Chapter 100 - A Way (2)

Yao Yun felt the darkness surrounding him as he gained consciousness. He slowly opened his heavy eyelids, his vision blurry. Soon, his eyes got used and regained his sight. He was in a room and was lying on a fluffy bed. His hands covered his forehead as a splitting headache came. Memories flooded in his mind. He remembered how he saw the crown above Emersyn's head and an ominous black crystal on her forehead. How a needle pierced through his heart. In fact, it didn't even affect him greatly and he saw no problems in his body. He believed that Emersyn was forced to stab him.

"Oh? You're awake now, Yun. Here, have some water."

Egbert suddenly came in with a tray. He went over to the bed and offered him a glass of water that was on the tray. Yao Yun nodded then received the glass with two trembling hands.

"How long was I asleep?" Yao Yun asked after he took a sip.

"Hmm… that would be around a week. We don't know what that woman did to you, so we were hopeless. The healing process only took a few minutes, but you still didn't show any signs of waking up. Days passed and you were still asleep. We were worried about supplying you with nutrients, but that was, somehow, taken care of. We didn't know how and why, so we just let it be since we have the advantage. Anyway, I only brought water. I will just get some porridge for you. Is that okay?"

"Thanks, Sir Egg."

"Hey! Don't call me Egg! You just woke up and the first thing you did was to bully me?!"

Yao Yun smiled then shooed him.

"Go. I'm hungry."

"Tch. Sick people like you should just sleep forever."

Egbert settled the tray on the nightstand then left the room.

Yao Yun smiled mockingly at himself as he gazed over at his hands that were filled with callouses and scars. He clenched his shaking hands then released his hold. His hand went to his c.h.e.s.t as he felt the steady lull of his heart. For some reason, he felt warm but cold at the same time.

"Here it is, bastard!"

"I'm surprised at how fast you are."

"Well… the kitchen was just around the corner."

Egbert reasoned out with a blush as he settled the small table on Yao Yun's l.a.p.

"Eat before it gets cold."

"By the way, can you tell me what happened when I was asleep?"

Egbert rubbed his forehead then took the chair by the dinner table and settled it beside the bed. He sat there then began, "You remember that they don't have a sun or a moon, right?"

"Yes. I remember."

"It suddenly appeared here."

"What?"

"Moreover…," Egbert leaned then whispered, "It's our sun. The Central Marsh people are making a fuss, but they won't dare voice it out or they'll be killed."

"Wait, how can you be so sure that it's our sun?"

"Dude, we've been staring at that sun ever since we were born! Of course we'll be able to recognize it!"

Yao Yun looked incredulously at Egbert.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing. Just continue," Yao Yun said as he waved his hand in resignation.

Egbert furrowed his brows then cleared his throat. He continued, "Do you know those two moons that appeared suddenly in Central Marsh? They also appeared here. So, we put two and two together; we stole each other's celestial beings. Also, we already evacuated here in Tamel since Emersyn took control of the Central Marsh using dragons."

"Wait, what?"

"Yes. She started reviving the, you know, what they call the demon world in this place. Since we are currently leeching off these people, we are being deployed to the demon world along with the other underground cities to purge Emersyn."

"..."

"I know… it's hard. She is really strong and… you know, I heard that at the borders of the demon world, there are hellfires that forbid monsters and people to come in and out."

"Do we really have to purge her? You know… she might have done it to protect us…."

"What do you mean? She almost killed you, and you want to save her? You're crazy!" Egbert scoffed, then grabbed a glass and poured water in it. He drank it all at once, then he coughed violently.

"Ack!"

Yao Yun, who became wet from the spluttered water, complained.

"What in the world are you doing?!"

"Heuk! Heuk! Can't you see that I am angry?! Heuk! You can't just not put any value on you! Ack! It hurts…. Anyway, we have to get revenge, Yun!"

Yao Yun was silent for a while as Egbert waited for him to talk.

"... don't you remember what I did back then?"

"What?"

"I killed people… how can I put value on myself?"

Egbert waved his hand.

"Who cares about that now? That's already in the past. We have a lot to worry about in the present and in the future, so why waste your time thinking of the past? Besides, we already forgave you; and you only did it to protect whoever those were in trouble. I don't even remember the details now! Hahaha! So, cheer up! We have to kick some Emersyn b.u.t.t and get revenge for you!"

Yao Yun whispered, "I still don't think Emersyn wanted to kill me."

"What the heck are you on now?"

Yao Yun shook his head and smiled at him.

"Nothing, Sir Eggy."

"This f.u.c.ker! Why are you calling me Eggy now?! Huh?! Do you want me to put you in a coma?!"

Yao Yun laughed out loud.

"Where's the others?"

"Do you really think I will forget what you did? Eggy! Hah! You suck!"

Suddenly, there was a knock. Yao Yun and Egbert's attention went to the door where people were silently watching them. Egbert coughed in embarrassment as he settled his b.u.t.t on the chair. Meanwhile, Yao Yun smiled and gestured at them to come in. Knowing that everything was fine now, Jairen and Daren came in with a snicker.

"So, Eggy, why didn't you inform us that Yun woke up?" Jairen teased.

"This f.u.c.ker!"

"We only got to know it when you rushed out of the room and hurriedly took a readied bowl of porridge."

"This shit! Shut up!" Egbert yelled, his face red.

Daren grinned and jabbed at Egbert's ribs.

"Ack! When did you get this strong?!"

"I've been volunteering in monster subjugations with brother Jai."

"What?! You left me behind?!"

"You didn't ask," Daren said as he shrugged. "Besides, whenever we go out, you are out there, partying."

"Can't blame me. It's the first time that I experienced this life. So, why can't I enjoy this?"

"Yun, your family is just in the next building. They still don't know about your situation and we decided to not tell them, since you would be afraid to worry them."

"You know me quite well, Sir Jairen."

"Wait, you're just ignoring me here?" Egbert grumbled.

"Oh, and tomorrow, we will depart to the border. Do you want to come?" Daren interjected.

"I want to go," Yao Yun immediately said as he looked at Jairen's eyes filled with conviction.

"Alright then. Rest up today. Warm up tonight. We'll depart tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

"Come on now, Eggy," Jairen said as he grabbed Egbert's collar. "We have a lot of training to do for you," then dragged him out.

"Wait! I have to go drinking with Ludo later!"

"Are you coming tomorrow or not?"

"Uhm… uh… can I just join the next day? I don't have anything to do that day!"

"Excuses. We'll talk to Ludo."

"What?! You can't do this!"

"Do you really want to fall back behind us?"

".... no. That would be truly horrifying."

Then, their voices thinned out and Yao Yun sighed in relief. He laid down the bed as he settled his hand on his loudly beating heart. He was sensing an ominous foreboding tomorrow. He didn't know why, but he felt something… it was more like a sad emotion. He turned to look at the kitchen where Emersyn cooked for them with care. Truly, he couldn't imagine Emersyn doing something evil. It must be all to protect them. But… from where? From who? He didn't know. He might know something, anything, once he met with Emersyn. He would know for sure what she was planning and beg her to let him help her.

Even if it cost him his life.

He would side with her no matter what.

Determined, he nodded then closed his eyes to rest. He still had a big day tomorrow.