-Have you discovered anything out there?- asks my companion as we finish getting ready to depart
-Uhm?-
-Tonight... I noticed you went outside-
-Mmhn...- I hesitate a second not quite sure what to tell him
-A ghost baby-
IF he really was a ghost, afterall it's just my supposition
-A what?!- he squirms
-Haha I'm just kidding, there was nothing... It's just a gloomy place and that's all- I laugh hitting his horse to make them both move on
-You! Ah nevermind, let's get going-
The place itself is not a problem, nor was the little kid I met...
But the story he said was indeed a tragedy, maybe the "massacre" tale is an exaggeration of that event.
The kid said someone was calling him, and I wasn't able to see them since they aren't part of the play...
I don't doubt that what I saw was real, but why would someone recreate the memory of a small mutilated kid and show it to me?
Someone I cannot see or hear
Do they want me to help the kid? Then it could mean he's still alive somewhere...
Or is this story helpful to me? But how...? I see no connection with it and me ending the war
-Miss Ying...?-
-Uh?- I blink twice getting back to reality and a somehow familiar sensation approaches me
-You weren't listening-
-I was lost in thoughts sorry, what is it?- I fix my posture on the horse, straightening up
-There's... Something there- he points toward a nearby mountain and a tower can be seen on the side of a mountain
-I was thinking that maybe we can spend the night there...
It should be a guarding tower, for what I can recall they where used centuries ago to guard the perimeter of a nation that used to be here and send messages during an old war-
-You really do knows a lot about history, don't you?- I chuckle
-Well... It was my favorite part back in the training days...-
-I do recall something about a little kingdom and a war here...
We should examine it first tho, we are close to a battlefield afterall... Uh?-
As we get near to the feet of said mountain, I see something weird stuck between the bushes
I drop down and reach my hand to examine the white thing, which happens to be a broken theater mask
The moment I touch it a wave rushes over me, making it fall from my hands
~"
A man dressed in red laying over a chart, half asleep full of bruises and cuts
He has a mask by his feet... A theatrical mask
He lightly kicks hit with the tip of his foot, since his ankles are tied
"Hope this will be helpful... Somehow" he thinks as the mask rolls off chartz falling where I found it now... The man smiles lightly and passes out
"~
I take back the mask in hand and stare at the tower high up on the snowy mountain
It's dark and ruined, with smoke all over the top
-I have to go in there, you stay here-
-What? Why?-
-That isn't an abandoned tower anymore, that's a base... Of our enemy-
...
I place the man down by a river, and start a fire to heat him up, before reaching for some water to pour inside his mouth.
After a few minutes his face twists and he begins coughing
-Hold on, I'll help you-
I make him stand up seated and he takes some time to regain his breath and consciousness
-Did you... Rescue me?- his voice is almost a growl as he most probably haven't talked in years...
-Yes-
-Thanks... Your name?-
-Ying ChangLai-
-Mhn... I'll remember this day if you ever need my miserable help- the big muscles on his arm click at the pressure he's putting them under, the little red ribbon on his bare arms almost rips
-A god is never miserable-
-How...?!-
-You're not the first one I meet- I chuckle -Xue ChunDu, Fen Lian... A boar "god" and another one who still claims not to be such-
-How is such a thing possible?-
The man tries to stand up and his wavy pitch black hair move behind him beautifully
-Somehow I got gifted unusual abilities and I used them to rescue those like you who got kidnapped and used to enhance the Enemy faction-
-Mhn...-
-I have questions-
-Go ahead, I own you a lot after today- he rise one hand under his chin staring at me with black eyes
-How did you get kidnapped and by who?-
-Yougais... I descended on land to partecipate at an important event but while walking through the night after landing, I found myself circled...
Afterall I'm a minor Deity, I couldn't do much against them-
-Why didn't you call for help?-
-Descending that night was... Against the rules.
I'm the God protector of Performers so I came here to watch the first public appearance of a really fervent believer... And I shouldn't had-
-Do you have any idea who's behind this war?-
-What do you mean? Is there no enemy?- he crosses the arms over the half exposed chest
-No not that... We do have an enemy but our opponents are too strong, some are not even humans so...-
-You doubt there's a potent being on top of the pyramid...-
-Yes-
-That I do not know sadly... I was kidnapped before war even started...- he pause a moment, lost in thoughts
-It surely is not for a normal human to have power over Yougais... I could only think about Yakshas or some other types of Ghosts of Great Powers...
There are a few Gods among the underworld, I could try to get in contact with them... As soon as I regain control of my abilities-
-What of they got kidnapped too?-
-I don't know... I do not even understand why said enemy would use minor Deities if they have control over creatures likes Yougais or the Boar King-
-Neither do I...- I sigh -Let's get you out of here first, I know someone who can help you-
After some time, as we caught something to eat, he finally arrives and only nods in the man's direction
-He...- I begin the introductions
-I know- stops me the silver eyed right away
-Then I'll leave him in your care-
He nods making me confused so I come closer -Is something the matter?-
-Uh?- he rise an eyebrow
-I remember you being a bit more talkative... Any danger...?-
He shakes his head -It's best for you to not interact with me now... We shall meet again soon- it's just a whisper, almost as if I'm hearing it inside my mind
-Mhn... You own me answers then-
He nods and turns around, showing the other man to follow him
...
-Miss! I've been so worried! I saw so much fire up on that mountain... Are you alright?!-
-Yes... We can proceed with our Journey I suppose- I clench my jaw
-Yes we... Uh? What is it?-
We both turn around to the sound of many horses coming our way, circling us
I go back to back with the man, taking our my sword just in case... The flag is the one from our Nation so I take one breath of relief.
A man comes foward and remove his helmet yelling -The Little ChangLai?!-
-Uncle Zao Lao?- I blink shocked
He drops down his horse and rushes to hug me tight
-It's been so much since I have seen you! Why are you here my dear? I remember you father writing me about you going to the Capital to join the Royal Army... Oh I've been so worried at the thought of you on a battlefield-
-It is a pleasure to meet you again uncle Lao... I did join the Royal Army, I've been on the battlefield for some time now and I got "used" to it-
-Oh my dear... For such a young child to see all the ugliness of the world...
Why are you around here? We were just fighting nearby when our enemy retreated out of the blue... I saw fire so I rushed here to check and I found you!-
-It was my fault uncle Lao... I had to destroy our enemy's base-
-You... What? What are you saying my child?-
-General Zao, We are From the Li Armada... Miss Ying was currently being escorted to join the Cai Armada- The soldier by my side bends down showing the sigil of our past General's Armada
-Miss Ying really did destroy said place, as she did in the past more than once... For how extremely hard it Is to believe, this woman has the power of hundreds of men... She earned the title of Liutenant in our Armada and General Titan believe she's a very important resource in this war-
-I... Cannot believe what I'm hearing... Luckily I serve under General Cai, you shall tell me more about it as we head back-
-Sir, We have reports of her doings signed by our past Generals and the Royal Delegate... I ask you to take us to your General as soon as possible so I can deliver them and head back to my own Armada-
-Her doings...?- he looks at me confused
-I... Have overdid a bit uncle... It was necessary but still not in the rules.
All my acts from when I joined the Armada to when I left are recorded, a copy for my new General and one is being sent to the Emperor as we speak...-
-Lai'Er...- he sighs being at a loss of words