Misozi landed, the Red Ape Army was still advancing into the Valley. "Master, I have more than a thousand presences on my sensors, they are coming this way."
"A thousand?" Three red lights descended from the night sky among the Red Ape Army. "Three more Ancestors?" Wu Hai looked out across the treetops, he could see them flashing without end. "Sure. A tactical retreat.." He was okay fighting the thousand soldiers but when three more opponents with a similar strength of the Satyr Ancestor was a bit much.
The Red Ape Army was furiously howling as they scrambled to the Satyr Village.
"Grab the Ancestor and lets go." Kuzunoha looked at Misozi, she extended a control arm and picked him up. She spread her wings and flew alongside the ship until they were far enough from the Village.
The Walls of the Village were quickly overrun and buildings began to tumble or burn. More furious howling could be heard, the three Red Ape Ancestors were late in their arrival.
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"What the hell just happened? After landing a safe distance away, the group found a large cave. Misozi was able to fit at its mouth and was well hidden. A camp was setup quickly for the Satyr survivors and the Ancestor was bound and gagged. Wu Hai was asking the group many questions, he wanted to make sense of everything. He had fallen asleep drunk, only to be woken up to a massive hangover and a subsequent fight.
"More of the Red Apes came, apparently we only destroyed their advance group or maybe a large scouting party." Kuzunoha tried explaining but she was coming up with short answers.
Misozi gave her estimates about the battle beforehand, more than 400 'scouts' had been destroyed in the first wave. The next wave was over a thousand but that was just an estimate. Three Ancestors arriving for the Red Ape Army meant that their losses had been severe and assistance had been required. The group's interference with the battle had not been in their calculations and it had cost them dearly.
Some of the Satyrs tried to weigh in their opinions but they were still a backward bunch and believed more in superstition than concrete information.
The Ancestor was mumbling behind his gag for it to be removed, Vector gave it a shot. "If you're disruptive, the gag goes back on." He reached out his hand to pull the gag away but the Ancestor jerked his head around and his unbroken horn cut across Vector's arm. "Asshole!" Vector backhanded him and watched two teeth fly across the cave before tumbling in the dirt.
The gag had been ripped off during the swipe, the Ancestor began to chant but one of the Satyrs came up and stood before him. "Great Ancestor, stop, these people have saved us."
There was a pause and the chanting stopped.
"Is this true?" The Ancestor looked around the cave, there were many of his people with cheerful expressions on their faces. 'Hmmph.' He snorted and raised his power to break his bindings but it didn't work.
Mursayade bore down on the Ancestor's shoulder, she sank her fingers in and grabbed at the bone sharply. "Show us some respect, it was us that dared to interfere on your behalf. If it wasn't for our compassion, most of these people would already be dead."
"It is true that my people live but you have stolen from us! Our history, even if our people do not, must survive!" He seemed panicked and the Ancestor's words were choppy.
"I would have returned them in time, the place we were planning to take them is out of reach from harm. There, the pieces could be reassembled and preserved for their heritage. I don't see the problem with this.. do you?" Kuzunoha gave reasoning and stood with her arms folded.
"Even if what you say is true, it is blasphemy to the Ancestors and Gods to defile or destroy a temple. You have sinned against my people so greatly, saving a few lives changes nothing." Gritting his teeth, the blood flowed from his lips. "Heal my wound or I too will die... what then?"
"You're competent, surely you didn't come to battle with nothing to use for yourself in case of this same predicament." It was like a needle under the fingernail, Vira's words shocked the group slightly but they all played along.
The Ancestor growled in distaste and frowned. "Where will you take them?"
"Would you like to go?" Wu Hai asked but hated that he would be forced to make the trip as well.
"My place is here." He spit out another mouthful of blood. "These people might have died but the Village would have remained for the future generations if you had just left the situation alone. Since you have plucked them, they are now your responsibility."
"I'm taking them to Shiyan." Wu Hai had no reason to hide anything to the Satyr Ancestor.
"Shiyan is a Myth." The Ancestor spit blood from his mouth again and wiped it against his shoulder. "Don't speak to me with lies."
Kuzunoha couldn't help but laugh. "How do you know of Shiyan." She knew that she had stopped the Emperor with her words but it was important to find out the details that they didn't know rather than explaining themselves.
"Our history speaks of a land called Shiyan, a place wide and wondrous, wider than Ultinia's heavens, a place of equality. We all know the tales but no one's ever proved anything. Don't try to fool me, when these bindings are gone so will the light in your eyes disappear." The Ancestor's words grew vicious, but Wu Hai shook his head.
"You're a fool to dismiss things so quickly." Wu Hai spread his wings and electrical arcs traveled between the bone protrusions. "You will adapt. Everyone, Load up. We're leaving."
"I prefer to stay." Kuzunoha looked over at everyone. "If I go, I will want to see my grandchild. Its too much temptation. Just hurry back."
Wu Hai sighed, had everyone stop and dropped a Steele into the back of the cave. It dug into the wall, displacing a lot of the interior and nearly caused the cave to collapse. When the dust settled he was somewhat satisfied, the Steele would remain hidden and somewhat safe. Vira passed the storage ring with their belongings to her the Emperor.
"Everyone hold onto someone's shoulder, you, grab onto mine." Wu Hai had the others making contact and when everyone was touching, he placed his hand onto the Steele.
"Yes? Emperor Zao, where would you like to go?" The array spirit asked gently, there were a lot of places that had recently been opened up but their names were not known.
"Hicon," Wu Hai remembered the name of the Winged Goat Esper Village. They would be able to manage the new arrivals and their acclimation.
The Array Spirit responded quickly, "Hicon, Shiyan, District 15C. Master." The Satyr villagers disappeared along with the Emperor.
Vector, Vira, Kuzunoha, Mursayade and Misozi had chosen to stay. It would be at least two weeks even if he only spent twenty minutes, all of them got some rest before hunting. Misozi was left in the cave, she was interested in controlling the physical body of the ship, it kept her distracted.
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The Ancestor was the first to exclaim at the scene changing. Traveling to the world of Shiyan was like a fairy tale to them, it simply wasn't something they considered possible. Six figures were near the Array, Guards to maintain order and help travelers leave if they were unwelcome. 'Volfaun?'
Six Guards spread their wings and flew to meet the Emperor. "Great Zao, Why graced us with your presence? Its been several years since your last recorded arrival."
"I have come to leave these people in your care." Wu Hai turned to face the Villagers. "They were being hunted, this place is very far and safe from their troubles. Give them sanctuary."
"Leave them to me." The Head Guard gave a salute and saw the Ancestor. He was clearly different than the others. "Are you the Leader?"
"No, I am one of their Ancestors and will not be joining you." His face was full of creases, he was having trouble putting his head around what was happening. The Ancestor had questions but didn't bother to ask anything aloud. 'Why are Volfaun helping Satyrs..'
"Then I will take them with us now." Wu Hai gave the Captain a Crystal box and a Scroll before the Captain led the Satyr Villagers away. They all passed through a shield that was nearby that kept the city hidden from aerial beasts and predators.
'Hmmph, petty tricks but, effective.' The Ancestor turned back to Wu Hai. "Okay, Zao. What now?" he held out his hands that were still bound.
"Now we go back." Wu Hai grabbed his hands and touched the stone. "Take me back to where I was."
"Yes. Master." The array charged for .00001 second and the Emperor had vanished from sight, materializing in the Cave.
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There was no sign of the ship or the others, the place had been swept clean.
"My people have gone, you should be able to find your way." Wu Hai waved his hand, destroying the bindings. "I will keep my promises, your people will be safe among the Espers."
"Espers is a strange word for Volfaun, but.. if you have them at your command then perhaps my descendants will be safe."
"Volfaun... What a strange name. What is your name?"
"Ude'fareh'zutyany" The Ancestor began to channel some energy in his body, a red glow began to surround him.
"I'll just call you Ude." Waving his goodbye, Wu Hai spread his wings and flew away.
He searched for about an hour and grew frustrated, there were no signs of the group. He pulled out the Red compass and asked, "Wahchung! Which way to the Empress?"
The Compass Spun.
"▓▓▓▓" Wu Hai's yell was intense.
"Which way to Vira?" It spin again.
"Vector?"
"Mursayade?"
"Misozi, the Ship.. can you spot the ship anywhere?" The Compass spun and spun some more.
"Speak up! Get out of there and talk to me! WAHCHUNG!" Wu Hai tapped on the compass until Wahchung came out.
"What?!" Wahchung seemed delirious and angry with his tone.
"Where are the others, point me in the right direction." Wu Hai began to lose his patience, Wahchungs routine of being vague had almost driven the Emperor to crush him a few times in anger.
"UP, you loud, inconsidera.." Wu Hai put the compass away and effectively shut Wahchung's mouth with force.
'Up, huh?' he flew into the cave and teleported to the second level of the Ultinian Heavens. The Compass appeared in his hands again. "Wahchung.. Which way."
"Ughh.. Not this way. They aren't here." Wahchung's words were slow and steady, he was sure of it.
"What do you mean they aren't here?" Wu Hai was losing his patience.
"They must be somewhere else, we should return to the lower level. No doubt we missed something." The Compass Spirit had never purposefully misled Wu Hai but he was always reluctant to help with details.
"You will inform me when you can sense their direction." Wu Hai pinned the compass to his armor and flew to the west. He was determined to relocate the group, splitting up was a terrible idea and he had done it again, only this time he didn't have a ship for comfort and all of his spirit stones were still aboard.
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Kuzunoha and Vira grew restless, they had plenty of spirit stones but they wanted to hone their skills. Vector wasn't immune to the Cabin fever either, by the fourth day of waiting all of them had decided to venture out.
They had a number of spirit stones and could have hidden in the cave for about a month, however nothing was quite as invigorating as fresh air.
Boulders surrounded the group, it was a vast wasteland of rocks the further west they went. The Red Ape army had not continued their pursuit but their howls could be heard a from the cave's entrance.
Blasts of acid were spraying in all directions and a swarm of insects were chasing after Mursayade.
She had noticed a number of small vortexes, the creatures were consuming a Corpsion. The poor bastard never stood a chance on the ground. Its stinger had been torn away and laid on the ground, it was ignored by the bugs but Mursayade still wanted it for its material value. She was certain that a Scorpion humanoid, especially one that large, would have a wonderful venom to add to their collections.
Circling in an effort to kite them away from the tail, Mursayade played the bait while Vector made the grab.