Rain: A Manifesto

Entangling Alliances

"Your results are impressive," noted Terrin in the dim, flaming glow of the War Council chambers. "It has been a little less than one-hundred years since you formed your strike team, and the Iga-Koga now control most of the Southern Mountains. Recruitment has increased measurably, and Shao Kahn's military and economic power has been visibly diminished." Terrin's voice raised a pitch. "I think it is fair to say that your experiment has been a success."

Kazius smirked arrogantly. "And you managed to get your face on wanted posters in every town in the realm. It's almost as if you are attempting to attract attention," he grumbled.

"Thank you, Terrin," I interjected, ignoring the spiteful Kazius. "I will pass your compliments to the rest of the Wolves." I took a deep breath and a sip from my wine glass before continuing. "I appreciate the support and confidence that this council has shown me during time that I have sat at this table." I made sure to make eye contact with Kazius and Glacios in particular. "Truly, I am."

Glacios chimed in. "You have done better than I suspected you would, boy. But your job is about to reach a turning point. Your attacks are slowly creeping further toward the more populated regions of Outworld; to the heart of Shao Kahn's strength. How much more do you plan on poking the dragon before it wakes?"

"I'm glad you shared such concerns, General Glacios. This leads me to my next point." I actually was happy that Glacios gave me a compliment, backhanded as it was; because it left me open to ask for more power than I had ever come close to grasping before. "I believe it is time that we discuss factional alliances."

The council chamber was dead silent except for a faint reverberation of soft breathing and the crackling of the fireplace by the wall. "This is not a decision we can just jump to, General Rain. We need to discuss the matter first," Terrin eventually said.

"We have been discussing the matter for nearly a century," I swiftly responded. "The time for discussion is over. I have expanded our reach and strengthened our numbers. Now is the time to act!" I began to press my right pointer finger into the table to emphasize my point. "Already prepared to discuss terms of an alliance are The Makeba Knights, The Southern Peasant Rebellion, The Blood Sea Pirates and…"

I paused, not knowing whether or not to mention the fourth faction yet. I gazed up at Ron, who reassuringly smiled and nodded to me with his arms crossed. "And the Edenian Resistance." I fidgeted and bit my tongue as I concluded my statement.

The feeling of the room fell cold. "The Edenian Resistance?" Glacios roared as the chilled feeling of the chamber was intensified. "You wish to tell us that you would see our great society in the trenches with individualist libertines?" The steam off Glacios' breath erupted through the breathing holes of his mask as he slammed his fist on the table. "I will notstand for this, boy!"

Ron placed his hand on Glacios' back and whispered in his ear. I assumed he was trying to calm him down.

Kazius was prompt to add his word in the conversation. "The Edenian is just lonely. Is it not obvious that he simply seeks to explore his… heritage? One pretty little Edenian sorceress is no longer enough for the great General Rain."

It was at that moment that I decided I would kill Kazius one day. I would lift up his severed head and see if he still had that smirk on his face. But that day was not today. Today was a day for politics.

"I understand your concerns, Generals," I maintained an indifferent tone. "However, the time to forge alliances is in fact now. War is coming, and we have to be prepared. When I first joined this council, I offered a two-step plan. The first was to form a strike team for the purpose of sabotaging Kahn's resources and to make the Iga-Koga appear strong. This worked out better than any of the five of us sitting at this table could have imagined." I paused for a moment and flashed a sneer toward Kazius. He clenched his fist and snarled in anger. I continued "The second step was to form alliances with other factions and bring down Kahn's Empire in war. Not through mid-level assassination targets who replicate like The Hydra or through feeble peasant rebellions, but through all-out war." I looked toward Terrin and concluded my statement. "I am asking you to trust me once again."

Terrin looked rarely uncomfortable. My bold request had taken her by surprise. "General Rain." Terrin cleared her throat and seemed to grind her teeth lightly. "If these factions were to fight by our side, would they swear to follow our way of life? Our governing principles? Our laws?"

"The Blood Sea Pirates, The Peasants and the Knights would all be very open to accepting an Iga-Koga dominion over Outworld. They are desperate for new leadership as Kahn's regime has scarred these factions to a point of desolation. The Edenian Resistance however, well, that's another story. They would not likely be as eager to support Iga-Koga leadership."

Terrin placed her elbows on the table and glanced my way with a slight shrug. "We can consider the pirates, peasants and knights, General Rain. But If the Edenian Resistance will not pledge itself to the will of the Iga-Koga council, it is out of the question."

I attempted further make my case. "Yes, but you have to understand…"

"Out of the question!" Interrupted Glacios with the steaming breath of a dragon.

I had to bite my tongue bloody to avoid snapping back at Glacios. But I swallowed my anger and remained silent. Ron cleared his throat and entered the conversation. "Let's not all be so quick on the dagger here," he asserted with wide eyes and a charming smile. "The Edenians have more man power and political pull than any other anti-Imperial faction in Outworld. I suggest that we at least hear what they have to say." Ron pulled up his baggy sleeves as his eyes peeled toward me. "We may be surprised."

Kazius grimaced in disgust. "You're actually taking his side on this issue, General Ron? What has given you this sudden soft spot for Edenians? Does your peasant village no longer offer suitable consorts for you?"

Kazius' low blow at Ron made me angry. Again, I was on the cusp of snapping. But nothing ever seemed to faze Ron. "The consorts of Sun Do are better fit to serve in your seat on this council than you are suited to be escorted by them," Ron said.

Kazius was silenced, and Ron veered his way while holding back a gravelly chuckle.

"I will not allow even the thought of this!" Glacios roared as he slammed his fist and stomped his feet. "This is an Outworld council that is meant to rule over Outworld's subjects. It's bad enough that we have to tolerate an Edenian in our very midst, I will not allow their impudent idealism to become a cancer upon our great Society."

My attention turned to Glacios as my eyes pierced his with a vindictive vengeance. "You tolerate me, General Glacios?" I asked in a patronizing manner. "You tolerate the fact that I have done more for this Society in 100 years than you have done in your entire life?"

Glacios' eyes widened in rage as he surged from his chair. "That is false!"

I was quick to reply. "It is true, and you know it. Throw empty insults at Edenians all you want. But I am Edenian and I am the Iga-Koga's greatest asset. Edenia no longer exists. My birth realm has been merged with Outworld for well over a century. If the Iga-Koga truly plans to rule one day, Edenians deserve be a part of Outworld."

The steam escaping the vents in Glacios's mask increased with his heavy breathing. "Edenians deserve to rot," he replied coldly.

The back and forth between Glacios and I continued. Meanwhile, Ron and Kazius were having their own harsh exchange. This went on for several minutes.

"Enough," spoke the lone feminine voice in the room. Terrin did not elevate her speech to an unusual level. But the respect that she commanded gave her the power of a thousand voices. One word from Terrin, and the hostile bickering of the Iga-Koga War Council was silenced.

"I will not watch this honorable council dissolve into insolent disorder." Terrin continued to speak with a calm, yet stern tone. "General Rain is a marvelous asset, and he has devoted nearly his entire young life to this society. As with all proposals brought forward in this council, we will put this to a vote. Starting with Kazius."

Kazius rolled his eyes toward Terrin, expecting her to skip his vote as his opinion was already well-known at the table."

"Speak, General Kazius," Terrin demanded as she impatiently thrust her hand in his direction.

The politician sighed and glanced my way. "Absolutely not. This is pathetic."

"General Ron?" Terrin asked, moving on quickly.

"Of course I'm voting yes," Ron exclaimed with chuckle. "The kid's a military genius; I don't want to anger him."

I could not help laughing at Ron's comment. Only he could make light out of something like this.

"Glacios?" Terrin continued.

Glacios crossed his arms. "You're lucky that I am a man who honors the code of this society, boy. You are lucky that all I am doing is voting no. If I was not so loyal to the doctrine of this council, I would banish you from this society for even speaking of this heresy." The elderly man grunted and looked toward Terrin. "General Terrin, shut this down so we can move on."

Now it was Terrin's turn to play the swing vote. That was always the position she ended up in when the War Council vote would come to a tie. But was the biggest decision she ever had to make in a swing vote, at least to my knowledge.

"Yes," she said as she looked my way. "But only under the condition that they agree to a pact, constructed by this council and the Grandmaster himself."

Kazius and Glacios were speechless. Kazius' jaw dropped as he veered toward Terrin with some kind of newfound loathing. Glacios slammed his fist on the table, and I could have sworn that little pieces of ice formed on the surface where his hand had made contact, but I figured that was my imagination.

I avoided giving any attention to the dissenters' outbursts. "Very well. General Ron and I will contact all potential allies for meetings," I candidly stated. "This is the beginning of greatness for this society, my friends."

Terrin nodded. "Council dismissed," she stated as she stood from her chair.

I began to walk out of the room when I felt a tap on my back. Terrin was behind me, glaring at me intently. "Do not make me regret this," she growled as she slowly shook her head.

I nodded. "I assure you, you will not."

Terrin bowed her head and made her leave. She had put her faith in me yet again, and for that I was eternally grateful. She was an excellent speaker for the council and an inspiration in my early days of politics and war. I did not want to let her down.

I returned to my chambers to tell Tanya of the news. She was relieved that everything we had been working toward was finally starting to take shape. She began to write a letter to her father, who was a well-respected Edenian diplomat and leader. It was good to see her youthful enthusiasm return, if only for a little while. Tanya and I was no longer an energetic and lustful young couple. We had become very refined, both in our work and our relationship, but that is an unalterable symptom of time.

The next morning, I was sitting in my study chambers reviewing treaties and agreements that were to be sent out to our new potential allies across Outworld when I heard the doors creek open, followed by a soft hiss that quickly activated a long taught defense mechanism. I jolted swiftly from my chair ready to defend myself.

"Chameleon," I said, very surprised by this unexpected visit.

"General," Chameleon authoritatively stated. "It has come to my attention from word of the Grandmaster that you plan on widening this society's reach in the realm."

My former master crossed his arms, impatiently awaiting my response. "Yes, I do," I answered meekly.

"It is my desire to join your strike force. My skill set will be useful in the battles to come against Shao Kahn's forces."

This was a complete shock to me. Chameleon and I had barely spoken over the last century. Only occasionally over mission details and perhaps once or twice when we happened to run into each other throughout the fortress. But Chameleon was the best combatant I had ever met in my entire life to that point. He was my mentor and perhaps a father figure in a peculiar, barren way.

"Your request shall be granted," I stated with a nod. "Welcome to the Reaving Wolves."

Chameleon growled and clenched his fist. "This is what kept me from requesting to join your team for so many years. That name is asinine." Chameleon quickly turned and began to stomp toward the door. "Alert me when we have acquired a new target, sir." Chameleon faded into invisibility and the doors abruptly flew open.

I could not help but laugh. Chameleon's cynicism was not lost in the past century. Then I realized that my former trainer had just called me 'sir.' Things had really changed quite a bit in only 100 years.

Over the coming months, Ron and I met with leaders and officials representing the Makeba Knights, The Southern Peasant Rebellion and The Blood Sea Pirates, usually in small cantinas and remote locations for sake of discretion. All three factions were eager to join our cause and they would prove very valuable in the conflicts to come. The knights were few in number but skilled in battle. The peasants offered a large amount of soldiers, and the pirates gave us a naval ally. Even Ron had some reservations about entwining our interests with pirates, but all that mattered to me was that they had plenty of motivation to stand against Kahn. Their morals and behavior were somebody else's problem.

The Reaving Wolves now had support from many different angles in our conflict with Outworld's government. The Empire knew it. Enemy forces were increasing security around every outpost. Fortresses would be guarded by small armies rather than a squad of Tarkatans or two. As our enemy's strength began to lunge toward us, and our targets kept creeping closer into the center of the realm, it became clearer that I needed a true army to break the barriers of Shao Kahn's might. This is where the Edenians were supposed to come in. Tanya and her father had been attempting to convince the Edenian Resistance leadership to arrange a council with me for about six months, but they were unsuccessful. I grew impatient. I knew that I had to keep planning attacks against Kahn to prevent him from recovering his strength. But I was running low on targets that our current allies could stand a chance against. Tanya took my impatience harshly. We began fighting and a distance was growing between us. At first I thought it stemmed entirely from our troubles with arranging a discussion with the Edenians. But I soon found out that Tanya was engaged in dealings that were far beyond my understanding.

On one evening, I walked into our room. The air was cold, yet she had not bothered lighting a fire. She sat in the middle of the bed, facing the open window. I shivered, and quickly walked to the window and shut it before lighting the fire. "Are you not cold?" I asked.

She did not reply. I turned to her. She was staring blankly out the window or perhaps at the wall with her mouth slightly open. "Tanya," I called to her. Again, she did not speak. The slow breaths of her chest were her only movements.

I became worried. "Tanya," I called again as I placd my hand on her shoulder. She jolted and blinked her eyes repeatedly in bewilderment as if she had just suddenly awoken from a night terror. "Rain," she whispered as a smile made its way onto her face. It was a relief to see her aware and expressive, but her eyes were still blank. It was like looking into an endless void, as if she could not tell the difference between me and the wall she was staring at moments before.

"What is wrong?" I asked, nervous and concerned.

The grin on Tanya's face did not change. "I have found the connection," Tanya murmured. "I have discovered the one and only truth."

Her gaze turned back to the wall. Tanya's mind and soul did not seem as though they were fully connected with her body. I had never seen her act so distant and, for lack of a better word, dead. It was then that I noticed she had two spell books on the nearest table that were banned by the society.

"What did you do?" I asked as I rushed to the table and franticly flipped through one of the books. "You accidentally put a spell on yourself, didn't you?" I did not know what I was looking for in the aged pages of her scriptures. I knew nothing of sorcery. "Tanya, you have taken your black magic too far this time."

Tanya turned her head slowly toward me, still with the same slight grin on her face as if she had used a thread and needle to attach it. "Black magic?" She asked in colorless manner. "Rain, I have found it. A divine being has laid the path for our greatness, for our alliance with Edenia."

"A divine being?" I asked as I stepped away from the table and placed my hand on Tanya's cheek. "Who is it that you have spoken to?"

"Rain." Tanya's voice trembled as her eyes gazed into mine and a single tear fell down her cheek. "I have spoken to an Elder God."

By the distant aspects of her behavior and the vehemence in her voice, it was clear that Tanya actually believed what she had said. Of course, I did not. But I did not want to startle her, not while her perception of reality was undoubtedly distorted. I asked her what the God said. She told me that he gave her a location of an imperial outpost where several Edenians were being held hostage, including one who was very important to the resistance. He apparently also told her that if we attacked this base and saved the prisoners, the Edenians would join the Iga-Koga.

I talked with Tanya and calmed her down. She was beginning to fall asleep when she asked me to investigate the location that she had given me.
"Sure I will," I answered.

"Promise me," she said as she grabbed my hand.

"I promise."

I awoke the next morning, with absolutely no intention of fulfilling that promise. 'A host of Imperial soldiers, holding Edenians hostage. And this information came from an Elder God?' I thought to myself. 'She has become delusional.'

I entered my study and began my usual bi-weekly task of writing a report for the Grandmaster. Despite my complete dismissal of Tanya's claims, I could not ignore the faint whisper in my mind that was begging me to ponder the information that she seemed to be so sure was accurate. I eventually gave in and removed an open scroll from the wall which contained a map of Southeastern Outworld. Moments later, I ran to my door.

"Get Chameleon and Lynn in here immediately!" I ordered Aalto. He nodded and did not hesitate to spring to his feet and rush down the hallway.

Moments later, my intelligence officer and assassin made their way into my study. "How may we be of service, General?" Lynn asked as she stepped through the door.

I pushed the map toward the far end of my desk. "Blood Stone Keep on the Southeastern shore. Is it occupied? It an active abode for Kahn's soldiers?"

Lynn stared at the map as she tried to remember information she had previously gathered on the outpost. "Perhaps a small squadron but nothing that could be considered a serious threat to our expanded reach in regions that we currently occupy."

"What about hostages?" I asked, looking toward Chameleon then back to Lynn.

Lynn's eyelids squinted as she scanned the vast amounts of knowledge regarding imperial activity that she stored in her mind. "None that I am aware of, sir," she stated as she stood up strait, with immeasurable confidence.

"Well I need you to become aware," I ordered as I grabbed the map and turned it upright, facing me. "I need the two of you to scout this fortress. Tell me how many soldiers occupy it, and tell me if they are holding anyone against their will. Do not linger. Go!"

I viciously pointed toward the door. "Yes, General," Lynn replied as she turned and made her leave. Chameleon nodded and effortlessly found his way out the door.

Several days later, Lynn and Chameleon returned. Lynn rushed through the door of my study. "Sir!" She called as the doors swung shut behind her. "The fortress far more active than we thought."

"How many?" I asked, placing whatever scroll I was reading at the time down on the desk.

"400 men at least." She took a moment to catch her breath. "And more than a dozen centaurs."

"What of the hostage situation?" I asked intently.

"Approximately 40 hostages in the dungeon."

Chameleon then deactivated his invisibility, revealing himself in my chamber. "5 of which are Edenians." My former mentor crossed his arms and let out a faint hiss. "One of the Edenians appeared high-born. Possibly even of royalty."

I shot up from my chair, and walked out from behind my desk. "Lynn, gather the rest of the Wolves. We meet outside the fortress by midday," I barked as I walked toward the door. "Chameleon, alert The Grandmaster. We are attacking the Bloodstone Keep."

I instructed Aalto to send a message to our allies that we would need them for the coming battle. We were to meet at sea. That would be the location least likely to be traced by Kahn's spies.

I told Tanya of what I had discovered. She of course, did not seem surprised. She only insisted that I allow her to join the Wolves on the journey. I agreed. She was right about everything. Her visions proved to be true. It was then that I began to question if she actually did speak to an Elder God. Perhaps I was too swift to doubt her. After all, a God had spoken to me at one point in my life.

Within a week, the Wolves, Tanya and I were on the sea, heading toward a Blood Sea Pirate war ship where we would plan for the coming assult. Our boat was small and crowded. It would not have been that bad if Crevall was not prone to seasickness. Unpleasant to say the least.

Once aboard the pirate ship, I saw that there was a table set up on the top deck. Sitting at the table was the Captain of the Makeba Knights, as well as a man who was obviously in charge of the peasants based on his uncivilized appearance. Also there was Mishu, the pirate Commodore. I joined them at the table and gave them my battle plan. "The pirates will go by sea, and focus fire on the catapults and cannons on the coast."

"Those walls stand high," stated Mishu. "I believe they'll be hittin' us more than we'll be hittin' them."

"Leave that to me, Commodore," I answered with a reassuring smile.

"Chameleon and Yun." The two assassins stepped forward. "The gate is held open by a chain and wheel. Sneak in, kill the guards and operators and quickly break the chain, leaving the gate stuck open." They agreed.

"The Knights will ride through the front door while the pirates lay suppressive fire on the sea side of the keep. Delion, I want you to ride in with them."

Delion smiled and looked toward the knights. "You hear that young, chivalrous sirs, you get to look at my pretty face while we ride into a parade of arrows," he exclaimed as he walked toward the knights with a sarcastic shrug. "Where's the food, anyway?"

I looked toward the Captain of the Makeba Knights. "My apologies," I professed as I rolled my eyes.

I continued. "The peasants will follow through the gate on foot as the Knights draw fire from Kahn's men. Li-Qin and Crevall, I want you two to ride with them. Crevall, give Li-Qin some cover fire as he makes for the dungeon. Once Li-Qin is inside, he is to rescue the hostages, and safely lead them outside the keep. Once the defenses are weakened, I will lead the pirates along the wall and meet with the peasants to finish off the outer defenses, and the fortress will be ours."

Before the boats left for shore, I pulled Li-Qin aside. "Your number one priority is the safety of the five Edenians."

"But General," He responded with an expression of uncertainty. "There are many other hostages being held...

"I know!" I interrupted as I grabbed the warrior by his collar. "And if you are able to save them, fine. But not until after the Edenians have reached sanctuary. Are we clear?"

Li-Qin paused before letting out a soft sigh. "Yes sir," he said at the edge of his breath.

The ships sailed in. The ground forces made their way to the shore. The keep stood with a giant skull carved into the wall facing the sea. Before we were even in range, cannon fire and catapults fired warning shots upon us from the high towers of the wall.

Mishu placed his hands on the wall, leaning over his ship. "Now would be a good time to do whatever it is you had in mind."

"Hold onto something," I said with a smirk. I closed my eyes, and raised my right arm to the air. The sea began to recede. The boat became completely still, then began to viciously tremble and rock. The panic and gasps of the crew grew louder as I turned the sea into a horrific weapon. My eyes opened, and I unleashed my fury. A great wave crashed upon the high wall of the fortress, destroying defensive structures and sending Kahn's soldiers into the depths of the ocean.

I looked toward Tanya. She was gazing upon me with eyes of desire as she bit her bottom lip. I still took great pride in impressing her.

The pirate ships began to fire. The remaining heavy artillery on the wall was set into a scorching flame by cannons of our Blood Sea allies. Only one pirate ship was damaged. Right on schedule, the gates to the front of the keep fell. Chameleon and Yun had succeeded. In the distance, the horses of the knights could be seen galloping through the doors at full speed, casting Kahn's infantry men down with what seemed like no struggle at all. I loaded up the landing craft with about fifty pirates and 10 Iga-Koga. It was time to storm the wall. I ordered Lynn to take one boat with a small squad Iga-Koga soldiers and slay any of Kahn'a troops attempting to escape the fortress by sea. I asked Tanya to stay behind and she agreed, although not happily.

As we approached the shore, I could see the peasants following the knights into the castle. They were getting taken out faster than they were killing Kahn's men, but it was of no concern as they were great in quantity. They were also an excellent screen for our seaside assault. The ladders and grappling hooks went up. We were climbing to the upper level of the wall. Kahn's men shot some of our units dead with arrows as we climbed, but most of our enemies were too busy dealing with the knights and peasants on the other side. The sight of Delion alone was enough to demoralize an entire opposing army.

We hit the top. Tarkatans and Outworlders stood no chance against this group of infiltrators and my dominance of the elements. Lightning melted the skin off of any who dared challenge me. But one challenger would not be so easily bested. The sound of slow moving hooves grew louder. I turned around to behold the grimacing site of a Centaur, standing tall on its hind legs as it let out an enraged battle cry.

I unleashed several powerful blasts of lightning upon the beast, but they merely slowed him down. I could not control him with an orb of water either. His hide was too thick. I would have to try to face him by hand. He lunged at me, and I quickly turned to hit him with a roundhouse kick. It knocked him back, but he was back on his feet within seconds. He turned and swiped his tail at my feet. I jumped vertically and avoided his attack. I flipped forward and attempted to get a punch off, but the monstrous creature of Outworld overpowered me and grabbed me by the throat. I managed loosen his grip by stabbing him in the arm with a small dagger that I had attached to my belt. I broke free and instantly released a series of attacks on the horse-built part of my opponent's torso. He responded by attempting to trounce me with his front hooves. I managed to step back far enough, but the he caught me off balance and knocked me to the ground with his tail.

I knew that the last place I should be in this fight was on my back, but the mighty servant of Shao Kahn had me pinned to the ground with his front hooves pressed against my chest before I could get back to my feet. I could barely breath. He roared again, deafening my hearing to all but a soft ring before he went back on his hind legs. Just as I was able to pull in a full breath, his front legs came back down, stomping on my chest and easily cracking several bones. To the Centaur's surprise however, I was not dead. He stood up on his hind legs to strike me again and I knew that was my chance. I rolled out from underneath the belly of the beast and released an uppercut right in the middle of his chest. It seemed that I had hid a weak spot, as the Centaurs gasped and grumbled for a moment. I used his pain and confusion to my advantage and jumped on his back, wrapping one of my arms around his throat and using my free hand to claw at his eyes. He shook, growled and cursed but he could not remove me from his back. In his blind confusion, he stumbled to the ledge. I jumped from his back just as he began to slip off. He attempted to grab the wall as he went down, but it was too late. The mighty Centaur plummeted to his death.

I placed my hands on my knees and attempted to recuperate. My lungs were tightened and my breaths were shallow. I was likely bleeding internally. In what seemed like an instant, a voice called to me from across the walkway. "You will pay!" he cried. Another Centaur slowly began to gallop my way with a spear in hand. I did not have the vitality to fight another beast of such rancorous nature.

"Make me," I responded. If I were to die, it would be with pride. Just as the Centaur reached striking distance, he stopped. He glanced at me with look of bewilderment, as if he thought I had hindered him somehow; however I was just as baffled. It was then that he was lifted several inches off the ground as a purple glow began to shape an outline around the creature. In a rapid, almost unnatural manner, the beast's forearm twisted, turned vertical and snapped down the middle of the bone. The beast cried in anguish. Next were his shins, then his hind legs, then his chest and in the end his neck. The purple glow around his body faded and his remains fell to the ground.

Behind the fallen Centaur stood Tanya, her hand lifted high with the same purple aura fading from the tips of her fingers. We both smiled widely and I began to walk to her with my arm clenching my chest. However, Tanya ran at me and leapt into my grasp, unaware of the severity of my injuries. "Still want me to stay on the ship," she asked with her eyes glancing up at mine and her hands around my neck.

"You didn't tell me you could break a Centaur with your mind," I said with a slight cough.

"Not with my mind." She shook her head as she pulled down my mask. "With 'black magic." Tanya kissed me before turning to the battle on the ground floor below. "Look down my love. You are victorious." I turned my attention below to see that many men in skull masks were bloodied and lay on the ground. Very few were left standing. Many imperials began to surrender and others fled inland from the coast line as the knights chased them down. Our casualties seemed to be very low. Li Qin and Yun were leading out a group of prisoners from the fortress.

"We are victorious," I told Tanya as I placed my arm around her waist.

Back on Mishu's ship, the healers were treating my injuries, which were indeed very severe. Li-Qin and Lynn stepped forward while I was being healed. "Forgive me, General," Li-Qin said with a bow. "I was able to save all the Edenian hostages, but I lost more than half of the other prisoners as I led the Edenians to the landing craft. Kahn's men began executing…"

"Good work, Li-Qin. You are dismissed," I interrupted as I waved him away.

The warrior was very confused. His mouth lay slightly open, as if he wanted to protest me in some way, but he wisely elected to refrain. "Very good, General," he said with another bow before making his leave.

Lynn approached me next and whispered in my ear. "Sir, the Edenian high-born would like to speak with you,"

"Send him up," I replied.

She turned around to face the prisoners on board. "General Rain, I give you Lord Ikthellien of Edenia." Out of the crowd came a middle aged man, likely about 30,000 years old. He was dressed incredibly well for a man who had just gotten out of a dungeon. His robes were made of some sort of fine, light blue silk, although they were torn up and dirty. He was wearing a few pieces of metallic jewelry that held sparkling gems. He must have managed to hide some of his possessions from Kahn's guards. I was sure this man was royalty.

"General Rain," he spoke with a concise and sharp accent that I had never heard before. "It is an honor to finally make your acquaintance." He ran his fingers through his greasy, dark brown hair and nodded with a smirk. "Your skill on the battlefield has become something of legend, but seeing your forces in action, oh my, how exhilarating. I keep telling the Edenain Resistance to respond to your treaty and join you in your efforts, but they do not seem to keen on the idea. They are very… well… untrusting. But to many Edenians, you have become a source of inspiration."

I squinted lightly as I veered closer to Ikthellien. "How so?" I asked.

"Well, it is a lovely tale. A peasant Edenian boy who is willing to take on the Emperor. It is quite moving, even to one such as me."

"Thank you, my Lord," I answered as the healers made their way to the other side of my ribs.

"I suppose I do owe my thanks to you, as you went through a great effort to save my colleagues and me. What reward could I present to you, Young General?"

I shook the healer off and instructed him to step away for a moment.

"Only one thing, Lord Ikthellien, and I believe it will be something that benefits us both."

"I'm listening,' Ikthellien said with a wide smile.

"Get me a council with the Edenian Leadership."

The nobleman's robes flowed with the wind as the pirate ship's sails were set. "I like the way you think," he replied.