Chapter Text
In a land ruled by gods there rest two kingdoms. One kingdom dwelled in the realm of light, the other in the realm of the dark. They lived in a tentative peace as they watched over the mortal realm and maintained order.
The gods of each territory reign for centuries before passing the crown off to the oldest child. Should the oldest refuse or be deemed unfit by the people then the honor of rule shall be passed on the basis of seniority. Even after passing on the throne gods are still immortal and thus will live forever unless killed by deliberate and extreme means. To combat this long lifespan gods only become capable of reproduction after they’ve found a life partner who has remained loyal for centuries and only for a span of 20 years. Furthermore, gods did not have set family names and were simply grouped by the domain they ruled and gifted their kids names however they deemed fit.
Rarely have the royal family of the realm of light and dark ever entered this period in the same century, however, by some miracle the current rulers entered not just in the same century but within two years of each other.
This planted hope in the hearts of not just mortals but the servants of the gods as well. Surely having the heirs born so close together would strengthen the bond between the realms.
The first to be able to bring an heir into the world were the rulers of light, the child named Shen Yuan. After two years the rulers of the dark brought their first heir Luo Binghe. Where Shen Yuan was reserved Luo Binghe was mischievous, where Luo Binghe was intimidating and unapproachable Shen Yuan was polite and social.
The first interaction the two held was at the annual festival celebrating the balance and peace of the godly realms. Shen Yuan was 6 years and Luo Binghe 4 yet Shen Yuan was the first and only person Luo Binghe chose to approach for conversation. Everyone in the room was immediately alert and excited to see the young boys bond. Luo Binghe approached the prince of light while he was on the balcony so none present at the event could hear what the princes discussed. However, given the unpleasant and mischievous nature of the prince of darkness it is said that it must have been something vile and offensive for not 5 minutes in the prince of light had slapped Luo Binghe pausing only briefly before re-entering the room and apologizing to the crowd for the scene.
The hope for a strong bond was briefly dashed until both families announced that they were expecting another heir. The hope was fanned a new for surely having them born the same year was fate.
Lan Zhan was born to the realm of light in the coming winter and Wei Ying to the realm of the dark the following fall. Lan Zhan was even more reserved than their older brother and far less sociable. Wei Ying was less mischievous and more a down right menace with charisma and a desire for social interaction with any who even briefly caught his eye. The two could not be more different and yet the people hoped.
During the annual celebration on the princes 4th year the two greeted each other for the first time. It seemed the second prince of light had the misfortune of catching the eye of the young Wei Ying. He pestered and teased Lan Zhan all through the event but the prince of light took it in stride and largely ignored the antics of the other. There is much discourse over what happened later that evening, however, all can agree that Wei Ying grew both agitated by being brushed off and determined to invoke a reaction. Some say the prince of darkness tripped in his eagerness while others say he grabbed the others robes intentionally. Regardless, poor Lan Zhan’s robes were pulled off his shoulder exposing part of his chest to all present. The prince of light was a quiet boy of few words but in that moment of embarrassment his face went red as he shouted “frivolous!” before pulling up his robe and storming off.
Again the hope was lost, until the rulers of the realm of light announced their third heir was to be expected the following year. However, even after Xie
Lian was brought into the world no news came of a third heir for the realm of the dark.
Yet hope was not lost for Xie Lian was not only talented and beautiful but kind and extremely lucky. It is said that anything he could need or want would always be at hand. Once at the age of 4 when the young prince was hungry it is said 10 apples fell right into his arms, however, before he ate he noticed some other kids who had nothing and were covered in dirt. Instead of partaking for himself he gave the apples away so that the other children could eat. Of course after witnessing such a generous display a man at a nearby stall offered the prince a steamed bun which he happily ate.
It wasn’t until Xie Lian was at his six year that the third heir to the land of the dark was born. Hua Cheng was brought to the annual celebration that year, barely an infant. Xie Lian was so excited to see a baby that he was the first to greet the new prince. When the baby opened their eyes the prince of light was greeted by two separate colors. One eye as black as coal and the other as red and vibrant as a ruby. The prince delighted at the sight but his merriment was quickly dashed by the murmurs of those around them. They claimed the young boy was cursed and would surely be both very powerful and extremely miserable.
Xie Lian began to weep for the infant prince and pulled Hua Cheng from his parents arms to hold him in his own. The prince looked into the babies eyes and made a vow.
“If you are to be powerful then let me be more so, for if your own strength can’t protect you then I will. And if luck is all you lack then you can have all of mine, I will gladly accept your burden if it means you grow to be in my life always.”
At the young prince's vow the baby's red eye began to shine and a red light encompassed the two of them. When the light faded there was no noticeable change but it is said that not 10 minutes after the prince finally returned the baby to their parents Xie Lian tripped for the first time in his life.
When the rulers of light realized that their youngest son's vow had come true they were upset. While they could not openly scorn the dark realm, for it was their son who chose to relinquish his luck, they made every effort to keep the third princes separated at all times.
Still the people hoped, for, true to his oath Xie Lian began to excel even passed his older brothers in his martial arts and power over the coming years. Though his luck was comically bad he navigated the increasingly difficult situations with ease thanks to his skill.
It only took 4 years for the third sons to cross paths again at the annual celebration but this time it was because the youngest prince of darkness fell from the wall of the palace of light. Xie Lian was swift and decisive when he caught the prince and returned him to his parents. However, Hua Cheng made a vow of his own while nestled in the young prince's arms that was just for their own ears.
“Gege is the most beautiful and kind prince ever to live. One day I will make sure to give you everything you could want and an entire kingdom under your rule.”
When again the red eye lit up Xie Lian did not fear nor did he say anything to another. With a blush dusting his cheeks and a smile gracing his lips he placed a kiss over the lid of the red eye to acknowledge the vow.
The people’s joy over such a bond was short lived however as 3 months later it was discovered that it was an old god from the realm of light that had pushed the prince from the wall, damning him for being a cursed child and stealing Xie Lian’s luck.
Both families were furious with the other and wanted blood. However, peace and balance always came first. So in the hopes to maintain order the kingdoms agreed to stay away from each other and only have the rulers interact once a year when the festival would have been.
At this time the oldest sons were already well into their studies and were preparing to be great leaders. At 15 Luo Binghe was graced with the mark of the eldest prince, a red flame resting on his forehead. That same year at 17 Shen Yuan had been gifted the fan of light to signify his intent to rule. When three years later the kingdoms closed the borders to each other the prince of darkness gave Shen Yuan a charm that his mother had made him when he was young. No one but the eldest sons knew of this exchange.
Not expecting to rule, the second sons embraced their cultivation and had been secretly sparring with each other for years. When Wei Ying realized that Lan Zhans skill with Bichen far surpassed his he began to craft a flute that could wake and control spirits of the dead. Lan Zhan often expressed fear of this power getting out of hand so when the borders were closed Wei Ying met the prince of light to gift him a guqin that could quell the restless spirits whether under the flute's control or not.
The youngest princes were too young to think to plan a meeting and thus only had their vows to keep. However, that was the day Xie Lian realized that his dream was to help the mortal people, so at 17 the prince set out on a journey by himself to wander the mortal realm helping others however he could. Though his luck yielded him mixed results as to whether he was more help or hindrance. Unknown to the prince of light 6 years after his own departure Hua Cheng also set out on a journey with the claim that the realm of the dark bored him and he wished to see the world. Though none dare voice their discontent, this news saddened many as between the youngest prince of darkness power, wit and luck he was the favored among his brothers for the throne as he was far more sociable than Luo Binghe yet much more calculating and reserved than Wei Ying.
Hua Cheng’s journey lasted a century and the divide in the realms remained firm. However, when the youngest prince of darkness returned it was with a request for his 118th birthday.
“ I wish to hold a grand feast for all in the mortal realm and open our borders to the realm of light to hold the first celebration of peace in over a century!”