Kapitel 16: THE FOUND LOSS.
"What's that commotion?" The Emperor's sudden inquiry pointed toward the door.
The Master rose from his knees and hastened in the indicated direction. "Your Majesty, my apologies. I'll investigate immediately."
Outside the room, the Master discovered a dozen monks wielding sticks and buckets, chasing two ragged figures. Both looked like tramps, occasional seekers of shelter or sustenance, differed in age—the nimble youth and the older man, yet who matched the youth's speed.
"What's happening?" The Master halted one of the pursuing monks.
"Oh, Master, you're feeling better!" The monk's face lit up. The Master realized his mistake; he hadn't interacted with anyone except his absent servant. Now, he had personally posed a direct question—that seemed a problem.
"Answer me," the Master demanded, snapping the monk back to reality.
"Yes, Master, my apology! These two scaled the wall, seeking you. Earlier, they caused a ruckus among the penitents at the gate."
The monk's words puzzled the Master; he was definitely unaware of the situation outside but maintained a facade of composure.
"Does anyone know why they sought me?" The Master inquired again.
The monk's rambling revealed one thing: these audacious newcomers intended to meet him personally and the young man kept shouting about water and wind all the time, that the monk considered total gibberish.
Troublingly, that so called gibberish made a whole lot sense for the Master and he became clearly saddened. It seemed more than one guest from the Heavenly Palace was expected today. The Master's unease grew.
As he decided to return and turned back, he unexpectedly collided with the Emperor, who had come out onto the porch. His aura, though diminished for mortals, still commanded attention and all eyes immediately turned to Him.
"Father?" The voice behind the Master sent shivers through his body and all the horrors of the worlds flashed before his eyes. The voice was incredibly familiar.
"Muchen, long time no see," said the Emperor, more displeased than welcoming.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, the Wind Master braced himself. At any moment, the situation could erupt like molten metal. And it did, but in the most absurd way.
"You scoundrel!" The impact of a wood broke echoed, followed by a splash.
The same very moment the Emperor lunged, knocking the Wind Master off his feet. Turning his head the old man watched as a time-stopping formation unfolded over the pond, golden rays piercing the Prince's descent into water.
It had been an eternity since the Wind Master seen the Prince last time. Now he seemed mature, not a cheeky little brat any more.
"Resist!" Shouted the Emperor already standing at the edge of the pond and trying to grab onto at least something to hold on to the body disappearing in the water.
"Resist!" The Emperor's desperate plea fell unnoticed as the Prince completely vanished beneath the surface.
The frozen tableau held everyone except the Emperor who was relentlessly pounding the water venting out His anger.
The Master's heart raced, entangled in a Celestial drama that was fording in front of his eyes. But that was not what bothered him the most.
"Little bastard, now I know where you've gone!" Was his only whisper.
*Thx for reading.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein