Chapter 4: To The Past They Go (2)

Hoa Xuan quickly elbowed the man behind him, then leaped away. Linh Dau grunted and pressed his lower abdominal. He sneered, smiling wide and full of malice, running after him.

Hoa Khuong noticed Linh Dau's pursuit against his brother, distracting him from the large cat. The cat's claws aimed towards Hoa Khuong's head, he dodged it in time but too slow. He instead got three long scratches from his left shoulder to chest. He hissed from the pain, but not even that can stop him. Hoa Khuong pressed his pointy and middle finger against the blade, dragging them down to the tip. Sparks of lightning and a yellow hue emitted out of the blade.

Hoa Khuong changed from defence to offence. He dashed towards the large cat, ignoring the terrible screeching. It's his turn to attack. He swiftly struck the cat, three times at the speed of light, causing the cat to feel dizzy. He took the opportunity to slash the cat's head. Hoa Khuong jumped away just in time to not go deaf from the cat speaker level screeches. Its body froze in shock then jolted as it's being electrocuted. The cat was surrounded by sparks of lightning and light of yellow. The cat let out pitiful wails, finally lost its consciousness. The body carelessly flopped to the ground.

Hoa Xuan used his jade flute to block Ling Dau's sword, his arms shaking. Linh Dau disappeared then appeared by his side, Hoa Xuan quickly jumped back, avoiding the piercing sword. And again and again, from all directions, Hoa Xuan dodged and deflected Linh Dau's attacks. He soon became tired, his breathing became irregular and quick. His limbs felt heavy and sweat formed. Hoa Xuan felt all of his stamina quickly draining, nothing left to support him. His hand loosened, his flute dropped and rolled away.

Linh Dau smirked. "Tired so soon?"

Hoa Xuan almost collapsed to his knees, but Linh Dau grabbed a fist full of his hair, keeping him up in the air. Judge Hoa couldn't muster enough strength to shove Linh Dau away.

Hoa Xuan glared at Linh Dau. He lightly asked, "What's your purpose?"

Linh Dau peered threateningly into Judge Hoa's eyes. He answered, smiling, "I want to kill you and your brother. You two took everything away from me. I'm going to make to pay for what you've done."

"Brother Xuan!"

Linh Dau pointed at him, sending a flying silver rope, wrapping itself around the approaching Hoa Khuong. He fell to his knees, his sword dispersed into particles. Hoa Khuong cursed, "Why am I so slow today!?"

Linh Dau gestured, his finger beckoning the silver rope. The silver rope moved as if it had the mind of its own, obeying its master. Hoa Khuong was pulled to Hoa Xuan's side.

Hoa Khuong groaned from the force, glaring at Linh Dau in fury.

He demanded, "Let go of my brother."

Linh Dau simply refused, "No."

His hand added more force to the grip of Judge Hoa's hair, tugging it enough to rip the hair out of his scalp, yet decided to spare his hair. Hoa Xuan lightly whimpered and weakly reached out to pry Linh Dau's hand off of his hair, but no use.

Linh Dau gazed at them with a look of pleasure. He wasted no more time. He started chanting a spell, shocking Hoa Khuong and Judge Hoa. Linh Dau's eyes glowed red and black mist surrounded him.

The brothers felt their backs turn ice-cold, a black hole forming behind them. The trees started to shake and wind surrounded them.

Hoa Khuong said in disbelief, "You can't be doing this..."

Linh Dau smiled, "Oh, yes I can."

He kicked Hoa Khuong at his chest, sending the god straight into the black hole. Hoa Xuan gasped, looking behind him to watch his brother disappear into the hole, hearing his distant profanity turned silent.

Hoa Xuan said sternly, "I didn't take anything from you."

"Still denying?" Linh Dau sighed. "Oh well."

Linh Dau pulled Hoa Xuan by the hair towards the black hole. Hoa Xuan struggled against his grip but to no avail. Linh Dau cackled as he neared the black hole, making sure he let the judge in his hands receive scraps from his dragging.

"You must die for me! It would be a gift from the heavens!"

Hoa Xuan was thrown into the black hole, watching the hole close itself as his vision turned black. The last thing he saw, was Linh Dau jumping in following after.

The black hole closed itself. The trees went still and the wind slowed. The array that has been set vanished without a trace, revealing the outside world. Lights illuminating from palaces windows, and heaven's guards silently patrolling the streets. The large cat had disappeared. The ruckus Linh Dau had caused left no trace of existence. Only recklessly, leaving a jade flute slightly rolling on the ground.

Not long after, a slender hand gently reached for the flute. Long Vuong gazed at the flute solemnly, while Vinh Tai was running around calling for Hoa Khuong. They had noticed the strange air floating around. No other exhausted deities paid any mind, except for them. They searched for any abnormal clues but couldn't find any until Long Vuong spotted the jade flute.

He sighed and gazed at the moon above them. He ignored the loud thunderous shouts from Vinh Tai. All he felt was his heart beating quick, worry flooding him.

A female voice shouted out from a nearby palace, "Vinh Tai! Shut the hell up!"

Vinh Tai growled, "I can't shut up, thank you very much!"