Jūn Zî - An Interactive Game

Introduction

You ran up to your grandmother, your eyes wide with childish delight.

The woman was very old, around the age of 85 years old. But you loved her and her countless stories. They made you feel hopeful and strong, just like your grandma was when she was young.

"Oh, little child, you never seem to lose your energy...What a great attribute. Few adults can compare, did you know that?" The woman praised you. It was rare for her to ever compliment children, and she never complimented your parents when they were kids. It made you feel special.

Before you could reply, your grandmother started talking again. "You know, I will not be on the world much longer...my limbs have grown so weak and I can flee my heartbeat slowing. My time is coming, little child," she said, her voice still strong. She coughed right after those words, but quickly composed herself.

"But...grandmother! You can't leave me! Who will tell me stories? Nobody pays real attention to me but you...I will be so unhappy," you teared up. How could you go on without her?

"Please don't cry. I have lived my life to the fullest that I could live it. It was not the happiest thing, but I was strong. Oh, so strong! Nobody ever told me I was strong, though, even with all I endured, but I did not need their praise to know my worth. You don't need praise to know your worth either, little child, although it is a great thing."

"Your life will be the same as mine, in many ways. You will suffer, and not want to continue on. You will be judged and you will be ridiculed. It is the simple reality that we cannot change, and nobody but the ones who wield the most power get to be relived of that burden.

"But, little child, I know you are special. From the moment that you were born, and your eyes opened, I saw a spark. It was small and barley noticeable, but it grew. You are a little flame waiting to burst into a raging fire, and nobody will see it until you prove yourself. That's why I must give your this. It should remind you of your goals, your strength, and me, when things are going rough."

A shaky hand reached out, and you peered over it. A piece of jewelry sat in the middle of her palm. You picked it up and closed your fist around it. If this is all you would have left of your grandmother, then you had to protect it at costs.

"I love you, grandmother," you said, giving her the biggest hug you could muster, before having to leave her for studies.

That very night, your grandmother passed away in her sleep. You did not mourn, because you had the piece of jewelry to always remind you of her. You picked it up, looked at it, and put it on. Now, the only step was to make her proud.