Chapter 103 - Space

Nianshi tried to hold on tight but one hand fell on his side. He reached up again but the hole's edges were slippery like it had a substance that took away the surface's friction. 

"What did that idiot spirit do to prevent me from coming out?" Nianshi stiffened his jaw as he tried to hold on firmly.

"Tut tut tut dear dragon I did nothing. If I wanted to I would have already killed you in your dream," Nianshi heard the spirit spoke in his mind. The spirit laughed at the thought the dragon had a hard time. "I don't know why it's slippery. All I know is, it's an entrance... for a reason, not an exit." He sarcastically remarked. 

"So, where's the exit then?" Nianshi's shoulders trembled from exhaustion. He was getting tired as his hand continued slipping.

"Well, you already know the way out. It's through overcoming the fear. But you wouldn't know how to recover from this one's dream, it was meant for that Ming guy. Too bad his out and you're still stuck." The spirit snickered, mocking Nianshi. 

"Watch out, you scoundrel. When I get out of here, you'll be sorry."  

"Why blame me? I'm innocent. The spirit whimpered like Nianshi hurt it but it laughed out loud afterward. "My dear dragon, I have warned you. It's difficult and yet you still volunteered." Hearing Nianshi getting irritated was music to the spirit's ears. 

Nianshi hardened his hold even more but couldn't take it anymore. He gnashed his teeth to not slip. Somehow, there was nothing he could do. The entrance's edges was too slippery for him to hold on. 

As his hand about to give in, a sudden and forceful wind entered. Ming's face came to view. His whole body trembled as he let a small whirlwind catch the dragon, keeping Nianshi from falling and slowly sucked him outside the hole. 

However, the hole started getting smaller and smaller. Ming had to stop, afraid it would close. He hurriedly held Nianshi's hand, pulling him outside for good. Both of them lay on a foggy floor, making deep and heavy breaths. The place they were at was bright but has no walls.

(Meanwhile, outside) 

The spirit kept giggling and whispering some stuff. Xinyi glared at the spirit in annoyance of his low whispers. 

"What's so funny?" she gritted her teeth. She was getting unstable. She was worried and pissed. She didn't know whether Nianshi and Ming were okay and yet this spirit still had the time to laugh. 

"Hehe, nothing." It zipped its mouth and hummed a happy tune.

"You're starting to get on my nerves. What is it you're not telling me?" She knew deep down something wasn't right. She could sense that both of her loved ones were in danger. Suddenly the spirit picked up Xinyi's bloodl.u.s.t. She couldn't see it but the spirit saw Xinyi glowed a dangerous aura. 

(Meanwhile, inside)

"Thanks, I owe you," Nianshi said between breaths.

"No, I owe you. Thank you." Ming pointed a finger at the far side. "It seems like that's our exit." 

The two stood and Nianshi turned into his true form, a lion dragon. He sat and let Ming mount him. He slowly flew, being cautious. Knowing the spirit, there might be traps or more deadly surprises. As Ming looked down, he saw tiny holes that popped out of nowhere. If they had hiked towards the door, they would have fallen on one of those since it was too foggy for them to see the way.

"It seems there is a space for every person's trial," said Nianshi as he noticed what Ming was looking at. 

Ming's curiosity grew and couldn't keep his mouth shut. "Where are we anyway? How did you find me?"

"You remember nothing?" Nianshi sighed. As much as he wanted to keep quiet since he was too concerned with his master's well being outside, he also knew that Ming was the relentless type.

"We're inside your dream. You've been trapped here for some time, I think. Judging by the things you remembered. It happens whenever the spirit leaves those he tests." He was also wondering how long he had been inside the spirit's magic.

"You see, whenever you enter the Cave of Truth, the spirit slowly puts you into a trance. And puts you in his tests, or so he says. I think he just does it because he is too lonely and only wants to torture the people coming in the cave." He sighed in annoyance. 

"I see." For the first time Ming didn't say much. He was quiet until they reached the door. It was a floating, circular steel, and tightly shut. There was some cryptic symbols written on it, not even Nianshi could decipher. 

"Do you know these symbols?" Ming asked.

"I recognize them but I don't understand them. I've seen them in magical areas the late Sorceress and I visited. Only she understood them but didn't teach me how to read it."

"So, how are we going to open this?" Ming crossed his arms to his chest.

The two looked at each other and grinned ear to ear. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Ming said.

Without answering, Nianshi plunged his sharp claws at the door's sides and pulled it with all his might. Ming formed a whirlwind and let it suck the door, working with Nianshi's momentum.

The place shook as they forcefully opened the door until it gave way. Nianshi made a deafening roar as he gave his last ounce of strength to pull it out. Ming's tornado threw it far inside. A loud bang reverberated, but they didn't look back to where it went. Nianshi grabbed Ming and jumped out.

The sleeping Ming and Nianshi opened their eyes that very instant. And back in the cave with Xinyi who jumped to both of them in glee.

"I'm glad you're both safe," Xinyi said, in tears of joy.

Nianshi looked at the spirit who was grinning towards them. He felt a dangerous and eerie vibe from its grin.