Snowy Day

Tens of thousands of years ago, the Three Realms and Six Paths were newly established. Yin and yang, the five elements, moved in harmony; those presiding over the Three Realms were called gods, those ruling the waters, immortals. With heaven, earth, and the mortal realm in harmony and peace, the five elements flowed freely. Heaven reigned above, possessing the highest sacred glory; the human realm lay between, vibrant with the most intricate colors and desires; the earth below, governed by the harshest cycles of karma and death.

As time turned and all things evolved, many new entities arose, each with their own domain. The Lords of the Five Elements presided over gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, their seat lying between heaven and the human world.

One day, the Lord of Water was practicing the creation of water-born wonders, and joyfully brought forth ice, frost, and snow. The eldest disciple cherished the snow most of all, watching over her day and night, marveling at her fleeting beauty—how she formed in an instant, ascended with a breath, then vanished just as quickly. The lord arrived to find the snowflake had drifted beyond the domain of water, sighing over the workings of fate.

Young Master of Clouds and Mists, ever changing the sky with splendid hues and shifting lights, found even the most beautiful clouds dull and tasteless, longing for the breathtaking beauty of a snowy sky. Descending from the clouds to the space above the water realm, he saw a single snowflake, delighted as he reached for it—only for it to melt in his palm. Undeterred, he