The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

"Lead the way to Anjing pavilion, Ming 'er. Don't ask yet, I'll tell you when we get there," said Madame Lei. Both of them ran this time.

About what happened earlier, Madame Lei had him carried her because she knew the enemies lurked somewhere in the estate. With Lei Ming's power of wind, she assumed they would reach the pavilion faster and set up a trap for the enemies. But she didn't expect the enemies void of power could run at the same pace as Ming. This was a piece of new information for her. Anyway, they eliminated that obstacle now, she hoped.

They made it inside Anjing in no time. Madame Lei looked at the run-down place and shook her head when she stepped on those broken tiles inside. Dusk had settled but the full moon gave them the light through the roof holes, so moving inside was not a problem. She moved her head, glancing around, searching for something, and there… on the wall, an old dusty painting of a lady with blue hair hung.

"I grew up with my grandmother telling me of tales in the past about beings with powers," Madame Lei said, reminiscing her grandmother telling her stories.

Lei Ming leaned against the doorpost, frowning. "You've been telling us those stories, Ma. Powerful men, but some ruled and used it for evil while others ruled with a good heart. Then people starting to hate these powerful people and blah, blah, blah… This is not what I want to hear, Ma," he said as he spread his hands wide.

"Yes, I did but only the things I want you to know. There's more to it and this city you're governing is part of this secret." She waited for him to speak or ask but he was silent, so she continued. "Our world, Chiji, is where hidden powers lie but these are all myths in people's minds now. But the truth is… that power truly exists. And the core of this power is in this city. That's why the king called it Fengfu, abundant.

Years ago, of which I don't know when since I was not born yet, the powerful Chiangdas were worshiped, but a lot of them abused their powers and caused imbalance and chaos to our world.

Hence, victims of abuse worked with those who scorned these Chiangda, and they formed a group called Cleansing Fire. They spread the rumors that the Chiangda were minions of evil who r.a.p.ed their daughters and sacrificed them to the demons who possessed them and gave them powers. From then on, people stop worshiping and offering gifts to the Chiangda.

The worst, the Cleansing Fire's people discovered a way to suppress the powers by using a rosy red crystal also mined here a long time ago. This was one source of income of this city as people began hunting Chiangdas. Shameful. Good thing the mines were shut down later but don't ask me why, because I don't know. This group attacked these powerful human beings and their people but most of the attackers died. But they believed it was worth their sacrifice.

These beings vanished gradually but actually, a lot of them are in hiding, like you Ming and your wife Xinyi.

I do believe that organization might have started with a good cause but if powers can be abused, more so to an organization where a lot of people are in play. It's been years now that a lot of people suspect that there is someone or something or another group is behind that organization and using it for a different motive. But as of now… no one has proof, so they remained speculations."

Lei Ming's eyes narrowed with his hands folded on his chest as he listened. "Wow, what a tragic story but to know this city holds so much importance to our nation and I'm the Governor now is quite overwhelming? But how do you know all of these, Ma?"

Madame Lei opened a palm at him while her eyes were fixed on the painting. "Wait, I'm not done yet." She touched the painting like she felt a connection to the woman in the painting. "Son, this woman here was a powerful Sorceress. She was very powerful and the organization was almost wiped out because of her. But she couldn't stop them all by herself and died fighting against the organization…"

"What? Alone? Where were the other Chiangda and why were they not helping each other to fight the organization?"