In this realm, spirits, gods, and politics exist in stark contrast yet somehow manage to coexist.
Of course, not without conflict: hidden wars, quiet betrayals, killings, and voices left shattered.
Both sides strive to rise, to expand their truths, to shape the world in their own image.
The land of Suyatierra stretches vast, split between two mighty powers:
To the East lies Yueji, the Land of Sacred Forests known for its fire, silk, wandering souls, forgotten memories, and of course, ancient myths… or perhaps truths.
To the West stands Prahavia, ruled by logic, rank, noble blood, and unyielding laws.
Their customs, traditions, and landscapes couldn't be more different.
Yet Suyatierra holds a fragile hope of unity a faint chance that East and West might one day breathe in rhythm, as they once did long ago.
Water, wind, and life itself still long to witness such a world… one of peace, freedom, and feeling.
At the edge of Suyatierra, where Yueji meets Prahaviabut remains too distant for either to truly understand the other.
the wind carries the scent of soil and ancient roots, sacred mud from the forest, and a strange, sweet mix of ice and flame.
It floats like a whisper, winding along the hidden path to the distant Yueji Shrine,
where spirits linger and memories wait.
The wind slipped into the shrine like a secret uninvited ,its silent steps inspecting each shadow of the towering temple,
where soft chanting echoed in a forgotten tongue.
But still… it did not find what it sought.
Every inch had been searched.
So it slipped out again, escaping quietly through a crack in the shutters leaving no trace, chasing an unseen truth.
It carried the scent of sacred earth, confused and restless
as if even Mother Earth herself wondered: What is it that the wind seeks?
It drifted through the deep forest,
leaves still damp from earlier rain,
then began to rise
climbing steadily toward the mist-veiled mountain peaks.
The mountains of Yueji stretched tall,
as if they challenged the very sky.
Water joined the wind
rushing in streams, whispering across stones
and together, they continued searching
for something… or someone.
After a long and tireless journey,
they reached it.
A vast green field stretched out, quiet and alive.
At its center stood a single cherry blossom tree the heart of Yueji.
Its petals were rare, shimmering light-blue like crystal threads.
White dandelions bloomed around it like scattered stars across the soft earth,
their tufts rising and falling with the breeze.
The sight was like heaven itself had fallen gently onto Yueji's soil.
Wind and water twirled together, hand in hand
a perfect, ancient dance.
And then
from the center of the field,
she appeared.
A girl, celestial in grace, no more than eighteen.
Her long white hair flowed behind her like snow drifting through spring skies.
She danced with the wind, moved with the water
a vision too soft to be real, too radiant to forget.
The wind and water became her silent partners,
flowing perfectly with her every step.
She performed the Water Moon Dance,
a sacred ritual long forgotten
hidden from all but the elements.
Only the skies bore witness.
Her fingers flowed like wax in the breeze,
as if summoning someone.
And then
from within the dandelion mist,
a small girl appeared ,her innocence glowing on her young face.
She stopped, wide-eyed.
Then she dropped to her knees in the grass and stammered:
"L-Lady Baiyu… um…"
Her voice trembled like a leaf in the wind.
Her cheeks turned pink, ears burning with nerves.
"Y-you look… beau… beautiful…"
Before the little girl could finish, Baiyu suddenly dashed toward her.
The celestial maiden who had moments ago been like a serene spirit
now smiled so brightly, she seemed to belong to the earth again.
Her long hair fluttered behind her like white silk in the breeze.
"You were saying something, Nezumi…? I'm listening."
She leaned in, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Nezumi, a small girl who had lived with Baiyu since birth, and served her,
stared in awe.
It felt for a strange heartbeat as if Lady Baiyu had grown a silver tail,
fluttering in excitement behind her like a moonlit fish.
The air shimmered.
Nezumi couldn't take it.
The divine maiden was now mere inches away.
Too close. Too dazzling. Too much.
She opened her mouth to speak.
> "Uhm… uhm… there's a… in the shrine… that… that Lady Baiyu is…" "Da–dar–!"
And then her senses surrendered.
Her cheeks flushed crimson, knees wobbled
and she fainted into the grass.
Baiyu's imaginary tail froze mid-flutter.
She tilted her head in confusion.
Then, very slowly, she bent over Nezumi's face close enough to feel her warm breath
and just as suddenly, she twirled away in a swirl of silk and laughter.
She began circling Nezumi,
like a koi inspecting a droplet of water.
Closer…
then farther…
then closer again…
and another playful retreat.
Finally, she leaned in and poked Nezumi's cheek.
"Nezumi… Nezumi… Neeeeeezuuuuuumiiiiii,"
she sang, drawing out the name like ribbon in the wind.
Silence.
Baiyu puffed her cheeks and let out a dramatic breath.
"Haa—fuuu."
Still no response.
Her eyes lit up with a sparkle.
She clapped her hands in delight.
"You're a genius, Baiyu!"
She beamed at her own idea like a catfish discovering sunlight.
---
When Nezumi opened her eyes, she mumbled:
"Huh? Why is the world spinning like this? What's even going on…?"
A voice answered:
"Whoa, wait it's not the world that's spinning. We're the ones walking!
And hey, when did you get so heavy, huh?"
Nezumi blinked.
She was riding piggyback on Baiyu's back.
They had already covered half the path to the shrine,
walking along the stone-paved trail.
Beside them, a stream flowed softly, as if following their journey.
Baiyu continued in a teasing voice:
"Nezumi, seriously when did you become this heavy?"
Nezumi pouted, burying her face into Baiyu's back and wrapping her arms tighter around her.
"Lady Baiyu…" she mumbled, voice dramatic and muffled,
"you should never talk to a girl about her weight…"
A quiet smile played on Baiyu's lips.
But their happy moment didn't last long
The shrine came into view.
---