Wang Mulan's heart ached. She began to weep openly, the tears falling like rain onto the baby's fur. She stroked the small head with a shaking hand.
"My daughter," she whispered, her voice thick with sorrow.
"Remember... your mother will always love you. I will protect you even if it costs me my soul. They want you... I know they want your light. But as long as I am breathing, they will never snatch my baby. They will never use your beautiful soul for their filthy dark magic."
She looked up at the moon, falling to her knees. She begged the Beast God for strength. She begged for a miracle to save her child from the evil that was chasing them.
"Please," she sobbed. "Take me. Kill me. But save my daughter."
"Beast God...if you exist, please show mercy to my pitiful child..."
"She had done nothing wrong...to deserve such fate."
Suddenly, a silver glow descended from the sky. It enveloped the mother and child in a soft, warm light.
