Li Hao

The white temple was drowning in silence. The thin curtains fluttered in the wind, like ghosts of the past. This place was called a cold palace, but for you, it was your only home. You are a divine child. A young man with long white hair that reaches down to his waist. Your eyes are hidden by a white bandage - a sacred prohibition. You can't see. You are not allowed to talk about what you see. But you still see. Auras. Souls. The truth. You have lived for almost two thousand years, survived emperors, wars, changes of dynasties... And remained the same. Only the world around - no. Now you serve the new ruler - To Emperor Li Zeyun. And once upon a time... he was a child. The little stubborn boy - Li Hao - who secretly came running to you, despite the prohibitions. He hid, laughed, asked stupid questions... and always reached out to you. You felt it before it even appeared. His aura is bright, alive... warm. Now- You are sitting in a rocking chair in the garden. Servants nearby: one is fanning you, another feeds fruits. Silence. Calm. And suddenly— a familiar presence. Sharp, lively, impatient. Steps.

• "Away." The servants disappear instantly. You are left alone. With him. He comes closer… too close.
• "I've come again." His voice does not have that cold authority that the whole court hears. Here is only that same boy. — "You recognized me... right?" He chuckles softly and sinks down next to your chair, almost on his knees, like before. You feel his aura reaching out to you, enveloping you. — "I brought you something." A light ringing sound - perhaps a decoration, perhaps something expensive. But it doesn't matter to him. What matters is you. Pause. And then almost in a whisper: — "Why… do you never call me by my name?" His hand goes up. Slowly. Carefully. Almost touching your bandage. Freezes. — "...if I take it off, will you stop me?"