The Bride of the Serpent is Silent

The hot yellow sun, turning a deep orange as it sank behind the leafy tops of the trees on the far side of the lake. The crimson orb shook in the calm reflection of the waters beneath before finally disappearing from sight. Darkness quietly creeping in on the embankment, where Shui Long stood. The humidity of the day still hung thick in the air as the god of Xilian Lake inhaled the sweet pollen of the flowering plants along the shore. Their subtle scent reminding him of Jing Li's gentle presence, Shui Long released a long exhale as his thoughts returned to the last day that he had seen her.

Reclined on the bench he had shared with Jing Li just a few moments prior. Shui Long pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly as he settled into his position. Feeling devoid of energy after she had departed from the pavilion, Shui Long lounged in the sticky heat of the day. Stretching himself out lazily over the wooden seat, like a lizard basking in the oppressive rays of the sun. Shui Long could no longer afford to spare his powers in the pursuit of useless endeavors after opening the small window back into Jing Li's village. The cool traces of her tears still felt on the god's dark robes as he attempted to recuperate his strength in the shade of the pavilion. 

The water god came to regret the decision to grant his bride this illusion. Intending for the vision to alleviate some of his bride's worries about the prosperity of the village and her family. Shui Long also possessed the ulterior motive of earning Jing Li's admiration by showing her the blessings that were restored to her people. However, the god was instead frustrated to find that his waning powers were employed, only to result in further heartbreak of his bride. Discouraged that the recent passing of Jing Li's mother held the possibility of estranging them further. Shui Long felt that the few small gestures that he had made in order to gain Jing Li's trust, were likely to be overwhelmed by this fresh pain that now afflicted her. 

These misfortunes in Jing Li's life, all stemming from Shui Long's careful selection for her to become his bride. He was acutely aware of the fact that he was ultimately to be held responsible for Jing Li's suffering at this time. Although, not anticipating Jing Li's departure from the Mortal Realm would actually cause frail window's death to come to pass. Feeling embittered towards the feeble shadow of the woman, whose slow demise had monopolized so much of the vision he had shown Jing Li. Shui Long could only be moved to pity the daughter that mourned the egotistical woman. His bride's grief expressed with such agonizing sincerity, that it inspired something within the water god's cold heart. 

Only one of his parents surviving to this day, Shui Long could not admit to comprehending the loss that Jing Li felt; nor did he think himself capable of displaying this type of devastated emotion in the future. The root cause of this, mostly due to the simple reason of this not being the kind of relationship that was nurtured by his parents. Considering the hallmark of his family to be a distinct lack of acknowledgement towards one another's existence throughout their lives, Shui Long was mostly glad of this. 

His father, a villainous and devious individual, who had been vanquished long ago by the hands of the other gods. Shui Long was thankful not to ever have the displeasure of meeting him. His mother, on the other hand, was a different character entirely. Fun-loving and mischievous goddess, Hu Xian, only ever likely to pop in and out of Shui Long's life when it suited her. Hu Xian visits would normally only insert further strife into Shui Long's life. The god of Xilian Lake usually gladdened not to hear from his mother for long expanses of time, between these chaotic episodes. He knew that it was only a matter of a few more decades before she should appear unannounced before him once more. 

Thus, unable to fathom the grief of losing a beloved parent, in spite of the most vivid images that his imagination could conjure. Shui Long could only find resentment for the woman and the excuses for her selfish conduct in her final hour. The words, which had been croaked into the dark and derelict home, only meant to relieve her own conscience before her death. Fan Yi's strained address had succeeded in wounding her daughter's delicate heart further in spite of the realms that separated them. Shui Long was grateful that death had brought about the end of the burdensome relationship, which had existed between mother and daughter. However, this bitter thought, not likely something that the water god felt that he would ever admit to Jing Li. Shui Long closed his eyes against the sun's glare as he continued to spread himself out upon the bench in the pavilion.

The god's sympathy for his bride at this difficult time, not enough to urge him to contemplate her early release from the estate. Shui Long was painfully aware of the fact that he still needed his human bride to help restore his godly powers. Reluctant to dismiss Jing Li after he had taken interest in her, the god of Xilian Lake also recognized himself as being guilty of the narcissism he had so harshly criticized in his bride's mother. Shui Long realized that to indulge his desire to keep Jing Li beside him for longer than was necessary was to be considered selfish. However, these flaws did not trouble the god as much as the consequences that would arise from his bride's premature parting.

Shui Long's hand, touching the place over his heart where Jing Li's tears had fallen. The god caressed the vague patches of moisture that still remained there as he dwelled more upon the fact that he must one day undertake the act of letting her go. The water god was unmoving in his position upon the bench as Shan Yu returned to the pavilion. Prying open a heavy eyelid to glare at the attendant mildly as he approached. Shan Yu announced shrilly, "I have seen that the human bride was returned to her residence safely." The man's reappearance there, disturbing the tranquility of the elegant structure where Shui Long had been resting. The god emitted a short groan of annoyance before inquiring, "How did she seem when you left her?" 

The man's features, twitching vaguely in response to the evidence of his master's confounding fondness for the human creature. Shan Yu acquired some control over this involuntary display of his emotions prior to answering, "Still wallowing in despair, I'm afraid." Shui Long's lips pressing together in order to note the air of displeasure that this reply provoked in him, he said, "I suppose it is still very soon after witnessing her mother's death for her to see much beyond grief." The water god's tone, sounding solemn, despite his idle posture on the seat. Shui Long appeared displeased by the inconvenience that the death of Jing Li's mother had caused him.

A gloom, descending upon the pavilion in response to the god's mood. Shan Yu cleared his throat uncomfortably before risking to speak. "Forgive me Master if this should sound too remiss of me to say." He began apprehensively, "However, have you really recovered enough of your strength from this new offering to be exerting yourself?" The god rolling the slivers of white that appeared from between his half-opened lids in Shan Yu's direction. Shui Long scowled at the man with his dark irises but could not dismiss the validity of his attendant's concern. His body, becoming more burdened by exhaustion and lacking in the spiritual power that he once held. Shui Long knew that the circumstances dictated that he should extract more of Jing Li's healing essence soon, if he was to remain in command of his domain.

However, acknowledging that it would be unfair to demand this duty from her at this time, the god released an exasperated sigh. Finding himself to not be so cruel as to intrude Jing Li's bed whilst she mourned the loss of her mother. Shui Long cursed ever having allowed himself to become entangled in this awkward predicament as a tension began to form in his temple. His forehead, throbbing aggravatingly in the surrounding heat, he mumbled, "What's done is done, Shan Yu." The resignation in his voice reflected in his eyes as the god turned his gaze back towards the blooming lotuses in the pond. He became increasingly more frustrated by the foreign feeling of inutility he was experiencing at this moment. 

The god, draping the back of his hand over his beating forehead. Its skin cooled his brow as he said, "I need something to take my mind off of this, otherwise I'll go mad." Shui Long's cold eyes looking upon the coy that circled below him impassively in the pond. He pondered them for a while before inquiring placidly, "Is there still the Yong to the southeast of the Xilian?" The Yong, being a creature that marred the land with a terrible period of drought. The beast was known to possess the body of an owl, but the face of a man as it brought ruin to many a hapless village. The beast's existence, normally one that Shui Long would not concern himself with in person. He did not have enough power at his disposal to employ the usual method of flooding the creature out from the shores of the Xilian.

The water god began to wonder if the beast lurking the banks of the lake might at least serve as a useful diversion to the current problems that existed between himself and Jing Li. This question, unsettling Shan Yu as he guessed the reason behind it, he replied uneasily, "I understand that you are aggravated that your efforts with the human did not progress as you had hoped, but surely you cannot mean to trifle with the Yong so carelessly." The attendant's perturbed reaction, not enough to dissuade Shui Long as he peeled himself from the bench. The god announced his decision, "Make the necessary preparations, Shan Yu." 

Shui Long's unwavering tone, confirming his intentions to finally subdue the creature that had been allowed to roam the Xilian's shores for many weeks. Shan Yu mouth, opening subtly with the urge to protest. It was closed again for fear that the objection would only serve to provoke the aggravation of his Master. His attendant, omitting his opinions, as the water god stood from the bench. Shan Yu bowed dutifully towards Shui Long before following him from the pavilion and back to the residence's main living quarters.

A few stars, winking at him from above as the light on the shore subsided. Shui Long contemplated the half-moon amidst the star filled sky for a long while. Its presence appearing incomplete in the familiar dark tapestry that it inhabited, the god's attention was distracted from the lone moon's forlorn surface by a violent rustling in the trees. The limbs of the surrounding greenery, snapping as they were parted by an enormous figure rising up from the cover of their leaves. Shui Long turned in time to see the Yong's knife-like talons swoop past him. The beast's feathers covered in a black soot that shook from him as he landed. There was a vindictive smirk that curled on the corners of Shui Long's mouth as he commented coolly, "Finally, I was getting bored of waiting." 

The Yong's feet scorching the earth beneath him, the creature craned his long neck to size up the elegant god that stood before him. The human form of the water god who presided over the lake that the Yong had gradually been sapping dry for weeks, appearing to pose no threat to him. The creature sneered at the puny appearance of the deity as he remarked, "My, my, if it isn't the god of Xilian Lake." Blinking the four large slanted eyes that dominated his face as cocked his head to survey his opponent. The Yong added, "I heard the god of Xilian Lake didn't have it in him anymore after the humans had forsaken him." Shui Long's irises flashing yellow with the vehement ire that this rumor had inspired in him. There was the suggestion of fangs between his lips as the water god hissed back, "I'm afraid you were misinformed."

The creature belting out a cynical laugh to dismiss the words of the puny god that challenged him. The Yong's mirth soon dissipated as Shui Long took on his serpentine form. Shui Long's tongue, flicking at the air as he rose to match the height of his rival. The beast stretched his neck to the left and right as he swayed on the bank. Attempting to disorientate the giant serpent with his movements, the two eyed each other warily in the tense moments that were to occur before combat. Poised in their respective stances of intimidation beside the lake for a couple of seconds before the Yong was to launch his attack. The beast lunged forward with his sharp beak. 

Diving for Shui Long's neck, this was missed as the water god made an evasive movement to the side. A brutal snapping sound to be heard as the Yong's beak clamped down in thin air. He lashed out with his smoldering talons. Shui Long, avoiding their assault as his supple body maneuvered the embankment gracefully. The god was made to recoil by the heat that emitted from the scorched ground beneath him. This aversion towards the uncomfortable heat that was left by the Yong's fiery talons, resulting in the failed anticipation of his foe's next move. Shui Long writhed in pain as he felt his body being arrested by the beast's callous grip. 

The god's face contorted from the agony of his skin being singed by the Yong. Shui Long quickly thought to twist himself around the body of his opponent. Becoming rapidly ensnared by the water god's thick coils, there was a horrendous shriek which rose from the Yong as Shui Long's fangs pierced his flesh. Blood tainting the pristine white scales that Jing Li had once admired in the lake as he continued to bite down hard on his rival. The creature released Shui Long as he began to flail in the god's vice-like grasp. The two entangled on the embankment in their struggle. The beast's wings flapped wildly in the silt.

The Yong's desperate attempts to escape, failing him. There was to be the grim cracking emitted into the night, before the creature was to finally fall still. His bones manipulated by the malice of Shui Long's strong coils; the Yong hung limply in the god's grip. Unraveling himself from the creature's mangled figure, Shui Long did not regard his vanquished opponent another time as he slithered from the shore. Immersing himself in the pale light of the unfulfilled moon, the water god's scales shimmered one last time in its soft radiance before he disappeared back into the depths of the lake.