The Rescue

I reach that place and see a circle of corpses set on fire on the ground, the living men are at the center of it in an attempt to shield themselves from the enemy's attacks as the horrible smell of burnt flesh embrace them. I rush forward shouting, splitting the ground open and allowing the earth to eat some of the enemy's soldiers -It's TongJun Ying!- -Finally, we're safe!- some of the men say, I recognize a few faces among those.

-Where's General Cai?!- I ask while fending off some attacks -Here!- he replies, my eyes spots him immediately. He's seating on the ground, one hand covering a wound on his hip and the other holding a spear to defend himself -Even if I'm not much of a help in this state...- he adds in a lower tone -I'll leave my Army in your hands for today, Miss Ying!- I nod and turn around, lowering my weapons as I open a path admist the fire to join them -Xu Lei, Shun Zhang, He Rang, Zhou Zhang, Kasuo Gu. With me!- I order and call them forth.

-I'll join you- says Qin Luo, placing his sword over his heart -No, you stay here and help with the defense. There are too many injured soldiers among you all and the perimeter of the circle is in need of capable men- he nods and step back, my men bows to me and make way. I place one hand over the fire and turn off a part of it for us to walk out of the circle -From here on, stay close to me. I'll do everything in my abilities to put an end to this but I warn you that I'm not at my full potential right now, so kill anyone getting to close- -Yessir!- -Let's go-.

We set a formation, Xu Lei and Shun stand in front of me while everyone else stays behind. We throw ourselves in between the enemy's ranks and begin fighting with all out might... Most of those we face are sand men, as long as they stay far enough I can kill them myself by burning them or throwing a bolt. But the more I do so, the more I tire myself out.

-Lai'Er, are you alright?- Shun catches my arm one time I loose balance, looking me straight in the eyes -I don't know how much more I'll be able to hold it up... But I cannot give it up just cuz I'm tired- -There's too many soldiers to face, most of them are sand men and all scattered around the 3 camps- adds Xu Lei -If you continue to use your powers on these small groups you're going to be completely dry before we even kill them all-

-I know...- I reply, slicing a few men off -Do you think you'll be able to to group them all?- I ask him -No if it's just us- -I'll procure you more men then- he looks at me confused -You have something in mind?- I nod -A bit of a risky move, but that's all we've got now- the guys, fighting around me, all look at eachother and nod -We're in- -I'll explain as we go, follow me-.

...

We return to the circle of corpses -Lai'Er? Why are you back already?- asks Qin Luo -I have a plan... Everyone! Listen up! Gather all the non injured men and send them out of the fire, those injured shall remain inside- I can see the shook in their eyes while listening to me -Trust me on this one!- -Lai'Er, is this a plan of yours?- whisper Qin Luo, I nod to him -Then I trust you- and with that he turns around and orders the men to do as I said.

I open a path and make the soldiers come out -Everyone, go around the corpses and fight off the enemies, I warn you... More and more will come at us now that we are out in the open with no protection- -What about you, Lai'Er?- asks Shun worried -I'll go inside the circle with Xu Lei, I need him to help me regain my strength. We're gonna attract the enemies while I restore my powers, I just hope our soldiers will manage to keep up until then...- Upon hearing my words Qin Luo nods and rings a horn -Soldiers, we need to gain time for Ying TongJun! We're putting our lives on the live for everyone else now, we won't allow a single enemy to pass through us!- -AH!- the men shouts in agreement -Thanks- is all I can say to Qin Luo before entering that shield of corpses.

-Have you checked the soldiers inside the infirmary before grouping all here?- I ask to General Cai -I doubt a single men left behind have survived, Miss Ying... We're lucky enough already to have grouped around the kitchen or we would have lost all provisions too- he tilt his head toward the couple of tends inside the circle, where the feast was being held just a few hours before -Anyway, good luck now- Xu Lei places his hands over my shoulders and I enter a meditative state.

...

More enemies begin to gather, having realized that more preys are now aviable for them. I hear the men shouting at eachothers, most shouts are warning about upcoming enemies while others a reminder to keep their position and not give in.

-How's Lai'Er?!- asks Qin Luo to Xu Lei -Still weak, we need more time- -We'll give it to you!-.

...

The yells become more desperate, still shouting orders and directions but also screaming in pain or defeat. I grit my teeth together and tense up -Lai'Er, focus on regaining your full power now. Don't mind what happens outside- he tries to calm me down -We knew it was going to be risky yet we all agreed to it since we trust you- I nod and regain my focus.

...

The noise outside is mostly a sign of slaughter now, our men are suffering great losses -Stand back!- -Everyone be on defense! Don't attack!- some of the other commanders order -Xu Lei, how's she!?- Roars Qin Luo, obviously at his limit while pushing back some enemy -Almost done!- he yells back panicking -All the remaining soldiers group together! Throw the corpses in the fire to protect the injureds-

-Come on...- murmurs Xu Lei trying to fasten the process. I myself frown, wanting to intervene, but if I were to stop now I wouldn't be able to complete my plan successfully.

-Don't let them get Inside!- yells a man outside -Defend the back!- I can hear them moving to where the enemies are trying to pas through, and along their steps comes the sound of ripped flesh once the 2 factions meet eachother.

-Just a bit more... Almost there... Hang in there everyone!- says Xu Lai, looking ahead to Qin Luo -I don't think we can hold on anym... Watch out!- he yells. And enemy managed to pass through and is heading toward us, yet nor I nor Xu Lei can do anything to stop him now. The power inside me builds up almost to the top but still not enough to stop and defend ourselves -Come on, please...!- Swear Xu Lei as the man rises his weapons on him -Don't touch them!- yells another voice and the attack coming in his direction fails to arrive, the sounds of spilled blood reaches my ears. Warm fingers touch my face as I realize what just happened, someone sacrificed for us -Miss... Ying... Our, goddess... Save them all...-

"Nan's voice!"

Finally I am at full power, I open my eyes and reach out my hand to eradicate the heart from that enemy's chest. That's all I can do for Nan now, there's no time to grieve.

-Everyone, retreat!!!- I shout dissipating the fire, enough for our men to come behind the corpses and lighten it up again. Then the ground around trembles and lightnings fall down the sky, killing every single living thing around us.

The men fall down, finally letting go of their anxiety having seem death in front of them. While I stare down at the corpse on my laps, uncaring for the Divine punishment going outside -I've been too slow...- A tear rolls down my cheek -I'm sorry...- I apologize, bending over what remains of his little cold body... I don't look further down his face, I know I wouldn't find anything past his chest anyway.