The grim, heavy atmosphere of the war council dissipated the next morning, replaced by a sense of nervous, excited anticipation. The grand strategy for defying the author of their universe was in motion, but Xue Lian, in her infinite and often baffling wisdom, had declared that their first order of business was not to study ancient runes or prepare for battle. It was to properly welcome the newest members of their household.
"A war is won not just with swords, but with morale," she had announced to a confused Kael over breakfast. "And my daughter's morale is of paramount strategic importance. She is owed some playmates."
And so, a strange and unprecedented introduction took place in the imperial family's private gardens. Xue Lian and Lan Yue stood together, watching as a nervous Jax and Ren escorted their three acquisitions into the sunlit space. Chang Li, the young Fenghuang, walked with a proud, defiant stiffness. Hysilens, the mermaid, trembled slightly, overwhelmed by the strange, dry world. And Gan Yu, the Qilin, was a portrait of regal calm, her intelligent gaze taking in everything.
Xue An, who had been patiently waiting with her celestial dragon, Xiao Xing, gasped in delight.
"Chang Li, Hysilens," Xue Lian said, her voice gentle but firm. "This is my daughter, Princess Xue An. Your role in this household is to be her companion, her friend, and, when the time comes, her protector. You will be educated at her side. You are not slaves here. You are wards of the imperial throne."
Xue An, ignoring all royal protocol, ran forward with a brilliant, fearless smile. "Hello!" she chirped.
Hysilens, used to cruelty and chains, flinched back, but the princess's innocent warmth was a disarming force. She managed a small, watery smile in return. Chang Li, however, crossed her arms.
"I serve no one," the little phoenix declared, her voice full of a fiery pride that belied her size.
Xue An, with a cunning she had clearly inherited from her mother, did not argue. "Okay," she said cheerfully. "Then you don't have to serve me. You can just play with me." She pointed a small finger at the now attentive Xiao Xing, who wagged his ethereal tail. "Do you know how to play 'Hide from the Moon Dragon'? He's very good at finding people, but his celestial purring gives him away."
Chang Li was completely flummoxed. She was prepared for commands, for threats, for a life of servitude. She was not prepared for a cheerful, white haired princess offering to include her in a game with a mythical beast. She could only stare, her defiant posture faltering for the first time.
Later that day, a different kind of introduction took place in the palace's main training yard. Xue Lian and Lan Yue stood with their senior commanders. Gan Yu was brought before them, no longer in the rags of the auction house, but in the elegant, functional black and silver armor of the Royal Guard.
"Commanders," Xue Lian announced, "this is Gan Yu. She proved her strength and loyalty in the mortal realm. From this day forward, she will serve as a Captain in my Royal Guard, reporting directly to me. She is a powerful asset, and you will give her your respect."
Kael, ever the pragmatist, grunted, his eyes sizing up the beautiful, slender Qilin. "She looks a bit… delicate, Your Majesty. Can she fight?"
Before Xue Lian could retort, Gan Yu looked the massive Oni Commander directly in the eye, her expression perfectly serene. "More efficiently than you, Commander," she said, her voice a calm, cool melody that held not a trace of arrogance, only a simple statement of fact.
Kael blinked, stunned into silence for a moment. Then, a great, booming laugh erupted from his chest. "Hah! She's got spirit! I like her!" He gave Gan Yu a respectful, appreciative nod.
As evening fell, Xue Lian and Lan Yue stood on a high balcony, observing the new state of their world.
In the gardens below, a chaotic game of 'Hide from the Moon Dragon' was in full swing. Xue An's delighted shrieks echoed as Xiao Xing playfully tried to find her. Hysilens, who had discovered she could manipulate the water in the garden's fountains, was creating shimmering, defensive walls of mist, giggling with a joy she had likely never known. And Chang Li, perched in a high tree, was trying very hard to look like she wasn't having the time of her life.
In the distance, in the training yard, the sound of sparring could be heard. Gan Yu was in a dazzling, lightning fast exchange with Jax, their battle a beautiful dance of Qilin grace and demonic power.
Lan Yue sighed, a sound of fond, weary exasperation. "You have just adopted three of the most powerful and emotionally volatile mythical beings in existence and have given two of them, as playmates, to our ten year old."
"I know," Xue Lian said, a smug, satisfied smile on her face as she took Lan Yue's hand. "Isn't it wonderful? Our family is growing."
"Our lives," Lan Yue countered, though she squeezed her hand back, "are going to be a complete and utter nightmare of chaos."
"Yes," Xue Lian agreed, leaning her head on Lan Yue's shoulder, her gaze soft as she watched her strange, beautiful, and ridiculously overpowered family. "But it will be our nightmare."