Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The following morning, the two were greeted by the King and a handful of guards pointing to Chou Yee “She broke into jail last night and tried to let the prisoner go.”
The King turned at Chou Yee, who was leaning against the wall looking fearless “How dare you betray me.”
“I did not. If I did, Hong Gor would be gone and so would I.” She reasoned.
“It does not change the fact that you had planned an escape.” The King argued.
Ahron opened his eyes as he looked at the King with special interest “You still do not see what is wrong with this picture?”
“Do not speak, I did not allow you to.” He warned.
“I speak as I wish, you do not own me. You only own this country. Tell me, your highness, is it lonely at night when you are sitting in the library reading the laws presented by the people? Love can kill a man, especially a man as powerful as yourself. You are the father with over millions of sons and daughters, why do you pain your heart with a love that can never happen? The day you accept your fate is the day you will learn there is more to life than love.”
Chou Yee was confused by the words that Ahron spoke but the King understood too well. He didn’t know how Ahron knew about the peasant girl he had fallen in love with years ago and the Empress did not allow such a marriage between royalty and a regular girl. She sent out guards to kill the girl so that the King would concentrate on ruling. A tear trickled down his cheek as he recalled the story too clearly “But without love, there is no heart.” The King replied.
“Where is your love for the people? They are depending on you for a better tomorrow. Do you not see it?” Ahron questioned softly. Standing up, he faced the King in the eye “You think you are in love again.” It was not a question form “She is not who you think she is.”
“I do not believe you.” The King refused to listen to the bashing of his new beloved Yu Lan.
“Let’s make a bet.” Ahron offered with interest.
“I’m listening.” He replied.
*********
The King had sent the General to search for Yu Lan and made certain that she was brought back into his temporary studies. It did not take more than a day to find her as she was escorted with care back to the King. He returned to his room that night to find her sitting on a chair awaiting his arrival “Your highness!” she curtsied quickly at his presence.
He smiled as he relieved her “Please, do not be polite. They did not scare you did they?”
Yu Lan shook her head “No, they were very gentle. I am very relieved to see that you are safe. I was worried they would kill you.” She looked tearfully at him.
He smiled “They cannot hurt me. I have the Gods to protect me.”
“What are your plans?” she asked carefully.
The King’s face hardened “I will kill those who disobey me. I will make you my wife regardless of the Empress, I have decided.”
“How about the Red Flower…”
“Destroyed.” he said simply. Yu Lan paled and stumbled back on her unsteady feet, she landed on the chair with a thump “No one will threaten me. They deserved to die. My men will behead them and hang them over the gates of the city to give warning to all those that disapprove of me.” He laughed wickedly.
The blood quickly traveled to her face as she turned to him with hatred “You heartless man!!” she growled before releasing the dagger hidden in her white boots. She charged him with the dagger as he dodged each stab until Ahron and Chou Yee escaped from the cabinet not too far away.
Chou Yee and Yu Lan started a whipping fight with a sword and dagger. The King turned to Ahron “Are you not going to assist her?”
“No, she does not need it.” He pointed when Chou Yee defeated the girl in a little over fifteen strokes. The sword rested easy on Yu Lan’s shoulder and neck “You are losing your touch.” He teased and Chou Yee smiled.
“Now do you believe us?” Chou Yee asked the King.
He nodded sadly while stepping over to the girls. He placed a hand on Chou Yee’s hand to lower her sword. She turned to him strangely but his eyes were fixed on Yu Lan’s angry eyes “Would you hate me that much for killing them?”
“Even if you didn’t, my duty is to kill you!” she snapped.
“He did nothing but be kind to you!” Chou Yee cried at the stubborn girl.
“So? I don’t care for his love or pity. He destroyed my family, I was living in a loving family. We were poor but happy, your people had to come in and conquer the land moving us further and further away until there was no land left. I will never forgive you!!” she grunted with tears streaming down her face.
“I did not know…” the King said sadly.
“Now you do.” She replied with her chin up “Kill me or I will kill you one day.” She closed her eyes ready for the stab.
Chou Yee raised her sword and once again was stopped by the King “Let her go.”
“But—” she began but was silenced.
“I said let her go.” He said firmly watching as Yu Lan opened her eyes. They were full of hatred as she whipped herself around and rushed out of the room. He looked saddened, his steps dragging as he sat down on the chair, a hand covering his face while Chou Yee and Ahron watched helplessly.
********
It seemed like months until they returned to the Kingdom. With each day passing, the King found content in pain and matured tremendously. He vowed to be a better King. Ahron was enjoying a training session with the King’s army when Chou Yee interrupted them “The King wants to see you!” she said excitedly.
“Maybe later.” He waved a hand nonchalantly while adjusting a guard’s stance.
“Now!” she cried while yanking him away.
He laughed, “What is this for?”
“You will know soon.” She assured him. They reached the King’s studies and was announced by the standing eunuch. The two knelt down respectfully “I have fetched Ah Hong as you requested.”
The King smiled as he waved him to straighten “It seems like yesterday when you saved me from the hands of the Red Flower Sect. I have not personally thanked you, instead I placed you in jail and planned to behead you. Instead of finding vengeance you continued to show me the light and have taught me more about love and life than I could ever learn.”
Ahron smiled modestly while Chou Yee beamed at the King’s praises “It is my job.” Ahron replied.
“You have not requested for any reimbursements. Please, let me know what I can do for you before Chou Yee disturbs my peace again.” He teased her with a grin.
“I do not wish for anything.” Ahron replied. Suddenly, he saw a splash of white light shining through the door. But it seemed he was the only one that saw it as he shielded his eyes.
“What’s the matter Hong Gor?” Chou Yee asked with concern when noticing he was wincing in pain.
Ahron shook his head “I must go.” He bowed at the King and rushed out the door with Chou Yee following him. The light was getting brighter until he eventually turned the other way, it was then that he saw Chou Yee running towards him. Lifting his hand, he stopped her “No…please, turn around.” He advised.
Chou Yee titled her head “Why? You do not like me?”
He closed his eyes to block out the light that was devouring him “No, it is not that. I cannot love. It is my destiny to be alone. Please…forget me. I have to go.”
“Take me with you!” she begged.
Ahron shook his head “I cannot. Chou Yee, you have done so much for me. Please do me another favor.” She nodded with earnest eyes, it was hard to ignore the growing lump in her throat “Turn around.” He requested. It was a strange one but she eventually did as he told.
“I just want to say before you leave…I love you.” She said the words that were lingering in her heart for months. But when she turned, he was already gone. Chou Yee’s head lowered as she stared at the ground from which he stood. Her eyes blurred from the tears but she could still see the shiny object on the ground. Walking over, she picked up the hairpin that he had taken from her hair to pick the lock. She held it dear to her heart and returned to her place by the King’s side.
Ahron was pulled by the force once again. Serefina’s voice could be recognized as it echoed in his ears “You have past the test of loyalty.” He was still blinded and continued to squeeze his eyes shut until the light stopped.
***************
Azariah was watching Ahron when suddenly she exclaimed, “He passed!!” she turned to see Jeroham and Cyrus talking casually while they played a friendly game of ‘Go’ which was equivalent to the game of chess “Jeroham! Cyrus! Come quick. Ahron passed the test of loyalty!!”
They looked unmoved “As I was saying, in order to win—” Cyrus continued only to be cut off by Azariah bark.
“Do you not care of your friend’s safety?!!” she demanded.
“Fair Azariah, you mustn’t get too excited, this is only the first test. He has more to come. And they will only grow with difficulty.” Jeroham said wisely.
She quickly waved a hand and their game was whipped away into the clouds “I was winning!” Cyrus disapproved.
“Actually, there is no proof now that you were…” Jeroham laughed at his red scalding face.
“Please, is there any way we could speed things up for Ahron?” she asked desperately.
Cyrus laughed at the absurd request “We are only Gods, we do not control the time of the world and how fast it turns. Do you know what the outcome would be if we had such powers?”
“Yes, Ahron would be standing here in a few days instead of months.” She replied logically.
Jeroham laughed when Cyrus looked stumped “My dear, you must not worry for him. It is his destiny to do this. If we try to alter the outcome, he will only be in more harm. And you will be punished by Serefina.”
“I worry for him.” She turned to the glass ball “What is his next test?”
Cyrus turned to Jeroham “Why do you look at me like that?” The God of Life asked.
“Because I want to know also.” He replied, “After all, you are the wisest one of us all.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere.” Jeroham replied haughtily.
“Please, Jeroham!” Azariah whined
He could not bear to hear the high pitched voice “It is the hardest of them all.”
“How so?” she questioned.
“The test of lust.” He said slowly and her face fell with disappointment “Maybe it is best if you do not watch on.” He waved the crystal balls away.
Azariah arched her head up “No! I want to see.” She insisted.
“Will you be alright?” Cyrus asked worriedly.
“Yes.” She nodded at Jeroham.
“Very well…” he sighed and replaced the crystal balls for her to watch Ahron.