Glaze Lilies (Author: MONO)

     In the mid-sixth century, in one dynasty. There is a God of war who lives in the land of China and who is reputable in his very own nation by protecting and making a contract with his people. He is also powerful and resonates a strong willpower that makes him superior and divine among all. It is once said that he could even shape mountains as he laid his fingers on the bedrock and caged a dragon in its den. His blade represents the skills that he got through his experience. Namely, Rex. Many people said that he is reliable and has leadership skills that his father vested within him since when he was a kid. A hopeful adult who has a vision to live eternally and nurture his land with his own hands. Yet, he is always infuriated and acts as if he despises his own clans and comrades in everyday situations and no one knows exactly why it is. 

    After one tiring day of fulfilling his duty of ruling and signing a contract with his people. He unwinds himself by drinking a wine. Just when he was done, He took a walk on the marsh in which the bed of flowers caught his attention. These flowers are bright, and lavender and have a sweet note of scent like candy. There, The God of War who's grumpy and autocratic met the maiden lady who is in a lavender dress, picking up her favorite glaze lilies. He saw her eyes glistening like a starlight, her smile shaped like a crescent moon and her skin is as clear as the skies above. When he realized this, he was stunned by what he just felt. "Hello there", he said. As the lady noticed the man in a chivalry suit except, with no helmet on. She bowed immediately and greeted Rex with an amusing grin on her face. "Greetings our Almighty Rex", She said. The God of war asked the maiden if he could pick up some flowers also on her marsh. The maiden nodded and gave God the flowers that he needed. He doesn't know why he wants these lilies on his hands and what will be the use of these flowers. Even so, he gave his gratitude to the maiden lady and walked away with loads of questions inside his mind of what had just happened to him earlier. 

    On the other day, The comrades and common folks cheered the God of war as they celebrated his birthday at his palace. As such a surprise, he saw the pennant banners hanging, huge balloons, and three chandeliers near the ceilings. As he walked down the carpet heading towards his palace. He saw the maiden lady he met yesterday night. "Why do I feel this way again?" He questioned himself. He disregards what he feels and continues to walk inside the palace. There, the comrades and the God celebrated his birthday as they feasted over the foods served on a long table. He saw the maiden lady once again. But now, The maiden lady greeted the God first. "I wish you the happiest birthday our Almighty Rex '', She said. The lady maiden gave her gift to the God and walked away immediately. Something lights up the mood of the God that makes him want to talk more with the maiden. He then kept her gift in his pocket. 

    The day passed by as It was already evening on January 16th when his birthday celebration ended. Rex is still thinking about the maiden lady who's continuously bugging his mind, questioning himself all over again on what he feels and why he exactly wants to negotiate with her. 

    1 week later, He paid a visit to a village where he always watches his favorite scenery which are the lakes and mountains as it calms him and meditates his mind due to being stressed in his clans and comrades. As he watched the birds flying away, he saw a silhouette of a lady who came to him, running and exhausted. "Greetings Almighty Rex! It's me, The maiden lady at the glaze lily marsh. I am Ella of Baanu Village. Recently, My village has been attacked by treasure hoarders recently. As the guardian of this land, I can't manage to protect it single-handedly. Please, I want your help and protect my people". Ella pleaded with Rex. " Hmm, Is that so? Well then, let's sign a contract and exchange trades''. God responds as Ella proceeds to make dealings with Rex. 

    "Here, take my marsh and glaze lilies. These will be my trades for you to help me protect my village, Almighty Rex". God couldn't believe what he just heard as he chuckled lightly, finding the lady maiden hilarious and making her confused by Rex's reaction. Out of a sudden, Rex dozed off by his chuckles when he realized what he was doing. " Glaze Lilies and your marsh? Do you think they are necessary as to my benefits Ella?", Rex asked. "Y-yes It is! I heard it's one of your favorites isn't It? So here you go! My glaze lilies can also be eaten and used as decorations in your castle in every celebration anyways", Rex chuckled once again but he accepted the dealings that he made with Ella. After the negotiation with the lady maiden, Rex walks away with a smile on his face, all knowing that he will think about it again on what just happened earlier. 

    While heading towards the palace at night, he gets to stumble with one of his comrades. "Greetings Almighty Rex! I am one of the reporters from the Guild. I am here to report that the Lantern Rite will happen in the next 2 weeks. I will just ask what will be our process in this festival? Are there any updates yet?" The reporter said that from a joyful man earlier, he went back from being grumpy once again. "Ask the other knights about it, I don't manage this kind of event but rather only promote it as it is part of our culture. Now, be gone, and don't disturb my solitude". The God said and he continuously headed inside his castle to rest. As he lies in his bed, he remembers the face of Ella while staring at the chandelier from the ceiling. As he was reminiscing, an idea popped out of his mind suddenly. "How about I invite her as my muse for the festival? stargazing at dawn with her seems fun" He thought. He immediately gets up to his bed to write a letter as he leaves it on his table. "Goodnight, my Lady Lilly", were his final words before heading to sleep tightly. 

    The sun has risen and Ella received an invitation mail from the guild. " Greetings, Ella of Baanu Village. You are sincerely invited as the muse of the honorary knight in the palace on February 11th, 8:00 PM. Please come by, as this is the will of God". The latter jumps with excitement as she will be the chosen one to date the honorary knight for the whole day. Many people said that the honorary knight is tall, and has broad shoulders in a slender body type. However, they can't describe the honorary knight's face because of the mask he is wearing at every festival. 

    A week later, the Lantern rite festival has come to be celebrated. Many people gathered at temples as they held their lanterns to pay respect to their culture. On the other hand, Ella headed towards the palace as it was said in the letter that she would meet the honorary knight. It's been an hour since she was waiting for the knight but no one was there yet, not even a shadow or whispering wind could beat the silence that she was hearing. She kept waiting and waiting until she lost her patience. When she was about to walk, a middle-aged man grabbed her hand as Ella looked upon the man. It was the honorary knight, he was in his ceremonial suit without the mask on "Wait? What?" Ella thought in her head. "It was you all along? Almighty Rex? The honorary knight?" She asked. Rex nodded as he held her hand of Ella and walked all the way to the temple to celebrate the lantern rite festival.

    As they both watch together the lanterns fly away in the clear night sky. Rex urged to confess what he feels to Ella. "Ella, I have something to confess," he said. Rex pulled something out of his pocket. It was a promise ring that he wanted to give to the latter. "For tonight, Here I am to confess what I truly feel. It's been months since I saw you picking up flowers from the marsh, On that day. I never thought in my life to see such a beauty that captivates my heart. Every time I see you, It makes me want to keep you. Now I will be straightforward, Can I court you?" Rex said. Ella is out of words with what she just heard, it feels like a dream that a God that has a bad impression towards people and rules the nation confessed to her. "Yes, Almighty Rex". She responded, as both of them stood up from their seats and hugged each other tightly. "This ring is a promise ring, As forever and ever will. I'll cherish this moment that we both share". Rex said as they continued to watch the lanterns above lighting up in scorching red. 

    On the 18th of March, Rex received a red letter that had a gold outline from the guild. He opens the letter and proceeds to read it. " Dear Rex, The God of War. I, Mori, The leader of the Tenkutsu Clan. Challenging you to duel with your comrades and mine. As our land needs a true leader. This will test who will be the right beholder". He got his ink and signed the letter for considering it as a contract of continuously ruling China. As of this day, Rex marked it as a form to "exchanging" lands in formal contract and no conflicts shall include, but little did he know that something beyond that is gonna happen. 

    A week later, The comrades and clans including his guild prepared for the upcoming challenge that they'll face. As Rex sharpened his sword, he saw a ninja running toward him holding a blade. Fortunately, he managed to dodge the attempt. He threw his sword at the man, leaving his dead body on the ground. Meanwhile, on the guild, the tenkutsu clan began to attack the palace of Rex and its comrades. Making a war between the two clans of Mori and Rex. On the other hand, Ella was running all the way to the palace as she heard the news about Mori's decree. She begins to panic and agitated as she heads towards the hallway to the palace, seeing clans of both parties assassinating each other. While running, someone grabbed her hands. It was a man in a golden chivalry suit forcing her to go with a man. The man takes off his mask as he reveals himself as Mori, the leader of the tenkutsu clan. Rex immediately prepares his sword as Mori has his sword near Ella's neck, looking like he wants to decapitate her. As fast as lightning could be, Rex managed to throw his sword on Mori's toe as he screamed and let Ella run towards Rex. One step, two steps, and three steps forward. One of the Mori's clan shoots Ella on her back with a bow. Rex was in disbelief at what he just saw, in front of his eyes. He saw how Ella died as Mori and his clans retreated already. 

    Everything that surrounds Rex suddenly becomes silent as he holds Ella's weakened body. "My Rex, my Almighty one. Please save my village as for my final wish, take care of my glaze lilies, they needed someone the most. please take care of our people. I know it's final but yes, I already opened my heart for you. Even just for my ashes, I'll be giving you the answer that you wanted" Ella chuckles as Rex drops tears down her body. "This time, It really is goodbye Rex. I love you my one..... " Ella closed her eyes as Rex screamed at the top of his lungs, feeling the anger and mourning over Ella. Rex carried Ella as he buried her body in the marsh of glaze lilies, where they met. "For thee my love, who lives too long. I have no regrets about meeting and making memories with you. If that day ever comes that we are not together anymore, you'll continue to bloom like these glaze lilies in my memories". As Rex bid his farewell and put the glaze lilies on the buried marsh.