Journey into the unknown

Chapter 2: Invaders

Hi.
Sorry I took so long with this chapter.
Enjoy.
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The great city of Chang'an was caught off guard when a vast army of demons unexpectedly laid siege to it.

Their bodies are adorned with black and gold armor and are carrying various weapons of war. The demonic soldiers swarmed the main areas of the city, their eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.

It was apparent that they were on the hunt for something specific.The human citizens of Chang'an could feel the tension in the air, their hearts racing as they hastily made their way to safety.

Some took refuge in their own homes, barricading themselves inside with whatever means they could find, while others fled the city altogether, hoping to escape the impending doom that was sure to follow.

Observing from the confines of a Shaolin monastery, the Abbot of this monastery, Master Yao, and his top student, Tang Sanzang, rush to the courtyard and arrived outside the main entrance to meet with the other disciples, who were also witnessing the sight below.

The disciples began to gather around their beloved Master anxiously, awaiting further instructions.
"What do we do, Master Yao?" One of them questioned in a panicked tone.

Master Yao glanced briefly at them before answering, "Calm yourselves, my students!"He said in a stern voice, which immediately silenced the crowd.

After a moment of silence, Master Yao continued, "I'm sure the Emperor's army will deal with these monsters. In the meantime, we must be prepared to defend the monastery," He added.

"But what about our friends and families!?" Min cried fearfully.

"I was getting to that, Min," The elderly Abbot stated with an annoyed expression, causing the younger monk to quickly shut up and nod, looking abashed.

Master Yao turned back to face the frightened students. "For those of you who have family, grab a staff and go to them, but be careful, and stay safe!" Master Yao ordered sternly.

They bowed respectfully before complying with his orders and hurried to prepare themselves.
Master Yao watched as his students scattered to go protect their own homes and families, once again leaving him alone with his prized student.

But as soon as Tang was about to head off with the other disciples, Master Yao stopped him, "Not you, Tang. I need you to go grab your things and get ready to leave," He said urgently.

Tang blinked in confusion. "Leave, now? But you guys might need my help!" He protested. Then his eyes went wide at the thought of someone else's safety. "And my mother, she might be in trouble!"

Master Yao gave a small chuckle. "Your bravery is appreciated, but you have an important mission, remember?" He reminded him. "And besides, you know your mother can handle demons,"

Tang hesitated, but ultimately sighed. "Alright." He agreed. With that said, Master Yao hands Tang his satchel and then leads him to the Bodhisattva hall.

The two enter and begin gathering everything they need.

Tang put on a dark cloak that concealed him from view so that no one will recognize him.

When he deemed everything ready, he and Master Yao quickly walk over to a Buddha shrine.

Yao gestures Tang to help him carefully lift the tapestry placed behind a Buddha statue.

Behind the tapestry was a hidden secret door. "What!? A secret door?" Tang gasped.

Master Yao gave Tang a gentle smile, not saying anything.

Tang then helped Yao carefully open the hidden doorway and revealing a staircase leading down into darkness.

They stepped down a steep stairway until they reached a large wooden chamber.On either side of the room were rows upon rows of shelves filled with thousands of Buddhist texts and scriptures, all of different languages and origins.

"Master Yao, what is all this?" Tang asked in astonishment.

"Just scrolls that haven't been read in a long time," Master Yao explained simply. "But we mustn't delay ourselves, I need to get you out of the city."

"By leading me into a secret archive?" Tang deadpanned.

Master Yao smiled at his disciple. "Not everything is what it appears to be." He remarked cryptically before reaching over to one of the nearby shelves. He grabs ahold of a book, but instead of pulling it all the way out, he merely tilts it vertically, revealing it to not be a book at all.

It was actually a hidden mechanism designed to look like a book.
The bookshelf started to rise upward. It took only a minute before it had fully opened up revealing another passage way.

"There is a labyrinth of tunnels under the city. Only I and the monks that came before me, knew about it," The old man informed.

Tang's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Wow," He breathed.
Then he hesitated for a moment before asking, "So, I'm really the only person who can do this?" He inquired nervously.

"The court did say you are best suited," Master Yao replied with a saddened expression.Tang looked up at his mentor with worry in his eyes. "What if I fail?" He asked quietly.

Master Yao placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. "Remember that piece of advice I gave you on self confidence and doubt?" Master Yao inquired."You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." He declared.

Tang's heart warmed at those words and he gave a grateful smile. "That's great advice, Master Yao," He said sincerely.
"But still, I don't think there's no way I'll be able to make this journey on my own." He admitted.

Master Yao replied, "I know of someone who can help you, but he'll need convincing."

"Who?" Tang asked eagerly.

"He meditates in a great mountain, not too far from the city."Master Yao explained as he took out a map from his sleeve pocket. "Take this map to guide you there,"Tang accepted the map with a nod of his head.

Master Yao reached forward and placed his hand on Tang's shoulder, then pulls him into a bear hug, and says in a soft and affectionate voice, "Take care of yourself, my student."Tang hugged back. "I will," He promised.With that, Tang treads down into the hidden tunnel, using an already lit torch to guide him through the darkness.

After Tang leaves, Master Yao quickly leaves the hidden archive and back into the Bodhisattva hall, closing the secret door behind him.

Out of nowhere, he was startled by a loud banging on the doors of the Bodhisattva hall."Oh Yao, I know your in there!" A familiar voice called out."Lǜ Shé..." Master Yao murmured, frowning slightly before straightening himself and walking towards the doors.

As soon as they were opened, he sees the figure standing before him.

Lǜ Shé is a large male Cobra Snake demon.
A Naga, to be precise. He stood tall and majestic, wearing a dark cloak that covered most of his body. His scales gleamed a deep emerald green and his eyes a piercing yellow.

Yao wasn't even slightly shocked that this demon had come here without permission, nor was he fazed by his appearance.
In truth, Yao was expecting him to show up sooner or later.
He already knew long ago what Lǜ Shé was after. Or more specifically, who.

"Master Yao, so glad to see you're still alive!" Lǜ Shé exclaimed.

"Wish I could say the same, old friend." Yao replied bluntly.

Lǜ Shé laughed. "Are you still sore about my betrayal all those years ago? You know you should have known better than to trust me, considering I am a Demon."

Yao narrowed his eyes in annoyance, trying hard to ignore the slight sting in his chest. "We were children back then, Lǜ. Neither of us knew any better."

Lǜ Shé shrugged his shoulders. "True enough. But let's not dwell on the past, shall we? We both know where this conversation is headed, right?"

Yao nodded slowly in agreement.

"Tell me, where is the reincarnation of Golden Cicada?" He calmly demanded.

"By now, far away from you." Yao replied.

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"Stupid labyrinth!" Tang cursed aloud as he made his way through the winding corridors of the underground maze.

The tunnel was supported by thick wooden beams and a few torches lining the walls.
There were also small circular holes cut into the soft stone walls every 10 to 12 meters or so.
These holes are obviously air vents.
He could also spot the occasional ladder built into the wall.
Useful for a quick escape if these tunnels ever collapsed.
Still, the ancient Monks didn't think to put up signs or something?
How did they even find their way around?

Tang groaned softly to himself, trying to decipher the route on the map that Master Yao had given him. He continued walking in silence for a few minutes, when suddenly he heard voices echoing from up the ladder tunnel ahead of him.
Tang slowed his pace and waited patiently as he listened closely.