My Word

Zhou wakes up with a gasps as pain hits him

-Stay down, my medication is not that perfect-

His eyes moves trying to find me as the sunlight begin to peek through the stars

-Lai'Er...-

-I'll go get some herbs, just lay down until I'm back... I cannot bring you back to the camp like this-

...

-It wasn't your fault...- he says seating up while holding the bandages around his shoulders

-It was, we were out because of me... And even if it wasn't my fault, the General would still accuse it all on me due to my current position-

The words he was about to say die on his tongue and he just nods

-That... In the cave... And that man... Uhm...-

I sigh -I'm sorry to have dragged you into these things... I got sent here because of my habit of acting alone.

I don't do it because I'm stronger and wants to stand up, but whenever I face an enemy it is a creature like that... So of course I cannot bring anyone with me-

-Are you... Human?- he gulps down

-Yes, If you're thinking these occurrences happens because of my origins then you're wrong...

This world has many more ferocious enemies than what we think... They simply lay in the dark where none, normally, dares to venture into.

Apparently a consequence of my power is to be aware of such darkness-

I rise my hands lightly staring at my fingertips -And once I see it I cannot help but destroy it- I cleanch my hands into fists and turn around

-That man... Is not human, he knows things about this filthy war that I don't and only asked me to keep going, to save others-

-What "things" are you referring to?-

I shake my head

-I'm afraid this is not a simple war made of humans for the conquer of lands- I face him again

He stares at me unfocused

-But... But that changes to many things... We wouldn't be able to win, never.

All the people who died until now, all the blood poured in vain... That can't be true it's...-

-I have been into both the battlefield and enemy bases by now, and no... We cannot win, not by simply fighting battle after battle-

-But didn't your Amanda encounter many victories recently?-

-Only because I managed to weaken the enemy before each battle-

-How?-

I bite my lips

-You don't want to tell me...-

-I do! but...-

-I was in that cave and saw an old woman turn into and evil spirit before my eyes, It will take some time but I can understand-

-It will sound from a child's tale but... Inside those enemy bases there aren't just food and weapons.

In each of them lies trapped a Deity who's power get constantly dried by some kind of device I still have to figure out... That device is meant to enhance their soldiers, that's why they seem impossible to kill when faced on the battlefield.

But if I can destroy it and release the deity's power, then they will become mere humans again...-

I sigh at the memories of the massacre I recently took part in

-The only problem is that those bases are a death trap for any soldier... Inside there are creatures you probably never heard about and the said core is well guarded... Even too much now.

The enemy probably realized what I have been doing-

Zhou doesn't say anything for many minutes

-Are you alright?-

He shakes his head -It's not what we trained for-

-I know-

-You are the only solution... But you're only one-

-I don't know if I am a solution, just look at today... I almost died into that cave against a fox...! There are more dangerous creatures waiting ahead-

-But that man helped you, I'm sure he will again-

-I do not know how powerful he is, and I cannot throw myself into something dangerous only because someone else might come and save me at the last minute...

I need to become stronger so I can reach the source of this war and end it... But my power is still too unstable and unknown-

-It will take time... But you can do it-

I nod looking as the sky turns lighter, dropping the topic just like that... It's useless to talk further -Let's go back before everyone wakes up, can you stand up? Or I'll carry you-

-I'm better now... Whatever that herb was it helped- he takes my hand standing up and grabs my whole arm

-Let's head back-

...

Once at the camp we sneak inside our tend and I help Zhou lie down... Luckily today is a rest day.

Let's just pray in nothing bad happens...

-Mmhn...- murmurs a voice, I turn around to find Xu Lei with crossed arms and two fingers holding his chin

-Yes?-

-Have you slept together?-

Zhou chokes on his breath -What the hell man?! I come back all broken, patched up and that is your first thought?!-

-Well I wouldn't be surprised if she...-

-Spear me the rest thanks...!- stops him Zhou

-Then what happened?-

Zhou looks into my eyes as asking for permission to continue, which I do not allow and simply finish for him

-We got separated for some time and some hungry beast attacked him...

With the winter and the war I'm sure you understand, those poor animals are suffering hunger as much as we do-

Xu only rises an eyebrow

-Why did you get separated?-

-We...-

-It was my fault! I needed to... You know, use the restroom- rushes Zhou to say, apparently it works and Xu Lei relaxes smiling to us

-Hope nothing too serious, this little one may not seems like it but he's quite useful out there on the battlefield-

-Don't worry I treated him and medicated his wounds-

-Why not see a doctor tho? I can go call one for you right now-

-It's nothing too serious, he'll be fine soon... Let's not make others worry too much when we can solve it on our own-

-Mhn- he nods staring at me with a weird smile

-Well good night... For little it is left to sleep-

-Yes! Night!- yelp Zhou digging into his blankets

I stare at Xu Lei going back to his own bed and turning off the small consumed candle by his side...

Once he's tucked in, I tip toe back to my own "bed" beside Zhou's and lay down on one side...

One arm under my head and one in front of my face.

Somehow I cannot come to understand that guy at all... And that is making me uneasy.

As the hand in front of me begins to grip the blanket one smaller hand comes to grab it

-Uh? Ge?-

Zhou's eyes sparkle even in the darkness

-Thanks- he smiles before turning his back toward me

"Thanks... For not protecting him and making him risk his life...?"

I sigh taking back my cold hand against my chest

-For... Letting me inside your world- he whisper half asleep

Those words snatch every other thoughts away, making me focus only on that...

"A world...? That's how he sees it?"

I find myself smiling as I fall asleep...