The Bride of the Serpent is Silent

The tall stems of the spider-lilies, masking a subtle dip that occurred further ahead. The three unusual characters trudged up the gentle incline of the land in silence before Jing Li was to inquire hesitantly, "Where are we going?" Gradually lagging behind the horse-faced man as she began to grow apprehensive that the guardians had been sent to return her to the path that she had seen other miserable souls tread earlier before. The guard turned his long face back to answer, "Yan Wang has requested an audience with you."

Jing Li's lips pinched together mildly upon hearing this reply. Uncertain whether it was wise to submit herself to Yan Wang's scrutiny if she was to preserve any hope of returning to the Other Realm. Jing Li admitted to possessing no other plans with which to accomplish this feat on her own as she chose to follow the two men towards the summit of the hill. Surprised to see that the slope had marked the edge of a valley, where an oasis of tall trees and thin streams converged. Jing Li stared in disbelief at the lush foliage, before coming to observe the formidable structure that was camouflaged amidst the canopy of their leaves.

Not pausing for long as they progressed towards the palace perched high atop a stone platform, which had been constructed in the dense vegetation. Jing Li felt a gentle breeze encourage her down the slope and into the dense gardens contained within the valley. The mild wind, stirring the placid air that remained within her lungs as they walked further. Jing Li observed the muted colors of the Far Shore gradually become more vivid with each step that they took. The bright feathers of a few exotic birds, streaming past them as they approached the steps that led up to the lofty doors of Yan Wang's palace. 

Encountering a series of at least a hundred miniscule stone steps leading up to the building's entryway. The birds' bizarre calls faded off into the distance as they all stopped to consider the climb ahead of them with some notable dread. The two guards of the underworld, grumbling as they mounted the steps ahead of her, Jing Li was to follow them. Soon discovering that their aversion towards the obstacle was completely justified the further they progressed. Jing Li huffed from the exertion of her efforts as she ascended towards the top of the stone platform with her guides. 

The two guards, still issuing a few mumbled words of discontentment as they arrived at the doors of the palace. Jing Li grunted wearily over the last remaining steps behind them to pause in front of the solemn mouth of the portal, which stood rigidly before them. Hesitant to pass through the gate for fear that she might not be able to return from it, but reluctant to make the long journey back down over the steps, Jing Li entered after her escorts. Provided with no other choice but to proceed down the long corridor that greeted them after the doors had shut with a definitive thud behind them, the group advanced down an imposing hallway.

The passage, possessing no defining features, other than the large columns that lined its pale walls. Jing Li attempted to etch the image of the corridor in her mind, should she need to find her way back to the entrance of the palace on her own. However, this endeavor proved to be a more daunting task than she had first anticipated. Soon losing track of the multiple turns that they had taken down a sequence of identical hallways, Jing Li was to abandon the foolish notion of escape as leaves of a few lush palms began to appear between the columns ahead of them. 

Their sprawling foliage, marking the beginning of a serene courtyard. The two guards were to slow their pace significantly as they were to approach a figure, standing peacefully at the center of the garden. The aged man peacefully observing the strange birds of the Diyu, he did not acknowledge the horse-faced and ox-headed guards as they both bowed towards him. Following their lead in this gesture, Jing Li bent herself in respectful recognition of the bearded man that they had encountered in the courtyard. 

The man, finally turning to regard the group serenely. He waved one sleeve of his dark robe calmly in their direction as he said, "You may leave us." The announcement evidently meant only for the guards who had accompanied her there, the two men both turned to leave. Only the horse-faced guard, hesitant to part without the courtesy of a farewell. He exchanged a glance with the stray human they had found in the field of spider-lilies but said nothing else as they departed from the courtyard. The sound of their boots, still heard retreating towards the opposite end of the courtyard from where they had entered, Yan Wang said, "You can be more at ease, Jing Li. It is not yet the time of your judgment." 

The remark freeing Jing Li from the discomfort of the formal greeting, as well as some of the anxieties surrounding their encounter. Jing Li looked upon the countenance of the god of the underworld better now as she straightened her posture. Yan Wang's dark eyes, meeting with the clear pools of Jing Li's eyes. He regarded her ruefully as he spoke, "I often ask myself, why is it always those who have committed so few wrongs in their life arrive here before others whose sins greatly outweigh theirs." The man's warm skin, crinkling moderately as he made this musing aloud. There were a few pensive moments left in order for them to reflect upon this comment, before the god continued to address the silent figure that had joined him in the garden. 

"I take it that Zhi Yin has already cautioned you about the repercussions of your powers?" he asked, already seeming to know the answer, "It is indeed prudent for us all to remain mindful of our speech, but do not let it prevent you from speaking your mind." Unsure of whether the bearded man could be trusted not to judge her for her poor speech. Jing Li contemplated the wrinkles around his eyes and the gray of his hair for a while before venturing to pose a question, "How am I to know what is supposed to be said, when I have never been able to say anything before?"

The man releasing a pensive sigh, he answered, "I'm afraid only you can really determine what feels right for you to say." Turning away from her slightly after presenting Jing Li with these words, Yan Wang summoned a piece of bread from the confines of his long sleeves. Tearing off a small piece from the loaf to throw to the birds that were hopping eagerly at his feet, the god of the underworld added, "Your father was always precious with his words, yet there were still always those who sought to silence him." Jing Li's face, puckering together slightly as she again considered the conundrum of this newfound power. 

She watched the birds peck peacefully at the crumbs scattered between them as she asked, "Won't it be best to say nothing then?" The man's countenance, crinkling once more as he displayed a patient smile, he replied, "I suppose there is always that option." Pausing as he separated another piece from the bread that he held, Yan Wang continued, "Then again, would it be right to remain silent in the presence of violence or injustice, if you knew there was something you could do to prevent it?" The god's words, prompting Jing Li to recall the times where she wished that she was able to speak for herself or on the behalf of others in their time of need. 

The bride of the water god was beginning to feel the weight of the responsibilities bestowed upon her, when a loud crash was heard throughout the palace. The noise, louder and more frightening than thunder, Jing Li jumped considerably from the place where she stood beside the god of the underworld. Unsure of where the clamor had sounded from as she looked around, Jing Li saw the ox-headed and horse-faced guardians hasten down the hallway they had emerged from previously. Spears in hand and expressions severe with the intent to thwart whatever entity currently threatened the palace, Jing Li watched the two guards disappear from sight.

The birds, frantically flitting from the courtyard at the first indication of danger. Yan Wang's brow furrowed mildly as he observed their departure from the shade of the palms.

"It would seem that your escort has come to relinquish me of your care." he remarked bitterly. The lines on his face, becoming more agitated whilst he proceeded to scrutinize the hallway that his guards had charged down just moments ago. Yan Wang added a sage note before the intruder entered into their midst, "I'll leave it up to your own discretion whether you are to inform him of your powers or not."

The ground trembling and Jing Li's heartbeat quickening from the anticipation of his approach. She did not need to ask the god of the underworld what was meant by this comment as both stared at the doorway between the columns. Struck by an uneasiness as Shui Long encroached rapidly on their location, Jing Li felt that she did not have time to prepare her heart for the intensity of the water god's bright yellow irises as they appeared out from the expanse of the narrow hallway. His body, filling most of the space as he navigated the corridors of the palace, Shui Long velocity only relented slightly as he slithered into the courtyard.

The water god's eyes, shifting between the pair that he found in the garden warily as though suspecting them of a conspiracy. Shui Long's apprehension dissipated, when met with Jing Li's tender gaze. The long path of his lustrous scales, reverting back into flowing robes as he changed back into the form of a man. Shui Long did not delay the need to hold the woman he had come to find even in death. Encompassed by the refreshing scent of the estate's gardens and the cool sensation of his skin against hers as Shui Long held her in his arms once more. Jing Li at last felt some reassurance that there was some hope for her to return from this miserable journey with him.

However, the comfort discovered within the enfolds of Shui Long's embrace was to be interrupted by the grating sound of a throat being cleared roughly from behind them. "I understand that you are motivated by the feelings you hold towards your bride, Shui Long." began the god of the underworld, "Nonetheless, I would appreciate it if you did not terrorize my guards." This chastisement, appearing only to aggravate the already antagonized water god, Shui Long's sharp jaw clenched together as he turned to regard the man who had interrupted their long-awaited reunion.

"How could I be sure that you were not to torture my bride in my absence, Yan Wang." Shui Long responded. The accusation of this statement, causing Jing Li to cling to the water god's sleeve uneasily in an attempt to discourage him from quarreling. She debated whether to intervene in their conversation, when a forbearing smile from the god of the underworld persuaded her to remain silent.

"Jing Li may have found my company tedious, but hopefully no so disagreeable as to deem it torture." Yan Wang replied amicably. However, even the sound of his bride's name as it parted from the god of the underworld's lips, seeming to provoke the water god's ire. Shui Long ground his teeth as he responded, "Regardless, she will not have to suffer in your company any further as we will be taking our leave of this place."

The dark slivers of water god's eyes, viewing their surroundings with a certain amount of abhorrence as he said this. It was as though he was looking upon something entirely different from the tranquil garden that was seen by Jing Li as he took hold of her slender hand. This declaration, receiving no objections from the god who stood amidst the trees in the center of the courtyard. Yan Wang's mouth still possessed the patient tilt of a man who was accustomed to waiting as he answered, "Take good care of her, Shui Long. It would be a shame if we were to meet again in the same century." The two deities, seeming to be content to maintain their mutual contempt for one another, casting one last glare in each other's direction. 

There were no further words exchanged between them as Shui Long guided his bride out of the courtyard. However, feeling that it would be more than slightly remiss not to acknowledge Yan Wang's aid and counsel during her time in the Diyu. Jing Li glanced back to provide the god of the underworld with a gentle bow of her head, before entering into the hall that led away from the garden. Yan Wang's figure, distorting vaguely behind them, Jing Li failed to notice the grim shadows that crept across the tranquil scene as they parted.