Celestial Margin

“Yulin.”

Teal robes swayed as the man stopped, a narrow silhouette framed in the dappled light of his domain. His hair, dark and smooth, was drawn back in a simple binding while his green eyes were, for the moment, calm. However, there were few immortals in the Margin who didn’t understand that nothing was ever calm or still about the One Who Swims Between.

Yulin turned, unsurprised to see who was standing behind him. Despite being the newest member of the Margin and bringing the number of Ascendants to nine, Xuangui was the most still of them all. Long hair, darker than wet earth, hung straight down his back, loosely gathered by a cord of braided silver and his eyes were completely closed.

“Yes?”

“That soul is going to be reborn again soon.” Xuangui spoke softly and moved even more quietly, and if not for moving in a similar way himself, Yulin would have been surprised when the younger immortal suddenly stood next to him. “The others said it is happening faster and faster.”

“It is,” Yulin agreed, letting his gaze drift to the watery halls of his domain. It was a reflection of himself, ever shifting, ever adapting, ever changing. He watched as ripples started, mimicking his inner turmoil. “It is fair to say that world will not exist soon.”

“That does not bother you? It was your home.”

Yulin didn’t answer right immediately, considering the question as his posture shifted and the ripples stopped. It felt like eons since he had called that world his home, when his name was different, and he became its first cultivator. The one who, albeit not purposefully, had set it on its current path to annihilation. Yulin closed his eyes, continuing his walk forward as Xuangui followed. Walking in his domain was different from walking in the halls of the Margin; he would never arrive anywhere unless he wanted to.

“I cannot undo the past.”

“No, but we can try to give a future.” Xuangui insisted and Yulin rocked his head as he kept moving forward. He understood the question underneath the man’s words but it was one he was reluctant to take. Of all the immortals in the Margin, only the Ascendants had the ability to return to the lower realities they had once called home. They could not return in a human form, given they were now beyond the rules of the lower realms, but they could return. 

“You are suggesting we meddle.” Yulin’s tone shifted to a more annoyed sound, but his posture remained purposeful and calm.

“More like a warning. As you said, if the cycle continues as is, your world will cease to exist. Countless stories ended before they had a chance to be told,” Xuangui continued and Yulin paused again, turning to glance at his fellow immortal. The Remembering Shell’s deep blue eyes were half closed, as if asleep, but his gaze was clear, with no sign of tiredness or naivety. “Introduce a new variable, so that maybe the story can have a different ending.”

“Did the others tell you to get my permission?”

“Hmm? No. In fact, Fengxiao told me to do it without asking you.” Xuangui shrugged and Yulin resisted the desire to sigh. Of course she did. “However, that world is your home, not mine. I care about all people from every realm, but that doesn’t mean I should meddle with a world not mine.”

“I appreciate it, Xuangui,” Yulin bowed his head, crossing his arms as he considered what to do. If Xuangui was suggesting they descend, it was likely because he already had an idea in mind on how to nudge the cycle from repeating yet another time. A way to save his former reality from simply ceasing to be. The waters around them started to swirl more violently, reflecting his dislike of descending.

It wasn’t that Yulin didn’t want to intervene; he had considered it each time those poor souls were reborn. After all, the debt was not their fault; it belonged to his foolish children, for failing to teach their children the importance of always paying the price for a sin. And yet it was those souls who were never allowed true rest, dragged back to the world of the living again and again as Heaven attempted to balance the scales. 

However, the debt was only growing, and soon it would reach the point of no return, where no amount of effort could pay what was owed. It was then the reality would collapse, and anyone who had not ascended to the Margin would be lost with it. It was a dark fate, especially considering the thousands of souls who had no hope of escape.

And yet, Yulin could not bring himself to want to go. He didn’t mind interfering, but he absolutely despised the idea of being reduced to a mere fish again. A flash of anger filled his entire body and waves began to crash around them. As quickly as it came however, it passed, replaced by a flash of concern for harming Xuangui who was visiting his space.

Yulin glanced down as the calmer water lapped over his robes, caressing his feet with a cold touch. He could see the reflection of Heaven above them, the Pillars that kept all realities from collapsing. The water stilled then, and Yulin was filled with a sense of annoyance again. If only Heaven above them had someone to fix the problem, and not just the Pillars.

“Foolish,” Yulin spat, but as soon as it came, his annoyance passed and he was filled with regret. Cursing Heaven would not fix anything and Xuangui was waiting for an answer, The regret left and Yulin was able to consider his thoughts again.

It had been so long since he descended to a lower reality. Not since Zhenlong had dragged all of them, only four Ascendants then, to his reality to stop a demon that had formed there. It was the result of the cultivators there trying to undo the pillar of Continuity and Zhenlong had been stern with those who survived, vowing he would not help them a second time if they tried to defy Heaven. Yulin had not enjoyed the experience, and it was the main reason he refused to leave the Margin to descend to lower realms.

“Yulin?”

“Has… either soul been reincarnated?”

“Not yet, but the conditions are there.”

“Then when their souls descend, I will listen to your idea. Until then, let us leave the lower realms be.” Yulin decided, noticing the slight smile on Xuangui’s face as he looked up to his fellow Ascendant. “I do not wish to see my world cease, but I also do not like to descend.”

“Well said for the One Who Swims Between,” Xuangui grinned, bowing as he began to fade away from Yulin’s domain. Once he was alone, Yulom finally allowed himself a deep sigh, glancing into the pool next to him. 

“What stupid children of mine,” he muttered, watching as the water began to ripple as he let his irritation show. “It should not have taken this long for them to understand why history repeats itself.”

Yulin frowned as the water grew more agitated as his mood soured, but as soon as it started, the water calmed. Yulin continued walking, letting his emotions drift through him as they always did. “And yet, I cannot blame them. It is the failure of the parent when a child does not learn a needed lesson.”

“I taught them the best I could.” Yulin continued, noticing as a door finally manifested in front of him. He hadn’t thought about resting, which meant someone else was waiting for him. “I cannot be expected to know the future.”

Yulin soon reached the door and stepped into his bedroom, noticing the form already lying on his bed. He pretended not to see her, choosing instead to walk over to his couch as he heard her pout. However, he knew she would not say a word, because that's how Yuhe was. She would remain silent until he himself spoke and he wasn’t in the mood to entertain her. 

“Xuangui spoke to you.” Yuhe finally spoke after a long moment, although Yulin wasn’t sure if it was minutes or hours later. 

“He did.”

“You are?”

“Conflicted.” Yulin admitted, noticing as she adjusted her position to look at him. Her long white hair draped over the edge of the bed. Her sharp black eyes watched him expectantly and he knew she would only keep needling him. “I told him I would listen once they are reincarnated.”

“Wise.” Was her only answer, but Yulin noticed as she opened her arms, reaching for him. He finally gave in, moving to join her on the bed. Despite reaching the Margin before him, she had ascended at a younger age, and it was time like these that reminded him how childish she could be. 

As soon as he sat next to her, she quickly pinned him to the mattress, as if to remind him that she was his elder. He let her, unable to help his subtle smile as she leaned in to kiss his lips. He indulged her slightly, although he let his hands stay by his sides. Once she pulled away, he noticed the glee in her face and she slowly released him, laying down on his chest. 

“You will agree.” Yuhe muttered and Yulin nodded, reaching to stroke her hair. “You stay here too much.”

“Why shouldn’t I? You are here.”

“I am not an excuse. I am barely here myself,” Yuhe pouted, but Yulin knew she was also smiling. Being among the first four to the Margin meant it had been extremely lonely in those early years, and it was no surprise that suddenly being immortal and alone had guided them to each other. Yulin finally wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes as he enjoyed her weight. “You will go.”

“I will, but in my own way,” Yulin finally answered, noticing as she relaxed against him. Yuhe was never one to speak her mind or often, hence her title of the Still Wing, but he knew her well enough to know that she was saying without words. She often returned to the lower realities, not always to interfere, but just to watch, whereas he preferred to stay in the Margin. He knew she was worried he would do something reckless if his world did not right itself before it ceased to exist.

Yulin shifted onto his side, holding Yuhe close to his chest. At first it amazed him how ascending to the Margin felt so different from being in the lower realities, when immortality was new and unknown. Now, he understood it for what it was; just another state of being, one where learning and living was not ended by death, but where it continued until everything ceased to be. He was not the same man he had once been, and he was not the same being he had been five minutes ago. And yet, he was always himself.

“How long before the first soul returns?” Yulin spoke softly, feeling drowsy as Yuhe moved against him.

“Soon.”

“Then we have time,” Yulin was filled with relief and he closed his eyes. Time was non-existent in the Margin and he knew that the soul would likely be born by time he opened his eyes again.

A short nap then.