While tightening the strings of my horse a voice calls for me -Lieutenant Ying! Miss Ying!-
Turning around I find Nan with a couple more men of my old squadron -Guys... I'm not a Lieutenant anymore- I smile greeting them
-We know, it's just hard to forget how much you helped us... Even after you left, thanks to you, Qin Luo became our General and we began winning and winning!- exults Nan
-It's an honour to fight together again, Miss Ying- smile another man
-Mhn, for me too. Let's go and achieve another victory today!-
-Ah!!- yell all the men, gaining a few stares from other soldiers
...
-Wait for my signal before entering the base- I warn my men, hidden behind some rocks, and head for the tall walls of the freshly made building. I dash between one rock and a bush, remaining hidden from the Guard's eyes...
Once close enough to the Gate I quickly move to kill the two man on ground level, I climb bare handed the tower on the left and aim for the man's throat from behind him, covering his mouth with an hand. I lay his body on the ground and reach for my bow, letting the arrow pass through the small window and kill the soldier on the right tower.
Quick and silent, perfect.
Once they are both down I exit the tower, going for the gate's mechanism placed on top of the walls.. A couple of guards patrolling the walls turn around at the sound of the heavy doors opening, so I throw myself forward to kill them quickly, before they could send an alarm. As I take care of those on the left side, my men still on the ground aim for those on the other side. Covering me from far away -All men down...- I murmur looking around the walls, I put away my sword and rise my eyes stopping for just a second...
I notice another tower, on the other side of the camp, and a man is rushing toward the handrail having noticed some weird movements... He squeeze his eyes trying to focus on what's happening on this side of the camp, as soon as he realizes the gates are almost completely open he reaches for his horn.
Quickly I take out my bow and aim high in the skin... The arrow's point begins sparkling like a firework and I set it free, it flies over the whole camp falling onto that tower and it explode right after touching the wood.
The ear piercing sound makes all the enemy soldiers to turn around, some structures near the tower catch fire and the men rush to indagate. With a smirk I turn to my men and rise the bow in sign of victory, they begin yelling and invade the base
...
With the woman I rescued I begin to run out of the camp as it all trembles -Leave!- I order to my men, putting her on a horse and hopping on behind her -Stick with the plan men, go onto the battlefield and help our comrades... Inform our General that I'll be there as soon as I find a safe place for this woman- I tell them slowing down my horse to talk with some of them
-Sure Miss, be careful-
-You should worry more about you all- I sigh looking at the dark smoke, rising in the Orange sky, coming from the Battlefield ahead. The soldiers proceed to leave and I keep staring at their silhouettes becoming smaller and smaller... With one last sigh I turn my horse around, the woman in my arms falls back against me and opens her eyes -Where... Are We?- she blinks a few times
-You're awake finally... Do you remember what happened while we were still inside?-
She nods -You are... Ying ChangLai, you came to rescue me- she murmurs
-Excatly, now we are escaping and I'm taking you to someone who can help you-
-Who?-
-I dont know his name, I'm sorry... But he's a some kind of deity, I believe-
She widen her eyes -I need to know who he is-
-I really don't know. But... I do know something, he has a weird liking for water-
Her expression twist a couple of times as she holds tight her clothes -What is it Miss Qiao?-
-I have confused memories...- she looks at me with scared eyes
-It's fine, it will all get better once you will be in his care- I reach and hand to pat her but stop... This woman needs help and I'm the only one who can do so now. But I still feel some kind of resentment and I'm unable to show kindness, afterall she's the Minor Deity of something I reset deep inside.
Qiao ZhongXin, the Protector of Loyalty in itself but adored as the symbol and example of feminine submission... Everytime a girl would talk back or do something improper, she would be punished under the name of this goddess.
-Miss Ying...?-
-Mhn?- I shake my thoughts away
-Are you... A Goddess? One of those noble and powerful ones?-
My eyes falls again toward the battlefield nearby -I wish I was... But I'm a simple human who was gifted with the heavy task of ending this War- She press her lips togheter and nods.
...
I stop the horse -We've arrived- I inform her before jumping off, ready to take her in my arms.
-Finally you came, I was getting impatient- a voice that I don't recognize speaks behind me, I lower my arms and instead of the goddess I reach for my sword, turning around
-Who sent you?- I find in front of me a woman with an high ponytail and sharp eyebrows, she plays with a knife while beign seated on a rock by the river -My Lord- she stands up, letting the black cloak falls back down to embrace her fully
I rise an eyebrow -As if saying "My Lord" means anything to me-
The woman rolls her eyes -Give me the woman and none will be harmed-
I look at the Goddess, troubled... The thought of her death did came to my mind during our travel, If she's gone the new generation of girls won't suffer the silencing we all did... I press my lips tight and shield her against my own will -What so you want from her?-
-My Lord has his own plans that you shouldn't worry about... As long as nobody obstacle him, he won't harm anyone either. Even tho... He took quite a liking on you- she spits on the ground
-A jealous servant uh?- I provoke her
-What did you say?!- her expression darkens
I rise my chin and tighten my hand on the sword hilt, but Qiao ZhongXin hand lowers on my shoulder -Miss Ying, I'll go with this woman-
-What?! Never! We cannot trust her-
-I know that well... Her Master, Ying SheGu, is a psychopath. But it's true that he won't harm you if you don't obstacle him-
I frown and stare at her -It is my duty to save every deity who's still alive... I won't let them have you so easily-
She shakes her head -You can't fight her Master-
I don't understand... I face the smirking woman in black robes and then the Goddess in Red again -I'm just one, a price to pay for everyone's salvation- she smiles asking for my hand to pull her down -He won't kill me-
The woman in black approaches us and pass an arm over the Goddess shoulders dragging her away, I grab on her arm before they can leave -If news reaches me that you hurt her... I'll personally come and kill both you and your Master-
-You're only half of his power- she mocks me so I tighten the grip
-You will meet me at full potential next time- I say staring deep in her black eyes and then let go