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A mountain where every humans and creatures lives in peace, with variety of resources scattered in the mountains waiting to be taken care of.
However there is a mountain deity that takes good care of nature, who is kind enough that he invites humans and shares his resources to humans. Kind enough that he also provides homes for creatures.
Yet kind enough that his kindness comes to waste; only to be exploited until nothing remains in mother nature.
But there is a mythical creature that can take form as a half human and can only be shown at the darkest nights in the greenest side of the mountain.
Humans fear, a man and a crow combined, some may say he is the symbolism of bad omen. It is believed that if you ever see him, it is a punishment from the mountain deity because of your negligence with his resources that he provides.
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Half-man or half-crow, his name is Yi Sang. He wandered through the darkest depths of the forest, waiting for something that will pique his curiosity. That day, he is injured, which a part of his wing got pierced by something sharp, he never knew what happened in the first place.
Since he can’t fly because of that injury, he is wandering helplessly, as his footsteps can be heard from a distance. But the time when he is about to step forward to a riverside, he heard water drops.
Yi Sang was vigilant and made sure nobody was there, and he was so sure of himself that no human nor creature would pass the deeper depths of this mountain. Unless…
“Reveal yourself.” Yi Sang uttered, with his eyes slightly widening as his wings spreads a little, showing that he is being threatened by an unknown being. As soon as he steps back, another drop came by.
“It seems like I have found you.” Yi Sang heard a voice, but he didn’t know where it came from. The persons voice was soft yet endearing, but he is curious so he decided to look around until someone is actually behind him.
Yi Sang leaped from surprise, seeing a familiar figure. But this figure, he has seen him before. He has seen his image from multiple shrines he encountered in this part of the mountain.
But the appearance of this individual was ethereal, he has long hair that is in dark violet hues; his eyes are mismatched, one eye glows flawlessly like a jade, his features are soft yet the sun glows to him gently.
More importantly; his attire screams elegance, it seems to be a cultural clothing as he is draped in graceful white and golden accents along with the same jaded color wrapped around his waist as there is a tassel swaying peacefully, the wind gently blows towards the dainty figure of this familiar person.
“Well,” as this mysterious person added, he fanned himself. “If you want to know, I am very sure that you are familiar with me~” even if Yi Sang has trespassed this part of the mountain he started to feel conscious.
Just like what he remembered on most shrines with many offerings, every images he found is no one other than the mountain deity himself.
“Ahh… uh.. wait.” Yi Sang looked at the mountain deity closely, scanning his face. “I am sure I have met you before?” Yi Sang started to recall where he has seen this deity before.
“You shouldn’t be staring at me for so long you know?~” He playfully shakes his hand just to get Yi Sang’s attention. “If I have met you before, I would’ve recalled you long ago~”
The mountain deity slowly circles around Yi Sang, as he positions his hands at his back, as he playfully sways the tassel on his fan anyway.
“Huh?” Yi Sang slowly faltered his wings for a moment, but somehow way before he shuts his wings, the mountain deity softly touched a part of his left wing.
“Who did this to you?” From his cheerful demeanor went to concern, he looked at this injury with a pout on his face. “Hmm..~ it seems like punishing humans aren’t so helpful at all.” then the deity raised his fan, which some type of energy sweeps Yi Sang’s injury away, immediately healed.
“…..” Yi Sang observed how the deity did it in silence, but he is somehow fascinated for such a fan that has an ability that can remedy his injury.
“I think this will help you fly again.” The deity kindly smiled at Yi Sang, giving Yi Sang a gentle pat on his shoulder.
But the deity giggled, “I think I should be leaving now since I have some other duties to do, huhu~” the deity was about to trail off but Yi Sang stepped forward which made the mountain deity stop his tracks.
“Hmm?” He slowly turned his head, as Yi Sang was slightly hesitant, but he wanted to ask anyway. “May I know your name, kindhearted deity?” Yi Sang knew he isn’t going to meet him again if he lets him leave at this point.
“Who am I you ask? It isn’t important to know~” The peculiar deity hummed cheerfully as he turns his way at the back since he is about to trail off. His long white robes slowly moving as he was almost about to step away elegantly, slowly fanning himself with a white fan that has an illustration of a lake, as the tassel of the fan slowly sways away.
But Yi Sang couldn’t help but want to know who this deity he is facing right now. “Don’t flee, even if your name is not of any importance to you; I shall want to know.” The crow ruminates and contemplates his actions, he is unsure if it will convince this individual in front. Yet, he persists.
“Because you are interested to know, I will introduce myself to you.” The mountain deity turned as he slowly closes his fan.
“My name’s Hong Lu, and I hope we can get along well~” his lips pursed into a smile, his gaze is gentle. Yi Sang’s lashes flutters in surprise, he is very sure that he has heard of that name very long ago although it doesn’t matter to him right now.
“If Hong Lu is your name, kindhearted deity.. I am Yi Sang.” Yi Sang kept his introduction short, just as Hong Lu nodded.
“We shall meet again, Hong Lu.” Yi Sang warmed up to Hong Lu right after introducing himself, except Hong Lu is already gone when Yi Sang has said his farewell. Surprisingly, Yi Sang felt something on his hand; it’s a luminous jade, maybe it was a gift of remembrance implying that Hong Lu will meet him again sometimes.
It is rare for a deity and a half creature try to understand each other in the first place, however it is fate that will let them meet again.