"It seems we are close to the base." Said Tang Yun.
Tang Wulin nodded his head but then furrowed his brows. As he wasn't able to see any Spirit Beasts waiting for their arrival or assaulting them from afar.
'Did they leave because of Fafnir or was this already plan?' Thought Tang Wulin.
It took a while, but the army was able to reach the stronghold and what they saw left them trembling.
"What the hell..." Mumble one of the humans in the army as they gaze the over the bloody base.
The inside of the base was painted red with the unmistakable stench of blood and flesh. They all could see the remains of the human's slaves here. Some people could even see the shocked look on some of the headless bodies.
'So this is the consequence of our action.' Thought Tang Yun as he clenches his fist and his teeth. He knew that by starting this war with the Spirit Beasts and taking over most of their bases, that they would naturally take their revenge on the captive humans.
That still didn't make it any easier for him to stomach the fact that all of this happened because of their actions. They began looking around the base to see if all of the Spirit Beats really left or was in hiding from them.
After a while of carefully searching, they found no Spirit Beasts. This caused some of the humans to grit their teeth in passionate anger and rage. While others were screaming out loud that they would make sure to pay back those beasts.
"I guess this really riled them up."Said Xia Yan as he was watching over the army.
"Of course it would." Mutter Tang Yun as he sends a glance to Tang Wulin who hasn't uttered anything in a while.
'I wonder what happened to his black hair. Matter of fact, where did he get that robe and did he get taller?' Thought Tang Yun.
It wasn't just him, but everyone in the army was puzzled at Tang Wulin transformation. Whether it be his hair getting longer, him growing taller or his new clothing. Some even theorize he might have picked it up from one of the bodies that were killed by Fafnir.
The person in question was sitting on the bloody roof while looking at the sky and lost in thought. It was then he saw a black crane flying over towards them. The humans around got ready for battle while Tang Wulin just stared at the crane.
"Wait!" Shouted the Crane as it saw the humans expression.
"I'm not apart of Yao Cai fraction. I was sent by Meng Rui who is the leader of the fraction that wants humanity and spirit to co-exist to lead you guys to have a meeting." Said the Crane.
"Why would she want to meet us?" Questioned Xia Yan.
"She wants to see if we can make an alliance together."
#
Tang Yun moved his eyes around as he started taking note of the place they were heading to. It was a place filled with various houses with rivers flowing in between them and a stone bridge built over some of the rivers.
'They want to make an alliance with us, huh.' Thought Tang Yun as he followed behind Shadow Crane in front of him. At first, he was stunned when Shadow Crane told them about the meeting to create an alliance with each other, something he previously wanted to do.
Then he started thinking about why they would seek them out to have the meeting. It didn't take him long to understand why.
Strength!
No fraction would ever try to make an alliance with another fraction that was weaker than them. He sent a glance toward Tang Wulin who hasn't said anything at all. He still recalled him and everyone in the army turning their head toward Tang Wulin.
Tang Yun knew no one would question Tang Wulin rights to be the leader as he was the one who leads them toward a successful rebellion against the Spirit Beasts. So as they waited for Wulin answer, he said nothing and only turned to Tang Yun.
He suggested they at least check out the alliance they were willing to offer. After all, he a little bit was curious about the other Spirit Beasts that wanted equality with humans.
The human army followed Shadow Crane all the up to the splendid temple located above all of the houses. Once they reach the Temple entrance, Shadow Crane step aside and an out of the temple was Lin Qing wearing a cobalt dress.
"Welcome, I will be taking the representative of the human army to the meeting." Said Lin Qian with a faint smile.
"Who exactly are you?" Questioned Tang Yun.
"She is Lin Qian, the vice-leader of madam Meng Rui fraction." Said Shadow Crane, causing everyone in the army but Tang Wulin eyes to widen.
'The Vice-Leader of this spirit beasts fraction is a human!'
Was everyone thought as they never belive the Spirit Beast would actually grant a human a position in their fraction and let alone a high one at that. Tang Yun furrowed his brows as he began calming down.
'Well, at least I know they really want to be equals.' Thought Tang Yun.
"Well, your representatives?" Questioned Lin Qian after she sent a glare toward Shadow Crane.
"We will follow you." Said Tang Wulin causing Lin Qian to turn her head to him with a nod while hiding her confusion inside.
'Who is that man? Did he recently join their group? Where is the Demon King that leads them?' Lin Qian had many questions be kept them inward as she began leading them into the temple.
Xia Yan, Tang Yun, and Tang Wulin followed behind her, while the human army stayed vigilant just in case things didn't work out. The trio followed Lin Qian as she walks through the temple and followed her across the lilypads that acted as a bridge.
"Welcome." A voice rang out ahead of them. They all turned their heads to see a Peacock Spirit Beast staring at them with a smile on her face.
"My name is Meng Rui. I'm the leader and founder of this fraction." Said Meng Rui causing Xia Yan and Tang Yun to tremble.
They had suspicions that the founder of this fraction would be a Spirit Beasts but to finally confirm it made them shocked.
"Before we begin, can you answer some questioned for me." Asked Tang Yun.
"You can." Said Meng Rui causing Tang Yun to close his eyes for a second.
"Why are you doing this? Why did you build a fraction to help us, humans?"Questioned Tang Yun, causing Xia Yan to tremble.
Yes, this was a question that all humans who have ever heard about Meng Rui fractions had always wonder. Even some of the Spirit Beasts that used to own them, when they were still enslaved had wondered the same thing.
'What do you gain from helping us? What do you gain!' Thought Tang Yun.
He refused to believe that Meng Rui would actually help their race out of kindness. Especially when she was able to convince other Spirit Beast to help her and create this fraction that wouldn't lose to the other one.
"Why am I helping you, humans? Is your questioned for me..." Said Meng Rui as she began getting lost in thought.
"Yes."
"It's not a grand reason or something really that significant." Said Meng Rui.
"What are you..."
"We are protecting you guys because you are weak. Or use to be weak." Said Meng Rui as she serious stared at Tang Yun.
'Protecting us... Because we were weak.'
Those words were playing back and forth inside Tang Yun mind.
"Anyway, we should focus on our terms for the alliance." Said Meng Rui causing Tang Yun to furrow his brows but still nod his head.
'She's right, the more time we waste. More Humans will be slaughtered.' Thought Tang Yun.
"So what do you have in mind?" Asked Tang Yun.
"We will combine our group into one big fraction and then mount an attack against Yao Cai fraction." Said Meng Rui.
Tang Yun and Xia Yan turn their heads to Tang Wulin who has been quiet. Meng Rui also stared her gaze toward Tang Wulin.
"Why are you staring at me? The one you should be looking is Tang Yun." Said Tang Wulin with a raised brow, causing everyone to be shocked.
"Brother Wulin I don't understand!" Shouted Xia Yan.
"Are you not the one who leads the humans?" Asked Meng Rui in confusion causing Tang Wulin to shake his head.
"No, the one who leads the humans are Tang Yun." Said Tang Wulin with an even voice.
Tang Yun had his mouth open and his eyes widen from Tang Wulin answer.
"Stop looking so surprised. Are you not the one who made this army? Are you not the one who organized them? Break them apart into groups? Making sure everyone is alright and checked for." Said Tang Wulin causing Tang Yun to tremble.
"I may have been the one that inspired the humans and lead them but you are the one who commands the group. You are the leader of this army." Said Tang Wulin.
"You are the one who should decide whether the army joined the alliance or not." Said Tang Wulin.
Tang Yun went silent for a while, as everyone now directed their attention to him. He then sighed and looks straight at Meng Rui with a faint smile on his face.
"We Accept."
#
"I'm surprised." Said Zeref as he was sitting down next to Tang Wulin on one of the lilypads near the lovely river.
'About what?' Thought Tang Wulin.
"I genuinely thought he would have refused. I thought with you inspiring them and their progress so far, he might have gotten overconfident." Said Zeref.
'That guy is always thinking the best for humanity.' Thought Tang Wulin.
"Did you know he would accept?" Asked Zeref.
'No.'
"Tell me something Acnologia. Would you have stayed if he had refused?" Questioned Zeref.
'No.' Said Tang Wulin causing Zeref to arch a brow.
"Why not?"
'What do you mean why not? My goal as always been to leave this era. Besides, I have to reach the top of Yggdrasil before it gets destroyed.' Thought Tang Wulin causing Zeref to nod his head.
"Even if it means letting Fafnir go?" Said Zeref as he stared at Acnologia with a critical look.
Tang Wulin fell silent as he began to though about his options with Fafnir and Yggdrasil. He had about a week to leave this era or he would get stuck here forever. He had no way to attain the level of the Gods in a week.
Even with the Golden Dragon Seals, he wasn't confident enough to risk breaking the seals. Going to go fight Fafnir and then somehow making it to the top of Yggdrasil before its destruction.
'If only I...'
'Yes, even if its mean accepting my defeat toward Fafnir. I have to go back home.' Thought Tang Wulin as he gazes at the pond.
"Is that why you nominated Tang Yun as the leader? As a replacement for you?"
Tang Wulin remains silent as he stared out to the rippling water before him. He then turned his head to Zeref. After he made contact with the humans, he has been thinking about what he should when it came to the humans and Spirit Beast.
He knew he couldn't ignore the abuse of the humans because it kept on bringing up unpleasant memories but that didn't mean he would become their savior.
'This is not my era and my people. The one who should be leading this era should be its own people. Even if I didn't have a time limit here, I would have still part ways with them.' Thought Tang Wulin causing Zeref to go silent.
'My era is in the future and where the people I care about are in. I have been thinking Zeref, about what I should do when I return to our time.' Thought Tang Wulin.
"What you should do?"
'Yes, something that I will be doing when I get back.'
#
"So we're waiting on your grandfather to awaken all of the humans here?" Questioned Xia Yan as he turned toward Tang Yun.
"Yes."
"Do we really need their help though? Don't we have Brother Wu-."
"That is the point brother Yan. We have been relying too much on Brother Wulin." Said Tang Yun causing Xia Yan to be confused.
"We already know he is not from this continent, and he came here to do something. Yet he still joined our fight. Brother Yan, I have feeling Wulin won't be with us anymore." Said Tang Yun.
"Are you saying he is leaving? Is that why you accepted?"
"I didn't accept because of that. I accepted because I didn't want both of our race to be fighting forever. I believe this alliance is a way for us humans to not have to fight for our lives every day." Said Tang Yun.
"And about brother Wulin? This may be the last time we see him."