The next morning, Fei awoke with the fusty smell of smoke and a sweltering atmosphere. Her eyes went wet as soon as she opened them. Around the tree a thick cloud of gray smoke had formed, carrying small pieces of burnt wood in the air. She tried to breathe, but the air was suffocating. A horrible feeling arose inside her. With her heart in her mouth, Fei jumped down the tall tree and ran out of the forest, which seemed suspiciously peaceful. Another horrible thought occurred to her; in a distance she should normally be able to see the great Palace. Yet, it had disappeared. She crossed the small gate leading to the Palace's garden. And then she saw it.

The once beautiful trees, the green grass, the blossoming peaches had all become a great dark mass. Ashes covered the ground and fire was still burning on some logs, emitting the horrible smell of death. Even worse, the Palace was ultimately destroyed. The marble stairs broken, the gates ravaged, there was nothing left but a pile of ashes and ruins. Fei slowly bit one wing with her beak. But this wasn't a dream; it was the hard truth and she could barely take it. Storming out of the Palace remains, she came face to face with the abandoned city. Buildings had been demolished, the streets were empty and a particularly freezing breeze would rock her crest.

"Fortunately I managed to save some of your most favored objects."

Behind her appeared the Counselor, his attitude relaxed as always. The Princess gasped and turned around hastily to face him. Her beak hung open in shock.

"How can you act so calm?"

The Counselor shrugged, or at least seemed to be shrugging.

"I wouldn't want to make you feel more stressed and panicked than you already do, Princess." She didn't answer, only looked away to the ghost of Xingfu below. "Would you like to know what happened?" She nodded softly, not taking her gaze away from the ravaged city. "There came a Dragon. Out of his mouth he spit blue fire, while his body knocked down the Palace. Then he proceeded to the city where, after knocking over the buildings as if they were dominoes, he seemed to be searching for something. Before the night was over he had disappeared."

Suddenly a thought occurred to her. "My family? Is my family alright?"

Silence embraced them coldly for a second, then Counselor shook his head slowly. Fei didn't have to look to know the answer. Counselor neared her, placing his hoove on her soft feathers as she sobbed.

"Why? Why did it have to happen, Counselor? I don't deserve this..."

"Princess, this world isn't always fair. So your best choice would be to keep your best memories with you and make your way to the city of Gogmem."

Fei shook her head.

"I can't leave now. The city needs..."

"This city is dead. It now belongs to the past. Let it rest in peace, Fei, and follow the path of fate."

She smiled bitterly. "Sometimes you resemble a Soothsayer, rather than a Counselor."

And so, with the leftovers of her rich fortune, the Princess set off along with the Counselor and some of her father's henchmen who had survived, for the city of Gogmem.

Meanwhile in the city, Soothsayer jumped up from her peaceful sleep. Panicked, she rushed down the stairway and into the yard. There Masters Croc and Ox were training the son of Master Rhino, who had been killed by Lord Shen. The young warrior was an eager and easy learner, tended, however, to become too violent due to his suppressed anger for his deceased father.

Soothsayer stood anxiously between the two Masters, who froze on their spots. Neither of them had ever seen her so nervous before.

"Is there something wrong, Soothsayer?"

"The Dragon. He has awakened!"

It took the Princess and her cohort five days via ship to get to Gogmem. Those five days the Princess spent locked inside her cabin staring at drawings of her parents and her, as well as Xingfu in its days of glory. However, when the tall tower of Gogmem appeared on the horizon, Counselor called her on the deck and Fei momentarily put her mourning aside and focused on making as good an impression as possible. Riding the gorilla's back, Fei made her way to the tower through the crowded streets of Gogmem, where people would stop to take a look at the renowned Princess that had finally arrived to return euphoria to their city. Princess Fei made sure to hide her tears behind a traditional Chinese vedalia, resembling a peacock tail.

The council had not been informed about her arrival and therefore was unprepared when an enormous gorilla, followed by a set of caramel-colored leopards appeared on their doorstep. The Counselor spoke first, announcing the Princess' arrival and settling the details on their accommodation. The Princess watched pathetically, her mind traveling to the events of last night. Had I not stormed out of the room, she thought, I would have died with them. However, as intimidating as death seemed, Fei was too proud to suicide.

"You must be Princess Fei," Master Croc spoke. The peahen climbed off the gorilla's back and removed the vedalia, uncovering her polished beak.

"Indeed. And you must be Master Croc." she bowed gracefully. The crocodile eyed her puzzled. She then turned to the other master. "And you Master Ox." The same graceful bow, only this time it was regarded with a suspicious and cold stare.

"I wonder if these bows can do anything to improve the life quality within out city." He coldly stated.

"Well, manners would be a start." came the dazzled answer.

Everyone in the tower, except for Master Ox, seemed neutral towards her. Master Ox, who had opposed to the idea of a peafowl Princess holding the city under her stewardship, would mock and have a dig at her with ever chance given. At first the Princess would ignore him, but as time went by he begun to get to her. The one who made an impression to Fei from the first sight was Soothsayer. There was something dreamily wise about her and it amazed the young Princess greatly.

"So," Fei said when the two of them were left alone, "They say you can see the future..."

Soothsayer smiled kindly and looked down at her bowl.

"I don't believe in magic, you know." Fei said, slightly challenging the goat.

"Neither do I, young one." Came the wise answer.