To Mold a Dragon

Mrs. Lee Fu was a well-known farmer in the rural province of Xenth. Every villager knew her name, from poor peasant to wealthy lord. She was middle-aged woman, always seen tilling the earth, watering crops, or feeding farm animals. She prefered to work alone on her acres of farmland, enjoying the company of her border collie Tot. Still, as if by magic, her determination and labour always produced the best quality crops, and fed many citizens of the little province.

However, Mrs. Lee Fu wasn’t entirely alone, for she had a 16 year-old son named Chu. Chu was a trouble maker, and whenever he attempted to help his mother on the farm, he would end up causing more problems instead. As such, his mother sent him on errands around the village, keeping him busy and away from her precious crops.

Chu was an adventurous lad, youthful and carefree as adolescents aught to be. He was a daydreamer, concocting fantasies of wizards, swordsman and magical creatures in his mind. He strolled down the cobbled dirt roads of his home town, Mashu Town, lost in his imagination, walking endlessly and forgetting the errands his mother gave him. He never realized that he drew in the villagers’ attention, the way they would stare at him as if he were a lunatic, worrying that the mischief he brought would cause them trouble.

One tragic year, a deadly plague spread across the country, including the province of Xenth. It infected thousands of people, slowly rendering their bodies useless, until they finally died at the plague’s cruel hands. Doctors travelled constantly by train, visiting the ill and hunting for a cure. But their efforts were all in vain, and the plague continued to murder.

Sadly, Mrs. Lee Fu was one of the victims, slowly losing her ability to farm her land. All the villagers in Mashu Town feared for themselves, for if Mrs. Lee Fu was to die, they would not be able to enjoy her delicious crops and goods.

Chu also feared for his mother’s wellbeing, taking care of her as her condition worsened and she became bed-ridden, unable to cook, work or even stand. Every wheezing breath led to a fit of coughs. She was exhausted and weak, but no amount of sleep restored her to her hard-working self. It was strange for Chu, as his mother never required assistance from anyone before the plague, preferring to do everything on her own. But, he worried for his mother’s life and dreamed he could save her.

“I’m going to cure you, mother!” Chu exclaimed passionately, as he sat by her straw matress, feeding her porridge from a clay bowl.

“How...do...you...plan...to...do...that?” she asked between gasps and coughs.

“I’m heading off to find the Healing Well, of course!”

She sighed. “But...that’s...just...a...child’s...story...Chu...”

“No mother, it’s real! It really is! And I’m gonna find it and bring you some of it’s magical water to heal you! I’m gonna save you, mother!” He grinned.

“You...fool...you...will...get...yourself...killed...”

“Imagine mother, with that water, I could save the whole town! No, the whole province of Xenth!” He continued, paying little heed to his mother’s warning. “I’ll be a great hero! The Legend of Chu Lee Fu! They will share my story in every royal court and palace!”

In his excitement, he jolted up from his criss-cross position on the floor. He rushed around the house, strapping his father’s sword around his waste and holding a large metal bucket.

“I’ll use this to get as much magical water as I can! I’ll be back mother!” He called, rushing out of the house, shoeless.

He raced across the city, bumping into many villagers. He ran past the mill, over the bridge, and across the fields of grass. Eventually, he neared the edge of the Weeping Forest, and haulted. He stared up at the towering black trees, leaves blowing in the eerie breeze. The Weeping Forest, where mythical creatures lived, where the Healing Well lay hidden and guarded by a powerful sentinel.

“Well, here I go!” he smiled from excitement, and headed into the forest.

In the Weeping Forest, Chu heard the sound of squaking crows, growling tigers, and screeching monkeys as they swung from tree to tree. He stumbled down uneven forest paths, the rays of sun lighting up patches of the forest floor as they wove themselves amongst the canopy of leaves above. He was unsure of the time he spent in the forest, nor the direction he travelled. But, in his cheerful state, he payed no attention, caught up in the glorious fantasy once he returned home with that magical water.

The Healing Well appeared before him, as he stood panting from exhaustion, a foolish grin creasing his cheeks until they hurt. Moss and flowers sprouted from the cracks in the broken cobblestone of the well. The wooden top boasted a pulley and rope, so as to get the water from within the wells depths. The words Healing Well were etched strongly into the worn-out bark.

Chu took hold of the rope, ready to tie his silver bucket to its end. He peered into the dark abyss as he fumbled with the rope, wondering at how deep it tunneled into the earth.

“See, Mother!” he scoffed. “I was right! It is real, and not some childish fairytale!”

Just as he was about to lower the bucket into the well, an angry booming voice called up from inside the well.

“Hey, kid! What do you think you’re doing at my well?!”

“Hello, there!” Chu hollered back, giggling at the echo of his voice. “My name is Chu Lee Fu! May I get some magical water from your well, please?”

“NO! Now leave my well, at once!”

“Please, sir!” Chu begged. “The province of Xenth is dying! My mother is dying! I promised to save her!”

“Not every story has to have a happy ending kid! People are meant to die when their time comes. Now, be gone! Before I unleash my wrath on you!”

“No! I am not leaving until I get the magical healing water! I need to prove to her I was right about the Healing Well! I need to become a hero!”

And he plopped himself down on the grass, whistling an upbeat tune as he played with the strands of tall grass.

“Don’t you know who I am, boy?”

“Nope! Not a clue!” Chu laughed.

“My name is Dragon Child! I am the king of the Weeping Forest and guardian of the Healing Well! Anyone who has tried to steal my magical water has failed and paid the price! I am an all-powerful spirit! What makes you think you can come here demanding for my water, puny runt?!”

“I’m not afraid of you! Now come out, Dragon Child, and let me fight you! I’m a brave warrior of the Xenth people, and I will not lose!”

“Brave warrior, huh?” scoffed Dragon Child. “In your dreams, kid!”

“You’re not coming our ’cause you’re afraid of me! Dragon?! More like Chicken! Ba-cuck! Ba-cuck!”

Chu bent his arms, protruding his neck to immitate a chicken.

“You dare scorn me?! That’s it! I’ve had enough of your insolence!”

Boom! A massive scarlet cloud of smoke exploded from the well, like lava errupting from a volcano.The blast was so powerful, it sent nearby trees crashing and falling to the ground in a wide circle around the well, creating a clearing of chaos in the middle of the Weeping Forest.

Perched on the edge of the stone well, like an eagle ready to devour its prey, a young man smirked arrogantly at Chu. He was very handsome, with bright red eyes and soft midnight hair that seemed to float around him, as if suspended in water. He was no ordinary man though, for he had bright red scales decorating his body and face. A long tail lay curled amongst the grass at the base of the well, and two massive black wings spanned across his back. His figure cast a demonic shadow over the forest floor, as the sun slowly set in the distance, painting the sky in fiery red and orange. Chu stood eagerly, meeting Dragon Child’s eyes confidently.

“How about this: let’s have a battle, and if you manage to beat me, which I highly doubt, I will give you the entire Healing Well, so you can save Xenth and your poor mummy!” He said, mockingly.

“Deal!” Chu replied instantly, drawing out his father’s sword.

“You don’t want to hear what happens if you lose?”

“Nope! ’Cause I know I won’t lose!”

“Alright, then! Let us begin!”

Dragon Child stood, positioning himself into a fighting stance, claws ready.

Dragon Child and Chu Lee Fu fought even after the sun fell asleep behind the horizon and the moon reigned the sky. Chu was agile, having a slender lean build and quick strong legs. He managed to dodge Dragon Child’s attacks, and landed a few of his own. However, with each of Chu’s blows, Dragon Child’s skin instantly healed his wounds, as if by magic. As the battle drew on, Chu found himself gasping for breath, exhaustion slowing his body’s movements, pain pumping in his limbs like his blood. But, Dragon Child did not slow down, showing no signs of weakness, continuously attacking with the same feroscity as the very beginning.

Chu tumbled, landing hard on the ground, weak from fatigue. Dragon Child advanced, kicking Chu’s gasping bloody body with his clawed foot. He pressed the tip of his index finger’s claw to Chu’s skinny neck, watching the pulse of Chu’s artery, pressing just enough for a trickle of blood to drip onto Chu’s ripped shirt and exposed chest.

“Any last words, foolish dreamer?” Dragon Child smirked, dark silhouette towering over Chu, red eyes afire.

“Mother...I’m sorry...I couldn’t save you...” Chu gasped, whispering the words through dying breaths.

Chu closed his weary eyes, tears slowly flowing down his cheeks. He waited patiently for the fatal blow that would end his life, accepting that he was indeed a fool, chasing after a hopeless dream of being a hero. He desperately wished he had listened to his mother’s warning. Oh, how he wanted to be by her bedside now, treating her like a queen and showing how much he loved her! Now he could never see her again, never hold her close in an embrace, never maker her proud of her own son...he had failed.

Dragon Child mercilessly punctured Chu’s throat with his sharp claw, reaching down to Chu’s human heart. He drew the organ out of Chu’s lifeless body, watching it pulse in his palm. He blew, a directed tendril of scarlet flame, lighting Chu’s heart with bright everlasting fire. He tore through Chu’s chest, placing the burning heart right where it used to be.

Chu’s body was covered in a blanket of blinding crimson light brighter than a fallen star, as his wounds healed and his body transformed. When the light faded away, in Chu’s place a young dragon lay asleep.

Dragon Child approached the youthful dragon, knudging it’s snout with the edge of his claw.

“Wake up, kid.”

At his command, the little dragon opened its eyes, staring up at him cluelessly, gazing around the clearing with a lost confused expression.

“Who are you?” the little dragon asked, high pitched voice laced with crackling.

“My name is Dragon Child, little dragon! I am your master who has created you from fire and blood, and you are to serve me forever! That was the deal if you lost our battle.”

The little dragon was still confused, but he looked up at his master’s devilish eyes and sinister grin. He was afraid. In a shaky voice he spoke:

“Yes master.”