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Long ago, in a far distant time, gods used to walk the world, sustained by the power of those who worshiped them.
In a small village, a young man with golden hair came from a foreign land. Having come from afar, looking for his sister who vanished from his side one day, he decided to rest for some time, exhausted by his journey.
Even when ostracized at first by the villagers for being an outsider, the traveler was able to buy a house some distance away with his savings.
And just like anyone else, he toiled the land for it to bear its bounty. Even an immortal like himself needs sustenance to live.
Having come in spring, he prepared the land and planted seeds, caring for his plants in summer, and harvesting in fall, and the cycle would once again start.
While planting in the day, and in the night, he would create with paper, beads,and string among other things, the most beautiful of flowers and ornaments.
The traveler once heard in the village that the guardian of this land was both a god of war and calamity, but also of dreams and flight, as they appeared in the form of a vermillion bird.
This god may seem harsh, but had a kind soul. It spent much of its time fighting off evil spirits that plagued the land, and protected those who lived in its domain. When it could, it granted small favors for those who provided its offerings with a pure and honest heart.
Fresh fruits in exchange for almond tofu, fresh game for a bouquet of flowers, these favors depended on the wishes of its worshippers.
And thus, the traveler created a small shrine near his home, and prayed to it on a daily basis.
Maybe it was to comfort his aching heart, or to bring peace to his mind, the traveler wasn’t sure.
But he was pleasantly surprised at the favors that the god provided.
At first, when the traveler prayed for the wellbeing of his sister, the favors were small, yet kind, as if to comfort the traveler from afar.
But as the war that covered the land had become more harsh, where the Earth shaked, the sky quaked, and land became covered in blood, the traveler’s wish changed.
Maybe it was out of loneliness, or perhaps compassion, the traveler grew fond of the small favors returned by the god of the land, and instead wished for the god’s wellbeing instead. To stay healthy and happy, in face of hardship.
It was a common belief that gods are almighty and powerful, but the traveler knew too well that they too were also troubled, whether by war or conflict, or by the karma that came from evil spirits that tainted the soul.
He could only sympathize with the god who continued to fight to save and protect its people, and wished for their safety.
“Please stay safe, Xiao.”
One day, after his daily prayer, the traveler was soon to collapse from exhaustion before hearing the flapping of wings, seeing beautiful golden eyes and dark green hair, and a handsome man wearing armor, wielding a blood covered spear, and saying his name.
“Sora!”
And all faded to pleasant dreams of a happier time.
The god of the land, Xiao, watched the traveler from afar, as he could feel his prayer be whispered into his mind, and power and gratitude seeping into his body.
With gods of this land gaining power from their worshippers wishes and beliefs, the more genuine the wish, the greater the power gained.
Most people in this land wished for a good harvest, for their families to be safe from hardship, illness, disease, and conflict at best, while at worst remaining greedy and self-serving.
He only supported and returned the favor for those with pure of heart and intention in their wishes and prayers.
But few, if any, truly wished for his own wellbeing, which surprised him. Most were children who soon would become adults, but the traveler’s wish was the strongest and most earnest he had seen.
He soon realized when looking into the traveler that he too was an immortal, but came from a distant place, his dreams not from this world more often than not.
To return those earnest wishes for his well being, he would surely return the favor greatly.
When seeing the traveler about to collapse from exhaustion, without thinking, Xiao rushed to his side, as the traveler fell into a deep, but troubled sleep while being supported by the god’s arms.
Looking at the traveler’s soul, it glowed warmly like the sun. Innocent and earnest like that of a child, but filled with sorrow, longing, and hope.
The traveler himself had the most beautiful and soft golden hair, with shining amber eyes, framed by a heart shaped face.
Seeing the person who wished for his safety, a warmth filled Xiao’s heart, as he laid the traveler to rest in his bed.
“I’d never seen anyone so beautiful,” the god couldn’t help but think.
But for now, I will grant you a small favor for tonight.”
Cupping his hands, Qingxin flower petals filled them, and to weave a spell, he blew those petals over the traveler’s sleeping form. Falling and fading away like melting snow.
My fate has tainted
The heavily falling snow black
The sun gradually shines through
And freshly melts it away with its summer warmth
The dream you saw in your eternal sleep
“This is just for tonight.”
“I shall grant you pleasant dreams.”
I’ll do whatever I can to make it come true.
Because you made your wish to me.
Just like the sun shining through the darkness.
With the woven spell, Sora’s face softened as he dreamed of a far happier time, but also of a handsome but kind man whose name he couldn’t remember.
And the god could only smile softly, gazing at the face of the person wished for him from the bottom of his heart, protecting him temporarily from the evils of the world.
After that fateful night, Xiao and Sora’s paths became intertwined, connected by that earnest wish of safety.
And a blossoming love like that of the most beautiful of flowers.