Call of the Night

Part 13

Night time has fallen and the constant pain in the back of my head is getting worse. We need to stop every time because as we push further the pain becomes more severe. My jaw keeps locking. My chest hurts too making it hard to breath.

"Kuan Tian" Diao Chan's let her fingers slide through my hair as I lay in her lap.

We sat in front of a fire that Diao Chan set for us. It's freezing cold but my inside is burning. 

"How far till we get home" My lips are dry and made my voice raspy.

"I'm sorry. If we're going to move in this pace. It may take one more day" she says, painfully.

"Diao Chan. You might be aware already but I'm in so much pain. I don't think I can make it" I said as I reach out to her.

She took my hand and brought it to her lips for a kiss. Tears starts falling. She pressed my hand to her forehead as if she's praying.

"Kuan Tian don't disappear. A change may come but stay the way you are" she says.

In my head I wonder why this girl cares so much for me. Even though we were related, for years we never communicate at all. I don't remember ever having to have a deep relationship with her other than strangers. I can't recall anything.

"What are you talking about Diao Chan?" my breath is uneven.

Crack... an unbearable sound of a bone breaking was made from my rib cage.

"AAAHHH!!!" I scream in agony.

Diao Chan carefully lay my head down to the ground and took a step back.

Creak... Crack... another bone in my rib.

"AAAAAHHH!!!" I scream louder.

Something inside is tearing me apart. I cry out for help. 

It's so painful. My God

"DIAO CHAN!!! WHAT'S HAPPENING!!!" I scream for her, begging to make it stop.

Diao Chan only stood not too far, crying as if she could feel my pain.

Crack... one of my teeth fell out and new and sharp ones are replacing. A meta taste lingers in my mouth, I am coughing blood. Even my tears has turn to blood red. It's seeping out everywhere, through my ears, eyes, nose and mouth. My nail hurts as if it is getting pulled out.

My god. Have mercy on me.

As my nails get pushed out another nails appears, sharp and black.

The lost of blood made my skin ashen and it was replaced by a liquid as dark as ink. 

The pain is so agonizing that I clawed the earth.

Tai Rong help me!!!

...

The emperor refuses to eat or retire that night. He did not care whoever sees him in his demonic form.

"Sire" I say reluctantly. 

Though I called for him he did not flinched or turn to my direction.

"Sire" I call again.

This time he look at me from the corner of his eyes. His eyes ready to turn anyone into stone "What is it Li Hua? Have you found her?"

"No but how about we call it the night? The troops is out looking for her already and so is Lin Shao, Hui Lang and Ju Long. I'm sure we'll hear news by the morning" I say.