Yue and Tao

***ARTEMIS***

We watched as our vehicle was eaten by the fire. Smoke rose to the sky. But a flaming vehicle was the least of our problems.

"What was that?" Seth asked and nursed his bleeding forehead.

"I have a hunch." I muttered.

"Uh, guys?" we looked at the direction Xander was pointing and saw a bunch of men from the Sect coming our way. Leading them was Master Li.

"Master Li." I called.

"The thing you did back in Casa Domingo was a nice trick you know." he said and chuckled. "I suppose one of you is cultivating ice techniques? But I did not even feel any fluctuation of energy."

"Screw you." I growled.

"Also, you seem to have a very good item in your hands. It's even more valuable and more dangerous than what we originally came for in the auction."

'Is he talking about the Codex of Souls?' I wondered.

"And here I thought we could at least get you out of the way by distracting you as e collect the stones." he continued. "But the Sect and the Maiden of the Moon will always be at odds."

"Oh yeah? Isn't that cheery?" I gave them a smirk.

"Yes. And killing you won't be an issue."

He immediately had his men attack us. We (the ones remaining standing) immediately put up a defensive stance but two figures suddenly landed in the middle of the Sect and us. It was one man and one woman.

The man brandished a spear and attacked Master Li's men with unbelievable strength. Meanwhile the woman headed to our direction. I couldn't help but gasp as I saw her face because she looked a lot like someone I know very well.

"You should be Artemis." I nodded. "Your father sends his regard. Now, you and your friends will only get in the way so sleep tight."

Before I could respond, she placed a finger on my forehead and I lost consciousness.

As I fell into deep slumber, I had a dream.

I used to hate dreaming because my dreams were usually about the people I had killed, as well as the fears that had bottled up inside me. But lately, especially when I received my powers, my dreams changed and became important.

I found myself in the usual landscape where I train with Hauria Celestine, or at least her remnant. This phenomenon began when I started learning western magic. I was pretty sure it was also because of the Book of Jade that was stored inside of me. It had a remnant of Hauria and she could enter my subconscious.

"Oh, you're early." she said.

"I got knocked out." I grumbled and squatted down.

My dream was usually in a clearing in the middle of a forest and a small lake was on the edge. It was a very peaceful place.

"I see. How unfortunate." she suddenly paused and stared at me. "It seems like things have already progressed up to that point huh."

"You're being cryptic again. You know how much I hate that. So, what are we doing this time? I'm pretty sure I won't be waking up immediately."

"There will be no magic practice this time but instead, it's going to be something you have always wanted."

I raised an eyebrow and looked at her skeptically. "I'm listening."

"I am willing to answer some of your questions."

"Really?"

She nodded her head. She had the same expression as me whenever I had decided on something and I would never change my mind. It was a very strange thing since we held such uncanny facial resemblance as well.

I shrugged. "Well, the Codex of Souls, what is it really?"

"I thought you were already given an explanation?" I just stared at her. "Very well. The codex huh. I'm not sure about the entire details myself but Stele said that it's some sort of ledger of all the people we had directly killed or died because of us."

As she said those words, I noticed her downcast gaze and the sadness that was etched on her face. But…

"What?! It was a ledger? Then why are we even going all the trouble just to retrieve it? Can it even really help Tim and Dean from their situation?"

"Very much so. It is a ledger but at the same time a grimoire. Unfortunately, she's the only one that can use it as the Guardian of Phantasm."

"So it can really help us?" she nodded. "Okay. Next question will be… Ah! What's the deal with Shadow Garden? You seriously made your own secret service two thousand years ago?"

"It wasn't just me you know but only Shadow Garden has managed to exist 'til the present. Apparently. Plus, it was a must you know? The Liu's had a high rate of dying in that era. Whether from external forces or inside, everything was dangerous for them. Then there was also the Chen's who was important to our history."

"The Liu's I can understand, but the Chen's? Why are they under the protection of Shadow Garden as well?"

"You… haven't realized it?"

"Realize what? Would I be asking if I suddenly got enlightened by it or something?"

"True. Let's see. How can I convey it to you… Hmm… I suppose simple is best. The Chen's, that's your mother's family."

"I beg your pardon?"

"The reason why I put the Chen's under Shadow Garden's protection was because you will be born in that family. Your mother is a Chen right?"

"Well yeah. But she lived overseas and she's half-Canadian."

"Still. If the Sect found out about the real reason behind the Chen's protection, they would wipe out the entire family."

"So the reason you told the public; that they were Lee Hyun's adoptive family was a lie?" she nodded. "You guys think too much."

"It's better to be more prepared than be short-sighted and regret it later." she sighed. "You should wake up now."

"Wait, before I got here we were saved by two people and one of them knocked me out. Do you know them?"

"You can trust them Artemis, Also," she looked at me with a sincere expression. "The woman, you have to help her."

"Help her on what?"

"You'll see."

I suddenly felt like getting sucked, a familiar feeling whenever I would exit the dream. And then I woke up.

The first thing I noticed once the fog of sleepiness lifted was the abundance of graduation caps inside a giant photo frame hung on the beige-colored wall.

'What's with the graduation caps?'

I looked around once more and saw many plants and glass arts which decorated the room. I slowly got off the bed I was lying on and headed outside. As my feet took me to wherever it wanted, I kept glancing around and took note of everything I saw; from the antique furniture, to the framed pictures on the walls, as well as the expensive-looking decorations.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I tried looking for my brother and my friends. All of a sudden I heard some noise and I immediately went there. I ended up in the kitchen and saw the people I was looking for already eating breakfast. I glanced at the clock only to be surprised of the time; it was already eight in the morning.

""Artemis-noona!"" called the two youngest people in the group.

"I was out the entire night?" I asked in which they all nodded. Kyle gave me a glass of warm water which I did not hesitate to drink.

I glanced outside and saw lots of trees. "This is not the safe house, isn't it? Where are we?"

"We're in a small barangay[1] called Ilihan." Blake was the one who answered then drank which I assumed was a cup of coffee.

"Ilihan? How far are we from Bogo City?"

"It's about a thirty-minute drive." answered an unfamiliar female voice. "Possibly twenty five if you're in a hurry."

I turned around and saw two people; a man and a woman. They looked like our age, or maybe even younger, and both looked Chinese.

"The food's here!" said the man in Korean.

""Ooh, Tao-hyung!"" cheered the maknaes.

The man, Tao, brought the fried eggs and bacons to the table they were sitting around on.

"He's Tao and I'm Yue. We were the ones who rescued you last night."

Memories of the previous night popped up in my head and I remembered the distinct figures of our saviors, especially the one who knocked me out. My eyes were fixed on Yue since it was her work.

Yue had long straight black hair and light brown eyes. She also had fair skin and as if a confirmation from last night, she did look a lot like Lei.

'Is she a Zhang or something?' I thought.

"He's Tao."

Tao had light brown hair and dark brown eyes. He had a smile plastered on his face which resembled Dean when somebody enjoys the food he cooks. At the thought, it made me worry about my two friends who were in a coma in China.

"You knocked me out last night." I stated.

"Ah, that. You had a concussion and your magic was going haywire so I had to do something. Sorry about that." she gave me a smile. "Why don't we eat breakfast first? We will then talk afterwards."

***

"You must have a lot of questions in your mind." Yue said as we reached the living room.

"You don't say."

We stopped in front of a portrait which belonged to a family of twelve and two pets.

"And one of them is that." I pointed to the portrait because I found familiar people in it. "Where the hell are we?"

"A friend's ancestral house?"

"Your friends with the Lesfars?"

"You know them?"

"I own a small percentage in their company plus I personally know Luke, Dr. Kang Woo and Dr. Skye."

"Those three in particular?"

"Well, who doesn't know Isis and Apollo Lesfar? Those two are international models." I said with a little sarcasm.

"Huh. I suppose there's that. Well, this is their house and as I said, it's their ancestral home. They don't usually come here unless there's an occasion or Mister and Madame Lesfar come home from their travels." she led me to the sofa and we took a seat. "Any other questions?"

"Why did you save us? You also seem to know my father."

"As a matter of fact I do. As for why I saved you, Zhang Wu Fen asked me for a favor."

"Then shouldn't you help his children instead?"

She suddenly smiled. "Those two can handle it. Plus, there will be people who'll help them."

I noticed that she looked happy at the mention of Uncle Wu Fen and the Zhang twins.

'Just who is Yue?'