Springing the Trap

The lake is closer now. I sit down and reach out into the energy of the artefact, then further beyond. The Huoyun Sect disciples have their unique mix, blending into the environment by having been exposed to the waters of Xiyang for decades. But there are other energies too, distributed around them, flickering like candles. I can’t pinpoint them exactly, but there are definitely elements here, which are out of place. I need to be careful.

“I will be watching,” Murong Zhiyu says and with her comforting words, I am off into battle.

I move to a vantage point on an outcrop next to the lake to wait for the signal. The disciples should be distributed below and around the dam, some even in the water behind it. One of them is keeping track of the time. Precisely at the hour of the Tiger, they will fire a flare, burning bright in the night sky. Everyone is lying in wait for the signal, ready to strike. We can’t give them a single opportunity to light the explosives. Even a little fault in the dam can potentially lead to a catastrophic outcome. In the drama, the attack on Xiyang happened much later, but the enemy was never positioned here, so I don’t know how their plans changed. I look towards the valley, where I can see the light of the city, shining beyond the cliffs. By now, the guards should have ordered the people to take refuge in the higher portions of their houses or even in some of the palace’s courtyards, which have been specially opened just for this night. Still, if the waters rush through Xiyang, lives will be lost and livelihoods destroyed. We can’t let that happen.

And then I see it—the flare, high and bright over the lake. Around me, there’s a surge of energy as the disciples all move as one. A first scream rings out already, sharp. Surprised. In its wake, the sound of metal on metal. Another scream. I need to move. It feels too much like a scene from a drama and for a moment I forgot I had a part to play.

From my vantage point, I can easily reach the top of the dam. I rush through the rocks, light feet barely touching the ground. Yet when I reach the dam, I find it empty. The noises have ceased for the moment and I am temporarily at a loss of where to go. I look down the wall. Below, I can see the flicker of fire, a red point of danger in the middle of the pitch black ravine.

Just then, two people charge at me. Power rushes through my veins. I have never felt as confident in myself. I don’t think. I act. With nothing but trust in Murong Zhiyu’s body, I fling myself off the edge of the dam and pull my two attackers with me. They scream as they realise what’s happening, but I don’t release their clothes until we are well away from the edge

Wind rushes past me as I close my eyes and concentrate on the shift, my body deforming on command, my uniform ripping as tail, horns and claws grow. With the change, I no longer break through the wind. I ride it. My scales glow bright in the night and for a moment, the valley is lit up as if bathed in moonlight. I home in on the flicker of fire and open my mouth, spiked with sharp teeth, to breathe a snowstorm into the valley. The fire disappears and I hear several screams from below.

While the whole valley isn’t lit up anymore, the vicinity of my dragon body is still illuminated. I turn to find another struggle, more sparks, red against the darkness. This is more important than protecting Murong Zhiyu’s secret. This is about Xiyang. The dragon body snakes through the air like a fish through water. I don’t have to think about how to move, I just do, claws ripping through the enemies, easily distinguished by their abundance of yin energy, glowing in front of my eyes like fireflies. The Huoyun Sect disciples retreat from the scene to hunt down the stragglers as the valley is filled by an icy mist, extinguishing even the embers, covering everything in frost. With a final exhale, I close my eyes and shift back into human form. Feng Yu lands next to me and wraps one of his outer robes around my shoulders.

“That was impressive.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.”

“I don’t need to flatter you anymore. I know you love me,” he says with a wink.

I burst out laughing hysterically, the adrenaline still rushing through my body making me shake. Feng Yu holds me until I calm down, his embrace warm and cosy in comparison to the cold air around us. He kisses my forehead and remains with his lips against my skin.

“Thank you,” he whispers. “I didn’t get to say it earlier.”

“What for?”

“For saving me from the curse.”

“Anyone would have done the same.”

“Would they have? You risked your life for this city—for people not of your world.”

“We aren’t as different as you think. Murong Zhiyu trusts me with her body and I can’t betray that trust, no matter what my mission is, no matter which god sent me. This is different. You are my friends.”

Feng Yu holds me closer. “Will you disappear after this is done?”

“I think so. I can’t stay forever.”

“I will miss you. You changed so much for me. I would’ve never found the courage to voice my feelings without you.”

I chuckle. “Don’t let Murong Zhiyu hear that. Oh wait, I think she did.”

Feng Yu smiles. “I believe she’ll forgive me.”

“Let’s help the others,” I say as I feel more than hear the Huoyun Sect disciples return to the valley. They group up around us at the bottom of the dam, and I am happy to see all of them, including Dai Xuan with them. She falls around my neck as she sees me, and I embrace her in turn.

“What was that?” she asks.

“I kept it from you. I didn’t know how you’d react… I have a Qilin lineage. I never knew my parents, but they left me with this gift. Your mother told me not to show anyone since…”

“…since they usually stay in hiding. I get it. They are caught and exploited for their powers. That explains why you’re so good at sensing energy flows around you.”

I look at the other people in the group and detach from Dai Xuan, then bow low to all of them.

“I didn’t hide this to deceive you. Sect Leader Dai told me that my parents were most likely victims of a crime against Qilins and I was lucky to have escaped whatever misfortune befell them. She told me to hide my true nature from you. I am truly sorry.”

None of them should have seen my form properly in the dark of night, the light of the dragon’s scales blinding everyone around it. That’s what I sincerely hope, at least. Feng Yu stays quiet though it all, but I sense a tenseness in his stance, ready to jump to my defence at any moment.

“You’re my sister,” Dai Xuan says. “I’ve always felt that there’s something different about you, but since my mother treats you as a daughter, you’re part of my family.”

“Our family,” someone else chimes in.

“That’s right!”

A chorus of agreements springs up around me and suddenly I lose control of my body. Ah. Murong Zhiyu sinks to her knees, hands on her face. She is crying. Sobbing. Her whole body is shaking with it. I can feel several people kneel down next to her, putting their hands on her back, saying words of support that she can barely hear over her tears.

“Thank you. Thank you.”

I hear Murong Zhiyu’s voice, but it’s only in my head. These words are just for me.

“Thank you for everything. You didn’t only save Xiyang, you saved me.”

At that moment, I hear a loud noise. It sounds so much like an explosion, both Murong Zhiyu and I instinctively look up to the dam… but there is nothing, even in the shadows, suggesting…

“The sky!”

“Another flare!”

There are several red and white lights above the city, shining as far as Yueji Lake. Oh no. Oh, please no. This can’t be. It’s only been—

“The city is under attack!” Feng Yu shouts. “Five people will stay here to dismantle the explosives and guard the area. Everyone else, run!”