Mount Hail was noisy again in celebration of the marriage of two lands. The groom, Vendill Vermilion, can't help but be uneasy. To marry the one he loves was the greatest blessing he has ever received from the heavens. His traditional silk clothes with gold lining can be seen as he walks around.
The ever so annoyed Rendill Vermilion, the younger brother of the groom sighed a lot of times while observing his older brother. He wishes to finish the ceremony immediately, and he shall practice his sword skills once again.
"Brother, aren't you gonna settle down? The sun is still shining, your marriage is at sunset, why do you have to bother this Grandmaster to accompany your uneasiness?"
Vendill, "I can't help it!" The groom once again walked around.
"I suggest you sit down, Land Leader." Rendill's voice was cold and full of frustration.
The poor land leader sat down and looked down. When he was about to stand up again the cold glare of his brother could be felt and so he rescinded his plans. He slowly closes his eyes turning to the left avoiding contact with Rendill.
'I shouldn't have made him come here.' Vendill thought.
Silence devoured the whole room, and his uneasiness only strengthened more, his initial excitement of the marriage and the tense feeling emitted by his brother. He regretted why he only allowed Rendill to accompany him today and ordered everyone else to go down.
It does not mean that he hated the man with him, but with the Grandmaster's temper, he alone cannot contain it, only his soon-to-be brother-in-law could control it.
The door opened, and the person who entered made the Land Leader be in full ecstasy. It was none other than Zon Mei, the lover of his brother. Zon Mei smiled and greeted Vendill.
Zon bowed down with his right hand on his chest diagonally placed, "Grandmaster Zon greets Land Leader Vermilion and congratulates him for his wedding."
Vendill did the same gesture, "This land leader welcomes Grandmaster Zon Mei and sincerely thanks his warm congratulations."
"This Grandmaster was late because of some matters I need to attend to."
Vendill laughed. "There's nothing to worry about, you are not really late brother."
"I am pleased to know that. I did my best to be early in order not to anger Rendill,"
Both smiled at each other and slowly turned to the silent Rendill. Zon immediately approached his lover and smiled. The other Vermilion blushed as he interlocked their fingers.
The sun was about to set, and Vendill was ready to go out. With each other's hands, the couple behind him were close to each other, and any maid they met would giggle because of their sweetness.
Along with their sweet smiles, the whole mountain trembled, and everyone got alerted. The tremble caused all mortals to scream and run for their life, immortal reaper's stare at the sky where ghosts come and attack all of them.
Zon immediately flew to the sky facing the north and led the frontline without any orders but with his own will. Rendill took the south and blocked any ghosts from attacking.
Everything happened so fast.
It was as if all were in fast forward.
Zon's tears fell.
Rendill was pale.
Everyone was still running, and the tremble did not stop.
"I'm sorry," Zon said as he pushed Rendill from the broken gate.
"NO! NO! You promised me, Zon! Zon Mei!" Rendill was shouting as his hands were slowly going away from Zon's hands. "You said we would live and die together! No!"
---
Zon Mei woke up! He looked around and he was in a coffin, he could smell the cherry blossoms. 'I must be in our Pavilion.'
He was in a panic, he was uncertain what was happening, but he could see the light, and he could move. All he could think of was that he died yet why was he still alive?
One answer. Rebirth.
The last memory he remembered was the pained face of his beloved, shouting, crying, begging him to not let him go. His heart clenched. He can feel the unbearable pain as if he were stabbed a thousand times.
'I broke my promise. I left him alone.'
Unable to contain the pain his eyes brought down the tears expressing his sorrow. He was angry with himself for breaking their ties, but he only did it because he loves Rendill so much that he cannot afford to let him die.
Trembling, he stood up from his coffin and looked around. There was a tombstone near it. 'The Tomb of Grand Master Zon Mei.'
Crowned Blossom Pavilion remained the same, and the only difference was, no one was around.
His mind was in a mess. He does not know how he got to be born again and what era he was in. How many years have passed? Where is Rendill?
He left and immediately looked around Mount Hail. He immediately hid when he heard footsteps.
Four young reapers were walking together.
"Was the examination that hard?" the tallest of the four asked.
It was the shortest of them who replied. "I think so! Brother kept on scaring me yesterday."
"Young master Renz loves scaring you, Ross."
Ross, "I-I'm not scared though! Shut up Lezeren!"
Lezeren, who was the second tallest of them all, laughed. The man hidden behind the trees made sure not to make any noise but can't help looking at them. These four young men were dressed in dandelion traditional clothes fit for a reaper.
He was about to be relieved after hearing the footsteps going away, the sudden stop of the four made him freeze. His breathing was heavy, he doesn't actually know why he is hiding, but in order to keep a low profile, Zon decided to keep quiet.
"This is weird, the barrier of the Crowned Blossom Pavilion seems to be distinguished," Ross pointed out.
As of that moment, Zon's eyes widened, his heart beating faster. He just woke up and he is experiencing body fatigue and that's not all--his holy powers are not yet back. If the young man gets closer he will be found.
"Now that you said it, I think you are right! Did someone get inside? Or maybe the Land Leader went in?" someone of the four talked.
Ross shook his head. "No one is inside,"
Zon took a deep breath and readied himself. He was planning on revealing himself before the young men draw their elemental weapons and attack him carelessly. He doesn't know their temperament but if he were to compare himself to them when he was young, upon seeing an intruder he would strike without restraint.
That's how assertive and violent he was before.
The sound of the Mount's bell alerted the four young reapers.
"Crap! We should go, the examination is starting!" It was Lezeren who freaked out.
Ross wanted to check out Crowned Blossom Pavilion but he controlled himself and ran with his friends towards the examination hall. They were late and their master would undoubtedly scold them!
The sigh of relief was finally out. Zon felt that he had exhausted all his energy just from being tense and nervous at the same time. He leaned on the trunk of the tree where he was at.
When he thought he was finally at peace, a man who had also worn dandelion clothing appeared in front of him. "May I ask this young man who you are and why are you here?"
He slowly raised his head and met the gaze of the one in front of him. He smiled and bit his lips afterward.
'Oh crap!'