Chapter 1: A Storm is Approaching

A storm is approaching,

To wreck,

To destroy

But Hope is here,

Both a man

And a boy….

(Chen Tang Pass…)

The town was completely flipped upside down from the haywire mess that occurred last night. Trees were blown everywhere and had slumped against houses in pieces. Carts had been wrecked and the food it had once carried had been smashed to bits. It was foul and disgusting as the atmosphere was drenched in wetness and salt from the sea. The air stung the noses of the people and their faces contorted in revolt and utter disgust. It was putrid.

All the townsfolk had gathered outside in a worry manner as their voices rang out in rushed blurbs. They were all horrified at the disaster that had struck. Everything was out of place and completely wet.

"Him again?!" cried someone in agitation, groaning loudly from all the burden he had bore. Clearly this has happened before.

"Why does he keep doing that?" a woman cried, grumbling in frustration. People started to groan and complain about the mess and poured out their anguish to the Heavens. The air was pierced with their sharp insults and comments about him. They cried and begged and pleaded for a miracle, they desire for this torture to end. They don't know how much longer they can bear his wrath and selfish demands.

"We better bring our gifts or else he'll strike us again," someone warned with tremendous fear etched in his voice. He beckoned for all his neighbors to do the same with a flick of his hand but everyone stayed put, still awestruck from the disaster that had demolished their farms, animals, fields, and food. He mumbled something softly before looking out into the ocean, silently expecting for him to rise out of the ocean and spread his terror upon them. But nothing happened. The ocean's mouth did not open to reveal him.

People moaned in fear of anyway and proceeded to run away from the ocean as fast as they could before anything scaly and monster-like emerges from the depths of the ocean, but unfortunately the ground began to shake in seismic proportions as people were knocked off their feet. The ground trembled dangerously, a quake that sent people running and crying in fear. Many townsfolk held on to each other for dear life as they witnessed the sky suddenly darkening, like a bad omen. Clouds began to roll in threateningly and the wind began to pick up. The ocean began to toss and turn and whirl around vigorously, and as the wind continued to pick up, the oceans tossed angrily, like a bull in a bullfight. The storm was approaching, again. Shrill screams pierced the air as carts and trees bumped into each other.

"Oh no, why is this happening!"

The air was filled with the suffocating salt from the sea that lay adjacent to the town and people couldn't breathe the harsh air that was tainted with salt and rough winds. They all screamed louder, knowing full in their hearts that he is coming, again. Just like he's always have for the past several years. A tormenter that enjoyed inflicting oppression and gained pleasure from pain. And he's going to wreck Chen Tang Pass once again. He is the maestro of the seas, and the conductor of the sky. He can write deadly pieces with immense crescendos that come crashing down and wreaking havoc upon the the earth, or even create soft, diminuendos that give life and fertility to the soil. He was a dragon, literally. Both fierce and graceful, a reptilian creature that slithered elegantly across the ocean and across the sky. His movements were brisk and frightful, and even his appearance alone can strike fear into the people's hearts.

Suddenly, the ocean rose to gigantic heights as the waves crashed down with relentless energy on the shore and opened up in an ascending dastardly whirlpool. Like a demon that broke loose from the pits of Hell, a large, iridescent, azure-and-emerald-scaled dragon rose from the sea, shaking the earth, sea, and the sky. His roar penetrated the air with such passion and lust for murder. His golden eyes sent daggers that pierced right into the souls of the people. Like a ribbon, his body glided across the sky in an intimidating manner.

"Ao Guang!" someone screamed.

"That is I," the dragon smirked wickedly.

At the sound of his voice, people began to scream as loudly as they can, running to the nearest house or building for shelter and protection against the godly Dragon King of the Eastern Seas. Ao Guang glared at the frenzied tiny humans before him and let out an earth-shattering roar in distaste. He growled menacingly and the people instantly stopped screaming. Then silence painted the air as people stared horrifically at the giant dragon looming before them. Their spiraling fear shook them tremendously. They await for the ruthless command he's about to give.

Ao Guang frowned at the humans, enraged that they complained about his storm. A low and upset growl escaped his throat and he snapped at the people to deliver more fear. His brow was furrowed with deep anger. He barred his teeth to show dominance over the people of Chen Tang Pass.

"I give you plenty of rain and winds and this is how you repay me?" he bellowed, flying closer to the people. The people screamed from his approach, speechless from the amount of horror they're experiencing. "Look, your fields have been fed aplenty, haven't they?"

Of course they have, but they're destroyed too, he's coldly and selfishly mocking the people so that gifts would be given to him a payment for his "rain and wind". But the people stood there silent as mice, afraid to anger the dragon even more.

"IMBECILES!" he roared, sending the oceans to toss wildy again to threaten the people.

"P-Please, Bixia, we were certainly most grateful! W-we just didn't expect so much rain in one night. Normally you would-"

"Anjing! If you humans cannot even appreciate my humble gifts, then I will completely wipe out this whole town by sending a flood. You are all lucky that I had been merciful and gracious that I hadn't even lay a destructive claw on your home for the past several years."A white lie, and the King knew that. But nonetheless, he brushed that off and smirked to himself. Oh how the King greatly adored his ability to manipulate the people so easily. As a deity, Ao Guang had immense power, one that he abuses more than he should. Ao Guang squinted at the tiny humans on the shore, inspecting them with a careful golden eye.

"Oh, gracious King, please!"

Ao Guang closed his eyes in contemplation, and for a while, nobody said anything. This silence was burdened and tense, and it made the people highly uncomfortable. Finally, after a few minutes of contemplation, Ao Guang's heavy scaled eyelids opened and he gave an ominous glance to the people.

"Please, my Lord, we have brought gifts, treasures, and food as reparations for our harsh language against you. Please, accept them! We most graciously give them to you," someone offered, bowing deeply with fear to the King. Behind him, several women were pulling carts filled with what's left of the food and along with some of the people's most prized possessions. Some other people stared sorrowfully at their wealth and money going away and their hearts were torn apart. All their years of hard work, and all the rewards they received. When will this torment end? But Ao Guang simply raised a displeased brow at them and threw a heart laugh in response.

"Pathetic," he growled, "I do not seek for such things anymore. I have made a new proposal, and that proposal is that I wish for all your children to be given to me instead." To finish his sentence, he gave them a malevolent smile, pleased to see the horror that grew on the people's faces when their ears picked up on his cruel words. He gave a devilish chuckle and ascended higher into the air. His thunderous laugh echoed throughout the skies, elated at his dominance over these weak humans. People cried and screamed in agony for the nightmare that they endured. Their children as offerings? No, as sacrifices…

(Li Household…)

"Look at him again, Yin, so powerful. I cannot bear to watch this from the balcony of my home. I am supposed to control and patrol this area, yet here I am standing, just watching all this tragedy unfold before my eyes. Yet, I cannot relinquish my devotion to him," deduced Li Jing, patriarch of the Li family. He stood at his balcony, staring at the massive dragon from the hilltops with incredible resentment. His voice was heavily saturated with deep bitterness. He gritted his teeth in agitation.

A beautiful woman beside him silently peered below to where he's looking. At the sight her hand flew to her mouth as she let out a throaty gasp. Her eyes widened at the scene before her and she shook her head sorrowfully.

Despite being a character built to protect and patrol the area, he is a coward, a big one. He doesn't particularly like being involved in big dramatic situations where death or sacrifice is an option. He'd rather stay in the sidelines and watch, or he prefers to get on everyone's good side so there won't be any "bad blood" or tension between the two parties. He hates getting in trouble because he's unsure of how to get out of it or avoid it. And he is terribly sheepish about it. Overall he'd rather not get involved at all so that no trouble will sprout between him and his opponent. In this case, despite hating the Dragon King, he'd rather not interrupt and have an affiliation with him. As a result of Li Jing's cowardly mind, Chen Tang Pass hasn't been properly protected, and the corrupted Emperor of this nation does not care for Chen Tang Pass. Thus hope seems scarce for this little town by the sea. And death seemed inevitable instead.

Li Jing was also afraid to consult the Jade Emperor, Heaven's Supreme Ruler and Judge, because Ao Guang might have thoughts about killing him as punishment and revenge for reporting him to the Jade Emperor. At the same time, he was extremely faithful in worshiping Ao Guang. He takes pride in his religion. He cannot bear to go against his God. All these negative thoughts clogged up his mind and he harbors them deep in his heart. He's not too proud of it, but his pride for his reputation, and his undying devotion to the Gods is far greater then his care for the people. But then again, none of the people made an effort to consult the Jade Emperor either. Their fear of Ao Guang overpowered their strength to retaliate. And it burdened both the people and Li Jing.

(Chen Tang Pass…)

"NO! Not our children, PLEASE!" a woman begged as tears gushed out from her eyes like a waterfall. Many mothers cried and begged for their children to not be taken away, and they fell to their knees in reverence to the Dragon King.

"Why?! Please, they're OUR children!"

"Bixia, Buyao!"

As the people continued to cry out in horror, Ao Guang threw a malicious laugh, his chest heaving up and down in pure satisfaction. It was like a task he had to execute, and he enjoyed executing it perfectly. He loved seeing the people freak out and become miserable. It was highly… thrilling.

"Enough! You shall obey me, and in return, I'll be sure to make your crops and fields flourish abundantly," he snarled heartlessly. "Now, hurry up! Your children belong to me." He gave a piercing glare at the people to emphasize his authority and power. The people cried in anguish as their nightmares animate and their worlds shatter before them. To think, giving your children for a malicious beast? Your heart would be shredded until not a piece of your heart remains. Your life would crash down and all that you have ever loved will be taken away. Your pride, your lineage, your child, taken away from you, from their safe haven, from their protection. It was gut wrenching for the people and sorrow and strife began to boil within their hearts and consume them. And they hadn't a choice.

Ao Guang immediately called for his undersea comrades and a bunch of sea creatures, demons, and animals alike rose from the depths of the sea. Each of them possessed a grotesque appearance and had sinister looking spikes growing from their backs. They each had intense, villainous red eyes. Large teeth protruded from their mouths. Wicked, shrill grunts and growls were emitted from their throats. People screamed and moved behind to wrap their loving arms around their children, refusing to give their children away. All the children began to wail loudly in fear, they shook exceedingly in panic, sobbing in their parents' arms.

"No, NO! PLEASE!"

"Someone, please help!"

"You can't! You simply can't!"

Ao Guang watched the families cuddle and hug each other as love was poured out from each parent to their child. Every parent now regretted neglecting their child when they had to work, or scolding them last week for eating all the stored rice, or blamed them for something they didn't do like kicking the ox's feeding trough. They felt horrible for taking their children for granted, and now their children are being taken away.

The Dragon King couldn't stand their loving. It was sickening. It made him want to heave. He let out a disgruntled groan and turned to face his comrades.

Then with his excitement soaring to unbelievable heights, he, with a deafening voice, commanded, "Go! Go! It's time to rise. Bring me at least one child from each household. Bring them to me!" With that, a whole armada of sea demons and monsters raided the area and assaulted each family. They didn't care if they had to rip the parents apart just so that their path to the children are clear. They flew everywhere and outstretched their arms and legs to nab a child. The whole shoreline was swarmed with the colors of death as demon after demon spewed from the abyss of the sea and devoured the whole area with their wrath. With resounding cries, the demons happily snatched children from their parents.

"Bu! Bu! PLEASE, NO! MY CHILD!"

"NO WAIT! PLEASE, NO!"

"ERZI! WO DE ERZI!"

"Oh, please! Have mercy!"

Children after children were lifted into the air, and they were children of all sorts, babies, toddlers, young kids, and even teenagers. Blood sprayed everywhere from parent's arms and backs and chests as they moved to protect their child but only to be slashed and impaled by demonic spikes, teeth, or claws. Children screamed in horror at witnessing the graphic display of their parents' deaths or injuries. They couldn't bear it. And the children's' arms were crushed from the tight grip of the demons. Pain struck the town like a flash of lightning, burning everyone's hearts to ashes.

But Ao Guang watched as a pleased smile grew on his face. It certainly was, electrifying.

All was lost, hope had been diminished, quietened, squished. Hope seemed like a fantasy, a fairy tale from children's' books. It was unattainable, unreachable. And only chaos and destruction slipped into the town. The people lay there, heartbroken, torn, shattered. The blood of their children cried out to them, shouting endlessly to their parents. Their blood, mixed with their tears, coated the land, a harsh mark branded on the town as a reminder of the day that Ao Guang came and stole the hearts of the town.

All of Chen Tang Pass wore their sorrow as a coat, and bore the crimes of the Dragon King with its mark.

It was hopeless...

Li Jing's heart jumped wildly in response to the kidnap and massacre that unfurled before him, and a dark cloud passed his face. He seethed with intense rage, but deep down, he celebrated that his two other sons were not taken away, and that his whole house and family were not noticed by Ao Guang. His family is safe. He then angrily turned around and walked back inside his house, silently wishing that he had never seen that.

Prayers were sent to Heaven, a fruitless action in truth. Nothing had happened, no miracle, no savior, no hope. And he would come again. He would come again and snatch more children, and in return, he gave them light rain and cool breezes. But none of the families could enjoy Ao Guang's gifts when their houses seemed a little more quiet and a little more empty. Each household was soaked in sorrow and despair. Darkness loomed in every corner, and not a word was spoken since the incident.

Just produce more children, he had said, ignorant of how distraught the people were.

As all of this disaster was brought upon Chen Tang Pass, three figures in Heaven watched from above with heartache, especially the man with the third eye, for he could see everything clearly, and he was appalled by the scenes that he saw. The man's hand flew to his mouth as he shook his head sadly. The other two figures watched solemnly.

And yet, similarly, another city called Zhaoge, is suffering fatally as well. The city was struck with famine, poverty, inflation, violence, corruption, and hopelessness. Due to the Emperor's negligence for his kingdom, he has left Zhaoge to fend for itself.

The city was so shameful to look at, the people mourned, begged, stole, cried… Not a soul had a spirit left in them. Their hearts were heavy and burdened, and all values and morality has been wastefully lost. Such a depressing sight, both Zhaoge and Chen Tang Pass. Luckily, a special boy is about to be born.

(In Heaven...)

"Erlang Shen… What do you see?"

"There are no words… My Lord…. Zhaoge is crippled and mangled from Zhou's wrath, people in the city are dying. And Chen Tang Pass… a bloodied and shameful battlefield..."

"Master?" a different voice piped up.

"The time has arrived. My student, we have long awaited this moment. The list, take it and go. Now. Zhongguo needs salvation… The Investiture must begin."

"Yes, Master…"

"Erlang Shen. You are to remain by his side and guard him at all times. Go as you were, before your ascension to godhood. As Yang Jian."

"Understood."

"Zhou will fall, and it shall be most excruciating. His greatest price he has to pay is his shameful defeat. Zhou, we shall meet… soon.

Bixia (陛下): Your Majesty

Anjing (安静): Quiet! or Silence! or informally, Shut up!

Buyao (不要): No/Don't!

Bu (不): No!

Zhongguo (中国)is China in Chinese. I doubt that the Chinese people back then called their country "China" because that's the English word, so I'll just use the original name of China. Chen Tang Pass (meaning "Old Pond Pass") is located on the Eastern shore of China. The Li Household is a military fortress located on the outskirts of Chen Tang Pass.

NOTE: The three figures at the end are Erlang Shen (guy with the third eye), Jiang Ziya (an Immortal), and Yuanshi Tianzun (the highest deity in Taoism). Bolded letters are also said by the utmost highest gods, not just Nuwa. Comment, review, favorite, follow! Enjoy! :)