It is the third, and last reign of the emperor of Ying dynasty. The army retreats with swords limply resting at hands, and blood-soaked uniforms. The stench of burning flesh, iron, and something near fear impregnates the air. Screams of soldiers, mixed with the innocent, create an agonizing feeling at ears. Sweat drips from every bodies surface; too little to extinguish the Hell in which they have thrown themselves.

All order of the Ying army got distorted not later than at half the battle against the ferocious, sinister, and cold blooded, Hu Xián Lèng. He, mostly like the devil himself, sold his soul, for the attainment of a power that surpassed any of the most enlightened, and prominent figures of all China; especially the emperor of Ying. Hu Xián Lèng, with blazing flames as a scenery, with crimson red eyes, and followed by his army of duòluò mógui (corrupted devils) had an aura of supreme glory. The mogui were not mindless and spontaneous creatures; corrupted, but dignified, but if beneficial circumstances presented themselves, and they could gain some decadent souls for at most a hundred of years, then a slaughter was a good way to go. Snot and saliva dripped from the six holes in their face, and between their clenched red stained teeth. At the moment, the worst death any of this fellow, brave men could suffer was to have their bodies mutilated, twisted and crushed until sanity, and souls were no more.

With an ominous smile creeping, Lord Xián Lèng lifted his sword and frantically swished, and stabbed bodies, opening a straight passage to his trophy. Dragons, Fish, free will spirits, and other self-sworn guardians of the all supreme emperor, and China got annihilated one by one at lightning speed. Heads flew, bones cracked, and flesh propped open with a disturbing gnashing sound, that even after death, ghosts, and the undead could still remember and get hunt by.

It was no use. In a blink of an eye the Lord was steadily, and with a cruel cold air, marching straight into Wan Quan. His tongue sliding along the blades edge, where blood had accumulated. In disgust, the surviving deities roared, and snarled as if unable to contain themselves from attacking, but the emperor ordered a stop, knowing that even if alive, their powers were almost drained, leading to an unwanted death. He; who was all about protecting not only the mortal China, but the sons, and daughters of the light from the heavens, would not tolerate to have the weak be slaughtered mercilessly by this vile and heartless individual.

Even though this were his thoughts at the moment, just as he was starting to come back to reality, a shocking pain at the area of his stomach took over all feelings. It happened so fast and with such force, that one couldn't even read from his expression if he was pained, or scared. His eyes were bloodshot, and face pale; sweat gathered up on his forehead, and his breathing became brackish. Doubts were soon answered by the coughing of blood. It was the first time all existing creatures had seen the emperor in this state; the sight of clenched teeth, and blood-stained war robes was agony to the eyes. Even still, the emperor did not waver into lifting his pacifist stand.

Xian Leng pulled out his sword, grasped harshly Wan Quan's hair and violently pulled his head back.

Wan Quan hurt all over, and now with a fatal wound, and blood gushing out uncontrollably, he knew that in no time his last breath on this material world would be given, and the still living would suffer the consequences of this brave, but pitiful battle. What could be worse than leaving all innocent life on the hands of this vicious villain? Suddenly, without the thought of Xian Leng ever doing such a thing, with still the presence of blood lingering in his mouth, the Lord kissed the Ying emperor. Time stood still, and everyone, including the mogui remained silent. What was happening? That was the question lingering among the spectators. The deepening and passionate kiss given by the Lord to the emperor was not going in unison of the mood. Head locked and manipulated to the others desire, and tongues mingling; with the taste of blood, it was as the recreation of the war that had been going on for days on end. One tongue leaped forward, invading the other's area of refuge, slicing as to dispatch it's victim of his pureness, and showing the world what a corrupted leader he was. A leader that was so easily weakened by a mare kiss; especially being from the enemy, was not worthy of his title. For the free willed creatures, that gave their life to protect the man who was now being forcefully kissed and subdued, they all had a sad, regretful feelings, with a hint of hate. The other party as if someone has said an unheard before joke, blasted into an uncontrolled laughter. Never in this world, and the other would they had imagined that two manly opposites would ever do such a thing in public; even during a blood-stained battle as this one. The view of the spectacle was like being on a theatre; a joke; an unbelievable, ironic joke. Wan Quan knew that he had made a grave mistake and he recognized but didn't have the spiritual strength to control his body. It didn't belong to him. Never has... Since the beginning, the battle had been lost. He was the sole responsible for every life taken. Out of rage because of Xian Leng's decision to become the most powerful, fright inducing ruler of the Earth, the heavens, and the universe he encrusted in the minds of his fellow people the idea of defeating evil and savoring the expected glory. To rejoice with vengeance, and the destruction of the object which triggered wanted, but unholy feelings that since he had known Xian Leng, became one, and swore to never betray the other's love still lingered inside of him even now, when he was at Death's door.

I am a sinner; a low life disguised as an emperor. I am sorry...

If I was given another chance to act on time, and take the right choices... I cannot assure by the all mighty heavens, that I would not commit the same mistakes...

I loved, and will still love, wherever my soul ends up; be it among light, and peace, or among fire and despair, this man...

I am blind from reason, and need nor pity, nor forgiveness.

I am ready to die, but I will do my last bidding while there is still some of the good divine in me.

I will leave you all now.

Even if my "thank yous" are worthless... Thank you all for giving a righteous meaning to my selfish desires.

Now...

Already separated, gazing deeply into each other's eyes; both emotionless but with heavy breathing.

- Xián Lèng...

I will take you with me...

But those were the only words of the emperor, that remained in the air. It happened so fast that nobody, not even himself knew what had happened. Xián Lèng did not need, to kick the body away, or yank the head off from its owner's body. As his hands gripped the hair tighter, everyone watched as the body of the emperor slowly gave out a sluggish sound while sliding towards the ground. With hands on the emperor's head, the Lord raised it as high as he could. It was his victory! This was proof of how powerful he was, and that selling his soul was not a big mistake as he genuinely thought at the beginning when he was banished from the emperor's royal court.

While the mogui and creatures of darkness gave out a roaring cheer, the others gave out an agonizing lament.

Some exclaimed,

- How could this be?!

Others that became more desperate, pulled on their hairs screaming,

- This is unacceptable! I refuse to believe it! I refuse... Oh... Oh... Oh Heavens no! What will be of my children?!

- We are done for!

- Better kill me now!

All had just lost hope. Their feelings surfaced and showed what they truly thought of the whole ordeal. They never once wanted to go to war but following their boiling rage for revenge against the sinned one that dare to oppose his majesty the emperor and the all mighty Heavens, they lost reason, and as the emperor, became victims of their emotions. It didn't matter to sham themselves, or him for their errors; what was done was already done, and now as their punishment they would die here and now. Cheering, and crying was all a mixed mess, and while it started to rain, the once dry earth that hold the corpses of all the defeated, became like a muddy river of Hell.

Xián Lèng thought the rain wasn't enough to wash away the smell of Wàn Quan from his body. He still was in a trance. His original intention was to injure his beloved emperor as to make it seem like he had received a fatal blow, but something inside him took control of his body, making his blood boil, and as if possessed; grabbing hold of all his spiritual strength, slashed its way towards Wan Quan's neck. It was to late too stop it, because even now he was almost to the verge of tears but creeping a sadistic smile on his face. Trying to smooth the muscles at the corner of his mouth, only made the smile grow bigger, harsher, and the tears in his eyes sting as they gather up.

What was the use now to live if he had no one to live life with?

But even if he tried to stab himself a powerful force, would not let him. No matter what he did to end his life, the thought did not prevail as much for it to take place. Suddenly, a cracked, hoarse voice came from the head he now held.

- Xián Lèng...

Even if his name was spoken in a soft tone, the words were like thunder when it struck earth. There was an instant silence, and shocked eyes. The head of the emperor was speaking without moving its mouth! Only very powerful beings were able to raise voice minutes after death. No one doubted that his majesty carried the spiritual blood given from the heavenly all mighty beings, as gift, and as assurance of the empire's safety. So, it wasn't discarded, that his majesty had some unfinished business to attend to before his soul left the mortal world.

With emotionless, but bloodshot eyes, the head once again spoke,

- Xián Lèng... I will take you with me...

From its eyes and from where it once joined with its master's body, a honey like plasma started to surface, while some fell to the ground, the other landed into Xián Lèng's hands. The body that now laid motionless on the ground, started to peel itself, and the same viscous, gold glowing substance made its way to Xián Lèng and the mogui army. It built its way like a massive wave and fell on its victims. It had no mercy. Those who got touched by it their souls were consumed in an instant; all their spiritual energy drained, only living behind a ragged body. Even the mortals, and free willed spirits got ravished on their way of escape.

While enveloped by the plasma, Xián Lèng started feeling dizzy, and... weak. His eyes became dark, and his jaw clenched what were once asymmetrical teeth, but now jaws. He tried to brake himself free, but the plasma contracted more, making him unable to breath. Dark veins appeared all over his body. The plasma invaded his inners, and there was nothing he could do about it.

In Xián Lèng's eyes, all his past to his present flash though. His parents, the day when he was born, his sister, his friends, his comrades, him selling his soul for eternal glory, his losings, and his loved one. All because of him, gone. Suddenly, the blob started twisting itself, breaking Xián Lèng's body bit by bit. The pain was excruciating! As the blob kept on moving, taking every soul that crossed its path, and cleared away the disaster left behind, it halted near a crystal-clear lake. Slowly sliding in, it floated to its center, and as amazing as words can describe, it started shape shifting into a small island. Golden grasses mixed with silver flowers. A portion of plasma remained, and Xián Lèng feeling like near Death's door opened his mouth to speak, but as the twisting, and bending of the blob arose once again, his words were left unspoken.

I am sorry... I feel angry at myself. I want to kill... I want to kill myself... I am sorry.

The blob and Xian Leng started to fuse and take shape into a tree with a frondeurs trunk, that rose about 30 feet above ground, had a golden silver foliage, and red unopened flower buds. Xián Lèng's body left pain to aside and a numbness from his whole took all his senses.

What is happening?... Aren't you going to kill me?... I deserve death!

A voice rang near his ear, and what he slightly saw when slowly moving his eyes to the side in which the voice came from, the emperor with a solemn look, and head attached to body stood. Xián Lèng was too tired to even open his eyes in shock.

The emperor without mouth moving,

Xián Lèng... My love... I cannot stay here with you on this tree. Against the will of the all mighty heavens I engulfed and buried deep inside this island the resentment that resulted from this personal, and egoistical war. They told me to eliminate you, and everyone who took part, but you were the only one which I couldn't terminate. I know that this wasn't entirely your bidding, nor was mine. The one who controls you is not all yourself, but an entity which we free willed creatures have never seen, or dare talk about. I do not blame you, but I also cannot forgive you; I love you but cannot remain by your side because I hate you. Such irony in these words I speak... I will seal you in this tree while in the process, remove all memories of everything, and everyone you once knew; that includes myself. Your love and hate will be forgotten, and you will remain asleep, cultivating pureness, and reach until you find Forgiveness. All your burdens would wash away as the seasons pass. Trees will die, and others shall rebirth, while you will remain the same, but with closed buds no enlighten, or forgiveness will reach your soul. The day the buds open, the one thing that'll give you the strength you really seek will appear, and you will feel like the most unmatchable man in the world.

Xián Lèng, What do you mean Wan Quan? I don't understand...

Wàn Quan,

You don't need to understand. Just sleep, and rest for when the time comes you will have to confront the evillest of it all... Yourself...

With that, there was a flash of light, and Xian Leng's eye sight became a blur, soon to be darkness.