Chapter 161

Chapter 161

Hugging his knees, Baledagh felt drained of all tears and emotions as the last tendrils of flame died out atop Qing-Qings pyre. With them died all his hopes and dreams, leaving nothing but a few meagre memories, forever tainted by her loss. Now that she was gone, truly gone, it was difficult to even imagine ever being cheerful again. So lovely and vibrant in life, now she was nothing but glowing embers and blackened ashes. What was the point of living if that was all that remained after you died?

Retreating silently into the void, Baledagh curled up in a ball and tried to forget, to fade away into nothingness, rejecting the rotten world which stole his love away. There was nothing left for him anymore. Finding Qing-Qing only to lose her before sharing a kiss was testament to how unfair the world was. If the Mother truly was as powerful and loving as the stories say, then why would she allow such injustice, such cruelty?

Why hadnt he been born in another time and place, where he and Qing-Qing could be together, grow old together, could die together? Better to give up now and be reunited with her that much sooner.

Boss, we got a problem. A voice from the world intruded on Baledaghs thoughts, and he ignored it, only wanting to be left in peace. Let brother deal with the world at large. The voice continued to persist, even daring to shake Baledagh, disturbing his bout of self-pity. Boss, you there? ... Boss? Wake up! Ah damn it all, what the fuck happened? Snap out of it boss, we need you.

Curious why brother wasnt dealing with this nuisance, he glanced around and immediately found the problem. Brother drifted listlessly about the void, unconscious and unresponsive as the twinkling whirlpool of Spectres followed behind. No wonder he wasnt taking care of things, brother must have drifted off to sleep during Baledaghs vigil. Even though he must have been exhausted from weeks spent evading the Spectres, brother had still stayed awake to help Baledagh through his grief. There was nothing could be said or done to help, but at least brother tried. All wasted effort but Baledagh appreciated the sentiment. No matter, it was time to disappear and let him live his life as Falling Rain, hero of the Empire, without the burden of Baledagh, the worthless fool.

Struggling with indecision and indifference, Baledagh studied brothers sleeping form. Gaunt and haggard, brother was in worse shape than hed ever seen, even though it was merely a mental projection. If this was how he felt, then brother must have suffered terribly. Hed need strength for the days ahead, and Baledagh decided he would help as much as he could before leaving to find Qing-Qing. Returning to his body, he watched Ravil pace about, muttering beneath his breath. Shit, shit, what do I do?

Best to get this over with as soon as possible, nothing seemed right. The air smelled off, the colours too dim, the trees closing in around him. Whats the problem? He just wanted to be left alone.

Leaping in place, Ravil recovered in an instant, falling to his knees to inspect Baledagh. Oh thank the Mother, I thought youd gone all loopy, staring off into the distance like that. Seen it happen to a few warriors in my time. Nervously rubbing his head, Ravil sighed. Its the old bastard, he slipped away while I was taking a piss, disappeared like a fucking ghost. Ive got people searching for him, but Im not optimistic. Even if they find him, theres nothing they can do.

Frowning, Baledagh scoured his memories and came up empty, ignorant of anything happening after brother took over. What old bastard? Is this a problem? Baledagh felt utterly useless. Perhaps he should wake brother after all.

Er... Caught off-guard by the question, Ravil froze in place for several seconds while Baledagh cursed himself for being foolish. He should have kept his mouth shut, or at least asked a better question. Just as he was about to slip back into the void to wake brother, Ravil came out of his shock. Well, I guess not. Everyones still alive and the old bastard already took an oath of silence, so he wont be squealing about the Mothers Militia. I guess I was overthinking things when you asked me to keep an eye on him... Faltering, Ravil added, But what about the Purge? In response to Baledaghs blank look, he continued, Werent you trying to delay things? He'll ruin those plans. I assume you have... friends? People you want extracted before the army gets wind of the Demon and lock down the area. We'll need to move now, anyone caught will face investigation, and the army does not fuck around when it comes to an outbreak inside the borders. Like they say, where theres one, theres a dozen, and Better a hundred dead civs than one breathing Defiled.

The world closed in around him as he processed Ravils statement, his stomach twisting in horror at the revelation. A purge. His actions had all been for naught, all those he saved from Qing-Qing's village still fated to die, only this time at the hands of the Empire. If hed ignored the plight of the villagers and left them to the Defiled, he could have brought Qing-Qing away, safe and sound.

If not for his foolish dreams of heroism, shed still be alive.

Why did he waste his efforts saving those villagers? Hed owed them nothing, their aid bought and paid for, a worthless bunch doomed the moment Gen gave in to darkness. Because he was too soft, foolishly helping those who spurned him. He should have turned around and left the moment he saw those tracks, knowing nothing good would come of them. A futile effort which cost Qing-Qing her life, everything he did, every choice he made resulted in failure and death. Why even bother? What was he to do now?

Vengeance.

It was true, a good husband makes a good wife. If only hed had the time to show Qing-Qing the same love and affection, open her eyes to the truth......

Drifting out of his haze of blissful euphoria, he blinked and looked around as the world came back into focus. The dark night was tinged with a hint of red, his new gifts allowing him to see things clear as day. Cradled in the arms of his wife, he realized he was no longer alone, recognizing the remnants of Laughing Dragons Firebrands, the man in question watching him with a smirk. Well bless my black heart, arent you two just sweet as honey.

Irritated by his mocking, Gen struggled out of Beis grasp and stood tall, wiping the drool from his chin. What are you doing here? Didnt you lose your nerve? Laughing Dragon, fleeing in terror before nameless Baledagh.

His smile souring, Laughing Dragon spit at Gens feet. Couldnt have been nameless, ye slack-jawed bumpkin. He was more skilled than any whelp has a right to be. With some time to think, I figured hes gotta be the Bekhai Warrant Officer, Falling Rain. The eyes, the weapon, the age, it all fits. Confused little shit he is, a fool who doesnt even know hes one of the Liberated. Id like to see his face when they put him through the Inquiry. Fixing him with a cold stare, Laughing Dragon added, And dont think ye can mock me just because youve a Demon at yer side. It wont lift a finger if I gut you here and now, so watch yer tone. They locked stares for long seconds, Gen refusing to give way. Though hed have been cowed only a day ago, much had changed in a short time. Realizing this, Laughing Dragon scoffed and gestured towards Bei. As fer why Im here, the Demon here popped out of nowhere and stopped us from heading north. Wont let any of us leave, else Id be long gone.

Frowning at Bei, Gen pursed his lips. Why did she want the Firebrands with them? Fucking slut, some things never change. Explain yourself!

She tilted her head back and forth once more, before pointing at him with her right hand. Lifting the index finger on her left hand, she then pointed at Laughing Dragon and lifted a second finger, then another Firebrand and a third. This continued until she'd raised all five fingers of her left hand, at which point she gestured to the remaining Firebrands before turning south, her arm sweeping across the land as if gathering the air into her embrace. Turning back to Gen, she cocked her head once more, asking if he understood.

Fuck no. Laughing Dragon was first to answer. Aint no way Im staying, the Purge is coming. Let those other fools fend for themselves. Still, he didnt move, his feet planted and arms crossed.

Ignoring him, Bei continued to stare at Gen, his brow furrowed in thought. Dismissing his thoughts of her infidelity, he questioned her motives. You want me to find others like me and bring them to you? She nodded, then shook her head and pointed north. Bring them north? A nod. Why?

Her lips broke into a smile as she leaned forward to whisper in his ear. The low, guttural voice set his body spasming in pain, a delicious agony emanating throughout his body. Falling to the ground, he screamed and squirmed as he bled from his eyes, the voice consuming his mind, echoing endlessly within his skull. After an eternity passed in a moment, Gen shivered and panted as the pain subsided, staring up at his wife in shock and confusion. That wasnt Bei speaking, the power and malevolence behind the voice unlike anything hed ever experienced. Who was that speaking through her?

The message was simple, three short sentences.

No more hiding. Gather my children. Destroy the Empire.

A smile crept onto his face as he stared north, awed by the display of power. They had friends beyond the Bridge, and no matter how powerful they were, they needed Gens help to let them in. Images of death and destruction flooded his mind, relishing the changes to come. Ah, what a time to be alive.

A time of revolution, of bloodshed, and of reckoning.

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