mirrored terror. Whispers escaped her lips, laden with heartache, “Dongfang Qingcang… I had decided I shouldn’t see you after that kiss, but I… I changed my mind. Pretty Eyes, where are you? Please, God, help me find him.”
With a deep sigh carrying the weight of her soul, Lina’s hunger and thirst surged. As darkness beckoned, she surrendered, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion, succumbing to its embrace.
~*~
Dongfang Qingcang streaked across the sky, determination propelling him forward. His speed blurred his form against the background of clouds and stars. The wind rushed against his skin as he planned his course. His resolute eyes pierced the boundary between the Fairy Realm and Cangyan Sea, where day and night met in breathtaking, colorful contrast.
Approaching the boundary of the Fairy Realm, daylight bathing the scene, a lone tear formed at the corner of Qingcang’s eye. This tear, glimmering like a gem, held the weight of a bond he believed severed: a connection to another woman, defying odds.
Emotion constricted Qingcang’s heart, Lina’s inner turmoil echoing within him, fear and despair tugging at his soul. “This tear,” he whispered, his words carried by the tender caress of the wind. A sudden realization dawned. The bond is back, which means she’s still alive.”
Uplifted by a newfound determination that blazed like an inextinguishable fire within his chest, Qingcang pressed on. The tear reminded him of his oath: a promise to find her, no matter the obstacles.
~*~
While Lina slept in the tree, a fairy girl of similar age wandered nearby, her delicate steps barely leaving a trace. An anomaly seized her attention. An almost unnoticeable irregularity in the grass around the tree. “That’s strange,” she murmured, her voice gentle. Kneeling, she found white fabric peeking out from beneath the green cover. “What could this be?”
A girl in a bloodstained white dress extended a delicate finger, gently prodding Lina’s shoulder. “Hello, are you alright?” she murmured.
Lina awoke with a racing heart, panic surging as her surroundings gradually came into focus. ‘WHO’S THERE?’ she internally screamed, slowly realizing the presence of the girl before her.
The fairy before her was adorned in iridescent attire. She was clad in a lustrous baby-blue dress cascading down to her ankles, and her lengthy hair contained twinkling gemstones that glinted like stars in the night sky. Her eyes were round, but what truly set her apart was her small mouth, which gave her a childlike charm.
The fairy’s lips curled into a reassuring smile, silently promising to banish the shadows of fear flickering in Lina’s eyes. “It’s alright,” she whispered.
Lina’s breath caught, her eyes shifting between the fairy and her surroundings. ‘Her eyes are so calm… Can I really trust her?’ She parted her lips and scrutinized the stranger’s gaze. ‘If she meant to hurt me, she could’ve acted already. Maybe she’s different,’ she thought, slowly extending her hand and preparing to leave the tree with cautious anticipation.
However, the tranquility of the moment was abruptly shattered by the sudden arrival of a group of fairy soldiers adorned in pristine white armor, unaware of Lina’s presence in the tree.
“Have you seen a girl from the Moon Tribe?” the soldiers queried.
The girl’s gaze briefly flicked towards Lina, and she noticed her scared face, which revealed that the soldiers were talking about her. ‘Moon Tribe? She’s not a fairy?’ A rush of alarm flooded her thoughts.
In her hidden sanctuary, Lina heard the conversation, her heart pounding hard. ‘I’m dead… I’m totally screwed.’
In a moment of intense vulnerability, their eyes met. A desperate plea etched within Lina’s gaze, her expression a mosaic of fear, trembling lips, and eyes brimming with tears.
‘But she seems so harmless,’ the fairy girl contemplated. An unspoken understanding flickered between them, transcending words. “I think I might’ve noticed something unusual in that direction,” she calmly stated. With her index finger, she gestured in the opposite direction.
The fairy soldiers nodded, their gleaming armor reflecting fractured beams of light as they turned and followed the path.
Once they left, Lina was perplexed by the fairy girl’s kindness despite their supposed enmity.
The fairy returned her attention to Lina, her expression radiating empathy and warmth. “You’re safe now. There’s no need to be afraid.”
Despite the fairy’s soothing words, Lina remained cautious. The day’s events had left her wary in a realm where appearances often deceived. Uncertainty and gratitude lingered in her eyes.
~*~
A furrow etched its place between Qingcang’s brows. His awareness detected a shift in their shared bond, conveying Lina’s newfound sense of security. “She feels safe.”
~*~
Guided by curiosity and necessity, Lina followed the fairy, her footsteps uncertain yet driven by the hope of finding refuge. ‘What other choice do I have? I’m lost and unfamiliar with this place,’ she contemplated as leaves and grass rustled with each step.
Sensing Lina’s unease, the fairy’s soothing voice broke the silence, “I know you’re tired. Just hang on a little longer. I’ll take you somewhere safe to rest.” Leading the way, she acknowledged the lingering unease. “Oh, I’m Yue, by the way.”
Lina felt both gratitude and caution at Yue’s efforts. ‘I guess sharing a name won’t hurt,’ she reasoned, veiling her true identity. “I’m Chunli,” she lied, a protective measure to safeguard both herself and Qingcang. ‘I don’t know her at all. If Pretty Eyes finds out, he might act rashly and endanger himself. He needs to find me discreetly, not put himself at risk,’ she contemplated.
“Nice to meet you, Chunli,” Yue replied, her smile warm.
Together, they ventured toward a place bathed in soft, shimmering light. A hidden sanctuary deep within the heart of the woods. Yue’s abode exuded tranquility in every detail. A small cottage stood beside a sapphire-blue river, encircled by vibrant flowers emitting a gentle, radiant glow.
The scene that met Lina’s eyes was a captivating blend of simplicity and grandeur, leaving her in awe. ‘This place… is like a scene from my favorite fantasy games. Especially those MMORPGs,’ she reflected, her gaze tracing the intricate dance of fireflies that illuminated the surroundings. Their delicate wings painted a mesmerizing canvas of light and shadow.
Inside Yue’s cottage, the interior unfolded with floral scents.
Yue gestured for Lina to take a seat, her kindness easing Lina’s defenses. Recognizing Lina’s exhaustion, Yue excused herself and retreated into another room.
In the meantime, Lina’s thoughts raced, ‘What’s her plan?’ When Yue returned, her anxiety grew.
“Follow me,” Yue’s neutral tone led Lina to the chamber she had previously entered.
With a blend of caution and curiosity, Lina followed, each step measured as she secretly devised a strategy for escape. However, the room she expected to be a possible prison turned out to be a compact bathroom. Within it, a bath filled with water emitted a gentle, soothing radiance.
Yue’s eyes met Lina’s in an unspoken invitation to trust the moment. “I thought a warm bath might bring comfort. It can help you relax.”
Lina regarded the bath with surprise and gratitude, the unexpected kindness stirring various emotions. ‘Why is she being so kind? There must be a reason for her to trust a stranger. Do I look THAT weak and defenseless?’ She offered an appreciative nod and waited for Yue to exit the bathroom.
Quietly, Lina began to undress, each garment dropping away as she surrendered to the inviting warmth of the bath. Within its embrace, her concerns and fears from the day seemed to dissolve, the tranquil sensation momentarily calming the storm of her thoughts.
~*~
As Qingcang soared through the sky, his thoughts drifted back to the events within the portal. A glimmer of intensity flickered in his otherwise aloof eyes as he replayed their kiss. A realization struck, causing his eyes to widen. ‘Something was slipping away from me. But what?’ A sigh escaped him as he delved into his thoughts. A faint furrow appeared between his brows as he continued his journey across the sky.
~*~
Stepping out of the bath, Lina slipped into the dress Yue had provided. A graceful blend of white and light yellow, draping elegantly to her ankles. The fabric’s soft sound accompanied her movements, and as she emerged, Yue’s enthusiastic exclamation greeted her.
“Chunli, you look gorgeous!” Yue’s voice brimmed with excitement, momentarily catching Lina off guard. The genuine enthusiasm chipped away at Lina’s reserve, coaxing a tentative smile.
“Thank you for lending me this,” Lina responded with a generous smile, striving for a formal demeanor. Yet, her attention was swiftly drawn to the table, where mouthwatering aromas wafted through the air, irresistible in their allure.
Yue’s words flowed forth directly, mirroring her open-hearted nature. “No need to be so proper! The dress is yours to keep. I’ve never worn it. I got it as a gift, but they didn’t realize I had a small chest. It fits your big curves perfectly!” she declared, her words carrying a carefree rhythm.
Lina’s eyes widened slightly, her lips forming an awkward smile as she navigated the unusual exchange. ‘She’s so straightforward… Maybe that’s why she’s helping me. She’s as naive as a child despite being my age,’ she thought, clearing her throat. “Uh, yes… Thank you.”
Yue’s thoughtfulness extended to a simple yet inviting meal, the air filled with the fragrant essence of the dishes she had prepared. Fruits, nuts, and delicate pastries graced the plate, revealing her hospitality. Her eyes shimmered with curiosity and empathy as she observed her guest.
“Please, go ahead and help yourself. You must be hungry,” Yue said with concern, her eyes mirroring her sentiment.
“I’m starving!” Lina exclaimed with enthusiasm, her gaze fixed on the enticing spread of food.
Lina’s stomach growled audibly, a reminder of the hunger she had set aside earlier. With the meal before her, she eagerly reached for a pastry, her first bite revealing a delightful interplay of flavors dancing on her taste buds. The blend of sweetness and unique ingredients surprised her, each bite satisfying both her physical hunger and emotional cravings. While eating, her glances occasionally shifted toward Yue, seated across from her.
As the evening unfolded, Lina absorbed Yue’s stories and tales. The passing hours effortlessly deepened the connection between them, each tale strengthening the roots of their blossoming friendship.
Lina could not delay the question that lingered in her thoughts any longer. Her voice, a mix of vulnerability and gratitude, broke the gentle flow of their conversation, “Yue, why did you help me? You knew I’m from the Moon Tribe.”
Yue’s gaze softened. “When I first saw you, your dress looked like a fairy’s. I didn’t know your true origin.” Her words were as gentle as a breeze. She gestured toward Lina’s white-laced dress she had previously worn. “I only learned about your background after the soldiers arrived.”
“But they were searching for me. You could’ve handed me over.”
“You looked vulnerable and harmless. I couldn’t harm someone who wasn’t a threat.”
“Thanks… Are there consequences for helping me?”
Yue’s gaze lowered. “At the very least, if I’m caught helping the Moon Tribe, I’d be immediately imprisoned.”
‘Prison for saving me? That’s harsh…’ Lina’s throat tightened. “And… in the worst-case scenario?”
“They’d likely execute me.”
Lina’s composure wavered as the gravity of Yue’s words settled in. ‘Is she crazy? Why would she help me if…’ The idea of someone potentially losing their life for her weighed heavily on her conscience. ‘She’s even more naive than Pretty Eyes!’ She recalled Dongfang Qingcang’s obliviousness about how babies were made. ‘I have to get out of here in the morning. I can’t let anyone die because of me. But where is… the Moon Tribe Land?’ As she strategized her escape, a question arose, “Yue, can I ask you something? Can you tell me where my home is?”
“Oh, you mean Cangyan Sea?”
‘Ah, so that’s what it’s called.’ Lina nodded.
“Don’t you remember how you got here? Did you hit your head or something?”
Lina seized the opportunity to maintain her façade, adding a hint of confusion to her voice: “Yes, I think I hit my head. I… I don’t remember much.”
‘If she were a spy, the head injury might have erased her mission,’ she speculated. “Cangyan Sea is quite far from here. It might take weeks, especially if you’re weak like I am. To start, you’ll need to reach the Fairy Realm’s boundaries beyond the mountain range you saw today. After that, you’ll encounter the Memory Loss River and need a boat to cross it,” she explained. ‘I’ll take her there tomorrow night. It’s not safe for her to remain here.’ she thought. “But once you reach Cangyan Sea, be cautious of the Moon Supreme’s soldiers. They might see you as a spy from our side. Don’t let them catch you.”
‘I’m not worried about that. Pretty Eyes is the sweetest man I can count on, and his soldiers might take me to him,’ Lina reassured herself. “Don’t worry about me. I’m sure his soldiers are just as kind as he is.”
“What? Kind? Are you delusional from your head injury?”
“Well…”
Yue’s tone turned apprehensive and urgent. “Dongfang Qingcang is a tyrant, and he’s the most ruthless and evil man alive! He has spared no one, not even his own father.”
‘Tyrant? Evil? So, he’s not a heroic warrior or a general? No, this can’t be true…’ Lina’s thoughts raced, a lump forming in her throat as her heart sank, grappling with the staggering revelation. The man she had perceived as virtuous seemed to be an entirely different person. “Tell me everything about Dongfang Qingcang. Please, don’t leave anything out.”
All original additions in “The Moon Supreme, Dongfang Qingcang” are copyright © 2022 by Aurora Luxi. All rights reserved.
Aurora Luxi 