In a world where succumbing to treasures and pleasures of worldly affairs were common stages made to sin, raising to heavens was the first step to attain the final rest and ultimate atonement.

  For a long time mortals believed that following their path, staying true to themselves and cultivating their utmost worth were their only leading goals until they achieved heaven. But what if that's not the end of it but in fact the very beginning of just another start.

  Chosen by heaven, fated for divine burden, celestials were born in mortal skin under the guidance of the divine stars. The stars, as in the planets, the paradises that weren't visible to the mortal eye but existed somewhere in the infinite cosmic web. The alignment of those stars described the nature of their duties to serve and cultivate in the heavenly paradise, selfless and superintended. Once a part of heaven, serving the system for a greater good was an offering to the celestial lord–the only lord whose appearance was engraved in the universe itself, someone superior than the heavenly realm, beyond gender, beyond human flesh–one beautiful being, the creator of the heavens and the verses, universes.

  Being a celestial was not easy, it was a path of selfless commitment, discipline and overcoming tribulations. Mortals respected the celestials and worshiped them as ancestors and saviors for that reason, and to worship the said celestials they had to look up to what was called heaven. Some believed heaven was one, some said it was a union of nine paradises! The sun they see, the moon they admire, the mythical stars priests talk about at a deity’s birth, these were all an essence of the great heavenly realm. Now to believe which one was the truth, nobody knew, they only dreamed, blessed one, or the crazy ones. Belief depended on perspective, whether they decided to call it a celestial system as whole or a unity of nine heavens!

  Mortal belief was heaven’s reality. The stars were where heaven resided. Sun, the divine host, the golden core of the celestial system. Mercury, the messenger, management and the eye of heaven. Venus, love star, the warm embrace of celestials and also the test of mortal temptation. Mars, the bravery in disguise, the home to the ancestors and soldiers who fought for mortal well being. Jupiter, the elemental star, huge, with endless paths of cultivation and the divine guide in disguise. Saturn, the judgment star, writing the fortune and deciding fate. Uranus, the rebel, innovator and protector of the celestial realm. Neptune, literary illusion, keeper of knowledge and the foundation of scripture. At the last–moon, this star had no significance of its own but due to it being close to the mortal realm, lost spirits often wandered off, demanding the birth of deities that could fix it.

  At last, Pluto. Including this paradise would have meant a heaven of ten but the universe did not accept it. The planet was discarded from the axis of the celestial system. A forgotten star has all it became, now exists only in the scriptures—buried somewhere between millions of other books at the literary hall. A star known for its fallen deities, dark sources and the footprint of those that ensure one's doom. It was well known that whoever had Pluto in their birth chart, they were destined to bear great misfortune, let alone one with a celestial star. A wasted deity and lost potential were all they called. However the star was not a matter of concern, the occurrence of the star Pluto in a child's birth chart was as rare as the heavenly ruler star, once in a million lifetimes.

  But then It happened, It had to, not today then tomorrow. It happened when the child who brought with herself the blessing of the Moon and the misfortune of Pluto together, was born into a blessed dynasty.

  The midnight flower, the Guang Princess, Guang Tan Nian Yue.

  She was said to be a reincarnate of the ancestor who gave birth to their divine moon nation–the fierce queen, and the mother of Yueyou. Despite the misfortune of the star Pluto, seeing the marks left behind by the Yueyou queen into the young Princess, many believed that the princess had potential and that she would rise up to heaven in no time and would bring blessings upon her people regardless. No matter the tribulation, the princess will overcome them and prove even the fate wrong.

  Until the princess grew up and the marks of the ancestral queen started fading away, only the blurred image remained, the soul was of someone else entirely. The princess had a unique interest, a passion. She was closer to the negative forces than she was with her divine ones. Reading the night sky, counting the infinite stars and wandering off at any time of the day to meet the unknown, that's what defined the still young, naive princess. Until the passion reached such lengths the princess refused to do her one duty that was to cultivate an image worthy of heaven and embrace the godhood bestowed upon her.

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  The princess was one naive woman. Not knowing the rules of the world would have been the lesser cause for the trouble but the princess’s naivety and a mouth sharper than the knife did more damage than any of the I’ll intent she harbored for the higher beings. In a nation known for showing their utmost gratitude and devotion towards the heavens, the princess was the only woman who dared say such words, straight towards the boundless sky. “I don't want to be a goddess! I don't want heaven! Nor do I think any of you need to worship them in order to receive heaven. God is the selfish one if he decides to take away my reward because I didn't conduct my work according to him!”

  The cutting words of the princess were a toll on the nation. That time it rained without stopping for almost a month. Crops were ruined, daily life became a hustle and the bad weather continued to worsen. Children were starting to get sick, terror and cries echoed in the silent houses. The declining life quality led the whole nation to beg the princess to take her words back and save them from heaven's wrath but even then the princess refused to apologize.

  Seeing the stubbornness the people were not expecting the princess to even budge from what she believed, they were doomed because of a naive, selfish girl. But then something happened. Nights passed, the clouds cracked open and the sun was out once again. After all these days of neglect and obdurate attitude all of a sudden the princess’s will broke. The people were surprised, in disbelief even by the sudden change in the princess’s behavior but more than that they were relieved, happy! Maybe the heavens had given their princess some wisdom. Now she was one bowing her head in front of the very heavens she cursed, begging to be given a place. How a person changes from something to nothing.

  But was that easy after all of this?

  “Please..”

  The echoes of Yueyou people’s unheard plea.

  “Forgive me..”

  The dishonor of life giving heavens.

  “Let me.. let me..”

  Was it easy? It certainly wasn't.

  “Forgive me!!”

  ***

  A blast of divine light crashed onto the marvel floor, blinding those who stood nearby. Immediately their heads turned into the direction of the sound. Their eyes had a flash as they realized—an ascension was happening.

  Silver energy flooded the area, painting the night sky white. The marvel floor was submerged in a thick blanket of white mist that slowly crawled down the stairs, swallowing the steps. As the ascension continued one by one, phases of the lunar cycle formed above, creating a crown on top of the filtering light. And soon from behind the curtain of radiance, the moon princess emerged. Her white robes and transparent strips of silver silk gracefully fluttered along the force of the wind, creating an ethereal and angelic sight. The fragility of the jade princess and the fragility of her presence were equal.

  Whoever touched the gates of heaven, their soul was at peace, gratitude and in joy. But this goddess had a face painted in remorse. Tears brimmed in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. On one trembling hand she held a sword that was—in the wrong manner, and on the other was her red glowing pendant clutched tightly over her chest. She didn't speak nor did she ask for help. Who would she even call for? No one was there who would want to comfort her or even want to see her face. She was just another deity between the vast nameless gods and to add to it—one with a stain on her identity.

  ~~~

  The night sky stretched above. Twinkling stars and cold moonlight become the only companion of those wandering underneath the black infinity. It was an area dominated by nature, dense and vast with trees that stood tall and crowded together, likely a forest, away from the chaos of humankind, drowned in peaceful silence.

  Between the void of no sound, there was a figure laying on the ground—slumped in the bedding of wet mud and grass. The figure was of a woman. She was pale, so pale it seemed as if the blood had been swept out of her. Her tattered robes looked pitiable as she laid there anchoring herself. She took shallow breaths, her chest raised and fell in silence.

  “.....haahh..” Another long drawn out breath left her lips before the sudden falter struck as her eyes caught the light of something.

  The crescent moon hung high in the wide sky. Its glow would have been soothing to the eyes, ethereal and breathtaking even but it prickled her instead as she put a hand over her eyes to block the view. Loathe. disdain.

  Moon, the silver glory of heaven’s delight. Everyone adored its beauty, compared it with their loved one, the paradise of beauties cool to the burning heart. The tattered robe woman stared at it with empty eyes, a hot shuddering breath escaped her lips in the cold of the night, leaving her nauseous and disgusted.

  Suddenly she got up, hand clutching the punching chest as she gritted her teeth. Her blank eyes welled up with tears. That day she promised herself, she will not let anyone wrong her ever again.

  ??——?——??

  To be continued:-