Where Blossoms No Longer Fell

"I've waited my whole life for this. Our god is so tall and imposing, a match for me unlike any other. Despite my age, I've never known a man's touch."

The villagers frowned at my blunt words, and even the chief looked displeased.

However, I had already passed all the trials that morning.

I possessed the blessing of fertility they had long desired.

Even if the chief did not want me to go in, he could only turn a blind eye. "There are no unmarried girls left in the village. This difficult task falls to you, Josie.

My cheeks burned.

"Don't worry, Chief. I'll bring back the god's blessing. Our village will thrive again!"

No one else was allowed beyond this point.

They could only accompany me to the entrance.

I moved quickly, stepping onto the narrow path that led to the cave.

The sweet scent of osmanthus and the warmth of sunlight faded behind me.

They were replaced by the musky, earthy smells of decay and foliage.

My heart raced.

When I finally saw the muscular man at the end of the path, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest.

"Are you the god?"

He remained motionless and stayed silent.

Only when I drew closer did I see him resting on a stone chair.

His chest slightly rose and fell.

I knelt, just as the women had instructed, offering myself in devotion. "I offer myself to you as my gift.

"I am Josie. I'm twenty-eight, and tonight I come before you as your chosen one."

They had told me that the god would not react, and that it was my role to offer myself fully.

Even as a single woman with no real experience, I was familiar with every step of the rite.

With each step I took forward, a layer of my ceremonial robes fell away.

By the time I reached the god, I was left wearing only the simplest undergarments beneath my outer cloak.

The cave was cold, sending shivers down my spine.

The women's voices echoed in my mind. "Though the god does not move, his presence is warm. You must engage fully, or you will not survive the first two days."

I loosened the god's ceremonial robes.

"God…"

I leaned close to his ear. "It feels so warm here. Can you please hug me?

"I didn't expect you to be so impressive. If I had known being chosen as the god's companion would be like this, I wouldn't have let my sister go last year.

"She didn't last even three days. Don't worry. I'll do better. Whatever the god demands, I can endure it."

I noticed that, contrary to what the women had said, the god did not seem stiff at all.

Perhaps it was due to the day's heat?

According to the chief's rules, it was time for me to take the next step.

I removed the god's ceremonial garments without hesitation, letting them fall to the ground.

He was stripped of all unnecessary layers, now bare and unadorned like me.

In the dim light, I could make out the contours of his body, and I instinctively moved closer to him and pressed my face to his abs.

"Have previous brides ever touched here?"

I moved my hands to his lower abdomen.

"How about this part? Did the previous Blossom Brides attempt this step? Did they ever marvel at the god's power?"

I was not sure if it was just my imagination, but it felt as though he was trembling ever so slightly.

However, the women had said the god would not move.

Only our own efforts could complete the ritual and bring the blessing.

I took a deep breath and prepared to continue.

The next moment, the space around me suddenly seemed crowded with unseen observers…