Wow, it has really been awhile, hasn't it? I know you guys were (and hopefully still are) waiting for this one, and I tried to add a bit more emphasis on Tsau and Zi's relationship. Oh, and just a reminder, ALL flashback sequences will be in chronological order. I know you think it's corny and all, but it explains a lot about Tsau and adds depth to his character. Oh, one more thing: YES, Tsau's grammar is of modern vocabulary. I wanted to add a really modern feel to him, and hopefully you guys like it so far. Meh, enough of me babbling on. Here's Chap 14 people!

Chapter 14: Secrets of the Manifest

"What do you mean?" Tsau asked his mentor as they stood on opposite ends.

Zhao, who was dressed in armor, gripped his Jian as he stared at his protégé and friend. He had a few soldiers behind him, and Tsau stood alone. "The age of liberation is upon us, Tsau. The rebels have split, and I think it is time that a new faction is formed, one that is ran by a true leader. My heart is peace, but liberation is the blood that it pumps. I want you to be my second-in-command, Tsau. Please. This is all for the best."

Tsau shook his head, seeming not to believe what his mentor had become. "For the best? You didn't have to murder the independent politicians. They were harmless."

His mentor's eyes grew more intense. "Anyone who does not side with my cause shall be killed. Adversaries surround me all the time. I have to find who to trust, and who not to. Can I trust you?"

"I don't believe in the sacrifice of the innocent to strengthen your cause," Tsau replied. "You have my absolute trust, but you are going in a direction I cannot follow."

"Tsau, please," Zhao said. "You are the only soldier that I ever trusted. Please don't do this. This is your calling, your home. You belong here. This empire is dirty, and I need your help to cleanse it."

Tsau looked down at the ground as his mentor's words came out, and thought long and hard about his choice, but ultimately shook his head. People like Zhao were ones who killed his parents. Politicians. Tsau was angry, but also realized that throughout the few years he was a rebel, he had never killed anyone. He didn't want to bear with the thought of someone's death.

"No," he said straightly, looking up with angry eyes. "I'll never join you. People like you took my parents away. You have become everything you swore to fight against, and I will not follow that path. I am leaving the rebel campaign, as well as the empire. Good luck with your liberation, because I won't be there to help."

Zhao then looked down and away for a moment, and anger built up inside him. His heart rate increased and the intensity in his eyes grew. "Then you leave me no choice, Tsau," he said. He gestured to one of his armored soldiers. "Take him to the woods, and make it quiet. Come back when you're done."

The soldier went up to Tsau, who didn't fight back, and tied his hands with rope, although they didn't put his hands behind his back. The young soldier looked up at his mentor one last time before he was taken away.

"No one has ever disappointed me as much as you have," Zhao said to him with a cold stare.

Before the soldier escorted him, Tsau still had an intense gaze. "Likewise."

The soldier then took Tsau and dragged him along the dirt road of the village, off into the bamboo woods of the rural area. The silence of the area really brought chills to whoever passed through. When he was far enough to execute him, he stopped. The soldier dropped him to his knees, and Tsau sat there with his eyes closed.

"I don't really see what Zhao sees," the soldier who stood in front of him said. "Especially in you. You are just a ridiculous boy, not knowing what he wants."

Tsau let out a laugh. "Do you?"

"I know exactly what I want," he replied. "But it doesn't mean I see what Zhao always sees. I'm an ordinary man, you know? I have many loved ones at home. A wife, two children."
Tsau looked up at his captor. "Have they been taken from you?"

The soldier shook his head. "Only one has."

"Then you have no idea what it's like to be me," Tsau stated piercingly. "Thank yourself that you don't see what Zhao sees."

Drawing his blade, the soldier gripped it tight, and looked into the young man's eyes. "All I see is a man who was once loved, beyond his parents. I see a man who was also once loved by his friends…but now, all I see is a man with nothing to lose; a man that no one would care for if he died; a man who only wishes for death to visit him. It is a pity you didn't enjoy what you had."

"Kill me, then," Tsau said boldly. "I serve no other purpose."

The weathered soldier paced around the woods for the moment. "You know, I had a son. A firstborn; and he was a lot like you. Very spirited, clever, smart. He really cared for the politics and social system, whereas I didn't care much. I enjoyed much of my life with him while it lasted, but one day he was murdered. By the very people who swore to protect the citizens of the empire. They said he began arguing with them over unlawful doings. I knew, from that day forward, I wanted to fight against the very people that took him away from me. Zhao gave me this dream, and I will fight with him until I die."

"Apparently, you haven't noticed a change in his ideals lately," Tsau stated, looking down at the ground again.

"That is why I'm telling you this story," the soldier said. "Today, I saw a different man in Zhao. One that is lost within his cause. He really believed in you, and now you have broken his heart…but for the right reasons. I will always serve alongside him in battle. You don't belong here, kid. Zhao's cause has now become corrupt, and he is terrorizing the peoples of our empire. No one, not even me, will bring any justice to him."

"What are you saying?" Tsau asked.

The soldier nodded. "But you. You are different. You are the only person who Zhao will ever fear. When you stood against him, I could see the fear in his eyes. The most imposing threat to him is his apprentice. Only you can stop him, but that day may not be tomorrow, a few weeks, not even a few years from now. When you grow, I believe you will have a calling like my son did…he is 30 years old today, and I lost him 4 years ago. The road ahead is hard, but you will stop Zhao someday. It is men like him that brings the world to its knees."

After his reasoning, the soldier cut the ties on Tsau's hands and helped him stand. "Why are you doing this?" Tsau said. "I…don't understand."

"I don't either," the soldier replied, putting his hand on Tsau's soldier. "But one day, you'll understand why you are fighting. You will defeat Zhao in battle, and restore peace within the empire. I have faith in you."

"I'm not a savior," Tsau shook his head. "I'm just a man."

The soldier smiled. "And so am I."

As he urged Tsau to leave, Tsau ran off without time to thank him, thinking about the soldier's words. The soldier, too, was just a man, but by releasing him, he accepted the fact that even the simplest of men can make a big difference. Tsau smiled to himself as the soldier disappeared through the bamboo, and told himself that he'd always remember that old man's words. He was just a man.

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Tsau and Zi walked down the street once again as the sun began to set. The once hot desert-like climate started to become cool. More and more merchants began packing up their things and going into their homes for the night, but not Tsau. They crossed the semi-busy street to a somewhat weathered building that an old, frail man and his skinny, aged dog stood out in front of the entrance. Tsau went up to them and they seemed to be awaiting something.

"I am the savior of mankind," the old man said in a surprisingly strong voice.

Tsau looked at him. "Then you suffer from blatant stupidity."

The old man smiled at the remark and opened the door. "It's part of procedure, Tsau. I apologize that you are irritated."

"Whatever," Tsau replied to the old man. Zi took that moment oddly but followed Tsau nonetheless. It's as if he is here frequently.

"Who is the girl?" the old man said. "She can't go in."

Tsau signaled for Zi to enter the building. "She's helping me."

The old man paused for a moment. "I can't allow her to have the knowledge we possess."

"I can," Tsau countered. "I can't leave her out here by herself."

Zi gave Tsau a look after he said that, then looked back at the old man.

"Fine," he grunted.

The building seemed crummy as they passed through, but the inside was surprisingly nice because the first room was illuminated. They were met by a Persian woman, looking slightly older than Tsau, dressed in Persian robes. Although she was older than Tsau, her beauty seemed magnetizing.

"Oh, Tsau," she started, smiling. "Come to visit again?"

Tsau had a crooked, slight smirk. "Farah. It's a pleasure."

Farah, the Persian woman, then turned to Zi. "Who is this?"

"I am Zi Lang," Zi replied.

The woman nodded. "Yes you are. What business do you have here, Tsau?"

"I need access to the Manifest Archives," Tsau then said. "It's urgent."

Farah let a subtle smile go. "Follow me. The girl must stay."

Tsau then turned to Zi, who nodded in reply, but he instead turned back to Farah, who seemed like she knew Tsau fairly well. "No. She is aiding me in my mission."

She looked at Zi for a moment, and noticed the look in Zi's face because it seemed like these two had a lot more going on between them. "I understand, Tsau. Realize that I will only answer relevant questions."

Tsau nodded. "Of course."

Farah led them down the corridors of the building, down some steps that led deeper down into the building. Zi then realized that this place was so much more than it seemed. Within the dimly lit corridors, people walked back and forth, and the area seemed very busy. They were dressed in the same robe attires, but were racially diverse themselves. Although Zi lagged behind to eye the people working, she noticed that Farah was having a conversation with Tsau, but couldn't make up the words. After a while more down the corridor, they stopped and turned to look at Zi.

"Okay, then," Tsau started. "I'll be somewhere else. Farah will show you around and tell you a bit more about this…establishment."

Zi gave him an odd glare as he backed away down the corridor and went off on his own business.

"So, what can you tell me about this…thing?" Zi asked Farah.

They continued walking down the hallway slowly as the conversation developed further. "The Necromortalis…" she started. "Surely Tsau has told you enough, hasn't he?"

"With that dagger and blade skill of his, he still seems much shaken when the topic is mentioned," Zi replied. "Is something amiss?"
Farah looked down and a troubled smile came across her face. She never looked at Zi once. "Tsau has his own goals to accomplish in his aiding of the Dutchman. You see, the group that supports the Servants of the Angel of Death is paying him to carry the dagger, since all the servants are dead. This is the group. The very building you are setting foot in belongs to the group known as the Manifest. I am the leader."

"How could you do that to Tsau?" Zi then asked. "He didn't ask for the job, did he?"

"We…put up some money for it," Farah answered with a slight hesitant pause. Zi noticed that she also cleared her throat. "And Tsau was the only one to step up. He took the job of capturing the Necromortalis."

Zi nodded with a slight anger behind it. "I see. I don't know why he tries to hide it so much. But I understand now that he's doing it for the money."

Farah looked down and bit her lip. "Yes. The money…"

"He has changed a lot," Zi said. "He used to be a very cute kid. Always searching for a voice in the world. I never expected him to be like…this."

She then finally turned to Zi after looking down. "Tsau is not completely lost. I still see glimpses of his former self…the former self that I see when I read his mind."

"You can read minds?" Zi asked. "That must be nice."

Farah nodded. "It's quite a nightmare when you deal with different kinds of people."

"Like Tsau?" she asked again.

"I don't like talking about the minds I read," Farah then said. "Tsau was a completely different animal from what I've seen prior to meeting him, and that's all you need to know. …but I can tell you that he is definitely thinking a lot about you."

Zi looked at her oddly. "Really?"

"Don't deny anything I tell you," Farah replied. "Tsau is not a man of fate, but I can see his stars entwine with yours. He knows many things you might not want to hear, but time will tell."

What did she mean by that? Something was definitely amiss here, and Zi noticed it as soon as she read Farah's reactions and responses. They were hiding something from her, and possibly the rest of the crew on the two ships. Zi was a bit angry and didn't ask anymore questions. "I have to go."

As she stormed out of the underground pathway, Tsau stepped out of the room he entered and noticed Zi leaving. He then looked at Farah. "What did you say to her?"

Farah shrugged. "Apparently nothing."

"I told you to keep her occupied," Tsau said, walking towards the exit.

"You finished, didn't you?" Farah said in a regretful voice.

Tsau looked at her one last time and ignored their little situation. "I'll see you later."

As Tsau followed Zi up the stairs and out the door, he suspected that Farah had told her or hinted to her something that wasn't supposed to be said. He did, however, know that Farah was having trouble cooperating with him when he told her to keep Zi occupied.

"Izzi, wait up," Tsau said as Zi walked out the front door.

Zi ignored him and walked out into the street, and it began to rain. Usually the streets of Aswad Mohit saw dryness, but there would be occasional rain. The merchants that used to have stands were now gone, and the streets were empty. Tsau sped up his paces and tried to catch up. He placed his hand on her shoulder, but Zi lightly shoved it out of the way in return. It was as if she was a totally different person, but Tsau didn't really know. In truth, Zi's patience with him was running thin. She had put up with his total confidentiality for quite awhile, from the days overseas to their conversations on the Dutchman. Frankly, she had become sick of it. Tsau stopped in his tracks as she continued walking forward, in slight amusement with her behavior.

"If you're headed to my house," Tsau said in a light voice with that rare smile he gave off. "Then you're headed in the wrong direction."

Annoyed by his comment, she turned around with that angered face of hers and walked the other way, towards Tsau. He didn't move out of the way as she came closer, but instead of avoiding him, she began to pout and hit his chest. "I don't understand what you are trying to do, Tsau! I just don't understand why you are being so private! I knew something was wrong! I just knew! Why do you do this, Tsau!? Why?!"

Tsau stood in front of her as she kept pouting and taking her anger out on him. He didn't have anything to say, and the only thing he could do was listen to her voice, and the shrill power of truth hit him real hard. As his mind began to think about his actions, she soon stopped and tried to catch a breath from her fatigue. Instead of going at him again, she put her arms around him and gripped him tight as her anger began to cool down. Tsau was at a subtle surprise from her sudden grip. Her head rested right above his chest and listened to his heartbeat as Tsau began to experience nostalgic feelings. Unusually, after a bit, he gently and kindly wrapped his arms around her as her hold of him softened, and soothed her in his embrace.

"Tsau…" Zi said gently.

She let go of her embrace and stood close to him, gazing into his eyes, the same eyes she looked into as a scholar, except they were weathered and experienced. He set her wet bangs aside from her face so that he could see her. Keeping a gaze on one another, Zi looked down to his lips, and her face drew closer to his. As their lips came closer to touching, a small pause was present. The rain that dropped seemed to quiet down to a drizzle as the moment came by. Her eyes were closed, completely mystified by the whole situation as her heart rate began to speed up. Tsau's remained calm, however, because these feelings were familiar but distant. In that whole moment, time seemed to stop as they were about to exchange a passionate kiss. He looked up at the rooftops, and Tsau snapped out of the moment and stepped back. Zi opened her eyes and was back into reality. The once subtle rain that they experienced returned to its hard pour as the moment ended.

He swallowed. "We…have to get back. It's rainy out here. The house is this way."

"Okay," Zi said, with her lips enclosed into a bittersweet smile.

Tsau gestured for her to follow him and they walked back to his house in the now dark city streets. He slightly looked over his shoulder to make sure they were no longer there. There were two people on the rooftops watching Tsau and Zi a few moments ago, but now they were gone. A woman dressed in the attire of Persian royalty and a Japanese man dressed in Samurai armor with a blindfold over his scarred face. Tsau would have to keep sharper senses next time, for if he had kissed Zi, they would have both been probably dead. Enemies surround the battlefield.

Hopefully you guys like it. I've just been waist deep in stuff for the past week, so I haven't had much time. I'll also try to get back to our pirate-y friends...and what of Jack? Hmm? Oh my, I don't know! Maybe you'll have to wait next chapter! Boo hoo. Sarcasm. Sorry. But not really, haha. I think I have enough time to get Chapter 15 done soon, because I am off, YAY! Haha. Don't forget to leave a review if you want to comment on anything. Thanks for all the support, guys. Appreciate it.