Part 4 · Chapters
The Choice of the Ancient Forge
True protection gives everyone the chance to stand side by side.
There was no fire in the ancient forge.
A clear mineral crystal floated at the center of a round hall, reflecting the deepest desire of anyone who entered. As Xiao Jin approached, it showed the Black-Armored General kneeling. A moment later, Yan Tuo, the council, and everyone who had mocked him bowed their heads and cheered.
“I don't want any of that,” Xiao Jin said.
The forge's voice came from every direction.
“Then what do you want?”
Shuang Ya appeared in the crystal. Her ice core had shattered completely, and her life scattered like fine snow.
“Give me her damaged core, and I will transfer its element to you. You will gain enough power to defeat the Black-Armored General at once.”
Xiao Jin stared at the vision. Was sacrificing one person worth ending a war? The councilors would probably say yes without hesitation.
“If I have to trade the people I want to protect for power,” he said, lifting his head, “what's the point of having it?”
The clear crystal shattered. The real trial began.
The hall became a burning city. Xiao Hui was trapped in a tower to the left. Shuang Ya was frozen inside a deep well to the right. Feng Ling fell from a breaking sky, while an army surrounded Yan Pan far away.
Xiao Jin rushed toward Xiao Hui, and the ice around Shuang Ya began breaking faster. He turned toward the well, and Feng Ling was already halfway down. No matter how fast Ash Step was, he could not reach four places at once.
He failed again and again.
Whenever someone disappeared before his eyes, the forge turned time back and forced him to choose again. Xiao Jin ran faster and burned brighter. The result was always the same.
“Who do you want me to abandon?” he roared into the empty hall.
There was no answer.
On the fifth attempt, Xiao Jin did not move.
He lit his small flame and closed his eyes, feeling the heat currents through the whole illusion. The four dangers were connected. Gears beneath the tower linked to the well's mechanism. Currents in the sky could carry a falling person toward Yan Pan. Beneath the army ran the same earth vein.
“Xiao Hui!” he shouted to the vision. “Turn the third gear on your right!”
“Shuang Ya, freeze the surface when the water rises!”
“Feng Ling, take the rising heat current east!”
“Yan Pan, direct the earth-vein energy toward the center!”
The figures did not wait for him to rescue them in person. Each began to act.
Xiao Hui started the gears, raising the well water. Shuang Ya made a bridge from it and caught Feng Ling. Feng Ling sent wind toward the battlefield, and Yan Pan used its force to raise an earthen wall. At the center, Xiao Jin sent his small flame along four protective paths of light, giving everyone enough strength to save themselves and one another.
All four dangers ended together.
The forge fell quiet again.
The clear crystal became a warm point of light and entered Xiao Jin's chest. The Primordial Ember did not burn more fiercely. Instead, it spread outward, like hands sheltering everyone.
“Protection is not hiding everyone behind you,” the forge said. “It is giving everyone the chance to stand beside you.”
Xiao Jin opened his eyes.
The forge had not made him a crown.
Five slender lights shone in the hall.
One remained at Xiao Jin's chest. The other four reached toward Xiao Hui, Shuang Ya, Feng Ling, and Yan Pan.