her father from having to fight.”
“A female warrior,” murmured the general. After a moment’s thought, he chuckled. “Audacious, but I cannot say I disapprove. What a soldier Shang’s mother might have made. She could have defeated the Huns with her fierceness alone.” General Li made a face.
His laugh faded, and he straightened, taking on the authoritative stance of the revered general he’d been in life. “Now I must thank you, Fa Mulan. Few men would have had the cunning and bravery to save my son from Diyu. Fa Zhou is lucky to have a daughter such as you.”
Mulan’s throat swelled, and her eyes grew misty like ShiShi’s. To hear General Li say her father would be proud of her, and know he truly meant it—left her speechless.
“Thank you, sir,” she said, realizing everyone was waiting for her reply. “Your words mean a great deal to me.”
“I can’t imagine it was easy for my son to discover his best soldier is a woman. I’ll trust you to keep my son’s pride in line.”
Mulan pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. “I’ll do my best.”
Now, finally, General Li turned to Shang. “My son,” he said quietly. “China thanks you for what you have done, but your role in protecting the Emperor is not finished.”
Shang bowed. Mulan couldn’t see his face, but his voice trembled. “Yes, Father.”
“Take care of your mother.” General Li placed both hands on his son’s shoulders. “And listen to ShiShi.” The general mustered a faint smile. “He has a big head and thinks he’s always right, but over time, you’ll learn he usually is. There is much wisdom you can learn from him. If you do so, you will not make the same mistakes I made when I was your age. You will become a better man than I. That is all I can hope for.”
Shang opened his mouth as if to protest, then closed it and nodded. “I will, Father.” He paused. “Thank you for coming back and saying goodbye. I will not let you down.”
“Then my heart is full. I will watch you from Heaven.” General Li clasped Shang’s hand, lingering until Yama let out a warning cough. The general nodded, let go of his son’s hand, and returned to King Yama’s side.
“When you cross the gates,” said Yama, “keep walking. No matter what.”
His voice echoed across the cavern, and when Mulan turned back she realized he—and General Li—had vanished.
The bronze bell hanging above the gates chimed. Mulan’s eyes lifted toward the sound. She’d never noticed the bell before; it hung, suspended in the air by nothing at all. But that no longer surprised her.
She was almost sad to leave this place behind—to return to the real world where ghosts and demons and magic did not tread. Where bridges didn’t hover in the air, and rivers didn’t stream across the clouds. Where old women didn’t turn out to be powerful enchantresses, and mirrors couldn’t speak to one’s very soul.
As the bell continued to blare, the round demonic faces carved into the gates’ vermilion-painted wood clattered their square metal teeth, their red eyes searing to life. The knocking grew louder and louder, until the entire cave shuddered.
Then, with a deep and throaty rumble, the gates began to part.
Sunlight pierced the crack between the gates, bathing the entire cavern with a soft white glow. Mulan shielded her eyes and stepped closer to the rumbling gates. She could see dawn outside, the sun glittering as it rose above the horizon.
“It’s morning,” she murmured. Mulan tilted her chin, letting the light bathe her face and warm her. “You know, I’ve never been so happy to see the sun.”
“That’s the way I used to feel after each battle,” replied Shang. “Just grateful to see another day.”
She knew exactly what he meant.
Behind them, ShiShi hadn’t budged from his spot.
“Aren’t you coming?” Mulan said, waving him toward her. She chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re still worried about your mane. I’ll help you braid it again before you have to face Shang’s ancestors.”
The lion straightened, gathering his tail so it curled by his side. In a deep and solemn tone, he said, “This is the last you will see of me, Fa Mulan. I wish to make a proper farewell.”
Mulan’s hand dropped to her side. Her good humor faltered. “You’re not coming with us?”
“Not through these gates,” ShiShi said. “I promised General Li I would aid you in saving his son. That journey is over now, and after I report to the Li ancestors,