The Faces of This Chapter:
Yena: Disciple of Water god | Cheerful, Stubborn, thoughtful
Rang Mi: Yena's caretaker and foster aunt | Sharp-tongued but caring, protective
Lord Niruana: The Water God — acting ruler of the Yuanian realm | Calm, Wise, distant, knows more than he says
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Long ago, a beautiful yet mysterious woman took the control of the Yuanian realm — a land where gods, magic commoners and ordinary commoners (without magical powers) coexisted together. The Gods with their divine powers looked after commoners; while magic commoners dwelled in the vast sky of Tianlok, the ordinary commoners lived in the bhulok. Legends say that the Supreme Deity sent this enigmatic woman to rule over the Yuan to ensure peace in the Yuanian realm.
Scene: Royal chamber
"Mysterious woman? Seriously?!" Yena scoffed, closing the book irritably. "How come these commoners not know about Lord Sian Yi? I get that they lack magic but have they got no brain, writing these silly stories." Her tone was sharp.
A soft chuckle sounded from across the room. "Yet, you read these stories till the very end." said Rang mi, collecting the scrolls scattered on the ground. "Why don't you just admit that you find them fascinating?"
Yena rolled her eyes. "I read them to see how ignorant these commoners are. That's all. I travelled to Bhulok four years ago, there weren't much things to see and remember." She paused momentarily lost in thought. "Moreover, the more I read, the more I see how these commoners are oblivious to their own history."
Rang Mi putting back the scrolls in the drawer replied "Okay, okay.Whatever you say. But enough of reading for now — you're already late. Lord Niruana is waiting. You'll get scolded once again if you delay any longer."
Yena rubbed her temples, muttering in frustration, "How could you forget this Yena!" She turned back to Rang mi while swiftly getting ready "Ummm, Mimi, could you ask the royal librarian to send me all the books on the elemental provinces of Yuan?"
"So, now you're interested in the elementals?"
Yena's expression shifted as she muttered under her breath, "If I want to understand magic commoners... and myself... I have to." In her haste, she moved towards the entrance.
Rang Mi's expression softened, "Didn't you find most of your answers back then?"
Yena stilled for a moment replied "Maybe, Maybe not."
And with that, she hurried out of the chamber.
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Scene: Royal Palace's Garden
Yena arrived, breathless "I... I… ran all the way here... How are you already here Uncle?"
"Because you're late." replied a calm voice.
Lord Niruana, stood with his hands behind his back, gaze on the Kalp Tree.
"I guess I am," she admitted, still catching her breath.
"Have you read about the history of elementals?" His voice was calm and impassive.
Yena replied "I was going to, after finishing my reading on yuanian history and culture….."
A silence stretched between them.
"I swear on the gods!" she added quickly.
Realizing what she had just said, she lightly tapped her fingers against her lips, as if trying to push the words back in.
Niruana turned to face her. "You don't even realize what you're swearing on half the time.""Now, tell me what did you read about yuan in those books." He added.
"The Yuanian Realm has existed for hundreds—no, thousands—of centuries... but no one really knows for how long. Only the gods would know." Yena shook her head slightly.
"Yena..." Niruana exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. "How long do you think this will take if we continue like this? Can we not just get straight to the history and divisions of Yuan?"
"Alright, alright! Yuan is the most mystical and beautiful of all realms. Not just only because of its Majestic landscape but because of how all beings co-exist together. The Supreme Deity, the Creator, formed this world and the set balance among gods, magic commoners, and commoners."
"Continue," - Niruana prompted
"After creating gods, mystical creatures(mysticals), and commoners, the Creator left the world to grow on its own. Magic Commoners have the potential to wield magic but only through cultivation; Without cultivation and knowledge, they are no different than ordinary commoners. Back in the time, Mythical Beasts — forebears of mysticals, served elementals — ancestors of royal magic commoners, as their guardians."
She hesitated. "But now… those creatures are gone. Extinct. However, their elementals inherited their powers, but over generations, that strength has faded. The current elementals — descendants of the old ones, still rule their respective provinces, with their hereditary powers."
"And the Ordinary Commoners?" Niruana asked, watching her intently.
"Ordinary Commoners…. they have no special powers, no magical abilities. They're just... ordinary. But strangely enough, they are the most peaceful and content beings I've ever seen." yena concluded
"You left out Sian yi and the great settlements" He noted.
"I… I don't know much about it," Yena replied, clenching her fingers. "What I read… it doesn't feel like the truth. And what I do know —" She exhaled sharply, brows furrowing. "It's just… not enough."
Niruana regarded her for a long moment. "That is why I asked you to travel between the two loks. Answers do not come to those who wait. They come to those who seek."
Yena sighed theatrically "Uncle, you could just tell me the whole story yourself. That way, I wouldn't have to bury myself in books all the time."
"You….You….Look at yourself, Always avoiding efforts" He lefts out a sigh.
"Uh-huh, How could I forget?" She begins backing away "I have that meeting with Uncle Zheng in the war room… I'll take my leave now, Your highness. Bye Bye!" (Waving her hand, she hurriedly exits, hoping to avoid the ongoing scolding.)
"She still acts like a child, yet she's all grown up now. She hides her feelings so well, doesn't she?" Niruana said, his gaze fixed intently on the Kalp tree.
Yena walked out of the palace garden, Niruana's words echoing in her mind: "Answers do not come to those who wait. They come to those who seek."
She paused, her gaze drifting to the horizon, lost in thought. " What would be easier... seeking answers... or uncovering the truth?