A/N: Hello, and happy Easter to everyone. I am back once again with a new chapter, so enjoy it. Also, since Dzongkha is not listed in Google Translate, Nepali is as close to the language.
Disclaimer: Check the sign: "I do not own Killer Instinct nor Carrie."
The starry night reigned over the skies until it weakened as the sun's first light grew stronger. Its bright rays peeked behind the mountains, changing the atmosphere from its nightdress to its morning robe. Jago conducted his morning prayer at the Tiger Shrine, reflecting on his chat with Carrie.
Though grateful for Carrie saving him, her actions concerned him. Since learning of her abilities, his mind wandered to his battle with Omen. Had Jago not intruded, Omen might have possessed her, becoming a severe threat. Jago also added Carrie's health into the mix. When she saved him from the golem, he sensed her heartbeat increasing, leaving her exhausted. If Carrie reached a point where her heart cannot endure, the power could kill her.
After his ritual, Jago visited the lake to gather water. Upon returning, he arrived at the kitchen to fill a pot with water and ignited a fire. He then opened the storage closet, setting two cups, a spoon, and a bowl filled with salt on the table until he detected a presence.
"You slept okay?" he asked.
Carrie had emerged from her quarters, rubbing her eyes. She had changed from her pajamas to the robes Jago had gifted her when leaving for Lhasa. "It's hard to sleep, given from those terrible dreams. What are you doing?"
"I'm making toothpaste. Grab our toothbrushes from our quarters and meet me at the courtyard so I can show you how this mixture works."
Jago sensed she was still in her dilemma while she headed to their sleeping quarters. The boiling bubbles caught his attention as he checked the pot where the steam increased, and bubbles rose from the bottom. Jago doused the fire and scooped the first cup. He cleared the kitchen with the items. Carrie was already there when he reached the courtyard.
"Is it like normal toothpaste?" Carrie said.
Jago added salt into the water-filled cup. "Yes, though stronger. We monks may detach ourselves from money-oriented wants, but we have to stay healthy in some ways." With foam covering the surface, Jago skimmed the froth with his spoon and added the crystals to Carrie's toothbrush. "Try brushing your teeth."
Carrie inserted the toothbrush into her mouth and scrubbed. Salt wreaked havoc into her tongue, but she ignored it as she reached every crevice. Jago handed her the cup used to make the mixture, which she sipped and rinsed until she spat it into the empty cup. Carrie licked the roof of her mouth.
"My teeth feel soft. Is that normal?"
"It won't last long. Once we head out, your teeth should be stronger."
"Where are we going?"
"To a village called Thanza."
Carrie and Jago strolled through the foothills when they spotted a woman with a shoulder yoke next to the stream. The woman's night-black hair shone from the sun. A red chuba with yellow Dharma Wheel décor draped her slim figure. She wiped her brow with her hand after she filled the buckets with water. Once the woman hoisted the yoke on her shoulder, she scaled a cliff.
"It'll be a struggle for her. Stay here." Jago descended on the cliff and stopped on a ledge. He stretched his hand towards her. Surprised at first, she grabbed his hand, allowing him to pull her to the shelf.
*"Dhan'yavāda. Yō bōknakō lāgi māthillō maidānamā pugna darda huncha. (Thank you. It's a pain to reach higher grounds while carrying that)," the woman said.
*"Tapā'īṁ kina kām̐dhakō juvā sātha caḍhā'ī?(Why do you climb with the shoulder yoke?)" Jago asked.
*"Praśikṣaṇakō lāgi. Ṭā'īgara maṅkalē bāhirī viśvamā kē gardaicha? (For training. What's a Tiger Monk doing in the outside world?)"
*"Masam̐ga mērā kāraṇaharū chan. Ma jāgō hum̐. (I have my reasons. I am Jago.)"
*"Pēmbā. Tyasōbha'ē, hāvālē yasa samayamā tapā'īnlā'ī katātira lā'irahēkō cha? (Pemba. So, where's the wind carrying you this time?)"
*"Hāmī thānjā jām̐daichauṁ. (We're heading to Thanza.)"
*"Ma thānjāmā baschu, yadyapi ma alamallamā parēkō chu jaba tapā'īṁ'hāmī hauṁ' bhanēra ullēkha garnubhayō. (I live in Thanza, though I'm confused when you mentioned 'we're.')"
"Are you okay?" Carrie yelled, grabbing both Jago and Pemba's attention.
"We're fine," Jago replied. "We're on our way."
Carrie, Jago, and Pemba trekked to Thanza together, the two of them helping Pemba with the shoulder yoke whenever she needed a break. The short brown grass blended within the rocks with green patches. Mountainous walls remained tall, protecting the land from unknown threats. Ice packed around the glaciers, feeding the river with endless water.
*"Pēmbā, tapā'im̐lē praśikṣaṇa linu aghi ullēkha garnubhayō. (Pemba, you mentioned before you were training)," Jago said.
"Kēhī varṣa pahilē, mērī āmā birāmī parnubhayō, ra mailē unakō hēracāha garirahēkō chu, tara auṣadhī maham̐gō thiyō. Ēka dina, mailē ē'uṭā saḍaka laḍā'īm̐ dēkhēkō thi'ēm̐ jahām̐ vijayīlē ṭhulō adhikāra pā'um̐dachan, ra durlabha māmilāharūmā nagada. Mailē mahinauṅkō praśikṣaṇa pachi mērō pahilō saḍaka laḍā'ī jitēṁ. Tyasō bha'ē, aphavāhaharū ēka ṭhūlō ināma saṅga amērikā mā ēka phā'iṭiṅga pratiyōgitā phailiyō. (A few years ago, my mother fell ill, and I've been taking care of her, but the medicine was expensive. One day, I witnessed a street fight-the kind where the winner gets bragging rights, and in rare cases, cash. I won my first street fight after months of training. Then, rumors spread of a fighting tournament in America with a big reward.)"
*"Kē tapā'īnlā'ī tyō nāma yāda cha? (Do you remember the name?)"
* "Yō Killer Instinct thiyō. Yadi mailē paryāpta jhagaḍā paisā bacata garēkō chu bhanē, ma pratispardhā garnēchu ra puraskāra jitchu. Yasasam̐gai, ma āmālā'ī birāmīkō upacārakō lāgi uttama suvidhāharūkō lāgi amērikā li'ēra ā'unēchu. Āha, ghara phēri. (Killer Instinct. If I saved enough fight money, I'll compete and win the reward. With it, I'll bring Mother to America for the best facilities to treat her illness. Ah, home again.)"
They arrived at a wooden cabin sitting on a hill. Moss and thick grass covered the roof of any cracks. Smoke puffed from the stone chimney. An old picnic table sat beside the cabin.
*"Āmā, ma ghara hum̐! (Mama, I'm home!)" Pemba set the shoulder yoke on the ground. *"Thānajā śikhara pachāḍi cha. Mailē āmālā'ī jām̐cnai parcha, tyasailē ma pharkēra ā'unēchu. (Thanza is behind the peak. I must check on Mother, so I'll be back.)"
Carrie and Jago ambled towards the crest where the village emerged from view. Stone walls split the flat land into pieces. Watchtowers guarded the borders, with guards scanning for danger.
Pemba's voice reached their ears as she arrived with a frail woman beside her. A brown chuba hid her weak frame. Strands of grayish-white hair lingered in front of her bony face. Small black spots sprinkled over her cheeks.
*"Dhan'yabāda... Mērī chōrīlā'ī gharamā lyā'unu bha'ēkōmā. Pratyēka paṭaka... Unī... Nadītira jānchan... Yasalē malā'ī cintā gardacha. (Thank you...for bringing...my daughter home. Each time...she...heads to...the river, it...worries me)," her mother said.
*"Kunai dhan'yavāda āvaśyaka chaina. Kyārī ra ma tyahām̐bāṭa jām̐dai thiyauṁ jaba hāmīlē unalā'ī bhēṭyauṁ. (No thanks are essential. Carrie and I were passing by when we spotted her)," Jago said.
*"Kastō... Pyārī kēṭī... Yō ēka hō. (What a...sweet girl...this one is.)"
Carrie didn't flinch when the old woman stretched her bony hand. With one touch, pictures of tumors on the bones flashed through Carrie's mind. She stepped back, forcing the terrible images to vanish.
"What's wrong?" Jago asked.
"Nothing." Carrie rubbed her temples. Jago narrowed his eyes until his attention shifted when Pemba's mother called to him.
*"Jāgō, yō hō? Yasalā'ī surakṣita garnuhōs. Unīsam̐ga kēhi cha... Ē'uṭā cha... Sansāra bacā'una vā yasalā'ī naṣṭa garna. (Jago, is it? Protect this one. She has something…one that would…save the world or destroy it.)"
*"Ma dimāgamā rākhchu. Kyārī ra ma thām̐jā jānuhunēcha bihāna bhikṣā-rā'unḍaharūkō lāgi. Hāmī ēkacōṭi tapā'ī ra pēmbā bhramaṇa garnēchauṁ. (I will keep that in mind. Carrie and I must head to Thanza for the morning alms-rounds. We'll visit you and Pemba once we finish.)"
*"Āmā ra ma tapā'īṅkō bhramaṇakō lāgi pratikṣā garnēchauṁ. (Mama and I will await your visit)," Pemba said. Both groups bowed their heads and parted ways. Carrie tapped Jago on the shoulder when they were further away from the cabin.
"I didn't want to say much because it might break Pemba's heart. Her mom, is she sick?" Carrie whispered.
"Yes. Pemba did well in taking care of her," Jago said.
"It may not last."
Upon their arrival to Thanza, the citizens sported themselves with clothes designed to keep warm from the freezing temperatures. With the adults working, the children played, not minding the two visitors. Carrie and Jago approached a sukkah, where a merchant finished accounting of the products.
"Have you come for the alms-rounds?" the merchant guessed, and they nodded. While the supplier headed to the back to grab food, incessant shouting reached the duo's ears as two hooded figures drew a small crowd.
"The End Times are upon us! Never fear, for our Lord will rise and cleanse this world and save innocent lives! Join us, and the Lord will spare you!" one of them declared.
"Who are they?" Carrie asked.
"I'll find out," Jago said as the shopkeeper returned with food. "Sir, who are those people?"
"They call themselves the Cult of Gargos but don't pay them any attention," the merchant answered.
Jago glared at the cultists. After thanking the trader for the food, he and Carrie resumed their trek.
One cultist narrowed his eyes upon them and tapped on his partner's shoulder. "Is that her, the telekinetic?"
The second cultist's face twisted into an ugly yet planned expression. "Follow them."
Carrie and Jago ventured into the western part of Thanza. Although repairs were still active, damaged debris riddled the region. They sat on a wall to ease their feet while spotting two villagers heading home, hauling wood on their backs.
*"Malā'īṁ māpha garnuhōs? (Excuse me?)" Jago called, and the two men stopped. *"Yahām̐ kēhi bhayō? (Did something happen here?)" The first man told his companion to return home. He then set the pile of strapped wood on the ground, sat next to them, and chatted.
"What did the man say?" Carrie inquired.
"He said a demon attacked the village," Jago said.
"You don't think…?"
"I doubt it." Jago spoke to the villager, *"Yō rākṣasa kasarī bhayō? (How did this demon come to be?)"
*"Yō kēhi haptā pahilē bha'ēkō thiyō… (It happened a few weeks ago…)"
Two men were inside the watchtowers at the village's eastern borders. Clouds drifted in the sky, shadowing parts of the mountainous land.
* "Rāmrō dina, haina? (Nice day, isn't it?)" the first guard remarked.
* "Hō, tara satarka rahana samjhanuhōs. (Yes, but remember to stay alert)," the other guard said.
The original guard viewed the scenery until he perked his head: something black headed in their direction. He patted his friend's shoulder. *"Kē tapā'ī tyō dēkhnuhuncha? Tyō kālō kurā. Tyō kē hō? (Do you see that? That black thing. What is that?)"
The second guard followed his colleague's line of sight. Grass wilted as the black object darted towards the village. The guard's heart thrashed in his chest, and his eyes widened. *"Alārma baḍhā'unuhōs! Tyō ēka bhūta hō! (Raise the alarm! That's a damn demon!)"
The first guard froze but regained his senses and set off the alarm. A loud blaring roar echoed through Thanza, stopping the residents as word of a demon spread fast. They sprinted towards safer grounds while others stayed behind to defend their home. The first row of defense used their weapons, resulting in the animal taking them into its maw. The monster pounced on the chief guard, growling.
"Men like you...spread filthy lies and taking women! I will not...let that happen!" The demon lifted its other paw to end the man's life until it screeched.
The focal guard spotted the assailant: a rare white tiger with no stripes and was as big as the demon. Its fangs and claws sunk into the demon's hide until the creature yanked its attacker off with a tentacle. The tiger landed and charged towards the demon, pinning it to the ground. It twitched its head at the chief guard as though telling him to run. The man nodded and fled. Enraged, the beast bit into the tiger's shoulder and wrestled into open terrain.
The brute formed a blade, stabbed the shrieking tiger's stomach, and hurled it to a house. It crept towards its prey and leaped for the final blow. The tiger dodged, bit the demon's neck, and threw the beast into the air. It chucked a fireball, and as it struck the monster, an explosion rattled the village.
The creature crashed into the ground and retreated, but not without cursing the villagers. Debris scattered throughout the village, and the wounded and the dead gathered in separate piles. The tiger panted as blood dripped from its wounds, closing its eyes. A flash emitted from its body. The first guard and his band covered their eyes from the light, but the tiger vanished once it faded.
*"Hāmīlē ghā'itē cōṭapaṭakabāṭa sabaibhandā narāmrō mānēkā chauṁ. (We assumed the worst from the injuries it sustained)," the villager said. *"Mērā abhibhāvakaharūlē yasa prāṇīkō kathāharū sunā'ē. Hāmīlē yasalā'ī Biànxíng Zhe bhan'yauṁ. (My parents told stories of this creature. We called it Biànxíng Zhe.)"
"Shapeshifter..." Jago said, *"ra bhūta, yō kē bhayō? (and the demon, what became of it?)"
*"Yō jhagaḍā pachi phirtā ā'ēkō thi'ēna. 'Paramēśvaralē tapā'īṅkō pāpakō lāgi tapā'īnlā'ī jalā'unuhunēcha!' Yō kahām̐ bāṭa ā'ēkō yō pharkēra ā'ē jastai bōlē. (It hadn't returned since the fight. 'God will burn you for your sins!' it spoke as it returned from whence it came.)"
Jago fell silent while gripping Carrie's hand. What sort of demon says such things while attacking a peaceful village? If not for the Biànxíng Zhe, the disaster would've been worse.
The sky became a mix of purple and gold, signaling the upcoming night. Carrie and Jago headed to the Tiger Shrine after a successful alms-round trip. Carrie might have stayed calm with the village empty but couldn't as hairs on her nape erected.
Jago glanced back, his brows furrowed. "Is something wrong?"
"I can't help that someone is watching us," Carrie said.
"There they are!" a voice boomed as hooded figures emerged on black horses and surrounded them.
"Well, well, we meet the telekinetic at last," the lead hooded figure said.
Carrie's eyes widened, and a gasp escaped her. "What do you want from me?"
"Lord Gargos wants an audience with you and Jago. Come with us."
Jago gripped the sword handle. "What will happen if we don't?"
"I'm afraid we must insist." Once the lead cultist pointed at them, his subordinates edged closer until Carrie's powers rose, shoving the assailants with immense force.
Carrie and Jago sprinted through the village and into an open field where a small patch of forest lay meters ahead. They never glanced back, but the faint rumble of hooves stomping the ground showed their pursuers were not far behind them.
Exhaustion seeped into Carrie, but Jago grabbed her hand, allowing her to stay at his pace. Reaching the forest, Jago searched for a hiding place.
Once spotting a hollowed-out tree and still pulling Carrie along, he headed towards the opening and slipped inside. They stayed quiet as their pursuers passed them, the shaking ground waning in the distance.
"They follow Gargos, do they?" Carrie said between ragged breaths. "How did they know of my powers?"
"I have a hunch, but we must leave. Stay here. I'll check if everything is safe."
Jago crawled out of the hollow, his senses on high alert. The woods welcomed the silence, with the low creaking of branches swayed by the wind. With the threat passed, Jago summoned Carrie. She slithered from the tree, and they crept through the forest and into a clearing until Jago sensed a presence. Keeping Carrie close, he clenched one hand into a fist; the other grabbed the sword handle. A soft growl echoed in the woods, and a pair of amber eyes gleamed.
Jago drew out his sword and pointed towards them. "Show yourself!"
The owner of the amber eyes emerged from the woods. Ruby-red scales shimmered in its equine body with a flowing yellow mane from neck to tail. Two spiral horns jutted from its draconic head. Its four-toed feet were equipped with claws. Jago heard stories of this creature; locals called it a Qilin, but he remembered the villager's tale once he saw the bite-marks on its shoulder.
A/N: The Biànxíng Zhe has revealed itself to Carrie and Jago, but what is its intention? I apologize if I took too long to make this chapter. I had a case of writer's block, not to mention I was very busy with life. Anyway, time to let my brain rest, so I'll see you later.
*Translations in Nepalese
