Ten miles ch. 20

A/n: don't be mad, keep reading! I didn't leave you hanging in that moment! edits are done late for changes and clarity.

FYI, the shadow left because Feng Jiu came into her true power and is stronger, but that has a price and was a long shot chance she took. I wanted it to feel like a close call. I didn't want her to go all dark, but be motivated by the thing she cherishes most. This tribe is female strong, so I wanted to point that out. Also, considering Dijun, what comes next will make sense if you view it as someone being of equal power to him and how he can feel powerless too. It makes him sort of human/real. You will see similar experiences and how they've come together in our immortals. I'll get into that more later. If you have questions, please post them for me so I can add them in wrap up in a few chapters. any loose ends you want clarification on, please let me know. I want to get this love groove going for my ending. We got blood, shadows, true mates...yeah a lot I know. Discrepancies or errors, please let me know and I will fix them but be kind, please. You may be asking me why not use the ash thing over an egg by the end, but that is also coming. I have clarified this now at the end.

Ch. 20

"Jiu'er..." Tears slid down his face, and he remained there unmoving as if he was in a void. He slumped down and looked at his hand, to the threads he couldn't see, and his heart broke. It didn't matter who saw him so full of emotion. Not anymore. All this time, he didn't know he'd had her. And then he'd found her but couldn't have her. Then he had lost her. Dong Hua let his head fall down chin to chest. What was the point of it all? Life felt too long, all the sacrifices had been made, but he just didn't want to go on.

Zhi Yan stood first, "if you end it, how will she be remembered? What had she held on to? You are why she preserved."

"She was but a child! Why would one such as she have to endure it like this?"

"We have endured." He frowned, "I do not know, Dijun. Like you, I came into being."

"Did you remember this was my mate?" he yelled outrage still evident in his voice. No one dared move. "You all let her come."

"It was her choice to make," Mo Yuan stated. Though Dijun outranked him and was older, some things needed to be made clear. "When it was you being terrorized, did you not stand and do what needed to be done as a child? Did you not raise and kill those that harmed others? Did those people not become your subjects? Because she was loved or young, is she barred from the same choices you yourself made? It was her destiny. She was their Queen. And the entire Ghost tribe can become as they were meant to be now. Another, once thought extinct, is functional again. Their men can be free of cages and taming- living actual lives. Song Ju is proof."

"I am Dijun, I am supposed to protect her!"

"You cannot protect everyone." Zi Lan said. "We do what we can, but we don't always get what we want." The ghost Tribes princess's face flashed before him. A sad smile splayed over his face. He wondered how the little princess he saved was doing. How long ago had he made the promise? How well it all landed, he thought.

"It would not have happened had I not just ended him."

Bai Qian stood, "You were there the year Mo Yuan died. And Ye Hua. Both died to the same villain thousands of years apart. This demon Lord was not how is today, back then when you made the deal. We do not murder immortals who are not evil."

"Clearly he was, I misjudged. This blood magic is in all things."

"Then it is good she cleansed it, and them. Don't belittle her sacrifice because she was a girl. They are strong female leaders, Dijun. As your empress, would she be any less powerful, any less just than the one she was meant for? They were secretive and you can't know it all, and you can't be perfect." She touched Ye Hua's arm, "gather her ashes. We will wait for you. Anything that can be done will be done for her, and you both. Take as long as you need."

When he looked up, he remembered their entanglements. How odd, he thought as some of his anger wanned. He didn't feel she or this sacrifice was less because she was a girl. He hated knowing she had been so young and had to feel so young to endure it. He wanted to love and protect her.

Zhi Yan lingered, "for a time I felt the same. I came to the peach blossom forest and built it up to what it is today. It was where her closest relatives are. I've never left. The man was evil, but you didn't know the secrets at the time. You still won peace. She had completed it."

He asked, "Did you know one female was hidden?"

"Would it matter by then? I had not, if it counts. I just know we didn't get the chance to have a daughter. We'd assumed as the last pair, she would come forth from our line. Had you not checked to see if you were to be married?"

"There was no name. Even with your words, why would I check it again?" Dong Hua thought he had before, but not closer to that time. "I need time."

"By checking it, you changed fate. Time is all we have." Zhi Yan nodded and headed down also, but stopped. "The man was not able to touch her, but it was close. Any second later and we would have lost her. She gambled hard, just like you. I felt it when the shadow went." he sighed, "her mind was clear. She planned it too well. I am sorry you've lost her, Dong Hua."

It was like everything went back to usual. The sky cleared, the rain had ceased, and the overwhelming silence prevailed over the valley. Sensing the situation, the gods moved away from him to give him some space.

"How long must one live?" he looked up at the sky to ask any lingering 'God' or force of creation. "We care for the mortals, but are we really any better?" Of them all, he was the eldest. Even as the strongest, the one always alone, he was the one sacrificing everything for everybody. But love evaded his life. He'd never had it from the time he'd been brought into existence to losing his heart. Jiu'er was the first person he'd ever felt anything for. She'd suffered so much in such a short life.

"You made us, what are we but tools? I felt nothing, and then she came into my life. She used her primordial (the essence of a person being) spirit to cleanse that darkness. She promised she would be reborn, but how can she be now? so I am meant to feel, but linger in pain now? Must I wait a few hundred thousand years? Will it undo what was done today? Perhaps I should sleep until she returns then. She died, but she died to protect. She loved me and if anyone can find their way back, it is a true mate. If I could undo my essence myself, and slide back into the rock or pond I came from, I would. I do not understand it.

"We protect all lives, but sometimes we need help protecting ours. I've been alone for most of existence. If you can hear this," he left it open. I need her.

It was ironic at their age to think an ultimate God/force existed, but if there were one true good and one true evil, anything was possible. Maybe it was not a person or a thing, or even something tangible. There was still Ying and Yang, as well as chaos and order. Fate was like a living thing (thread) bringing immortals together Like Bai Qian and Ye Hua. Even certain deities are foretold or so blessed like himself. Signs from heaven like the birth of Mo Yuan were an indication they were not alone either. Perhaps God was all things and nothing.

"Even the weak Zi Lan immortal now holds this agreement for peace without love or marriage as his curse. How long can he endure it? Is it even fair? How cruel I am freed, but lose the only one meant for me in the same day. Are we really meant to exist in such a manner?"

It was this very force that observed such a speech and had been so moved by his words that something shifted. This yearning and pain were too great. This one had earned merit by hand and combat. He had stood alone and asked for nothing. Until now.

A slight breeze was his only answer. Dijun sighed unsure what good taking her ashes would do. But Bai Qian was right. So was Mo Yuan. Even in her condition, she held the faith, whatever that faith was. Was it in the blood of her heart as she fed it to her teacher, or maybe their ancient weapons or lamps? Ye Hua never gave up, Mo Yuan pulled himself together, Bai Qian bled herself for centuries for those she loved. They loved and cared about people, but had moved on each in their own way. Was he weaker a man than any of these?

No, I am not. He pulled his hand forward and summoned a jar.

Several birds began to sing and chirp around him, but he ignored them.

Dong Hua remained where he'd been until deep reds began to fill the sky. It wouldn't be long before dusk set in. Everything was so beautiful and calm. Another slight breeze picked up and he sat up straighter to adjust his long mane of hair. Soot covered his clothes darkening them in an ashen mess. As he did this, some wind blew her ashes away. He held out a force field on the other end and captured this ash.

Among the ashes was an almost opal shining object that caught his eye before he stood. It was buried in the ash, and he was not sure what it was. Dong Hua wanted to capture as much as the ash as he could to put it in a jar in his home. This way, she would be close to him. Could she rise from her ashes? isn't it what they did? "Her essence (primordial spirit) was used... it's too hard to tell."

The chirping grew louder, noticeably so now and he frowned at it. "They do know the evening draws closer?" Perplexed, he felt more annoyed than anything.

Cocking his head, another breeze blew revealing the top of a rounded opal-ish object. He used his magic and began filtering the ash away from the object while filling the jar.

His eyes widened as the pile lessened.

Then the jar fell from his hands completely.

Under the entire pile of ash was a small nest, and in the center of the nest was one rather large egg with Feng Jiu's mark on it. He didn't dare move until all the ash had been blown away.

Dong Hua's mouth fell open and he gaped at this strangeness. How could it be...? Another wind blew yet this time it was different. As it passed by his ears, it carried her laughter.

Feng Jiu?

Dijun looked around not exactly sure what was happening, but the egg sat there as if it waited for him. At the same time, in the valley below, the other immortals noticed a large number of birds that began to land. At first, they thought the birds were settling here for the night. But then the night seemed to alter back into day within ten seconds. No moon had come forth. The sun had risen anew!

Did time go backward? or forward?

#

"It appears there was a birth of a new powerful immortal." Zhi Yan smiled briefly more to himself than anyone else. "From night to daytime," he looked to Mo Yuan. "Never seen anything like it."

"Goodness, have you ever seen so many birds in one place," Zi Lan muttered. "We'll be covered in bird shit for a week."

Bai Qian glared at him, "You've been covered in blood for longer than that before? Aren't you a little old to complain about it?"

He jutted his chin out, "Want to clean it off?"

Ye Hua shook his head. "What immortal could cause this?"

Mo Yuan and Zhi Yan both met each other's gaze at that moment. Within a span of ten seconds, the sun had risen back as if it were high noon. Faint droplets began to fall from the clouds, and rainbows began to emerge all over the sky. The entire sky was so full of color it was covered in nothing but a rainbow. The valley also filled. It became full of every and any type of bird imaginable. Among those arrivals were several freed Red Tribe Phoenix's.

Bai Qian saw her teacher smile in a way she'd not really seen before. Beside him, Zhi Yan also looked about with wide eyes full of wonder. When Zhi Yan saw these men, he gave a short and quick laugh. They'd been locked down for so long. Song Ju also began to stir. Mo Yuan raised his chin and brows at Ye Hua as he took off his outer robe for the fallen man. He wanted his brother to do the same.

"You really need to learn how to keep your clothes on," Zi Lan said. "Why are all the birds here?" His voice became gentler when he took a thoughtful moment. "Did they feel when she died?"

Zhi Yan advised, "Zi Lan, please move over there." He pointed up some distance away. The immortal gave him a strange look but did as told.

Then he answered him, "They've come for our Queen," he said softly. She was his queen also. Then realization stirred on his features as he looked back to the top of the mountain. "They felt her rebirth." He finally understood it then. "Only a clever queen could pull it off. With a little extra help from fate that is. She really does have the fox spirit within her though. Tsk."

Bai Qian lifted her brow, "we have fun. We are not shameful."

Ye Hua nudged his wife, and they all stood looking up at the sky in amazement, except Zhi Yan who remained motionless.

"Is that what I think it is?" Bai Qian whispered with hope evident in her words. "Will she return?"

While they stared at the sky looking for signs of Feng Jiu, a tall white-haired diety approached from behind. Bird after bird seemed to bow as he passed them, but he paid them no mind. Having made his way down the mountain, he stopped next to Zhi Yan. In his hand was a rather large egg wrapped in a tight nest. A bright red birthmark matching Feng Jiu's stood out against the opal shell.

A large exhale type laugh left Zhi Yan's throat and his eyes filled to the brim with raw emotion. It was shock and joy all at once. Unable to process it, he fell to his knees with awe. This was Fate or God's gift. At his sudden intake, the others turned, and they too gasped. Their eyes widened at the sight of such a large egg.

"An...egg?" Bai Qian questioned. "Why an egg?" she whispered. "Do they not arise from ash," she said.

Dong Hua answered Bai Qian by action and not by word. His eyes had never left the egg all the way down to meet them. He lifted his trembling hand and settled it right above the eggs topmost shell. Thin but visible red flamed threads emerged upward. On his hand, a similar fiery blue-like flame moved downward. When they met, they merged into a deep but bright purple and were lined with gold. Feng Jiu's Mark glowed brightly in red, and then it dimmed.

The threads of fate.

They did not stay merged, but only Zhi Yan knew why-they'd have to mate for it to be permanent. His smile was pure joy as he realized that something good was coming.

"That is what she sees?" Bai Qian asked and covered her mouth in awe just as tears sprang from her eyes. How beautiful!

"it is," Dong Hua answered. His eyes met Zi Lan who stood some distance away. He gave the young god a slight nod of respect.

This is why he had me move away, Zi Lan understood. It still carries the promise, it is just that I know hold it. He smiled back, "I will miss her on the mountain, but I would have chosen this a million times over."

Zi Lan wiped at his tears, turned so no one would see it, thankful for such a blessing. No one knew the order that ran things in their lives. No one knew how immortals were matched, paired off, or planned. Something tied them all together. Just like his promise had been answered, so had this man's.

"Reborn, but as an egg? Tell me fate has a sense of humor."

Bai Qian fell so abruptly that Ye Hua could bearly catch her. Though she cried, it was full of joy. On the shell, her niece's mark clearly showed. His smile grew also with amazement, and he knew she was just overwhelmed. It was his first time seeing such a display, but also such a relief! He remembered how he'd almost lost her when she was Susu. No one should have to feel that pain. "Many blessings Dijun," Ye Hua said.

Dijun looked at all the birds, the tribe, and the sky for the first time. He wanted to remember this day for her. It was unprecedented, so he didn't know what to expect.

Mo Yuan closed his eyes, smile wide, and thought to the heavens Thank you. Dijun has earned this, he thought.

Aloud he spoke, "Some like Zhi Yan came forth in their adult visage. Since Feng Jiu was so young, it stands to reason she would begin her life as a queen..." he paused and cleared his throat, "as a rather large egg."

Bai Qian stood and looked at the egg carefully, "is she in there? is she a baby or..."

Zi Lan just fell to the ground on his butt in utter shock. Jiu had endured and was alive! The core began to throb as he itched at his chest, and Mo Yuan gave a faint but detectable smile again while assisting him up.

"It is best we go," he whispered mentioning the core silently. He said to Dijun, "Each Queen has a Mark unique to herself. I am happy for you," he said and addressed him, "your majesty." He gave courtesy and led Zi Lan away.

"Before you go..." Bai Qian asked delicately. She was not known for being so shy or calmly spoken, "could you show Bai Li. her father..."

Dijun nodded, "of course."

Zhi Yan came over and looked at the egg also. The men exchanged a glance, and he knew Dijun was also curious about the baby/adult comment. He used his senses to feel for her health. "She sleeps, Dong Hua. Her form is indeed new, but the egg will become larger as she matures. This is not the body of a human, but it is primordial and immortal. Time will tell."