Once the curse had settled within his body prince Yuen had returned to guiding them through his lair in companionable silence. They followed him for a while longer before Zen noticed vines beginning to drift downward from the ceiling. His attention returned to prince Yuen as he watched the man tug his hood up and over his head, covering his face. The tendrils of vines carefully wound their way around Feng, then began to lift them both toward the dark ceiling of the cavern.

"Be sure to dismount Kongqi before allowing the vines to grab you. I'll run as a decoy on Zen's horse so that you two have a better chance of getting away. Your horse will be fine down here until we can retrieve him," he said before disappearing above their heads with Feng.

Qi was already dismounting in front of him, making Zen hurry to swing his leg over the horse once his master was down. To his surprise, Qi easily caught him before his feet even hit the ground, then settled him on the mossy floor before tugging him into a tight hug.

"Be safe, my Zen. Your life is my life, but my life would not be complete without my sweet guard by my side," he said before rustling Zen's hair, then fixing his hood over it once more.

Zen felt his heartbeat, which had already been erratic from the nerves of what they were about to do, beat harder against his ribs. He wanted to write to his master, though he was unsure of what words to use. His chance, unfortunately, was taken away when the vines that had carried the other prince away slowly drifted downward to wrap around his master's waist and upper body.

"I suppose it is time to go," Qi said as he adjusted his own hood with a small smile.

Zen took a hesitant step back, ready to be carried off, too. Except... as his master began to rise, nothing came for him.

Master?

"I apologize, my Zen, but I can't let you get hurt. I promise I will come back for you soon," Qi said, his eyes showing just how much he regretted tricking him.

But master, you said that you didn't want me to stay down here. I can help you and keep myself safe! I would never risk your life!

Zen blinked back tears and hurried toward a wall, channeling some of the power from the talisman at his waist as he did so. He managed to get halfway up the wall, needing only a few more steps to reach his master... but then his spiritual energy abruptly ran out, making his shoes slip on the damp wall before he fell back down to the spongy moss floor.

Stunned and confused, Zen slowly rolled over and pushed himself up onto his hands and knees.

Where did it go? His highness had said that he'd recently refilled it and not to waste it...

Jumping back to his feet, Zen lifted his eyes to the ceiling, but his master was already gone.

Wait... he had grabbed my belt earlier before he had cursed me. Yuen Huang, how dare you trick me at such a time!

He rarely got angry at anything, but to say that he was enraged was an understatement.

And master... somehow you knew. You left me here when I have forever walked beside you.

Refusing to blink back his tears any longer, Zen let them flow as he finally turned his gaze away from the dark ceiling of the cave and ran over to Kongqi. He easily mounted it in a rush, then kicked its sides to make it immediately dart back into the tunnel they had come from.

There must be a way out of here that is not reliant on prince Yuen's magic.

His eyes narrowed as his horse leaped over the length of water they had nervously waded through earlier. A shrill scream echoed around the area as the horse landed, but it simply continued running.

Did you not hear that?

Hesitantly, Zen slowed the animal, then gently guided it to turn around before tapping its sides lightly. It slowly walked back over to the water, but stopped at the edge, clearly uncomfortable about walking into it without the other prince guiding them.

Zen slid from its back and carefully stepped closer, squinting in the darkness, trying to see.

What is really down there?

He settled himself on his hands and knees at the water's edge. A faint purple glow had begun in the middle of the five foot or-so length of water. Another scream echoed within his mind, but for some reason, he didn't feel as if he should be afraid. In fact, he found himself cautiously reaching out toward the surface of the dark water.

I hear you... but what are you? Why did prince Yuen lock you up here?

The high pitched screams changed abruptly. It almost seemed like the entity was now sobbing hysterically into his mind.

Swallowing down the lump in his throat, Zen hesitantly tapped the surface of the water with his pointer finger for the briefest second. The sobbing suddenly turned into what sounded like the roar of a waterfall as the purple light flared and something frantically clawed at the space directly beneath where Zen had touched, yet no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't break the simple line of surface water that was its prison.

Zen sat back on his heels as he watched the creature's blurry form circle the area, its purple aura pulsing with excitement.

Whatever you are, you aren't alive any longer.

He hadn't been able to see it very well, but it was clear that it no longer had a body of its own. Only memories of what it might have looked like that had been distorted with twisted emotions.

Can you help me? he asked it, taking himself by surprise.

Surely whatever was beneath the water wasn't friendly. Yet, for some reason, he felt like he should reach out to it. The swirling and darting slowed until the features of what appeared to be the faint outline of an eye and jaw were visible.

So you were alive at one point... has it been many years since you have been locked down here? he asked.

It would be no surprise that the creature had gone mad if it had been locked within the tiny stretch of water for so long.

Why would he keep such a thing, though?

He also hadn't noticed anything else during his several times in the man's lair that was similar besides his master's soul, but that had been treated with the utmost care, not locked away in a watery prison. Wiping off the last stubborn teardrop on his cheek with his sleeve, Zen steeled his nerves and rolled up his long sleeve, then reached down into the water.

The creature's reaction was immediate as it latched onto his skin with broken claws, scratching it open in several places. Its purple light pulsed faster as little lines of blood flowed from Zen's wrist and lower arm.

It's okay, little one.

That single eye looked up at him from right beneath the surface as it drifted beside his blurred hand.

Can you talk? What was your name?

He heard more sobbing screams in the back of his mind, but they seemed distant, as if the creature was trying to calm itself enough to communicate.

You can do it. My name is Zen. My master gave me the name many years ago. It is my most important treasure...

The creature holding onto his arm seemed to fluctuate before Zen saw one of its shattered hands scratch at the surface of the water from beneath.

I don't know if I can take you out of there, but I know that prince Yuen does not keep things down here that he does not value in some way...

With that thought in mind he carefully began withdrawing his arm from the water. The creature scrambled for a better grip, but as he continued pulling his arm out, the action forced its claws to slip from his skin. He could sense its terror in his mind and hesitated finishing removing his hand.

I am sorry. I cannot stay here with you much longer. My master needs my help, but I need to find a way to get out of here before I can go to him.

The creature suddenly retreated down into the darkness of the water, releasing Zen's arm completely. He retracted it, then shook the water off as he eyed the marks the creature had left. They definitely looked more like frantic scratches from a child with broken fingernails over a monster's claws...

Hearing a tiny splash, Zen's eyes darted toward the middle of the pool where a few little ripples of water reflected the minimal light in the tunnel.

You want me to walk in?

Zen slowly stood as the creature reappeared with its purple light pulsing excitedly. He wanted to trust it, but he had no more spiritual energy left to save himself if he got pulled under, and his sword would be mostly useless underwater.

He stood, intent on turning and walking away, but halfway through the action he heard a faint static slip into his mind. It almost felt like prince Yuen, but he knew that the man was nowhere near him right then. He also didn't normally hide that he was listening in on his thoughts, either.

Turning back toward the pool of water, Zen noticed the creature's faded eye staring up at him from the middle of the water, its purple light pulsing slowly, as if had worn itself out with its previous excitement.

Is that you, little one? Are you trying to speak to me?

Faint lines around the eye tilted it abruptly, as if the creature was moving its head in contemplation.

...sh.

Zen carefully knelt back down at the edge of the pool with a curious smile.

Sh?

The creature swirled around beneath the surface for a few moments before Zen felt the static in his mind again. He decided to sit down and cross his legs to focus. As soon as he closed his eyes and evened his breathing he could actually sense the creature at the edge of his mind.

There you are, little one. Come, talk to me.

It hesitated for a few more moments before slowly drifting into his mind.

Oh wow...

He couldn't explain the feeling he got as he let the little creature into his thoughts, except that it was finally exactly where it should be. It belonged with him... but why? How?

Xis... sheng, it thought to him, struggling to put the name together. It's voice was extremely quiet, and Zen couldn't blame it. The creature radiated confusion and fear.

You are safe here, he told it warmly.

Is your name Xisheng? He asked once the creature managed to calm down a little more.

The entity didn't respond but seemed to snuggle against him within his mind, clearly seeking warmth.

With you... it whispered after a few quiet minutes, the quiet words echoing throughout his mind infinitely.

I'm not sure how I can free you, Zen replied, still a little worried that the creature could be trying to trick him. He'd had quite enough of being fooled for one day.

Let in... it replied, making Zen blink open his eyes.

They were already directed at the surface of the water. That single, sad eye was staring at him from just beneath the surface.

I can't let you possess me.

There was no way he could give his body to someone else. He had to go find his master and he doubted that the creature before him would have the same interests.

No... it replied, making him tilt his head slightly.

The creature mirrored his action, making him fidget.

Why do you seem so much like me?

It's purple light pulsed as it matched his heartbeat thrumming in his chest.

Me... you.

Zen's nerves made him want to run, but the creature had already been inside his mind and had only tried to snuggle in for warmth. It wasn't dangerous... at least, not to him.

I can't let you possess me, but is there another way I can bring you with me?

The creature began sobbing into his mind again, but it calmed itself after a few circles of its prison. It stopped in front of him after a few minutes, then gently nudged against his mind again.

Zen quickly relaxed himself again, closing his eyes to focus on allowing the creature back into his thoughts. Xisheng didn't hesitate as soon as it was given access. It darted right to the warmest part of his mind before it spoke.

Sword...

Zen blinked his eyes open once more, then looked down at the blade at his waist.

You want to possess my sword?

He felt bad that it was likely the creature's only option at freedom, but when he mentioned it, Xisheng seemed extremely excited at the prospect. It's renewed excitement sent it darting around the pool again and brought a small smile to Zen's lips, but he knew that he had to consider what he was doing seriously.

He would be removing it from its prison if he allowed it to possess his weapon. There was also no overlooking its resentment and hostility. He had no doubt that whatever happened to whoever the creature had been, had been terrible. His master would have likely stopped him from even talking to it in the first place, but now that he had, he couldn't make himself leave it in its watery cell.

I accept your proposal, Xisheng.

Standing, Zen withdrew his blade from its scabbard, then turned the handle in his palm before thrusting it downward, deep into the murky water. He ended up kneeling once more as the sword sunk into the dark depths, leaving only the hilt and his hand above the surface.

I free you from your prison and welcome you to take this blade as your own.