A man clad in red and gold armor from head to toe, kneels on what appears to be the surface of the moon. Solid black hair comes from his highly decorated helm and travels all the way to the ground and even trails behind him a few inches. His eyes are closed until a woman in a flowing blue kimono with stars on it; floats into his line of sight. His eyes open to reveal a pattern that appears to be red and gold bullseyes in place of usual human pupils. The woman kneels in front of him and places a pale hand upon his sun kissed right cheek. “What are you doing here Hou Yi”? She asked softly and with concern fluttering in her tone.

He didn’t answer her. He did however look into her grey eyes with adoration and a hint of sorrow, with tears welling up in his strange eyes.

Valley of Heroes: Twenty years ago

A pair of men walk down a splendid hall in a temple made for the Norse Gods. The first is the old greyed Odin. Complete with beard and battle scars. The other in brightly colored robes is Shiva, also in his former glory. The pair walk briskly as they speak. “Took you long enough Odin. I almost thought I’d be leaving on my own”. Shiva said harshly.

“You didn’t have to wait for me”. Odin chuckled as they were closing in on a set of doors only suited for men who would stand thirty feet tall.

Shiva scoffed. “This was your idea. I didn’t want to take all the glory”. He retorted quickly.

Odin opened the doors effortlessly and with almost a youthful swagger. “Heimdallr! I’m sure you saw me coming. Is the bifrost ready”? Odin asked with such pride as he looked at what appeared to be a mirror but, it was easily as big if not bigger than the door that held it.

Heimdallr’s skin is white as snow. His hair of the same complexion. Right down to his colorless eyes; this man blends in to the ceramic walls so well it was a good thing he wore brown and forest green colored leather armor. The albino ascended lowered his head to Odin in a respectful manner. “To that tavern on earth you like so much, yes”? Heimdallr asked lifelessly as he made a weapon with a golden handle and a blade that looked like it was made of glass; appear into his hands. This weapon’s blade is thick from cutting edge to cutting edge. Heimdallr’s face distorted larger through the blade as he peered through it, resulting in the summoning of the bifrost. The portal opened as two more people entered the room.

What appears to be a teenage boy and a woman. Both are much shorter than any of the others in the room. They both adorn armor with Chinese characters in gold lettering in plane sight. The boy’s armor seems incomplete as he doesn’t wear a helmet and the pants are brightly colored and aren’t protective by any means. The woman’s armor is dark green and is complete with a helm that even covers most of her face.

“Whew! Glad we caught up with you guys”! The boy said loudly as he mocked rubbing his forehead with his extra long sleeve that hides his hands entirely.

“Nezha….” Shiva said bluntly as he turned to the boy.

“Are you even old enough to drink”? Odin teased as he played off Heimdallr’s joke.

“We know you are not going to the bar”… the woman in armor said aggressively as she stepped towards the portal.

Nezha laughed. “Oh come on Mulan. That was pretty funny. Why are you always so dry”? The young boy asked as he slapped the woman in armor on the back as he walked passed her. “I want to help. We want to help. This is about the vision right? The one with the tentacles and the moon? Yeah? I had it too. We’ll beat it together”. The boy said with a large innocent grin on his face.

“You just came back… Are you sure”? Shiva asked with a weakness in his voice that suggested he didn’t like the idea more than Nezha should have.

“Sure I am. I ascended. If I die, no big deal. I’ll come back. I know the others won’t like it but, I can’t resist a chance to test what I can really do”. Nezha retorted with that lightheartedness to it.

“Let the boy make his decision Shiva. It isn’t your place to tell him no”. Odin said as he stepped through the bifrost first…

The Moon

Hou Yi looked upon the woman in the blue starred kimono and placed his hand to her’s that rested on his cheek. He kissed her hand before returning his gaze to her. “I had a vision… a vision…” he stopped as he seemed to sense something out of the norm. He stood and put the woman behind him.

Three black wolf-like creatures stood in formation baring their fangs at the couple. They each had four tentacles growing out of their backs and one in place of a tail. The three beasts growl and drool profusely as they eye the woman behind Hou Yi.

“W-what are those things? What do they want Hou Yi”? The woman asked as she hid behind the man clad in armor.

“They want that seal you carry. Give it to me Chang’e(Chah-ng-gah). Give me the seal and they will want nothing to do with you”. He stated bluntly as he summoned a golden bow with what looked like red feathers attached to each end. He drew the string ready to fire as an arrow appeared ready to be shot at the horrors before him.

“The seal is my burden to bear. I volunteered. Me. Not you Hou Yi! Please don’t do this! If they want me then let them-“ she got out before Hou Yi shook his head.

“I love you Chang’e. If you think I would ever let them hurt you then, you don’t know me as well as I hoped”… he said his eyes firm on the beasts.

The horrors evidently heard enough. They lunge at Hou Yi looking to sink their teeth into his armor.

Hou Yi shot his arrow in response and it landed in the eye socket of one of the monsters. It yelped out of pain but, it didn’t seem to kill it. He batted away the second of the group with the bow itself and kicked the third in it’s jaw. The three are pushed back but, none went down. The arrow vanished from the monster’s eye as it was re-nocked in his bow. The beasts rush Hou Yi again. This time, the third beast attempted to go around the archer. He swung his bow and bashed away the two attackers and threw an arrow at the third. Chang’e screeched out of fear as the arrow planted itself in what should have been an ear hole of the animal. Once again the arrow vanished. The three beasts stay separate as they circle the two ascended while all three of them are growling and two of them are bleeding. Hou Yi’s eyes shift between the three of them. “These things are tough….” He grumbled under his breath as he devised a new plan. The three beasts didn’t give him much time as the three attacked again. Chang’e did a twirl backwards as her body became ethereal while holding a specific pose. Hou Yi passed through her while she was ethereal and shot three consecutive arrows through her, hitting each horror. This time the beasts used their tentacles to take the arrows and prevent any real damage as they continued their attacks. The arrows explode soon after. Yelps from each of the three could be heard but, one of the beasts trajectory was only changed enough so it’s teeth grazed Chang’e’s dress, tearing it. She gasped out of surprise that his teeth managed to get her in this state. She floated away from the horrors exiting her ethereal state. Hou Yi saw this as he shot three arrows up into the air. The horrors charged immediately at Chang’e. The archer put himself between them and the woman he loved. He used his bow and his feet again to launch them away from her and under the three arrows he shot up. They came back down in the form of fireballs. Due to his accuracy all three fireballs hit all three of his targets. It wasn’t enough to kill them. All three horrors emerged from the flames tattered and wounded by the fire but, still they came back for more as they once again lunged at Hou Yi. The archer responded by releasing a volley of arrows that looked like it came from a dozen archers. They turned each horror into pin cushions before the arrows detonated. This time the three went down.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“That was really scary. Nothing is meant to touch me in my ethereal stance”. Chang’e stated as she examined the spots where the horrors perished.

“It’s not over”. Hou Yi stated coldly as he pointed at a new threat.

Chang’e looked in the direction he pointed and her heart dropped dramatically as plainly expressed on her face.

A hooded figure with wings wearing a tragedy mask. A man that was basically just a dark blur with red eyes piercing through the void, a monster who’s mouth seemed to be on his stomach, a hooded figure with a single red eye that seemed to be made of fire and a knight in all black armor carrying a sword with a single human eye on the weapon rather than anywhere on the knight; all stand together staring at the couple.

“Hou Yi… maybe we should…” Chang’e got out slowly as she looked back.

“They won’t let you get far. Now, give me the seal”… the archer tried again as he eyed the new threat.

“I’m sorry my love… I can’t… I am the seal”. She said also eying the enemy before them.

The winged enemy, the enemy with the mouth on its stomach and the knight rush forward while the blur and the enemy with a single eye wait back.

Hou Yi engaged the attackers. He shot arrows but, they were met by arrows shot by the single eyed enemy. The archer wasn’t discouraged as he was engaged in close combat by the knight. He blocked the sword with his bow. He was able to deflect the attacks of all three of his attackers but, the blur rushed in and hit the archer on the joint behind his left knee. Hou Yi went down as the knight cut through the armor like cheese. The winged one grabbed the archer by the arm holding the bow and threw him to the ground causing Hou Yi’s body to leave an imprint in the moon’s surface. The one with the mouth on his chest stomped on the archer with both feet as it opened its maw and attempted to eat Hou Yi.

Chang’e’s scream could be heard as an explosion went off forcing the attackers away from Hou Yi. Odin, Shiva, Nezha and Mulan arrived on the scene.

“Sorry we’re late Hou Yi”! Nezha called out as he waved at the fallen archer.

“Better late than never I suppose”. Hou Yi came back weakly as he got to his feet and tossed his helmet aside.

Mulan got to Chang’e’s side. “Heal Hou Yi. I will defend you”. She said all the while keeping her eye on the enemy.

Chang’e nodded as she and Mulan went to Hou Yi and a blue light emitted from Chang’e and onto the wounded archer.

Odin engaged the creature with the mouth on it’s stomach as it got back up with strange twists of it’s body. Golden spear in hand he slashed at the horror and it fought back with long sword-like talons from it’s hands.

Shiva took a shot at the one with wings. An explosion knocked it to the ground and his Trisula was brought out as he blocked the dark purple, glass like shards it shot at him.

That left Nezha with the knight. He and the horror squared off as Nezha summoned a spear with pink ribbons flowing from it and a pair of gold rings; one under each foot(balancing on them) as he tilted his head at the creature. “Have we met”? Nezha asked as the knight rushed the young boy. Nezha blocked the strange sword and proceeded to battle with the knight.

Each individual fight seemed in favor of Odin’s group until the blur zoomed passed each combatant without them seeming to notice it. Mulan’s eyes widened as she tried to pick up on where it was going. She grabbed Chang’e and pulled her away from Hou Yi. The blur punched a hole in Hou Yi’s armor. He hit from the back but, the armor shattered in the same spot on the opposite side. The archer gasped loudly as he was hit and fell to his knees. Mulan searched frantically for the blur as it clearly was going to strike again. Chang’e crawled to Hou Yi as she attempted again to heal him. Mulan summoned her sword as she searched for her enemy that was moving too quick for her to see.

Odin swung the gungnir and slashed the horror a couple times as he couldn’t help but notice the single eyed opponent had a bow. “Shiva! Can you get a clean shot at the archer”!? He bellowed over to the Hindu god.

“Patience. This shouldn’t take too long”. Shiva said as he stomped on the back of the winged enemy and planted the Trisula in it’s wing. Shiva took aim but, before he fired the blur made contact with Shiva’s side. Shiva spat blood at contact as the explosion happened above the archer and it didn’t even flinch. The winged enemy then, pulled his wing free as his leg swept and took Shiva’s feet from under him. The creature’s wing healed as it started using its claws to slash at a helpless Shiva.

“He’s too fast! I can’t keep a lock on him”! Mulan cried out as she tried desperately to try to find out where the blurry enemy would strike next. She held firm as she held her back to Chang’e and Hou Yi.

“I might be able to catch him”! Nezha returned as he and the knight seemed evenly matched while neither used any tricks for combat. Nezha did seem rather calm considering what was going on around him. Using the golden rings like rollerblades he took off and away from the knight. The knight roared like an animal as it took off after Nezha.

Hou Yi stood. “As long as the archer stands I won’t be able to make a single shot”. Hou Yi said as he observed the battles before him.

“I will try”. Mulan said as she rushed onto the battlefield her sword drawn and her eyes only on one target. The blur attempted to intercept her only to bounce off a laughing Nezha.

“Catch me if you can”! The boy teased as the taunt seemed to work and the speed oriented opponent chased after Nezha.

The knight blocked Mulan’s path to the archer. That fiendish sword at the ready. Mulan wasted no time as she swung her blade but, the knight matched her every swing. He didn’t seem to attack in return with her; he only waited. “You dare to taunt me!?” She asked outraged as her weapon turned into a very basic looking spear. The knight dodged the attacks until he thrusted his free palm at her. Instinct told her to block this but, it snapped the spear without making contact. She looked surprised as the weapon returned to a sword and resumed her attacks. Once again the knight did not attack he only defended himself. “I don’t have time for this”. She said as the back plate of her armor began to glow. A giant, red, and scale covered hand came from the light and grabbed the knight. The head of the reptilian beast came out next. There was a glowing energy building up in its mouth as it lowered its head at the knight. The dragon’s eyes began to glow an ominous purple hue before it changed it’s target. Mulan looked up at the dragon as she realized what happened too late. Fire rained down upon Mulan and in an instant she was gone. The dragon de-materialized with her disappearance.

“Mulan”! Nezha screamed as he foolishly turned to go to her. At the first sign of slowing, the blur caught up to him. The flurry of jabs and kicks were too fast for poor Nezha to keep up with. The last combination the blur unleashed on the poor boy ended with a reality shaking knee to the chin. It brought Nezha to his knees. The blur took off again as the knight appeared to finish Nezha.

Shiva released an explosion on the winged beast on top of him. The creature was sent flying and crashed into the moon’s surface. The explosion had been too close so Shiva was caught in it too but, another explosion came from the debris suggesting it hadn’t harmed Shiva to the same extent as the winged monster. This second explosion hit the knight and Nezha sending both combatants in either direction. When Nezha tried to stand the blur appeared and stomped on the younger ascended’s neck.

Odin planted his spear in the horror with the mouth on its stomach. It squirmed for a moment before going limp. “Nezha”! He called to the boy as he pulled his spear from the horror before heading to the defeated ascended. From the maw of the horror Odin thought he defeated came horror of all shapes and sizes. Some the nightmare like Loki and Hanna fought, some the winged creatures that Cu Chulainn disposed of, more of the wolves that Hou Yi defeated and an added bonus of creatures that looked like jellyfish and creatures that looked like spiders. Countless numbers of them came from this horror and quickly everything seemed against the remaining legends. Odin altered his course from Nezha when he felt an overwhelming sense of something behind him. He turned to find the horde of horrors. He roared and charged into the horde, valiantly he held his ground and swung the gungnir batting away several monsters at a time but, the more he pushed back the more the numbers seemed to grow. Shiva came out of his cloud of debris only to also, be surrounded by horror of several variety. He tried to distance himself from the horde as he shot a rapid succession of explosions into the growing numbers with the same effect Odin was having. Only more seemed to come from the chaos.

The knight plunged his sword into Nezha and let off a victorious roar before he pointed his weapon at Hou Yi.

“Then I will defend you to my dying breath….” Hou Yi stated slowly as he turned his eyes to Chang’e.

In that moment his eyes went wide as he saw a black arrow pierce Chang’e’s throat. He went to say her name but, blood came up instead. He looked down to see the arrow went through the wound the blur made in his armor to get to her. He touched the wound the enemy archer made on him gingerly with a look of complete surprise. He went to Chang’e immediately after who was pawing at her own throat. Black veins started up from her entry wound. ‘Poison’? Hou Yi thought as he held onto her until she stopped moving.

Shiva unleashed countless explosions but, it didn’t seem to even slow the horde coming for him. The blur caught him mid attack and delivered a flurry of unseen jabs to pressure points on Shiva’s body. The Hindu god dropped to his knees. Snap…. The blur had spun Shiva’s head completely around. His corpse hit the ground his face pointing away from the moon’s surface.

Odin climbed out of the horde. By now his armor completely obliterated and countless wounds litter his body. He looked to the gungnir and then to the horde. The monsters close in on him as he makes a hasty decision. He looked to the earth as he threw the legendary weapon like a javelin. The moment it left his hand the horror with the mouth on it’s stomach jumped out of the horde and pounced on Odin. He struggled and fought back as the creature took chunks out of him.

Hou Yi watched in horror as the other gods fell. He picked up Chang’e and held her to him. He dropped to his knees with her in his arms.

The horror with wings approached slowly as he looked down at the archer. “I envy you”… it said slowly. “You get to peer into the void. I can rest easy though… soon it will all be the void. This was our first of many victories”. It said as it took to the skies and vanished. The others including the horde vanish as the winged one does. Even the fallen dissipate like a bad dream.

The bifrost opens and Thor ran out of it in a frantic panic. “Father!?” Thor cried as his eyes soon fell on Hou Yi. “W-what happened here”? He got out as he looked around at the fallen gods. He eyed Chang’e’s wound. “Mistletoe? Hou Yi are you-? You are. You’re hit. Hurry if we make it back to Olympus-“ Thor stopped as Hou Yi shook his head.

“She’s gone… Odin, Shiva, Nezha, Mulan…. They all are gone. Tend, tend to our fallen…” the archer stated plainly.

“We can save you”. Thor said as he grabbed Hou Yi’s shoulders.

The archer shrugged him off. “I must go with her”… he said as tears fell onto Chang’e’s body.

“It could take days to-“ Thor started slowly before Hou Yi chimed in again.

“Or it could take seconds like with Chang’e”… Hou Yi barked as blood spat out from his mouth before he started coughing.

Thor sympathetically looked upon Hou Yi. His thoughts interrupted by the bifrost opening again…