ROAR OF THE JADE DRAGON

DRAGON HEART

"You may dismount and present yourselves to his highness Xuanwu," Wang Feng announced addressing the celestial nobles in a calm and respectful tone.

Wang Yi and Li Keng climbing down from Wang Feng's back and onto the ground stood in front of Wang Feng. their hangs still holding the hilts of their swords.

"Welcome," the voice from the massive ruby warmly greeted. Please Joease put away your swords. They will not be necessary," the voic from the massive ruby calmly urged. Pulsating with light of varying strengths with every word.

'You are in a mountain surrounded by dragons...said the voice from the radiating ruby.

"What new trick is this!?" Li Keng cut in sharply.

"Li Keng!" Wang Yi rebuked his colleague.

"It's ok", the ruby said to Wang Yi warmly pulsating with light.

Then turning to Li Keng, "it is no trick, you are safe here."

"The assurance of a dragon!" Li Keng snarled.

"No the desire for peace," replied the voice from the massive ruby.

"Why now?" asked Wang Yi suspiciously.

"This life, is much to waste on a conflict without an end in sight," replied the voice from the ruby .

"You now realise that because you are losing the war and want a respite," Li Keng. charged sharply.

"It is true that an end to the war is needed, but not just for us dragons but for you as well," calmly replied the voice.

"Speak for yourself dragon," charged Li Keng.

"Do not get me wrong," the voice from the massive ruby proceeded. We can fight on another thousand more years. But to what end." The voice from the massive ruby paused briefly before proceeding. Constant fighting without pause drains our collective energy."

"Oh I understand, you want to talk peace because you want a pause," said Li Keng accusingly.

"Not a pause, an end to the war," calmly corrected the voice from the ruby. Maybe it is that we have lost sight of what we are fighting. Or why we even began fighting. Yet the resource expenditure is enormous."

"True," agreed Wang Yi warming to the subject.

"It is agreed then that it is pointless to carry on with a fight which serves no purpose," declared the voice.

Maybe we do not all see things in that light. Maybe it is that we are on the brink of winning the war. It could be that a thousand more years of fighting is a small sacrifice to secure final victory.

"Brave words," said the voice, "But we are aware of the charred state the celestial realm lies in. Countless attacks by our fire breathing warriors have nearly reduced it to a burnt out shell of its former self. We are therefore proposing a peace between the realms. Hence we have invited you here with an open hand."

"Though it would appear you have us at a disadvantage," said Li Keng. "Your warriors surround the mountain."

"Only a couple of sentries guard the entrance. The rest are going about their individual affairs," calmly replied the voice.

"Is that so?" Li Keng challenged the assertion.

"Did anyone challenge or display hostiliy towards you?" The voice asked innocently.

"What guarantee do we have of our continued safety?" Li Keng shot back.,

"You stand before Xuanwu, the dragon heart. All the power of this dragon realm is resides in me. You stand before me armed with swords in your hands. In order for us to meet on a level field, I am equally exposed to you," said the voice.

"Is that so?" said Li Keng, his eyes lighting up. Tightening his grip on his sword.

"Li Keng no!" Wang Yi sharply reproached him, seeing the expression on Li Keng's face.

Li Keng lunged forward and stuck the blade of his sword into the centre of the massive ruby. There was a massive explosion and the ruby cracked like an egg shell Sparks flew from the blade and energy flowed over the sword bathing Li Keng in a brilliant aura. The radiance from the massive ruby began to dim.

"Yes! yes! it's working. I can feel the power of the red dragon flowing into me!! Li Keng cried out excitedly.

"Aaaah!!" cried out the voice in distress.

"What have you done Li Keng!" Wang Yi shouted running forward and trying to break Li Keng free by pushing him away. But he only got flung away by the energy flowing into Li Keng.

"Quick cut him free with your sword!" called out the voice. "The energy flow is too strong for him to absorb alone. It will kill him. You must strike him with your sword, now! It is the only way to save his life," the voice cried out desperately.

There was something in the desperation of the voice that told Wang Yi, that he could trust it. At the same time he could previously never have imagined raising his sword against his long time ally. They had fought many battles together during the thousand years war. They had saved each others' lives over on numerous occasions during the conflict. He knew what the voice was telling him was right. At the same time he knew how it would appear to anyone else who was not in his position at that very moment. It would seem like treachery. As he had sided with the dragons and betrayed his long time friend.

At the same time he could not afford to miss this opportunity for peace that fate had provided. He knew how desperately the celestial realm needed a respite from war, in order to be able recover. If he did not act, if he let the opportunity slip through his fingers. He knew, not just him but the entire celestial realm would live to regret the moment. He knew that could be no greater opportunity to achieve the peace that two realms desperately needed.

In the face of the options weighing heavily on him, the lines between right and wrong were fast becoming blurred. Lying on the ground where he had been flung, Wang Yi quietly contemplated that maybe there was no right or wrong. That maybe there was only what needed to be done for the greater good. Regardless of the price.