Aini’s heart raced as she stood in the dilapidated house filled with the three ghosts. The musty air filled her nostrils, and she shuddered, trying to shake off the feeling of dread that seemed to grip her.
Noticing the ceremonial burial robes the first ghost was wearing, which ancient members of the royal family had been buried in, Aini knew that this must have been Diyi Gengui. She had heard old stories about his legendary power to foretell the future. The idea of him standing before her was both thrilling and terrifying. As she watched the ghost cross his arms and scowl at her, she couldn’t help but feel a creeping sense of unease.
But Asher was not one to be easily intimidated. Without thinking, he grabbed one of the scurrying rats that had run out of the house and hurled it at the ghost. The rat passed right through Diyi, landing with a thud on the dusty floor.
“Rude little boy, ain’tcha?” Diyi growled.
Asher grinned, feeling a rush of excitement. He had always loved a good challenge, and facing off against a ghost was just the kind of adventure he craved.
"Oh hey, an actual ghost,” he said, his voice tinged with excitement. “This is amazing!”
“Not just any ghost. I am Diyi Gegui, The First.”
Aini, however, was not so enthusiastic. She had heard tales of the ghosts that haunted this house, and the prospect of encountering them filled her with worry and anxiety. But she put on a brave face and bowed deeply before Diyi, showing the respect that was due to a member of the royal family, no matter how ancient.
“It is an honor to stand before you, Diyi. Forgive my associate, he is not of this land and I do not believe he is fully right in mind.”
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“Do not worry, little empress. His behavior will not reflect upon you,” Diyi replied, his tone softening slightly. “Come with me, if you please.”
As they walked through the dusty corridors of the old house, Aini had the feeling that they were being watched. She kept glancing over her shoulder, half-expecting to see something lurking in the shadows.
Suddenly, Diyi stopped in his tracks, and a shaft of light shone down from the ceiling. Another ghost descended, passing through the wall with ease.
“Do not be afraid, for I am Liangci Jingxia,” the ghost said, his voice echoing through the room. “You may bask in my presence.”
Liangci was a beautiful ghost, with long flowing robes and hair that seemed to move in an unnatural way. Aini couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy as she looked at the ghost's elegant form.
But her envy was short-lived, as another ghost appeared before them. This one was different from the others, with an otherworldly look about him that suggested he was not from this land.
“Hi, I’m Yisang Ying, the third of the ghosts,” he said with a friendly smile.
A cold ran down Aini's spine. There was something off about Yisang. Even with his friendliness, there was something that made her uneasy about him.
“Honorable ghosts, I have come in the eleventh month of my reign as empress of Alaran,” she said, trying to sound confident. “As tradition holds, I have come to your house and await whatever business I have in this place.”
“Dear oh dear,” Liangci said with a chuckle. “‘Whatever business’ she says. My girl, this business is nothing out of the ordinary. Just spend some time with us and make us like you, then that’s it.”
Aini was taken aback. Was that all there was to it? Could it really be that simple?
“Then what about the death and misfortune which would have awaited me if I had not?" Aini asked.
“Well,” Yisang began, that’s kinda out of our control. We’re not the ones doing that, as far as I know.”
“That’s because you don’t know anything,” Diyi harassed him, “I, on the other hand, do, of course, know why the rulers are made to come here. This is more than just a judge of character but a judge of the future ruler and future of the country.”
“Or it may be the curse,” Laingci said.