Fang Xiang

This is both a work of science fiction and an exploration of the meaning of life, love, literature and art. Brainpower is no longer the main ingredient for being human in this far distant future world.  Spirituality, physical balance, and diligence all come together as integrity for Chen Mu, the Card Apprentice.  The cards which Chen Mu masters in his own scrappy way, distill all the powers of the cosmos –  human and nonhuman –  into something that is not a book, not technology, and neither art nor magic, but is these and more.  Learn about these strange cards, which can embody everything you might imagine for the future of technology, but also a future beyond technology which promotes the best, and sometimes the worst, from mankind’s past.

The Card Apprentice

Lu Xiaoru slowly walked out of the flames looking pretty bad with her whole body showing burns. The destroyed red evening gown had long since turned to ash, though she didn't care about any of that as she walked out of the flames completely naked.

Her face was distorted as she ground her teeth and looked at the orange energy cloak.

"You damned jerk, to make me so miserable! This time I'll be giving you a taste of what it means when living is worse than dying!"

Her voice was full of hatred and satisfaction. But, the energy cloak surrounding her body had reached its limit, and it dissolved into the air with a pop.

Then, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and lightly choked her.

"Don't move." It was a very light, calm voice, though with some chill to it. It sounded like it still had some of the particular tenderness of youth.

Are You Getting Sprung Too?