Moonbound: A Love Across Lifetimes

The Book That Found Me

The Tale of Yag-i

A story within a story... or perhaps, a memory from another life.

There was once a powerful demon named Yag-i—the most feared and respected in the East. Many had tried to defeat him, but none had succeeded.

One day, the Demon Prince of the South visited the Eastern Palace. To forge an alliance between their lands, it was decided that the prince would be mated to one of Yag-i's daughters. Yag-i chose his eldest daughter for the role.

But fate had other plans.

While walking through the palace grounds one day, the Demon Prince noticed a woman in the garden. Curious as to why a human would be wandering freely in a demon's domain, he asked a nearby servant about her.

He soon learned that the woman was no mere human—she was Yag-i's youngest daughter, a half-demon, born of a human mother. The Prince was captivated by her beauty, unlike anything he had ever seen, even among demons. He made a decision then: she was the one he wanted as his mate.

When he informed Lord Yag-i of his choice, the demon lord refused. He had planned a different path for his youngest daughter—a peaceful human life, far from the dangers of the demon world. Letting her be mated to the Prince would place her in harm's way.

Still, the Prince was persistent.

Over time, he found ways to meet the half-demon princess. Slowly, they became friends... and then something more. They fell in love.

The news soon reached the ears of Yag-i's eldest daughter. She felt betrayed. She had admired the Demon Prince from the beginning and was thrilled when her father arranged for their mating. But now, her half-breed sister had taken everything from her. The betrayal ignited a deep hatred in her heart.

Eventually, the Prince and the youngest daughter confessed their love to Yag-i. Though reluctant, the demon lord could not deny his daughter's happiness. He gave them his reluctant blessing.

On the night of the Princess's 18th full moon—her birthday—they were to be mated.

The Prince waited in his chamber... but she never came.

Worried, he searched for her—and found her lying in the garden, covered in blood. Standing over her was her elder sister, wide-eyed, clutching a bloodied dagger.

Overcome with grief and rage, the Demon Prince nearly killed the older daughter on the spot.

All the demons in the palace bore witness to his heartbreak.

Before the elder princess took her final breath, she cursed them both:

"You will never find each other again! I won't allow it! You'll be born, and born again— but never together.

She will keep dying, and you will keep searching."

Yag-i mourned the loss of both his daughters. He turned to the Prince and said:

"My younger daughter may be gone... but her soul is not lost. There is a chance she will be born again."

The Prince looked at him, stunned.

Yag-i carried the girl's lifeless body to a secret chamber. The Prince followed silently.

There, Yag-i placed her on a sacred wooden altar and lit a fire beneath her.

The Prince tried to stop him, but Yag-i held him back.

"This is the only way her soul can be set free. She must return in a new body. It may take time... many full moons... but you will find her again."

"Even if it takes a thousand years..." the Prince said,

"I will wait for her. Forever."

Yag-i nodded solemnly, watching the flames rise. Dara closed the book and sighed.

"Weird... this story feels... familiar." She stared at the old, dusty book in her hands. It was ancient—no title, no author. She wasn't even sure if the shop owner had replaced the original cover or if it had always been like this. Still, the moment she saw it... it called to her.

It felt like it belonged to her.

"Aigoo, child... You like old tales?" the shop owner, an elderly woman, asked kindly.

"Not really. It's kinda creepy, Ahjumma," Dara replied, glancing at the book again.

"But... I don't know. It's like it's calling me." The old woman chuckled softly.

"You know, my mother used to tell me something when I was your age— Before we are who we are today, we've been someone else. That's called a past life. Sometimes, we get drawn to objects—or even people—for no clear reason. It's because they were part of our story... once." Dara blinked.

"So you're saying this book was mine in a past life?" The old woman laughed.

"That's what my mother believed. Me? I've never experienced it myself."

"Aigoo, Ahjumma! You're just trying to trick me into buying it!" Dara teased. But the woman shook her head with a soft smile.

"No, child. I truly believe this book belongs to you."

"Huh?"

"You're the only one who's ever picked it up. It's been sitting there for years, right in front of the shelf.But no one ever notices it.

No one... until you." Dara stared at the book again.

"...How much is it, Ahjumma?" The woman smiled.

"It's not mine. It's yours. Take it."

"But—"

"Go on. It's time it returned to you." Dara smiled, unsure why... but she felt happy. Peaceful. She tucked the strange book into her bag, thanked the old woman, and walked out into the fading light— feeling like something had just begun. Or... begun again.