"
How will you achieve the dreams?"
"
I will, and nobody can stop me.”
The muffled voices disappeared, replaced by a zephyr whistling in Fang's ear. Jolting up awake, she
blinked her eyes as she realized that she was no longer in home territory. This was the border of the province,
and it happened to be the northeastern one.
The quest!
Fang pushed herself up, feeling something heavy in her pocket. The heavily-enchanted necklace!
Perhaps the locket teleported Fang there? She decided not to dwell on the thought as she remembered her
mother's warning about her death. The temperature instantly dropped a few degrees.
What now? There was nobody there.
It was as if her thoughts had been broadcasted aloud, since two figures appeared. One was a man
wearing a royal cloak who bore striking resemblance to somebody that Fang had seen before. The ‘thing’ next to
him was none other than Xing Tian. Fang's mother had told her stories about how the giant challenged the ruler
but lost. He was decapitated, with his head being buried in a mountain far away from here. Yet the body,
seeking revenge and stubbornly not giving up, continued to feud with the emperor but had never succeeded.
“
Ah, there's my sacrifice,” an ancient voice echoed in her head.
“
What do you want?” Fang attempted to sound brave yet it didn't come out as strong as she had
expected.
Ignoring her completely, Xing Tian turned to the man. "Kill her, and her blood shall awaken my
long-lost head!"
“
You will not kill me!”
“
Your child is brave and courageous, Mr. Zhang. What a shame that she has to die now; she
could’ve been my warrior,” the creature laughed.
Fang momentarily froze, mouth hanging open like a distorted ‘O’.
“
F…Father?” she stuttered, brain gears turning as she registered that the man standing in front of her
looked almost the same as the man in the locket.
Mr. Zhang did not reply, instead he drew his sword, averting the questioning gaze from Fang.
“
Yes, Zhang Fang. He is your father,” Xing Tian snickered. Yet his voice sounded feminine…like
her mother.
“
You lured me here using my mom’s voice,” Fang declared grimly. “How could you?”
“
See, my child. Some people are devoted to their goals and will do anything to achieve them. I just
happen to possess this determination.”
“
That’s not determination! That’s greed and selfishness!” protested Fang in rage. “You’re telling my
father to kill me for… for what?”
“
Immortality, my child. Bonus package added: fame.”
Fang stared at her father with distaste as if he had suddenly turned into another Xing Tian.
“
Now now, my child. Will you give yourself to us willingly and minimize the pain of your death? Or
would you struggle and be tortured then killed?” the creature asked snidely.
“
I am not going to die!” she yowled again. The necklace in her pocket seemed to be radiating heat as
her emotions flared. Without noticing it, her palms caught fire. Yet no pain reached her. All she could feel was
the fury and frustration.
“
No! Stop it!” Xing Tian squealed like a piglet. “I command you to stop burning!”
Mr. Zhang stood on the side, eyes bulging out as his daughter caught fire.
“
Zhang Fang! If you don’t stop—”
“
You wretched creatures; your hearts and souls have been contaminated by only greed and
selfishness. Your actions have resulted in an innocent girl’s death. She shall rise to Heaven with me, and you
shall descend to the deepest pits of Hell.”
A brilliant golden flash blinded the two for a while, and a dragon-like shadow ascended to the clouds.
“
What…What was that?” Mr. Zhang stammered, rubbing his eyes, dazed.
“
Your daughter just burned herself. She would rather die on her own than become my sacrifice. Now
we have to find another victim for my rise,” grumbled Xing Tian, glaring at Mr. Zhang as if it was his fault.
“
You have not learnt from your mistakes, Xing Tian,” the voice that spoke earlier returned. “I, the
Yellow Dragon, declare that you shall perish and disappear forever. Forever!”
Lightning illuminated the skies and Mr. Zhang heroically shut his eyes. When he opened them, there
was nothing but a pile of ashes.