The Dawn of the New World

"No one would blame you for feeling...unsure at such a juncture, and there is certainly no reason to keep such things from me as I am sure you will understand in due time. The reason I have lived this long, survived where countless others have perished, it is only because of my ingenuity. If you share your concerns I can perhaps resolve some of them."

For once Hao Xuan felt like she meant that, especially because she always looked like she could see right through him.

And despite the warnings of everyone he had met so far Hao Xuan couldn't keep his guard up in this moment.

"I'm just a little uncertain if I can do everything I need to and get back in time. Going to the past during a period of extreme turmoil is one thing, but to do so without any real support in an unknown land is another."

Baba Jezda nodded slowly, "I see, but who told you there won't be any support?"

'??'

Hao Xuan straightened his back, "What do you mean?"

"The reason Yami found us so easily was because I asked for assistance from his master, the King in Yellow. With his aid I was able to commune with a few devout Oracles serving the Nine who were alive during that time by sending them a prophecy of your arrival."

"WHAT?!" he couldn't help but yell out in surprise.

"They know you are coming," she said with a wicked grin, "The 'savior' who will guard them against a great tragedy. Someone personally chosen by each of the Nine, a weapon sent to deliver a devastating blow to our enemies!"

She reached out with her grotesque hand and brushed her fingers across his cheeks as if looking at an object rather than a living being. Her voice separated into three distinct pitches but all of them sounded just as captivated with him.

"Oh, how wonderful will it be when you fulfill your destiny, I wonder? I had always dreamed of creating the perfect weapon but who would have thought that a mere human would accomplish where countless others had failed?" her gaze running up and down his body, "He created you in his image but you are so much more. To withstand the Heavenly Will this much was necessary."

"The blood of a Lycanthrope running through the body of a Demon housing the soul of a God, with the battle instincts of one of the most ruthless creatures to have ever walked the known planes. The moment you acquire the spark and dissolve the remainder of your humanity 'it' will come to pass!"

He could see a hint of madness take root in her eyes as she pointed to his hearts, both of them.

"With every beat, you bring us closer to the promised times. I will watch with my own eyes when you burn through the Heavenly Gates and usher in the new era!"

Hao Xuan felt his chest tighten and breath grow heavy. For a moment his own body felt like it belonged to a stranger.

He pulled away from her, "What are you going on about? Our deal was only limited to this one event! Once I prevent Maymun from taking over the Abyss our business will be finished."

"Really?" she cocked her head to the side, "Then what will you do with the rest of eternity? Didn't you just offer yourself up to the Nine?"

"Not like this, no. I will never be your puppe-"

*Ruumble*

The beast groaned and moaned before suddenly leaping out of the sand to land on solid ground. They were already behind the outcroppings that separated the exit of the land bridge with three figures waiting for them in the shadows.

Baba Jezda walked down the beast's head, unwilling to carry on the conversation any longer which Hao Xuan was more than happy to agree with.

He directed his attention to Claudia and Max both of whom were in perfect condition but Lord Yami looked a little worse for wear.

"Oh good, I feared we might have arrived too late," he joked, "Are we ready?"

Baba Jezda gave a silent nod but when she turned towards the bridge her expression turned somber.

"You feel it too?" Lord Yami came closer to whisper so the others wouldn't hear him.

She reached into her eye socket and casually pulled out her right eye before extending her hand out from behind the outcropping.

The pupil moved about getting the lay of the land until it saw a figure sitting on top of the gates. She pulled back her hand and placed the eye back inside her head with a heavy sigh.

On the other hand, Lord Yami could not help but voice his concerns.

"Of all the heavenly children, he was the last one I expected to see here. I had heard that he was kicked out of heaven, did he come here to redeem himself?!"