Prelude
Three High Gods the Higher Powers made. Of light, darkness, and water.
Together, they were charged with the guidance and guardianship of Existence, and all to exist within its bounds, both within and without.
Brothers they were of equivalent in spirit, bound together in eternal duty and the universe they were created to guide and develop.
One kept to his garden, shrouded in the quiet of night and shadow, hidden from the universe he was to puppet from behind the veil.
Another sat back from his peers in distance, building the Pantheon to forge paths of teachings to light the way.
The third sang and experimented within the ever constant change of his element.
War and strife separated them throughout the Ages, yet a single woman connected them through time and space.
Their love for her, and hers for them, shaped Existence through trials of exultation and hardship, weaving the great song of destiny the High Powers determined for their creation of the universe.
Welcome readers, to both the loyal returners and the new. This is a prequel to ‘Concubine to the Prince Immortal’ of the Silver Hairpin series. ‘The Dark Empress’ is the full tale following Lanhua's life and her rise and fall from power during the Ages of old, before history was erased by the Celestials.
Like the tragedies of the great epics of warring eras, this book follows a similar path, therefore I recommend that ‘Concubine to the Prince Immortal’ is read first, so you are aware that there is indeed a happy ending at the very end of the road. But it is not necessary to read Concubine to the Prince Immortal first, after all, The Dark Empress is the prequel and beginning of the tale. For those of you who decide to stay to read, you have my enormous thanks, and I hope this tale takes you on a great journey throughout the Webs of space, emotion, and higher thought.
A fitting beginning. You've accumulated the poem fragments from the last act of Concubine to the Prince Immortal into the prelude of this story. Can't wait to see the journey you take us on!