Epilogue(Our End)

As time passes, the Golden Lion tower that so proudly over looked the city and the citizens vanished over night as if it was never there in the first place. Shocking and breaking the hearts of many who remember the gentle smiling lord who gave medical care to all who asked for it without discrimination.

When the capital looked for the hero who saved the capital, they could not find the lord anywhere. Instead, on the podium stood a single solemn faced Wangye. The city cheered but the Wangye only stood in a distant daze not seeing the crowd who cheered his name. More days pass and the city buzzed with news of the Wangye marrying a beautiful princess from the west kingdom to bring support from the other emperor to help repair the damage the demon army did to their empire.

People whisper and murmur seeming surprised the Wangye who held the hand of a beautiful maiden called Lady Yue was now marrying someone else. The Lady Yue woman was never spoken of or seen afterwards again as the kingdom celebrates the wedding of the Wangye. The Wangye seeming genuinely happy to marry the princess never took in a concubine or second wife much to the distress of other girls who fought to try and catch his eyes.

But they all fail as it seems the Wangye was truly in love with his golden eyed bride. There were rumors when the Wangye first saw the princess's beautiful eyes he fell in love at first sight. Another year passes and the Wangye was blessed with a child. The emperor threw a feast and having no heir to the throne. Announced that the Wangye's child would become the crown prince causing great joyest news to spread through out the kingdom. It was a celebration that last a whole fortnight.

Then, news of something surprising came to the capital. A rumor, of a handsome traveler dressed in bright red and was so handsome women faint at at the sight of the stranger's gentle smile. The man would travel across villages far off north and treat the sick without charging a single penny. He was a local myth in the north and rarely came to town, but when he did people would flock to his side asking for treatment.

"Father? Why do we have to come to far from the capital?" A golden eyed boy with hair dark like his father's stares outside while asking his father this question curiously. His father smiles and dotingly pat his son's head making the boy grin at his father's unconcealed love. "I came to find a friend of mine." His son was adorable and cute as he asks another question. "Why does your friend live so far? Does he not like the capital?"

Zhu Rong with greying hairs turns to the view outside answering softly with nostalgia. "Perhaps, who knows. I haven't talked to him for a long time." The boy curiously tilts his head like a golden puppy. "But aren't you two close friends?" Zhu Rong laughs and messily rubs his son's head messing the boy's hair up.

"Indeed. A long, long, time ago. Long before you were born." The boy seemed to ponder this news making Zhu Rong give him son another loving look before he again stares out at the scenery. As they enter a village and stop at the local inn, the natives watch warily and whisper to eachother as a handsome older man alights from the extravagant carriage. He lifts what looks to be a young boy, presumably his son, from the carriage. The man held onto his son's hand before being escorted by his men into the inn.

Two older women tut and gossip together across the street. "What a handsome stranger! And look at that carriage! Do you suppose they are nobles?" The other woman shook her head, "Who knows, they look rich enough to be nobles. And do you see the exquisite dragons embroidered on that child's clothes? Tsk, I hope they aren't here to cause trouble." "What is all this commotion about?" The woman jump and turn around to see a handsomely dressed man.

His face covered by his fan but his eyes smile at them making the older women's hearts flutter. They blush when they recognize the handsome man. "Yīngjùn!! When did you arrive?!" He smiles, laughing gently at the nickname. "Just now, may I ask you lovely ladies what makes you flock together on such a early morning?" They teasingly hit his arm lightly, "You flirt! Calling old women like us ladies!"

His eyes show humor, "Never mind that, Yīngjùn, you would never guess what we just saw! A pair looking like father and son just arrived at the inn wearing fancy clothes and silks!" Yīngjùn tilts his head lightly with slight interest, "Is that so?" They bobble their heads excitedly happy to gossip. "The young boy had on robes with golden dragons! He must be a prince! And his father, uwahh, what a handsome older man! It is no wonder he gave birth to such a cute child."

Yīngjùn closes his fan suddenly showing them his brilliantly beautiful face almost blinding the poor old women. "I must excuse myself ladies, I just recalled I need to pick something up before the shop closes." They hurry to wave him away. "Go go! By no means do we intend to keep you!" Yīngjùn smiles apologetically at them before turning to leave towards the local good store. One of the old women whispers to her friend humorously. "What do you think Yīngjùn's child would look like?" Her friend's eyes light up as she envisions it, "Ah!! With someone as beautiful as a fairy by his side most likely an angel!!"

In the inn having received the information he sought Zhu Rong suddenly felt nervous. He really is here... after all these years of searching. "Father?" He snaps out of his dazed look and smiles at his son reassuringly picking the boy up. He hands the coins to the inn keeper thanking him sincerely, "Thank you sir! I am in your debt." The inn keeper grins widely at the sight of the gold coins and with a loud friendly voice insists in a groveling manner.

"No no! It is my honor to have helped someone of noble prestige like his lordship!" Zhu Rong nods his head before turning around with his son in his arms. "Father, is your friend here?" Zhu Rong couldn't answer his son still in disbelief. Sending his men away he stares at the path up the mountain. Setting his son down he rubs his head fondly, "Do you want to come with father? Or do you wish to stay in the carriage?"

He stubbornly shakes his head and held his father's hand. "I want to go with father!" Zhu Rong smiles and the two begin the long trek up the mountain path. As he climbs he recalls the last time he was here. This is where he first saw her isn't it? Where it all began.. Memories flood his mind of that night, the years had changed the place a bit. The path had wooden planks embedded into the ground to help those who brave the climb.

The trees that were uprooted in the landslide were now overgrown with fresh greenery as life begins on their rotten roots. Birds sing cheerfully above their heads and butterflies were on every flower within sight. After a very long walk Zhu Rong having to carry his son the last few steps. He finally heard the sound of a flute being carried with the wind and the sound of a waterfall. His chest clenched tightly, he even hesitated on the last few steps. But he braves on, at the top of the stairs a stone path lead to a simple hut of bamboo and wood.

It was sturdy, with a front porch and dock that lead over the rushing river a few feet away from the water fall. On the side of the porch sat a man with black raven hair in dark red clothes. His handsome face turned towards the water fall, and, what Zhu Rong knew to be green eyes were closed while he plays. Seeing his friend from long ago suddenly in front of his eyes who seemed to not age a single day since the day he left with the corpse of the demoness in his arms.

Zhu Rong couldn't help but feel the guilt and sadness again clog his throat. The regret ate at his mind and soul that day after he realized his mistake. His son who had fallen asleep on his back suddenly awakens and rubs his eyes. "Father? Have we arrived?" The music suddenly stops as the man opens his eyes and his flute is lowered. He turns over to look at the new comers with eyes of green like the most vibrant color of jade.

His lips purse at the sight of Zhu Rong and he narrows his eyes. Zhu Rong again hesitates, he sets his son down who was staring at the jade like man with awe. He smiles at his son, "Go play near the house and wait for father there. Father needs to discuss something with his friend alone. Don't wander far away ok?" His son beams at him before running off to play in the side garden of the house where he could see many flowers blooming beautifully. Zhu Rong with a stiff expression walks toward the waiting Ming An.

The little boy stares at the flowers with awe. Even the imperial palace doesn't have such pretty flowers like this!! He reaches out to pick the prettiest one wanting to bring it and show his mother. When he does this a voice laughingly from the house spoke up scaring him. "Its not polite to steal, little child." When he turns around his golden eyes widen even further. Zhu Rong was stiff when facing Ming An's cold face. "Ming An, its been awhile." Ming An took out a handkerchief cleaning his flute slowly.

"Speak, what made you come here? Or perhaps, you came here to beg me to forgive you." Ming An smiles coldly at him, Zhu Rong flinches. He took a deep breath, "No, I did not come here to beg for your forgiveness." His bronze eyes show regret, "I came to, apologize. I do not expect you to forgive me for what I have done that day. I betrayed you, when you did your best to help me. Blinded by that witch's lies.."

Ming An sneers, "So you came here to tell me what I already knew would happen? Let guess, did she betray you with another man so you finally snapped out of it?" He spoke sarcastically making Zhu Ring again flinch at the harsh tone. "I had her sent out of the kingdom borders after the war." Ming An was still and cold faced when told this. "She was banished to never enter our kingdom ever again." Ming An stood up and eyes him with a frost layered gaze.

"And what is the point in telling me this now? It is already many years after, and you only feel regret now. I will not accept your apology just to make you feel better." He walks pass the silenced Zhu Rong towards his front door speaking up dismissively. "Take your child and go. Don't come back to disturb me again with your problems." Zhu Rong knew Ming An wouldn't forgive him, but..he had still held hope maybe, just maybe his old friend would at least be more... Zhu Rong's hope died like a flame and he went to call his son with the disappointment weighing on his mind. "Ming'er."

He calls for his son. Ming An froze in place as the golden eyed boy runs out from the garden with a beautiful blue rose in his hands. "Father!! Look what I have!!" Zhu Rong smiles sadly at his son ruffling his hair gently. "Is that for your mother?" Ming'er beams at him, "Mother loves flowers! Once Ming'er shows her this flower she will praise me even more!" He watches his son's bright smile and felt some of his sorrows become lifted. "En, lets go home now."

The boy smiles brilliantly at the rose in his hand and held father's hand while Zhu Rong leads him back down the path. Ming An's eyes follow the two as they descend the mountain. For a long time he stood in silent contemplation. "Ming An." A gentle voice calls him from within the house at the side garden. Ming An closes the door behind him entering the home. Turning to the right he enters a room full of preserved blue flowers. His eyes linger on the hundreds of flowers that lined the walls and desk in the room.

A potted Blue Flame flower bloomed prettily on the window sill. He touches its soft petals admiring the healthy plant, until the same gentle voice calls him again from the side patio. Ming An responds in a loving manner his eyes softening significantly hearing the voice which sounded like a lovely song bird to his ears. "Coming, my love." He turns to the open door which let in wind from the garden carrying a sweet scent with it.

He strolls towards a figure who was leaned over a beautiful bush of blue roses. Her hair dark blue like the ocean, skin as pale as the moon, hands lovely and soft looking like white dough. Dressed in a beautiful dress decorated with cranes that flew around her delicate frame. Ming An's heart went soft, his eyes growing gentle as he calls the woman's name. "Qurin." Hearing her name the woman turns around, her amber eyes were full warmth when spotting Ming An. Her smile to him was more beautiful than any of the flowers in her garden as her eyes curve into crescents spotting him.

Her pure unconcealed love and adoration when seeing him approach. "Ming An, will you help collect more flowers with me? I hear the Magnolias are in full bloom this year." He reaches for her hands holding them in his and bringing them to his lips kissing them tenderly. Her smile deepens when he does this, "Whatever you wish, my lady."

In the carriage the boy was kicking his feet happily unlike his father. His father couldn't help but give him a helpless smile. "Does the rose make you that happy?" Ming'er shook his head and smiles at his father, "Not because of that father! I saw a fairy in the garden!" The boy's imagination surprises Zhu Rong into laughing out loud. But he humors his son, "Really? What was the fairy doing in the garden? Was it trapped?" He teases him, but his son shook his head vigorously.

"No! The fairy said she lived there! She was the one who gave me the rose!" Zhu Rong still didn't believe his son and rose his brow amused. "Is that so? What does this fairy look like? Your father is curious." Ming'er recalls the fairy and smiles happily retelling her features making Zhu Rong's smile stiffen. "She had pretty blue hair and very very pretty strange orange eyes! Her skin was very pale as well! She looked like a doll! That's how I knew she wasn't a human but a fairy like mother speaks of in her books!"

He proudly declares this and doesn't notice his father's strange expression. He pales and almost stood if it were not for the moving carriage. But even as his mind raced with the impossibility of the situation. Zhu Rong shook his head, "Impossible..." The boy finally notices his father's oddity and slightly frowns. "Father?"

~

Qurin hums while weaving pretty fully blossomed Magnolias into her lover's, Ming An's hair. "Must you do this?" He asks her helplessly but he doesn't move from his spot. The woman hushes him lightly with a smile in her voice. "Hush, be patient and don't move." Ming An smiles helplessly. A soft kiss on his cheek slightly surprises him as the woman's arms wrap around him from behind, giggling sweetly. He chuckles, "Qurin." The woman rests her head on his back, he could feel her lips smiling through his clothes.

So, he doesn't move, allowing her to have her moment. "Ming An." He hums also taking joy from the blissful silence and allows himself to enjoy the moment. "Hmm?" Qurin mouths silent words he could feel tickle his back. They were whispered with feeling and spoken with a trembling tenderness. As if she was holding back tears of joy at being able to utter the words to him without fear. Ming An smiles feeling his heart swell with overwhelming emotions spreading through out his entire body for the gentle beautiful woman behind him. "And I, you, Qurin." His voice full of sincere unconcealed happiness, his hand squeezes hers softly. Qurin's arms tighten around him as if afraid to let him go. I love you....

~~~~~~~~~~

They say, there is legend of a couple who live on the highest peak of Yǒnghéng mountain. The story goes, the two lovers, born on opposite stars shared a forbidden love more beautiful than the future they had together. The female born of the Black Star, fated to become a demon and rule the under world with an iron first. And the man, born of the Blue Star, fated to kill the Black Star and end her reign of demons once and for all.

They say, when the Black Star, ready to follow her fate, searched for the Blue Star to claim her throne. She had her sword at the ready and found the Blue Star in the center of the city treating the sick and elderly. But then, at first sight of the handsome and gentle smiling Blue Star...The Black Star fell hopelessly in love with the Blue Star. The Black Star afraid of being hated by the Blue Star who stole her heart. Hid from him in the shadows, and strayed from her destiny.

Angered by this, the gods split her soul in two, one human, one demon. Keeping the human trapped in her body, the Black Star continued her massacre of the innocent ruling her demons as she was meant to do. But then, the Black Star once more fell in love, this time, with a human. When the human fell for someone else the Black Star, heart broken, became more cruel than cruel ever could describe.

When the Blue Star, saw the Black Star in her rage take out her frustrations on the innocent humans he felt anger. But at the same time being as kind hearted as he was, he felt sympathy. So one day, the Blue Star sought the Black Star to talk of peace. When he entered the Black Star's realm, and saw the Black Star for the first time in person...The Blue Star, fell helplessly in love.

The Black Star had given into her heart break allowing the human side to take back her body and cry tears of blood. Seeing this the Blue Star could not find it in himself to kill the beautiful, pitiful, lovely Black Star. The Blue Star then left the realm unable to face the beautiful Black Star as she weep tears of grief. On the day of war, the Blue Star, unable to stop the battle hardens his heart. He begged the gods for a way to become a demon to save the Black Star.

The gods in their anger denied his request, so the Blue Star, filled with rage. Used his powers to create a flower resembling the one he loved. This flower, had to ability to taint the soul and turn humans into demons. It was his show of dedication and declaration of love to the Black Star. The Blue Star consumed the flower and became a demon to stand along side the Black Star.

But the demon in the Black Star, blinded by her jealousy. Did not put the Blue Star in her eyes, as she continued on her massacre of the innocent. The human in the Black Star could only watch and weep bitter tears as her body raged on without her consent. The gods finally felt heart ache witnessing the uncountable amount of death of their people. They came to a compromise, the gods could forgive the human in the Black Star, but the demon was to forever be sealed away for her crimes against fate and humanity.

The human begged for the god's mercy for her demon soul. But the best the gods could do was allow the demon soul one chance to redeem herself from being damned. The Black Star, given the chance to start over, did so with gusto. Able to spend every day with the Blue Star who did not remember her brought her sadness. But at the same time, the Black Star was happy.

The Blue Star unaware he was spending his days with his past love every single day grew more confused by the emotions consuming his heart each minute he spent in her presence. The Black Star, having received her warning from the gods to do her job well fled from the Blue Star with a broken heart.

The human half saddened by the separation allows the demon to take over once more. The demon, finally feeling sympathy for the human half. Did her job well, she gathered the demons all under her rule. She protected the heart of her human half who was still yearning for the presence of the Blue Star.

The day of war came, the Black Star faced against her love. And yet... The Blue Star, having fallen in love with the Black Star again, could not find it in himself to kill the Black Star. But still, they must follow the rules of fate. In the peak of battle, as the Blue Star lowers his sword unable to end her life like fate insisted he do. Fate took things into their own hands. As the Blue Star was about to be killed by her loyal minion from behind, the Black Star, knowing she must end the cycle, sacrificed herself... The Black Star died at the hands of her own kind for the sake of her love, also being unable to kill her lover in the end. The Blue Star greatly saddened by the death of his love cried grievously.

The Blue Star disappears from the human realm due to his sorrows. Carrying the Black Star's body through mountains, rivers, forests, across oceans. The Blue Star traveled far and wide without rest, until, he arrived at heavens door. Kneeling at its gate the Blue Star cried for days.

"If you love me as you claim! If you love me, the Blue Star! Allow me to share my name with the Black Star! In life or death we will be tied!" The gods were shocked by the Blue Star's declaration. He kneels at the gates clutching the Black Star's body crying bitter tears. "If you will not share our names! I will also turn myself into a demon and do the job you have cursed the Black Star with!"

Being threatened the gods grew enraged and separated the Blue Star from the Black Star's body. "You dare threaten us? You may be our beloved Blue Star, but we will not take threats lightly! If you love the Black Star so much, then walk through the gates of the underworld for her!!!" The Blue Star was not afraid and willingly leapt into the underworld.

There he battled demons, corrupted souls, swam through magma, crossed the raging river of death. And duels the ruler of the underworld for a hundred days and a hundred nights without rest! As the one would expect, the Blue Star, being the darling of heaven and humanity, came out victorious. The ruler of the underworld asks him. "Why have you come this far? What is your goal for fighting me?"

The Blue Star who had exhausted himself on his battles answers him with one sentence. "The gods told me to bring back my lover from the under world, so I have come to bring the Black Star back with me." The ruler of the underworld suddenly laughed at his answer. "You crossed the most dangerous realm in the entire world, for a single demon?"

The Blue Star answers him firmly, "Demon or not, the Black Star is dear to me. And I will gladly cross the underworld a hundred times for her sake." The ruler was touched and amused by his answer. "To have someone so easily claim they could cross my realm a hundred times, you will be the first and last. Its too troublesome having someone like you mess up my realm. Take her and go."

The Blue Star, having received the soul of his beloved returned to the surface world. At the gates of heaven, he once more kneels. In his arms this time, the soul of his beloved stunning the gods. "You told me to go to the underworld for her. And I have, allow me to share my name with my lover. For I have crossed the lands of the underworld in her name. Now, she and I are one."

The gods were speechless at the Blue Stars foolish bravery. They deliberated before finally giving in seeing his insistence. "So be it. But do not expect us to be merciful again if the Black Star should go on a rampage once more. Take her body to the highest peak of the human realm. Lay her body at the very top beside her soul. On the day where the moon is at its fullest, the Black Star shall rise once more."

The Blue Star did as he was told and waited days and nights by her side without rest. On the full moon, when the moon was at its brightest. A light like no other shone on the body of the Black Star. The Moon, seeing the battered body of her children felt heart ache. "My children, both born of my own creation. I have watched you suffer over and over, each life time more painful than the next. In accordance to your wishes, I will allow you to share your fates. Life and Death. Weakness and Strengths. You shall walk hand in hand."

The Moon revives the Black Star with her blessings for their love that was once forbidden. The Blue Star, seeing his beloved awaken for the first time in a decade. Wept tears of joy. The Black Star, souls merged as one again, held the Blue Star crying. The two, reunited together after so many years, built a home at the top of the mountain. Living happily together, in sickness, and in health. Sharing joy and sorrows.

Basking in the presence of the other happily. The Black Star and Blue Star made an oath. "The day we leave this earth, we will meet again ontop of this mountain even in death. Our love will live on forever. As long as the Moon lights our way in the night. We will always meet each other on the night where the moon shines brightest. For we, the Black Star and Blue Star, share a love stronger than any fate."

On the full moon, on top the mountain without fail two celestial in the shape of bright stars would light up the sky each night. One as Black as night, one as Blue as the sky. Hence the name, Yǒnghéng as decreed by the emperor Ming An. Who had forbidden the entrance or harm of the mountain wild life. Preserving the mountain blessed by the Blue and Black Star.

The End~

..............

"Without fail, without delay, even if I shall have to cross the underworld a hundred times. I, the Blue Star, will never leave the Black Star to suffer alone ever again."

~Ming An

"Traveling across earth, heaven, and even life times, without fail, even if I have to suffer from your hands. I, the Black Star, will never stop searching for you and loving you. For you are my beloved Blue Star."

~Rin Qurin