When Crossbow Meets Blade

Chapter 12

"Ling... I want you to listen to me..."

I struggled as someone held me firm by my shoulders. There was fire and debris around us. People were running around as their cries for help sounded.

My vision was blurry, and I couldnt make out the person in front of me... Her voice is like a womans...

"Ling, please... just this once..." she said, her voice cracking. Then, I heard her sobbing as her two hands grabbed my right hand.

I said nothing to her. I just stared, wanting to know what she's gonna say. Then, she gave me a sword. A bright, cyan coloured sword.

More debris fell as the fire spread, engulfing everything in its path. The smoke in the air was so thick, I couldnt see other buildings. Her grip on my hand seemed to be getting weaker.

"Take this sword, use it to protect you and others. Your father... would have wanted you to have it... please.." she let go of my hand and flopped onto the ground.

"Always remember... your mother loves you... very much..."

She stayed silent after that. I shook her gently, ignoring the fire getting closer and the calls of help from other people. Before I could say anything, someone called me.

"Ling!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ling! Ling! Wake up!" said someone. I opened my eyes, only to have them burnt by the bright sunlight coming through the  windows. There bouncing on my bed, was Wanwan, already changed in her clothes. It took some time for my eyes to adjust, but I saw Wanwan looking... concerned?

"What now..? Dont you know how to give other people space?" I said as I sat up on my bed.

"I mean.. you were tossing and turning in bed. Soon enough, it sounded like you were... gasping for air? Do you have asthma?" She asked me.

"What? No, I dont have asthma. However, I did have this weird dream..." I suddenly felt dizzy. I held my hand to my head to stop myself from lying down again.

"Are you sick? You seem to be out of sorts." The Agile Tiger asked me.

"For the last time, I'm fine. Just gotta get used to waking up to bright lights." I said as I got off the bed and went to bath.

"Be quick, by the way. The rest are already waiting." Wanwan said as I heard her leave the room and close the door. Right, Baxia said something about planning our fight with Hanzo today.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I made my way to the meeting room when I passed by something that caught my attention. Beside me was a window that was open. It showed the field outside, where the Lightborn usually heads out to train or relax. But the thing that caught my attention... was a tiger.

I dont know where it came from, but this is definitely the same tiger as the one I saw back at the Oriental Fighters HQ. Did it... follow us here? It stared at me madly, slowly advancing towards me. However, I felt no hostile aura coming from this tiger..

"Ah, crap. I shouldnt make them wait long." I snapped back from my daze and quickly went to the meeting room.

Wanwan's POV

Boy, Ling sure is taking his time. What's with him this morning? Pretty sure you dont gasp for air while you sleep... do you? 

The sound of the doors opening caught out attention. Ling stood there, looking around the room. He then took a seat next to me.

"There he finally is! What took you so long?" Baxia asked, munching on some bread.

"I...Something came up." he said. Obviously, he's lying. I can tell. Something's bothering him...