Tao Liu sat amongst books of cultivation as he examined the intricacies of the sword. He sat there in the calm of night, contemplating as he smoothly casted spell after spell to see what secrets this ancient weapon held. He wrapped it up in talismans, chanting incantations to conjure its powers, but it would not respond. He burned incense and rang soft bells, speaking secret words, trying to lure out the hidden magic that this blade contained. He placed it on runes, attempting to summon any magical entity that may be tied to its steel.
But in the end, none worked. So, he made a last resort and took the sword in his hand and closed his eyes. A humming grew in the air as candle lights flickered. He stood still in the center of the room, then swung the blade. He slashed it out in front of him, piercing the air. Spun and sliced, he moved with the sword as the general mumbled words that echoed in the tent. It rumbled in one's ears, tracing across skin. Tao Liu lunged and thrusted the sword up high, finally muttering, "Release."
An air reverberated through the space, wind blowing candlelight out. Everything became dark, still, and quiet. The humming ceased. He stood in that black emptiness for a moment longer, until he opened his eyes, and saw white. He was in a glowing space, blank and alone. He stood there by himself until he saw a shadow sit in the bright light. He called to it, though his voice made no sound.
The figure did not face him, just said in words undaunted, "You do not own my soul."
With that, Tao Liu's eyes snapped open and he found himself standing in his dark tent. He huffed and went to light the blown out candles. When all the light had bloomed back, Sun Zhen entered his tent, addressing him, "General Tao, I have today's reports."
"Ah, good, bring it here."
She nodded, approaching him with the files when she noticed that his focus was still enamored by the sword. She asked, "Any luck?"
"Not in particular," Tao Liu sighed. "Any magic is sealed deep within. I fear if I venture in too far, I may lose myself."
Sun Zhen eyed the weapon, stating, "Is it too dangerous, General?"
He thought for a moment then answered, "I'm not quite sure yet. It is a mysterious thing, that's for sure. But it doesn't seem to recognize me as a potential wielder."
"Then the Maltan nurse," she suggested.
"Yes, it's probably imprinted on him for one reason or another," he explained. "Why, I can not tell."
"It was found in some ruins," Sun Zhen noted. "Perhaps it is a prophetic weapon."
"Perhaps," the general hummed. "But prophetic for what?" He gingerly handled it, saying, "I believe I was correct in not executing that Maltan man."
Sun Zhen raised an eyebrow, "You wouldn't have killed him now that you realized he's a nurse."
Tao Liu chuckled, "Oh dear, caught me red handed."
"What will we do with him, General?" Sun Zhen questioned.
"We want to keep him alive in our possession," Tao Liu smirked. "Make sure the enemy can't get their hands on him. And in the meantime, we'll question him. Find out what his connection to the sword is. Find out if it's him or the sword that's more powerful."
"And if he turns out to be more powerful than you?" she pondered.
"Let's hope by then I'll know all his weaknesses," Tao Liu replied. "And if not, I always have more room to become stronger."
She gazed at him, then nodded.
Tao Liu stood up, cracking his back, muttering, "Ugh, the night makes one feel old."
Sun Zhen snorted, "You're only twenty six."
"Still, age is catching up to this one," Tao Liu sighed. He cleaned up his face a bit, and said, "I'm giving our little prisoner a visit."
She raised a brow, "At this time of night?"
"Hm, he should have rested enough," he remarked, turning to her, "Help me look presentable."
"Yes, sir," Sun Zhen answered.
-
Omari was wallowing in his cell, feeling every ache seep deep into his bones. That Gao Sying took his belt away that held all his pockets for medical supplies, so he didn't have much to apply to his burning wounds. He couldn't sleep and felt too stiff to move. Everything was so tiring, he wanted to sleep.
He huffed and sat up. He could feel the scrapes, but didn't know where they all were. Omari pulled off his blue shirt and checked where every wound was, feeling around to make sure a rib wasn't bruised or something. He counted the scratches and bruises, trying to not look at the festering burn mark. He wanted to sigh to the sky. He was like a battered peach and just wanted to rot into the ground to escape any future destiny he'll be fated with.
He noticed that some scratches had dirt and rubble in it, so he tried brushing it off when he heard a noise behind him. His head whipped around and he saw two people enter. The one holding the curtain was Lieutenant Sun Zhen and the other entering was General Tao Liu.
They froze when their eyes met. Tao Liu's greatly widened at seeing the half naked man in the middle of his cell. He was startled by his thick chest and exposed skin. He didn't expect to see so many muscles on him. His lightly brown hair was also not in a ponytail at the moment, letting his dreads fall on his shoulders. The more he stared, the taller he realized this Maltan nurse was, and he had a lot of strength in those big arms to be a nurse. It surprised the general greatly that a simple nurse of Malta's army could have such size- ahem, he meant height!
And Omari was horrified at how he was presented in the midst of a general who suddenly barged in. He reached for his shirt to cover himself up as quickly as he could. As he did, he said a million apologies while his face was a beat red. He pleaded that this wasn't going to be some sort of Hóngyèse offense.
Though Tao Liu remained quiet as he watched Omari redress himself, seeing that his shirt actually fit him quite snug, slipping over to Tao Liu's surprise was a six pack! Oh my. Wow.
But then he glanced down past the shirt to see an array of bruises. Omari was whimpering, "My apologies, General. I did not know you were coming." He was truly dead this time for sure. The general would be appalled and smite him down. He most likely was running out of patience.
Tao Liu raised a brow then stated, "It is I who should be apologizing for my sudden intrusion."
Omari blinked, caught off guard by this as he watched the general approach. He stepped forward, in his long woven crimson robes that trailed behind him. He wore a black vest and white under robes. His head pieces were more elaborate than before, making his hair branch out like spider legs. It was quite the design, seeing the gold and topaz sit inside. Omari also noticed the red shadow of rogue that was brushed over his eyes. He was quite the sight to see yet again.
The general came closer, with eyes of auburn as he peered at Omari. He said, "I have come to speak with you, Juma Omari."
He nervously glanced about, then asked, "What would the general like to know?"
Tao Liu nodded, coming up to the bars of the cell, wrapping a hand around it. His pointer finger had a golden armored claw with extensive detail. Omari gulped at the sight of it, but Tao Liu brought his focus back to him, saying, "I wish to know more about you."
He stared at Omari's face, seeing it well structured and clean besides some dirt that had smeared on his cheeks and nose. But other than that, he had a long round nose that suited him and troubled dark chocolate eyes that the general was transfixed by.
Omari's gaze widened, "Me?"
"Yes," Tao Liu stated. "Like for instance, if you are a magic user or not?"
"No, sir," Omari answered. "I've never been able to cast a spell before in all my life."
"You've tried?" Tao Liu tilted his head.
"In the army, when you're first recruited," he explained. "They test you for those sorts of abilities. I didn't exhibit a single trace of magical essence."
Tao Liu moved closer to the bars as he noted, "You are quite good at answering questions."
Omari felt a bit flushed, "Well, sir, I just prefer not to be tortured."
Tao Liu showed a wide smile and let a laugh escape. The candle light flickered across his face, catching Omari off guard. He quickly covered his mouth as he chuckled into his sleeve, eyes peering up at Omari. He said, "Comedic too."
Omari stared down at him, his chest stirring at such a genuine smile. He was quite bewildered by the general, waiting to be afraid of him. Anticipating a violent hit or to be condemned to an early grave. But not once had he shown him any trace of hostility ever since they crossed blades. In fact, his hostility may have decreased exponentially.
He didn't quite know how to react to his cool personality or casual conversation. Should he be afraid? Should he keep trying to convince the general that he was no threat? But maybe Tao Liu didn't feel any fear towards him. He already determined that he wasn't an assassin, which was true. He was far more powerful than Omari could ever dream to be, so he must have not felt intimidated in the least. But then Omari thought that the general may use his status to try and frighten the poor nurse. But no, he didn't seem to want to do that either. He may have no desire to brandish his power at Omari to get him to talk. Not even out of principle or for his own amusement. He was in fact, not trying to oppress him at all.
And what threw the poor Maltan nurse off even more was when Tao Liu stated, "Your injuries don't look so good."
He flinched and tightened his grip on his burned arm. He muttered, "Guo Sying took my medical belt. I… I can not give the necessary medical treatment for these wounds."
Tao Liu hummed, "I have unfortunately dismissed her, with no knowledge of where she stashed your belt, so…" Tao Liu reached into the cell and said, "In condolences, allow me to mend your wounds."
"A-A- Excuse me, sir?!" Omari stepped back, alarmed.
"I wish to offer some energy in order to heal your wounds," Tao Liu stated. "There is no way one can rest with such a battered body."
"B-But sir!" Omari's head was spinning. "We-We are enemies?!"
The general stood straight as he questioned, "What… have you heard of me, Nurse Omari?"
"I-uh-um," Omari didn't know what he should say.
He didn't answer so Tao Liu changed his question, "Then what horrible things have you heard of my people doing?"
"I…" he let his head fall low, then responded, "I have heard of pillaging, burning down villages, massacres, and great tortures."
Tao Liu's gaze fell, "Not much good, I presume."
"No, sir," Omari nodded.
"Well… I'll let you know that all of those things are true," Tao Liu said. "The Hóngyèse army has committed such atrocities. Even now, I'm sure there has been some Maltan town that has burned to the ground, and prisoners who are being tortured to death on this very day. I will not make excuses for my country's actions."
Omari stared at him. The manner in how the general spoke, he didn't know why he especially was being addressed in such a way. What could the general possibly gain from trying to sound empathetic that he couldn't get from the brutality of torture?
"I will confess, I have been involved in such affronts," Tao Liu nodded. "Those crimes have stained my hands and memory. But I have lived long enough to see that mercy is far more valuable than aimless killing, Nurse Omari." He looked to the general. "You do not need to be so afraid, for if I wanted to kill you, I would have made it swift. I do not desire to prolong the death of my Maltan enemies, that isn't how I work. I do not intend to show you harm."
Omari briefly averted his gaze then turned back at the general, "Why show me such mercy, General? What do you gain from it?"
Tao Liu closed his eyes and sagely nodded. "You believe I could get what I want from you through harsh interrogations."
Omari said nothing, just watched the man.
"I admit, I do not want you to die from your wounds," Tao Liu answered. "You are someone who holds secrets to that sword which I am now rather interested in, so I wish for you to remain alive. Also, I do not wish to chance any more wounds on your person that could kill you. But…" His eyes flickered up, encumbered by umber, "I also do keep a certain type of… reputation unlike the other militant leaders of my country. I do not treat my hostages like dogs. If I can, I will command to not burn down an entire village. I do not derive pleasure from killing innocents like many of my equals in status do. I find disgust in the shameless wretches that stain my country's name for their pride and ego; for their ranking. I do not climb the ranks in order to relish in the suffering of others, but for the safety of all." His eyes grew gentle, "Including Maltans."
Omari stared at this general. He was unsure why he was telling him all of this. They were all such noble words that it almost sounded dreamlike. Maybe he was choosing to say this because he felt like Omari could never escape and release these words to the public, but what could he possibly gain from spilling out such confessions? They just sounded honorable. He just hoped that Tao Liu wasn't using such flowery words to sway Omari's heart, trying to place the general in a better light. What would be the point of that?
He couldn't trust his words. He would just have to bide his time and escape. Especially if he wasn't going to be immediately executed, that would give him enough time to run away. Preferably before this camp relocates. He'll gladly admit to whatever the general wanted to hear, but it wasn't like he would trust him.
But he believed that perhaps Tao Liu wasn't exactly asking for him to trust him, just to not fear him. Not fear him enough to civilly converse.
Omari soon stated, "General Tao, if you are truly as lenient as you say, even to my people, then why have a soldier like Guo Sying show me such intimidation?"
Tao Liu blinked and snickered, "She intimidated you?"
Omari's face grew red, but one out of frustration at such a response.
Tao Liu noticed and let out a mild giggle, "She's teasing." Omari's eyes widened. "She is just the prison guard, she doesn't torture Maltans. She just likes teasing people because of her enormous stature."
Omari's mouth fell and he groaned in annoyance.
Tao Liu smiled, "She's a funny one, but I promise, she will not cause you any harm."
"Even if I don't cooperate?" Omari absentmindedly mumbled, but then jerked back in a start, remembering himself.
Tao Liu tilted his head, "You won't?"
Omari expected retaliation, so he was startled into saying, "No… I will," he shook his head. "But I feel like it is fair to say that I can't trust you all the way."
Tao Liu nodded, holding out his hand, "Then just trust me with this right now. We don't have to become friends, of course."
"Of c-course!" Omari suddenly took his hand and felt something immediately. It was like small streams were flowing through him, like their veins were attached and coursing into one and another. He felt it travel through his whole body, slipping in a slow warmth that was rather unexpected. Soft and gentle, steadily mending every feeling of pain. It was odd, being healed by a magic user.
The process was drawn out until General Tao Liu observed, "You aren't quite loyal to your country, are you, Omari?"
His brow lifted as he answered, "No, I'm not so devoted. They're war mongering. It's disgusting."
Tao Liu hummed, "Disgusting, you say…? Then why are you a nurse in their barracks?"
"It's… It's my way of helping people," Omari decided to say. "I'm not some 'hero' who throws their life away on the frontlines. I'd rather take care of the injured than do something extreme like that."
"Then you share no nationalism with them?"
Omari huffed, "Not really. Malta is just land with people in it."
"What about Hóngyè?" Tao Liu questioned. "Is that just land with people in it too?"
Omari breathed through his nose, "I don't know much about your country, though I'm sure it is." His eyes grew cold, "But... that doesn't mean I don't resent it as well. As much as Malta has thrown away the lives of its people, it is Hóngyè that takes them. Each country has contributed to the horrors of war. They are both sides of the same coin, but in Malta, I had friends who have been killed off by soldiers from Hóngyè."
"I see," he muttered. "So you do hold some loyalties."
"To those closest around me," Omari replied. "Not to that stupid country and its stupid politics."
Tao Liu smiled, "You have quite the inquisitive mind, Juma Omari. I can see similarities."
"To what?"
"To me," he answered.
Omari faced him, baffled by such words.
This general, he was so strange. Almost down to earth. He seemed so practical and reasonable. He wondered if any other Hóngyèse generals had this sort of rationale; the Maltans certainly did not.
Tao Liu removed his hand and Omari felt himself over. Not an ache of pain, even the burnmark had completely healed. It was amazing.
The general chuckled, leaning on the bars and said, "Most people follow a sort of blind ethnocentrism. I'm glad to see that there are still those out there who are able to make their own decisions on things… without their country's ideologies interfering."
Omari rubbed his wrist, as he gazed at this man. Tao Liu was certainly not what he expected, so he asked, "General?"
"Yes?"
"If I was in any other Hóngyèse general's care, would I be receiving this good amount of treatment?"
Tao Liu averted his eyes as he honestly answered, "Most likely not. If they had experienced the same things as I did today, then I know three who would string you up immediately without a single care for the sword. One who would cage you in a very small cell; he likes doing that. One who would challenge you to a fight to the death. Another who would experiment on you with the most malicious of magics. And lastly one who would have tortured you for certain. That last one would be Jiang Shihong."
Omari's fists tightened at that name. He recognized it ever so easily. She was probably the most vicious of the Hóngyèse generals. Even though she had the least amount of magical energy unlike the other generals, she had been known throughout Malta to be the most immoral and brutal. There were plenty of horror stories about her from many Maltan soldiers who dared to escape her jaws, and told tales of revolting cruelty. Omari had one friend who had been captured by her, was able to flee, but on arrival back to their camp, was riddled with injuries. Half of his face was carved off, his tongue ripped out, fingers smashed. There were stitches where some organs were removed which wouldn't have been done by her, but her second in command who had an infamous reputation for dissecting hostages. But worse of all was the smell of burning flesh that came off of him from hot iron bars that had clung to his skin. He died hours after.
"I know her name," Omari grimaced.
"Most do," Tao Liu stated. "In Hóngyè she is known as a hero."
A hero? Dear god. If that's what a hero does then Omari wanted no part of it. They can keep the damn title.
"She may have shown interest in your weapon, but she'll see it more as something powerful to beat to improve her reputation," Tao Liu sighed. "Like a trophy. Like always."
Omari raised a brow. It didn't seem like the general was on good terms with any of these people. But Tao Liu must have not minded telling this random person any of this at all. He seemed quite comfortable enough to just spout out whatever, making Omari quickly realize that even though he was saying all of this stuff, in case that nurse did escape, that Omari couldn't use any of it against him. He was just that powerful, that confident. Omari understood that whatever Tao Liu told him, wasn't weaknesses.
Jessi said that not only was he a strong force to be reckoned with, but he was also extremely tactile. In no way would he be putting his guard down in front of someone like Omari.
He was curious so he tried out, "Is the general intimidated by me?"
Tao Liu's eyes grew and he blinked a few times, finally remarking, "You are the one in the cell, remember?"
Omari's cheeks grew red. Why did he say something so stupid?!
"I'm not worried about you," Tao Liu said. "As mentioned before, you are quite new to magic."
"I'm not-"
"You in fact are," he interjected. "That sword… is definitely a magical artifact of some kind. A weapon of years past. What powers it holds, I don't quite know yet. But you…" His gaze gleamed with a menacing interest, "You probably hold its secrets."
"Me?!"
"It did choose you, didn't it?" Tao Liu noted. "Something like that… must be conscious of its user."
"Are you… Are you saying it's got a mind of its own?" Omari squirmed.
"I believe so."
That's weird. Magic is weird. Why would an inanimate object have thoughts? What? Would it talk next?
"I can't tell what era it's from, could you?" Tao Liu questioned.
"No, not really," Omari muttered. "I never paid attention in History Class."
"I see," Tao Liu snorted, thinking then asked, "Did you perhaps think of a word or do something when it absorbed my spell?"
"Uh…" was that how magic worked? He thought so? He sometimes met wizards that would say their spells out loud or do a funny hand gesture. But he didn't consciously do something like that. "No, sir… I um, don't know what I did to make it do that."
"Hm… peculiar," Tao Liu lightly scratched his chin in contemplation, but then a noise sounded behind them. The general turned to see a soldier next to Sun Zhen who Omari completely forgot was there until now.
The soldier announced, "General! Commander Jin has returned with his party."
"Hm," Tao Liu mumbled. "Inform Guo Sying."
"Yes, sir!" Then the soldier abruptly left as Tao Liu turned back to Omari who looked plenty nervous again.
He raised a brow, asking, "Is there something on your mind?"
"N-No, General," Omari averted his gaze. He wasn't going to get in between whatever the hell was with General Tao and Commander Jin.
But Tao Liu gave him this knowing smile and Omari began to think maybe he didn't actually have to say anything.
The general tossed his hair behind his shoulder, turning as he told Omari, "I seem to have a midnight engagement to get to. We'll have to continue this conversation in the morning."
"Y-Yes, sir," Omari nodded, watching Tao Liu depart. As he walked out of the tent, he gave Omari a brief peek and a cool smirk as he left.
-
General Tao leisurely strolled through the camp to a tent near the back. The torches were simmering down, but people were still mingling so late at night. The summer air was warm as bugs whizzed past your ear and by evening lamp lights. Stars glowed up above, shimmering far from the noise of the soldiers.
Sun Zhen was by his side again and scoffed, "Guo Sying doesn't do torture, huh?"
"Doesn't torture Maltan enemies," Tao Liu noted.
"Still… she'll find what you said to be rather amusing."
"Mm," he nodded.
She gave him an eye and noted, "You spoke for quite some time with the prisoner."
"Really?" he hummed. "Time just flew by for me."
Sun Zhen looked ahead, saying, "You just appeared very… comfortable."
"Perhaps I have been eager for a relaxed conversation for quite some time," Tao Liu replied. "We've been so preoccupied with removing Maltan forces from this area that I haven't had much time to myself. I'm a bit tired. I should probably sleep soon."
"You have been more or less drained of your powers with how little you've rested," she said.
"Yes, but let's just keep that between ourselves," Tao Liu replied.
She stared at him for a bit longer than added, "I just observed that you are treating him quite well for a captive."
He turned and smiled, "Well he has granted us quite the opportunity on how to deal with a very incopentant officer and I am especially grateful for his service on this particular matter."
There then stood Guo Sying, waiting for him in front of the tent. She had a nice smile to her. She bowed to the general, stating, "I have him ready for you, General Tao."
"Many thanks, Guo Sying," Tao Liu nodded, being led into the tent that smelt of blood. Commander Jin was dangling by his thumbs from a long pole in the center of the room. His clothes were removed; to be left in his humility. He had many whip slash marks over his body that split his skin and poured blood on the dirt floor below. His mouth was wrapped shut as he hung there. One could hear his small groans of pain stem out, but he couldn't scream much. He was nicely quiet so any soldiers nearby could sleep.
Sun Zhen took a chair and placed it before Commander Jin which Tao Liu sat upon. He leaned back, rather comfortable as he admired Guo Sying's handy work. He smiled, "A fitting punishment for such treasonous swine."
The commander pathetically whined so Tao Liu gestured for Guo Sying to remove the mouth gag. He coughed up blood and started begging, "A million apologies, revered General. A million. I beg you. I do not deserve this treatment."
"Oh?" Tao Liu sneered. "Really now? I think this is quite deserving. Don't you agree, Sun Zhen, Guo Sying?"
"Of course, General," they both answered in unison.
"B-But!" the officer whined.
"Commander," Tao Liu stood, approaching the man. "You dare object? Well then, may I ask, was your mission of destroying the remaining Maltan soldiers successful? Or…" His eyes grew cold but his smile was still present, "Or did you and your unit immediately try to desert after realizing what I was going to do with you… when I found you?"
"I… Please, mercy!" the commander cried. "It was an accident! What I did- it was not my fault-!"
Tao Liu raised a finger that pressed against Commander Jin's lips to silence him, "Sh, my troops are resting. There is no need to awaken them with your ugly sobbing."
Commander Jin whimpered, "I-I'll do whatever the general wishes. I will slay as many Maltan troops as you want, take down the greatest of evils, if you just let me live."
Tao Liu removed his hand, raising it to the side where Sun Zhen came with a clean cloth to wipe off any blood stuck to it. When she was finished and backed off, Tao Liu tsked, "Commander, Commander, Commander. Both of us know that you are not capable of the things you promise." He watched tears pour from the man's eyes and then sat himself back down. "You committed such high treason today. The audacity is almost impressive if it wasn't I that you tried to assassinate."
"Assassinate?!" the commander gasped. "I did not-!"
"Oh, but you did," Tao Liu nodded. "Let's see." He thought to himself, "It went like this. You made dealings with a Maltan soldier to kill me. Gave him a weapon and watched from afar as he attempted to take my life. Does that sound accurate?"
"I-I didn't!" the man sobbed. "I did no such thing!"
"Commander Jin," Tao Liu smirked. "Who do you think his heavenly emperor is going to believe? A lowly ranked commander such as yourself, or words of one of his most esteemed generals? Besides, there are so many witnesses for my account… I'd have to say that the odds are not in your favor."
"But his majesty!" the commander pleaded. "He should be the one to make such a decision!"
"His majesty's health has declined too much lately," General Tao Liu answered. "He does not have the strength to deal with such a small and trivial issue. But I'm absolutely certain that his heavenliness would trust my judgment on how to deal with you and your men."
"B-But I-I did nothing wrong!" Commander Jin whined. "I'm his most loyal servant…"
"You are no longer fit to be seen by his majesty's eyes," Tao Liu stated. "Treasonous scum such as yourself will be treated like the plague you are and be eradicated. But firstly," he deviously smiled, "You're punishment shall be entertaining to watch at least."
Guo Sying bound his mouth and took out a hot knife. The blade burned orange as it reared its ugly head to the commander. His screams were muffled as she performed Lingchi or better known to the Maltans, Death by a Thousand Cuts.
-
Three hours later, Tao Liu departed with Sun Zhen, yawning, "Write a letter to the emperor about all of this. I will be retiring for the evening."
"Yes, sir," she nodded. "Rest well."
-
It was a white space. The silence was ringing in his ears. He didn't know when he started walking, but Omari wandered in a place with no end in sight. Everywhere was surrounded by a cold light, like the sun was all around him, but it shared no warmth. He couldn't tell up from down, left to right, all he knew was that he was walking, to where, he couldn't quite tell you.
What felt like years of drifting through this empty space, he finally found a shadow. A red shadow of no discernible shape, no features. The only distinct thing it would do was softly cry. He listened to it mewl, "Where are you? Please, hear me…"
He approached the specter, reaching a hand out, "I… are you alright…?"
The apparition sobbed, "You aren't him… Where is he?"
"Who-?"
"Come back to me!" it screamed, the white subsiding as fast as light, only leaving darkness for Omari to fall into. As he fell, he watched the shape cry, high in a place he could not reach.
-
He abruptly woke up, resting on the cot in his cell. Omari blinked and looked around. The sun was up, Hóngyèse soldiers were moving outside the tent and the clambering of people was starting out the day. He remembered where he was and what events unfolded the day before. Making a low sigh, the nurse sunk back down into his cot.
He didn't know how this could have happened. A twist of fate that sent him coins of misfortune. To be held captive by the Hóngyèse emotionally exhausted him. The only fortune he gained was him grabbing that damn sword. And the only thing probably keeping him alive was Tao Liu's interest in said sword.
Omari contemplated a bit more, nodding to himself. Actually, it was lucky that he ended up in General Tao Liu's palanquin when he did. And that it was Tao Liu's palanquin instead of someone else's. If what the general said was true, then if he fell in someone else's line of sight that had power in Hóngyè, he would have been royally screwed, with or without the sword. Just being in Commander Jin's presence that day made him realize what would have happened if he stood before someone else with that blade-
He blinked, remembering that he never found out what happened to the commander. Yesterday that messenger spoke about his return, making Omari a bit queasy that that man who threatened his life was still wandering about, but Tao Liu said he wouldn't let any harm come to him, so perhaps the nurse was safe for now.
Omari rolled around in his cot as he thought to himself, but then noticed that he didn't feel so stiff. The cot actually sunk in a lot and was rather soft. Omari quizzically turned to it, wondering why he, a prisoner, needed such a gentle cot. But the more he laid back on it, the more he found the mattress to be exceedingly comfortable. Probably more comfortable than anything he had slept on in three years.
The most comfortable beds were the medical ones that patients fall on, but Omari hardly ever ended up bed ridden on one of those. The ones that he laid in were flat as hell that you might as well be sleeping on the ground. Or you could sleep in a hammock if you wanted to wake up with a whole bunch of knots in your neck and back.
The last proper bed he slept in was at an inn a few years ago, but his station was in the army, so he didn't have a good enough reason to visit one.
He involuntarily hummed into it, thinking besides that dream, this cot was actually pretty comfy. Omari had longed to have such a good rest for quite some time. Just lounging about on a soft bed, without much of a care in the world. He was really a man who enjoyed the simple little things in life like this.
The nurse looked around, peeking to the exit of the tent to see if anyone was coming in. He thought maybe he could sleep in for bit longer and perhaps try to escape a little later in a few hours.
-
It was noon when Tao Liu woke up from his slumber. He greatly yawned and stretched in bed as his morning bedhead poofed everywhere. He let his eyes stay closed for a bit longer, relaxing in the warmth on his sheets. The general lay there for a while, just resting when he briefly opened his eyes and in the blur, saw the sword situated on his nightstand. Tao Liu blinked and sat up, taking in the sword to help refresh his memories from the day before.
He recalled that there was still the Nurse Omari to deal with, so it was probably best for him to get prepared for the rest of the day. He went to his mirror and started brushing his hair when Sun Zhen entered. She bowed, "I saw movement and came to check to see if you were awake, General."
"Indeed," Tao Liu nodded, taking out all the knots and tangles.
"Was your sleep fulfilling enough?" she questioned.
"Hm," he squeezed his hand and released it, a small burst of magical energy bloomed through. "It seems like I am mostly back to full capacity. I probably should take another rest in a few hours, then I'll be at full power."
"Very good, sir," Sun Zhen accepted, then waved in a few handmaids who came with trays of food.
They moved to a side table and placed a meal down of dim sum and gently bowed. They waited until General Tao came over and started eating, while he did, the ladies helped brush his hair and started putting it up.
"After your meal and dressing," Sun Zhen stated. "Would you like me to commence today's executions?"
"Yes, Lieutenant," he hummed, sipping his hot tea. "Afterwards I will speak with the nurse."
"As you wish, General," she bowed and departed as Tao Liu got prepared.
-
The sun was high in the sky as soldiers stood in the audience of that day's execution. They stood in unison at the edge of the camp, patiently waiting for their general to arrive. Across from them were all of the soldiers of Commander Jin's regiment that accompanied him in the chase of the Nurse Omari. They were on their knees, their arms spread out wide to their sides as their thumbs were tied with rope that were tethered to a long wooden pole behind their backs. Their ankles were tied to another pole nailed vertically in the ground, strapped to the same wooden pole that constricted their arms. They groaned in pain, waiting for their punishment.
Then, the general arrived. He emerged from the line of obedient servants who parted for him. He wore no long illustrious robes that day, but a light inner robe with see-through puffy long sleeves and a black vest over it. A tight belt fit his small waist and long hanfu skirt with pants underneath. He stood before his unit and called to them, "These are the men who ally themselves with Commander Jin! They conspired to have me assassinated yesterday! They have shown their treasonous colors and instead of facing their retribution with honor, they ran away like cowards! We do not condone such malicious behavior in the Hóngyè army! They shall experience grave punishment for this, and will beg for forgiveness to the great Heavenly Emperor who presides over the Heavenly Realm, Li Jie! May they become better souls in their reincarnations!"
The soldiers pathetically whined and cried, pleading for mercy when Tao Liu gestured for Guo Sying. She came forward with a large stick and on the top of that stick was the remains of Commander Jin's head. The men screamed in horror as they watched Guo Sying shove that stick into the ground.
Tao Liu bellowed to his soldiers, "This is the fate for those who cross me. Let it be known throughout all of Hóngyè, that I am not a man to be trifled with!" He reached to the side of his belt and pulled out a long silver sword, raising it up high, then yelled, "Archers, at the ready!"
Several archers positioned themselves, ready to fire.
Tao Liu dropped the sword down, pointing it at the men, "Fire!"
Their arrows flew and all cries on that plane fell silent.
-
Omari was sleeping soundlessly in his tent until Guo Sying barged in, yelling, "FOOD TIME!"
He abruptly woke up to her marching in with a bowl of steaming something in her hand. She shoved it between the bars for him to take, saying, "Eat."
He cautiously got up, but quickly went to receive the bowl of… "Is this porridge?"
"You Maltans can call it that," Guo Sying huffed. "It's congee. Made from rice."
"Ah," he looked at her with her cold stare and said, "T-Thank you."
"Hmph," she made her way to leave until she stopped, turned around to tell Omari, "The general will be coming in a few minutes. Hurry up and scarf that down."
"Yes, ma'am!" Omari nodded as she finally left.
He idly stood there for a moment but then took the bowl of warm congee and started eating it on the cot. It had ginger and vegetables in it. It was kind of salty. He didn't think he ever had anything like this before. It looked simple enough to make, and it was tasty.
He didn't think that they would give him anything to eat, but this meal would suffice. Omari noted that they also keep their prisoners well fed too.
His bowl was cleaned out and he placed it below his cot, waiting for the general to arrive. Tao Liu soon entered after that and Omari was yet again mesmerized by his appearance. Since he didn't wear so many robes that day, he looked even smaller. But his black boots did have heels to boost up his height some more.
He stepped inside with a huff, saw Omari and headed his way. A servant was behind him with a chair and placed it in front of the cell as Tao Liu took a seat. The servant departed as Tao Liu sat before Omari with a cool expression. He gave a charmed smile, saying, "Good afternoon, Nurse Omari. Did you happen to sleep well?"
Omari shuffled, then stood up as he addressed the general, "Yes, sir. It's a… good bed."
Tao Liu's brow quirked and then breathed through his nose, his shoulders easing in, "That's good to hear. No pain, I assume?"
"No, General," Omari answered.
"Hm," he relaxed in his chair, then replied, "I've come to continue our conversation from last night. I wish for you to answer every question straightforwardly, do you understand?"
"Very much so," Omari nodded.
"Well then," Tao Liu straightened up. "What exactly was going through your mind yesterday when I attacked you and your sword defended you from my assault?"
Omari's eyes widened, but did as he was told, "I was afraid… confused and felt like I was going to die. I thought I was going to die, especially since I offended the general so greatly."
Tao Liu's eyes averted with a red tint to his cheeks, "That part is in the past. Ignore it. So… you felt fear, great emotion when I threw my attack your way?"
Omari's gaze became quizzical as he asked, "Who wouldn't?"
Tao Liu nodded at the fair assessment, then questioned, "Before that moment, when you were up on the cliff or even before that, did the sword reveal any of its powers to you?"
"No, sir," Omari stated. "To me… it was just a sword."
"I see," he hummed. "Then when it took that attack, did you have any strange feelings?"
"Strange feelings, sir?"
"Something forgein to you," Tao Liu wondered. "Something not natural."
"Well… I, uh," Omari's brow furrowed for a bit until he said, "I could see it absorbing your magic. The sword itself… felt strange, I suppose."
"How so?"
His eyes grew heavy, color becoming gray, "Like… it was my hand absorbing the blast, not the sword…"
He stared at the floor and the general watched him, intrigued, "Omari?" he didn't respond, just gazing at the ground, "Omari…? Omari!"
"Huh?" he snapped out of it.
"Are you still with me?" Tao Liu peered.
"Uh- yes, sir," Omari shook off whatever that feeling was.
"Well then, I have more questions," Tao Liu situated himself better. "Who were your parents?"
Omari noticeably stiffened at that which Tao Liu caught on to immediately.
"What? Were they powerful magic users?" he asked.
"Uh… I- no… They're dead, sir," Omari responded.
"Oh… my condolences," he responded.
"Thank you," Omari replied.
"Was it recent?" Tao Liu asked. "Sometimes tragic moments can awaken dormant powers."
"Ah no, it was when I was a kid," Omari said.
"Hm," the general hummed. He sat there for a moment then explained, "If I were to throw out an educated guess, I would say these powers that you showed are regulated by that sword. Perhaps… it is emotionally based. But if your parents weren't magic users, it would be odd if their son inherently is. Mm, interesting." He then stood up, "Well, that's enough. I will depart for now."
"Wait, General!" Omari called after him, rushing to the bars. "W-What are you going to do with me?"
Tao Liu looked at him for a moment, then stated, "I'm going to bring you forward to his majesty. Present you to him and gain his permission to study you."
"Are you… going to experiment on me?" Omari muttered.
"In a sense," Tao Liu answered. "You are now a possession of the Hóngyèse Empire, but…" He gave him a mischievous smirk, "I'll do what it takes to keep you alive."
Omari's face sank a bit, but then remarked, "The general has taken good care of me. I don't feel afraid that you will severely harm me, even under your emperor's supervision."
Tao Liu's brow raised, then he muttered, "Of course not. You need to stay alive."
Omari thought then noted, "I feel like that's not all."
Tao Liu stared at him, unsure what he was suggesting.
"General Tao," Omari said. "Why don't you use your powers against me? You can just heal me afterwards, so there is no fear of me dying. In all honesty, with your powers, no matter what pain you put me through, for some reason… I actually believe you wouldn't let me die. So why are you so merciful? I am your hostage. Is it not common for people to torture their hostages for information?"
Tao Liu snorted through his nose, "And be charged with breaking the laws and customs of war? Torturing is listed as a war crime, Nurse Omari. If we somehow lose, I don't need myself or my soldiers facing the deadly fate of too many war crimes. But such a horrid future may await me anyways, no matter if I have or have not done such grotesque acts. It may all be inevitable, for war is long and many wish to see me fall, no matter what I've done. I may just be executed anyways, but at least my conscience will be clear."
The nurse's eyes widened, startled by such information. Tao Liu noticed that he was shocked into silence, so he said, "That is enough for now, this general is departing."
And like that, he was gone.
-
As fast as morning came, night ventured in just as quickly. Omari lay there on the cot half the time, thinking to himself, but he was also listening to the soldiers walking by, wondering if he could get any information that could help him out of this tough spot. He checked earlier, but nothing was in his reach and his belt was still gone cause Guo Sying thought he could pick the lock with tweezers. He didn't take a rock to break the lock either because that would make a noise which would alert her. He also didn't try pickpocketing the keys on Guo Sying's waist because he wasn't the best pickpocketer. Omari also didn't feel that getting his arm broken right now would be such a good idea. So he absentmindedly waited there with not much to do, with the continuous dread that probably tomorrow, he'll be shipped off to Hóngyè's Capital and face terrible experiments for the emperor and his amusement.
He huffed and became bitter. Omari was thankful that the sword protected him, but now he was going to be used and prodded because of that damn weapon. He was going to be living in cages and have strange things done to him to see if he could create magic.
Omari clicked his teeth. It was ridiculous. And what's worse, if they do harness his powers somehow, they could use that against Maltan troops and civilians. He didn't know if he could deal with that guilt.
He often reflected on the sword, wondering what it was for and why it was engraved into a wall. Why did it have powers? Why did it protect him? These questions spun in his mind and he'd gratefully like them to be answered. Maybe it was a crazy weapon from a powerful civilization. Maybe it was used by a powerful sorcerer or warrior? But the wall that it was in looked like it was part of a church or something. Maybe it was used by a cult.
He groaned, all these maybes weren't helping him one bit. He needed to think of something else that would get him out of here. Omari stimmed his fingers then looked at them. He peered down at the knubby flesh that once held that sword, remembering its weight, the sensation it gave him. Like it… became a part of him.
He closed his eyes as his body calmed. The cold metal, the shape of the hilt. It was almost mesmerizing. It was so odd, remembering it now, it was like the sword was in his very grasp.
Omari opened his eyes and let out a small gasp. There was this shining golden glow in his hands, forming into a long shape that soon dissolved to reveal the sword. He stared at it, suddenly being in the palms of his hands; he was in complete shock. Omari fretted on what to do or how to react, but he then heard Guo Sying mutter outside. He glanced over to see that she was sitting on a crate by the tent's entrance, leaning on those boxes as she had nodded off to sleep a while ago. Omari looked back at the sword, still feeling an incredible sense of disbelief that it was in his grasp, but realized that his time was limited. He went to the entrance of the cage, pointing the sword, ready to stab at the lock, but then something happened. A small, barely noticeable light emanated from the weapon's tip and it shot out to the keyhole. The thing unlocked much to Omari's surprise and he cautiously pushed the door open.
It made a slight creak, but it wasn't enough to wake up Guo Sying, so Omari stepped out, gently pushed the door back in and warily approached where she was. He got to the entrance of the tent, peeking out to see that it was very dark that time of night and there weren't many soldiers around. Those who were, weren't looking his way. So he tentatively made his escape and turned the corner of the tents to hide in the shadows.
He started stealthily rushing past tents, trying to stay out of people's line of sight. Omari knew if he was spotted that there was no way he could talk his way out of this, so he had to remain unnoticed. He dashed about everywhere, trying to find his way out when he turned one corner and ran into someone. Omari pulled off, immediately panicking that someone was going to alert everyone else. He fumbled, but managed to point the sword at them as he hissed, "Don't talk!"
"Omari?" his eyes widened at the person dressed completely in black, who pulled down their mask to show it was Jessi.
"Jessi?!" Omari gasped, feeling like he was about to cry tears of joy.
"You're okay!" she whispered. "How did you escape? I was coming to get you-" Then her eyes drew to the sword, pointing at it, "What's that?"
Omari held up the blade, answering, "I found it in some ruins. It's helping me out."
Jessi stared at it for a bit longer then shook her head, saying, "Come on, we gotta get out of here."
They started moving with Omari asking, "You infiltrated an enemy camp to get me? How many people did you bring with you?"
"Are you kidding?" she replied. "The next Maltan army is three days away. I came here alone."
Omari's eyes widened, "Alone?"
"Yeah," she turned and gave him a smile, "Couldn't leave my good friend to get captured by the Hóngyèse."
Omari's face brightened and he also returned the smile. They continued on their way, until they turned a corner with some bad luck. Three soldiers were facing them and were just as surprised. Jessi got between them and Omari, yelling, "Get back!"
-
Tao Liu was sifting through that day's reports and a map of the region. He had located the coordinates of where those ruins might be. He didn't want to bother with the trouble of Nurse Omari leading them to the location, in case he'd try to escape into the thicket of the forest. As he was perusing the map, a bell rang. It was the alarm bell. He stood up and removed himself from the desk, questioning what could be happening when Sun Zhen rushed in. She stated, "General, the nurse has escaped."
Tao Liu's eyes immediately turned to a dresser, where he left the sword.
It was gone.
-
Blades clashed and Jessi was fighting off the soldiers that came after them. Omari was trying to assist when more came from behind, but he could only go on the defense. She carried a long and short sword, dual wielding them as she fought off the soldiers. Jessi also carried bows and arrows on her back and daggers were strapped to her boots. Omari realized since she was so well equipped, she must have scavenged their burned down camp for supplies in order to rescue him. Her sword spun the Hóngyèse blade out of that man's hands and she pierced his side, him toppling down.
She tore it out when another slammed their steel down onto her short sword, but she used their momentum to slide that blade away so she could stab them in the shoulder. The third created an opening that she kicked then took a disarmed dagger off the ground and threw it at him, hitting their thigh.
Omari was defending from the soldiers behind them, but he quickly noticed that more were charging in. He used his weight to push them away and managed to hit some in the arm, and pulled back to where Jessi was. She saw that they were beginning to be greatly outnumbered, so she grabbed Omari's wrist and they fled down a row of tents, the Hóngyèse soldiers chasing after them. A few tried to cut the two off, but Jessi blocked their slashes, creating a space for them to flee. They ran and ran until they saw a crowd form ahead that had a dozen archers line up and several swordsmen. She paled, but quickly dragged Omari to the right where they dodged the array of arrows being shot where they once stood.
Their breath became ragged and Omari called out, "Do you know where you're going?!"
"I-uh- This way!" she pulled him again to another opening, but this time both paths were occupied by lines of soldiers. She desperately glanced about, looking to see if they could run back to where they came from, but that part was also blocked off by more of them. She turned up ahead, down more tents, but that was taken up by Hóngyèse soldiers too.
They were surrounded.
The two stood in the middle of the clearing, swords drawn, unsure on what to do next. A couple soldiers reared out their blades and charged at Jessi, she held them off, the sound of metal slicing through the air. Omari looked around, not seeing a single crack in their defenses. Then he saw in a distance up ahead, where a row of archers lined up, a familiar figure stepped forth.
Tao Liu walked onto the scene, followed by his loyal Lieutenant Sun Zhen. He stood in the center of the edge of his faithful armed personale. He gazed up at Omari, a silver sword drawn at his side as he called, "Juma Omari, you are surrounded! Forfeit this ceaseless dueling and return to your cell! I do not wish to dash the grass with your blood in order to make you surrender!"
Omari's stomach dropped and his skin became damp with sweat. There was really no way out, they were both in hot water. Jessi swiped at the soldiers behind her, skillfully finding two openings to stab them both at once. They fell, collapsing from their wounds.
Tao Liu raised a brow then questioned Sun Zhen, "Are the injured being taken care of?"
"Yes, sir," she responded.
He watched Jessi prepare herself for more fighting, though she looked like she was almost tired out. He said, "Surrender now, Juma Omari, and no harm will come to you!"
"I-!" Omari didn't know what to say. He was more concerned for Jessi than for himself at the moment. She was exhausting herself fighting for him. But he didn't want them both to be captives.
He said to Tao Liu, "General, please! I beg you to spare us!"
Tao Liu looked down at Jessi and tilted his head as a gesture. Three other soldiers came to the side and charged at her. Omari saw them come, ready to help her, but archers to his right shot arrows in front of his path, keeping the two separated.
Omari turned to Tao Liu, "Please! I'll do whatever you wish, just spare us!"
Tao Liu glared at him then at Jessi, stating, "If my eyes don't deceive me and my memory correctly serves me, that is the lieutenant that stole plans for specific security measures in militant occupied towns. Those towns were still occupied by locals when your regiment broke through weak points of the border and burned them down to the ground."
Omari glanced at Jessi. She-She did that? Was she really part of something like that?
She shoved off the soldiers that tried to knock her down, yelling, "Anyone who is affiliated with Hóngyè is an enemy to Malta! Besides!" She glowered back at him, "If your soldiers weren't stationed in those towns then they wouldn't have been targets in the first place and if they surrendered once they had been outmatched, then they're lives would have been spared!"
"A town did surrender though," Tao Liu snarled. "Táo Méiguī! Do you remember that name? They surrendered to you, yet you savages still raided and slaughtered those people!"
Jessi gave a hollow laugh and barked, "Like I'd remember every small Hóngyèse town that our great Maltan Kingdom has conquered!"
"Jessi…" Omari felt disgusted, but as she slashed away two soldiers, crossing blades with one more she screamed back.
"And what of our towns?!" she growled. "What of Belling?! That city is nothing but a pile of ashes now! It was your country that had a hand in it! It was a trading route!"
"I'll have you know," Tao Liu clicked his teeth. "That I wasn't involved with the destruction of Belling."
"That doesn't matter!" she growled. "Both of our hands-" she cut down the remaining soldier. "Are stained with blood! You can't patronize me!"
The two glared at each other, with so much hate and spite. The flames of animosity burned strong between them, the desire to cut the other down was so powerful. And Omari stood between them, feeling the loathing choke the air. But even with all this anger, he didn't want to fight anymore.
He turned to the general, seeking reason, "I ask you again, General. It's me you want. Let her go. I'll go back to my cell and never try to escape from you again. So please."
Tao Liu looked at Omari, but his eyes were clouded by hate. His expression was cool, but his emotions were turbulent. He called out, "Juma Omari."
"Yes?" he perked up.
"You asked me before why I don't enact my powers against you," Omari stared as the general stated, "I believed then that there was no reason to and I still do. But…" His venomous eyes traveled to Jessi, "She is a violent adversary."
Omari felt fear suffocating him, he yelled, "Please no! She is my friend!"
"She has cut down a dozen of my soldiers just now," Tao Liu scowled. "She deserves punishment for the wrongdoings that she has committed today."
Omari paled then begged, "Please, don't kill her!"
"Omari!" Jessi snapped at him. "Stop trying to please the enemy-!" But in her tired state, when she became distracted, a large shadow swooped in and subdued her. Omari turned to see Guo Sying had disarmed her and was holding a knife to her throat.
Omari cried out, "No, don't!"
Jessi struggled in Guo Sying's grip, growling and biting at anything she could, thrashing about.
Tao Liu watched Omari's anguished expressions, veering in absolute desperation and he gave a moment of pity for him, "If she is willing to admit surrender then perhaps I will reconsider her punishment to be something lesser than a death sentence."
Omari felt a moment of relief at that merciful option, but then Jessi shouted, "I'll never surrender to you, Hóngyèse Scum! You bastards can all burn in hell and be picked apart by demons!"
His mouth fell in absolute shock of what she was saying. Why would she say this when they have an option for freedom?! He was trying to protect her!
"Maltan soldiers will never bow their heads to you Hóngyèse bastards and bitches!" she snarled. "I'd rather be killed in a grand hero's death, than be held captive by you-you fuckers!"
Tao Liu narrowed his eyes in revulsion then snapped, "Fine."
"No!" Omari called.
"She asks for death," Tao Liu huffed. "We shall not deny her and her foolishness. We have spent enough time with this obtuse chase, entertaining this Maltan halfwit. Guo Sying, kill her."
"Yes, sir," she called. Throwing Jessi to the ground, taking a long sword and raising it above her head.
Omari's heart felt like it was going to be ripped apart. Tears were stinging his eyes and his soul was being stolen.
No! NO! DON'T LET THIS BE! NO!
He screamed, "JESSI!"
-
White
It all became white.
They're ears rang, a blast of light shot through the camp, blinding everyone.
A dizziness occurred, dropping those to their knees. When their eyes adjusted, they saw where the light had come from.
Jessi looked to her friend and saw a man clad in white and gold. He was large, towering over all of them, almost ten feet tall. A solid golden crown detailed with leaves. His ponytail high up above his head, bangs pushed back and noticeably his hair was even longer than before.
Tight to his chest and legs, the white fabric crawled. A belt secured his waist and an emblem of a golden tree was sown onto the chest. His arms were covered in white sleeves with golden gauntlets. His shoulders were plated with shimmering armor. On his feet were golden boots that fit snugly to his legs and rode up several inches past his knees. It was a lot of gold.
Everyone stood stunned at his image, a vibrant glow emanating off of him, all seeming to stem from his sword. Jessi gawked at his appearance, stunned by what she was seeing.
Omari himself was more shocked than anyone there, seeing that his blue nurse's outfit was replaced by whatever this was! He fell into a panic, unable to come up with what to say, just his face was in complete disarray. His head spinning, turbulent like a storm as he finally cried out, "WHAT THE FUCK IS ALL OF THIS?!"
Jessi cautiously approached him as he started veering into hysterics. She tried to gently calm him down, "Uh… Omari… You're okay, right? You alright?"
"DO I LOOK ALRIGHT, JESSI?!" Omari shrieked out.
"I DON'T KNOW!" she yelled back. "YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU HAD SUPER POWERS!"
"I DON'T!"
"THEN WHAT'S ALL OF THIS?!" she shouted. "I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS!"
"WE ARE-!" Omari exasperated. "BUT HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW-" but then he blinked and looked down at the sword that was innocently glowing in his hands. He glared at it then bitterly shrieked, "YOU!"
"ME?!" Jessi nervously exclaimed.
"NO! I'M TALKING TO THE SWORD!" Omari barked. "IT'S THE ONE WITH SUPER POWERS, NOT ME!"
"THAT'S UP FOR DISCUSSION!" Jessi loudly goaded.
"BE QUIET!" Omari scolded her. He turned back to the sword, hissing, "What did you do to me?! Turn me back, right now! I'm a giant freak! You made me into a giant glowing freak!"
With their loud squabbling, they didn't pay much attention to the Hóngyèse army watching them. Tao Liu was stunned by his transformation and very noisy bickering. But now, even he was quite at a loss for words on how to proceed.
He looked at Omari; he was gigantic, bigger than Guo Sying and was in a uniform that came out of nowhere. A strange bright light emanated from him that was slowly beginning to die down, but there was still this glow. He wanted to ask about it, but Omari seemed to be so alarmed about this event that Tao Liu deduced that he wasn't in the right frame of mind to handle such questioning. Especially someone as old as him experiencing magic for the first time, it might even be painful.
Tao Liu steeled his resolve and called out, "Juma Omari!"
He jolted, his whole body trembling, though Tao Liu didn't know if that was from fear or the immense amount of magical energy that was flowing through him right now. It was probably best to get him to calm down, for an amateur with so much magic powers might accidentally do something volatile.
He said, "Restrain your emotions! Calm yourself!"
"C-Calm myself…?" Omari muttered, eyes beginning to glow as he looked out to everyone around him. "How… can you expect me to calm myself? There's so much…" Strands of light were blooming from him, flying up as he grasped his face, confused and scared of what was happening. "I can't- I can't-!"
The light bloomed and burst, rippling across the camp, pushing people back. Tao Liu realized the severity of the situation and called to his soldiers, "Everyone stand down! Stand your ground!"
"General?!" Sun Zhen questioned.
"If my deductions were correct, his powers might be emotionally based," he explained. "And we have put enough stress on him." He yelled out to Omari, "Nurse Omari! We're standing down!"
"Standing down…?" Omari's head was beginning to hurt. He was feeling an ache in there that was throbbing and everything was starting to blur. His eyes were becoming clouded… with hate. "No… No… No! You! You want to kill us!"
Tao Liu was taken aback but countered, "No, we don't! Our swords are down." He gestured for the soldiers to stand down, but they were hesitant. He glared at them, "Swords down!"
They did as they were told, but the obvious nervousness was growing on their features. They were ready to branish them at a moment's notice.
"They're down, Omari!" Tao Liu called back.
"No, no!" he felt a strange stress on his body as if everything was tightening. "You want… to kill Jessi! You want to kill her!"
"We-!" Tao Liu glanced at her, who was also struck with bewilderment in this situation. He wanted to return the retribution to her like she did to him, but he would have to refrain. He'd have to refrain to get this ticking time bomb to sizzle down. "We won't lay a finger on her head! You have my word!"
"Your word…" things were throbbing in his head, it was such an overwhelming feeling. Like something deep in his mind was trying to break open. It frustrated him. Angered him. He lashed out, voice harsh, eyes red, "LIAR!"
An arrow whizzed by and hit Omari in the shoulder. Everyone flinched and Tao Liu looked to see an archer had released his bow. But it didn't look like he did it on purpose because he turned to the general with a paling fear, throwing his bow and arrows down to the ground, groveling, "I apologize, General!"
But the damage had already been done. Tao Liu whipped around to see that the arrowhead was buried deep into Omari's shoulder. He stared at it, in shock that he was struck. His mind hadn't caught up to the pain, but when he looked at Tao Liu, it finally sunk in. He stared at the general but then something dripped from his eye. It was a tear, one black and inky. One that on closer inspection can be identified as Black Gold.
Color diminished from their faces as Omari stood there, starting to writhe with pain from the arrow. His mind was now a whirlwind, muttering, "Y-You struck me?" But then his teeth grit and he screamed out, eyes radiating a hateful scarlet, "YOU STRUCK ME! LIAR!"
Power exploded from him, oily tears spilling and seeping into the ground, decaying the earth. The soldiers stepped back, daunted by the reaction. Where the Black Gold had landed, dark thorns emerged from the ground, splintering out and tangling above him. The muscles on his hands tightened and he casted them out, stampeding through the soil and darting straight for the general. He didn't react in time and the thorns and vines engulfed him. They surrounded him into a large ball, quickly trying to close in and crush him.
"GENERAL!" Sun Zhen shrieked.
But a white light sliced through the vines and cut them all away with one blast. General Tao stood above it, seeing more coming their way. The soldiers were frightened, unable to respond, but he slashed his sword and waves of magic shot out and destroyed the plants. But before he could regain his footing, another shockwave came from Omari and threw everyone back. Soldiers crashed into one and another, tents broke as blast after blast stemmed from him.
Jessi looked at Omari in awe, in absolute amazement at what she was witnessing. It was like a black miasma was flowing through him. Pouring out and spilling onto the ground, killing the grass. But then, something intense happened.
A scream arose from his throat, ear splitting and deadly. The darkness grew as he cried out and suddenly his feet were off the ground. They all gasped as he rose to the sky, a songlike echoing screeching from within. The Black Gold flooded around him, encasing him in the spell. It grew and grew, taking him high up until it branched out over the sky. It was becoming like a giant tree. The roots pushing back tents, crushing it under its tendrils.
Tao Liu reacted quickly, his eyes glowing a cold crimson as he casted an incantation. He used everything he had, reaching his hands out, arms outstretched as power pulsed from his palms. The Black Gold was coming closer, creeping further towards people. He said the final word and thrashed a hand movement that formed with energy. That spell grew and expanded. It spread like a layer over him and his soldiers, then strands of it flew out to every living body in the perimeter. It engulfed them, concealing everyone in a protective spell which shielded them from the onslaught of Black Gold that flooded down from the unstable Omari.
Tao Liu looked at him, seeing the man writhe in the darkness and tried to reach out his spell to him, perhaps in an attempt to cut the nurse off from the intoxicating pain that the Black Gold was consuming him with. But when that strand reached the tree of volatile magic, it evaporated immediately, completely outmatched. All he could do at that moment was cover and protect everybody from the flood of Black Gold. He made sure to get everyone too, even the prisoners and horses in the area. It put a great strain on him, but he would hold up this barrier for as long as he could.
He faced up to Omari, seeing the monstrous amalgamation. Him in the center, consumed with the raw power. Sweat dripping down his skin as he held the spell, Tao Liu called out to him, begging, "OMARI, PLEASE, STOP THIS!!"
His words were like a whisper. Fluttering like a bird in all this destruction. Omari heard it and screamed. Power burst from him and the Black Gold exploded.
Tao Liu held strong, holding the barrier as much as he could. The enormous pressure shook his spell, burning against the enchantment, threatening to break through. It was violent and wicked, making him put his life on the line to use up as much energy as possible to protect everyone. He howled out, blood veins bursting across his skin as the explosion ripped past them. It shook the ground, split the earth, and near the end of its devastation, weakened his spell, making it shatter.
The flames had passed by then and all there was was large gusts of wind that threw everyone back. Anyone standing slammed into each other, crashing into the ground. They rolled and pummeled, falling onto the dirt, their vision going black. Everything was quiet as the blast reverberated away.
-
Omari groaned, he felt a splitting headache in his forehead as he rolled on the ground. It was hard and uncomfortable as he tried to wake himself up, eyes blurry, body weak. They opened and his gaze looked to a gray sky. It was cloudy, heavy, like it was going to rain. He felt sore everywhere, but he mostly was drained of whatever energy he had. Omari laid there, panting, trying to regain some of his strength. As he did, he slowly pulled himself up, feeling every crack and ache. He looked around and his mouth fell.
The whole Hóngyèse camp was destroyed to ruins. Tents had snapped into fragments and broken supplies littered the ground. But what really sickened him, were all the people scattered everywhere. They all lay motionless and he didn't know if they were dead or alive.
That's when memories of the events unfolded in his mind and he recalled the tormenting pain that blinded his mind; the darkness that swallowed him. Being taken up high and seeing the madness below him. The people looked like ants, but he could see as the Black Gold poured out of him, that the general had casted something that shielded everyone. He remembered hearing his scream.
After that, he believed he passed out.
Omari shook his head and looked around, searching the bodies and found Jessi. He sprinted as fast as he could to her side, trying to shake her awake.
"Jessi, Jessi!" he called, seeing her grumble awake.
She pulled herself up and gazed about until her eyes landed on him. She stared then murmured, "You're back to normal."
Omari flinched, looking himself over to see that he was normal size and back to his nurse's outfit. Almost making that havoc feel like a dream. A dream if the devastation wasn't everywhere.
He trembled and croaked out, voice shaking, "I-I-I did this? I-I made t-this happen?"
"Omari?" Jessi questioned.
He felt ill. Dizzy and lucid. Everything was spinning and he couldn't tell up from down. He used magic. For the first time he handled magic and it had chaostrophic consequences. Omari didn't know he could ever harness such power, and frankly he'd rather never do it again.
To destroy everything in the area, to have the ability to unleash that much power was too dangerous for anyone to handle. He became nauseated at the thought of what might have happened if he managed to kill everyone. He sensed that he easily could have. What a disgusting feeling, knowing deep down that he almost obliterated everything there and that he had no control over his actions. His eyes stung with regret and guilt at such knowledge. Everyone there could have been wiped out and he knew there was no excuse for having done it. He was almost a mass murderer.
And this power, it caused such horrible pain in his head and made him perform such senseless actions. He understood now that he was feeling cornered, but even when General Tao offered to back down, he-
His eyes snapped open and he looked around.
Tao Liu.
He- did he kill Tao Liu?! Did he kill him? No, he didn't want to kill anyone!
He glanced around and saw a figure frozen in place. Their arms were bloody and their hair was ragged. His clothes had tears and dirt all over. He was far different than he ever looked before. All the regal and luxurious appearance were ripped to shreds, and he stood there, stiff as a statue in the stance he used to create that barrier. Tao Liu stood, eyes closed where he remained. Though Omari couldn't tell from where he was, whether he was alive or not.
He was about to call out to him when he saw movement behind the general. He saw Sun Zhen jerk up, loudly gasp for air as she raised herself. She had a panicked expression to her, desperately glancing around until her eyes fell onto Tao Liu. She yelled, rushing to his side, "GENERAL!"
At that, his knees weakened and he buckled under his own weight. A quiet groan escaped his lips as he fell on his back. Sun Zhen dashed to him, through her scrapes and bruises, calling out his name.
Omari wanted to run to his side as well, to see if he was alive, but Jessi grabbed his arm. She snapped, "Are you crazy? This is our chance! Let's go!"
He looked to her, then back to the fallen general, feeling conflict stir in his stomach. His feet felt heavy, but he agreed with what Jessi said. He nodded and followed her. They ran to where the other Maltan prisoners were, and made a break for it, taking Hóngyèse horses.
He glanced back, seeing the general still unconscious as more and more of his troops woke up and rejoined his side.