In the realm where the shapeshifters dwell, their world is divided into four great kingdoms.
The Fire Element Shapeshifters dominated the Northern region and established their own kingdom. Thus, calling themselves the citizens of the Fire Kingdom of the North.
On the other hand, the Air Kingdom has been founded by the Feathered Creatures on the West. They aim to continue their lives in peace and happiness, thus, making a lively Kingdom for themselves.
Meanwhile, in the Southern part of the region, the Water Kingdom was established by the shapeshifters of the waters to preserve their silence and detachment from the other elementals. It's been years since anyone last saw a water element shapeshifter. Some say, they probably got annihilated by an unknown enemy. Some say, their ruler doesn't want to interact with them. As to what really happened to them or whatever their reason is for isolating themselves deep in the bodies of water, no one is certain.
And lastly, the beautiful Earth Kingdom of the East completes the list. The earth element shapeshifters are known to have loved life itself. And so, they flourished different kinds of plants. From medicinal herbs to the rarest flowers, up to the tallest trees.
Everything is fine and everybody lives in harmony and peace until one day.
xxx
The King of the Earth Kingdom, the Earth Immortal, together with his queen visits the Earth Deity's temple located at the highest ground of the said kingdom.
As, usual they offered fruits that's grown in their imperial garden. The two of them kneeled and bow their heads down to pay respects to their worshiped deity and prayed for their intention - to give them an heir.
The couple is married for seven years now and still, the queen couldn't conceive their child. If one will ask, how many times did they come here to pray, no one could answer, even the Earth Immortal himself. He just simply lost count of it.
Despite that, the king and his wife still prayed and prayed... but today is different.
A blinding light slowly consumed the temple, and then slowly fades short after. After that sudden burst of brightness, a man appeared in front of the couple. The folds of his emerald green robes flutter for a few moments. His long back hair was kept on a high ponytail. In his right hand, he holds his astral weapon in a form of a long scepter made of dried vines.
Of all those years of giving them silence as an answer, finally, the day has come. The worshiped Earth Deity descends on the ground from the highest court of the Reverend Master for them.
"Your prayers have been heard." The Earth Deity said in a solemn voice which gives him a majestic appearance. However, it didn't last long. A grin formed on his lips. He's tired of acting formally just to keep up with his fellow deities in the highest court. And now, he feels like he can finally take a break in front of the royal couple. "And your offerings are as sweet as ever."
With a lazy expression on his face, the king speaks, "I thought you've become deaf. We've been praying for years!"
"I know, I know. I heard you and I already memorized what you have to say every single time. It's a little annoying. Can't you rephrase your prayers? It's like your prayers are written for you to read it for me." The Earth Deity responded. "And I'm so sorry. The highest court is the busiest place in this realm so please be a little more patient."
"So can we have a child or not?" The king, the Earth Immortal himself, impatiently asks.
"I cannot give you that but the Reverend Master, creator of all, can. I'll be the bridge for him and you."
Hearing the Earth Deity's statement, the queen rejoiced and her happiness strengthen her faith in this deity. "We are truly indebted to you, Earth Deity. We will remember your kindness until the very end."
"Ahahaha... please don't be so formal, your majesty." Flattered, the deity laughs. "You need to come with me. I already told the Reverend Master about this matter and he wishes to personally have a word with you."
And just with that, the Earth Deity made several hand seals to open the portal towards the highest court.
×××
Before a giant door stands the Earth Deity and the King of the land of his worshipers. The Earth Immortal looks around him in awe. This is the first time he stepped into this place. All he sees are an endless space filled with thin layers of cold fog and a huge door. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Reverend Master... I, your humble subordinate from the East, have come to you in the time of need." Earth Deity said as he bows his head in front of the door and so is the Earth Immortal. "About our little request..."
The deity couldn't finish his sentence as the huge door slowly opens. Along with that, a deep and solemn voice echoed into their ears.
"Earth Deity, I am expecting you and the ruler of the Eastern Lands." A tall man with white long hair and beard comes closer to them. It's the Reverend Master himself. He's so tall that the other two have to look up to meet his gaze. However, they cannot see his real appearance for he has a bright aura around him. Staring could make one blind.
Behind him is a fierce two-headed dragon. One of the heads has black scales while the other one has white scales.
"This is one of my greatest creations and also one of my familiar spirits." The Reverend Master introduced. He raised his hand and the fearsome beast illuminated and shrinks. As it gets smaller and smaller, the two-headed dragon that got reduced into a small ball of light eventually floats to the hand of its creator. He holds it tight, enveloping it underneath his fingers.
But surprisingly, when the Reverend Master opened his hands again, the small ball of light lost its brilliance and got separated into two. When he handed it to the Earth Immortal, it turned into fruits. One looks like a white plum and the other black.
"Let your queen consume it, and she will be able to conceive your successor. However, all my creation needs to be balanced, everything should be balanced." The Reverend Master emphasized the last statement.
"Diety of the South, what brought you here?" Both the Earth Diety and Earth Immortal looked around after the Reverend Master mentioned someone else.
Only by then did the Water Diety show herself from behind the huge door. Her light blue robes take the shape of her slender body. She has a pair of webbed ears similar to that of a mermaid's. Her long loose dark blue hair stands out as well, giving her a sense of gracefulness. All in all, she is a gorgeous creature but behold, it is one of their ways to deceive their enemy.
This is the first time that the Earth Immortal saw a water elemental. It is because her race has long been isolating themselves from the outside of their territory. The description they have about them is quite accurate.
"Reverend Master, I apologize for my uninvited presence. I have brought you the mermaid tears just as you told me to but I guess my timing is off." The Water Diety said in a mellow voice. "I also apologize to Earth Diety and... is this esteemed gentleman a shapeshifter from the Eastern Lands?"
"Yes, that is correct. He is his majesty the Earth Immortal." The Earth Deity introduced. The king, on the other hand, clasps his hand and bows to pay respects.
"Don't be fooled by her." The Earth Deity whispered to the Earth Immortal. "Despite her looks, she's quite the rude one. She often ignores me."
The king blinks twice, he has something he wants to ask but hesitated for a while. In the end, he decided to ask anyway. "Do you happen to like her?"
"What? No!" The Earth Deity immediately denied it but confessed in the end. "Well... yes, back then. However, I only talk to her for the sake of the abundance. The plants need water, you know? We need more sources of water!"
"I agree but springs and rivers are enough for the kingdom. There's no need for seawater, Earth Deity."
The Water Deity speaks once more. "The Earth Immortal I see. Such a majestic aura you have there." She gave a smile to the king but it didn't last long. "It seems I just interrupted an important conversation. I'll just come back after some time-"
"There is no need." The Reverend Master didn't let her finish. "This matter slipped out of my mind. Would you be so kind to put it in my palace?"
"Certainly, Reverend Master. Please excuse me." The Water Deity didn't waste any more time and left the place.
"Just like I said, everything needs to be balanced." The Reverend Master continued where they left. "The fruits in your hand will give you twins, one righteous and one evil."
Worried, the Earth Immortal asked, "Evil... how bad could that child be, Reverend Master?"
"It depends. If worst comes to worst, the child may end up putting an end to your kingdom." The great creator answered. His response made the Earth Immortal's face turn ashen. And so, he added. "Worry not for I will send a great tribulation for this child in his coming of age to save your kingdom."
Although unsure, the king accepted the fruits, expressed his gratitude, and bid farewell to their creator.
However, things just don't go his way. The Earth Deity opened the portal way back to their kingdom but didn't descend with him for he is needed in the highest court. With that, the Earth Immortal is going back to his queen with hopeful and rejoicing eyes... only to be ambushed by unknown identities. They are concealing themselves with black cloaks so his majesty couldn't see their faces. In his estimation, they're more or less ten in number.
They caught the Earth Immortal off-guard. Fortunately, the king has experience of fighting however, these unknown people seem to be good at fighting too. The outcome is partly his majesty's victory and partly defeat.
He managed to survive the possible assassination but he failed to protect one of the given fruits by the Reverend Master.
They took the white fruit with them as they retreat.