Chapter 13 - Chapter no.13 Another World

As the fuzzy buzzy, a strange creature resembling a cat with a bee stinger for a tail, soared through the air, his antennae quivering with excitement.
The vast expanse of the floating island stretched out beneath him, shrouded in a thick mist that clung to the ground like a living thing.
This island was "The Wailing Isle", a breeding ground for demonic cultivators and the cemetery for the weak
The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying vegetation, and the sound of buzzing insects filled the air.
The fuzzy buzzy's vibrant yellow, white, and black fur rippled in the breeze, and his wings buzzed furiously as he flew towards a bamboo forest in the distance. As he landed on a broad, flat leaf, his antennae twitched in excitement as he surveyed the tranquil surroundings. The bamboo stalks towered above him, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. Shafts of sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor.
As the creatuee gazed upon the tranquil forest, his attention was drawn to a magnificent mansion in the distance.
The mansion was constructed entirely of dark, glossy wood, polished to a high sheen. The wooden planks were intricately carved with intricate patterns and designs, depicting strange creatures and twisted vines that snaked their way around the pillars and walls.
The pillars themselves were massive, towering high above the fuzzy buzzy's head. Each pillar was intricately carved with spiraling patterns, with vines and thorny branches snaking their way up the length of the pillars. The wooden beams that supported the roof were equally massive, with intricate carvings of winged creatures and grotesque gargoyles perched at their peaks.
As the fuzzy buzzy could see that the windows were small and narrow, with intricately carved wooden frames that were decorated with strange symbols and arcane runes.
The fuzzy buzzy felt a sudden chill down its body, as if something was not quite right. It turned to look, and its heart nearly stopped at the sight before it. Some distance away, there was a giant tree with branches that stretched out like grasping hands. The branches were covered with old, human face masks, each one twisted in a grotesque expression of agony. The fuzzy buzzy could hardly bear to watch as the masks seemed to move, as if the faces they belonged to were still suffering from the pain that had caused their deaths.
The fuzzy buzzy knew that it needed to get away from this place, and fast. Its instincts for survival kicked in, and it took to the air, its wings beating furiously as it tried to put as much distance between itself and the horrific island as possible.
As it soared through the air, the fuzzy buzzy felt a sense of unease creeping over it. This place was dangerous, extremely dangerous.
......
[ The Twilight Dragon Estate ]
The morning sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on the small room. The soft chirping of birds woke me from my slumber and as I opened my eyes, I found myself in a bed that was as soft as a cloud. The sheets were made of a velvety material that felt like a dream to the touch. The room was simple, with a small table next to the bed and a wooden wardrobe in the corner.
As I sat up in bed, I saw a white-haired woman who looked to be around her mid-thirties sitting by the window, surrounded by a flock of blue-tailed sparrows. She was tossing small pieces of bread to the birds, her movements fluid and graceful. The birds fluttered around her, chirping merrily as they ate.
The woman turned to me and smiled, "It looks like you are awake, Master."
"Where am I?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
The woman got up and brought me a glass of water. She smiled, "Master, this is the Black Lotus Cult's Twilight Dragon Grounds. In here, you will train to become rulers of the world."
The words were spoken with such conviction that it was hard to believe they were coming from someone who didn't look mentally deranged.
I couldn't help but question if the woman in front of me was insane, but I stopped myself as I remembered Alexander's warning.
These people like to use words that create an image of unbelievable magnitude in our minds.
Why?
"May I ask who are you?" I inquired, looking at the old woman.
She smiled, "No need to talk with such respect towards a mortal like me. I am but your humble servant, Master."
Her words were spoken with a hint of reverence in her eyes, and it made me feel uncomfortable. I looked around the room, taking in the surroundings. The walls were adorned with ancient scriptures, and the floor was made of polished marble that was cool to the touch.
The woman noticed my scrutiny and spoke up, "Is there anything you need, Master?"
I shook my head, "No, thank you. Can you tell me where the others are?"
"Oh, they are all resting in their rooms," the old woman replied.
"Do you know where the people who brought us here are?" I asked, but the old woman shook her head, "My apologies, Master, but I am a mere servant. I don't know the activities of the great celestials."
The old woman was dressed in simple robes, the fabric was a dark navy blue with gold embroidery. She had a small pouch hanging from her waist, and I couldn't help but wonder what it contained. The only weapon I saw was a small dagger that hung from her waist, its handle made of a dark wood, and the blade looked sharp.
As I looked around the room, I noticed a faint scent of incense in the air. It was a calming scent that made me feel at ease. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I was hungry.
"Ah! You must be esurient," the woman said as she grabbed an azure bowl from the table beside us. I offered to help, but she immediately declined. "Master, please stay and rest. I'll get you your meal," she said with a smile as she checked out to check the top of the cupboard.
"Found it," she said with joy as she emptied the bottle into the bowl, leaving behind a blueish viscous liquid.
As I gazed upon my reflection in the liquid, I couldn't help but feel a sense of paranoia. Why was it so highly convenient that these people have such a brew ready to be brought to over 100 people so readily available in such a short period of time? This thought of mine combined with my paranoia and Alexander's warning led me to a confirmation of one of my theories. These people were the ones who threw me and the others into that hell hole.
"How long was I asleep for?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Just a few hours," she replied, causing me to nod.
"Were the others given this as well?" I asked, my mind racing with questions.
"Yes, of course," she said with a nod.
The woman's answers led me more and more toward a horrifying conclusion. If all of the children supposedly had the potential to wield Spiritual Qi, then we were all basic weapons greater than any martial artist or soldier considering how I was able to kill so many soldiers a few years ago.
And how would you induce absolute loyalty into such beings of power? It all made sense now.
Why did Alexander leave that warning? Why were we captured?
Why were we all treated like such animals in that prison?
It was to induce a sense of loyalty and trust within us.
We were all at the ripe age where we questioned the world around us, when our lives were stripped apart as hell is trust upon us.
Who would we trust? Our saviours!
As I took a sip of the liquid, I felt it melt in my mouth, and an indescribable taste registered in my mouth. Words couldn't express it as I felt the velvety liquid flow down my throat and chest to my stomach. "That's good. You must eat 'Shen-Nung's congee'," the woman said with a smile.
Placing the bowl down, I asked, "What is your name?"
"Ah, my apologies, my name is Xu Wen'an. As you have previously seen, I am your assigned servant, your wish is my command," she said with a bow.
The sound of the bubbling liquids and the smell of herbs and spices created an eerie yet comforting atmosphere.
As I finished my meal, I couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion and fear.
Who were these people, and why were they doing this?
Was I just a pawn in their grand scheme? I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this than what was being revealed to me. I needed answers, and I needed them fast.
.....
Ensconced within the tranquil aura of the moonlit garden, I found myself succumbing to the complexities of my thoughts, which were only intensified by the surreal vision of the two moons hanging high above. An inexplicable feeling clawed at the edges of my consciousness – a feeling that I was not on Earth anymore, a sentiment propelled by the celestial mystery unveiling itself above me.
A deliberate cough interrupted my astral contemplation, my eyes shifting to meet Xu Wen'an, who, bathed in a soft luminescent glow, stood near the door. Her nightgown seemed to gently flutter in the imperceptible breeze of the night, and her expression, though calm, held within it an ocean of unreadable depths.
"Where am I?" My voice, softer than intended, aimed to pierce through the enigmatic veil she seemed to uphold.
"In the place where you need to be," she replied, her voice a gentle cascade, yet within it lay an unyielding foundation of belief.
Huffing, my gaze returned to the heavens, unwilling to entangle further in her delusions, yet a part of me lingered on her words, pondering their hidden veracity.
"May I come in?" Her question, gentle and seemingly tentative, barely disrupted the nocturnal serenity.
"What do you want?" My query emanated into the night, an intertwining of weariness and cautious inquisitiveness.
Bowing with a grace that seemed innate to her being, she affirmed, "It is the duty of the servant to serve their master."
A sigh escaped my lips, an embodiment of a plea for solitude. "It's nighttime, please just go to sleep," I suggested, my voice tinted with a gentle insistence.
However, her response showcased an unwavering fidelity. "When the master sleeps, the servant is allowed to."
My shoulders, burdened by an unseen weight, acquiesced to a silent vulnerability. "Do you know how to massage?" I asked, shadows of my emotional and physical fatigue peeking through.
"Yes, master," she replied, her voice a steady murmur within the encroaching quietude of the night.
"Please massage my neck," I requested, pointing towards the tense sinews.
She stepped into the garden, her movements measured and sure, her hands gently yet firmly kneading away the tightly coiled stress that clung to my muscles, beneath the ever-watchful eyes of the moons above.
Relaxed under Xu Wen'an's skilled fingers, I nearly melted into the tranquility, until a moan – potent and unbridled – erupted from an adjacent room, sullying the peace. My eyes flickered closed, and a sigh percolated through the calm. "Is this what you mean by serving your masters at night?" The question, laced with underlying meanings, lingered in the air.
Xu Wen'an said, "Yes, we servants attend to all the master's desires."
Piquing an eyebrow, I queried, almost rhetorically, while glancing toward the place of distant moans, "Even sexual ones?"
Her response, stark yet somehow empty, "Yes," was followed by a suggestion, a venture into intimate territory, "Do you want me to relieve you?"
"No," came my firm retort.
She didn't falter, "We also have male servants if you swing the other way."
My exhale was a mixture of frustration and revelation. "I'm not gay. I don't desire something so superficial, especially not from someone who thinks it's merely duty because I command it."
She acquiesced gracefully, "As you wish, Master."
An inquisitive softness entered my voice, "How long have you worked here, Xu Wen'an?"
Her answer came as if from an eternal well, "A very long time."
"And how often does...that," a nod toward the other room, "happen?"
With an eerie calmness, she disclosed, "Rather quickly, when those, rescued from barbaric prisons, are afforded servants willing to do anything, they employ it to regain a semblance of control. Do you not find it appealing?"
Gazing upon the two moons in the sky, my voice found a determined clarity, "Only the weak-minded believe they gain control through such acts."
Her words, surprisingly candid, floated back, "You talk a lot, Master."
My response carried a teasing lightness, "Why not? I wish to converse with beautiful woman who soothes me."
I noticed it then, beneath the pallor of the moonlight - a blush on Xu Wen'an's cheeks, but something flickered behind her eyes, an act beneath a mask.
She was faking it
In a playful rebuke, she said, "Surprising, considering your silence throughout the day."
A smirk curled, "I only converse with those I trust."
She pivoted, a genuine curiosity lacing her question, "You trust me, Master?"
My smile, painted with a facade of genuineness, masked my turmoil. "Of course."
A faker smile met mine, but it dissolved as her fingers traced a jagged scar down my back, her touch lingering over tales of past pains.
My voice, slightly shadowed, invited her curiosity, "Would you like to know how I acquired this scar?"
Her gaze, intense and focused, urged me on.
"I battled a hundred soldiers," I asserted, the moonlight veiling the earnestness in my eyes.
A chuckle, light and teasing, escaped her, "No need to weave tales to impress me, Master."
Matching her tone, I teased, "You don't have to believe me if you don't want to."
She paused, a sudden solemnity to her, "No, I believe you."
With a gesture, I bid her to cease her ministrations, rising to saunter toward my room. "I shall retire for the night. You may go."
She nodded, beginning to retreat, but I interjected, "Am I on Earth, Xu Wen'an?"
Halting, she spoke, a painful honesty in her words, "Isn't it obvious?"
My next query hung heavy in the night air, "Just what is this place?"
As she opened her mouth to respond, I halted her, my voice firm, "I seek the truth, Xu Wen'an, not rehearsed lines you've recited countless times."
A weary exhale, "I don't know where we are, Master."
I nodded, sinking onto the bed, my eyes following her departure.
As I laid on my bed I whispered to the solitary night, "Goodnight, Khadija," my voice barely brushed across the scar that adorned my hand.