<u>Chapter 1: Dream and Reality</u>


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    A boom.


    A massive explosion in front of him.


    The booming sound, the crushing pressure, the whole building collapsing… He witnessed all these, when time, seemed to move slower, and slower… In that split second, he saw a huge soldier in camouflage, shielding him from the blast. The coming impact crushed the soldier’s body, blood splattered all around. The blood fell onto his face, and the impact, hit him as well.


    He was sent flying backwards.


    As if a doll, thrown into the ground, his body turned lifeless.


    Stinging sound filled his head, his mind turned blank. All around him, people were moving and shouting. Loud noises on the background, going on without stopping… Yet he lay still, silent. The sound of people calling out for him, reached his consciousness.


    “Pops, pops injured! Give us cover…”


    “Call the medic over!”


    “Leader, wake up! You can’t fall here…”


    “Pops, wake up! Aren’t you The Invincible… They call you that!”


    It was not his name, yet he knew they were calling for him. Almost all of them guys, tough guys… his comrades in battle. However, in his hazy eyes, a brunette girl had tears falling on him. She was calling him non-stop, desperate. The call, it was…


    “Pops!”


    Her hands, were grabbing his vest.


    Her mouth, close to his face, was saying things. Saliva drops landed onto him… This girl, since when did she become this barbaric? She was shouting… He couldn’t hear her exactly, but hmph, of course she’s complaining about him again. Can’t you stop complaining?


    You’re not my grandma…


    It’s not like he skipped breakfast cause it’s awful.


    Not like, he didn’t want to rest at home cause she’s there…


    Not like, he stepped onto a mine cause it’s fun.


    And not like, he missed her birthday cause he didn’t remember…


    ‘Snow… you little rebel,’


    That name, came out of nowhere.


    Snow, the Angel of Death. The name the enemy gave her, not out of respect, but out of fear. When she was deployed in battle, enemy snipers stood no chance. They were taken out swiftly.


    Yet this little death-bringer, was the jewel in his heart.


    This time, he wanted to reprimand her, coming so close to the frontline again… She was supposed to be at the back, covering them. Hmph, see how I’m going to chew you, little lady!


    He wanted to pinch her cheek, yet, he had no strength to do that…


    Pops…


    Soon, their call… and her call for him, faded.


    His consciousness, went elsewhere…


    …


    Shuuuu—


    Wind?


    No, a melody, so calming, so serene, took over.


    …


    He opened his eyes.


    The scene in his vision changed. It was a wide, open space. Floating yet staying still, he was overlooking a large, blue planet. The planet had several large landmasses filled with greenery, and white tranquil surface on the north and south. Slow moving clouds and swirling hurricanes were below his feet. Observing such a serene view, a particular feeling filled him. Such feeling, for his lack of a better word, could only be called…Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    A majestic view.


    Opposite to the planet, he felt warmth from his back.


    Turning, he saw a massive sun, scrutinizing him with all his glory. Unable to withstand the light, he turned his eyes away. Eyes soon adjusted, he witnessed the countless stars, illuminating the dark space all around him. The ocean of stars, shining with all kind of glory, felt as if welcoming him.The feeling was unfamiliar, yet warm. As if close friends, welcoming him to their place of abode after not seeing each other for a long time.


    …


    Observing all these, he realized he was in high orbit of the planet… Before he could question anything to himself, a voice asked;


    “Twenty percent, maximum. You wish to send this leverage for your people, are you certain?”


    From his back to his side, a man in white, body glowing with light, asked him with a smile. In that instant, his tongue moved.


    “I am certain. Please strengthen their unity, especially in times of hardship.”


    Receiving the confirmation, the smile on the person widened.


    Eyes on him, he nodded.


    “Very well, it’s done. We shall meet again when the time is right… Farewell, old friend.”


    <hr>


    The same huge planet…


    From its high orbit, its grandeur was plain for all to see. The greenery filling the continents, the wide white plain in the north, the swirling storm over the ocean, and the carefree clouds over the planet. Such a view would leave anyone speechless.


    In this high orbit, a pair of eyes observed.


    Red eyes, red crane sign in between, observed the planet’s surface. A lady in violet robe, with snow-like hair, was the owner of the red eyes. Floating here so carefree, she had no need to breathe. From this high place, her vision zoomed in. Passed the clouds, her gaze fixed on a location.


    It was a green plain just outside a city, where a boy was sleeping peacefully.


    Yet, his peace was just about to be taken from him. Three boys, two were carrying a bucket of water, approaching him with glee. Seeing this, as if annoyed, she reacted;


    “Tsk…”


    She did not say anything else. Staying afloat there, she stayed her hands. Oh, how she wished she could just wave one hand, swatting the bugs…


    Still, it wasn’t her problem.


    …


    <hr>


    ‘Snow…’


    With the word, he felt warmth. How ironic, that the name Snow represented warmth to him. Weird, really… Hm, who was Snow again?


    His…


    His what?


    …


    Splash!


    “Woah!”


    Wet, cold.


    Xin Shi opened his eyes, shocked from being woken up in such a barbaric manner. From his blurry vision, he saw an empty bucket. It was held by an older boy, wicked grin on his face. By his side, three other boys were making similar face, clearly entertained by his misery.


    Looking at them with empty eyes, he could not bother to guess what they were up to. It was the same as the other days anyway. No use complaining. But the dream…


    ‘The same dream again…’


    The dream he had since he was around five or six…


    He was in high orbit, meeting that man in white. It was a recurring dream, a dream which happened year after year. However, it happened more often recently. It was already the fourth times just short of six months.


    ‘Why… is this some kind of sign? Maybe what dad said was right? But what for…’


    As he was lost in his own world, the bullies could not wait;


    “Oi, you deaf? Or you did turn dumb?”


    The one holding the bucket, seemingly the leader of the boys, asked in a mocking manner. The others simply laughed, for no other reason than complementing their boss.


    “We want to play here, and you’re an eyesore. Get your butt out of here!”


    Hearing this, he simply coughed.


    Looking around, he was on a small hill, just beside a field, part of the wide land belonging to the clan. It was a field used to rear cows and horses, so aside from the hill, there were a wide area all open for them to play. Why must they play here?


    Xin Lu… what an asshole.Oh well, no use arguing…


    A small matter.


    Being splashed with water all over while sleeping in the open was the least evil he experienced all through the years. These older boys, fourteen and fifteen of age, were the sons of the elders who controlled the clan. Xin Lu in particular, was the only son of the current clan head. With these elders being indifferent and even outward biased, he knew getting mad at them was a waste of time. He preferred avoiding senseless fighting anyway.


    Palm covering his coughing, he noticed small spots of blood on his hand. He wiped them on the grass, stood up and be on his way. Seeing the target outwardly ignored him, Xin Lu shouted;


    “Oi, deaf! I’m talking to you… How dare you just ignore me, your Young Master! You must have a death wish!”


    His feet did not stop.


    Within, Xin Shi could only laugh at him. Such a cliché saying… Does he not get bored, even ashamed saying it all the time? If it were him, he would find a really secluded place to hide his face until everyone forgot he actually said so.


    “Oi, you coward, are you sissy? Come back here!”


    Xin Shi still ignored him.


    He continued walking back to the massive mansion where their clan was located. It was afternoon, about time for his daily training. He pretty much did not want to anger Uncle Cui for turning up late. The old man did not accept anything aside from death as an excuse.


    Seeing Xin Shi did not pay attention to him, Xin Lu finally thought of a bright idea. It was somewhat a forbidden thing to do. If any adults heard this, even he would get the stare. It was considered a bad luck kind of thing. But now, they were away from the clan, so why not…?


    “Hmph, coward… But what would you expect from the son of a loser, right guys?”


    “Right, right… that loser,”


    “Yeah that dead frog…”


    The gang laughed out loud. Hearing this, Xin Shi feet stopped. Seeing it having effect, Xin Lu smirked, further adding oil to the fire;


    “A father who died a dog’s death has a coward as the son, quite reasonable right? Huhu, oh, that old lady you called mother? I thought she’s your grandmother now! She used to be quite a looker, but look how old she is now, she’s more dead than alive! Don’t you think so guys?”


    Seeing their boss being excited, the others chime in as well.


    “Right, right… she looks like she’s going to kick the bucket soon huhu…”


    “Haha, maybe in a few years? How long do you think she will last?”


    “I bet she will meet her loser husband in three, no, just two years! It would be a wonderful reunion, don’t you think?”


    “Ha ha, wanna bet? 10 silver taels, I bet two and a half years at most!”


    The boys kept provoking him.


    He kept silent, knowing full well he should not react. In dealing with infighting among the junior generation, the simple rule of the clan was thus; who deliver the first blow? With the clan leader and elders being biased, that one question was all they asked. Knowing so, the boys were simply edging him to attack first.


    Xin Shi knew their intent.


    Yet knowing and feeling were different. His body stopped moving when they insulted his late father, trembled when they condemned his ill mother to death, and when Xin Lu and the three started to bet exactly when his mother will kick the bucket…


    He turned to them.


    Happy that they finally had his attention, Xin Lu and the three had a glorious glee, but not for long. Sudden shivers spread through their spine, they stepped back. Staring at them, was not the same empty eyes they knew. For a moment, their brain turned numb.


    A pair of sharp,shining eyes glared at them.


    Red eyes, eyes similar to a predator… glaring the prey, and ready to strike.


    “Take back…”


    Finally being released from the numbness, they heard Xin Shi’s voice.


    “Your words, take them back and apologize. To my mother, and my father… Kowtow to them three times and apologize, or else…”


    Seeing Xin Shi eyes turning to normal, albeit filled with anger, the numbness from before disappeared. It was weird, but the boys were quick to disregard it. Being the boss, Xin Lu had to respond first;


    “Huhu, why should we? We simply said the truth! Everyone knows your father died a dog’s death… and your mom? She’s one foot in the other world already—”


    A fist slammed his cheek before he finished his words.


    Then, things turned chaotic.


    …


    -- Chapter 1 End --