“
So, Fu-Xin. What can you do?” Ah-Lam asked briskly. Glancing warily around the environment, she
looked as if a large animal would attack at any given moment.
Fu-Xin was afraid of that question. Due to his abnormality, he had not been blessed with the
capabilities to attack.
“
He can fly very well,” his father answered quickly.
Flying wasn’t anything special. All it meant was that he was able to escape prosperously like the
coward he was.
“
Oh?” He-Ping inquired. “Show us. If you would, please.”
“
Of course, Master.” Fu-Xin held his head up for the first time since the two dragons arrived, the urge
to prove his worthy of their presence strong.
The party of four exited the cave and in a whoosh! They flew to the skies, the blues and whites growing
more visible as they surged upwards. Once enough distance was obtained from the ground, they stopped to a
halt near a buoyant grey cloud. And they watched.
At the count of three, Fu-Xin spiralled downwards, and then up again, gliding amongst the only
creatures he dared say he could call his acquaintances: the sparrows. As he ascended repeatedly, he darted a
glance at his spectators. They whispered to each other, their expressions watchful. Despite this, his father was a
blank page: cool and apathetic.
He zigzagged left. He zigzagged right. Soaring as gracefully as he could, he proceeded to plunge
toward the Earth with incredible speed. He didn’t notice how painful the abrupt increase of air resistance was
until his whole form – his mind, body and soul - felt like it was being torn apart.
With a final flourish, Fu-Xin pulled back up.
Fu-Xin took a deep, deep breath. He prepared himself, flicking his stubby green tail behind him, a habit
he tended to do when he was nervous. He called on all his ancestors, praying for them to give him the courage –
the strength – to do this.
Determinedly, he raced towards the two Dragons of the Esteemed Council and his father. You can do
this, he convinced himself.
Bravery churned in his throat. The pit of fear in his stomach disappeared. The determination in his eyes
that had been held back for so long burst to life.
Fire withdrew from his mouth and welcomed itself into the world, forming into a circle. In his mind,
Fu-Xin whooped with joy whilst he swarmed through the ring of his making.
With that, his performance was complete. All that was left was their decision on his future.
“
Father,” he breathed. “How was I?”
Fai stared ahead at Ah-Lam and He-Ping, his countenance vacant.
“
You breathe fire,” Ah-Lam stated.
Though he knew not of why his company was acting so strangely, Fu-Xin answered, “This was the first
time I did it. I never knew.”
“
Lies!” He-Ping cried. “You were planning this all along! To dishonour your father, to dishonour your
family!
“
When the Huns attacked, your father used the Incantation of Reverse Fire in order to defend the whole
of China! You have disrespected and taunted your father with your..” He-Ping struggled with the correct word,
“..
curse!”
When he was young, Fu-Xin was told of his father’s adventures. He never dreamed his father’s
accomplishments would ever be relevant to his.
Ah-Lam turned to him. “After watching you, we have decided that you are physically capable enough
to take on your father. The reason for your birth was so that your father could have an early retirement, a reward
for his proficient expertise in the Ancient Enchantments.
“
However, we have also decided on your punishment. You disgraced your father. This cannot go
neglected.”
Fu-Xin was pasted to the Great Wall like permanent glue, only to be unrestrained when trouble –
rebellions, fires, attacks, mayhem – brew. He was confined to the Great Wall, like a prisoner in a jail cell.
And all this, Fu-Xin thought, was just so Fai could relax for the rest of his life.
Perhaps he deserved it. Still, he would never forget the look in his father’s eyes before Ah-Lam and
He-Ping arrived. At first Fu-Xin thought it was excitement. But only now he realized how manipulative Fai
really was.
“
Fire,” his father had told him while they watched the sunrise together, “is the most powerful magic of
all.”
* * *