“It was long ago when the gods still walked among us, and beasts were co-existing with mortals. When forest was safe to roam freely, rivers were so calm one could even talk with the beast that lived in them, and food was abundant for all. It was considered a peaceful time as there no killing and evil never had a backbone to do any treacherous things, for they would be stricken down. Soon the news of a powerful Evil possibly born from the blood of a god or even created by those who walked the Devils Path. No one truly knows how such a vile thing came into this world, its only job was to bring destruction and despair.

Four heroes’ rose to fight, to bring peace back to the world. Their actual names long forgotten but what they were called will always remain. Zh­­uque who adorn nothing but red and was elegant, soft spoken yet Zhuque was very peculiar around others, always a quiet one who understand those who were hurt the most. His counterpart Qinglong was quite the opposite, always wild, yelling all around and even fighting with the other hero’s. Xuanwu is one who rarely spoke although Xuanwu was always one to strike without a doubt if there was even a trace of evil which gave him the name of Black Warrior. Now the one that fought with Qinglong was Baihu, they fought all the time. It was most likely because they were like each other, but Qinglong and Baihu fought to find out who was the strongest amongst the two while Xuanwu and Zhuque would sit on the side waiting for the fighting to stop.

Everyone said the four heroes were inseparable and fought together against powerful foes who started to rise from the depths of darkness. For a brief time with them fighting evil was it peaceful at their expense of course. Then came the great betrayal of Qinglong who was the wildest out of them.”

“What made him stay so still when they were together? Why did Qinglong betray them Grandma?” A small hand grabbed on to her gray sleeve. Only for the elderly woman to pick up the boy, His eyes a light color of grey just like those of the blind, and his hair that of the same color as his grandmothers which were a silverish white. The woman smiled lightly as he took him towards a painting on the wall.

“Now Lian YueXia do you remember the last time you interrupted me. I ended the story right there. It's even the same part you interrupted. If you want to know then be quiet child.” The grandmother stopped in front of the painting. While Lian Yue Xai stared at his grandmother while he waited with anticipation for more of the story. This time he was ready to hear the rest and stayed quiet.

“That’s a good child. Now where did I leave off…. Hmm… Ah right. When the wildest of the four heroes betrayed the others, he took captive one the one who kept him under control. That was Zhuque who had the most power over Qinglong, some would wonder if it was a spell or talisman that kept Qinglong calm. The truth child was the power of the heart is what made the beast listen to Zhuque, while the other did not know it.

Until that day. It was that day when black mist and dark clouds covered the skies, when eyes of green became blood red from losing a battle. Rage overtook Qinglong that day as he bound poor Zhuque and whisked him away into the black forest where the evil beast and such gathered. No matter what Xuanwu and Baihu did they couldn’t convince Qinglong to release Zhuque nor could they even get a meeting. No one knew why Qinglong suddenly turned on Baihu and Xuanwu but what they hadn’t expected was Zhuque standing besides Qinglong with his face hidden unable to look at their friends, when they went to rescues them. When they returned to their home empty handed and without their companion, Xuanwu and Baihu genuinely believed that their friends had started to walk the Devil’s path and abandoned the Immortal Way.

Soon three years had pasted as they stayed in the black forest, nothing left that forest as the two heroes stayed. Unfortunately, they were lost without Zhuque because they were the ones that planned most of their night hunts and it was Qinglong that made the days pass by with fun or ceaseless nonsense. Thus, trying to replace them they had traveled with countless rough cultivators or even just traveled to nearby sects or clans to pass their days. It was considered peaceful at that time when there was nothing threating the balance of the world as the gods stood with the mortals at the time.

The most gentle and purest god Xue Chun decided to go to Zhuque and Qinglong where they stayed in a cabin. No news came from the god after the set date of their return, causing an uproar to the whole cultivation world even the gods became furious. Then one day Zhuque appeared with Chun Xue in their arms holding the god who usually wore pure white, but now donned red. Xuanwu and Baihu could clearly see their friend’s internal energy were blacker than a pot of ink and questioned why. For centuries, the words were told to all who would repeat the story.

“Because it’s fun to kill and use the others for my gain. And this peaceful reign that you’ve had will be destroyed today. We will destroy the world starting here.”

Holding true to these words Zhuque disappeared into a black mist as hundreds of demons and demonic beast stormed the town, they were in. that day became a blood bath of innocent lives. A month passed by as they fought back the demons and planed their siege on the black forest to kill both Zhuque and Qinglong who were controlling the army of demonic things. The plan was set in motion as more of the gods started to be killed by Qinglong and Zhuque.

First to go into the forest was Baihu and Xuanwu they went in to convince the two to give themselves up, so they wouldn’t be killed or severely punished after all they are friend’s, right? The hero’s conversation was unruly causing the signal to be sent for those who were waiting just outside of the forest. As the thousands fought their way through the forest, they came to surround three that were fighting. It was only a moment but Xuanwu was on Zhuque and Qinglong’s side only so they could betray them. Xuanwu in a quick motion pierced Zhuque with its sword, some say the four friends were all crying as this happened.

For years it was Zhuque who was the glue that kept them together but now Zhuque was the first to die at the hands of one of their dear friends. To this day those who were there, however few are still alive, they will all say the same thing Master Zhuque never stopped smiling as he whispered something to Xuanwu before falling into Qinglong’s arms. What the most terrifying thing was after Zhuque whispered into Xuanwu ear they began screaming as he dropped the sword that pierced Zhuque’s heart.

 Then Qinglong lost his mind as the one they loved was killed in front of his eyes, transforming into a black dragon thick with demonic qi. It took every cultivator and God to seal Qinglong because he was already a demonic god the first and most powerful of them all. After that battle Zhuque’s body was burned at the temple that sealed Qinglong away. God went back to the heavens and cultivators continued to deal with evil to this day. Some say they will return and when that happens the world will end. Now that is the story pasted down for centuries. Now Lian Yuexia what did you learn from this story.” The grandmother patted the child’s back only for a light snore to be heard. “Ah you always fall asleep little brat. I’m glad I will be able to tell you this for many have forgotten Zhuque and Qinglong.” She went to put him down only for him to wake slightly

“Grandma Xiao Yue would be on Qinglong’s and Zhuque’s side. It must have been lonely living without your friends. Xiao Yue knows that kind of loneliness it's not nice. They weren’t bad people at all just wanted to be alone grandma. Zhuque would never hurt their brothers...” Lian Yuexia voice trailed off as he slipped back into sleep holding onto his grandmothers’ sleeve. All she did was look at the child as a knock came from the door of the shed.

“Mother its time. Say your last goodbye to him and come.” A deep voice had called out to her. Kissing her grandchild goodnight before leaving a letter and left the child alone.

When Lian Yuexia woke up he was groggy going to the other bed in the room. “Grandma Xiao Yue is hungry is there any bread left?” Rubbing his eyes Lian Yue Xia waited for her response, but it only took that moment to realize that his grandma wasn’t there.

 “Grandma? Where are you grandma?” He called out, only to get nothing in response. Only by looking in all his hiding spots and ones outside of his home did Lian Yuexia start to become scared. Tears started welling up in his eyes as he ran to find another person to talk too. His small legs could only run so far allowing him to reach the fence around his home.

 “Grandma! Grandma! Where are you Xiao Yue is scared Grandma!” Lian Yuexiia was now crying loudly wanting comfort from his grandmother. The crying attracted a man whose face was growing darker with anger, he picked up Lian Yuexia by his clothes, carrying him back into the little cottage.

“Grandma! Grandma where are you?” Screamed Lian Yuexia as he was being carried. The man got angrier and threw him on the ground.

“Shut up it's your fault she is gone. If she didn’t bring up the fact you were too young, she wouldn’t have taken your place.” Lian Yuexia crawled to the man and started to pull on his clothes just slightly to get his question answered.

“Where is grandma? Xiao Yue is scared. Xiao Yue wants grandma.” The man listened to Lian Yue Xia’s cries for his grandmother which only cause the anger in him to swell up in his heart. When that anger burst did it become dangerous for the small child in front of him as he kicked him hard.

“She was my mother why did she give her life to an omen like you! A child with white hair and eyes of the blind! She saw good. Yet all I see is bad luck and death in the future with you here. Ill beat it into you that you are nothing but a slave now.” The man continued to kick and punch the child until the anger was released then he threw moldy bread on the ground. “You are not allowed to leave this home unless called for. And never mention Grandma ever in front of me if you do, I'll kill you.” The man passed by the table seeing the letter, just so he could rip it open, read it then crush it, and threw it to the ground. Huffing the man stomped out of the cottage leaving the child behind.