Ever wondered if you had crossed paths with your soulmate and were ignorant about it? That, what you once considered as a trivial issue would centuries later become the sole reason for your survival? I did meet him. Met him long before he embraced my falling self in front of the huge crowd. Fact and reality was that I had been ignorant and 'he' had wasn't even aware of my existence.

[Hua Cheng ~ 7 years old]

Grinning with glee I jump over the banister as a knife swishes past me. Uncaring for the hooligans behind I slide below a vegetable cart and cross the small bridge with just one leap.

"Catch that monster!" One of them yells as a rock almost hits my back. Many women around clutch their purse tight and gasp while men watch in horror as a small 7 year old is causing havoc in the busy market of this town.

Two days ago I wandered to this place. How? I am still unsure. All I remember was sleeping on a wangon and waking up to the hustle bustle of this town. It seemed lively, but more better for me was the opportunity to steal food.

Why am I running?

Cause this Hong'er dared to steal a loaf of bread and cheese from one of the vendors. If people are wondering why I'm stealing from the poor? Then worry not because this merchant is no saint to write about at home. He was stealing from the deprived and I am doing a small favor on the society but taking from him.

This time another knife slices my calf but that did not deter me to stop. If I'm caught they'll execute me. Not that I have too much to live for, but the day I die, it should be on my terms and conditions. It should be a sacrifice that this soul is willing to make, not because some miser wants to avenge his grudge.

Laughing inwardly I jump high over a wall to another and watch from my peripheral that some of those men were unable to catch up and some fall into the pit below.

Serves them right!

Successful from not getting caught I quickly hide under a dingy staircase and unceremoniously fall on my back. Taking as many precious breaths as possible I grin into the darkness and suck the sweat on my lips to quench my parched tongue.

"Very good. Very good," the voice crackles and I roll my eyes. Yes, the crazy dark voice is ever present, but the best part was most of the times I am almost over it. It does not even bother me now.

From the cracks of the dilapidated stairs, I find the sky changing its colours and a thought occurs to me, 'How lucky must one be to live in a place where food is abundant and warmth is luxury?'

Savouring tranquility of the moment I knew it was time to leave. Anymore and I'd be caught. How long have I been living on the streets to know these rules? Way to long.

Traversing through the cobbled pathway I hobble around with my injured leg. As known, no one pays attention to an injured kid. Have I totally become invisible or people around just don't care?

"Did you hear the Guoshi's announcement?" A lady nearby gossips to the other.

"No, what is it?"

"Oh my son is the prince's servant so he heard it from there. Maybe it hasn't been announced yet." The lady from before boasts.

"What is it?" The other was persistent.

"They say the prince is going to back to the palace tomorrow for the King and Queen's anniversary. Isn't he the sweetest child out there?" The former giggles and I roll my eyes.

What's the big fuss about? Aren't children supposed to meet their parents?

"Has anyone ever seen the prince?" The later enquires.

"No. Apparently he is so beautiful that no one is privileged to see his face."

Oh! This intrigues me. Unable to quash my curiosity I walk away until my eyes find another homeless man. Making my way towards him I ask, "What's this place name?"

Drunk he slurs, "Kingdom of XianLe."

Kingdom of XianLe?

I gasp.

Long ago the man who took care of me had once in rare occasion blurted that he was a soldier in Kingdom of XianLe. He left this place because of the women he married.

So... This is Kingdoms of XianLe! The start of everything.

Little did my young soul know that this place will be the end of my mortal life too.

"Catch that punk!"

How do I keep finding myself in such situation especially when this time it wasn't even my fault? Yet, to save my self I had to run.

Today started like any other day. Quiet, even though my stomach rumbled with hunger, the irony is astoundingly strange.

My morning and afternoon were pretty much uneventful as I walked around aimlessly hearing stories of this great kingdom and even more of elusive prince.

Who is this guy? Why hasn't anyone seen or met him? They keep saying he dons some kind of mask. Why? Is he strange looking like me?

I still keep my face partially covered with whatever rages I can find. The scar from before is hideous and my heart still can't bare to be judged. People throw stones at me as it is, I don't wish to be completely discarded.

As dusk welcomes the kingdom and I am at the outskirts. What my soul didn't realise was I had trespassed the prince's private garden where they grow some kind of fruit. His servants mistook me as a thief and from then on began the game of cat and mouse.

Fuck at this rate I'm going to be the fastest runner this place or any other kingdom has ever seen.

Jumping from two floor height, I land on the ground with a thud. Groaning internally from the impact of my fall, I am about to get up and run when a sweet young voice tinkles in my ear, "Stop! What is happening here?"

A gasp from next to me resonates and is quick enough to answer, "Your Highness. He's a thief. Please don't worry. This won't happen again."

Your Highness? Oh is this the prince?

I was about to take a look when the man who was chasing me kicks my shin and growls, "Kneel you imbecile!"

Damn that hurt!

"Stop!" His Highness yells, "He's a child! Show some mercy."

Prince or not these people are going to show me no mercy after he leaves. Taking this opportunity, I jump onto my feet and run past him, but not without taking a quick peek at the evasive man. Time stops and for me the world slowed down in its motion as even though my gaze couldn't see his face, he has a mask, but my eyes did latch onto his red ruby earring, and just like that time was back to its axis and next second I was gone like a wind.

The last thought on my mind before I slept that night was the red ruby earring which would come to be such an important part of my existence in future. I just hadn't known that yet.