Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Hours later, Ahron came upon an outdoor restaurant located outside the neck of the woods on the way to Seung Yeung. He took a seat at one of the empty tables while Chou Yee sat down on another empty table. The two didn’t exchange words or glances as they ordered their separate meals.
Ahron looked up after ordering and found Chou Yee staring intently in his direction. Smiling, he decided to tease her “I’m aware that I am a handsome looking man but a lady should not stare.”
Chou Yee snickered as her attention was directed back to her cup of tea “I was not staring at you.”
Before Ahron had a chance to turn, he found a group of men strolling over and took random seats on the last three empty tables. They were glaring at Chou Yee like a pack of hungry wolves. She remained cool until one guy approached her table leisurely. Without being invited, he sat down next to her “I know you are looking for him.”
“And?” she was trying hard not to falter by the Red Flower Sect. She knew them well and their only goal was to bring down her people and kill the King. She’s fought numerous hitmen who were sent to kill the Manchu King. They have grown to recognize her as well.
“We have him.” The man said light heartedly “You can’t save him. So go back and tell your precious Empress to find a knew King.”
“Sorry, I do not take orders from dogs.” She was still calm despite her heartbeat quickened.
“What did you say?!” a fist hit her table as it trembled under her hands.
Chou Yee’s cold stare only fed to the already boiling blood of the sect “I don’t like to repeat myself.”
Giving no warning, he began to attack her. Chou Yee pushed the table as it toppled towards the other men who was prepared to take her life. Drawing her sword, she swiftly maneuvered between each throw and kick.
Ahron sat still, unbothered by the fight scene before him. The owner was crying for mercy on his belongings. A few bodies were thrown towards Ahron as he carefully lifted his tea cup and sipped it. It wouldn’t take long for Chou Yee to be defeated, she was easily outnumbered. Somersaulting over to Ahron, she hastily said, “Help me! Don’t just sit there!”
He watched as she was raveled in yet another fight “Say it nicely! Like you would say it to a husband.” Ahron smiled playfully.
Spinning herself around until she reached close enough to talk to him “Please, help me.” Her eyes earnest for the first time.
He smiled as one hand rapidly pulled her to his side and he sent a flying stool towards a man ready to stab her back. He turned to Chou Yee “Much better.” Lowering his head, he took the sword from her hand and used to fight the group of men.
Chou Yee watched in amazement as he carefully dodged each slash and was colorful when attacking the Red Flower Sect members. He did not harm them physically only to slice their shirts and a few unlucky men had their braids cut off “Meddlesome! Who are you?” the leader raised a hand to stop his men after realizing they could not beat Ahron.
He twisted the handle until the sword rested behind his arm vertically “Just a traveler, I did not want to see the lovely lady being killed.”
“If you are Chinese, you will step aside!!” one man barked.
“Aren’t we all?” Ahron reasoned, “Chinese and Manchu speak the same language, eat the same food and sleep the same way. Frankly, I believe there is absolutely no difference.”
He used logic on them but it seems they were not willing to reform.
“That’s ridiculous! The Manchu took over our land. They may speak the same language but we are not the same!” the leader argued.
Ahron shook his head at the stubborn men “It doesn’t matter what you say, I am not handing over the girl.” He turned and tossed the sword back to Chou Yee, who caught it effortlessly.
“Fine. I will respect you for you did not harm my men. We will let her go this time, but we do not guarantee that will happen the next time.” The leader was a man of his words.
“Fair enough.” Ahron nodded as the men retrieve to their destination.
He turned to Chou Yee with a goofy grin “Wipe that smile off your face!” she snapped.
It only made him more amused “Your tone of voice has changed.”
“No, it’s now normal.” She said curtly.
Ahron crossed his arms “Fine, what will you do for me now?” She turned to him confusingly “I saved your life, surely that means something? A simple thank you will not do.”
She was stumped “Alright. What do you want? A servant? A favor or more money?”
He shook his head “I have three rules.” She arched an eyebrow up in disagreement but reluctantly nodded “One, you must be nice to me.”
Gaping at him in disgust, she muttered, “It will be hard, but I will try my best.”
“Two, you must walk or stand no further than…” he measured the distance between himself and Chou Yee “one feet from me at ALL times.” Rolling her eyes, she nodded with an annoyed expression.
“Fine. What’s number three? Feed you during meals?” she was being sarcastic but her idea made his eyes light up. Chou Yee frowned “You cannot be serious.”
He laughed from the horrid expression she made “Too bad you did not suggest this earlier.” He sighed sadly “But no. Number three, tell me what your mission is.”
Her eyes narrowed dangerously “I do not want to drag you down with me.”
For a split second, she reminded him of Azariah. Suddenly his thoughts traveled to his beloved. It felt like ages since he’s looked at her beautiful face. But no matter where they were, her flawless features were etched into his soul.
* * * * *
Azariah’s eyes welled up with tears as she watched him from Jeroham’s crystal ball “I miss you too my love.”
Cyrus shook his head sadly “Love. Is it worth it?”
“All the pain in the world is worth it.” Azariah replied dreamily. She turned to him “Who is that girl? She looks awfully familiar…” then it dawned on her “I recall Ahron advising me that she is a fortune teller?”
Jeroham appeared at her last comment “Ahron has seen her?” he asked without greeting the two of them. She nodded at him and his laugh surprised her “He knew! Oh how I’ve underestimated his intelligence.”
Cyrus and Azariah exchanged glances “Why is that amusing, my friend?”
The God of Life shook his head, the grin still plastered on his face “No wonder he is trying so hard to follow her.”
“What is her importance to Ahron?” Azariah tried again. It was obvious Jeroham did not want to share the secret he knew.
“That, my dear, is destiny. There is nothing we can do about it. Even Serefina cannot stop this.” His eyes distant and an apparent twinkle in his eyes.
Cyrus turned to Azariah “It is best that you don’t know.” He smiled at the curious girl “How are the headaches?” he knew she had recently been cured from the curse of love by Jeroham. It was a first time he’s seen a God in physical pain.
Azariah smiled “I am fine.” But she was not finished with Jeroham “What is a fortune teller? I assume it is not as simple as a reading of the palm.”
Cyrus shook his head “A Fortune teller is a human with extraordinary powers to teleport to another dimension. Humans are not given this type of skill unless he or she is to one day become a God or even more powerful being. This gift is given by the God of Life.”
Jeroham laughed giddily “Cyrus does know his history!”
Azariah looked saddened as she returned her gaze to the crystal ball of life, her only connection to Ahron “Is she good or bad? Will she leave a mark in his heart?” Cyrus shook his head with a sigh “How can I help him?”
Jeroham smiled at the love sick God “There is a way. You can watch out for evil beings lurking around Ahron.” He finally got her attention “Are you forgetting our favorite God of War, Barak? His only goal is to condemn Ahron to eternal mortality, where he can never return to the Heavens. We have underestimated his power to manipulate, I can only guess that a plan is in the works to bring poor Ahron down.”
She grew worried “What is he planning? Surely, Serefina will not tolerate such acts!” Jeroham knew he had given to much information “Jeroham?” she pressed but he refused to look at her in the eye so she turned the God of Fortune “Cyrus, tell me now!” she demanded.
He hesitantly turned to her “The Crystal Ring.”
“The doors to the mortal realm?” Azariah was even more confused “I thought Gods were forbidden to enter the human world?”
“It is not only a gate. It lays a powerful spell that was left behind by Serefina thousands of years ago. No ordinary God could read the words. Even I have yet to see the words.” Cyrus turned to Jeroham “You might as well tell her.”
The God nodded as he let out a long sigh “Centuries ago, when Serefina was a young God. Her father, Lucifer ruled the Heavens above. He forbade his daughter to come in contact with any Gods with fear that she would fall in love. A person cannot live without love as a God cannot survive without companionship. She entered the Crystal Ring to befriend humans, after all Lucifer did not mention anything about humans. Serefina did not know what love is, but she felt something that she had not ever felt before towards a mortal. Lucifer discovered her little journeys to the mortal realm and he punished her to never fall in love again.”
“How about the human?” Azariah was shocked by the story.
“Vanished from all realms.” Cyrus replied.
“Yes.” Jeroham confirmed, “Needless to say, Serefina was devastated. She remained in the palace and read books. Stories written by Gods from the past. She eventually discovered a potion used by her own father. It allowed a God’s soul to enter and take over a human’s body. But by doing so, the God will grow physically older. Years will be taken from their youthful beings.”
“Is that why Serefina appears older than all the other Gods?” Azariah questioned.
“Yes.” The God of Life nodded “She risked her physical appearance as she used the humans to satisfy her curiosity of the word love.”
“What did Lucifer think of it?” Azariah found her self pulled into the curious force.
“He was furious and wanted to condemn her to eternal hell.” Azariah gasped “But how could he?” Jeroham continued, “Instead he grew mad and tortured the Gods as well as humans. Causing the world in chaos. Everyone feared the all powerful for he was no longer sane. He had created her out of loneliness, he wanted a daughter to adore and spoil. Instead she turned out to be as curious as any normal average girl would be. The heavens soon would melt away. Looking back at the history books, I found a way to retrieve Serefina from purgatory. For she would be the only one that could stop her father’s madness. Her soul was made from his own hands, after all he had created her. Reversing the power of creation, she gained all his powers and in the end Lucifer was banned into hell for all eternity.”
“I did not know Serefina had such a horrid life?” Azariah’s heart came out to the Queen “It is not a wonder she had developed the forbidden rule of love.”
“She did not want history to repeat itself. She has always felt responsible for the fall of the Heavens. Many Gods were innocently vanished. She had to start from the beginning with only a handful of Gods that still remained. Myself included.” Jeroham said with a sense of pride.
“Why do you think we can get away with everything?” Cyrus joked “Because we made friends with the God of Life.”
Azariah smiled, she knew she was grateful for his friendship and trust “What will become of Ahron?” it was still her only concern.
“He has a destiny to fulfill. You mustn’t worry yourself.” Jeroham advised wisely.
“Can you tell me who this Fortune Teller is?” she wanted to know for certain.
Jeroham smiled “She is you.”