IN LOVE WITH A MERMAID

CHAPTER 3: HE ENTERED AN UNFAMILIAR SITUATION

CHAPTER 3: HE ENTERED AN UNFAMILIAR SITUATION.

Xiang's life takes a shocking turn when he finds himself in the other realms, under the prophecy that he is the chosen one capable of redeeming their sins. He saw an image of himself, more like his past life, troubled and really bothered nothing makes sense to him and it seems his life and destiny is still gloomy in his eyes.

How will you feel as a well known human and your destiny, is you to be in love with a mermaid. Xiang was confused, the mirror that displayed his entire life and future is a magical mirror from the realms of the spirit and only the chosen one can see the image of the mirror but it's meaningless to him but he thanked the heavens from escaping from the evil plottings of Chu-hua his adopted mother, hadn't been the soldiers she instructed to kill him were able to, darkness, death, disease and disaster will loom all over the provinces of japan and china, but the god's and spirits of his parents are always with him.

After seeing his own future and destiny with his fragile and naked eyes he walked around the other realms he was in, inquisitive and curious about what next will happen, he asked himself whether he will be able to escape the prison he found himself in or maybe that's the end of his life. Xiang has been hovering around where he was for almost an hour there was a barrier where he was and anytime he tries to go in another direction he always finds himself in the same direction he was in previously. The barrier was really strong and he couldn't get into it, he was really hungry that moment, but how will he eat when he hasn't found a way to leave the place he was.

King Taylor was the western ruler of the Zingogin Kingdom and their kingdom is a spirit world covered with a barrier so as to prevent invaders from entering their kingdom and that's the reason why Xiang finds it difficult to pass through the barrier. Tornadoes, lightning and big walls were surrounding the whole place, but as the saviour of Zingogin Kingdom a spirit guide came from nowhere, whispered into his ears and told him what to do. It was a little fairy whose wings were really glowing and beautiful it's sparkling bright and so warm.

The fairy told him to recite a particular incantations to make the barrier to be opened for a while. The Incantation was really hard for him to get instantly he stammered and made lot of mistakes before he was able to get the right tone for it.

"Here comes the Coastland of the west, drizzling breeze from the south, open up! open up! Let me come in".

That's the Incantation in opening the barrier to Zingogin Kingdom, Xiang was really lucky to be helped by the spirit of Zingogin Kingdom, a high sentimental light was everywhere immediately the barrier opened, things he didn't see in Kyoto city, Manchuria the provinces of Japan he was able to see more of it in the new kingdom he found himself in. He explored throughout the city, the food they eat was different from Kyoto city, their dressing, their lifestyle and the way they talk is nothing compared to the place he found his adopted parents. People start staring at him, they stare at him menacingly it brings chills to Xiang and it triggers fear and discomfort immediately to him.

Anytime a stranger steps into Zingogin the soldiers, marketers and civilians will always spot a difference between their people and a mere outsider. How are they able to get both the similarities and differences of their people or a mere outsider? their mode of greeting Zingogin Kingdom people tends to greet formally and sometimes in a direct way and their mode of dressing is quite exquisite and unique than the Chinese, Zingogin Kingdom people are more composed in their ways of reasoning, words construction and energy reservation. While Kyoto City people particularly the Japanese, are not composed in their ways of speaking and their dressing is slightly exquisite.

A soldier came from nowhere and questioned him what he was doing in a place like this, in the cool of the day, he didn't know what to say, the soldiers was really suspicious of him he called his other mates and they searched him thoroughly, after the search was done, they noticed he wasn't from their territory they saw the necklace Captain Luchi gave him, before he died, it was made in Japan and that's one of the reason that worsen his case and he was transferred to the city prison instantly.

The Chinese and Japanese have been sworn enemies right from the scratch anytime a Chinese set their foot on a Japanese terrority they have declared war automatically, they hate themselves sometimes without any reason and cause. Chinese people had better developmental capacity than Japan that's one of the reasons they hate eachother.

Xiang was imprisoned and the Captain of the prison guard told him his case will be seriously dealt with, they will make him suffer till he died, and he will be killed brutally in the prison even before he faced his trials.

"Who gave you the audacity to set your feet on the land your forefathers can't dare to come to? "or who gave the courage that if you come here you will leave here alive".

"The prison guard said!"

"I dare not come here myself, if my pet can't dare to come here. I was ordered to be killed by my late captain wife her name is Chu-hua she ordered her troops of soldiers to kill me due to me being an illegitimate child of theirs.

I always wanted to survive, I always wanted to not suffer, I always prayed not to be alone, though Captain Luchi the late husband of Chu-hua showered me with his love and made me realise how special I was to him.

But after his death the story was different she changed drastically to me and this is when my life starts to become more bitter, after her evil plottings towards me, my adopted father had already prepared a secret passage for me Incase any unfathomable situation arises. Immediately I entered into the secret passage I found myself in this kingdom with her evil mindset she beheaded all the soldiers she instructed to kill me. she's really evil, she's a monster but please save me I don't have anything to do with this. I'm innocent and I don't really know a world like this exists.

"Save your story for some other time just know once your case reaches the king of this kingdom you will face all the judges of this province and your life will be full of doom till you suffer and die."

"Please save my life, I have been living a pathetic life from the beginning ever since the deaths of my parents Nothing has been coming in place for me since then. Though I was really naive and little when my parents were killed in front of me but the pain is still within me and anytime I remember this pathetic scene I always feel palpitations within my soul".

"Nobody will save you, you this unclean being enjoy prison for the rest of your life, just know no one here will notice your existence except if the king will consider you being one of his slaves in his own domain".

"The prison guide said and left his place".

Xiang couldn't understand the situation, leaving him confused and sad though his destiny was being displayed to him when he entered the other realms and the barriers that held him down when he was close to Zingogin Kingdom.

"The picture isn't clear and where will my end lead to?" He asked himself!

My dream is to be a selfless human being who had an upright goal and objectives in life, who isn't controlled by any organisations or a particular kingdom but all what I dreamt of is nothing compared to what I'm facing now.

"My life is full of a mess and I pray my end won't be a bitter one.

All the prisoners close to his prison called him certain names, an illegitimate human being, a jerk and bad luck. They made jest of him and told him he won't survive in there, because of the treatments and punishments they do give outsiders or someone who doesn't belong to their kingdom. There are various kinds of death for an outsider in their kingdom; death by hanging, snake bite, beheading of them and poisoning them completely..

"How will human being be so inhumane, how will they behead someone of their kind, poison them through snake bite and the likes, this kingdom is too cruel, Zingogin Kingdom is not for outsiders and for non bonafide people".

Before he finished soliloquizing the prison guard came in with full forces to punish the non members of their kingdom the strong grip they used to withheld Xiang made one of his ribs to cracked and it induced a serious pain to his chest, baton, spears and swords were used to discipline the disobedient ones amongst the prisoners that don't want to receive their punishments so they struggled to escape from the scene but with the troops of about one hundred soldiers is not possible for them to do so.

They killed the disobedient ones amongst them, the sound of guns thudded the atmosphere immediately they are shot with it...

"Please spare us we didn't do anything wrong why are you cruel and wicked to us?" one of the prisoners beside me asked.

"No one is cruel to you, you have no value and your existence doesn't matter in this territory you found yourself just pray to the heavens to accept you to their abode, that's the only remedy to your problems and situations you're going through.

Zingogin Kingdom, nestled deep within the heart of a lush, sprawling land, held tightly to its archaic traditions, one of which involved the use of prisoners for various purposes. Among these, the most revered spectacle was the arena, where prisoners were pitted against wild beasts in battles of survival, entertainment for the masses who thronged to witness the spectacle.

Among these prisoners was Xiang, a man marked by the number 10, signifying his status as one of the more skilled and valuable assets in the eyes of his captors. Yet, within the confines of the arena, such distinctions held little meaning, for all who entered faced the same harrowing fate: the relentless jaws of the beasts that roamed the sands.

As Xiang stepped into the arena, the roar of the crowd washed over him like a tidal wave, a cacophony of cheers and jeers that mingled with the primal snarls of the beasts waiting in the shadows. He stood tall, his gaze unwavering, as he surveyed the vast expanse of the arena before him, his heart pounding in his chest like a war drum.

Across from him, caged within the depths of the arena, lay his adversary: a majestic lion, its golden mane bristling with fury, its eyes ablaze with the hunger of a predator poised to strike. Xiang knew the odds were stacked against him, he knew that the beast before him possessed the strength and ferocity of a thousand men. Yet still, he refused to yield to the fear that threatened to consume him, refused to succumb to the despair that whispered of defeat.

With a mighty roar, the gates of the arena were flung open, and Xiang charged forward, his muscles rippling with the power of a man possessed. The lion met him head-on, its claws slashing through the air like daggers, its jaws snapping shut like a steel trap. But Xiang was no ordinary man; he was a warrior forged in the crucible of adversity, a survivor hardened by the trials of life.

With lightning speed, he dodged the lion's attacks, his movements fluid and graceful, a testament to the years of training that had honed his skills to perfection. And with each blow he struck, he felt a surge of exhilaration course through his veins, a primal rush that drowned out the roar of the crowd and silenced the doubts that had plagued his mind.

For hours they battled, man and beast locked in a deadly dance of death, their fates intertwined by the cruel hand of fate. And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the bloodstained sands of the arena, Xiang emerged victorious, his body battered and bruised, his spirit unbroken.

But even as he stood triumphant amidst the cheers of the crowd, a sense of emptiness gnawed at his soul, a hollow ache that no amount of glory or adulation could fill. For in the end, he was still nothing more than a prisoner, a pawn in the games of power and politics that governed the Kingdom that was his murdered parents home.

He could sense a shift in the air, a tension that hung heavy like a storm cloud on the horizon. The prison guards, their faces twisted in scowls of displeasure, watched him with wary eyes, their hands clenched around the hilts of their swords as if ready to strike at a moment's notice.

But amidst the jubilation of the masses, Xiang felt a strange sensation wash over him, a tingling warmth that suffused his body like liquid fire. It started in his chest, a glowing ember that spread outward, igniting every fiber of his being with a newfound energy, a newfound power.

And then, as if by some divine intervention, he felt it: the spirit of the cheetah, coursing through his veins like a torrential river, infusing him with the strength and speed of the fastest creature in the animal kingdom. With each heartbeat, he could feel its presence grow stronger, its essence merging with his own in a symbiotic dance of primal energy.

But even as he reveled in his newfound abilities, a sense of foreboding gnawed at the edges of his consciousness, a whisper of doubt that refused to be silenced. For he knew that the guards would not take kindly to his display of power, and knew that they would stop at nothing to maintain their iron grip on the kingdom and its people.

And so, as the gates of the arena creaked open once more, Xiang braced himself for the inevitable confrontation that lay ahead, his muscles tensed like coiled springs, his senses alert for any sign of danger. And it was not long before his fears were realized, as five massive grizzly bears lumbered into the arena, their fur matted with blood and dirt, their eyes gleaming with savage hunger.

With a guttural growl, the bears charged forward, their claws slashing through the air with deadly precision, their roars reverberating like thunder against the walls of the arena. Xiang knew that he was facing an enemy unlike any he had ever encountered, a foe whose sheer size and strength threatened to overwhelm him at every turn.

But he refused to back down, refused to let fear dictate his actions in the face of adversity. With a primal roar of his own, he launched himself into the fray, his movements fluid and precise, a testament to the power of the cheetah that coursed through his veins.

Yet for all his speed and agility, the bears were relentless in their assault, their massive forms towering over him like giants of old, their claws leaving deep gouges in his flesh with each swipe. And as the battle raged on, Xiang could feel his strength waning, could feel the weight of exhaustion bearing down upon him like a leaden shroud.

But just when it seemed that all hope was lost, when the jaws of the bears loomed large before him like gaping maws of death, something inside him snapped, something primal and instinctual that surged forth with a fury unmatched by any force in the world.

With a mighty roar, he summoned forth the full extent of his power, channeling the spirit of the cheetah into every fiber of his being until he became a blur of motion, a whirlwind of claws and fangs that tore through the bears with the ferocity of a hurricane unleashed.

And as the last of his adversaries fell to the ground, defeated and broken, Xiang stood victorious once more, his chest heaving with exertion, his body battered and bruised yet unbowed. And in that moment, as the cheers of the crowd washed over him like a tidal wave of adulation, he knew that he had proven himself worthy of the title bestowed upon him by the people of Zingogin Kingdom: redeemer and savior, champion of the oppressed, and bearer of the spirit world.

In the aftermath of the brutal battle in the arena, Captain Hiroma Kenshin, his face contorted with fury, issued orders to his guards with a venomous authority that brooked no disobedience. The surviving prisoners were to be escorted back to their cells, while those who had perished were to be disposed of without delay. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the guards set about their grim task, dragging the wounded and the dead alike from the blood-stained sands of the arena.

But amidst the chaos and despair, a ray of hope shone forth like a beacon in the darkness. For Princess Isabella, the most revered and beloved figure in all of Zingogin Kingdom, had been present at the battle, her radiant beauty and unwavering resolve casting a spell of awe and admiration upon all who beheld her. And it was she who now stepped forward, her voice ringing out with a command that brooked no argument.

"Stop!" she cried, her words echoing like thunder in the hushed silence of the arena. "No more bloodshed shall be spilled on this day. These prisoners are no longer your concern, for they are now under my protection."

The guards hesitated, their eyes darting nervously between their captain and the princess, unsure of how to proceed. But Hiroma Kenshin, his pride wounded and his authority challenged, refused to back down. "Princess Isabella," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt, "these prisoners are criminals, traitors to the kingdom. They deserve nothing but death for their crimes."

But the princess would not be swayed. With a steely resolve that belied her gentle demeanor, she turned to face the captain, her eyes ablaze with a fire that burned brighter than the sun itself. "These men are not mere criminals," she declared, her voice ringing with conviction. "They are warriors, fighters who have proven themselves worthy of honor and respect. And as such, they shall be treated with the dignity and compassion they deserve."

With a wave of her hand, she dismissed the guards, sending them scurrying away like frightened mice. And then, turning her attention to the wounded prisoners who lay scattered across the arena, she knelt beside them, her touch gentle yet firm as she tended to their wounds with a skill that spoke of years of training and experience.

But amidst the chaos and confusion, one figure remained silent and unmoving, his gaze fixed upon the princess with a mixture of awe and disbelief. It was Xiang, the warrior who had emerged victorious in the battle against the wild beasts, his body battered and bruised yet unbowed. And as he watched her move among the wounded with a grace and compassion that seemed almost otherworldly, he felt something stir within him, a longing that he could not name.

For in that moment, he realized that Princess Isabella was more than just a figurehead or a symbol of royal authority. She was a woman of strength and courage, a leader who was unafraid to stand up for what she believed in, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. And though he knew that his fate was still uncertain, he could not help but feel a glimmer of hope flickering to life within his heart.

But even as Princess Isabella tended to the wounded, Captain Hiroma Kenshin seethed with rage, his mind churning with thoughts of revenge and retribution. For he knew that his authority had been undermined, his pride wounded by the princess's defiance. And he swore to himself that he would not rest until he had taken his revenge upon those who had dared to challenge his supremacy.

As night fell upon the kingdom of Zingogin, a shadowy figure crept through the corridors of the palace, his footsteps silent as a whisper, his eyes gleaming with malice and hatred. It was Hiroma Kenshin, the captain of the prison guard, and he had come to fulfill his vow of vengeance.

But unknown to him, Princess Isabella was not alone in her chambers that night. For Xiang, who turns to be her main guard, the warrior whose fate hung in the balance, had followed her there, drawn by a force stronger than reason or logic. And as Hiroma Kenshin raised his dagger to strike, it was Xiang who sprang into action, his movements swift and sure as he intercepted the blow meant for the princess.

With a cry of surprise and alarm, Princess Isabella turned to face her would-be assailant, her eyes widening in shock as she beheld the scene before her. And in that moment, as the truth of Hiroma Kenshin's treachery was made known to the King, King Thalor, King Taylor is the wise western ruler of Zingogin Kingdom and he is always desperate to save his people from divine retribution. Isabella knew that she had been betrayed by those she had once trusted.

But even as despair threatened to overwhelm her, a voice spoke out from the darkness, a voice filled with courage and determination. It was Xiang, the warrior whose bravery had saved her life, and he offered her his hand, his eyes shining with a fierce determination to stand by her side no matter the cost.

And so, hand in hand, Princess Isabella and Xiang faced the darkness together, their hearts united in a bond stronger than steel. For they knew that the road ahead would be fraught with peril and uncertainty, but as long as they stood together, they would never falter, never waver in their quest for justice and freedom.

Princess Isabella and Xiang stood together on the precipice of the unknown, their hands intertwined in a bond forged through trials and challenges. With unwavering determination, they faced the darkness ahead, their hearts pulsating with the rhythm of their shared resolve.

As they journeyed onward, Princess Isabella's love for Xiang blossomed like a radiant flower in the darkest of nights. Her affection for him surpassed even the gratitude she held for the former prisoners she had rescued from the clutches of Captain Hiroma Kenshin, the tyrannical prison guard.

In the quiet moments of the night, Princess Isabella sought ways to express her love for Xiang. She instructed her cook to prepare the most delicious and nourishing delicacies.

Yet, it was in the late hours of the night when Princess Isabella's love truly flourished. Adorned in a gown that accentuated her beauty, she exuded an air of allure and grace. With dark mahogany brown hair cascading like silk down her shoulders, she beckoned Xiang into her presence, a vision of elegance.

As Xiang entered the room, he was captivated by Princess Isabella's allure. Her eyes sparkled with a fervent passion, her lips curved into a tender smile. With a gentle touch, she drew him close, the warmth of her embrace enveloping him like a comforting embrace smooching her lips against his.

In the intimacy of the moment, Princess Isabella's love overflowed, igniting a symphony of romance that resonated within their souls. With tender gestures and affectionate caresses, she expressed her adoration for Xiang, her heart overflowing with love.

But their moment of bliss was shattered when a lone guard, driven by jealousy and spite, peered through the window and bore witness to their forbidden love. With haste, he rushed to King Thalor, twisting the truth and painting a picture of betrayal and scandal.

When the news reached King Thalor's ears, a storm of anger and indignation brewed within him. How dare his daughter, a princess of the realm, consort with a mere commoner? How dare she defy the laws and traditions that had governed their kingdom for centuries?

In his fury, King Thalor issued a decree, commanding his guards to apprehend Xiang and bring him before the throne. The punishment for his transgression would be severe—banishment from the kingdom or death by hanging.

When Princess Isabella learned of the king's decree, her heart sank like a stone. She knew that her love for Xiang would not be enough to shield him from her father's wrath. And so, with a heavy heart, she made her way to the throne room, determined to plead for mercy on behalf of the man she loved.

But King Thalor's heart was hardened by anger and pride, and he refused to listen to reason. To him, Princess Isabella's actions were not born out of love, but out of defiance and disrespect for the royal family.

And so, in a cruel twist of fate, Princess Isabella found herself punished for her forbidden love. She was stripped of her freedom, confined to the palace walls as a prisoner of her own heart.

But even in her darkest hour, Princess Isabella refused to renounce her love for Xiang. For in the soft glow of moonlight, amidst the whispers of the night, their love burned brighter than ever—a flame that no decree or punishment could extinguish.

In the sacred halls of the temple,

Priestess Lysara stood as the guardian of ancient prophecies with the king, her eyes aglow with the wisdom of ages past. It was said that she alone held the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe, a conduit between the mortal realm and the ethereal plane.

As she gazed upon Xiang, a lowly guard in the service of King Thalor, she felt a stirring in her soul—a sense of peace and stability that washed over her like a gentle tide. It was as if the universe itself had whispered to her, revealing a glimpse of the destiny that awaited him.

In an instant, Priestess Lysara was transported to the spirit realm, where the gods themselves awaited her presence. And there, amidst the celestial beings and shimmering stars, she beheld a vision unlike any other.

Before her stood Xiang, bathed in a radiant light that seemed to emanate from within. It was then that the gods spoke, their voices like echoes from the dawn of time, revealing to Priestess Lysara the truth of Xiang's destiny.

"He is the chosen one," they proclaimed, their words echoing through the vast expanse of the spirit realm. "The savior of the Zingogin Kingdom, destined to bring peace and prosperity to our land."

As Priestess Lysara beheld the vision unfolding before her, she felt a surge of awe and reverence wash over her. Here, in this humble guard, lay the hope of an entire kingdom—a beacon of light in the darkness, destined to lead his people to salvation.

But as the gods revealed the truth of Xiang's destiny, they also cautioned against interference. "The path of destiny is not always clear," they warned. "There will be trials and tribulations ahead, but trust that when the time is right, he will be prepared."

With these words ringing in her ears, Priestess Lysara returned to the mortal realm, her heart heavy with the weight of the knowledge she carried. For she knew that though Xiang's path would be fraught with danger and hardship, it was a path he must walk alone.

And so, when King Thalor decreed that Xiang be brought before him to face punishment for his forbidden love, Priestess Lysara was torn. On one hand, she longed to intervene, to spare Xiang from the king's wrath and reveal the truth of his destiny. But on the other hand, she knew that to do so would be to defy the will of the gods themselves.

She chose to trust in the wisdom of the gods and allow events to unfold as they were meant to. For she knew that though Xiang's journey would be difficult, it was a journey he must undertake if he was to fulfill his destiny as the savior of the Zingogin Kingdom.

And so, as Xiang stood before King Thalor, facing the king's wrath with courage and determination, Priestess Lysara watched from afar, her heart heavy with sorrow but also filled with hope. For she knew that though the road ahead would be long and perilous, Xiang was destined for greatness, and that his true purpose would be revealed in time.

The queen stood in the shadows, observing the unfolding drama before her, her heart ached with both sorrow and hope. The princess, my dear Isabella, pleaded with her father for forgiveness, her voice trembling with emotion.

I watched everything as the queen , my face etched with anguish, stepped forward to intercede on behalf of my daughter. "Please, my king," I implored, my words a desperate plea for mercy. "Forgive our daughter for her mistakes. She is young and foolish, but her heart is pure. Do not cast her aside."

But King Thalor's eyes flashed with anger, his voice cold and unforgiving. "You dare to question my authority?" he thundered, his words echoing through the throne room like a clap of thunder. "Begone, woman, before you share your daughter's fate."

How could the king be so blind to the love that bound his family together? Did he not see that forgiveness was the true mark of strength, not stubbornness and pride?