MINGXIA POV

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Our trek through Rayeong Ocean was a tumultuous one. The combination of the strong sea breeze and the feeling of moving on unsteady, rigorous currents worsened my nausea, making my stomach flip as the boat moved against the waves. My eyes wandered to the strips of water hugging the coastal lines of Máire and Shirakawa, Mutsushina. My stomach's queasiness eased slightly, but the dizziness remained.

Jing-Wei handed me a cup filled with a dark-colored liquid. "Here. It should lessen the nausea. I had Imperial Physician Ruogang prepare it before we departed." I stared at it tentatively, fearful of what it was. She must have seen the look on my face because she added, "Don't ask what's in it. Trust me, you don't want to know."

I sniffed the contents once and tentatively sipped it, and was instantly repulsed. It tasted like I'd drank muddy water.

"I know it doesn't taste good, but it provides immediate relief. Is your headache any better?" she asked.

"Gone, actually." I could no longer hear ringing in my ears or feel throttled from my crippling vertigo. Whatever was in the mysterious drink was certainly powerful. "How long until we arrive in Wonchaek?"

"It's a one-day trip. Luckily, we have enough supplies that we won't need to dock anywhere."

Jing-Wei stopped talking suddenly, as she cocked her head to the side to listen intently. Her ears twitched. She heard something and whatever it was; it wasn't good. "Get below deck, Mingxia," she demanded.

"Why? What did you hear?" Before I could hear her answer, Aiden had picked me up, carrying me down the stairs. "Jing-Wei!"

Aiden made eye contact with me, his gaze telling me not to move once he settled me into a hammock. He stood in front of the staircase, his back to me as he prepared for an attack.

"I can help!"

He put a finger to his mouth, urging me to be quiet. Shouts and the sound of stomping feet followed shortly after. The crackle of thunder echoed like lightning struck the boat. My heart raced. I feared what would happen to the others. If something happened to them, it would be my fault for failing to protect them. I couldn't let another person get hurt because of me.

'I won't,' I thought, trying to push past Aiden, but he wouldn't let me past him no matter how hard I struggled.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. You can't. We knew the risks when we agreed to go on this journey with you. Allow us to do our job," he said with a sad expression.

"And I'm supposed to sit here while you all put your lives on the line for me?"

"It won't come to that, Lady Mingxia. We're stronger than before. We've trained for this moment."

"Could you at least explain what's happening?"

"I suspect the kitsune aren't as accepting as they initially claimed. If that's the case, you must remain here until Jing-Wei has given us a signal that it's safe to return to the deck."

A deafening roar erupted from above suddenly, silencing both of us.

'That can't be a kitsune. Why would they go back on their word when Liwei allowed them to enter Wuzhen again?' I thought, trembling at the thought of what kind of beast had to be so large to have shaken the earth with its thunderous bellow.

I heard Emrys and Taranis chant:

With Pluvio's heart, we accept thy bonds.

Upon each aggression, water shall respond!

The boat rocked violently with their incantation as they summoned the water that surrounded us. Aiden held out a hand for me to grasp to maintain my balance and for a moment, I was grateful for the medicine Jing-Wei made me take earlier.

"Enough of your magic, water elementals. Bring the Dragon Queen out or I will find her myself," our attacker's voice echoed from above. His voice held a different level of authority. It wasn't like a noble greeting a commoner. No, it was akin to a mortal meeting a god.

"We don't have any dragons on this boat," Jing-Wei answered.

"Is that the last thing you wish to be remembered by? Well, let's see how far you're willing to go to keep up with this infernal lie."

I had decided there had been enough blood, and the time had come to cease the never-ending flow of bloodshed. "Enough!" I shouted, pushing past Aiden. If he tried to stop me, his strength wasn't enough. My dragon had taken control of my body, giving me the strength to confront our attacker.

The first thing I noticed was the dark tone of the skies. A dark black circle lingered in the sky, where the sun should have been, like someone stole it from the skies. The darkness engulfed everything it touched, embracing us all in its wintry embrace.

On the edge of the ship stood our mysterious assailant and demon-looking half-dog, half-otter creature. Bandages wrapped tightly around the top half of the stranger's face, covering his eyes. His jet-black hair fell down his sides, hugging him as intimately as the willowy cloak of shadows around him.

Jing-Wei appeared at my side in a flash, irritation etched into her features. "I thought I told you to get below deck," she said. She gazed past me, and fury quickly replaced irritation. "Aiden, you had one job."

"Lady Mingxia doesn't want to see anyone die on her behalf," he replied.

"No one has to die!"

"He won't kill us. It's outside his realm of duties," Taranis said, never breaking eye contact with the intruder. "Though if it were centuries ago, you'd gladly take our fates into your own hands, wouldn't you?"

"You know who he is?" I asked.

"Everyone knows who he is. The people of Naestrirea once feared him as the God of Death. He's taken a lot of good people from this world, and plenty of evildoers as well," Jing-Wei spat.

Her hatred for the deity confused me because it sounded like she had a personal vendetta against him. 'What did he do to you, Jing-Wei?' I thought sadly. 'Did he take someone you love?'

"You despise me," the stranger said. "It's normal. People often mistake death with injustice. Do you think I sat in Hell, going through a list of people, wondering who I should kill? Death isn't simple, avian. People die when the Gods have deemed it their time to die."

"And yet, here you are."

The stranger's body turned towards me as he addressed me. "I hope you won't allow your comrade's negative thoughts about me to taint your opinion of me when we've only just met, Your Majesty."

"She's my friend."

"Yes, well, let us get to the reason I'm here. I am Balor, the guardian of the waters in the realm. My presence here isn't just to introduce myself, but to deliver a message."

"And what is that message exactly?"

"I'm not just the guardian of these waters, but of those who live in them. If I discover you have harmed anyone from my domain, I will return the favor tenfold."

"We won't kill anyone. Once we've gotten the cure, we'll return home and be out of your hair before you know it."

"I know your intentions very well, Fang Mingxia. Though I don't think you understand the gravity of the decisions you're about to make. For your well-being, leave the selkie alone. You will not find peace if you attempt to steal one of their cloaks."

'Was that a threat?' I shook my head in disbelief, thinking I was imagining it. "We need a selkie's cloak or else the poison will continue to drain my mate's life-force until he dies. I can't return without the cure."

"Death is not always a bad thing. Sometimes the true cure can be found in the afterlife."

"So you suggest I let my mate, the other half of my soul, die?" my voice came out gravelly as my dragon lingered just below my consciousness. Frustration and fury slowly built up. She didn't like the way Balor spoke of death so easily. 'He would understand if he had someone to care about,' I thought.

Gods don't have the luxury of experiencing love. To love someone is the same as admitting defeat and they don't want their weaknesses to be exploited, my dragon murmured in my mind.

The beast beside him growled, as if sensing my dragon's presence. If a fight were to occur now, I wasn't sure if I could win. The creature had to be at least ten feet tall and, worse of all, it could swim. I feared the water, knowing I'd fall to the depths of the ocean, with no hope of resurfacing. In the water, I was weak. In the skies, I was superior. I was someone with power that exceeded anyone else in the realm.

Droplets of seawater splattered onto the ground from its white pelt, its black ears standing up attentively, waiting for my dragon to give him a reason to strike.

"If your bond is strong, you can withstand any obstacle thrown your way. Even in death, your souls remain together and if the great Meihui allows it, she may grant you another life," Balor said. "While I can't speak to your personal experience, I can assure you I understand the pain of losing your loved one. Such is the life for an immortal being. I have seen my soulmate reincarnate one hundred and eight times."

His words weren't wrong. In fact, they were the very words I was afraid of. I didn't want to let go of Liwei in this lifetime. I wasn't ready to. 'Wait, did he just read my mind?'

A small smile appeared on his face in response. "You have much to learn, Mingxia. And perhaps with time and experience, you'll come to understand my point of view."

Showers of light poured down on us as the solar eclipse ended. Warmth slowly returned, and the darkness crept away, returning to the secrecy the shadows offered.

"Time has run out. I hope you'll consider my words and I pray that if we meet again, it's on better terms," Balor said, returning to the water with a big splash. When the sun returned to its original place, the gray clouds disappeared and seagulls filled the sky once more.

How was I supposed to save Liwei when a god stood in my path? 'Are we fated to suffer?' I thought with despair.

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"How long will you be mad at me, Jing-Wei?" I asked once we were alone in the only private room on the boat. She paced around the room, occasionally gesturing angrily to the air like she wanted to curse me for disobeying her orders.

"You don't get it, Mingxia. You're not the daughter of the Shen family anymore," she said in a huff. "Stop thinking you can protect everyone. All of us are willing to sacrifice our lives for you. That sacrifice will be in vain if you throw your life away!"

Jing-Wei's sharp tone silenced me, filling me with shame. What could I say when I knew she was right?

Her face softened when she realized she'd gone too far. She sighed and said, "I'm not your mother, nor do I want to be. But try to have some common sense when we arrive in Wonchaek. There are plenty of people who would want to take advantage of your kindness. With how the realm is now, it's important to put your needs first."

"I understand."

"Now, get some rest. It's late."

She turned to leave, but I stopped her. "Jing-Wei, what did you mean when you told Balor he took a lot of good people?"

Her hand hovered above the door handle, and for a second, I saw a vulnerability in Jing-Wei's gaze. "Happiness doesn't come easily for everyone, Mingxia," was all she said with a sad smile before leaving.

'Who did you lose, Jing-Wei?' I thought, laying back against the bed. 'Maybe Liwei will know.'

I glanced out the window and saw several fox spirits playing in the water. 'We must be close to Mutsushina.' My heart swelled with sad nostalgia because it reminded me of Zai Shui and the other water dragon wyrmlings.

Is everything alright, Xīngān? Liwei's voice entered my mind. I tried to contact you earlier, but something blocked me.

Yes, everyone is doing fine, I said, relishing in the comfort his voice brought me. How are you?

A little better. Myra recently came over to reapply the antibiotics. I can hardly feel a thing. I also met with Xiaosheng and Shuren to discuss plans for sending our people back to Wuzhen. For obvious reasons, we've been prolonging it. This is a good time to rebuild.

I hope we can find the cure in time.

There's no need to rush. Take your time. Besides, Yujin and Xiaosheng will oversee things in Wuzhen while Shuren stays with me to relay updates.

Can't you use your status as emperor to communicate with them telepathically?

I've been too tired to hold a connection with anyone else other than you. I can't imagine holding it for a great distance. Fortunately, I feel refreshed after hearing your voice.

Tired? Have you been resting enough? Is the wound getting worse?

Relax, Xīngān. Yes, I sleep when I don't have a mountain of paperwork to complete. Just because I'm ill doesn't mean I can take a day of rest, unfortunately.

Please try to rest more. If you need to, you can rely on Shuren, Xiaosheng, or Yijun to complete work for you.

I'll do my best, Xīngān. You should get some sleep. You'll need your strength when you arrive in Wonchaek.

Will you sleep too?

Yes, in about an hour. I have a few more documents to review before then.

Can you stay until I fall asleep? I feel more at ease when I can feel your presence in my mind.

A soft chuckle resounded before he replied, Anything for you, Xīngān. He sent images of him holding me close to him and stroking my hair until I drifted off into a deep slumber.

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