His vision blurred and his limbs numb, Donghua could only watch as Jiu'er collapsed into Wenchang's arms. He tried to move, but his body would not obey his mind. Wenchang glared at his feeble attempts to move.

"Stupid old rock, the battle was decided before it even began." Wenchang gloated, stepping on his outstretched hand until the bones snapped. "Fate and I have a deal. Xiao Hong is mine."

Gritting his teeth, Donghua managed to ask, "Did she promise you the Qingqiu children too? You should be careful. Bad karma breeds ill fortune."

Something darker flashed in the lightning wielding god's eyes.

"She could give me the heavens above and it would still not repay what she owes me. Taking a few children is being merciful." He gave Donghua a swift kick to the gut and sneered, "Letting you live. This is also my being merciful."

With a wave of his hand, Wenchang disappeared, taking Jiu'er with him. It was only then that Fate allowed him to find his breath again. Donghua shakily stood to his feet. He felt torn. Fate was giving him a final warning, and Wenchang was the name next to Jiu'er's, not Donghua. But he could not accept it.

Whatever Fate had written, a man like that did not deserve Jiu'er.

He took a deep breath and tried to think clearly, but guilt was clawing like a knife in his heart. If Fate had not intervened, he could have protected Jiu'er. He should have protected her. 

Donghua looked towards the heavens. He wanted to race after Wenchang, but if he did, Fate would surely intervene even more harshly. What debt could Fate owe Wenchang, and why must Jiu'er pay the price? He and Fate were overdue for a long conversation. 

Fate's rock stood tall, the names glowing on its surface made him apprehensive. There was no way to predict how Fate would react to his intrusion, but he had little choice. Donghua unlocked the rock's secret door with a mostly forgotten spell. A blinding light wrapped around him as his consciousness was pulled into her realm.

Endless worlds swirled around him. A path lit under his feet. Following it, he heard his life unfolding around him. He heard the stone he came from being broken. He heard Heavenly Mother's loving voice and Heavenly Father's wise words. Hundreds of memories were speaking at once. The first time he had come here, the noise was not so powerful, but now it was all but overwhelming.

The voices silenced as one memory rang out clearly.

"Fate, I am here to bargain."

His voice sounded like a stranger's now, too calm and detached. He had not known the weight his words would have.

"And what, little god, do you have to offer me?" Her voice was many talking as one. It shook the darkness. "And what do you wish for in return?"

"I would pay any price. Just let there be peace in the realms."

The past Donghua thought he could withstand anything. He had been too arrogant, too young. The present Donghua was still paying that price.

"Any price?" Fate's voice rippled the memory. She must have known then the hole he was digging for himself. "Very well. However, this request is not easily done."

Donghua remembered everyone who had been lost in this long war. The great pain and grief had seemed endless.

"Peace is worth anything. Simply tell me what I must do."

"A balance must be kept. Remove your name on my fated rock."

"Is that all?"

He had sounded so surprised. He really had not known then what he was giving up.

"...Yes. Your fair fate for peace."

His robes rustled as he turned to leave.

"Wait."

He had frozen there, worried she would go back on her words.

"Donghua Dijun," Her voice sounded conflicted, though he had not noticed it then. "This means destroying your future."

"What is my future for the future of all the people in all the realms?"

He sounded so selfless. He must've thought himself quite the hero then.

"It is not just your fate." She reprimanded him. He had not listened well. "What of the fate of your soulmate? Both will be irreparably damaged."

"It is still just two fates for the fates of millions."

He had sounded so wise, so self assured.

Donghua Dijun had left the realm, and without any deeper thought, erased his name.

Fate's disappointed voice rang in his ears.

"You did not even look at her name."

"Why would I need to know?"

"Because she will love you. Because this will cause her so much pain. You should know whose heart it is you are breaking."

"It does not matter."

Fate sighed, a great sadness in Her wise eyes.

"Bai Fengjiu."

The name echoed in his ears familiarly even though he had never heard it before. But, he ignored that too. What did it matter? Everything was already done. If she was truly his soulmate, then she would understand why he made this choice.

The memory faded, and he heard Fate speak.

"Donghua Dijun.... Would you still say 'It does not matter'?"