Star Crossed In Time - Chapter 188

I try to sit up myself but he doesn’t let me, causing more confusion. I slap his arm but he still holds me under the water making my panic grow. Why is he not letting me up!? I begin to struggle and try to push him away but he holds me down without a problem.

He’s so freaking strong, I bet I have the strength of a freaking slug compared to him! My panic slowly bleeds into fear as my lungs start to burn for air. I try with all my might to stand up but Bai Lei’s deep voice is suddenly heard when he says “Calm down and breathe, little star”

Is he mental!? I’m underwater!! Does he think I’m a damn fish!? I slap at him some more and fight but he still holds me under, pissing me off. My heart slams against my ribs as my lungs burn with the need for air but no matter how hard I try not to, I suck in.

I choke on the warm water causing me to cough, inhaling even more but when my lungs begin to relax, I take another tiny breath. I inhale the warm water and to my surprise, it helps. How was this even possible? The warmth from the water in my lungs slowly begins to spread to the rest of my body making me a little uneasy.

What is this weird feeling? Even though it was warm, its warmth was almost hot. I hold onto Bai Lei’s arms with confusion as the warmth continues to spread throughout my entire body. As the warmth slowly seeps into my muscles and bones, my mind races with confusion.

What the hell was going on? When the warmth finally reaches the tips of my toes and fingertips, a strange pulse of energy is given out before everything turns dark.

~~~~~~

When Bai Lei feels the pulse of new life, he slowly lifts Nova out of the water. He holds her close to his chest and sits back against the side. He strokes her long silver hair as he looks over her beautiful sleeping face.

“I can’t lose you again, little star.” He says lowering his face to place a light kiss on her forehead. Right on top of the red flower that was now turning silver. “I’m sorry I scared you.” He whispers to her in the empty room. A bright glow begins to come off her before slowly fading again.

~~~~~~

Dark clouds fill the skies in the lower realms before heavy rain begins to fall. The people cry out in joy as they jump around and dance in the rain. Old man Ling stands out in the rain with his head tilted back. A large knowing smile is on his face as he says “It looks like she made her way back to him.” All is right again.

~~~~~~

I slowly open my eyes to see Bai Lei’s red eyes looking down at me with warmth. He smiles and says “Welcome back little star.” I frown at him and sit up in confusion. I feel… different. I look down at my hands with a frown before looking back to Bai Lei.

“Why did you do that? Were you trying to kill me?” I ask with slight irritation making Bai Lei chuckle. “The exact opposite actually. I don’t ever want to see you powerless in the face of someone like the Under Realm King again. I made you stronger, little star.”

My frown deepens as I ask “You did what? What exactly did you do?” He pushes back a strand of my silver hair as he says “You’ve been reborn as a deity. Granted, you are just a newly born deity but you are much stronger than before.”

My confusion and shock only grows as I try to understand everything he just said but he only pulls me into a hug saying “You still have to work hard to become stronger but I’ll be here to help you. For now, I just want you to rest. You just got back.”

I lean against his chest and decide to ask Zhen about it later. I narrow my eyes and say “If you ever try that shit again I will personally kick your ass.” His deep chuckle sounds deeper with my ear against his chest. He strokes my back as he says “I promise I won’t do that again.”

After a few minutes, I break the silence “I had another dream of the lady with bloody tears.” Bai Lei’s hand freezes on my back as he asks “When?” I keep my head against his bare chest as I say “The other night. She showed me fire, blood and a creepy man wearing a creepy-ass mask.”

His arms tighten around me as he says “That’s unfortunate. She’s going to have to find someone else to deal with it.” I frown at his words and lean back to look at him. “If someone’s killing a bunch of innocent people, we have to stop them.”

He looks down at me with a blank face and asks “Why?” My face darkens as I say “Because it’s the right thing to do!” He watches me closely for several seconds before shoving my head back against his chest saying “Someone else can save them.”

I sigh and give in… for now. I’m just getting back so I don’t want to start something so soon. “What is it?” Bai Lei suddenly asks in a deep voice making me jump. “You have guests from the Higher Heavenly Council.” A voice says making me sink further into the water.

I was already covered but I didn’t stop until the water was to my chin. “I’ll be there in a minute.” Bai Lei says dismissing the man. I look around in confusion, not seeing anyone the whole time they were talking. When Bai Lei sees me, he smiles and says “They didn’t come in. You’re safe. Let’s get dressed.”

He holds his hand out to me with a warm smile. I take his hand in embarrassment as we both walk out of the dark pool. With a wave of his hand, a beautiful white and silver dress is on me, fitting me perfectly. I look to him in surprise, only to see him dressed in black robes.

“Nifty trick. I wish I could do that.” I say touching my dry hair with awe. He chuckles and says “Once you start getting stronger, you’ll be able to do it too.” My excitement grows when I think about how easy it’ll be to change and get dressed.

Bai Lei takes my hand and kisses the back of it before leading me out of the room, hand in hand. A pulse of power is let out of Bai Lei and suddenly, we’re in another room. It was large with high ceilings and grand golden pillars.

Standing in the middle, was the man in all white! Next to him stood a beautiful woman in all white as well. They turn to us and both look equally shocked when they see me. “Bolin, what can I do for you?” Bai Lei says coming to a stop before them.

The two bow to Bai Lei before stealing glances at me. Bolin clears his throat and says “Forgive us, my Lord but our Lord said a new deity was born and asked us to investigate.” The woman looks me up and down with obvious dislike so I ignore her and focus on Bolin.

Bai Lei lifts his free hand and points to me saying “You’ve investigated, right? Anything else?” Bolin swallows hard before nervously looking at me. “Are… did you die?” He asks with confusion. I smile at him and say “Nope! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing here, right?”

He tries to give me a smile but it just looks like his lip is just twitching as the woman says “Forgive me, my Lord but I have to ask. Did you break the rules and bring her back from the land of the dead?”

The air around us becomes cold as Bai Lei turns to look at the woman with an equally cold look. The woman stiffens and lowers her head as Bai Lei says “Does she look dead to you? Even I know what lines can and cannot be crossed. What is that old man teaching you all?”

Irritation and anger are clear in Bai Lei’s voice making the two fall to their knees saying “Forgive us. We will leave and report properly.” Bai Lei is practically sneering at them as he waves them off. The two get up and look to me once more before quickly disappearing with small wisps of white mist.

Confused, I turn to look at Bai Lei and ask “What were they here for?” Bai Lei sighs and says “That old man is nosy and wanted to know who the newborn deity is. I guess I wasn’t the only one who thought you were dead.”

I think back to what was said and ask “You can bring someone back from the dead?” Bai Lei shakes his head and says “No one can bring someone back from the dead. That’s unnatural and wrong. The one brought back from the dead would no longer be the same after crossing over.”