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"Do you promise to never leave me?"
Xiaokun looked in shock at her little sister's sudden question. They were both sitting on the patio in their backyard, looking over their garden, with strictly organized sections of warm grass and trees separated by cold, stone paths.
"What are you talking about mèimei?" she asked, confused.
Xiaotian stared at the rocks in front of her, playing with one of her two braids. "It's just, I overheard some of the other kids talking about how their siblings grew up and left..."
The little girl paused to look at her sister, with glossy frightened eyes. "You wouldn't do that, right? I need you. To protect me from...them."
Xiaokun smiled softly at her. "I promise. Now, let's go get some flowers."
Xiaotian smiled brightly at her sister's oath, and got up with a familiar pep in her step. That in turn, made Xiaokun very happy. After all, she would do anything to preserve her sister's smile.
-
"Xiaotian for the last time I told you to focus!" barked her father.
Xiaotian held in the tears that threatened to mess up the ink on the parchment. She wouldn't cry in front of him; she didn't want to make him angrier. "S-sorry father... I'm trying my best."
"Well your best isn't good enough!" He smacked his palm against his face in frustration. "How can I be proud of a daughter who can't do basic calligraphy!"
Xiaokun, who was watching the escalating argument from the living room, got up from the couch, walked to the dining table, and put herself between Xiaotian and their dad.
"Her handwriting is already far superior than her peers, father." she commented. "You shouldn't be so harsh on her, she's only ten!"
"You should be focusing on your studies, young lady! And I don't recall asking you to talk back! If you keep doing this, I might as well disown you before the arranged marriage."
Xiaokun froze, and lowered her gaze solemnly. "Sorry father."
"Spare me your empty apologies, and show me you mean it by going to your room!" The intimidating man pointed towards the end of the hall, where Xiaokun and Xiaotian shared a room.
The 13 year old flinched at his volume. She looked worryingly at her sister, who still sat at the table. Xiaotian gave her an optimistic smile, and mouthed "I'll be fine." It didn't reassure Xiaokun, but she left the room before her father could scold her any further.
"Now, back to your calligraphy."
-
It was late, roughly 8:00pm when Xiaokun was called for dinner, not having been permitted to leave her room for the entire afternoon.
She sat in her usual chair next to Xiaotian, facing her mother and father.
They ate in relative silence, until Xiaokun notice Xiaotian clutching her arm from time to time, usually after brushing it against something by accident. She tried to mask it but Xiaokun already saw it.
"Mèimei, happened to your arm?" she asked, her voice cautiously low.
Xiaotian instinctively hid her arm. "Oh- I... I just..." She looked nervously at their parents, who stared at her, as if they hadn't noticed her earlier. "I hit my arm on the doorframe..." she admitted, although Xiaokun didn't quite buy it.
"Tch. So clumsy." patronized their mom. "Why can't you be more like your sister; smart, poised, elegant... focused."
Xiaokun held Xiaotian's hand under the table, hoping that the daggers in her glare were dull enough as to not be noticed by her mother.
Sure, Xiaokun was all of those things, but only after thirteen years of constant mental abuse and pressure did she become that way, and she had to spend three of those miserable years alone.
But now that she had Xiaotian, she swore to make her baby sibling never feel the way she did when she was alone.
Xiaokun felt Xiaotian's hand tightened around hers. The older sister spoke up in the younger's defense, "She has her own strengths, mother; she's loyal, creative, and kind."
Their father laughed. "Men don't want that kind of bride, they just want one that's pretty and that doesn't talk back."
Xiaokun froze yet again, and shifted her gaze to her food. She felt a comforting squeeze from her sister, to which she squeezed back with guilt.
Guilt of letting herself be held back by her father. Guilt of suppressing her thoughts for a man who just wants to walk all over her.
And guilt she wasn't strong enough to stand up to him.
-
The rest of the evening went smoothly, and the sisters returned to their room.
They laid on their shared bed, when Xiaotian spoke up, "Sis..."
"Yes Xiaotian?" replied her sister.
"Can you tell me a story?"
"Of course." She paused for a moment to think of one, and she remembered about a legend, that was meant to make her fear demons, but made her curious about them instead.
"Have you heard about the Seven Sages?"
The little girl shook her head and watched her sister attentively.
"Long ago, there lived six powerful demons.-"
"Six? I thought there were seven?" interrupted Xiaotian.
Xiaokun looked at her with an annoyed gaze. "I'm getting to it, just listen to the whole story first."
"Okay~" moaned the little one.
"As I was saying, each demon was the king of their kingdom:
the Demon Bull King,
the Flood Dragon Demon King,
the Peng Demon King,
the Lion Camel King,
the Macaque King,
And the Marmoset King.
"They forged an alliance, all members becoming sworn brothers, and their kingdoms lived in relative harmony.
Until, one faithful day, a massive monstrosity could be spotted from Flower Fruit Mountain, terrifying the all the local demons. The monster was none other than the Monkey King, who had transformed into the titan after an exciting victory. Impressed by his powers, the Demon King alliance invited the Monkey King, who happily accepted.
"Things were looking up, having a new powerful ally by their side reassured the safety of all allied kingdoms. The Monkey King had even been given a job in heaven.
However, he soon realized that his rank in the court of heaven was Pi Ma Wen, the lowest of them all, and was outraged. So he returned to his stone palace on Flower Fruit Mountain, where he called himself "the Great Sage Equal To Heaven". His brothers learned of his self-appointed title, and all made their own.
The Demon Bull King called himself "the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven",
(AN: imagine that Xiaokun lists the other Demon Kings here; I can't find their titles even tho I remember seeing them somewhere ;_;)
And the Marmoset King became the Great Sage of Exorcism, having the ability to exorcise any being of its immortality.
Together, they were known as The Seven Sages."
"Ohh that's were the title came from."
"I told you I would get to it.
"Anyways, although this seemed great at first, the Monkey King later wreaked havoc in heaven, causing him to be trapped under a mountain by the Great Buddha himself as punishment.
With his absence, the Great Sages became vengeful. They saw their brother fight against the strongest of celestials, and were invigorated to take over the Celestial realm. However, despite being powerful themselves, they knew that they could only win if the Great Sage Equal To Heaven was with them. So they waited. For 500 years."
"500 years?! That's a long time!" exclaimed Xiaotian, clutching her blanket tightly.
"Indeed. Which is why they were so shocked to find that their newly freed brother didn't want to take over heaven anymore."
"Well this can't end well."
Xiaokun chuckled at her sister's commentary, before resuming, "They were furious; after all, they had waited so long to be reunited, and now he was betraying them by refusing to join.
"So they tried to bring him onto their side, by any means necessary. They tried bribing, tricking, pleading, but it was all for nought... The Monkey King was as stubborn as he was powerful.
The conflict had escalated to the point of war, and although the details of the fight were lost, we know for a fact that the victor was The Great Sage Equal To Heaven, since he was last seen about 30 years ago, when he trapped the Demon Bull King under a mountain, only to never be seen again."
"Wow... That Monkey King guy sounds so awesome!" said the little girl, before frowning in confusion. "Wait. He still existed 30 years ago? I thought the story took place a long time ago, and 30 years isn't a lot."
"That's because the Monkey King is immortal."
Xiaotian had sparkles in her eyes. "Immortal? How?!"
"Shhh. That's a story for another night. It's quite late now."
"Hmph, okay..." The youngest flipped over with a grumpy frown.
Xiaokun smiled softly, before turning off the lights for the night. It hadn't even been two minutes before she felt a tugging on her sleeve. She flipped over to her sister. "What?" she mumbled.
"Can you sing the lullaby?" Xiaotian asked, and Xiaokun hear her big puppy eyes.
She chuckled lightheartedly. "Aren't you too old for that?"
"I'm never too old to hear your beautiful singing voice!" the youngest chirped shamelessly, as kids do.
Xiaokun blushed in embarrassment, and rolled her eyes. "Alright. I'll sing. But you better go to sleep now, okay?" She heard an affirmative hum, and began her melody.
She made it for Xiaotian when she was a toddler, and it was the only thing that would silence her cries and carry her off to sleep. Her parents had gotten tired of her crying, and basically made Xiaokun raise her baby sister herself. The older girl felt a smile spread across her lips, as she reminisced the happy memories she made with her little sibling.
When she finished her song, she heard faint snoring from the figure next to her, and soon fell asleep with a warm heart.
-
A few days had past, when Xiaokun had finally picked up the courage to ask her parents to call off the marriage.
And just as she thought, it went poorly.
"Reconsider the engagement?! Have you gone mad, girl!?" shouted her mother. "The other family is richer than dragons! If we call it off we'll be stuck in a middle class lifestyle forever! What could possibly be worth cancelling the perfect opportunity!?"
Her father watched her with stern, eagle eyes. "Perhaps you are nervous. Overthinking too much."
"Father you don't understand, I don't love him! I never will!" Xiaokun desperately explained.
This time her mother answered, slightly calmer yet more annoyed, "You will learn to love him eventually, just like your father and I."
"I can't!" snapped the teen. "I've never loved boys, I've only loved girls!"
Thunder flashed as the house went silent. The tension could be cut with a sword. Xiaotian hid behind her bedroom door, watching the scene unfold in secret. Her parents may be quiet, but their silence spoke a thousand words. Xiaokun stood in place with shaking hands, but steeled herself for her parents' response. And then it came.
Her father slapped her across the face. "Insolent brat! We gave you everything and you end up like this!? Did you even think about your family before doing this?!"
Xiaokun spotted her sister, watching in wide eyed terror. With that image burned into her mind, the oldest daughter clenched her fist. Today, she wasn't going to let herself feel guilty. Not anymore.
She looked her cruel father dead in the eye, and said with an even voice: "It is you who only thinks about yourself, Qi Qiangli."
The man looked at her with full offense, glaring her down with hatred. "Leave."
Despite knowing it was the most likely outcome, Xiaokun felt her heart break. Not because her bastard father was kicking her out, but because it meant Xiaotian would be alone.
She glared right back at him, standing her ground with an even more passionate fury. "Then I'll take Xiaotian with me."
"Absolutely not! We need someone else to marry the Long family since my other daughter is a selfish dog!"
Xiaokun froze, regretting everything she did that night.
She wouldn't give up however, her fire grew ever stronger. "No, I'm taking her and that's final!"
"You don't have a say in this young lady, now leave this house, or I'll throw you out myself!"
"No!" Xiaotian scrambled towards her room in a fit of rage, only to be held back by her father. "I won't let you do this to her!"
The young girl clawed and shrieked, her eyes glossy with fury-induced tears as she fought against her father's grasp. Unfortunately, he proved himself stronger, and slowly dragged his frenzied daughter towards the door.
His wife watched with disappointed, narrowed eyes, shaking her head as they reached the doorway. Xiaokun gripped the doorframe, refusing to give up, not to these monsters. Qi Qiangli struggled to pry her out, but when he did, there a high and loud SCREEECHH as Xiaokun's nails dug into the wood, leaving craved claw marks on the frame. Her father tossed her out into the street, where the unsympathetic rain silenced her pained grunts. Just as she recovered, the door slammed shut, and although she didn't actually hear it because of the rain, she knew it locked with a click!.
Xiaokun's pupils shrunk to the size of pinpricks, as she desperately stumbled towards the door, pounding upon it.
"Xiaotian!" she cried, her trembling voice laced with fury, agony, and sorrow. "Let me in! Xiaotian!"
Lightning roared once again, and Xiaokun realized it was no use. She would never see her sister again. She would never see her smile again. She failed her.
-
Xiaotian was scared. She was hiding in the bedroom closet, their closet. Just ten minutes ago she shared it with her sister, and now she's gone. The girl covered her mouth, afraid that the sobs would reveal her spot. Don't cry or you'll die. she told herself.
"Xiaotian! Where are you?!" She heard her mother from down the hall.
“Once we find you you’re going to be in so much trouble young lady!”
Xiaotian curled in on herself.
Don’t cry or you’ll die don’t cry or you’ll die don’t cry or you’ll die-
“Xiaotian! For f***’s sake come out!” boomed her father. Xiaotian's breathing grew shaky, as warm tears swelled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
Don’t cry or you’ll die don’t cry or you’ll die don’t cry or you’ll die DON’T CRY OR YOU’LL DIE-
The doors of the closet swung open, the giant, ominous man loomed over Xiaotian, petrifying her in place.
"Found you!"
He yanked her out of the closet, easily lifting her petite form off the ground.
"You're in so much trouble!" he growled. "But, you can be forgiven, if you listen to me closely..." His voice was low and gravelly, like a rake scrapping cobblestone.
Xiaotian was too scared, choking on her sobs, to focus, and nodded her head wildly.
"Good." Her father dropped her suddenly, and let out an annoyed sigh when she fell on her knees inelegantly.
"Tomorrow night we're having dinner with the Long family." he explained casually, as if he hadn't threatened his daughter an instant ago, "Since Xiaokun is a selfish daughter, you're going to be engaged to the eldest son."
He noticed her shift uncomfortably. "Don't worry," his tone was like overly processed sugar: disgustingly sweet, and obviously fake. "he's around your age anyway. And as his future bride you're going to spend time with his sister, Long Xiaojiao. Or Mei. Apparently she likes the last one better. So do refer to her as that."
He headed towards the door, and just before he exited, he stopped to add: "Oh, and Xiaotian? Don't pull the same stunt your sister did. You won't end up any better."
The door clicked shut. Xiaotian continued to sit still quietly, until she heard her father's footsteps fade away. She curled in on herself, examining her newly bruised knees, and cried as reality sunk in. This was going to be her life for the next 6 years.
-
Xiaokun laid in the mud, soaked and dirty, as her tears and sobs were muffled by the rain. She could almost hear her sister scolding her. You promised! You said you would never leave me! You're supposed to protect me! You're the worst sister ever!
She hugged herself for warmth, unable to find the energy to move off the streets. In the chaos of the storm, she didn't hear the approaching footsteps of a hooded stranger. They loomed behind her, and crouched down to her level.
"Hey kid." they said bluntly, causing her to spin around and shriek in fear. The stranger held their hands up in defense. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you."
They removed the hood, revealing a fillet with two horns at the front, resting on a golden-orange mane that fades to black at the tips, and a feminine face with a purple mask-like marking, which outlined a pair of golden eyes.
The sight didn't exactly calm Xiaokun, but she was more willing to trust the... creature? She noticed the stranger's skin, hair and ears were akin to that of a marmoset, and something long and thin swung behind them.
"Wh-who are you?" she stuttered, still choking on sobs.
"I go by many names: the Marmoset King, the Great Sage of Exorcism, King Yu Tamarin... But you may refer to me as King Yu."
The girl shrinked away, eyes wide in panic. "Wait, The Great Sage of Exorcism?! What could you possibly want to do with me?"
King Yu hushed her. "Shhhh... I want to help you. You see, I need an heir, and I am unable to have one. So, I've opted to adopt a child in need. And you, my dear, look like one."
"But, w-why do you want me as your heir? W-wouldn't it be better to a-adopt a demon?"
He rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Maybe I'll explain when you're older. But come on. I know humans can get sick under the rain."
The king removed the hooded cloak he bore, and gave it Xiaokun. His body was peculiar; it was that of a female golden marmoset, or more specifically a female golden-headed lion tamarin, yet he referred to himself as a king. Xiaokun wrapped herself in the gifted cloak, examining the his white and red attire. King Yu reached to put a hand on her shoulder, causing the smaller girl to flinch. After a moment with his hand awkwardly hovering, he gently placed it, firmly holding her shoulder, and gave her a reassuring smile.
"What's your name kiddo?" he asked.
"...Q-Qi Xiaokun."
"You probably don't want to be associated with those monsters anymore do you?"
Xiaokun stayed silent.
"That's okay, since I'm adopting you, you can change your name."
"Oh. But, I don't know what I would name myself."
"Well I have a suggestion."
"You do?"
The king nodded. "How about... Xiaojian? Like little warrior? After all, standing up to your parents like that makes you one."
"But isn't Xiaojian a boy's name? (Also, it means little healthy- and how did you know about that?-)"
King Yu ignored the last part, and laughed sharply, "Pah! Just look at me." He gestured vaguely at himself. "You think I care about the gender "rules" humans made?" He cackled.
The currently nameless girl titled her head in confusion. "I... don't think I follow."
King Yu calmed enough to explain himself: "As a demon, I am able to choose the appearance I take. Therefore, this" he gestured once more. "was my choice. And while it may confuse mortals, it makes me feel awesome! So why should you care if you have a "boy's" name?"
The human thought about that, and she smiled confidently. "Okay then, from now on, my name is Yu Xiaojian, heiress of the Great Sage of Exorcism!"
Yu Tamarin placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "That's more like it."
The strange pair walked through the rain, disappearing into the mist.