killed the rest of his men. Marco was left and as a zombie pushed him to the ground, the golden
amulet the emperor gave fell from Marco’s pocket. Terrified, the zombies fled. Crippled, Marco
continued walking to the palace of Khara-Khoto.
Marco entered the ruined palace. The palace floor was so dusty that it seemed like it was not
cleaned for years, and there sat the emperor. Like a skeleton, he was so thin. His fingers were long
and bony. His face was as white as death.
“Bow to me,” said the scary emperor.
“I request a trade,” said Marco as he bowed.
The emperor laughed. It sounded so evil that it sent a chill down Marco’s spine.
“Well, it seems like we will have another good meal tonight,” said the emperor, “Last night, we
had the old man for dinner.”
“You what?” asked Marco angrily.
The death of his father was hard for Marco to bear. In an instant, memories of his father
flashed through his mind. He knelt to the ground. Feeling hopeless, Marco wept.
“I risked my life to come to this city with the hope of finding my father and you killed him,”
said Marco as tears flowed down his cheeks, “Would have your daughter been happy if she had
known that her own father killed innocent people who were not responsible for her death?”
The emperor felt Marco’s love for his father. However, his ruthless attitude made him continue
his evil ways. Suddenly, a radiant glow was emitted from Marco’s pocket. It was the amulet.
Marco took it out.
“The Amulet of Exorcism, a powerful amulet that rids of the evil spirits near it. It was
supposed to be well-hidden, out of the sight of those meddling Mongolians,” said the terrified
emperor as a powerful portal appeared.
The portal, so powerful, sucked the emperor and his soldiers in it. They were never to be seen
again. But it was not over yet. The city of Khara-Khoto was about to collapse. Marco hurriedly
ran. Luckily, he managed to escape right before the entire city disappeared from the face of the
Earth. Without camels, Marco forced himself to walk back to Shangdu. 12 days passed and he
could see the city at the horizon. He struggled to keep himself going. However, exhausted and
dehydrated, he eventually fainted.
Since then, the emperor had been sitting next to him anxiously, hoping that Marco would be
conscious and he did after 3 days. The emperor immediately called his servants and Marco was
surrounded by many people in a matter of minutes. The room lightened up with warm cheers and
applause. The emperor gave him a big hug.
“I am so glad you are alive, Marco. One more day in that desert and you would not have made
it,” said the emperor, “You did it! You lifted the curse!”
“I know,” said Marco sadly, “But so many lives were lost. Even my father did not make it. I
was too late.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” said the emperor, “How did you lift the curse? Was it the amulet?”
“I don’t know,” lied Marco, “It happened all of a sudden as if luck was on our side. I lost the
amulet in the city.”
“For now, you need to celebrate your heroics. We shall have a parade tonight!” said the
emperor with glee.
On that night, a parade for Marco was held. Music and loud cheers filled the streets. The city
of Shangdu was more alive than it had ever been. Relieved, Marco could finally see the joy and
