Chapter Five

The humans stood tall ontop of their walls, staring out and watching as the sun was slowly swallowed by a red moon. There was no divine sign that told of a blood moon. So this unsettles everyone even more than the shadows with glowing red eyes they could see far off in pass the horizon. Even miles apart the humans swore they could hear the growling and howling of the far off demons barely hiding in the horizon.

The hairs on their necks stood up on end, cultivators swallow nervously. Zhu Rong with his battle armor on stood firm in front of his men. He did not flinch as he searches the crowd for his beloved who he worries would try to sneak onto the battle field. He had discovered her not long after traveling to back up the army in the last fortress. She had tried hiding as one of the servants but he recognized her with one glance and locked her up in his room. He still worries she would have managed to find a way to sneak out though.

He was not aware Lady Yue had such a reckless side to her, and that uneased him. He always saw her as an innocent flower who was curious about the world. But never would he have imagined she would be so hot headed behind that beautiful shy face. For some reason a woman with eyes the color of the orange within a fire full of sadness and regret enters his mind. Zhu Rong frowns not knowing why a pair of random eyes were showing up in his head. Who is that? Why do I remember them so clearly? "Do not lose your head." Zhu Rong's eyes widen with surprise as a man clad in blue armor similar to his rode up beside him on his white horse.

"M-Ming An?" Zhu Rong asks unsure if the man clad in deep blue was truly his friend who enjoyed the vibrant color red so much. Indeed, the handsome Zhu Rong wasn't the only who had changed. Ming An with eyes devoid of mischievousness and had a serious look instead was almost unrecognizable. His eyes of green that should usually be filled with a clever light now shone severely at the men behind him.

The Black Lions who all stood at attention proudly behind their master. Ming An donned a blue outfit, his armor made of heavenly Ocean Dragon scales. Every part of him was the complete opposite of the man from before who only knew how to flirt with women and cause trouble for Zhu Rong. Even his fan was no where to be seen, only a strange necklace around his neck that hung low like a charm above his chest. His hair wasn't hanging from his head without a care anymore.

Instead it was properly tied up into a bun with a simple jade pin. Zhu Rong was hesitant in talking to this strange man. "Is, is this really you?" Ming An instead of laughing and making fun of him for making such a stunned expression. Instead only sends him a cold side glance before nodding and focusing his attention firmly on the demon infested horizon. Such a dramatic change? Before he could say anymore to this new Ming An, he was interrupted by a sudden unified roaring by the demon horde.

Zhu Rong's questions were casted aside as the soldiers in his rank all shrink at the intimidating cry of the demons. Ming An stiffens as he slightly leans forward, narrowing his eyes scanning the howling horizon as if to search for something desperately. "Wangye!!! In the sky!!!" Everyone who brought their eyes up step back unconsciously. The horses paw at the dirt snorting anxiously, some more nervous than the others even whinnied and went on their back legs.

Zhu Rong kept his composure shouting in a firm calm voice. "Calm yourselves! Prepare your swords and shields! Ready the arrows and canons!" They took solace in his strong orders even though they shoot looks at the dark blue figure hovering in front of the red moon. Ming An's horse nickers at the sudden tightening of the reigns by his rider. A single figure with a wing span rivaling a griffins hovers above the army of howling demons.

Far from the reach of their arrows but close enough to show its full silhouette. Ming An knew who it was. He also knew the demoness was staring back at him with a smile. Her blade black as night raises above her head making him tense. When it falls, all hell broke loose. Howling and evil cackling resembling hyenas fill the air. The shadows in the horizon multiply and run towards the fortress like a dam had just been broken loose. Zhu Rong watches this calmly even though inside he was cursing. "Ready, and FIRE!!" Ming An's fist had yet to relax as a wave of arrows and balls of fire were flung over his head towards the army of demons.

The demons still bravely charge on as their comrades were taken out. But a large amount had been crushed and burned by the fire blessed with white flames. The soldiers cheer seeing the numbers had been reduced. But Zhu Rong and Ming An remain stone faced. Soon more demons replace the ones killed making the soldiers quiet suddenly. Zhu Rong unsheathes his sword at Ming An's side.

"Men, we fight today for our emperor! We fight for our loved ones! No matter who or what stands in our way! WE WILL FIGHT AND DIE WITH HONOR!" Zhu Rong sharply pulls the reigns of his horse making it whinny on its back legs before charging forward. The men regain their morale and cheer once more with him. "Long live the emperor!!!" Ming An with his eyes set on the demoness who had not yet moved from her stop also charges with Zhu Rong in the front lines.

Hēiyè smiles to herself as her demon horde and the humans run at eachother. She felt chills coat her feathers from the glee. Not yet. Qurin winces and clutches her eye controlling her lust for battle. "Not yet." Hēiyè agrees solemnly, an apathetic expression coats her face. The first wave of cultivators and demons crash into each other with war cries. Some demons fall without a fight having been weakened by the white fire.

Others..the cultivators scream as their arms are torn from their torsos. Hēiyè grins as blue and red blood spills across the battle field. A flash of white catches her eyes, her gaze is brought back to the man in blue. "An odd choice you made, to open your heart to the Blue Star of all people." Hēiyè waits until the human in her spoke gently and sweetly.

Love does not pick and choose, you and I know this very well. Hēiyè sneers at Zhu Rong who bravely meets head on with a demon's claws. "I learned my lesson. It is why I have willingly given you this life in return for the choices I had made without your consent in the last ones." The Blue Star is worth my love. Hēiyè shows doubt, "Are you sure you can do this without me?" You are me, have confidence in us. Hēiyè sighs, "Then I will bow out for this fight." Hēiyè, we are always one, in happiness, health, and sickness. When I get my happiness, when I make things right. We can be free, together.

She hums, acknowledging her words. "Lets hope so, let me do the killing for you. You always had a soft heart." Thank you. Hēiyè's mouth curls up into a blood thirsty grin. Hearing something slice through wind some cultivators look up startled having forgotten the demon in the sky. They watch in horror as the demoness gave a cry like a hawk mixed with laughter of a mad woman. "Hahahaha!!"

Screams of agony break the ranks more than before as the demoness lands harshly cracking the earth when she does so. The ground trembles under her strength before crackling and snapping. The ground below demons and humans alike violently bursts from the ground like a explosion under the dirt splinting it apart. Piercing anything on the surface, demons and humans instantly die caught in the cross fire of her wrath.

But the ones safe distance away howl in delight seeing their queen finally join the fight. A large circle with dead bodies crushed and impaled by the earth numbering to hundreds already surround the demoness. Hēiyè gave a dark chuckle bringing her gaze up to the cultivators who luckily didnt die during her landing, they shiver in terror. A monster!!!

As she steps forward with anticipation the cultivators step back falling on their butts shaking violently. A horse stained with demon blood jumps over their heads. His rider jumping off as the horse dashes away in fear of the demoness in front of it. "Lord Ming An!!" The cultivators identify him almost crying with relief. He held his hand out to the cultivators ordering them to retreat while keeping his cold gaze on the smiling demoness in front of him. "Those free from the battle help the others! The southern and western walls are also under siege! Go!!"

As the battle wages on, the cultivators leave him to face the demoness alone. His sword had long been drawn, blood coats the blade but his armor remained almost untouched. Qurin's blood thirsty smile melts back into a gentle one, she puts her arm behind her back retracting her claws. "My lord, its good to see you again." Ming An's heart trembles at the sight of her single amber eye staring at him with familiarity.

The sadness still lingering behind them. "Qurin, no...Hēiyè." She only smiles at his words not moving from her spot. "Was this your plan all along?" Qurin shook her head still smiling gently at him. "Not all of it. This," She gestures around herself at the war surrounding them. "-was not part of my plan at all. My court wants war, so I gave them a war." Ming An spoke calmly, "From the start, you knew."

"That I was the Black Star? That drinking the poison would unleash my powers?" She tilts her head still smiling and answers him truthfully and softly. "Yes. I knew." Ming An's sword slightly trembles which doesn't escape her notice. But she doesn't take advantage of his weakness, she only continues watching him. "You knew I would not be able to kill you." Qurin admits sadly and sincerely, "Yes, I knew this too." Her eyes land on the horn hanging around his neck, black and polished till it shone like a dark star.

Ming An steels his heart and mind, "But I will have to kill you today." Qurin gently laughs, "As you wish, my lord. But please forgive me." Her wings open showing her in all her glory as she smiles sadly at him. "My body is no longer mine." In a dance of feathers Ming An moves quick to backflip from his spot where black feathers rain on the spot he was.

He hears the wind being sliced above him and with a harden mind the man deflects the feathers with skillful swordsmanship. Qurin was merely a bystander as Ming An barely struggles under the endless barrage of dangerous knives like feathers. He doesn't look like he will win. Qurin's smile becomes loving as she watches him continue his way towards her deflecting the feathers stopping him from advancing.

"He will win. She has yet to show up, remember?" Hmm? Is that not her trying to sneak up behind us? Qurin tilts her head with amusement dancing in her eyes. "It is." Will you let her stab you right now? "Did I not tell you? Only the Blue Star, is capable of killing me." Qurin turns her body to face the female dressed in male clothing shocking her.

Lady Yue's eyes widen like a deer facing a hunter. Qurin's black blade came down like a meteor splitting the ground where Lady Yue had stood. "Ahhh!!" Her scream catching the attention of both Ming An and Zhu Rong who had came once he heard Ming An was facing the demoness alone. "Yue'er!!!" Zhu Rong was horrified to find his beloved lady trembling at the feet of the demoness. Ming An's eyes flash spotting the foolish woman who gave him a scared begging look. "Tch!" That Zhu Rong cant keep a leash on that troublesome woman for a second!! Zhu Ring rushes forward pass Ming An who calls out frustrated.

"Zhu Rong you fool!! Don't approach her!" But Zhu Rong was blind with rage and desperation to defend the sobbing woman who was at the mercy of Qurin. "GET AWAY FROM HER!!!" Qurin's head tilts once more hearing the shout behind her. Her arm swung out as fast as a snake meeting his blade. Her eyes don't show the same gentleness they do when faced with Ming An. Instead they are cold and distant, as the blades spark with the strength both of them were pushing at to try and over power the other. Zhu Rong with his jaw clench finally looks up to meet the mismatched eyes. It was a mistake. He instantly recognizes the face that haunted his mind since the day he saw her. "What.." Hēiyè doesn't smile at him, his grip on the sword falters allowing the demoness to easily win the battle of blades. Her eyes flash with anticipation while increasing her strength to slice the man in half.

"Zhu Rong you imbecile!!" While she was preoccupied Ming An quickly brought his sword between theirs to take over Zhu Rong's blade kicking his friend away. Qurin is pushed back by a powerful energy exploding from his blade. The demoness catches her fall stabbing her sword arm into the dirt ripping it apart as she was shoved backwards. The force he used to make her retreat was powerful enough to make her fly back a few feet. As she comes to a stop Qurin felt something rise from her body that felt like a bubble. Facing the ground a small pool of blue blood escapes her lips. Thus, covering her sword with her own blood.

The Blue Star is no joke, when he says he will not hold back he really means it. It is a blessing for us he doesn't remember you. Else he would of never done that. "Thats ok." Qurin ignores the second rise of blood that threatened to escape her lips and wipes her mouth casually. "Everyone is here, we can end this now." Shada will be able to smell your blood even from here. You should hurry. She gave a rueful smile, "I know." Raising her head she faces Ming An's gaze as chilly as a lake in winter. "You were going to kill him?" She gently smiles at him standing up straight again. "I am a demon." Ming An couldn't retort to that answer as his lips form a thin line. "It seems so."

Zhu Rong didn't know why his strength failed him in that moment. His hand slightly trembles as he picks his sword back up. He looks at Ming An who stood in front of him protectively. "Ming An..that demon.." But Ming An doesn't pay him any more attention only asking one question. "Can you stand?" Zhu Rong shook his head to clear his mind. "Yes, Ming An that demon-" "Zhu Rong!!" A woman who was surprisingly clean for being in a battle field jumps into his arms surprising him until he remembered why he charged the demoness in the first place. "Yue'er!! Are you hurt?! Did she do anything to you?! What were you thinking?!"

Lady Yue sobs into his chest delicately, "I-I just wanted to help.. I knew Lord Ming An was in trouble so, I-I-I.." She seems not to be able to finish her sentence and Zhu Rong doesn't push her to answer. Ming An gave the woman a mere side glance, not touched by her suicidal actions, he was still focused on looking back at Qurin smiling softly at him. "Zhu Ro-ong that de-de-demoness, sh-shes the one who-who-" Her voice cracks making Zhu Rong feel heart break. "That monster is the one who murdered my grandfather and slaughter my village!!!" "What?!" Zhu Rong with renewed anger glares at Qurin with a new type of hatred.

The kind of hatred that blossomed due to the suffering of his beloved person. When Zhu Rong was ready to attack her again Ming An holds his sword out to stop him. "This is my battle." Zhu Ring bristled angrily turning his glare towards Ming An. "You heard what Yue'er said! Let this prince take revenge on that heartless monster!!" Ming An's green eyes grow sharper than his blade, before Zhu Rong can even blink. His sword was suddenly harshly flung out of his hand again.

Zhu Rong was stunned, Ming An's tone drops several degrees cooler sounding menacing to his ears. "I said, this is my battle." Zhu Rong couldn't retaliate when he saw the look in his friend's eyes he had never seen before. "Ming An..you-" But his words fall on deaf ears as the man begins walking towards the smiling Qurin again. You've almost fully recovered while they had their moment. And Shada is very close by, hes most likely passing over the south mountains by now. "Are you doubting me, Hēiyè?" Qurin was amused, it was quiet before she heard a faint snort.

I am just concerned you are having too much fun with your lovers quarrel to remember the time. Qurin turns towards the red moon which was starting to finally set. Ming An not understanding also follows her gaze to the setting blood moon. "It is time." She lunges towards Ming An but the man wasn't surprised as his sword comes up with ease. His green eyes had long frosted over with apathy when faced with her pretty smile. Mercilessly pushing her sword till it crashes into the earth the silver blade elegantly follows her arm up. A wing as dark as night, as large as his frame flew without its owner.

The demoness recovers and jumps back to lightly touch her missing sword arm and wing. A black wing lands a few feet away from her sadly. Her sword arm detached from her body also sadly impales the ground after being cut off by the man. But even after losing her wing and sword she still smiles gently at him in return. Ming An doesn't stop there and once more dashes forward. Her claws catch his sword mid air just as he was about to stab her last shoulder.

He doesn't stop putting pressure on her hand which still held onto the sword fearlessly. "As expected of the Blue Star, you really were holding back all this time." Ming An doesn't listen to her words and instead pushes his sword harder till he feels her palm get cut up by his sword and her injuries pouring blue blood endlessly with the strain she put on her body.

She smiles and wraps her fingers around his blade, he frowns when the demoness pulls him closer. He watches her close her eyes, Ming An's power begins to dwindle seeing the vulnerability she was showing him in the midst of their battle. When she opens her eyes again his straight face falters greatly, and his strength, like Zhu Rong fails him. Two beautiful amber eyes gaze at him with a brightness he hadn't seen in days.

In them, something he couldn't quite place, it was exactly opposite of hatred. When his hands grow slack she easily managed to pull him towards her allowing him to take cover under her horn as she gently leans upwards to give him a soft peck on the lips shocking the man into utter silence. The demoness's amber colored eyes crinkle again in that lovable way as her lips curl into that beautiful smile she dazzled him with just like before. Her mouth whispering words that make him speechless and confused.

"And just like that, the Blue Star is victorious...." Ming An only sees her beautiful smile as he is swung around with Qurin taking his place as a boulder of feathers and claws roars from above them aimed directly at Ming An's back. Qurin!! Hēiyè panics calling out to herself. Let me take over Qurin!! You cant take the pain of Shada's claws!! Qurin!! QU-"RIN!!" Ming An catches the falling demoness when the startled Shada jumps back from her body after realizing he missed his true target.

He watches shell shocked as his queen unable to regenerate from his blow, after being heavily injured by Ming An at the same time, sways and falls. Ming An's face was full of panic as he holds the fallen demoness in his arms. "Qurin?! Qurin?! Speak to me!!" But Qurin could not speak and hold back Hēiyè at the same time. She only smiles at him through the pain making his eyes widen.

Qurin you foolish girl!! Give the body back to me! You cant bear the pain!! Not while injured so badly like that! Ming An quickly took her claw into his free hand, she could feel him trembling. A look in his eyes she had never seen before today. "Qurin, regenerate! I will lend you my energy so regenerate!!!" But try as he might the energy in his body was rejected by the demoness.

Ming An's hand is cut by her sharp claws as he desperately held onto her limp fingers. Qurin found this funny even while her chest kept flowing with blood and her body screams in agony unable to heal itself from Shada. Hēiyè was furious screaming in her mind, QURINNN!!! A chuckle escapes her with it came up blue blood sprayed over Ming An's blue armor turning it even darker blue.

"A* gasp* human's *cough cough* cultivation...cannot *cough* mix with, a-" her voice falls into a whisper. "-demons." Shada fell to his knees raising his shaking hands up to his face. "My queen..my queen..what have I done?" Ming An fell silent while watching the demoness stare up at him with adoration even as her eyes were showing the pain she was going through.

Shada looks up from his hands and saw the human holding onto his queen and his eyes blaze with untamed fury. Getting to his feet he trembles with boiling rage, "You-!" Shada roars his body radiates with wild power his eyes glowing red entirely consuming his mind. "YOU'RE THE ONE TO BLAME!! YOU KILLED MY QUEERN!!" Crying out in agony mixed with his rage the demon took a step forward but he is suddenly stopped.

A knife, engraved with the words, Hēi liánhuā. Pierces his heart shocking the demon who was consumed with rage. A bright flame colored white follows the demon blade and quickly engulfs the demon. "ARGGH!!! AHHHH!!" Shada"s screams calls a stop to the battle, demons suddenly brought out of their blood frenzy as the last of the blood moon sets on them. Look over hearing the cry of one of their own loud enough to break the last blood lust in their minds.

Shada screams while trying to futilely put out the white flames that burn away his corrupted body. Qurin's head slowly turns to him as Shada cries out holding his bleeding chest to meet her gaze with desperation wishing he could reach his queen. "Hēiyè!!!" The demons seeing their leader had died and smelling her blood mixed with that of their court leader howl with fear and retreat confusing the remaining cultivators. "Our queen falls!! Retreat!! Run for your lives!!!"

Shada's eyes full of desperation were the last Qurin sees before the demon bursts into black dust with the white flames still linger over his ashes. She smiles sadly as her eyes close for the last time. Qurin! Don't close our eyes! I forbid you to go alone like this! Do you hear me?! Qurin! Ming An falls silent with disbelief. He didn't want to believe she died just like that. Not like that... "Qurin?..." He brings the silent corpse to his chest whispering her name with a trembling voice. "Qurin...Qurin..."

Behind the pile of ash where the male demon had once stood, reveals a crazed looking Lady Yue shakily bringing the knife to her chest with a wild grin. Her hands shook as she holds the knife to her chest exclaiming with crazy joy. "I-I did it! Hes dead!! HES DEAD!! HAHAHAH!!" Her hair was a mess and her black eyes which were suppose to be full of innocence were no where to be found.

"Mother, father, grandfather, I've done it! I've avenged you!! Hes dead!! I've finally avenged you haha!" She kicks the ashes of the demon shouting wildly with mad glee. "How does it feel?! How does it feel to watch the queen you love so dearly as she dies helplessly in front of you?! HOW DOES IT FEEL YOU MONSTER?! AHAHHAHAHAA!!" Zhu Rong was stunned staring at the unrecognizable woman in front of him. "Y-Yu'er? What's wrong with you? Why, didn't you tell me that, that demoness over there killed your family?!"

The woman who was laughing wildly suddenly goes quiet and turns over to him. Her face showing a lazy careless expression shocking him. "So? Who cares what I said? Pfft, who knew, you would actually believe me?" Her face and voice was mocking, making Ming An stiffen at her careless tone. She caresses the dagger in her hand happily, "Demons are demons. Who cares if she did not kill my family or not? In the end, they are monstrous slaughtering machines that should be killed on spot."

Zhu Rong fell to his knees realizing he had been used and treated like a fool. The watching crowd murmur to eachother, those who recognize Lady Yue unable to believe their eyes the gentle woman was actually so crazy all along. But they did agree with her logic. Ming An held Qurin's body closer to him as his shoulders shook with the effort. "L-Lord Ming An why are you holding that body?"

Lady Yue's eyes that danced merrily with joy staring at her dagger turns her gaze over to Ming An. She skips to his side and leans over to look at the blue demoness who had long breathed her last in his arms. She whistles laughing lightly, "What a scarily beautiful demoness, it is no wonder Lord Ming An still holds onto it. To be honest, Yue'er thinks she looks better dead. Don't you agree, Ming An?" Her words were playful, Ming An's voice shook when he spoke. "This woman did not kill the people in your village?"

Lady Yue seems a bit surprised before laughing as she straightens back up. "This creature? I've never seen it before in my life. In fact," She taps her cheek pondering lightly while grinning and scrutinizing the demoness. "My people use to be demon hunters, every year we would read the constellations and receive a divine message that shows us the horns of what high ranking demon wiped out what village. But I've never seen the horns of this demoness before."

She bursts out in laughter, "It must be a newly formed demoness, what a shame. It hasn't even had its first village raid before her reign was put to an end." Ming An being told the truth about Qurin's innocence shook silently and violently. His green eyes shutting while his hands yearned to wring that woman's neck. Lady Yue doesn't seem to notice as she was still stuck in her own cheerful narrations.

"Its good we killed her now before she actually managed to fully release her powers upon the capital. Even if she didn't kill innocent people she would of if you didn't put a stop to her. What a relief!" "You're the demoness all along..." Lady Yue tilts her head hearing him mumble something curiously and leans over to try and hear him better. "What was that Ming An? I couldn't hear you just now." Her eyes pop out as she struggles being held by her throat up to the sky. Her wind pipe slowly being crushed in the hands of Ming An who was glowering at her with anguish green eyes.

"You're the demoness all along!!" Her hands drop the dagger as she stares at him with surprise and fear. Her mouth opens and closes in her struggle to scream. She claws at his arm and throat kicking the air violently. "MING AN!!" Zhu Rong shoves the man forcing Ming An to release Lady Yue who drops the the ground coughing and gasping for breath. Her eyes water as she begins bawling, her doe like eyes directed at Zhu Rong.

"Zhu *cough* Zhu Rong!! Save me! Lord Ming An has gone mad!!! Wuuuh~!!" Ming An hearing her speak tries to lundge at her with his sword again but Zhu Rong hurriedly traps his wrists. "Ming An snap out of it!! Are you insane?! Shes a human!!" Ming An roars at him, "Unhand me Zhu Ring!! YOU'RE PROTECTING A MONSTER!!" Lady Yue begins crying as if terrified incurring more sympathy.

"Wuu~ Zh-Zhu Rong L-Lord Ming An has lo-lost his mindd~!! Wuuuu~" Zhu Rong saw his friend had truly lost his mind and tries to calm him down desperately. "No matter what you think Lady Yue is innocent!! She has done nothing to deserve your anger!" Ming An's eyes glow as he stops struggling and brought his glare towards his so called "friend". Zhu Rong's firmness slightly falters being faced with such a fierce glower full of unconcealed hatred.

Ming An flings his hands off and back up, grinding his teeth. "You intend to protect this demoness to the end? Zhu Rong? After all she had done to trick you and use you?" Zhu Rong hesitates but hearing a sweet sugary coated voice call out helplessly from behind him "Zhu Rong.." He firmed his resolve and meets the glare of Ming An without flinching. "Yue'er did nothing wrong here Ming An. She is right, a demon is a demon."

Ming An lets out a harsh laugh and runs a hand through his hair releasing the tight bun. His hair black as a night is released and a sarcastic grin graces his lips. The old Ming An he knew before was back. But instead of a friendly mischievous grin he sent him all the time. This grin was one Zhu Rong saw many times. It made his resolve which was solidified just seconds ago crack a bit. This grin was one Ming An directed at his enemies. The man turns away and leans over the demoness's body, picking her up carefully as if she was fragile glass.

"Ming An.." Zhu Rong tries to convince his friend again. But Ming An was done wasting his time with the fools. Over his shoulder as he gazes down at Qurin's face his words were sharp and distant. "Since you think that way, so be it. I have tried to clear your mind of that witch's spell more than once already. Consider that the extent of which I am willing to do as a old friend of yours. We no longer know each other from this point on."

Like the wind all thats left of Ming An to the shock of the men watching was air and a single ribbon floating to the ground. Zhu Rong was speechless and couldn't believe his ears. To think, his long time friend was gone, just like that. The battle field that was only a few minutes ago full of clashing of blades was now full of silence. What, just happened?

The Black Star has finally fallen like fate decreed. The curse is lifted, humans can now live in peace. The Blue Star, is victorious.