The Dragon Prince's Warrior

Desperate move

Siu had done everything she could to break free from that tormenting dream. She knew perfectly well that something was amiss with Gao, and it was possible that Mei was also suspiciously involved in something that would ultimately affect the innocent lives of Yun and her.

When Siu could finally move her body, the surroundings had shifted from chaotic to tranquil. The proximity she had felt from Gao had been something entirely different from what she had experienced in her horrifying dream.

The young man had placed a cool cloth on her forehead and seemed to have wiped her face and arms clean of the blood that had stained her body. The feeling of weakness had vanished from her body, signaling that she had relieved her body of the tension, fights, and suffering.

"Perhaps it's just a product of my imagination, because of what I went through with my parents. I shouldn't attribute ill thoughts to those who haven't proven to be bad. Siu, you should withhold judgment."

Her mind drifted to her parents. Most likely, she would never know what had happened to them. Would she never see them again? Had she lost them forever?

That sole idea, coupled with the sensation of having killed her parents, began to invade her chest, and warmth rose to her face. Tears welled up like two rivers, and sobs caught in her throat, causing Gao, who patiently waited for her to regain consciousness, to turn his gaze toward her.

"You're finally awake," he said with a smile and enthusiasm. "I thought you might not come to. For a moment, I thought you were dead."

"Perhaps something similar," Siu muttered as she touched her head, which was throbbing terribly.

"Have some water," Gao offered to the girl, but she shook her head. His smile faded, and he set his water flask aside.

Siu tried to get up quickly, but her vision darkened and dizziness overcame her, so much so that she had to lean back on the ground for a few seconds.

"Hey... are you okay?" Gao asked, assisting her in getting up.

"Y-yes, don't worry, I'm fine," she replied as she attempted to take a few steps.

"Where are you rushing off to?" Gao inquired with concern. "You can't venture out in that condition. Can't you see that there are monsters in the forest? It's very dangerous to be wandering around here."

"I appreciate your help, but I must go. I need to tell him..." Siu began, but Gao interrupted, "Girl, I think you're delirious and need rest."

Siu continued walking, with Gao trailing behind. It seemed the girl would have someone who cared about her throughout this journey, even if his presence didn't make her feel safe in any way.

(...)

Yun had become uneasy; something told him he needed to observe the actions of that big man more carefully. On the other hand, the urgency to reach a Fenghuang monument, which he wasn't even entirely sure was the answer to everyone's need with his mother An, was growing. Desperation loomed from every corner, and Yun didn't know how to rid himself of the feelings of unease and discouragement.

Mei was beginning to walk slowly, and there was another part of Yun that regretted offering help to someone he didn't fully know. Now he didn't even know if her children would be within that dense forest. She had no idea either, and he could feel time slipping away from him like water, trickling through his fingers, losing what was so precious to him in those moments.

This was his last stretch of time. The third sunset threatened to approach with every passing second, without an ounce of mercy. Time was indifferent to his or anyone else's considerations. All that was left was to pray to the Fenghuang for its appearance as quickly as possible.

Amidst this chaotic flood of thoughts, Yun began to quicken his pace, leaving Mei slightly behind. Impatience gnawed at his soul, and tranquility seemed nonexistent, to the point of doubting its existence; he no longer recognized that feeling. If he lost his mother due to his delay, he swore never to feel it again in whatever remained of his life.

"Young Yun... wait, I can't catch up! Young Yun!" Mei was panting, finding it increasingly difficult to reach Yun and walk alongside him. She had to push herself hard, yet even then, keeping up with his brisk steps proved too much.

For the first time, Yun lost his sense of courtesy. His goal surpassed his capacities, and that was something he wouldn't allow. Something in his heart exploded, directing his gaze upward to find something to climb. He soon spotted a tree that seemed to touch the sky with its height; that would be the boost he needed.

"I'm tired of walking in circles. Fenghuang, I'm going to find you, even if it costs me my life in the heights of this tree. You won't escape from me."

"Young Yun, it's too high, you're going to fall! Please listen to me!" the widow Mei pleaded, but Yun wasn't paying the slightest attention to what she was saying.

Without thinking much, Yun had started climbing the tree, and Mei's voice was no longer reaching his ears. It was as if he had been relieved of a heavy burden, and only what truly mattered stood out to him. This might sound somewhat heartless, but his being was shouting at him to keep climbing that lush tree.

The young prince didn't know why or how, but it seemed as if the tree's branches were reaching out for him to jump on them with such certainty. This brought back memories of his childhood when everything seemed even easier, and that warm glow called to him from the top of the old palace tree.

At just five years old, Yun had felt a comfort that allowed him to climb that tree, as if it provided him with extra support to make things easier. He still wasn't sure if that was how it had been; time could distort memories. But that one memory was always present in his mind as something so vivid that he could even feel the reprimand of the laoshi and his insistence to get down from the tree.

Yun remembered feeling frustrated. He could hear the call now, but it wasn't the laoshi; it was Mei, exclaiming unintelligible things. She was still there, waiting to be helped, but he had to be honest with himself: he didn't have time to help anyone other than his mother.

With ease, Yun managed to reach the top of the tree and felt the chilly caress of the wind, as if it welcomed him to the heights. For the first time, he could sense that he could observe the entire surroundings and thus guide himself better.

Suddenly, his eyes spotted in the distance the famous monument they had talked so much about. His heart felt a little relief and even a glimmer of excitement. He was certain that he could finally find the legendary bird's feather once and for all.