Chi Myst'wing

"Where were you yesterday?" said Vincere as he walked toward Chi, noticing Zhanshi turned to her while having a high protein diet.

"Me and mama were near the seaside."

"Chi, we received news last night," said Vincere. "The fake Vincere had left the alliance throne. The news of Lord Phopo"s defeat had spread so fast. Now everyone"s hunting for him."

Vincere and Chi could only empathise with the fake Vincere that they sighed. They had experienced being fugitives once and could only hope that the fake Vincere is far away from any possible danger.

From where Chi stood, she spotted Emberfist was chatting with his redragons" tribesmen. He seemed alright, like nothing happened yesterday. "Yesterday, he looked quite so sad," said Vincere. "Now, he is alright, unlike yesterday. I"m sure that he finally accepted that the chief had already in peace."

"Me think so," said Chi, nodding to what Vincere had spoken, but in her heart, she knew what really happened last night.

Vincere then walked away to join Zhanshi with his meal.

"Mama, that was Vincere," said Chi to her mama in a low voice. "He"s the real prince of Imperiare. His papa, late Lord Imperiare had been killed by Amo."

"Ziwo Amo?" said Sunu, looking incredulous.

"Mama know Lord Amo?"

"Yes, he"s your papa"s best friend," said Sunu.

"What?" said Chi with a disbelieving face.

"Yes, Brother Jing and Lord Amo were best of friends. Righteous and full of justice." Sunu seemed so proud of her former but death spouse.

"Lord Amo righteous? But he had attacked Imperiare tribe and had killed Vincere"s papa."

"Mama don"t know if this is true. It may be someone spread the false rumour to gain an advantage. Mama had met Lord Amo, and he is righteous."

Now contradictory struck Chi. Which one she should believe? Her mama or her best friend? Was Lord Amo a power-hungry overlord or a righteous lord? She shook her head, trying to forget about it.

Soon, the armies had already packed their items and were about to leave. Emberfist came forward and bid farewell to Lord Benevence, and then to Chi. His eyes were still swollen, but his face was calm.

"Emberfist, have faith," said Chi. "You"ll be a great chief someday."

"Yes, I know. I"m alright now. Thanks to you."

Chi looked at him and was relieved to know that he was really alright.

"Goodbye, Chi," said Emberfist. "And thank you for everything."

"The Universe will always take care of you, Emberfist."

The armies marched to the sh.o.r.e and they descended and landed on the ironclads left from the battle. The ironclads jump-started with shrieks and smoke billowed from the exhaust pipe as the ironclads steered toward Lord Benevence"s camp. Chi stood at the deck with her mama to have one last sight of Igniswing, as the island getting smaller and smaller as they moved further apart. Perhaps Chi and her mama would not return to Igniswing forever. And Chi spotted a redragon at the island"s cliff looking at the direction of the ironclads.

She knew it was Emberfist.

The warriors reached Kinma City with a huge number of citizens welcoming them. The whole city knew about their victory at Igniswing, the defeat of Lord Phopo, the joining of alliance tribes and the death of the redragon"s chief. The roar of excitement boomed around the city as citizens ushered the warriors all along the way to the lord"s mansion. Sunu Myst"wing, which was larger than the parading warriors attracted many attentions, but no one seemed to fear her. They knew the redragons had become their ally and had fought alongside Lord Benevence in Igniswing. Everyone also knew Chi was once a redragon, but no one knows how she transformed into a redragon.

The next morning after that exhausting return, Chi awoke and felt refreshed. No longer felt tired, she yearned for her exercise that she went out to the garden yard. A gentle breeze blew across the gentle south lake, bringing moisture to her face. From far, she saw her mama with Zhanshi and Vincere.

With deep curiosity, she made her way to the group of three, sneaking quietly within trees and bushes to see.

"During your attack," said Sunu, focusing at all-sweating Zhanshi. "You gave all the strength in your blow. You need to reserve some to protect yourself too."

Her mama was sharing her concept of her papa"s dragon conquering skill. "You need to hold some strength when you attack. Otherwise, it"s all brute force. An attack, no matter how strong, there"s an opposite force. That is suppleness," said Sunu as she swirled a punched and hit the air; a wave of strong wind hit the air.

Zhanshi followed how Sunu had done with a new concept in his mind, he forced a punch; and indeed, the wave of wind could be heard hitting the air.

"So, it"s indeed like this," said Zhanshi. "All the time I have been using all my strength. That"s why I can"t exceed beyond the limit. Thank you Mistress Myst"wing."

"Everything should exist in perfect harmony," said Sunu. "Like in balance."

Chi"s mama had been talking like Sister Nuwa. Since her papa had met and learnt from Sister Nuwa, there is a high possibility that her mama had also learnt one or two skills from Sister Nuwa.

"Vindicta, you had learnt a lot from Chi. But you lack practice…" Sunu now speaking to Vincere. He was soaked in his own sweat too.

It was the same advice that Chi would give Vincere, but her mama had spoken it out. That made Chi felt amused that she giggled.

"Chi-dear," said Sunu. "Mama know you have been hiding there for a while…"

"Good morning, mama," said Chi as she went out of the bushes.

"Good morning, Chi-dear."

"h.e.l.lo, Chi-d…" Both Zhanshi and Vincere greeted Chi.

Chi greeted them in return, but she noticed a slight blush in Vincere. Possibly her mama"s words had an impact on him, and her unexpected entrance had made him feel awkward.

"Mama have eaten?" said Chi.

"Yes, my dear."

"Mama, me will be resigning soon. With mama, we can live in Nuwa"s Sanctuary."

"Chi, you"re resigning soon?" Both Zhanshi and Vincere was shocked.

"Yes, it"s what me have always wanted. Now that me have found my mama, it"s time for me to resign."

"Time seems to fly fast, Chi," said Vincere as he sighed along with Zhanshi.

"Fret not both of you," said Chi. "We still can meet up in the future." But her words did little comfort to them.

"Chi-dear," said Sunu. "Have your breakfast. Mama know you haven"t had yours."

"Yes, mama." And Chi turned and walked away. After her breakfast, she had a talk with Lord Benevence at his study room.

"I know you wish to live a carefree life with your mama," said Lord Benevence. "I would like that too if I was you. But Chi, we still have Lord Amo. He"s causing fear to the Cyaians around the Southern Jungle. His followers were still attacking nearby villages. Please help me to defeat Lord Amo first, then you can live with your mama. Please reconsider again for the peace and the sake of the Cyaians."

Chi nodded, but in a slow and hesitated way as her neck was stiff.

"Thank you, Chi. You are a kind-hearted Cyaian."

"Thank you, my lord." With that, Chi left Lord Benevence and returned to the garden yard where her mama was still there practising with Zhanshi and Vincere. Sunu, Zhanshi and Vincere all switched to her, expecting her good news.

"Me have postponed my resignation. Me will help Lord Benevence to defeat Lord Amo. Then only that, me will resign, and we can live freely with Sister Nuwa and mama."

Chi detected a slight change in her mama"s face. Her mama had a bitterly look – it was not due to Chi"s postponed resignation but her a.s.sistant to defeat her papa"s friend. And she could not detect whether Zhanshi and Vincere were happy or disappointed of her postponed resignation.

"Mistress Myst"wing," said Zhanshi. "It"s true what Vindicta had said, Lord Amo did attack villages at the South. He was a righteous leader, but after the death of his wife, which was twenty years ago, he had turned into a very different man."

"Yes," said Sunu. "Twenty years ago, Brother Jing died. That really changes him."

"Mama," said Chi. "…know who killed papa?"

"Mama don"t know," said Sunu. "Though Lord Amo was your papa"s friend, he had attacked many villagers and caused fear in many Cyaians. Very unfortunate that he had changed to the worst. He must be defeated, Chi… for the sake of the Eastern Land."

"Yes, mama," said Chi.

Her mama had known the reason Lord Amo became a despot. And her mama understood that Lord Amo had to be defeated for the peace of Eastern Land. It seemed that she could accept Lord Benevence"s decision to attack Jing-dear"s best friend. And Chi pondered what had changed Lord Amo from better to worst. Something terrible must have happened.

"Chi, have you seen Zhu Ming and Mirai?" said Zhanshi. "They are nowhere to be seen,"

"Feel like something wrong," said Vincere. "They usually never wake up late. Let"s find them."

"We"ll begin with their room," said Chi.

And then, Zhanshi and Vincere went to Ming"s room to see if he was in his room while Sunu and Chi went to check Mirai"s room. Once she confirmed Mirai wasn"t in her room, Chi and her mama went straight to Ming"s room. Zhanshi and Vincere were still in the room, reading a brown piece of paper.

"Zhu Ming and Mirai have left us," said Zhanshi as he jerked the letter toward Chi.

Chi took the letter and set her eyes on it.

Dear Chi, Vincere and Zhanshi,

The moment you read this letter, I"m already far away from you guys. There"s no need to pursue me. I"m sorry that I left suddenly. Because I have an urgent and vital thing to do. I do bring Mirai-dear along with me. I never think of bringing her along with me. When I was about to leave, I b.u.mped with her, and she persisted in following.

I"m sorry to shock you with this news. It"s a pity we can"t fight Lord Amo together. Hope you can crush that monster for me.

Maybe, the affinity will bring us again. Take care, my friends.

Zhu Ming.

"What"s so urgent of his matter that he left so sudden," said Vincere. "Without telling us."

"Zhu Ming never tells us anything," said Chi.

"It"s cool and hard," said Zhanshi as he touched the candle stump on the table. "Looks like they had left quite long."

"Does he ever treat us like a friend?" said Vincere. "He never trusts us."

"Does he inform Lord Benevence about this?" said Zhanshi.

"Me don"t think so," said Chi. "Zhu Ming left in haste."

"Well then," said Zhanshi. "We will have a meeting later. After that, we can inform our lord."

And they made their way to the meeting hall for the meeting. One by one Benevence men appeared; Swiftwind first, then Whitefur and at last Emceepy. When Lord Benevence appeared, he began the meeting straight away.

"The redragons have agreed to abolish their hunting tradition and vow to protect the land around them. This means that Cyaians near the Eastern Sh.o.r.e shall need not fear of their attack anymore. This is one good news for the Eastern Land."

This was what Lord Benevence had said. Deep in her heart, Chi thanked Emberfist. He was true to his words when he promised her that he would be a better redragon and leader.

A soldier entered the room, running all the way along with the long meeting table. His lagged breathing would tell anyone by that he had been running for a long distance. He stopped by Lord Benevence"s side and pa.s.sed a letter to him.

Lord Benevence grimace changed the moment he looked at the letter. What possibly grave news had happened when his warriors were enjoying good news from the redragons tribe. Was it about Zhu Ming? The bad news was about to get revealed when he looked up to his warriors and said, "Lord Vincere of Imperiare had died, killed in a village about two miles from here."

Chi had a grave feeling when she heard Lord Benevence said that the fake Vincere had died. Poor him, whoever he was, died with his real ident.i.ty unknown.

Lord Benevence along with few of his warriors, together with Sunu, Chi, Vincere and Zhanshi went to the village to see the body of the fake Vincere. They rode equines while Chi flew with Sunu. When they reached the village, many Cyaians were gathering around the body. The coroner had inspected the cause of death; he was impaled by a sharp blade. And what provoked curiosity, he was stabbed at the chest, and it was the way how Chief Ti and Lord Phopo had died. It was strange that the killer was at Igniswing during the battle and was in this village. How did the killer know the whereabout of the fake Vincere? Did the killer followed him until this village and kill him?

Chi closed her eyes, muttering some words. The body of the now-dead Alliance leader soon glowed with billions of sparkling ent.i.ties and disintegrated to nothing. Then, she opened her eyes.

"Is he the one who had talked to you three?" Lord Benevence glanced at three of them: Chi, Vincere and Zhanshi.

"Yes, he is." Three of them spoke in unison.

"The reign of Imperiare had ended, without an heir." Lord Benevence sighed. He lowered himself to the body of fake Vincere and examined his body. "There"s no treasure piece with him. I afraid his killer had taken his treasure piece. The one who probably had the treasure piece is no other than Lord Amo."

"Now Lord Amo has two treasure pieces," said Zhanshi.

"Yes, it will be a matter of time before Lord Amo has two legendary weapons and get very powerful," said Lord Benevence.

Sunu and Chi had a look at the real Vincere who stood next to them in silence. Should her tell Lord Benevence the real Vincere is still alive and was standing here with them? It would be dangerous for the real Vincere to declare his true ident.i.ty yet.

"Looks we could no longer avoid the battle with Lord Amo," said Lord Benevence. "We must attack him fast before he has time to retrieve the legendary weapons. We will attack Solluna tomorrow."

The decision caused a great shock to everyone.

"Is it too rash, my lord?" said Vincere.

"My lord, me don"t prefer battle," said Chi. "More lives will be gone. Please treasure life."

"My lord," said Vincere. "I do agree with Chi. The battle will cause sufferings."

"Is there any choice?" said Lord Benevence. "Thousands of lives will suffer when Lord Amo has obtained the legendary weapons." It was not just Lord Benevence looked grave, everyone had signs of impending doom on each face.

"My lord," said Zhanshi. "Surely there is a way we can defeat Lord Amo without involving battles."

"I have thought of that too," said Lord Benevence. "If Lord Amo can be defeated without armies, I would have done so many years ago. It is challenging to fight him alone as he is surrounded by his acolytes."

When those at the village returned to the lord"s mansion, they held another meeting in the hall. The warriors of Benevolent had continued their discussion about the death of Vincere and the possibility of war. The whole Kinma City was shocked and found it hard to believe that Lord Vincere of Imperiare was killed. Sunu and Chi weren"t shocked for they knew Vincere was still alive. And the real Vincere, of course, knew he was still alive. Everyone was restless; there would be a way to prevent it from happening.

"My lord, at first I thought that it was Lord Phopo that had betrayed Imperiare to Lord Amo," said Vincere. "But when Lord Phopo was killed, I began to think that the person behind all this is Lord Amo."

"I agreed on that, Vindicta," said Lord Benevence. "He wouldn"t want Phopo to gain victory over the redragons. Once Phopo had the ignium, he will attack Solluna for sure. And he would want the Alliance to lose so that he can have Vincere, and now he had killed Vincere, he had both the relics. When thinking clearly, it is clear that he has many advantages when killed Phopo, Chief Ti and Vincere."

"My lord," said Vincere. "I don"t believe Lord Amo has two halves of the treasure. He only has one half."

"How can you be so sure?" said Benevence, looking at Vincere with half-curious and half-suspicious look.

"Lord Imperiare could have to hide it somewhere else," said Vincere. "Rather than carrying with him. If I was him, I could do that too."

"But we couldn"t base on this a.s.sumption and think everything"s alright," said Benevence. "I could never risk the lives of many just because of this a.s.sumption. War will still happen. Let"s prepare for it."

Chi felt she shouldn"t expose Vincere"s true ident.i.ty yet. It was still not safe for Vincere. The war really couldn"t be prevented.

The meeting had ended, and Lord Benevence and his warriors had left, yet Chi, Zhanshi and Vincere were still in the meeting hall. Their faces were grave, discussing about the war.

"Is it there no other way to prevent the bloodshed from happening?" said Chi. "The reason our lord announce war with Lord Amo is that Lord Amo has two pieces. But Lord Amo has only one piece."

"I know, Chi," said Vincere. "That was what I told our lord."

"I don"t think Lord Amo is the killer," said Zhanshi. "He"s not the one who kills in this way. And I believe he didn"t kill Vincere."

"He could have changed," said Vincere. "You said that. That was the reason you left Solluna. He probably had turned into a manipulative…"

"Enough," said Zhanshi. "Is there anything we can do to prevent the bloodshed?"

Zhanshi and Vincere turned to Chi where she was looking revelry in her deep thought.

"Yes!" said Chi in a eureklike face. "We need to make sure Amo doesn"t have two pieces. Even if he has only one, we take it." She nodded to Vincere, who replied her with a grin, but then his grimace changed.

"How?" said Vincere. "It"s not easy to enter into Solluna without being noticed, Lord Amo have known Zhanshi already, and maybe me."

Of Vincere"s words, Zhanshi gave Vincere a look, as if wondering how Lord Amo could have known him.

"Me still have two drops of transformation water," said Chi.

"Yes, thanks to Chi," said Vincere, and he turned to Zhanshi. "With the water, we can change our appearances. And we need a plan."

"Violetia," said Zhanshi. "Lord Amo"s daughter. She"s unlike her father, as an opposite side of her father. We can ask her for help. She will be more than willing to help us."

A loud voice came from out of the entrance hall. "An excellent idea!"

Chi, Zhanshi and Vincere were startled and changed their gaze toward the entrance and saw Lord Benevence coming in. He seemed to sense they would continue the discussion.

"Well, I do hate bloodshed too," said Lord Benevence. "But I can"t think of a better way. The plan to steal the pieces with the help of Violetia Amo is a brilliant idea. Maybe we can get some information about the theft too. Let"s go on with the plan, my fellow warriors."

"Thank you, my lord!" said the trio in unison.

"How happy and honoured am I to have you three as my warriors," said Lord Benevence. "You"re truly the blessings to the Eastern Land."

"Don"t mention it, my lord," said Zhanshi as Chi and Vincere nodded in their truest agreement. "We in fact feel honoured to serve under milord and help to bring peace to the Eastern Land."

"My lord," said Chi. "Ming and Mirai have left us."

"I know, Chi," said Lord Benevence. "I saw them. I tried to persuade them from leaving, but they"re very persistent. Zhu Ming never mentioned the reason he left, and Mirai will follow Zhu Ming where ever he goes. Thanks for informing me. My warriors, you three need to be readied for the plan."

"Yes, my lord!" Chi, Vincere and Zhanshi spoke in unison, and then they left. They were so grateful that they could prevent another bloodshed and that they had served under a benevolent lord. They went separate ways to their respective rooms to pack up their belongings.

Chi entered her room and saw her mama was standing at the balcony, enjoying scenery of the bluish lake. Sunu turned away from the lake, looking at Chi with a warm smile spread on her face.

"Chi-dear, you"ve back."

"Yes, mama."

Chi opened the wardrobe and began to take out her clothes.

"Mama, Lord Benevence said Lord Amo had two treasure pieces, but me believe Lord Amo had only one since Vincere is still alive and he still has the one piece. At first, Lord Benevence planned to fight Amo as there is no other choice. After the meeting, Zhanshi, Vincere and me discussed a plan to enter Solluna to make sure Amo has only one piece of a relic. Lord Benevence overheard and agreed with the plan. Now, we will go to Solluna and steal a piece."

"Does Lord Benevence knows about the real Vincere?" said Sunu.

"No mama," said Chi. "Vincere said he doesn"t want anyone to know about it."

"Chi-dear. It"s the right thing to do though it is dangerous. Be careful, Chi-dear. If Lord Amo tries to kill you, just mention the name of your papa, and you"re his daughter. He still remembers the name, since your papa and Lord Amo were like brothers."

"Yes, mama. Papa will always protect me," said Chi as she rolled her clothes into her green baggage. She tied it close and hurled her green luggage on to her shoulder and exited her room. Sunu followed, and they strode together until the mansion"s foyer.

Zhanshi and Vincere were already waiting there. "Mistress Myst"wing," Both of them greeted Sunu together.

"Be careful, Zhanshi and Vin… Vindicta." It seemed Sunu had almost called Vincere his real name, but she had held her tongue in time and said his fake name instead.

"We will, Mistress Myst"wing." Zhanshi and Vincere nodded with thanks.

"You too, Chi-dear."

"Mama, me will be alright. Me can protect myself. No worry, mama."

"Yes, mama know you will be alright," said Sunu, giving Chi a farewell hug. "Papa will protect you always."

Sunu and Chi broke the embrace. Chi leapt onto an equine as Zhanshi and Vincere were already on their equines. The trio bid Sunu farewell as they lashed the reins, giving the signal for the equines to move. As the equine galloped, Chi had one last look of Sunu before she had gone out of sight. This time, Chi and her mama were being separated for the second time. Chi knew her papa would always protect her, and she would reunite with her mama once she returns.