15.
The hall was suddenly transformed into an arena. It was made possible by the swiftness of the servants who could pass for Warriors. The moved with such grace and sense of duty,I could barely keep up with,whilst I was still serving. The sentence 'whilst I was still serving' struck a chord in my thoughts. Was there a time I was a servant? Do I have a connection with this place? Why do I suddenly have that line of thought. 'The Honoured One,my YAO. It is time's the queen's voice brought me back to the present.
The Crown Prince had changed into an armour,that which I'm certain had special abilities tailored towards this battle. While I was immersed in my thoughts,a maze like tunnel had opened up right in the midst of the hall. It went down as far as I could see and flames and heat oozed out of the pit. On seeing this,I was still not afraid but I became more curious. What exactly is 'the battle of the burning flames? 'The battle is guided by only one rule conquer the flames and you have conquered your adversary. You may begin'. With this,we were both pushed down the pit.
In no time we we touched down and immediately flames that took the shape of some forbidden creatures came at me as another went for him. The creatures were screeching as they fought with us. On the first attempt of the flames of the creature to engulf me,I ran and ducked but on its second attempt,I collided with it and my icy armour became darkened with flames. As it succeeded doing that,it sort of reproduced itself and I had to battle them at the same time. Their major attack to to get me engulfed in their flames and every time they succeed,I lose a part of me till none remains. They succeeded two more times until it finally clicked.
I am said to be something related to ice. It means I can quench these flames. At that realisation, my armour regained its colour and my killer instincts returned. I knew exactly what to do. As one of the creatures approached me,I looked straight into his eyes and I froze it till it broke in pieces. The second creature came with all wrath,but I saw something in it's form that looked like it's power source. I reached for that location and plucked it out Frome it chest. It just vaporised. In the same manner I conquered the ten of them(for they had multiplied). As the last creature fell, it screeched with such level of shout, that all the land knew a conqueror has emerged.
I ran to where the Crown Prince laid almost lifeless on the floor. I helped him up and we stepped into an open portal. It brought us to the hall and it was obvious who won. There was such jubilation and excitement that I cannot understand. I thought they should be sad,seeing the state their crown Prince is in. Apparently, he had not been in their good books in a long while.Some servants came over to help him into his chambers,where proper care will be administered to him. The queen came to myself and my companions and walked with us to the guest house. As we went by,I heard discussions on the events that just happened and how the Crown Prince will know better now than to challenge the queen mother .
.Later that evening,a celebration was held in the honor of the visitation of YAO in the form of human. There were different performances and the joy in the atmosphere can puncture any sorrow. The young ones that were there came to drag Wei Chen and I from where we stood to join in the celebration. We danced and laughed out hearts out. It was such a beautiful experience. The night's sky was full of starts and the moon shone it's brightest. The breeze flowed sweetly in an unspoken rhythm around us. My skin tinged with such exciting peace I've only but heard about. It was such a memorable night.
Suddenly I began to hear a conversation going on between the queen and the Crown Prince. 'Why did you allow me to be humiliated by a stranger like that?' 'How did I allow you to be humiliated? Were you not thinking when you mentioned the battle of the flames. You have never been victorious for once!'the queen said 'I had to let her know her place! She was becoming too full with pride' the Prince reacted.
'You think I don't know. Come to think about it,why would 'YAO' choose her and not me' the queen that replied. She continued ' I have nurtured her wisdom and kept her precepts all my life! But what's the saying 'spirits don't know the worth of your devotion until you withdraw it'. The prince asked expectantly 'what are you going to do now?' 'What if the fulfillment of the prophecy does,won't YAO select another? The queen said as they both laughed hysterically.
I became visibly shaken. I could not come to terms with it. Isn't the queen the same that was all nice and loving some hours ago. Now she is talking about killing me.First impression definitely should last longer. I ignored her initial disposition towards me and believed a lie. Even though my armour shined brighter under the moon, I was unbelievably afraid. I could almost run mad with fear. I should be thinking of escape but I couldn't. I wanted to tell Wei Chen and Tian Yu but I couldn't. Everything felt like a finished story that I was just placed as an element within it.
Just as I finally mustered the courage to put myself and words together, to let them know, I was told that the queen wanted to see me alone. I motioned for Wei Chen to come with me,he was told that his Queen called him for a special discussion also. Only Tian Yu saw my hesitation and I saw in his face that he understood what I tried to communicate. He communicated with me that he would come get me and with that I followed the warrior servants that were sent.
I looked back again and truly hoped that whatever Tian Yu had in mind is made possible. It was a long walk down the dusty roads. As we got to the front door,it opened up to her chambers. We entered, the doors were shut and so was was my glimpse of hope.