by Mark Swaine
“Uncle, I hope you discover what you are searching for,” says Yang, bowing.
“So do I my dear nephew... so do I. Until my return, be well, and be safe,” says Yu-Huang, bowing.
Atop the Tower of Guang, Yu-Huang walks to the centre and activates a virtual display. Accessing various meters he puts the eggs into an induced state of sleep and activates the Bǎi fū zhǎng (Centurion) Protocol. Yu-Huang stands on the centred and raised silver platform and looks around at each one of the dragon eggs.
“Rest well my children. I will return to you before long,” says Yu-Huang before dematerialising into specks of light.
Yu-Huang materialises at the base of a metallic domed room at the base of the Tower of Guang where Yeman Ren awaits with two backpacks.
“Are you sure about this?” asks Yeman Ren.
“No, but I am glad you are with me,” replies the Emperor looking up at his big friend. “You need not enter the cave with me. I need you only ensure my solitude by sealing the entrance,” he adds.
“Why in darkness? You would draw this dark entity out?” asks Yeman Ren.
'The Black Dragon thinks me stupid: without light, there can be no darkness. This confrontation with the dark deity will strengthen my power for the journey I face,” replies Yu-Huang.
“Is there something special about this cave?” asks Yeman Ren.
“‘Tis where I went as a child when I craved nothing but solitude and quiet, to ponder on my destiny. ‘Tis the place I went to find solace, and ultimately, peace. Why do you think it is I banished you to the caves?” says Yu-Huang.
“‘Twas not solace nor peace I found, but the eye of Diyu,” says Yeman Ren.
“Had I known what lurks in the shadows of the mountain caves I would not have banished you there. I will burn the eyes of Diyu with the purest light in my meditation, and banish its existence from the shadows of the mountain,” swears Yu-Huang. “This deity must not be allowed to trail my voyage. If I cannot kill it, I can at least defeat it, blind it to my task,”
A metal-banded wall slides open and the two men exit the dome and make their way up to the throne room.
In the great hall, the Emperor stares at the Jade throne, uncertain of when he will return to it. The double doors of the hall open and Chika Minami walks in escorted by two Jade soldiers.
“What is she doing here?” asks Yeman Ren strangely.
“I asked her to come. I have unfinished business I must attend to,” says Yu-Huang, raising a Bonsai portal from the ground.
“To retrieve her sister? She is with cub; she cannot fight,” replies Yeman Ren.
“I am more than able, and you cannot stop me,” replies Chika.
“But I can,” replies Yu-Huang.
“What do you speak? I need to fight; I can fight,” stresses Chika.
“From you, I need only the location of your sister upon our arrival. You will guard the Bonsai tree with Yeman Ren, or return to the mountain,” replies Yu-Huang.
“Fine,” replies Chika irately.
Chika realises she owes the Emperor gratitude and respect for entering the unknown terrors that await in the raging lion’s den, and so she corrects herself.
“Emperor Yu-Huang, my gratitude,” says Chika standing beside him.
“Come, let us retrieve your sister,” replies Yu-Huang, battling through his disdain for the pregnant woman.
The group of people walk into the shadow of the Bonsai tree and Chika focuses on the Rairakku Toreiru (Lilac Pass) Pagoda in mainland Okiyama. The branches crack and splinter as it unravels back into the ground, leaving silence in the throne room. Meanwhile, at top of the Tower of Guang, the unborn dragons drift asleep, their readouts deplete one bar at a time as they slip further into a state of deep hibernation. They dream well of their future masters and long to be united with them. The unborn dragons snore, hiss, gurgle and ramble in their own unique dreams, and one of them even whispers its Master's name....
“Winnnnng Shhhhhiiiiiiin,” whispers Yūjin in a deep cooing growling hiss.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Liumang Prison. Two days later.
As the prisoners snore and sleep lifelessly, exhausted from a full days training, Gang lies awake reminiscing about his daughter Xunsu. To maintain his sanity he concentrates on good times past, like the first time he cradled her in his arms on the day she was born. He smiles as he remembers the excited welcome he'd receive after stepping through the door after a hard days labour, and as he recalls her leaping into his arms and throwing her gangly arms around his neck, his smile broadens. He remembers training her in the art of Wushu, and how strong she had grown, both in body, mind and soul. He had trained her to be strong, hopefully under Yu-Huang's protective wing, she will achieve more than he could ever hope for. Gang is encouraged by the prospect of Xunsu's positive future, and as he ponders on the day he can be a part of it once again. An indistinguished grumbling coming from the Black Dragon's chamber disrupts his daydream.
“No, no, how could...how is this possible. They were destined to defend the Trail of Light, not destroy it. The Trail of the Damned, how could they, how could they,” murmurs the Black Dragon, clearly in distress.
The Black Dragon suddenly wakes as a single image frightens him from his dream. He breathes anxiously whilst analysing his premonition, and suddenly his faith in the Supreme Sentinals is uncertain.
“How could they? Snooze, where are you my friend. Appear my friend, I need answers,” pleads the dragon urgently,
“are you well Sensei?” asks Gang Huojin standing by the entrance.
“yes, return to your cell Kuángrén!” snaps the dragon distractedly. “And stop heeding my words during my slumber,”
“stop calling me Kuángrén,” says Gang turning away.
“What?” asks the dragon.
“Stop hailing me as Kuángrén, Sensei. Why did you brand me with such a title?” asks Gang.
“I... I did not, the men hail you as Kuángrén,” says the dragon unsurely.
“Because of you. I am not the title you brand me. I have...had, a family, a daughter, I am a father,” says Gang correcting his master.
“‘Tis your name Gang, your real name, it...it will always be your name,” stutters the Black Dragon in confusion.
“Of what do you speak, are you sure you are well Sensei?” asks Gang concernedly.
“I am well! If I needed a chamber maid I would send for Warden Seto. Now leave me in peace!” shouts the Black Dragon.
“Very well Sensei, forgive my intrusion,” says Gang humbly before returning to his cell.
Once the Black Dragon is alone, he begins picking his recent nightmare apart, and he does so with dread, knowing there is nothing he can do about it. He recalls in tight shakes and hissing breathes the droopy branches of the lifeless looking Bonsai tree. He remembers the armour of the Supreme Sentient standing under it. He recognises the face commanding not only legions of demons erupting from a round geyser of blood reaching for the violet sky, but many brethren Demi-gods also. The demonic faced Samurai Demi-god prepares to end the Universe of Light, and the Black Dragon searches the faces of the other Demi-gods standing at his back. Thankfully he recognises none, not even the criminals under his charge. This latest revelation only reveals how little he truly knows, and he ponders deeply on the uncertain fate of all that is good in the realm.
Atop the vast Kunlun mountain range, a Bonsai tree crumbles up from the rocky ground beside a sheer drop. Yeman Ren and Yu-Huang exit the shadow of the tree and approach an opening in the cliff face. Yu-Huang stares apprehensively into the dark opening of the cave.
“Are you well?” asks Yeman Ren in a friendly manner.
“I am afraid...” replies Yu-Huang ashamedly, “but not that afraid,” he chuckles as he recalls the Black Dragon's flaming open mouth.
“Of all the people in the realm, you need not fear the Darkness,” replies Yeman Ren.
“‘Tis not the Darkness I fear, but failing...” says Yu-Huang
, careful not to reveal too much.
“You will watch over Erlang?” asks Yu-Huang worriedly.
“With my life, you have my word,” replies Yeman Ren.
“Take care of yourself,” says Yu-Huang smiling thankfully at Yeman Ren.
Yu-Huang walks into the jagged cragged black void of the mountain face and bows to the giant troll cracking his knuckles as he approaches the opening.
“I shall see you upon your return my friend,” replies Yeman Ren, bowing humbly.
Yu-Huang smiles as he looks forward to the day, the day his spirit will return to his body to embrace the warmth of his friends. He looks forward to returning to the Huābàn Diào Luò grove and finally meeting in person, the woman of his dreams. But more importantly, he vows to find a way to save the Weaver girl in his dreams, whoever she may be.
“Do it,” says Yu-Huang.
Yeman Ren bangs his fists on the mountain side, hard enough to dislodge a few great boulders from the cliff face and block the cave opening. As dust and tiny rocks drop on top of Yu-Huang, he watches pieces of light disappearing one jagged fragment at a time as the boulders continue to drop, until no light remains. In the pitch black, Yu-Huang removes his cloak and sits cross legged on the damp even stony ground. Knowing he cannot begin his first trial with the Darkness lurking over him, he closes his eyes calmly and places his palms together. A bright ball of light manifests between the palms of his hands and casts a light in the massive cave and an identical shadow appears opposite him. Yu-Huang rests his arms on his knees and the shadow copies, mimicking his every move down to his breathing. Yu-Huang's eyes light up in a bright glow, and the shadow's eyes glow a deep red.
“Prepare to die,” whisper the two beings in unison.
To be continued...
Mark Swaine was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England by Glynis Lawford and Arthur Swaine in 1979. He grew up in Rochdale, Lancashire. At the age of nineteen he moved to the British colony of Gibraltar. He lived in Spain for ten years and has lived in Gibraltar for nine years whilst working as a waiter, barman and construction worker, until finally finding his feet in the fraud department in the online gaming industry. He spent four years as an online gaming entrepreneur. For the past two years he’s been working as a Customer Due Dilligence specialist in the online gaming industry. He has been writing since he was a boy and began writing his Legend of the Red Sun Village saga fifteen years ago. He has published three novels in the saga to date and wrote one screenplay. Mark lives happily with his beautiful hot-blooded local fiancée, two amazing wonderful daughters and a genius, fellow fanboy stepson. He has two incredible sisters and a brother in law and is surrounded by the best people he could call family and friends.
More Legend of the Red Sun Village novels are available at: http://www.legendoftheredsunvillage.com/
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