2 chapters in one day. You people oughta be happy. Okay. So it's been months since a new chapter up date. Don't get your tails in a knot. Anyhow, things are pretty much moving fast in this story, and it is bothering me. But I highly doubt i can make it any other way. it's just the characters. blame them! And this shift button. gAH! Okay . . . here ya go . . . btw . . . I'm sorry, I didn't do a through spell check on this chapter right now. I promise one will come though.
Chapter Three
The flight had so far been uneventful. With the destruction of the Lotus Assassins and the steady decline of pirates, there was no threat in the air, much to Kang and Meilin's disappointment. During the flight, to keep Meilin from noticing her father was with them, Wu had kept Wild Flower and Meilin up front, both too enthralled by the gears and mechanicals to notice anything else.
"I don't think this is a wise decision," a voice spoke behind Wu, and she turned around to see Kun behind her.
"I don't want him near Meilin until I virtually have no choice," Wu answered softly, leaning back against Kun, whose arms went around her waist and held her. In the last few weeks, the fondness between them had grown immensely. They normally hid it, unless alone, especially because of Lian. Or unless either one felt acutely stressed out by the day's events. "By the way, how did you know he was Meilin's father."
"It wasn't hard to guess. I didn't know of anyone else you held so much anger towards. And he has the same impish smile that Meilin has."
"You noticed?"
He shrugged, leaning his head against hers. "It stood out pretty well. I only noticed though because I was watching for any expressions that might say anything more than he could actually say."
Wu nodded thoughtfully. She had forgotten that Kun's father had been one of the now extinct sects of Imperial guards trained to work in the shadows and know the reason behind each movement, and that was how Chang and Kun had gotten most of their training. "So anything jump out at you?"
"You talk like he is some Assassin, rather than a past lover."
She barely turned her head to send a glare out of the corner of her eye at him.
"Just that he wasn't surprised or confused by Meilin's presence."
Wu creased her brow, as she turned around to face Kun. "Are you trying to tell me he already knew about her?"
Again he shrugged. "I'm just saying what I observed."
"Stop with your innocent acting," Wu scolded mockingly, playfully punching him in the shoulder. But as quickly as her mood had changed to playfulness, it faded as she turned her gaze to Meilin, who was still, thankfully, preoccupied with Kang's talk of the Nimble Phoenix. "She wouldn't like us talking."
"Us talking or just us?" Kun asked, but Wu could tell he already knew the answer.
"Us," Wu confirmed.
"Then I'll go back." He slid a finger down Wu's cheek and looked at her gravely. "And remember, you need to talk to Sky."
"Yeah, yeah. I remember," Wu grumbled as she watched kun return to the back of the flyer. Turning back to where Meilin sat, Wu felt herself come to a grim realization. If Meilin would continuous refuse to accept Kun, Wu knew she'd have to make a choice. And one was not a choice she could live with.
Watching as Meilin's eyes glowed with enthusiasm and continued to ask Kang about the controls, Wu only hoped that that choice would not come.
A few hours later, the group had reached Dirge. The mountain temple was still just as cold as it had been for the last five years, but the temple and other buildings looked to be in better shape than before. Of course it was only minimal. Though the Empress and her family knew, Lian honored the secret ways of the past Spirit Monks and spoke of nothing referring to the mountain temple. So therefore the only ones who had actually been able to work on the temple were Kang, Dawn Star, and Wu, and Wild Flower, Huo, and Meilin would help out as they could. Even Henpecked Hou tried to sneak away from his family to help. But anyone who did any of the real work was the Black Whirlwind, who occasionally stopped by when he was bored.
In fact, both Black Whirlwind and Hou had surprised the group by greeting them when they landed,
"Whirlwind! Hou!" Wu exclaimed, as she brought Meilin out of the flyer. "Whirlwind, I thought you told us you were off to find more adventure for yourself."
"Ah, I got bored and came back here. Brought Hou with me as well. And it's the Black Whirlwind," Whirlwind gruffly reminded in his deep, guttural voice. Nothing about the former mercenary had changed and it gave Wu a sense of relief that something had remained the same all these years. "Besides, you never said I couldn't help myself to your stocks of wine."
"No, I didn't," Wu sighed. She should have remembered to do so. She would be lucky if one bottle of wine was left.
"Oh don't worry about it," Hou spoke up, apparently able to see the agitation Wu was feeling. "I tried to make sure the brute didn't waste all of your wine." Leaning in close, Hou added, "I also hid most of the stock."
"Thank you, very much, Hou," Wu smiled, a wave of relief flowing through her. That wine came from the Imperial Palace and Wu hated to think what Lian would say if she found out that the reason Wu would go out to get more was because Whirlwind helped himself to it as he pleased. She was glad to see that Hou had been here. "So what are you doing here?" She asked the bunmaker with a smile. "Won't your wife notice you're missing?"
There was the tired sigh that Wu heard from Hou anytime his wife was mentioned. "So long as I make her think I'm delivering buns, she won't notice a thing. Until I get back, of course. No buns and no money, she'll notice then. But any excuse to get me out of that house is a welcome one." Hou's tone had grown a little uplifted. "Even if is time spent with the oaf."
"Well, I have to thank you both for doing all that you have, especially when you didn't have to." Wu smiled as she looked around for anything different from her last time here.
"Well like I said, I was bored and I did help myself to some of that wine of yours," Whirlwind shrugged then pointed at her. "Plus you gave me a far better adventure than I could have imagined. Had to pay you back somehow. But it'd be nice if you got around to causing some more trouble. Times are getting too calm."
"Unless you're watching this little lynx," Wu smiled, tousling Meilin's hair.
"Only because she's your daughter. Brought the whole troupe, did you?" Whirlwind observed, watching as the others came out. "Well, I'll be . . . Dammit Sky!"
"Sky!" Hou exclaimed, turning too quickly for Wu to believe that he didn't tumble. "You've been gone for five years! I was certain you were dead!"
"I can assure you that's not a possibility for me," Sky's warm voice sounded, coming closer.
With Whirlwind and Hou's attention now on Sky, Wu slipped away with Meilin, just wanting to stay as far away from Sky as possible. But the closer she got to the temple, the harder it was to bring Meilin along. "Meilin! Would you stop that?"
"No! I wanna talk with Whirlwind! And Daddy! I wanna see my Daddy!" Meilin cried, struggling from Wu's arms.
"Not now!" Wu refused, pulling on Meilin's arm harder.
"Why? Why can't I see Daddy?"
"Because I said so!" Wu answered harshly, Picking up the flailing child and carrying her to the temple building.
"Mommy! Stop it! I wanna see my Daddy!"
Wu did not speak until they got to the temple and Wu finally put the girl down, holding her by the shoulders and kneeling to get at eye level with Meilin. "You will behave while we're here. If not, by the Waterdragon's power, you will have to go to the Necropolis twice a week for a month."
Meilin fell silent. She was as sensitive to spirits as Wild Flower and Dawn Star were and the Necropolis was were they affected her the worst. Wu did not believe she would even bring the child there, but she had nothing else to make the child listen.
But the silence between them didn't last very long as Meilin answered in a soft voice. "But I wanna see my Daddy. Please Mommy!"
"Later, I promise," Wu answered, knowing that is was a promise she would keep, though reluctant too. "But right now, I have a few things to do."
Suddenly, Meilin's eyes grew vivid. "You gonna get things ready to see the Waterdragon?"
Smiling at the inquisitive girl, Wu nodded, taking pride in how smart the girl was. "That would be correct."
"Then I wanna help!"
Since the rebirth of the Waterdragon, speaking with the Waterdragon had become a far more strenuous task than before. Because the Shepard now had the ability to perform her duties returned to her, she could no longer speak to Wu as easily as before. Instead Wu had to perform a ritual to call the Waterdragon when she required guidance in her duties, when she found a troubled spirit that must be guided to Dirge, or when she felt that the Waterdragon desired to speak with her. The ritual itself was short, especially with the help of Meilin, but the waiting could range from instantly to over an hour. The Waterdragon was just that busy with returning the spirits denied access to the underworld during the last twenty years of Sun Hai's reign.
As the minutes slowly rolled by, Wu glanced to Meilin, pausing in her prayers, marveling at the silence and gravity that emanated from the child. For some reason, the calling on the Waterdragon was one of the few moments that Meilin could stay still and quiet, without a complaint. But for Wu, it was enough to know that Meilin was going to become a great Spirit Monk.
Luckily today through, it took no more than ten minutes or so before the Waterdragon appeared before them. Seeing the Waterdragon again brought great comfort to Wu's heart. She still remembered the same face of blue that had tried to warn her five years of Li's exploitation of Wu's ability. Back then the face held a great deal of sadness and the suffering of the pain of her body held cut open for twenty years. The anguish was gone from the Great Mistress's face. There was still a minor tinge of sadness on her face, but for the most part, the Waterdragon seemed to be happy.
"Greetings, Zhang Wu and young Meilin," the Waterdragon spoke, her voice grown affectionate as she addressed the little girl.
"Hello, Miss Waterdragon," Meilin smiled, moving closer to her mother. Despite her awe of the Waterdragon, she was still able to feel the power of the Mistress and it did frighten the child a little.
With a last smile, the Waterdragon turned to Wu and thanked her. "I must thank you for your dedication to the Order. The temple is returning back to it's original state. I am grateful for all that you have done to restore the Order."
"It's been more my friends' work than mine to restore the temple. And I have not done much to restore the numbers we once had."
"Perhaps not, but you have other duties as well. Still you are training a few others," once again, she smiled at Meilin, "and you have done well in guiding lost spirits to Dirge."
Wu nodded at the Great Mistress's approval. She had taken on some of the Spirit Monks' duties, despite her residence in the Palace. Dawn Star could easily sense when a spirit was troubled, her powers had grown immensely since Sun Li's fall, and after locating the spirit, Wu would travel to the area, bind the spirit to her, and bring it to Dirge. The instances were far and few and that only made things easier for Wu. But somehow, she knew that soon the numbers would grow, despite the balance that was restored.
But Wu knew that the Waterdragon knew her purpose for calling her, and the very change of tone confirmed it. "I sense you are conflicted, my loyal Spirit Monk and you seek my counsel."
Squeezing Meilin's hand and gazing to her daughter, Wu thought of the correct words to say in front of her daughter. She didn't want Meilin to know the reason of her conflict, but she could not shoo the girl away from where she stood either. Turning back to the Waterdragon, she finally answered as vaguely as possible, already certain that the Waterdragon knew her conflict. "Yes, that's why I came. I see a choice before me; one I don't want to make. The first would benefit that most precious to me, but it would tear my heart in two. But the other choice doesn't seem to present a better situation either, because my heart will still be torn if I make it, I'm certain."
The Waterdragon nodded, Wu seeing in the Mistress's eyes that she had known of this problem long ago. "You are steadily reverting back to the way you once were, have you perceived it? The first choice is based on your love for one, while the second is based on your love for yourself. This is not a choice to be easily made. Either option is no better than the other. This is not a decision to let others make for you. You must resolve it yourself."
With trivial disappointment, the Waterdragon had given Wu the answer she had feared it to be. She should have known better, but she had hoped that her deity would have been able to make the decision easier. "I thank you for your words, Great Mistress," Wu bowed and watching out of the corner of her eye, that Meilin did the same. "And I hope I will be able to return the Order to as it once was."
"One day, you will see an Order that flourishes as never before," the Waterdragon assured. "But that day is far in the future. Now you have far more urgent matters to attend to. Past aggression towards your people have been rekindled and danger is once again your future. And this time you must ensure that the balance shall not be destroyed."
"What? Who threatens the balance this time?" Wu asked, shocked and afraid that the Waterdragon would suffer once again.
"Do not fear for my safety, Zhang Wu, for it is not myself who is threatened. Not at the moment in the least. Those closest to you are the ones susceptible." With a casual glance past Wu, the Spirit Monk knew that was the signal that the Waterdragon must return to the Great Wheel. "And the balance is threatened by those who wish to make themselves greater, by combining the science of man and the magic bestowed upon them from the gods. Do not let this sacrilege succeed, for it shall be as demons and humans were to become one. I must depart now, Zhang Wu. Please heed my words."
The Mistress faded from view in that instant, leaving Wu to contemplate the words of the Waterdragon. Yes, Kang's flyers used science and magic, but separately, not as one entity. She was not aware that such a thing, magic and science, could be combined. She had heard of attempts before, but they had ended with extreme consequences. Throughout the Jade Empire, it had been forbidden to even consider such an act. Who in the Empire could possiblely even attempt such irreverence?
Whoever it was, she knew that Lian must be the first to know. By logic, she should leave as soon as possible. But they had only arrived, and, if everyone felt the same as her, they wouldn't be too willing to enter the Nimble Phoenix so soon. The morning would be the earliest anyone would enter the flyer.
But for some reason, Wu had a terrible sickness in her stomach that came with her decision.
"Mommy? You okay?"
Not even bothering to turn to Meilin, Wu kept her eyes fix on the portal, the feeling of spirits and demons of the spirit realm and heaven disturbed by man's doing. Something was appallingly wrong.
"I don't think so, Meilin. I don't think so."
It was nearing evening by the time Meilin was done playing with Huo and Wild Flower, and Wu was finally able to bring the child to the section of the courtyard that had served as the landing pad for the flyers they had used to get here. They sat near the focus shrine, the two playing simple hand games as they waited for another to come by. Wu knew that their awaited visitor would come here, for the same reason she sat here.
And before long, her assumption was proven true as she saw Sky make his way there.
"I thought you'd come by," Wu said gravely, standing and gesturing to Meilin to stand. "There's someone who's been wanting to meet you." She pushed the girl forward, whispering to her, "Go on," as she did. Then feeling as thought her heart was breaking she watched as the child ran to Sky, arms outstretched, calling out to her father. Gazing at Sky as he lifted the girl into the air and laughing with the child before squeezing her close, Wu felt the tears begin to flow and it was all she could to keep herself from falling to her knees. For so long she waited for this moment, but once it was finally able to become a reality rather than a dream, she had stalled it all this time. And now she finally saw her daughter with Sky, the only man who could be the child's father.
But she still was not willing to accept that decision. Not after five years of waiting.
"She has your eyes," Sky spoke up, looking over to Wu, putting down the girl and walking with her to Wu.
"She has your smile and roguish inclination," Wu said in response, no emotion in her words.
"Really?" Sky inquired, raising an eyebrow and looking at Meilin. "You've been giving your mom hard times?"
"Well . . . sorta," Meili admitted embarrassedly.
"She definitely believes in your philosophy, of living the life to the fullest," Wu added, her eyes glaring at Sky. "Which I'm sure you've been doing these last five years."
"You want to argue in front of the girl?" Sky asked severely, matching Wu's glare with his own.
"Wouldn't it be nice for her to know exactly what you've been doing all this time?" Wu's tone grew far more accusingly as she crossed her arm and shifted her weight to her one foot. "Or why you've been away while knowing you've had a daughter all this time."
Wu watched as their expressions showed their confusion of the matter, noticing that Sky's appeared far more exposed than confused though. "What are you talking about?" he still questioned, faking ignorance of what she was talking about.
"You weren't surprised or confused by Meilin's presence when you saw her in the palace," Wu pointed out. "And just now, when Meilin ran to you, it was as if you had been waiting for that moment."
"I'd rather not discuss this around Meilin," Sky breathed, his voice warning Wu not to take this too far.
But Wu challenged him. "Because you don't want her to think you're a no good swindler who forgot about the lover he left behind, who ended up caring for his child all this time?"
For a long time the two stood, eyes locked in glares, neither speaking a words until the silence frightened Meilin. "Mommy? Daddy?"
"Meilin, go to the temple," Sky instructed, letting go of her hand, eyes still on Wu.
The child cast a glance to her mother, who nodded for her to go, then reluctantly, Meilin turned and walked away.
A few more minutes of silence passed by between them before Wu finally broke it. "So are you going to explain all this or what?"
"Explain what? That for five years I've been working to end all slavery operations with the Jade Empire?" he responded, his voice as bitter as hers.
"And that's all?" Wu questioned cynically. "Didn't make your way into any of those fawning women's beds at all?"
"And you're one to talk. You're the one with a fiancé, despite the fact that you have our daughter."
"My daughter is the reason why I even tempted myself with the engagement," Wu stated. "As far as I'm concerned, she's not yours."
"Yet you allowed me to hold her."
Her glare growing fierce, Wu lowered her voice to a near whisper. "Because she won't have anyone but her father act as her father."
"What?"
"You heard me! She wants you and only you as her father!" Wu nearly shouted, growing agitated by standing here with him alone. Had things gone differently, she would have loved it. But things weren't as they once were. "And you were never there! Never did I receive any messages, hear any news, see any sign! I thought you promised to keep contact with me in the least! How was I to know if you were well or not? How was I to know if you still loved me? I couldn't even tell you that you had a daughter! I couldn't tell you about Meilin!"
Sky's gaze softened and Wu realized that her vision was blurring as the tears began to streak her face. She hid her face in her hands, willing that her tears would stop. But they wouldn't. She felt strong arms encircle her, reminding her of the nights when the two lost themselves in their passion, or just when he would hold her securely. She almost forgot that she didn't want to touch him, let alone talk to him.
"Get away from me," she hissed, shoving his arms away and stepping back. "Just go ahead and take Meilin. If she'll be happier with you, so be it. But I cannot be with you. Never!"
She moved to leave, almost leaving in a rush, but she felt a hand on her wrist and her body pulled back. She struggled to get out of Sky's grasp, but his hold was too firm. "Let me go," she cried, but her voice sounded weak mixed with her sobs. She thrashed in his arms but it didn't stop him. Soon enough she found her lips enclosed by his, his passion and warmth flowing into her. She tried to struggle, but her body was held against his so tight that she couldn't even feel any movement.
Or was she even moving?
As the fear crept into her heart, her hands pounded on his chest and slowly, was able to push him away. "Let me go, Sky!" she cried, feeling shame creep into her mind. "I'm not yours! I'm not!"
"Wu, I'm sorry," Sky whispered, his face saddened, but his grasp did not ease. "That promise . . . To keep contact with you, I never meant it. I couldn't. I didn't want to risk it getting out that you had any affiliations with the Guild. Not with you being a close friend of the Empress and her cousin."
"The Guild?" Wu questioned, no longer struggling. "What do you mean?"
"I've been running it for five years now," he answered. "I was able to use them to stop the slave operations. I only worked harder when I heard that you had Meilin."
"So you did know," Wu breathed, hardly able to believe his tale, but it seemed so right.
"Yes, I knew. I knew you'd be fine, but I couldn't stop worrying how you were doing. I kept my most trusted informant on duty to find out everything that was going on. He never got much and he definitely never heard about any engagement."
"It was only kept inside the family," Wu explained, realizing that her anger was casually dropping. Then she knew what was happening and pushed herself from Sky's arms. "I can't do this - I'm engaged! Just promise me you'll take care of Meilin."
"I'm not leaving you again, Wu. I still love you and I'm done with what I had to do. I'm not leaving your side."
"I - I - I can't," Wu breathed, moving away from Sky. "There's Kun now. I can't leave him."
Sky's face dropped. "So you do love him," he breathed in defeat.
Wu did not confirm his words. She couldn't. She had grown fond of Kun and loved him as a friend, but she wasn't sure if she loved him as she once loved Sky. But she couldn't tell him that. She could see he was sorry, but . . . Wu just couldn't allow herself to go back to Sky.
Then a tingling sense creep up the back of her neck. A sense she had not felt in years or wanted to feel. Turning around quickly, her fear was realized. Behind her stood a trio of bull demons, the most disgusting creatures she had ever seen.
But what were they doing here?
There was no time for speculation. Wu cursed to herself for leaving her Dragon Sword on the Phoenix, but at least she did have Fortune's Favorite, though it would not dispatch them so quickly. And never did she face a trio of bull demons. Yes, she faced a duo of them along with a duo off elephant demons. But elephant demons were easy to dispatch. Bull demons were another matter, especially with the long range between them. Using her focus to evade the demons' electrocution attack would also mean wasting focus needed to wield her sword.
"It's only been five years. You haven't lost your touch already, have you?" Sky's teasing voice sound behind her. Looking to his hands, she saw his twin sabers were out and ready.
"We'll have to see, now won't we?" she spoke, trying to match his tone, but found it a futile effort. She drew Fortune's Favorite and looked back to the demons. "Let's just see who's on the top of their game."
Just as the bull demons roared and unleashed their attacks, Wu and Sky ran towards the trio. Concentrating on the attacks as they came, Wu rolled out of the way at the last second then leapt over the next two volleys. But she hadn't jumped up quickly enough and felt their electric attack at her feet. Fighting off the pain, she flipped, pushing for more air, before landing directly in front of one of the demons. She quickly slashed at it's legs, causing it to roar in pain and go to grab at Wu. But Wu was expecting that. As he roared, she dashed behind him and using, her chi to strengthen her strikes, she cut at its tough hide, pushing her sword further and further into the skin. But before she got very far, out of the corner of her eye she noticed a charged hail coming her way. Rolling aside just as the attack would have hit her and as the fiend she was assaulting turned to face her, she knew that the demon was getting was getting the full blunt of the attack, as well as the two other torrents that followed. With his health dwindling down steadily, it made the job of hacking open its skin all the more easier. As a gush of blood spurted out, Wu ignored the stream and sliced upwards, pushing her sword further in untilso much damage was done that the bull demon fell down instantly.
Not even pausing to wipe the blood from her face, Wu bounded after the other fiend that had tried to attack her previously, barely able to dodge the oncoming barrage of attacks. In fact she felt her left arm go numb from the electricity that flowed through her blood. This time it was harder to force aside the throbbing, but she did and risked using her focus to evade the last attack. Leaping over the demon, she slashed at the neck, pushing her sword as deep as possible. She was lucky. Blood already began to trickle from the wound. With the demon's back still turned, Wu risked the chance to transform into a horse demon, praying that she was able to launch a fireball at the foe before he turned and was able to strike at her. Everything went white and Wu felt her form change and the power of the horse demon coursing through her veins. The only magic that could get through a demon's defenses was another demon's magic, as Wu had learned quickly in her past adventure. Once she was able and still in the white, she launched the fireball and hazarded a second. But the white was fading and the opponent had turned and his arm was high, ready to strike, despite the fact that his body writhed with flames. Wu knew she couldn't leap backwards, not in this form, so she quickly returned back to her natural form, hoping she came out just in time to evade.
She missed.
Just as the white faded, she watched as the hand came down, sending a jolt through her body and flinging her back into the statues behind her. The impact almost knocked her out cold, but she still retained consciousness. Calling upon her chi, she forgot the pain and moved to stand. But the demon was already in front of her. Nothing she could do would get her out in time, but she would still try. But before she was even able to push herself up, the demon toppled over and behind it stood a smirking Sky.
"Isn't that something. Seems I beat you for once."
"Don't get cocky," Wu mumbled, trying to stand. But just as she did, she felt a hand grab her arm and help her up. Looking to her side, she saw Dawn Star, her eyes etched with fear. "I'm alright," Wu grumbled, slightly embarrassed at her poor performance. She definitely needed to work out more.
"But Wu, where are the children?"
"What do you mean?" Sky questioned, stepping up to the two, rubbing his sleeve across his chin. Wu noticed his robes were covered in demon blood as well. "We only had Meilin with us and we told her to go to the temple. Didn't she go there?"
"Oh, she was there," Black Whirlwind's gruff voice sounded, then his voice took an angered tone as he looked to the carnage that lay at their feet before. "Don't you know better than to start a slaughter without me? These axes-"
"This isn't the time for it, Whirlwind," Wu snapped, the fear of what could have happened to her daughter, especially after this violent incident, seeping in. "You said she went to the temple then?"
"Yes, but she started to get scared . . ." Dawn Star's voice trailed off, her own fear rivaling Wu's, but then continued. "So her, Wild Flower, and Huo . . . They ran down here, to find you."
"We . . . didn't see her," Sky answered hesitantly, fear and shame shining brightly in his eyes.
Then it hit her. The demons, the Meilin's fear, her own anxiety, the Waterdragon's words . . . It had already started. She fell to her knees, dropping her sword and feeling her body go numb.
Those closest to you are the ones susceptible.
Why didn't she keep Meilin in her sight? Why? Now she had no idea where the girl was, where Wild Flower was, who was as much her daughter as Meilin. And then there was also Huo.
Wu hugged herself, imagining that Meilin was there. Wishing she was. But she wasn't. The tears flowed. Never had this fear ever entered her mind. Never did she think Meilin's safety could be compromised.
"Meilin . . . Meilin . . ." Wu breathed, her eyes wide with fear and her breathing increasing with her anxiety. She saw Dawn Star kneel before her, but felt Sky's sturdy arms around her. She didn't force him away this time though. She was in too much shock. "Meilin . . . My baby . . . Come back . . ."
"Wu, come on. We have to get to the Imperial City. There's no way to know who actually did this."
"My baby . . ." Wu breathed looking back at Dawn Star. The same fear was there, but her strength was still there. Wu felt no strength within herself.
"Wu, come back, please," Dawn Star pleaded, her hand grabbing Wu's shoulders. "We need to go now."
"Forget the Imperial City!" a voice - Kun's voice - cried out. "We'll be too late if we try that."
"You've got a better idea, pretty boy?" Whirlwind growled.
"We'll need one!" Kang called out, following Kun. "I just took a round in the Nimble Phoenix and I've got good news . . . and bad news."
"Just tell us then!" Hou shouted impatiently.
"Well, which do you want? The good news or the bad news? Though I take it the good news should come. . ."
"Kang!"
"Oh yes! Right, right! Well the good news is we know who have them."
"And the bad news?" Dawn Star asked, her eyes locked on Kang.
"Obviously, it's who has them," Kang replied.
"It's the Horselords," Kun spoke up, his voice near Wu's ear as she realized he had come down and was helping her up. "They're gathered just beyond the Wall, northwest of here."
"And there's more!" Kang exclaimed. "They've got flyers!"
"What?" Sky exclaimed. "That's . . . that's impossible!"
"Not from what I've seen," Kang opposed. "And they're different. Like great machines! Powerful large buggers they are. Yes, powerful, indeed. I'm not certain the Phoenix can take them."
The others responded back, urgent and hopefully. But Wu didn't hear them. She was long gone, out cold.
Yea, I know . . . I said no Hou. But really, how could Ilive with such a choice. I hope all the characters are in character. It ain't my forte, for the record.
Anyhow, if anyone is a Saiyuki fan, I think you may have started to notice something. Hey, it's based off a Chinese legend as well! Anyhow review! YOu DON'T get CHApter four UNTIL You do! ANd I'M GOnnA KILL THIS sHIFT BUTTON!