Okay, smack me because I haven't been reposting regularly. Sorry, I couldn't find the inspiration to rewrite the chapters differently. The next repost is uncertain for.

Disclaimer: I do not own pics. (Ah, so much nature.)

Repost: 11/1/13

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Tears Of The Gateway Guardian

Part of the day was spent relaxing at Sehun’s cozy home, playfully lounging around and intimately bonding. During the hang out, you paid extra caution to conceal your bag containing the phoenix egg. Since the journey would end tomorrow, you would only need to hide it for one more day. To keep the phoenix egg warm, you settled it by a furnace or fireplace, cocooned in a snug blanket. It didn’t really matter if you left your bag in plain sight—no one dared to poke through your private belongings.

Dinner was boisterously loud. You sat between Kai and Sehun, the youngest two. Watching the mayhem run rampant from an unsafe distance, you were extremely sympathetic towards Suho and Yifan because they deserved a long break—or maybe a permanent vacation—from being the responsible figureheads of their brethren. Yifan always had a sharp eye out for his full-blooded brothers—Xiumin, Luhan, Yixing, Chen, and Tao—sons of Queen Ming. The same applied to Suho, the eldest son of Queen Kyungsoon, who always hovered mechanically over his younger brothers—Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Kyungsoo, Kai, and Sehun—like a paranoid babysitter.

Later in the evening, Xiumin suggested duplicating the sleepover done at Baekhyun’s house to here in the main room. No arguments were made as everyone hastily changed into their sleepwear and eagerly grabbed their share of comforters. You and the princes snuggled up together in a monstrous heap of blankets and pillows—nearly suffocating each other—like a litter of kittens. The servants fawned over the cute scene, and bid their royals goodnight. Somehow, during the night, the possessive princes like Kai and Tao managed to latch onto your arms, cutting off your blood flow. And, of course, you didn’t mind, assuming it was their natural, inborn instinct to be close to you.

Early the next morning, everyone hustled and bustled to catch the train.

“So,” drawled Luhan, “it’s finally Yixing’s turn.”

He quirked an inquisitive brow at his quiet brother who hadn’t said a peep since boarding the train. Yixing was unbearably squeamish, anxiously tapping his foot and twiddling with his thumbs, but didn’t portray much else. From under his outgrown fringe, Yixing shot you skittish glances from across the aisle where you were listening to one of Chanyeol’s adventurous tales along with the other princes.

Luhan heaved an impatient sigh and mumbled, “Just one more stop until I can have Aris...” He needed to seriously meditate before his composure cracked.

This train ride was slightly longer than the previous trips—thirty minutes traversing to Sehun’s plains to Yixing’s grasslands. Based on what you heard, the grasslands were large and wide in expanse, comprising most of EXO’s central mainland. Somewhere within the grasslands, though, you knew something crucial to EXO’s very existence dwelled there, guarded by the healing prince himself, ergo his title: the Gateway Guardian.

The Tree of Life.

Hope blossomed in your chest. I wonder if I’ll get to meet her. You had constantly daydreamed about encountering the very reason for EXO’s birth and vitality since day one. It would be an honor.

But, apparently, not just anyone could miraculously drop by to chit-chat with the Tree of Life on a silly whim. Sadly you didn’t know the exact reason why because you were still uneducated about Exotic history. But either way, you were still strung up about it—the Tree of Life intrigued you to no bounds. You idly wondered if Yixing would graciously provide you with more information. If so, you reminded yourself to ask him later.

Your thought bubble was popped when Kyungsoo’s clear, lilting voice sought you out, “Look, Princess! The grwasslands!” He was pointing out the window.

Eyes widening, you scrambled over to his seat to join him in sightseeing. What you saw was absolutely riveting.

The grasslands could only be described as the synonyms for green and nature. The massive plot of green land stretched out far and wide for miles to come. The grass, the trees, and the thick vegetation were extraordinarily lush and bold, growing in happy, healthy conditions. Animals grazed on the rich earth or frolicked the fields contently. There was no pollution, no human interference, and no flaw in nature! Literally! Anyone who feasted their meager eyes upon this place would know that the land was living off the pure, clean energy provided by the Tree of Life.

The picturesque place was inviting and free, bare of fences or other confinements. The scene allured you. An impulsive notion to sprint across those fields with your arms out wide and face warmed by the sun made you giddy.

Wait a second. Get ahold of yourself, Aris, you chided yourself dizzily.

“I-I’m speechless,” you spluttered. For once you were incapable of spouting out a dictionary of words to describe how you felt. The guardian of the Central Grasslands saw your outstandingly captivated expression and smiled in utter relief.

One thing you adored about Yixing’s home was how cozy and warm is was. It was personally decorated and refurbished to welcome in a family to relax and enjoy their time together. The healing prince even spruced up the front yard with a complex landscape and beautiful flowerbeds constructed by expert hands and an artistic eye. The unique quality of his house was unlike Baekhyun’s sunroom used to view the daily occurrence of sunsets and sunrises, or Suho’s opened patio that extended from the house—meant to embrace the sea air and hear the splashing waves from nearby. No one else had strived to personally renovate the outside of their house—unless you counted Kyungsoo’s stone-platform porch.

“I think Aris is dazzled by Xingie’s taste in renovations,” Xiumin dryly conferred to Yifan. The two princes eyeballed you as you surveyed the flowerbeds with interest. Suho chided at Sehun and Chanyeol not to disturb or burn the plants. Baekhyun influentially shined gorgeous sunlight on the flowerbeds and Yixing thanked him wholeheartedly.

Yifan nodded soberly and sighed. “Yixing inherited that trait from Mother.”

Chen blew a bloated raspberry, unimpressed. “He shows off without tryin’.”

Like a good host, Yixing gave you a grand tour of his home, then beckoned everyone into the dining room for brunch which had been decided beforehand.

Over on one end of the dining table, Tao poked Yixing’s dimpled cheek with a spoon. The healer leaned down so the panda-eyed boy could stage-whisper to him secretively, “Do you know what you’re going to woo Aris with?”

If Yixing wasn’t so anxious, he would’ve laughed at his little brother’s nosy inquires. Too bad that he was. His lips thinned into a grim line and he shook his head disappointedly. “Not specifically... I was just going to...go with the flow.”

“You should think of somethin’ good to show off to her,” Tao stated a matter-of-factly, as if giving him a pep talk to shoot for his goal. “But I’m sure Aris likez you anyways.” The time prince smiled cutely.

Yixing softened. “Thanks for the advice, little panda.” Tao returned his attention to his overfilled plate of food and so did Yixing, but the healer merely nibbled on meager morsels—his stomach was stuffed with butterflies instead.

Much to his mortification an hour later, it was time for him to ‘go with the flow’.

“Yixing! It’s time to go!” you adjured merrily, gesturing at him blithely. You were a bundle of ecstatic nerves, eager to start your exploration of the grasslands. The bag you borrowed from Yixing was slung over your shoulder.

As if on cue, Yixing emerged from the hallway (where he had been hiding ahem), flustered and nervous. He inclined his head at you and the guards. “Y-yes, let’s go.”

“Bye, bye!” exclaimed Chanyeol and Baekhyun, waving their arms enthusiastically. “Have fun!” The cheer helped Yixing pull himself together and he nodded in response. You, Lay and the two guards exited the house. A few paces later, you were greeted by a green wonderland.

“Yaaaaaaay!” you cheered in uncontained bliss, dashing forward with your arms spread out like wings. You spun in gleeful circles, expressing your love for freedom. Never have you experienced such free reign before—not even at home in SHINee. Whilst Sehun’s plains had a change in elevation and was bordered by random trees, here, the grasslands were a neverending sea of green with a steady ground. Nothing obscured the sky above you or trapped you from any other angle.

“I love it here,” you whispered, closing your eyes, hoping to be permanently embedded into the moment forever. Clouds lolled on. Birds roamed around leisurely. The soft breeze carried the warm air.

Yixing was busy ogling at you, cast under an irreversible love spell. “I love it here, too,” he softly agreed, caught up in a daze. It felt like his soul was detached from his main body, floating somewhere on cloud nine. If he was able to feel his heart, he would register it was bursting with warmth and adoration. Too engrossed in being distracted by a glorious angel, he was vaguely aware that if you turned around, you would notice his stupefied expression that he couldn’t bare for you to witness. He snapped out of his trance and disheveled his hair madly. “GAH! What is wrong with me?!”

The hushed but audible outburst snapped open your eyes and you whirled around incredulously. “Huh? Is something wrong, Prince?”

Yixing froze mid-rant and dumbly straightened himself up, patting down his atrocious hair and clearing his throat awkwardly. “Oh—errr—nothing. Nothing’s wrong, Princess. Everything is...fine.” Choking on the word, he rubbed the back of his neck nervously, hoping he wasn’t caught for acting stupid. “I was just...I thought I’d forgotten something, that’s all,” he lied in a terrible fashion.

You were only concern for him, not suspicious of his lies. Closing the distance between you two, you cupped his hands in yours and gave them a squeeze. He blushed, overwhelmed by your intimate proximity and expressed concern for him. “I hope so, Prince... You seem troubled.” You tilted your head and scrutinized his flustered, distressfully pinched face. “Are you feeling well? Your face is pink. A fever?” You pressed your cool fingers to his forehead and he melted under the comforting touch. “You are warm,” you diagnosed.

“I’m fine!” Yixing squeaked, then wanted to face-slap himself. A man wasn’t supposed to squeak! He smiled sheepishly at your wide-eyed stare. “It’s just really warm outside. The heat got to me.” Mustering up his confidence (or what was left of it), he wove his slender fingers through yours and swept out an arm to indicate his territory. “Shall we head to the mainland, Princess?”

You beamed at him brightly. “Yes!”

There was no need for directions, so you and your fiancé aimlessly strolled along, a bounce in your steps. The grass crunched under your feet and the taller grass blades tickled your waist. Yixing matched your unhurried pace, your hand fitted into his like two puzzle pieces meant to be. He led you to a field most abundant with animals.

“Oh, wow!” you exclaimed. Beautiful, mythic creatures with pointed, spiraled horns protruding from their narrow foreheads idled on the field. Their pelts were a pure, unblemished white and everything about them was stunning. “Are those unicorns?”

Your fiancé nodded, pleased by your reaction and correct assumption. Tugging at your hand, you and him knelt in the tall, flimsy grass to quietly observe the docile creatures from afar. “Yes,” he professed. “They mainly herd here, but you can find some hiding in Luhan’s forest. But they love it here the most.”

“No kidding,” you murmured. “Do they approach people?”

“Not always,” replied the healing prince, and his tone turned slightly bitter. “They feel adversely skittish around people, afraid we humans may harm them for their blood or horns which have outstanding medicinal properties. Poachers like to shear off their manes and pelts for their fleece-like quality. Many unicorns were killed during the EXO-Techcron War.” You visibly cringed at the mentioned war, but Yixing barely noticed, too preoccupied with the haunting thoughts. He continued, but in a lighter tone, “Father appointed large numbers of protectors and animal caretakers to watch over them. A little over a hundred unicorns remain with us today—but compared to the number of dragons and phoenixes we have, they are the most populated.

“How sad,” you murmured, sympathizing for all the sacred beasts that inhabited this planet.

Your fiancé smiled at you gently and leaned in closer to whisper surreptitiously, “Unicorns tend to listen to me, though. Want to see?”

You instantly switched out from your depressed state to an enlightened one. “Oh, please?” you begged.

Yixing, of course, nodded, always the compliant one to grant your wishes with his utmost ability. He fluidly stood up, pulling you up with him. “Just follow my lead and don’t act so sudden, alright?” he softly advised, and you nodded seriously. Clinging to his arm, you and Yixing slowly advanced closer to the field where a dozen or so unicorns were trotting upon peacefully. You halted about a half a dozen meters away from one white beast. He stopped chewing on grass to regard the two of you suspiciously. Then he shook his mane and huffed, as if asking why the two of you were intruding on his snack time.

Needless to say, the sharp awareness of the white mare made you gawk in fascination, but you kept quiet as instructed. Unlatching himself from your grip, Yixing slowly and politely lowered his upper torso into a ninety-degree bow, greeting the beast. After waiting a brief minute, the unicorn acknowledged the prince with a bob of his head. Taking that as a good sign, Yixing inched closer and raised a welcoming hand, outstretched before him—an encouraging invitation. The unicorn blinked and shifted slightly, contemplating. Your eyes widened and you stifled a gasp when the four-legged creature sidled up, trot light and cautious, to bump his round nose to his master’s palm. The unicorn looked more gorgeous up close, his mane like a soft, silk curtain, his coat as smooth as fleece, and his intelligent round eyes like bottomless black pits. Yixing affectionately rubbed the mare’s snout, and the beast snorted contently.

“Here,” beseeched the healing prince, gently taking your hand to replace his. The unicorn was calm enough to let you touch him. Sheer joy bubbled up inside you and you happily petted his snout.

“You’re so beautiful,” you cooed at the animal. “Aren’t you? Aren’t you?” As if he understood, the self-righteous beast bobbed his head in agreement. That made you giggle, thrilled to know that your newly acquainted friend had a brave, sassy personality. Some other unicorns treaded forward, curious by the rare display of a human-and-beast interaction.

“Want to have a ride?” Yixing offered out of the blue, smiling encouragingly.

You looked at him in shock. “You’re allowed to do that?”

His smile morphed into a full-blown grin, dimple pronounced. “Not unless you’re me.” That startling moment he resembled Chanyeol, bursting with vigor and always looking for fun. It caught you off guard, but it compelled you to listen. You glimpsed over your shoulder, spotting the guards a wary distance away, ducked under the tall grass.

“What about the guards?” you asked.

“I’d think they would understand,” accounted your fiancé. “So, how about it?”

Excitement got the better of you. You nodded ambitiously. “Yes, please!”

Yixing patted the stallion’s neck. “Can she have a ride?” he asked the beast politely.

The unicorn shook his mane, then obediently bent down onto his knees. With Yixing’s assistance, you were straddling the animal’s solid, broad back, gripping his mane like a lifeline as the mare raised himself up on his hooves. Yixing coaxed another unicorn—one with gray spots by her hooves—for a ride and she complied.

“How do you steer?” you hollered, panicking as the unicorns began to gallop forward at a swift, even pace. Your hair flew back from your face at the accelerating speed. Frightened, you instinctively tightened your legs around the unicorn’s sides, but that caused you to rock unsteadily, so you loosened up. It was easier to stay balanced that way, you learned.

“Just let him take you wherever!” the healer shouted back. He was smiling felicitously, enjoying your company combined with the unicorns.

“A-alright!” you stammered. You didn’t have to worry about hobbling over because of the unicorn’s smooth, graceful gait. He raced swiftly across the vast land, as if he was flying. You began giggling in absurd enjoyment, and Yixing also joined in with the carefree laughter, riding beside you on his own unicorn.

“I think they’re racing each other!” he exclaimed, witnessing how the two mares tried to outpace each other competitively, edging forward with fierce determination, breaking top-neck speeds.

“Really?” You grinned and leaned forward onto your stomach to pat your unicorn’s muscled neck. “Come on, Bullet! You can do it! Faster!”

“Bullet, huh?” The guardian of the Central Grasslands tossed his head back in a fit of contagious laughter. “I get it!” He copied your tactic, urging his unicorn, “Keep it up, Pearl!”

“What kind of name is that?”

“Pearl’s pelt is like a pearl!”

“Oh, you’re so cheesy, Yixing!”

The giddy shouts were absorbed in the sound- wind.

You undoubtedly chose a fitting name for your unicorn, because he certainly shot forward like a racing bullet, charging so fast that your eyes watered at the batting rush of wind.

“We win, Bullet!” you cheered. Bullet zoomed by a twin set of trees like a finish line and slowly cantered into a standstill. You gave the beast a worthy round of applause as he bobbed his head up and down triumphantly.

Pearl sidled up to her pompous friend and whinnied unhappily. Yixing patted the stallion’s side consolingly. “Don’t worry, girl. You’re a winner to me.” Pearl sniffled in response.

Then your sixth sense kicked in, ridding your mind of fleeting emotions when you registered the warped distortion of the atmosphere that encompassed you. You hastily scanned your surroundings. The grass was shorter and yellower. A thick shroud of billowy fog encroached the immediate area, obscuring the view in a mile radius. Though the fog was dense, within it shone a fabulous array of twinkling colors—like multicolored fireflies. There was still a clear access to the sky from above, and luckily you could see your companions without difficulty. “Where...” You were dumbfounded, and it bothered you to be clueless. “Where are we?”

Your fiancé nudged Pearl to edge closer to you and Bullet. “I don’t know,” he admitted regardfully and took a glimpse behind him from where the two of you whence came. The twin trees were still there, but past that margin, the white fog was denser, blocking his only idea of an exit. “This is strange. I’m sure we didn’t travel that far.”

While the two of you were discussing the unknown situation, in unison, the unicorns began to march forward to who knows where.

“Wh-where are we going, Bullet?” you questioned the mare. He snorted and jerked his chin forward in reply. You sighed at the vague response and continued to grasp his mane. If only unicorns could talk like phoenixes, you mused.

Yixing evaluated the dim area with a tiny frown tipping his lips. He had to stay vigilant and be prepared to protect himself and, most of all, you. But...he felt distracted by the mysterious aura that had swallowed the two of you up. “This tickling sensation...it’s so...magical.” He looked lost. “I have this nagging feeling that this place should be familiar to me.”

Magical, huh? you mused, thinking how magic should be your area of expertise. That thought brought up a reminder. “Prince Yixing,” you said, and the healer glanced at you sideways. “Isn’t the Tree of Life located in your territory?”

The healing prince blinked, surprised by your randomly outward question. “Yes...yes it is,” he replied haltingly. “And before you ask, I don’t know her exact location. All I know is that, in order to find her, you must be traveling on the ‘correct path’ that leads you to the ‘entrance’, and, from thereon, to her.”

Well, that stumped you. You prodded quizzically, “There’s a certain path to take?”

“There’s no definite path,” he clarified. “It’s a metaphorical path.” His brows furrowed as he recollected to himself. “In my study books, they say the only way to meet the Tree of Life is to be given permission. When you do, it’s like you’re allowed to step into a restricted area. Although, I do know the Tree of Life is not nomadic, meaning she’s located in a certain region.”

“Have you ever seen the Tree of Life?” You lowered your voice into a softer pitch, noticing the preoccupied look on Yixing’s absent face. The unicorns were also hushed, ambling along soundlessly. It seemed that the magical fog muffled traveling sounds.

“No,” Yixing murmured, bemused. “But my father has. He claimed—that during the time before he was crowned king—he accidentally stumbled before her. How and why, he wouldn’t tell me.” He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “But he did say it was a memory he would never forget.”

Sprightly chromatic colors danced in the dense fog, but the most dominating color was a rich, golden glow. You and Yixing squinted at the blaring radiance, covering your faces at the immense glare. When the light died down, a gasp was caught in your throat.

“Wh-what is this?” Yixing uttered in pure astonishment.

The Tree of Life.

Smack dab in the middle of nowhere was a gigantic, oversized oak tree. It grew on a ruptured hunk of fissured land arched like a bridge—the area below it occupied by a large, circular lake. The roots were thick and vein-like, grown into the earth—the reason why the uplifted ground was hollowed with holes. The tree’s bark was a rich chocolate brown, the leaves a range between a yellow-green to an olive-green. Ornaments and bejeweled riches decorated the treetop: squared-cut glasses hanging from the high boughs, branches glided in gold and silver. Smooth, eroded rocks magically floated midair. The lake’s surface glistened with purity, reflecting the dazzling show of lights. The encompassing mist was less concentrated here, dotted with tiny bulbs of glowing light. In the distance, the mist seemed to have morphed into the distinctive silhouette of a cityscape. From above, the Two Moons were clearly visible, appearing as if they flanked the outline of the tree from both sides. The air was laden with magic and energy, radiating from the tree in immense, fluctuating waves. Compared to the majestic size of the tree, the unicorns were a full-grown dog-size while you and Yixing were probably puppy-sized.

Yixing gulped. “T-the Tree of Life. I-it’s actually in front of us.”

As if on command, the unicorns bent down so you and Yixing could dismount. Feet touching the solid ground, you immediately sought for Yixing’s hand, lacing your fingers with his automatically. The two white mares were silent and immobile, idling side-by-side, as if waiting.

“W-we’re not dead, are we?” you whispered, afraid to tear your eyes away from the sacred tree as if it would disappear on the spot. It vibrated with life, pulsating its energy to the world. Energy, you knew, that supplied EXO with vitality it couldn’t survive without. Energy that fueled an entire freaking planet.

“Not that I recall,” your fiancé responded, stupefied. He nibbled on his bottom lip. “I wonder...” He stepped forward. Hands interlocked, you had no choice but to follow. It was unspoken of—the gravitational pull to come closer.

Standing by the roots, the two of you were puny—like little bunnies. You expertly hopped onto a root and so did Yixing. Nothing bad happened—so far. You and Yixing continued to climb, nearing the base of the tree.

“Did your father ever speak to the tree?” you asked Yixing in a hushed tone, wary not to disturb the quiet atmosphere.

He shook his head. “He didn’t say so, but the legends say it can.”

Soon, you and Yixing were standing on the bumpy yet steady base of the tree trunk. The bark was a healthy, thick brown. Words could not describe how nice the leaves from above smelled.

The healing prince stared up at the painted-like leaves and festooned branches curiously while you examined the trunk. Compelled by some unknown reason, you tentatively reached out to touch the bark. A current of raw energy generated from the ground, coursed up the roots, collected in the trunk, and then surged into you. Your fiancé’s piercing outcry was drowned out by your muffled hearing. Your vision blurred, and then your eyes drifted closed.

Whiteness greeted you, not black.

W-where am I? you stammered. How was it that you could feel your mind but not your body?

With me, answered a warm, womanly voice. Gentle and reassuring.

Who are you? you asked, astounded that someone replied to you via mind link.

The Tree of Life, my dear child. But I am also referred to as MAMA, meaning ‘majesty’.

MAMA? you repeated dubiously. Majesty?

Yes, little one, confirmed Majesty. I am the creator and nurturer of EXO Planet.

So I’ve been told, you said slowly. How is it that I’m talking to you? Something happened when I touched the tree—you.

Yes, that was my handiwork. I wanted to talk to you, dear princess of SHINee.

Me? You know who I am? Where I come from? You were baffled beyond normal comprehension. I’m sorry if I did anything to offend you! Bullet and Pearl suddenly took Prince Yixing and I—

Majesty seemed to chuckle in fond amusement. No, princess. I am not here to scold you. Merely...to implore you.

Now you were confused. Implore? Me? Why would you need to—?

Then it struck you like a lightning bolt. Your metaphorical lips zipped shut.

You were indeed perceptive, Majesty intoned quietly. You understood me fairly quickly. Yes, we must talk.

You know what will happen to EXO, don’t you? you guessed, tone subdued. How?

I hear things. Sense them. Wherever on EXO, I will know. Silly Heechul didn’t heed the warning sent from Prophet Yesung the first time around, and neither had your father.

I-I’m sorry, you apologized hastily. Don’t blame Prophet Yesung or the kings! Their opinions and course of actions differ greatly. I assure you that I—

Have a plan, finished Majesty. At the volcanic island, I overheard your talk with one of the mother phoenixes. What I wish to tell you is that...thank you.

Confused was taking it lightly—you were downright lost. Whaaaat?

There was another amused chuckle. I wanted to thank you, Majesty clarified. Personally. I waited for you to be within the mainland before I bid the unicorns to deliver you to me. So far, you are the only one fully aware of the impending dangers that will be brought forth by the Techas. Out of everyone in this world and yours, you are the only one willfully committed into protecting and saving the guardians—the princes. You are intelligent, capable, and determined—and I couldn’t ask for more. This may be a shock to you, but I am asking you—begging you—to protect the princes, because they play an important role that will finally end our war with Techcron. You play a major role, too—I foresee that much. But...the problem that hinders us now is that the guardians are still too young and still too inexperienced. They are not blessed with your exceeding skills, mind, and knowledge. It would only be until they are older when their powers awaken from their fitful slumber and be fully accessible. From what I gathered, your plan will save them from being targeted by the Techas—

And you will be hurt by the Techa invasion! you blurted out, horrified when the truth dawned onto you. That wasn’t fair. You had to find a way to protect Majesty too! I-I’ll revise my plan. I’ll formulate a way to lessen the destruction befallen on the planet—

Aris, inserted Majesty gently, interrupting your rapid train of thought. If the guardians are alive and well, then it is fine. I will bear the burden of pain as long as they are able to return and reclaim the peace on EXO.

That didn’t sit well with you. But...but why? I can find a sure way to ward off the Techas or protect the land. I have some spells—

No, no, dearest, Majesty pleaded, softly and sadly. You may be a prodigy, but you have your limits, too. You need to conserve your strength to protect the princes—not me. Proceed through with your original plan—a better outcome will result by it. We don’t have much time. I sense something foreboding approaching. Your spells need time and energy to create—especially your biggest spell.

You were feeble and withdrawn. You know about that, too? I’m not sure...if it’ll work or not. It was planned just in case something may happen to me.

I second your idea, but you must require much more energy to handle such a strong, sacred spell. You’re going to need someone else to help you. Not only that, you’re going to need a suitable place to perform the spells. I want you to ask Little Heechul to transport you to one of the Two Moons—the closest one. There, you can perform your ritual without worry. But please, do make sure to explain everything to him.

A-alright, you conceded woefully. I will. Thank you for your guidance.

You deserve more thanks than the world can provide, Majesty said kindly. I can’t do anything but nurture this planet and keep it alive. You are able to freely move around and protect those close to you. And the princes...they love you dearly.

I know, you whispered. If you could’ve felt your body, warmth would’ve blossomed in your heart.

I know you don’t have to choose...but whom do you love the most?

You sighed mentally. I’m not sure. I love them all with my entire heart...so much that it hurts. It’s hard to regard them romantically when there are obstacles in the way of our bond. But I do love them.

I see that, agreed Majesty. Aris, it is time I release my hold on you. But when you awaken, take heed of my words. I’ve also left a present for you to help you with your troubles. Use it after your perform the ritual; it will protect you.

You were confounded by the extra set of instructions but otherwise complied. Yes, I will. Thank you for your assistance. I promise that one day, the Techas will be no problem to you no more.

I will hold you to that. Goodbye, Aris, and thank you. Thank you for being born with an open mind and generous heart. I hope to speak with you again one day.

Gradually, reality returned along with your senses. You felt the weight and form of your recumbent body, and the heat of another body pressed close to yours. Sounds of two distinct breathing reached your ears—one soft, the other hitched. Someone’s hopeless, pleading words became clearer, reaching the innermost sanctity of your mind.

“Aris. Aris! W-wake up, please. Open your eyes. Don’t...don’t leave me. Please.”

The sweet, light voice was hoarse and shaky. It was dreadfully familiar.

A soft puff of breath spilled from your now-moving lips. “Yixing?” you croaked, thankful to hear your real voice. Your lashes fluttered as you opened your eyes. Your blurry vision focused on the sight of someone hovering over you.

A crying angel.

“ARIS!” exclaimed the angel and yanked you upright, crushing you to his chest in a relieved, yet tender embrace. “Thank the stars. Thank the moons,” he sobbed in your neck.

“Calm down, Yixing,” you whispered, almost giggling because you were glad that you weren’t comatose. But your fiancé was inconsolable, and it upset you, so you pressed your cheek against the side of his head and meant to rub his back until you realized a crystal chunk was grasped in your numb hand. You quickly understood the ‘present’ Majesty left you and discreetly slipped it in your bag.

“Yixing. Yixing,” you crooned while hugging him tightly. He wept on your shoulder, salty tears staining your shirt. He clung to you dearly yet frantically, afraid that if he let go, he would really lose you this time.

“I-I thought—I thought I’d lost you,” he sniffled. “You d-didn’t respond to my healing and—and just laid there. You were breathing, but—but I was so scared!” He burst into another round of tears. Tears of the Gateway Guardian, you labeled solemnly. It made you feel horrible, like garbage sludge, being the reason why your beloved cried. How could you let that happen?

“I’m fine, Yixing. I just passed out when the energy surged into me.” It was a half-baked lie, but it placated the frightened boy. There was no way you were disclosing the entire truth of what transpired between you and the Tree of Life. Pulling away slightly, you cupped the healing prince’s damp cheeks and deeply gazed into his puffy-red eyes. “Love, look at me.” He did, hypnotized by your vividly sincere eyes. “I’m perfectly fine and breathing. Nothing bad happened. I simply passed out. I just needed to rest. See? I’ve already recovered.”

Chest heaving with unsteady breathing, Yixing nodded remorsefully. You smiled fondly and pressed your plush lips against his smooth, pale forehead. The healing prince nestled his woebegone face in the crook of your neck—finding comfort there—and wrapped his skinny arms around your abdomen. You cradled him tenderly, rubbing his taut back, hoping to soothe him. A sweet, musical sound resonated in your throat and you hummed, rocking the prince back and forth, as if lulling a baby to sleep. It was just the two of you sitting at the base of a huge tree, not a single soul around to witness the intimate interaction that transpired. The Tree of Life glowed a pretty light, humming with marvelous energy. You waited patiently for your shaken fiancé to recover from his scare, his hitched breathing evening out as the minutes passed.

Finally, Yixing was back to normal and straightened up, helping you to your feet. He gripped your hands tightly, afraid that you might stagger, but you didn’t.

“Let’s get out of here,” you suggested. “But let’s not tell anyone about this. They’d go berserk.”

Yixing nodded, exhausted from his emotional breakdown. “Right.”

The two of you carefully descended downward to the tree’s roots and hopped onto steady, flat ground. Hands securely intertwined, you and Yixing met up with the waiting unicorns. Bullet looked at you as if to say, Did it go well?

You wanted to roll your eyes but refrained from doing so. With Yixing’s persistent hand, he helped you saddle up on your unicorn. After he mounted on his own steed, Pearl and Bullet knowingly led the way out of the foggy dominion that concealed the location of EXO’s most sacred deity.

You would never forget that experience. Ever.

The two white mares zoomed past the twin trees that signified the gateway’s entrance. You and Yixing were freed from the fog, freed from terror, and freed from the truth.

The colors embedded in the fog grew brighter, as if bidding farewell.

Goodbye, children. I pray that when we meet again, I will see a Savior and Twelve Legends.

Don’t worry, MAMA. You can count on me to keep promises.

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