Legacy 203: Dragon Tale
Part 3
Xxx
After sneaking out of the spice shop, Payton turned herself and Mei Ling visible again in the street away from the police. She had been able to turn them invisible just in time, though she had been forced to leave Penny behind to deal with the fallout. Although she felt bad, she knew her sister could take care of herself while Mei Ling needed her help. Her leg had been badly burned by the Dragon Warlock and she had to support her as they walked. All they needed was a little bit of distance so she could call Noah for healing. As they made their way through an alley, Payton kept looking up at the skies for signs of trouble. She had no idea where the warlocks went or if they were able to track them somehow.
"I need to stop for a moment." Mei Ling said.
"We're not out of danger yet." Payton replied.
"I don't care." Mei Ling snapped at her. "I just lost my master and watched my home burn down. I need a moment."
"I'm sorry, of course." Payton said.
Payton helped Mei Ling sit down on the ground against a wall. The burn on her leg looked very painful, though she put on a brave face. She clenched the ornate blade in her hand and Payton noticed her hands trembling. Just to be safe, she placed a hand on her arm and turned them both invisible again, though as long as they were in contact, they could see each other.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you." Mei Ling said after a moment. "I know you're trying to help. It's Payton, right?"
"Yeah, don't worry about it." Payton replied. "Take all the time you need."
"Thanks." Mei Ling said. "I'm glad you and your sister showed up as you did. I don't think I could have beaten Shula on my own."
"She is after the blade, isn't she?" Payton noted. "What is it?"
"It's an ancient weapon called the Dragon Blade." Mei Ling replied. "My family has been guarding it for generations."
"Why are they after it?" Payton asked.
"I don't know." Mei Ling admitted. "All I know is that my master died for it, so I need to keep it safe. I have to honor my family, even though they're… gone."
"I know what it feels like to lose someone close to you." Payton said. "You're strong, stronger than I was in that moment."
"Thank you." Mei Ling replied. "Who did you lose?"
"My sister, a few months ago." Payton admitted as she felt her voice crack, since discussing Prue still hurt each time. "She died protecting all of us."
"I'm so sorry." Mei Ling said.
"It's alright." Payton replied. "It will still hurt for a long time, but it's starting to get better. Somehow, I feel like she is looking over me and that one day, we'll see each other again."
"My people believe in reincarnation." Mei Ling noted. "It is comforting to know that you will always be reunited with your loved ones in one form or another."
"Exactly." Payton said. "You're not alone, Mei Ling."
"Thank you." Mei Ling replied with a faint smile. "I think I'm ready to keep going."
"Actually, I think we're in the clear." Payton said.
Payton looked around before turning them visible again, after which she called out for Noah. A moment later, a column of orbs descended from the Heavens and formed into her Whitelighter. Payton was glad that he was still a part of their lives. He had loved Prue so much that she would have understood if still guiding her family was too difficult for him. However, losing him would have felt like losing another part of Prue, since was a friend as well.
"Payton, what happened?" Noah asked concerned.
"I had a premonition and it led us to a fire." Payton quickly explained. "We found Mei Ling under attack by a Dragon Warlock and she's hurt."
"Where is Penny?" Noah asked.
"She got stuck dealing with the police." Payton replied. "I'm sure she'll be fine."
"Alright, we can deal with the police later." Noah said. "If we're facing a Dragon Warlock, we're not safe here. They have superior tracking skills, so we have to go now."
Noah extended his hand and Payton accepted it, after which all three of them were swept away in a column of orbs. They reappeared in the apartment that Payton and Penny now shared. As the young witch helped Mei Ling to the couch and helped her get more comfortable, Noah waved his hand around the apartment to put up a protective cloak.
"They won't be able to track us now." Noah said.
"Thanks, Noah." Payton said.
"Of course." Noah replied. "Now let's take care of this burn."
Noah kneeled down next to the couch and held his hand over Mei Ling's leg. A golden light was emitted from his hand that almost instantly healed her wound. As he finished his healing, Noah looked up at the ceiling with a frown.
"Penny is calling me." Noah said.
"She must have been released." Payton said. "Quick, bring her back here."
Noah nodded and orbed out of the apartment. Payton headed to the kitchen to get her and Mei Ling something to drink. As she returned to the living room, she saw the other girl standing by the door, looking guilty for getting caught trying to sneak out.
"Wait, were are you going?" Payton asked.
"I have to get out of here." Mei Ling said. "Protecting the Dragon Blade is my responsibility. I'm grateful for the help, but I can't put you in any more risk."
"We're used to danger." Payton said. "Besides, with the cloak up, this is the safest place to be."
"I can't hide out here forever." Mei Ling said.
"No, but we can figure out a plan together." Payton countered. "I told you that you're not alone, Mei Ling, I meant it. Please just let us help."
"I'm not used to people helping me." Mei Ling admitted. "I spent most of my life training alone."
"What about school or friends?" Payton asked.
"I went to school, but I didn't have any friends." Mei Ling said. "I spent all my free time training, so there wasn't time for social stuff."
"That sounds lonely." Payton noted.
"I had a purpose and a goal." Mei Ling replied. "To become a Zen Master and protect the blade, just like my ancestors before me."
"That doesn't mean you can't ask for help." Payton said. "There is always time to make friends. Please, just give me a chance."
"Alright." Mei Ling replied. "I'll stay."
Payton smiled as she walked over and handed over a glass of water. Mei Ling smiled as she accepted it and took a sip. They sat back down and Payton noticed the other girl was finally able to rest for a moment and put down the blade. After a few moments of silence, a column of orbs appeared and manifested into Noah and Penny.
"Penny, are you okay?" Payton asked. "What happened?"
"I got interrogated, but I'm not a suspect." Penny replied. "Right now, I'm just a witness at the right time and place."
"And they believed you?" Payton asked.
"I'm not sure if the inspector truly believed me, but he had nothing." Penny replied. "There was something familiar about his name, though. Does the name Morris ring a bell?"
"Inspector Morris?" Noah asked surprised. "Darryl Morris?"
"Junior." Penny added.
"Right, that makes more sense." Noah replied. "Darryl Morris was a friend of the Charmed Ones. He helped them out a lot over the years, but they eventually had a falling out before you were born."
"So he knew about magic." Penny noted. "Do you think he told his son about it?"
"I don't know, did he show any sign of knowing?" Noah asked. "Did he recognize you?"
"He said my name sounded familiar, but I don't think he knows anything." Penny said.
"We should keep it that way." Noah replied. "It would be best not to draw any unwanted attention until we know more about him."
"Too bad, he was hot." Penny said with a shrug.
"We should focus on what's most important now." Payton said impatiently. "We need to deal with the Dragon Warlocks and help Mei Ling."
"Of course." Noah said. "Do you know why the Dragon Warlocks are after you?"
"They want the Dragon Blade." Mei Ling replied as she held it close to her chest. "I don't know why, but I cannot let them take it."
"That's the Dragon Blade?" Noah asked surprised.
"You know it?" Penny asked.
"Of course." Noah replied. "It is a powerful mythical weapon capable of absorbing the soul or essence whoever it stabbed by it. Mei Ling, I had no idea you're a Zen Master."
"I'm not." Mei Ling replied. "Not yet anyway, I'm just a disciple."
"What are Zen Masters?" Penny asked.
"We are a lineage of warrior monks." Mei Ling explained. "We strive to find our true path to inner peace and master our skills."
"So you're magical." Penny noted. "I saw you levitating."
"Actually, Zen Masters are mortals." Noah said. "However, they spent their lives meditating and training to master their chi, which grants them access to certain powers."
"What is chi?" Payton asked.
"Chi is something that you would call magic." Mei Ling explained. "It is a spiritual energy present in everything around us. We learn to channel it to enhance our physical abilities."
"Can anyone learn to do so?" Payton asked.
"No, it is something that is passed down from our ancestors." Mei Ling replied. "Our powers are actually becoming less with every generation. My ancestor Daiyu could use chi to heal wounds. That gift has long been lost."
"It could come back." Payton suggested.
"I hope so." Mei Ling replied with a smile.
"So what do we know about the Dragon Warlocks?" Penny asked.
"They are a breed of warlocks more animal than human, spawning from an actual dragon." Noah explained. "That's why they can breathe fire and fly, but lack the common abilities of a regular warlock or witch."
"Are you saying some crazy witch or warlock actually… you know… with a dragon?" Penny asked with a frown.
"There was obviously some dark magic involved." Noah replied a little uncomfortable. "I don't know any details, but I can only imagine there was some kind of shapeshifting involved."
"I'd rather not imagine at all." Payton remarked.
"So how do we defeat them?" Penny asked. "That chick I fought seemed pretty strong."
"Their kind is notorious for killing witches." Noah said. "They're often hired as assassins by other evil beings."
"Not this time." Penny said. "I got the feeling they were personally interested in the blade, meaning they are after something bigger."
"You mean the blade is just a means to an end?" Noah asked.
"Maybe, is it weird to think that?" Penny replied.
"No, I think you should follow your instincts." Noah said. "What's the next step?"
"We need more information." Penny replied. "Payton, you should try holding the blade. It was your premonition that led us to it in the first place. Maybe it can give us a clue."
"I could try." Payton said hesitantly as she turned to Mei Ling. "Are you okay with that?"
"Of course." Mei Ling replied. "You asked me to give you a chance, so I will."
Mei Ling held out the blade and Payton looked at it hesitantly. The blade had ornate decorations on the hilt and a thin blade. There seemed to be a green shine to it and Payton could almost feel magic emanating from it. She accepted the blade and was pulled into a premonition. She saw an ancient battle in the mountains between Zen Master and Dragon Warlocks, including a young woman that looked remarkably like Mei Ling. The timeline in her premonition suddenly changed and she saw Julian being stabbed by the male Dragon Warlock. She then saw the warlock standing over a wooden box with oval stones, directing energy from the blade into the stones. Payton gasped as the promotion ended and she dropped the blade, though it was quickly caught by Mei Ling.
"Are you okay?" Mei Ling asked. "That seemed intense."
"What did you see?" Penny asked.
"I'm fine, thanks." Payton said before turning to her sister. "I'm not sure what I saw, except that we're not the only ones fighting the Dragon Warlocks. And you're not going to like it."
Xxx
In the Chinese market in San Francisco, Julian and Sheng Li appeared though a stream of flames. Before leaving the monastery, both had changed from the traditional robes into modern clothes. Julian was wearing his preferred dark colors with a grey jeans, black shirt and a black coat, while Sheng Li wore faded jeans, white shirt and a blue jacket. They needed to find the Dragon Blade before the warlocks could steal it. Julian was frustrated that the blade was in the same city as his family. They could never find out what happened in Bangkok, as it would damage everything.
"Are you okay being here?" Sheng Li asked.
"I'm fine." Julian quickly said. "Let's find just find the blade."
"According to the master, the family line guarding the blade should be close." Sheng Li said. "They've been keeping the blade safe for centuries."
"They might not know what they're up against." Julian replied. "If the warlocks got here before we did, we could already be too late."
"They couldn't be that fast, could they?" Sheng Li asked.
"If they prefer flight over teleportation, they must be fast at it." Julian noted. "Let's go."
The two young men made their way across the market and quickly found the spice store where the blade was supposed to be hidden. All they had to do was follow the trail of smoke. A fire had raged in the store and it was surrounded by law enforcement. The warlocks had beat them there. Sheng Li wanted to move in, though Julian pulled him back by his jacket, as they didn't need unwanted attention.
"What are you doing?!" Sheng Li asked angrily. "We need to get in there. They could be hurt."
"We can't just walk in with the cops around." Julian said. "If anyone is still alive in there, they are being taken care of."
"What about the blade?" Sheng Li countered. "They could take it."
"We need to be careful." Julian said. "What do you know about the family guarding it?"
"They are descended from one of our greatest masters. Her name was Daiyu." Sheng Li said. "She was sent away from the monastery to protect the blade."
"If her descendants are as skilled as her, they might have gotten away with the blade." Julian noted.
"Or maybe not." Sheng Li replied solemnly as he looked ahead.
Julian turned around and saw a body being carried out of the store by paramedics, covered by a white sheet. The warlocks had killed someone, but perhaps the blade was still hidden somewhere. He needed to take a closer look.
"Stay here." Julian said.
"Why?" Sheng Li asked.
"I move faster on my own." Julian replied. "I'll see what I can find."
Sheng Li reluctantly nodded and Julian disappeared through a stream of fire. After sensing if he was in the clear, he reappeared in the garden behind the store. There was a small temple in the middle of the garden, so Julian searched it. He soon found a loose floor board with an ornate box hidden underneath. As he opened the box, he saw it was empty, though judging by the shape of the pillow inside, it was used to house the blade. He was about to leave the garden when Sheng Li suddenly leaped down from the roof and landed next to him.
"What the hell?!" Julian whispered annoyed.
"I had to see for myself." Sheng Li said.
"And what if someone saw you?" Julian asked.
"They didn't." Sheng Li replied with a shrug. "I levitated to the roof before they could spot me. Did you find anything?"
"Just an empty box." Julian said as he showed it to his friend.
"We're too late." Sheng Li noted in disappointment.
"I don't think so." Julian replied. "The warlocks would have burned down the temple to find it. Whoever took it knew where to look."
"The Zen master." Sheng Li said. "Or one of his disciples."
Hearing movement in the store, Julian turned and saw the door to the garden swing open. A young suited man with a shaved head entered the garden with his weapon drawn. Judging from the badge on his belt and the bad suit, Julian guessed he was an inspector investigating the crime scene.
"I thought I heard something." The inspector said. "Hands where I can see them."
"We're not the ones you're after." Julian replied.
"Forgive me for not believing a stranger who broke into a crime scene." The inspector remarked. "How did you even get in here?"
"I jumped over the roof." Sheng Li said.
"Yeah, right." The inspector replied. "My name is inspector Morris. Who are you and what's inside the box?"
"We don't have time for this." Sheng Li whispered to Julian.
"He's a cop." Julian replied softly. "We can't use magic in front of him."
"I'm mortal, remember?" Sheng Li noted with a smirk.
"Stop whispering." the inspector said annoyed. "A man is dead and I want some answers. Look, we can either talk here or down at the police station."
"Yeah, that's not going to happen." Sheng Li replied.
Before the inspector could to react, Sheng Li ripped the box from Julian's hands and threw it at him, knocking the gun out of his hand. Sheng Li then charged at the inspector, though the latter was surprisingly fast in dodging the first punch. However, Sheng Li quickly proved to the more skilled fighter and managed to knock the inspector out by hitting a pressure point on his neck, causing him to lose consciousness without injuring him. Hearing more cops coming, Julian grabbed his friend by the arm and disappeared through flames.
xxx
