Ms. Ling Is From the Future Past

Chapter 1: When It Rains, It Pours

It was a national alert system, and it says, “This is the Country S Government. This is not a drill. We have detected various electromagnetic spikes and disturbances. Earthquakes and landslides are happening all over the world. Warp-like holes and sink holes are appearing. We advise everyone to take caution. I repeat, take caution. Any suspicious tremors should be reported to 199.”

The families were taken aback by the announcement, and before they can compose themselves, tremors shook the house.

Creaking can be heard from the lights installed in the ceiling. Dishes crashed noisily, and the adults hugged the children. Adrian was the first to calm down and said, “I remembered we have installed a bomb shelter here. Where is it located?”

“I know the way; I will lead you with the kids.” Ling Yun replied.

“I need to get the emergency and medical supplies from the garage. I’ll be right there.” Ling Anya added.

The group separated into two. Adrian and Ling Yun ushered the elderly and the kids to their shelter. They waited for Ling Anya to come before launching the pad that would take them underground.

The shaking of the ground continued and became more violent. Debris are falling off the ceiling and electrical wirings were getting cut.

Finally, after a few tense minutes, they saw Anya’s form shaking and navigating the debris. They saw her crawl and drag the huge emergency bag that they kept in the garage. Huge cracks on the ground followed her wake. Anya was literally running for her life.

Sweat was dripping down on her forehead but she persisted in getting the emergency kit because her and Adrian’s parent’s medications were stored here. She threw a magnetic shield orb, to slow down the debris.

That gave her some respite as she dragged the heavy bag. She saw that Adrian was about to go out of the pod to help her, but she shouted “Stay there! Don’t go out anymore! It’s dangerous out here!"

Anya was nearing the pod when she saw that part of the ceiling will collapse and crush the pod and its motherboard. She gathered her remaining strength and threw the emergency bag towards the pod. Ling Yun was caught off guard upon receiving the bag. He staggered backward and bumped into Adrian pushing him further into the pod.

Anya on the other hand was struggling with the magnetic orb. She activated it to slow down the collapse of the ceiling and pushed the emergency button on the wall. The hissing sound of the pod closing alerted Adrian and Ling Yun.

Anya anticipated the two gentlemen’s reaction and threw the last magnetic orb towards them. The two cannot help but be stunned as they were hit by the orb. Their eyes widened as they saw Anya falling through the cracks.

After she fell, it was as if the play button was pressed. Cracks and depressions on the ground formed at a rapid space and darkness suddenly prevailed. The descent of the orb was stopped.

The people inside the orb cannot help but watch as the space in front of them distort. It swirled and formed into a giant hole and they can feel the pressure sucking them towards it.

They felt it was endless. They closed their eyes as they were surrounded by extremely bright light. They felt a suction on their bodies, like their souls were being extracted.

They didn’t even have a chance to make a sound. They never knew how long it was till darkness enveloped them and warmth slowly returned to their bodies.

*****

Ling Yun was the first one to wake up. He became startled as he saw the red ceiling and an intricate gold pillar that was his bed. He though he was dreaming, when he noticed that he was wearing an ancient toga-like garb. It was silvery white and silky in texture.

His gaze roamed around the unfamiliar room. He noticed a mirror made of a shiny piece of metal surrounded by intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes and peonies. Under it was a basin with a glowing silver liquid. He stood up and went to the dresser to observe the liquid closely.

But before he could approach the basin, a wave of excruciating pain wracked his head information surged into his mind.

Snippets of when he was a kid in Earth overlapped with memories of an immortal-like child with silver hair running around ethereal meadows. Him as a teenage boy cooking in their meager kitchen in their old apartment played side by side by a memory of a teenager looking exactly like concocting something in a cauldron. A grown-up him in chef's clothes, was shown together with a similar image in a different garb directing a kitchen and cooking medicinal cuisine.

As the images played in his mind, a voice can be heard saying, “Welcome back to your world Marquis Ling. You and your family have awakened from the eternal sleep put upon by the Great Magi Argus. The world you call earth was created in order to heal our world and protect its inhabitants from eternal damnation brought by the evil Sorcerer Du Lu. Your sister, as the Great Magi’s apprentice sacrificed part of her soul to seal this world from corruption. As this world healed, the place you called Earth is slowly being absorbed to return the vitality of this planet. Part of your sister’s soul was sealed, and her memory of Earth is of naught. It will only return when this world is fully integrated with Earth. Only then will your sister’s soul be healed, and her memories returned. I advise you to drink the ambrosia and reconnect yourself with your birth dimension.”

Enlightenment found Ling Yun and he sat in a meditative state as he absorbed the information brought by Mother Eyra, the voice of their birth planet.

The same scene was witnessed all throughout the Lings’ household and the households in the whole kingdom. As souls were being sucked one by one on Earth, sleeping bodies woke in Eyra’s realm. Flashes of golden light can be seen as more and more people awoke.

When the Ling siblings finished comprehending the information, they went towards Anya’s room. She was breathing, but unlike them she was still unconscious and pale.

“Maybe the damage to her soul is very severe. You have to remember that she was the one who fell first when the void started to open.” Said Anya’s mother.

“Eyra said that she is still nourishing little sister’s soul and she would release it once the injury is healed. She also said that little sister’s soul can be healed when earth will fully integrate into our world.” Ling Yun added.

“Sigh, I hope big sister will be home soon. I want to catch magical fireflies with her. By the way eldest brother, do you have any idea where Uncle Ben’s family is?” asked Ling You.

“You brat! You always think of flirting with Ben’s daughter! See how I beat you!” Ling Yan, their second brother shouted.

“Aaah! Help me Mother! Second Brother is bullying me!”

“Now, stop making a racket the both of you. Let’s retreat to the study and discuss how to awaken Anya.” Their father stated.

*****

The group retreated to the study and asked the servants who awoke from their stupor to serve the fast in the library. There are those who’s soul didn’t come to Earth. They stayed in a dreamless sleep while they are waiting for their world to be revived.

The manor’s servants are one of those who went in hibernation with Eyra. They have no idea what their master’s experienced. They knew that their Eldest Miss protected everyone together with her Master.

Now that everyone has woken up, they are having a headache because they knew that there would be a stream of visitors to the Duchy’s place.

The Ling family went into a close meeting inside the library.

“Father, I believe that the Emperor’s family has an extensive library. Their bloodline can also activate the Golden Scrying Tower. We can ask them for help in contacting the Soul Division. Only them have the power and knowledge to know what is happening with sister.” Said Ling Yun.

“I agree with eldest brother. I will also try to go to the Merchant’s Guild and Yi Xian. I don’t care how much it cost but I want the information of the Sect that took in sister. I know they won’t watch on the sidelines while sister and her master are in coma.” Ling Yan declared.

Ling Ao was dumbfounded. It seems that all he needed to do was wait for news. His sons were protective of their sister that they want to hog all the glory of rescuing her.

“Don’t worry, you can have unlimited access to the treasury. I will write a letter to the Monarch. I will let you youngsters do your own things, after all, when we’re gone, this world would be left to you.”

“Father, I would also like to trouble you to go to the ancestor’s hall. We need their guidance in these trying times. I have a feeling that this is the calm before the storm.” Ling You said with his eyes glowing white.

“Ling You! Oh my Ling You! I had hoped that you would not be without this burden, but it seems like heaven has chosen” Su Ning cried.

Her son awakened his divine eye, a trait that is long dormant in Su Ning’s line. She hoped that it will not be on her children’s generation because the last prophecy made by the Divine Eye’s bearer sent them to Earth.