Tai hunched his back and stared at the white ground as a blast of wind and snow slammed into him. The rope around his waist gained slack as Shang stopped in his tracks. Tai stopped also. He felt Mei bump into him.

"You know, you could pay just a little bit of attention to what's happening," he suggested sarcastically, barely able to get his voice above the howl of the wind.

"What?" Mei called back.

Tai shook his shaggy head. Instead he tapped Shang on the shoulder.

"Why did you stop?"

Shang's ear swiveled in the direction of Tai's voice.

"I'm thinking," he yelled back, trying as well to surmount the shrieking wind with his voice. Tai nodded, though Shang could barely see the small gesture in the storm that surrounded them.

The three felines had got up early not four days ago to start their journey again to the Valley of Peace. They had been joyful and played like kittens almost during the trek forward. Sadly, that had only lasted for two days. It was on the night of the second the three were rudely awakened by nature. They were all thankful for their fur coats at instant, for the bitter cold attacked them like no other enemy had before. Unable to build even the smallest blaze, they huddled together tightly. The storm prolonged for the rest of the time. It seemed to follow them, daring them to challenge its might; and challenge they did. Doggedly, they trudged across the snow covered land and its peaks that jutted into the sky. Even with their outward determination, they could feel the storm blow away their hope. Soon, they walked in silence for the most part, every bit of playfulness gone – even for Mei.

So here we are, thought Tai. We have been wandering out here in a straight line, thank the ancestors for that, but going nowhere. We need a guide! The maps have no use right now; the blizzard stops us from looking at it. What are we going to do?

Shang's voice cut like a razor through his thoughts.

"Let's go other there, by that little crack. We can shelter ourselves for a bit."

The rope pulled around Tai's waist as Shang quickened his pace toward the thin entrance. The snow stopped assaulting them as the cave's strong stone walls gave refuge to them. Tai brushed the snow off his body. Shang and Mei did likewise. They huddled together, trying to retrieve what body heat they had left. Having the wind not pounding on them warmed them slightly. Mei shivered and Shang put his arms around her. Tai couldn't tell if Mei did that on purpose or she really meant it. He put it aside and focused on the ground in front of him instead. He studied the cold floor out of sheer boredom. Nothing was interesting.

"What are we going to do?" asked Tai as Shang started a small fire.

Shang shrugged.

"I say we rest here."

Tai agreed. He was tired from fighting the blizzard that raged outside and the fire warmed them.

"How long do these things keep up for?" asked Shang.

"I don't know," replied Tai.

"They can last for a whole week sometimes. The largest ones last even longer," said Mei, looking up. "My family was caught in one at a point in our travels. It was tough but nothing like this. I haven't seen something like this. It's like the mountains hate us."

"They probably do," Shang said, humoring Mei.

Tai shoved the bag that was still on his back on the ground and opened it up.

"Music anyone?"

Mei nodded.

"I don't know a lot, but I'll do the best I can."

Tai brought the pipe to his lips and started playing a soothing tune. The music wafted up and struck the eardrums of all the felines. Just the music alone helped them to forget where they were. Even the Earth seemed to lean in to catch a stray note from the pipe playing. Tai's fingers moved up and down the pipe with ease. On the inside though, he was praying that he didn't mess up. Already he could feel him beginning to waver. The pipe wailed out a bad note. Tai shuddered at the wrong sound that rang about the cave. He took another breath and went back over the section he missed. A sudden peaceful feeling came over him. His finger's flew by themselves and he finished the piece with such precision even a master would be envious.

We are watching over you in both big and small.

Tai smiled and bowed his head in thanks to the invisible helpers. Even such kind acts like this brought him closer to them.

"You did wonderful, especially the last part," said Mei, clapping her paws together. She giggle and poked Shang in the ribs. "Why don't you play a song for us?"

Shang shook his head.

"Nope, the only instrument I play is nothing. Ever heard of it? It sounds like this."

Shang then proceeded to do nothing. Mei's giggle turned into a laugh.

"Your loss for not trying, dear. I started to learn to play that exact instrument but lost interest. When I did play, I thought it was wonderful. Now, I can just do a few notes."

Mei sighed and got a dreamy look in her eyes as she remembered the past. Her eyes began to water though.

"My mother taught me…"

Compassion filled Shang and he brought her close to comfort her.

"I'm sure she is looking down on you and smiling. She wants you to remember music for joy."

Shang looked up at Tai to see if what he said seemed good. Tai shrugged. He had no experience in this area of life. He felt the pipe in his paws.

"Oh," he gasped, realizing that the pipe now brought painful memories to Mei. He took the pipe and put it away in the bag.

Mei sat there leaning against Shang, motionless. The cave took on an awkward air.

"Let's head to bed," suggested Tai after the minutes of silence wore on.

Mei looked up.

"Yeah. I'm tired too."

"Who will keep first watch?" asked Shang. "I will if you guys don't want to."

Tai looked out the entrance of the cave back at the snow streaking across his line of sight.

"I don't think we will have any fear of being attacked while we sleep in this weather."

Shang furrowed his brow, weighing the odds of an assailant coming for them.

"I guess your right," he said slowly. "But anything other than this and we will have watches, I don't trust anybody right now other than you and Mei. Who knows what they could be or what they are capable of."

"I know," said Tai. The tiger lay down on the stone. "Now go to bed."

Sleep came to them like a soft cloud, although the cloud was a bit cold. Three shooting stars shot along in the night sky. Tonight they were in danger from nothing.

A forest surrounded Tai. He bolted upright. Where were the cave and the snow and the fire? Where were his friends? He started calling out their names. No answer was returned.

Come to think of it, there are no sounds. The phrase, 'the silence deafens' definitely applies here, the tiger thought.

Tai turned in a slow circle taking in his new surroundings. The trees were the most prominent thing around him. Each one was tall and healthy. Different species of trees were scattered about the forest with no particular order. Some he had never seen before. The leaves were a rainbow of colors. Greens, violets, reds, browns, oranges dominated the top foliage. The grass turned his attention to the ground. The fresh grass was none other than perfect. Each blade was different and unique, but a sense of perfection still radiated from each blade. The blanket of green went on and on, same with the trees. Tai cautioned a step forward. Nothing happened. Just the sound of his foot paws stepping on the grass. He moved forward with more confidence. The tiger felt a sudden impulse to sprint forward. He let it overtake him and he shot across the lands, letting instinct direct him. Every sense was heightened and he felt alive. A tree stood in his way.

Let's climb it.

He did so with ease he had never felt before. He was a blur and within seconds he sat at the tip of that sturdy tree looking over the land. A large mountain stood off to his left. It was a curious mountain, for it was the only one of that sheer size. It towered into the white fluffy clouds and its summit was hidden from view. He saw a break in the trees that stretched out. The trees continued after that. A river filled the gap. Finally, the vast forest ended and up shot mountains, though not as tall as the middle one. A red looking glow could be seen past it. What was there he didn't know. He turned to his right and saw more forest and more rivers that connected to an immense ocean but he thought he could make out land on the other side. Was that possible?

A rustle in the trees took hold of Tai's full attention. Suddenly a long body shot out of a slight gap in the trees. Its body was long and powerful, like a serpent. It had a ferocious looking face, yet its eyes were tinged with mischievousness and what seemed to be sadness. The body continued on for a long time. The end of it finally revealed itself to the sky and Tai gasped. What was in front of him in the sky was impossible. It was a dragon!

Tai stuttered. All he could think of to do was to bow. The dragon twirled in the air and suddenly whirled down to where Tai was. Landing softy next to Tai, its immense head was the size of his body. The dragon opened its mouth to speak in a baritone voice. The voice was calm and soft. It had an edge of cold logic, yet still felt like warm water rushing over him.

"How do you like my forest, Tai?" asked the dragon.

Tai was taken aback.

"You know my name?" he asked, bewildered.

"Do you know mine?" the dragon returned the question back. "I hope you do. I've written lots of books in your world."

Tai pondered the dragon's question, fearing the wrong answer would bring its wrath upon him. He leaned back in the trees thick leaves.

"I'm sorry, sir, I'm afraid I don't. None of the names that I can think of fit you."

"Guess then. Trial and error are a powerful part of learning you know. I have learned that from exactly that!" The dragon chuckled. "Can you still not remember?"

Tai shook his head.

"I am called Senlin-Mu. Do you know remember me?"

Tai nodded vigorously this time.

"I do. You are one of the High Dragons – one of the Five that reside around the Jade Palace of Heaven. I remember reading it in a text once. I didn't know that you actually were living!"

The dragon nodded its massive head.

"Sadly, many forget that we reside up here. Most only give their thanks to their ancestors. I have no qualms of that, I do wish that they knew to whom the ancestors were giving their pleas to. Us."

"My ancestors are your messangers?" Tai asked, astounded.

"Yes," replied the dragon. "I am busy sometimes, so I have a hard time listening and storing all the prayers that are sent up."

The dragon stared up at the brilliant blue sky. Clouds speckled the blue with white.

"You are not here for a lesson in the Heavens, as I do remember. No, you are here for my help."

"You are going to help me?"

"Did I not just say that?"

Tai blushed.

"You did."

"Good, then I won't have to repeat myself. As I was saying, I am here to give you help."

The dragon's eyelid dropped halfway and he puffed a ring of smoke from his nostrils.

"It seems I did repeat myself, but that is no matter. Tai, I have taken notice of you. You are interesting enough. Even your physical appearance piques my curiosity. You crooked tail, the off-beat stripes are just to name a few. Your mind is also interesting. You like to tinker with ideas. I like to tinker. That is why there are so many different trees down below. I made many myself."

"You made the trees?" Tai was still shocked at this meeting.

Senlin-Mu smiled. "Yes. A story for later."

Tai looked back at the treetops and wondered how one might accomplish this. Senlin-Mu continued.

"I spoke with the Jade Emperor and he said that I can help you just a bit. We don't want something wrong to happen. So here you are."

The dragon pulled out a map and laid it on the greenery.

"You, Shang, and Mei are right here. You need to get here."

Senlin-Mu pointed to the two locations he noted.

"A Shaoshang of the Ancient temple carved from the rocks is here. Go there."

Tai cut in,

"Shaoshang? Doesn't that mean burn? So, the entire thing is the Burn of the Ancient? That seems a bit ominous."

The dragon chuckled.

"You will learn what it means… Now, as I was saying, I will send a guide there for you. You will meet the creature in the temple. They will help you on your journey. Also, I have two surprises on the journey for you. One you will see soon, the other will take some time. I think you will enjoy them both! My time with you is up, Tai, the Jade Emperor only allows me thus. I fare you well on the roads ahead of you. One last thing, before I do go, mention me to no one."

With those final words, the Heavens dissolved into a grey mist and Tai floated among the clouds. The mist surrounded him and he started to feel drowsy. He felt his body softly hit the stone floor. Over to his side, he could hear Shang muttering in his sleep. Mei shifted her position to get more comfortable.

We are here, the voice of one of his ancestors rung through his head. Rest.

Tai fell into a deep sleep and slept like he had never rested before.

The sun light glistened and forced itself into the cave the three felines were sleeping in. Tai blinked. Couldn't the sun wait for another hour? He rolled over and moaned. He didn't want to wake up. Mei suddenly landed on Tai.

"The sun is out!" she squealed girlishly. "Outside is just so beautiful. Get up! We can actually move now."

Tai sat up slowly. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. The sky was blue and the grey clouds that poured forth the snow had retreated to other regions. The sunlight sparkled off the fresh snow and gave everything a bright look. Even the dull rocks seemed cheery. Tai grabbed his sack and ran outside. The mountains were, again, beautiful. Shang tossed him an apple.

"A light breakfast and then we go. This time we will know where we are going."

The apple was sweet and crisp thanks to the cold that had preserved its flavor. Mei floundered in the snow, clearly exuberant. Shang searched the path ahead of them.

"You finished?" asked Shang to Tai.

The apple core hit the snow in front of Tai as he chewed the last bit.

"Yep. Let's go. Do you think the rope will be necessary?"

"Nope," said Mei, butting into the conversation. She kissed Shang quickly and bounded off in the eastern direction.

"What was that about?" asked Tai.

Shang shrugged.

"I liked it and I don't really care."

"Of course."

With a new spring in their step and the vigor for the quest back in their hearts, they marched forward. The snow crunched beneath their feet and the air had a slight chill. The sun shone brightly and gave a bit of warmth. To their right, about ten feet off, the cliff suddenly dropped to the gully below. The mountain continued upward on their left. Tai enjoyed the sights; it gave him a sense of adventure he had never felt before. All around him, a new, alien world opened up. Up above, Mei rushed around in the snow. He heard Shang sigh wistfully.

"Isn't she beautiful?"

Tai looked back at Mei. He looked the female clouded leopard up and down.

"Yes, you are lucky, Shang," he replied with no hint of envy. "I hope you two go far."

Shang nodded. Mei's shout brought the two males attention to the front. She was waving a paw frantically at them. They looked at each other and broke off in a sprint. As they skidded to a halt, Mei pointed in a certain direction and both looked hard.

"What are we looking at?" said Shang after a while, worrying about what danger she could have seen.

"Just look," said Mei, not giving any help.

They stared longer. Mei threw up her paws.

"Look at the mountains! Aren't they just incredible? All I'm showing you two is the view. A perfect place for a scenic painting. Or, maybe a picnic for a day."

Shang relaxed and just shook his head. Tai on the other paw took into consideration what Mei said and took in the entire thing. The mountain vista was gorgeous. A surreal effect seemed to rest on it. The outline of the white peaks of the Zuzhou along with the splashes of grey and green from the rock and evergreens seemed to leap out to Tai.

"It is magnificent," he breathed.

Shang looked at Tai quizzically.

"Do that again!"

"What?"

"Breathe again, I just noticed that."

"What?" Tai repeated, slightly annoyed.

"Look at your breath; it comes out like a mist."

Tai did so and he too saw the vapor that came from his mouth. He laughed.

"I can breathe fire you now. That is not mist, its smoke!"

"Dragon's aren't real," stated Shang flatly. "And if they did, I'm sure you couldn't be one. You're a tiger, right?"

Tai bit his tongue as he was about to say that they did exist and he had seen one. Senlin-Mu wouldn't be pleased if he went against him blatantly.

"I am a tiger."

"Good, you had me worried," Shang said, chuckling. He winked at Tai. "The idea of dragons are cool though, don't worry."

Mei coughed.

"Since we are finished with the myths and truths about life, can we go now?"

Mei didn't wait for an answer. Instead she walked off, swishing her tail in the air.

The three felines walked at a steady pace throughout the day. They stopped once for a light luncheon and then restarted their hike. As night fell, Mei kept closer to Shang, her energy wearing thin. Even as the sun collapsed behind the tall peaks of Zuzhou, they persevered on. A brisk wind cut into their bodies and dropped the outside temperature. Shivering now, they still moved on. Finally, Mei called out to stop. Panting in the thin air, they wearily moved over to the far right and pressed up against the rocky wall. Shang moved up and down the wall, in search for a crevice that they could retire for the night. His search was fruitless.

"We have to keep on moving," he said dismally.

With groans of despair and the sound of bags hitting backs, they trudged on. The wind fought back, even bringing up the snow on the ground into their faces. Nothing like the previous storm rocked the cliffs tonight, but it was still enough to cause danger of wandering off the wrong direction. Out came the rope again, securing the three together. An hour passed by and still no sign of asylum. Mei and Tai were winded and Shang was faring no better, even though he had been trained in the military for endurance. A dark profile, larger than all three of them stacked on top of each other suddenly appeared. As they got closer, they noted that it had been sculpted to represent something. The closer and closer they got, the more immense it became. A dragon sculpture! At well over thirty feet high, the sculpture sat in an eternal snarl. It's mouth gaping open, catching snow within. Its claws positioned in an attack stance and its eyes ever watching. An exact replica could be made out fifty feet away. In between these colossal statues, steps filled the blank. The shallow incline made the climb very easy to the buildings entrance. An overhang stood loomed above them with pillars reaching the tips to support the weight. Each pillar had writing carved in it. Characters filled almost every square inch of the stone pillars. Tai couldn't make out what they meant, but he could recognize a few words. A long, smooth wall with jade symbols embedded within the stone was past the pillars only five feet in. Double doors made of a toughened wood were the only entry into the foreboding structure. Engraved on the doors were only three symbols. One split between the two, with the other two on each door – one character for one, the other for the other.

"It's shelter. I don't care what it is, we are going to have to use it if we want to stay warm," said Shang in a brusque tone. "C'mon."

As they made their way to the doors, Tai could make out the characters. What they read sent a shiver down his spine: Shaoshang of the Ancient Temple. The doors swung open without a sound. Were there animals still living here and did they oil the doors? They stepped into a large room. A single doorframe stood off to the right at the very end of it. The walls had a reflective sense to them, even in the dark. Again, all along the walls were yet more symbols. A story seemed to be told in those walls. Mei picked up a torch from a holder with shaky hands. She handed it to Shang.

"Get the tinder and flint," Shang said, motioning to his own bag. Tai rummaged around in the bag until he found it.

"Got it."

Shang grasped the materials and struck them together. Sparks flew and the age old torch flared up but died just as soon. Shang did so again. This time the torch held the blaze. Putting the tinder and flint in his pockets, he held it forth.

"Light the others!" said Mei. "Give us more light."

Before Shang could, a delectable scent filled the air. Someone was cooking.

"Latter," Shang whispered.

Tai looked around the room again. A slight orange glare seemed to peep out from the doorframe on the far right. Shang took a slight step forward. No sound came from the falling foot. Another step was taken. Still no sound came out of the smooth stone. Inching forward, they made their way across the far right wall. Tai couldn't help be read the writing in the wall. Tales of the antediluvian past filled his mind. Savage beasts roamed the land in search of food – food that could put an end to their ravaging hunger. Other stories of how the primitive way of life stopped yet haunted those newly civilized people. A name caught his attention: Li. Out of all the names listed in the walls, why did this one stand out? Pushing it to the back of his mind, Tai continued following Shang. It seemed an eternity, but they reached the back door. Shang flattened against the wall and motioned for the others to do the same. Taking a deep breath Shang dove into the hallway, claws bared, knife at the ready. A corridor greeted him. He sensed Tai and Mei standing behind him. Tai gulped.

"Someone lit the torches."

No answer came from the Golden cat or the clouded leopard. They just stood their, wondering what awaited them at the end.

"I guess forward is the only direction now, we can't sleep were there is an enemy," Mei said quietly. She pulled out a knife. It was the ivory one. Shang looked at it. Mei noticed,

"This knife will see dark times ahead of it, I am sad to say. I lost my other blade in the river."

Shang nodded yet Tai shook his head slowly. Such sorrow to see a knife with such beauty be used for violence.

"Don't want to have to say this, Tai, 'cause I know you hate fighting and killing, but if there is fight, I don't want you defenseless. Ready your bow, okay?"

Tai grimaced yet did as he was told. He nocked at arrow.

"I'm ready," he said with a confidence he didn't have.

Shang broke off in a brisk jog. It unnerved them that the stone still didn't make any sound, not even the patter of their feet striking the surface. Shang pulled another knife out with his left paw. Mei tightened her grip on the ivory knife; Tai also saw how her stance of running changed along with her muscles. Her kung fu training was taking hold. Tai regretted that he hadn't been able to learn the martial art. Instead, he moved his fingers nervously to release some of the anxiety. They passed numbers of wooden doors and tried each. Each one swung open soundlessly and the rooms showed no signs of life. A bright glow could be seen. It was different from the torch light. A smell seemed to drift from that room too. Some animal was cooking. How many were in the room? Were they bandits? Were they the monks who might live in this temple? They came to a standstill.

"On three," Shang whispered. He held up a paw. One claw went up. They shifted into their ready positions. The second claw came up. Mei took a deep breath in and let it out. She felt calmer now. Shang narrowed his eyes; he could feel his heart thundering in his chest. Tai's mind was blank. He didn't want to kill. He had never taken a life and he never wanted to.

Give me courage, he prayed silently.

The third claw came up and they sprung into the room. An odd sight greeted them. A large, black cauldron rested above a fire. A porcupine, shorter than any of them, stood on a stool, throwing in something. The porcupine raised its head and straightened its posture. It raised a knife and turned slowly. The felines tensed. In a reedy voice, it spoke,

"Ah, I have been waiting for you!"