The Men III

Receiving a heavy hit on my shoulder one sword gets thrown away, too far for me to reach it in the current circumstances... I roll away to avoid one stabbing spear and turn on myself by grabbing his ankles, I overthrown his balance and use that moment to cage him with my thighs while falling back to the ground.

I suffocate him while fending off his fists but obviously this is useless... A creature made of sand wouldn't need air in the first place!

I secure the sword in my hand and release him once I'm ready to jump away, rising my blade in front of my self -These things are strong...- I growl spitting out some blood on the soil -...That one on the battlefield was much easier to kill, or maybe I'm just too tired and outnumbered- I straighten up and assume an attacking position -I'll just burn all that sand then...!- before I do anything the man from before appears with my horse just outside the camp's perimeter, perfect!

I decide to ignore these men for now and dash as quickly as possible toward that horse... Although I am faster than any normal soldier, those men still manages to keep up with me... Forcing me to go over my limit, I clash weapons with one and fend him off. He falls to the ground and roll while decreasing speed but the other men comes forward, seeing my situation the man on the horse speeds up in my direction -Miss! Jump on! We can escape this way!-

I turn around and grab his hand, jumping on the horse behind him -Go, full speed I'll... Stop them!- -Sure Miss!- he gulps down and starts riding the horse, meanwhile I take out my bow and get ready to shoot, instead of aiming for the men I go instead for the ground and ser it on fire... One of the men falls while trying to stop in time and end up in the flames, I push it more and release more arrows to create a wall of fire... It starts off little but with some effort it grows taller than a human and the black smoke begins falling down to conceal our escape.

I take a breath of relief -This should hold them back for a while...- and saying so I allow myself to seat against the man in front of me -Are you alright?- -Mhn... Just tired- -You should rest then and I'll take us to your camp... The Men can't make it all the way there-

At those words I rise up my head -Why not? Oh... You won't tell me for now, that's right... Never mind- I straighten my back and begin polishing my weapons -Miss, just rest- I shake my head -You will only get us killed if I don't keep an eye out, just go and I'll handle the rest- he nods in silence.

...

Once we reach our camp we both dismount the horse and I see Xu Lei waiting for me with Qin Luo to keep him safe by his side, once I set foot to the ground it almost slips and I have to hold onto the reins to hide it... I'm tired, I can't deny it anymore, not after using so much of my powers...

A soldier takes the reins away before I drag that man toward our general -Qin Luo, take this man and interrogate him... He claims to be on our side- I push him forward and he stumbles on his feet, falling again Qin Luo's chest who grabs him -What's the meaning of this, Lai'Er?-

The man looks at me with an apologetic expression, he remembers about the deal and start rummaging inside his clothes to search for the papers -Before you go...- -Give those to him, I have no use for those. All I want from you are informations about those men- I point to Qin Luo -He's one of our Generals, don't try anything funny soldier- I warn him and he smiles awkwardly -Hehe I'm sorry...-

I turn away and start untying my forearm armor as I walk toward my tend, Xu Lei runs behind me -Are you alright? You look tired- -I indeed am tired, that man is such a nuisance...- I pinch my nose bridge -But at least he claims to have useful informations. Well at least I hope he does, since thanks to him I couldn't find anything before getting forced to escape- -Let me help you restore then, it's the last I can do- -Mhn, let's go-.

...

Since rescuing him, me and Xu Lei started cooperating. Thanks to his powers, whenever I feel consumed or excessively tired he always helps me to replenish my powers... He's not an healer or anything, he just donate some of his current vitality to me. No harm is taken in this action since he doesn't give me much, nor would I want him to, it just helps me heal faster or help me stabilize my energies. It's his way of paying me back for saving him and offering him constant protection from Dong Hu.

-Thanks- I say letting my hair off the shoulder again and stand up -I already feel better...- I say cracking my neck -... I just overdid it a bit. Lightings, fire, all that fighting... Fire again-

-Actually... It's not just that, I noticed something weird- speaks softly Xu Lei, he doesn't seem alarmed tho so I don't get worried at his words -Such as?-

-It's like you got dirty and need to wash it off, those men stained you with some kind of dark energy... Karma or something, I'm not good with that. But anyway it doesn't seems like anything troublesome, your body is already pushing it out on his own... That's probably why you felt so tired, it slowed you down since you had to fight that internally. Just rest for a couple of days and you should be good-

-Are you sure about that?- I rise an eyebrow -Yes, I got quite used to your energy by now, I can read it quite easly... But still, this information should be useful right? One step closer to understanding those men-

I go toward the table at the center of the tend and pour myself some liquor -Mhn, did you feel any evil intent in that stain?- he nods -I see... Maybe that black smoke really is connected to those beasts I fought before- I say holding my chin -If that was the case, then those creatures are connected to the Jade cores... Which means I might have been wrong thinking a third party was involved. Well, this trip was useful afterall- I gulp down the burning liquid

-How do you want to proceed now?- he asks crossing his arms

-Let's not jump to conclusions. First of all we need to hear what that guy has to say, then I'll talk with that ma...- -Miss Ying!!- a soldier rushes inside the tend and stops us -This is bad, come!-