Chapter 6: Strategizing

Wenwu stood in front of the open window, basking in the early morning sun light and enjoying the cool mountain breeze. Among the many privileges Wenwu had lost during his capture, it was the ability to go horseback riding ,or just gazing out into the vast open plains he had conquered, that he missed the most.

He was very much an outdoor person, loving the freedom and sense of calm it gave him. So having to sit in a dark damp cell for over a month had been especially difficult for him.

So it was a no-brainer that his first act upon his release , was to be to savor the moment he reunited with his beloved outdoors.

He was practically itching to put all this magic, prophecies and what have you behind him and get back to what really mattered to him. His empire.

Behind him, the other captives also engaged in various celebratory activities.

After, sealing their deal, Wong had begrudgingly freed the five from their cells and let them into Kamar Taj proper. Wong still did not trust them fully, so he specifically chose a room sequestered away from any powerful relics or wandering sorcerers. And even going as far as to give them specific instructions not to leave until he returned.

So in many ways, the five hadn't really been freed, only moved from one obvious prison to a less obvious one.

Not long after getting them settled into their new abode, Wong left, taking with him the still unconscious Boudicca, and effectively leaving the five unsupervised and free to their own devices.

Something the five happily took full advantage of.

Hyperion and Thor had some how found a large barrel of alcohol and were taking turns to chug it down. Enthusiastically, competing with each other to see who could drink the most. Laughing and ribbing each other as the went.

Zarda seemed to have taken a shining for Bashenga and was rather aggressively trying to flirt him. Sitting very close to him and dropping some not so subtle hints at him.

Bashenga for his part seemed simultaneously flattered by the attention but also flustered and tongue tied by it.

In general they acted way more at ease and familiar than what one would think appropriate for former strangers and captives.

But that was the nature of extended captivity. It tended to unite people with an intense shared experience. And foster unlikely bonds with dissimilar people.

Wenwu eventually had his feel of basking and turned away from window. He calmly walked to door of the room, pushed it open and gazed out into the deserted corridor.

Satisfied that they wasn't any obvious ease droppers or spies. He retreated back into the room, shutting the door firmly behind himself. Making sure that coast was truly clear.

"We need to talk" he said as he walked to the center of the room.

Initially his words feel upon death ears as the others continued on with their activities. But after slamming his palm loudly on a table, he finally got their attention.

"I said, We need to talk" he repeated himself.

"About what?" Zarda asked whiles resting her head onto her palm and adopting a bored and laid back posture, barely even acknowledging Wenwu.

"About everything that just happened. But in particular how we get revenge on that witch" Wenwu explained.

Thor brushed off a trickle of wine that had escaped from his mouth and onto his lips during the cause of his drinking competition with Hyperion.

He gave a short but loud burp and asked "Revenge?":

"Yes, revenge. I swore to make that witch pay for the impertinence of taking me. And I am a man of my word"

Hyperion walked over to stand beside Thor, his beard glistening with wine droplets.

"You were serious about that? I thought that was just bluster" Hyperion said.

Wenwu grit his teeth and levelled an irritated look at Hyperion. "It wasn't. My word is my honor. And I swore to make that witch pay, so I will".

"You also swore to help her cause. And unlike mere words, this one is backed by a curse" Zarda chimed in showing off her palm which was now a scarred red with the Absolute Order sigil.

"I can do both. The minute we are done with this 'world ending threat', I fully intend on fulfilling my other promise to slay her. But I will need your help".

Wenwu said glancing at all their faces to make sure they were all on the same page.

Bashenga frowned and said in soft voice "But why though? Why would we help you kill the witch doctor now. She may taken us prisoner, but frankly it wasn't too bad. We were treated well, certainly better than what I've seen some treat their captives. It seems petty to wish ill on her now. I say we let it go. And move on. After our oath is fulfilled we just go on with our lives"

Wenwu looked at Bashenga in shock, then to the others hoping they weren't in agreement with him. To his surprise he saw looks of apathy or agreement

"Are you all insane. The humiliation alone should be reason alone to end that woman." Wenwu bellowed.

Do these people have no sense of pride? Or sense of wounded pride this event dealt to their reputations. Wenwu though to himself.

"Bah.." Thor said dismissively. "My brother has done far worse things to me in jest. In this case it sounds like a honest mistake. And a harmless one at that. So I agree with the panther avatar that we can let this slide"

Wenwu could only stare at them stunned. It was only now that the cultural difference between them and him settled in. Saving face was a big deal to his people. Unless a formal apology was given such transgressions could not be so easily overlooked.

Before he could say more on this matter though, the door suddenly slid open.

"Oh good, you are still here, good, good" Wong said as he stepped into the room. He seemed frazzled and tired but completely oblivious to what was being discussed just a few moments ago.

And if he was aware, he did a good job pretending like he didn't.

"Sit, sit, we have much to discuss" he said as he waved for them to sit on the pillows positioned all around the floor.

Wenwu wisely decided to table the discussion for retribution for later and reluctantly sat down as Wong requested.

The others who weren't sitting yet also complied.

Once every one was seated Wong immediately began.

"It should go without saying. But I'm sure neither Boudicca nor I are you favorite people right. But whatever our differences may be now, we need to focus on the more pressing matter. Agreed?"

Everyone but Wenwu nodded in agreement.

"Good" Wong said seemingly satisfied with having a majority consensus if not a full one.

"I believe it's only fair that I brief you on what you have already signed up for"

Wong quickly cast a spell causing a holographic projection to manifest in the middle of the room.

The projection depicted the monster from Nippon.

Hyperion immediately stiffened and leaned in closer for a better look.

"Is that a deviant?" He questioned.

"I don't know what a deviant is" Wong admitted. "All I know is that this creature calls itself Kro. And it has amassed a monstrous army that has already laid waste to Nippon. And by the looks of it will not be satisfied with just that island"

The others quietly analyzed the hologram of the creature, as the hologram automatically turned slowly giving all of them full view of it.

"The creature wields a plethora of extraordinary abilities. Enough to even match the Ancient One. And it can even acquire powers from those it kills" Wong continued punctuating his monologue by altering the hologram to show snippets of the fight he had witnessed featuring Kro.

Frowning Bashenga asked, "So it can copy abilities but you are sending a team of powered people to take it down. Isn't that risky?"

"It is, but we believe the creature can only copy the abilities of those it kills. So just don't die and we will be be fine " Wong replied.

Wenwu snorted in mild amusement from the nonchalant reply.

"You say that like it's no big deal" Bashenga muttered quietly to himself.

"I know it's a difficult task. But it's because this task is so difficult that your assistance is required in the first place. In addition, we need you to gather an army strong enough to face Kro's hordes. The armies of Kamar Taj are not enough. But maybe the forces of Wakanda, Asgard and Ta Lo added on, could suffice ".

This immediately prompted a minor hubbub with multiple people commenting at once.

"You know of Wakanda?" Bashenga said in surprise.

"Ta Lo is just myth" Wenwu said.

"My father will not be convinced to muster an army so easily" Thor also said.

Before Wong could address each issue raised a new voice spoke up "Ta Lo isn't a myth".

It was Boudicca standing at the now open door.

She looked tired and weak, but also determined and bold. The upper part of her robe was open and hanging over her hips. Leaving her torso bare with only bandages and poultices covering her bosom and mid riff. She was recovering from her injuries last night. But she seemed undaunted by it nonetheless.

"I've been to Ta Lo a few times. It will take some convincing but they could help us. As for us knowing off the existence of Wakanda, we did our research. It may be a relatively new kingdom but we know off it's great warriors and their unbreakable weapons."

Boudicca said as she walked over to Wong and slowly joined him on the ground.

"As for Asgard. Hopefully as it's prince you can eventually convince them to aid us. Time is off the essence so we must act fast. Wong, Wenwu and I will go to Ta Lo and request for an army." She continued

"Hyperion and Thor will go to Asgard for their army. And Zarda and Bashenga will go Wakanda" she ended.

Awkward silence be fell the room. Though most of the claimed to no longer hold any malice towards the Ancient One it was evident they were at least unethused by the prospective of her abrasively bossing them around.

Wong sensing the tension quickly added in "Like she said. We are trusting most of you to carry this out on your own without supervision. So please do your best"

This seemed to pacify most of them except Wenwu, who quickly realized he was part of the implied others who actually needed supervision. And would be monitored by not just Wong but Boudicca as well.

Enraged by the back handed insult but knowing better than to make a big deal about it, Wenwu could only stew in quiet rage at this.

"I suggest we leave as soon as possible". Wong suggested. "We can open sling rings to any one who needs it" Boudicca added.

Thor stood up took a large swig from the alcohol barrel he had been nursing through out the meeting. Then emitted a satisfied exhale of satisfaction.

"No need. Now that I am no longer in that accursed dungeon, I'm sure Heimdall can finally see and hear me, so he can open the bifrost for us. Come along Hyperion let's find somewhere spacious so we can get portaled out of here."

Thor said, already walking towards the open window and spinning his hammer. With a whoosh he flew out the window, with Hyperion flying shortly behind.

Wong frowned as he stared over at the upturned barrels they had carelessly left behind.

"Did they drink entirety of Ale of Truth?" He questioned.

"Seems like it" Boudicca said softly also looking at the familiar barrel.

"So they'll be unable to tell a lie so long us the alcohol flows through them. Which considering the amount they drank, will be a while." Wong.

Boudicca sighed tiredly. "Probably"

Wong gave his own sigh of exhaustion "Well that can't be good."

Boudicca could only watch as a large rainbow colored beam suddenly shot down from the sky and onto the courtyard were Thor and Hyperion currently stood

It soon disappeared leaving behind a scorched sigil on the stone floor of the courtyard.

Indeed" was Boudicca could say as the pair the potential easiest task went off now potentially with the most difficult one.

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