My life took on a new routine. There was no more "Catch the Devil game" in the morning. The other children would cast hateful glances at me from a distance, but no one dared to approach, fearing the wrath of "the witch" who had become my friend.

  The afternoon, which used to be my most hated time, became the time I longed for. Every day, I would climb with Aline to the rooftops. She would tell me about the other cities of Murim she had visited with her parents: cities built on water, and others carved into mountain peaks. We would talk about our future journey, and how we would see all these wonders together.

  I was happy.

  But with every story about her power, and every dream about our adventures, there was a cold feeling growing inside me. I am a burden. I am weak and have no power. How am I supposed to protect my sun when I am just a shadow? Why was I, a Prometheus, born so empty?

  I was lost in these thoughts one day when Aline lightly tapped me on the head. "Where did your mind go, you silent horse?" she said playfully. "Were they perverted thoughts?"

  "What? No!" I said, rubbing my head. "Not like that!"

  She laughed. "Alright, alright. By the way, do you know the meaning of your name?" I looked at her in confusion. "The meaning of my name? I don't know. Ikumi is the one who named me."

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  "Her name is Aline," she said proudly. "And it means 'brilliance of the sun'." Then she looked at me. "Ikumi didn't tell you the meaning of your name? Well, that's better. Since I don't know and you don't know, then we'll make a new meaning for your name."

  "What?"

  She said with complete seriousness, as if declaring a law of the universe, "Your name, Hong Min, from now on, means 'Dreams'. It's wonderful, isn't it? When we travel, you'll introduce yourself like that."

  I looked at her enthusiasm, at the way she had given me a new meaning with such ease. I felt a strange warmth. I spontaneously reached out and touched her hand. "That's... a wonderful meaning."

  She pulled her hand back quickly, and I felt she was a bit embarrassed. Then she said boastfully to hide it, "Of course it's wonderful! For I am Aline, the Maker of Great Names!"

  I burst out laughing. "The Maker of Names? What an ugly title! If you say that on our journey, I'll definitely abandon you."

  "What did you say?" she retorted with mock anger. "I'm the one who should be abandoning you, you burden!"

  "Alright, oh great 'Maker of Names'," I said sarcastically. "Since you have all these great ideas, how are we going to get out of the damned city of Chang'an?"

  She smiled with absolute confidence. "Of course. Through the Forest of Chains."

  I froze. "What?! Are you insane?"

  "Do you have a better idea?" I said mockingly, "No. Maybe we'll wait for the Panir to come and save us."

  "You're the fool," she said. "And what about the horse? You're the horse!" "No one has ever come out of that forest alive!" I yelled.

  She stood up, dusted off her dress, and looked down at me with the confidence of a queen. "Then we will be the first."

  She added with a smile, "And don't worry. You have the great sorceress Aline with you." I remained seated, staring at her, a mixture of absolute terror at her plan, and complete admiration for her unbreakable spirit.