Nuwa looked up. The main branch pierced the black smoke and disappeared into the rift in the sky.
She found the Yellow Dragon Official.
"Keep them safe."
The Yellow Dragon Official held his spear and looked up at the main branch.
"Empress Nuwa, where are you going?"
"To find a way to survive."
The Yellow Dragon Official looked at the divination board on her back.
After a moment, he bowed to her.
"I understand, Empress Nuwa. Leave our people to me. Rest assured."
Nuwa nodded, secured the divination board, and wrapped both arms around the tree. Her snake tail coiled around the main branch, its tip passing back beneath her belly to form a tight loop.
Her belly scales pressed against the bark, several small sideways bends forming within the loop. Those bends moved from behind her waist toward the tip of her tail, lifting her body another stretch.
"Empress Nuwa!"
The Yellow Dragon Official followed her another two steps.
"You will come back, won't you?"
She looked back and smiled. "Of course. I am your sovereign. Naturally, I will protect you. Even if I die, I will come back."
The Yellow Dragon Official asked no more questions. He kept watching her retreating figure.
At first, Nuwa climbed quickly. Her hands moved higher first, then her snake tail tightened.
In the blink of an eye, Nuwa had climbed several dozen feet.
But the tree was too tall, and it was still growing.
Looking up, she could not see its end. Looking down, she could no longer see the people.
Scattered heavenly fire fell past her. One piece grazed her shoulder and burned her.
The smell of scorched flesh filled her nose.
Nuwa merely raised a hand to pat out the sparks, then wrapped her arms around the tree again.
She