A total darkness in which there is no light, no sound, only silence. I couldn't even hear my own thoughts. But then I saw a speck of light, and in an instant the bright light enveloped me, followed by a warmth that ran through my body. Only a light cool breeze ran its hands over me, as if tickling me, and I felt a very soft loose ground - it was sand. When I opened my eyes, I saw that I was surrounded by nothing but sandy desert, and the wind was lifting the grains into the air, making them dance.
- Where am I?" I asked myself. - Where the hell had the old man put me? - It was pretty cold, since I was naked after my appearance. At least they gave me some clothes, it was no fun to be naked.
I started walking in an arbitrary direction. My feet were sinking into the sand, and it made it difficult to move. After a couple of hours, I was hungry and thirsty, but, to my delight, I saw a flickering light in the distance. I started walking toward it and the closer I got, the better I could see, and only now I realized that it was a fire, and there were people sitting around it. I was getting closer and closer, when suddenly I was spotted and a commotion broke out. Pretty quickly I was surrounded by people with swords and muttering something. The language was quite familiar to me, thanks to some of my power, and I realized that it was one of the ancient languages of China. So I was somewhere in the East.
- Stop! I am unarmed in every sense! - Raising my arms, I looked around, hoping I wouldn't get pinned down. All I heard in response was mumbling. I don't understand a damn thing!
- Who are you? And why are you naked? - Pointing his sword at me, one of the warriors began to ask questions. Oh, I think I understand them now, great.
- Here's the thing, I was attacked and taken everything I have. And left me to walk the sands. Who are you? - I hope they'll calm down. I can't tell them I fell out of the sky.
- I'm surprised you survived. Nomads don't usually leave you alive, but it's not like them to have stripped you. Do not stand, sit down by the fire, warm yourself," the warriors put away their swords and escorted me to the fire. As I sat down, I felt a welcome warmth. I was given clothes, water and some food.
- Thank you, you, but who are you good warriors? - One of the men poured himself a glass of water and looked at me.
- My name is Huang Tsen Hao, we are on our way to our capital, Xiangyang. There we will stand before the emperor to enter the ranks of his army and defend his land. - After listening to Huang, I realized that ancient China is indeed ancient. The problem is that in this fucking era, fucking dragons still ruled the land. That means it's better not to meet Tianlong, because that asshole remembers all the old grudges.
- Tomorrow at dawn we will continue our journey and should be in the capital by noon. After all, Huang Lun will guide us to protect the emperor! - Everyone was so enthusiastic and as if even now would give their lives for the emperor, just give them the order. Idiots! Huang Lun, if I am not mistaken, died in the Battle of the Bulge in defense of the Emperor, but if I remember he is a formidable warrior. Well, I should get some sleep, because tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Waking up, I and the warriors of Huan Moon, as they called themselves, set out for the capital. The hot sun spared no one, and the desert was unbearable from the hot sand that burned my feet. It was as if you were in a huge furnace, with not a crevice of cool, welcome air coming out of it. There was nothing to breathe. We would soon be in the capital city. And then I saw the very moment when the wall was being built. Oh yes, this is the future Great Wall.
Finally, at noon, we stepped onto the threshold of the palace of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. We walked through the palace, decorated with beautiful painted canvases, and the walls themselves made of gold and marble. Such a palace everyone would want. It was a beauty. Before the emperor, the soldiers folded their hands in greeting, namely fist to palm, and then knelt before his majesty. The emperor sat proudly on the throne, his face radiating power, confidence, and total power over them. The heavy gaze seemed to overwhelm everyone. Huan introduced himself to the emperor. It turns out that they were chosen and trained to guard the emperor, to be his personal warriors and bodyguards. That's right, I remembered, they would become legends in their time. Marked by the dragon Huan Lun.
As the emperor spoke, a beautiful girl appeared beside him, who turned her gaze to me and never stopped staring for a moment. Her face was familiar to me, but from where? She whispered something in the emperor's ear and he was silent, the silence enveloped the whole palace, but then he turned his eyes to me.
- Who are you, stranger? You're not from here, and you're certainly not a dragon warrior," they all stared at me. - He is a wanderer we rescued from the nomads, he was unarmed and poses no threat, Lord Shihuang. - Huang tried to defend me, but the emperor wouldn't listen.- Lift up your head and introduce yourself! - Oh, nerd, I think the girl has whistled something to him already. I lifted my head and looked up at the Emperor, a heavy look indeed.
- My name is Ka... Kai. I was once a wandering warrior, but fate was not favorable to me and so by the will of the gods I was rescued by Huan Tseng Hao. And stood before your majesty Shihoun. - Better Cai, for a real name would not do for these parts. Obviously they would kill him.
The Emperor frowned and laid his head on his hand. - Or perhaps you are a messenger of Chilun? And you want to destroy the palace of the dragon to bring destruction and enter the palace under heaven? - I was shocked. What a statement! I looked at the girl and in her eyes I saw the boundless waters of Inlun. Oh, you scum! She felt my aura and knew I was a demon. And during this period, the dragon warfare and the battle for the Celestial Empire should begin.
- You're wrong... - Before I could finish my sentence, the guards surrounded me.
- Enough, kill the servant of Chilun! - In a commanding voice, the emperor gave the order to his soldiers, whose eyes read fear in front of me. Oh, I hope it works...
- Et Cain. Immortalis principis! Obsecro potestate tenebrarum! Ambula coram me, et ostendet mihi viam,*" Reading the incantation, time froze around me, and a pentagram and bright light appeared below me. At that moment, the warriors swung their weapons and froze in fear of the dark energy. My eyes glowed bright red. I hadn't felt that in a long time.
After I finished concentrating, black flames engulfed me, and I disappeared from the palace in those flames. Only the screams and fear in their hearts could be heard. The emperor was furious and sent his best warriors to find me. And the girl, whose face showed displeasure and hatred, disappeared.
In the mountains, not far from the capital, a portal opened, a flash of black flame. And there I was. But here's the trouble, I collapsed like a piece of rock. A heaviness throughout my body pressed me to the ground. It looked like I didn't have all my strength back yet, and jumping like that was, for now, too steep and dangerous for me. But their fear fueled me, because they were shitting themselves.
While I was lying on a boulder, staring at the sun, I felt a dark aura, which was rapidly approaching, but I could not move, even my head hurt to move, so I continued to lie down.
- I must be losing my mind if I see the presence of the CHI prince here," a heavy and nasty voice sounded in my ears, and my breath reeked. When I lifted my head a little, I saw a dragon as black as tar, with flames of black aura coiling around it. Oh, I'm sorry, I can't smell anything coming out of its mouth. Qi? Oh, yeah, they call that Chi. Chilun didn't recognize me? Just the aura. That's interesting.
- Please turn your mouth away from me. It stinks. I'm laying out in the sun, you see. And you've ruined all my fun. And what will you be, snake? - Oh, I'm going to bark him up. Chilun began to boil, his eyes already tearing me to shreds.
- I'M CHILUN! A mighty dragon of darkness! And if it weren't for your royal Qi, I'd tear you into little pieces! - And he's mad as hell.
- Okay, relax," my strength was starting to come back to me, and I looked nonchalant, sitting up comfortably on the rock so I could look at Chilun more easily.
- I'm Cain, and I see you're the famous Chilun. Cool. What do you want from me? And, please, take human form. - The dragon frowned and changed in a moment, becoming a tall black-haired guy with bright purple eyes.
- Cain? I thought I knew all the royalty. I felt a surge of Qi in the city of mortals, and here I found you. If I felt it, then so did my other brothers. Why are you here Cain? - Chilun was watching me intently. And I realized that the old man erased me from the chronicles, that I am as if I do not exist, which means I do not know, but feel my strength. That's a good thing.
I got up and walked to the cliff, which gave me a view of the place where the Great Wall was being built. I used to be cooped up in my father's kingdom. I was a prince, preparing an army to take over this world. And now I'm here. I may not have all my power yet, but it's temporary, which means I can change history. Old man, I don't know what you're up to, but the throne will definitely be mine!
- Hey, Chilun. You're starting to gain supporters, aren't you?
- Yes, my power is beginning to grow. And more and more servants," the dragon replied, proudly raising his head and looking at me with contempt and respect at the same time.
- Great. I propose that you create a cult where I help you break through to the underworld and take the throne of the dragon. What do you think, my scaly friend? - Chilun was puzzled, but clearly interested.
- Well, brother Kain, I agree. I have long wanted to subjugate my brothers and all mortals. But every Great Power has a name, doesn't it?
- That's right, Chi, that's right... - I spread my arms out to my sides as if to wrap my arms around everything in front of my eyes.
- The name of this power would be the Hand of Kain. May the unfaithful obey our will! - Oh yes, it sounded pathetic. I turned to Chilun. - Well, it's time for us to choose a place for our cult and restore our former glory!
- I'll show you," Chilun hummed, turning back into his dragon form.
- Then let's go! - I pictured myself sitting on a throne with a crown on my head, people kneeling before me, and beautiful girls sighing on all sides of the throne, just longing to be in my bed.
Chilun used his power, enveloping me with his aura, and we disappeared from the mountain.
* I am Kain. The Immortal Prince! I call upon the power of darkness! Obey me and show me the way!