The assault had turned to clean up, Portano recon teams were scouting for any place that more of the Undead, Spectres or Orcs could be hiding. Wu Hai flew outside the city walls and expanded the Tower City. It flattened the landscape, pressed down and compressed. Xuan Kim Li and Qu waited for the Emperor to enter, but were stuck waiting for some time.
Wu Hai had the stealth corp working overtime to clear debris while another group rounded up corpses. The bodies of their fallen were perfectly preserved placed into storage, their funerals would be completed after the campaign.
Ho entered first, his wrist mangled. Qu brought out a potion. "Prince Ho, you didn't use the Lotus, tell me you didn't use the lotus." Qu's face went pale, he was already a ghostly phantom, the tower spirit, but somehow he looked even more bleak and gloomy.
"Yes, I need a healing potion." Ho held his wrist, it wasn't healing.
"That's what I was trying to tell you. The Lotus was a life saving talisman, its blood cost was 4% of a lifespan. I suppose since you're injured rather than older, that your elemental body took the brunt of the attack. You'll need a healer, not a potion. We should get you to the Medical Teams in Tower 4." Qu waved his hand and the two of them transferred to the other tower, Ho's hand was shattered, swollen.
Qu's arrival was instantaneous, the medical staff had expected some casualties but the Elemental's of the Assault group were much harder to kill or harm than most of the other races. Ho's hand was a mystery to them, they concentrated on their healing magic but it was doing little good. It was like using a firehose to fix a bowl of cereal, they were blasting things around in the bowl.
Ho's screaming was understandable, his hand was not healing.
Wu Hai and Kuzunoha finally appeared and searched for Qu. When they located him in the Tower City, they used the token to arrive by his side.
The Emperor saw his younger brother's hand, it was getting worse. "You could try a different body. Elemental bodies are a bit finicky and healing spells don't work the same as you would think it should. I think its time you gave up this boyish look, worst case scenario, you morph a few times uncomfortably. Once you're another race, healing you should be easier." He was guessing, it felt strange to him to have to reassure someone close to him, most of the time everyone had complete confidence in the Emperor and his teams.
"I know, I've been going over the specifics in my head for the past half hour. I'm lucky that I was in an Elemental Body, but its defense is also its weakness in this case. I'd like to roll both of the Race Change Gygax, but I think you'll disapprove of my choice, I choose the Demonkin race but will settle for fixing this hand." Zao Ho stood there with discontent, he wanted to age, but a flat percentage of his lifespan was about to disappear, unrecoverable. His body was still that of a child, the importance of growing up didn't elude him. He thought hard about what it would mean for him and Qingchi.
"Lets just see where the dice land." Wu Hai pulled the Gygax Cup and the Dice out. He set them down and let Ho do as he pleased. After Ho changed into a robe, he rolled.
'Demonkin, Human' Ho read them in his head, it was over. His hand began to regenerate, it whipped around in a spasm. Then, it was gone. The Prince stretched his hands and noticed his wings. They were thin. "I don't understand, but this works too." He looked a bit taller, he had aged almost eight years in appearance. He was older, much older than his Twins.
"Kuzunoha, watch over him for a bit and see if we can get some talismans to him. Qu, can you make sure she gets what she needs?" The Emperor was glad to see Ho getting better.
It was likely painful for Miss Nara to see a demonkin so soon after the battle, but it was Ho. The Grief she was feeling didn't get misplaced, he reminded her of Wu Hai when he was younger. The two of them had aged since coming to Shiyan. Wu Hai spent most of his time as an Elemental, but Kuzunoha had remained Human. She could see the problems where age would come into play.
"Just stay here for a while and make sure he stays here too." Wu Hai handed her the token to the Tower. Qu, while I brief the Elders, I have a large Wyrm Corpse that I want you to look into, make sure to accommodate Kuzunoha." Passing her the token, he channeled his ability and rejoined the troops outside.
"I want aeroships 3 and 4 to to break off and head west until nightfall. Then, set up camp. Kill anything that gets in your way, you'll be in demonkin territory. Combatants only, don't slaughter villages that do not posture. Move out once we're through regrouping. aeroships 5-7, you're to return to the Cities with the dead and stand guard. This was just one of our battles, more are to come." He looked over at Mike. "Dragon King, do you intend to fight or defend Greensong. My Brother is still out there fighting, alone. I intend to join him."
Mike turned his head and flew toward him. Whispering he said, "I thought you said that we were going to decide this stuff together. I want to go, stop making me a politician." Mike flexed and stood next to the Emperor, boosting the morale of the Elders that were staying with the battlegroup.
"Wahchung" Wu Hai shook the red compass.
"Yes, Master." He appeared and seemed interested, it was rare but it was a good thing. The Emperor told him about Zhan, the battles that needed to come and then asked if the compass would point the way. "Yes, Master. The Compass is pointing to the Northwest. Past The Gods Mountains, it has been steady for a few days. Our journey here and its heading confirm his location."
Ships 8-10 will come enter Tower City, the remainder of our forces will fortify Portano. Once Portano is defendable, break off a contingent to keep it defended and rejoin the Zao City Forces. The Emperor has received your help, now your families need you. There will be other battles." Wu Hai flipped his hand over and started channeling. "One more thing. Don't stop training, you know who you are."
The channeling had finished, he flicked his finger to the spellcircle and the space around him collapsed taking him elsewhere.
"So Dramatic, but.. I like this about him." One of the beastmen started talking among the others, the Emperor had earned their trust on the battlefield, proven himself to them through bloodshed. His promise of battles to come was a promise they looked forward to.
"Qu, Did you have any luck on those items? I need to know what was going on with the Dragon's corpse. That Miasma Monster was something else, he took out a bunch of the new onmyoji. Kuzunoha isn't in a good place but i needed to ask on your progress." Wu Hai poked his head into Qu's private room, his primary avatar sat cross legged in the center of his lotus seat.
"Black Dragons Tooth, White Dragons Claw." He stood up. "Both of them are exccedingly rare and valuable. You should have Mike or Gefest make weapons from them. Mr. Munju would love them if you're not interested. However, these are ancient killing weapons, worthy of the Emperor." Qu pulled the tooth from the air and held it.
"This Tooth still pulses with the Dragons's nerves, we have 68 of them and its claws. The Wyrm must have been one of the first few generations, its a pity that its body was so badly damaged, but the bones will make excellent weapons as well. The White Dragon's Claw.. You should hang onto that, its killing blow is almost unstoppable." Qu looked into the air and then back at the Emperor, "Young Prince Ho has finally normalized, I believe we still need to keep a watch on him but the vigilance of his bloodline keeps him from resting. Do your best, Master." Qu waved his hand and sent Wu Hai to the Token in Kuzunoha's possession.
He arrived at her side. She started talking about the new recruits she had just lost, and sank into a light depression.
Ho took the opportunity to leave, Qingchi heard about the battle and was looking for him.
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