5.
I never expected to see the queen anytime soon. The sight of her with the warrior general Cheng Fu instantly made me lose my composure. The queen's attire was made of rare silk and it had embroidery that illustrated royalty at the sleeves and hems of the garment. Her hair was neatly packed into an updo and was adorned with flowers I believe are peculiar to the king's court. Now that I look closely at the two,it seem as though there's a resemblance between them. 'Cheng Fu told me about your feat on the training ground yesterday. Is it true?' the queen asked bringing me out of my assessment. 'Yes,my Queen' I bowed as I answered. Wei Feng had told me how to show my respects I was not about to fall into the queen's black book.
'Very well then,get ready. I would love to see you fight with Shin Fei. She is the leader of the Flaming Lights.' 'My queen I don't think I'm....' Cheng Fu cuts in ' You will get ready at once! Don't you dare talk back at the queen' she angrily said. With that they both left my room. I was disturbed with the fact that I mistakenly answered back at the queen. It was one of the taboos Wei Feng told me to avoid. As of that was not enough,I have to fight Shin Fei,leader of the House of Flaming Lights. I haven't recovered from yesterday's encounter. 'What in the world am I supposed to do?' I exclaimed. At that Wei Feng entered, obviously to get me ready. I collapsed on the bed in total despair.
My bath time is usually characterised with peace and calmness. Even if I stay for just five minutes they were as refreshing as an hour. It was as I poured water on my head that the flash of the dream I had came to me. Thinking back on it now,it seems like the woman in my dream has a resemblance to the queen and the general. On the way to the training ground I kept on thinking about the dream and it's possible meaning. How am I connected to the dream. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I totally forgot that I had gotten to the arena. 'I am Cheng Fu,holder of the level five mind coordination Sceptre'
'What! Did I just heard level five?' I thought no one passed the fourth level. My confusion was so loud,Shin Fei had to calm me by making a gesture to me to be calm. I nervously walked up to her,she squared up to me and the umpire declared 'You may begin!' I lifted up my face and scanned the arena in search of Wei Chen, he was nowhere in the crowds. As I turned to face Shin Fei,I suddenly saw visions from the battlefield. The feeling of fear, pain and uncertainty came rushing to me all at once. I felt extremely weak literally and I fell to the floor. I heard the crowd cheering faintly and I was in so much agony I thought I would die.
I tried to remember some beautiful experiences I've had in recent times just to release myself into the arms of death gracefully. As many images flashed in my mind,one kept recurring and at a time it was the only image I saw. Wei Chen dressed in his armoured bodysuit,smiling and telling me not to be afraid. My gaze was on him until it was as though I was seeing him literally. Slowly but surely the pain was facing. My weakened body became strengthened. I stood up,grabbed Shin Fei's arm and put pressure on the hollow part of her wrist. I fixed my gaze on her and pictured in my mind that she was lying on a sick bed, visibly shaken by the pain in her system. I don't know how I thought of that. It just occurred. Shin Fei cried out with pain and fell on her knees holding on to her abdomen with her second arm.
It took her some minutes before she regained her strength and as she made to deal me another attack,the umpire signalled the end. We bowed to each other and she even shook hands with me. The queen came close to me,looked at me intensely,nodded her head towards the general and left with her maids(Warriors too). Wei Feng came up to smiling from ear to ear. 'That was fantastic Zhen! How did you do it ' 'Do what! I did nothing' I said. ' You know for a split second I almost thought I was in battle with a skilled warrior. The struggle was so intense I almost have up.' Shin Fei remarked. Suddenly there were resounding claps made from the entrance into the arena. I looked towards that direction and lo! It was Wei Chen.
My face lit up and I almost jumped on him,but, Wei Feng kept me in check and directed my gaze to the company he came with. My excitement made them blind to me and I only noticed them as I became a little bit calmer. 'Wei Chen,I searched for you during the fight,I didn't see you anywhere.' I said almost in tears. 'Without my presence you still did great,Zhen. How did you manage to get out of the mind tricks Shin Fei used on you?' he quizzed ' I would be lying if I say that I knew how. All I know is that I kept seeing you amidst many images in my mind until you became the only one I saw. As long as I kept my gaze on you my strength returned gradually until it was full restored.' I responded with gratitude. As I said the last word, everywhere was as quiet as first light. I could see a mixture of excitement,anger and total amazement in the faces of all that were present.
I noticed the little crowd around us began to break in two's and three's as they whispered and left the arena. I was left with Wei Feng, Shin Fei and Wei Chen. I looked at them puzzled by the mixed reaction I saw. Knowing my thoughts Shin Fei explained ' It is true that in order to master the levels of coordination,one must discover their connection emblem. This can be human,animal or ancient ones.' ' For what you said to be possible,it means Wei Chen is your emblem' Wei Feng clarified. Unsure of what to make of this new discovery,I turned and took steps to go,Wei Chen pulled me up to himself, so close that I could literally feel his breath in my nostrils. I just stood there stunned.