After a while, the heaviness in Joye's heart began to lift. A faint smile graced her lips once more. The air, once tense and stormy, now settled into a still calm....like tall blades of grass bowing gently after surviving a furious wind.
Shu Bi Suan, who had panicked at the sight of his sister's tears, now breathed easier. The room was no longer silent from sorrow.....but from serenity.
Then, with a soft, radiant smile, Joye spoke....her voice delicate as falling petals:
"Why are you roaming around at this hour, carrying two swords?"
Her question wasn't a scolding, nor stern....just gently amused. Her smile lingered like moonlight on water.....beautiful, calm.
But Shu Bi Suan puffed his chest out with exaggerated pride, answering with all the drama of a self-proclaimed hero:
"Sister... I need you to sharpen my swords. For tomorrow's ceremony!"
Joye stifled a chuckle. She straightened her expression, responding with the graceful dignity of a scholar:
"There's no need. Starting tomorrow, all weapons will be sealed away for eighteen days."
Shu Bi Suan's eyes widened in utter disbelief. His mouth dropped open as if the heavens themselves had betrayed him.
"But... why? Isn't tomorrow the sacred beast ceremony?"
Joye rose to her feet, a laugh escaping her lips. She crossed the room to stand beside him, and with the tender affection of a mother.....rather than a sister.....she patted his head.
Her voice grew soft, thoughtful:
"Yes, we are going to meet our spiritual beasts. Not to fight them, not to capture them, but to connect. And there's a reason for the weapons ban."
"You must not approach a spiritual beast while armed. It is a mark of disrespect.....a signal of distrust. They may believe you fear them, intend to harm them, or worse, that you wish to discard them."
"Only when your spiritual beast accepts you....only then.....may you carry your sword again. With their permission."
Still not satisfied, Shu Bi Suan frowned, his voice smaller:
"But... why?"
Joye's eyes softened, her voice now carrying a quiet reverence:
"Because if there is anything in this world purer than blooming peach blossoms... it is the heart of a spiritual beast. Even the gods bow before them. Their purity cannot be explained....only felt."
"Just remember, tomorrow will be the most beautiful day of our lives."
Later that night, Shu Bi Suan slipped back into his room through the window, just as sneakily as he had left.
Joye sat there with a slight smile on her face and her eyes fixed on the moon in the sky as if she was thanking someone a thousand times