Dampa soon arrives in a small village nestled between a group of high hills on both sides that keep the desert at bay. The first thing he starts to notice the people who are out seem to be acting strange. They are just standing, staring up at the sky, or lying on the ground moaning. This makes him move on; he soon smells the stench of death coming from a field, goat carcass have been left to rot. The Snow Dragon quickly use his sleeve to cover his mouth and nose. Then his sharp hearing homes in on a woman's voice resonating from inside a large building that lise in the centre of the village, “WHY OPEN IT?!”
“She spoke in my language,” mutters Dampa.
This makes him start to wonder could it be the Dreamer? As they are known for their feminine voices. There is only one way to find out. He runs over to the doors, pushing one open to see towards the top of the long room are seated seven men. The one in the centre who is upon a slightly raised platform, looks very tired. Dampa's eyes are dawn to the woman who is walking around him, for she is dressed in a lovely light blue half coat and yellow robe. The lady's long hair goes in waves down her back.
The people who are seated on the floor cushions nearest the door look over and start to whisper, “Snow Dragon.”
This makes the woman stop and turn to face them. “Upon my word," comes a much modulated voice. "Surely my presence here has not reached your Frozen Mountains?”
Dampa realises in that instant the woman before him is indeed the Dreamer and it is true he is no bigger than a mortal, for he stands no more than five feet tall. The Snow Dragon likes the way he has fastened his fringe back behind pointed right ear with a cluster of light grey feathers. The likes of which he has never seen before.
“No, no. I was in a village south from here," he quickly explains. "When I was told by a tea seller a Dreamer had been spotted in this region.”
The small god's narrow eyebrows rise and he queries, “I see. Let me guess you came up here to find out why, right?”
Dampa nods and answers, “I did. Coming through the village I can tell something bad has happened here."
The Dreamer folds his arms and informs him, “This village is cursed.”
The Snow Dragon's eyes blink to imply he is shocked and gasps, “What? How?”
“Curiosity, my dear fellow," answers the small god as he starts to walk around. "Allow me to explain, a few weeks ago a group of men were out searching the land north of here, and came across some caves. Naturally they went inside, to see what they could find. They found in the glow of their torches a pretty stone." Handing the Dragon a lovely clear pebble.
Dampa holds it into the light coming through the window and says, “This is stunning.”
“It sure is and hardy too. The men decided to gather some and return to the village. That is when one of them spotted another cave that laid at the bottom of a hill. It was all on its own. He decided to investigate and discovered the entrance had been bricked up. Now if it were you or I who had come across it, we would know to leave it well alone. Right?”
The Snow Dragon nods and the Dreamer continues, “Mortals seem to lack this incentive, that when something is... Well, sealed, it is sealed for a reason. I have never understood why they allow their curiosity to get the better of them."
He starts to once more walk around the seated man at the head of the room. "They always want to find out what lies within," he says, pointing his hand at the mortal. "The next morning, this fool of a man. Their King arrived and ordered it to be opened. This greedy fool thought there could be reaches hidden inside."
"I'm gathering there was not?" Dampa questions, watching the Dreamer shake his head.
"The moment a small sections of bricks where bashed in, they shun their touches through the hole to see it lay empty," he expresses in a soft dramatic voice. "Out of the gloom a pair of red eyes begin to glow. Then from the hole cracks started to snake their way across the seal in all directions, making it collapse. Once the dust had settled they saw the creepy glowing eyes were gone."
The Snow Dragon watches all the mortals sift uncomfortably in there seats which makes him ask, "What did those glowing eyes belonged to?"
The Dreamer slaps the King's shoulder and snaps, "A Desire Demon. This fool unleashed it. It is a creature that comes from the Shadow Realm and can only be controlled by a god, the likes of which, have not been seen in a long time. Now all their hope to be freed from this menace fall on me." Pointing his hand to his full round chest.
Dampa watches him walk behind the tired looking King, he gives him a shake as he informs him, “None of you take into consideration, I may not be able to stop it.”
The tired man places his hands together, as he looks up at him and begs, “Please you must try.”
“Try? That does not even come into it child. Why did you not just leave it alone?” questions the Dreamer, looking directly into the man’s eyes.
The King bows his head and apologises in a soft voice, “Sorry.”
The small god gives him a shove and snaps, "Apologising, will not solve things. You unleashed, chaos, madness, suffering. That thing will lock into anyone who has dark wishes, like killing someones livestock all because they are earning more money then they are. Or wishing someone dead because they do not like them for some irrational reason."
The King gives him a terrified expression, to which the Dreamer responds, "Now you are staring to realise what you have done. When it could already be too late."
The man again place his hands together and pleads, "Please, there must be something you can do."
The small god's eyes blink and he question, "Did you not hear me child? I am not the right god for this. I suppose I will have to try something... The question is what? What can I do to free your poor people from that menace?"
Damp steps a little closer and hints, "There has to be something the missing gods have put in place, in case something like this happened."
This makes the Dreamer look at him, the right corner of his mouth rises. "My spoken like a Black Dragon," he stats, folding his arms. "I take it you know one?"
"Yes I do, his name is Huī yè. Perhaps you know him?"
The small god nods and answers, "Yes, I do know him quite well. He came to us with a scroll of a vision he had and wanted answers. You know what I speak of?"
The Snow Dragon smiles and answers, "I do indeed and it is some vision."
"It sure is my dear boy. Anyway, you are quite right there has to be something. I think I am going to consult the White Dragons," expresses the Dreamer and in a blink of an eye he is gone.
The mortals are all shocked and Dampa mutters, "It is true they can Disappear at will."
One of the men glances up at the stunning winged god and asks, "Who has he gone to see?"
"White Dragons. They are huge creatures, that can change themselves into human form, well like this," answers the Snow Dragon, pointing his hand towards his face. "Except they do not have wings, they have horns. I am gathering they have a fast knowledge at their disposal, this is why the other gods consult them."
The six men are shocked to hear this they start to talk amongst themselves until the King clears his throat. Then one of them rises, and performs a slight bow to the god.
"I will go and make a pot of tea," he suggests and walks out of the meeting hall.
The men just smile at the tall human-like man before them, dressed in a pale yellow robe. The scales upon his face reflecting from god to a greenish blue.
"Sorry you came at such a terrible time Dragon," utters the King, bowing his head in respect.
Dampa turns to him and confesses, "There is no need to apologise, when I chose to come here to find a Dreamer, for I have been wanting to meet one for quite some time. The only problem is they have this awful habit of just turning up when needed and poof they are gone."
This makes the men look at him all confused and one of them repeats, "Poof?"
The Snow Dragon shakes his head and apologises, "Sorry. I should explain, it is what the other gods say to explain them just vanishing like he did. It is called porting, to you and I it is merely stepping from room to another. Except he has now gone to an island which lies far, far from here."
The King rises, he walks off the platform and over to a widow. "To be honest," he says, staring out of it. "I am glad he just turned up a day ago and seemed to be assessing the village. What I was prepared for was to be treated in such a disgraceful manner."
"Then, and pardon me for saying, you do not realise you are dealing with an Ultimate God. He is way more powerful than a mere Dragon," explains Dampa, pointing his hand to his chest. "To him you are simply a naughty child, that needs to be put in his place. I feel I should warn you, Dreamers only tolerate your kind. A lot of them want you gone, from this fragile world."
"Gone?" the King asks, turning around to face him.
The Snow Dragon can see the worry and the fear is beginning to rise in all of them. He clears his throat and answers, "Eradicated. Because according to them, you are nothing more than heartless creatures, who have hole in their heart which can never be filled. This why you crave wealth and power. I do understand where they are coming from, when you mortals do things like this, just open a sealed cave without consulting the gods."
"I am a fool," sighs the King, with a slight shake of his head. "I never stopped to think, I just gave the order, because I thought it contained a large amount of that stone he gave you. That is why it was bricked up.... How could I have been so stupid not to think the marks meant something."
Dampa gabs him by the shoulders and demands, "Tell me more about these makes? What did they look like?"
The man's eyes close and he recalls, "It was a large circle that had been burned into the bricks. The symbols were nothing like I had ever seen before."
"And yet you still broke into it," comes a disembodied feminine voice from the shadows. Then the Dreamer reapers inside the room with his arms folded and not looking at all pleased.
The King's eyes snap open and he quickly responds, "I was stupid. I should have found out what they meant."
"Ah, more realisation that has come too late," remarks the small god, narrowing his eyes at him. "Icy Dragon," he says, beckoning to him. "Come down to my level, otherwise you are going to give me neck strain."
Dampa gets down on his knees in front of him and asks, "Better?"
This is when he notices the Dreamer only has six pupils in his right eye, there is a noticeable gap and realises from what the Healers have told him, this Dreamer is partly blind in that eye.
The small god gives him a warm smile. "Much better," he answers, patting the side of the Dragon's face. "Now, young one, you are welcome to join me at that cave we have been discussing. You will get to meet a White Dragon."
"Really?" The Snow Dragon gasps, trying to show he is shocked.
Even though there has been no change to the fellows god's emotionless expression, the Dreamer implies, "Ooh, you are all excited now."
Dampa nods and answers, "Yes I am."
"Then come, my son," says the small god, offering his tiny heavily ringed hand.
The Snow Dragon gently takes hold of it and is not expecting him to have such a firm grip as he gets him to rise and leads him outside.
"Sorry, I should not be just pulling you around," admits the Dreamer, with a smile. "I should at least ask you your name son."
"Dampa," replies the Snow Dragon , crouching down in from of him.
The small god smiles, he points his hand towards his chest. "Nice name. Mine is Lèguān. Now you do not have to come with me."
"Really, I am happy to go with you to the cave."
"Ooh the enthusiasm," chuckles the Dreamer, even though there was no change to the Snow Dragon's toneless voice. "All right. See the hills to the north?"
Dampa turns to where the small god is pointing his hand and answers, "Yes."
"That is where the cave lies. You will see a ring of dark grey stones. I will meet you there."
"I could fly you over," offers Dampa.
Lèguān chuckles, "Fly?" He shakes his head and declares, "Not when I can do this."
In a blink of an eye he is gone leaving the Snow Dragon staring at the empty space he once stood. He shakes his head, unfolds his wings and takes off for the destination.
The Dreamer is piecing together fragments of bricks to form one of the symbols when Dampa comes into land.
"What do you make of this?" Lèguān asks, pointing his hand at it.
Dampa takes a look, he crouches down and answers, "I never seen anything like that before."
The Dreamer gives him a nudge and hits, "Do not sound so disappointed, dear boy. For our answer is about to arrive. Well, hopefully it is."
The next thing they are surrounded by white mist and out it comes a book made from strips of bamboo been strung together to form pages.
"This is all I can find," comes a deep man's voice, that vibrates not only the ground but also the gods.
The Dreamer takes hold of it and answers full of excitement, "I'm sure I will find something, this matches to."
The Snow Dragon watches the most beautiful creature he has ever seen emerges from the mist. He is dressed in a white robe with purl white hair flowing down his back. A set of stunning gold to white horns protrude from his forehead and his eyes are as blue as a clear sky.
"Why good day to you son," he says, bowing slightly. "I am Bīng fēng, Leader of the White Dragons."
"It is an honour to meet you," answers the Snow Dragon, returning the bow. "I am Dampa."
Bīng fēng's eyes open wide and he expresses, "Ah, you are the one Huī yè speaks off. He said you might be here, braving these warm regions in order to meet a Dreamer."
Dampa nods and tells him, "I could not pass up this opportunity to finally meet one."
"Even though I am dealing with a Demon?" Lèguān questions, still looking at the book.
"Well..." the Snow Dragons eyes glance to Bīng fēng then back to the Dreamer. "It is also going to be a great opportunity to see you in action."
Lèguān is shocked to hear this and enquires, "Action? my, my what has Huī yè been telling you about little me, hmm?"
"Well..." The Show Dragon hesitates, he clears his throat and continues, "He just expresses how amazing you are and so skilled beyond anything we could ever do."
The White Dragon's scaled eyebrows rise and he utters, "My goodness that was some high praise."
"It certainly was," agrees Lèguān, winking his left eye at the young Dragon. Then he looks up at the dissipating mist and jesters, "Your ears must be burning."
"Why? What have you been saying about me, my good man?" The Black Dragon wonders as he comes into land.
The Dreamer gives him a smug expression and declares, "Apparently, you have been telling this young man, I am amazing and skilled."
"Dampa," gasps Huī yè walking over to give him a hug. "It is good to see you."
They look into each others eyes and the Snow Dragon answers, "You too. I am so glad you are here."
The hold each other for a moment then the Black Dragon asks, "Lèguān, what have you found so far."
"Ooh come and see, my good man," answers the Dreamer, clutching the open book to his chest.
Huī yè presses his lips to the Snow Dragon's right cheek, before he turns around and makes his way around the rubble to his friend.
"I know that spell," he mutters crouching down.
"Well I should hope so," expresses the Dreamer, pointing his hand at it. "When you Black Dragons are taught it."
Bīng fēng also takes a look and informs them, "That is not surprising when some of you knew the lost gods. I am amazed that, and forgive me, simple spell held."
Huī yè pats him on the back of the hand and says, "You are not the only one, when it is just a simple sealant spell. He could have broken out of here a long time ago."
Lèguān turns his attention to the opening of the cave and utters, "Ah, that explains why it worked so well."
The Dragons also take a look to see all around the mouth of the cave are spiked dark blue crystals.
"Entrapment stones," whispers the White Dragon.
"I do not think I have ever seen so many in one place before," utters the Black Dragon, taking a closer look. "These combined with the containment stones, made that simple spell a lot stronger. That explains why my kind entrapped the Desire Demon here."
"My good friend the question is why?" the Dreamer asks, looking to him with intrigue.
"Your guess is as good as mine, dear friend. Nor can we trap him in here again, for his creature would warn him."
The White Dragon folds his arms and suggests, "Why not trap the Demon in a large containment stone?"
Lèguān nods and ponders, "That is an option.... The question is how can we do it? The moment his dog, cat creature sniffs the incantation, it will warn its master."
"Not if we hide it," comes a silvery voice from above.
"Yuèliàng, it is good to see you," announces Huī yè turning his attention to the sky.
Dampa watches as two more Dragons come into land and fold their black wings away. Both are dressed in light blue half coats and pale orange robes. One has a line of white scales going from his right eye to the left side of his chin and the other has a white patch of them over his left eye. They both crouch down and begin to investigate the fragments.
The one with the white scales going across his face flicks his long fiery red hair off his left back over his left shoulder. "A simple containment spell and a best from the Shadow Realm that could not be controlled," he mutters, whilst chewing the side of his right thumb. "This was the work of children."
"I have to agree with you son. It is not uncommon for a child of the lost gods to try... summoning before they are ready. However, in most cases the adult is there to take over. It is looking like the parent or elder had no idea this was taking place here, high in the hills. The Night Dragon must have either seen the situation, for we lie not far from their home. Or he personally knew the lost god."
"Now there's a thought Yuèliàng," Bīng fēng implies. looking to the Black Dragon. "Do you know of any of your family who new a Purple eyed Healer?"
Huī yè shakes his head and answers, "Non that I am aware of. A lot of the elders just mention them and hope one day they return to the surface."
Lèguān walks around to the Dusk Dragons and agrees, "They are not the only ones. Now, going back to what you said Yuèliàng, would hiding the incantation work?"
"It was my dear son, who came up with the idea," answers the Dusk Dragon, giving the other one to his left a soft shake.
The Dreamer smiles and asks. "I see. Care to explain, Yè wù?"
Yuèliàng son's eyes blink a few times and emphasises, "It is just an idea when I know the cat will alert his master of anything we try to do. That is when I thought why not hide the entrapment incantation under thick mats."
"What have we got to lose," remarks Bīng fēng, patting him on the shoulder.
Lèguān nods and suggests, "Now all we need to do is find the biggest and purist containment stone we can, for the spell to work."
Dampa points a hand to his chest and offers, "I will check the caves that lie at the top of the hill."
Huī yè rises, he gives him a pat on the arm and says, "I will come with you."
The Snow Dragon smiles and walks with him up the steep hill, the gravel crunching under their boots. When they reach the first one they look around inside for a stone suitable for the Dreamer's needs. once the other gods have past by they they once again embrace each other.
They kiss and the Black Dragon holds Dampa's face in his hands. "Stay with me, forever," he whispers.
"Yes, for I miss you when I leave," whispers the Snow Dragon, stroking his lover's chest. "Without sounding too bold, I hope to have a child with you one day."
Huī yè places his hands to Dampa's abdomen and queries, "Just the one?"
"I am not sure yet how many children I want to have. In away I hope you are the father every time. Unless you are saying, you do not want anymore-"
The Black Dragon gently places his right index to his lover's thin scaled lips and whispers, "I am happy to have more children, just as long as I am not the one carrying them."
Dampa nods, he takes hold his lover's hand to remove it. "I understand when you have carried seven children," he whispers stroking Huī yè's abdomen.
They kiss once more before they continue to look around the cave. After a few minutes the Snow Dragon points to a lovely nearly see through stone sticking out of the racks.
"What about that one?" he asks, pointing it out to the Black Dragon.
Huī yè has to lean down slightly in order to it and answers, "Yes, I would say so. Do you want to do the extraction?"
Dampa rubs his hands together and mutters, "I will give it a go."
This makes the Black Dragon take hold of his shoulders. "Stop doubting yourself, you can do this."
With the those encouraging words ringing in his ears the Snow Dragon turns and throws out his left hand towards the stone which lies about half way up the back wall of the cave.
Huī yè places his hands over the backs of Dampa's shoulders and says in a soft voice, "You can do it my love. Remember to feel not think."
After a short moment the clear stone begins to move, which causes tiny pieces rock around it start to fall away. The next thing he knows it is shooting towards his hand to come to a stop inches from his palm.
The Black Dragon gives him a clap and tries to sound excited, "Well done you got it."
"My that is a nice one you found too, lad," comes Lèguān's feminine voice from the opening. "Now see if you can send it to me."
Dampa gives a sharp nod and uses his mind to float the stone over to the Dreamer who takes hold it.
"This is perfect," he says turning into the light. "Nice and clear and bigger than my tiny hands. I will also say well done lad, well done."
Dampa perform a deep bow and and answers, "Thank you both of you."
The Grey Dragons come trotting over and announces, "And we have a spare, just in case something goes wrong."
The Dreamer smiles and relates, "Hopefully nothing will, I agree though, it is good to have a backup. Right, lets rid this village of that Demon."
The other gods nod and they all make their way back to the meeting hall.
The King and his six men all watch the gods clear a large area in front of the raised platform. Then Lèguān stands in the centre throws hand into the air to bring it down in one swift movement, uttering a spell under his breath.
A large circle in comes shooting out the moment his fingertips touch the simple floor. Once he has stepped out of the way, the other gods place everything back just as it was when they first entered.
The Dreamer walks over to the King and demands him to think of the worst thing he could possibly do to a person, who threaten his life or his people.
"Why, must I think this way," he asks all worried.
Lèguān sighs, "Mortals." He taps the side of the King's face and whines, "To attract the Desire Demon of course. Then I can trap him."
The other men also begin to look terrified at the thought of brining the beast to them. However, they sort of know there is no other way and start to beg their King to think of horrid thoughts.
"Fine!" he snaps a moment later. "I will give it a go."
The gods quickly place themselves behind a screen that lies on the right side of the room and wait for the Demon's creature to appear.
It is not long before the cat-dog like creature appears inside the meeting room. Its nose immediately starts to sniff around the floor and each of the men. All of them put up their hands to protect themselves from the massive cat-like nose, the long whiskers make them all giggle as the cross their skin.
The creature then wanders down towards the doors and barks twice,the next thing all of them see is a huge monstrous shape starts to appear in front of them.
"Your desires are dark and terrible," comes a stentorian deep, rough voice. "I like them. Command me, mortal, and I will carry our your dark desires."
King leans back in his seat when a huge ringed hand comes shooting towards him from out of the shadows and that same stentorian asks, "Command me, child and I will carry out what you wish."
"I...I do not want you to carry them out, great beast," babbles the King in fear.
"Oh why not child? I can rid you of your enemies. Anyone who has caused you upset. Think, child, I can make you the most powerful and feared King in these harsh lands."
The King stands up and demands, "How do I get rid of you? It was a mistake to let you free. Look what you have done to my people."
The Desire Demon's face appears right in front of him, the creature has a pig like nose with pure white tusks protruding from his bottom jaw. He has stubby blacker than the night whiskers, the rest of his face is quite human, apart from his cat-like ears and large glowing magenta eyes which stare at the King.
"None of this is my fault, child. Your people should not have such black hearts. It is them who have caused their own suffering, by wishing such dark things, that I just carried out. The moment they think or say, I wish."
"Then I desire you to undo their wishes," the King orders in a bold voice.
The Desire Demon's eyes blink, he seems somewhat baffled by the mortal's request. Then his eyes narrow and he explains, "It is clear child, you have no idea what I am. I cannot undo what has happened here. All of this was done by your own people. They were the ones who wanted to destroy one another. So much hate and you call yourself a King. You are not a good King when own people kill one another."
This makes the man sit down and begin to ponder, "I am responsible... for all of this?"
The creature strokes its beast as he declares, "Yes, it is all your fault, when you refuse to give the people more land for food, housing and general needs. Of course they are going to start tuning on one another, in order to gain what they want."
The King starts to weep, he throws his hand out to the left, to the group of man who are hugged together in fear. "I was only doing what they told me to do," he snaps. "I never wanted to caused my people suffering."
"Then I have to ask you child, why did you not take control, for you have your own mind, and will. You should not allow your petty subjects to rule for you. Hmm... what dark and pleasing thoughts you have child. Ask and I will obey."
The King gets to his feet, he shakes his head and takes a moment to composes himself. "I do not want you to carry out any more dark wishes. Do I make myself clear?" He demands in a firm voice.
A deep throaty laugh starts to emanate from the Desire Demon, he uses the sixth little finger of his left hand to pock the man making him fall back down. "Who do you think you are, child, a god? For they are the only ones who can control me."
This brings Lèguān out from behind the screen and orders, "Leave these people alone."
The hug head turns to him and he utters, "Dreamer, you cannot stop me either."
"Oh is that a challenge?"
"Not at all, Dreamer. I am merely stating the facts, your kind cannot control me."
"That may be so, great beast. I can still trap you," remarks Lèguān, giving him a smug expression.
The Desire Demon points his hand at the tiny god and implies, "There is no why you can do that."
The Dreamer raises his eyebrows and begins to utter a spell and throws the stone high in to the air.
"What is that?" the creature asks, watching it begin to glow from within. "No, it cannot be a containment stone. What have you done?"
Lèguān smiles as he announces, "Kin ta un-si ka mela un-ta lin da-na."
"No! you cannot do this to me! Release me Dreamer and I will do as you wish," pleads the Desire Demon.
Lèguān shakes his head and tells him, "You have done enough. Ka-la tun, ka-la tun gin da sun."
A strange wind comes out from nowhere, the creature points a little finger at the tiny god and demands, "Who are you? Such power! Are you the son of the great Dreamer Yuèguāng? Who are you?"
The Desire Demon begins to disappear in to the containment stone along with his best and the last thing they hear is him say is, "Such power."
There is bright flash which makes everyone shield their eyes with their hands or forearm. It is closely followed by a gust of wind and the stone slowly floats down to the floor.
Huī yè rushes over to catch the Dreamer as he starts to collapse, and uses his sleeve to wipe the sweat from the little gods brow. "Lèguān? Someone fetch me some water."
"I'm on it," replies Bīng fēng, trotting out of the meeting hall.
Dampa walks over the Black Dragon and asks, "Is he going to be all right?"
Huī yè nods and answers, "Do not worry he will be fine. He just needs a moment. Do us a favour, keep an eye on that stone."
The Snow Dragon gives him a pat on the shoulder and replies, "Of course."
The Grey Dragon check on the mortals, apart from being a little scared they are fine.
"Here Huī yè," says the White Dragon, as a small teapot comes floating across the room.
The Black Dragon, gently places the spout between the Dreamer's pump pale pink lips. "Thank you," he utters as he pours a small amount of water into his friend's mouth. "That's it Lèguān drink."
Dampa notices the surface of the clear stone is starting to crack. "Ah, problem," he sings.
The Grey Dragons quickly go to him, Yuèliàng quickly moves him away whilst his son protects the mortals.
In the quietness of the room cracking sounds, like ice in water, start to emanate from the containment stone. They grow louder and louder until it shatters in to three pieces. A teardrop, a misshaped cube and a small chuck that could be easily placed into an item of jewellery.
The Snow Dragon wafts the cloud of dust away and asks, "Is that normal?"
The other Gods cannot answer him, they all look to the Dreamer when he begins to stir. Lèguān's full-round chest rises as he takes a deep breath and mutters, "Pana in si morehin fa ne da ka."
Huī yè holds him close and chuckles, "Ka ha, ka ha."
Bīng féng gives Dampa a tap on the arm and translates, "Lèguān said, 'I do not want to do that again in a hurry.' Huī yè response, 'I hear you."
"Thank you."
"No problem," whispers the White Dragon, patting him on the forearm. "Lèguān, it is good to have you back," he announces crouching down.
The Black Dragon helps the Dreamer to rise and gets slapped on the back of the hand. "Ooh mind where you are placing your fingers," he snaps.
Huī yè looks to see his left index finger is touching the underside of his dear friend's right breast. He quickly takes his hands away and apologies, "Sorry. Sorry."
Lèguān presses his lips to the Black Dragon's ear and whispers, "You can have a feel later."
They both laugh, then the Dreamer takes a look at the shattered stones.
"Is this normal? Bīng féng, why have you not checked the book?" he questions, looking at him all confused.
The White Dragon quickly reaches inside his robe to pull out the book and opens it at the marked page. "Let's see," he mutters. "Ah here we are, warning the stone may shatter once the Shadow Creature is captured within. Should these pieces be ever placed back together it will set, what was once trapped, free."
Upon hearing this Dampa picks up the teardrop fragment and suggests, "Let's place them at different locations, to make sure that never happens."
The other gods agree. Yè wù picks up the cub piece whilst Huī yè picks up the last fragment. They all go on to move outside to see the people are returning to normal. They are confused but otherwise fine. Because of what happened a lot of them are too afraid to remain there and move on to the next village. Eventually the only one left is the King, who decides to give up this life and becomes a normal citizen. He goes on to marry a lovely lady and together they have nine children.
The Grey Dragons know one day the abandoned village will be reclaimed by the desert. So they leave their fragment ins a box inside one of the houses. Dampa also leaves his fragment there, in a house that lies on the far side. The Black Dragon has his piece placed inside a ring and he gives it to the Fortune Tells of Xuě yuèliàng village, a long with a warning note. The women place them in a box with the temple and promise him it shall remain safe.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
