Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 99

As Wong wandered around the sea of lava, looking for an exit, he stumbled upon a dagger, no longer
than his arm. Its hilt was leather-bound, a serrated, rust-free blade protruding from the handle. Wong
studied it for a moment, before picking it up. “Khagga Dhanasañcaya Mara”- Dagger of Mara. In an instant,
a wave of lava slammed into him, sending him over the edge of the volcano and into a dark, damp prison…
“Where am I?” Wong’s voice reverberated around the room. “You are with me, Wong.” Wong
whirled around, only to face a red-faced man with two demon horns sticking out of his scalp, canines
protruding from his Hitler style moustache. “Mara- the demon of the underworld.” Wong hid his
palpitating hands behind his back, not daring to show fear in front of the enemy.
Mara leaped at Wong with two deadly swords. Wong dodged, the blades missing him by two
centimetres! Wong fought back with the dagger still in his hands. He lashed with surprising speed and
agility, knocking Mara in the face with the butt of his dagger. Wong gritted his teeth, dodging Mara’s every
strike. As swift as lightning, Wong stabbed Mara in the chest. With a final howl, Mara collapsed before his
feet. “How did I do that?” Wong thought, before pattering out of the cave and into the open.
Soon enough, Wong came across yet another cave, this one with the name Yuanzhou engraved in
neat cursive on the entrance door. He felt compelled to go in, as though an invisible force was urging him
onwards. He rapped on the door, and it instantly opened. “How strange!” Wong thought, walking gingerly
through the doorway. After a while, he heard a whimper, and a man, dressed in a dark, plaid shirt with the
number ‘1’ printed on it, emerged from the gloom of the cave.
“Master Wong, I’m Yuanzhou. The Buddha had me waiting for centuries for your arrival. Please free
me from this place.”
Wong instantly identified the man from his dream! Reaching out his hand, Wong willed him to be
emancipated from his taut bonds.
Yuan heaved a big sigh of relief. “Thank you, Master! Follow me and I’ll bring you to the Golden
Buddha.”
In the corner of his eye, Wong saw a shadow flashing by but dismissed it as his imagination.
Within a few minutes, they arrived at a security vault. “It’s right here, Master!” Yuan cheerfully said
as he jumped around, ecstatic at his newfound freedom. “Only the chosen one can open the vault” Wong
reached for the door and with the gentlest of touches, it opened. There was…nothing in the vault! Instantly,
Wong’s jovial smile was wiped off his face.
“You are too late!” a voice echoed around the vault. Wong whirled around, and standing before him
was a hideous man in a checkered shirt. In his right hand was a golden statue of Buddha!
“Who are you?” Wong pointed his dagger at the man
“I am Huairen, Chinese for bad person. I am the most powerful evil spirit in this world.”
Instantly, Huairen wielded a long blade, and with his first strike, grazed Wong’s side. “My skill is
unmatchable!” Huairen struck again, and this time, he cut a gash down the side of Wong’s face. He lashed at
Wong again, toppling him over.
Huairen had his sword right up at Wong’s face. With no thought for his own safety, Yuan lunged at
Huairen. With Huairen losing his balance, Wong ran and hid behind a rock.