Blazebone Lesser Yaoguais
Description
In the land of Yellow Wind Ridge, where relentless winds raged day and night, the tomb mounds were often ravaged by the mighty gusts, revealing the exposed bones-a sight all too familiar.
One day, a hurried merchant found himself passing through Yellow Wind Ridge on an urgent matter. However, the villagers warned him of the terrible danger and refused to be his guide. After walking alone for hours, the merchant rested by the roadside, eating his rations. It was then that he noticed a set of skeletal remains in the withered grass. The bones were incomplete due to greedy vultures and wolves. “Were you slain by bandits, lying here in this desolate place? Or, like me, did you find no joy in life and chose to end it yourself?” Overwhelmed with sorrow, the merchant sighed as he looked upon the skull and wondered aloud. “You now lie uncovered in the wilderness, and I can only imagine the sorrow your family must feel.” Moved by compassion, he untied his bundle, weeping as he began to dig a grave to bury the remains.
Suddenly, the skeleton sat up, startling the merchant, who fell to the ground and scrambled backwards in fear. Using bony hands to support itself, the skeleton approached the merchant and pushed the bundle towards him. Astonished, the merchant cautiously accepted the bundle and resumed his journey. The skeleton followed him from a distance, and together they travelled peacefully for hours. Gradually, the merchant let his guard down, and removed his inner shirt to drape it over the skeleton’s frame.
From that moment on, whenever a strange noise arose, the skeleton would guide the merchant to take cover behind rocks. With furtive glances, the merchant would then witness guais passing by the path. For several days, they continued on this way until the merchant finally reached the main road again. That was the moment the skeleton ceased to move. Grateful for its companionship, the merchant offered to transport the skeleton’s remains back to its homeland. However, after a moment’s hesitation, the skeleton turned and walked back into the swirling sands of the ridge. Perhaps, it had already forgotten where it came from.
Poetry
On the road, bare bones on display,
Flesh rotted, decayed, faded away.
Long gone, forgotten in name,
His homeland lost, in death’s claim.
No Comments