by Park Moon
“What do you suggest? A war? Where is the Oracle at this moment?”
“You know that the Oracle is only the governing force, but does not work in chaos.”
“What do I do?”
“Xi doesn’t know that Lin is your daughter, does she?”
“I don’t think so. Lin was hidden on the island for a long time, and when she grew up, I affirmed to everyone that she was Pan’s daughter.”
“Right!”
“What happened?” Jade wrapped herself in the sheet and looked at us.
“Xi, the goddess... Do you remember her?” I asked.
“I am not sure. I remember more about you. Is something wrong?”
“Xi wants supreme power, that is, to take water, a vital commodity in the celestial cycle.”
Jade ran to the bathroom and came back dressed, while I put on my pants and stared at Mao.
“There’s something you haven’t told me, right?” I asked, analyzing Mao’s terrified expression.
“I saw in the vision, blurred, I admit it, that Lin was in danger, son.”
“No!” I pulled out my clothes and followed Mao and Jade down the stairs, but when my feet touched the ground, Xi was in front of the shipyard.
“Good morning, Dan Lao... How long?”
“What have you done with Lin?”
“That impudent mermaid? She could only be your daughter with that idiot called Jade! You should give Lin a good education. She spat in my face!”
“Where is Lin?” I growled, and my veins bulged as I squeezed my wrists.
“Well.... In the sea! Isn't that her habitat?”
“Speak up, damn you!”
“I believe there’s only one mermaid body floating in the ocean now. I made sure to tie her up tight. But, I admit it, she fought back! Poor thing.”
I gritted my teeth and rage invaded my spirit. I growled and my body returned to dragon form, and, in the same way, Xi transformed herself.
I looked at Jade, who, terrified at seeing me in this situation, clung to Mao.
“Mao!” my hoarse and surreal voice echoed in the weak ears of my great friend. “Take Jade! Keep her safe.”
“Lin!” Jade shouted. “Lin, where is my daughter?”
“Oh, my love, I’m so sorry!”
“No!” she fell to the ground and a boat whistle blew behind my back.
It was one of the boats from the shipyard, driven by one of the fishermen, a young man I had seen a few times, with a broad smile and respectful speech, who didn’t dare speak more than half a dozen words when he stood in front of me.
“LADY JADE! HELP!” he shouted, and Xi let out fire from the windows.
“Demon! Hell! Why is there always someone to get in the way? Dan Lao! Damn you!”
She kept growling, while the guy held up a body in his arms, and when I realized it was Lin, in her mermaid form, I got desperate and ran to the boat.
“A dragon? What the hell is going on?” he widened his pupils and stretched his arms out to me.
I landed on the bow and with a snap of god, I returned to my human form.
“Mr. Dan Lao? I swear I did not drink anything! I am in full consciousness. I just saved a mermaid and I saw a dragon? Tell me I am seeing too much in this fisherman’s life.”
“You saw only reality, but don’t tell anyone.”
He nodded, still holding Lin faint in his arms, and as she moved, she opened her eyes.
I put my hands on both of them and teleported them to Jade and Mao, who welcomed them, and Jade took Lin in her arms.
“Now it’s just us, Xi!”
“Let’s get it over, Dan Lao!”
I closed my fists and turned into a dragon again.
Xi ascended into the sky, I followed her.
Chapter 18
Narrated by Jade.
Dan Lao climbed up and went after the goddess. In the sky, the two dueled while Uncle Mao rubbed his hands together and Lin was in Lui's arms, the fisherman who had worked with me since he was a little boy, because his father also worked with mine.
“Ms. Jade. What shall we do?” he asked, still frightened.
“Take Lin to the shipyard. Go!”
“No!” Lin grumbled, and tried to get up. “Daddy needs me!”
“Daughter!” I spoke on a motherly impulse and her eyes blinked sadly.
“Please, Mother! I do not want to live without you both. I do not want one to die and the other to live. I want both of you by my side. That is enough for me!”
She stood up, her tail disappeared, and a pink hanfu that almost glowed flew in the wind that touched her body. She approached Uncle Mao, with hands folded in prayer, bowed her head, and walked to the edge of the sea. There, followed by Mao, she opened her arms and the sea opened in two.
“Queen Mother! Protect your son!” her arms went forward, walking through the valley made by Lin in the sea, Pan appeared, and I doubted what I was seeing.
Pan got to Lin’s feet and bowed.
“I will do whatever is necessary!” she spoke and stared up at the sky streaked with fire and blood.
My afflicted heart ruled with despair as Dan received fire and punches to his dragon body, not as strong as Xi’s, who had possibly absorbed the gifts of the other dragons, which made her inevitably stronger.
“Xi!” Pan uttered, and the goddess’s eyes ran to see who was calling her.
“Damned!” Xi snorted, and Dan Lao, wounded, immediately went down to Pan.
“Mother?” his human form returned and I could see how badly he was hurt, as his white scales hid most of Xi’s blows.
“Sorry, son! It was necessary!”
“Were you by my side the whole time? I suffered so much, Mother! Why did you do this?”
“I needed to know if you were worthy of the throne and I know you are. Take care of your daughter and the woman you love. Xi is my fight, son!”
“I can’t let you sacrifice yourself.”
“Did you give me a pathetic family scene?” Xi approached Dan from behind and Pan shouted.
Xi drove two claws into Dan’s back and he howled. I shouted, too, and Lin fainted.
Pan spun her hands and two bolts of lightning flew into Xi’s heart, causing her to fall into the water, and a great octopus appeared, hugging Xi’s body in the shape of a dragon and carrying her to the sea.
“Son! Son!” Pan held Dan in her arms, and Mao held the fainted Lin.
I ran to Dan, desperate, and he smiled, his mouth bloodied, when he realized my approach.
“Jade! It is hard to live in peace with you, right?” he fell on my left shoulder and I hugged his back, kissing his left shoulder and sighing.
“We’ll be together, no matter what! Do not give up on us!”
“Never!” he coughed.
“He was shot by a god. The Oracle is the only one who can give him back immortality.” Pan sobbed, and like dust, Dan Lao was gone from my touch.
“No! No! No!”
“Mao! Evoke the Oracle!” Pan had urgency in her voice and desperation in her gaze.
“He won’t listen to me!”
“Try it!”
Mao rubbed his hands together and like magic, in front of us, that colorless light presented itself.
“Dan Lao, always breaking rules.” the voice shouted.
“Save my son, Oracle!” Pan stared at him.
“One life for another! You know the rules!”
“Me!” I shouted, as I saw Dan disappearing.
“You’re mortal, Jade!” the voice complained and Pan took a step forward.
“I surrender my immortality, if you wish it.”
The voice within the light fell silent, and colored rays rushed to Pan and wrapped her in them.
I cried, holding Dan’s hand, the rest I could still hold, and the jade ring was there. I held Dan, as I held my own life.
“Mother!” Lin’s voice touched my shoulder.
“Everything will be fine!” I smiled weakly at Lin, who was
whimpering.
“Tell me we’ll be happy, Mother!”
“Yes! We will be happy!”
Chapter 19
Narrated by Jade.
Dan was lying in our bed, in the palace that had always been the nest of our love. Remembering life with him, so many centuries before, was a strange but wonderful feeling.
I stared at him, lying beside him, admiring his face in the pillow and his back touched by the soft wind that blew in through the window.
“Mother!” Lin came into the bedroom and I stood up, still shy.
“Can I talk to you?”
“He is sleeping! Let’s talk outside.”
As we left, we talked about Dan’s health, which was still poor, even though he was immortal.
Lin sat down on the first chair she saw and began to speak, with anguish:
“I know this is all new to you, Mother. I also know that Dad cannot live without you. I have seen him suffer for so long. It’s only fair that you both start living now.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t want Dad to take on the obligations of reigning. Pan always said that the kingdom was his, but Dad believes that there is a greater kingdom in his power, your heart, Mother.”
I bowed and knelt before the girl, who was as beautiful as Dan Lao.
“I hope Dad can understand me.” she slumped her shoulders in a lament.
“What do you want to do?”
“I want to take care of the kingdom and leave Dad free to live with you!”
“I will die, child!”
“I know Dad will find a way to keep you alive for a long time. If he guides you, he will know where you will be born. It will be easier for him, if he always renews his hopes, instead of suffering after traces from you, Mother.”
“How will you reign? You are still young!”
“Dad reigned young too. I will appear before the Oracle later today. I wanted my Dad to know my choice before he woke up and had that jealous father crisis.”
“He will deny giving up his life to rule the kingdom, Lin.”
“Choices, right? I have some things that can help me in this process, Mother!”
“Granddaughter of a demon and a mermaid, daughter of a human and a dragon. What else can you have?” I asked, apprehensive.
“I don’t know it yet. I will find out in time, right? I will get a handle on my powers, Mother. I will have an island of my own.”
“You’re brave!” I brought my right hand up to her round, pale face.
“I have someone to pull on, right?”
“What are you two up to?” Dan appeared in the hallway and I smiled awkwardly.
“Dad! I have made a decision. I hope you understand.”
“I heard everything.”
“Damn it!”
“No swearing!” he took a breath.
“Wish me luck, Dad?”
“You’ll have all the luck in the world, daughter. If you wish it, who am I to deny it? I am the man who faced everyone to fight for love. I just want you to know that I will be here with your mother whenever you need us!”
“Will you make an island for me?”
“If you wish!”
She smiled and ran into Dan’s arms, and I teared up.
“Just be happy, whatever you want. Fight for what you believe in.”
“I will, Dad!”
✽✽✽
Lin waited for Dan to create her island, the Oracle accepted her proposal to swap duties with her father, and when Lin waved goodbye at the edge of the island, my heart bled.
“Take care of her, Dad!” she waved, then fell into the water, and her tail wagged.
Her body resurfaced and Lin raised her right arm in a smiling goodbye, while I bowed, throwing my face against Dan’s chest who comforted me by massaging my left shoulder.
“Don’t worry, she’ll be back!”
“That’s not what I’m afraid of. I will die and I will not remember that I lived with you.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t give you the tea of forgetfulness.” he kissed my forehead and I sobbed.
Lin swam away, and some dolphins followed her.
My heart was there, divided in two. One remained with Dan, the other, plunged into the depths with Lin.
Chapter 20
Narrated by Jade.
It was inevitable to see that the years were passing for me and not for Dan and this made me uncomfortable and impatient.
“It will always be like this, Jade! You must understand it!”
“I wish I were immortal like you!”
I saw the sadness in his eyes and Dan went to the edge of the island and touched the water, looking at the horizon.
“I need to talk to Lin!”
Quickly Lin appeared, leaning over the edge of the island and staring at Dan, and then she smiled and waved at me. I replied with a down face, because I was old while Dan, like millennia ago, was young and manly.
“What happened, Dad?”
“I need you to talk to the Oracle and convey my request.” Dan tried, but I could see that he had handed Lin a small parchment.
“What is it?” I looked up to get a clue as to what the parchment suggested.
“Nothing, my love!” he lifted half of his body and smiled at Lin. “Go, child! It is urgent!”
Lin dived and disappeared.
My wrinkled face and the old age touching my back did not let me glimpse the beauty of Dan’s love that was beside me.
“What did you do? Did you deliver something to Lin?”
“A request.”
“Will I be immortal?”
“It doesn’t matter what I asked, Jade. We will just be together. Trust me.”
“I do.”
✽✽✽
Death came in slow steps, but it was bitter enough to beg for another chance.
Dan was sitting on my deathbed, touching my wrinkled right hand and kissing it.
“I know you have turned away from me because you feel bad for not being jovial.”
“I’m sorry! I was selfish, right? You have always loved me and I have denied you these last years, the affection you wanted to give me.”
“I understand you! Maybe I would have acted the same way. It is all right.” he touched my sick forehead.
The fever consumed my veins and tired my eyes.
“Let’s meet, Jade!”
“Yes, I know it. You will always be young and I will always grow old.”
He shut up and kissed my forehead.
“I promise I’ll love you no matter what.”
“Take care of Lin...” I sighed and coughed.
“She’ll take care of us!” he smiled, letting a tear fall from his right eye onto my nose.
“Love you, Jade!”
“I love you, Dan.”
My eyes closed and I felt his warm lips touching mine for the last time.
Chapter 21
Narrated by Lin.
I sat on the rocks of the shore with the diary on my knees and the silence was only broken by the waves of the sea.
There I wrote with tears in my eyes and longing touching my heart.
"Once upon a time... A Dragon, son of a demon, who was a spirit on Earth, lonely and suffering. The Dragon’s mother, a mermaid daughter of the Great Dragon of the Sea, fell in love with the demon and so Dan Lao, the White Dragon’s Lake, was born. This name was given to him because his mother, before she disappeared, created a kingdom to protect her son and a lake where he could swim in peace.
Dan Lao broke the rules, because love came into his life, and so all he wanted was to live that love.
Pain plagued his steps, and wandered with him until his last days.
Dan Lao, the immortal, asked his daughter to send a request, his last request. In it, Dan Lao’s trembling hand and sad heart, asked the Great Divine Oracle to accept his request: that he become mortal.
Dan, died seconds after Jade, his beloved, who had died in his arms, in the same bed, where
both had lived days of happiness and passion.
Lin, the human, dragon and mermaid daughter, wanders the world, searching for them, knowing that both will never know who she is."
I closed the diary and I sighed.
“Lin!” the young woman smiled at me and I replied, nodding back.
“Jade! Come on!” I teared up.
Jade was now eighteen years old and we went to the same school.
She would never understand what I knew about her life and the journey she and my father had lived.
I walked over to her, putting the diary in my backpack, and she complained:
“What do you write so much about?”
“A love story!”
“Really? What about?”
“A dragon and a human!”
“Do you believe in such things?”
“Yes, do you?”
“I don’t know! I have never seen one!” she laughed, and we walked on.
As we walked, Jade was talking about the exams, the books, but my thoughts were wandering about where and when she would meet my Dad.
“Oh! Sorry!” a boy with short blond hair bumped into Jade and she fell.
He quickly reached out to help her, and their eyes met. My heart jumped.
“It is okay!” she avoided his touch and I helped her up.
I looked at the boy, it was him, Dan Lao.
“What is your name?” I asked.
“Dan! I’m new in school.” he stammered, but his eyes locked on Jade’s and I couldn’t hide my satisfaction.
From that day on, Dan grew closer to Jade, and their hearts beat to the same rhythm, step by step.
I sat down and wrote the story you have just read now.
Maybe you do not believe that mermaids exist, that white dragons can swim, or that they just shoot fire from their nostrils and slap their paws on the ground. If you would, you use hanfu, and ask a shaman to scare away bad spirits from your home?
But someday, perhaps millennia from now, you will meet a dragon, camouflaged in his fashionable clothes and extravagance cars. You might also meet a mermaid, chewing gum and writing books.
