Nian Yue hesitated for a moment. Her lips opened and closed, trembling with doubt before she gathered the courage to speak. “No matter what our relations have been, Yueyou still worries about this village. I dearly wanted to help you, but instead I think.. I offended you. If you could.. please, forgive me.”

  The group took a step back, surprised by Nian Yue’s abrupt confession and likewise at the mention of the kingdom. They glanced at each other as if considering Nian Yue’s words, whispering something between themselves. Their frowns deepened in the process.

  Mei Wu might have been surprised at first but soon her lips curled into a smirk, one filled with amusement. The show was getting interesting.

  “Apologizing to us, what will it change?”

  Nian Yue took a shuddering breath before raising her head at the unfamiliar sound of a woman among the group that she recognized was of only men. An old woman in her 90s stepped out of the group. The men seemed to respect her and slowly parted to make space for her as she walked forward. The old woman stood tall and calculated in front of Nian Yue’s kneeling self. Nian Yue couldn't help but lower her head further.

  “It won't bring her the peace she deserved. It won't undo what your king did decades ago. Nothing will change. The stain will forever remain with Yueyou,” said the old lady.

  The words were like a sharp knife to Nian Yue’s throat and she choked on them. A pathetic cry almost escaped her lips. She knows it's not her place as a disguised person to cry over something she did not do, but somewhere wasn't that true? An unfaithful drop of tear rolled past her cheek which she cared less about wiping away. “Forgive me..” She breathed out those words in a whisper.

  The woman was fixated on Nian Yue’s pitiable state with emotionless expressions. She turned to her side and spoke. “Forgiveness is hers to give. Kneel for the right person, not in front of those who have nothing to do with her,” she spoke with strict measures. She then cast one last look at Nian Yue who was silent, maybe listening but still did not raise her head. The woman shook her head and turned towards her group. “Go back to your kingdom and do not return ever again. We do not need any of you here,” she said, aiming towards Nian Yue.

  The group turned around to leave as the old woman approached them. Nian Yue watched as they retreated back towards the village. She felt sick—horrible about her own situation. The place where she kneeled felt cold. It wasn't enough, this wasn't enough. Something was still wrong. Before she could make sense of her absurd feelings, a scream caught her attention.

  Nian Yue and Mei Wu’s head shot up in the direction of the scream at the same time. It was the same group of men. A sudden commotion broke between them.

  There was a man on the ground, acting violent, screaming and stumbling here and there as if he couldn't see clearly. Nian Yue understood this was another case of the village ghost preying on an innocent person. She quickly stood up from her place and looked around, trying to sense any unfamiliar presence.

  The group by instinct formed a circle around the struggling man, trying to calm him down, some even made an effort to lead the screaming man towards the village, but it was of no use. “AHHH!! AH! HAH! NOT THEM! NOT THEM!” The person was screaming uncontrollably, throwing his hands around as if the threat was somewhere near him. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he begged for mercy. “She's innocent! She's innocent!!” As if possessed he chanted those words loudly. His fingers dug into the dirt as a strangled cry escaped his lips. The man then suddenly fell silent and still, eyes wide open. Fresh tears welled in his eyes.

  The other men knew what was coming. They immediately held the possessed man by his arms, restraining him to the ground as a loud cry left his throat. He started kicking his legs violently, his wrists twisting backwards along with his neck and then his whole body contorted in an unspeakable manner. His fingers were curled inwards, trying hard to claw at something, anything, even himself or especially himself, as if looking for some relief from the pain, physical and mental alike.

  “Let go! LET GO! Please! She did nothing! It was my fault!” He sobbed and begged to be freed but the men did not let go. They only doubled down their efforts, not letting the man hurt himself no matter how hard he tried. This seemed like a possession, the way the man was blabbing anything, trying to hurt himself, screaming so loudly it looked like he would break his vocal cords.

  Mei Wu made a spiritual note to capture the incident, naming it under ghost possession. She sighed with exhaustion and rolled her eyes as she turned to Nian Yue, tugging at her by the arm to capture her attention. “Let's go. We’re done for now. I’m not an exorcist and you're useless. They told you to leave anyway so let's go.”

  Nian Yue on the other hand did not move, frozen in her place. She only watched the writhing man, his words, his action and his state. Her eyes were blank and wide open. The silver color of her eyes faded to white.

  “Mother Wanshu, please help!” One of the men holding the possessed one called out. It looks like he couldn't hold still any longer. His hands were shaking seeing the growing hostile behaviour of the possessed man. It was harmful to himself and to others. Besides, nobody wanted to be pulled into the same situation as the possessed one as the other men who were not holding down the possessed man started backing away.

  Mother Wanshu was the old, wise woman from earlier. She was like a mother to the village, dearly respected and cared for. Her experience and her wisdom speaks for herself. Any decision without Mother Wanshu’s suggestion is unapproved.

  “Don't move away. Stay right there with the child.” She ordered as she approached the possessed man.

  The group was dissatisfied but complied anyway. Some of them even internally cursed the old lady. Damn, because you don't have to do anything right? Apparently, the respect was there until there wasn't any threat to one's own life or till the old lady was of any use, be it with her intelligence or her ability to control situations like this.

  The men tightened their grip on the possessed man once again, shivering as the struggling one tried to break free and screamed with a double edged voice.

  “M-Moth–”

  The call was cut short as Wanshu raised her hand, telling him to stop talking. She trailed her eyes around, from one corner to another, then spoke at once, “We are no threat. We apologize for scaring you. Let this poor child go and we will leave.”

  “Nian Yue! Hey! This is not the time to wander around the moon.” Mei Wu shook Nian Yue by her shoulders, gritting her teeth in the process.

  Nian Yue gasped, suddenly aware about her surroundings as she was forcefully snapped out of her vision. “..I can't.. find the energy anymore. He ran away as soon as I saw him.”

  “Are you–! Wait what?” Mei Wu blinked in surprise. “You saw him??”

  “Yes. He..” Nian Yue looked at the old lady trying to communicate with the spirit. Her gaze flickered between the aggrieved man and the old lady. The more the lady spoke, the louder the cries of the man became. Nian Yue couldn't help but step forward in hopes of helping. “Dear lady let me help–”

  “Stay away!” Wanshu snapped suddenly, causing Nian Yue to step back almost immediately. As soon as Nian Yue stepped back, the loud cries of the man seemed to subside. Wanshu then started whispering thank yous to the unknown, thanking it endlessly.

  Seeing that, even if Nian Yue was unsure, she grabbed Mei Wu’s arm and stepped back, backing away from the group. The effect was immediately evident, the man hiccuped with gasping sobs, and then fell silent. His violent movement slowed down to a relief.

  Nian Yue understood and in no time turned around to leave. “We should leave now.”

  Mei Wu barely cared about understanding the sudden change in Nian Yue’s attitude. She only shrugged and followed Nian Yue without a word.

  ~~~

  Mei Wu and Nian Yue returned to the Celestial System. Their first visit was to Mercury. The first in line literature hall, where the prayers arrive, the cosmic messenger of the celestial system and the chain between mortals and the celestials. The fine messenger literature hall, like its name, was a huge, round shaped structure built in the center of the star. The palaces of its deities littered around it like a weave of a golden basket, organized and structured. However the palaces were nothing more than mere show pieces. Most deities and assistant gods remained at the literary hall, working mortal days and nights without a stop. Just like the star's atmosphere—windy and quick changing the messenger gods were equally as unpredictable, one moment here then the next in some other star.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Now at the same quick changing star, Mei Wu and Nian Yue stood together watching the trail of mercury gods jumping from one place to another while the assistant gods filed their report to the records. During the process none between Mei Wu and Nian Yue spoke. Nian Yue was lost in her own thoughts, absent minded, until Mei Wu dragged out the conversation. “Are you this inefficient with every mission of yours?”

  “No. You were with me.” Nian Yue replied immediately. Turns out she was aware of what was happening around her even when she looked as if there was no thought in her head, or the opposite, a head full of screaming thoughts.

  Mei Wu’s lips twitched. “As much as I remember, I had to pull you out of the trouble, not once but many times. So how was that my fault, goddess reincarnation?” she asked, emphasizing the title sarcastically.

  “If I'm that inefficient please don't come with me to the next mission.” Nian Yue suggested politely. It wasn't a loss for her. If anything it was a blessing.

  Mei Wu made a bitter face, the bad acting of a smiling fox. Before she could throw any mock at Nian Yue, the assistant god returned. “Your work has been submitted to Neptune literature hall. We will inform you if anything important has been perceived.”

  “Ah, thank you so much!” Mei Wu happily turned to Nian Yue. “See? It's that easy. Just get the information of the culprit, hand it to our honorable mercury assistant god, everything else — the martial gods will handle. No need to get so worked up!”

  Nian Yue did what she was good at, ignoring Mei Wu. She turned to the assistant god, earning a frustrated scream on her ear from the temptation goddess. Nian Yue paid it no mind. “Is Emperor Tianxiu available?”

  The assistant god blinked. He extended a hand towards a helping deity and the startled helping deity quickly ran to hand him a huge scroll. The assistant god then turned to Nian Yue while opening the scroll. “His schedules are tight. However if the reincarnation goddess wishes we can put her name in the queue, so the emperor knows you're wishing to meet him.”

  “Thank you so much, Lord An xu. I appreciate that.” Nian Yue said with a grateful smile.

  “Not a problem, goddess,” the lord replied.

  Lord An Xu was the head of the mercury literature hall, so why was he called an assistant god? It was because while he indeed was a head to the literature hall he was known for his assistance to one of the representative goddesses of the mercury star and hence he was famous for being called the mercury assistant god which somehow had more weight than the title, head of the literary hall. Just like generals would have ranks to divide them in an efficient manner, literature halls also had their ranks and sections. Head keeper, Managers, Helpers and messengers. However all these titles were still below the three representative celestials and hence they were practically assistants to the tree higher authority. It was debatable whether forbidding calling them as head gods was because it somehow sounded superior to any other god being called only gods.

  Tasking and shorting each prayer was not an easy task and to think one single manager could handle it was total rubbish. Prayers were an important part of the Gods and The Celestial system. To handle them was to have responsibility over one's reach and merits. A systematic system or two for such a deal was necessary. That was one of the reasons why there were not one but two literature halls, who had their own distinct tasks.

  “Please leave my greetings to goddess Qin Shu,” said Nian Yue.

  “I will let her know. Greetings Princess Guang Yue,” Lord An Xu bowed slightly in courtesy.

  Nian Yue nodded with a faint but sincere smile. It was evident she was fond of mercury literature hall. To attain a smile from her was like seeing a full moon on a dark, moonless night.

  After their shared courtesy Nian Yue turned to leave. She glanced at Mei Wu who was still there. The goddess smiled back at Nian Yue once they caught eyes. Nian Yue only stared dryly before bowing in courtesy and then turning on her way to leave.

  Mei Wu raised an eyebrow. Once she made sure Nian Yue had left she turned to Lord An Xu who had already busied himself with other tasks. She sighed dramatically, cracking her neck muscle. “Lord An Xu?” She called.

  The lord turned to Mei Wu in no time, holding a few new scrolls already. Even head managers were not free from work, no one was free from work when it's the literature hall they reside in. “How can I help Goddess Temptation?”

  “When you all call me like that, I feel like you're mocking me.” Mei Wu complained as she tilted her head with a pout on her lips.

  “Ahh,” The goddess did not fail to make even a reverend literary god feel uncomfortable. Lord An Xu took a step back, smiling vigorously. “My sincere apology, I made you feel like that. It was not my intent.”

  “Let go. I did not mind.” Mei Wu laughed, flapping her wrist at Lord An Xu. He wanted to cry and smile at the same time. She leaned forward, raising an eyebrow with her signature smile. “Business talk. Is there a way you could let me know the conversation between the Emperor and Princess Guang Yue?”

  Lord An Xu glanced at Mei Wu, just once and then moved to hand the scrolls to a nearby helper before picking up another scroll. He took a moment opening that blue scroll, long and maintained carefully, before reading just as carefully. “Conversations between celestials and the Emperor are bound in secrecy. Without consent no word should ever escape. Unless The Emperor himself commands it.”

  Mei Wu kept smiling. For a few moments no word came out of her lips. And then Lord An Xu and Mei Wu stared at each other with a formal smile adored on their lips. Mei Wu finally broke the silence and spoke. “Can I have a meeting with the emperor too?” She asked with the accumulation of her remaining patience.

  “That is very much possible. I'll list the goddess’s name right away.” Lord An Xu replied and picked up his ink brush. The helper handed him the red scroll and with a graceful flick of his hand he wrote the goddess’s name in a never ending, long list. “Affirmative.” He smiled.

  Mei Wu did not smile this time, only nodded and turned around to leave, making a sore face.

  ~~~

  Cold stillness lingered in the air, submerged in the moonlight that filtered through the dusty surface, floating upwards like threads of cold woven silk. This was the infamous silver realm, home of gods and goddess of solace and spirits. Tall crystal and jade palaces stood tranquil and eternal, their surface gleaming like the stars in the dark sky. Rippling waters of simple canals shimmered under silver radiance, bridges topped the continuous web of water that flowed without a stop. The pathways littered with pale moon dust and veins of white stone.

  Greenery was a trend of Verdant root, this was the moon. The blossoms here were white roots that grew out of moon dust, from between the crack of white jade rocks and at the corner of the bridges. Once bloomed they never whither unless plucked. Even then they dissolve in silver dust, to blend in from where they were born.

  Between the ancient and divine palaces, there was one newly built jade palace, built only a century ago for the goddess talked all over the celestial system for rising to heaven with eyes full of tears—the palace of the moon goddess, Guang Tan Nian Yue.

  The marbled floors gleamed under the only light coming from the candles. Droplets of glass hanging down the crystal chandeliers clanked against each other creating a soft melody as wind blew past them. Inside her chamber, Nian Yue laid on her stomach listening to the music of crystals. The divan mattress dipped under her weight. Her chin rested upon the pillow of her two arms folded together. The divan was a gentle swing, swinging mid air. The four corners supported by the ropes covered in cotton and white silk threads, connecting to the ceiling, creating a lulling cradle.

  The swing rocked her back and forth with slow, shooting motion and she let herself melt into the rhythm. She let her hair fall loose, a proportion hanging down her shoulder and rest dangled off the divan. Her headpiece securely placed away on the red cushion which was made just for that.

  Nian Yue intended to use this moment to have a break from the hectic day. Unfortunately no matter how hard she tried the memories of that child ghost spirit kept her in the same loop. Whatever she witnessed at Yincu village has been in her mind. The old lady was capable of doing what she couldn't do. The child who preys on the people arbitrarily ran away before he could even have the man in his grasp.

  Suddenly Nian Yue sat up in her place, her legs dangled off the divan. Her feet brushed against the marble floor as the swinging divan came to a stop. Her perfect silver hair pooled around her shoulders, framing her face like loose curtains.

  She took a few soothing breaths before opening her eyes.

  Those eyes..

  Nian Yue had almost forgotten about those mesmerizing nebula eyes. Those dark purple orbs. Those eyes full of lingering stars yet an invitation to sabotage.

  Who were they?

  She held her head. Her fingers curled into her hair. She felt like her head would explode if these memories kept replaying in her head. The urgency of even the simplest thought—If there isn't an answer then there won't be relief. This was the worst part of being what she was. The echo of those without peace wail through her soul. A part of her is always missing, walking with those looking for solace. How could she have peace when she promised her life away to those who are neither celestials nor mortals but somewhere in between.

  In the corner, where Nian Yue’s headpiece was placed, the hairpin impaled through her Guan pulsed with faint silver light, mimicking the headache forming in Nian Yue’s head. The charming red pendant around Nian Yue's neck glowed in the same pulsing rhythm. Unfortunately for Nian Yue, she couldn't notice any of them, she was stuck in the storm created by her own mind.

  “Your highness.. Your highness. Your highness the princess!”

  Nian Yue’s head snapped up. The rhythmic pulsing of light faded from both the objects. “Ah yes?” Nian Yue’s shoulders fell as she looked up, realizing it was just the servant that had approached Nian Yue’s chambers.

  The servant spoke. “The Emperor has called you for the consultation you asked for.”

  Nian Yue blinked and at once collected herself as she got up in a hurry. “Yes, yes that. I'll leave now.”

  —— —— ——

  Character Names

  [晚书 (Wǎnshū) — “Evening Book”]

  [安旭 (ān Xù) — “Peace/Clarity/Inner Balance”]

  To be continued:-

  —----------—