Everything around her was pitch black, accompanied by whispers echoing in her ears. She felt an inexplicable chill, her body heavy and unable to move. Something cold touched her hands, then her feet, torso, neck, and finally her head, threatening to engulf her, causing the terrified child to scream.
______
"No!" - Thach Anh screamed.
She sat up abruptly from her nightmare. What was that dream that felt so real? Looking around, she saw herself lying on a large bed. The mattress was soft, and the bedsheet had small, round wooden beads. These beads pressed against her skin to improve blood circulation; they were a valuable item only wealthy people could afford.
Could she have died?
"Oh, you're awake?"
A woman's voice rang out, drawing the child's attention.
It was a woman with a full figure and an oval face that bore a striking resemblance to her father. Could this woman be related to her father?
"How are you feeling? Are you in pain anywhere?"
"I'm fine... but... where are my parents?!"- Thach Anh looked around frantically.
"Calm down, your parents are fine. Follow me, I'll take you to see them."
The innocent child hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow the middle-aged woman. Walking on a floor paved with red fired bricks, the house was tiled, not built from logs, the windows were wide open letting in sunlight, and hand-painted pictures adorned the walls—all indicating the wealth of its owner.
Two figures, one large and one small, stood before a large door that automatically opened, revealing a grand hall. A man sat in the chairman's chair, his black hair streaked with a few silver strands, his sharp eyes radiating an aura of majesty that made Thach Anh tremble with fear, unable to move.
A middle-aged woman approached the man and then stood to the side, looking at the little girl.
The atmosphere in the room became suffocating, making the girl afraid to breathe heavily. The man stared intently at her, then the roots behind him moved, all pointing towards Thach Anh and flying forward at lightning speed. She immediately raised her hands to shield herself.
Her eyes widened, flashing with a golden light. In an instant, the branches were all severed, falling to the ground in fragments.
The middle-aged woman turned to the man as if to say something, but the man remained silent, implicitly telling her to continue. Then, the woman raised her hand, and dust on the ground began to swirl around Thach Anh, forming a vortex that prevented her from opening her eyes.
Suddenly, the vortex was quickly filled with a thick, golden liquid that soaked into the dust particles, causing them to fall and settle into a viscous liquid. Thach Anh's eyes, still gleaming with fear, shone with a golden light.
The man stroked his beard thoughtfully for a long time before standing up.
"What is your name?"
The girl hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
"My name is...Thach Anh"- Thach Anh
"Thach Anh? That's a nice name, very meaningful. Thach Anh, a name inspired by the mineral stone called 'Quartz,' your parents knew how to choose names for their children."
Thach Anh became worried at the mention of her parents.
"Where are my parents?" - Thach Anh
"They're fine, even healthy. No grandfather would harm a member of his own family."
"Grandfather?" - Thach Anh
The man rose from his chair and walked slowly towards her, gently placing his hand on the little girl's head, causing her to feel confused. The man spoke in a deep, weary voice.
"Finally, I get to meet my granddaughter. I am your grandfather, the name is Hoan, my full name is Nguyen Van Hoan."
"My grandfather?" - Thach Anh's eyes widened in surprise.
Her grandfather extended his hand, indicating he wanted to lead her away. Her small, timid hand rested in his large one; the dry, calloused palm bore the mark of someone who had lived almost a lifetime, yet it was unusually warm. He then led Thach Anh out of the room.
As they walked together, her grandfather began to recount the family tradition.
"For generations, the Nguyen family has had a long tradition of culture and scholarship, making significant contributions to nation-building and national defense. The Nguyen family also has many smaller branches, mostly distant relatives," said Grandfather Hoan.
"So that means I bear the Nguyen surname, meaning I'm a descendant of such an ancient family?" Thach Anh exclaimed in astonishment.
She couldn't believe it; her father bore the surname of such a long-standing family. So, that means her father's surname is Nguyen, but what about her mother's?
Seemingly understanding the child's innocent gaze, the grandfather sighed wearily.
"Your mother is from the Tran family, a family that is in conflict with us." - Grandfather Hoan
"The Tran family, also a long-established family like the Nguyen family?" - Thach Anh
"It's hard to explain, you're still young, you'll understand later." - Grandfather Hoan
"Yes, sir..." - Thach Anh
Grandfather Hoan led her to a large garden with many trees. Two large trees caught her attention on either side: one was a starfruit tree, and the other a sapodilla tree. In the center of the garden was a yin-yang symbol, and in the distance, a waterfall cascaded down, its tiny droplets forming a mist that reflected a small rainbow.
Thach Anh was so astonished by the sight before her that she couldn't close her mouth.
"This is our family's villa. From now on, you are officially a member of the Nguyen family. You will also learn the family rules," said Grandpa Hoan.
Then, Grandpa Hoan raised his hand towards the willow tree, and the branches moved towards them. He then made a few hand gestures, and the willow branches lifted the little girl up and tossed her around, while other branches tickled her.
"My element is Wood, the Wood of Willow Wood. It's the wood of water and wind, things that cannot be grasped." said Grandpa Hoan.
"Ha ha ha! That tickles! Stop it!" said Thach Anh.
The willow branches slowly lowered her back down.
"The woman just now was your aunt, your father's younger sister." - Grandpa Hoan
"I have an aunt?" - Thach Anh's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"And a cousin too." - Grandpa Hoan
"I have a cousin?!" - Thach Anh exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, you'll meet your cousin soon. He's just still too young." - Grandpa Hoan
"Wonderful! I'm so happy! I never imagined I'd have such a large family!" - Thach Anh
Seeing his granddaughter so happy filled Grandpa Hoan with joy, but at the same time, a hint of unease flickered in his eyes.
_______
Thach Anh, severely injured by a demonic entity, was carried into a room by a woman. Her parents were heartbroken to see their little daughter in such a state. Suddenly, however, streaks of golden light appeared on her body, and thick, golden liquid oozed from her wounds, rapidly healing them to everyone's astonishment.
Grandpa Hoan, his frail body moving towards the room, witnessed the scene and was utterly shocked.
"It's the Metal element, Metal in Candle Wax. Moreover, this is a special Metal element among the others!" Grandpa Hoan exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" - Her father, Son, looked at his father.
"This is really serious. This is a problem your small family can't possibly solve on their own." - Grandfather Hoan
"What do you mean, father-in-law?" - Her mother, Thuy, asked anxiously.
"Metal in Candle Wax, it's not just a typical Metal element, but also a Fire element. This is a rare case among the five elements." - Grandfather Hoan
Grandfather Hoan then turned to the girl's parents and said in a serious tone.
"It's best to put what happened aside for now. What's important now is that this child needs to be educated and protected." - Grandfather Hoan
"No! After everything you've done, do you think I'll let it slide so easily?" - Son said angrily.
"This isn't the time for personal disputes, why are you still clinging to that?" - Grandpa Hoan retorted.
"Enough!"
The woman, Thuy, spoke up, then turned to her husband, pleading.
"Please, for our daughter's sake..." - Thuy
Seeing his wife's eyes, the husband suppressed his anger.
"Alright, I hope you won't be too harsh on a child." - Son glanced at Grandpa Hoan.
"After all, she's my granddaughter." - Grandpa Hoan