Beijinglia's Strange Death

(Few days later; the day when Beijinglia leaves)

Now the day comes when Beijinglia has to leave her home. Her home is near to the Shinsei Temple, and back of it, a forest is followed.

...Her mother said to get inside the Temple and move by the forest at the back, and she will get the way....

She remembered it and followed. Beijinglia's life takes a turn from this point. But, what about Debbie now? After finding that Beijinglia is not in home, she gets panicked, but her mother anyhow controlled her and let her known that she will be back after some days.

Beijinglia followed the way which her mother told, and went by the forest. She was glad, and also very excited to start her new life. She said, "Mom told me to meet with someone called as Master Lee. Well, I think my mother is quite confident that I'll find the way to him, even if she won't give the full address."

She was blindly following the path through the forest, and was walking for more than 2 hours. This leads to pain in her legs; although, she has come to the place – on the outskirts of Tiger Valley. She was stunned by the magnificent view of nature. However, she feels like she has seen this beautiful nature before – on Master Xiao's Temple. She said, "Seriously it has taken my all power to reach here........ So, this is it which I saw in the painting. Now I got it why that was so precious and uncommon."

But, before she could move another step, she collapsed on her knees. She said, "It is good that I have reached, but still it will take more time to reach......... This day will end soon."

She saw a huge stone beside the pathway and rested for some time there.

After a while, she saw someone coming from far. It was a horse rider. He was coming from the same way from which Beijinglia came. He was quite calm in his appearance, and wore a big hat and a mask. Due to this, she couldn't see his face clearly. But, Beijinglia doubted him.

The horse rider saw her alone, sitting on a stone. So, he stopped by her and asked, "Ma 'am, why you are here alone?" Then Beijinglia answered, "Just to rest here. Actually, I was going to Tiger Valley, for something important." But the horse rider said, "Important, or for the Montara Training? You won't look as the Tiger Valley citizen." This made Beijinglia amazed and suspicious of him. She said, "(Suspicious) And you also won't look like that. Why you want to know about me? I don't think that it is good for you to know any stranger at a place like this." 

"But I just thought to help you. I am also moving to Tiger Valley." That horse rider said.

"You are just a horse rider. What work do you have in Tiger Valley, are you a merchant? I don't think so. You're just as a chameleon. How do I believe in you?"

"It's good that you're cautious, but you don't have to guard up against me, ma'am."

"That's upto me, sir. Well, I'd like to know your name first." Beijinglia said.

..."My name? I am James Kolf, a traveler. Nice to meet you, Miss."...

His answer made Beijinglia too stunned to speak anything.

"(Amazed) A-Are you serious? Is it really your name?!" She exclaimed.

"(Confused) Well... yeah, miss. I don't think there's any doubt regarding that. But why you are asking?" Horse rider asked.

"(Comes to her senses) Oh... I apologize for my behavior, sir. Actually, there's someone I know who has the same name as yours. My friends call him Gary. We were close friends but he left the main city a month ago without a word. It really stunned me when I heard that name."

Her words reflect the sadness of parting. But the horse rider didn't react.

After a long pause, he asked, "He must be someone really important to you, right miss?"

"Yes. But I don't think we'll ever meet again. Anyway, I can only say that, he was a good person to be friends with. But, it was really unthoughtful of me to not consider that there could be more people with the same name as yours. I apologize again."

But the horse rider said, "Oh, you don't have to, Miss. It happens to everyone. Just understand it as a coincidence in our fate and move on. (Comes up with an idea) Oh yes, how about you come with me, Miss? I'll drop you to your destination."

"Really? Are you trying to give me a horse ride or an offer to send me in Tiger Valley?" Beijinglia said with doubts.

"As I said, I'm just a traveler. And my destination is Tiger Valley too. So it's a great opportunity for you, Miss. Please don't deny it."

"Well, it's not like I don't want to trust you. I just want to know that, how can you be sure for me, a stranger?"

The horse rider said, "I can see through your thoughts, lady. If you're worried about money then please don't. It looks like you must be travelling for more than two hours. You must be exhausted."

Beijinglia said, "Yes, you're right. But you don't have to worry about me. I can go on my own, sir."

But he said, "I don't think so, Miss. Even if you walk by your own, it'll take almost two days for you to reach the main land. And, soon it'll be night. It's dangerous for you to travel alone."

"(looks at him) So, can you guarantee my safety?"

"If you come with me, not only you'll be safe, but you can also reach the Tiger Valley, early morning the next day. So, as a kind gesture, I'll take no money from you, Miss as I am just trying to help you without any means. Please understand." Horse rider said.

The horse rider had convinced Beijinglia to come with him, but she was still in doubt. She thought, "This man is mysterious, but is willing to help me without anything... how it can be possible? ........... I am sensing that something bad is going to occur. God, just take me safely to my target."

(On their way to the Tiger Valley)

They had already come far after their meeting place. Everything was fine. But, Beijinglia seems to forget something.

After a while, She said, "Oh yes, how forgetful of me to not even introduce myself. Well, nice to meet you too, Mr. Horse rider. I am Beijinglia."

"(Smiles) Thanks for giving me such a good name. But, I've to say, you have such an uncommon name for sure, Miss Beijinglia. Pardon me for not asking it at first."

"It's okay. This name, is my identity. My Father named me. And, he wishes for me to become so strong that I don't have to fear anything."

".... That's great to hear."

And like that, they moved forward at a good pace while speaking with each other. It made Beijinglia feel better and was sure to reach Tiger Valley earlier than expected. However...

She just thought for herself to reach safely, but she ignored the unknown dangerous situation which she'll soon find herself in.

(At midnight)

..."It was deep dark and dense forest through which we were passing, after getting in the Tiger Valley's forest. And, I am speaking with you on my consciousness about the uncertain danger which I faced with that man. For I know that he is no longer any stranger for me now."...

Beijinglia's doubts couldn't fade away about that man no matter how much she tries to understand his good gestures. And, he knows this too, but won't express it before her.

At the time of midnight, they started to move after the rest of only three hours. Beijinglia then asked, after a while, "Can you tell me that why we are moving ahead in the midnight time? Have we crossed the forest?"

"No, not yet. But we will reach there early if we keep moving instead of waiting a night." The horse rider said.

"Well, that's fine for me. Also, we had already took some rest back there. I think we'll soon cross this forest if we keep moving, right?"

"Yes. Tiger Valley's borders are surrounded by thick dense forest, and wild animals are just... too 'wild'. Thus, no normal human can go through Tiger Valley."

"Sounds creepy; don't you think of any harm in this dense forest? Since you're a traveler, you might be going in and out of such places all the time, right?" Beijinglia said.

"Not really. I don't work in day that much, and only travel to my destination if I feel alright, either day or night." The horse rider said.

"Huh?"

Beijinglia finds his answer quite weird. She said, "(Awkward laugh) You seem quite confident. Aren't you worried about becoming the food for those wild animals here?"

The horse rider didn't reply, but he laughed at her quite 'innocent' words — To imagine she's so defenseless at their current situation. It was quite unbelievable for a person like Beijinglia who was being cautious and doubtful few hours ago.

She couldn't find anything funny in her words to which the horse rider was laughing. It made her feel insulted.

She asked, "(In rage) It's insulting when you laugh at my words when I just meant to tell you to be careful, sir. What's so funny that amused you?"

He replied, "Few hours ago you were cautious of me and here you're speaking with me so casually as if I'm your friend. It should be me telling you to be aware of everything. (Looks at her) Aren't you worried to die at such place? If it weren't for me to saw you there, you might've become the food for those wild animals already."

"(Furious) Are you trying to argue with me? I'm not that weak, you mister. It was you who wanted to help me reach the Tiger Valley, not me. And, it's my kind gesture to not accusing you of any betrayal, at least for now."

..."(Angry)... You do have quite a nerve, woman. Be grateful that you're still alive."...

"What, will you give me as food to wild animals here? You're the one who insulted me and didn't even apologize. And, you feel bad now? How bad you can be, seriously—"

..."—YOU HAVE STARTED FIRST."...

(This is the common text Gary used to say while arguing with Beijinglia. She calls him mischievous man) – She got amazed when she heard this. After a while, when he finds no words from Beijinglia, he continued to say, "Are you done? Much better. So...(Doubt) Hey, Beijinglia; are you there? What happened?"

He turned around and stopped in between.

Behind him, he finds that Beijinglia got off the horse and pointing the large Sword towards him, like she just wants to kill him.

He also gets off the horse and asked in doubt, "Hey, why you get off the horse? You are wasting time; and throw off that sword away—"

..."—Could it be a coincidence or my fate to meet you, 'traveler Gary'?" Beijinglia said....

Her words stunned him, but he said, "What nonsense are you spitting out Beijinglia?"

"(Serious) Answer me, what are you doing in Tiger Valley?"

"(Avoids her words) It has nothing to do with you. You might've misunderstood me. Come on, get on the horse we've to go—"

But Beijinglia interrupted, "It ain't no misunderstanding, you fox! Why can't you just speak out directly to me that you're only Gary?! How can you lie to me, you bug?!"

..."(Tries to control his anger; in low voice) What you're saying; Beijinglia? I can't understand." The horse rider said....

..."(Darkened eyes) Don't worry, I'll make you understand." Beijinglia said. ...

And she tried to attack him, but he stopped her with one hand and dangerously punched her on stomach which made her collapsed. She felt the agony which she had never experienced.

...At least, not from her... Distant friend....

He threw away his hat and black mask which finally revealed his unreal face — White and pale, but his eyes were more horrifying than his face.

He said, coming to her, "What a fool you are. Such a childish attempt you've made to harm me. (Gets down to her level) But still you're intelligent to understand anyone. (Evil smile) Finally, you caught me, Beijinglia."

"You...You damn fox!!"

He said, "(giggles) I shouldn't have left you live. Just hearing your voice makes me feel disgusted. But, it's good for me, I can kill you now."

"... I'll destroy you if you come close…"

"You've lived well till now Beijinglia. You have something to protect, and thus you want to be stronger... It's inspiring. But, to me, you're just an ant — to get crushed under my foot."

He continued, "However... You may not know but, you've a strange, strong will which keeps you alive....

..."Tell me how you got this power?"...

Gary's identity is revealed. But, he doesn't care about it — He is more worried about Beijinglia being alive — He'll for sure do something to her.

Beijinglia's strong upfront blown away when she heard him.

He said, "...You're shivering harsh. Okay fine, if you don't want to say then I'll not force you. I don't need to know you better as I already know you. Also, that you'll not take a step ahead or see tomorrow's sun."

As he took out his sword, he found that she was trying to move.

Beijinglia get up and said trembling, "Still a.....mischievous guy... you are. (Looks at his eyes with contempt) But an upgraded one, itching to kill your own friends!!"

Blood was dripping out of her mouth profusely. But she stood firm against him.

This made him angry.

Gary all of a sudden caught her and tightly held her hairs which harmed her. She exclaimed, "You scoundrel, you're harming me!"

"Because you deserve this.......Well, now that you're known to me, I don't have to explain about me being here. Also, what you'll do if you knew it? You've already come, to DIE (this made her eyes broad with shock)."

"You....... You'll kill me? ........ How can you..... even think of doing this?! " Beijinglia said.

"Because I thought; it has been a long time to see you like this." And his eyes get brighten purple with some mark which was the sign of darkness, and also the death; of someone. Beijinglia screamed, "(Couldn't believe) You... you can't be the Gary I know. He would never think of doing something like this! Who are you?!"

"(Psychotic laughter) What have you known yet about me? You're only known to the things that I've decided to show you. There's still more to see."

"You brute! Get your dirty hands off me!! Leave me right now!"

Then he said, "What you'll do if I won't?"

"I'll kill you!!"

And at that moment Beijinglia anyhow got out of his grip and again tried to strike him, but before her, he attacked her with his sword on her back, which made her fall on the ground.

But, he didn't stop yet...

He continued to attack her until she gets severely bruised.

After getting satisfied, he just left her on that site to die and went on his way.

Beijinglia was true about it — He was not that Gary with whom she was friends and play pranks in school and hangouts with him including her friends. He knows something miserable from which he wants to keep Beijinglia away.

..."Enjoy your death life, Beijinglia. Goodbye forever." ...

.....But, it isn't all finished.

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