Granny Zhu’s hairpin was the only thing keeping her hair from running wild in the breeze. In his dream she looked at least a decade younger and her laugh felt like it belonged to a young maiden instead of the veteran warrior he knew her as.

“I often think back to when I first saw you. You were so small, so… fragile.” She ran the back of an ethereal hand down his cheek. “There was even a time I thought I might crush you when I hugged you.”

When she leaned in to hug him a haze became faintly visible around her that only continued to grow as she walked over to the window. The light from Heaven’s Scar was especially bright tonight and it added to the haze around her, illuminating her to the point that she was bathed in white.

“Promise me you’ll stay safe.” She whispered.

Instead of a goodbye, her body transformed into wisping energy that slipped through the cracks of the window.

Mareus woke up with a damp feeling on his cheek that remained after he wiped away the morning mist that slipped in through the window. He trudged over to the window carefully making sure the cracks sealed while silently scolding himself for leaving it open since the rainy season was almost here.

Because of a rather stubborn artisan, his home was one of the only ones in the village with glass windows. Thanks to that he was greeted by a boy with untamed hair in his reflection.

He played with his bangs for a moment, stretching them past his nose. “Should I cut it?”

Had he really neglected himself so much in the past few weeks? Examining his reflection, he got the impression of a boy who was never taught proper hygiene. Unfortunately he didn’t have time so the best he could do was wipe his face with a rag and attempt to tie his hair back. The simple flower of his new hairpin displayed prominently behind him.

“I can do this.”

Mareus slapped some of his drinking water on his face and rushed out the front door, making sure to close it tightly behind him.

On his way to the Elder’s Hall he quietly entertained himself with daydreams of being named an elder because of how much he visited the hall. The thought crossing his mind that maybe they would call him the Youthful Elder caused a smile to creep up one side of his face. He even pretended to wave at the other villagers as they happily greeted him by his title. Although he quickly got embarrassed when someone saw and started waving back.

When he made it to the bottom of the hill he took his time in front of the Ancestor’s Shrine. The once otherworldly beauty housing his grandmother’s soul had now become a beacon to the dead, letting them know the living still thought about them. It looked smaller now, no, it was more like it wasn’t towering over him. Like a roof had been lifted off him and some invisible force was helping him stand back up.

Only for a lighter weight to press back on him when he looked at the entrance to the hall. Air filled his lungs and held tight until the pinch in his chest was worse than the imaginary weight. Mareus followed his single exhale to the entrance and pushed open the door.

Elder Guo was already standing in wait on the other side.

“Have you made a decision, Hua’s successor?” He greeted.

Mareus cupped his hands together and offered a bow. “I did, First Elder. I’ve gotten advice from an elder brother who can be wise when needed.”

The ancient man was practiced in hiding his reactions, instead the air around him changed into something more welcoming.

“That’s good to hear.”

This time Mareus could have sworn he caught the faintest hint of a smile from him. It could have also been the light tricking his eyes by playing in the elder’s hundreds of wrinkles.

Mareus began to tell Elder Guo the decision he came to when he was stopped by a pair of leathered hands holding his own.

“I did not send you away yesterday only for you to return with a report and then be on your way. Come, I hear from Little Wei that we share taste in tea. Let’s have a seat and discuss.”

Thankfully, the elder didn’t lead Mareus back to his study. There was enough clutter in there that with one wrong move they would have been buried until Mareus looked like Elder Guo. Instead they sat at a central table meant for the elders to receive honored guests.

“May I speak freely, First Elder?”

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Mareus focused on his words since they were still in view of the wider hall. Not many people had any need to be here when there wasn’t a big life event going on, but it was best to show the elder the same respect he was given in public.

Elder Guo simply raised his fingers from the table as Mareus poured them each a cup.

“You seem different today.” He admitted.

“Mhm? Different in what way?”

Mareus set the pot down and waited with his fingers wrapped around his cup. The cool clay slowly warming his palms and sweet earthy aroma transforming the table into a short wooden blanket.

“You’re relaxed. Like you don’t have anything else on your mind.”

The elder took an appreciative sniff of his cup.

“I wonder. In truth, I’m just as busy. It could be because I’ve noticed a change within you. You seem to have found something, a sort of peace, perhaps?”

“Well. I don’t know if you’d call it peace.” He fought his instinct to scratch an itch forming at the back of his neck. “I think I’ve made a decision though.”

“Yes, tell me what you did after learning of your origins.”

The elder put his cup down and listened to Mareus retell everything he did after he left the hall and his thoughts. They took turns refilling each other’s tea until the pot was almost empty.

“Elder Wei doesn’t give her son enough credit. He will most definitely make a fine elder one day. I only hope that I can make a breakthrough soon so I may be around to see it. Then, what conclusion have you come to?”

Mareus started and stopped his answer several times. He knew how he felt about the situation now, but how was he supposed to put that into words?

“Granny didn’t have to raise me.” He let out. “No, that’s not right. What I mean is. I wasn’t her responsibility. Or maybe I should say that what she did was a selfless act. I’m not sure how to word it exactly.”

Mareus stared at the elder for help, but across the table Elder Guo dropped the aura of a leader and transformed into an old man waiting for a child to find his words.

He inhaled.

Held his breath.

Then exhaled.

“It doesn’t matter what brought Granny and I together. In the end we were family. We didn’t need something like blood or a family name, I know deep down she cared for me. And while I do wish that she told me before…” The words caught in his throat. “I still love her.”

Another smile escaped the elder’s stoic expression. Though, it wasn’t the quick flash like before. This one was the warm smile of a loved one who was happy when you finally reached the other side of grief.

Mareus reached to fill Elder Guo’s cup one last time, but a withered hand rested on his stopping him.

“Your story reminds me of another young man’s. I hope you wouldn’t mind listening to an old man ramble on.”

He watched as Mareus relaxed and nodded in agreement.

“Before our people lived in this valley there was an… older tribe. They were people like us in many ways, and yet, they were also different in more important ones. You see they were born under special stars and this gave them gifts in cultivation. What those gifts were is not important to this story.”

The elder waved off the topic before getting comfortable and continuing.

“This story is about a young man who lost his parents from a young age. Unlike you though, he did not have someone who took him in as his own. Instead, he was raised by the entire tribe. They shared in raising him, teaching him both how to be a good man and live for the tribe.”

Mareus wasn’t sure where the story was going, or how much was true and how much Elder Guo embellished in order to teach one of his famous lessons. He knew better than to say anything though and quietly listened as the elder went on.

“As the story goes, the young man faced a terrible tragedy and was no longer able to cultivate the power synonymous with his people. His strength left him, his body aged faster, and according to some he became simple. Giving into base temptations and wasting his days away. Then one night, a darkness so potent that it swallowed even Heaven’s Scar brought with it an immortal fairy of shadows. And she told the young man he was to be her student.”

This wasn’t like the elder’s usual stories at all, this had to be one of the ancient stories passed from one first elder to another. Mareus was now leaning so far forward he had to move the teapot to the side or he might have knocked it over.

“In less than a decade, the immortal took him from a simple cripple and turned him into the ruler of shadows. The young man revered her as both his master and his mother as is expected, but he became intoxicated with his power. He destroyed those who crossed him or his people, so much so that because of the smallest of slights he would erase entire nations from the map. It wasn’t until his master finally stepped in that he was stopped.”

The elder finished off his cooled tea.

“I will leave it at this, I rambled beyond my intended point of bringing up the story and now I’ve lost it. Rather, I’d like to know what you plan to do now. Nothing will change for you in the village. And because of your handicap, you will receive support from the Elder’s Hall so that you can remain an active member of our clan.”

Of course he knew about the accident, it wasn’t like Granny had any reason to keep it from the first elder. How much did she tell him though? Did she hope that he might have a solution? Is that why the elder brought up the story?

“If you decide it is time for you to find your own way, I will understand. I will make it so you have everything you need to go out into the world.” A lone breath escaped as he finished.

“I haven’t thought about leaving. I talked to Sister Mai about exploring the outside world. I didn’t think it was something someone like me could do.”

The two sat in silence, the leaves in their cups were now long dried to the sides.

“I know not being able to cultivate would make it hard to live in the outside world and if I try hard enough I might be okay.”

The ancient face of the elder melted into a frown.

“I don’t think that’s the life I want. When I had my accident I was upset because I wouldn’t be able to fight with Granny Zhu. She meant the world to me, this village meant the world to her. I think, I should do what I can to take care of the place she loved.”

Elder Guo floated over to Mareus’ side and patted him on the shoulder. He didn’t need to say anything more and gave the young boy one last smile before leaving the main hall.

Moments later another man emerged and dipped his head to him.

“I am Secretary Huan. Elder Guo tasked me with teaching you and preparing you for your future assignments.”