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Zhan had been asking around, he wanted to know how the Herl Townsfolk were managing in the Portano. His parents were the ones who welcomed the majority of the refugees to the capital. They even opened a Tea Shop for work to those that couldn't lift heavy things, treating the entire village as family. The Zao Family Tea house was well managed, Calistown had plenty of time during the week for self indulgence and was happy to have a constant stream of guests.
Their Daughter was a handful. Lei, having manifested her psychic ability, had given everyone in the Capital a hard time, at first. She learned not to talk to strangers after the first few months when people were seen running from the Tea Shop. They were not nice people to begin with but they were scared out of their wits when Lei kept relaying all the bad things they had done to her parents. There was nothing that Lei could do, the thoughts of others were often times very loud.
Ooran was especially angry during some of the interactions, one day, a man she pointed out turned out to be a well known rapist from another country. The man was fleeing and even had a reward out for his capture. Ooran knew the problems that came with prisoners and bounties, he was less inclined to do the work himself and left the criminal with the City Guards.
Having destroyed any hope local Scumbags held of turning the Tea House to a Brothel, the Zao Family Tea Shop was often swarming with newcomers. The sheer amount of profit that came into the shop allowed them secure the rest of the block after a few months. Wu Hai had also left enough of gold and materials to more than pay for any sort of renovations. Not just anyone could cause trouble in vicinity.
Additionally, Old Man Jiang would stop by from time to time. Wu Hai had asked him to check on Baby Lei and it was the least he could do. Zao Lei's powers were strong and one day she could be unparalleled in her field of interest. Passing knowledge and history to the girl every time they met made the Old Man form a deeper bond between them. The time he spent with Lei helped also made him wonder about Wu Hai and what he was doing, hoping that his young disciple was still alive.
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"Zhan, let us see what comes of your Swordsmanship." Ooran had spent lots of time and effort to hone his son's fighting spirit since he was a child. Then, when Zhan had joined the Wolf Brigade, he had become an even better Fighter. Showcasing his ability, Ooran smiled happily. His first born child was truly becoming a Man.
Crashing about the courtyard of the new villa, the Father and Son duo fueled their afternoon training sessions with alcohol and talks of adventure.
"One day when your younger Brother has returned, we'll all go on an adventure together. Nothing crazy but enough to have some fun. What do you think?" Ooran looked at Zhan, took a drink of some water and asked.
"Father, I've grown. I would love to go on an adventure with you and Wu, one day." He grabbed the bucket and drenched his head to cool off. "But, I feel like my life might be taking its own direction soon." Gazing at Rachael through the window in the house with his mother, Zao Zhan shook his head.
"Child of mine, you grow so fast. Women are indeed a Treasure but they are not the last vestige of a Man's Heart. We will our lives with adventure and soul, coming home to the ones we love and care for. If a Family life is all you seek, a warriors life will eventually cut that short. I do not discourage your feelings of love but it will bind you in ways you never knew."
Zhan couldn't help but to argue with his Father, "Showing compassion is not a sign of weakness." He took a second to make sure he had his thoughts collected and continued. "If I were to choose love over battle or to choose them both, would you still caution me? I know you mean well but it seems you're still believing me to be nothing more than a child." Zhan was offended, he was ready to barge out of the room when his father stopped him, gently.
He clarified himself, "Zao Zhan, there is no reason to sway you. I see that it was I who was in error, inferring that you use caution. To discourage you is not my intention, I only wish to see you seeking a path that you've chosen for yourself. Forgive your Father, I meant well." Ooran pointed to the house, "Come, let us see go see the meal our women have made, Dinner smells like its about to be ready."
Zhan's father patted him on the back and they went to door.
Passing back into the house, they noticed their beauties and looked to each other. Both couldn't help but grab their head and mess their hair.
Like Father, Like Son.
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Weeks passed while the group passed from one area to the next, signs of civilization were few and further than any of them imagined. They were following the direction of the Compass Needle and Wu Hai was continually at the lead.
It was daybreak and the group had been getting use to each other's quirks. Some carved bricks were laid into a path that led up around the shore of the river. Unable to remain quiet, they searched a small river shrine nearby.
Khan Ni found some rare Herbs and the group had some luck making medicines for a local fisherman who had been bitten by a Sharptooth River Ray.
Sharptooth River Rays had a tendency to look like the rocks. Although rare themselves, the only way they were discovered was to be stepped on. This would always force the River Rays to turn and bite, sometimes people were even stung.
The Fisherman was grateful and generous with fish as a reward.
Doofus, the Tolo and the newest edition to their troop of travel companions, the Jiao, swallowed most of them down quickly. Luckily for fisherman, the Jiao was able to reduce its size considerably, The Leopard Spotted Jiao resembling a short flying eel and most of the time it had a tendency to stick with Khan Ni, wrapping itself across her shoulders like a trophy fur. It was safe to say that the Jiao was becoming territorial and protective of her but no one in the group saw an issue with their bonding.
The request for the Herbs had been completed in a few hours, they had accepted the mission to find the special herb in the mountain. The fisherman's son had recovered after about an hour and night was approaching. The Cheng brothers liked roasted fish, a few times they tried using their lightning charge to grill a fish, the fish were burned very badly and whatever hadn't been eaten was gobbled down by the Mounts.
The next morning there was a familiar feeling when the temperature started to drop, the summer months had long since given way to fall. Soon, they would have to rest again. Avoiding the clouds was best since they could get sick when cold and wet.
Passing over a mountain range, the Cheng Twins were goofing off and notice a large structure built into the side of one of the slopes. The team lowered their altitude and came to its Mouth, the large triangle shaped entrance stood in V shape and had rubble surrounding the its base.
A single path stood at the center, it led into the depths of the mountain. Statues lined the wall of various things, sometimes it would be a Qilin, sometimes a Rat, there were many humanoid looking warriors. Some Dragonkin were even among them. It seemed as if the artist had made them in great detail.
The common expression across every statue was one of fear. A massive altar stood before a dancing green orb at the back of the stage. The orb stood on a pole behind the altar illuminating the area and revealed a series of writings on the walls. Though the light from the Orb was moving around, the writing was clearly carved well into the walls, assuring its survival even if lost to time.
'The Orb of Ferris, was never an object of evil. Long ago, it fell from enemy hands and took many lives during its slumber. We've stored it in the cavern for the safety of all. Those that would take it, have all turned to stone. Every night it returns to the altar.' Underneath the first passage, another warning was written. 'Do not touch the Orb.'
'The Orb of Ferris can strengthen the body but it cannot leave this place. No further, less you be cast to stone. No one can take this treasure, no one alone. To crush the enemy, be as the creator... give life.'
Zao Wu Hai looked at the group and asked "Give life? Does this thing want us to kill someone to take it?"
Khan Ni cut in, "It says no one can have it, no one alone. Maybe that means more than one person has to hold it or they will be cast to stone."
The Twins were silent, Wu Hai was sure that Khan Ni was right but had his doubts. "If that was the case, wouldn't it have already been gone from this place? This writing doesn't look new and it does say that it returns every night, maybe its alive."
Yu and Mu were trying to make fun of them but something unexpected happened, the Orb spoke, ""Don't you want me?""
The voice was menacing, it sent the brothers into a creepy hug. They were also excited, a treasure that could talk would be considered quite unique, anything unique is usually very powerful.
"Nope, Sorry! not gonna happen." Wu Hai stood out from the group and protested. "Hard Pass!" Staring tat the others, he cracked his knuckles. "Don't let it temp you, I have an idea."
Having found a treasure that could build their bodies, he wasn't about to ruin things. If the orb was alive and could have left the cave by itself, it would have left long ago.
"Okay, we should make camp here. No one touches the orb." Wu Hai rubbed his hands together, he had some things he wanted to try and no time was better than the present.