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The lake was so still that the storm clouds were sharply reflected, as if the water were a mirror. Not a drop of wind was blowing, and the lush green trees surrounding the lake painted the gray reflection of the sky in the water with their colorful flowers and fruits.
The figure of SeHun, the prince of the EXO tribe belonging to the ElyXiOn mountains, walked along the shore with calm and careful steps, and his figure also reflected in the water perfectly imitated his movements.
The teeth and bones of different animals he had hunted along his journey as the tribe's provider prince hung from different strings of thread around his body, and tangled with the traces of cloth that formed his revealing attire, which barely covered his most vulnerable parts to cold and friction but exposed his long tanned legs and arms, as well as chest and abdomen marked from hours and hours running through the mountains in search of food. On his skin there were some scars from fights with animals or wild wolves, those who had not been blessed by the god Byul and their consciences did not allow them to engage in relationships with humans.
He had a relationship with his wolf, ChanYeol, blessed by the god Byul. They shared food and watched each other's backs during dangerous hunts. ChanYeol, the white wolf who watched him from across the lake, guarding the surroundings while he strolled, had been a small, furry baby when his father introduced the puppy to him. SeHun was barely six years old, and ChanYeol had been a four-month-old puppy. Their relationship had become close within days, and it had been twenty years since that moment.
Now, SeHun had to receive the blessing of the god Byul in order to take the reins of leadership of the tribe. And to do so, he had to fill the sacred mountain lake with his presence, hoping that when the first drop of his blood of ancient lineage fell on the surface of the lake, the god Byul, of light and all things pure, would make his appearance. From then on, SeHun would have to prove himself, but his father had never explained to him how he had to do that very thing; it was something only he could do. But what did it mean? He had no idea.
When SeHun felt ready enough, he took one of the sharp fangs hanging from his necklace and jabbed it into the palm of his hand. He clenched his hand into a fist and placed it over the water, letting a heavy drop impact the still surface.
The instant the crimson drop hit the water, a bolt of lightning struck the lake, striking right in the center. SeHun squinted and looked away for a moment, blinded by the sudden brightness.
As his eyes became accustomed to the natural light again, his breathing stopped the instant he saw a figure wrapped in vaporous robes, with white hair, holding a cane which was swarmed by tiny specks of light that SeHun thought were fireflies, but their glow was too white to be so.
He was a man, probably about his age, and he might have been normal except that he was in the middle of the lake, standing on the surface of the deep water as if it were solid.
"It's nice to meet you after so long, SeHun," the man said. SeHun knelt on the shore, seeking to show respect. "No, no, stand up. It's not about who should show respect to whom here."
Confused, SeHun stood up. "It's my honor, God Byul".
"BaekHyun. You may call me that."
"...God BaekHyun."
"Without the 'god'."
"...BaekHyun."
"Perfect." BaekHyun smiled. His voice sounded as if he was standing next to SeHun, even though a great distance separated them. "You've grown up well, SeHun."
"I don't think we've met before," he said, disoriented. "I think if I had, I'd remember you."
And how could he not, when BaekHyun, even from afar, looked like a creature laden with beauty, with fine, delicate features, let alone his sweetly silhouetted body. SeHun had never seen anyone as beautiful as him before.
BaekHyun let out a laugh, not responding to his statement. He tapped the surface of the water a couple of times, creating large circles that spaced out from each other until they reached the shore. How was it possible for him to ripple the water, while he was still standing in the middle of the lake?
"Tell me, SeHun, what do you aspire to most in this life?"
"To be a great leader," he answered immediately, but his voice felt hollow, as if he hadn't said what his heart really wanted to say. He brought his wounded, still bleeding palm to his chest, and pressed it there. "Because I would really like everyone to trust me, to be a source of confidence for others: to give warmth and security."
With a smile, BaekHyun nodded, as if he understood his wish perfectly. It was not for nothing that he was a god that everyone on the mountain worshipped from a young age until their last breath in life. The god Byul brought light and safety to his tribe since time immemorial, he was a deity who cared for the humans who lived in the wilds of nature and provided for themselves.
"You are a being who want others to trust you, but are you capable of trusting others?". BaekHyun's voice began to blur, each word becoming an echo that echoed off the now turbulent surface of the water, which seemed as if it was moving and breathing on its own. "Cross to the other shore, where ChanYeol is waiting for you."
And with that said, his figure exploded into distinct clouds of light, which began to float on the surface of the water, illuminating a path to the other shore of the lake, where his white wolf was waiting for him sitting on its hind legs.
SeHun did not stop to hesitate for a moment, and rested his bare foot on the shifting surface of the water, his eyes fixed on his wolf. Before he knew it, he had begun to move forward across the lake, yet his feet were still dry, as if he were treading on an invisible, solid layer that covered the water and prevented him from falling.
He did not stop his step as he did so, but continued walking until he was on solid ground in front of ChanYeol, who was still sitting in the same position. He stroked him gently between the ears and then turned to look toward the lake, not knowing what he should expect. Had crossing the lake been some kind of test? Where was BaekHyun?
The god reappeared at his side with a huge smile. His body no longer glowed, and his clothes didn't float around him, there weren't even fireflies flying near him. He looked... human.
"Those who can trust without fear of betrayal are those who are able to lead people knowing that one day they could go against them, because they will give their all without looking for ulterior motives behind the actions of others" he explained softly, pacing around him slowly, studying SeHun from head to toe. "That's what proves you have a pure heart, SeHun, and you have every right to be the leader of your tribe."
"But... I didn't do anything... I just crossed the lake like you asked me to."
"Exactly." BaekHyun gave him another of his bright smiles. "You crossed murky waters without a trace of doubt. How could I think your heart is not pure? You trusted me without a second's hesitation, and worked magic with your own will."
"I don't understand..."
"You have too many questions. I think you should ask yourself just one now: what do you want to do to lead your people to prosperity?"
"Create unity and trust."
"And love?" questioned BaekHyun, softly, stopping beside the wolf. He gave it a small caress on the side of its face and then looked at SeHun with big, curious, bright eyes. "Don't you think that's important...?"
"I do." For some reason, SeHun felt his heart racing. "But I think love is reserved for a special person."
BaekHyun seemed to fight another of the distinctive smiles that tugged at his lips, and handed him a soft necklace from which hung a small stone, white as the highest peak of the mountain. Their hands brushed and SeHun felt a current of electricity run through his body like the lightning that had struck the water earlier.
"Come find me during the next storm, after you become the leader of your tribe" he said after handing him the object, walking towards the lake shore, his bare feet taking silent steps. His back was already to him as he began to walk on the surface, again still as a mirror. "I'll give you the answers to that question."
And with that said, BaekHyun, or the god Byul, disappeared in soft glowing lights, leaving SeHun intrigued and certain that he would return to satiate all his doubts the next storm. He tugged the stone next to his heart and pressed it there.
He couldn’t see it, but his heart, and the stone, were both made of the most pure light, and probably that was what made BaekHyun want to be closer to him.