Chapter Text
'Well Shit.'
This wasn't what Ai meant to do. Not kill one of The Northern Dragons. And for sure not kill one of Kyan Sizu's dragons. Knowing Sizu, Ai was ready for either the worse beating ever, or be straight up murdered. Either way was not what Tian wanted. And since his staff is still decorated in the golden blood of the dragon, who would hide this. Mai Yuen, death herself, would tell Sizu about the death of his Dragon if he wasn't aware. That, or Han Ko, the literal SUN, would for sure snitch since he's somehow on Sizu's good side despite how this god forsaken family is a mess with each-other.
And now Ai was screwed. Screwed to the point he didn't even noticed the war siblings standing behind him. He turned around upon hearing Sizu unsheathe his sword. ''What did you do.'' Not a question more as it was a blunt and straight forward statement. Zhir was only focused on the corpse behind Tian, looking in complete distress. ''Answer me AI Tian!'' Sizu's knuckles turned ivory as his the grip on the hilt of his blade tightens. ''I swear- this was an Accident.'' Oh Han Ko please bail him out on this...
''You still killed One of my dragons!'' Sizu walked towards his Cousin, anger with each step. He grabbed Ai by his robes and dragged him close to him, his red eyes darker than usual. Tian felt much more pathetic under such a dangerous gaze. He knew how bad Sizu's anger could get, and seeing the situation he was in, he really needed this guy to chill out for a second. Deities in this pantheon killing each other wasn't uncommon, but if the deity with the highest body count was about to smite Ai down, there was more trouble than first expected. Zhir was at least quick enough to pull her brother and cousin away from each other quickly before more blood was spilt. Ai stumbled and landed on one of the legs of the dragon he killed. Sizu was grabbed with both arms by Zhir, who didn't even have to say a thing to get Sizu from killing their own kin.
''I wasn't actually going to Kill him.'' He said, eyes still glaring at Ai as he stood up.
'So don't act on anything.' Zhir was harsh and fast with her words, and while she was ready to quip back when Sizu opened his mouth, a new party member had entered the scene. Bright light, and blazing heat? It was Han Ko. The siblings glance at the elder Deity, who took a quick look at them in return. ''So, I believe there is a.. situation? No?''
''What are you doing here?'' Sizu moved past his sister and towards Han Ko. He looked up, feeling more irritated than he did already. ''I came to stop a bloodbath.'' Han Ko turned away, looking at Ai Tian now and halted his movement seeing the lifeless dragon. He glanced down at Tian's staff, then at the corpse, eyes flicking from to and fro. He wasn't exactly processing everything he was seeing quickly, and he had to take a step back. ''It's not what it looks like--'' Han Ko ignored Tian in favor of examine the dragon corpse. Kneeling, he looked across the injured and beaten Dragon. ''Not what it seems like?'' He repeated the words, eyes still scanning the body. Tian and Sizu were silent all of the time, watching and waiting on Han Ko before saying anything. Han Ko stood up once again, and then turned to his family.
''Say what you will Ai, but this a great offense.'' Han Ko's brows furrowed, and Ai felt his blood run cold. Wait-- hold on. ''I will not hear you out.'' Han Ko held his hand up has AI opened his mouth. His brother, his own brother, wasn't going to hear him out? Was he joking?
''Ha-''
''You do know the consequences, do you not?''
''Brother-- I need you to listen.''
''I am an Elder Deity and you will listen to Me.'' Han Ko glared right down at his brother, eye burning as bright as the light his domain emanates. Ai's mouth shuts and his hands lower slowly to his side. Sizu looked up at Ai before he turned his attention to Han Ko. ''What do you say we do? He offended you, Sizu.''
''I would like to think on this. For now, I would like to settle something with Kan and Gyo.'' Sizu's voice was calmer now, less irritation and anger than before. Han Ko glanced between the three, before he nodded. ''I'll inform them.'' He bowed before he vanished in a bright light. Zhir walked towards Ai, glancing at his face and seeing his expression. Frustration. No one was hearing him out on this. She nudged his shoulder slightly, trying to grab his attention. But he didn't look at her, his focus locked solely on the grass below. Zhir opened her mouth, glanced over towards her brother, then back at Ai.
'I'm sorry.'
Ai looked at her, breathing slowing down from it's more gagged movements. Despite not speaking, and her hands being her words, Ai didn't want to believe anything she was saying. He looked away, feeling Zhir place her hand on his shoulder before he swatted it away.
The stars were not in his favor. Like they ever were when anyone in his family was involved. First with the death of his Uncle and later his Aunt and him being the only witness, then with the death of his own Dragon and now this. It was like Sai Ku was laughing at him and the bad luck he cursed him with.
This was the wort day of his life.
Pacing outside the temple, Ai wasn't ready for what was ready for him and his fate. He wasn't going to die. Oh that would be too cruel, even for someone as ruthless as Kyan Sizu. He'd only be killed if he killed all four dragons instead of accidently killing the one. He was still stressed.
Maybe he would be turned mortal for the rest of his life.
Maybe he would lose his powers?
Maybe he'd.. Oh shut up brain! The others were talking at this very moment. He wasn't getting anything that bad now was he? He can't panic over something that hasn't even been decided yet. He just needs to keep calm and wait. Any minute now, he'll be called in.
But it felt like time was slower than usual. He wasn't sure how long everyone was talking. Only seven people were talking about what he'd have to be punished with, so those thoughts shouldn't get the worse of him. Yeah sure, those people are his cousins, His brother; aka the fucking sun, the deity of justice, the deity of history who literally recoded the moment he killed the War dragon, The prince and his worse enemy. He could handle this.
Totally.
Completely handle all of this.
The door opens, and just off the walking pattern alone, he knew exactly who was at the door of the temple. ''You coming?'' Ai's worry became irritation very very quickly as he turned to face Gyuan Kyuan. Ai scowled, brows in a deep furrow. Gyuan was basically taunting him, the way he leaned on the door, and his unamused look. ''The others have decided, so get in. Now.''
''You ain't the boss of me.'' Ai narrowed his eyes, shoving Gyuan's shoulder as he entered the temple. Gyuan scoffed as he followed his fellow deity. And as they walked into the large hall, they were greeted by the other deities. Ani Yui'no Ayu guided her hand towards a seat across from Gyo Jyu and Yu Kan. Ai took a seat, arms crossed as his eyes lingered on Gyuan as he took a seat next to Sizu. The hall was silent for a period, all eyes on Ai.
And with all attention on him, Ai was suffocating. He felt trapped under such negative and hate gazes, (Well all but three had such gazes), and he was positive he was going to Die. He inhaled, exhaled, unfolded his arms and sat up properly. He eyes Sizu first, then eyed Gyo Jyu. ''Let's get this over with.''
''Sizu has decided you must be banished, and all parties here have agreed.''
Ai's eyes widen, and he feels his heart stop for a second. Okay, not the worse punishment for killing a dragon, but..
''Banished!? To where?'' Ai stood up, hands slamming on the table. Kan mad ethe gesture for Ai to sit down, and stands up himself once the deity was seated once more. ''Ani had decided to send you to her home, The island Yuo.'' Ai turned to Ani, who smiled at him. It felt like a mocking smile, and Ai wanted to slap it off her. ''I'm sorry-- The island of Yuo? That wouldn't work. You-- You can't send me there.''
Reasoning wasn't going to work, since Ai was best as a deity when he's surrounded by humans, hence why he lived in the City on the Water. The island of Yuo had less than three hundred people there. That wouldn't be enough for Ai and his duties. He glared at Sizu, eyes narrowing. ''I'd rather be sent to Mekai Isles.''
''You wouldn't last a week there.''
''You want to bet?'' Ai stood up again, pointing a finger at Sizu who stood with his hands slamming on the table.
''I bet you'll die before you pay the price for killing my dragon-'
''Silence!''
The men's words silence at once once Gyo spoke up again. They sat down, Ai crossing his arms, while Sizu leaned back in his seat. Gyo returned to his seat, and folded his fingers in between one another. ''Understand Ai, this is a temporary banishment. It's not like we are sending you away from Hozon no Kigen.'' Kan stood up once more, walking towards Ai and handing him a scroll. A symbol of recognition for him while away from home. Unrolling the paper, he saw it'll only be a hundred years he'll be away. Not the worse since a hundred is like ten years to immortals like him. But he couldn't feel the worse that he didn't mean to kill the dragon. This was all of this was against him. If a single person would listen for once, maybe he would be out of this. He knew it.
''Fine. A hundred years it is.'' Ai stood up, rolling the scroll up and placing it on his waist. ''But I will say that If I hear any of you did shit with My people while I was gone, You're all dead meat.'' His finger points towards the other seated deities before he turns and walks off. Sure, his last words today towards anyone in that hall were potential threats of violence since He was positive that the people of his city were going to hurt at some point. Especially by Sizu.
Prick.
That's one way to end off the day. And One way to maybe get your friend and family's opinions of you altered for the next 100 years. Ai was just ready for all of this to be over with. he can't exactly wait to see Ani Yui'no Ayu's face when he arrives on her island. And since it's right off the coast of Kyo'Kyin, this meant Ai would also be under Kan's supervision. Well fuck this, fuck that, and Sei'Me Sae please smite this poor soul down before He decided to ask You to make him mortal.
Only a hundred years, A hundred years with his brother's ex and her brother. A hundred years with mortals he's never met. Oh the agony. This could be worse, and truth be told.. that was true. He could be actually dead, and humanity would suffer without him. Still he just wishes he was maybe just forbidden from visiting his cousins instead of being kicked off the main island of Hozon no Kigen and to a smaller island just off the coast near the south. Besides, what does Ani's home even have to offer? He could ask Han Ko since that's where he usually went to when he and Ani were dating.
Okay what is this? Ai was over thinking again. He was thinking of things that may not be true, maybe The island of Yuo was pretty. He can't judge a place he's never been, and since his first journey was going there because of a crime would make his first look at the historical island interesting. He had heard good things from Tai Kye when he visited. So it can't be all that bad.
Being greeted by 15 of Ani's servants as he stepped foot onto the island was not what Ai expected. In fact, he was excepting to be greeted by Ani herself. But she was nowhere to be seen. ''Welcome our Lord, to out humble home.'' One of the servants said. Ai looked at the trees, ''Uh huh.. Uh--'' He looked at the servants who started taking his stuff, weapons and other bags, and then his hat. Oh great.
''Where is your master? She busy?'' Ai's hands land on his hips as he watched the women deal with his stuff. ''She is unavailable at the moment.'' The first woman said, bowing.
''So where is she?''
''She was called upon by Han Ko. He has something to discuss with her.''
So she's absent for some bullshit. Wonderful. Just great.
Ai sighed, nodding as he heeded the words. He asks where he needs to go, and the women take him to his new home. Walking through the small woodlands lead him to a small village with a temple at the top of a hill. The Place of Worship for Ani. So the village is where the citizens of this island live Ai thinks. He steps into the village, ignore the stares of the humans who gawking at his presence. It wasn't new every time he came to a new town across Hozon no Kigen, but it did get on his nerves some times. He wished he could just walk anywhere with humans without people staring at him like he was someone he wasn't.
A few more minutes of walking, and they reach the edge of the village. There, sat a preserved home. Marble stone with cravings embedded in them. Ai swears he's seen this writing before, and it clicks. Gyuan has a sister that writes like this. Sacred texts was her domain.. right? Ah he can't remember. She hasn't been seen by anyone in two hundred years. So what was her writing doing here? On Ani's island? It could be anyone's guess, but if he's going to stay here, may as well look around the place.
Stepping into the home, Ai sees how pristine it was. Clean walls, scrolls alighting shelves and some tables littered across the place. It reeked too much of someone related to Gyuan. But if his sister was around, Ai would be on his best behavior. He'd rather smack Gyuan into the ground than disrespect a woman. He has standards, and those standards change depending on who he interacts with. But still, he was on edge seen everything that made him feel like Gyuan would pop out of no where and Ask what he was doing for even breathing near his work.
It was.. too pristine.
And it was unnerving.
The servants walk towards a further room that Ai didn't even notice the door to, and followed the women. The room was massive, bigger than Ai's room back at him home. So this meant he was going o have more room for whatever. Not bad. The bed was in the floor, sunken into the wood with the windows on either side decorated with blinds. Fitting.
Ai pardoned the women who left the room after the command. Once the room was empty, Ai knew he was going to need to get use to this. Maybe it would be simple, but he wasn't sure. He was a longs way from home and now he was somewhere new.
All over a damn dragon.