26 Home sweet home

Long He returned to the previous cross position. He was tired of it, he hated it from all his heart.

His muscles twitched, even some had bones had broke. But fortunately for him, his wound has already recovered, and he also had a treatment of wine, which returned some taste to his mouth.

'Is this my end?' he thought bitterly in his head. However, after thinking about it carefully, he discovered a new feeling in his heart. It was a feeling of unusual determination to stay alive.

'I will not die here. If I have to be killed, then my death shall be in battle and fights, not by dying in a dark and gloomy cave!'

Before he could catch his line of thought, he felt a big urge to sleep. Without any hesitation, he closed his eyes, falling in sleep yet again.

…

Waking up later that day, Long He saw that the black servant came to check on him. The servant's face had only a look of ferocity on it, showing no sanity and mercy.

He was holding a long magic staff in his right hand, which he hit the ground with. Immediately, Long He could move his mouth;but it was only his mouth, not like before, where he could move all his body.

"What do you want?" asked Long He.

"Master has ordered me to come here," replied the servant.

"Why? To watch over me? Go and tell Ilah that I am not young anymore; of course, if he needs to be reminded that I am a thousand years old."

"Shut up!"

"Do you know to whom are you talking to, kid?"

"Yes I do. You are the Waterflame, the god of planet Aquahelios."

"Aha…. And didn't your mommy teach you to speak respectfully in front of gods?"

"I swear on the father god's name that if you don't shut that mouth of yours, I will cut out your tongue!"

"If you cut it then how would you do the job that you were ordered to do?"

"Fine! I will not cut it."

"Why have you come then?"

The servant took a deep breath then said, "The father god wants to know if you have changed your mind."

"About the loyalty?"

"Yes."

"Kiddo, do me a favor and tell Ilah that I will never change my mind, even if he cut of my head."

"You know, he told me that you would say these words, so he gave me another order. If you refuse, I have the right to cut off your head."

"What??" The servant tapped the staff to the ground another time, and Long He's body lowered.

"Didn't Ilah wanted to torment me? Is that it? If so, I feel no pain at all!" Long he desperately tried to stop him. He tried to ignite a flame, summon a wave, but non came.

The black servant didn't respond, and continued his job. The staff in his hand changed into a scimitar. When the blade was about to touch Long He's neck, it stopped and lifted upwards, which made him frown.

Wasn't he about to get killed?

Why did the servant stop?

Many questions popped out in his head, but before having an actual answer to them, he heard a familiar voice. Growl to be precise, "Come on, we don't have much time."

Long He could move again, dropping on the ground with a thud. He looked up and saw a familiar face; no not a face, it was hidden. It was Old Jun who has come to rescue him.

"Couldn't you make the landing more comfortable?" Long He complained.

"No complaining," Old Jun said, "Be thankful that I have found you."

"Yeah yeah." Out of nowhere, a potion bottle appeared in Old Jun's hands. He handed it to Long He and said, "Drink this."

"What's that?" asked Long He, catching the bottle.

"This potion makes you invisible from both eye and godly sense. Drink it quickly then follow me."

Long He did as Old Jun requested. Soon, they were out of the cave without anyone seeing them.

…

"System?" said Long He. He waited as usual for the notification ring of the system, but non came.

"Are you trying to get access to the system?" asked Old Jun.

"Yes."

"It won't succeed. Once you are out of planet Earth, the system will automatically work. But as long as you stay on its surface, then it is of no use."

"Oh I understand."

"Would you like to go to a specific place before leaving?"

"Yes. There is a place that I dearly want to see."

…

Long He and Old Jun reached a place that Long He knew very well. "Long Yu Feng city!" he exclaimed.

He hoped to see the city as more developed and bigger. However, his hopes were crushed immediately by the sight in front of him.

Instead of a well built city, Long Yu Feng had become a pile of rocks. Every building was in ruins.

A crystal tear dropped on Long He's cheek. Old Jun watched his concern then said, "It is the place where you were born, right?"

Long He nodded and wiped his tears, then said, "Yes. Even though it wasn't that pleasant, Long Yu Feng city was always my home. I regret that I didn't come to visit earlier, now that I see it in ruins."

"A thousand years ago, I once visited this city. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"That night, I went to the deceased oracle's planet, and the spirit of Yotz issued a prophecy…"

"What was it about?"

"It was about a man escaping death's grasp several times. She also mentioned this city, and this man is to be born in it.

"Out of curiosity, I went to planet Earth and visited the city. I saw what I wouldn't forget in all my life."

"What was it?"

"I can't tell you. I swore on my life in front of the others that I wouldn't describe the scene. When are you ready, you will know."

"And when I will be ready?"

"You shan't worry about this, it is not your concern."

They stayed for some time in silence. Finally, Long He said, "Let's go. I can't have the city rebuilt anymore, so I am wasting my time looking at its ruins."

Old Jun nodded and made a hand movement. Immediately, a portal appeared, and they stepped into it, thus leaving planet Earth to planet Aquahelios.