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Storming into Samdocheon, he flung his sword down, flopped into a chair and held his head in his hands. He had thought the worst day of his life had been killing his love. But he had been wrong, so wrong.
He felt as if he had stabbed his own heart. Ripped the vital organ from his own chest, tossed it on the ground and stomped all over it. Or perhaps it would have been better if that is what happened. Instead, he had done the unthinkable.
For so long, he had strived to become a mountain god, not just because his father dropped him in the old hags lap. Likewise, he had not done it for the woman who reared them to be ruthless gods, in her image. He had done it because he felt he deserved it, was born to it. That he should be revered and praised for all eternity. And to everyone’s utter shock, he had thrown it away as easily by falling for a human.
Still, the worst day he had endured was when he fought an evil trapped in his lover’s body. In the end she had ordered him to kill her. So he had. The heartache he had endured was excruciating.
And yet, that paled in comparison to what he felt right now. Because as much as he loved her, she had the opportunity to grow up and fulfill her destiny. So her death had been bitter sweet. It had hurt but he endured.
But him? Barely more than a child. Lost, alone, and god only knows what had happened since the last time he saw him. So harsh a life yet so bright a smile. Joy, laughter had become common place in his world while they had lived together and for too short a time. Time wasted, bound in the service of the underworld. He should have focused on finding his lost son instead.
For all intents and purposes, that is what he had become during their time together, a version of father and son. When the thunder got too loud, he relished in the warmth curled up at his side. He may have even encouraged the storm to intensify at times, just to feel that warmth. And when the child learned a new move, or won a game, the pride he felt was like nothing else he experienced. Not to mention the tears that stabbed his chest when the boy became ill or hurt. And that strange mix of awe and pride when he brought a sick or wounded animal home, begging to save them. Such compassion so freely given when he had received none himself in those early years.
Lost, missing, he had trampled down his heartache in favor of the mission that bound him to the hag. Not merely a contract of kindness that must be repaid but a legal, binding one that required he obey his master to the letter. Had he know it would come to this? What would be asked of him? Would he have done things differently? Absolutely. Most definitely. He would have given that snake his heart if he knew this day would come. As long as the boy lived. It wasn’t fair.
A sob rattled his chest as he recalled the utter disbelief in those watery eyes. Trust betrayed. Heart shattered. And for what? A handful of humans that may or may not have been innocent but still may have deserved their fate? Why so harsh a punishment for a first offense? True it may have been excessive. But had he done any less on his own sprees of anger? How many had he killed for the hag?
To offer no better option. No other solution. No chance at redemption. Was not just cruel for the convicted, but for the executioner as well. As much as he wanted to evade, fake or hold back his blade, the terms of the contract denied him. Compelled to do their bidding, there was no stopping his sword. But no more. He could no longer pursue the quest he had set for himself. The stakes had become too high. This was his last assignment.
A door had creaked, admitting the supervisor of this other worldly building. Upon taking in the sight of her indentured servant, she grumbled, “Ya! How dare you come in such a state! You should have washed that filth-”
“YA!” Righteous anger trembled through him. “This filth is a mix of my brother’s blood and the dirt from the hole I dug with my bare hands to bury him in. And it is nothing compared to the stain on my soul because of your order.”
“He killed innocent humans!”
“Like I haven’t?” He challenged the woman, stepping up to her desk and slammed his fists down. “A week in ice hell should have been a fitting punishment. Instead, you tell me, order me, to murder my own brother!”
Taluipa shifted back, uncomfortable with the fox so close, but no less angry, “Lee Yeon! You signed a contra-”
Recognizing her discomfort and using it to his advantage, Yeon leaned forward. With a sneer he spoke low, “Burn it. I’m done working for you.”
Shocked, the hag sputtered for something to say. All she could do was remind him what would happen if he walks away, “Then there will be no guarantee that woman will be reincarnated.”
“I can wait. If it’s one day or one hundred years, I can wait. She will eventually be reborn. I gave her my fox bead. And she has led a good life. It’s just a matter of time. From now on, I will devote myself to finding a way to save my brother.”
“He has already been sent to hell. I took him myself.”
“So what? You want me to thank you for doing it personally? I knew I could do nothing to prevent his journey as I had already given my bead to her. However, I am certain that Lee Rang has not done enough in his young life to warrant a lengthy journey through the hells. And he may have killed a few innocents, but that still isn’t enough to prevent him from being reincarnated as well.”
Pouting granny countered, “You can’t know that for sure.”
“No, but I am not going to continue to do your bidding while I wait to find out. So long you heartless bitch. I suspect that after today we will never see each other again.” With that, the fox turned and walked away.
“Lee Yeon! Lee Yeon!! Ya!! YA!!” She continued to call after the gumiho as he walked out of Samdocheon for the last time. And while his exit had felt justified, his future had never been so uncertain. What now? He had no idea. He had found and lost his brother in a single afternoon. The world seemed hollow, cold and colorless now that they were both gone. So he stood at the bottom of the steps for several long minutes to watch the sunset.
He was just starting to leave when the last wisps of sun dipped under the horizon. The familiar sound of the doors opening slowed his exit. And he wasn’t surprised at who had placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping all progress. “Let go, old man.”
“Lee Yeon, please hear me out.” When the younger man did not move, he took that as his opening to continue. “I agree with you. Had I found out about the orders, I would have requested they be reconsidered. But I found out too late to prevent this tragedy. That boy did not deserve this end. Which is why I have begged King Yeomra for amnesty for Lee Rang. And while he cannot overturn the order and revive Lee Rang now, he has offered a way for him to reincarnate that does not require you to work for my wife.”
At that, Yeon turned to regard the older man. “How?”
“He has conceded that your brother has had a hard life from the beginning. But he has also committed crimes against humans, not just in the village but before his return. As such he still requires punishment.”
“What does that mean?”
“He will be spared going through the levels of hell to achieve reincarnation. Instead his soul will be broken in to several shards. There will be various versions of him born over the next few centuries. Your task will be to find them and collect the shards. Once you have found them all, you will give them to his final incarnation to become your brother once more.”
Hopeful now, the fox asked, “How will I find them? And when will I know that I have them all?”
“Unfortunately, he did not give me that information. He just said that you will know him when you see him. And once you have found your first piece, you will just know what to do. That’s all I can tell you for now.” Yeon nodded grimly. Hyunuiong gave a wan smile, “I wish I could do more.”
“You have at least given me hope. The rest is up to me. It would seem that his punishment for Rang-ah is also mine. For being too blind to see what was precious to me until it was too late. Thank you for all you have done.”
“I know how awkward it might be, but if you ever need any help, please contact me. I will do whatever I can within my limits.”
“I’m sure that will be more than enough. Once again, I cannot express how much I appreciate you speaking on Rang’s behalf. I will let you know how my quest goes.”
“Please do.” The old man waved while the fox walked away.