"Tell us again what's the blood trial, Prince Henry?" requested King Alexios.
"The blood trial is the Indians' divine and sacred trial given for the most extreme cases." explained Prince Henry as he helped Princess Xing with weaving a basket together. "For seven days, the accused is beaten to confess everything they know. They also pierce any scars to release any truth hidden beneath them."
"Sounds dark and unnecessary if the accuser isn't extremely guilty as that," said Huo in disbelief.
"Believe me, the Indians don't usually perform this often and are very strict for this trial." stated Prince Henry.
"So what happens on the seventh day like tonight?" asked Wēi since they've been prisoners for a week now.
"On the seventh, the Indians gather all their citizens around the main fire. They pray for wisdom and justice to it and spirits would come out of the fire. All will breathe it in and those who believe the accuser is guilty will sleep. The rest who don't will have to leave the camp and be excommunicated for a month. If there's more who believe the accuser isn't guilty, then the accuser will leave the camp and be excommunicated for three months if he survives that long." explained Prince Henry.
"You mean there's a chance he'll die?" questioned Alice.
"From what I've heard, it could very well happen," replied Prince Henry and the group went silent.
"Did you find anything?" Mentor Altaïr asked Pablo who was feeling through the thick cloth floor for anything sharp. The tent was covered in thick cloth that couldn't be ripped with bare hands.
"No mentor, when they placed this tent down, they really made sure there wasn't anything in the soil." sighed Pablo as he stood up.
"Then it's good that tonight could be our last night." stated Chief Odin who overheard the Assassins.
"For you, Chief Odin, King Alexios, General Alice, Prince Henry and Princess Xing, and the Assassins, but for the rest of us, I don't think we'll be able to leave until we are all trial." said Huo. He then walked over to Wēi and whispered, "My son would definitely make sure we can never escape or plan an uprising to retake the Ninja Empire."
"You're saying he's going to kill us after Zhōng?" questioned Wēi, she saw the Lone Bandit nodding his head.
The tent door suddenly ripped open and two Indian guards entered. "Our chief and Emperor Zhēngfú have agreed to allow one of you to see the Risen King before the trial begins." one of them stated.
"How much time do we have to decide?" asked Huo.
"Only one can see him now," stated the second guard.
With no time left, Huo looked around at the members in the tent. Tony, Pablo and Alice he noticed were the closest to Zhōng but it was recent that they were as closed. He turned to look at Princess Xing and Hannah since they were his sisters, but he only knew Hannah since they fled from the Ninja Empire almost two years ago. Princess Xing, however, while she was with him her entire life, he had the feeling Zhōng wouldn't want her to see him in whatever state he was in. That only left one person as he looked at Zhen who was shocked to see him looking at her. "You are the only one that he made sure to protect from anything. Perhaps you should go see your guardian warrior." he said to her.
Zhen looked around and saw everyone nodding in agreement including her mother. She turned to the guards and approached them. She trembled as she didn't know how bad the Risen King looked as they escorted her out. Little did she know, this was the beginning of her anxiety.
The Indians danced and made faces at her, they spoke in a dialect that Zhen couldn't understand. However, after hearing them speak the same words, she believed they were describing her dress. It was from the Indian Empire as her top wrapped around her chest and her skirt was short and tight. She wore nothing else as her Vow Seal peaked over the waist. The guards suddenly stopped and she turned head to see why. In front of her was Lord Zào however the lord had a spear piercing through his body and his detached head as it dripped out blood and something else.
"The Indians don't take it kindly with foreigners sleeping with their own." began Lord Sensou as he approached behind Zhen. "It hadn't been an hour since he left you that began to drool at other women. A couple days later he was discovered sleeping with a married woman. He tried to get out of punishment but my emperor let them have him. Every man in this camp got a chance to give Lord Zào the same pleasure he gave to every girl he slept with before they killed him."
"How could you?" asked Zhen as she turned to face Lord Sensou. "My lord, cousin, why do this? My mother made you have control of the most powerful fiefdom in the Ninja Empire, why choose them over family?"
"The Border Fiefdom had one rule, 'kill or be killed'. When Emperor Zhēngfú came to my fiefdom, he spoke and influenced my men and the people I have to govern. I didn't want to die as a martyr for your mother, I believed she shouldn't have rebelled in the first place. Because of her, she pushed the Ninja Empire into a debt that I was forced to pay. It wasn't I who betrayed the family, your mother did when she wouldn't allow relief." explained Lord Sensou.
"But even as the lord of the Border Fiefdom who pledged to fight for Zhōng, you sided with his brother and became a traitor to both the Old and the New." argued Zhen. Her red eyes suddenly flared like Zhōng's as the hurricane in them spinned faster.
Lord Sensou stepped back from Zhen's glare, never expecting his cousin to become so strong after being tortured at the end of the Eight-Year War. "That depends how you look at it, anyone that wasn't for the Old is the traitor. You, your mother, and Zhōng are all traitors for turning your back and fighting against us." growled Lord Sensou, matching Zhen's intensity. She didn't back down and stared harder at him. "Take her to see him now, it's time she sees what a traitor looks like." he ordered at the guards. They nodded and pulled Zhen away from him and towards a tent as a bonfire began to grow bigger.
Zhen's heart pounded louder than the drums outside as she went inside the tent they kept Zhōng. She entered a small room dimly lit as the guards shut the entrance and opened another one that went deeper inside. It was dark on the other side and a guard handed her a candle before pushing her in and shutting the slit. She held the candle out to see into the dark abyss when she heard a faint groan. Slowly, she followed the sound towards the center of the tent. Her candle soon caught something reflecting back and she saw a body. She suddenly staggered back and gasped at what she saw.
Zhōng's body leaned on the center pole of the tent, his hands and feet weren't bound as his Valtryek sword and Ninja Sword were wrapped in his left arm. His hair was dirty and his face carried bruises as he tried to open his eyes. His clothes were ripped and soaked in blood that slowly leaked out from spots that carried scars. "I never expected my father to let you come," he croaked before gasping and coughing blood.
Zhen looked around and saw a basin of water and sheets of cloth nearby in the dark. She drenched the sheets into the bowl and brought it to Zhōng. She took one cloth out and pressed it at his left shoulder. She saw his face clenched as the pain overwhelmed his senses where Tony shot him long ago. The hole that she pressed against was the smallest compared to the others. She grabbed another wet cloth and tied it to his left leg. She could tell it was bigger and deeper. She then moved her attention to his torso which had the two biggest holes pierced as blood pooled on his exposed organs and left a stream down his sides.
Zhen moved to touch Zhōng's waist before his hand grabbed hers and she looked into his blue, painful, determined eyes. "It may be too late for me," he croaked.
"No, it isn't, not yet," stated Zhen, she freed her hand with ease as Zhōng's hand collapsed and his swords clattered to the ground. She then saw the Ninja Sword's blade peek out of its sheath. The black glossy blade had silver with a purple highlight running across. She had seen him wield it many times but it was the first time she saw it still and calm.
"The clock is close, I can feel it and this time I won't be coming back." croaked Zhōng, snapping Zhen's attention.
"Don't say that, you're going to make it," argued Zhen. She then grabbed his weapons and wrapped them back into his arm again.
"Princess," called Zhōng as Zhen stopped to look. Her face went pale as looking back at her were calm and peaceful blue eyes and smiled perhaps the biggest she has seen from him in over a decade. "I've laid down a path you must walk, I can't protect you or guide you anymore. It's time you build your own path without me. Promise me, you'll fight with the strong to protect the weak, you'll join the caller, and you'll be more honorable and loyal to the Ninja Empire than I ever was." he croaked.
"Zhōng, I can't," confessed Zhen as she shook her head. Tears began to flow from her eyes as she realized that his death was near.
"Promise me," requested Zhōng.
Zhen couldn't answer and went towards the slit she entered. "Guards! Let me out!" she cried.
"Promise me," groaned Zhōng as the guards opened up the slit to let Zhen out. She turned to look at him as tears flowed freely from her face when she looked back at the peaceful man. "Promise me," he muttered before tilting his head to the side as the slit closed and he was back in the dark.
Zhen returned to the tent she was in before seeing Zhōng, the guards tied her arms behind a pole and forced her to sit. As tears still flowed from her eyes, she noticed the others were tied like her as they stared out to see the Indians dancing at the bonfire. "He's that badly damaged, isn't he?" said Huo, he then watched as Zhen nodded her head before lowering it to the ground.
The drums beat faster as Chief Pontiac, chief of the Indian Empire, rose from where he sat near the fire. The Indians cried and cheered for their chief and the prosecution tent opened revealing the darkness inside. His hands went up and everyone went silent and stopped beating the drums. "Tonight is the final night of the blood trial. Tonight, our ancestors and our thoughts will decide if the Ninja on trial is innocent or not." he declared. A drummer began shouting a chant and beat his drum loudly and slowly as the Indians bowed at the fire and repeated the chant. The chief then turned to look at Emperor Zhēngfú who sat near him, he noticed the emperor was curious as to what will happen next. "Did you finish your investigation, Emperor Zhēngfú?" he asked.
"Every scar I pierced opened except for the one on his skull, I and my men are too afraid to touch his head." said Emperor Zhēngfú.
"A strong king isn't afraid of anyone who dares to challenge him. Although you were really thorough with his other ones." said Chief Pontiac as he sat back down. He was aware of Zhōng's condition and witnessed some of the torment done to him.
"My chief, we're ready for your word." stated an Indian. Chief Pontiac spoke in their language to begin, the Indian then went to the prosecution tent. He disappeared in the dark and reappeared with a jar and approached the bonfire as the drum beat rapidly quickened.
"With that jar, the fate of the Risen King will be decided." stated Prince Henry. The others watched with curiosity, however, Zhen kept her head lower and shut her eyes. Her heart was beating with the drum and quicken when the tempo did.
The Indian raised the jar over his head and turned to look at his chief who nodded for him to continue. He then spoke in his native language and heaved the jar into the fire. The flames suddenly went out and a mist engulfed the camp. The winds hollowed as everyone breathed in the fine mist and bowed towards the extinguish fire.
The mist entered the tent where the others were tied in, they breathed in the mist but didn't fall asleep. "Is everyone alright?" asked Huo.
"That mist is strong," complained Hannah.
"Everyone is awake, right?" asked King Alexios.
"Zhen? Zhen are you awake?" asked Wēi, the others turned and saw Zhen still had her head lower.
"Yes, I'm still awake," replied Zhen as she brought her head up and opened her eyes. She stared outside and saw nothing but the thick mist before sensing movement approaching them.
"Mentor, company is approaching us," whispered Pablo, confirming Zhen's senses.
"I see and they're bringing weapons," said Mentor Altaïr. Four Indians entered the tent wielding knives as they looked at the twelve tied to the poles.
One of the Indians single the others and they went behind Huo, Hannah, Prince Henry and Princess Xing first. "Sorry about this," the Indian spoke as he cut Prince Henry free and the others followed his action.
"Don't be, I knew this was a trick." said Prince Henry, he rubbed his wrists and stood up. He then helped Princess Xing up as she rubbed her wrist. "Xing, this is Prince Powhatan, son of Chief Pontiac, my closest and best friend," he introduced.
"Apologies for not coming to your wedding, I must say congratulations and nice to meet you, your majesty." greeted Prince Powhatan.
"Prince Henry, what do you mean you knew this was a trick?" asked Chief Odin as the other Indians freed the rest from their bindings.
"The blood trial is sacred judgment that we never show to anyone that isn't our own." explained Prince Powhatan.
"What I've told you about the trial is all I know about it, there's more than seven days of spilling blood and the mist." said Prince Henry.
"But if this was a trick, would Emperor Zhēngfú be awake as well?" asked Alice.
"The emperor is asleep along with his companions," replied Prince Powhatan.
"How? This isn't sleeping gas otherwise we'll all be asleep," stated Tony.
"We've been burning fumes in your candles every day of your stay, your body has become accustomed and immuned to the toxics," said Prince Powhatan.
"That explains why I felt like I've gone into deeper sleeps in the past week." analyzed Pablo.
"Come, we don't have much time," said Prince Powhatan, he led them out of the tent and north of the camp where Chief Pontaic waited for them with a horse and cart and someone else.
"King Alexios, I apologize for greeting you so late," stated Chief Pontiac as he bowed to the Spartan king.
"Don't be, your son had explained to us that this was a trick to begin with." said King Alexios as he bowed to the Indian chief.
"If I knew they were going to abuse the Risen King as they did, I would never have offered the blood trial to Emperor Zhēngfú." sighed Chief Pontiac.
"Where's my son?" asked Huo, he suddenly became more worried.
"Behind you, Mr. Huo," said Chief Pontiac. The group turned around and saw two Indian soldiers dragging Zhōng's unconscious body.
"Oh my gosh," gasped Wēi, covering her mouth as they saw a few wounds drenching the Risen King's clothes.
"Brother," whimpered Princess Xing and Hannah as the soldiers dragged the body past them and into the cart.
"You let them do this?" growled Tony, he wasn't the only one upset by Zhōng's condition.
"I've already decided before Emperor Zhēngfú came here to follow the Risen King. However, I couldn't just declare it without seeing him first. The emperor is quite knowledgeable and resourceful of our culture. He claimed that Zhōng was able to blind King James, but I knew that's impossible to do." explained Chief Pontiac.
"How so?" asked Alice.
"Because King James requested I put a spell on him before the Risen King came to see him. His trial against the king was my trial for him as well." replied Chief Pontiac.
"However, you couldn't make it to be the same trial. So you made a different one and that's why you agree with the blood trial." concluded Mentor Altaïr, the Indian chief nodded and bowed at him in respect.
"Now you must hurry as we flee southeast, you must make distance to the Egyptian Empire before they wake up. This is Doctor Eastman, he's our best doctor so he'll mend Zhōng as best as he can." said Chief Pontiac as he introduced the doctor standing by him.
"How far would you say to travel?" asked Huo.
"Till sunrise then rest tomorrow and don't move on till the next day. Travel in the day till you reach the Egyptian Empire then travel at night when the air is colder. You'll find your weapons and clothes at the front of the cart." instructed Chief Pontiac, he gave a map to Grand Mentor Altaïr who then gave it to Pablo.
"Thank you, Chief Pontiac," thanked King Alexios with a bow at the chief. The group went to the cart as Doctor Eastman climbed in the back where Zhōng was loaded and began to work.
"You want to scout ahead, Tony?" asked Pablo as the men armed themselves with their personal weapons.
"I'm sure Alice would like to show off what she knows," said Tony as he inspected his crossbow.
"Can I take far scout?" asked Zhen, she surprised the two men when they turned around and saw her.
"Your majesty, you shouldn't be that far away alone from the rest of us," advised Tony.
"Was that your answer to Zhōng every time when he took it?" questioned Zhen. Tony shook his head, in truth, Zhōng always led when they were in the Ninja Empire. Seeing he wouldn't argue, she grabbed her gear and the map from Pablo, he also didn't argue against her. "Also, don't call me that anymore, Poisoner," she stated before going ahead. The rest got ready and they departed the Indian camp which was being torn down to move.
After traveling throughout the night, the group stopped to rest upon Chief Pontiac instructions when the sun rose. Doctor Eastman was working in the back of the cart on Zhōng's wounds. He carefully stitched his left thigh and was finishing wrapping his right shoulder when Huo and Wēi approached him. "How is he?" asked Huo.
"His less threatening injuries are taken care of, however, his stomach would be a challenge." sighed Doctor Eastman.
"How so?" asked Wēi when Tony, Alice and Pablo joined them.
"His stomach was pierced on both sides, the bandages are stopping the bleeding but if I remove them to work on one, he'll lose too much blood for me to work on the other." replied Doctor Eastman when Chief Odin, King Alexios, Grand Mentor Altaïr, Prince Henry, Princess Xing and Hannah joined them as well.
"Tony, you have a poison that can make a heart stop or be very slow as if it was dead," suggested Alice.
"How much blood does Zhōng have left?" Tony asked the doctor, he pondered if it could work.
"Not much, unfortunately, he's fortunate to stay alive this long." replied Doctor Eastman.
The others saw Tony sighed and shook his head destroying their hopes. "Death for a Day while it can be used to cure the impossible wounds, if the patient has lost too much blood then it would kill them for good." he said. Zhōng suddenly groaned, his eyes were shut tight as he tossed his head and gritted his teeth in pain.
"Perhaps you should use it to silence his pain," suggested Hannah.
"He wouldn't want me to if I did," said Tony and he lowered his head.
Huo looked around and noticed that Zhen wasn't nearby. "Perhaps we should tell her," he whispered to Wēi who nodded in agreement.
Zhen was sitting nearby a lake with a small waterfall filling it. She was scanning the scenery for any followers however she only noticed the wildlife. The birds were together chirping in a song as deers drank together from the lake. She can see how much they enjoyed the other one's company and she realized she was the only one alone. She clung her knees tighter as she could only think about last night when she saw Zhōng defeated. She suddenly sensed she wasn't alone and turned around quickly to see Huo standing behind her.
"You're keeping a distance, your majesty," said Huo as he sat next to her.
"I have nothing to say to you," stated Zhen and returned watching the lake.
"Really? Can you tell me what Zhōng told you last night?" asked Huo.
"It has nothing to do with you," growled Zhen.
"Should I remind you my name is with Zhōng's on your seal?" questioned Huo.
Zhen suddenly stood up and glared at Huo. "My seal is a curse, if it weren't for this, I wouldn't have been broken when my mother found me. If it weren't for this, my relationship with Zhōng wouldn't be distant. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have ever hated Zhōng. But because you kidnapped me and lied to me, you ruined my opinion about him that when I met him again, I couldn't believe the truth." she listed.
"Yet it was mended till now, so why are you being distant?" asked Huo.
"I never truly knew him, I never saw his relaxed self. He was also strict and stern with me, I never saw the way he treats Tony, Pablo and Alice. The Zhōng I knew was the Zhōng who never took off his mask." said Zhen, she calmed down and sat back down.
"How do you know that version of Zhōng is his mask one?" asked Wēi as she joined them.
"Mother," greeted Zhen as Wēi sat on her other side.
"I remember asking Lord Tyron about him even when he hid his name. The Zhōng he saw was one that didn't like to sit around and joke. He was one that simply worked hard every day and night. He kept his ears open and his eyes focused, it was as if he was worried about someone else then his life. At first, I thought he was protecting his sister but now I see he was protecting you." continued Wēi.
"Then why doesn't he smile at them but not at me? Why do I feel so distant from him then they are?" complained Zhen.
"Why give you false assurance?" asked Huo. Zhen turned and was puzzled by his question. "When children are scared during a traumatic event, their parents would comfort them even if there's no hope. Zhōng simply won't lie to you but wouldn't want his friends to worry about him. He has lied to you long enough and he won't do it again."
"Zhen," spoke Wēi, softly. Zhen turned to look at her mother who was shaking her fist in fear. "You said your Vow Seal is a curse but instead it's the opposite. You said you vow never to protect Zhōng, but Zhōng told me if he was emperor, he would have you be one of his personal guards."
"The Vow Seal is a sworn promise to serve whoever name is written. If the name chooses a service later, then any vow that can contradict it will be abolished. Zhōng never decided who you'll be till much later after you said you won't protect him. As a bodyguard, you are sworn to protect him from his enemies, the seal takes over your vow to me." said Huo.
"So I could've protected Zhōng?" asked Zhen. She looked at her mother who nodded and smiled back at her. "All this time, I thought I couldn't take it back but Zhōng knew I could have."
"Zhōng knows you'll always chase him, he wouldn't want you to risk your life for him. This is the reason why I think he never told you." said Huo.
"It's not his decision to decide, it should be mine." argued Zhen.
"Then what are you waiting for?" asked Huo.
"You should be by his side in his dying moments," stated Wēi, she had a tear roll down her face. Zhen turned to look at Huo who had his fist shaking and eyes began to water, she suddenly realized that they couldn't save Zhōng.
Doctor Eastman, Tony and Pablo were unwrapping the bloody bandages around Zhōng's torso. The two gaping holes were drenched in blood slowly leaking out and pooling inside. The two friends and the doctor looked at each other and shook their heads in failure. "Is it possible?" asked Alice when Zhen, Huo and Wēi returned back to the cart.
"Even if we work fast, he'll be gone before we get to halfway," stated Doctor Eastman.
"If we give him pain killers, it could just kill him as easily as Death for a Day," sighed Pablo in frustration.
"This can't be the end," stated Hannah.
"Unfortunately, it is, Zhōng may have survived this long with these wounds but both pierced at the same time is too much for him." said Tony.
"What if we go back in time and warn him what's going to happen to him?" suggested Princess Xing.
"And how far back should we warn him? We could go back before he was pierced and warned him. However, it could change history and I know he wouldn't want to do it unless there's no other choice." stated Huo.
"So he's willing to die like this, you think?" questioned Alice.
"We're all responsible for this, I was up with Zhōng when they ambushed us. If I was more aware, he wouldn't be like this." confessed King Alexios.
"I shouldn't have never helped the Old to rise from the ashes, otherwise none of this wouldn't happen." stated Tony.
"If we're going to talk about screw ups, then I'm the worst of you all. If I was coroperable, not so many would die and he'll be emperor instead." stated Wēi, surprising everyone. She turned to look at Huo who was the most shocked. "Children may not be responsible for their parents' actions, but they carry the scars of trying to fix them. Zhōng has two scars that are impossible to heal because of us."
"They're like the one on his forehead, they'll be sacred and remembered." sighed Huo. "Give him peace, Tony, he deserves the rest." he ordered. He watched as Tony nodded and opened a vial of Death for a Day. Before he dropped the contents into Zhōng's mouth, a shiver rushed through his spine and everyone else's. They turned around and saw someone approaching them.
"Sacred? Yes, Lone Bandit, but one won't be remembered because it'll never exist," said the Vow Keeper. He approached the cart and placed a hand on Zhōng's left side wound. They watched as Zhōng gritted his teeth when the wound stitched itself back together. When the Vow Keeper removed his hand, there was no scar as if it never existed. "I couldn't see why the Ninja Mech allowed you to activate against me. Only now I understood that you were trying to protect your empire from having another war. That scar was sacred and should never be pride opened. Because it was, it is no longer worthy to be a reminder to you." said the Vow Keeper and began walking away. Everyone watched in shock as he slowly walked away.
"Wait," croaked Zhōng and everyone turned back around to see him leaning up and gasping for air. He clutched his stomach and loosely gripped the pommel of the Ninja Sword. "I swore I'll finish that duel when we meet again."
The Vow Keeper turned around and saw the determination and courage in the Risen King's eyes. Though fatally wounded, he was sure to finish what they started. "It won't be fair for you, you're barely alive, your majesty. Rest and allow your wounds to heal, I promise the next time we'll finish it." said the Vow Keeper. A mist suddenly arose around him and he disappeared.
"Even though my brother and son spoke seeing him, I did not fully believe them till now," stated Huo as his eyes were still shocked.
A loud clatter of a sword fell and everyone turned around to see Zhōng gasping for air as he laid back down. "I don't have much time, I need all of you to leave me alone while I work." declared Doctor Eastman. Tony and Pablo quickly jumped out of the cart and the doctor closed the canopy they were under. Everyone went silent as they couldn't see nor hear anything from inside the cart.
Days passed when the doctor worked on Zhōng as they continued heading towards the Egyptian Empire. The cart still covered the Risen King's unconscious body as he groaned in pain and stiffness. When the group made camp to rest for the day, Zhen took her first watch by sitting by the back cart wheel. As she sat there, she remembered the times when Zhōng sat by the back wheel of her royal carriage. His face was always searching for danger and his body tensed to move if needed. She sighed as she remembered the memory of when he protected her.
"Thinking about him?" asked someone. Zhen looked up to see Alice smiling down at her as she pulled out a battle axe. "Mind if I join you?"
"Go ahead," agreed Zhen, she saw Alice nodded and collapsed by her.
"Sometimes I wish I'm shorter like you, your majesty. Being tall may be great but I feel like I'm falling forever when I sit on the ground." joked Alice, she turned and saw Zhen smirking.
"It might be your diet and exercise. I remember teaching Zhōng to maintain a better one but he seems fine with barely anything. I have no idea where he gets his energy from," said Zhen.
"I think I told him something similar, but his conditions were worse before he reunited with you," reminisced Alice and the two women giggled from their memories.
"I'm sure he taught you something I was taught as well," stated Zhen after they calmed down.
"He taught me how to run and disappeared into a crowd as well, I was nicknamed the Ghostly Axe in the Viking Empire." stated Alice.
"The Ghostly Axe?" chuckled Zhen as she looked at Alice.
"Well it's better than your blackmarket codename, the Phoenix, really?" stated Alice as she looked back at Zhen.
"It wasn't my call completely, I wanted something that signifies glory and beauty. Lord Tyron suggested a bird since he saw me watching some in the palace." explained Zhen.
"Very well, what else has Zhōng taught you?" asked Alice.
"Nothing important, but I noticed how much he trusts someone." replied Zhen.
"Really? He was always friendly but careful, I never saw him measure how much trust he should give." said Alice.
"When I first met him, I remember him being so friendly. He invited me to play a game he played with Princess Xing."
"It's sad that the Zhōng we met so long ago isn't the same Zhōng now." sighed Alice.
"But you still care for him, right?" asked Zhen, she then saw Alice lowered head and frowned.
"The Zhōng I met was the Zhōng I loved. When he sold me, I hated him for what he did to me. That night was the last time I saw the one I had feelings for. Everytime I see him, all I see is scars and guilt on his face, he covers them with his bravery and determination but it's just a mask. I can see how his life shattered and he reshaped himself, his failures stack too high for him to bare alone anymore." replied Alice.
"But I know he loves you, he never mentions your name but I can see he cares deeply about you." said Zhen.
"That's funny because he always mentioned yours and described you. He never buried your name like he did with mine when I was with him. I thought it was sweet and I could see that though he liked you, he knew his limits and let you go for me." chuckled Alice.
"So why not love him?" asked Zhen.
"Because I'm out of his reach now and there's someone I care deeply about." began Alice. Zhen looked around and saw Chief Odin asking Wēi, King Alexios and Mentor Altaïr questions about deciding judgment. She looked back at Alice and saw her smile in guilt, exposing the truth. "Besides, I didn't see his evolution like you did. And even though he's changed so much since he was a boy, you still care deeply for him." she stated.
Zhen's heart skipped a beat from Alice's final words, she looked down and hugged her knees tighter. "I might have," she stated, hiding her reddened face.
Alice smirked and continued, "I wouldn't be able to recognize him after he changed so much. It's because of this reason I let him go but you were able to be with him. From friend to enemy to ally to friend again, you've seen what he's capable of doing, you've witnessed the rebirth of him countless times. The enemies he's faced were enemies that you watched him destroy, but I couldn't see him doing that at all. The kind, gentle boy that was surviving on scraps I met so long ago dreamed of being violent if I didn't change his mind. I saved him but destiny refused to change and I was punished for it."
"Even I sometimes find it hard to believe he was once kind and gentle," sighed Zhen.
"Perhaps it's your turn to save him," suggested Alice.
"I already have and it almost cost me losing him forever," said Zhen.
"Not physically, mentally," began Alice, she saw the former princess looking at her confused. "All Zhōng thinks about is he's alone, there's no one who's experienced what he went through nor does he want one to. But you've seen the real him, his true self, his heart I know still wants you."
"But will he give me his?" asked Zhen.
"You don't see it, he already has and more for you. It's now time you give something back," stated Alice.
Later that night, Zhen crept inside the cart. She saw Zhōng was still groaning but was shivering since he had no blanket for fear his wounds would bleed again and soak it. She removed her shirt and pressed bared chest on his back before covering themselves with a blanket. "I'll give you my warmth for tonight," she whispered. She then traced her finger on Zhōng's bandaged upper right arm. An arrow flew across the arm a long time ago as she remembered the ambush that happened. She then remembered the journeys she had with him as the Fallen Prince, the Shadow, and the Dual Bladed Ninja. She then remembered one more when he was a prince a long time ago as she drifted to sleep.
Years ago before the Eight-Year War, Lady Wēi was traveling with her father and her daughter to the Old Mansion in the Zhēn Lǐ Fiefdom. The mansion at the time was one of many vacation homes for Emperor Huo and his family. When Lady Wēi's carriage stopped in the courtyard, her family got out and bowed to Emperor Huo and his father, the former wielder of the Ninja Sword, Former Emperor Riku.
"Lady Wēi, welcome to the Old Mansion, I'm surprised to see you." greeted Emperor Huo.
"You shouldn't be, your majesty, you were the one that invited me." stated Lady Wēi with another bow. She then stared into the emperor's eyes with hatred, since their ancestors, the two families almost never saw eye to eye.
"I believe you've mistaken my penship, my lady," argued Emperor Huo, gritting his teeth for the last part.
"Come, come, my son, whether you invited them or not, we should at least show some hospitality." advised Former Emperor Riku, he then coughed a little as death was slowly counting down.
"His majesty is right, and as for you, my daughter, we will accept without question." stated Lady Wēi's father. He then coughed heavier as death was closer.
"Lord Kei, are you alright?" asked Former Emperor Riku.
"Nothing to worry about, your majesty," assured Lord Kei.
"Well I suppose I'll allow you to stay for a couple of days so your men and horses can rest before returning back to the Fùchóu Fiefdom." accepted Emperor Huo.
"Very well," sighed Lady Wēi.
Emperor Huo then turned to look at his sons and daughter, he noticed Lady Wēi brought her only offspring with her. "Lady Wēi, of course you'll remember but may I introduce to your daughter my sons, Prince Zhēngfú and Prince Zhōng, and my daughter, Princess Xing." he introduced.
Lady Wēi looked at the emperor's children, Prince Zhēngfú sneered at her like his father. She noticed Prince Zhōng, though only five years old, was busy keeping his younger sister still while trying to look polite. "This is my daughter, your majesty, Lady Zhen." she introduce.
Lady Zhen looked up at her mother who was glaring at the emperor. She was five years old and didn't understand their family's ancestory yet. She then looked at the princes and princesses in front of her and was too shy to be in front of them.
Emperor Huo turned to look at his younger son as he was trying to pay attention while his three year old sister was trying to get his full attention. "Zhōng, why don't you show Lady Zhen around since she is your age?" suggested Emperor Huo.
"Very well, father," acknowledge Prince Zhōng. He then approached Lady Zhen with Princess Xing following behind him. Lady Zhen became nervous since she never met someone her age before and was scared of the prince. With stretched out hand, Prince Zhōng asked, "Would you like to explore with me and my sister, my lady?"
Lady Zhen hesitated for a moment but after seeing the young prince's smile, she accepted it and they went to the gardens. The gardens were beautiful as Lady Zhen could see thousands of healthy flowers blooming. They were colorful and unique as she had never seen so many different kinds before. "They're beautiful," she exclaimed.
"My mother helped plant some of these, I barely remember her but the parts I do is her planting flowers with a smile." stated Prince Zhōng.
"I never knew my father, he died from a hunting accident around when I was born." stated Lady Zhen.
"I'm sure they're smiling down at us," said Prince Zhōng.
"How do you know?" asked Lady Zhen.
"I don't, I just have a feeling," replied Prince Zhōng, he then looked up into the sky and smiled.
"Tag!" shouted Princess Xing as she tagged Prince Zhōng and started running away.
Prince Zhōng chuckled, causing Lady Zhen to be confused. "My lady, do you like to play games?" he asked.
"I never have," replied Lady Zhen.
"This game you have to run away from someone who's the tagger. But remember to go easy on my sister." explained Prince Zhōng. He then suddenly tagged Lady Zhen as she processed the object of the game. "You're it, come get us." he stated before taking off.
Lady Zhen laughed and chased after the two young royals. The tagger rotated between the three of them as they ran throughout the garden. When Lady Zhen was it again, she decided to chase after Prince Zhōng. As she chased him, she noticed he was getting further but also getting older. His clothes changed from the time he was prince to a criminal with a cloak. She was no longer chasing him for a game but to catch up with him. She saw his clothes changed more and his weapons' positions changed and evolved as she heard people shouting names he was once called.
Suddenly Zhōng stopped and Zhen halted a little further back. She waited patiently as his back was to her with a katana strap to it. He turned around and Zhen saw Zhōng's cloak was barely opened and underneath was his blood soaking his clothes. He looked like the Zhōng she saw the night when he was close to dying. "Wake up," his voice rang but his mouth didn't move. She suddenly saw missiles flying towards Zhōng as he didn't move away. She reached out but was too late as they exploded around Zhōng.
Zhen suddenly woke up, she was wrapped in the blanket alone in the cart. She looked around and saw Zhōng was gone as well as the Ninja Sword. She quickly threw her shirt back on and left the cart to find Zhōng.
Zhōng was away from the camp standing in a field by himself. He swung the Ninja Sword above his head with both hands. His body spiked with pain as he gritted his teeth, his hands were trembling as they gripped the blade that shaked with every swing. He groaned and after a few more swings, he decided to try one-handed. After one swing, his body immediately spiked with pain that he dropped the Ninja Sword and gripped his right stomach and right arm. He gasped for air, heaving audibly from the pain of his recently opened scars. After calming he checked to make sure the stitches didn't open from his wounds.
"You should be resting," stated a voice. Zhōng looked up to see Zhen looking at him with a worried look.
"I don't have the luxury to rest, princess," grunted Zhōng as he struggled to retrieve and gripped the Ninja Sword.
"Those wounds are deep, and you lost a lot of blood for a week and while the doctor stitched you up. You should reserve all the strength you have left." advised Zhen.
"I'll be fine, I am familiar with pain." stated Zhōng. He tried swinging the Ninja Sword again but didn't have the strength to lift it up over his head.
"You sure that's pain and not death?" asked Zhen. Zhōng hesitated while trying to catch his breath. He looked away from Zhen and tried swinging the Ninja Sword again. "You've flirted with the line so many times, when will you stop and rest from the stress you put yourself through?"
Zhōng gave up swinging and looked at the former princess, he could see she was serious and determined as her red eyes stared into his eyes. "I can't do that, everytime I do, something terrible happens and a chain reaction occurs. Like dominos if I'm not careful, one can fall and the rest will follow. I let my guard around Tony and it led to the fall of the Ninja Black Market. I was sure that my warnings and my decision would stop the war that made you lose the empire. I let myself stressed on beating my brother that it almost cost our lives. I can't focus directly on one thing, leave a job unfinished and enjoy life knowing that someone could pay with its life. My brother is cunning and he knows I'm at my limit." he said.
"Then what if you let someone help you?" suggested Zhen.
Zhōng shook his head and said, "I never had help, I was trained to be on my own. The shadows don't take kindly if you're with someone, they'll will used them as a weakness. For years I thought I knew friendship but where are the friends you need when in aid? You are considered a traitor in the Old's eyes, Pablo is an enemy from the Assassin Empire, Tony is a criminal that knows your worth and measures it against the risk, and Alice I sold her away and now she and I have changed. I'm simply alone fighting for a war I didn't want, a war that could have been avoided if I worked harder and be wiser."
"You can't change the past, I would definitely do it if I could. However, what would happen to the lesson that we learned through the pain? I may be a traitor, but I am your indentured servant and before any of that, I was your friend. And so was Pablo, Tony and Alice, you cared for all of them before their deeds happened." said Zhen as she drew closer to Zhōng.
"But my heart is wounded even after I made up with them, it still hurts," whimpered Zhōng.
"That's because you have yet to make up with me, and I have yet to give you mine." stated Zhen, she slowly wrapped her arms around Zhōng's bandaged torso.
"Princess," began Zhōng, he turned and looked at Zhen just when she reached up and kissed him. His eyes suddenly widen as their lips press harder together. He looked at Zhen who had her eyes closed while kissing him. She soon let go and opened her eyes which twinkled at him.
"It's Zhen, your majesty, your first friend and your loyal servant," stated Zhen. Zhōng leaned down to kiss her and she accepted it. She wrapped her arms around his neck as they kissed under the full moon.
"Time to get up," stated King Alexios as he woke everyone that was asleep up. "We need to get going and reach the border tonight."
"Has anyone seen Zhen?" asked Wēi as they finished packing, it was the first time it dawned on her that she hadn't seen her daughter yet.
"Has anyone seen the former princess?" asked Hannah as she looked where Zhen might have slept.
"I saw her sitting by the cart yesterday," stated Chief Odin and everyone began to look around.
Huo went to the cart and noticed the slip to go inside was cracked open. Though he was sure he was the last one to go in and closed it last night, he peeked inside and saw by one of the side boards three katanas stacked on each other. He smiled and said, "Let's get moving."
"Not without my daughter," stated Wēi as Huo approached her.
"It's alright, I've found her," assured Huo.
Wēi looked over his shoulder at the cart and saw Huo had a grin on his face. "Let me see, I must make sure." she declared.
"Let's not wake them, besides, she's right where she's supposed to be," advised Huo.
The cart began to move as Zhen and Zhōng laid in the cart awake from the sudden alarm. They were facing each other and smiled knowing they wouldn't be disturbed. "I should perhaps get out and help with traveling," stated Zhen.
"Stay for a couple more hours, I feel relaxed with you near me," stated Zhōng, he closed his eyes and smiled again.