Chapter 42: A Vision of Purification

East River Camp

Xu Huang was not accustomed to fellow associates displaying such… physical affection towards him. Perhaps a hearty slap on the back, or a joking punch on the arm – that was the furthest he was willing to venture with subordinates and peers alike. But Alicia and Beth were an entirely different story. Anywhere the three met, the twins would instantly attach themselves to him, cuddling themselves against his body wherever he walked, attracting perturbed glances from soldiers who chopped away at their firewood, or envious grins from fellow generals who stood outside their tents, discussing strategies for the coming battle. He avoided their gazes. He was becoming someone removed from the rest of the army, despite being one of its commanders.

Today, it was too much. The stares were becoming intolerable. "Girls," he whispered, looking down at them. "This is awkward. Please release me."

"Does Master wish for us to release him?" asked Beth anxiously.

Alicia peered up at him too, and he started, unsure of how to respond. "Well, I do – but I don't – argh, do whatever you wish," he said, rather flustered by it all. To his exasperation, Alicia and Beth silently resumed their hold on him, as if he had answered precisely the way they had desired him to.

"Oh? You have managed to tame them. Then it seems Mengde's plan is succeeding, after all."

Hearing the voice of Galatea, he quickly turned and kneeled, bringing his hands together. "His Majesty's Tigress Guard, here at Jieting?" he asked cautiously. "I didn't know that the King took this battle so seriously."

She waved him back up offhandedly. "I have spent much time in his bedchambers and I still don't know half his thoughts. Rise, Lord High General."

He stood and looked behind her, his eyes widening. "And is that a battalion of Imperial Lancers?" he confirmed, staring into the endless formation of darkly armoured horsemen. They were waiting outside the camp's gates; twenty thousand had split off from the main force and encamped below the mountain, whilst Galatea retained command over the remaining thirty thousand. "I don't dare to believe it."

"Your eyes are not fooling you. We have received reports that a massive force of Shu and Wu allies is moving towards Jieting. I'm here to assist in repulsing their attack… and to defeat their commanders, so to speak. I am, after all, under orders to capture Flora, Cynthia, and the rest of the silver-eyed warriors who dare to resist Wei. In other words, I've come with more bad news," she said grimly. "The Prince was unable to defeat Flora, and Xiahou Mao was routed by Yue Ying's inventions, that incompetent fool. We've lost almost ten thousand of our elite troops, and if Liu Bei and Sun Quan's forces break past Jieting, they won't just threaten the Central Plains, they'll threaten Xuchang and Luoyang, too. The loss of the Wei Capital and the Imperial Capital is to be prevented at all costs."

"There is no need to worry," nodded Xu Huang confidently. "With you commanding our defence, there will be no chance for any major loss on our part."

"I hope so." Galatea glanced at Beth, raising an eyebrow. The younger woman blinked, and shuffled near Xu Huang. "She's… changed. Significantly," observed Galatea. "Do I detect…" she paused, her Yoki touching Beth's. "Do I sense… apprehension? Nervousness? I was unaware that a Soul Linked woman was even capable of such… spontaneous, human emotions anymore."

"I really do not know," replied Xu Huang. He took Beth by the shoulder, and she closed her eyes, tucking her cheek against the side of his chest. "I think they're more complex than they let on. And… Alicia still rarely talks. She prefers actions to words." He sighed. "Yes. They have begun to change: they seem more expressive of what they desire, more… proactive in their choices." He smiled at Galatea. "I think that is far preferable compared to what they once were – almost soulless automatons."

"Yet more mysteries from Mengde," muttered the Tigress Guard. She passed by Xu Huang, looking straight ahead. "But at the very least, I can forgive our King, if he has entrusted the care of these young women in your hands.

"Take defensive positions and do not attack the Shu forces just yet. Feast the men and have them ready for the coming offensive." Her eyes flashed. "There is something I wish to do before we engage the enemy tomorrow."

*

The Wu reinforcements that made their way to Jieting were one hundred thousand strong. They slowly approached a range of high mountains, surrounded by many gorges, ravines and canyons. At the base of the mountain towered a large fort that served as shelter for the expeditionary army. Along with the Shu force already stationed there, their combined numbers would be sufficient to match the giant Wei force of five hundred thousand. At the forefront of the new arrival walked Zhou Tai and Cynthia. The latter was clad once again in her grey-silver uniform, the outfit that her Chinese compatriots had come to acknowledge as legitimate military regalia. She looked up at the beautiful mountains of the Middle Kingdom with fresh new eyes. It seemed a true blessing, to be able to walk again. "We have reached our destination, my love," said Zhou Tai, raising his hands stroking his fiancé's blonde tresses. "Are you certain you feel strong enough to fight?"

"Yes," she replied happily, taking his hand and nuzzling it. She blinked and looked up. "This place… it looks amazing," she breathed, staring into the tall fort's ramparts. It was a marvellous feat of architecture, completed according to Yue Ying and Zhuge Liang's specifications. It would serve as one of the main bastions in their assault on the primary Wei cities. "Not only that, but everyone seems to have come here," observed Cynthia, smiling and waving at two distant female shapes on the ramparts. "Yuma! Tabitha! Why aren't you in your full uniforms?" she called teasingly.

"Miss Cynthia! Welcome to Jieting!" returned Yuma, in horribly accented Chinese. Clearly, she had not been practicing enough. She and Tabitha reciprocated Cynthia's signal from the parapet, and they both looked in rather high spirits. Jean emerged from behind them and nodded in recognition, smiling reservedly. Clare, Helen, Deneve and Miria were most likely inside the fortress, too.

"It seems we were not far behind," said Zhou Tai, glimpsing two warriors that flanked a beautiful, auburn-haired woman, who in turn rode at the head of a large Shu battalion outside the gates.

Cynthia nodded in surprise. "Miss Flora and Master Zhao Yun! And…"

Yue Ying's eyes were shining. She dismounted and ran up to a man in elaborate Taoist robes, who stood waiting outside the fort gates. She flung herself into the mage's arms, abandoning her persona as supreme commander. "My husband! It has only just been a month, and it is already too long."

Zhuge Liang smiled. "I am proud to have you by my side once again, Yue Ying. Did you receive my letter after the Southern Expedition – ?"

"Yes," whispered the Grand General. "Your sudden departure was necessary. I would never have protested your decision in that respect." She glanced to her side as Cynthia and Zhou Tai approached Zhuge Liang. The magician and advisor turned to them, smiling benevolently.

"Wu's Cavalier Admiral and Rising Dragon General, reporting for duty," said Cynthia, saluting. "On behalf of King Sun Quan, we offer our services in the name of upholding our alliance's promises."

Still holding her husband's hand, Yue Ying beamed at them. "Are you certain you do not mean: fiancé and fiancée, reporting for duty?"

A helpless, pregnant pause.

"Oh, you told them, Miss Flora!" squealed Cynthia, backing away and hiding her self-conscious face in Zhou Tai's chest. He gave a small smile as she began to sputter and ramble. "Do – do they all know, now? Or must I now confess our plans in front of everyone?"

"My – my utmost apologies," said Flora uncomfortably, unable to suppress an embarrassed smile. "Lady Huang asked, and I did not wish to lie…" She looked at Zhao Yun for support, but the young champion could only rub his nose amusedly.

"We'll catch up with them, my phoenix. Don't worry," he chuckled, eliciting a gorgeous blush from his beloved.

*

Second Barracks

"I really must apologize again," said a standing Flora humbly, not totally convinced of Cynthia's smile. "I acknowledge my fault in – "

"I said, Miss Flora, no apology is required. I was only having some fun back there," smiled the young woman, as she sat at the edge of her bed. "It's something to be proud of – as inexperienced as I am about choosing a path like this with the man I love, I cannot help but feel an unbreakable hope for the future, despite our half-Yoma flesh and blood. I have discovered more humanity in Tai than most human beings… and I hope he will think the same of me, too. That is all I need to be an attention-seeker about our marriage."

"And is Master Zhou also proclaiming this revelation to all his men?"

Cynthia was about to answer in the negative when a rapid tapping on the door sounded. Flora called for the visitor to enter, and a soldier stepped in, parchment in hand. "Report! We have received a letter from the enemy camp. It requests to be opened and read only by Lady Flora."

Flora's eyes narrowed. She took the note from the messenger, who quickly bowed out. She spread wide the parchment, her eyes falling on elegantly scribbled Chinese. It read:

Greetings, Flora. I know we haven't exchanged words in a long time. But I ask that you read this carefully.

As of now, I have led a force of fifty thousand Imperial Lancers to Jieting. The main purpose of this subjugation force is to capture the commanders of the allied army: in other words, you, along with Miria, Jean, and every other Continental warrior who is serving with the enemy. My objective is not to keep you as prisoners of war. There is a greater purpose behind what I'm trying to do.

I request a meeting with you. Come to the fourth opening of the Jieting gorge, north of your current location, where the mountains open out towards the plateau. If you trust my sincerity, meet me at midnight, and bring Miria, Clare, and the others if you can. I have also heard much of this "Cynthia," this Rising Dragon General who has apparently achieved some rather amazing feats alongside her Wu allies. I request that she come, too.

I will come unarmed.

Galatea

Flora stared at the parchment for several minutes, mulling over the implications of Galatea's words. Surely her senior would never try anything despicable by ambushing them? But what did she hope to accomplish by meeting with rival leaders on the eve of battle?

Perhaps I am already thinking too heavily on this.

Flora's interest was piqued, but she could not afford to endanger her comrades' lives for the sake of new information from the enemy. She glanced at Cynthia. "The warrior known as God-Eye requests a meeting with us," said the Shu general sombrely. "I ask that you come with me tonight, to the fourth crevice of Jieting gorge. I will find Miria and Clare, and invite them to come, too."

"A meeting… with Miss Galatea?" whispered Cynthia in awe. "The famed Number Three… and the guardian of the Wei King himself?"

Flora's eyes narrowed. "She says she will come unarmed. We shall do so too, but be prepared to fight back if we fall into a trap. Relay this message to all other Shu-Wu alliance members. We will depart an hour before midnight."

*

Fourth opening of Jieting gorge

Galatea stood on a large mound of grass that stretched in all four directions, waiting patiently even as the clouds began to obscure the full moon. The land had fallen even deeper into the blackness of the early morning. The highland on which she stood was one of the passages that opened out from the narrow gorges and pathways of Jieting. In a manner, she was actually allowing the enemy to inspect the battlefield, free of harassment.

After almost an hour of patient waiting, six figures emerged from beyond the hills. She smirked – how predictable, that they had come, and without their swords, too. But that was a commendable thing. Her eyes could clearly distinguish Flora and Miria, for they were the most beautiful of the lot. Clare, Helen and Deneve had also arrived with them. "How nice of you to make it, along with Windcutter. I appreciate you answering my summons," she called, smiling and shifting slightly to prove that she hadn't equipped her sword. "It's a pity that we had to depart on sour terms at Hanzhong. Perhaps it'd be wise to make a fresh start." She looked at Cynthia mildly, who had positioned herself beside Flora. "This must be our first time meeting in person, Number Fourteen. You seem to have only recently recovered from a grievous wound, but you look lively all the same."

"Th… thank you, senior," replied Cynthia, bowing awkwardly.

"Would your King accuse you of treason for meeting with so many enemy commanders, Lady Galatea?" asked Flora.

"He already knows I don't listen to half of what he says," replied God-Eye dryly. "In fact, much of this Jieting campaign is being conducted by our Field Marshal, Sima Yi. His Majesty is occupied with something else."

"What would that be?" asked Miria suspiciously.

Galatea's expression turned sombre. "That is what I wanted to talk with you about. It is to do with Isley, Priscilla and Lu Bu. The enemies we should be fighting."

"You have no right to say that," interrupted Clare. "Shu and Wu were forced into resistance because of Cao Cao's aggression against the south of China. I can't believe a warrior of a calibre like you could still serve him all this time."

"And what of his war crimes?" snarled Helen. "I still remember how he froze us all in ice at Hanzhong. I've yet to pay him back – and you, too."

"Trapping you in ice is hardly a war crime," replied Galatea sarcastically. "I concede that I've disagreed with him on certain major issues in our campaigns… in particular the use of Alicia and Beth. And I've already pointed out to him that the very idea of three Kingdoms in one nation is simply ridiculous. But in his dream lies something truly worthwhile because in it, I see an end to this order of three, and a return to reunification." She looked up at the stars contemplatively. "Mengde – I mean, His Majesty – has a laudable vision," she said quietly. "I admit I felt a somewhat primal attraction to that man the first night we met, but over these short years I have come to believe in his aspiration as well. He has entrusted me with this army at Jieting, and with his very life. That is why they call me his bodyguard, his Eye. I am closer to him than anyone else."

"I never imagined that you'd utter such sentiments, Number Three," said Flora. "Then, enough banter. Just what do you see in Cao Cao that we do not?"

"I will reveal the entirety of my King's plan to answer you," answered Galatea, walking closer towards the six allies. "He has given me special permission to disclose this to you… for we silver-eyed warriors are the centrepiece of his masterwork. The bonds that we have forged with the people of these three Kingdoms only strengthen our presence as heroines of this land. It is this presence that my King intends to use to reunify China."

Her greaves glided along the grass.

"This is the first stage: to bind the Kingdoms together against Isley's forces through us. In other words," she added, "three Kingdoms cannot be united through mere force of arms or personality. There must be a guiding principle – a calling that all people of talent can answer. And that calling is our unity."

"Our unity?" whispered Miria. "But how can we achieve that… when we stand against you?"

"Then do not stand against me, Miria. Liu Bei is a compassionate ignoramus, and Sun Quan is concerned merely with preserving his family's name. Mengde sees beyond all that in his second stage. With the civil war subdued and the land united, we shall achieve the total eradication of Yoma from China, through the destruction of the portal within the Mogao Caves and various other strongholds that belong to the Awakened Beings. The Three Kingdoms are an aberration, don't you see? They are an insult to Heaven, an affront to the Mandate and to the natural order. And Master Cao Cao is the only man who can restore Heaven's favour."

"But where will we be after all this?" protested Deneve. "Aren't we merely pawns in this plan? You're making it out as if we're merely figureheads for unity! Will we have any place at all in this new world? We've already abandoned the Continent. Should the Chinese abandon us, we'll have nowhere…"

Galatea smiled knowingly. "Believe me. There is a place for us in this world. My King will provide a home for us… for the third and final phase is to dissolve the empire itself, so that the land is no longer a monarchy. Rather, China shall enter a new age of renaissance, where all live according to their merit and their talent. Our strengths will enable this nation to spread far across this world, the likes of which has never been seen before. And eventually…" she looked up to the twinkling firmament. "To travel to new boundaries beyond this world without the need for portals or magic."

Flora gasped. "Impossible."

"You're high," whispered Helen, her dumbstruck expression identical to that of Miria, Clare and Deneve's. "That's what the King of Wei wants?!"

"That's right," said Galatea softly, enjoying the flabbergasted expressions on the faces of her juniors. "This is Mengde's vision for the future. Through it, mankind shall reach a new stage of unity, a unity that will take us to new frontiers once thought impossible. Through the Imperial Chancellor's ambition, All Under Heaven shall be brought together."

"Then… that means…" whispered Cynthia.

"Yes. We of the Continent have been chosen by Mengde to realize this vision." Galatea continued to stare at her juniors. "You should be pleased," she said. "Now you know that my King has decided to place China's fate in your hands – a far more honoured task than any Liu Bei or Sun Quan could ever assign you. Master Cao Cao entrusted me first with this ambition, and now he extends it to you."

The Tigress Guard gestured outwards with her arms in conclusion. "So… what do you say, sisters? We hold the key to the reunification of China. Were we to join together, it would be within our power to unite All Under Heaven, so that there remain not three Kingdoms… but one mighty, prosperous nation for future generations."