Chapter Zero

Splash. Splash. Splash. Splash.

Two horses gallop full speed ahead, urged to carry on by their two riders. Their hooves strike the puddles on the ground as the run. The two riders are covered by a black cloak hiding all their features. Strapped around one rider is something that looks like a sling, but it is slightly swaying as the horses gallop on.

The wet trees and the soaked ground make the light that comes from the moon look even more beautiful. Tonight is the night of a full moon. These two riders are on a muddy path, but they are constantly looking behind them.

What are the looking for? Is someone following them?

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Loud. The sound coming from behind them was loud. Every second it was getting even louder than before. It was as if the earth was trembling with fear. One of the riders urged their horse to speed up.

What was approaching was something they didn’t want to get caught up in. Suddenly the wind ahead of them blew in their direction forcing their horses to slow down. Is this heaven's will? Will they die here?

The wind blew off the hood of one of the riders. Long hair swayed in the wind as the riders facial features could be seen. A beauty that could conquer a kingdom could be seen. Her horse neighed as its front two legs went in the air.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

It was coming closer. The other rider looked at the woman while his mouth was opening and closing. He was telling her something, but the wind’s roar was too loud. Tears streamed down the woman's face as she urged her horse to continue going forward.

The other rider turned their horse around and went head on into the loud noise coming behind them. Dust arose, and it seemed like a sandstorm was closing in. This was not a sandstorm, instead it was an army. All of the soldiers were armed to the teeth. The air around them was suffocating.

The rider charged at them. Two golden swords were produced as if it was magic. The rider jumped from the horse and dived into the army.

Boom!

Dust rose from the clash, but the rider could not be seen. The army continued going forward.

The woman who left the other rider behind gained some time. Her horse was moving slower than before because of the wind, but that didn’t stop her. In her sight was a village. The village wasn’t big, nor did it seem to house anyone.

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Making her way to the village, she noticed one house had it’s light on. The thing that was wrapped around her body was unraveled. It started moving and crying. It wasn’t an object, it was a baby. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she knocked on the door.

Once she knocked on the door she heard the noise get even louder. She kissed the baby on its face as she set it down. In a split second she disappeared like the wind. The horse she was on neighed as it took off.

Turning her head towards the village one last time, she said some faint words.

The door opened up. It was an elderly man holding himself up with a cane. He glanced to both sides before he finally looked down. His eyes almost popped out as he noticed what was lying on the ground. It seemed like it took all his strength to reach down and grab the baby.

One last time he looked to both sides. No one. It was as if this baby was a gift from the heavens itself. He slowly went back inside and closed the door behind him. A few minutes later his house started shaking.

He has already set the baby down so he walked to his door again. Opening it, he noticed the other houses were shaking as well. From afar he could make out a dust cloud. Loud booming noises could be made out. He was frightened for his life so he hurriedly closed the door.

Inside the baby continued crying. The elderly man unwrapped the baby who was in a wet blanket. Beautiful. Was the only word the man could use to describe the baby in front of him. It was a handsome baby boy. Laying on his stomach was a small white box.

The elderly man slowly opened it. Inside was a golden ring and a note. He grabbed the note first and read it.

‘Ye Long no matter where you are, or who you may become. I love you. Even if the heavens are against you, or the earth tried to break you. I will always love you.

My time in this lifetime is up, but maybe next time I can be your mother again. I have nothing to give you. No motherly love. No money. I can only leave you with this ring.

May you find your way in this world and live a glorious life. Whatever you do, do not trust them. They harmed us, and betrayed our cause. They are… Lin.’