5 An Ominous Sight side chapter (1/2)
HEAVENLY CITY:
”It is time” the words echoed through the great hall, filling the old golden columns and the marble floors with a rushed energy that seemed to fizzle in the fresh air, ascending to the high ceilings, decorated with clouds, gods and scenes of times long forgotten.
In the center of the long, empty room, an old man stayed with a pensive expression on his rugged and yet timeless face, his long-sleeved white clothes and deep silver eyes giving an almost god-like aura. All along, his gaze stayed fixed at the floating copper basin in the middle of the room.
Inside it, a watery, silky liquid undulated slowly. Its crystal surface, just like a mirror, reflected ghostly images on the air above.
”Shifu, are you sure it is her?” a young man, with pearly dark eyes and raven hair asked, his back straight and dignified air creating a mesmerizing aura around his otherwise ordinary features.
”Nothing in life is ever right or wrong. Just like the smooth surface of a lake: It doesn't matter how unruffled it is, it still carries inside the capacity for waves and blurriness. All it needs is a single touch”.
The youth managed a small nod, his eyebrows furrowing slightly, just enough to outline the deep darkness of his irises. His shifu had always been a complicated men. Few words, long faces and phrases that meant everything and nothing at the same time. He was used to it, as were all others disciples that lived on Heavenly City.
In the last few weeks, however, things had become... Different, somehow. There seemed to be some restless shadow following his master, as if his thoughts were in a turmoil at all times. Even if his figure stayed as still as a tree, the winds on its branches were harder to conceal.
Something big was going to happen. Something that he couldn't yet determine if was good or bad. With the Soul-gathering Flames Sect , it was never as simple as right or wrong anyway.
”Senior Brother” both of them turned to see a willowy woman entering the hall, her hair as white as a moon stone flowing down her light pink and white gown like a water fall.
”Madam Ling”.
”Junior Sister” his master acknowledged with a minimal move of his head, after which she roused from her courtesy and approached then both where they stood, near the copper basin.
”Is it confirmed, then?” Madam Ling asked, her voice as soft as the first rays of sun after the rain ”Is it really her?”.
”There's still one test that needs to be accomplished” the old man agreed with a small nod. Madam Ling acquiesced silently, slowly walking nearer the basin, her dark eyes as sharp as a knife.
”Two weeks ago, the Luan Birdwas sighted near the South Mountains.” she said in an ominous tone ”Now, just days later, the seven mansions of the Zhu Que constellation have aligned on the sky...”
”So you see” the old master commented a bit offhandedly ”It is finally here”.