Chapter 9: Reborn

After finding out that he could fly. He tried to fly on command, he couldn't figure it out. He tried and tried, but that's when he heard something 'feel it deep within you' a voice that sounded like his father's voice. He didn't know what was going on. He just did what his father told him to go deep down and search for whatever he was meant to look for.

He heard 'you will know when you see it', FengGe looked around him in the hope to see his father, he never saw anyone around him. He carried on searching within himself as he went about his usual day.

He walked the streets, but it was oddly quieter than usual, with no one about just him on his own. 'Wǒ zài nǎlǐ?' FengGe thought. Walking up and down the street, there was that familiar voice, 'Can I help you, you look lost or rather confused' said a voice of a man.

"Whose that? I'm not lost at least I don't think I am. Where is everyone and what is this place?" FengGe said, spinning around and still no sight of him anywhere, 'I must be going mad' he thought aloud.

"This feels a bit like limbo, but I don't think I died"

'Ah but you did Jayson, you gave up your life to save your mother'

"That's not possible, I don't have that sort of power, I've only just begun to fly."

'FengGe listen, you are growing more powerful everyday, even whilst you are here, so it's up to you whether you want to go through or go back. My advice is to go back to your mother and try to find your brother LongWei'

FengGe's eyes widened, "So you know about that, about what is happening right now?"

'Yes. I see and hear everything. You must try to keep communing with your brother, I fear we may be losing him'

"What do you mean? Like he's dying?" FengGe said, worried.

'No nothing like that I hope. Just that he may be doing something illegal.'

"Oh ok" He looked glumly, looking at the floor. "How long do I have here?" He asked.

'Well I'm here as long as you're here, until you decide to come with me or back to earth. You see FengGe you are a Phoenix, that's why you were able to miraculously heal that guy. Also why you have been looked after by your boss, as he is your guardian.'

FengGe looked in awe, "OK, I will go back to earth"

'Ok, here is how it's going to happen, I will send you through and you will appear from your ashes.' the voice of his father said.

FengGe tried to prepare himself back to earth. Nothing could prepare him for what he was about to experience. His father appeared suddenly, standing there right before his eyes. FengGe opened his mouth, no words came out as he was too stunned to even move any part of his limbs.

His father took FengGe's hand and led him to a light and FengGe saw himself lying there still, he walked into the light then everything went dark for a few moments. He was still feeling the warmth inside of him building up. He smelt smoke then there was an orange glow, the barrier encasing him crumbled away and he pushed through and the first person he saw standing kneeling over him was his mother crying.

When his mother felt his movement, she stopped her tears and just looked at FengGe, "How can this be?" his mother said, looking at him, stroking his face, "But I don't understand" she finished saying.

"Well mother, you were dying and apparently I gave up my life to save you, then that's when I was stuck in limbo for a while talking to father, he had helped through it all and bought me back here" FengGe explained.

"Wait… you saw your father?" his mother said and FengGe nodded.

"He wants me to help guide LongWei on the right path" FengGe said, "He also said he might be involved in something illegal"

"You do what you must and I will try and help," his mother said.

"Thanks mother, but I think I better handle this one, I don't want you getting hurt and risk losing you all over again." FengGe said emotionally.

His mother nodded and turned away to start preparing for dinner for the both of them.

"Happy to see you are alive son" his mother said

"Glad to see you are happy and well also mother," FengGe said, "please look after yourself when I go to work, or when I go to find LongWei".

"Son. You will find the strength you need to find your brother. I feel it inside of you, I also felt a different type of strength inside your brother. Please be careful." His mother said, hugging him close for comforting.

When his mother eventually let go of FengGe, he left the house and started to make a run for it. The bakery was in full sight, but he didn't make it there. His brother LongWei ran past him, almost knocking other passerbys over. FengGe kept calling him, but LongWei ignored him and kept running. FengGe spun on his heels and began to run after LongWei. FengGe felt some heat within him then started to feel light on his feet before floating over the ground. He looked behind him and there they were, his wings that once carried him before have sprouted out again and he noticed without trying he was closing in on LongWei fast. FengGe prepared himself to grab his brother and fly him home to confront him.

In one sweep FengGe snatched LongWei in his arms and thrusted into the air. FengGe headed home with his brother struggling to break free from his grasp.

"Why did you bring me here Jayson?" LongWei yelled out angrily.

"This is still your home. I wanted you to see mother as well, as she misses you." FengGe said calmly, gesturing to him for a hug.

"Mother is very ill, she won't recognise me." LongWei yelled out again.

"Not anymore, she is feeling a lot better now and wanted to see you." FengGe said, detecting a hint of emotion in LongWei as he ran inside to see for himself. FengGe followed closely behind him. Their mother was in the kitchen when LongWei hesitantly walked towards her. He felt as though he was dreaming. He soon took a good look before running over to her with open arms. FengGe smiled and went to wrap his arms around both of them.

"I need to talk to you upstairs in your room" FengGe whispered in LongWei's ear. LongWe's expression changed suddenly and he let go of his mother to follow FengGe.

"What's this about?" LongWei said loudly, almost shouting.

"Ssshhh, not here brother." FengGe said, gesturing to him to hurry up.

"LongWei, I need to ask you, where have you been going all this time? This is the most that I have seen you. What's going on with you? You haven't joined the Triads have you? I need…." LongWei cut FengGe off mid sentence.

"Brother Jayson, quit worrying about me, I am alright, look at me, I'm alive and fighting fit. Happier, better than I ever was. These people treat me well…" LongWei slipped out.

"People? What people LongWei?" FengGe asked, almost shouting, LongWei didn't like his tone and started to get aggressive and physical. As LongWei lunged forward, FengGe was prepared and managed to stop him. LongWei threw a series of punches and kicks and did no damage as FengGe was deflecting his moves. LongWei grew more frustrated, eventually giving up and stormed out the house. FengGe ran to the streets but he was gone.

FengGe knew he wouldn't be able to find him again, so he just went back inside the house and quietly ate dinner with his mother.

"I'm finished now mother, let me wash up, then I will head to bed when I'm done." FengGe said.

"OK son. Are you alright? You haven't said a word since your little brother left us." FengGe's mother asked worriedly.

"Yeah! Yeah, I'm good mother, I do miss him, it's just I had my hopes up that I could get through to him. Then he just flips out on me." FengGe said tearfully. His mother wiped the tears off of his face and hugged him.

"We can get through this. You can get through to him. It is going to take time." his mother aspiringly said. FangGe smiled bleakly and walked upstairs. "Goodnight son." she blew a loving mother's kiss at him.

"Goodnight mother."