"What the hell... oh sh*t..."
Breath seized in his throat, Mu Chen stumbled to his feet. Dozens of wolves were already retreating, their growls dying away into quiet.
The phoenix, however, remained.
It swung in his direction. Like living fire, that dazzling blue light clung to its feathers. There was no danger in its gaze, only an odd, heavy weight that quickened Mu Chen's heartbeat.
As though an incomprehensible call was being answered by something within of him.
The energy burst so powerful that Mu Chen's hair whipped back as the bird raised its wings once more. The pressure made his face tight.
He moved closer, step by step. Hesitant and curious.
His hand was shaking as he reached out and lightly pressed his fingers across the bright mark on the phoenix's skull.
And then the world disappeared.
A visual flashed across his mind—too fast, and too much. He witnessed a world alive with joy, laughter, and people who treated one another like family. It everything felt so close and real. Then, as if the sky had burst open, a firestone fell from above, crushing everything.
Flames, screams, and ashes.
In the midst of the commotion, a small phoenix screamed out, and he recognized himself. A boy no older than today. Two hazy people stood in front of him, their faces obscured by light.
Mu Chen grumbled. His skull was splitting apart. The weight of the vision brought him to his knees.
And suddenly there was a voice. Or perhaps two. Harsh, fractured, and ringing through his skull.
"You are mine."
"No, he's mine."
"There is nothing wrong with Bai Hu; just give it back."
Mu Chen yelled, then collapsed.
The phoenix glowed briefly before dissipating into a mist of blue light and sank back into his body.
Time has passed. He wasn't sure how long.
He awoke with a headache and a heart full of doubts.
"What the hell was that?" The vision... What did it mean?" He grumbled and rubbed his temples as he stood.
He did not hang around to figure things out.
Mu Chen leaped, grasping branches with practiced ease, gliding from tree to tree until the forest thinned out behind him. When the village came into view, he landed to the ground and slowed his pace. No one could tell he had been to the Forbidden forest
However, the rumors were already waiting.
"Isn't that the kid the troops followed through the cursed woods?"
"No way. If it were him, he wouldn't be alive."
"Look at the mark on his forehead. He's not ordinary. Demon, perhaps."
Mu Chen clinched his jaw. He disregarded them, and jumped onto a rooftop and then vaulted over to another, disappearing before the chatter could turn ugly.
By the time he arrived home, the sun was already leaning west.
He leaned against the wall, arms folded. "Xinyin. Are you feeling better now?
She looked up from her chair, where she was slicing vegetables. Her beautiful black hair fell over her shoulders, and her gentle blue eyes twinkled when she smiled.
"Thank you, Mu Chen. Whatever medication you packed...worked. How did you acquire anything this strong from the fortress?"
Mu Chen chuckled softly and tiredly. "Let's not worry about it. What important is that you are okay.
She nodded and returned to chopping, her smile lingering.
Mu Chen looked at her for a time. His heart felt heavy.
"Hey… Xinyin," he whispered quietly, walking closer with a low voice. "Thank you. For everything. Thanks for looking after me. For keeping everything together, even when Mom and Dad..."
He did not complete and did not have to.
"I was thinking," he said, "maybe I could obtain a job at the fortress. Help bring in some money."
She swung around quickly, her face blanched. "What? What about the fortress? No. Absolutely not. That location is—no. I won't allow you go near it."
"But—"
"No!" She cut.
"It is too hazardous. Do you think I would let you waste your life like that? I have been saving, quietly, for years. Mu Chen, you won't be living here forever. You're heading to the city. You will study. You are intelligent, and you are intended for more than this."
Mu Chen looked, his eyes wide.
"What about the city...?" Really?"
She grinned and nodded.
He could not believe it. He turned and walked back to his room without saying anything else.
"The City... "That's my dream," he said quietly, lying into the bed with his eyes still wide open.
While lying on his back, Mu Chen gazed up at the ceiling, his mind racing like a restless bird. He slowed his breathing and his body eased up.
Then, suddenly, his palm began to burn with a keen fire.
He flinched.
Over his skin, a faint blue glow flickered, like lightning on fire. He frowned and sat up straight. At first, it only ached enough to feel weird, not very much. Then it became a little more difficult. It burn, trying to put out a fire, he brushed his palm on his robe as he snarled and leaped off the bed. He looked around the mattress. There is nothing there. No coal, no ember, no spark.
"What the heck.?" Confused, he muttered to himself.
His gaze was fixed on his hand. For a while, the skin appeared normal, but for a moment, The same unsettling blue flame, however, came back to life around his fingers just in front of his eyes. It moved softly yet untamedly, like if it were alive.
Mu Chen felt his heart pound and his throat tightened with panic.
With a panic, he staggered back and knocked over a stool. Then, hurrying toward the corner, he saw a shallow pan of water that had been left over from previous tasks. He stabbed his hand in mindlessly. He felt the chill as if it were a relief.
It appeared to be over for a moment.
He sighed unsteadily.
However, the flames were still there as he raised his palm once again, flickering and clinging to him like though they were supposed to.
The scream was louder this time.
Fast footsteps thudded against the floor from down the corridor. "Mu Chen!" Concern splintered Xinyin's voice.
Panting, she rushed into the room. She had loose hair that hung over her shoulders. She glanced at him swiftly, and her face contorted when she saw him smiling foolishly while holding his soaking palm over the water.
"What is the matter with you?" With her hands on her hips, she snapped. "I believed a serious incident had occurred! Don't frighten me in that manner!
Still trembling, Mu Chen blinked at her. Half of what she said was not heard by him. He kept thinking about that flame and how, even though it didn't hurt anymore, it felt strange, like if something had inadvertently become a part of him.
He smiled crookedly at her.
"Oh, sister, it's nothing. My hand was itching, that's all. I believed that water might help."
Xinyin's face grew serious. She glared as she pointed at him.
"You are not possible. Quit messing around, you brat. One day, you'll give me a heart attack."
Turning, she blew out a strong breath through her nose and leaved.
Mu Chen waited until she stopped walking.
Then he raised his hand once more.
The fire had gone, not even a mark.
He stood there contemplating, breathing heavily and slowly.
"That blue flame... "I've witnessed it previously," he muttered. "Yes. in the woods. The Phoenix..."
His hand dropped, and he turned to face the window outside, the sky had grown somewhat darker.
There was a problem. There was a change.
He muttered, "I need to know what's happening to me."
Now his voice was heavy and his gaze shifted to the door, eyes piercing with determination.
"I must visit Elder Liang."