Disclaimer: GW not mine.
Snow Lotus Chapter 2
As he approached near the entrance of the cave, he felt colder. The realization of coldness reminded him that he was not only cold, but thirsty and hungry.
Fool. Why didn't I ask for something warm to appease my hunger and thirst before leaving?
Wufei paused his steps, turned half way, and then turned back again.
I cannot go back. He has my jade tablet, I do not wish to go back just now.
He took off the bag from his back and searched inside with his hand. Besides the Snow Lotus, he found a bag of silver and a bottle. He sighed.
"Something I need on my trip home? What I need is something to fill my stomach." He opened the bottle out of curiosity. A slight fragrance reached his nostril. He took a deep breath.
"Tulip. Smells like the scent of tulip" He tilted the bottom of the bottle upward, a drop of liquid flowed out. He reached his finger to touch it and brought it to his lips.
"Hmm, smells like flower essence, sweet like honey, but much better." He bottomed up the bottle and emptied the content into his mouth. For a moment, he had thought the liquid might be a drug. Then, the foreigner need not to drug him. There was no reason. He practically exchanged the Snow Lotus with his jade tablet. It was a trade. Besides, the foreigner was supposed to give him the Snow Lotus! With the jade tablet in the foreigner's hands, he had to make a second trip to these heaven forsaken cold mountains.
As Wufei cursed mentally, he felt his body begin to warm up. He no longer felt cold, nor thirsty. His strength was gaining back.
Throwing the small bottle behind him without care, Wufei stepped out of the cave. The road home would be long.
As Wufei arrived at his family mansion, he saw mourning ribbons hanging at the gates. A gate guard ran toward him.
"Master Wufei, thank the gods that you've returned!"
"What has happened?"
"Master Wufei, please get into the mansion. I shall inform the Master Yun of your return, he will answer to your questions."
The guard ran to deliver his message.
Wufei stepped into the living room, which was now occupied by a coffin and bereavement setting. He read the black wooden sign stood at the center of the table. It was his grand father's name.
"Grand father!" He fell on his knees in shock, "I have retrieve the Snow Lotus as you ordered. But you won't get the chance to see it returned to the family." He took out the Snow Lotus and held it at his palm.
"Wufei! You are back! You are finally back!"
Wufei recognized that it was his uncle Chang Yun's voice. "Uncle Yun. Why? Grand Father was strong and healthy when I left."
"He died in his sleep two days ago. A child servant discovered him while delivering wash water. Wufei, father left you a letter." Chang Yun picked up an envelope lying next to his father's wooden sign.
Wufei received it with a trembling hand. His other hand placed the Snow Lotus on the floor. He opened the letter and read aloud.
Wufei, my dearest grandson,
By the time you read this letter, I have left this mortal world. You need not be sad, for my time has come. However, I do have my an assignment for you, Wufei. I hereby give you my final order: destroy the Snow Lotus.
For generations, the Snow Lotus has been a family symbol, a priceless artifact. How it came about is long forgotten. The family's duty is to keep it. Its value has drawn many people to risk their lives to obtain it. Our family has risked lives keeping it. It was until your father and mother's death that I questioned its worthiness. The grief of losing them almost had me destroyed the Snow Lotus. But his friend, Silver Fox, insisted to keep it intact. He would guard it until you've come of age. If by then I still wish it destroyed, I would send you to retrieve it. I agreed with him.
Wufei, the Snow Lotus has made death to many men, both of our family and opponents. So long as it exists, our family can never be truly free from the dangers in which it brings. You do understand the wish of an old man who wants to keep his family safely together. My grandson, I have every confidence in you that I would not die with my final wish in vain.
Grand Father
Wufei picked up the Snow Lotus, "Grand Father.."
"This is the Snow Lotus. This is the object that has cursed the family for generations." Chang Yun looked at his nephew as he spoke, then stared at the Snow Lotus with disgust.
"Yes, Uncle Yun." Wufei turned to his uncle.
"Its very sight makes the memories of parents' death afresh. Wufei, father wanted you to destroy it. Will you do it?"
Wufei watched his uncle's expression, disgust but more of sadness. He had no memories of his parents. But looking at his uncle now, he could guess tragedy must had been traumatic.
"Uncle, you are right. I shall make it disappear from this world at once." Wufei threw the Snow Lotus into the air, drew his sword, slicing it into pieces tinier than grain.
Chang Yun took relieve as he saw the pieces fell before him. He padded his nephew's shoulder to give reassurance and comfort. It was time for grief.
Three years later.
Snow. Surrounded by a limitless splash of white. Chang Wufei cast a glance at his shadow in front of him. It was his only companion for the past six days, since he started climbing the Heavenly Mountains.
Although he was cold, he was more prepared than his last visit.
He paused. Adjusted the luggage he was carrying on his back, then proceeded again.
Damn that foreigner. He tricked me! He tricked me into giving my future wife's gift to him! Damn him! What's his next trick? Giving him my future wife, in which I do not have?
Wufei cursed as he remembered his brief encounter with Zechs.
So much time had passed. We are to meet again. When we meet, when you look at me, will you recognize me?
You probably wouldn't.
Wufei, I sense you are approaching near. Before sunset, you'd be able to find this place. Should I greet you? In this state of being?
I remember so well, many years ago when I met you. You were just an infant, dying; so were your parents. As I was to save your life by giving you my energy crystal, the golden fox wanted to save you. He had a troubled heart. His love for your father was the cause, but he save your life nevertheless.
Your parents died because of the Snow Lotus. Your grand father and uncle arrived at the scene. Oh, I can never forget the look on their faces. So very sad. I had seen the golden fox with such sad faces before.
I gave you back to your family and promised to search for the Snow Lotus. When I finally found it, your grand father requested me to destroy it, for it had been a long-time curse to the family. But secretly I asked, could it be a token between you and I? That was the reason I had an agreement with him.
"This god-forsaken cave, located right at a volcano mouth, which is made into a lake. Only a lunatic would live in such a dangerous place." Wufei sighed, "the lake is so calm that it mirrors its surroundings and the sky. It seem so peaceful that one would momentarily neglect that it's on top of a dead volcano."
Wufei's frustration eased a bit as he stared at the scene in front of him. Wufei looked at the evening sun. It seemed as if floating atop the lake. Its reflection, a copy on the water.
"So beautiful! But I cannot stop here to appreciate the evening scenery. It's cold. If I do not reach the cave before sunset, it will be even colder!" Wufei talked to himself. It was a habit resurfaced when he was alone.
He rose his eyes to look afar. He mentally thanked the ancestors' blessings. The cave entrance was at sight.
"Foreigner, we are to meet again!" Wufei exclaimed as he quickened his steps.
Snow Lotus Chapter 2
As he approached near the entrance of the cave, he felt colder. The realization of coldness reminded him that he was not only cold, but thirsty and hungry.
Fool. Why didn't I ask for something warm to appease my hunger and thirst before leaving?
Wufei paused his steps, turned half way, and then turned back again.
I cannot go back. He has my jade tablet, I do not wish to go back just now.
He took off the bag from his back and searched inside with his hand. Besides the Snow Lotus, he found a bag of silver and a bottle. He sighed.
"Something I need on my trip home? What I need is something to fill my stomach." He opened the bottle out of curiosity. A slight fragrance reached his nostril. He took a deep breath.
"Tulip. Smells like the scent of tulip" He tilted the bottom of the bottle upward, a drop of liquid flowed out. He reached his finger to touch it and brought it to his lips.
"Hmm, smells like flower essence, sweet like honey, but much better." He bottomed up the bottle and emptied the content into his mouth. For a moment, he had thought the liquid might be a drug. Then, the foreigner need not to drug him. There was no reason. He practically exchanged the Snow Lotus with his jade tablet. It was a trade. Besides, the foreigner was supposed to give him the Snow Lotus! With the jade tablet in the foreigner's hands, he had to make a second trip to these heaven forsaken cold mountains.
As Wufei cursed mentally, he felt his body begin to warm up. He no longer felt cold, nor thirsty. His strength was gaining back.
Throwing the small bottle behind him without care, Wufei stepped out of the cave. The road home would be long.
As Wufei arrived at his family mansion, he saw mourning ribbons hanging at the gates. A gate guard ran toward him.
"Master Wufei, thank the gods that you've returned!"
"What has happened?"
"Master Wufei, please get into the mansion. I shall inform the Master Yun of your return, he will answer to your questions."
The guard ran to deliver his message.
Wufei stepped into the living room, which was now occupied by a coffin and bereavement setting. He read the black wooden sign stood at the center of the table. It was his grand father's name.
"Grand father!" He fell on his knees in shock, "I have retrieve the Snow Lotus as you ordered. But you won't get the chance to see it returned to the family." He took out the Snow Lotus and held it at his palm.
"Wufei! You are back! You are finally back!"
Wufei recognized that it was his uncle Chang Yun's voice. "Uncle Yun. Why? Grand Father was strong and healthy when I left."
"He died in his sleep two days ago. A child servant discovered him while delivering wash water. Wufei, father left you a letter." Chang Yun picked up an envelope lying next to his father's wooden sign.
Wufei received it with a trembling hand. His other hand placed the Snow Lotus on the floor. He opened the letter and read aloud.
Wufei, my dearest grandson,
By the time you read this letter, I have left this mortal world. You need not be sad, for my time has come. However, I do have my an assignment for you, Wufei. I hereby give you my final order: destroy the Snow Lotus.
For generations, the Snow Lotus has been a family symbol, a priceless artifact. How it came about is long forgotten. The family's duty is to keep it. Its value has drawn many people to risk their lives to obtain it. Our family has risked lives keeping it. It was until your father and mother's death that I questioned its worthiness. The grief of losing them almost had me destroyed the Snow Lotus. But his friend, Silver Fox, insisted to keep it intact. He would guard it until you've come of age. If by then I still wish it destroyed, I would send you to retrieve it. I agreed with him.
Wufei, the Snow Lotus has made death to many men, both of our family and opponents. So long as it exists, our family can never be truly free from the dangers in which it brings. You do understand the wish of an old man who wants to keep his family safely together. My grandson, I have every confidence in you that I would not die with my final wish in vain.
Grand Father
Wufei picked up the Snow Lotus, "Grand Father.."
"This is the Snow Lotus. This is the object that has cursed the family for generations." Chang Yun looked at his nephew as he spoke, then stared at the Snow Lotus with disgust.
"Yes, Uncle Yun." Wufei turned to his uncle.
"Its very sight makes the memories of parents' death afresh. Wufei, father wanted you to destroy it. Will you do it?"
Wufei watched his uncle's expression, disgust but more of sadness. He had no memories of his parents. But looking at his uncle now, he could guess tragedy must had been traumatic.
"Uncle, you are right. I shall make it disappear from this world at once." Wufei threw the Snow Lotus into the air, drew his sword, slicing it into pieces tinier than grain.
Chang Yun took relieve as he saw the pieces fell before him. He padded his nephew's shoulder to give reassurance and comfort. It was time for grief.
Three years later.
Snow. Surrounded by a limitless splash of white. Chang Wufei cast a glance at his shadow in front of him. It was his only companion for the past six days, since he started climbing the Heavenly Mountains.
Although he was cold, he was more prepared than his last visit.
He paused. Adjusted the luggage he was carrying on his back, then proceeded again.
Damn that foreigner. He tricked me! He tricked me into giving my future wife's gift to him! Damn him! What's his next trick? Giving him my future wife, in which I do not have?
Wufei cursed as he remembered his brief encounter with Zechs.
So much time had passed. We are to meet again. When we meet, when you look at me, will you recognize me?
You probably wouldn't.
Wufei, I sense you are approaching near. Before sunset, you'd be able to find this place. Should I greet you? In this state of being?
I remember so well, many years ago when I met you. You were just an infant, dying; so were your parents. As I was to save your life by giving you my energy crystal, the golden fox wanted to save you. He had a troubled heart. His love for your father was the cause, but he save your life nevertheless.
Your parents died because of the Snow Lotus. Your grand father and uncle arrived at the scene. Oh, I can never forget the look on their faces. So very sad. I had seen the golden fox with such sad faces before.
I gave you back to your family and promised to search for the Snow Lotus. When I finally found it, your grand father requested me to destroy it, for it had been a long-time curse to the family. But secretly I asked, could it be a token between you and I? That was the reason I had an agreement with him.
"This god-forsaken cave, located right at a volcano mouth, which is made into a lake. Only a lunatic would live in such a dangerous place." Wufei sighed, "the lake is so calm that it mirrors its surroundings and the sky. It seem so peaceful that one would momentarily neglect that it's on top of a dead volcano."
Wufei's frustration eased a bit as he stared at the scene in front of him. Wufei looked at the evening sun. It seemed as if floating atop the lake. Its reflection, a copy on the water.
"So beautiful! But I cannot stop here to appreciate the evening scenery. It's cold. If I do not reach the cave before sunset, it will be even colder!" Wufei talked to himself. It was a habit resurfaced when he was alone.
He rose his eyes to look afar. He mentally thanked the ancestors' blessings. The cave entrance was at sight.
"Foreigner, we are to meet again!" Wufei exclaimed as he quickened his steps.