Solar Eclipse

NamiC

A sequel to Jade Empire

Original characters, places, and storyline are © to Microsoft and BioWare.

Prologue: Birth to a New Legend

"Pei Yi! Jing Liang! C'mon girls it's getting late!"

Wu stood at the door of her small home, modeled in the shape of her old fighting school. The legendary hero, who once rescued the water dragon and restored harmony to the empire, no longer resembled the strength she once bore. The once long jet-black hair had hints of a few silver seams running through it. Her strong stature was now hidden under a delicate silk robe and age was now a companion to her face. Despite all of these physical changes, Wu still contained the holy power of the Spirit Monks and her fighting skills were only lessened from her prime years do to rust in her bones.

"Don't worry so much about them," Sky said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, "They're grown girls and you taught them everything you know about fighting. What's to worry? The Empire is at its peak under the rule of Empress Lian."

Wu placed her own hand on top of his and held it with affection.

"I know, but…something has not been at ease in my mind. I keep having these dreams…dreams where Jing Liang is crying…Pei Yi is hurt…sometimes I see them dead…"

"Hush now. They're just dreams. Jing Liang is too strong to let any of that happen. And if I remember correctly, she's about the same age you were when we met. Her prime years are just beginning. Ah, speak of the devil…"

Ahead, a young girl was running across the fields to her waiting family. She had dark brown hair tied into two messy braids and uneven bangs that got into her eyes. She wore a red and gold warrior outfit that ensured her respect as a fighter and freedom to move around. Wu reflected how similar her old outfit was to Jing Liang's.

"Training out in the fields again?" Sky asked his eldest daughter.

"Sorry to worry you, I lost track of time."

"Where's your sister?" asked Wu.

"She's not back? I guess she's still training with Dawn Star. I'll go get her," she replied, dashing off before her parents had time to respond.

Unlike Jing Liang, who seemed to have inherited her mother's fighting talent, Pei Yi had a more developed spiritual power. Dawn Star had a sixth sense for such things and said that Pei Yi's gift had potential to tap into the spirit realm. Ever since, Pei Yi had been spending a lot of time training with Dawn Star.

Jing Liang waved to a couple of townspeople as she ran by. She had always heard stories from her parents and Dawn Star saying that this town, Two Rivers, was their home before and was burned to the ground. That was the beginning to their adventure and quest that shaped the empire. Afterwards the three of them came back and rebuilt the town to the Two Rivers that stood today.

I wonder what the town originally looked like.

She stopped at a small cottage in the center town. Right in front was a middle-aged woman and a young teenage girl planting flowers in the garden. The woman looked up instinctively up. Her eyes sparkled and her smile was warm and kind. Jing Liang always loved visiting Dawn Star.

"I suppose we lost track of time again."

"I can never sneak up behind you without you sensing my presence can I?"

Pei Yi then looked up, "Oh, is it that late already?"

"Yes, mom and dad want us back."

"Ok."

She stood up and patted the dirt off of her. Pei Yi was a lot more delicate and soft then Jing Liang was. She wore a modest blue robe that was more suitable for meditation and study. Unlike Jing Liang who was dark and wild looking, Pei Yi looked pretty with shiny black hair pulled into a high bun and pale white skin. Jing Liang had the darkest skin in the village and the only one with brown hair from being out in the sun so much. Next to Pei Yi, Jing Liang always felt ugly and boyish when in truth Jing Liang in some respects would be considered far more attractive then Pei Yi. However, most young men were intimidated by her strength and stubbornness.

"er…if you don't mind me asking, what were you two doing exactly?" Jing Liang asked.

"I guess you could say it's been a ritual I've done every year around this time since I could remember. Before the quest, I would plant flowers around the school, one for every student. And I still plant them, one for every person living in the town. Pei Yi was just helping me finish," Dawn Star replied.

"Come on Jing Jing, let's not keep mom and dad waiting."

"Alright, alright Pei Pei. Bye Dawn Star!"

"Bye girls!" she called out in response. Dawn star smiled as she watched the girls run off in the distance. They were so close to each other. Jing Liang adoring and watching out for her sister as Pei Yi looked up and respected her. Only one was allowed to call the other such a name.


A long long time ago, I began this series called Counter Nuptial. I dropped it because I had no outline nor direction and eventually I came to a block. I decided to pick it back up and rewrite it. I still have no outline nor direction in particular but unlike all those years ago, I'm writing this for fun and just for the sake of writing. :)