Ancient times earth was a realm inhabited human, vampires, gods, dragons and other mythical. For centuries the parties fought for power and land, thousands of each species lost their lives. In the midst of a war and pain the Oracle foretold the rise of greater power that would stabilise the war and be a bridge to accommodate all species needs.
Humans suffered the most mainly due to their frail and weak bodies, only a few were born as cultivators with special abilities. The gods held power greater than any creature, they took a large portion of land and left beasts and men to fight over the remaining. Amidst their despair and anguish a child with powers amicably powerful was born amongst the humans.
His power was a blessing and a curse, but to humans it was their salvation. The gods tried to kill the boy in order to remain as powerful as they were but their plans were futile as the boy survived. The oracle protected the boy until he was sixteen, he might have held dark powers but only him to stabilise the earth.
The boy was named Hwan, he was very handsome and very powerful. At the age of sixteen he restored peace in the realm and established dominate, everyone fell under his jurisdiction. The oracle upon bestowing a crown over his head named him the Dark Lord, ruler of all.
Species were given boundaries, and each boundary had a King who was elected by the Oracle. The human species were under the guidance of King Qin, he was a great cultivator and a master of martial arts. King Qin was light in complexion with dark hair and fierce eyes. The second species which were Qin's arch enemy were the vampires, their King was a beauty named King Henry. Henry had pale white skin with crystal red eyes.
The gods species were under a calm soul, he had crystal blue eyes and a calming aura roaming over him his name was King Cyrus, his daughter Princess Zetian. Cyrus was the god of the sky with strength greater than a thousand men and his daughter had the power of water. The dragons and other mythical were all under one mean looking man named King Uriah, his skin was dark since they inhabited in dry sunny lands. The scar on Uriah's face made his serious face even more scary.
A meeting was summoned by Dark Lord to address and resolve issues brought upon his attention. Hwan lived in a castle located away from any species, his only companion was the General, Isiah who was a half human and half vampire. Standing on the doors of the entrance Isiah bowing his head said, "Addressing the Lord."
A man dressed in golden robes entered, one of his eye was black and the other golden. His feet never touched the ground, his robe was designed with pure gold and fine silk material. The kings didn't dare look in his eyes, they faced the ground as he passed by.
When he arrived on his royal dragon designed seat he said, "Greetings to you Kings and queens before my presence." Bowing down in their native languages they replied, "Greetings my Lord!" Isiah handed Hwan the scroll, he placed the scroll on the table before him. Hwan was taught to always upkeep his serious and business face, he cleared his throat, "The first interest of business is the pending argument between the humans and vampires…"
Standing on his feet King Qin bowed his head and said, "My Lord, my suggestion of wiping out all of these monsters is at the top of my lists!" Before Hwan could interfere, Henry with an enchanting smile replied, "The humans are hunting on our grounds, nature overtakes our sincerity to preserve your fragile necks." King Qin felt offended he withdrew his sword, before the Dark Lord they began to fight.
Isiah saw Hwan starring at the two fighting barbarians, he lightly stepped on Hwan's foot. Hwan sighed and used magic o separate the two, he said, "How will we finish the meeting if you two keep on fighting." Repenting on their mistakes the kings countlessly apologised to him. Hwan looking at them replied, "King Henry, humans aren't prey but other species that deserve the utmost respects from your kind. I suggested before that rather than attacking innocent blood why don't you negotiate a deal to transact blood. King Qin advise your fellow kind not to trespass to the lands of other, create barriers to sustain the situation. Closing this matter, King Henry, your people should compensate families of the deceased and a punishment should be bestowed on those accountable."
His judgement was fair and generous as always, the kings in gratitude offered their humble appreciations. King Henry wasn't satisfied but at least the Dark Lord showed him mercy for negligence. "I saw all your letters about your concerns with the best bride suitable for me. I would like to hear your opinions directly before a verdict is passed."
Standing on his feet King Uriah said, "My Lord, a strong bride is best suited to stand beside you and reign along your side. A strong bride brings forth a strong heir…" "I don't see the necessity of an heir, I am imoortal." Hwan felt irritated to hear about an heir given his condition.
Uriah lying on buried his face on the ground, "My apologies my Lord, my concerns lies in your happiness. That all being said, my daughter the fire dragon is best suited to be your bride."
King Qin with a loudmouth cursed, "You barbarian beasts, trying to sway the Lord to marry your vicious kind. My Lord, if you may choose a bride our human species offer my daughter Princess Gia, her heart is pure gold. The better future of all species are at heart!" Hwan knew the matter would bring nothing but noise in the palace.
King Henry standing before an irritated Hwan bowed, "My Lord, as vampires we aren't only strong but also wise and useful. I offer my sister as the bride in the Lord's house." King Cyrus remained seated with his daughter, Hwan looking at him said, "King Cyrus, aren't the gods going to offer a bride to me." Cyrus standing on his feet replied, "Can I share my thoughts my Lord?"
Hwan really like how calm and reserved Cyrus was, bowing his head he replied, "The only way the Lord can select a bride is by testing their abilities and satisfying you my Lord. How about a competition be held and the one who steals your heart be crowned the Empress?" Hwan never expected less from a wise King, according to his suggestion the competition was to be held in winter.
Hwan left the royal court first; he was escorted by Isiah his right-hand man. Standing in a garden full of flowers Hwan took a deep breath, he said, "When will you leave? Are you hiding a family behind my back? You can bring them here to avoid the trouble of visiting them every two days." Isiah with a smile on his face replied, "My master is the only family I have…I am thankful for your generous offer, but he prefers a peaceful area. I will be back in usual times."
Isiah with a flash of a second disappeared from Hwan's side, looking at the clouds he said, "Family? will I ever have one that will flutter my heart?" The oracle appeared before him, the man had no name and he wore a hoodie over his face. The stuff in his hand had a huge emerald on top, his voice hoarsie, " My Lord, I saw a vision about you."
Hwan tried to peek his face he replied, "Go ahead Oracle…" he was trying so hard to ease his mind on what the oracle might look like. "Only a heart an truly see what a bride fated for you is designated." Hwan touching his heart area replied, "You love making life hard for me wth your riddles right? What was I expecting?"
Isiah created a barrier around the place protecting his master, to keep wild animals and strangers out of the beautiful mansion. When he was young, his master picked him up from the streets of the human realm. They used to stay in a small cabin just the two of them, as tie passed Isiah renovated the house into a palace when he found a job working as Hwan's general.
Isiah supplied food and necessitates and cleaned the house, when he arrived his master was already in bed. He placed sweets beside his bed, with a soft smooth voice the man said, "Welcome home Isiah." Sitting upright the man, the moonlight exposed his beauty and bright warm smile. Isiah handed him the sweets in his hands, he was blind, but his senses were strong.
The man had crystal blue eyes, his hair was long and silky white. His name was Li Jie, Isiah lowered his head in his reach for him to pat him. "Thank you, Isiah, but you are banned to come here for a month…" "Who will take care of you?" Isiah loved looking after his master.
Taking a sweet in his mouth Li Jie replied, "I will be fine here, you need to focus on yourself. I am thankful for your kindness, thank you for the sweets." Isiah tacked his master in bed, he made a rope for him to follow to know his way around his palace. When he entered the kitchen, he saw rice porridge his kind Li Jie left for him at the table.
His blindness never hindered him from completely his daily life and taking care of himself. Isiah packed the food he had bought with all the necessities, he looked around to fix broken objects. Isiah fixed the garden and planted new seedlings, all night he completed the chores his master was unable to do.
Every night when Hwan closed his eyes the calm music from a zither, the music clamed his soul from the dark magic exploding deep in his heart. In his dreams he saw the backside of a woman playing the zither with tender hands, her skin was pale and her scent was mesmerising.