The candle light cast a soft glow across young Bi-Han's face as he sat in silence, legs crossed and fingers touching. Today was the day of meditation, to cleanse his spirit and mind of darkness in order to purify his soul. Today also happened to be his tenth birthday. The peaceful silence soothed Bi-Han and calmed his turbulent mind. Lately, he had been having many dark thoughts and visions. Visions of death and suffering. These visions haunted him day and night, wake and sleep. A cold draft drifted through the meditation chamber, sending a shiver down Bi-Han's spine. He slowly opened one eye and peered into the glass in front of him. He saw the silhouette of a girl in the open doorway of the chamber. He closed his eye again and spoke.
"Meiying," he said.
Meiying walked forward and kneeled beside him. Bi-Han instantly felt warmer as a result. The girl placed a platter of assorted fruits and meats before Bi-Han.
"Eat," she said. "You have been in here for over six hours. You must regain your strength."
Bi-Han shook his head curtly.
"No. I must continue to meditate. I must rid myself of these dark visions."
"But…"
"I said no, Meiying. I thank you for the food but I cannot accept."
Meiying stiffened and picked up the platter. At the door, she paused and spoke.
"Happy birthday, Bi-Han," she whispered, and left.
Bi-Han sighed deeply, and regained his posture. His heart rate slowed down once Meiying left the chamber. He attempted to clear his mind of all thoughts, but Meiying's face kept coming to the forefront of his mind. After several unsuccessful attempts he finally ended his period of meditation and left the chamber.
As he walked out of the room, he ran into Kuai Liang, his younger brother. Bi-Han ruffled his brother's hair, much to Kuai's delight. He motioned for Kuai to walk with him.
"Happy birthday, big brother!" chimed Kuai.
"Thanks, Kuai. Have you seen the Grandmaster? I must inform him that my meditation period has ended," said Bi-Han.
"There is no need for that, Bi-Han. I have already been informed."
Bi-Han and Kuai both pivoted to see Grandmaster Boqin behind them. Both boys bowed before the Grandmaster in respect, and he bowed in returned. Boqin motioned for them to follow him, and the three began to walk. A slight breeze accompanied them as they slowly ventured down the cobblestone path of the village. The white cherry blossoms flew in the air today, fluttering about in the wind. Bi-Han found much contentment in the sight. Boqin glanced at the young ninja-in-training before speaking.
"How was your period of meditation, my young pupil?" he inquired.
Bi-Han replied, "It was well, although my visions continue to haunt me as we speak. Will they ever end, Grandmaster?"
Boqin hummed as he walked.
"In time, young one."
The Grandmaster sat on an oak-wood bench, painted red and facing a pond with large koi in it. He sighed deeply as he sat, watching the fish swim lazily in the water. He motioned for Bi-Han and Kuai to join him. Bi-Han politely declined, but Kuai eagerly joined Boqin on the bench.
"What troubles you, my son?" asked Boqin.
Bi-Han sighed and sat on the ground, running his fingers through the pebbles.
"I know you say the visions will end, but at the moment, it just feels as if they will never leave me. They torment me day and night. I cannot find any respite from these nightmares."
Boqin motioned for Bi-Han to join him. The young ninja accepted his invitation. The Grandmaster pointed at the koi pond.
"Look, Bi-Han. What do you see?"
"Koi, swimming in the pond."
"Do the koi worry about what goes on in their lives, Bi-Han?" he asked.
"No, Grandmaster. But, sir, they are just fish…"
The Grandmaster chuckled.
"Maybe so, yet they can still teach us so much if we are willing to set aside our everyday worries and just watch. Be like the koi, my son, and an entire new world will open up before you. Now go, I believe Meiying would like a word with you."
Bi-Han nodded and started down the stone path. Kuai made to join him but Boqin held him back.
"Kuai, let us go find some birds for my chamber," he said.
"Okay!" he responded. Bi-Han smiled as he walked.
The walk to Meiying's home was a silent affair for Bi-Han. The day of meditation had not yet ended, though it was close to sunset. The sky was a brilliant shade of orange and yellow by the time he reached Meiying's home. He knocked on the wood panel and waited. Meiying's mother, Jingfei, answered.
"Is Mei home?" he asked, after bowing in respect.
Jingfei shook her head.
"No, I thought she was with you, Bi-Han," she replied.
"I'm sorry, she came to visit me during my time of meditation but she left before I finished. I thought she had come back here."
Jingfei had a look of worry cross her face. Bi-Han thought for a moment.
"Don't worry, I'm sure she's okay. I'll go check the gardens," Bi-Han said reassuringly, before dashing off.
Bi-Han raced to the market, slowing to a quick walk upon reaching it. He gazed intensely into the crowd, trying to locate Meiying.
"Meiying!" he called, gently pushing his way through the street. "Meiying, answer me!"
"She's not here!" he thought. The river! Making his way through the market, he dashed to the river, hoping she was there.
By now, it had almost gotten dark. The light was fading fast, and thunder rolled through the sky. Bi-Han stumbled, but quickly regained his balance. He felt a rain drop on his cheek, and quickened his pace.
"Meiying! Mei! Answer me! Where are you!" he called.
Bi-Han came to a stop, his breaths short and painful. He clutched his chest, wincing. The village was far behind him now. Thunder crashed in the sky, causing him to jump. The breeze picked up, ruffling his hair and sending rain drops into his eye. He had to hurry! It would soon progress to a full-blown gale. He straightened up and proceeded down the path to the river once more.
Bi-Han called Meiying's name again.
The river was in sight. He saw a figure down on the shore. He gasped and slid down the incline to the person's side. It was a girl. Bi-Han flipped the body over and cried out. It was Meiying. There was a large gash in her chest. Blood stained her kimono crimson. Tears welled up in Bi-Han's eyes.
"Mei! Mei! Answer me!"
Meiying slowly opened her eyes. She weakly put her right hand on Bi-Han's cheek, streaking it with blood.
"I… I knew… you would come…" she said weakly, and then was still. Her hand fell from Bi-Han's cheek and landed on her stomach.
"No! Wake up! Mei! MEI! DON'T LEAVE ME!" Bi-Han screamed.
Hi heart pounding, he shook Meiying's still body, hoping to elicit a reaction. It was futile. Meiying's head bobbed into the crook of Bi-Han's shoulder. Tears streamed down his face as he held her close. Bi-Han's body racked with sobs. He hugged her lifeless figure close, rocking back and forth on his knees. His only friend was gone.
Three days later…
Meiying's funeral was held the day before harvest. The village cryomancers froze her body to preserve it and buried her with the most honored elders of the village. Bi-Han held back tears during the ceremony. Kuai, who was much too young to understand these events, looked up at Bi-Han in confusion.
The Grandmaster stepped forward to speak.
"Three days ago, we lost a beloved member of our clan. A young girl who was much too young for the fate she encountered. Meiying was beautiful, bright and brought joy to us all. Her fate was not of natural causes. She was murdered by the Red Dragon!"
Bi-Han snapped to attention. The words echoed in his mind. Murdered. Murdered. Murdered. By the Red Dragon. He clenched his fists.
They were going to pay.