Maria Writes Stuff

For such a young child, he had seen too many things he should not have. War, evil, blood. It was a vicious sight. Fear gripped him and there was nothing but terror surrounding him. Fai Xian hugged his sister tightly. His parents tried their best to hide him and his sister, but it turned out futile in the end.

The cupboard door where he and his sister were hidden was forcefully pulled open, revealing two crazy-looking men. They barely look human, with blood spluttered all over their faces and expression that doesn’t belong to humankind.

The two men dragged Fai Xian and his sister’s small body out from the cupboard and towards the courtyard. They tried to separate the siblings, and no matter how hard Fai Xian tried to protect his sister, he was no match for them. Fai Chang screamed at his brother and he tried to grab her to no avail. He was thrown carelessly, and before he could respond, he felt a sharp pain on his stomach. The last thing he heard was his sister’s scream and then the world went black.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on a greenfield surrounded by pink carnations. The earth felt so soft underneath him, and the rays of sun shared its warmth to his face. He felt at peace. There were no pain and his heart was light. He rubbed his stomach. No rips, no strewn thread; his attire was in perfect shape.

He sat up, and as far as his eyes can see, it was nothing but greenfield, pink carnations, and the blue sky. Such a glorious sight, he thought. All of the sudden, he heard footsteps and a sing-song voice from behind him.

“Xian-ge!”

Small arms enveloped him and he stumbled forward from the weight. He recognized the voice; it was his dear sister, Fai Chang.

“Chang chang,” he said with a smile.

“Brother! I’ve missed you!” His smile widened. At that moment, his heart felt so light that he thought he was soaring.

“I’ve missed you too, sis. Everything alright with you?”

“Yes, brother! I’m fine,” Fai Chang replied. “Come!”

“Come where?” he asked.

“Just come with me.” Fai Chang helped her brother to stand up and then she practically dragged her brother behind. A wide smile never left her face and she laughed softly.

“Brother, isn’t it beautiful? It’s so much like home, but prettier.”

“Chang chang, where are we?”

“Heaven!” Fai Xian stopped. “What?”

“We’re in Heaven, brother. Come!” Fai Chang said while pulling Fai Xian’s hands.

He decided to stop asking questions and just let his sister lead him to wherever she was leading him to. They came across an opening between two small hills, and then he stopped frozen.

His family. His whole family were standing there, with his mother and father standing in the center. His aunts, uncles, even cousins were all there. Not a hint of pain, but only smile traced their faces. Fai Chang pulled his hands again, looking back at him with a wide smile, and his little feet moved on its own accord.

“Xian xian, welcome home,” greeted his father. A string tugged Fai Xian’s heart and tears flowed from his eyes. Happy tears. He ran straight towards his father, who caught and lifted him to a hug.

“Father!” Fai Xian hugged his father’s neck tightly with his eyes scrunched closed. “My dear,” said his mother. Oh, to hear those soothing sound he thought he would never hear again. His mother went behind her husband to softly kiss Fai Xian on the forehead.

Fai Xian never felt so happy. To be reunited with his parents and family, to feel nothing but joy and happiness. When his father lowered him to the ground, the rest of his family smiled at him.

His mother beamed and offered him her hand. “Xian xian, shall we walk home?”

With a vivacious nod, hand in hand with his sister and parents, they all walked together towards the horizon.

Home.

This video is where I first found the image above and inspiration to write this story from.

The music is from a Chinese animation called “Big Fish and Begonia”. I totally recommend the movie! It’s really beautiful and touching. No lie, I did cry watching it.

Lin Fang was her name. Born from a heavenly father and a mortal mother. She was the most beautiful half-goddess ever to grace both realms. Born and raised in the mortal realm, she was taught in the art of music, but also in war.

She was a very graceful yet fierce warrior. Her kindness was a trait she inherited from both her mother and father. Though she is the epitome of grace, she is just like the other young people her age. She loves to climb on trees and sit there perched watching people passing by without noticing her presence.

Her mother was bestowed by her heavenly husband to have everlasting youth look, hence her look betrays her actual age. Lin Fang loved her mother deeply. She taught her kindness, to be grateful for everything. Life will not always be easy, but the heavens would not impose hardships they cannot endure, her mother had said.

Her father visited the mortal realm twice a season. His love towards her mother is limitless, but he was still bounded by his heavenly duties that needed attending.

When her mother passed away, as a token of appreciation and for all the kindness she has shown to the people around her, she was bestowed by the heavens and raised there to spend eternity together with her husband.

As Lin Fang was still young, and because she saw the mortal realm needed her more than the heavens, she chose to remain in the mortal realm. She would visit the heavens occasionally to visit her parents, but she never stayed long. She would always return to the mortal realm to fight the injustice and defend those who cannot defend themselves.

One day, as she was out exploring the woods near her village, she found a very tall pine tree that reaches the sky. She levitated up there and stayed watching as the sun faded away, replaced by the warm glow of the moon. She found that she loved the tranquility and decided to return the next day. Some days she would bring her harp and play with birds as her first audience. In the end, she visited the tree every day until she ascended to the heavens.

And thus was born the legend of Lin Fang; a beautiful half-goddess who was known to be the kindest soul in the mortal realm. Every day she would sit high up on the pine tree with her harp, playing the softest tunes towards the heaven and earth. For the tree was so high that both heaven and earth can hear her tune. She would use her music as a prayer to the mortals and a lullaby to the heavens.

Long after she ascended to the heavens, every mortal who came across the tree would still be able to hear her tunes and find sanctuary in it. Lin Fang was deeply loved by the earth that her tunes were immortalized and brought peace to those of earth.

Below is the artwork and music where I got my inspiration to write this story from.

Carnation

To Heaven and Earth