Gwen’s parents were going through a messy divorce. The ‘Three Musketeers’ were now waging wars
against each other like the Three Kingdoms. But it didn’t last for decades, as her mother had had a drug
overdose just a month ago and she was now lying in hospital, with the doctors debating whether she would
awake again. Her father had showered her with pots of money on this camp just to get her out of his sight. Gwen
sniffed angrily, rubbing her hazel eyes, reprimanding herself for succumbing to such thoughts.
Rustle! Rustle! Rustle!
A nearby shoveling of bushes startled Gwen out of her thoughts. Glancing up, she was dumbfounded to
come face to face with a young woman under the wall. Ashen white, with tousled jet black hair, floral skirt in
hand and dangling head beads that tinkled in unison with her moves, the woman looked like she had stepped out
of a historic ink painting. Locking her big, innocent eyes on Gwen, she opened her mouth but clamped it shut
suddenly as if trying to tell her something but decided against it. Those dull eyes radiated an intense feeling of
melancholy that told of a heartbreaking story.
Yet, there was something awfully familiar about her…
‘
Gwen, get a move on, you’re lagging behind.’ She turned in time just to see Jasmine, another girl in her
group approach. ‘What are you looking at?’ ‘Oh nothing.’ To Gwen’s utter surprise, the woman had disappeared
without a trace. ‘Suit yourself.’ Jasmine sauntered off towards the moving pack.
A sudden breeze filled her nostrils with the aroma of daffodils. ‘Please, I mean no harm. I need help.’
Gwen could no longer stand it. Muffling her ears, she ran towards the faraway group for comfort.
Late that night, snuggled up in her sleeping bed, Gwen had trouble falling asleep. The series of events was
just too grueling for a 16-year old to cope with. The old fortune-teller, the miserable woman, the fortune-teller,
the miserable woman…
Finally, after the umpteenth toss and turn amidst the light snores of her friends, she drifted into a deep
sleep.
Yet, the haunted past of the wall refused to leave her alone. A soft pair of lips swept across her forehead. A
soft ray of light caressed her face gently. Gwen blinked dreamingly. Opening her eyes a slit, she nearly jumped
out of her skin as the sight of the miserable woman greeted her drowsiness. ‘Please don’t be afraid. I need your
help, Gwen.’ The woman begged as Gwen sat up. Strange enough, Gwen found herself enveloped in darkness
instead of broad daylight. But where were her friends…..
‘
You have travelled back in time with me to the Qing dynasty. I am the ghost of the infamous Meng
Jiangnu and I desperately need your help. My husband’s soul is trapped in the catacombs of bones and we’ve
been separated for more than 2000 years. I’ve been dying to reunite with him again but my ghostly figure cannot
unlock the catacomb alone. The door of the catacomb could only be unlocked by the soul of a gallant warrior,
one who possesses a strong perseverance so intense that it could defeat the evil spirit that lies beyond. Such
capable candidates have come and gone for the past 2000 years but despite the careful choices of the friendly
old witch who guarded the key, I’ve only successfully scared off dozens of people to the nuthouse. You, my
dear, from the moment that you placed your foot on the Great Wall, you are destined to help me. Never have the
witch and I came across such a mighty fighting spirit! Once you unleash my husband’s soul, our souls could
finally be freed after our tortuous separation. As for you, my dear, the witch would make one of your dreams
come true as a prize.’ Meng exclaimed excitedly.
‘
But how would you know if I have that fighting spirit?’ Gwen asked, puzzled. Whoosh! Suddenly, out of
nowhere, a spark of flame scrapped past the starless sky like a shooting comet. Then, out of nowhere, a series of
arrows licking flames soared past the ominous black night. Without warning, the pitch black night was
illuminated brightly like a firework display. But there was nothing to celebrate.
‘
Xiongnu!’ One by one, the beacons of the watchtowers erupted in angry flames. The fire dragon roared to
life. Arrows and flames were now cascading down on them like sheets of rain.
The sweltering heat and smoldering smoke cleared away Gwen’s doubts of another nightmare. She had to
run for her life. But where?
‘
This way! Over that section of broken bricks!’ Meng was already making a beeline for safety. Reaching
the torn section, she flung herself towards the abyss of the dark night.
Rumble, Rumble, Rumble…
The earth rocked rhythmically against the thundering of invisible hooves. Small processions of soldiers
began running around her frantically, firing in rapid Chinese. Caught in the own war among themselves, fighting
against the urge of running away for dear live.
Gwen must escape before someone noticed her and grew suspicious. Hot on her heels, Gwen reached the
edge of the wall. But every instinct in her held her back from climbing down the wall. She took a step back.
What if she slipped and plunged to her death? What if…
Whoosh! Clang! Gwen screamed. Just moments ago at where she stood, there was now a neat array of