The Tiger and The Bird

Chapter 28

"Brother – you must stop," the sea dragon shouted.

But the beast growled instead and leapt for the him without hesitation.

He was at least twice the size of the dragon. Tearing through his black scales with sharp stone claws and teeth. The sea dragon staggered but he was quick and pushed Ru Feng back with a thrash of his powerful tail. Blood oozed from his long body – his wounds from before had not completely healed. Smoke swirled from his nostrils.

"Come back to us, brother!" He cried again, "Let us help you!"

But his calls fell on deaf ears. The beast regained his footing and charged again. Glowing tendrils of fire trailed along his body. The two creatures crashed. Rubble and dirt flung around them like a whirlwind. The dragon wove itself around the beast. They twirled onto the ground toppling buildings and trees.

Finally, the beast shook the dragon off. He chomped down on the dragon's body and flung him hard towards the river. The sea dragon landed with a hard splash. When the Jade River settled and the dragon didn't get back up again, the beast turned back towards the palace panting.

He let out a devastating roar that shook earth.

Then he dove but was forced back by a shimmering green shield. It surrounded the entirety of the palace with a pattern of clouds and flowers. The beast shook his head growling and readied to pounce again. But a small turtle materialized before him.

---

Nong awoke to a roar that wrenched her heart. She'd heard the sound before. Because she'd heard the same cry from King Houavin.

She struggled to sit up recognizing the Lotus Palace's infirmary. The pain in her stomach flared and traveled all over her body. Her bandage started to bleed through. She winced.

"Nong!" her governess cried coming to her aid.

Nong stopped her. "I have to go," She whimpered.

Governess Gao hesitantly nodded, "He's here. And it seems some of your other friends as well,"

Nong took a moment to breathe through the pain. Sea Dragon must be out there with Ru Feng. His warning to her repeated in her mind. Was her feather not enough? This was all her fault. She had to get to them.

She turned to her governess offering a small smile, "Thank you for everything,"

"And you," Governess Gao said quietly, "Gods be with you...and b-bring you back to me,"

Tears welled up in her eyes, "I'll go see them now," Nong said.

She wavered to an open balcony and summoned her wings.

---

The Sage Turtle presented the golden feather to Ru Feng.

"Take this," The turtle said. "It's yours,"

The beast stopped as if hypnotized by the small feather for the moment. It floated before his eyes shimmering like a star. He'd glided through stars before. But the memory pierced him and he grumbled.

The Sage Turtle kept speaking as he slowly crept towards his brother, "You fought so bravely for this not to happen. I can't say I know how much it hurts. All I can say is I'm so sorry for everything,"

The feather continued to drift back and forth. The Life Rune drawn on it had dried and darkened. She'd made this for him with her blood. Even 'til her final breath she was still trying to help him.

"We may have been gods, but it took a monster to show us that we didn't know any better. If we shall ever meet again in another life...I promise to be a better brother," The turtle stopped before the beast's claws. He gently placed his own on top, "I hope you will forgive us,"

The shield around the palace had moved as well. Now it was glowing around them both.

The river stirred and the sea dragon tumbled out. "I promise...to not beat the crap out of you so much," He spat. Shaking the water off he hovered over to join them.

All three brothers were encased inside the green shield. Nothing would be able to get in or out.

"Accept this as our apology," Sage Turtle said.

Then he closed his eyes and started to chant the spell to lift the beast's curse.