The Burning Man

5

At the foot of the stairs there was a long stone tunnel that eventually led to a great hall so bright they had to shield their eyes. A reservoir of Blue Fire stretched into the distance. The walls were illuminated with astonishing designs of Fabulous Beasts in jade and gold that appeared to be telling a story. Small silver creatures scurried amongst the coils of their tails.

Church, Ruth, Shavi and Tom’s attention was drawn by a series of terracotta statues lining the burning pool, all different, all incredibly lifelike.

‘Dump him in the flames,’ Tom ordered.

As Shavi lowered Church into the Blue Fire, the pain began to drain from his features. Ruth had to look away, for the relief that flooded her almost brought her to tears. Instead, she examined the scores of terracotta figures. Some resembled men and women, others had the look of hybrid animals and lizards.

‘These are the gods, aren’t they?’ she said.

‘Imprisoned, with just a hint of torture — as you would expect from the King of Foxes,’ Tom replied. ‘Close enough to see the Blue Fire, but not close enough to use it. Pitch them in, too.’

Shavi and Ruth moved along the edges of the pool, pushing the statues into the flames. Within seconds they began to move, the terracotta cracking then falling away to reveal the living beings beneath.

Ruth shied back as one imposing figure rose from the Blue Fire. His black beard trailed down to his ankles, and his robes and tall hat were embroidered with Fabulous Beasts. Blue sparks fizzed from his eyes as he looked at each of them in turn.

‘My name is Yu Huang.’ His voice echoed into the dim distance. ‘I am the August Personage of Jade. Whatever happens on Earth and in heaven is mine to determine.’ His attention fell on Church and he nodded. ‘The Brothers and Sisters of Dragons. It was only a matter of time until you found your way to the heavenly palace. You have my gratitude, and that of my Transcendental Administration.’

Other gods rising from the flames gave a clipped bow.

The Jade Emperor raised his head slightly as if sniffing the air. ‘The King of Foxes and his demon-court are no more. Balance has been restored.’

Hesitantly, Ruth stepped forward. ‘Sir …’ She bit off the word, cursing her awkwardness. ‘The Blue Fire has been closed off from its source.’

‘Even in our deep and dreamless sleep, we heard of this tragedy.’

‘The flow was cut by the Extinction Shears. Is there any way to restore it?’

Yu Huang’s expression grew dark at the mention of the Shears. Raising one hand, he summoned a hugely overweight figure with a bald head and glaring eyes. In his left hand he held a chain that led a strange, squat animal resembling a one-horned goat.

‘The question has been asked, Gao Yao,’ the Jade Emperor said to the new arrival, ‘and if our Empire of the Sun and Moon is to prosper still, it is one that must be answered in our favour. What is your judgment on this issue?’

Gao Lao lowered his huge frame to communicate silently with the goat. When he looked up, his eyes were wet with tears.

‘August Personage, my judgment in this matter is clear. Even this transgression can be breached-’

‘Even though the weft and the weave were cut by the Extinction Shears?’

‘August Personage, yes.’ Gao Yao bowed several times until Ruth became concerned he would not stop. ‘However, a sacrifice is needed. The spirit of a heavenly presence burns brightly and only that will break the dam.’

Dark thoughts played across Yu Huang’s face.

From the ranks of the gods, a muscular figure stepped forward. Bald, with a long, black ponytail, he carried a large silver axe marked in red with Chinese characters. A jagged scar ran across his face, and his left eye was covered with a patch. ‘August Personage, I will do this task for you. It is a small thing, and my battle-cry will echo through all eternity.’

‘No, Lei-Gong. The sun is setting on Existence, and I fear we will have need of your thunder before too long.’

One by one the gods stepped forward to offer their service, and one by one Yu Huang rejected them.

Finally he turned to the gods and said, ‘Return to the Palace of Heavenly Purity and make plans. The Transcendental Administration will be needed in the days to come. Let this be your legend: Honour. Fortune. Wisdom. Justice.’

When the gods had trooped by him into the stone tunnel, the Jade Emperor turned to Ruth. ‘Your spirit burns brightly. Believe in yourself, flower of the west, and all will be well.’

And then he turned to Church, Shavi and Tom. Church had recovered enough to stand unaided, but he was still pale and weak. ‘One of you must accompany me to the source of the Blue Fire.’

It took a second for them to realise what Yu Huang was saying. ‘One of us has to be the sacrifice?’ Shavi asked.

‘Why?’ There was force in Church’s question despite his physical weakness. ‘Because we’re not gods? Because we’re lesser?’

‘You would set yourself alongside the gods?’ Yu Huang’s tone and expression gave no hint of his thoughts.

‘We’re not lesser. Everything we’ve done shows that we deserve recognition.’

The Jade Emperor nodded thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps, then, it is time.’ He turned to Ruth. ‘You will accompany me?’

‘No,’ Church said. ‘I’ll go.’

‘You don’t have to keep protecting me,’ Ruth said sharply. ‘The Brothers and Sisters of Dragons are equals. I have as much right as you to be sacrificed.’

‘Typical,’ Tom said. ‘Fighting over who should be the first to die.’

‘You’re the leader,’ Ruth said to Church. ‘You’re the one who’s most needed. Not me.’ Ruth tried to stop her voice from breaking.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Church pitch forward. As she turned to see what had happened, a hard blow struck the back of her head. The last thing she heard was Shavi’s voice: ‘I will do it.’