When everything dies to be reborn,

the sun and moon protect the stars.

Life's greatest toil wills in hearts 

bringing spring into fall before sunset.

Midnight will reign before its time

until the bearer of creation is sent. 

The vermillion and tortoise guides

the lost to the land of Truth.

The dragon and the tiger

embraces in sacred roots,

balancing Heavens once more.

Spring will once come to again 

be followed by prosperity.

The old Shaman gingerly eyed the sacred text, brows furrowed. Again and again, the ragged man had mulled at these words. Words carved in jade by a crazed soothsayer many years before the reader was conceived. Although it was old, the slab containing the text remained pristine to the shaman's surprise. A trickle of light punched through his enclosed window. Seeking answers he cleared the window opening, letting fresh light to swallow the room. He held the tablet up towards the light, which illuminated the the beautifully carved characters. 

Midnight will reign before its time

The certain phrase has caught the Shaman's eyes. Unlike the other phrases, this one was familiar. The mind reminded him of the latest visions that came to him. Sudden visions that caused fear and confusion to erupt within his usually calm demeanor. One that was engulfed in terror. Do these prophesied words of demented soul correlate to his visions? He thought to himself. He wished not but he can feel deep down that they were. He closed his eyes trying to rid the feeling. 

Upon his denial, his body began to shake, the visions painting themselves again. Colors of orange and black swirled into a nightmare splattered with red. Slowly, the image became clear. The shaman found himself in the same place again: a place too similar, too close to home. 

All around him, buildings were ablaze and civilians screamed. Water and blood danced together at his feet. Everyone was a blur, running around, fearing for their life. Someone ran to him and grabbed his shirt, begging for help as another ran past him, eaten alive by flames. Tears rolled down his face, for he could do nothing. Unsatisfied, the fire reached for the night sky and started to rain onto the innocent lives. A burning ball fell into the roof of a building nearby causing the building to burst, sending him onto the ground, his head spinning. 

As he slowly regained his conscious, a horseback soldier rode past him into the darkness. A royal soldier whose eyes shine with fear but determination. on he went until the Shaman could no longer see him. With a scream, the soldier was devoured by the night. From where the soldier disappeared to, came an army clad in black, eyes glowing and glaring at him. They reeked of death and fear. The army marched until towards him, weapons ready. As they came closer, a loud noise came from behind the lone man and he knew exactly what it was. A wall was crumbling, leaving a wound that lead to the heart of a sacred city. Once more, the Shaman's heart dropped. It was the end. 

He was witnessing the fall of Shang-ri La.