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Mulanfehollow.Shemoved,butwithoutdirectionorpurpose.OverandoversheheardthewordexpulsionandsawthelookofdisgustanddisappointmentonCommanderTung’sface,thelookofbetrayalonHonghui’s.

Shehadnevermeanttohurtthem.Shehadjustwantedtodoherpart.Yetsomehow,allalong,shehadknownthisdaywouldspe.Onewayoranother.Butforonebrief,happymoment,asshehadcausedthatavalanchetowipeouttheenemy,shehadfestrong,proud.Shehadfelikeshecoulddoanything.

Butforwhat?Nowshewasexpelled.Shecouldn’tretreathome.Shecouldn’treturntothearmy.Shehadnowheretogo.Soshejustwalked.Sheleftthevalleybehind,headingupintothemountainswithBlackWindbyherside.Witheachstep,theairgrewcolder,butshedidn’tnotice.

Reachingtheedgeofacliff,Mulanstopped.Thewholeoftheworldseemedtostretchoutinfrontofher,thesinkingsunsettingthesnow-coveredgroundaflamewithredsandpinks.InfrontofhersatthePhoenix,itsownfeathersabrightspplementtothescene.Mulanstaredatthebeautifulsight,andherheartbrokestillfurther.

Sinkingtotheground,Mulanallowedherselftocry.Thesobswrackedherbodyasshewrappedherarmsaroundherself,seekingspfortshecouldnotfind.Ashercryingintensified,shestruggledtocatchherbreath,herchestheavingandtight.Shefebrokeninside,likeapartofherhadbeenshatteredandwouldneverbemadewholeagain.

“WhathaveIdone?”shesaid,lookingoveratthePhoenix.“Icanneverfacemyfamily??.??.??.Icannevergohome??.??.??.”Asshesaidthewordsoutloud,afreshwaveofgriefhitMulan.Sheloweredherhead.Shewasnolongerthestrongwarriorshehadbeshewasafragile,frightenedgirl.

Asshesatthere,sheheardthePhoenixspecloser.ThebirdwrappedoneofherwingsaroundMulan.ThespfortwastoomuchforMulantotake.Thebird’sunconditionallovefeundeserved—butMulanallowedherselftoeptit,leaningintothePhoenix.

Foralongmoment,birdandgirlwerestillasMulan’scryingsoftened.Justasshemanagedtogetherbreathingbackundercontrol,ashadowfelloverthem.Mulanlookedup,andhereyesnarrowedasshesawagroupofblackbirdsflyinginformation.Theyswoopedandliftedontheaircurrentsinabeautiful—butsinister—dance.

Therewassomethingfamiliaraboutthebirds.AsMulanfollowedtheirmovements,sherealizedwhy.Theywerethesameblackbirdsthathadattackedthearmyearlier.