Disclaimer: I do not own Hero: 108.
Chapter 5:
"What do you mean, he faded?" Yen asked, his eyes wide. He had heard of Tien Kwan from the members of First Squad, like everyone else had, and if the stories were true, then Tien Kwan was another one who could possibly hope to defeat Twin Masters.
"I meant what I said." Lin Chung's voice still remained devoid of emotion.
Yen wanted to shout at him about how could he be so heartless, but then looked at him properly and immediately understood. This was a method that most Panthers or Jaguars used when they lost someone close to them. Numb any emotion.
But Lin Chung couldn't do this for long. Yan sighed mentally. He had to lead in the War, being the only one who stood a chance against Twin Masters and his clones.
"But he can't have faded. Not now!" Kowloon gaped. Lin Chung only looked straight ahead, lost in thought, remembering when he had reached the end of his week long training. He had been getting ready to leave, before Tien Kwan suddenly announced this to him, much to his shock and horror.
"But you can't fade!" Lin Chung looked at his master in horror. "What if I need help?" The thoughts rushing through his head made it nearly impossible to form a proper sentence without another thought overlapping it and sounding like gibberish.
His master merely smiled, serene. "My time has long come and gone. My brother has passed, and I have now taught you everything you need to know and can know that I can teach you. It is up to you to face Twin Masters alone." Tien Kwan knew that he shouldn't have told Lin Chung, what with the War and everything, but better now and get over it than later and get a shock.
"But what if I cannot?" Lin Chung asked, staring at his master. Tien Kwan smiled sadly at his only student. Lin Chung underestimated himself once too many times, and had risen on the occasion because of that, and his friends' support.
"I know you can, because I cannot. My time has come. I have to fade."
Lin Chung snapped back to attention. He watched the expressions on everyone's faces carefully. The War had taken it's toll on all of them. They were now wearing different clothing, with what he knew were hastily made armour from the Panthers, who were good with metal and blacksmith.
Jaguar King and Panther King were so far, as he could see, the leading force of the battle. Panther Queen was one of the medics, and he supposed one of the forgers in the small blacksmith area they had built that he had passed when entering Big Green once again. He sighed. "We need to try and hold out-" He was interrupted as a navy member came running into the room.
His face was red, and his clothing was dripping wet, but he didn't seem to notice any of this as he stared at them, urgently telling his message.
"We need help! The Navy's nearly overrun!"
This gave them the chance to forget Tien Kwan for a minute and run out, weapons in hand, ready to face the force that the Navy was having trouble fighting.
They dove underwater using the air bubbles that Lin Chung had perfected in the few weeks he had gone, and reached the fighting site fast. Or at least, as fast as they could. Panther King & Queen, Jaguar King, and Yen had remained on land, not wanting to face the ocean down below. Lin Chung was the only one who didn't use a turtle, and just let his Harmonic Energy propel him to the bottom of the ocean.
Lady Green was in the front, leading the Navy, but it was clear that the Navy wouldn't hold out for long. There were already damaged underwater tanks around, and Yan Ching's people were already starting to retreat, though they kept up a brave front.
The fighting purple whales were glowing red and blue, a sure sign that Twin Masters was currently focusing his Chaotic Energy into this battle.
Squids and Octopuses made the water seem darker than it was, and Lin Chung led the reinforcements into the battle through the murky waters. Even though the water made it slow and harder to move, they did the best they could.
They fought for what felt like forever, dodging random pieces of debris that fell from the sky into the water, and collapsing coral reefs. Each partnered up with another, with Lin Chung fighting back-to-back with Lady Green, each doing a good job of covering the other's weakness as they plunged through the enemy's base.
As they did so, they looked back, noticing Jumpy throwing one of his carrot grenades towards the enemy's side. Immediately, as soon as the grenade landed in their area, it exploded. Lin Chung and Lady Green, the closest to the front, immediately tried to block themselves from the blast, only surviving because of the shield that Lin Chung had cast in his haste.
As soon as the water cleared up a bit more, Jumpy was relieved to see his two friends fine, still protected by the purple shield, which cracked and collapsed, allowing both fighters to join back at Big Green.
This round underwater was won, yes, but the casualties were severe.
Horror took them all in it's grip when they saw the two Sailor Brothers gently cradling the third in their embrace, where a shard of glass was in his chest, letting blood leak out and fall into the water, dying it a red colour. Lin Chung immediately joined them, reaching out to place a hand on the wound. But he was tired, and he knew so. So did the Sailor Brothers.
The one lying, dying, raised a hand. "My time is up."
"No, it isn't." Lin Chung argued.
"You can't heal this." The Sailor Brother said, looking directly at him. "It's too deep. And you are weary."
"You cannot die like this."
"As long as my brothers stay safe, I do not mind dying. Rest, and help us win this accursed War." This had Lin Chung hesitating, long enough for the sailor brother to pass away peacefully in his brothers' arms. The sailor brothers looked forlornly at their brother, understanding that this was his own choice, and none of them could have influenced it.
Lin Chung looked up as night fell, his face once again emotionless as he turned to where the Panthers, Jaguar and Yen were standing.
"Get some sleep. We continue fighting tomorrow."
AN: See you in the next chapter.
09/02/14 - No comment this time.