Legacy of the Light - The Star of Birahng

Norahn froze, stunned by the revelation. Yeong continued, "And he returned unharmed. You know Cheon Seong is incapable of harming his brother. Yet, Cheon Hwan let him go. It's not surprising that Cheon Seong couldn't bring himself to fight his brother. But Cheon Hwan... I can't fathom why he didn't kill him."

Norahn remained silent, his mind reeling. He hadn't even known Seong was aware of Hwan's survival. He couldn't comprehend the events that had transpired in the past few days. Yeong, noticing his shock, offered a cold, subtle smile.

"Don't worry," she reassured Norahn. "Cheon Seong knows nothing of our conversations."

Norahn, snapping out of his stupor, asked, "How did the Guardian come to meet Cheon Hwan?"

"That's irrelevant," Yeong stated flatly.

Norahn, intimidated by her sharp tone, quickly lowered his gaze.

"Cheon Seong has been slipping out every night since I told him where Cheon Hwan's ship was anchored," Yeong explained. "Last night, the moon was bright. The brothers reunited after four long years. Answer my question. Why did Cheon Hwan let Cheon Seong go?"

"You witnessed our past, didn't you?" Norahn countered.

"Cheon Hwan I saw was evil, filled with malice and hatred. Even during our last encounter, he radiated animosity. He hates everyone. He hates this world."

"To defy Sahngjon is evil," Norahn pointed out.

"What?" Yeong's eyes narrowed.

Norahn, emboldened, recounted Yeong's previous words. "You told me Sahngjon is good. Are you suggesting Cheon Hwan is evil because he defies Sahngjon?"

Yeong's usually calm gaze flickered with uncertainty. Norahn bowed his head respectfully.

"If you tell me your will, Sahngjon's servant will obey."

"Sahngjon's goodness is an immutable truth," Yeong stated firmly. "I was merely speaking from your perspective."

Her response was unconvincing, and Norahn, emboldened, allowed his eyes to linger on Yeong's face. He saw a crack in her composure, a vulnerability he hadn't noticed before. Something had happened during his absence, something that had shaken Yeong's certainty. But he couldn't voice his suspicions. He pushed aside his doubts and answered Yeong's original question.

"You said he was filled with malice," he began. "That is how I remember Cheon Hwan. His bloodlust was innocent, pure. Even as a child, his sword always sought blood."

"And that pure bloodlust doesn't extend to Cheon Seong?" Yeong asked.

Norahn paused, then replied, "He loved his brother."

Yeong let out a humorless chuckle. "Love? Cheon Hwan mocked, deceived, and exploited Cheon Seong at every turn."

"If all people loved their kin, lovers, and comrades with unwavering devotion, would there be sorrow and pain in this world?" Norahn countered. "You see only Cheon Hwan's deceit and exploitation, claiming he lacks love for his brother. But that is because you, Guardian Crimson, do not understand love. Love has many faces."

Yeong turned away. "It's irrelevant."

"If you truly seek understanding, you must know this," Norahn insisted. "Though my life has been short, I have lived longer than them, witnessing their lives unfold since they were babes. You are right; the Guardian always protected Cheon Hwan, and Cheon Hwan always betrayed his love and trust. But they loved each other."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I just know," Norahn replied.

Yeong frowned. "You think me ignorant."

"I wouldn't dare."

"Can you claim to understand love?"

Norahn hesitated. Love, for those born with the fate of the High Emissary, inevitably led to tragedy and sorrow. It was an emotion he, like Yeong, found unsettling.

"I don't believe I fully understand it," he admitted.

Yeong remained silent, her gaze fixed on Norahn, as if peering into his soul. Norahn felt a shiver of fear under her intense scrutiny. Yeong changed the subject.

"Cheon Seong has been in anguish since his encounter with his brother."

"It's understandable," Norahn replied. "The affection he once held for Cheon Hwan far surpasses any fondness he might have for the High Councilor. He loved his brother deeply. Perhaps that's why Cheon Hwan, despite his cruelty and unpredictable nature, never harmed him. That's why no one worried when the former Guardian chose Cheon Seong as his successor, not Cheon Hwan. They believed Cheon Hwan wouldn't hurt him. And they were right. He never raised a sword against Cheon Seong. Instead, he took away the one he cherished most: their uncle, their teacher, Myeonghyeon Seung, who was like a father to him."

"And yet, Cheon Seong, that foolish man, clings to his brother."

Norahn shook his head. "He cannot let go. That is the Guardian I know. That is why the High Councilor wants to keep him away from anything related to Cheon Hwan. He knows the Guardian cannot bring himself to stand against his brother."

Yeong let out a short, humorless laugh. "I can't understand it."

"It's difficult for me as well," Norahn admitted.

Norahn continued, "Guardian Crimson, if you continue to conceal Cheon Hwan's actions, there will be dire consequences. At the very least, the High Councilor should be informed..."

"Whatever happens, I won't interfere," Yeong interrupted. "If it's meant to be, it will be."

"Are you ordering me to betray the Guardian?" Norahn asked.

Yeong's eyes hardened. "If you breathe a word of this to anyone," she threatened, her voice laced with a chilling calm, "you will pay the price."

The scar on Norahn's neck, a reminder of Yeong's previous threat, still ached. But he no longer cowered. "You cannot harm me," he countered. "I have no successor. If I die, there will be no High Emissary to hear Sahngjon's voice."

Yeong scoffed. "Such foolish bravery. Why would I harm you? Cheon Hwan is a clever man. He knows how to inflict pain without lifting a finger."

"Guardian."

"I know your fears," Yeong threatened.

"My only concern is serving Sahngjon's light."

"If you're blind to your own fear, I can enlighten you."

Norahn flinched, and Yeong saw the flicker of impotent rage in his clenched jaw.

"Do you desire deeper enlightenment?" Yeong taunted.

Norahn, unable to meet her gaze, looked away. Yeong studied him for a moment, then asked, "Will Cheon Hwan choose the same path again?"

"What do you mean?"

"When those destined to fight each other refuse to raise their swords, where will those blades turn? I wonder what Cheon Hwan is plotting, adrift on the sea."

Norahn remained silent. Yeong's gaze drifted to Norahn's limp white robes, an image of Hwan's burning eyes flashing through her mind.

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The ocean breeze pushed waves onto the sandy shore, the water hissing and churning as it receded. Hwan lay sprawled on the beach, his stillness radiating an unsettling aura. His subordinates, sensing his foul mood, kept their distance. He had gone ashore alone earlier, returning to the Black Wings after a brief absence. He had then ordered the ship to a deserted island, his lips sealed, his silence a heavy shroud over the vessel. Yirahng, initially respecting his solitude, could no longer bear the oppressive quiet that stretched beyond a day. She stomped across the sand, plopping down beside him with a dramatic sigh.

"Where did you go?" she demanded.

Hwan didn't answer. His eyes remained closed, his body still. It was impossible to tell if he was asleep or simply ignoring her. Yirahng's voice rose in frustration.

"Are you asleep? Talk to me! You haven't said a word since last night!"

Hwan remained unresponsive. Exasperated, Yirahng grabbed his wrist, pulling it off the sand. He finally stirred.

"Just leave me alone, for once."

He opened his eyes, the slits revealing Yirahng's glowering face. Her annoyance, usually a fleeting storm, now felt like a suffocating weight. He sighed, relenting.

"I met Seong."

Yirahng's eyes widened in surprise, her brow furrowing. "How did he find you?"

"She probably told him."

Yirahng scoffed. "I knew it."

Hwan fell silent once more. Yirahng, her eyes scanning his clean attire, asked, "Why didn't you kill him?"

"He came alone," Hwan replied curtly.

"All the more reason to kill him."

"Killing him won't get me Wicheong."

"That's not the real reason."

Hwan retorted. "He hasn't done anything to deserve death."

Yirahng's lips twisted into a sneer. "Since when did you need a reason?"

"Don't be difficult."

"His existence is a reason enough to kill him. Do you think you'd be here without him? Why do you think he's so obsessed with you? Because you're his brother? No. It's because he pities you. He has everything, everything handed to him on a silver platter. You're just a recipient of his condescending sympathy. Don't you see that?"

Her words, crossing a dangerous line, ignited Hwan's anger. "Watch your tongue. You know nothing about us."

Yirahng glared at him. "Who is 'us'?"

Her question, sharp and accusatory, sent a jolt through Hwan. He saw the hurt in her eyes, the anger quickly turning to tears. He sat up and pulled her close.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

Her skin, rough with sand and salt, felt familiar beneath his fingertips. As he had declared to Seong the night before, Yirahng, with the child she carried, was his family now. She had followed him, trusted him, venturing into a world she barely knew. He couldn't let Sahngjon abandon her, not after everything she had sacrificed. His purpose was clearer than ever, his resolve strengthened. He held her tighter, whispering in her ear, "You're all I have now."

Yirahng's reply was laced with bitterness. "You were always all I had."