Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 12 | Page 141

The Dragon and the Hai Crystal
Dulwich College Beijing, Hood-Nguyen, Alfie – 10
T
he Hai Crystal, which was key to Shangit life, was made by ancient Shangits at the start of the world. They first
built a temple to hold the dazzling beauty, but suddenly noticed that it was too exposed so they finally decided
to build a vault to contain the Hai Crystal...
However, this vault was discovered by the menacingly vile Opium Dragon, who had the power of destruction.
Being the most feared creature in the land, his horrifically poisonous breath had the distinct smell of opium. As he
stalked through the narrow streets of Shanghai, lanterns bobbed around and vegetable markets were making money
rapidly. The terror of beasts was invisible. He got to the well-hidden vault, smashed the metal and seized the crystal.
Running at a super speed, he passed opium dens filled with drug smokers. He was the only one who liked the sight
of these things.
Because he held the precious Hai Crystal, he banished nearly all Shangits out of Old Shanghai. Where they were sent
was a mystery. But there was hope. A speck of stone sheltering in the misty mountains. A Shangit named Henry
immediately realised this looming end that could destroy his home. He had to react, to save his life, to save Shangit
life. As he set off, he knew how much time he had; a week.
The journey wasn't pleasant. The Paektu Mountains spewed out fire and crackled with a malicious tone. Next, the
hard journey to The Islands of Hainan led to devastating creepers that wrapped around him and followed him like
a slitheringly slick snake. Following that, he had to cross over flooding rivers and through terrible tornadoes. The
arid Gobi Desert was next and it seemed like it would go on endlessly. But finally, just when Henry’s legs would give
in, mountains shot into view.
“There…it…is,” he panted, “The Himalayas.” Henry had travelled all around China to find these enchanting
mountain ranges. So without a break, he broke into a sprint that flew him further towards the magnificent spikes and
cliffs that towered over the young quester. The boy immediately arrived at the range and then came the hard part.
Finding the exact spot where he would somehow drop into the mountain and penetrate it would be hard. Legend
had it that a riddle was made to find the path.
You might find the hidden path,
but you will have to be good at math,
count how many things are below ground,
and then think, do you hear a sound?
If so, step around,
then you will meet your destination,
UNDERGROUND...
A pause silenced everything as Henry hesitated for a moment… Suddenly, his brain popped with a brilliant idea. He
instantly removed the snow from the mountain edge, found rock and heard a faint sound. A creak. Short but clear.
A creak. He stepped around and it was like an elevator. Plummeting down each step resulted in him ending up inside
the mountain.
Math was a strength, he had heard a sound and stepped around and he had plummeted below the ground - but this
was the extreme part. Finding the legendary Opium Dragon would be somewhat difficult, so would destroying it
and seizing the crystal back. Time flew like an arrow spinning towards him. If that arrow hit him, the whole of Old
Shanghai would end as the Opium Dragon demolished Shangits using his unbearable opium death breath.
Trembling as he tiptoed towards a bright glimmering light, he immediately thought that he needed a strong weapon.
An arsenal of weapons if possible. A wizard's enchanting staff or a knightly, excruciatingly painful blade of honor.