Omari's eyes opened, slowly and lazily. In the brief blur of consciousness, he saw the warmth of a day's skylight pouring through an open window. He turned to it, feeling soft cotton rub against his cheek, then noticed someone silhouetted by the sunlight. At first the figure was someone he didn't recognize, an outline he didn't know. There were traces of red and big hair tied down. They were tall sitting down, but when Omari blinked, their shape changed to someone more familiar and he identified them immediately as Jessi. She was sitting down, an apple and knife in her hands as she gingerly peeled it, humming a little tune.
He blinked at her then weakly called, "Jessi…?"
She jolted then looked up at him with a big proud smile, "Omari! You're awake! Are you in any pain? Are you hurt?"
He shook his head, stating, "I'm fine, just exhausted…"
"I'll call a nurse!" she exclaimed.
But he stopped her, quickly grasping her wrist, "No, wait. Just… wait."
She stared then sat herself back down as he let go and questioned, "What… happened?"
"What happened?" she repeated. "Don't you know?"
"I…" his head was filled with memories of the events that unfolded; the Black Gold, the pain, Tao Liu holding that power back, their escape. He remembered enough, but he didn't quite know how he ended up in this bed.
She gave him a smile then exclaimed, "You became a hero, of course!"
He looked at her, confusion written on his face as he croaked out, "A… hero…?"
"Yeah!" her eyes lit up, "All that magic you unleashed! It saved us from General Tao Liu and we managed to escape with our lives."
Omari stared at her, like she was growing several heads. What in hell's name was she talking about?
"What in hell's name are you talking about?" he narrowed his eyes. "I didn't save everyone, I almost…" His body involuntarily gagged as he recalled the horrible memories, "I almost got everyone killed. I almost- That power- I could have killed everyone there…" He thought for a bit as dread crept in, "Even you…"
"Omari-," she tried interjecting but he was overwhelmed.
"I almost killed you, Jessi," Omari's expression was one of draught and nausea. "I didn't know what I was doing, but I know for a fact that I could have done that. So- So why are you saying I saved everyone? I- I had no control. My emotions were a mess, everything was crazy, I didn't know what to do! How in the world could I have saved any of you? It was impossible."
"Omari, listen," Jessi finally interrupted. "You totally did, okay? You and that freaky sword."
"Sword....?" Omari glanced to his left and saw it sitting there on top of a dresser. He paled at the sight of it and hissed, "What is that doing here?! Get rid of it!"
"Are you kidding?" Jessi huffed. "I took the time to pick that thing up even though we were in a hurry. That thing… it's so powerful." A strange smile bloomed on her face as she noted, "No way are we getting rid of such an opportunity."
"Opportunity?!" Omari gasped. "What are you saying?! That thing's a danger to us all."
"It's more powerful than General Tao Liu," Jessi stated. "You and that sword are connected. Somehow. And together you can become a powerful hero. Powerful enough to wipe the floor with Hóngyè."
"Hero, hero," Omari gritted his teeth. "I'm no hero! You saw what I did. I could have killed-" But then there was a quick movement and he saw Jessi cover his mouth with her palm. Her eyes were daring yet cold, calculated. He was unfamiliar with it.
She clicked her teeth then said, "No, you don't know what you're saying," Omari's gaze grew wide as she shushed him. "Stop talking so loudly and listen. Of course I'm not blind! I saw that destruction too. I know I could have died, obviously. But you are missing the point. See, not only does wielding that sword benefit all of Malta, but when I say you're a hero, you better preach that like it's the truth."
He stared, "Wha… why?"
"Because, my dear friend Omari," she rolled her eyes. "I'm saving your own skin by doing this."
"My… My own skin?" Omari muttered.
"Damn right I am," Jessi proudly stood up and crossed her arms. "Because just think, if I told those Maltan prisoners how we were really 'saved', who had no view of the real action from where we were, that General Tao saved all of us and you almost blew us all up, they…" She seemed to struggle for a bit then answered, "They'd totally see you as a villain or something dangerous. But if I twist the truth that you used your awesome new powers to wipe away the Hóngyèse camp and shield the Maltan prisoners then they will worship you as a hero."
"I… wait-"
"I told them that you saved us," Jessi exclaimed. "I said that to keep you safe. To keep you alive. They wouldn't trust you if I told them otherwise."
"You… lied to them…?" Omari tried to understand.
"Yes!" she exasperatedly huffed. "To keep you safe cause you're my friend." Jessi lightly punched his shoulder as she smiled, "But also… that strength, that magic, I don't think anyone in recent times has ever seen such power like that before. Yours is… well it's definitely on another level."
"So…" Omari was wrapping his head around all this. "What happened after we escaped?"
She gave a small nod, saying, "We rode off for several hours, but after a short while you passed out. Probably from your exertion of that power, but we brought you to safety. Thankfully on the way, we ran across another Maltan unit. Managed to get back to the main barracks and after we told them what happened, they escorted us to the Capital, taking you to a hospital."
"The Capital…?" Omari murmured. "We're- We're in the Capital?!"
"Yep!" she hummed.
He looked around, even though he was just in the hospital room, he had never been to the Capital before. The Capital in Malta was Vells, one of the largest cities in all of Malta, the center of the country and a major hub for magic users. No Hóngyèse soldier had ever made their way into Vells.
"We're in Vells…" he whispered, gazing out the window to see that they were high up, spotting the city below. It must have been early in the morning because it was so quiet and soft. He sat up, wanting to get a better look but Jessi urgently stopped him.
"Ah, ah!" she countered. "You need to rest. We can sightsee later, okay?"
He nodded, "Mm," but then his eyes flickered up to her, ready to hear her answer to this question. "And why are we all the way in Vells?"
"Well, considering the magnitude of your power," Jessi explained. "His highness thought it would be best to have you safely moved to Vells; under better supervision."
"His highness?!" Omari gasped. He got word of this? Omari was beginning to think he wasn't taking into consideration the weight of this situation. If even the king noticed him then things could start changing. Especially if Jessi stated that he was some sort of magical hero, then things could definitely become different. He winced at that, a dread building up in his stomach on what that meant.
They- They wouldn't make him fight would they? He's not a fighter. He's a nurse! But if his highness demands it, then there is nothing much he could do about it. If he said no, he might even be seen as treasonous. If he runs, they'll surely catch him. And worse, Hóngyè knows about him too, so if he did manage to run from Malta, then it was possible that Hóngyè could capture him instead.
Omarii supposed it was a good thing that these powers the sword put him through were unstable. He didn't know how to use them yet, so they couldn't make him fight if he can't figure them out. He should just play dumb, being unable to perform them successfully.
But then as he thought, his mind was spinning on what to do and his expression grew into one of the world ending. Everything he tried to avoid up until now was going to be thrusted upon him; he just knew it. And gods, he'd rather not have ever found that sword if that meant he had to fight in this infinite war! Maybe he should have just let Tao Liu vaporize him then and there.
Jessi was watching his turbulent face and remarked, "You want to bail."
Omari's skin jumped and he whipped around at her. S-She wouldn't sell him out, right?! She is so patriotic all the time. Would she let him burn just so she can get an edge on the enemy?
He didn't know what to say, just waited in silence, but not denying her claims. She sighed then sat down, saying, "Omari… I know you hate fighting. I know you hate fighting more than anyone. But don't you realize?" She widely gestured, exclaiming, "So many of us hate fighting too! We hate this war! We want it to be over."
He gave her a side-eye then bitterly muttered, "You don't hate fighting."
She opened her mouth to argue that, but then closed it, admitting the truth, "Yeah… you're right. I do like the thrill of the fight. But," she looked at him, eyes teaming with seriousness, "You and I both know so many who don't. We know them now and…" Her eyes lowered, "We knew them then."
Omari averted his gaze, becoming conflicted.
"So many were born and died in this war," she stated. "Shouldn't we have the chance to live in times of peace?"
He snorted, "You'd make a good politician."
"Omari," she groaned.
"Don't 'Omari' me!" he snapped. "I know what you are asking me to do. To take all the arrows, take all the hits, to trample Hóngyè to the ground to please all of you." He glared, his words venomous, "And I know you think of me as selfish. You thought so then, you'll think even more so now because I can wield that sword into battle, but don't want to!"
"I'm not calling you selfish," Jessi whined.
"No," he frowned. "You know what's really selfish? This damn war. This stupid fighting has been going on for ages with no side yielding to the other. It's too damn exhausting."
"We can't change that," Jessi countered. "The Hóngyèse emperor will always hold a grudge against Malta. Forever. We need to defend ourselves from him."
"Defend from Hóngyè," Omari growled. "Was it defense when you burned down those Hóngyèse towns?"
She scowled at him, gritting her teeth, "I was really hoping you wouldn't bring that up."
"Yeah?" Omari glared. "Well I was hoping not to ever hear something like that. So, why did you do it?"
She stared at him for a moment then brushed it off, "Tao Liu just exaggerated. Things just got a little out of hand. Besides," She broadly smiled, as if trying to curry favor, "Why would you believe someone like him over your good friend Jessi? Just trust me when I say that it wasn't that bad. He's a total genocidal maniac anyways. You don't need to trust the words of someone like him over me."
Omari turned away, still upset. He was pretty sure she was lying to him. They might have died just there and then, so there really wasn't much reason for the general to fabricate things at that moment. It didn't make any sense. He huffed, "General Tao seems more reasonable then most of Malta and Hóngyè combined."
Jessi's eyes grew and she muttered, "Why would you say that?"
"We…" Omari wanted to be careful with his words, "Both of us want the war to end. We talked about it some while I was in his custody, and…" His gaze lowered, "We seem to have similar viewpoints."
Jessi jolted at that then suddenly and harshly whispered, "Stop saying stuff like that, Omari."
"Huh?"
"That general is Malta's enemy," Jessi glared him down. "A country you belong to. Don't let anyone else catch you saying stuff like that or they'll think you'll side with Hóngyè."
"But I don't-"
"Doesn't matter," she stated. "Don't let people make assumptions about you."
Omari watched her, then nodded. There were plenty of loyalists in this country, Jessi was no different, but at least she cared enough about Omari to let his rebellious words slide.
"Okay…" he sighed. "But I don't think General Tao is the worst of them."
"Are you kidding?" she laughed. "He's awful. Haven't you heard of the stuff he's done?"
"I'm sure it's all burning towns and defeating Maltans," Omari rolled his eyes.
"Fine, then have you heard of the personal stuff?" Jessi said. "Like his harem of women by his side, always stashing at least one of them in that dumb palanquin of his. Or his great tortures or weird cults?"
"Weird cults?" Omari questioned.
"Yeah, he apparently has secret cults all over the place," Jessi described. "People that come together and worship him. Or that he does dealings with demons and practices demonic arts? Or that he was brought up by an evil organization?"
"That…" Omari didn't quite know how to respond to that, but tried to defend him, "Couldn't that all be hearsay?"
"Why?" she asked. "He's a crazy bastard. Why not believe such things?"
"But… I didn't see any women in his palanquin," Omari replied.
This caused Jessi's eyebrows to raise as she paled, "How did you get into his palanquin?"
"I…" Omari pursed his lips as he responded, "Kind of fell into it."
"How do you 'kind of' fall into the palanquin of one of the most feared and powerful generals of our era?!" she gasped.
"It's a long story, I-"
But then a knock came at the door and a nurse opened it, peeking inside. She called, "Is the patient awake?"
"Ah! Yes, ma'am!" Jessi stood up, going to her side. As she did, she gave Omari a brief side-eye that he felt spoke a thousand words. But the word he paid attention to the most was, 'Behave.'
The doctors and nurses came in to check on him and as they did, Jessi briefly slipped away. When done, she returned and mouthed, 'Play it cool'.
Omari blinked and then watched as security guards entered the small room. A procession of armed personnel stood there, followed by a middle aged pale skinned man with long blond hair and silver eyes. He wore magnificent garb, but somehow to Omari, it seemed more flagrantly layered than pristine, not like how General Tao Liu dressed in his regalia. This man wore furs and jewels, had a rather skinny face with high cheekbones, and was decked in blue. Omari looked him up and down and was surprised with how unimpressed he was. This man that stood before him, was the current King of Malta, Elijah Lu'Graves. Omari had never seen him before, but he felt that he threw the dart perfectly at its target.
King Elijah stiffened, his nose high in the air as he held a relaxed smile. He rolled his shoulders then finally addressed Omari, saying, "Nurse Juma Omari, it is an honor to meet you."
Omari raised a brow, reflecting on how he always wanted to say something snide if he ever got to meet the king, but his eyes glanced at Jessi who gave him a cutthroat gesture, so he responded, "It is an honor to have you here, your highness."
"Yes, indeed," he flicked his hair back then said, "I hope that any injuries you sustained from your battles are healing properly. I wanted to have magic users up the development of your curtain progress, but my advisor suggested against it. He believes you might have… a reaction- magically, saying perhaps you could be negatively affected by magic at this point in time."
Omari tilted his head then responded, "Your advisor is cautious and wise, your highness. He sounds like a respectable man."
"Yes, well even so, we pray that you have a speedy recovery," he smiled. "I for one will wait in anticipation." He gestured a hand and a servant came in with a bowed head and chair. He placed it down and the king sat, pushing his cloak to the side. He gave a small nod, "Juma Omari, ah- may I call you Omari?"
Omari winced at that. He'd rather not, but he didn't know what the king would do if he said no, so he politely answered, "Of course."
"Thank you," he beamed. "Omari, dear fellow." Omari internally gagged. "I have heard of the great achievements you have accomplished not so long ago. They are nothing short of amazing."
Omari flicked his eyes at Jessi and cleared his throat, "And what has his highness heard?"
"Oh, so many splendid things," he held his hand out and a servant placed a glass in his palm, pouring red wine from a bottle they apparently had in their possession. "You decimated the fearsome General Tao Liu's army, rescued Maltan soldiers, and used such tremendous powers in order to do so. Powers of the like that none who are alive today has ever witnessed before." He had an unnerving gleam in his eyes, "It's all very impressive and has garnered my interest."
"Interest, sir?" Omari muttered, not wanting to hear what comes next.
"Yes," he hummed. "With such power and potential, I have to know the man who wields it." He tilted his head, "So tell me, since Lieutenant Bellows couldn't inform me, could you perhaps shed some light on how you gained such powers? It doesn't quite state in your report that you were ever magically inclined."
Omari's shoulders briefly trembled. For some reason, he felt more unsettled telling King Elijah about his powers than General Tao. But maybe that's because he knew what the king was capable of, and also he was currently surrounded by his security. He breathed in then out, saying, "It's the sword, sir."
"Ah, the sword," the king had a guard bring it to him, bowing on a knee, holding it up as he took it. Elijah held it, admiring the blade, acknowledging, "I have called upon many blacksmiths in your unconsciousness to analyze this sword, but each and every one of them have said that they had never seen this sort of craftsmanship before. I called on so many wizards, witches, alchemists, and sorcerers to look over this weapon. None could unlock its power."
Omari blinked then genuinely asked, "That sounds like a lot of people took the time to check it over. If I can ask, how long was I out for?"
"Oh," the king thought, then stated, "Nearly several days, I suppose."
Omari paled. Several days?! That's- That's! He glanced at the blade, becoming even more eager to never hold it ever again.
The king didn't notice his turmoil or just ignored it and instead questioned, "How long have you had this for?"
"The day I was captured by the Hóngyèse soldiers, sir," Omari replied.
"Ah, Hóngyè," the king sighed. "So barbaric." Omari felt like clicking his tongue, but watched as King Elijah reached over to the bedframe and gave a soft smile, "I sympathize with you. They must have done terrible things to you, the monsters."
He said nothing. He actually felt more amazed than anything to meet such a fake and superficial person. The man wasn't even trying that hard to hide it.
But then he watched the king eye the sword, full of wicked intentions. He said, "You know, I think a sword like this could really help our cause." He dipped his head low with a sad expression, "So many of our soldiers have been unfortunately lost to this war. There seems to be no end in sight. But…" Omari grimaced. Here it comes, "This sword, you." His eyes darted to Omari, "Could really turn the tables. Especially since your powers were even able to defeat the fearsome General Tao Liu."
Omari couldn't hold it back anymore, he interjected, "Sir, I'm- I'm a nurse. Not a fighter. I don't have the proper training that's fit for a soldier. I am capable in-" his words dropped when he saw the king's cold expression. His gray eyes cool without care. But Omari wanted to persevere, "I am more capable in healing, saving lives, then taking them."
The king stared at him, one filled with an intense pressure that none could bear. He smiled, "Don't worry, we'll get you teachers to help you."
Omari's face fell and he tightly gripped his sheets, trying out his last ditch effort, "The magic is very unstable. I may…" his eyes closed at such a lie, "May have been able to save those people then, but it was out of control. I honestly…" He looked to Jessi, eyes pleading, "I felt like I was going to die."
Her stance changed. She stiffened, her back more straight as her eyes grew wide. She didn't say anything, but seemed anxious.
But the king was apathetic, "We can get you teachers for that too. Don't worry. Vells has the best magical instructors in all of Malta. We will surely find someone that can help you control your powers."
"And… after that," Omari felt the venom constrict his tongue.
"After that I expect to see great things from you on the battlefield," the king's lips curled. He stood, all his soldiers at the ready. He said, "Juma Omari, you'll truly help this country with your abilities. I wait in anticipation for the day when you become the most noble of heroes." He looked at Jessi, "After he is admitted from this hospital, he will have an entourage to take him to Vell's most esteemed magical institute. I would like for Lieutenant Bellows to accompany him."
A complicated expression crossed Jessi's face as she wondered, "His highness wouldn't prefer me on the battlefield?"
"We have enough lieutenants on the field," he bluntly answered. "Let's station you for the protection of Juma Omari in the meantime. As for I," he turned to Omari, with a kinder nod, "I shall be off. I have many duties to fulfill. Rest well, Juma Omari."
Omari felt bitter, but replied, "Yes, your highness."
The king left and Omari was scornful. He was disgusted and resentful, but when he saw Jessi it looked like she had been punched in the gut. She stood there in shock and Omari realized that she couldn't go to the fight anymore. She was being left stranded in the most protected city in all of Malta. She must be hating that. Though he hated it even more that he'll become the king's personal lap dog very soon.
He grumbled, running his finger through his hair and huffed. There was really nothing he could do right now, just bide his time and wait. For once he wished to be back in the barracks amongst the bloodied patients' sheets and rusty scalpels. But then he blinked and remembered. Omari called over to a despondent Jessi, saying, "Hey, hey!"
"Huh, uh?" she mumbled, clearly perturbed.
"What happened to the others?" Omari questioned. "Did our troops and my patients make it out of the woods? How are the other nurses? How's Maliha? Betsida?"
"They made it," Jessi answered, letting Omari catch his breath from that. Thank goodness, he feared that they would have all been wiped out by Hóngyèse soldiers or demons.
"And…" his brows furrowed for a bit and he wondered, "What of Tao Liu?"
Jessi's brow quirked at that and replied, "A field report from a spy in Hóngyè's Capital says he's allegedly dead."
Omari's eyes widened at that, surprised.
He… He didn't mean to kill him. He didn't want to. But he supposed the general sacrificed himself so everyone else could live. It was sad and disappointing. Omari didn't like killing people and now he knew that magical outburst had some major consequences.
… He didn't want to kill him.
-
Tao Liu felt soft blankets. He felt them all around him. He realized he was lying in a bed, a familiar one. But not the cot he slept in at his camp, no, this was his bed in Hóngyè's Capital Hēi Shāo, at the main palace Guówáng de Shù. Each general had separate quarters in the palace, and he was in his. He woke up, feeling limp, but then pain arose as he tried to shift about. Tao Liu slowly raised his hands to find them covered finger to shoulder in bandages. He pulled down the collar of his robes and saw that more bandages wrapped around his chest, neck, finding some more layered on his face. It must have been a complete recoil from the shockwaves of Omari's uncontrollable powers. Insane.
But then he saw something drop. A thin, silver chain on his neck dropped something white and glowing, rolling a pendant onto his sheets. It sat in his lap as he watched the light inside of it flicker then fade. It slowly died and when the light was gone, the pendant turned to dust, nothing remaining. Tao Liu stared at it for a long time, but then he gingerly reached for the chain, feeling the space where the pendant once was, now vacant. It was finally used up, after all this time. Tao Liu's eyes grew heavy and he gave a long sigh. He realized now, he had almost completely died.
The general held that empty spot and curled in on himself, muttering, "Nuwa, my shizun... Thank you and goodbye."
The door opened and Sun Zhen emerged, followed by servants who carried wet towels and medical supplies. They saw that the general was awake, sudden panic and confusion growing on their faces, but hurried to his side. Sun Zhen kneeled, saying, "General, are you in any pain?"
Tao Liu stared at her, as if in a daze, but soon answered, "No… I'm… I'm fine."
She was unconvinced and stood, "Sir," she straightened, saying, "You have been unconscious for eight days now."
He held out his hand, then balled it into a fist. He looked over the papery bandages, muttering, "Eight days…"
"Yes, sir," she nodded.
"I…" he brought his hand to his chest, "I died…"
Sun Zhen and the other servants froze in place, side-eyeing each other. Sun Zhen finally spoke up, "Sir, your… your heart did briefly stop. You were declared dead for a moment. We…" She looked to the servants for words but decided to find her own, "We left the room and when we returned, you were breathing again."
"Amazing," he whispered. "It works…"
"Sir?"
He glanced at Sun Zhen and said, "My injuries. List them."
"Lacerations covering your upper body," Sun Zhen explained. "Ruptured lung, torn stomach, and ripped tendons in both arms. But when you… returned to us, your wounds have been steadily healing due to your cultivated energy."
"Good," he nodded. "So then, how are my troops?"
"All alive and accounted for, sir," she replied. "Many were injured, but none were fatal."
"I see, so I took on the full brunt of the shockwave that Omari released," he hummed. "As seen, he had a complete qi deviation. So…" Tao Liu finally looked to Sun Zhen, "Did he die?"
She stared at him then curtly shook her head, "No, General. Juma Omari survived. I saw him stand back up again after the blast with my own eyes. There are many other accounts from our soldiers as well. He stood up and fled with his companion, joining up the Maltan prisoners, and escaped into the trees."
"You did not give chase?" Tao Liu questioned.
"No, sir," she answered. "I did not know how many were injured or dead, and thought as the next commanding officer in line that it was in everyone's best interest if we remained and did a head count. Also, I sought to it that you needed immediate medical attention, unfortunately much of our supplies was destroyed in the blast, so I ordered a full retreat."
Tao Liu listened and nodded. He determined that she made the best course of action. He sighed then asked, "So, has there been any more word on Juma Omari?"
"Not at the moment, sir," she replied. "Things have gone quiet."
"Hm," he contemplated, then said, "So, I suppose his majesty is waiting on a full report?"
"If you are capable of moving, General," Sun Zhen said.
"I am most likely able to make a full report," he turned to the servants. "You there." He gestured to one, "Inform his majesty that I will be making my way to him as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir," the servants crossed their hands and bowed, leaving to do so.
"Now then, the injuries are mostly upper body," he started moving out of bed, putting his feet on the floor. He went to stand up, but his legs suddenly felt extremely weak and heavy. He quickly sank.
"General!" Sun Zhen gasped, rushing to his side to catch him and help him back up. Tao Liu reflexed to his stomach, feeling the tear in it that she listed earlier. He almost let out a coarse whine. She turned to the servants, saying, "We're wheeling him out. Get a chair."
"Yes, sir," they bowed, quickly fetching a wheelchair. Before setting off, they changed his bandages, giving him a look at what was underneath. They were ugly scars, but he knew with enough sleep his energy should heal them over time so it would look like they had never happened. The servants combed his hair and freshened his face, then dressed him in something presentable for the emperor but loose enough to air out his wounds. They carefully placed him on the chair, and then rolled him out of the room.
His quarters were walled with a pleasing rose color, gold enclosed long mirrors hanging in the halls they passed through. Every third story window was open to let in the warm summer air and look down at the garden terrace below. Tall trees willowed the area, creating a delicate shade upon the flowers and grass. A large stone wall circumferenced the leisure garden, a wall where guards routinely watched over.
They pushed him onwards, to a section of the building that exited his quarters and ventured to the main palace. To the heart of Hēi Shāo. Hēi Shāo was an extremely large palace, varying in different sections. Each section represented the quarters of a general in the emperor's army. There were eight generals, so there were eight living spaces for each one. Their buildings attached to the main palace like tumors and they were all surrounded by large walls that have never been scaled by any enemy forces. Each homestead was given as a gift from the emperor, but all the generals knew that he gave them each a place to keep them all close.
The emperor had become manic and paranoid throughout his reign and pushed his generals to live as close as possible, if they weren't preoccupied on the battlefield. Not only did he want at least one powerful general there to protect him at all times, he liked keeping close tabs on everyone.
They wheeled him through tall, long halls that glittered in patterns of gold and scarlet wallpaper. Rolling down a wooden tiled floor, they pushed past extravagant ornate statues that were lined down the hall, the walls decorated with extensively detailed tapestries of old figure heads and grand scenes. Once out past the halls, they traveled through the typically empty throne room. Only a few servants enter time and time again for it is an easier shortcut to go through.
No, the emperor would not be addressing Tao Liu on his mighty throne, they would have to meet deeper within the palace. It was such a large and expansive building that featured many floors and rows of rooms; it took quite a while to get there.
But when they finally reached the emperor's quarters, they were met with armed personnel and doctors. They nodded to each other, one head servant bowed to them and quickly entered the emperor's chamber. They could hear on the other side of the door, "Great and divine Majesty Jianwen Delun, I announce that General Tao Liu has arrived."
There was a low mumbling and then some footsteps as the servant returned with a strained smile. When he opened the door, he said in a quiet voice, "Please, please, come in."
Tao Liu was wheeled in, feeling not at his best, but enough to address the emperor of Hóngyè. When brought inside, he took in a familiar sight.
It was dark, all the windows were covered and it smelled of age. Up ahead was the bedridden Emperor Jianwen Delun, a seventy year old, decrypted man who was closer to the end of his rope everytime Tao Liu saw him. His beard was long and tangled, a deep black that strained the weight of his chin and cheeks. He had many wrinkles and blotches on his skin and was going blind in one eye. His fingers and arms were almost skeletal, feeling the weight of his large elegant robes that lay across his body.
Tao Liu was moved as close as possible to the emperor, and when the chair stopped, he attempted to bow. But unfortunately, he couldn't quite do a good enough bow because both arms and stomach were still in a considerable amount of pain. So he sat there, waiting, unable to bend forward because of his internal injuries. He waited and finally heard a harsh breathing emanate from his majesty. One difficult to release as he lay in the shadows. His eyes slowly opened and he turned to the general, an expression of calm. His heavy eyes looked at him and he remarked in a hoarse voice, "The general… looks as unpleasant as I."
Tao Liu didn't budge but replied, "I am grateful for the flattery, for your majesty looks very well today."
The emperor laughed, one hollow and cold, "Lies. I am no fool. This decaying vessel of a body can hardly move. I know what I look like. And you and I…" He chuckled, "We are in very similar states... How unfortunate."
Tao Liu sat there, waiting for his majesty to call upon him.
The emperor coughed, hard and wicked, then said, "I heard that you had a great amount of trouble recently. But looking at you, I would say your ordeal looks more than like your regular unrest."
"Yes, your majesty," Tao Liu nodded. "I will assume that my subordinate Lieutenant Sun Zhen explained the situation, but I have yet to make my report."
"You have not," he huffed. "So make it."
"Yes," Tao Liu agreed, then stated, "The perpetrator was a Maltan Nurse named Juma Omari. I first encountered him when he fell into my palanquin."
"If he broke through your palanquin… couldn't your cultivated perception sense him to ward him off?" the emperor interrogated. His paranoia always searched for holes in people's stories.
"We just had a decent battle, a surprise attack on a small Maltan base," Tao Liu replied. "I contributed and after many battles, I take a rest in my palanquin to recharge my qi."
"Yes, I recall," the emperor said, satisfied. "You sleep to regain your powers."
"Yes, sir," Tao Liu responded. "And so I and others were caught off guard."
"Indeed, then what happened next?"
"I attacked him, but he held a sword of unknown origins," he explained. "It absorbed my attack, but he acted unaccustomed to the weapon and I was able to disarm and subdue him."
"You did not kill him then and there?"
Tao Liu's hands balled into fists and he stated, "I realized he knew not how to wield that sword nor was he well equipped in weaponry. He was not much of a threat at first. But I found him and the sword to be interesting, so I wanted to claim him and his fascinating weapon as a prize for the Hóngyèse Empire." He breathed in then out, feeling some pain in his side, "It wasn't like anything I've ever seen before. I believed it to be a weapon from an ancient time perhaps. I determined it would be best to investigate it further and since the nurse was cooperating, showing no signs of any threatening behavior. Even when he unleashed the power of the blade, he appeared to be just as shocked as we were."
"So you meant to bring in this 'harmless' hostage to me?"
"Yes, your majesty," Tao Liu stated. "I previously sent a messenger to you about the situation, but events unfolded before they would have had time to reach you."
The emperor sat there and thought, "Your story is understandable. I too would wish to bring him here and experiment on him. But… Now he is free, out there to come and threaten us as he pleases. A power that is unimaginable and that of what we do not understand. Do you think we can survive such a danger?"
The general remained silent, unsure what to say. There was a moment of hesitation, but then Tao Liu finally spoke, "If he dares challenge the empire, I will eliminate him."
The emperor scoffed, "You were barely able to survive a single attack of his!"
"My main priority was to shield my troops, your majesty," Tao Liu remarked. "If not, we would have had a fatal devastation to our numbers. And I simply could not live with the loss of all my soldiers."
"No, such a failure deserves death," the emperor nodded.
"I was protecting all of them," Tao Liu said. "All fifteen thousand."
His highness raised a brow, showing that he was mildly impressed.
"If I wasn't preoccupied with that," Tao Liu gave him quite a devious smirk. "I could have easily dealt with the Maltan nurse."
The emperor stared then countered, gesturing to his injuries, "But look at you now."
Tao Liu sat back in his chair with a wicked smile, "I'm still alive, aren't I?"
Emperor Jianwen Delun burst out laughing, then let out a horrid fit of coughs. All the attendants went to assist him but he brushed them off, "So you are saying, once healed, you can deal with him?"
"I will handle him," Tao Liu nodded, sure and confident.
He cackled, "Fine! Handle him then. Bring me his head if you must. It will be quite an accomplishment to kill an abomination from Malta."
"Yes, sir," the general answered.