Gosh, you guys. 💖 I didn't expect this much love for this story. I wasn't planning on continuing any time soon, but that most certainly has changed due to all this support. Thank you, again~ While you wait, I'll explain how this story came about:

As I mentioned in the introduction, this story is based off a tale I came across while studying Vietnamese history. "The Story of Zhong Shi (Trọng Thủy) and Mỵ Châu." Now mind you, this story is not the same and is only inspired by the tale.

The legend of Zhong Shi and Mỵ Châu involves a pair of star-crossed lovers which is similar to the Romeo and Juliet archetype of western literature. The story goes a little like this:

❝So basically, in ancient Vietnam, there was a new kingdom called Âu Lạc. There is a bit of mythology surrounding the establishment of the kingdom, but I'll skip over it.

At a certain time, a man named Zhao Tu (Qin Dynasty General who refused to accept the new Han Dynasty and made his own country) was the governor of a country adjoining Âu Lạc to the north. He had failed to occupy his neighbouring nation many times so he instead simply waited for the right time. He then sent his son named Zhong Shi (Or Trong Thuy in Vietnamese) to Âu Lạc to seek a marriage alliance with the Princess Mỵ Châu.

Zhong Shi then met Mỵ Châu, a beloved daughter of the King. She was the most graceful lady of the country at that time. Although Zhong Shi's purpose of marrying her was espionage, he genuinely fell in love with her and they were seen side by side everywhere in the citadel. Witness the passionate love of the young couple, the king doubtlessly allowed Trong Thuy to take his beloved daughter as a wife.

Anyways, skipping a bit of the other mythology surrounding the tale, Zhong Shi found out the information that he had originally come for; the kingdom's weak points. (Due to Princess Mỵ Châu's unknowingly innocent revealing of it.)

His father then he told Zhong Shi (Trọng Thủy) to sneak into his father-in-law's palace and steal this "magic crossbow", replacing it with a fake. Zhong Shi's father, with the magic crossbow in his hands, launched a new attack on his foe and in-law's kingdom of Âu Lạc.

The Kingdom would fall into Zhao Tu's hands and Mỵ Châu's father would flee with his only daughter from the scene of the battle. He rode to the river and encountered the giant golden turtle, which told him, "The enemy is sitting right behind you!"

Angered by his own daughter's betrayal, the king slew his daughter (in a popular version of the tale he beheaded her). Then he jumped into the river with the giant golden turtle.

Zhong Shi, searching for his beloved wife, arrived a few minutes later at the scene. The body of his beloved wife was lying in a pool of blood and his father-in-law was nowhere to be seen. In accordance with conjugal fidelity and devotion, he drew his sword and killed himself as well, in order to be with his wife forever in eternity.

In another version, Zong Shi, after discovering Mị Châu's body, he took her home. Later, when Zhong Shi already had the kingdom of Âu Lạc, he couldn't feel happy and missed Mị Châu. One day when he went to the well to take water for bath, he saw Mị Châu's reflection in the well, then he jumped in the well in order to reach her but he accidentally drowned himself. Some people said he committed suicide at the well due to his guilt for getting his wife killed. ❞

Anyways, another point that gave me the idea was the East-Asian belief of the four sacred beasts/symbols/ animals and their representation.

They are known in most countries in the far east but specifically China and Vietnam, which is what I modelled this story's kingdoms after if you didn't notice.

Called "Sì Xiàng," in Chinese and "Tứ Linh," in Vietnamese, the symbols and the Dragon (Long), the Pheonix, the Qilin and a Turtle. If you know eastern culture, you also know that the Dragon usually represents the Emperor and the Pheonix, the Empress.

Anyways, I hope you'll enjoy the upcoming Arc - 002.

I'll also be doing a Q & A session so please do leave some questions you have for the characters or about the world they live in. Questions about me are also accepted. ^-^ 

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Arc - 002: Aesthetic

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Fantasy Note:

Opps~ Forgot to mention, loves. Wondering about that "fantasy" tag on my stories? Yeah...I haven't had much of a chance to show it off yet, except for their looks.

Remember how I explained in "Chapter 001 - Dragon and Phoenix," the mythology of the world and how the royal bloodlines of the north (Tiên) and South (Lóng) are descended from two of the four sacred symbols? 

[Fun fact; it's also the story of the Vietnamese people's origin. I told you I was studying Viet history...] 

Well, while no one has ridiculously unrealistic abilities like flying or element bending, lol, the two Royal families, being descended from such sacred beasts do have some minor abilities.

Liên Thu Tiên, as seems obvious due to the amount she's praised for her 'medicinal skills,' has lowkey healing abilities, not like she can touch someone and they'll heal but that she has an ability to understand sickness and heal people accordingly. (Totally low-key I promise. This story will stay on the ground.)

Our resident yandere!boy Lóng  Qi Gongsun has a...sorta...lowkey ability as well. Being descended from the Dragon Lord, he has the similar "aura," if you will. He hides it well, but is incredibly intimidating and will literally induce an incredible fear in people's hearts. A "Dragon Aura," perhaps.