The Ultimate Fantasy: Chinese Hero

By Robert Henning

"Chinese Hero" is set in the mystical lands of ancient China. A warrior princess named Lin has just lost the royal throne to her young and arrogant brother. In a fit of rage the cold hearted woman breaks open the famous Egg of Chaos and releases five deadly spirits into the world. A mischievous boy named Manchu, his superstitious friend, Jia, and a giant supernatural chicken called Chi are the only ones courageous (and crazy) enough to try and restore the natural order. But do they have what it takes to overcome their personal weaknesses? And can they save the world without being destroyed themselves?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Henning
• Release date: Jun 14, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458017604

Robert Henning

Rob Henning was born in South Africa and educated in New Zealand and Australia. He has degrees in commerce, politics and film, and currently lives in Los Angeles.The Ultimate Quest – Olympic Gold is part of a trilogy that celebrates young heroes. The other two books are The Ultimate Fantasy – Chinese Hero and The Ultimate Adventure – Journey to the Spirit Kingdom. You can find out more about these books at www.olympusbooks.com.

Book preview

The Ultimate Fantasy ~ Chinese Hero

By Rob Henning

*^*^*^*^*^*

Smashwords Edition

Text - Robert Henning - copyright 2008

Cover art - Bonnie Van De Ven - copyright 2008

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, photographic including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the author.

The author can be contacted at [e-mail]

*^*^*^*^*^*

Dedicated to young heroes everywhere…

*^*^*^*^*^*

Cast of Characters

Jia ~ A Chinese girl

Manchu ~ A Chinese boy

Lin ~ A female warrior and China’s First Princess

Chi ~ Guardian of summer and the south

Wen ~ Guardian of spring and the east

Rong ~ Guardian of autumn and the west

Chung ~ Guardian of winter and the north

Tai ~ Lin’s brother and heir to the Chinese throne

Chen ~ Chief minister to the Emperor of China

Ping ~ Chief monk at the Gentle Moon Temple

Li Mei ~ Lin’s palace attendant

Huo ~ Spirit of Fire

Mu ~ Spirit of Wood

Manchung ~ Spirit of Water

Tu ~ Spirit of Earth

Fang ~ Spirit of Air

The Jade Empress ~ Queen of Heaven

Bao ~ Man servant to the Jade Empress

*^*^*^*^*^*

In the beginning…

A long time ago, before the Great Wall of China was built, and before the Silk Road was carved across Asia, there came into being four extraordinary creatures. One was an azure dragon with scales as shiny as blue pearls. This fire breathing lizard was endowed with the gift of flight, and in exchange he was told to protect the season of spring and the eastern pole of the universal compass. The second creature took the shape of a giant red rooster with feathers more luxurious than the most expensive satin. The strength of a lion was gifted to this bird, and then he was told to guard the season of summer and the south pole. The third animal in the magical quartet was a tiger with sparkling blue eyes and fur whiter than snow. The speed of ten horses was bestowed upon this supernatural cat before he was asked to care for autumn and the western half of the world. The last of the four creatures came in the form of a large sea turtle with a black shell that glistened in any light. A mind that could read the thoughts of others was given to this reptile, and in return he had to watch over winter and the north pole.

The Great Creator studied the four guardians and understood just how important they all were. Their role in the universe was to promote balance and harmony, and if they did their jobs well then peace would reign supreme. But… if they ever failed in their duties then Chaos would leap out from the shadows and wreak havoc on earth. It was vital that each of the guardians recognize this fact, so the Great Creator told them all they needed to know of their fates. It was a grim lesson that none of the four thought they would ever forget. With responsibility weighing heavily on their shoulders, they set forth to take up their posts. Each guardian kept his eyes open and his ears turned to the wind, and it seemed for a while that they would all succeed in their roles.

Alas, failure could not be avoided forever, and on one eventful day the guardian of spring fell asleep at his post. In that moment the universe changed, and as darkness descended on the human race an urgent need was born. A hero was called for who could restore the natural order, and in the mystical land of China not one but three brave souls answered the world’s cry for help.

This is their story…

*^*^*^*^*^*

Chapter 1

The Gentle Moon Temple was the most important building within Gentle Moon Village, for it was here that rice farmers and their families found spiritual guidance from a group of quiet monks. The temple building was older than people cared to remember, and yet it looked like a place that was loved and well cared for. The walls were dark brown in color, and these supported a beautifully curved roof made from red tiles. Parts of the temple were three stories high, and in the upper levels one could look out across China and marvel at her size.

As it so happens, not every inhabitant of the temple was a monk: a young girl named Jia also called the religious building her home. Jia lived at the temple for a very simple reason: she was an orphan and had no where else to go. The nine year old was not amused by this state of affairs at all, for living in the temple meant doing a hundred and one chores each day.

On this particular morning Jia was seated in the temple’s cobble stone courtyard. Officially speaking she was meant to be meditating, and it certainly looked like she was for her eyes were closed and her legs were folded in the lotus position. In reality though Jia was just daydreaming. Meditation was a complete waste of time in her opinion, and it was far more interesting to think about fantastical things (like painting the temple bright pink, or swimming in the village pond with the giant gold fish).

Jia’s silly dreams came to an end when a yellow butterfly landed on her nose. The insect was feathery light and its touch was ticklish. Jia opened her almond colored eyes and squinted at the small insect. It was unspeakably beautiful, and the girl’s heart longed to possess the creature’s delicate wings. A second passed by, and then the butterfly took off into the warm breeze. It twirled and danced around before Jia’s eyes, and pulled the invisible strings attached to her soul. The moment was perfect, and then it ended with an abrupt yell…

HIYA! Take that! And that! KAPOW!

Jia nearly had a heart attack.

The alarmed nine year old looked around the courtyard and soon spotted the noise maker who had frightened the living daylights out of her. It was her best friend, Manchu, and he was practicing his karate moves with an invisible ghost.

How rude! thought the temple attendant to herself.

She had been minding her own business and having a fine time, and all of that had been horribly interrupted by a lunatic boy.

Excuse me! I’m trying to meditate here!

Manchu quickly claimed victory over his ghostly foe and then rushed up to his best mate.

You’re not having much luck, are you? noted the cheeky boy with a devilish grin.

I wonder why? replied Jia sarcastically.

Manchu pointed at the yellow insect that was hovering above his friend’s head:

You were watching the butterfly, he chortled. Admit it.

Jia briefly allowed her gaze to wander up to the insect: then she re-focused her eyes on Manchu and scowled heavily.

Ahem! You can watch a butterfly and meditate at the same time thank you.

The young girl knew this to be true, though secretly she doubted if she would ever be able to accomplish such a feat.

Manchu quickly dropped down to his knees, all wide eyed and bubbly.

Enough about meditation… Jia, let’s go on an adventure!

For the tiniest of moments Jia wanted to say yes, and then she realized that she couldn’t. The young girl stood up and lifted her straw mat off the ground.

Manchu, I don’t have time to run around like a silly child. I have important chores to do.

Like what?

Well, I have to sweep this courtyard.

Manchu scowled in disbelief as he jumped to his feet.

Since when did sweeping become important?

Jia pondered this tricky question, and somehow found an answer that sounded reasonable:

A clean courtyard lets visitors know that the people who live here have clean minds.

Having said this Jia realized that she was starting to sound like the temple’s chief monk. That was just a little bit frightening.

Manchu followed Jia indoors: he was known for being stubborn, and he wasn’t about to take no for an answer.

But the courtyard will just get dirty again, declared the boy forcefully. Come on Jia… you know you want to go exploring with me.

Jia dropped her meditation mat at the foot of her bed and looked into her friend’s dark brown eyes.

So where do you want to have this big adventure? she found herself asking.

Manchu was suddenly lost for words. He knew he wanted to go on an adventure, but he hadn’t thought the whole matter through.

Um… er… um, well there are so many options, replied the boy as his eyes darted around the room in search of ideas.

Jia threw her arms into the air impatiently.

I knew it! she exclaimed. You’re full of hot air!

It was then that Manchu spotted a carved symbol on a nearby wall. The Egg of Chaos was its official name in Chinese lore, and nearly every home in the land had its own replica of the image. Circular in shape, and split evenly in two, the Egg represented China’s most cherished beliefs about the universe.

How about the Egg of Chaos? said Manchu excitedly.

Jia was immediately confused, and as she directed her gaze towards the ornament she scrunched her nose up to show just how perplexed she was.

What about it?

Manchu stepped up closer to the symbol and pointed at it in awe.

We can try to find it inside Mount Serenity.

Jia felt her mouth fall open in shock.

You’re missing a few marbles, replied the girl in amazement. The ‘Egg of Chaos’ is just a theory about the universe.

No way! exclaimed Manchu as he looked over his shoulder towards Jia. My grandpa says you can touch it, and it’s guarded by a fire breathing dragon!

Jia simply had to shake her head from side to side.

Madness! muttered the young girl. It must run in your family.

*^*^*^*^*^*

Outside in the temple’s chicken run Jia threw a handful of rice to the ground and watched as seven hens gobbled up the food. Chickens never ceased to amaze the temple attendant: they were stupid birds in her opinion, and only good for laying eggs.

Don’t you get tired of doing chores?

The question came from Manchu of course, and it was quite clear that he had slipped into a sulk.

Of course I do, replied Jia. But they have to be done.

"Humph! Well I think you’re forgetting how to