Book 1: LIFE

Chapter 7:

THE UN-HEROIC QUEST

The guard had walked back and forth between Zhong's cell and the desk where Zhong's food would be placed a dozen times. Zhong just sat on his bench, barely moving, barely living. The guard was confused. "Are you sure it's him?" the guard asked a fellow soldier.

"What do you mean?" the soldier replied.

"I mean, I've seen this guy beat the crap out of someone n less than a minute and now, he's just a vegetable sitting in a cell. The two images just don't add up."

"Yeah. I know." The soldier whispered in reply. "Personally, just try and put him out of your mind and do your job. I'm sure is will blow over in no time and we won't have to rack our brains over it anymore." The soldier left and the guard was left to ponder on his own.

There was a loud thud from a cell (there was only one occupied so it was not very hard to know which one it was). The guard turned and burst into Zhong's holding cell. Zhong was on the ground, lying face down in his bowl of soup. "Oh no!" the guard shouted as he bent down to get Zhong up. He shifted him onto his side and began patting his back, not quite trained in what to do when a human faints.

"Um…I think this is right." The guard reasoned as he tried to think of what the position was to prevent someone from throwing up. "I should double check." Sweating profusely, the guard ran to the door. "Hey! Help needed with the prisoner!"

Two men came running. "What's the problem with Zhong?" one of them asked as they grabbed a sack full of medical devices.

"He's fainted and I'm not sure what to do and…" the guard babbled on.

"Well, you could start by telling us where he is in the first place." One of the men said as he scanned the cell.

"What?" the guard asked as the color flushed from his face. He turned, shaking, to the cell where Zhong had previously been before he slipped out past the frantic guard.

It was a piece of cake for Zhong. He was sprinting towards the armory and stables which were situated right next to the holding block. He slipped the key which he had cut off the guard's belt into the lock and with a click grabbed as many supplies as he would need on his mission. He tired the armor tightly and sheathed the best sword he saw on the rack.

"I should really think of getting a mount." Zhong said to himself as he casually grabbed a shield and smashed it over the unaware guard's head. The guard crumpled to the ground as Zhong moved on towards the stables. He unpadlocked the ostrich horse, which was rearing and screeching as Zhong attempted to silence it.

"It's just me, nothing to worry about." Zhong exclaimed as the ostrich horse seemed to get even more angry. There was a low hum from behind and the ostrich horse settled down, keeping the alarm rate low.

Zhong spun on the spot, grabbing his sword hilt firmly to attack whoever was interfering with him.

"It's just me. Hold your anger." Aitoku whispered with the ostrich horse whistle in his hands which he had quickly lifted into the air.

"I don't need anyone on this mission." Zhong said quickly as he heard the bells start to ring from out in the courtyard. Guards would be everywhere soon enough to apprehend him.

"I'm not letting you go out alone. I'm in good stead with the Master." Aitoku said as he moved closer. Zhong could see that he was already suited out for battle. "If something happens out there, you'll need a witness to speak on your behalf. You won't get away with anything else."

"Thanks but no thanks." Zhong shouted back as he hurried to try and get a saddle on the beast. "This mission is from the Master anyway. I'm perfectly fine if…"

"The Master gave you orders before and look where that landed you." Aitoku hissed. Zhong stopped for a moment to think about it. "The Master hasn't been as up front with his orders as you think. At least with me the other men will know what happened. Just let me come as aide at the very least."

Zhong was caught. He could hear the footsteps coming closer and didn't know where to run. He sighed heavily and turned to Aitoku.

"He might be in here!" a soldier shouted as his patrol broke off from the platoon to check out the armory. They barged through into the long racks of weapons and armor, spreading out and scouring every inch of the building.

"Someone want to check the stables?" another soldier shouted as a few men ran to the stable doors. There was a loud crack as the wood splintered and the eel hound raced through the barracks, jumped over the wall, and sprinted into the woods with Aitoku and Zhong bouncing along on its back.

It was starting to drizzle when the two had finally decided to stop on the side of the road. Aitoku was having some trouble in getting the tent unhitched from the saddle. "Here, I got it." Zhong stated. He passed dangerously close to Aitoku a he reached over and with one swift yank let the tent go. Aitoku and Zhong both made a grab for it as the bundle fell.

"I got the stakes." Aitoku stammered as he slipped the canvas into Zhong's arms and then went to retrieve the wooden stakes from the muddy ground. "I would assume we're near the ocean." Aitoku guessed as he looked off towards the north.

"And how can you tell?" Zhong asked as he fumbled with the canvas, not sure of which side was the entrance. Aitoku sauntered over, handed the stakes to Zhong and then aptly folded the tent in the right direction.

"You can hear the waves." Aitoku told him as he then grabbed the stakes out of Zhong's hands. "You know, for being on the run for so long I would have assumed you'd know how to pitch a tent by now."

"I wasn't exactly sleeping in tents my whole time on the run." Zhong said embarrassingly. He went around, sticking the poles in where they had to be with a few helpful hints from Aitoku.

"That's funny." Aitoku laughed. "You had a tent when they seized your pack." Zhong went red as he quickly propped the tent up and went inside before the heavy rainfall could begin. Aitoku set about placing some leaves over a bunch of gnarled trees, giving the eel hound some much needed shelter.

"I think that should be good for now. The army won't find us for a while." Aitoku reassured Zhong as he entered the very cramped tent. "What, a bigger tent too much to ask for?"

"I wasn't exactly expecting company on this mission." Zhong added. As he kicked off his boots and tried to close his eyes. It was hard to do with Aitoku shifting around so many things. He ended up wedged among some packs with the weapons painfully pinching his head. "Are you comfortable now?" Zhong asked him with annoyance.

"Oh yes, much better." Aitoku responded, cradled in blankets and food. Zhong sighed as he shifted to his side. Aitoku shifted too.

Zhong nearly jumped out of his skin when the large pyramid of gear Aitoku had piled up fell on him. "WHAT THE HECK! CARE TO GET A LITTLE MORE ORGANIZED?"

"Sorry." Aitoku said as he looked over at Zhong. "Let me just readjust some things." Aitoku began attempting to rearrange things, annoying Zhong even further.

"Just get comfortable…and make sure I am too." Zhong ordered as he shifted over again and stared at the canvas wall. He felt something brush up next to him and lean against him. He lifted his head to see Aitoku resting there. Aitoku saw his gaze.

"Comfortable?" Aitoku asked.

Zhong turned back to the wall and let out a sigh. "Yes."

The waves did sound beautiful as they crashed against the beach. Zhong readjusted himself after his nap and walked out onto the sand. He closed his eyes, taking in the refreshing air. His troubles seemed to melt away and he felt more relived than he had in many months. He looked about and stopped. He spotted Aitoku sitting on a rock much closer to the water.

Zhong walked over to him, trudging through the sand. He could see just by ho he was sitting that he was remembering something. "You care to get going?" Zhong asked gently. As relaxed as he was, he still had his mission to think of.

"Oh, yeah." Aitoku said as he shook his head. Zhong sat down on the sand next to him.

"What were you thinking about?" Zhong asked.

"Home." Aitoku replied as he focused on the horizon. Zhong looked up at him inquisitively.

"Home?" Zhong asked.

"Yeah. You know, I used to visit the ocean everyday and see the penguins like I told you." Aitoku stated. "I was just thinking about…why I left. I'm still not really sure. I mean, I have a family and a sister and…why did I leave it?" Aitoku looked away from the ocean and back down at the sand.

Zhong looked to the side and saw a conch shell lying there. He leaned over and picked it up. He brushed some sand off with his sleeve and then nudged Aitoku. "Well here. I guess the shells must still be the same as back home." Aitoku gave a laugh.

"There weren't exactly shells on my island…but okay." Aitoku took the gift from Zhong, their hands touching for a brief moment. Aitoku held the conch in his hands for a moment, looking it over.

"Well, we're gonna miss out boat if we don't hurry." Zhong said as he patted Aitoku's knee and got up and walked away; Aitoku sat there for a few precious moments still.

The Master sat in his study again, quietly swirling his drink with a long finger, his sister sitting in a lounge off to the side. "I still think this is foolish." The Red Witch said to he brother as she took a bite of her biscuit.

"No need to worry." The Master said quite despondently. "I did create this world; I know what is best for it." He walked over to his high backed chair and sat down. His sister gave him a glare of hatred.

"I was referring to the puppet." The Red Witch said. "I think it's dangerous how you're using him."

"My answer has not changed from before." The Master said calmly. "I know what is best."

"Do you really?" the Red Witch asked. "I'm sure you know about the feud then."

The Master stopped sipping his drink. "What feud?"

"You mean you haven't heard about the Spirits?" she asked him, clearly happy to have bested her brother in something. "They're getting suspicious of you. They're starting to piece together the murders and you. Don't think they won't see what you're up to once the game begins."

The Master sat there in thought. He placed his cup down and placed his finger tips together as he stared off in thought. "I need to cover my trail more."

"Duh." The Master glared at his abrupt sister as she gave a little giggle. "You actually thought you had all the bases covered?"

"I DO have all the bases covered. I'll just need to double and then re-double."

"Better yet, why don't you just get rid of the puppet." The Red Witch said as he finished her drink. "Why not cut out the middle man, per say?"

The Master's eyes glinted at the prospect. "Or why not make the puppeteer and the puppet one?" The Master gave a low chuckle in his husky voice as the plot swirled in his head. "That would seal it. It would cover all the bases nicely."

"Just be sure the other Spirits won't find out." The Red Witch warned.

"No need to worry." The Master laughed as he got up and moved to his desk. "Zhong will submit…and the whole thing will fall perfectly into place. More perfect than I could have ever imagined. I will get my champion."

Aitoku was getting somewhat quesy from the constant rocking of the boat. "Was the boat necessary?" Aitoku asked Zhong. Zhong was up and preparing himself. Aitoku gave him a small look. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Zhong added nonchalantly. He tightened his sheath and made for the door of their cabin. "I'll be back…"

He reached for the door handle but felt Aitoku's strong grip pull him back. "Zhong…whatever the Master wants you to do, are you sure that it is right?" Aitoku asked him desperately. "Is it worth getting in more trouble? Is it worth the risk?" Zhong didn't answer. He flung the door open and exited into the hall. He walked quickly along the wooden hall and exited up the stairs to the deck. He scanned the area. He placed a hand onto the knife hidden in his shirt and then walked along the deck. The man he was looking for was set to be aboard and h knew the man would not have missed it.

He took a small walk towards the prow of the ship, stopping next to a women bent over in blankets. "Looks like a storm is coming in." the woman said as she held the blankets tighter.

"Yeah, it sure does." Zhong replied, trying to make small talk as he looked around. Then he saw a man standing off near the stairs to the upper deck. He was clean shaven, tan skinned, and had black hair.

Zhong pasted a mental image of a beard and moustache on him. It was the man. The man he was ordered to kill. The man who had killed his parents. Zhong moved quickly along the deck, his target in sight, as a fine drizzle of rain began. He moved up the plank to where the man was talking quickly with another man. He was motioning to the cargo deck below but Zhong paid him no mind.

"Mujiki!" Zhong yelled out as the rain began to come down harder; large waves began to shift the ship. The man turned to Zhong and examined the weapons and armor on him. His eyes widened.

"I have done nothing wrong. Why is the army coming onto me?" Mujiki yelled to Zhong as the other man ran off. Zhong laughed.

"Nothing wrong?" Zhong asked him. He chuckled and then turned to look at the sea. He whipped around, giving a clear right hook to the man. Mujiki fell to the deck as some other passengers recoiled in shock. There was a thunderclap and something crested out of the water. It appeared to be a large dragon, yet it had large flippers on the side of its long, slim body.

When it opened its mouth, a tongue formed as a snake lashed out into the heavy rain. Zhong reacted by drawing his sword. The Spirit was scanning the deck, looking for something. Zhong looked away, spotting Mujiki retreating with the rest of the passengers. Not wanting to lose his target, Zhong gave chase.

Mujiki looked back in horror as he saw Zhong sprinting to catch up to him. The man ducked down onto a lower deck of the ship, running along the rail. Zhong leapt down at him from above, driving his sword into the wood. Mujiki screamed. "Please, just leave me alone!"

"Get back here you coward!" Zhong shouted as he ripped his sword out of the deck. He sprinted after the man as the ship rocked on the choppy waves. Zhong grabbed the rail to steady himself as Mujiki jumped over the large chords of rope lying at the bow of the boat. A large crane was attached to the front, used for lifting cargo by winch. Zhong scanned the area, slicing into the rope and a bow sitting around him. "Come out and face me!"

The bow was washed over as it entered a wave. When it resurfaced, the large Spirit was griping it with his slimy green claws. He gave a hiss with his tongue and leaned in close to Zhong. "Pawn of the Master. Destined Favorite. We cannot allow you to continue further." The Spirit roared though his voice sounded as if it were spoken underwater. It's jaw opened wide and Zhong ducked in time to miss the snake that sprung forth. Zhong draped the ropes over him, blocking himself from view as the Spirit recoiled into the waves.

Zhong got up, sword still poised for attack. He heard some grunting behind him and turned to see Mujiki lying on the deck, a large snake bite in his upper shoulder. Zhong hurried to him and lifted Mujiki by the collar of his robes to face him. "I was given orders to kill you." Zhong hissed to him through the thunder.

"But I did nothing wrong." Mujiki breathed as the venom raced through his body. "I am a simple weapons manufacturer. I have done nothing to the Master." Zhong didn't process this information, he only shook the dying man hard.

"You killed my parents." Zhong yelled. "Remember me?" Mujiki looked at Zhong's face intently and slowly shook his head.

"I have killed no one." Mujiki whispered with his last breath. He collapsed in Zhong's arms. Zhong was stunned. Anger and rage and confusion grew inside him until he found himself shaking the corpse roughly.

"Zhong!"

Zhong looked up to see Aitoku there, shock and horror on his face. Aitoku lumped down into the docking area as Zhong let the body go and fell into Aitoku's arms. Death was following him, and Zhong did not know why. All that mattered now was that this was not his parents' murder, and he would most likely never find them.