Many centuries ago, before Dijun, Dikun, and Dik had earned their revered titles as Almighty Gods, they were not yet bound by the weight of destiny. They were young warriors of great power, tested by the trials of battle and bound together by blood, trust, and the shared dream of protecting all realms.
Dijun, even then, was not only known for her unmatched strength but for her curiosity. Among all the realms, she had always been fascinated by the mortal realm — a place of fragility, emotion, and impermanence. One day, driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the lives of mortals, she decided to descend into their world. She brought with her only her servant, a loyal maiden named Mei Ling, who had served her for decades.
The streets of the mortal realm were filled with life — vendors calling out in the market, the smell of baked bread drifting through the air, children laughing and chasing each other along narrow alleys. Dijun walked with quiet grace, her presence unnoticed by most, yet her eyes quietly drank in the beauty of mortal simplicity.
As they passed through a bustling street, a small figure darted out from between the crowd. A boy, no older than ten, with ragged clothes and eyes glistening with desperation, approached Dijun.
"Please… miss… just a coin…" he murmured, his voice trembling.
Dijun stopped. Her heart softened at the sight of the boy. With a gentle smile, she reached into her purse and drew out several coins. "Take it. Buy something to eat."
The boy's face lit up briefly, but before she could speak again, he snatched her purse and dashed away into the crowd.
"Thief!" Mei Ling cried, rushing forward to chase him. Dijun, however, did not move. She watched quietly, her lips tightening in thought as she let the boy vanish into the chaos of the city.
Dijun's curiosity was stirred further. Why had he stolen her purse instead of accepting her kindness? Her heart told her there was more to this than mere theft. She instructed Mei Ling to follow her silently, and together they continued their journey toward a small village not far from the bustling city.
The village they arrived at was unlike anything Dijun had imagined. The air was heavy with the scent of illness and decay. Homes stood silent, their doors closed and their windows shuttered. The few villagers who dared to step outside had faces pale with sickness and exhaustion.
As they entered the village square, Dijun saw something that stopped her heart. Before a humble, crumbling hut, a small boy sat weeping. His tiny frame shook with sobs, and beside him lay the body of a woman — frail, pale, and still. Dijun recognized him instantly. It was the same boy who had stolen her purse.
Mei Ling glanced at Dijun in surprise. "My Lady… that boy…"
Dijun nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on the sorrowful scene. She approached quietly, her footsteps soft on the worn earth.
The boy looked up at her, tears streaking down his cheeks. "Please… please save her. She is my mother. I do not have enough… the medicine… she will die…" His voice broke.
Dijun's heart ached. Kneeling beside the boy, she placed her hand on the woman's forehead. Her fingers glowed with a soft golden light, and a warmth spread into the woman's body. Slowly, her breathing steadied, her eyelids fluttering open. The boy cried out in relief.
"She will live?" he asked, trembling.
"Yes," Dijun replied softly, "for now."
But her heart weighed heavy, for she could sense that even if she saved her life today, destiny had other plans. Through her divine sight, she saw the woman's fate — that one day, she would die by drowning in the river nearby.
The boy, still clutching her hand, looked up at Dijun. "I… I do not know how to repay you. But I promise, before I die, I will repay your kindness."
Dijun looked at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she smiled softly, a rare tenderness in her voice. "Compassion is not something you repay. It is something you carry forward." She rose, turning to leave the village with Mei Ling beside her, the boy's promise echoing quietly in her heart.
That day, Dijun learned something about mortals — that their world was shaped not by strength alone, but by the fragile, fleeting beauty of mercy, sorrow, and promises made in desperation.
And though her path would later take her far beyond mortal struggles, the memory of that day remained with her forever — a lesson of humility she carried into her reign as Almighty God of the Phoenix Realm.
She had saved the woman's life, but in her mind, she knew the road ahead for this boy would be harsh. Still, she knelt before him, her voice gentle yet firm.
"You don't have to owe me, little one," she said softly, her golden eyes glimmering in the fading light. "In this lifetime, you cannot repay me. So take my kindness for granted. It is a gift — nothing more."
The boy looked up at her, his tear-streaked face reflecting equal parts sorrow and gratitude. "I… I understand," he whispered. "You are a fairy, a goddess who walks among mortals. You don't need my help. But… if ever you should need me, I promise… I will try my best to repay your kindness. In every lifetime, I will find you and help you."
Dijun paused, her lips curling into the faintest smile. For a moment, her thoughts drifted far away, to memories she did not share with anyone. Then, slowly, she spoke. "Really? Then let us make this a promise." She reached into the folds of her crimson robes and drew forth a small, glowing pill, resting it gently in the palm of her hand.
"This is called the Exiler," she explained, her voice low and melodic. "It is not an ordinary pill. It is made only by the Princess of the Phoenix Realm. It holds the power to bind fate allowing its bearer to find another, in any lifetime they may walk. With this pill, I will be able to find you, no matter where or when you exist. You must take it, not as payment, but as a promise between us."
The boy stared at the pill in awe, his small hand trembling as he took it. His eyes shone with wonder and reverence. "I… I will take it," he said quietly. "If in any lifetime I can repay your kindness, I will."
Dijun's smile deepened, and she placed a soft hand upon his head. "Then promise me, little one, that you will remember this moment, and when the time comes… you will keep your word."
"I promise," he replied without hesitation.
Dijun rose gracefully, the glow of her presence casting warmth over the small village. For a moment she lingered, looking at the boy and his mother, knowing she would never forget this encounter. Then, without another word, she turned to Mei Ling and walked away.
As she ascended to the heavens, Dijun thought of the fragile threads of fate, woven between kindness and destiny. The Exiler was more than a pill — it was a bridge across lifetimes, a bond that no force could sever. And in her heart, she wondered… would she one day call upon the boy again?
The mortal realm faded behind her, and Dijun returned to the splendor of the Phoenix Realm, carrying with her a promise that would endure beyond time itself.