Ascent of the Beast King

The Second Night

Li Jia returned that evening to find the two, boy and man, sat at the table watching the door.

"... Hi...?" Li Dan ran up and grabbed her by the arm, "Jia sis! Lin has some big news!"

"Let her get in through the door at least you rascal."

"Quick! He wouldn't tell me until you returned!" Li Jia closed the door before allowing herself to be pulled to the table.

"Actually, I'd like to speak to Li Jia first."

"Hey you can't..." Lin clicked his fingers and suddenly, Li Dan was... in his room? Wait What? Definitely his room. Lin! He ran out then stole half-way down the stairs. He could see Lin and Li Jia in conversation but there was no sound. It didn't look like they were whispering. Lin said something. Li Jia's jaw dropped. Her eyes wide. Then, she nodded her head. She sat down at the table and Lin came over to Li Dan. He sat beside him on the stairs. He clicked his fingers, and suddenly there was a shimmering barrier around the two of them.

"Something is about to happen which will throw the whole of Jershuin into chaos. I need you to remember the following steps. You remember by master?"

Li Dan nodded.

"I am going to send you to him. First, you will arrive at the peak of a mountain. There will be a door, just standing there."

"You mean a house?"

"No. Just a door." He reached into the folds of his garments and took out two small orbs. One was filled with a snowy white fog and the other with a smoky black smog. He took out a pouch, placing them within and then a small bottle of water. "These are priceless treasures. Even I can't discover their origin. My master gave them to me, for you. I want you to swallow them. Straight after, drink this water." He placed the bottle in the pouch and handed it to Li Dan.

"Now for my three rules. Remember them, where you're going they're extremely important. You're about to enter a world where even I can't guarantee your safety. The first is do not trust anybody. I mean..." He reached round to rub the back of his head with a chuckle, "you can trust me right now, obviously. But where you are going, there's only one person you should trust. His name is Hillel Mimir, you can call him Old Blue. Nobody else.

"Secondly, always rely on yourself. It's great to have a strong back or a large following but you are the only person who will always be there to protect you. Relying on others incurs debts, and debts are heavy things.

"Thirdly, always have three plans. One for the worst. One for the best. One for the in-between stuff. Always. Right, now what was the first thing I said?"

Li Dan gulped. "Umm, mountain, door, eat the orbs... water?"

"You seem very calm, do you not have any more questions?"

So many questions. But he didn't know where to start.

"Right, knock on the door. Whatever the response, take out the ring. My master will come to you there." He placed a hand on Li Dan's shoulder reassuringly. "How many rules were there?"

"Three."

"What were they?"

"Don't trust anybody. Rely on myself. Three plans."

"Wow. Very good, not bad for a ten year old."

"I'm twelve!"

"Oh... Apologies. It's not so impressive then."

"What is happening? Why are you talking about us going away? Will Li Jia be there?"

"So many questions, young one, so little time..." He looked to the door. "I have to go."

He turned as he wasleaving. "Give the coins to your sister. You won't need them." With that, hewas gone.