Hollow Village I

-Where are you guys going this late in the evening?- asks Xu

-Train-

He squints his eyes staring into Zhou before smiling -Good luck then-

-Mhn thanks- he hiss his bag and follows me outside the tend as I'm waiting with my blade between my crossed arms and closed eyes

-Oh Uhm... I'm ready-

-Let's go then-

...

-The other night... I didn't mean to spy on you but... I was worried-

-You don't need to apologise, it's understandable... A new comrade to work with of whom none know nothing...

I would have done the same-

-Mhn...- he nods with pressed lips while holding tight his bag before remembering something -Ah...! I have... This uhm...-

He begins to search inside it before pulling out something that resemble a Yuebin, but obviously isn't

-I don't know if you had any friend to celebrate with in your old Camp so... Even if it's quite late for mid-autumn fest but... Me and the guys thought it might help you...-

-Oh you guys made this?- I ask taking the small sweet bun in hand -How?-

-Uhm we... Rang... Was on the cooking turn-

-It's a really nice thing from you guys-

-No problem- he press his lips looking away with a bored expression as some pink appears on his cheeks

...

-I don't feel anything- he sighs rubbing his fingertips together

-What am I supposed to feel in the first place...?-

-I know it's hard initially...

The first step is to create a connection and grab onto it... Nothing might happen for a while tho, not until you find your will-

-What was yours?-

-I'm still not sure... At first I thought it was rage...

Whenever I had to spar against a certain soldier I were to lose control.

Later on it seemed to be the will to fight, but I wouldn't say for sure that's the reason... I cannot manage to control it fully,

which means I'm on the right path but not yet reached the end...-

-What can you do excatly?-

-It depends on the situations... Once I even called for a lighting who completely burned my enemies in the water... But I can decently control only fire for now-

-Fire... Which means Rage and burning trepidation...- he murmurs

-What do you mean?-

-Maybe the logic behind it is not one single strength... But one for each element.

You can control your rage since you have gotten used to it,

and you want to end this war more than anything...-

-That makes sense- I rise an eyebrow asking him to go ahead

-Lightning... It's a symbol of Justice isn't it? I recall something about a lower God killing the enemies of other Gods with lightnings...-

-Wait...! I was fighting against sinners that time- I widen my eyes

-What else you used in the past?-

-Wood and Earth-

-Wood should be something about blooming and creativity... While Earth...-

-... Stability and Security- I finish the sentence for him

-Creativity, I used it when I had no other way to destroy a piece of Jade... Or had to stop my brother by all means.

And Earth...

It was a mistake once but some idiots were cheating on a simulation compromising the final result-

-But there are so many other side elements out there, If you were to find your own key to all of them... Imagine controlling sounds... Or... Poison-

-I'm not sure I would be able to use all of them... I'm covered in Yin Energy-

-Isn't Fire a Yang element tho?-

-Maybe being dirtied of Yin I cannot use Yin ones? But attract Yang ones? I never used Metal either if I recall correctly...?-

A sound from the forest distracts me so I turn around lowering my arms to take my sword

-Who's there?!

... Do I have to repeat myself?!-

-Ah! I I I come in peace!-

Soon after a man around 30 rushes out of the frozen trees and kneels a few meters from us

-Your clothes... A civilian?- I sheathe my sword and approach him

-A what? How's that possible here?- jumps up Zhou'Ge shocked

-I can explain if you... Don't spill on us...-

-That will only depends on what you tell me... Go ahead- I warn him

-Well Uhm... We... It's better if I show you, this way-

Zhou makes one step forward but I rise an arm to stop him

-Lai'Er?-

-We cannot simply follow this man and trust him-

-Can't you kill a whole camp of enemies alone?-

-Mhn-

-Then it's fine-

-Mhn... It's logical but still...-

-I swear My Lords! I mean no harm! I just want to show you our village- the man bends down almost crying

-A village?!- I widen my eyes -Are there more civilians?-

-Yes! Many!- he nods frenetically while holding the chopped wood he was carrying thigh to his chest

-Let's go-

...

We reach an opening in the rocks, dark and hollow but still wide enough for a big man to pass through...

As I lay one hand on the surface a funny sensation rushes over me and following the man I proceed down the wooden stairs we find past the entrance...

Right at the bottom, of what was once an underground passage for a waterfall, a whole village appears in front of our eyes...

A few lanters pops here and there to enlighten, even if barely, the big cave. The village per sé is pretty small and only one main venue is visible.

To the sides there are a few improvised huts and some people are seated outside of those, either cooking or cleaning whatever food they have found on the surface...

Some more dark figures are staying at the back of those huts, being difficult to be seen...

-What's happening...? I feel... Someone... More?- asks a voice from the end of the cave walking toward us

-Our dear saviour... I apologise, these soldier caught me so I had to prove them I wasn't an Enemy- says the wood dude bowing down

-Ah she...-

The voice comes closer and we are finally able to see who it belongs to... An old woman with white eyes, she must be blind.

Deep wrinkles appears on her darkened old skin and a carved wooden staff in hand to help her walk

-Saviour?-

-Uhm well...- studders the man

-Madame... I suppose you are the one in charge here, what's the reason of all this?-

She smiles with her dry lips and somehow it gives me chills

-Let's first seat down my children... I will explain everything to you-