Shortlisted
One Last Wish
Natalie L
t was all because of a calling a few days ago. Today, standing on the familiar grounds of the Great Wall of
China, he waited for the summoning to come again. With a camera hung around his neck, sunglasses
resting on his sweaty forehead, and brochures stuffed in his back pocket, the man was dressed head to toe
as a tourist – perfect disguise for blending into the crowd.
“
I kn
ai Ka Wang, Group 2: Fiction, Diocesan Girls' Junior School
ow you’re here,” a deep roar startled him. He glanced around, it seemed like nobody heard the voice
apart from him, just as it should be. He immediately rushed to the nearest gateway 15 metres away. After
checking the symbols on the stones, he was sure this was the meeting place his ancestors had been telling him
about all along. He looked around; this had to be the quietest spot in the Great Wall. This had to be the right
place.
I
“
Lee, do you remember the story they used to tell you? “ He heard the familiar voice ask. It seemed to have
come from the lower part of the gateway. He crouched.
“
Yes, indeed, Emperor Qin.” He began to speak, just loud enough for the two of them to hear.
“
My ancestor, sorcerer Lee, put a spell on your spirit to be forever embedded in the Great Wall, and this
legend has been passed on from one generation to the next, and my whole family are extremely proud of it.”
“
Well, Lee, you must never forget the very reason the spell was cast. For years the kingdoms have been at
war and all I wanted was the power to see people in peace, united in one country. Not only did I want political
power, but I also yearned for eternal life.” The voice paused, as if waiting for the man to continue the story.
“
Of course, that is why eventually you appointed my ancestor to transfer your spirit to this very place, the
monumental symbol of your rule. Emperor, I believe the reason you summoned me here was not to recite the
story we both know back to front, right?”
“
My son, I no longer want to be in the Wall anymore. After centuries and centuries of seeing the world
change around me, around the Wall, I realised that I had been wrong all along.”
“
I’m afraid I don’t follow. What do you mean exactly?”
“
Yes I wanted eternal life, but it was for all the wrong reasons. I wanted to feel as if I were still in power
even after my death, which was why I ordered the Terracotta army to be made as well. For years I have lied to
myself, thinking that China was still under my rule. However, time has taught me to face the truth about my fate,
and the life I thought I was living is long gone. Seeing everything change around me makes me wonder why I
am still stubbornly, willingly trapped in an ancient fortress. I want to be freed.” The voice gave out a short sigh.
It took the man a while to take it all in. After all, he had never imagined that one day he would be using the
mirror spell on the once majestic Emperor Qin. As excited as he was, he was quickly reminded of the fact that
he had never casted a spell in his life and that he was the only person alive who could fulfil Emperor Qin’s wish.
His palms began to sweat, as he began to feel the weight of the responsibility he was given.
“
My highness, are you sure about it? If I release your spirit from the Wall, you can never return, nor can you
communicate with anybody again,” the man asked anxiously, his heart beating faster by the second.
“
I have been thinking about this for the past decade. I have no regrets after seeing the great changes that
have taken place over time, there is nothing left I could do anyway. My only wish now is to be free and let my
spirit rejoin my body so I can forever rest in peace.” The man knew his time had come, that he could make
history and prove himself worthy to his line of ancestors. He recalled the spell and practiced a few times in his
head.
“
Yes my Highness, I am ready when you are ready,” he lied; his trembling voice gave him away.
Desperately rubbing his sweaty hands on his pants to calm his nerves, he looked around to make sure nobody
was around. He then stood up, took a few steps back, and stared at the sky. As if the spirits in the sky knew what
would happen next, a thick fog rolled in and a beam of light shone through the clouds onto the very spot the man
was standing at. His eyes rolled back and his back straightened, he could feel the magic all around him. This
was it.
He began to cast the mirror spell. As the words rolled out of his mouth, a blue mist began to form before
him, slowly taking shape of the face of Emperor Qin. His voice grew louder and stronger as he reached the last
two lines of the spell, and the whirlpool of clouds began to spin as if ready to welcome this long-awaited spirit.
The blue mist ceased to move and for a split second, he could have sworn the ancient King looked right into his
eyes, full of gratitude. Then it vanished. The spell was cast and all was done.