She woke up being really cold and shivering. She kicked off the blanket
at night, though the disciple's old dress wasn't too thick. It was very bright
in the room, so she thought the morning was clear, the sunshine bright, and she
suddenly felt a strong desire to run to the Stargazer and do her usual morning
exercise. Although she still wondered about herself, hurriedly put her clothes on,
not paying much attention to her attire because she decided that when she returned,
she would get herself together comfortably. She didn’t meet a a soul among the
building, that looked strange, but she didn't care about it because nature was much
more lively. The surrounding forests sounded with loud birdsong, hawks pulled through
over her head in a row, one after the other, and she heard the roar of the fountain
already from afar, as she jogged along the path.
The sword led almost itself as Xiao Man went through the compulsory
exercise demanded by her grandfather, and the soft blades of grass, from which
the sun already dried up the dew, cheerfully tickled her soles. When she
finished and put the sword next to the fountain, she was filled with some
satisfaction, because the practice was a little better than usual. However, as she
walked to the Stargazer to climb on for a short rest, she saw some freshly
green sage leaves. She paused, because some inexplicable, strange and
uncomfortable feeling started to burn inside her right away. She changed her
mind, and immediately run back, only stopping in her room.
She changed with great care. She adjusted every piece of clothing twice
and stroked each piece of her hairlocks to check it was fine. She even tied up
the practicing sword, though it never was her habit, but she thought she would
look more serious before her Master. She even made herself to pick up the
colorful vest decorated with embroidered flowers, that Hai Tang had given her
years ago, but she had never been wearing lately. And she didn't forget to
place the tiny metal buckles in her hair. Her stomach alerted her mayn times, so
when she was done, she hurried straight into the kitchen. But again, she got only
some baos and apples, she found nothing else, and for some reason even the
fires did not burn.
She took a bite from the apple thoughtfully. Silence is too deep. Something
happened? Maybe the Masters gathered all the members of the Sect again to the
Great Hall, only forgetting to mention this to her? Just as she lifted the
apple back to her mouth, a disciple burst into the kitchen.
- You are here then? Come quickly, everyone is waiting for you...
Xiao Man threw the half-eaten apple on a nearby table. She ran easily
ahead of the disciple, who stumbled behind her in his long dress, but she had
no intention of waiting for him. As she crossed the square and glanced sideways,
she saw sword-armed disciples in white around the pagodas. She frowned and ran
even faster. She ran all the way down the stairs leading to the entrance of the
Heavenly Mountain Pagoda, glaring at the six disciples who stood guard and she did
not stop when she reached the Great Hall. She only slowed down on the stairs
leading to the Sect Chief, and only started walking on the last few steps. She
lowered her head as she stepped up, hoping she could get away without being
scolded because of her disrespectful behavior. When she reached the top, she
stopped, lowered herself onto her knee sighing, then looked up.
Tai Wu Sect Chief, the Masters, Lady Hai Tang and her grandfather, Yi
Pin have been widely talking among each other. They were apparently arguing
about something, otherwise they would have been sitting comfortably in their
chairs. Xiao Man hoped in vain that she might remain unnoticed, as they stopped
immediately when the she arrived. She glanced pale at them and groaned when she
noticed that Long You was standing beside them.
- I am dreaming... I am still dreaming... - she muttered and stood up
without caring about anything. She rubbed her forehead with her palm, then her
eyes too, but when she looked up again, the party was still standing in front
of her. She glanced behind her back and only noticed that she saw no disciples
inside.
- Xiao Man! What took you so long, girl? - Hai Tang jumped on her
loudly, but she didn't wait for an answer, turned back to the others and
continued the sentence she hadn’t finished before. - Masters, we are arguing in
vain, I see no other solution than to get into the dream as quickly as
possible. As Master Yu Shu said, in the Library there is no trace of this Flame
Flower, that was mentioned by the demon boy. We do not know if it’s a demon or a
spirit, if it’s alive or dead. The others didn't mention it at all. It is
invisible to us. It's simply incomprehensible. We are literally stumbling in
the dark.
Xiao Man stared at the others with wide eyes. The Masters returned her
look just as puzzled as she felt now. It was only Long You who smiled, but as the
girl didn't react as he wanted, he narrowed his gaze in confusion.
- The sick children... - Xiao Man finally spit out, and Hai Tang
stepped to her.
- We have run out of time. All the children who spent the night here on
the Mountain fell into a coma. Tomorrow is the full moon. We can't wait until
then. I'm afraid we'll lose them by then.
Xiao Man shook her head and walked away. She didn't understand anything.
She closed her eyes with the certainty last night, that everything was just a
dream. She raised her hand and stared at her fingers. The sick children, the
breakthrough of the magic border between the people’s realm and Netherworld, and
of course Long You…
Her peace of mind returned to this morning just because she believed with
certainty, that everything that seemed to have happened the previous day was
not real. And yet it looked like she was still dreaming… Maybe she was only
attacked by some evil spirit? Is she the only one being sick? And now she has
become a prisoner of a dream without escape?
- Xiao Man… Heir of Nüwa… - she barely heard the Sect Chief calling to
her. She turned around uncomfortably.
- Yes, Master?
- Now that you are here again, we need to continue the discussion and
decide what to do next. We have listened to everyone and agreed with the joint
proposal of Lady Hai Tang and His Majesty. The task is for you to enter the
dream with the help of Goddess Nüwa, find and defeat the attacker and save the
children. We can take care of you here while you are in the dream.
Xiao Man laughed.
- No. - she said with a noble simplicity, and with her arms folded, she
stared back at the dumbfounded Sect Chief.
- You're crazy, girl? - his grandfather grabbed her arm and shook her
well, but she didn't care.
- I'm surely not. - she smiled and didn't care about the consequences of
her words. - I'm just dreaming now. Nothing is real here. Why being nervous?
I'll wake up soon and finally I can have breakfast in peace.
Hai Tang glanced desperately at the Masters.
- Could she be sick?
- I do not think so. - Yi Pin remarked, walking around the girl, who
followed him with her gaze, and continued standing there composedly. - It seems
to me that she is awake.
- She's awake. - Long You added stepping closer, with blue lightnings dancing
on his fingers. - I feel her consciousness fully alert.
Xiao Man stopped turn around after his grandfather, when the man stood
in front of her. She raised her head and looked into his eyes. Then she sighed.
- What a pity... What a pity that now you are not here either.
Long You swallowed and looked at the Masters from the corner of his
eyes. Of course they were all staring at him. He pulled himself out and tried
not to care about them:
- Xiao Man… But what makes you think you are dreaming?
The girl didn't answer, just turned her head.
- Goddess Nüwa forgive me, but you will be beaten up if you don’t get
yourself together, girl! - Hai Tang threatened her. - We are in serious
trouble, and you must fulfil your duty. Don't waste our time with such
nonsense. And don't be impolite!
- Master, but here he is... - Xiao Man remarked, as if the king's mere
presence was enough proof that she was dreaming. But her grandfather cut her
word.
- Only because His Majesty is here with us, it doesn’t mean you're not
dreaming. You really cannot be serious.
- We can certainly convince you, Xiao Man. - Yu Shu joined them, whose calm
and quiet words silenced everybody and made them move aside. - We just have to
find something, that you know exactly you can't do in your dreams.
- I don't question your wisdom, Master Yu Shu, but anything can happen
in my dreams. - The girl nodded politely and smiled at the corner of her mouth.
- Are you sure? - Long You asked, and stepped closer, making Xiao Man
embarrassed, though she resisted the urge to move a few steps back. The man
whispered, though the others heard it, the girl was sure. – So, you have dreamed
of me?
- Stinky Long You, you're conceited, you know?
- You say you're dreaming. So, then you're still dreaming of me.
Xiao Man felt that she had been cornered. It's just a dream, she kept
telling herself, no need to be embarrassed, it istn’t even happening…
- So? What's the next excuse? Find something else because we don't
accept this.
- The border... - she continued. - The border cannot be broken. You said
it yourself. How could you be here?
- Your grandfather poked into the spell if you still remember... And you
called me…
- It was just a dream too. - she argued further. - The spell is firm,
grandfather has not broken the rule of the Sect, and did not let you through...
- Don't try to find an explanation to your ridiculous statement referring
to my presence. You can't just prove yourself like this. Look for a better proof.
Suddenly she felt very hot. She was trying to deny the truth so
stubbornly only for the sake of her own peace of mind, but she couldn't go into
a debate about what Long You could do or not do in her own dreams. She fell
into her own trap, she cannot prove anything this way, she'd be even more
embarrassed in front of the others. And if she is wrong, if all this is real,
then Long You…
- You can't be real... - she finally moaned desperately, avoiding the
man's gaze.
- If His Majesty is not real and we are not real, then maybe there is
something that only the real Long You can know, right? – said the wise Yu Shu.
- Come on, granddaughter, think. Ask him. - her grandfather urged her
as well.
Long You didn't bother, took her chin and raised her head. He was not
afraid that the Masters would think ill. They were all eyewitnesses, when they two
said goodbye in tears. And what’s more, he doesn’t own them any explanation.
The girl’s thoughts fluttered in her head. She should prove the
impossible, while Long You's fingers are holding her, her face is hot of the
man's smile, and she should search her memories for some handy ideas to save
her. Long You said softly:
- Do you remember when you flew to Netherworld to try to open the Holy Fountain
alone? You went after your own head, not worrying about risking your own life
to save a nation that is not your own. You've almost been successful when
Kumu's shadows attacked. There were only two of us there, you and me, no one
else can know about it. – He leaned closer to her and now he whispered. - You
scared me. I shouted at you to warn you. I shouted...
Xiao Man shook her head. I don't believe he really wants to say that out
loud, she thought desperately. But Long You did not retreat, touching her face
with another hand.
-Little heart... - he whispered.
- I was scared to death that you get hurt.
- No… - she shook her head, but the memory broke in so strongly that her
throat locked. Then, at the Fountain, she thought she'd heard wrong, that Long
You surely cried something else, but she didn't understand. But now… she was
more and more uncertain, so she shook off his hands and started shouting. - My
mind is making a fool of me. This dream is just playing with me! I was there
too, I remember, it’s here in my mind! Why wouldn’t you know this, Long You,
even if you're not real?
- This cannot be true. - Yi Pin grumbled. - How can we convince this
silly child to come to herself?
- Let the Goddess-Mother convince her. - Lady Hai Tang decided. - And I
hope she's sold her well because of her impossible behavior. Come on, old man,
let's take her from two sides to stop her running away again.
She gestured to Yi Pin, but Long You shook his head.
- No need for this. - he lifted his hand and pulled out his sword. - You
see, heir of Nüwa? You see the light shining on the blade?
He lifted the sword to his own neck and watched her eyes widen the
horror.
- You have to wake up, Xiao Man. - he whispered so softly that only she could
hear. - We need you. I've run out of ideas. Though your mind tells you that you
are dreaming, you should feel in your heart that you are awake. Trust me
please. Why don't you believe that I'm really here?
Xiao Man started to tremble.
- Put down the sword, Long You.
- No. Not until you believe me.
- You can't be here. - she whispered and tears fled into her eyes. - Do
not torture me. I couldn't stand it if I woke up without you again.
- Have you ever noticed that you cannot do magic in your dreams, Little
Mistress? - Long You smiled, then pushed
the sword to his own neck, and the weapon left a dark blue stripe on his skin.
Xiao Man screamed, but it was too late.
Long You descended to his knees and laid the bloody sword next to him.
Then he looked up at her.
- Just heal me and finish this unnecessary conversation.
Hai Tang and Yi Pin looked at each other.
- Youngster… - the Lady mumbled and rolled her eyes. The Masters
reluctantly turned their back on the scene and started talking again, as Xiao
Man knelt on the floor with a tearful face. He was really there in front of her,
and in a stupid way he was able to wound himself just to get the girl back to herself.
She lifted er hand slowly and covered the wound with it. Long You sighed
enormously and closed his eyes with a smile.
- I told you we would meet again. Did you forget it? I never imagined
you didn’t trust me at all.
- Shut up, Stinky Long Long. I need to do magic. - she spit back in a choked voice.
With the fingers of her free hand, she drew complex light circles into
the air, then led the collected energies into her other hand. The man felt the
healing magic coming in and closing the tiny wound. He placed his palm on the
girl’s hand and looked at her.
- Let's start again, okay? And if you don't want me to take your sword
again, accept that I will never let you go again.
Xiao Man blinked slowly, Long You stood up and pulled her up beside him.
Then he turned to the Masters.
- So, where were we?
After the interlude the Masters soon made a decision. Xiao Man and Long
You should look for a suitable spell to enter the dream. If they need to, they
can rummage Yu Shu Master’s Library for it. Or they can get into one of the children's
dream. They should find that Flame Flower and, if necessary, destroy it forever
and save the children.
The girl tried to argue with the Masters a bit more, that she, as the heir
of Nüwa, would be able to do the task alone. Long You stated of course with a
straight back, with a raised head, and the usual careless expression on his
face, that he would go too, and that’s the end. Then he took the girl by the hand
and carried her to the Library without contradiction.
Yu Shu and Long You dropped themselves into the sea of book shelves. They turned the pages
in silence, or talking to each other, then threw away the useless bamboo reels,
giving Xiao Man a hard time to put everything back in place. When they got
hungry, they paused only then. The three of them sat down in of the nearby
small pavilions, they had fried meat and fruit, but they still didn't get along,
and only the long-dead ideas were flying to and fro among them.
- That demon boy may have not called that spirit Flame Flower
accidentally… - Yu Shu thought aloud. - You said there was such a flower in Netherworld,
is that so?
- That's right. - Long You nodded. - But to be precise this flower only blossoms
in Netherworld, and nowhere else. It can
be found where the living fire flows through the black rocks. It needs warmth. It
would froze anywhere else.
- Then it's no wonder that I've never heard of it. - Xiao Man said.
- Don't forget that we're talking about the flower now. Bai Ju said…
- Bai Ju? - Yu Shu glanced at the king, puzzled.
- The little demon boy... So, Bai Ju said it wasn't the spirit that told
him to call her that way. He himself gave the name to the spirit. Because she
wore a dress in his dream like the petals of that flower.
- Then it may be of no importance. - she murmured. - We may be totally
wrong.
- What did the Goddess tell you?
- That dreams are important.
- Then that is important. Don't draw any conclusions. - Long You nodded towards
her and lifted his cup. The girl poured tea for him without any request.
- Let us stick to the magic. - the Master took over the word. - The
problem is not to get into the dream, but what the magic will allow you if you
are already there. It is absolutely unnecessary to waste energy on a spell, if
you cannot influence the events, but you can only watch.
- If we can't use spells, how can we defend ourselves? How do we
overcome that spirit? - Xiao Man worried over her tea.
- I don't think these two have any connections. - Yu Shu thought. - The
dream is just another reality. The laws of our world may not apply there. The
fact, that things may not help there, that make us strong out here does not
mean that there are no other possibilities.
- Master Yi Pin said we only carry what is in our hearts. – the king
noted.
- Nobody said it would be easy, Long You. – Yu Shu continued. - And
that's why I think the spell you mentioned is inappropriate. We need to find a
way to bring certain objects with you from our reality.
- What kind of objects? - Xiao Man inquired. - Wasn't it so, that we can
take what is in our hearts?
- Let's put it this way, take anything that the spell lets you. - A focus,
a compass, a guide… At least one thing that will always remind you, that you
are not in reality, but in another realm. I could also say something that helps
to distinguish reality from falsity.
- That only could be something very powerful, isn't it, Master? - Xiao Man asked.
- Of course not. - Yu Shu shook his head and looked at Long You
significantly. – It’s not the object itself, that should be so strong to
withstand the dream or the threats coming from it. What is more important is
the relationship you have with that object. Your feelings towards it can help
you use its power to keep your sanity.
Xiao Man placed an elbow on the table and held her head.
- Is something wrong? - the Master asked her. – Have you changed your
mind?
- No! - she snapped faster than she needed. – I am the heir of Nüwa…
- We know… - Long You smiled. - We know that you are the heir of Nüwa,
and you are not afraid of anything, because the Goddess is with you, and you
always overcome all evil with her.
The girl turned away insulted.
- Just mock yourself... - she whispered.
Long You glanced at the sky, then touched her shoulder.
- Xiao Man… Don't get me wrong. We know what you are capable of. But it
would be better if you finally admit yourself if you are afraid of something.
It is not a shame, it only means, that you are not thoughtless, and you care
about others.
Master Yu Shu stood up.
- I'm going back to the Library now. If you have chosen the items, bring them
to me. Then we'll see what to do next. But don't stay long.
Xiao Man couldn't stand for long the dense silence between them. She was
still sitting back to the other, who let go of her shoulder, so she had no idea
what he was doing. When he finally spoke softly, this touched her so
unexpectedly that she winced. She turned slowly.
Long You stretched his hand toward her. In his palm a pair of small
earrings rested, with two brightly polished white pearls tied to the moon
silver staples.
- They’re yours.
They looked into each other's eyes.
- How long have you had these with you? - she finally asked.
- I brought this to you. - Long You replied, not bothering that eventually
he did not answer the question.
Xiao Man swallowed.
- Thank you. - she said finally and reached for the jewellery, but Long You
pulled his hand away.
- Don't take it now. Let's give them to Master Yu Shu first, if he has
any good idea.
She nodded disappointedly.
- I take this as your liking my gift. - he smiled as he saw her
expression. - Now it's your turn. Find me a trinket. See you in the Library.
He stood up and walked away.
Xiao Man was left alone for the first time in the long morning, and no
one bothered her to flush red to her ears.
Long You hurried his steps only until he turned around the corner of the
Library. Then he slowed down as if all his strength had been gone from his
legs. He leaned against the wall. He raised his hand and opened his fingers.
The dragon beads flashed in the sunlight, and he already felt the warmth coming
from them. They had to wait for years before they could leave the dark hiding
place where he hid them. He wasn't sure he'd ever take them out. He was almost
surprised by the fact that he hid them in his clothes in the last minute he
left the royal town.
Who could have said that he would be welcome on Shu Mountain even after this
long time? He had to warn himself to concentrate on what he had promised. That he
would help. That he would find out what threatens people and demons.
He sighed. When he first visited the world of people, during their
adventures he only had to worry about his friends. But he had to admit to himself
that now, at the verge of another adventure, which hadn't started actually yet,
what he felt was more than simple worries. He was especially afraid that Xiao
Man would distract him too much.
Not that it was against his will. It might be a bit too much what he did
in the Great Hall, but the result made his heart beat faster. Even a simple
thought made him smile.
- What are you doing here?
He shook, then quickly hid the jewel behind his back. Then he bowed.
- Master Yi Pin …
- Where's my granddaughter? - the old man asked.
- We just finished lunch. We were going to meet at Master Yu Shu. I
think she is till in her room.
Yi Pin looked at the young man with a narrowed eye. However, Long You put
the most innocent expression of his face and returned the scanning gaze without
shaking. The old man finally grunted, then reached for his bottle.
- I keep my eyes on you. Shu Mountain has its rules.
- Yes, Master.
Yi Pin released him with a wave. Long You left with relief.
The girl was sitting on the stairs at the entrance of the Library. She just
sat and stared at the mountains. She didn't even look up when he stepped to her
and sat down on the stone staircase. She just crouched, held her knees with her
arms and looked at something beyond the disciplines practicing on their flying
swords, beyond the hawks wandering around the peak and the clouds stroking the
branches of the tallest pines. Long You tried to help her, but whatever she was
looking for up there, she probably couldn't find it, because she took a breath,
stood up and went inside the Library without a word. Long You swallowed, but he
considered better not to yell after her, and followed her silently.
Master Yu Shu was sitting by the table in the working room near the
entrance, with a bamboo roll in front of him, waiting with eyes closed. When
they entered, he opened his eyes and smiled. But he waited in vain for any of
them to speak. Silence began to become uncomfortable, but of course not for the
Master, who had already spent enough time meditating, so the deafening silence did
not disturb him. He was willing to spare them only after minutes, because he
waited until then guessing if the king or the girl would give up earlier.
- I found the right spell. Thus, you can start soon.
- Thank you, Master. - Xiao Man and Long You replied almost simultaneously.
The Master looked from one to the other. In vain, obviously.
The silence re-thickened like rice porridge left on the fireplace. Yu Shu
finally shook his head, and instead of any further explanation he said:
- I think we should find Lady Hai Tang now.
The Librarian welcomed Lady Hai Tang's attention with great relief. She
spent the day visiting the patients. She found everyone in the same state. They
all lay unconsciously, not responding to the outside world, nor to healing
spells. As the living dead, motionless the young boys lay in their beds with the
calm expression of the dreamer, people and demons alike. Hai Tang had no idea
if she should calm down or be even more frightened.
- I've tried everything. I know no better, but to pray to the
Goddess-Mother.
- I found the right spell, Lady. - Yu Shu tried to reassure her.
- How long does it take to prepare? - Hai Tang immediately hurried to
grasp the more practical end.
- One hour. - the Master smiled. - It was a mistake to look for a
complicated solution. The Dream Seeker is one of the easiest spells I know.
- How could I not think of it! - the woman slapped her own forehead. - What's
more important, it's safer, isn't it?"
- Indeed. It allows movements without limit, observation, but does not
allow any physical contact.
- Practically you will be invulnerable. - Hai Tang turned to the others
and only then she realized that those two had never spoken since they had put
their feet at the Lady’s. At her questioning gaze, Long You only shrugged. Xiao
Man avoided her look as she had did something wrong.
- Did I miss something? - she looked at the Master, but Yu Shu
regrettably spread his hand.
- Maybe we'll find out later.
- Well then. - the Lady nodded and didn't worry further. She would ask
her disciple when they return, whether she wants it or not. - Now the task is
the most important. When you're ready, Master Yu Shu will execute the spell.
And you should find out everything you can. The smallest thing can be
important.
Yu Shu stepped in front of them and raised his arms upward with an open
palm.
- Give them to me.
Long You immediately laid the earrings on the Master's palm, but Xiao
Man hesitated a little. The blue and black braid bracelet was simple, almost
casual, but the color that she had chosen was not missed the attention of the
others. Blue as the blood of demon kings…
Yu Shu's eyes widened with astonishment at the moment the objects were rested
on his palm. He had already opened his mouth, but the king shook his head in
strict respect, and it cut off his words. The girl returned the Master's gaze,
but didn't speak either. Yu Shu respected their unspoken requests. He didn’t
give away by thoughtless words the fact that he has not encountered such strong
objects for many years.
- All right. – That was all he said and gave the jewellery back to them.
Xiao Man didn't understand anything. The Master said earlier that he
would examine the objects they had chosen to make them even stronger. Did he
just return them now?
- Do you know already, whose dream do you want to enter? - Hai Tang asked
unexpectedly, and Xiao Man winced.
- Bai Ju… - Long You replied, as if he had decided this much earlier. -
He's the only demon among them. Maybe it's just a coincidence, maybe it's an
important little thing. I choose him.
- Are you sure? – the Lady looked at him, but he only nodded. - Then
come on. Don't waste time.
Long You looked at the girl. Xiao Man nodded with determination,
clenching her mouth more than usual. This showed she was not completely calm.
He would have hugged her shoulders or at least squeezed her hand, but with the Lady
in front of them, the Master behind them he somehow lost the urge for such
intimate movements.
When they reached the boy's room, Yu Shu pointed to the ground.
- Sit down. Face to face.
They obeyed. Xiao Man looked pale in the light of the candles. Long You
leaned closer, worried.
- You have to calm down.
- I'm calm. - Xiao Man swallowed. - The Goddess will be with me all
along. Her strength protects and helps us.
- You should put these on. - Long You smiled and gave the earrings to
her. The next moment, Xiao Man's slender fingers tied the bracelet on his
wrist. He felt the tiny lightnings crawl along his skin, starting from the
bracelet’s braids, and they didn't stop until they'd run through every part of
his body. Even his breath stuck for a moment. What did Xiao Man hide in the
bracelet?
He took a deep breath, then leaned closer to her.
- I’ll do it, okay? – and he gently placed the jewellery into her ear.
Xiao Man was silently returning his gaze, while Long You's fingers
closed the clips behind her ears with delicate movements. She didn't seem to be
touched by anything. Long You did not expect this, of course, because his gift
could not be easily felt. Actually, he was pleased that his secret was still a
secret for the girl.
They looked at Master Yu Shu, whose hands had already begun to gather
sparks of energy for magic. Hai Tang pulled beside the bed and watched the sleeping
boy. The room became brighter, and then the golden sphere jumped out of the
Master’s hand to the ground and surrounded the king and the heir of Nüwa
Goddess sitting next to each other. When they were completely covered, Yu Shu got
ready to finish the spell.
- I don't remember telling you that you should give each other your things.
Xiao Man and Long You immediately jerked up their heads, but the last
thing they saw was Yu Shu's face smiling wide. Then everything became dark
around them.
