Threads of Fate.
The first thing I noticed is how beautiful was the scenery.
The second is how cold I was.
Once I stopped admiring the view is when I finally notice my current situation, which could be resumed in one word: confusion.
Countless question came to my head.
Where was I?
What was I doing?
And more importantly… Who am I?
I stop for a moment all my thoughts to recollect myself and take stock of my current predicament.
First things first, I look around me to take notice of my surroundings more clearly.
All I can see are trees, I am not sure what kind, and a landscape filled with snow, probably the source of the cold I'm currently feeling. Now that I think about it, I doubt my current clothes are appropriate for the weather, given that all I'm wearing is a short sleeved black T-shirt and black pants, a pair of gray socks and no shoes.
Now that the where part is somewhat resolved, tough I still don't know where exactly I am, I need to think about what was so important that I needed to do, important enough for me to go out in this weather with this wear.
But no matter how much I think about it, I draw blank. The freezing cold was not helping I'm sure.
My body feels weak, like I have weights tied to my limbs, but I'm not sure if it was from the cold or some other source.
Nevertheless, I continue to the most important, and urgent, question… Who am I?
It 's not a philosophical question, I literally don't know my own identity which carries me to think that I must have hit my head.
Hard.
That or I have been created right this instant from some godly being, which I doubt given that I seem to hold some general knowledge that I can remember.
But when I try to picture myself in my mind, to remember my own name or face, all I get is a blank answer and some minor discomfort, like I have forgotten something essential.
Now that I have oriented myself a bit, I realize that I can't keep standing still until I get all the answers to the questions currently swimming in my head. I must act, and quick, if I don't want to die from the cold.
I have been walking for a while now searching for some shelter or semblance of civilization, while trying to keep my hands warm.
I'm not sure of the current time, or even the date for that matter, but the day seems to be nearing it's end given the little light available, which makes this situation even more dangerous.
The snow is making walking hard and I'm starting to lose feeling in my feet and hands, but just as I was beginning to lose hope that I would survive enough time to answer all of my questions, I see the forest start to grow thin.
With my hope somewhat renewed and at the limit of my strength, I quicken my pace and finally exit the forest.
-"Whoa.."- I cannot help but exclaim.
The scenery I'm looking at leaves me breathless.
A deep valley surrounded by high peaks, with a multitude of small rivers crisscrossing along the bottom. Groups of small houses dot the bottom of the valley, with small point of light among them.
And more impressively, there seemed to be a stair from the bottom of the valley to the top of a nearby mountain. And in the top of said mountain, rested a majestic palace.
When I look at it, It gives me a sense of serenity and tranquility, like time has stopped at the peak of that mountain.
Once I'm finished taking in all the details of this fantastic vista, I give a step to start the journey down, and maybe find some answers to the burning questions that keep piling up in my mind, but before I can react my legs give out and I fall to the ground.
It seems my body reached my limit before I could feel it, my legs don't respond to my commands to rise up and my arms feel sluggish.
My vision soon starts to dim.
-"Not yet… I'm so close..."- But it seems determination it's not enough this time, and soon after I black out.
The Furious Five were returning from a successful mission with high spirits, just another request for help from a village that was having problems with bandits.
It was a sad matter that such requests were normal for them, but as long as innocents were in danger they would help them and fight to bring to justice those who would harm them.
They will always be ready to help thr citizens of China against bandits and any other threats.
Those were their duties as protectors of the Valley of Peace and masters of kung fu.
With those thoughts in her mind, Tigress kept walking to her destination, the Jade Palace.
Along her walked her comrades and friends, the other members of the Furious Five.
Mantis and Monkey were joking and talking about whatever subject passed around their minds, Mantis going on top of Monkey shoulder as was their usual formation, and from what little she was interested enough to hear, it seems they were planning on going to the bar upon the completion of their journey home.
-'They could use that time better themselves in training'- Tigress thought but didn't say aloud.
She was aware that some people thought she was boring and the only thing on her mind was training, which had a smidgen of truth.
Of course, she had more things on her head, but if she was to accomplish her goal then kung fu is to be her main focus. That is not to say that relaxation and hobbies are not important, a healthy mind must find more activities to occupy it, otherwise it gives way to obsession and stagnation.
That is why she didn't reproach her comrades activities, if they found drinking and socializing to be their favorite pastime, then who was she to judge.
-"You look distracted Tigress. Are you feeling tired?"- Asked Viper with a tone inflicted with concern and curiosity.
-"No, I was merely thinking that we are almost home. We made good time."- I answered with a stoic and almost stern voice.
Viper was walking, or rather slithering, along Crane and Tigress, making small talk here and there to make the journey home a bit less boring.
She was quite a mature and friendly individual, often times playing the role of peacemaker in the group of five. She always had positive attitude and was the first to show compassion and kindness.
Crane was of the same character, if a little more reserved. He often likes to keep to himself, practicing calligraphy and painting in his free time.
That is not say he was antisocial, unlike me who was more reserved, I have often see him go with Viper or Monkey and Mantis to the valley.
With my thoughts running around on inane things like that, and with Monkey and Mantis banter as background noise, we finally found ourselves nearing the steps into valley.
But before we could begin our descend into the valley proper, and finally home, we found something quite unexpected.
-"Look! Someone has collapsed!"- Viper said, her tone alarmed.
We quickly approached the fallen form, and found something even more unexpected.
-"Cousin of yours Monkey?"- Mantis commented on the strange looks of the person in the ground in a jokingly manner. Monkey bit back with a "Very funny wise guy" dripping with sarcasm.
-"This is no time for jokes!"- I finally put an end to the tomfoolery.
-"What should we do Tigress?"- Crane asked me, a look of uncertainty in his face.
-"What do you mean "what should we do"? We have to help him of course!"- Viper made her opinion clear.
I was not so sure, mainly because I have never seen or heard about a species with this kind of look. I am certain everyone else is thinking the same.
The stranger crumpled on the ground had silver fur on his head that reached his shoulders, and a bit over his eyes, but nowhere else in his body. He seems tall, maybe about my height or perhaps a bit more. His paws, if they could be called that, were strange looking. And I have never seen this kind of clothing, which was clearly insufficient for the winter weather, since he seems to have collapsed from the cold.
All in all, he is clearly a suspicious individual. But that didn't seem to matter to Viper or the rest.
-"There is no time to debate, if we wait longer he will die. I suggest we bring him to the jade palace and let master Shifu decide if he is a threat or a helpless stranger."- Crane said, with a resolved tone.
I thought for a moment while everyone looked at me, and finally reached for the fallen form of the strange creature. I put him in my back, tough he was quite heavy I could carry him without a problem, and started a quick pace to the palace.
The furious Five made haste for the warmth of the palace before the unconscious form on Tigress back lost his fight against the cold of the winter.