Legacy 203: Dragon Tale
Part 4
Xxx
After escaping the temple garden, Julian and Sheng Li appeared in a small park near Chinatown in stream of flames. Although the inspector had been knocked out by his friend, he would surely recognize Julian if they ever crossed paths again, which could pose a future problem. However, now was not the time to worry about things like that. The Dragon Blade wasn't at the temple and Julian was sure that the Dragon Warlocks hadn't taken it yet, which meant that it was still out there. A disciple from the temple had probably escaped with it.
"What now?" Sheng Li asked.
"The blade is out there." Julian said. "Can't you use your chi to locate it?"
"No, it doesn't work like that." Sheng Li replied. "I've never seen the blade or felt its power, so I wouldn't be able to recognize it."
"What about another disciple?" Julian asked.
"You mean the one we think took the blade?" Sheng Li asked. "I've never tried it before, but my master once used his chi to find two young disciples who had gotten lost in the mountains."
"Alright, let's try that." Julian said.
"What if I can't?" Sheng Li asked. "I'm nowhere near as good as my master."
"He wouldn't be training you if you didn't have the potential." Julian replied. "You're one of his best students."
"Did he say that?" Sheng Li asked excitedly.
"No… not really." Julian replied. "I was just trying to be supportive or something. Isn't that part of being good?"
"How did it feel?" Sheng Li asked.
"Awkward." Julian replied.
"Well, the master wouldn't have accepted you if you didn't have the potential." Sheng Li repeated back at him. "You are a good man, Julian. You just have to believe it."
"What if I've done something unforgivable?" Julian asked.
"The path doesn't lead backwards, it leads forward." Sheng Li noted. "If you want to be good, you can be. Is this about what happened in Bangkok?"
"What do you know about that?" Julian asked shocked.
"I don't know what happened." Sheng Li replied. "But I could sense you were struggling with something dark. Whatever happened, you can face it."
"That's what the master said." Julian said. "But I don't know if I can."
"Only you can answer that question." Sheng Li noted. "But I think you need to face it at some point, otherwise the guilt will consume you first."
"I'll think about it." Julian said. "For now, let's just focus on finding the blade and stopping the warlocks."
Sheng Li nodded and sat down in the grass with his legs crossed. He let out a deep breath and closed his eyes, entering a meditative state. Julian sat down on a bench and as he waited, his conversations with the Zen Master and Sheng Li kept repeated in his mind. He knew he needed to figure out what truly happened in Bangkok, but each time he opened that door just a little, he felt a dark presence press down on him, trying to overtake him. It felt like claws under his skin, trying to suffocate him. He couldn't face what he had done. He wasn't strong enough to resist that darkness.
"I'm picking up something." Sheng Li said. "It feels familiar, the same energy as back home."
"Focus on it." Julian said. "Try to locate it."
"I can't." Sheng li replied. "It feels like there is something blocking me. Each time I think I found it, my senses are messed up. It's like the signal is being jammed."
"Or cloaked." Julian noted with a frown.
"Exactly." Sheng Li said as he opened his eyes. "Wait, you know something, don't you?"
"I'm not sure." Julian admitted. "But if my guess is correct, it means the blade is safe for now."
"Then why do you look so miserable?" Sheng Li asked.
"Because there are only a few people I know that can use cloaking." Julian replied. "And they're all in or connected to my family."
"I see." Sheng Li said. "And you were hoping to avoid them."
"I should have known they'd get involved." Julian said. "It's what they do."
"So you're more alike than you think." Sheng Li remarked. "You could have chosen to walk away many times, but you didn't. Maybe this is what's meant to happen."
"I hate fate." Julian replied. "I want to be in control of my life."
"The path is always there, it is your choice whether or not to walk it." Sheng Li noted.
"Enough about your stupid path." Julian replied annoyed. "Let's go."
Sheng Li nodded and gracefully leaped to his feet. It was time for a family reunion, there was no escaping it. Julian couldn't risk his sisters discovering what he was hiding, at least not before he could figure it out himself. He needed to avoid that topic at all cost. Feeling nervous, he placed his hand on his friend's shoulder and they both disappeared in a stream of fire.
Xxx
Back at the Halliwell apartment, Penny was feeling some very mixed emotions after hearing about Payton's premonition. Julian was back and somehow involved in this mess. She was still angry and resentful toward him for leaving, though a small part of her was also relieved that he was alright. However, she would never admit that second part. After losing Prue, she had gone to a very dark place and it had nearly cost her everything. If anyone knew what that felt like, it was Julian. He could have helped her, but he instead decided to disappear.
"Are you okay?" Payton asked.
"I'm fine." Penny replied casually. "I don't care that he's back. He's not important right now."
"We can't be sure of that." Noah said. "If he is involved, there must be a reason."
"What else did you see in your promotion?" Penny asked.
"I saw an ancient battle in the mountains." Payton replied as she looked at Mei Ling. "There was a girl there that looked exactly like you. She was really brave, she protected the blade."
"That must be Daiyu, my ancestor." Mei Ling said with pride in her voice. "Do I really look like her?"
"You could be twins." Payton replied. "And I don't think that's the only thing you have in common with her."
"She could be more than just your ancestor." Noah noted. "Your people believe in reincarnation, right?"
"Are you saying that she is my past life?" Mei Ling asked.
"I think so." Payton said. "I saw her for a reason. I think it was to remind you where you come from and how strong you can be."
"Thank you, Payton." Mei Ling replied with a smile.
"Then what happened?" Penny asked.
"My premonition changed." Payton said. "I saw Julian getting stabbed and the blade took his soul. Then the warlock used the blade to channel his soul into some weird-looking stones."
"Does any of this sound familiar, Mei Ling?" Noah asked.
"No, not really." Mei Ling replied. "I know the blade can absorb souls and life essences, but I have no idea what those stones could be."
"Whatever they are, they must be bad news." Penny said. "We can't let the Dragon Warlocks get the blade."
"Or Julian's soul." Payton added.
"Well, I'm not sure about that." Penny remarked.
"Penny, he's still our brother." Payton said. "I know you're angry with him, but it's just the three of us left now. I don't want to lose another sibling."
"You're right." Penny said after a moment of consideration. "I'm sorry, I'm just still angry that he disappeared like that."
"Then talk to him." Payton said.
"I think you should as well." Noah added. "And you'll get the chance very soon. I think my charge connection to him is starting to work. He's here."
At that exact moment, a stream of fire rose from the floor and formed into Julian and a young Asian man. Once again, Penny felt all her conflicting emotions at once, but did her best to stay calm for the sake of her sister, who seemed nervously excited to see him. Julian similarly looked a bit uneasy and everyone waited for someone else to say something.
"You're back." Penny finally said.
"I guess I am." Julian replied. "I figured you would punch me or something."
"Very tempting, but I think we should save our family drama for later." Penny said.
"I'm glad you're back." Payton said.
"Thanks." Julian replied awkwardly.
"So who's your friend?" Penny asked to end the uncomfortable situation.
"My name is Sheng Li." The young man said. "I am a Zen Disciple. Julian and I met in Bangkok."
"You've been to Bangkok?" Payton asked surprised.
'I've been to a lot of places." Julian said quickly, perhaps a little too quickly. "Sheng Li helped me deal with some bounty hunters and he took me to his monastery."
"Why were you there?" Penny asked with a frown.
"Meditation." Julian replied.
"Maybe we should focus on our other guest." Noah said.
"Right." Mei Ling said. "My name is Mei Ling, I'm also a Zen Disciple. My family has been guarding the Dragon Blade for centuries. I'm the last one left now."
"I'm so sorry for your loss." Sheng Li said. "I could sense your chi from miles away, you must be very skilled. I'm sure your master is proud."
"Thank you." Mei Ling replied. "I have always wondered what it was like to meet other disciples and train with them. Our sacred duty to protect the blade meant that we had to stay hidden."
"Must have been lonely." Sheng Li noted.
"It was." Mei Ling admitted.
"What about the blade?" Julian asked. "Is it safe?"
"Of course, I have it right here." Mei Ling replied as she showed it.
"It's beautiful." Sheng Li said. "Can I hold it?"
"Of course." Mei Ling said.
Mei Ling handed over the blade and as both touched it, the blade emanated a green glow for a moment. Sheng Li looked at the blade with amazement and used it to perform a flurry of movements like a trained warrior.
"You are quite skilled yourself." Mei Ling said.
"Thank you." Sheng Li replied with a smile as he handed it back.
"Right, now that we're all together, we can figure out a plan to stop the warlocks." Penny said impatiently. "How do we vanquish them?"
"The last Dragon Warlock was vanquished by the Power of Three." Noah noted.
"Well, we don't have that." Penny replied.
"Maybe not, but we do have three Warren witches." Noah said. "Perhaps your combined powers will be enough, if you're able to truly work together."
"I'm hardly a Warren witch." Julian said. "Most of my powers come from my demonic side."
"I don't think that's true." Noah replied. "Your witch side and the good inside you is just as powerful, maybe even stronger. The Elders wouldn't have assigned me as your Whitelighter if that wasn't the case."
"Excuse me?" Julian asked with a frown. "You're my Whitelighter now?"
"Only if you want me to be." Noah said.
"You don't even know me." Julian replied.
"No, I don't." Noah admitted. "But I know your sisters and cousins, and I know how they feel about you. Besides, I've seen what you're capable of. You chose to let go of the love of your life in order to do the right thing, despite the pain it caused."
"Don't bring her up." Julian warned him.
"I'm sorry." Noah replied. "I just happen to know a little something about losing someone you love."
"I… didn't think about that." Julian said. "I'm sorry too."
"I'm starting to get why you were hesitant to come back." Sheng Li remarked as he placed a hand on Julian's shoulder. "You're not good at this."
"That's what happens when you don't even try." Penny added.
"Penny, stop." Payton countered. "This isn't helping. We're all here now, that's all that matters. We need to stick together before something bad happens."
"What do you mean?" Julian asked. "Did you see something?"
"I had a premonition of the Dragon Warlock stabbing you with the blade." Payton said.
"Oh, okay." Julian replied. "Did you see anything else? Anything that led up to that moment? Something about the blade?"
"Actually, now that you mention it, I think Mei Ling's ancestor used it to fight the Dragon Warlocks." Payton said. "I think the blade is capable of vanquishing them."
"So the very thing they want is also the thing that can kill them, great." Penny remarked. "We can't take that risk."
"It's the only choice we have." Julian replied. "I'm not sure I can vanquish them on my own and I doubt our family bond is strong enough for a Power of Three spell to work."
"No, I saw them stabbing you." Payton said. "We can't take the blade to them."
"It's our best shot." Julian said. "We have three witches and two skilled warriors, we outnumber them."
"I'm sorry, Payton, but I agree with your brother." Mei Ling said. "We can't keep hiding here forever. The blade should be kept in a sacred place, not hidden in a sock drawer or something."
"I agree as well." Sheng Li added. "We need to face these warlocks like true warriors."
"Noah, what do you think?" Penny asked. "Looks like you're the deciding vote."
"The plan has risks, but it's the only plan we have at the moment." Noah replied. "If we can come up with a good strategy, I think we can win."
"Fine, whatever!" Payton called out.
Payton stormed off to her bedroom and slammed the door shut behind her. She was clearly upset about her premonition. Seeing Julian get stabbed must have been horrible so soon after losing Prue. It scared Penny as well, but she understood it was a risk worth taking. She needed to talk to Payton, as their plan would only work if all of them worked together. However, before she could get to her bedroom, her phone rang. She looked at it and saw it was the police station.
"Crap." Penny said.
"Who is it?" Noah asked.
"It must be inspector Morris." Penny noted. "Could he have found something?"
"Morris?" Julian asked. "We met a Morris at the temple."
"Oh no." Penny said. "What did you do?"
"He caught us investigating." Julian said. "Sheng Li knocked him out. He should be fine, though."
"That's just great." Penny replied as she answered the call. "Hello?"
"Miss Halliwell." The inspector sounded on the other side. "Inspector Morris here. I would like you to come to the station to answer some additional questions."
"Can it wait?" Penny asked. "I'm kind of in the middle of something."
"I'm in the middle of something too." Morris replied. "Trying to find out who killed an elderly shopkeeper. I'm pretty sure that my thing is more important."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Penny remarked.
"Excuse me?" Morris asked.
"Never mind." Penny replied. "I'll be down at the station as soon as I can."
"Great, I'll see you soon." Morris said.
Penny ended the call with a sigh. Normally she would be flattered about a hot guy wanted to see her right away, but inspector Morris had horrible timing. She needed to deal with him before he became more suspicious and caused problems for her family. That meant she had to leave Payton up to the worst possible person for a pep talk.
"Alright, I need to go deal with the mess you cause." Penny said as she turned to Julian. "Which means you finally get to act as a big brother and get Payton on board with the plan."
"I… wait, no…" Julian said hesitantly. "How?"
"Figure it out." Penny said before grabbing her stuff and leaving the apartment.
Xxx
On one of the highest towers in the city, Rhys was patiently observing the world below. Mortals were just like ants to him, especially from this height. Although his most basic instincts were telling him to burn the city to the ground to find the blade, he knew he needed to wait. Sooner or later, prey would always reveal itself to the hunter. Sadly, his daughter did not have the same patience, which was evident on the expression on her face as she landed next to him.
"I've been flying around in circles for hours." Shula said annoyed.
"Be patient." Rhys replied. "It is only a matter of time before they make a mistake. Were you careful?"
"Of course." Shula said. "I made sure to stick to the clouds. These mortals are disgusting by the way, they do weird things when they think nobody is watching. I can't wait to burn them all."
"We'll still need them in the new world order." Rhys noted. "They'll be little more than cattle and laborers, but still."
"We won't need all of them." Shula replied.
"Very true." Rhys said. "This world is overpopulated and our newly awakened friends will need a lot of space as they grow."
"I can't wait to hunt with them." Shula said.
"It looks like our patience has been rewarded." Rhys said as his enhanced senses allowed him to spot a familiar face in the streets below.
"The witch with the big mouth." Shula hissed as she spotted her as well. "I'll take her down."
"Not yet." Rhys said. "She's alone and I don't think she has the blade. We need to corner her and use her as bait to lure out the others."
"Fine." Shula replied. "We'll split up and circle her so she can no longer escape. Once she calls the others, she'll burn."
Rhys nodded and the two warlocks leaped down from the building, after which they stuck to the clouds as they circled their prey, waiting for the perfect time to strike.
xxx
