7 The Wind Stirs

Unknowingly, she began to gradually treat Hei Long like an illiterate person but a kind who was thirsty for common knowledge, which she found very outlandish.

She looked up at him, and asked, "Do you really not know any of these "common knowledge?""

Feeling troubled, Hei Long glared at her for a moment. "Would you really think I would ask such questions if I had already know about it?"

"Okay," she sighed, and raised her hands up. "I give up. Let's continue, shall we?" Seeing Hei Long nod, she continued. "The beast of the wild also known as the demon—"

"Such as short one, why did you have call it "the beast of the wild?" when you can call it demon?"

"—Because the old people, and the elders preferred them as such. We just simply followed the traditions—but most of the time we call them demon cause it can cut us some slack."

"Oh," he said. "Such thing happened?"

"Yes," she said. "It happened. Time changes people over time. Just like it did to my father."

Suddenly, He felt the changes in Lily when she mentioned her father. So he asked, "You alright?"

"Yes," looking tired, she said, "Just a little tired from the journey, and looking out for Mr. White."

"Well, we'll take a rest here if you don't mind."

She smiled at him and said, "Thank you."

He said, "I'm tired as well." He lied and the truth—he was never tired in the first place, and he will never be tired unless he wants to. He didn't know why, but he had this hunch that he felt it that way.

Time passed by as the wind rustled throughout the forest, and down into the beautiful valley ahead of them. Lily had already fell asleep in the laps of Hei Long, who was sitting under the shade of the tree beside the river. He had never expected to be in this situation—transferring into an unknown world, fight monsters he had never heard or seen before, and most of all—having a beautiful lady sleeping on his lap, which he would definitely say if she wasn't around, it ain't bad at all, ain't bad at all!

But good times never last long, and he had always believed that they were going to get separated from each other once—and after this journey was completed.

But wouldn't it be good for things to stay as it is, he asked himself.

A dark light of ball flew out of his body, and appeared in front of him, and said. "You are a demon—a fallen—monsters like us don't belong here!"

He looked up at the person, who looked exactly as him but with a black wing on his back.

"I know," he said. "I just wished we can live a life free of trouble. How good would that be?"

The winged-one sighed, Free of trouble? Don't mock yourself, our existence is—

Hugging the sleepingwhite rabbit, Lily, who was currently asleep, began to shiver restlessly, she murmured, "Don't leave, I'm scared."

The two of them looked at each other as if saying what to do? But as fast as Hei Long, he showered her with his gentle caress. "Even if the world falls down, I'll be there to hold it you." The winged-one came closer and said. "Don't worry, little one, everything's alright." Smiles covered their faces. Hei Long said, "The world brought us pain, but we can handle it. But if the world brought pain to our family, I will never tolerate it. The world may fall but I will remain standing to hold it up for them, but where are they, our family?"

"I bet they are worried about you—"

"Us," Hei Long corrected.

"Yes," the winged-one smiled. "Yes, us. Indeed. I bet they are worried about us right now. Wherever they may be, I hope they're happy, and worry less for us."

"They are, and don't worry." Hei Long shrugged. "You shouldn't stay outside, it's bad for you."

"Okay…" he looked at Hei Long for a while. "Careful, this world is very—"

"Beautiful?"

"—Dangerous as it is beautiful." He added. "If you come to a point where you can't handle any of these, call me as soon as possible."

"I understand." The winged Hei Long warped into a small black speck, and fussed with Hei Long. Hissing sound was brought forth as he absorbed the black winged version of himself. "Come out and play you feisty creatures." Eyeing his surroundings, he whispered. "Haven't you seen enough of this?"

No one answered his calls, but he didn't stop. "Black, make this two sleep nice and easy." A black shadow appeared, and covered the sleeping beauty and the white rabbit. After covered the two with its shadowy magic, it nudged Hei Long, who was staring ahead with his fierce eyes, as if saying, "It's done."

"Hey, why don't you come out and play?" Hei Long said as chill covered his eyes. "Don't try to hide from me, I can see you."

The winds rushed through the forest, and down into the valley as the dry leaves rustled in the cold breeze. Hei Long frown. " Sending another storm, aren't we?" The winds became stronger and stronger as the he kept on talking. "Send me your strongest winds, let's see who's stronger than us!" he let out a bellow and cast an incantation with his arms wide. "O great nature, I call forth—Divine Fury!" The volatile winds stopped, the tremors stopped, and so did the time—everything stopped at the moment in time. Then an explosion burst out in the deep, luscious forest ahead. A beast brought forth its windy presence with its eyes closed. When Hei Long sensed—that the creature he had felt the time he first set his foot here—had come out of its lair, he punched the ground, and gigantic earthly roots shoot out from the ground and straight to the creature, who was standing mid air, the surrounding tree vines started to sway and eventually it attacked the creature with its sharp, green poison-needles like vine. But the humanoid beast didn't let any of his attack brush it, so it avoided his attacks, roots and vines, with ease. Then it whipped its hands across and a sharp flashing light appeared and headed toward Hei Long's long. Somersaulting, he avoided the attack and saw a huge vertical line, where he once stood. He smiled and said at the ghastly creature. "Not bad for a stalking fellow. Now it time to get end this!" He let out a bellow, then a sound rang into his head and ears. "War Cry—gift from the gods above—activated!"