Wu Ying

Memories

The third moon was drawing close to line up, and the energy in the realm was intensifying.. indicating the approach of a long-awaited event. But, as he had been warned, it would come at a cost. He alone, would be responsible for the consequences and the.. After match. As the alignment neared, the dark lord's memories flooded back, to find himself pulled into a dream; a vivid recollection of his past..

.

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It was the time of Japanese occupation in Korea, a land shrouded in despair. He was walking through the narrow streets of an old village. The streets were lined with traditional hanok houses, their tiled roofs and wooden beams standing in stark contrast to the newer, more austere Japanese-styled buildings that had begun to appear.

The air was filled with the sounds of daily life, chatter, clatter of wooden carts, hum of train and a laughter briefly respite them from the harsh realities of the time..

Yet, despite the vibrant life in the streets; there was an unpleasant tension. Japanese soldiers patrolled the area, a constant reminder of the occupation, as well as traditional Korean customs and language were suppressed. Korean residents spoke in hushed tones, wary of drawing unwanted attention, and struggling to maintain their cultural identity ..

Amidst this backdrop, a beacon of hope emerged. People talked, and tales were told, about a symbol of resistance for the desperate people. The Robin Hood with unwavering courage, 'Jang Woo,' they whispered his name. He fought against the colonial forces, feeding the hungry, protecting the persecuted, and striking fear and disorder into the hearts of the brutal invaders. He did so without seeking reward or recognition, driven solely by righteous fury and a deep-seated love for his homeland.

He marched down the road, the whispers of his name echoing in his ears. The people smiled at him in gratitude, their eyes filled with hope and reverence. They greeted him as if he were a high-ranking politician, a figure to kiss-up to at that time..

But as he looked down at his worn, humble attire, he couldn't help but wonder if he was truly the hero they believed him to be. To him, he appeared to be just a mere farmer—or so he thought, if he was even that!

The dream continued, and the dark lord knew he was not in his own world; yet the sensations flooding through the person named 'Jang Woo' were so intense, so real. It was then that he realized -these, are not just random feelings. 

-They indeed were his old memories, resurfacing from the depths of his past, piece by piece, as if a veil had been lifted from his mind...-

He walked down the road, images of the grateful and relieved smiles flashing before his eyes, he felt it inside.. this was what he lived for; those moments, the heartful appreciations were the essence of his call, his honor..

Yet, he recalled one thing more, as his steps led him all the way down to that familiar isolated low-slung Korean house -Its traditional architecture stood out amidst the more modern structures of the era. The house was like a peaceful island, surrounded by a low wooden fence with a small garden, filled with colorful flowers and a towering olive tree, which added a touch of serenity to the scene.

Stepping through the gate, his heart pounded in his chest as a very familiar figure stood at the entrance, her eyes filled with a mixture of love and worry.. It was his wife.

Her once radiant face; now is etching with anxiety as if she bore the weight of the world on her slender shoulders. How can she not lose her lightful smile and she had spent all those countless sleepless nights, fearing and praying for his safety, haunted by the horrifying images of him being captured, tortured or even killed in front of their 4- and 5-years old children. The thought of their innocent children witnessing such a horrific act sent shivers down her bones. She imagined their lives turned into a nightmare, not to mention that their childhood was already stolen by the cruelty of war. 

And then again, there was the fear for herself, a vulnerable woman left at the mercy of the ruthless soldiers, she'd be an easy prey for the dirty human-costumed creatures, and how her kids would have to see their mother suffer the vile treatment and low life every day. 

As he stood there, he knew he did her so wrong, her shabby week appearance was a stark contrast to the first memory he had; their wedding memory.. she was so lively and happy back then.. all that remained of her now were anxiety, and her dark circles.

But as a passing ghost, he had no right to control the body, even though it once belonged to him. He could hear and feel, but could never interfere.. He was there to recall and relive the pain that led him down to his nefarious path.. 

As a result, he could never change his mistakes, that's why.. what he thought to be his salvation, in fact, turned out to be a punishment -and a long unending road of regret. Thus, he could only watch his life replay with mounting anger, several times more.

" The people you save every day won't repay the favour in the same way," he woke up from his thoughts at the voice of his wife arguing, her voice filled with a mix of concern and frustration. "Why risk your life for strangers while you might end up unable of protecting your own family", she said looking at their kids with sad eyes. 

But 'Jang Woo', our hero, won't budge, for he's the unwavering heir and sol successor of the Jang family. His heart was bound for his family's legacy and his country's honor, he was indeed a true hero at heart, but a failure husband and father in her sight.

Little did he know, that his endeavor heroic deeds, would soon lead to tragic consequences, costing him his family's life, and for their bloodline to be forever tainted.