'The forest of lost souls' is well known throughout Zoulta as the most dangerous within the lands. For years, the children of Zoulta have been told stories of how large and magical man-eating animals lurked within its lands at night. However, by day its woodlands are breathtakingly beautiful, and villagers would use its lands by day to travel, but there was one ultimate rule and that was never to pick the fruits that grew from the tree that sits in the middle of the "Yulyeong Gang" (ghost river). It has been said that vengeful souls of past omegas lurked within its waters and uses the tree in its centre to lures lost travellers at night, who when eats it fruits, turns mad within days screaming in fear of the monsters and voices that hunt them in their dreams. Then one night they would just disappear never to be seen again with no trace of where they could have gone. Some villagers have told stories of seeing a large monstrous creature coming at night and swallowing these victims whole, as punishment for going against the frost rules.
Very few have dared to enter the frost at night, but within its darkness with only the moonlit skies to guide them, the figure of a person dressed in a long black hooded cloak walked silently along its path, with a small object wrapped tightly within their arms.
In the quiet of the darkness, only the sound of the ice-cold wind could be heard dancing against the tree leaves and their soft footsteps that treaded lightly against the wet ground. Suddenly a small cry could be heard coming from the arms of this wondering figure, the soft cries of an infant echo like a sweet lullaby, awaking the stillness of the frost.
The figure halted, rocking softly the crying infant they held in their arms, whilst gazing around warily at the darkness. Once they had confirmed it was safe to journey on, they quickly continued their way, until they had arrived at "Yulyeong Gang".
In the middle of the river stood a glowing tree that shined a soft shimmer of gold its fruits ripe and temping and the river beneath it shined just as luminously, lighting up the surrounding area. The figure stood motionless at the scene, still gently rocking the tiny infants, whose face can now be seen peering out innocently from the blankets that wrapped around it so snugly.
Taking a single step back the figure trembled as they knelt slowly, gently placing the infant to the ground, then with shaking hands they stroked the icy white cheeks of the infant who laid defenceless before them.
Without a word, the figure stood from which they had knelt and in one deep breath turned and walked away, leaving the infant behind.
Not willing to look back, the figure walked quickly from the scene holding their hands firmly against their mouth, as soft whimpering's escaped. Once they were some distance away, they stopped feet frozen to the ground as their falling hands trembled to their side, in the distance echoes of the infant could still be heard. Beating a clenched fist against their chest, they suddenly turned around, intending to go back in the direction they had travelled. However, a loud roar could be heard and the lullaby that echoed so sweetly could no longer be heard.
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"Gang…...Li …Hung…...Gan…g…...Li" a soft voice called out.
Startled awake, prince Gang Li Hung rubs his forehead, again he was awakened by that strange dream ever since he was a child. However, this was the first time in a long time had it occurred.
His mother had brought him to the palace's visioners, who foretold that the child in the vision was of great importance to the prince and what he most seeks. But how could it be so when in his dream the child was killed by the monsters of the forest.
Li Hung arose from his bed, throwing on his princely garments, he decided to go for one of his nightly midnight strolls around the palace, whenever he would have such dreams, he wasn't able to return to sleep regardless.
Night at the Chen Xing palace was especially peaceful, its gold and white interior and exterior gave the palace an elegant and glamorous finish.
Li Hung made sure to the secret passage to avoid crossing paths with any of the palace workers. Making his way down a narrow hall, he finally reached a secluded and quiet little room way below the palace grounds. The room was spacious and clearly unkempt with very little light that flicker from the candles burning, there were also many books stacked covering each corner of the room on the floors and tabletops.
"Unable to sleep again, your majesty?" a deep voice echoed in his head, but no sound was heard within the room itself.
Suddenly out of the shadows appeared the figure of a large silver-back wolf with piercing black eyes, its height so great he towered over Li Hung. Over its eye was a hideous scare that made it appear monstrous and threatening
Unfazed by this large creature before him, Li Hung continued to take a seat at a nearby table. The wolf with its shimmering coat stood still, its eyes fixed on Li Hung, his demeanour calm and unmoving. //transform back\\ Li Hung signed with his hands, addressing the wolf. With a light bow the wolf began to transform its body into the shape of a man, until finally the figure of a well-built, and tall male with long silver hair and a scare across his eye, stood before the prince, the male looked to be in his late forties with very mature and manly features.
"It's been a while since we've made council your majesty, has something happen", the deep voice that echoed in Li Hung's head earlier was now resonating around the large room.
Li Hung paused //…. No… I was just restless and needed a stroll…\\ he replied, picking up a book and flipping through its pages.
"It's a bit late at night to be taking a stroll, are you sure you didn't have a bad dream?" he asked as he reached for the teapot that was on the table, touching its body to feel if it was still warm, but his eyes were always focused on Li Hung.
//am not a young boy any more, I don't have …bad dreams\\ Li Hung refuted his words, signing so furiously that his actions were too overdone not to laugh.
"Haha…. Yes, that's right…the young prince is no longer a boy, but the man before me still refuses to lay with his wife" a slight smirk rose upon his lips, to make his already threatening appearance more frighting.
Li Hung frowned, //is that meant to be a smile? …. May I ask you never to do that again, it will scare little children// He said seriously, taking a cup to his lips and ignoring the unfiltered trashing that came right after his words.
The male before him and the one who wasn't afraid to speak his mind without fear, was his previous Royal Guard, Ronald Wayling, an alpha with the fundamental birth ability to control the animals of the earth. Was assigned to the young prince from birth, and was known as a great warrior, he came from a prestigious family and even before the scare on his face was a cold and diligent solider, his exceptional birth ability caught the eye of the emperor who then entrusted him with the care of the prince. After some time, he was also told of the well-kept secret that the prince was mute. As time passed, Ronald took pity on the prince who had to write what he felt each time, an idea occurred to him. One day he came before Prince Gang Li Hung and without using any words he began using his hands and making various gestures, at first Li Hung thought he had gone barking mad and thought his new guard was making a mockery of his condition. After their misunderstanding and before Li Hung had him beheaded, Ronald explained to the prince what he was doing was something he called sign language, he had seen a similar behaviour carried out by deaf children within the villages and kingdoms.
After his apprehension, the young Gang Li Hung allowed Ronald to secretly teach him this so-called sign language, with Li Hung even at times adding to its vocabulary and making changes where he felt it suited him better. The new change was of great welcome by the emperor and the empress who themselves requested they also be taught this new style of speaking, the emperor who was also mute by generation was especially grateful that he could now speak to his wife without a piece of paper and pen at hand.
The bond between Gang Li Hung and Ronald grew, and he became more like a close family member than a personal guard to Li Hung.
However, during the war, Ronald being the strongest in his ability was drafted to the battlefield, it was during this time that he sustained the horrid scare on his face. After that to maintain the pristine image of the palace Ronald was removed from his post, to make matters worse his dismissal caused great shame to his family and no respectable woman wanted to marry a man who looked so frightening.
Having nowhere to turn, his helping hand came in the form of the young prince who refused to have Ronald dismissed out of his life, hence when he found the wondering Ronald he brought him back to his most treasured hiding place.