The Seven Wonders of the World (REMASTERED)

2. Half Boy, Half Curse

After a few minutes, Ailun had began to slowly wake up, as he looked around his blurry surroundings. As his vision began to clear up, he could see Wangchen and his lackeys standing there, grinning as they watched Ailun.
Wangchen then approached Ailun, leaning over him as he kicked him in the ribs. “Wow, look who's awake.”
Ailun could only groan as he felt the pain strike him hard, tears forming in his eyes as he coughed up blood.
Wangchen leaned over Ailun, grinning evilly. “It's a shame you won't be able to become a Ranger anymore.”
Ailun felt so weak, as he could not even sit up. All he could do was groan, as Wangchen continued his rant.
Suddenly, in Ailun's mind, a voice that was not his awoke. “Let me take over..”
As if a switch inside of him was flicked, Ailun felt a sudden change come over him. His mind was suddenly full of negative urges and desires, desires he once did not have.
Ailun's eyes opened wide, as he felt himself getting up again, as if someone else was controlling his actions. With a sudden movement, Ailun’s body spun around and slapped Wangchen right in the face, knocking him to the ground.
Wangchen's nose was now bleeding, as he could not even believe what had just happened. Ailun suddenly had a new and intense strength in him that he once didn't.
Wangchen, now in disbelief, stood up again, as he felt a surge of anger flow through him. “You think you can do that to me? You weakling!” He shouted, charging straight at Ailun, attempting to punch him square in the face.
Ailun grabbed his fist with ease, as marks began to be drawn all over Ailun's body, giving him a disorientated yet intimidating look. “You think you can hit me with a weak-ass punch like that?” said the distorted Ailun, as it was Zhou talking.
Zhou was now fully in charge of Ailun's body, as even Wangchen was not expecting things to happen like this. Wangchen then attempted to grab Ailun's arm as he shouted, “I'll kill you!”
Zhou, in the form of Ailun, quickly dodged his attack, as he punched Wangchen straight in the gut, sending him flying to the trees.
Wangchen then stood up once more, bleeding from his mouth. “What have you done to him?” he screamed, as he felt a surge of fear come over him.
Wangchen started to attack once more, but Ailun, controlled by Zhou, was too fast and too strong. Zhou then grabbed Wangchen by the throat, slamming him against the trees with a brutal force.
Wangchen then attempted to break off the hold, but Zhou was much stronger than Ailun ever was, and his grip tightened around Wangchen's throat. Wangchen began choking and coughing up blood, realizing he could no longer fight.
Wangchen felt a sudden urge to surrender as he tried to speak. “Wait! No more!”
Zhou chuckled, as he dropped Wangchen's pathetic body, before looking at his hands. “This body.. is so young, yet so full of potential.. perhaps I struck gold with the boy who I have chosen! Just a few more years and i'll be at my peak!”
Zhou laughed maniacily, as this was the first time he had been inside a body in centuries. “It seems I have finally found a host that I like! And you, boy, are going to be just a vessel for me, for all eternity..”
Wangchen got up, as he ran towards his lackeys. “Let's get out of here, boys!” he yelled, as the lackeys followed after him, all of them leaving.

Ailun, deep down inside his subconscious, could feel the power of Zhou taking over, as his body was now being controlled by the sinister spirit that had been sealed for centuries. “Let me go, you bastard!” he yelled.
He heard laughter, as he turned around and saw Zhou, in the form of Ailun, yet there was marks all over his body, and his clothing was more sensible and different. “Little guy, you are the first human I found in years, i wouldn't let you go so easily.”
Ailun was shocked. “Who are you...” he said, as Zhou let out another laugh.
Zhou then grinned, as he moved close to Ailun. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Zhou, a powerful curse who has been sealed away for ages. You were lucky that I chose you, because I could have possessed the many other humans on this planet, but I found you the most interesting.”
Ailun did not know what to say as he backed away from Zhou, who then laughed again.
“Man, it sure does feel great to roam freely in a young body as this!” said Zhou. “My armies and I have barely had time to move since our demise in the last World War all those years back.. once my power comes back and I harness your body for it, then i'll become even stronger than before. Don't try to resist this, for you are a pathetic human compared to me.”
Ailun let out a small cry, as he was trapped in his own mind. Zhou then grinned, as he grabbed Ailun's shoulder. “Don't worry, just sleep... let me take full control of your mind. The process will only take a few days, and in no time, I'll finally have my own army of loyal, powerful beings. And there's nothing you can do against a powerful curse.”
Ailun's fury spiked in him, as he grabbed Zhou and gave him a right hook across his face, causing Zhou to stumble backwards in surprise.
Zhou was stunned. He had not expected such a young mortal to be capable of doing such incredible feats, especially against him, the most powerful Yimao. He then regained his composure, his eyes lighting up with fury.
“You will let me take over! There's no way I am letting a vessel like you escape!” said Zhou.
Ailun's eyes narrowed, as he clenched his fists. “I'm not letting you take over! I'm kicking you out!”
Zhou was baffled by this, as this had never happened before in all his hundreds of years of living. He thought to himself for a moment, before letting out a sigh. “Well, if you insist on fighting me...”
Suddenly, Zhou teleported behind Ailun, kicking his back as he sent Ailun to the floor, before stepping on his back as he looked down at Ailun. “You really want your body back?”
Zhou then looked down at Ailun, a sinister light now in his eyes. “If you really want your body back... then I shall give it to you, if you do one little thing for me.”
Ailun now looked up at Zhou. “And what is it you want me to do for you...?”
Zhou then grinned, as he kneeled down and grabbed Ailun's chin, lifting his head up. “You see...” he began. “Ever since I was sealed away from the mortal realm, I have been unable to use my true powers, as I need a vessel in the mortal realm that I can use as a source of power. You could be that vessel.”
“What are you implying?” said Ailun.
“I will let you have your body back, but I will still play a part through my power. I'll give you my power, and if your inexperienced self cannot handle your opponents, then I will forcefully take over, because your potential is quite exquisite, young one.”
Ailun was hesitant for a moment, as he thought about what Zhou had said. On one hand, he would get his body back, and his power. But on the other... he wouldn't be completely in control.
“Let me get this straight. I would be able to use your power, and if I were under attack and I can't defeat my opponents myself, then you would take over my body to defeat my foes?” said Ailun to Zhou.
Zhou nodded. “Yes. You would have a great deal of my power, and if I judge my presence necessary, then I would take over for a temporary amount of time. You need to understand that, with me as a backup, you will be able to take on any foe, and with you using my power, your enemies will not stand a chance.”
“So, if I were to ever become strong enough, would I eventually be able to take full control of my body, and thus have full control over your power, on my own?” said Ailun.
Zhou chuckled. “It doesn't quite work like that, young one. If you get stronger -- I get stronger. Essentially, we are one and the same for we share the same body.”
Ailun seemed to come to a conclusion in his mind, and then nodded. “Well if that's the case, then I accept your proposal. I do have one final question though.”
“What is it?” asked Zhou, as he cocked his head to the side, curious as to what Ailun would ask.
"What if I no longer want you as a backup? What if I no longer want our 'agreement' to continue?" asked Ailun.
Zhou's expression shifted slightly, as he now sensed Ailun's hesitation. “You can't do that, young one. Once we make this arrangement, neither one of us can back out. You agreed to this, and now you must fulfill your side of the agreement. The only way you can ever escape from me is if I personally want to leave your body. I will simply leave if your body does not meet up to the standards I have.”
Ailun now seemed a lot less certain. “So, I’m stuck with you, even if I don't want you?”
Zhou now looked down at Ailun, a cruel smirk now on his face. “Yes, little one, you're stuck with me, regardless whether you like it or not. I suggest you get used to it. Our partnership will be a prosperous one, I assure you.”