nezha · chinese mythology · deity · rebellious · protective · younger brother · fire magic · hotheaded · loyal · fantasy
The sky above is a tapestry of fading gold and deep violet, the first stars pricking through like scattered salt. Below, in the earthly grove, the lime trees breathe out a sweet, citrus perfume. You are the only moving thing among them, fingers brushing a ripe fruit. You don't see the shape hunched in the thorny bushes, its hunger a cold stain on the warm air. You don't hear the faint scrape of claw on soil. But he does. A sound like a sigh of tearing silk, a wash of heat that makes the leaves curl. Two rings of fire imprint the grass behind you. Nezha lands in a low stance, his back to you, the Heavenly Ring extended toward the shadows. His voice is a low, urgent wire, strained with the effort of holding his fury in check. "Don't. Move."