I kept vigil by the execution stage until late into the night, when blackness swallowed the bright heavens. My blood had dried and I blink away painful tears as I tilt my head up to howl at the moon. Warm water sliced my cheeks while I cry out for my lost love, the unfortunate man who is about to experience suffering after his death.
I rip a strip of cloth from my dress' hem to use as makeshift gauze wrappings around my mutilated palms. Physical pain becomes dull, pain from the heart lasts much longer. Above me, a Twilight Dragon screeched to announce midnight is approaching the Heavens. Once I finish dressing my wound I let my tired body fall onto the stage.
I know that after today's events I have thrown away my titles, my immortal status and I also slipped into the abyss. I had followed North Demon lord into the dark realm of loneliness. On this vast and cold stage, I could not remember the joy I have felt in my other half's arms. I cannot feel his presence in the Heavens yet I felt relieved.
He had endured torture for one night before his soul left the Heavens. He left me with a smile on his face with sound knowledge of our next meeting. He quietly assured me that although everyone believes his soul shattered, he will return to my arms if I stay away from the Heavens. His pendant is the key to our secret spot on Earth.
I clutch the accessory that once hung from his waist. I held it to my chest to let my heart sing to him. Despite the sorrow seeping into my bones, I need to plan for the future. I know his death would lead to warring immortals and I do not wish to take my people's side!
If Heavenly Emperor was not bluffing, I will be sent to Earth. Earth is also known as the Mortal Realm and that is where I need to be. The Heavens can choke on its own poisonous fumes! Quickly moving to sit upright, I carefully place North Demon Lord's relic into the sachet he gifted me during our secret meeting.
I wait for the sun's first rays to leave the execution area. I walked and walked, struggling to keep my head from turning around to take one last look. I shake my head to stop myself from thinking about his death. I must look to the future where he will surely be with me once again. We never had a chance in the Heavens, but Earth will be a different story.
"Goddess of Lust, please wait for Heavenly Emperor." A royal guard barred me from entering Heaven's Palace. His golden armour flashes and I can only see a thin line beneath his helmet. The thin line wriggles to become a lopsided grin. "Heavenly Emperor rises late whenever he feels aggravated."
"I see, is he worried about the Demons living in the North?" I smirk as the guard confirmed my suspicions with a single nod. Only after killing North did he realize his mistake and not because he believed the man was innocent. "Tell him to drop his worries for the Northern Demons are equivalent to our elders in seclusion. They are emotionless and neutral."
"He has told me to relay his brief message to you." The guard took my wrist in his hand to press a dark seal to my palm. For a moment, our eyes met. "You recognize this item, don't you? You have been demoted, you are now a Messenger of Love and your first task is to help a mortal emperor find his Fated One."
"He also allowed you to keep your current powers, but you should know the rules of Earth. You must not reveal yourself to mortals and you must absolutely not use your highest power." Another guard walked up to us to tap his friend on the shoulder. "You should rest. I will finish speaking to her."
The first guard smiles, having been relieved of his duties. He salutes his friend before running away from the palace walls. His armour rattles like banging pots and the spear in his hand bobbed through the air. He must be happy to return home.
I reluctantly rip off four pendants hanging from my waist, bowing my head as I trade my precious seals for the ugly Earth Demotion seal. I held my breath while the guard removed the seals one by one, starting with the High Goddess of Love's. I know they will have new owners as soon as I leave the Heavens.
Although I never liked being in the presence of other deities, I felt my identity had crumbled. I am now merely a Messenger of Love? I have to help humans find their soulmates? Life has never been fair, but this is too much!
"Your service will not be forgotten, you were only bewitched by a Demon. Heavenly Emperor will not label you a traitor or evil-doer." The guard led me to a silver tree, a sad smile gracing his face. "This will take you to Earth and you will not be able to return. Once you are on Earth, a manuscript of your tasks will appear. Your lodging arrangements will follow."
I stared up at a shimmering tree, reaching out to touch small orbs of light dancing around its trunks. Silver leaves chimed in the wind, also beckoning me to a gap in the ancient wood. This celestial tree marks the end of my heavenly life and the beginning of my new life on Earth.
I have fallen from grace to the point of no return. If one day I wish to return to the Heavens, I will not be granted entry. After all, I acted against heavenly laws to protect a Demon.
"Thank you for guiding me this far, you should return to your post." I clutch the demotion seal in my wrapped hands. I watch the guard bow to me, an unnecessary act. When I see his retreating back, I take a deep breath. I backed up until my behind grazed a cold barrier.
The portal in the tree's trunk has been activated. Although my eyes were closed, I see the Heavens. With its alabaster towers and palaces, its colorful birds painting the sky, its fierce dragons screeching in the distance, the memories I made throughout the centuries.
I felt the sensation of a water bubble bursting above my face. I know I have crossed, but the shock lingered. I can not believe that in an instant, I have been discarded by the Heavens. After spending my youth rising through the ranks and giving my all!
I could not be the Goddes of Love for my North. If I had accepted his feelings earlier, I would have eloped with him to Earth. I would have abandoned my duties to be with him! Now, I lay on Earth with my eyes staring at a starry sky. From the mortal realm we can see stars clearly. I search for the North star.
"Those stupid gods used his death to send me to Earth. Of course, the Goddess of Love, Lust, Seduction and Marriage should be familiar with the small realm of death." I sigh, placing the demotion seal on my abdomen. "I miss him already. He will be back one day, if not tomorrow."
"Young lady, why are you resting outside our village at this hour?" Light radiating from a paper lantern illuminated a wrinkled face that appeared before my eyes. An elderly mortal man missing half of his teeth stood over me. "It is dangerous here. Are you looking for a place to stay?"
"No, I am safer out here in the open than in any village." I was waiting for scrolls to drop from the sky, but I am not fully sure when my demotion documents will arrive. I narrow my eyes into tiny slits. "You're staring at me oddly."
"Are you an abandoned assassin? If you're a normal woman, you're not safe by yourself. Come, I will arrange living spaces for you in my house." The old man beamed as he drew away from me. He introduced himself as Chief of Dragon Valley.
I hide the carved metal block in my hand and thank the mortal for offering his help. I can see that his heart glowed faintly, indicating that he loved his position in the village. I see right away that he is a good man.
"It's nothing, I've always helped people appearing at my doorstep. Who knows if I may have helped a deity or immortal from the Heavens." Chief laughs merrily as we enter his quaint little village. "Everyone is already sleeping. Why were you outside and alone?"
I shrugged, quickly conjuring a lie that I recite from my mind. "I was mourning my life. There is a river near your village so I considered swimming forever. I had paused to appreciate the stars and you came before I can follow through with my original plan."
"You're a beautiful young lady, why would you give up on life when you still have many days ahead of you?" He guided me through dark streets and pauses every so often to feed star cats pieces of dried fish. "Cats love fish."
"I've lived for too many days and recently, the love of my life died an unfair death. If he's gone, my heart will bleed until it bursts." I grin behind the innocent man who nodded as he listens to my modified story. "He was labelled an enemy of the state. He didn't deserve to die!"
"And I - I fell from grace. My family disowned me for defending him." I grind my teeth, feeling rage rise to my head. From here on, the only thing for me to do is fall.