LI S1 - Part 7: Secret Mission (1), Secret Mission (2), The Art of the Floating Body E-Book

Martin Wintersberger

• Herausgeber: Astro Entertainment
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Serie: ASTRO Entertainment for KIDS
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 64

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

The legend of the mysterious statues on Rogos Veridis leads Li, Scarlett, Astro and Nolan on a dangerous mission. While the Moonians pursue the riddle of the Ancients, Li wrestles with the teachings of the secret manuscript – pushing the limits of his body and his will. But the deeper he delves into the art of the sword and the secrets of the past, the clearer it becomes: in the shadow of Thororimgod, a power is rising that will threaten every village.

Leseprobe

Authors: Manuela Wieninger · Martin Wintersberger

Illustrations: Midjourney

Cover: Acht Schätze & Midjourney

astro-entertainment.at

This work, including all its parts, is protected by copyright. Any use outside the narrow limits of copyright law is prohibited without the written consent of the author and is punishable by law. This applies in particular to reproductions, translations, microfilming and storage and processing in electronic systems. ASTRO and all persons appearing therein and their names, all actions, circumstances and laws of nature are fictional. Any resemblance to living or dead persons or fish is purely coincidental and unintentional..

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Copyright © 2020, 2025 Martin Wintersberger

First English Edition 2025 – Based on the 2021 Austrian release

Published in Austria by ASTRO Entertainment e.U.

Based on an idea by Martin Wintersberger

Translated from German with DeepL

All rights reserved

ISBN 978-3-99119-256-5

SEASON 1

LI - THE PATH OF THE SWORD

Episode 19: Secret Mission (1)

Episode 20: Secret Mission (2)

Episode 21: The Art of the Floating Body

»EVEN THE LONGEST JOURNEY BEGINSWITH THE FIRST STEP«

EPISODE 19SECRET MISSION (1)

The first rays of Ares shone through the windows of the inn as Mei returned to the small kitchen with two cups of coffee. Li was already sitting at the table, a bowl of rice in front of him, cutting fresh vegetables into fine strips. Cry, his faithful eagle, sat on the windowsill and watched his every move with a keen eye.

‘Did you sleep well?’ Mei asked, setting down the coffee and sitting down next to him.

Li nodded without looking up from his work. ‘Better than it has been in a long time. Your inn is pleasantly quiet.’

Mei smiled. ‘I'm glad to hear that. Although “quiet” isn't quite accurate, considering how often I've been asked about your performance at Xenos over the last few days.’

Li paused for a moment and looked at her questioningly. ‘What do you mean?’

‘What do I mean?’ Mei repeated with a smile. ‘People are excited, Li. They come here, drink my tea, eat my rice, and then they ask me if I know who the Black Warrior is. Of course, I say no. But they keep asking anyway — some are so curious that they want to search my inn for clues.’

Li laughed softly and put the knife away. ‘So? What are you going to tell them?’

Mei rested her hands on the table and leaned forward. ‘I say that the Black Warrior is a legend, a ghost who comes and goes as he pleases. No one knows where he comes from or where he goes.’ She winked. ‘That's kind of true, too.’

Li shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. ‘I hope you're not exaggerating too much. I don't like attention. I just wanted to help...’

Mei raised an eyebrow. ‘I appreciate that. But it amuses me. It's funny to know something secret but not be able to tell the others.’

Li hesitated, her hands wrapped around the rice bowl: ‘I understand you. We always want to know everything. But dealing with the truth isn't easy either. There are some things you just can't change. It doesn't matter whether you know about them or not.’

Mei nodded as if she understood his answer. ‘Originally, I just wanted an attraction for my inn because guests suddenly stopped coming. I didn't realise that it would develop into a cult – around the Black Warrior.’

Then a thought seemed to dawn on her and she leaned back. ‘Do you know what I think?’

Li raised an eyebrow. ‘What is it?’

‘I think you should do another performance here. Nothing big, and only now and then. With Cry by your side.’ She pointed to the eagle, who tilted his head slightly to one side, as if he understood what she was saying. ‘You could show them what you can do without putting yourself under constant pressure.’

Li frowned. ‘Are you serious?’

Mei nodded eagerly. ‘Why not? Just whistle and Cry will come and land on your arm. You send him away and can throw a rabbit's foot into the air, which Cry catches again. Without your fighting techniques and without a mask. That would be more relaxed than these big performances. Besides, you're at home here. It wouldn't be such a burden for you.’

Li paused for a moment, then turned his gaze to the window, where Cry fluttered his wings slightly, as if agreeing with Mei's suggestion. ‘That sounds like a good plan. But only if you don't announce it too loudly. I'll still be performing in Xenos anyway.’

Mei laughed softly. ‘Don't worry. This will remain between us and my guests. No Master Zhang, no Xenos, just the people who know and respect you.’

Li smiled weakly and looked at her. ‘Fine. But I'll only do it if Cry agrees.’

Mei turned to Cry, who was staring at her intently. ‘What do you think, Cry? Do you want to help your master impress people?’

The eagle let out a short, piercing cry that echoed through the kitchen. Mei clapped her hands. ‘I'll take that as a yes!’

Li grinned and reached for his knife again. ‘All right. But if you make it too big, I'll tell Cry to steal your favourite cooking spoon.’

Mei winked. ‘It's a deal, Black Warrior.’

Mei took a sip of her steaming coffee and looked at Li over the rim of her cup. ‘Have you heard the latest?’ she asked with a slightly mischievous undertone.

Li, who was chewing a mouthful of rice, raised an eyebrow questioningly.

Mei put down her cup and rested her elbows on the table. ‘The Mondians are coming today. Astrolabius, Nolan... all of them. They're probably already on their way here.’

Li suddenly found the rice difficult to swallow. He thought about the time he had spent with Astro. About the carefree lightness he had felt. But which had also stood in his way.

‘Is that so?’ Li finally asked cautiously.

Mei frowned, her hazel eyes searching his face. ‘You don't sound very enthusiastic. What's wrong? I thought you liked astrology.’

Li put his chopsticks aside and stared into his bowl for a while. ‘It's not that I don't like him. He's curious and carefree. He probably has no worries and lives in his own perfect world. Good for him. But that's not real life. Is it?’

Mei leaned back and crossed her arms. ‘I see. Then what is real life?’ Mei asked provocatively.

Li swallowed; he hadn't expected that question. He replied, ‘I don't get the impression that he's ever had to tackle a difficult task. I respect his decisions, but he gives the impression that everything is easy and just one big adventure.’

‘Maybe that's not so wrong. Sometimes you need someone to remind you that life can also be easy. Endless serious work is not the answer either.’ She tilted her head and added with a smile, ‘And to be honest, I think Astro can learn just as much from you as you can from him.’

Li did not return her smile, but there was a hint of thoughtfulness in his gaze. ‘Perhaps. But my path is not his. I must concentrate on what lies ahead. I have not yet arrived, if you understand what I mean.’

‘And if it's a very long journey... are you not allowed to feel any lightness at all? Not a single smile?’ Mei reached for Lis's hand.

Li found the touch rather unpleasant at that moment and would have preferred to pull his hand away. But he tried to remain open. ‘That's not what I meant.’