Deep within a dimly lit chamber, hidden under the palace, the air hums with ancient energy. The stone walls pulse faintly with an ethereal glow as a noble immortal and the Crown Prince of the Celestial Realm, both in their divine human guise, stand motionless. Their gaze is captivated by a glowing egg at the center of the room.
Now, this is when my story begins. The air around us crackles with magic as I enter this world. The egg cracks open, revealing my shimmering pale azure skin. A gentle breeze brushes a patch of my silver-blue hair, damp with amniotic fluid. The scent of musky air fills my nose. I feel cramped. I need more space to breathe. Then, with a burst of light, the egg shatters around me. Yet, the broken pieces do not touch the two figures before me; instead, they remain suspended in the air. With a flick of the immortal's wrist, the fragments float back and neatly reassemble on the table.
My eyes slowly flutter open. The first thing I see are two men watching with rapt attention. One has beads of sweat dotting his brow; his features are chiseled like marble, tensed with anticipation, standing with aristocratic grace. The other, wearing perfume and likely royalty, is round-faced, grinning, eyes lighting up with excitement. Both have an aura of power and nobility, with long straight hair and flowing silk robes. They look at each other, and the energetic one beams. Still, I find myself naturally drawn to the reserved one, whose features are impassive.
The energetic one claps his hands with an audible crack, shaking his head in excitement. He pauses, placing his hand on his chin, his eyes widening in awe.
"Long Fei, you did it! I can't believe it."
The calm immortal elegantly wipes the sweat from his brow with his sleeve.
"Your Highness, remember this is our secret. No one is to know what I've done."
Wait, I'm going to be hidden? I can't be caged. I'm a free spirit!
"Oh alright. Only because you asked. What will you name your guardian?"
So that's what I am... a guardian. That means I won't be caged.
"Ling Yue, meaning she will be clever and have the spirit of the moon."
Ah, so that's my name. I have the spirit of the moon. I love it!
"How do you know it's a girl? Is this your way of fending off other women?"
So I have the authority to keep the ladies away. A devilish grin creeps across my face.
The stoic one remains silent, a subtle smile tugging at his lips.
He looks more handsome when he smiles. I'm going to work on that, bring so much joy he won't be able to help himself.
"Perhaps. It wouldn't hurt. She will have the power of a cyclone within her. So she will be a force to be reckoned with. Anyone that wants to get to me will have to go through her first."
The power of a cyclone. I like the sound of that! I try to channel such power. Wait... Why can't I move?
The Crown Prince scratches his chin, grinning.
"If that's the case. You can't train her here. I want the Celestial Realm to remain peaceful and quiet."
He lets out a sigh.
"I know your cultivation is high enough to create a guardian but why did you lock your emotions in her? I told you that I don't need that sacrifice. I trust that you will never betray me. I know you have no interest in the throne."
Wait, he sacrificed his emotions to bring me to life? In the ten minutes I've been alive, I already feel special.
Tears well up in my eyes.
I agree. He is very trustworthy. You have my allegiance! If I could speak, I would give you my word that I will make sure to feel your emotions to the fullest.
The noble immortal sighs.
"I know you didn't ask but I felt it was necessary. This way I could be completely focused on protecting the realm."
A tinge of sadness pricks my tiny heart. No, he didn't want to give up his emotions. He sacrificed for the greater good to remove unnecessary temptations.
"But you won't be able to build any romantic relations. Won't you regret it?"
"That's fine. I do not need it."
My heart remains steady. Maybe romantic relations are not important after all.
"That will disappoint a lot of immortals, you are the most sought-after noble after me, that is. I know the Phoenix Princess, Zhen Hua has set her heart on you. Why don't you marry her? She's the most beautiful and talented out of the females, a fitting match for you."
I already don't like this Phoenix Princess. She sounds like trouble.
Long Fei shakes his head, his eyes shift to the floor.
"You know my younger brother, Long Yan, has been pining after her for millennia. I can't do that to him. It will break his heart if I marry her."
So he has a brother, he doesn't sound as captivating as him.
"And your heart? You can't honestly say you don't find her attractive even the slightest?"
"Why do you think I locked my emotions away?"
Personal quest: keep the Phoenix Princess away from him.
The Crown Prince shakes his head.
"I seriously don't understand your logic. Your brother would have understood... I hope you don't regret it."
Another personal quest: make sure the brother ends up with the Phoenix Princess.
The Crown Prince leans in and appraises me.
"I can't help but think she will be trouble incarnate. I expected her to be a dragon since you're the Dragon of Air. But she looks more like a tiny whale..."
I don't feel any wings, I try to breathe out fire. Nope, I'm definitely not a dragon. I do feel heavy around the gut. If I'm a tiny whale, what am I doing out of water? Quick! Get me to the sea.
"Nothing passes your discerning eye, Your Highness. I have a good relation with the Merfolk. Their monarchs gifted me the egg, that's why she's from the sea. Since you're hesitant for me to train her here, I'll take her to the Ocean Realm."
As intriguing as their conversation is, it's time for me to make myself known. I try to move, but my body doesn't respond. Then, I open my mouth and say the first thing that comes to mind. I can't help but feel a strong bond toward the calm immortal. I feel the need to protect him.
"Master?"
Long Fei's eyes soften as he plucks a silken handkerchief from his sleeve. He wipes me down, cleaning off the amniotic fluid.
"See, I told you she was clever."
He leans towards me and pats me on the head.
Oh! This feels great! I will be demanding head pats from now on.
Then he wraps a silk cloth around me.
"Your Highness, thank you for accommodating us. It's time we head to the Ocean Realm. I will update you as she levels up. Pretty soon, you might have another warrior defending you."
The Crown Prince claps his hand on Long Fei's back.
"She's welcome here any time. I sure hope she keeps your chaotic emotions safe within her. I'll treat your pet like my own."
He reaches for my head and pats it.
I like this one too but not as much as my master.
His Highness pulls a copper chain from the stone wall, and the door slides open, leading us up the narrow stairs to his chamber, then out into the open, where fresh air fills my tiny lungs.
The chamber is floating on clouds. The sun is setting, casting an orange-pink hue across the clear sky. Every building is shrouded in clouds. Immortals in human guise can be seen riding rainbows and divine beasts. It is a breathtaking view.
We say our farewells to His Highness. Then gusts of wind swirl around us as my master starts to tremble. A brilliant divine light envelops us as his human guise expands, shifting into the form of a majestic dragon. His enormous wings unfurl with a mighty snap, each scale a pearlescent white tinged with silver, shimmering in gradients of sky blue. With a powerful flap, he lifts us into the air, holding me gently in his fearsome claws. I can't believe it—I'm flying! I'm free as a bird!
Other immortals stop and gape at the sight of my master's splendor. Then he dives down, spinning as he catches the wind. We soar through the air with the wind beneath his wings, my silver-blue hair drying and billowing in the rushing breeze. I take in the view: mountains shrouded in mist disappearing into the clouds, a clear sky stretching endlessly, and the glistening ocean sprawling beneath us. He circles over a spot in the ocean before diving into the deep blue.
As the water washes over me, I feel alive. I thought my purpose was to be his guardian, but why settle for destiny… when I could carve my own legend?