Emilios paced back and forth, reading a tome about the pantheon of Meihua. Ever since making landfall and taking up residence in the Ju clan's estate, per Korina's persuasion, he'd taken to their library as of late.
Emilios had a hard time looking into Shendu's identity in detail. The Water God was quite over bearing and ever present. When Emilios realized Shendu was asleep instead of just meditating like he usually does at night, Emilios felt more comfortable reading up on the god without feeling those judging eyes.
What bothered Emilios most was the fact that no mater what he read, he couldn't find a reason he was sealed away. He knew there had to be some reason but most of what he read said that one day his blessings just vanished, and prayers unanswered lead to his temples all disappearing, people instead flocking to the River or Sea Goddesses for their prayers of safe passage in the waters of Meihua. Supposedly the seas were much calmer since the shift between the gods. Clearly Shendu's strength was more overbearing than that of the Sea Goddess, his aggressive nature led to worship by fear rather than gratitude for the gentle waters that the Sea Goddess offered.
Emilios sighed, closing the book and placing it back on the shelf. He didn't trust Shendu, but there wasn't anything he could do about it without information. Korina had become a faithful worshipper at this point, obsessed with granting the god more power and using the Ju clan's network to bring back the worship all because he promised her his blessing once he gained enough power to grant her one.
Emilios heard the door open and instinctually his hand rested on his sword. He relaxed once he saw his sister was alone.
"Where is Lord Shendu?" Korina asked upon seeing the room only held Emilios.
"Asleep, last I checked," Emilios responded flatly.
"Asleep? I recall him saying he didn't need to sleep," Korina's brow furrowed.
"Perhaps he's not quite as all-powerful as you think," Emilios huffed.
"Nonsense," Korina laughed dismissively. "He's simply lacking in worshipers. Have faith in him."
"Korina…" Emilios looked truly dismayed.
"Emilios, he'll grant all our prayers, just give him a little more time," Korina beamed, reaching out to take his hand. "He's keeping the Master Diviner off our case already. Else the palace would have found us already. They won't be able to find us or our new spies thanks to him."
Recently Shendu had gifted Korina a handful of charms that he'd explained the bearer would be able to pass unnoticed. Some were granted to Lord Ju to distribute as he saw fit, given his clan was one of the few that reported to the palace. He seemed quite thrilled by the prospect at the time. Korina had Emilios grant them to the few spies that had yet to be caught by the palace's recent purge.
"There's no guarantee he'll keep helping us once he gets more of his power back," Emilios let out an exasperated breath. "We are not from Meihua, who's to say he can even grant us any of his blessings. From what I've read they've never granted power to anyone outside of Meihua."
"Doesn't mean it's impossible," Korina smiled as she squeezed his hand. "He could have left as soon as we made landfall, but he's still here. He's still assisting us when he clearly doesn't have to. Shouldn't that speak volumes?"
"Only because you promised him more worshipers," Emilios just couldn't understand how she could be so adamant that Shendu could do no wrong when there was obviously something he'd done to get sealed by the other gods. He was getting frustrated that she refused to understand that, especially when she usually wass so paranoid when it came to new connections.
"Even if you can't bring yourself to have faith in him, have faith in me," she said sweetly.
"I always believe in you, sister," Emilios stroked her cheek with his knuckles. "I just want to keep you safe. I know if this doesn't turn out you might just lose heart."
"Whatever happens, I have you to pick me back up," Korina giggled.
"There you are, mortal," Shendu's stern voice called from the door.
"My lord, you're awake!" Korina beamed, drifting over to Shendu.
"I didn't mean to doze off," Shendu sighed, holding a hand to his head. "Despite being able to grant many mortals access to the dreamscape, it seems I still can't meddle with more than one mortal mind at night in detail."
"Who else did you try to meddle with, if you don't mind me asking?" Emilios was curious to say the least.
"That enemy of yours? Did you find him?" Korina looked thrilled by the idea.
"No, his mind is protected," Shendu shook his head, a look of disdain quickly falling across his face. "So I thought to meddle with one of the mortals of the family he covets. Prior I had attempted to see if it was possible by pulling him into the dreamscape. His dreams seem easily susceptible so I thought I'd try to meddle with him a little more. It may be best to wait for more worshipers before I try again. Keeping the Master Diviner at bay takes more than I expected."
There was a tentative knock on the door even though it was open. The master of the house, Ju Haoran was standing there with a gentle smile upon his face. Haoran wasn't very remarkable in appearance but he certainly made up for it in over the top robes and garish accessories.
"My Lord, someone has arrived and refuses to leave until he sees you," Haoran said with a reverent bow to Shendu.
"Who could possibly know I'm here?" Shendu raised a brow. "Surely the gods haven't found me just yet." Shendu purposely shielded his mind and those around him specifically to avoid the prying eyes of the gods. He wanted his vengeance against Jinse and eventually the other gods that contributed to his downfall but he needed time.
"They insisted they were a servant of yours, my lord," Haoran said.
"Xiangliu survived all this time then?" Shendu flashed a wicked smirk. There was only one being that could find him even with all his protection. He ensured it back when he intended to utilize his aid in the downfall of the Dragon King. He'd long since thought Xiangliu died at the hands of Jinse when they fought with fox. Xiangliu was his most loyal servant, he'd even considered him his High Priest once. Now it was best to leave such titles behind lest it draw unwanted attention from the gods. Still Xiangliu was the most valuable asset to be brought forth yet. "Bring him here immediately."
"Right away, my lord," Haoran bowed once more and left to fetch their visitor.
"Who is Xiangliu?" Emilios asked skeptically.
"My most devout follower," Shendu explained. "He and I fought against that accursed fox together. I thought he may have perished in the battle but it seems he managed to slip away. Crafty as ever that one. He must be why I never fully lost my power."
"Truly amazing," Korina clapped her hands together.
Emilios didn't like the sound of another immortal or long lived being, one was dangerous enough. He'd done his research in recent weeks and there was no sure fire way to neutralize these threats aside from divine intervention. He despised not knowing how to protect Korina should things go wrong and he fully expected this to do just that. They were in over their heads but she refused to see reason, blinded by the promise of her prayer fulfilled.
In stepped Haoran followed by a deathly pale man that seemed bone thin. His sharp, reptilian eyes went instantly from deathly bored to pure excitement upon seeing Shendu. He quickly stepped around Haoran and knelt at Shendu's feet.
"It truly is you, my god!" Xingliu's raspy voice was filled with pure reverence. "I've been searching for all these years… I finally found you…"
"They hid me well," Shendu seemed rather pleased for the first time since arriving at the Ju Estate. "However they ignored my seal and thus I'm finally free, thanks to these two mortals," Shendu gestured to the Stylliani siblings.
Xingliu's eyes shifted far too quickly at the two foreigners with a vicious jealousy that was bone chilling. Emilios subconsciously placed his hand over his sword and stepped closer to Korina who simply smiled, clearly still under Shendu's influence to not be the slightest bit bothered by such a chilling stare.
"Rise, Xingliu," Shendu gestured for him to get off his knees.
"Just how did you find him now? We are supposed to be shielded from detection of any kind," Emilios asked, a little suspicious of it all.
"My god gave me this back when he wished to reign," Xingliu unveiled a round sea crystal with a small glowing orb within that was favoring the side facing Shendu. It was an old relic that always seemed to point to the most powerful being that reigned over the seas.
"Unsurprising that even the Eye of the Depths still seeks me. Those imposters think they can replace me?" Shendu scoffed, he'd heard of the shift of gods that had happened while he slumbered. The River and Sea Goddesses were a pair of twins that took his place as the God of Water. However it seemed even in a weakened state the Eye of the Depths still saw him as the true ruler of the waters themselves.
"No one ever could replace you, my god!" Xingliu held out the Eye of the Depths for Shendu.
"Keep it," Shendu held his hand out. "You'll be able to find me should I need to relocate, just as before. Tell me, what is it you know of the fox that dared to intervene?"
"He's been living lavishly out in the open as of late," Xingliu hissed, almost filled with more vitriol than Shendu. "For the past couple decades he's been running a place known as the Fox's Den."
"You're after Jinse?" Haoran blinked in surprise. He'd visited the establishment more than once in the past so he knew exactly who they were talking about.
"I would have expected him to have changed his name by now," Shendu shook his head in disbelief. "Now he's made something of himself?" A dark laughter filled the room. "Good…"
"Good?" Emilios asked in confusion.
"Yes," Shendu flashed a twisted smile. "Back then he had nothing. He was just some vagrant. He was no one. Now I can dismantle everything he's built and strip him of everything he holds dear. I'll return him to nothing and then I'll kill him!"
"Now that we have a name," Korina clapped her hands twice, "Emilios, my dear, see what our little web has caught about him and seek out more."
"Yes, of course," Emilios nodded curtly. He was hesitant to leave her side but he had no choice.
"Just a moment," Shendu held his hand up before Emilios could step very far. "Xingliu, do you have any extra transformation talismains on you?"
"Certianly, my god," Xingliu pulled out one of the dark parchments with a mess of red symbols that could have been Meihuan in origin but it was completely illegible handwriting.
Shendu took it in hand and with a flick of his wrist it was two. He held it out to the Stylianis, "One for each of you. With this you can change your appearance while it's in contact with your skin. Picture what you wish to look like and so it will be. You two stand out here, this will allow you to blend in."
"Truly you honor us, my lord," Korina took hers tenderly as new ideas formed in her mind.
Emilios took his with a conflicted feeling in his heart. He couldn't deny the convenience of the talisman but it felt like giving in and accepting all of this.
"Go on, try it," Shendu insisted with an almost knowing smile directed at Emilios.
Korina didn't even hesitate, placing it on her arm. She closed her eyes and imagined what she would look like if she were born in Meihua. Her hair darkened and her face softened as her skin went from pale to sunkissed. She opened her eyes and while they were narrower they were still the same emeraldite color.
"Did you not think to change the color of your eyes?" Emilios asked with a raised brow.
"The soul cannot change, thus the eyes cannot completely change either," Shendu explained. "Unfortunate, but you two can work around that I'm sure."
"There are plenty of mixed families these days," Haoran nodded. "Lady and Lord Styliani, if you'd like I'm sure we can send for something suitable for you to wear."
"If you would," Korina practically bounced in place at the idea of being able to leave.
"I already have a suitable disguise," Emilios shook his head and left.
"Ungrateful, that one," Xingliu mumbled softly.
"He'll come around," Korina assured. "If he can't do something himself he's always so pouty. My lord, is it possible to change this once applied?"
"Of course." Shendu could see her plotting something, "What do you have in mind?"
"I'd love nothing more than to become exactly what His Highness desires," Korina smiled wistfully. "Once an unfortunate accident befalls the woman he's fallen for and another appears looking just the same, surely he won't be able to resist."
"You are mistaken," Xingliu shook his head.
"Excuse me?" Korina bitterly leered at him. "You think a man like him couldn't fall for me, is that it?"
"Presumptuous," Xingliu scoffed.
"Xingliu," Shendu scolded. "Quit antagonizing her and share what you know."
"Thousand pardons," Xingliu bowed deeply towards Shendu. "While tracking Jinse I witnessed him meeting with the emperor and one of the Moon Goddesses' children. They both seem to regard the young man with fondness. They were both quite affectionate with the moon-touched."
"Who!" Korina raised her voice. "I want his name!"
"I don't know their name," Xingliu shrugged. "I was too far at the time."
"Interesting," Shendu chuckled darkly. "They both happen to adore the same person…"
"Could you describe this person?" Haoran asked. "Perhaps I can be of assistance if they know the emperor after all."
"Hair of snow and eyes of dawn," Xingliu explained with disinterest. "That's all I recall."
"Meigui Xueye?" Haoran's eyes widened. "Interesting…"
"It would make sense why the Master Diviner has the young man on her mind if he's favored by the emperor," Shendu was starting to understand why her fears were tied with the young man he'd been using in her recent nightmares.
"Meigui Xueye!" Korina started laughing. "I'll kill him for standing in my way!"
"Patience, you'll have your chance," Shendu urged firmly. Her rage quickly simmered down at his word and she looked at him expectantly. "Once my worshipers grow, so will my power. To act now against him and have that fox come after him will be the end of all of us. Xingliu, look into him more will you? We need to be ready for the perfect moment to take him. He's the perfect bait for that wretched fox! On top of that he may be key in bringing the empire to its knees."