Author Note: Just corrected grammatical and punctuation errors.
That same day. . .
Tian Shui Region
He didn't know how long he had been out, but seeing that he was still alive–not very long. He assumed his mind must've only shut down momentarily due to shock.
But for how long?
Disoriented, Jiang Wei forced open his red, swollen eyes from their deep and painful void. His faint stirring caused for a sharp piercing to shoot to the back of his head, pulsing downwards along his aching spine. A tingling happened throughout his nerves as sensation came trembling back to his weakly moving fingers. His body felt no longer his own, but simply a burdened weight which kept him pinned to the ground.
Each forced breath felt like a blade entering his gut, clouding his senses further into their suffering.
Lolling his throbbing head to the side, Jiang Wei reached behind to feel the tenderness of a sizably large bump he had suffered from his fall. He winced when his fingers grazed the center, feeling the hair matted with a warm, sticky substance. Bringing his fingers forward, he saw the liquid as dark red.
The deepening of his breathing awoken a forgotten pain in his thigh as he shifted uncomfortably on the old wound. Jiang Wei grimaced as he glanced down, seeing a stain of crimson beginning to seep into his pant leg as the cut reopened. Stripping off what remained of his torn sleeve, he tentatively wrapped the tattered cloth around as a tourniquet.
Though greatly inept in medical skill, his basic training, however, enabled him to stop the bleeding. Despite of how the bandaging looked of an amateur's hand, it would suffice, until he had the chance to see to his wounds properly. If ever an opportunity came.
The acrid taste of sweat and blood burned with a bitterness on his raw tongue, adding to the unpleasantness of waking. Unable to move just yet, he waited for his vision to adjust to the surrounding darkness as the world came into focus.
Except for an untouched chest in the corner, the wooden dwelling looked like someone–or something–had ransacked the entire place. Personal items of all sorts lied scattered across the floor in a reckless folly. The bare walls suffered from animal-like scratches that looked out of rage.
Blood splashed upon the floor and walls told of a struggle, a desperate attempt at life–promising only a gruesome end for the victims of the murder. Along with the extreme gore, something unidentifiable lay in the center of a red pool.
Jiang Wei looked away, not wishing to know–the object sharing a frighteningly resemblance to that of a human hand...
Emotions went in a rampage through his mind, his thoughts lost in a whirlwind of disarray as he tried in vainful attempt to subdue them. The grief became irrepressible as he recalled the injured man in the streets. Those pleading eyes that wanted for deliverance from this nightmarish Hell, only to later receive it through suffering of death.
If I had helped him...
He quickly shook off the thought of remorse, knowing it as inevitable, the man had already lost far too much blood to be saved. Yet even at the loss, he couldn't–wouldn't allow himself to muse over the nature of something as unpredictable as death.
Until I get out of here. He made the promise to himself.
Moaning, Jiang Wei rolled onto his side, clutching his stomach as his sweaty forehead touched the floor, collecting dust. He gasped against the agony, unable to grasp how his body had managed to survive this long, and wondering how much more he could take. How much longer before he became the next to die?
Unless I start moving quickly, very soon.
Besides the agonizing pain, Jiang Wei was aware of the escalating heat which he knew only to be the swiftly developing fires from outside. The air became more difficult to breathe as the supply of oxygen grew thin, overpowered by the poisonous fumes of carbon dioxide. Feeling his lungs beginning to ache, he stood weakly on shaking legs that wanted only to crumble along with the rest of him. Blistered fingers reached for the security feel of his trident on the floor, eyeing the door ahead suspiciously.
The pounding seemed to have stopped during his time of unconsciousness, possibly meaning the corpses had decided to move on to more attainable prey. Still, he treaded cautiously, his body tense as he stepped closer towards the looming door. Quietly, he pressed an ear against the surface, bracing himself to feel the sudden shock of banging again.
It never came.
Gripping hold of the knob, he hefted his weapon. Anticipation began to rise, feeling himself wishing for no confrontation but ready if it came. Holding his breath, Jiang Wei swung the door open with a forceful push of his hand.
The terrible creaking of rusted hinges arose as a general outcry for attention, causing Wei to fearfully look in all directions, waiting for whatever appeared.
But nothing withdrew.
Frowning, Jiang Wei stepped cautiously out into the dark, narrow strip of alleyway. The tension gradually eased as confusion now wrote evidently upon his features. The calamity that once overran the streets, had instantly become deserted of both the living and the dead. Aside from the crackling of distant flames that drew nearer, the city had become devoid of screams from both the dead and dying.
Jiang Wei gave an involuntary shudder as a hot draft swept through the eerie silence, an unsettling ambience falling over the place. Where is everyone?
Seeing no danger coming either way, Jiang Wei proceeded down the paved cobblestone street, hearing his boots lonely echo through the warm air. Exterior walls of buildings surrounded him on both sides, comprised of bricks and stone. Their roof gutters continued the repetitive dripping of excess rainwater from last night's storm, resonating softly off the walls. Clotheslines suspended higher up, swayed precariously in the wind, connecting to overhanging balconies of second-story homes. Draped over the seemingly invisible line, he saw were bed sheets and an assortment of clothing.
Garbage littered the street in heaps, along with the overpowering smell of wet feces the came from sewers that flooded over onto the pathway.
Inner city life seemed no less different than from the unsanitary and disgusting state it had been before. In truth, the dismal setting seemed all the more suited for the grisly incidences at hand.
Jiang Wei eyed a cart abandoned to his right, noticing the two mangled legs protruding over one of it's side.
He didn't stop for a look in.
Yet the disconcertment never left him, agitation rousing his nerves as goose bumps trailed along the sides of his arms, despite the growing heat. No sign of life, not even a cry out for help.
The city had fallen into a deepened hush, succumbing to the barrenness of that of a tomb. Quite possibly, one that preserved the bodies of the entire population of the city. But then where are the bodies? The fact that none of the undead wandered only seemed to add to his uneasiness.
Jiang Wei turned on a more broader road, following down a path shrouded more heavily in the shadows. Pipes snaked their way unattractively along the filth ridden walls of houses, algae growing on their surfaces where water leaked. The squelch of walking in puddles came as he passed beneath a broken rattling pipe, water raining freely onto the street below. Feeling an icy chill rising from his feet, he looked down, noticing the water level reaching to his ankles.
This explains the depleted water supply in the city.
The hollow sound of a stream trickling drew Wei's attention to his right, seeing a residential alley he had almost missed, hidden completely by darkness. The sludge-water that covered the pavement he stood on, formed a miniature waterfall down the small flight of stairs that disappeared into the shadows. A draft billowed from the dark alley, a gust of cool breath exhaling out from within the gloom.
Jiang Wei bit down on his lower lip, frowning when noticing how scarcely wide the path seemed to even allow two men passage. Venturing down that way would give him limited space to maneuver, or use his trident when needed. And if something were down there...
He trailed away from finishing, already knowing of his fate. It would mean he would be trapped, and ultimately put, dead. Heaving a long sigh, he looked to see the smoke beginning to mount more thickly across the sky behind him.
"If it is advantageous, move."Jiang Wei whispered a quote he had read once about fire attacks.
Swallowing his doubt, he trained the bladed-end of his trident in front, before hesitantly stepping down the stairs. The change in temperature became immediate once he stepped onto flat surface, a chill quick to revive the drowsiness of his whole body. Leveling his weapon at seeing no threat, he took a chance to look around.
He had entered into the worst.
The eroding walls had rotted beyond their once splendor appearance, their outer walls shaved away to reveal wood. Windows painted with grime denied anyone a look as the pointed end of nails stuck out from their frames. Dust and mold dominated over the back of the houses, along with freakishly large insects that crawled all over the place.
The tension in his chest mounted as his joints became stiff to protest against going any further. Despite his own misgivings, Jiang Wei went forward, ducking under a wooden beam that stood propped between the barely managing space. Forced breaths through his nose and out his mouth lightened the edging sickness of claustrophobia.
Written along the walls was graffiti of white chalk, obscenities of deplorable words all meshed in together to read unspeakable atrocities. The dark milieu screamed out crime and prostitution, all of which seemed to stay hidden within the city's ancient walls.
He paused before one of the walls, reading the characters scribbled frantically of last words.
Prophecy! Apocalypse! And Hell shall follow...
Another of more disturbing verse.
They come to eat, they come to kill, for human meat, and die YoU WiLL–
Jiang Wei immediately regretted reading them, moving more quickly as the words followed with him. Despite the likelihood that the authors were under influence at the time, noticing the broken bottles of liquor on the ground, he couldn't help but feel the sense of truth in their deranged message.
Either way, he needed to get out of there, fast.
Jiang Wei suddenly withdrew his hand that trailed the walls, brushing against something moist which he examined to be as freshly wet paint coating his palm.
Kneeling down, he noticed a trail of the same burgundy color leading down the twisting alley.
A survivor? Possibly the one who wrote these messages?
Warily Jiang Wei followed, never once dismissing away his earlier thoughts that something was exceedingly wrong with this place.
Through the labyrinthine paths of turns and intersections, he followed. And soon the alley separated again, this time into two directions, one continuing straight while the other making a sharp turn left. The red trail went left.
He hesitated, staring at the decision as he tried determining the best course of action. He should continue ahead east, towards the city gates—
The sound came as a light rustling from behind the left corner, repetitive in its action. Jiang Wei pressed himself against the wall, breath locked in his throat as he listened to the soft stirring again.
Human?
His heart thudded hard against his breast, feeling his fingers become clammy in their grip on his weapon, knuckles turning white. His panicked mind screamed for him to run past quickly, but knowing it would only alert whatever was down that way. Jiang Wei checked his belt, counting only three more daggers left on him. Three kills.
Inching towards the corner, he closed his eyes, a prayer escaping his lips. Then, breath held, Jiang Wei threw himself before the path.
—a sheet swaying in the breeze.
It took him a couple of blinks to realize what he saw, and his body released it's tension in an exhale of breath.
Feeling rather foolish, Jiang Wei watched the tattered piece hanging from an open window, playfully hitting the broken glass. Reaching up, his hand pulled the unclean fabric down from the ledge, letting it fall to his feet. Still shaken, he looked ahead, seeing the alley cramped with old furniture and compiles of trash. The foul smell of rot overpowered the air as Jiang Wei struggled in his steps over broken chairs and other homely merchandise that people had dumped there. The further he went in, the deeper immersed he became in the clutter.
Sliding down a large pile of junk, he looked ahead of him to see wooden crates securely stacked on top of one another, reaching as high as ten feet, blocking the road.
Dead end.
He sighed bitterly, remembering General Luo informing him about the barricades placed in most of the streets–the only way to keep the corpse-like demons contained. I should probably head back, I've gone too far off my intended path anyway–
He froze, catching sight of something out of the corner of his eye as he stopped midway in his turn. Scrutinizing his eyes to see past the gloom, he noticed the slight movement again. Scuffing over bits of debris, he approached the form cautiously, curious more than afraid.
Through the darkness, he saw an even blacker mass, the sound of tiny nibbling emanating from the gloom. The moving form resembled the fluid beats of a human heart, soft and moist.
He went closer.
—And the first cry ripped through the silence. Startled, Jiang Wei jumped back at the sound of frantic beating.
Black crows made their displeasure known as a horrid cawing ensued the silence along with the violent flapping of wings. He caught sight of their lucid beads for eyes before they went soaring into a panic around him. Jiang Wei ducked as he shielded himself with his arms, feeling their feathery bodies brush against him before flying away.
Their obnoxious crying became distant, an anger quickly rushing to Jiang Wei as he watched their silhouettes fade away into the sky. "Stupid." He uttered breathlessly, collecting his nerves. Seeing the last disappear, he lowered his head back down, wondering what drew them to this particular spot.
Bones lied in a heap where the birds had surrounded. Their sun-bleached surfaces gleamed dry, completely picked clean of its flesh and skin. The smaller bones looked still fresh, pieces of meat still clinging to–possibly what the crows were feasting on.
But what kept him there were the bones much larger in size, the ones that looked like the skeleton pieces of a human body.
Cautiously he reached out a hand, picking one up. The bone propped easily into his hand, aside from the oozing clear liquid that smothered all around. He made a face as he shook the object free of the slimy tendrils that had plastered it to the ground. Bringing the bone into the light, he saw clearer. The savagery was more severe than he had imagined.
The end joint had been completely ripped off, revealing the hollow tubular of the bone, the marrow completely gone. Along the sides looked of sharp and wide teeth marks of a predator.
The birds couldn't have done this.
He immediately dropped the piece–not birds!–wiping what he now realized as fresh saliva onto his pants. It wasn't until he looked around more clearly that he felt panic.
It wasn't just the pile; bones lied scattered about all over the ground, surrounding him in a terrifying white circle. Moving away, he heard their hollow rattling beneath his footsteps.
Interspersed with the bones were pieces of bloodied clothing, torn to shreds. Human skulls with missing jaws stared back at him, a few staring at him with bleeding eyeballs still intact.
And the red trail he had followed, not paint, but blood that stained the dirt.
He had walked directly into a mass graveyard, and by the looks of the savagery done to the victims—a graveyard that belonged to some type of insane killer.
A killer who could come back at any time.
Get out. Was the command of his own survival instinct, the words urging him to move back to the alley whence he came. By then he finally noticed that a shadow had fallen over the area, smoke cascading down from the ashen sky above, filling the tight alleyway. Hearing the snaps of wood sounding beneath a fiery roar, he moved, climbing back over the piles of broken furniture.
Breathing became more laborious as he felt the oxygen rapidly decreasing from the air. Coughing violently, he leapt over the last of the piles of junk, feet hitting the familiar stone slabs of the alley. Moving back to the main alleyway, a blinding flash of yellow and orange erupted in the passage to his right, spitting out flames on the rotting homes. Jiang Wei sprinted left, gasping as another wave of heat came rolling from a side alley a few feet ahead. He stopped instantly, grimacing as he felt the burning cinders hitting against his arms and face. Gritting his teeth against the heat, he squinted to see the fire being inhaled back up into the side alley, and ran past quickly.
But the fire continued to spread, engulfing the alley and Jiang Wei up in an angry procession.
The flames danced furiously among the quickly corroding rooftops that collapsed only moments later. Crackling of fire eating wood soon dominated over the ragged breaths escaping him.
Jiang Wei clutched his trident as he stood within the burning inferno that swirled around him. The wave of heat grew in unbearable intensity as he disappeared further into a fiery sea of yellow and orange. With a hand pressed tightly against his mouth, he forced himself to take only a few shallow breaths at a time.
The tickled searing that began to bother his throat indicated to him that he was beginning to inhale too much smoke. He needed to hurry.
Waves of burning splinters of wood and ashes rained down upon him, catching in his strands of hair and becoming a second skin to his body. Each step became a fight against the instinctual fear of fire as he forced himself further in. He coughed as he inhaled the polluted air, pressure in his sinuses a sure sign on the lack of oxygen to his head. Fatal to the brain, when denied only so much.
Gotta move–!
He began to feel the layers of his armor weigh him down, slowing his steps as well as cooking his fevered body within. Sweat matted his clothes and hair to him, rolling down his skin profusely.
The sound of breaking glass loudly echoed as he turned down another narrow alleyway. He managed to duck in time as a fiery blaze of incredible force burst from a window that became devoured in flames.
But the near escape from becoming incinerated never affected him as he lied on his stomach. With his cheek pressed against the earth and heart pulsing through his ears–came an even more terrifying threat.
A guttural growling incapable for any human voice to make came from behind. Jiang Wei's heart stopped beating, wondering whether he had imagined the sound; a cause from the feverish temperatures around him that he noticed were becoming too hot, such as mirages to one who suffered from heat stroke.
But the low tenor growl came again, closer now from behind.
Resisting every instinctive fiber within him that demanded he flee, Jiang Wei raised himself from the hot earth and looked behind, wanting to see what had come—
—two bright orbs glowered maliciously at him, belonging to a widening grin that revealed a row of sharp teeth. The pointed ears pressed down upon the small head of a creature who stood on four legs, it's tail tucked threateningly between it's hind legs. The muscles twitched in its mouth as a slimy tongue appeared, licking its bloodied chops that looked fresh from a previous kill.
Jiang Wei stood paralyzed, staring into the eyes of the single animal, a powerful body of yellowish-green puss and blood that leaked from its sleek and slimy fur.
The ferocious barking snapped mobility back to Jiang Wei's legs as he backpedaled slowly away, afeared that any sudden movement would provoke the animal to attack.
The solidity of wall behind him struck a chord of utmost terror in his quaking heart. He stumbled, back pressing against another one of Luo's barricades that blocked the path, and his escape.
The canine's grin only seemed to widen at seeing the cornered boy, exposing fangs dripping with saliva, drooling for a taste of him.
Jiang Wei actually felt his knees buckle as his body weakened under the paramount horror of knowing that he was going to die. The certainty overwhelmed him as he attempted to swallow down a hot lump he found himself choking on.
Always during a battle he had prepared himself for death. He even believed the ultimate sacrifice to be the divine honor his superiors had told him about. He was to accept it when it came, without question, without resistance.
But he was trained to die from a blade, not torn to pieces by cannibals–or by man-eating dogs like the one that was inching closer to him.
The dog threw back it's head, a long and unearthly howl raging from the very depths of it's throat that echoed into the silence. And Jiang Wei heard; the lone song soon joined by the voices of many others that filled the ashen sky. There's more of them, a lot more.
Suddenly a window just a few feet away burst outward, spraying shards of glass as an incredible force of flames shot forth in a wave of heat and smoke.
He took the advantage.
Jiang Wei turned his back while the dog's ears perked at the new threat that had erupted. Frantically, he began climbing up the wooden crates, gulping in the thin air as he willed himself to remain quiet, to keep from letting a cry escape no matter how strong the urge.
Another explosion came from behind, the rippling waves of fire coming for them both. The force of the blast caught Jiang Wei off guard, his right hand losing grip, causing him to dangle by his left.
The dog's head spun back at the young strategist who had found his footing and continued clambering over the crates. A bellowing woof reached Jiang Wei's ears and he looked down to see the beast already attempting to climb up after him. His hands trembled, becoming slippery with sweat as he reached for the jutted edges that he used to pull himself higher.
The fire grew from behind. Jiang Wei winced as he felt the extreme temperatures beginning to burn away at his flesh.
Finally, his hand felt flat surface. He had reached the top. Gratefully he pulled himself over, forcing his eyes away from the ground, forgetting how much he disliked heights. He placed his legs over the opposite side, fear building in his throat as he noticed the flames escalating up towards him.
He threw his trident down below, preparing to follow suit–
–when suddenly a snarling blur leapt for him. Jiang Wei's eyes widened, catching sight of only white fangs before a heavy weight came slamming into his ribs, sending him falling over. A grunt escaped him as he hit concrete, the sharp impact stunning his legs as he rolled across the dirt. Jiang Wei bit his bottom lip against the pain, staring up through his bangs as he watched the dead dog beginning to pick itself back up.
His splintered hands bled as they reached for his trident, crying out when he felt an agonizing pain stabbing at ribs he knew were broken. Biting his lip, he struggled to his feet.
The dog barred it's teeth, a devilish grin spread across its skinless face. And it leapt.
Jiang Wei swept his trident upward, catching the dog's body in midair, and in one fluid motion thrust it back. The red ribbon of its blood trailed behind the airborne dog, splattering once hitting the more spacious alleyway floor. The body itself smashed into the weakened walls of house, a high-pitched yelp escaping from its mouth as debris fell atop of it.
Not waiting to see if it would rise again, he fled, leaving behind the creature as the flames engulfed the rubble where the body lay. The bawling and howling echoed from the trapped dog, sending chills down Jiang Wei as he listened to the demonic cries–waiting for it to silence.
But the final mournful cry had received an answer.
And the howling began.
He raced past them as the alerted beasts emerged one by one from the shadows, their teeth barred out viciously for a taste of their new prey. Glowing eyes gleamed through the blinding smoke, the furious tapping of padded paws pursuing closely behind him.
Two more dogs appeared from one of the side alleys, abandoning the remains of a human carcass as they chased after Jiang Wei with greedy desire.
The burning in his muscles had long since numbed along with the rest of his body that only knew fear. Desperate in his attempt to lose the pack, he began trying the back doors leading into the burning houses. He risked only a single jolt–each one as secure as the last–before taking to running again. The heavy, raspy breathing now seemed only inches far behind him. The smell of their foul breath invaded the air as Jiang Wei felt their hot gusts hit his back.
As death seemed imminent, Jiang Wei caught glimpse of a door swaying ahead. Giving no thought to how, he bolted left, the dogs barking after him. He shut the door just as a dead body came slamming against the hard surface. Backing away, he listened as numerous sharp claws scraped away at the door which shook violently along with the wall. Paws eagerly began digging at the ground underneath, trying to tunnel their way inside.
He didn't have much time.
The oak-scented wood seared his nostrils as small fires cooked the floors. The wooden beams supporting the home moaned loudly, the ceiling swaying dangerously above him. Burning pieces of wood fell from above, crashing in a heap of ashes, sparks igniting into more fires. Through the hot crimson haze, Jiang Wei managed to see the small window lattice across the room.
A ferocious barking came as a dog's shriveled head burst through the door, glaring at Jiang Wei as he made his way through the waves of orange. Jiang Wei's hands grappled onto the wooden lattice, struggling to pry the wood off.
The dog's head stuck through the door began thrashing around wildly, loosening the door's hinges that creaked. Dirt coated snouts sniffed eagerly at the air, appearing through the nearly completed hole beneath the door.
The smell of his own burning flesh made him gag, the smoldering heat of the lattice eating away at the skin on his hands. Slowly the nails pinning it down began to loosen.
Jiang Wei shook the lattice even harder, his burning nerves screaming for release which he denied them. Adrenaline pumped into his aching arms, receiving motivation as he glanced back over. The dogs tore away, breaking apart the door with mouths that he knew only thirsted to do the same to him. Dammit please open! Open!
—the door fell apart into splintered pieces, a barking shadow darting for him, the rest of the hungry pack following the alpha.
—Jiang Wei pried the lattice off, throwing the steaming piece aside and hastily pulling himself up through the small opening.
—and a sharp split pierced above the roaring flames, the vicious snarling, as well as Jiang Wei's cry. The wooden beams of the moaning ceiling finally failed, immediately crashing down upon them all.
He fell out onto the open street below just as the dwelling collapsed in itself, the building exhaling out it's last heated breath that smelled of age and burning meat. Dust and ash peppered the street while the tremors pulsed through the hot earth. Flaming remains came falling around him in a deadly shower as he tucked in his body, arms covering his head. After a last fiery spurt of orange flame, the last of the debris fell, grating over the ground before becoming still. Jiang Wei weakly raised his head, lowering his arms. The creaking black frame of the house only remained, steam rising from the cinders that pulsed a glowing red. Nothing remained.
He gulped in more polluted air, his body becoming as solid as the stone-paved ground beneath him. The stiffening in his muscles and locking joints made him incapable to move as they lost all feeling in them. Gasping, he knew only the pain that appeared in white streaks before his failing vision. Consciousness slipped just as quickly, his lids falling heavily over bloodshot eyes that strained to see past the growing darkness.
He waited in fear, waiting to hear the howling to begin again.
But they never came.
-8 8 8-
The echoing screams continued their torture, finding him even in the blackness. An unpleasantness rose within him as he felt his blood boil, the heat aggravating his entire body. The building of pressure happened upon his chest. A scream formed deep within, about to burst forth at the weight. The sticky tendrils of heat and sweat enveloped him before he ever had the chance, and the ground beneath disappeared.
He drifted weightlessly within the darkness, the nightmare now safely out of the reaches of his awareness. No longer did he feel pain.
"He's still alive!"
Slipping in and out of unconsciousness, he felt the strong arms clutch him, pulling him gently off the ground. The distant chattering of voices made him stir as he struggled to blink past the bleariness that had settled within his tired eyes.
"Come on," the far off voice whispered, "let's get you out of here." The tone soothed the abrupt panic that seized him, and Jiang Wei fell back into an icy void that knew not the heat his body had suffered. And he knew no more.
A welcoming cool breeze dried the perspiration on his skin, grazing gently over his hot cheeks. The freshness in the clean air alleviated the rotting smell that had haunted him, relieving his aching lungs. "Careful. Set him down here."
Again he strained to see past the white echoes that disturbed him, giving up when the throbbing intensified in the back of his head. Soft and bristling noises lulled him back to dream of green forests.
—Cold and sharp fingers bit at his body as he felt the dark world spinning, the gravity returning as he awakened. A foul taste entered into his mouth as did the pulsing agony that leveled throughout this body. Reluctantly, Jiang Wei felt the intruding rays of light from outside enter into his peaceful oblivion, changing his sight from black to blinding white. Unable to retreat back into the coma he once knew, he felt himself awaken...
The soldier bending over felt the fierce grip on his wrist that startled him, the wet cloth dropping from his hand. Jiang Wei narrowed his gaze on the pale and young face, confusion and grogginess tattooing red veins across his swollen eyes.
"Where am I?" Jiang Wei asked hoarsely, wincing as the words caused him pain.
Through blotches of white, Jiang Wei watched the man look at him completely baffled before blinking back to composure. Disregarding his earlier question, the soldier merely stood back up, "Sir! Sir! Our lord has awakened!" He announced excitedly as he ran off.
Jiang Wei laid there, his memory shattered as he stared blankly up at the darkened sky. Grey clouds hidden partially beneath a green mist of leaves swayed in a cool breeze which lightened the fatigue from him.
Trees? Leaves?
Frowning, his bruised fingers felt the ground beneath him, the damp earth shifting at his touch as he let the soil slip from his hand. Beyond the lush vegetation surrounding him, he heard the faint trickling of water hitting rock.
Breathing in, he recognized the bitter and sweet aroma he identified to the wild forests that dominated the mountainous region. Forests? Not the city?
Anxiously he rose from the thin blanket he lay on. Instantly, his breath hitched as his muscles resisted in a wave of fiery pain. Gasping, he clutched his side, keeping the bile secured in his throat.
"Easy now my lord," the new voice approaching him, "You should lie back down to rest–you took quite a beating back there."
Ignoring his words, Jiang Wei forced his weight onto his legs as he stood up. The blood rushed from his head as he became lightheaded. Soldiers rushed in to catch him as he faltered, supporting him until he found balance again. "I'm fine." He insisted stubbornly, "Just tell me what happened and how I got here."
"Your with the third regiment–what's left of us–I am General Xi, leader of this unit." The ruggedly handsome man giving a short bow, "You were passed out in the streets when we found you, barely alive. We feared that you were dead–that you became..one of them. But when we heard you cry out, we took you with us, along with the rest of the survivors we managed to save and evacuate. As much as we know, we're the only group that made it out of the city alive, the rest were..." His words trailed off, unable to finish as his voice became choked with an emotion Jiang Wei was unable to ascertain.
His chest tightened at hearing "only", his gut twisting into terrible knots, "What do you mean? The people made it outside the east gates, the creatures are contained inside the city walls!"
Xi's voice came again, shaky, "There are no more east gates sir. Once we reached them, they were already completely destroyed. The outer city was already in turmoil when we looked out–people eating other people, fires–the same hell that happened to us in the inner city." He paused, unnerved as he wiped the dirt from his face, "We escaped with what we could, and hid in the forests. A few of the creatures took pursuit but we made quick work of them. I don't know how long it will take for them to finish with the entire city before moving on."
Jiang Wei felt the ground sweep out underneath him, his throat closing at thinking on the possibility, "Move on?" Despite the attempt to swallow, the words became lodged in his throat.
"Those creatures are out," Xi stated gravely.
"And the people...?" Jiang Wei's words barely above a whisper.
"Dead." Jiang Wei's eyes shut painfully at the word, Xi continued, "Not counting the hundred we managed to save–but even they are in worse shape than you."
The mournful silence fell upon them with intensity, their heads bowing as their thoughts became lost in their own despair. Tian Shui was gone. Their home, their families, everything they knew...gone.
"There's nothing more we can do then." Jiang Wei's reserved tone drawing the attention of the soldiers, his eyes snapping open. Bitterness at the tremendous loss sharpened the edge of his voice that did not waver, his eyes direct in their purpose as a powerful command strengthened his words, "The only option left now is trying to stop this plague from spreading before it destroys the entire Wei Kingdom."
"And how would we go about doing that milord?" A soldier questioned, doubt etched in his expression.
"We head east, and march towards the gates of Xu Chang—inform Emperor Cao Cao of this threat before any of these...creatures take any more lives. If we move quickly, then hopefully we can reach the capitol before these creatures do."
Xi nodded in agreement, "It's worth the risk although on foot, the trek will take at least a week. I'm afraid by the time it will already be too late."
"We must try. We should leave at once, before nightfall comes. Staying here is suicide with those things lurking about."
"And what of the rest of China? Should they not be warned about this? What of Shu and Wu?"
"We can't accomplish anything yet until we reach Xu Chang, from there we'll decide what to do."
"Sounds like a plan," Xi said and raised his voice, "Alright! Men start rallying up the survivors and gather our equipment, with any luck will make some feet before dark!"
They scattered, carrying out their orders with renewed strength.
Jiang Wei nodded before turning to look back to the direction of the only home he ever knew. In the distance, the burning city lit in flaming yellow as glittering rain of ash peppered the blood red sky overhead. The screaming and moaning echoed clearly through the miles, carried by a breeze that shifted the leaves of the forest around them. Jiang Wei watched Tian Shui disappear into a blaze of yellow and orange flame, an explosion blooming out like a newly born flower, touching the sky.
The impulse came and this time he did nothing to stop it. He doubled over, gripping his stomach that erupted into a hot searing pain...and vomited.