Chapter Text
Light sound of footsteps filled the long and broad, hollow corridors of the Ying palace. A young servant stood in front of the massive black doors, decorated with blue ornaments. The mark of the moon stood proudly on both sides, the sign of the Ying Sect.
The girl's large brown eyes stung with tears, note tightly clunched in her shivering hands.
With a long sigh she gently knocked. Not a moment later, soft "Come in " was heard. The young servant dreaded her next move, but it was her lady. She would never disrespect her lady.
Stepping into the enormous chamber, she first noticed the sterm gaze coming from the young master. His stormy, grey eyes looked at her accusingly, probably irritaded by her sudden interruption. The man was in his early twenties, with quite alluring and elegant features.
But so was expected from the Ying Sect. She would've blushed under those eyes, but now there were more urgent thoughts flowing trough her mind.
And then she saw Her. There, beside the large window, sun gently kissing her milky skin, dark silk like locks swayed elegantly on the wind, blue butterfly pin keeping them in place. Her back was turned, delicate hands lightly playing over her light blue guqin. The quiet, delightful melody easing the servant's heart, even for a moment. Then she was met with such blue eyes that could make the sky jealous. Her lady smiled lightly, quiet melody still playing.
"Feng Yao, what is the matter?"
"M-my Lady Ying...there are some news..."
Feng Yao's troubled gaze dropped to her shivering hands, the note now crumbled. She cursed herself. The young lady's calm expression fell seeing her servant in such a distress.
" Well? Speak up girl!!!"
Feng Yao flinched hearing her master's voice.
"Ying Xiu."
Casting a warning look towards the man beside her, she turned to the girl, waiting.
"Sect Leader Ying...has passed away."
Ying Xiu gasped quietly, his angry expression now replaced by a shocked one.
"What...?"
He wishpered lowly, turning his shocked gaze towards his calm sister, hoping it's all just a mirage. But her face stayed the same : emotionless.
"A-and...the letter came from the Wen Sect...yesterday."
"Yesterday?! Why bring it out now you stupid girl?!"
"Lady Ying asked-"
"Ying Yue," He uttered her name coldly. She met his eyes that screamed for her to say something. The melody stopped. Ying Yue slowly stood up from her position near the window. Her head standing high, dark blue robes elegantly swaying behind her.
"There is nothing to explain, brother. With our father's death the Wens found our weakened state perfect for war."
Calmly she took the crumbled note from her servant. The emblem of the red sun plastered proudly on the other side of the paper, as if to further mock them.
"DAMN IT!!!"
Ying Xiu slammed his foot onto the small table, crushing it instantly. Ying Yue turned to look at her brother who was then fuming, trying to control himself. She was used to his emotional outbursts by now.
"Feng Yao, you may leave." She said gently to the frightened girl. Feng Yao quickly bowed to her master and her lady before leaving.
"A-Xiu, please calm down."
Hearing his sister's soft voice, his rapid breathing slowed down a little.
"Heh, to die now...how selfish"
He laughed bitterly, walking towards the black haired girl.
" He was still our father, we are going to pay our respects."
''He was your father, that man was nothing to me.''
Yue looked at her brother solemnly. But it was the sad truth. Ying Xiu was an illegitimate child. Their father, Ying Thao, was married more than once. His first wife, and Xiu's Mother, was left with nothing, casted away from their Sect, making her son illegitimate, because she betrayed their Leader, her husband. And now with his death, as the only true heir, Ying Yue was next in line. But the young girl wasn't even 20 yet. It was no surprise how her Sect will react with the news. And it was no secret that Ying Xiu was not fit to be a leader, their father was aware of that.
Sighing softly, she took the brush and started to write, but a strong hold on her wrist stopped her.
''What are you doing?'' He asked with a treatening voice.
''Writing back to the Sect Leader Wen.''
''And what would that be? ``We surrender, no need for fighting?!``Don't make me laugh!''
And now those passive blue eyes showed a tint of anger.
"I know you think of me as a coward, A-Xiu, and I certainly know that this war is already lost. But I am not giving up yet.Tomorrow I will go to the Nightless City, and try to... disscuss this with Wen Ruohan by myself.''
Jerking her hand from his tight hold, she stood up, ready to leave.
As she was near the doors, she stopped.
"I will not let this Sect burn in flames.''
" Ying Yue -"
She never got to hear him call out to her as the large doors closed.
Night had already fallen over the Ying palace. Gentle light of the candel filled the dark room.
''What now... '' She said quietly.
Her hand shook as She wrote the final letters. Neatly folding the paper, Yue placed it on the side of the table. Her eyes were thoughtful. So many things happened in the last few days, it was all to soon.
The Wen Sect asking for war, her father passing away and now she was the Sect Leader.
It was all to soon.
Fear started to cloud her mind.
'' What if this doesn't work? What if I am not fit to be a Leader....? What if Wen - ''
Inhaling deeply, she tried to calm herself. There was no use thinking about those things right now.
'' Only time will tell... '' She murmured softly, turning her head to the window beside her, the sound of crickets easing her mind.
Yue gazed at the moon, calming down a little. ''Moon" The Ying sect's symbol. Her teacher would say that the lost would turn to the moon, seaking for guidance.
Yue chuckled bitterly.
Tomorrow the little Moon would stand before the Sun, hoping for the peace to stay between them.