Shield of Light

Jing Lung narrowed his eyes, then without any expected movement, the boy swung his sword in the air, about to slash at the Folix. The Folix jumped in unison, trying to escape, but not so fast. Because with a sharp thrust into the air, Jing Lung emitted a bright light then the light exploded enclosing them all in a shield of light. Make them all like they are inside a transparent shield bubble.

"Ah, I forgot to say, didn't I?" The Folix turned to Jing Lung who was staring intently. "Your light shield looks like it needs to be upgraded again. Because we can easily penetrate it."

Folix who was at the very edge of the shield took out something from inside his cloak. Before he could touch the boundary of the transparent shield, Han Zhong immediately jumped into the assembly, then pushed the Folix to the ground. The five Folix fell to the ground. Shocked by the arrival of Han Zhong and his Dragon Spear Eyes.

"Son of Trixon," muttered the Folix when he saw Han Zhong standing in their midst.

"Give me the baby back."

"You have no idea who you're dealing with, young man." The other Folix suddenly threw a magenta-colored stone from his cloak pocket at the shield. The shield crippled, shattered and melted like water. Jing Lung and the Flinches jumped up reflexively, stopping the movement of Folix who had the speed of an owl. But before they all ran away, with his spear, Han Zhong managed to pin the cloak of one of the Folix.

"Don't try to fight back, Folix," growled Han Zhong. Then Han Zhong's Dragon Spear swung upwards, directly piercing Folix's heart behind the rib cage of his chest. Making the creature strewn on the ground, lifeless.

Han Zhong immediately caught up with Folix and Flinch who were fighting in the forest. He used his dragon eyes, then found the baby in Folix's arms, which Flinch was still chasing. But when he went around, observing one by one the dead and living Folix, without realizing it, he found a bright light from the robe of one of the dead Folix.

Han Zhong's heart immediately stopped. He looked into the forest, then he quickly approached the Folix.

From within his robes, Han Zhong opened the pockets of the robe and found the Bible of Darkness lying there. Han Zhong hastily grabbed the book, and stuffed it into his silver robe. Back chasing Folix who is getting deeper into the forest with Jing Lung.

"Jing Lung! Take it from the left side!" shouted Han Zhong jumping from branch to branch. Folix's movement shot like a shadow. But just as Han Zhong predicted Folix's final move, he immediately drew his spear just as Jing Lung jumped at the same point. The Folix shattered like smoke. The baby in his arms was thrown, almost falling to the ground. But with his nimble movements, Jing Lung immediately caught the baby.

In the last second, Han Zhong sighed. He got down from the branch and approached Jing Lung who was now holding the baby. It was hard to believe that Han Zhong had finally seen the baby who was crying yesterday up close. But this is the baby who is said to be descended from Darkness.

She is very sweet and peaceful.

"We have to take her to the palace," said Jing Lung, slightly breathless.

"No," argued Han Zhong, "we have to return him to the village. And the most important thing now is, your shield of light. Folix was right. They have the anti-light—and that's why they were able to steal this bible."

Jing Lung's eyes narrowed. "You are crazy? Earlier you told me to believe that this baby is the daughter of the God of the Dark. We have to secure it and in the meantime, you're telling me to return it to the house? To the settlement? What if this baby is kidnapped again?"

Han Zhong insisted with his calm expression. "We have to repair your light shield. If your shield manages to contain their energy, then I guarantee you, this child will grow up like any normal human."

The baby squirmed as if awakened from the spell the Folix had cast.

"Then, if my shield still manages to break through, what do you do? Ten more years of the dark war. Can you beat her if this baby becomes your opponent?"

Han Zhong lowered his Dragon Spear, shaping the spear back to its venerable side.

"I will watch over this child's growth."

"Oh," Jing Lung almost laughed, "you're going to be his guard now? Wow, my, look how heroic you are. Okay. Whatever you say, Han Zhong. I don't care. Dark war or whatever, let you and Grandpa Trixon take care of it."

Jing Lung walked away, passing Han Zhong who was silent in the middle of the forest alone. The sun peeked shyly from the leaf petals of the trees above him. Over the shoulder, the baby in Jing Lung's arms was staring at him.

Not crying.

*

"He's back."

"Wow, look at the baby that the soothsayer said brought havoc returned by the Dragon Lord."

"Seriously? Isn't that Lord Dragon now trying to save calamity from this village?"

"Oh my, how could that baby come back here."

The whispers filled the terrace of the Khun family's house as Han Zhong and Jing Lung returned to the settlement. Jing Lung immediately returned to the castle and left the rest to Han Zhong. The man who had helped him earlier was moved to tears because finally the family and the newborn were safe. Even though Han Zhong didn't really understand why some people were whispering like that, Han Zhong didn't want to think about the God of the Dark just yet.

"Lord Dragon, I—I know this is going to be a burden to you but—my baby must have seen so many of those hideous Folixes. I don't want my daughter's first life to remember seeing the Abyss from the Darkness. Do you mind if I ask you one request?"

Han Zhong, who was surrounded by several people, smiled gently. "Whatever it is, as long as it can help you recover."

Humans rarely encountered other creatures—especially the Abyss. In their imagination, the Abyss was the ugliest creature the Gods had ever created.

"Are you willing to erase my daughter's memory—of what just happened?"

Several people whispered in unison in amazement while Han Zhong was silent for a while in his place.

"Deleting events—"

"I don't know if my daughter can remember Folix's figure but the magical things going on around her, I hope, she never sees that."

"So what if something magical happens around it?"

The mother's face was gloomy and full of guilt. While holding the baby who was sleeping peacefully, Han Zhong felt his heart hurt.

"Magic for my family is something dangerous. Of course, except for you and the entire Castle of Light. But… It's about my daughter. He's still a baby and I'm afraid the memory just triggers badness in her later life."

Han Zhong's life as the Dragon's only child was indeed different from his normal human life. They don't have any power. It is natural for those who do not master it to feel afraid and threatened. But… Why did Han Zhong feel hurt when he sounded like he wanted… to be forgotten?

Will the baby never remember the figures of Han Zhong and the Flinches who saved her? Will that baby—later on, never understand the world that revolves around it?

But Han Zhong could do nothing but make the humans feel at ease. So with all his confidence, he helped the family. Erased the memories of the events just now from the baby's mind and returned to the castle. With the hope that he would never return to the human settlement again.

Because after all, he and other humans are far different.

The dragon cub is the strongest, and the humans are the weakest.

***