The Vermillion Bird, Part III

“It seems I have a guest. How long has it been since someone has set foot in this hallowed ground.”

A voice, ancient and powerful, filled the chamber. Wu Jian tensed, ready for action. He summoned Pale Moon to his side and warily eyed his surroundings.

“You need not fear, young one. I shall not harm you.”

Wu Jian hesitated for a moment before storing Pale Moon back in his storage ring. He still could not find the source of the voice, but he did not sense any hostility.

“Are you… the Vermillion Bird?”

“You are close. I am but a fragment left behind when the Vermillion Bird decided to leave this world for greener pastures, much like the White Tiger you met before.”

“So you can sense that?”

“Indeed. We four were once the guardians of this world. We ruled together. It was a time of peace and harmony back then. Humans and magical beasts did not fight as they do now.”

“It sounds like something happened to change that.”