"You have no idea how much I want to stop you but I won't."
I can see how my dear father was trying to hold back his tears that is about to fall any minute. Since my mother's death we have been living our lives together. I will never forget how my father would always remind me that in this lifetime we can only rely to each other.
Even in a very young age, I already knew what is happening around me. The never ending war between good and evil had cost us my mother's life that is why I can't blame my father for being so protective of me.
Right now, I am in the middle of gathering my things in preparation for the journey I am about to embark. It took me forever to finally get my father's approval. Though he's against the idea of me living on my own he still granted me his blessing because he knew the only way I can truly protect myself from this harsh world is to learn how to fight. It extremely pains me to leave but I know I had to do this.
My father turned to go to his room and when he came back he handed me one of the Tangmen's delicate and sophisticated crafts, the Crossbow of Tang.
"As much as I would love to keep you safe by staying together I know I don't have eternity to live and it is only a matter of time before chaos creeps in so I would rather see you go to learn to defend yourself than leave you weak and helpless."
My tears fell.
I always hated having any conversation that talks about death but I also knew it is inevitable. I guess I'll just have to learn to accept that cruel reality.
"Father, I know this is not easy for us. I really wish I could bring you with me but I understand you can't leave our people behind. Please take care of yourself and I promise to take care of myself too. Always remember my dear father, I love you." I flashed a warm smile hoping to ease his mind and gave him a tight hug for one last time.
I can't help but feel anxious about leaving. Part of me wants to stay on the safe side but if I do will it really offer me comfort? Knowing that the demons of the abyss are getting stronger as time went by I don't think there are any safe places anymore.
"Father, we have to leave now." He nodded wearily and kissed me in the forehead. "Please take care of yourself, my little tigress. I will pray for your safety everyday and always remember, I love you so much."
I gave him a loving smile and together we headed outside where Baxia is waiting for me.
"I am entrusting you my daughter's well being Baxia. Please keep her safe for me."
Baxia looked deeply into my father's eyes before bowing his head down.
I took one last glance behind me and saw my father still standing there, watching as we rode away.
"'Til we see each other again, father."
----
I woke up feeling a slight ache on my back. I didn't even realised I fell asleep in the middle of our travel. The first thing I saw is the sky in a faded orange shade slowly giving way to nightfall.
I looked around and saw a campfire.
"Baxia?" I am about to panic when I can't find Baxia around then I heard noises of breaking twigs. Suddenly, I am bathing with my own sweat. My heart is racing. I hurriedly took my crossbow and prepared for any attacks. I stared intently at the bush where the noise is coming from. I can hear its footsteps getting closer. "Whoever you are, you're so dead!"
"Whoa, hey! Why are you aiming your bow at me?" Baxia suddenly dropped the woods he is holding and put his two hands in the air with his eyes wide open.
I sighed heavily as if to spit out all the nervousness I felt.
"Geez, you scared the hell out of me!" I yelled at Baxia who is still standing with his two hands raised in the air like an idiot.
"Really? If I am a real enemy with a weapon aimed at you you'll just gonna freeze there like that?"
I can't help but raise a brow. If not for what seems to be life and death thrill earlier I would have laughed heavily, seriously he really looked like a hopeless criminal getting cornered on dead ends.
"What? Of course not!" Baxia yelped as he picked up the woods and put them in the fire making the surrounding light up even more. "Who would expect a bow aimed at you when you just returned from gathering woods. I'll make us food for dinner then we will go, we still have a long way to travel, you know."
"Yeah, speaking of. Where do the Oriental Fighters reside again?" I asked. I think father had already told me before but I forgot it already.
"We lay at the peak of the high misty mountains of Cadia Riverlands. Which is still few miles away from here. After eating we will get going and hopefully arrive there by sunset tomorrow."
"Oh, okay."
When Baxia finished preparing our food we immediately ate while having small talks about the other members of the Oriental Fighters. I found out that Zilong is the head of the group which is also our fighter and that he had a little sister named Chang'e which serves as our mage and a Ling guy who is our assassin. Oh my, I can't wait to meet them already!
When we finished eating our food we immediately get going stopping only to eat or for the horses to rest.
----
After many hours of travel the two had finally reached their destination. They arrived at a small but lively village at the foot of the mountains at exactly noon. They left the horses in the village then hiked their way to the mountain's peak.
Wanwan can't help but hold her breath as she pans her sight. The magnificient view of Cadia Riverlands at the peak of the mountain is a sight to behold. She can clearly see the sunset from where she stands. She never knew that watching the sunset can be very calming and relaxing to the eyes. As if she had already rested from the long journey she had just gone through. She looked at the surroundings again and soon realised she had really gone very far away from where she came from. With that thought she saw the image of her father in her mind, standing still while watching as she slowly fade out of sight. She can't help but frown and ask herself what was her father might be doing right now?
"Hey." Baxia noticed the sadness on Wanwan's fair face, as if he knows what she's thinking he said,
"I am sure your father is doing well back home. As much as he wished for your safety, he would also love you to be happy. That I'm sure of."
"Yeah, I know." Wanwan smiled as her face slowly lit up.
"There you go! Now lets go. I can't wait for you to finally meet them!" And like a child whose excited to see his friends after a long while, Baxia went on joyously with Wanwan tailing his back.
Baxia opened a large door and happily shouted, "We're home!"
