Encore

Being the great Consultant of the Black Shores as she is now, Encore still refuses to act like a grown-up girl. To her, growing up means bidding farewell to bedtime stories, a prospect she firmly rejects. The very idea of drifting into sleep with empty, dark dreams instead of the vibrant hues of wonderful tales doesn’t sit well with her. Luckily, the adults in the Black Shores are happy to indulge her.

However, there lies a challenge — who among the busy grown-ups can spare the time to read Encore a brief bedtime story? That’s when Cloudy raises its little fluffy hand, promptly followed by the dark, fluffy hand of Cosmos.

On this particular evening, Cloudy brought Encore the old story of the Candy House. “Then… then…” Cloudy’s voice trailed off, growing softer. Oh no, it seemed to have forgotten the next part. Nervously, Cloudy glanced at its companion, lifting the blanket and attempting to hide itself from the intense embarrassment.

“I know! I know!” Cosmos eagerly pushed Cloudy aside, standing beside Encore’s bed, proudly taking over the storytelling. “Then, The Great Encore, blessed by blazing flames, defeated the big bad cat! Its dirty fur was all burnt!”

“And what about the Great Encore’s friends?” “Everyone was safe because of the Great Encore, of course. From then on, people lived in happiness without worrying about the big bad cat!”

Encore immersed herself in the story until her eyelids succumbed to the irresistible call of sleep. She wanted to add that “Director Mama is NOT a big bad cat”, but she was too tired to form a complete sentence. In the end, Cloudy and Cosmos, confused by Encore’s muttered objection, joined her under the soft covers, and they all drifted into a deep sleep.

In her dream, Encore found herself back at the orphanage, standing before the Candy House devoured by scorching flames. The roof melted in the inferno, and boiling syrup oozed onto the dying black cat, adding to its suffering. The creature was a grotesque symbol of its own transgressions.

Encore witnessed its demise, the inevitable consequence for its wicked deeds. However, the Reaper refused to easily forgive this sinful soul soaked in innocent blood, choosing instead to torture it and revel in its reluctant confession. Agonizing screams reverberated through the forest.

All creatures, once aggressive hyenas and arrogant crows, cowered in fear. In this silent place, only Encore and the dying souls endured. “It must hurt a lot…” A fiery blaze cast a glow on Encore’s face as she approached the dying cat. She gently pressed her cheek against its body, using her scarred little hands to stroke its fur.

The giant cat resented Encore for foiling its plan, expecting her to feel the same. After all, its evil deeds were cruel enough to earn the resentment of everyone. But why? Why did it feel nothing but warmth and sorrow from Encore’s little hand?

Frenzied flames danced around the Candy House, seemingly intent on devouring everything. Yet, Encore was not afraid. She leaned against the giant cat and started singing a lullaby. It’s a melody the cat had heard when it was still called “Director Mama” by Encore and other children in the orphanage.

It had sung this same song countless times for every one of its children. Encore kept on singing, her voice becoming hoarse, until the blazing flames went out, until the first morning glow graced the sky.

She felt the warm sunlight on her fingertips, and the cat’s “blessing” faded away, disappearing into the misty depths of the forest. Looking down, the once huge, ugly cat had transformed into a small kitten, curling up in Encore’s arms, sleeping soundly.

“Director Mama isn’t a big bad cat!” Encore’s sleep talk startled the night patroller passing by. “Encore has defeated the bad guys, so Mama no longer needs to be the big bad cat now!”

The night patrol shook her head in resignation, amused by the girl’s unruly sleeping posture. She gently tucked Encore in and continued her patrol.

Lingyang’s memories only recall this barren landscape, for as long as he can remember. Lingyang can’t pinpoint when he first remembered things, but he knows nothing of what happened before that. He couldn’t recall when he was born, where he had lived, or where he was going to. After fleeing the destruction of his homeland, he roamed the wilderness alone, struggling against loneliness, harsh weather, and emptiness. He felt like a wild beast, surviving on instinct with no direction in life.

But everything changed when he stumbled upon a human military troop. In the forest during a hunt, Lingyang encountered these peculiar upright animals. He cautiously followed behind them, keenly observing their every move. Lingyang couldn’t help but feel a mix of curiosity and amazement. Despite facing formidable enemies, they refused to surrender or flee.

Even when injured, they shielded their comrades and shared vital supplies. Not even hunger could weaken their resolve to share vital supplies and help one another. Lingyang wondered why these upright-walking creatures consistently exhibited behaviors he couldn’t comprehend. However, somehow their “strange” behaviors ignited a small flame within Lingyang’s heart, thawing some of the fear and coldness that gripped him.

Years passed, but Lingyang couldn’t shake the vivid memories of those figures. He found himself following their scent and footprints until he arrived at an unfamiliar land – Jinzhou. Standing on a cliff, he gazed at the strange creatures’ lively habitat in the distance.

Thunderous gongs and drums startled him, until he realized they were gathering at the city gate. Lingyang was filled with joy as he watched a vibrant and familiar dance unfold before him. The strange lionheaded dancer stirred something deep within him, a feeling rooted in his bloodline that he had been searching for all along.

After deciding to join these peculiar creatures, Lingyang would invest immense effort and endure pain in pursuit of his long-sought purpose, but his resolve always remained unshaken.