Nong packed her things into a small pack without hesitation. She had determination on her face even though she barely had a plan. Prince Edan had found them with the help of the horse but not before running into a messenger who had told him the terrible news of his father. The prophecy was set in to motion with two triggers now passed and Nong had to move faster if she wanted to save Ru Feng.

"Nong are you certain you don't want to come back home with us?" Prince Edan asked watching as she braided back her long hair. "If my father was...murdered...it's too dangerous for you to be alone,"

His concern for her warmed her heart. He had to be completely exhausted. She knew too well the pain of losing someone far away. How powerless it made you feel. A part of you will have perished as well. She looked at him, his sky colored eyes were just the way she remembered.

"I'm really sorry about your father," She said. "I wish I could return with you but I can't,"

He gave her an understanding smile.

"I know that woman is behind this. She told Ru Feng that she didn't need his – your – life anymore. She was there in Lotus. Which means she probably has one piece of the soul lock already," Turning to Grandmother Mao and Governess Gao she continued, "Whether or not she can truly cast the spell...I can't risk it. I have to go see the Northern King and get the second piece before she does. Before she takes any more lives,"

"And then what?" Grandmother Mao asked resting on her cane.

"I am not going to kill Ru Feng," Nong said. "I'll figure out some other way,"

Grandmother Mao shrugged with a smile on her face. But Governess Gao stepped in with steely eyes placing a firm hand on Nong's shoulder.

"I agree with his highness, Nong," Governess Gao said. "Come home with us. You can't just run off by yourself,"

Nong gently moved her hand away, "I'll be fine. You should return to Lotus with Prince Edan and help him make sure everything there is ok,"

"Nong," Prince Edan started but Nong moved past them to the door swinging her pack over her good shoulder.

"It's too dangerous Nong!" Governess Gao said after her. "Why are you risking your life for this...beast? There is no way to save him. But we can still save everyone else. That's what we need to focus on now. It's over,"

Nong paused. "It's not," She turned back to look at them with sparkling eyes. "He's still here. His only curse is that he had no one. But he found me through it all. And to the very last minute I'll never stop trying to save him,"

Governess Gao quieted at her words as realization sunk in. Nong's eyes reminded her of a friend's a long, long time ago.

"Like mother like daughter," Grandmother Mao shrugged.

Prince Edan raised his hand. "Then go, Nong. And we'll be ready on our end to assist with anything we can," he said reassuringly.

Nong smiled at them one by one. "Thank for you everything," She said. She stopped at her governess. Her caretaker sighed heavily but her expression warmed and she nodded. "Be careful,"

Nong was nervous as she made her way outside and onto a horse like she'd seen Ru Feng do. One of the villagers gave her some pointers before showing her the way out of the village. The clouds swirled around the mountain peaks reminding her of the wings she had grown with a spell. Short as it was – she would never forget that feeling of soaring into sky with Ru Feng. Thinking of him gave her courage. Courage to even fight against destiny. She only hoped that he hadn't given up himself.

---

"You...you're the Sage Turtle?" Ru Feng repeated in disbelief. His ghost fur stood on edge. If he looked closely, he could see the patterns on the turtle's shell was not regular. They swirled like clouds and flowers upon his back.

"More than that, I am your brother," the small turtle replied.

Ru Feng shook his head. "Don't play with me. I have never had any family or friends," He spat.

"You're wrong, my dear brother. You have the three of us: Sunbird, Dragon, and I. And I believe you had a young witch with you earlier that couldn't keep her eyes off you. And the handsome prince who was quite the pleasant company these past couple of days. I had forgotten how amusing humans were,"

"Cut the crap. If you're my brother – why haven't you or any of them been here to help me?" Ru Feng prowled forward, "When I awoke in the darkness unable to move a muscle? When I cried my lungs out for days? I have been utterly alone trapped in this room – my only moments of relief when I steal them from others!"

His eyes glowed in their golden hue against the dark, ""Where were you then!?"

The turtle remained quiet as Ru Feng continued, "Why have I been cursed?! People tell me I am a monster! They're going to control me. They're going to kill me. No one can help me. What did I do to deserve this!?"

He let out a roar at the tiny turtle. His pain vibrated throughout the cavern shaking the dust from the sleeping stone beast. In a brief instance – the cry even seemed to come from it. Ru Feng stopped, panting he collapsed onto the hard ground.

"You're right. You didn't deserve this," The turtle said calmly after a moment. "It was a long time ago, my brother. You were cursed...because you had too good of a heart for a god,"

Then the Sage Turtle began to tell their story from hundreds of years ago as Ru Feng listened in silence.

"The bird witches are a clan that Sunbird blessed with his magic after everything that happened. Maybe because he felt remorse for what we'd done. Maybe because he had a sliver of hope yet," the turtle explained.

"Well, she can't help me. She's the only one who can stop me. And she will," Ru Feng grumbled still facing the ground. "You should just save her the trouble and kill me now,"

"That's not why I'm here," the turtle replied.

"Then what? You wanted a front row seat to the show?"

"Have you not been listening at all dear brother?" the turtle said with an exasperated tone. He started to move down the stone beast's nose. Slowly but surely towards Ru Feng. "You have been desperately trying to run away from your fate ever since you gained consciousness somehow even managed to jump bodies – an impressive feat no one saw coming. You should stop running away,"

"That's easy for you to say,"

"I cannot tell you that we can undo the curse. For that – I am deeply sorry,"

"Thanks. I figured since I am still a ghost. You may go now,"

"I am here to remind you, brother," the Sage Turtle reached the tip of the beast's nose and toppled down in front of Ru Feng with a soft clunk.

Ru Feng lifted his head at the sound and saw the poor animal on its back – short legs wavering in the air. He rolled his eyes. "Sorry, can't help you in my current state," He said dryly.

After a few tries, the Sage Turtle rolled himself over. He pointed his small head towards Ru Feng staring at him with black all knowing eyes. Eyes that Ru Feng found familiar. They took him to another place – another time. Ru Feng stilled waiting for what his brother would tell him. A spark of hope ignited deep in his heart. He knew he should extinguish it.

"I came to remind you that you were a god," the turtle said. "Before you were a beast - you were one of the four gods. The Powerful and Fearless Tiger who loved with all of his heart. And I believe you still have some of him deep within you. For a god never truly dies. So find him. And once you do, take any shred you are owed, and face the darkness,"