With the situation being silent again Shiren entered the foot of the mountain. It was the place where the climb started at the first place. His mind now calmed down again and sat down for a moment.

He regained his ability to think properly with no more huge amount of pressure on him. This was now the moment where was nothing that could go wrong now at all. No guard and no ambush was to see. Nobody followed him and he did not suspect anyone being somewhere in the bushes waiting for him. Though he was lightly scared as he looked at the forest again. So much happened in this forests he could not actually believe they were clean. Something had to happen. He relaxed for few seconds. It was the moment his question from before came back to his mind. Questions about the Chi he was not able to figure out. He really wanted to know the answers but his friends are waiting up there for him, he thought, so he decided to move on back to the encampment. The scroll was saved and the top priority right now.

And it´s knowledge… in Shiren´s head. He stopped shortly as he realized his mistake again. Yong already criticised him back then as she found him but he was not paying attention to this at this moment. Nobody was supposed to know anything of it and everyone who knows… He decided to not think about it.

Probably it would be the best to not even think about it again while the war was still going on.

After clearing his head from all those thoughts Shiren was able to move on for a second but one part of him hold himself back. He was scared.

He knew he could not leave it by a secret in any way. At some time he will do a mistake and talk too much. This will be the situation where the new conflict will start.

The Chi is dangerous, he thought. All the fights he took was because of it.

He breathed. "Just go there and bring the scroll and everything will be fine… This is… my priority. My duty…", he spoke to himself in order to stop letting his fear controlling him and started moving again. "Keep moving…", he whispered few times to prevent his other side from stopping again until he reached the save gates again. He did not even pay attention if something would probably hide in the bushes to attack him. In fact he was lucky nobody actually attacked him because he would not had seen it coming.

One single person came out of the village in order to meet Shiren right as he reached it.

It was nobody else than the owl himself; The chieftain of Lu Lan who did not even have any guards on his side which was unusual for him.

"Shiren.", he greeted him and looked down to his face. Shiren did not say anything as he looked up to the owl.

The face of the owl was calm but showed his happiness to see him. "I guess your friends are coming right after you, right? Did you succeed?", he asked expectantly.

Shiren´s whole body trembled from the excitement, the fear and worries about what would happen to him.

"Your master, Jil, arrived one hour ago with all the other masters. They are hurt but still okay and are able to fight tomorrow, according to what they said.", the owl spoke on while constantly looking in Shiren's eyes like he was up to figure out who he is actually dealing with.

"That´s… good to hear.", Shiren answered hesitantly while his stomach tightened itself. His mind was so much under pressure it felt bad to even speak right now. Something was wrong for him. This was not right. He would prefer to speak to someone familiar with him. He did not trust this owl enough to share his secrets with him.

"Don´t tell me you lost your friends?", the owl asked without changes in his facial expression.

Shiren shook his head. "Probably not. They might be still out there. They stood behind so I could… fulfil our mission…" Shiren concentrated to keep the eye-contact with this owl though he was up to look aside.

"Okay. Then give me the scroll and I will immediately send out some people to search for them. The sun is almost up to go down so we should act quickly. So, please?", he said and opened his wing to take the scroll.

Shiren looked at the empty wing and turned back to his bag where the scroll was laying in.

The scroll with so much information he yet did not fully understand but he knew the most important facts about it. He understood that it's destruction would be the wrong way to handle it, even if the possibility of it's danger still existed. But it's nothing compared about what the Chi is really able to do.

But Shiren knew that the chieftain would not even listen at him if he would try to explain.

And even if: The alliance is made out of many members of chieftain who would all need to accept Shiren´s statement which was unlikely, especially right before a huge battle.

He could also get prisoned and marked as a traitor the second he begins to explain anything.

Shiren hesitated giving the scroll or do any kind of movement at all at this moment.

He was not In accordance with his mind, in fact his mind grew into a total chaos made up of pure panic of ignorance of what to do in this moment.

On the one side he wants everything to go clean, give him the scroll and win this war without any stress and fulfil his duty but on the other hand he knew he would make a rough decision which can lead to his own doom if he would do so. That scared him and let him fight against his own might.

He considered his options and responded with one other question: "Might I have a word with the guy behind this all before I give you the scroll? Junjie?", he asked and regretted it immediately. This was not the way giving the scroll or going back to the woods.

The owl grew confused and wondered: "What does he have to do with it?"

It´s over., he thought. Now he is sure it´s over for him. There is no way out. Now the owl knew Shiren read something. If not now than surely later he will find it out.

Now he had only one option left. You are so dump, he told himself in thoughts. Why did you not simply spoke out everything loud so everyone could hear you read the scroll? It would have made just as much sense!

"Shiren? What is wrong?"

He will know soon enough! He might ask few questions after this is over! You are lost!

"I...", he tried to speak but his inner war was on it´s rise. He had a duty! His friends are counting on him! Jil is counting on him! Chang is counting on him! The only thing he had to do was giving away the scroll and vanish! It was that simple! But he struggled. Run!, said his inner mind. Like this would be the only way to solve the solution.

There are many things he had to consider. He was not able to do a decision right now under that much pressure. "I… c….", he tried again to speak but he was not able to.

As the owl was about taking his bag Shiren hissed and turned back with his head.

"Shiren!", the owl grew strictly and maybe a bit angry: "Don´t mess this up now! I command you one more time: Give me the scroll! Don´t do something you will regret later!"

Shiren was not able to speak. He refused giving him the scroll despite the fact he came all this way to do this. On the last metre he failed the mission. The thread was no one but he on himself.

He would leave everyone and everything behind. Hao would have died for nothing!

I can do this!, he tried one last attempt to convince himself to give the scroll to the chieftain. No. You can't., his fear answered while blocking any muscle which would be necessary to give the scroll away.

Shiren run away as fast as he could. He was not prepared for what comes.

Did he have some other solution? Maybe a better one? Probably every other one but this outcome with simply running away.

The only place Shiren was able to imagine where he could get rid of an owl like the chieftain was back to the mountain and go up as quick as possible. He wasn't even sure if someone followed him but he did not care and did not look back. He trusted in his speed to get away.

This was something he never could had expected as he looked up the same rocks he saw at morning now in another light since it´s nearly evening instead of morning. Being here the third time this day was bothering him for a few seconds but he did not waste much time realizing it.

He shortly looked back to look for some hunters but somehow nobody was chasing him so far.

Better get moving before they come for you, he thought and started climbing up the rocks again. This time he did it faster than before. Metre for metre and rock for rock he made his way again up this place in order to get a quiet moment for himself without anyone around him and especially having a moment without any pressure.

A moment of peace and without any war.

Ironically he was right now at the line between the both enemy sides.

The fact he did not see Ku Zhan anywhere where he left him made him suggest he was totally alone now and they might already been captured. Neither did he see any guards any more around. He was not sure what happened but he did not care and moved on.

Cold wind started to get around his body and Shiren felt his hunger for some food. He realized he hasn't eaten properly today but he pushed himself to move on. He could not allow himself to get caught by the alliance again without anyone there on his side.

He knew Jil would be there but she was more a solder the last days than a kind teacher as he knew her. She grew more strict and ordinarily when solders, and specially authorities where around.

Huan is there too. But Shiren wasn't sure how Huan would be able to help him right now.

The cold rocks and the colder growing air made his climb to a hell of an act for him, especially with his hungriness. Maybe some of the guards has forgotten their food when the alarm was called and he would be lucky to find some of this. He would not care at this moment if the food would actually belong to someone else.

Shiren did not think about what may come later or where he should find some shelter for the night. He knew the last thing he should do is going back to the alliance.

It was too late for Shiren to return anywhere. He had enemies wherever he looked at and his allies and friends he knew were gone. The knowledge of the Chi had devoured his life right now. It changed his mind a lot and forced him to do questionable decisions. He was not able to use it however but it was enough knowledge he already had to avoid one outcome he was no longer able to accept: Letting the war going on and help the alliance win this fight tomorrow. Maybe he was just naive but it was what his heard told him was right. The only ally he could still rely on: Himself. It was an outcome every side of his mind was okay with.

Now with a more calm situation again and without any pressure he started breathing properly and slowly again after he was high enough and sure nobody was following him. He suspected some people where maybe watching him. Probably some scouts of the alliance would do it but he knew he was save as long as he did not fall down the cliffs. This mountain was guarded against any kind of engagement from the air and he refused to give consideration to the possibility some people where climbing up this mountain to continue the hunt for a climbing snake. Probably, he thought, the alliance was still comfortable enough to win the fight tomorrow so it would not matter if Shiren would get away completely. Not if this would had been any possibility since the alliance started yesterday to surround the mountain.

At least he would not starve. Someone would find him before and probably capture him. He knew every side refused to go further if possible. He trusted in it. And he moved on to find some place to stay for this night.

He found himself at the gate as he stopped again climbing and took a rest.

The same gate where he lost Xing on his way downwards. This time she wasn't here to throw him trough the hole again. He sat down, leaned against the gate and breathed deeply. He escaped from the alliance. That´s what mattered right now. He was probably able to climb up another path since he was alone now and with the coming night it would be hard to spot him.

So what should be the next act? Where should he go next? Further up into the realm of the Jade-Palace or try to search for another place to be? Maybe he would find another tiny cave to sleep for the night. Staying here or going down were no options for him. He also needed to get something to eat. It would be difficult finding something on his own or if he would not find any shelter he would need someone giving him one.

He was not able to do this alone but who whould be good to ask?

The Jade-Palace was his enemy; The alliance grew to be an enemy. His friends where anywhere but not near by him. He didn't caught any reasonable thought, he was tired and hungry. That was all he knew right now. He was lost.

Right as his body started to calm down the gate which he was leaning to, moved. It went open and Shiren nearly fell down. Someone let him inside? Or did just someone want to get out?

He hesitated but as soon as he saw who opened the gate he went in immediately.

As soon as he were in Xing closed the gate again.

"I knew I heard something.", Ku Zhan greeted him. "I'm glad to see you again."

Shiren did not believe he saw his friends happy and healthy in this cave.

Well, he saw Yong leaning on a wall and not responding very much. She somehow managed to get out of the palace but she took a lot of hurt and many injuries. Lao had a bandage around one of his legs and Xing and Ku Zhan looked awful as well but they were still walking. Their fur was tousled, as well as their clothes and Shiren realized they even had some bruise as he looked properly.

"You guys are…", he begun to speak without really believing anything he saw. Probably his mind just made some scenario up he would wish for now and he fell asleep by accident.

Yong, annoyed, waved away: "I rather not talk about that."

"Yong!, Lao protested: "You take my spotlight!"

"Is she?", Xing asked grinningly: "I mean seriously: Who did all the work, huh? Dozily flying around does not count."

"Xing! I am shocked and appalled that this is your opinion of me!", Lao answered excitedly.

"So how is our mission went out?", Ku Zhan asked and ended this conversation: "I guess you gave the scroll to the alliance, right? And now you're coming back to search for us?"

Shiren´s happiness vanished immediately and his trouble returned. He was surely not dreaming. This was not something he could have wished for.

Telling his friends would make everything worse now. He prepared to disappoint them.

He probably disappointed them as much as he ever could. Especially as he saw and recognised what they all offered to make this mission a victory. They offered themselves for him and the scroll but Shiren simply threw their victory away. Now they were all hurt. Shiren did not even want to know how Yong came out of her mess and Shiren failed the mission on the last steps. How could he ever explain it to them?

Should he lie? He immediately refused this idea. It would backfire way sooner as he would ever expect . Telling the truth was the only thing he could do right now even if it would cost his last allies.

But was it worth it?

Shiren went back because of selfish reasons and fear; Not because of any heroic instincts or something to rescue someone. He did not even came back for his friends since he did not even act on the assumption they may be still out there and probably waiting for him.

He made the decision than he did not deserve their friendship any much longer on that circumstances and he really did not want them to suffer from his decision to leave the alliance.

"No.", Shiren then answered: "I had a second thought. The scroll is still in my bag."

"Explanation?", Yong asked immediately without freaking out or something. She still laid back and just looked at Shiren unchanged.

"The Chi.", Shiren answered: "It´s more about it than we thought."

"Interesting." Lao said: "Go on. If this knowledge is able to entirely break your mind and force you to leave the alliance, since this is the only other solution if you did not give it to them…"

Shiren sighed and talked on: "Well, I don´t know how to use it actually but… the way it works does not fit with our goal to destroy the last of the knowledge about it."

"How so?", Xing asked while leaning on a wall next to the switch. Shiren was so happy his friends were actually listen to him and not threw his ideas away right from the get go. He did not want to mess this up and calmly talked on:

"Because taking Chi, the reason while all this even happens, is much more complicated than just use and giving it. I spare you with the details now but the thing is: Someone who has taken Chi can only be stopped by a master of Chi. So I´m talking about people who are perfectly able to use it.

In other words: The people we are fighting against so far."

"Your point?", Ku Zhan asked: "Switching sides or what?"

"Not directly.", Shrien answered and spoke on: "Don´t get me wrong, I totally don´t want to go against the alliance and neither do I respect how the Jade-Palace is handling the Chi´s knowledge.

But the point I want to put out is that we can´t effort to loose them actually. And I… now… predict something."

"Ah. I got it.", Lao took a breath and said: "You suspect someone in the alliance to be an imposter or something? A secret user of Chi who just waits until the last of its wielder is gone to accomplish his evil plans?", he asked. Shiren would guess he was excited to hear Shiren coming up with a theory but he must been very tired right now.

Shiren answered and spoke on: "Precisely. But I know the alliance´s leaders won't listen to me. They offered too much for this as they could overthink the whole action. They might even suspect me to trick them as an illusive solider. If they not ever arrest me in the first place because I know something I should not had read. That´s why I´m here. I kinda freaked out there and went in panic with all this pressure. I came back here because it's the only place right now where I can have some privacy."

"So now what´s your plan now?", Yong asked: "Going back to the Jade-Palace? Climbing up this damn mountain again?"

"I am not sure.", Shiren answered and took a deep breath: "I know I can´t do this alone and I do not want to push you into this and risk all of your honour for… something I think might be right."

"I trust you.", Ku Zhan said and smiled: "Don´t worry. Everything we do we do together, right? If we are wrong we are wrong together and if we fail we fail together. I know it since we all faced Kai; A foe like nobody else we ever faced. With all of us not giving in I learned we can push ourselves in every battle. So what I want to say is: There is no reason you should lie to us, Shiren. I know you did freak out but next time you are not alone and we have your back."

While Ku Zhan was making this inspiring preach Shiren´s mind grew very miserable. He hoped this point would never matter again but with Ku Zhan saying this Shiren had no other choice for himself but being honest. Once again. It worked one time so it may work twice.

"Right?", Ku Zhan finished and looked at Shiren with a smile but Shiren did not smile back.

"What´s wrong?", Ku Zhan asked. Shiren took a deep breath and started walking slowly around the hole while speaking: "You better not trusting me that much Ku Zhan. I know we all faced Kai together. I know we fought him. At least for few seconds."

Shiren remembered this scene as they fought Kai. It reminded him of his talk with Quin in Wong Fu. He said they fought him but he left a few details out he had to speak out now:

"You know, as we all were fighting him I got thrown away very quickly into a bush. I was a bit muzzy in this moment and needed a second to recover but I already saw what happened. And trust me: This was the most terrible thing I ever saw: He took you out. One by one. I do not think I need to explain this. Fact is: I wasn't fighting him after I saw what happened to you. I was staying in the bush; In the cover. I did not jump out and tried to help or even revenge you. Nothing. I let him pass and… went away…

Nothing special. I, as a funk, was able to got away thanks to my ability to hide in bushes. I looked for a way to get you back but Kai was so fast and… scary and…"

"No. That´s enough.", Ku Zhan interrupted him and concluded the story: "So you went away and saved your life."

Shiren was not sure how to interpret this statement. He wasn't paying attention to Ku Zhan's facial expression. Was he forgiving him or criticising him?

"I mean...", Lao said: "Who should blame him? We know him good enough. He is a coward and seeing us having to chance, well… make this reasonable at least." It hurt hearing Lao saying it but it was the truth. And Lao was always honest.

"And I wondered what made you changing your character.", Yong said and looked at Shiren: "I mean since this day you nearly never ever again made any kind of funny risky move, made us to do silly things or something you thought would be funny. Instead you grew conservatively. That explains a lot."

"Indeed.", Ku Zhan said: "I mean I am still willing to do this but… I don´t know. What´s wrong with getting back to the alliance and talk about this?"

Shiren was happy he stopped on the other side of the group now. He was positioned to the free entry which leaded to the way up. He hoped he did not need to but if he needed to run further he had an advantage. Against his friends.

"I rather won't…", he said. Shiren already explained his statement well enough for him. He did not feel responsible to talk on this discussion.

"I think it´s a good decision. I don´t favour a fight against the alliance and risk everything we have.", Xing brought in the discussion.

"Guys.", Lao calmed everyone down: "Let´s overthink this, okay? Sleep about it one night. We are not even able to leave this location save whatsoever. The Jade-Palace could be anywhere."

"I d-… Okay.", Ku Zhan agreed, then looked at Shiren and said: "You better make something up and know properly what you want to do."

Shiren looked aside and said: "I… need a bit time for myself." before he left the cave.