He was born on the Land of the Lost.  A fragment of black fire was forged into his soul and when his spirit was carried to his form, the first thing he saw upon wakening up was his Father’s bright red eyes and stretched smile.

He was the prince of the Demon race, the dark specter of this realm.  His people were the epitome of evil and he was of no exception.  He was given the name Yunho, derived from the name of a legendary river in the ancient language.

He was strolling in The Flower Plains that fateful day when he first saw him.  It was an incident that will trigger an affection that will span over five lifetimes.   The flower sprites were quivering and curling in their flower forms while he strode across the colorful flower plains with a wicked smirk.  He had just set a field full of spirit herbs on fire, a decision he promptly regretted because he might as well just steal them and use them for his own gain; but no matter!  The precious spirit herbs that those Peng Lai disciples had been cultivating were gone either way.  He had been contemplating doing the same with the plain when he spotted something; a single stalk of black dahlia amongst the other colorful flowers.  It stood out like a sore thumb, the only black amidst a sea of pinks and violets. 

He tilted his head in wonder.  The Flower Plains had been an ocean of flowers cultivated by the Moon Celestial himself.  It had been his gift to the mortal realm; a flower field that signified peace and purity.  How could there be something of the color of evil here?  He approached the flower with long strides.

“Do not come close!” a red dahlia with a squeaky voice warned along the way.  “I will hurt you!” 

He scowled and slapped the flower away.   The red dahlia shrieked in pain, but was promptly ignored because the center of his attention was something else.

The black dahlia shook slightly from the wind and the closer he gets, the more out of place the flower seemed.  Yunho crouched and leaned in.  He outstretched his hand and just as he was about to pluck the stem, the flower exploded.  Black vapors and golden dusts filled the surrounding air and the next thing Yunho saw was a black haired boy sprawled underneath him, wide-eyed and terrified.  They gaped at each other for a good while.

The sprite got up hastily and with a last glance on Yunho, leapt away with the lithe grace of a sprite.  As if that was the cue to run away, multiple other flowers exploded around him, releasing colorful vapors.  He could only see the edge of their robes fluttering around before they disappeared; leaving a coughing, exasperated Yunho behind.  He hissed as he eyed the empty circles spanning 20 meters radius from him, he really will set this field on fire one day!


The second time Yunho saw him, he was lounging on the branch of a giant oak tree in the plain.  The tree was gigantic, it’s branches thick and covered in moss.  It was a rather peculiar landmark in the middle of a flower field.  Legend has it that a demon once committed a terrible massacre, killing hundreds in a single blow.  The celestial figure of Moon and Mercy was enraged and turned him into that oak tree.  He then planted spirit flowers on the site of the massacre, one for each soul robbed by the demon.  Over time, the spirit flowers cultivated and became the beautiful and otherworldly flower sprites.

Yunho leaped into an adjacent branch and swung his legs, watching the violet sunset in peace.

The boy had dark raven hair, the color of his petals.  Whilst the clothes of most flower sprites were based on the color of their flower form, the boy’s was just a plain white tunic that reached beyond his knees. 

Yunho could have just snapped his fingers and have the boy in a very bad predicament but for some reason he didn’t. 

As he settled himself on the branch, his palm accidentally squashed a caterpillar who did not took it well.  “Argh, you’re squeezing me to death you idiot!” the caterpillar screeched. 

Yunho lifted his hand in shock.  The dahlia who only noticed him then, jumped off to the ground below, his expression twisted in dread.  He looked like a cornered mule who didn’t know what to do and had Yunho not been too busy trying to play villain, he would have laughed at his cowardice.

The dahlia looked like he was going to run south, but north didn’t look too bad too.  Or maybe he should runs east and hide amongst the other flowers.   But if he did that, he would bring his friends to the chopping block, so west it is…… In the end, he just stood there indecisively and when Yunho had jumped down to face him-----


Poof.


Black vapors and golden dusts surrounded the black flower as it took cover under the shade of the oak tree.  Yunho gritted his teeth impatiently.

“Oi, you little thing!  You will return back to your human form or I will pluck you out and feed you to a thousand locusts.” He threatened while placing his hand on his hips.  “I will count to three.  One-“

The flower did not move. 

“Two-“

Yunho leaned down and squeeze the flower’s stem.  “Three.”

Poof.


Black vapors filled the air again and Yunho almost choke on the golden dust.  When he reopened his eyes, he was greeted by a kneeling, tearful young boy whose hands were tucked under his chin, “Please don’t kill me!  I had to cultivate for 200 years to get my human form.  If I die, all my efforts will be in vain!”

Yunho smirked at his little victory.  So he was 200 years old?  Yunho was only 70, pretty young in the cultivation world.  He was undoubtedly stronger though.  He was equipped with the strongest black magic, unlike what puny little power flower sprites possessed.

Yunho tapped his foot on the ground authoritatively while the boy kneeled and kowtowed in front of him.  

And that was the beginning of their lifelong friendship.




The boy did not have a name, Yunho learned.  He was simply addressed to as the ‘Black Dahlia’.  Not all flowers were named as simply.  Since a lot of them shared the same color, they had to choose their names carefully.  The black dahlia did not have to undergo that headache since he was the only holder of his color.

“Hmm,” Yunho pondered as he lay on a nearby grass plains while browsing the clouds above, “Why don’t we call you Jaejoong then?”

“Jaejoong?” the black dahlia repeated next to him.  He had been pouting over his lack of name when Yunho suggested that.  “The river?”

“Yes.  They say it flows through Heaven and in the end merge with River Yunho that flows in the Underworld.  I think it fits you.”

The dahlia shook his head, his lips tucked into an adorable moue, “No.  I don’t like that name.  Choose something else.”

“Why not?  I think it suits you.  It sounds pretty and you’re- well…..” 

“No, choose something else.  I don’t want to be named after a river.”

Yunho huffed as he sat up, “Oi, what’s so bad over being named after a river?”

“No, I just don’t like that name~”

“Alright, hmm, how about Junho?”

“Stop trying to name me based on you!”

“Hehe, was I that transparent?”

In the end, since they couldn’t agree on a name, Yunho merely addressed him as ‘Oi’.


‘Oi’ discovered that Yunho was just a big softie and definitely wasn’t the fearful entity of evil that people make him out to be.  Yunho was not kind, but he was innocent.  His definition of evil was setting things on fire and threatening to set things on fire.  Most of the time, he was just a bored idiot.  Something must have went wrong when he was conceived.

“What do you mean you’re going away?” Yunho half laughed as he played with some sort of a wooden cube he stole from his Father’s chamber.

“I mean I am going on an adventure,” ‘Oi’ declared, full of spirit.  This was 6 months into their friendship.  The rest of the population where he lived still feared Yunho so they mostly spend their time on a nearby grass field, next to a beautiful river.

“Whatever for?” Yunho scoffed as he twisted the cube around.  There was the faint carving of a fish on one side of the cube, and a dragon on another.  ‘Oi’ didn’t need to be an expert to know it was an object full of black magic.  It literally emitted black fumes, it almost----- almost remind him of himself. 

He sighed.

Yunho tossed the cube away when he noticed his troubled expression.  “What is it?”  This was the thing he hated the most when making friends, the emotional baggage. 

“I will find the Moon Celestial and asked him why I am so different?  Is it true that I had been stamped with black magic when I was a seedling?”

“What?” Yunho blew up in anger, he looked admittedly scary when upset.  “Who said that to you?  Tell me!  I will set them on fire!”

The dahlia blinked at him.  “You did.  You don’t remember?”

“Me?” he pointed at himself coyly.  “I did?  Hehe, I don’t remember.  Tsk, what is so bad about black magic anyway?  Everything is about perspective, perspective I tell you!  You and your celestials look like you are going to spit blood every time you hear the word ‘black magic’.  For someone who claims to be so enlightened, you people sure are narrow-minded.”  Yunho didn’t remember saying that, but if he did, he must have said it jokingly.  But then again, if the dahlia was truly a black magic object, does that mean he had to leave that dull Flower Plains and follow him into the demon sect?  That would be so fun; there were a lot of things he wanted to show him, things that went on beyond the Flower Plains.

‘Oi’ glared at him as though he lost his mind, “Narrow-minded?  You people killed and robbed and plundered innocents as hobby and you call us narrow-minded when we condemned you?”

“Not all of us are that way.  Your little celestials aren’t that innocent either.  Especially those old immortals on Mount Penglai.  Argh, even thinking of them upsets me!”

“Don’t talk about them like that!  The Moon Celestial is refined and merciful, you know nothing about him!” ‘Oi’ snarled.  Even though he was obviously weaker than his companion, he looked like he was ready to throttle Yunho had he continue to mock his Maker. 

Yunho eyed him suspiciously, with an expression that makes the flower sprite wants to hit him, “You know, if I don’t know any better I would think you’re in love with your Maker!  That will be so disgusting, a Maker is like one’s Father.”

“That is not it.  I don’t remember a lot of things when I was a seedling, but what I do remember was the feeling of warmth as he held me in his hands.  His considerate nurture, his gentle hands…..  You know, he used to play us erhu to help us grow beautifully.  I can’t play erhu but I will never forget that wistful song he played for us….. I can still hear that song to this very day.”  The dahlia dreamily said.

Yunho could almost imagine a brooding man in white robes, playing erhu to calm his spirit seedlings as the sun sets in the background.   He frowned.

“So do you agree?” ‘Oi’ suddenly turned to him.

“Huh?”  Agree to what?

“Tsk, to help me get into Yue Liang Pavilion of course.  To meet him, my Maker,” the dahlia shamelessly masked his desperation in anger.

Oh, so that was what it’s all about.  Yunho smirked at him.  The Moon Celestial’s Yue Liang Pavilion was a small floating little island high up in the sky, even higher than the tallest mountain on land.  Flower sprites could fly; the dahlia even showed him his wings once; it was made of two humongous black flower petals.  But he could not fly that high, or that far.

“Hm, are you sure you want to ask for the help of a black magic practitioner; who murdered and robbed innocent people in his past time?” Yunho pondered mockingly.

“Yunho~~~” the bright-eyed dahlia begged, “My wings are not made to fly that high.  If it can, I would’ve gone to him long ago.  Yunho, please help me.  You’re my one true friend.   I’m sure your sword can fit us both.”

The smirk on Yunho’s face turned into a mild frown.  The Moon Celestial was a solitary figure who basked in peace and seclusion.  His Yue Liang Pavilion was so high up, even flying swords could not reach it.   Stupid people like immortals and disciples and stupid black dahlias thought he was aloof and distant, but Yunho thought he was just boring. 

“I don’t think my sword can reach the pavilion.  Your darling Maker hates people so much he built his house so high that no one can reach it to bother him.”   

‘Oi’ crumpled like a dead leaf and rolled around in frustration.

This was stupid because for some reason Yunho was the one feeling guilty.  “Alright, alright, don’t give me that face.  Hmph, meet me again here in two days.  I’ll bring you to meet your darling Maker!”  Yunho humphed before he stood up and drew his large sabre out of it’s dragonskin scabbard.  He released it and it magically hovered midair, waiting for him to climb onto it.

With a parting scowl, he kicked the ground and flew off. 


As promised, ‘Oi’ waited for him on the same place same time, two days later.  But this time, he wasn’t traveling by flying sabre. 

‘Oi’ gasped in awe as a large bird casted it’s shadow on the grass field.  The bird had grey feathers, and was double the size of a cow.  The flapping of it’s wings generated ample wind and ‘Oi’ had to look away when dirt flew into his eyes.        

The bird landed near him and on it’s back was a glorious Yunho, smirking at him one level above his usual cockiness.  There was the symbol of a crescent moon on the bird’s forehead, glistening like silver.  The dahlia sprite gaped at it as it tilted it’s head curiously at him.  A thick metal chain adorned it’s neck with indiscernible symbols that he could not understand.

Yunho dismounted from the giant bird and walked to him while holding a chain that was connected to the bird’s neck.

“Beautiful creature, isn’t it?  It’s a moonbird.   They can fly really high, they can bring you straight to your darling Maker!”  Yunho exclaimed proudly.

“Wow, Yunho!  I think I’ve heard about them before.  Where did you get it from?”

“Oh, no.  I didn’t get it, I stole it.  Haha.”  He admitted coyly. The dahlia sprite’s fawning expression changed greatly, from shock, to disgust, to outrage.  ‘Oi’ huffed at him, appalled.  “You stole it?  Yunho, you cannot do that.  That is not very nice of you!  You give him back to his owner now!” 

Yunho glowered rebelliously as he looked away, annoyed by his outburst.  “Well, technically, everything that person owns is mine anyway.  So, this doesn’t really count as stealing…… except it did…..  But no matter, let’s bring you to your Maker first.  The rest, we will handle later.”

“What do you mean by that?  Who is the owner?”

“My Father,” Yunho stated like he was stating the weather, “He has a bunch of them tucked away in his dungeon.  He wouldn’t notice anyway.  But if he did, I’d be in deep trouble, so you better be thankful I am taking this risk for you, you little thing!”

‘Oi’ bit his lips, inspecting the bird that was inspecting them back.  Well, if it was his Father’s, it didn’t really count as stealing.  Besides, Yunho took such a big risk for him, he shouldn’t really let his efforts be in vain.  He turned his eyes to Yunho before his face broke into a bright smile.  “Yunho, thank you!”

Yunho coyly smiled.   His breaking into his Father’s dungeon and getting chased by angry hounds had not been a waste after all.   He composed himself and feigned an unconcerned expression before he pushed the dahlia away.  “That is enough.  Argh, I really hate it when people touch me without my consent.  Hmph, let’s go.”

And like that, their little adventure began.


“For the last time, he isn’t going to kick you!”  Yunho rolled his eyes as he observed the shadows of Mount Penglai from afar.  ‘Oi’ whimpered as he hide behind Yunho’s back, peeking at the moonbird from underneath his bangs.  He was fawning over the bird at first, until he needed to climb onto it.  He swore he thought the bird was going to throw him off of it!  The moonbird was drinking from a pristine lake and occasionally turned it’s head towards him, not because it was ferocious and thirst over blood, but because it thought ‘Oi’ was being too noisy and stupid.  

Yunho sighed from where he stood.  To get to Yue Liang Pavilion, they have to fly above Peng Lai Mountain.  Things might turn ugly if they bump into any disciples.  Had it been him all by himself, he would’ve welcomed the challenge with open hands, but the problem was he was carrying a particularly fragile and cowardly parcel.   The sun was setting so maybe if they waited until night, they would be able to pass Mount Penglai in peace.  Little did he know.  the biggest trouble would not come from the Peng Lai disciples.

The lake was huge, you could barely see the other side of the banks.  And the water was so clear, they could see the little fishes swimming around.  But then, as dusk rolled in, fogs suddenly started to form over the body of water.

 ‘Oi’ squinted when he saw the silhouette of someone struggling far in the middle of the lake.  The figure looked like it belonged a lady and she was struggling to keep herself afloat.  “Yunho, who is that?” he pointed at her.

Yunho rolled his eyes because the way his name rolled off ‘Oi’s’ tongue always sounded so foreign, “What?”

His expression changed when he caught sight of that woman.  He cursed under his breath and pulled the chain connected to his moonbird, “We have to go.”

“Yunho, we have to help her!  She’s drowning!” 

“Oi, that is a water nymph!  I hate them the most.  And I am willing to bet my legs she isn’t the only one around.  Let’s go!”  Yunho pulled at ‘Oi’s’ hands because if possible, he would like to avoid confrontation for that day alone.

‘Oi’ didn’t look convinced, in fact, he looked ready to jump in and save that woman.  Yunho pulled him back.  “Don’t!  Once you get close to them, they will drag you down and drown you!  They are a lot nastier than tree nymphs!” Yunho sounded like he spoke from experience.

‘Oi’ who originally intended to help her, hesitated.  That sounded horrible.  Before he even got the chance to reply, the struggling woman suddenly jump up and flew towards them with a speed faster than anything ‘Oi’ had ever seen. 

Yunho pushed him aside and hurled black fire balls at that woman.  Those fire balls were his specialty, they were more destructive than regular fire.   It was then that ‘Oi’ finally managed to take a good look on her; her slightly bluish skin was partially translucent.  He could see her veins twitching underneath her skin.  Her hair was black and unkempt, and blue gown she wore were loose and tattered.  She was a contrast to the beautiful and otherworldly flower sprites that he was accustomed to.

Yunho managed to strike her with one of his fire balls.  She was thrown to the lake with an impact that sounded like an explosion.  But when she got up again, in which she did easily, she was joined by two more shadows.  The number increased as more blue-clothed people popped out of the water.    She stood in the middle of the lake and opened her arms wide.  The lake water suddenly flapped and surged like a turbulent sea during a bad storm.  She looked regal despite her visual disparities as her gown billowed from the increasingly violent wind. 

The moonbird let out an ear-piercing screech and flew off to hide behind Yunho.  “Let’s go!” Yunho outstretched his hand towards ‘Oi’. 

But ‘Oi’s’ attention wasn’t on him, it was on the water nymph who was generating long water tendrils aimed at Yunho.  In a split second, ‘Oi’ unfolded his wings and pounced on Yunho, swooping him away just as one of the tendrils hit him.  He didn’t stop and continued flying away from the lake, Yunho tucked in safely in his arms.    The water nymph didn’t give up and continued her assault as her people gave chase at her cue.  

“Shui Ling, you crazy thing!  I told you I was sorry!” Yunho howled as he released black fire balls at the chasing water nymphs.  He managed to hit some of them.

The moonbird was right behind them, led by the chain in Yunho’s hands and when the nymphs got closer, it kicked them with it’s long claws.

“Oi, just keep going.  Don’t worry, they can’t get very far from the lake.” 

And true to his words, a couple of miles off the lake, the water nymphs slowed down and watched them leave helplessly.  Yunho heaved a relieved sigh, “Phew, she had always been a lunatic.  And wow, I didn’t think you can fly very fast!”  He blinked at ‘Oi’ appreciatively.

“Neither did I!” ‘Oi’ laughed nervously.   

That wasn’t the right time to ponder like Yunho did, but he thought ‘Oi’s’ wings looked really beautiful under the setting sun.  And so was the owner. 

Yunho swallowed as he looked away.  Now that the adrenaline from being chased by crazy water nymphs had faded away, things were surprisingly tranquil between them.  ‘Oi’ flew leisurely while the evening breeze blew gently like a lullaby.  Yunho had never noticed how beautiful Mount Penglai was until that very moment.  Everything was gold and was so unbelievably serene, like the wistful song of the ancient-folks. 

“Alright, put me down.  Let’s ride the moonbird.”  Yunho said after a considerable while.  ‘Oi’ didn’t look like he could handle any more labor.

“It’s okay.  Let him rest for a little bit more.  We need him later to get to the Yue Liang Pavilion.”

‘Oi’ continued carrying him until night dropped it’s veil.   The sky was dark blue and full of stars.  Cricket sang their songs while fireflies danced to their tunes.  Yunho had been raised in a magical environment from the day he was made, but nothing felt more magical than that very moment.  ‘Oi’ could no longer fly and was leaping from one point to another.  Flower sprites had really long and graceful jumps that rather than jumping, Yunho thought it felt more like dancing. 

Fireflies scattered as ‘Oi’ jumped past them and into a large rock nearby before leaping ten miles away. 

“Uh, oi, you can let go of me now,” Yunho cautiously said.

“No.  Let him rest.  Yue Liang Pavillion is really high, he might not able to reach them if we tire him out,” ‘Oi’ insistently said.

“No, I mean, I brought my sabre.”

“…..”

“…..”

‘Oi’ landed on the ground and growled at him, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”  He looked at Yunho’s empty waist, that was where he usually put his sabre.  Since he didn’t saw it, he automatically thought Yunho didn’t bring it.

Yunho laughed at his expression, “Because I didn’t want to.  Hahaha.  Hang on.”  Honestly, it was because he thought ‘Oi’ looked so cute when determined.

‘Oi’ watched him digging for something in his little pouch.  He took out a little needle and mumbled something.  That needle immediately expanded and turned into his sabre. 

‘Oi’: ………




They landed at the edge of a cliff.  Yunho pointed up.   High up above the clouds, ‘Oi’ could see a piece of floating land. 

Yunho turned his sabre into a needle again and pulled at the moonbird.  “Come here.  Take us up, if you do, I will hook you up with Yue Yue.  You have a crush on Yue Yue, don’t you?  But Lang Lang was always in the way.    I will roast Lang Lang and eat him for dinner, so you don’t have to worry about him anymore.”  Yunho coaxed as he patted the bird’s beak.  The moonbird’s eyes twinkled at his promise.

He turned to look at ‘Oi’ whose hopeful eyes were turning starry upon gazing at the island above.  He rolled his eyes.  “Let’s go!” 

Yunho sat behind ‘Oi’ on top of the moonbird.  He placed his hands around ‘Oi’ in case if the ignorant, cowardly sprite slips.  The sprite looked uncharacteristically anxious, probably nervous to meet his Maker. 

With a mighty flap of his wings, the moonbird flew up, flying vertically into the cold night air.   “Now that I think about it, you’re not that scared of Ji Ji anymore,” Yunho eyed ‘Oi’s’ nervous expression before whispering from behind, “I told you he doesn’t kick.  He will just bite.” 

“Yunho!” the nervous expression on ‘Oi’s’ face dissolved before it was replaced by a new, entirely different brand of anxiety.

“Don’t panic, it won’t hurt,” Yunho coaxed, a conniving smirk playing on his face.  “Granted, one of my Father’s lackeys lost his finger when one of these things bit him back then, but hey, it was just a finger.  Not a big deal.”

‘Oi’ looked like he was going to cry as he thrashed against the moonbird, “Yunho, change seat with me.  I don’t want to lose a finger!  Yunho, help!”

“Tsk tsk tsk, it’s just a finger.  I’m sure it wasn’t anything your darling Maker couldn’t fix!” 

“Yunho!”

The terrified expression on ‘Oi’s face and the smirk on Yunho’s faded the moment the moonbird soared above the clouds because instead of a doorstep, they were greeted by a semi-transparent protective circle surrounding the little island.

‘Oi’ outstretched his hand and experimentally touched the barrier, wincing when an invisible force pushed them away. 

“Woah,” Yunho whispered in awe, “He must really hate people.”

He leaned forward to check on ‘Oi’ and winced at his disappointed expression.  Since they had come so far and tried so hard, might as well…….


Yunho exhaled heavily before he threw a little fire ball at the barrier to see if he could open them.  The fireball hit the barrier and bounced back instead, prompting a terrified yelp from all three as the moonbird quickly dodged away.   

“Yunho!” ‘Oi’ and the moonbird simultaneously screeched at Yunho who bashfully looked away, secretly acknowledging the fact that no matter how well-equipped he was in dark magic, he could never outwit the Moon Celestial who had lived for over 3000 years. 

To their surprise, the part of the barrier hit by Yunho’s fireball suddenly hollowed and formed some sort of an entrance.  Yunho and ‘Oi’ hesitantly stared at it.

“Come on in,” a gentle voice could be heard from the other side.   

‘Oi’ smiled at Yunho excitedly, the brightest smile from him Yunho had ever seen.  The moonbird flew into the island and landed near the edge of a garden.  The pale, silvery moon looked so big on that little piece of land while stars served as an otherworldly background.  Inside the circle, a tiny stone-sized version of moon and the night sky floated midair while little moon fairies flew around them, carrying bucket containing who knows what. 

 A sole figure sat on a bamboo porch, a set of chinese chess was spread on the table before him, next to a boiling pot of tea.   From his silhouette, he looked like a man in his early twenties.  His hair was arranged in a neat half top-knot, held together by a beautiful bronze head piece.  His robes were white, Yunho noted, just like those boring old immortals but he somehow didn’t look too boring in it. 

‘Oi’ beamed excitedly and ran over to him.

Yunho gritted his teeth and after a glance at the moonbird who was busy chasing after moon fairies, Yunho followed his lead.

‘Oi’ sat in front of the man who elegantly sipped on his tea.  True to the rumors, the Moon Celestial was an extremely handsome man, with refined appearance and sharp pointed eyes. 

“This- I- Actually I-“ ‘Oi’ was at a loss.  He had so much to say but everything left his head now that he actually met him.  The Moon Celestial peered up to him and ‘Oi’ melted into a puddle of love-sick goo.

“You are one of my flowers,” the Moon Celestial stated as he gently put down his cup.  “How can I help you?”

“I-“

“His petals are black so he’s under the impression that he had been stamped with black magic somehow,” Yunho rolled his eyes as he locked his hands authoritatively from the sideline.

‘Oi’ who initially glared at him for quipping in, softened when the Moon Celestial smiled faintly.  Yunho shook his head, how could one looked so reserved while smiling?  If he was taught one thing for the past 70 years, it would be the more perfect someone seemed, the more imperfections they were hiding underneath their spotless façade.  He shot the Moon Celestial a nasty look.

“What gave you that impression?” the Moon Celestial asked. 

“Because the demon race openly practices black magic and all of their magical tools are black.    So maybe, I-----“

“If a kingdom drew a tiger on their banner, does that mean they owned all the tigers in the world?” The celestial suddenly asked.  Yunho agreed with him for once.

“But the other flowers, they were so different.  I am the only black flower there.  Something must have went wrong with me.  Since you were the one who made me, I was wondering, maybe you can do something to change the color of my petals.” ‘Oi’ toyed with his fingers nervously.   His problem had always been a decapitating one to him; he was usually the first target of mischievous goblins and the source of gossip of passing disciples, but now that he told that to his Maker, everything suddenly sounded so insignificant.

“Being the odd one out of the bunch doesn’t necessarily means you’re a spoiled entity.  Maybe that just means you are special.”

‘Oi’ froze, astonished by the way the Moon Celestial openly praised him.  His pale cheeks reddened considerably and he giggled shyly under his breath.

“What is your name?” the Moon Celestial asked as he arranged his long sleeves. 

“I wasn’t given a name,” ‘Oi’ answered nervously. 

The Moon Celestial gave Yunho a fleeting glance before he spoke, “Since I was the one who made you, perhaps it will be fitting if I am the one who names you.”

“By all means, please!” ‘Oi’ agreed readily, grinning like an eager puppy.

The Moon Celestial pondered for a while.  “Then, why don’t I name you Jaejoong?”

‘Oi’ and Yunho froze, ‘Oi’ even more so.  “T-the river?”

The Moon Celestial smiled again, one that looked somehow mournful and sad in Yunho’s eyes.  “Yes, the river of grace and holiness that flowed through Heaven and merged with the river of the Underworld.”

‘Oi’ and Yunho exchanged a look.  “I love it.  I will love anything if it comes from The Enlightened One.”  He smiled fawningly at the celestial figure. 

Yunho scowled in the sideline, “Woah, this is too much!  I don’t deserve to be treated like this.”

The Moon Celestial did not pay any attention to him.  “Then listen to me, Jaejoong.  Nothing is absolutely wrong or right in this world.  Evil and good is only a matter of perspective.  Do not judge others from their outside, maybe then, others won’t do the same to you.  If people want to speak, let them.  Whatever they say does not affect you anyway.”  The Moon Celestial said that while smiling a smile so merciful and gentle it could disarm the angriest of enemies.

He poured fragrant osmanthus tea into a cup and handed it to Jaejoong. 

“This- Moon Celestial, I heard you can see the future.  Is it true?”  Yunho quipped in.   He heard that was why the celestial isolated himself on the first place, to distance himself from the burden of worldly matter. 

“Yes, I can,” he answered gently.  The hardest thing in this world was having the power of knowledge but not having the power to change it.  He could not change the future because if he could, he would want to change the past too.  Having to sit back and watch everything unfold made him wish he was never a celestial to begin with.

“Then will I be a great king for the demon realm?  Like my Father?  Will I be happy?” Yunho asked, sounding excited for once.

The Moon Celestial glanced at him and Jaejoong, before settling for a mysterious smile, “I can tell the future, not feelings.”

Yunho sighed.  That answer somehow sounded evasive to him.  “Will I be a successful king of the demon realm then?”  

“The term success cannot be measured by a stranger.  A person can be a farmer and felt successful upon having a peaceful life while a king may rule but is distressed by the duty.”

By then, Yunho was sure he was evading the question.  “Judging from the way you dodged my question, I will die, won’t I?” he half-laughed, hoping the other would say no.

“Everyone will die at one point.  It is just a matter of circumstances, reason and time.”  

“Oi,” Yunho sighed as he turned to his friend, “-you won’t be upset at me if I set your Maker on fire, would you?”



The prince of Nanling woke up after dreaming of flowery meadows and starry nights and a pair of lifeless eyes.   He sat up on his bed and sighed.  He had a feeling he had dreamed that same dream before.  

By the time he got out of bed, he already forgot whatever it was he was dreaming about.    


AN: This is a one-shot/standalone fic.  It will make sense soon, I promise!