The Gift

Chapter 25

There was a strange atmosphere in the office, even the normal humans were aware of something, just out of reach, a feeling that you can't quite put into words and it didn't help when all the guards had been called back and were spaced out evenly around the room. As if they were ready to protect everyone. Zhu Hong's phone had been quiet, which was a good sign and no other phone had rung, meaning that the boss hadn't worked out his plan on how to get out of the vault.

Shen Wei was feeling much better, less tired and he was still deep in meditation but had cooled off. He was back in the garden at his new cottage in his mind, plus he had a visitor. Black Robe had come to talk to him during his dream.

"It's been a while since we last spoke as two individuals, but at least I can offer you a drink this time." Wei smiled at his guest.

"My dear host, I like your new Yunlan, he's very smart. The whip found him faster this time. The little master and I don't have any issues, they were all settled when he made his decision to save Yunlan's life the last time we spoke." The Black Robe spirit told Wei.

"That's good to know. He's still a killer but only in defence of Yunlan, but why are you here to see me? We could easily have talked without my meditation?"

"I've held something back from you for a long time and now I have to explain, because it involves the orb. Many lifetimes ago when I lived in the home world and I had a host, the life span was longer than now. The last host was the same as yourself, in every way and we came through to help with the peace treaty and sealed the doorway between the two worlds but we belonged to a family who had to find a replacement when we didn't come back. We had every intention of returning but sometimes fate steps in and we have to live with the choice we've been given."

"Black Robe, my friend, you are beginning to sound like the hologram, he likes long stories. What are you trying to tell me?"

The Spirit of Black Robe knew that he should have explained the facts sooner than this, and wished that he had done so earlier.

"Some of your past life is linked to royal blood, you were a prince who never returned and the orb is a status symbol, or it was then. That's why this miscreant wants it. He wants to seize power. No one would question his identity if he produced the orb, and it would also open the doorway to allow him through."

Wei was furious that this man would try to use his identity in such an underhanded illegal act.

"Then he must be stopped, where was he raised, was it in the home world or here?" he asked.

"For him to know so much about the orb, I would guess that he was one of the stranded people or maybe his family made the choice to stay here, but he was only a baby and was probably brought up on stories about the lost prince and the orb of power. Then when he saw the portrait in the library, he guessed that it was all true. He was already a rich criminal at that point and he seemed smart enough to make the connection between you and I. That was another reason why he cut deep into your hand, if you were Black Robe it would have healed instantly, so I would advise you not to heal it until after he is caught. That will help keep your identity a secret from him." Black Robe warned him and Wei sensed that he had said all that he'd come to say.