Chapter 232

Chapter 232

Brought away by Jianghongs guardsmen, Gen sat at the window staring out into the market at Beis corpse. Her crystalline skin glimmered in the sunlight, illuminating her empty, ruined husk. Her broken jaw hung half-open as unseeing eyes returned his stare, and Gen felt... Nothing. Only a hollow, emptiness remained within, a void left by her absence and accompanied by a distinct, uncomfortable sense of loneliness. He never noticed it before but Bei was a part of him, connected through unseen fetters, a bond which transcended time and space.

The Spirits remained curiously muted as he shut himself away. There were no tears to be shed, no pain to embrace, no misery or anguish to be found within, not even the Spirits whispers to prompt him to action. In utter stillness, he sat in the vacant vacuum of his soul, asking questions and finding no answers, searching for something he couldnt name. It was missing, but what it was he couldnt say, only that it had to do with Bei's absence.

With the void closing in on him, he pushed back upon it, reminiscing of better times. His lovely Bei, laid out upon their marriage bed, her tear-stained eyes silently pleading for mercy as the red-hot poker descended, such a beautiful memory engraved within his mind. The silly girl thrashed and cried, inciting his lust for more. After a single, wondrous day of passion, she belonged to him in mind, body, and soul, her compliance given, her will bound, their lives inextricably linked as husband and wife. Guardian, servant, and wife, hed moulded her into his ideal woman, beautiful and strong, obedient and dutiful.

And now she was gone, with only his memories to sustain him.

Another woman stolen away by Falling Rain.

The statement echoed through the void and shattered his apathy, his every thought consumed by vengeance and retribution. Returning to reality, he searched through the crowd, hoping to spot his most hated foe. Instead, he was greeted by a scene of utter chaos and confusion. Butchers fled in droves as the defenders of Sanshu cut them down, Yo Ling nowhere to be seen. The Transcendents corpses sat in the streets, easily visible from his perch above as the tide of warriors streamed around them. Raging at Heavens injustice, he cursed the Emperor, the Bekhai, Sanshus defenders, but most of all, Gen cursed Yo Ling. For all his speeches of grandeur and victory, the old bastard was nothing but a fraud, a liar and a failure like Gens father had been.

The Spirits voices rose in a clamour, demanding surrender and resignation, and for a brief second, Gen considered succumbing to their will. Why not? What else was left for him? With Yo Ling defeated and Bei dead, how was Gen to escape? Even if he somehow avoided all the soldiers, navigated through the sprawling maze of streets, and made it out the gates, what then? He refused to return to the woods, scavenging for scraps while fleeing from the Mongrel Emperors reach. Better to give into the spirits and taste true power before he died. The world shrank around him and Gen saw Bei once more, waiting for him in his dreams.

And only in his dreams.

Ignoring the Spirits demands, Gen snarled and gathered the Worlds Energy, revelling in the power within. He was no longer the worthless, snivelling hunter who would have long since given up. He was a warrior, and if he died, then he would die fighting. Moving away from the window, Gen opened the door to find Jianghong and a handful of guards about to enter. His jaw broken and cheek all but gone, Jianghong studied Gens eyes before giving him the briefest of nods. Good, he Sent, striding away with purpose. Youve not succumbed to despair. Come along Gen. Sanshu is lost.

Joining Jianghongs party, he followed them downstairs where the raging battle had yet to spill in, the doors and windows covered and barricaded. Kicking aside a stone statue, Jianghong revealed a hidden cellar hatch, gesturing around before dropping down. Burn it all, he ordered. With a wave of his hand, Gen sent a gout of flame around him, setting fire to the building. The growing blaze filled him with hope and aspiration, defeated but unbroken. He was merely an ember, but even then hed survived through the storm of Sanshu, injuring two elite warriors by himself. With time and practice, he would only grow stronger.

Strong enough to have his vengeance.

Closing the hatch behind him, Gen descended into the darkness and lit a small flame. A smuggler's passage, Jianghong Sent, already well away with lantern in hand. Ive found a number of them during my time as Guard Captain. A handy escape. Following them through the twists and turns of the stony passage, Gen moved towards freedom and his destiny. Though Yo Lings story ended here, Gen would not die with him nor would he give in to the Spirits.

Their underground journey continued for hours before they emerged beneath the night sky. Snuffing out his flame to avoid detection, he glanced around the darkened forest to gather his bearings. The walls of Sanshu were barely in sight, kilometers to the east. Where to now?

North.

The booming word quieted the Spirits chattering, their voices falling silent before the suggestion. No, this was an order, a command given by one who not only demanded subservience, but expected it. Glancing at Jianghong, Gen realized he wasnt the only one who heard it, the older warrior already moving out, his eyes narrowed in caution yet unwilling to disobey. Lacking any better options, Gen followed along, staring up at the night sky.

So beautiful. This was but the first chapter of his new life, a bump in the path towards ultimate supremacy. So what if Bei was gone? Then he would find another wife, a stronger wife, a harem of wives. He would gather entire armies to follow him, Enlightening the masses to the truth. Those who refused to open their eyes would be fuel for the fire, turning this tiny ember into a blazing conflagration, consuming all before it. Though Sanshu stood victorious this day, he would return soon enough, and when he did, Falling Rain, Sumila, the Magistrate, and even the Mongrel Emperor himself would kneel before him.

For he was Gen, the Emissary of Flame, Chosen of the Heavens.

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Still yet to recover from his injuries, Vithar sat back and watched the battle unfold. His southern allies were worse than useless, unskilled in the ways of war. Charging ahead without thought, they ran into the enemys traps and schemes, their tidy ranks defeated by twigs and mud. A good thing hed ordered his tribesmen to keep to the flanks and avoid all-out battle. The plan had been to let this rabble wear away at the enemy first, but they fell so quickly it hardly even mattered. After pretending to battle for the better part of an hour, he gave the order to withdraw and led his riders away, unwilling to throw his warriors away on the whims of an incompetent elderly thief.

Only... Now what? Lacking a Demon to speak for him, the Uniter was voiceless and Vithar without direction. Though this was a land of wealth and abundance, theirs was a tribe of warriors, battle their only purpose. There was no honour in hiding away, and he feared such an existence would render him weak and feeble like the southerners. Better to die fighting, but where was he to find a worthy foe?

North.

The Venerated Ones order echoed through his mind, and Vithar turned without hesitation, leading his riders north while bubbling with anticipation. Though this likely meant a return to hiding once more, at least he was connected to the Uniter. Now there was a commander worthy of respect, a chieftain above all chieftains. An era of bloodshed and prosperity, those were his words, and Vithar was confident the Uniter would deliver.

If not, then Vithar would cut him down and eat his flesh, taking his place as the Uniter.

So its brother now, is it? What happened to martial nephew?

This one wouldnt dare. Rolling his eyes, Fung puts on a pensive frown. About Dastan... Im not convinced hes Defiled. I believe he was duped and it sits poorly with me knowing his fate.

Torture until death. Fun times in Sanshu.

After promising to back him up with the Magistrate, I leave to check on the rest of my retinue and the other Sentinels. Bedridden and immobile, many sport fresh amputations and blood-soaked bandages, sweating with fever as their bodies fight off infection. My pain pills put to good use, Vichears loud snores shake the air around him, his broken ribs and collapsed lung leaving him in bad shape, but in no immediate danger. Beside him are Argot and Jochi, covered head to toe in bandages, but in no danger of death. Most of the wounded already know my Panacea healing method, and the others are being taught through Sending, but even then, its not easy. For many, the road to recovery will be long and arduous, full of pain and suffering before theyre back to full strength.

And to think, theyre the lucky ones.

Fighting back the tears, I swallow the lump in my throat and move on. Leaving the main area, I slip into a private room and sigh, staring at the battered forms of Tenjin and Tursinai. I wish Id seen their epic fight against Yo Ling, or better yet, been able to help. Yea, I could barely scratch his Aura, but things might have gone differently if I wasnt busy napping. I let them both down and it hurts, even if no one else thinks so.

Oh my, has little Rain come to peek? Tursinais playful question interrupts my pity party, shrinking back in mock fear. Well here I am, injured and helpless to resist before the mighty Falling Rain. Do as you please, but I beg you, spare our lives.

Quiet you. Rolling my eyes, I check on Tenjin first, his breathing steady and skin cool. Hes paralyzed, but alive. Id call it a miracle, but it wasnt. The Guard Leader kept him from dying instantly, though she didnt bother to heal him or take out Yo Ling. Whats the point of having so much power if she wont take action? I dont get how she can be so callous to stand by and watch good men and women die.

Is something wrong? Tursinais worried tone brings me back to reality, and I realize Ive been frowning over her grievously-wounded husband.

I can see how she might get the wrong impression. No, sorry, I was lost in thought. Hes fine, no change.

Sighing with relief, Tursinai pouts. How cruel, and to think, I was about to fall asleep and overlook your wandering hands. Ignoring her, I lift her blanket aside and remove the poultice on her shoulder, grimacing at the mangled mess beneath, a fist-sized chunk of meat missing. Rude. That is not the face one makes when gazing upon the naked flesh of a tender young maiden. Try again.

Chuckling, I lay my hand across her forehead, her skin hot to the touch. Stop joking around and let me concentrate. Infections set in and youre feverish. Ill mix up a tincture for you, but if it gets worse, call for a healer. Rummaging through my pack for herbs, I grumble while working. I cant believe the guard leader let things get so far. You both could have died and she stood there and watched. I know shes strong, stronger than both of you and stronger than Yo Ling, yet she did nothing. Of all the arrogant, spiteful people Ive met, she tops the list.

Dont blame her, little Rain. She has valid reason to hide and Ill not have you malign my hubbys savior. Shooting me a smile, she adds, Im all sweaty and sticky from fever. Wipe me down?

Ill send for a serving girl.

Pei. Save the serving girls for hubby, Id rather have a strapping young man.

With the odd couple taken care of, I continue helping with the injured. It doesnt take long, there arent many left to care for. With the final tally in, less than thirty of my original retinue remain. Rustram, Bulat, and Ravil made it through without a scratch, while Pran and Saluk both took grave injuries, fighting like the possessed to protect Mila from Yo Ling. Besides those five, only Silva, Viyan, and Birca remain from my original cripples, a grand total of eight out of the sixty-seven I started with. They didnt even last a year with me, and I cant help but wonder if theyd have lived longer as cripples. Huus retinue isnt in much better shape and Gerels elites took a mauling along with his pride. Outside his private room, Yuzhens guards stand ready, which means shes still inside.

The lucky bastard.

Okay, yea, Yuzhen put politics over human life, but when it comes right down to it, she didnt really have a choice. Is it fair to blame her? Probably not, but Im still having a hard time accepting it. Shes a kind person, but she accepts the Purge as a necessary evil, unwilling to fight against it. Why? Its a horrific act, slaughtering thousands on the off-chance they might be Defiled, and I shudder to think what the Empire will do when they catch wind of what went down here.

Thankfully, I wont be around when the hammer falls, and the Mother have mercy on anyone who is. Fuck being a Warrant Officer or Sentinel, Im gonna quit and go study healing with Taduk. It'll be awesome, spending my free time searching for a solution to my whole two-souls-one-body kerfuffle and maybe even experiment with bear hands. Sure, it lacks the thrill and excitement of soldiering around, and yea, sometimes I crave a little action, but Ive had more than enough to last me a lifetime. Besides, with Baatar and Akanai defending the province, this is the perfect time for a well deserved break. From here on out, Im gonna be Falling Rain, Herbalist and Scholar of the People.

Who knows, maybe Ill even go a full year without a near death experience.

The dream is alive.

Chapter Meme

- End of Volume 12 -