The Curse of Immortality

Chapter 28

The private room was filled with rich paintings made by the top artists in the country. All of who looked up to Man Ga Yiu for leadership. There were plenty of enemies ready to bring down the Wah San Sect, his worries only grew from each day “Do not stress yourself.” Chow Yee seemed to be reading his thoughts.

“I cannot help it.” He sighed tiredly while staring at a particular painting of Wah San “I have a feeling it will crumble in my hands.”

“It will not.” She replied firmly.

He spun around to look at her “You have helped me with each passing year, leading me in the right direction. I have never formerly thanked you. The future of Wah San is in your eyes. Please Chow Siu Jei, what is to come?”

She sighed while stepping towards the table centered in the room, she had helped him with the feng shui and it left the casual room with an air of importance “There will be an end to everything one day. You do not need to worry about Wah San, the Sect will turn into a legend and live forever in the minds of the people. Although there is a danger in the near future that I have yet to see.”

“What danger? How do I stop it?” he asked eagerly.

“I do not know.” Chow Yee replied honestly “There is no way to avoid it from happening, but I see it involves the Gods. Do you remember a year ago what I said?”

He nodded “That the Gods were in a war and all the people on earth will suffer. We had a flood that devastated thousands down the hills and a fire that erupted and nearly burned down my home and half the mountain.”

“Yes.” She tilted her head up “This is not a natural disaster, it will change the course of the future. I fear, we might not live through this.”

He was saddened and worried for his people “Is there no way to salvage the people’s lives?”

She closed her eyes to trace back any visions she might have had “Yes.” She replied when her eyes popped open “There is.”

“Please, tell me.” Man Ga Yiu was eager to know.

“The young gentlemen you spoke of earlier, the one that defeated your daughter, Hui Fei Hung. I did not want to worry you, but he will take over Wah San one day. He will become your top pupil within months and earn your only daughter’s trust. There is a man that he brought along, I sense danger from him. He cannot stay long.” Chow Yee warned.

“I shall see to it that he leaves immediately.” The leader said firmly.

***********

The feast was well under way and everyone was enjoying the meat and wine. Fei Hung and Ahron sat together at one of the ten tables set for the guests “This is for you, Mas…I mean Ah Hong.” Fei Hung raised his cup “Thank you for having faith in me.”

“It is my pleasure.” They clinked cups and drank the white wine.

“Cheating to get to the top. I guessed it was how you defeated me.” Yu Mong muttered from the table behind them.

Fei Hung turned to her “Actually, that was pure skill. Cheating is not in my vocabulary, I do no such thing.”

“You can fool my father, but not me.” She growled after turning around to face him.

“As you say, Siu Si Mui.” He teased with a bowed head. She was fuming but refused to lose her cool as she continued to eat.

Ahron shook his head, it was a shame Fei Hung did not know she would one day become his future wife. He will pay for quipping every comment she made. Filling his cup of wine, he got off his seat and walked over to the head table “Leader Man, I have heard of you years ago and have never had the pleasure of meeting you in person. Words are no comparison to your distinguished persona.”

The man was polite “You are too kind. I did not catch your name.”

“I did not give it.” Ahron replied with a smile “They call me Ah Hong, I am a wanderer.”

“Oh? I believe the signature in books say you are the eldest pupil of the Heavenly Sect?” the man challenged with a bigger smile.

Ahron laughed humorously “That was just a joke I said to Fei Hung to humor him. I am of no such Sect and there is none in that name.”

“How dare you!!” the man pounded his palm on the table causing it to tremble and everyone dropping their chopsticks “You find this competition a joke?”

“I apologize if you are offended but it was not meant to be harmful.” He replied calmly.

Man Ga Yiu glared at him angrily “My home does not welcome people who find Wah San as a joke. Please leave.”

“Si Fu!” Fei Hung came to Ahron’s defense “Please forgive me, it was I that signed the name in. I was unaware but even then, he did not mean it in a mocking way. Please, if it were not for Ah Hong, I would not be here today. If you want him to leave, I will leave too.” He nodded at Ahron “If you are not welcome, I am not welcome.”

“Wait!” the leader stood up to stop them “Wah San is not a place you can walk in and out. You have completed the ceremony and now belong to Wah San. If words carry out, we will be in shame. He can stay.”

Fei Hung smiled “Thank you Master!”

Ahron turned to Chow Yee, who was grim “I am sorry to disappoint you. It looks like I will not be leaving yet.” Fei Hung looked at him strangely but he was not about to explain how he knew “Now I can enjoy my dinner.”

“How did he know?” Man Ga Yiu whispered to Chow Yee “Is he too a Fortune Teller?”

She shook her head with a tilted smile “I am not sure.” Her eyes moved away and again caught Ahron smiling at her. A cup of wine in his hands as he raised it to her and drank it. She turned to the leader “I will leave tonight.”

“So soon?” he asked at her abrupt announcement.

“I like to keep moving.” She replied shortly.

Man Ga Yiu sighed, “I know it is hard to keep you. Thank you for coming, shall we see you again next year?”

“We will meet again when fate calls.” She clinked her cup with his as they drank the contents in one gulp.

That night after the feast died down and most of the guests have left, Chow Yee stood around waiting for Man Ga Yiu to be free from seeing off his guests. When she spotted the rare chance, she approached him “I will be on my way.”

He nodded in reply “Please, be careful. You are a like a friend to me, be safe. Here is a token of my appreciation.” Leader Man pulled out a few paper checks for her to use.

“I cannot…” she declined generously.

“Please, it is all I can do for you.” He smiled.

Chow Yee eventually took it “Very well. I will not deprive you of your gracious heart. Thank you. Good bye.”

“Farewell.” He watched as she walked out the doors.

Ahron too was watching Chow Yee leave. He turned to Fei Hung “I have to leave.”

“Where to?” he widened his eyes “You are not staying with me?”

“Silly guy.” Ahron laughed, “I cannot stay here forever. You will be fine.” He read his questioning thoughts “We will meet again when fate finds us. Good bye, my friend.” He rushed away before Fei Hung could say his good bye.

Chow Yee used her inner powers to move fast as she somersaulted in the air like a flying hawk. Her eyes darted behind her to see if Ahron was following her. When he was not in sight, she continued on until she stopped at a deserted home. Entering it, she carefully walked around the house, checking to see if it was empty “Why do you fear me?” a male voice broke into her thoughts when she stepped into the garden area.

She was taken aback by how quick he was able to chase her “How did you know where I was going to?”

“Chow Yee, I think you already know.” Ahron smiled warmly trying to calm her nerves.

“No, I don’t know who you are.” She stepped back ready to sprint away.

“Oh but you do.” Ahron challenged, “I am Ahron God of Rain.”

“No!” Chow Yee closed her ears “I do not believe you!”

He darkened his eyes and stared up at the sky “You will believe!!” he growled at the sky and down came thundering rain drenching them from head to toe.

She cowered to the ground and lowered her head as she cried, “Stop. Please…I believe you…”

Ahron raised a hand to the sky and swiftly waved a hand to his back and the rain stopped at the command. He stepped closer to her and placed a hand in front of her face “Come, it is time that you learn the truth.”

Chow Yee nodded blankly as she took his hand. He led her into the empty living room and made a quick fire with the broken chairs and tables he found “Why me?” she asked after peeling off the first layers of her wet clothing to dry. A line and curtain was made as a border to keep the two apart.

“I cannot answer that.” Ahron said solemnly “Why did you deny it before?”

“I was scared. I was given a punishment to see the future after looking through a person’s eyes. But when I looked at yours, I saw nothing. Every human has future, sometimes death…yet you had none. I knew you were not human.” She replied softly.

“It is a gift, not a punishment.” Ahron reminded her “You are a Fortune Teller according to the Gods.”

Chow Yee snickered “And here in this world. A gift should be something you are proud of, instead I live in fear every day of my life. That is why I keep moving, I do not want to witness too much and reveal too much. Afraid that the Gods would take me away. They have taken everything that I love away. My father must have released too much information, that was why he was punished to death.”

“No, you are different from your father. You are meant to live this life, his only purpose was to take you here and give you the gifts that you needed.” He whipped the cloth aside and stood face to face with her in her white undergarments “You are special.”

“Special?” she asked with a tear stained face “If you call waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat and tears special, then I have nothing to say. I dream of worlds we never have seen, worlds where large objects fly on the ground and sky, where tall buildings tower over the people and where a black object can kill a person with an even smaller object flying out of it. So fast that a human eye cannot see it.”

“This is the future.” Ahron knelt down so he was facing her “You are dreaming of the future because you were there.”

“I do not understand…they were merely dreams, were they not?” she looked confused.

“Was I in them?” Ahron asked. She slowly nodded “They were not dreams. You see a Fortune Teller to the humans is a person who has the gift of reading a person’s future. But to a God, a Fortune Teller is a human with extraordinary powers to teleport through time and different eras.”

She shook her head in more confusion “I am not sure I understand. What is teleport?”

“I guess I should start at the beginning.” Ahron smiled “There is a heavens high above the clouds. There are Gods for everything, love, hate, pain, war, rain etc… They rule the world below and a few chosen humans are sent up to heaven to become angels or Gods if they are good souls. After they die, their soul glides through the clouds and wait to be told of their eternity. There are different realms in time where it continues and never ends. It is a way to keep the world from ending. It moves in circles and to infinity. Teleport means you are able to move your entire being and soul through a different era in time and continue the life that you were meant to live. The only downfall is that you do not remember any of the lives.”

“But lately, I have been having dreams. Vivid dreams that draws me to these worlds and lives that I have supposedly lived. What does it all mean?” She was finally accepting the truth and wanting nothing more than to understand it.

Ahron sighed, “It means your destiny has come. I was sent to earth to retrieve you. The fate of the world and heavens is in your hands.”

“That is quite a job for someone like myself to take on. I am only human after all.” She refused to take on an impossible challenge “Is there no one else that can help you?”

His eyes darkened “Do you want to see what would happen if the Heavens was to be demolished?” Chow Yee actually shook her head but he took her hand without her consent and walked outside. They stepped into a new world with darkness surroundings, gray clouds and the smell of death was stomach turning.

“Where are we?” Chow Yee wondered.

“Wah San.” Ahron took her up the dead grass hill, which was once filled with green meadow. He pointed to a kid no older than seven picking at worms and bugs for food. He stood in front of a grave with weeds growing out at the edges “This is Fei Hung’s son. But he will not get a normal childhood because his parents died before he turned four. He has been on his own ever since.”

“How did he die?” Chow Yee’s eyes saddened at the heart wrenching scene.

“After you left, a God by the name of Barak came and overtook Man Ga Yiu’s body. He began the torture treatment for years to come and Fei Hung as well as Yu Mong were hung to death with their four year old son to witness a massacre.” Ahron turned to see Chow Yee in tears “That can change.”

“How?” Chow Yee choked “I’ll do anything.”

“The magic words.” Ahron waved a hand and they were moved to another temple in an old town where people were praising a statue “Who is that?”

Chow Yee inched closer until she could make out the face of the statue “Is it you?”

He nodded with a smile “My presence on earth was discovered and they began to praise me like any other God. It should not have happened but it did and they will be deprived of rain for years to come for discovering me.”

The people looked desperate and dehydrated “They look to be suffering.” Chow Yee commented.

“Indeed they are. It is the outcome of Barak, God of War.” Ahron explained.

“You speak of this God, who is he?” Chow Yee asked “Are all Gods not good?”

“Some are.” He waved a hand and they were once again in the abandoned home “Rest easy. We have a lot to do tomorrow.” He walked to his side of the curtain “Good night.”

Chow Yee was overwhelmed with responsibility within one hour of her life. Never would she have guessed her destiny was to change the course of the future of the world. She laid down on the cold floor but her eyes refused to close. It never crossed her mind that he was sleeping but she had too many questions “Why were you sent?”

Ahron smiled at her question “Love.”

“Love?” She sat upright and moved the curtain so it was folded halfway “Can you tell me? I have never been in love, how does it feel?”

He rested his arm behind his neck “It is fascinating and a beautiful feeling to have. Your heart flutters when the person is around, you smile for no apparent reason when thinking of your beloved. And to have the person in your arms…its beyond words.”

Chow Yee smiled with envy “Who is she?”

Ahron easily smiled with the mention of Azariah “She is the God of Sun, beautiful in every way. She was not quite fond of me…” he told her the story of how they met and how they fell in love, defying all of Serefina’s forbidden rule of love. She was in a trance by every word he said. They talked into the early morning and it was then when Chow Yee finally grew drowsy and they went to sleep.

Chapter 29

Fei Hung was deep asleep when he heard a door creek open, his eyes snapped open exposed to the dim room. Was someone sneaking out? He got up carefully and peeked through his window, he saw Yu Mong dressed and sneaking out the back door. A sly smile crossed his lips as he dressed speedily and followed her.

Yu Mong reached the lake, it was her normal routine, practice her sword fighting at the edge of the lake hidden behind the mountains of Wah San.

Her swift movements caused the birds to fly away and leaves to fall at the contact of the sharp weapon. Fei Hung decided to have fun with her as he picked up a huge rock and tossed it in mid air when she did a somersault. It was an unexpected attack as she dodged it with another somersault, this time she was clear over the lake. Her body dropped into the lake with a splash.

Fei Hung emerged from behind the tree with a laugh “Serves you right.” He snickered. After a few seconds, when she did not emerge from the water he grew worried “She cannot swim?” he wondered out loud.

With each second passing, Fei Hung realized what he had done. Somersaulting, he dove into the lake where he last saw her flapping her arms. He found her unconscious and floating deeper into the lake. He swam quickly to get her out of the water and onto dry land. His chest heaving as he picked her up in his arms and placed her on a boulder “Please, do not die…I cannot live with this on my conscience!” he cried while pushing on her stomach for the water to escape her lungs.

After the fifth push, she spat out the water and began coughing uncontrollably. Fei Hung smiled down at her “You…” Yu Mong pointed, “You saved me?”

He decided not to tell her that it was he that caused her to fall in the lake “Surprised? You do not need to thank me.”

“Thank you.” She smiled grimly “Do you know who did this to me?”

Fei Hung widened his eyes “No.” he shook his head while wiping the water off her forehead “Come now, it is not safe for a girl to be traveling on her own. There are dangerous people out here.”

“It is my every day routine.” She explained with a smile.

“Well, the next time you leave, let me know. I cannot face Si Fu if something happens to you.” He was sincere and it made her heart flutter and her cheeks reddened “Do not take it the wrong way, I beg you.” He added.

Yu Mong shook her head while trying to stand up, he quickly gave her a helping hand “No, I will not. You are like any of the other martial brothers.” She said firmly.

“So I am not special?” he teased openly. She was cute when she was not yelling at someone.

“You want to be special?” She tilted her head with a playful grin. When he smiled she laughed, “I am only teasing. Do not worry, I will not tell anyone about this. Especially my father, he is overprotected of me and will fret to find out that I almost drown to death.”

Fei Hung nodded in understanding “How is it you never learn how to swim yet you are here every morning practicing your martial arts by the lake? I saw a forbidden sign up by the hills. No one is allowed here.”

“Promise you will not repeat this.” Yu Mong pointed at him with a forefinger.

He laughed with a raised hand, three fingers pointed to the sky “If I repeat this information, I will burn in hell and rot for all eternity. Good enough?” he asked.

She was happy with the promise “My mother died when I was young, I recently learned that she drowned to death and that was the reason why my father has kept me away from water. When he learned that there was a lake at the bottom of the mountain, he isolated it and called it ‘forbidden’ by all pupils to enter. But I love it here, it is quiet and peaceful, a perfect place to practice my skills.” She took a deep breath and turned to Fei Hung who was touched by the story “Why do you look sad?”

“I am a little embarrassed.” He said reluctantly “Since you are being honest… I was the person that threw the rock causing you to fall into the waters.”

Yu Mong was shocked and angered at the same time, but after a minute she eventually smiled “I guess we are even.”

“Why?” he was stunned by her reaction.

“I have tortured you for the past five years.” She looked sympathetic “When the others were well trained for competition, I purposely sabotaged you giving you the toughest pupils to train you.”

He dropped his jaw in shock “You made me believe I was incompetent? I should have let you stay down in the water longer!”

Yu Mong smiled guiltily “I deserve that. Please, do not be angry. I apologize for everything but now you are my Si Hing, is that not worth anything?”

Fei Hung crossed his arms stubbornly “Who will give me back the five years that I have lost?”

“If you did not tease me that day, I would not have held a grudge against you.” She reminded him.

“I do not remember.” He pointed his chin in the air.

“Men, they do not remember when they are cruel but never fail to forget a grudge.” Yu Mong shook her head “But that is in the past, I do not want to concentrate on the unhappy days. Maybe from now on, we will learn to live in peace?” she smiled for a truce “What do you say, Si Hing?” it was the first time she has addressed him properly.

Fei Hung was not a person to hold a grudge “I agree, Siu Si Mui.” He chuckled. They headed back to Wah San to get cleaned up.

*********

Ahron and Chow Yee returned to Wah San, the leader was shocked to see them together and back so early “Does my eyes deceive me?” he asked her with a smile.

“Fate.” Chow Yee replied, “I see the danger coming sooner than we anticipated.”

“What shall we do?” he was ready to face the challenge.

“I’m afraid this will cause you a bit of pain.” Chow Yee nodded at Ahron. He stepped up and raised a hand towards Man Ga Yiu causing him to elevate. Ahron closed his eyes and muttered a spell and when he opened his eyes, a bright blue light shot towards the man. He straightened his body and slowly drifted to the ground lying on his back. Chow Yee stepped closer and noticed the blue aura that surrounded him “I am sorry, it is what we have to do.”

“What are you doing to my father?!” Yu Mong exclaimed, horrified by the scene she just witnessed. Next to her was Fei Hung, speechless.

Ahron and Chow Yee spun around, discouraged that they were caught “It is not what it looks like.” Ahron explained slowly.

Fei Hung shook his head “I cannot believe what I just saw.”

“What kind of devilish powers do you have? My father trusted you!” Yu Mong pointed at Chow Yee in shock “Release him this instant!” She commanded.

Ahron was firm “No, we cannot.”

Yu Mong yanked her sword out and charged at Ahron and Chow Yee. He pushed her out of the way while engaging in a fight with Yu Mong. Fei Hung stared at Chow Yee curiously “You know something we do not?”

“For your safety, do not ask.” She warned.

The fighting stopped abruptly when Man Ga Yiu suddenly growled angrily, his eyes red with fury as he released himself from Ahron’s powerful spell. Yu Mong turned to her father strangely “Father?” she stepped closer to him.

“NO!” Chow Yee warned but it was too late. Barak lifted a hand and whipped her onto a chair that crashed to pieces at the contact.

“Yu Mong!” Fei Hung cried as he rushed over to her and helped her to her feet. She was internally injured after spitting out some blood. He led her over to Ahron.

“Bring her to me.” Barak commanded with a deep voice, his hand pointing to Chow Yee.

Ahron turned to Chow Yee, who then stepped closer to him “No. She does not belong with you.”

“Suit yourselves! The humans will suffer!!!” Barak barked as he raised his hands in the air causing the ground to tremble in a huge earthquake. The four stumbled to stay balanced against the shaking ground under their feet.

Ahron nodded to Fei Hung “Leave now.”

He eventually obliged and quickly left the scene. Ahron looked at Chow Yee, expecting her to leave “I’m not leaving.” She said slowly.

“You must.” Ahron replied.

Her eyes dug into his very soul, the intensity of the stare was enough to cause his heart to ache “Without Ahron, there is no Chow Yee.”

“Chow Yee…” his hand trailed up as he touched her face softly.

“Come with me…” Barak beckoned “Or you will regret it.”

He did not see the ball of fire forming in Barak’s hand but Chow Yee did. He threw it at Ahron at lightning speed, Chow Yee only had a few seconds to react as she pushed him out of the way and came into contact with the fireball. She crumbled to the ground while Ahron watched helplessly “Chow Yee!!” He quickly cradled her in his arm while she spat out the blood.

“Ahron…I’m sorry…I cannot help you.” She said tearfully “It is fate that we meet… but we do not have an ending…”

“No…” Ahron replied huskily, his voice croaked “I have failed you…I was suppose to bring you back to Serefina unharmed but now…We will go to Jeroham, he will know what to do!” He pulled her to her feet but she stopped him.

Barak fell to his knees after performing the power “Why?” he grumbled. Each time he used his powers on a human, he grew weaker. The earth began to calm down after he lost his powers.

“It is too late…my time has come.” Chow Yee replied “I am happy though…I was able to learn what love is. Thank you.”

Ahron shook his head vigorously, tears dripping down his face “No, it was you that taught me how to love unconditionally. You taught me courage and loyalty, without the tests I would have never met you. Fate has been gracious to us.”

“I’m sorry…I cannot…hold on…” She grimaced in pain and arched her neck as if trying to suppress the pain. Slowly, she sunk into his arms limply, her neck dangling to one side.

“Chow Yee…” his lips trembled while the tears continued to blur his vision, “NO!!” he pulled her into his chest and hugged her desperately “No…” he turned his eyes up viciously at Barak “You will pay!!!” raising a hand at him, he forced Barak to come out of Man Ga Yiu’s body.

Barak regained his strength after he was exposed “WE will meet again!” he promised and flew off into the ceiling causing the roof to erupt like rain.

Ahron gathered Chow Yee’s lifeless body in his arms as he walked outside, people gathered to watch what was happening. Fei Hung and Yu Mong stepped closer to Ahron “Who are you?”

“It is not important.” Ahron said, his eyes glued to Chow Yee’s pale face. He turned to Fei Hung “You have a future here at Wah San. Take good care of it and take better care of Yu Mong.” His eyes landed on the girl in Fei Hung’s arms “Forget about this day and forget about me.” He turned to the group and waved a hand shining a blinding light at them. They shielded their eyes while Ahron turned to the sky and flew towards the clouds with Chow Yee on his arm.

Chapter 30

She looked like a sleeping doll resting on his arm, his tears still fresh as he flew straight to the blue castle where Serefina reigns. He entered without announcement and stood in the center of the room with Chow Yee in his arms “Your highness!” he called out.

Within seconds Serefina appeared in midair, her eyes tired she already knew the outcome “Ahron, you have returned.” she seated gently on the blue clouded thrown.

He placed Chow Yee on the bed of clouds in front of him as he knelt down on one knee with a lowered head “I have failed you. I could not keep her alive.”

“It is fate.” She sighed. Ahron moved his eyes up to see that the queen had aged many years since he left the heavens “I have spent too much powers keeping the Gods safe from evil.” She read his mind with ease.

Ahron frowned “How did he escape?”

“A slip of a God.” She waved a hand to beckon the Gods to come.

He was not prepared to see Jeroham and Cyrus assisting Azariah into the castle. She looked pale as a ghost and too weak to stand on her own “My love…” he whispered. She gave him a short smile while leaning onto Cyrus for support. He turned back to Serefina “I do not understand.”

The Queen stepped down slowly from her thrown “Chow Yee is Azariah, Azariah is Chow Yee. They are one spirit and one soul. If anything happens to one, the other shall deem the same conclusion. That is why I asked you to bring her back safely and for Jeroham to be careful with Azariah.”

“But why?” Ahron’s face cringed in pain when Cyrus brought Azariah to him. His arms rested around her shoulders with ease.

“It was my idea.” Azariah whispered. “When I was sworn into the Heavens as a God, Serefina predicted that we would not be the safe for long as Lucifer will rise again to destroy all of the Gods. In a desperate plea for help, she came up with a plan to stop history from repeating itself. But we realized the only way to prevent it is to repeat history. The Crystal Ring was the key.”

Serefina took over when Azariah paused to take a breath “I created a spell that allowed a God to take over a human’s body and soul. The legends that you have heard are true, I was once in love with a human. My father and King of Gods was furious, he killed the man I fell in love with and locked me in the heavens. Instead of crying, I found a way to make a spell in that I could leave the Heavens as I pleased. I engraved it on the Crystal Ring but until this day, no one has been able to uncover its words, except…”

“Azariah…” Ahron replied. He looked over at the weakened girl “Is there any way to save her?” his eyes traveled down to Chow Yee “How about her?”

“Chow Yee is indeed a Fortune Teller, but she was not aware of it. When Azariah began to take over her body you were on the fourth test of courage. She wanted to stop Barak before he could get to you, it was her goal. Unfortunately you were not able to bring Chow Yee back alive, Azariah’s soul was trapped inside and is growing weaker by the minute.” Serefina turned to Jeroham “Do you have any idea how to spare her life?”

The wise God sighed, his eyes distant “There is only one way…the Power of Nine. It was created by Lucifer with the only intention of destroy but after years of research I found a way to turn it to good. It is the only power that can save her. A combination of the God of Rain, War, Truth, Love, Fortune, Life, Power, Sun and Hatred. Unfortunately Lucifer has taken over Barak’s body and claimed the God of Power and Hatred. Azariah is weakening, we cannot use her powers.”

“Barak? So he is not in control of his actions?” Ahron asked curiously.

“You did not tell me so!” Cyrus pointed at Jeroham.

The God of Life smiled “It was not time, my friend. We did not want the rumors to travel around the Heavens that Lucifer had escaped. He had been living in Barak’s body for months.”

“He did not know that I was aware of the situation.” Serefina spoke up “I allowed him to dwell amongst the Gods in order to plan the war. But it seems, we are not fortunate in retrieving the Fortune Teller. The four tests was a mere distraction so that Lucifer was not worried over destroying you, Ahron. Without Azariah, you would not be here.” She noticed his eyes did not leave Chow Yee “You have fallen for her.” It was not a question but a comment.

Ahron looked up, eyes glossy “I am not sure.” Suddenly, he remembered something “What is the Power of Ten?”

Jeroham and Cyrus exchanged glances “There is no such Power.”

“Then why did Barak say it? Actually, it was Lucifer.” Ahron recalled, “I assume you knew about it?.” he said to Serefina.

Serefina shook her head “I do not know of such power. Did he mention who was the last power?”

Ahron nodded “Chow Yee.”

Then it occurred to her. Lucifer was not after Ahron, he was after Chow Yee “Maybe there is a way to salvage the both of them.” Serefina slowly smiled as she conjured a spell in her mind. Closing her eyes, she muttered incoherent words. Her eyes opened with a blue light shooting towards where Ahron was kneeling. He would not believe what he witnessed had he not been there. Azariah’s fading spirit was lifted and set perfectly over Chow Yee’s body. The blue light continued to hide the two figures while the Gods shielded their eyes from the blinding colors “Combining the two would be the only way to keep both Azariah and Chow Yee alive. But you will only see one face, you must choose in your heart now, Ahron.”

Choose? How could he? He loved both, but to look at only one person would tear him apart. He would miss the Chow Yee if it was Azariah’s face and vice versa “I cannot choose…” he lowered his head with eyes tightly closed.

“You already have.” Serefina smiled.

His eyes snapped open and he looked down to see her beautiful porcelain face come to life. Her eyes opened and the smile was irreplaceable, she was lively and wearing a violet dress “Chow Yee…”

“No.” she smiled “Azariah.”

Ahron turned to Serefina “Your highness?”

“Because you love both, your mind has made up it’s owns rules. Chow Yee’s exterior is what you will see but it is Azariah’s heart and soul that speaks to you.” Serefina reached down and lifted the two up to a standing position “Congratulations, you have the best of both worlds.”

The two embraced for the first time, smiles were received and given as the other Gods watched in envy at the two Gods finally reunited. Cyrus was teary as he clapped his hands starting a trend for the others to follow “Do not cry, my friend.” Jeroham teased.

“I was not. It was the cloud dust…” he tried to cover it with a nonchalant attitude “Have you forgotten the Forbidden Rule of Love?”

Jeroham sighed “It is her highness that made the rule so it is also she that can destroy it.”

“My dear friend, you are wise beyond your youthful stature.” Serefina smiled down at her sons and daughters “But this is not over.” Her lips pressed in a tight grim expression “He will be back. And we are missing three powers in order to form the Power of Nine.”

Ketura and Moriya stepped up in unison “Leave that to us your highness.”

The Queen tilted her head curiously “You have a plan?”

“To retrieve the God of Hatred and God of Power. As for Barak…” Ketura turned to Moriya for help.

“We are not strong enough.” Moriya replied.

She nodded “It will be a challenge to push Lucifer out of Barak’s body.”

“How many days left until the war?” Ahron asked curiously.

Jeroham answered “Three days.”

“Very well, please leave that to myself and Azariah.” He turned to her with a content smile.

“How we all envy you both.” Cyrus comment was sarcastic but he too was envious.

“Do not mind him.” Jeroham began with a laugh “He is upset due to the fact that he will never find love.”

The Gods laughed despite the solemnly mood “But it is not I that married a fat wife as a human.” He quipped causing the explosion of laughter.

In the mist of the light air, Ahron took Azariah’s hand and led her away. Serefina was the only God to see them leave. A smile imprinted on her face “The Heavens is in your hands now.” She whispered.

**********

He took her to the Fairy garden of peaches. Where rows of trees were grown, it was the fruit of the Gods. After eating, it will bring a God good health and happiness. But to the God of Rain and Sun, they did not need the fairy peach. Azariah’s eyes landed on a large peach “Do you suppose her highness will grant us this one?”

Ahron’s smile showed content and pure love “I will steal it for you.”

She spun around with widened eyes “No! She was kind enough to allow our love to bloom, we cannot break another rule.”

“You are lovely when upset.” He laughed. Ahron stepped closer to her, still unable to tear his eyes from her face “How I missed you.”

Azariah tilted her head playfully “Do you speak of Chow Yee or myself?”

His smile slipped suddenly “I did not mean—”

She quickly laughed at his reaction “I was only teasing. Do not take me seriously. I do not mind that you are in love with two women. It just proves I did not choose the wrong man. Even until the end, you were not able to put your heart in one person. Although others might find you indecisive, I find that quality to be passionate and loving. It has only made my love for you grow.”

Ahron reached out and hugged her abruptly “Promise me, whatever happens in three days, we will be together. Whether it is death.”

She tightened her hug around his neck and shoulders “I promise.” They broke apart at arms length. The look he gave her made her blush “Do you miss her?”

“Chow Yee?” he asked and Azariah nodded “I do…but seeing her face is enough to ease the pain.”

She smiled with a lower head “I wish there was a way you could see us both in our true forms.”

“I do not.” He pulled away from her and turned the other way, hiding his sly grin.

“Why so?” she questioned.

“Could you imagine the bickering and quarrels the two of you will have?” he teased, “Arguments about who loves me more will surely give me a headache.”

Azariah giggled, “Ahron, I had no idea your ego had exploded. Believe me, there are women who are willing to share. Especially those that have fallen for the God of Rain.”

“A God could dream couldn’t he?” Ahron smiled “Now, on to our plan…”

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