They all looked up, their gazes drawn to the crimson star. It blazed with a sudden intensity, then plummeted towards the earth, its light searing their eyes. It streaked across the sky, a fiery meteor hurtling towards the horizon. Then, with a deafening roar and a blinding flash, it vanished. The Emissaries shielded their eyes, their bodies trembling as the earth shook beneath their feet. Silence descended, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the pounding of their hearts. They cautiously looked up, searching for the star, but found only a swirling mass of clouds where it had once shone. Fear gripped them, their voices hushed.


    "The star..." Cheongro stammered. "Your Sanctity, what do we...?"


    He trailed off, his words lost in the sudden silence. Norahn had no answers. Lost and disoriented, they looked to their leader for guidance, but Norahn was as shaken as they were. He clutched his head, his body wracked with pain. The throbbing behind his eyes intensified, a searing agony that tore through him. A cry escaped his lips, a raw, guttural sound that echoed through the trees. As the pain reached its peak, streaks of blue light pulsed from beneath his tightly clenched fingers. The Emissaries, fear etched on their faces, stumbled back. Only Sobi remained by his side, her hand gripping his robe.


    Then, as suddenly as it began, the pain subsided. Norahn''s hands fell to his sides, his body limp with exhaustion. Sobi quickly moved to support him. A faint blue light flickered beneath Norahn''s eyelids. As he opened his eyes, a collective gasp arose from the Emissaries. His eyes, once a deep brown, now shimmered with a vibrant blue, like the clear waters of Birahng''s coast. The Emissaries and soldiers fell to their knees, their heads bowed in reverence. Tears streamed down their faces, their voices a chorus of awe and devotion. Sobi gently took Norahn''s hand in hers.


    "Emissary of Sahngjon," she proclaimed, her voice filled with reverence. "Guide of Cheon’wi."


    She bowed her head and kissed the back of his hand.


    "Reveal to us Sahngjon''s will," she pleaded.


    Norahn''s voice trembled. "I cannot see."


    Sobi looked up at him. "What do you mean, Your Sanctity?"


    "I cannot see your face."


    The Emissaries exchanged worried glances, their eyes drawn to the faint blue light emanating from Norahn''s. But Norahn saw only darkness, a swirling void that obscured his vision. He could sense Sobi''s presence, her warmth, her voice, but the world around him remained a blur. Even the vibrant blue of his own eyes was hidden from him. He blinked repeatedly, his heart pounding with a growing fear. With each blink, the darkness shifted, forming shapes and images. But they weren''t images of Sobi, or the surrounding forest. He saw the coastline of Birahng, the rugged cliffs of Sahngseon Coast, a vision so vivid, so real, that it couldn''t be dismissed as a mere hallucination. Norahn understood the message.


    "We must continue," he declared. "Towards the star''s destination."


    "What do you see?" Cheongro asked. "Has Sahngjon granted you a vision?"


    "The star hasn''t vanished," Norahn replied, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "We must hurry."


    At Norahn''s command, the Emissaries and soldiers rose from their bowed positions and resumed their journey. Sobi, her eyes filled with concern, gently touched Norahn''s arm.


    "Your Sanctity," she asked, "can you truly not see me? What can we do if your sight doesn''t return?"


    Norahn''s voice was calm, reassuring. "There''s no need for worry. It is better to see what needs to be seen, rather than what merely appears before us."


    Though his words were brave, his brow was furrowed with pain. Sobi was more concerned about his suffering than the vanished star.


    "Are you still in pain?" she asked.


    "If this is Sahngjon''s will, then I must endure it," Norahn replied.


    Sobi''s voice trembled. "I never imagined I would witness such a thing." She was overwhelmed by a mix of awe and anxiety. The High Emissary, his eyes imbued with the light of Sahngjon, was a figure she had only read about in the Azure Scripture. Yet, here he was, before her, a testament to the prophecy''s truth.


    Norahn, sensing her gaze, looked down towards her. "Perhaps this is Sahngjon''s way of guiding the Guardian," he mused.


    Sobi, emboldened by his words, took his hand and kissed it again. The group pressed on towards Sahngseon Coast, their pace quickening. Sobi held Norahn''s hand, guiding him through the darkness.


    The sea stretched before them, calm and vast, the horizon a distant line in the moonlight. The rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore filled the air, the foam glowing faintly as it washed over the sand. The light within Norahn''s eyes intensified as they neared the coast. The vision that had plagued him merged with reality, the familiar landscape blurring into the fantastical image. As they reached the shore, the vision faded, and Norahn''s vision gradually returned. He knelt on the sand, his fingers digging into the fine grains.


    "Can you see again?" Sobi asked anxiously.


    Norahn nodded, watching the sand slip through his fingers. He realized then that to witness Sahngjon''s will, one must sacrifice their earthly sight. The divine order, in its mysterious ways, had been revealed. He turned towards the Emissaries.


    "This is where we must be," he declared. "Are there others?"


    "We are alone, Your Sanctity," Cheongro replied. "It seems no one else followed the star."


    "Secure the perimeter," Norahn commanded. "Search the coastline."


    At Norahn''s command, the Emissaries and soldiers dispersed, their figures scattering across the sandy expanse. Cheongro oversaw the search, while Sobi and a dozen soldiers remained by Norahn''s side. They searched throughout the night, the darkness slowly giving way to the faintest hint of dawn, but found no trace of the fallen star. Exhaustion weighed heavily on them, their eyelids drooping, their steps faltering.


    Just as their hopes began to dwindle, Cheongro spotted a cluster of distant lights, flickering like fireflies amidst the trees. Though their purpose was unknown, it was clear that others were approaching, just as Ryang had feared. He hurried back to Norahn.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Your Sanctity," he said urgently, "we''ve found nothing. But there are lights approaching from the forest. We cannot delay any longer."


    Norahn remained silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the first hints of purple dawn painted the sky. Cheongro pressed on.


    "We must return to Wicheong Palace. Sahngjon will guide us again."


    "Return empty-handed?" Norahn said. "If the star isn''t here, then we must search the sea. We must find its bearer."


    Cheongro flinched at the intensity in his eyes, the blue light glowing with an almost eerie luminescence. But he stood his ground.


    "Your Sanctity, we have no ships. Ordering Emissaries into the sea at dawn is a death sentence."


    Norahn hesitated..


    "We are not empty-handed," Cheongro said. "If The High Councilor witness your transformation, he cannot deny Sahngjon''s will now. The light will guide us. Return to Wicheong and inform the Guardian. We can continue the search later." He paused, his voice taking on a more urgent tone. "What if those approaching are Dahnian soldiers? We cannot risk a confrontation now."


    Norahn finally yielded. "Return to Wicheong," he commanded.


    Cheongro bowed, then hurried towards the soldiers, relaying the order. Sobi, noticing the approaching lights, quickly tore a strip of cloth from her white robe.


    "What are you doing?" Norahn asked.


    "Your eyes," Sobi said. "It’s too detectable. We must conceal them."


    She wrapped the cloth around Norahn''s head, covering his eyes. The blue light was still visible, but its intensity was diminished. Cheongro returned, the Emissaries and soldiers assembled behind him. They began their journey back to Wicheong Palace, Norahn''s footsteps slow and hesitant. He sent a swift runner ahead.


    ──────────


    Those who remained at Wicheong Palace gathered in the meeting chamber, their anxious whispers echoing through the dimly lit space as they awaited news. The night stretched on, their eyelids growing heavy, their hopes dwindling with each passing hour. Dawn broke, then midday approached, but still there was no sign of returning. Finally, as the sun began its descent, one Emissary entered the chamber, bowing low before Seong.


    "Your Luminance," he announced, "the High Emissary Divine has arrived at the gates."


    "Finally," Seong breathed.


    Moments later, Norahn entered, flanked by Cheongro and Sobi. A collective gasp arose from the assembled crowd as they noticed the cloth wrapped around Norahn''s head, concealing his eyes. Seong''s brow furrowed, his gaze fixed on the unusual sight. The three figures bowed before him.


    "Are you injured?" Seong asked. "Why are your eyes..."


    Sobi silently stepped forward, unwrapping the cloth from Norahn''s face. Another gasp echoed through the chamber. Though not as intense as the light witnessed at the coast, a faint blue glow emanated from Norahn''s eyes. Seong inhaled sharply, his heart pounding.


    "I have received the Light of Sahngjon," Norahn said, bowing his head again.


    Seong couldn''t tear his gaze away. The Azure Scripture spoke of the first High Emissary, who had served by the Founder''s side, his eyes imbued with the divine light of Sahngjon, guiding the king towards a righteous path. Many had interpreted this as a metaphor for wisdom and enlightenment, but now, witnessing Norahn''s transformation, Seong realized the truth of the ancient text.


    "Tell me," he said, "tell me everything."


    "As we journeyed towards the coast," Norahn began, "the star blazed with a blinding light, then vanished in a deafening thunderclap. It was then that the light appeared within me, and my vision was taken. Sahngjon granted me a vision of Sahngseon Coast. The closer we drew to the coast, the more intense the light became. Only upon reaching the shore did my sight begin to return. As we made our way back, the light within me dimmed."


    "Is this true?" Seong asked.


    "It is as the High Emissary Divine has spoken," Cheongro confirmed. "We searched the coastline thoroughly, but found no trace of the star. We were prepared to continue the search, but dawn approached, and with it, the risk of discovery. We had no choice but to return."


    Seong fell silent. He had hoped this would all end quietly, that the star would fade, and life would return to normal. But events had spiraled beyond his control, and he felt overwhelmed by the weight of his responsibilities.


    Ryang, sensing Seong''s hesitation, broke the silence. "What now?" he asked. "If this confirms the star''s significance, then your fruitless expedition poses a problem, does it not?"


    Even in the face of the divine, Ryang''s composure remained unshaken. Cheongro, irritated by his impertinence, answered in Norahn''s stead.


    "Sahngjon will reveal his will in due time. We will follow his guidance," he said.


    "Relying on a divine revelation that may never come," Ryang countered, "Isn''t that a bit reckless?"


    Cheongro glared at Ryang. "Is this how you greet the Emissaries and soldiers who have toiled tirelessly through the night, High Councilor?" he argued. "With reprimands?"


    "Second Emissary," Sobi cautioned, her voice a gentle warning.


    Ryang stood by Seong''s side, his gaze fixed on Cheongro, a cold disapproval in his eyes. Cheongro met his stare, refusing to back down. As the tension between them crackled, Seong intervened.


    "Second Emissary, show the High Councilor some respect."


    "My apologies," Cheongro muttered, his gaze finally falling.


    As the tension subsided, Ryang addressed Cheongro''s earlier defiance. "I, too, hope for a swift resolution," he said with a subtle warning. "Delays will only lead to further complications."


    "What complications do you foresee, High Councilor?" Seong inquired.


    "Dahn will not remain idle," Ryang replied without hesitation.


    Cheongro scoffed. "Those heathens burned our scriptures, desecrated our temples, and destroyed our monuments. Why would they care about a star?"


    "If they didn''t care, they wouldn''t have bothered," Ryang replied.


    Ryang turned to Seong. "The Dahn court distrusts its own people," he said. "They''ve surely seen the star, recalled the prophecy. They''ll investigate and attempt to quell any unrest among the people. And they''ll use their favored methods."


    Seong''s eyes narrowed. "You think they''ll send troops?"


    "It''s a possibility," Ryang replied.


    "High Councilor, keep a watchful eye on Sunyahng," Seong ordered.


    "Of course, Your Luminance." Ryang bowed his head in acknowledgement.


    Seong turned to Norahn. "I believe Sahngjon will guide us," he said. "But the High Councilor''s concerns are valid. We must prepare. High Emissary Divine, tend to your health. Sahngjon''s light has manifested within you. You must protect it."


    "As you wish, Your Luminance," Norahn replied, bowing his head respectfully.


    Seong rose from his seat. The assembled leaders bowed their heads as he made his way out of the chamber. In the sudden quiet, Norahn approached Ryang, offering a conciliatory bow.


    "I apologize for the Second Emissary''s insolence," he said. "He''s not always... receptive to my guidance."


    "It''s of no consequence," Ryang replied. "Such insubordination is commonplace. We''ve already begun preparations for the funeral rites. I''ll do my best, though I doubt I can match your expertise. Focus on your search. Did you encounter any Dahnian soldiers from Hyangdo on the coast?"


    "Why your concern for Dahn?" Norahn asked.


    "They are our enemy," Ryang stated simply.


    Norahn''s lips curled into a subtle smile. "The enemies of Sahngjon are our enemies," he said. "And Sahngjon''s enemy is unfaith."


    Ryang remained silent. Norahn bowed his head once more.


    "I''ll take my leave."


    He turned and exited the hall, Cheongro and Sobi following closely behind. Ryang stood alone, his voice a low murmur as he repeated Norahn''s words.


    "Unfaith is the enemy?"