It turned out that Xufeng and Jinmi had married. It was the last straw and the battle began. Hundreds died and my brother and I fought. We knew one of us had to win. There was no other choice.

In a final clash we used everything we had, even if it was forbidden, to destroy the other. Our blows never landed on each other though. Not when Jinmi had thrown herself between it.

[A tear falls down his cheek.]

She was the last death. Everything I'd ever wanted was lost. My brother, the woman I loved, the faith of my people... I'd destroyed everything because of my own selfish desires. Because just once I wanted to be remembered and loved and valued.

For ages Xufeng looked for her and I locked myself in my chambers. The creature inside me slowly trying to tear me apart to break free. It was everything I had to chain myself. Others found my brother and I begged for him to kill me. To end the monster and me. It was what I deserved.

[More tears fall as he laughs.]

But my brother has always been a better person than I am. Even then. He stabbed the monster and burned him away into oblivion and left me alive. He couldn't bring himself to kill me and even set me free. I begged otherwise but he wouldn't. In the end, we agreed that I would rebuild the Heavens but that I would do so in utter isolation to repent.

Then he left to find Jinmi. Five hundred years he searched and when he found her they ran away together and had children. Sometimes I go to see the oldest but only for a moment. I have no right to more and I never ask for it.

Otherwise I'm alone. As I deserve.

[He looks over at Xingchen then.]

I have no right to your kindness or protection. I have no rights to any of that. Even now I don't know why Yu Mingye would want me to be responsible for him at all. I deserve none of this. I'm a monster who destroyed everything to get what I wanted for nothing.