บท 34: The Expedition II

Zagan was still under the thundering rain, seated with his eyes closed tightly. Everything that was happening to him in his trance was also happening in reality aside the fact that he wasn't in motion.

Master Shi De was worried for the poor boy but he couldn't act carelessly by interrupting Zagan so he just stayed still. The grand master on the other hand, maintained an expressionless face and didn't show any sign of concern.

A few moments ago, before Zagan's meditative journey began, Master Shi De escorted the grand master to his chambers. They had spent some time going round the temple and did not realize that the day was already far spent. Tomorrow was going to be another important day and it was advisable to sleep early. But they were only halfway to their chambers when they saw the silhouette of someone walking in the hallway. The grand master was the first to notice this and called the attention of Shi De.

"Aren't your students meant to be sleeping by now? Why is someone still roaming around so late at night?"

Master Shi De raised his brow and looked towards the direction of the grand master's sight. "Master Wen Feng, that's yang. The new boy. I've been noticing him this past few days, he always goes to the top of the mountain to meditate. It is becoming a routine."

Wen Feng raised his brow obviously amused. "I see."

He still has his sight on Zagan and didn't realize when he started to follow him. Shi De on the other hand was caught off guard when he saw the grand master walking towards the top of the roof but didn't say anything instead, he followed too.

When they got to the top of the mountain, Zagan was already seen with his legs crossed, his hands on his tight and his eyes closed. He was already meditating and Shi De didn't want to interrupt him so he and the grand master, kept a safe distance and watched as Zagan was completely lost in his state of meditation .

After a few minutes, heavy rain began to pour without any warning. "Why did it have to rain now? We should leave it's not good for you to stay in the rain. Your health condition might get worse." Master Shi De complained but the grand master remained fixed in the same spot not moving even a limb. His gaze were fixed on Zagan as he stared at him intently.

After some time, he turned and looked and Shi De who was almost worried to death.

"He is no longer here."

Shi De was confused what did the master mean by 'he's no longer here?' He was seated right in front of them or is it that the grand master has forgotten to brng his spectacles along?

Shi De instinctively checked the master's face to confirm if he had his glasses on.

"I'm not blind okay? I know what I'm saying. That boy over there has gone on an expedition."

Shi De's eyes widened 'expedition? But he's not ready.'

In the trance, Zagan was bleeding and the warriors who released the arrow, walked towards him with every step, the ground vibrated. Zagan looked up but saw a familiar face. 'Father? Why is he here?'

The king of the Leo clan stood in front of Zagan with a sorry face, this was a surprise for Zagan who had never seen his father like this. The only picture of his father's face he had ever seen was filled with disgust and anger. The king of the Leo clan was short tempered and always had an angry expressions on his face wherever he found himself. Maybe that was why he was titled the strongest king. He was an emotionless man and rumor even had it that he had murdered one of his wife who was Zagan's mother, and married another one. Seeing his father's face now was surprising to Zagan.

The king of the Leo clan walked up to Zagan and held him by the hand, helping him to get back on his feet. Due to the pain the arrow inflicted, he held his side tightly, he couldn't stand straight. Soon, his face turned pale and his lips were chapped. His hand were freezing and his legs were heavy. He looked up at his father but he was gone. When he surveyed his environment, he found himself in an unfamiliar place. It looked like an Asian palace with most of its decorations in red, even the roof was red.

Out of frustration, he boomed. "Ohh! Not again." Immediately, he used his hand to close his mouth. Did he just speak out? How?

He looked at the palace like structure and found that it was still standing and had not been destroyed by his words. On a normal note, just a sigh, would be able to bring the whole building down it was a surprise that the Shaolin temple was only slightly affected.

He turned round and realized that this palace was the only building here. He was losing so much blood but hesitated to seek refuge in the palace.

After a while, he began to walk towards it. "For all I know, I might be dead and this might be what the after life looks like."

He walked towards the entrance of the gigantic building he didn't need to pass the gate because he was already in the premises. He was about to knock when the door cracked open. This act startled him but what was worse was the fact that, when the door was finally opened wide, no one was standing behind it. 'Could it be that they forgot to lock the door? And where are the guards?' He wondered 'this must be the after life after all, nothing in reality is this easy so it's obvious I'm already dead.' He felt like crying at the thought of that but when he looked back at the life he lived, he realized there was nothing worth fighting.

At this moment, he was fading away. He laid on the floor and felt his soul leaving his body. But in a quick moment, he snapped his eyes opened apparently, he saw something, something.....

He stood up and continued walking through the hallway, he realized that there were no doors in this huge palace. Strange!

When he got to the end of the hall he curved his brow slightly. Finally, there was a door. He pushed the door open and walked into an empty room. 'Oh great! Another empty space.'

He was in pain and he could barely walk anymore so, he just laid on the floor and closed his eyes for a while. He was quite certain that by the time he opened them, he would be in a different place, after all, that's all that had been going on lately.

After a few minutes, he heard footsteps approaching the room where he laid but he could do nothing because his injury would not permit him to move an inch; he could only slightly open his eyes. The sound of the door opening was heard and then, he heard the sound of footsteps but didn't see anyone. The footsteps came to a halt for a while before drawing closer.

'Is this it? Is this the end of me? Am I going to die? Wait! What am I even saying? For all I know, I might be dead already.' Zagan didn't have the strength to worry about anything anymore, so he just let himself fall asleep.