Chapter 28: The Descent of the Lotus

A supernatural radiance blossomed all around, instantly drawing every gaze. A lotus flower bloomed in the center of the lake, and under the shaman’s intense stare, the mist over the water began to slowly dissipate. With the mist gone, the lotus at the heart of the lake was fully revealed, captivating everyone’s attention.

Yet it was not only the feathered people who noticed—every living creature nearby seemed enthralled as well. The sheep penned on shore began to tremble uncontrollably, crowding together and fixing their eyes on the lakeside. Beneath the surface, schools of fish gathered, circling restlessly, as though yearning hungrily for the lotus above.

Overhead, flocks of birds swept past—species that had once failed to obtain the flesh and blood of the ancestral bird now seemed restless and eager, barely restraining themselves. Amidst this commotion, the mysterious black bird staggered and hopped to Quanshi’s side, expressing its desire: it, too, wanted a petal from the lotus.

For reasons unknown, it felt that consuming a petal or a seed from the lotus would grant it a chance at rebirth. This sensation was unique to the animals; the feathered people merely saw the lotus shine and thought it a rare treasure.

As the lotus was about to fully open, ever more birds gathered in the sky, their agitation growing—each seemed poised to make a dash for the blossom. Even the fish below leapt from the water, sending waves rippling outward. Witnessing this, the shaman’s brow furrowed; with a sudden sweep of ancient wings, he soared skyward, flames blazing about him like a rising sun burning through the birds.

Brilliant fire burst from the shaman’s palms, forcing the birds to scatter in fear. The feathered people, never having seen such a scene, followed the shaman’s lead: wings beating, weapons in hand, they rose into the air to drive away the beasts and birds drawn by the divine light.

As for the fish below, they paid little heed—what harm could mere fish do, after all? Such was the arrogance of the feathered people. As all around sprang into action, Quanshi frowned, stepping lightly to the lake’s edge, sensing the unrest beneath the surface.

Perhaps it was his nature as a merman, but through the water Quanshi could feel the agitation of the fish within the lake. For dozens of miles, every creature seemed to focus on this place, and Quanshi felt a growing sense of unease.

Yet the feathered tribe appeared determined to claim the lotus, as if it were already theirs by right. As time passed and the lotus unfurled, all eyes locked upon it—only to freeze in astonishment the instant it fully bloomed.

A pair of jet-black wings unfurled. A sleepy-eyed girl sat in the heart of the lotus, rubbing her eyes and stretching, as if she hadn’t slept enough. With the flower’s blossoming, birds and fish alike went wild, surging toward the lotus in a frenzy, while even land animals tried to break through the feathered people’s lines to leap into the water.

In this chaos, the shaman’s flames held no power. The birds charged on, undeterred by the fire—even as many burned to ash, they pressed onward, moths to the flame, all for the lotus.

The girl opened her eyes to a sky filled with birds and stared in shock, mouth agape. Instinctively, she raised a hand to shield herself, and with that casual gesture, the lotus upon which she sat miraculously unfurled, sheltering her completely.

The birds crashed against the lotus petals, now curled into a protective ball, tumbling the flower rapidly across the water. Seeing this, the shaman’s face changed drastically. He didn’t know why the girl had appeared within the lotus, but there was no time to question it. He shouted to the others, “Block the flock, now!”

Those living around the Feather God Lake wasted no time. Wings beating, they flew into action, brandishing torches and flaming staves to drive off the birds.

Yet it was futile; the fish below now pursued the lotus, pushing it this way and that. Inside her rolling lotus shelter, the girl felt none of the fear one might expect—instead, she was delighted by the fantastical ride. Eyes wide with wonder, she gazed around, breaking into laughter.

For once, this ordinarily well-behaved girl tasted something new—an exhilarating sense of wild abandon. The feeling filled her with joy; perhaps, she thought, this is what freedom means.

The feathered people longed for the skies, for freedom; yet always, something held them back. In this fleeting moment, the girl found her own freedom, even if only for an instant.

However… how was she supposed to stop now?

Gradually, a question formed in her mind. As soon as she wondered about stopping, the lotus ball’s speed began to slow. Then she heard a crackling sound, as if something was gnawing at the lotus from below.

“Hm?”

She paused, not frightened but growing curious, reaching out to explore the sensation—a gentle, almost soothing touch—until a harsh sound pierced the air. A stone sword sliced through the lotus encasing her.

The one wielding the sword was Quanshi. At ease in the water, he moved effortlessly, so familiar with the lake that the fish scattered from him in terror, as if harboring a primordial fear.

“Are you hurt?” Quanshi asked with concern.

“No,” the girl replied, shaking her head. She peered curiously at Quanshi and asked, “Are we on the water?”

“Yes,” Quanshi answered with relief, seeing she was unharmed. Carefully, he guided her to the shore.

Stepping from the lotus, the girl noticed the feathered people watching her with newfound awe. The birds quieted, their frenzy gone.

The aged shaman flew over, breathless and somber, his gaze a mix of reproach and worry. “How did you end up inside that flower?”

“Eh?” Only then did the girl realize the oddity of her situation. How had she appeared inside the lotus? What had happened?

Her thoughts quickly turned to a certain person.

Just as she was about to speak, she noticed the shaman’s hand was bleeding. Instinctively, she took his hand in hers.

At that moment, a green light blossomed, and the shaman’s wound began to heal at remarkable speed.