To Dine With Thee

This is a story of a girl who lives in a castle by herself but was cursed by her own mother as a baby. Her name is Ying Yue. If sunlight hits her skin, she would turn to ashes. All because her woman wanted a male child but didn't get one. That was the rule of the kingdom of Qin dynasty that if a woman gave birth to a second child and it's a male, they must be cursed.This resulted in the death of many females as they were desperate to escape their fate. The setting took place in the Meji period of China.

Mo Chou is the name of Ying Yue's mother; which means 'free of sadness'

She kept her daughter in the castle for years feeding her however, adding a certain potion to her meal to keep the curse active. It's also a poison which is killing her slowly. If her mother does not adhere to the secret of the kingdom policy, she will be inevitably executed.

Main characters:

Mo Chou • 莫愁 'free of sadness'

Ying Yue • 映月 'reflection of the moon.

Fu Lin • 福临

-Press further for the unraveling-

Side characters:

Nian Zen • 念真 ' and Fei Hong

•飞鸿 powerful Mages in the art of potion making. (Both females)

Hui Yin • 徽因 'Traitor' (Male) also know as Judas.

Zhi Ruo • 芷若 'Two faced monk'

Ying Yue

Weak pale eyes slowly resurrects from it's cold grave of ghastly rest. They beheld glimmering rays of light; full of life, full of vigour but Lo - to approach the only source of energy and vitality will certainly be the end of me.

A frame like an almost a dead withering plant, settles in a cold corner of grime and budding moss; trembles under the freezing fog which comes as a ghost to torture at each dying morning.

My lips were cracked, tearing from healing cells but failing to revigorate as they bled constantly. Their rawness barely turning to dotted scabs. The rays of sunshine gave others so much hope, so much joy but all is taken from me as I've never been hushed by them in my entire life.

A bird flew inside the putrid abode few days ago however, breaking it's wing in the process but sadly dies instantly since I was unable to save it. The creature has now started to decay, creating a foul stench that would make one gag.

My mother isn't bringing food here regularly so the fats and muscles under my delicate skin begun to deteriorate. There was no way out of this haunting place, my cheeks had become hollow not to mention the outline of a crusty spine hid not it's scrawny design.

The maggots inside the bird's stomach has been multiplying, breeding rapidly in the elevating warmth of heavenly rays; flies were every where. One cought in my throat and I hit my chest hard, breaking a mid rib in the process.

My bones had weakened. They turned to chalk; brittle and rotting from the inside out.

Death came to whisper me fair tidings. Alas, that would come soon to end this life of sorrow and gloom.

Knock once, twice but not twice but thrice - it was empty; cavernous and full of endless void as there seem to be the absence of a heart. There isn't one there for the woman who's breasts I have suckled as a tender babe, she took it away swiftly.

My tongue buried a dessert, a lifeless dessert full of serpents as of times my words toward her veiled evil and at other times a much more subtle endeavor of affection. She called me Ying Yue which means 'reflection of the moon' since I could only find comfort and solace in night seasons.

There sprung a lush insurrection of flowers and cherry blossoms, outside this castle of bones now marred by death of a thousand maidens.

If only, if just only my life would be spared to even go into the light but nay; I'd turn to stone first then crumble head long and at last to ashes, there to be carried away by the restless wind.

A rattling dirty finger reaches out dreadfully towards the honeyed light of the morning but instantly burst into flames. A dreadful ear splitting scream came pass my lips in anguish and terror tore from my soul seeing crimson liquid fall but blackens as it turns to fleeting ashes.

I got up from the ground as my Hanfu clung to my shaking body in shreds, going towards the decaying bird. The smell was enough to make you faint but there was no other choice, the need to eat is all to consuming.

Vomit came lurching out my mouth causing intestinal acid to burn the back of my throat. There's no way for me to do it. The almost purplish colour blood, has begun to thicken. It was rancid. 

"Ahhhhh!!!" My hand flew into the air, sending the tiny Buddha into the wall, smashing it to a million pieces.

I've been praying to that lifeless thing for ages but it could not deliver me. In the mixture of bile regurgitated, blood followed. It was malignant leaving a crimson stain in it's horrifying wake. 

Mr. Death will pay Lady life a swift visit, maybe now, perhaps noon. Thus the awakening hour of a gleaning dawn is nigh at hand; from the dust I came and to it I shall return. The cracks in the walls whistle as air came through to quell and permeate a never ending grief.

Mother - my beloved predecessor! Oh how I loved thee! But Nay, you you left me to battle the monsters inside my head they will one day put all my thoughts to bed.

Fu Lin 

I've been watching over my precious Yue for years from she was a tender babe. This is the time to save her from the hands of her wicked mother before Yue dies given that the woman will not return. She needs food and water.

I snap my finger Pingping appears out of pixie dust, she's a forest fairy and they've lived hundred of years supporting humans. 

"There's a girl in that castle, dying fast. I need you provide food and water for her until I return here."

"Yes master!" she flew off immediately.

A very complex curse was placed on Yue and only two people in all the Quin dynasty could help and that is Nian Zen and Fei Hong. The most adept in knowledge in curses and potions. It will take five days to reach there. This must be done wisely and quickly, time is running out.

Two perilous days later

Mou Chou

"AHAHAHAH!!!!" my voice came forth in a sinister cackle.

That pathetic girl must be dead by now and when she dies, the emperor will spare my head. Hui Yin my faithful servant came rushing towards me in panic.

"My lady! Someone is trying to save Yui! A man who wears a dragon mask."

My face scowls in anger.

"A mask you say?" 

"Yes my lady, he's heading towards the East."

My smoking pipe between my teeth was crushed with brute force.

I hissed "This cannot happen! Yui must die at all cost! If she doesn't my head will be rolling!"

Hui trembles at my wrath and hatred. He only stood there like a stupid lapdog, bowing his head. Whoever that person is, if he gets in my way; I will eliminate him!

By the hook or the crook. How was the castle found? It's completely secluded. If Yui is discovered and rescued, the end of me will be inevitable. 

My hands formed a little glass mirror with glowering darkness around it's edges. Shi - Yun; a mirror I created from the hatred that I towards my useless daughter. I'm still regretting giving birth to her. 

"Oh great Shi - Yun, who is the fairest lady in all the land?" 

A beguiling smile came across black painted lips.

The mirror answered, "Lady Ying Yue." 

I screamed in anger "Grrrrrraaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!" 

That's impossible! I'm the most beautiful. This mirror, I'll destroy it. 

"Make visible the person who dares defy me."

Someone wearing a dragon mask appears and immediately; my blood starts to turn in rage. He must be stopped at all cost. I need to gather the most skilled assassins in all of Qin dynasty. This unknown person will not thwart my plans, given that someone is trying to save her; she must still be alive.

I bit down hard on a red polished nail. How is that possible? She has no food or water, someone or something must be keeping her alive.

"No, no, no, no!! She must die!" 

She's a cursed child. I've never loved her but her blind - stupid father did. He absolutely adored having a daughter, he loved her more than me and it wasn't fair so I poisoned him. That one killed him faster than I'd expected. I wanted to have more enjoyment seeing him writhe and suffer in agony for bit longer.

Yes that would satisfy me more. He was such a useless man, couldn't even give me the son that I wanted; the son that I desired. What was so hard in that? Nothing but a spineless fool. 

Hui was awaiting my orders.

"I'll be secretly gathering assassins in the meantime. I'm so upset at all this, Yue is still alive; still breathing and I want her dead."

"We don't have to kill her my lady -"

"Do you want to die in her stead?"

He shakes his head vigorously.

"FIND That person and do what I tell you!!!" Hui left to fulfill his duty and a sly smirk creased my lips.

Everything will go according to plan, while Hui searches for that little work; I'll be gathering the deadliest assassins in all the land and there shall be no escape. I do not care if it's a child, old or young people. If they get in my way, they'll be tasting the edge of the sword. 

I twirled happily. I'll be painting everything in my favorite color, red and lots of it! This is splendid. The Qui dynasty thinks they've fought against formidable enemies but they haven't met the real villainess yet.

I'll show them what's it's really like to experiencing hell. 

"Ahahaha!!!!"

Three days later

Fu Lin

Arriving in the lush country side of Tian Wei; I've made my way into the temple where Nian Zen and Fei Hong was dwelling. 

They came out to greet me then ushered me inside away from the inquisitive eyes of outsiders. I thoroughly explained to them the situation for a few minutes; after going through the details, both their faces both turned grim. That was understandable, the situation is rather dire. 

Fei Hong spreads open an old scroll over a small table, making sure the edges are not curled.

"We can make the potion but you need the fresh bud from the yutan Lotus. The issue is the two faced monk has it, something of equal value will have to be exchanged for it."

Nian Zen explained and her partner nodded. 

"Equal exchange?" I repeated just that line.

"Yes, something of equal value must be given in exchange for the blossom to be used or it most assuredly won't work." Fei Hong says giving me a small map.

"What do I need this for?" 

They both shake their heads with a pitiful smile.

"You'll need that to find the two faced monk." 

"Okay, thank you for your help."

They escorted me outside of the temple, both folding their arms.

"Hurry."

"I swear by the sacred moon above. I will get the blossom." 

I departed from their presence to seek the two faced monk of Tian way. It took a few minutes to find his home, the place was surrounded by thick bushes and trees which made it difficult to push through. He was sitting outside. My body froze in crippling fear at the sight of him. He really has two face! One at the front and another at the back..

Zhi Ruo gestured for me to come closer and I did, slowly.

"What do you seek?" 

"I want to blossom of the Yutan Lotus." I answered. His eyes darkened.

"Do you have something of equal value?"

I took out a piece of Yue's hair which Pingping secretly took and gave it to him. He shakes his head.

"This won't work. It's not of equal value."

My heart sunk and I fall to my knees scared and afraid of what might happen to my precious Yue. She will die soon if nothing is done.

"Please! I beg you! There must be something that can be done." tears were pouring down my face. 

"I won't be able to help you." The other face at the back of his spoke with a deeper voice.

A young girl about the same age as Yue came from around the back with a wooden bucket, she looked very pleasant.

"What's the matter young warrior?" 

I told her the situation and she only smiles faintly. Her eyes were weak though beautiful.

"My name is Xia Min.Yue is my close friend. We used to play together inside an old temple before her mother took her away. Yue was the only person who treated me human."

Unbelievable, she knows Yue. 

"Do not worry Fu. I will save her by offering up my life."

The sword clatter to the ground and fresh tears came to my eyes, utter sadness. The pain was far too much to bare. 

"You are my help meet Xia." The two faced monk added. She shakes her head. 

"I want to save Yue. I'm already dying of an incurable disease so I'd rather not let my life and memories go in vain."

Xie got down on her knees. 

"What about your family?" I inquired.

She glanced at me with the most cheerful smile I'd ever seen on another's face and I took a minute to catch my breath. My chest cavity was on fire. 

"As you wish Xie." Zhi says and went to retrieve the flower.

Sorrow encompassed me as I watched the young girl, her eyes became teary.

"The equivalent exchange will be made once you touch the petal. Once that happens, the blossom will turn to pink." he instructs her.

"It's okay young Warrior, you're so brave, please save Yue."

I cried.

She reaches out and touches the flower, then a bright light appeared. Her fingers began to disintegrate before my eyes into a tiny pink blossoms, straight up. Silver tears streaked her cheeks and she smiled one last time before disappearing into thin air.

I shouted in tears, "Xie!!!!!!!!" 

Zhi touched my shoulder before handing me the blossom. I was sobbing bitterly. Heavy feet took me back to the temple and there Nian Zen and Fei created the potion. They blessed me and the journey started for me again to return.

Ying Yue

"Yue!!!"

"Yue!!!"

Pingping screams my name, her tears were dancing around my face like crystals. Her wings kissed me tenderly, dusting pixie dust over a now dying body, ready to be departed from the land of the living.

Now it has come for the master clock to take back it's time. A deep, dark grave awaits, no; not so. A bottomless pit I shall sink in. All the hair a top my head fled from a decaying scalp. This little fairy found me, it loved me for a blessing despite this retched curse.

A tiny hand graced my face and the skin there withered away, floating into the cold air; weightless - no. It was like the chaff that the wind drives away. Tears could not come for at last, they sought no more to suffer with me but find their own reclusive solitude.

My hand lifted on some invisible string to catch Pingping's fallen tears but my fingers crumbled before I touched her and she wept.

"Yue!!!!!!!!"

Someone shouted my name and a man I have never seen in my life ran to my side. He wore a dragon mask, his arms held me then my mouth parted when he poured something sweet inside. My body glows and instantly; I regained beauty with much strength. 

My life has been restored, a miracle has been bestowed upon me by a masked man. His arms were covered in cuts and bruises. Pingping flew around my head happily. 

"You're even more beautiful up close." he says and my face flushes at his words.

Why did he save me?

"Who are you?"

"I am Fu Lin, which means; your blessing has arrive." 

My arms encircled his neck like twining vines, tripping him between an unfolding embrace.

He told me everything that has befallen him and I was utterly lost for words but never have I ever been so happy in my entire life to be rescued by someone who was always watching over me. Apart of me was taken away by the lost of a my precious friend.

Xie was very dear to me, she's like my sister. Fu Lin wipes at my eyes with his thumb, then caresses my cheek. He smiles and I did too.

He's also the second prince of the Qin dynasty. My eyes were cast upon the sunlight, bursting from his hold, I leapt into the light. The most wonderful warmth settled over my skin, invigorating my soul. Life has been breathed back into my lungs!

The curse has been broken and I'm free at last, the chains of death now shattered forever.

The prince put a stop to the death of females by the law of his father, the emperor of the Qin Dynasty and Yue forgave her mother of the wickedness she committed. The prince marries Yue and they both found happiness. The people of the Qin dynasty Kingdom rejoiced at the end of all ancient curses that was put upon them thus peace and prosperity reighed ever more.