Songs of Marching Fire. (Part 4)

As the lights pass, the sound of wheels turns and the light looms, I look outside the same city that I grew up in. So much the same yet so much it differs from the one I see. Saya stands close by my side as we look outside together. So close that our shoulders touch. I move to the side a little, only for her to get closer again. Why? I ponder as I look at her.

She smiles and say, "I want to stay closer please. Being inside here is making me uncomfortable."

"I-I see, if it makes you better. I guess it's fine."

She smirks saying, "He he thanks."

When I saw a glimpse of someone begging for change in the streets and alleyways. I ask, "Sis Yuwei, why don't we help those poor people in the streets, they are dying aren't they?"

"Sova I..."

Only to be cut off with Saya saying, "Sova don't even bother."

"Why? Sis this isn't like what you did back home."

When Yuwei looks away, Saya answers, "Sova if you look closely in their arm. They are wearing an armband with a different insignia than Yuwei or the nobles."

"So what about it?"

"Listen right now we're inside the jade jackals sector and if you look closely to his insignia, it belongs to the disbanded Green Grasshoppers. One of the sector that partake in the Aologi civil war and was disbanded by Central after the war."

"What are you trying to say?"

"You idiot, it means that guy is probably one of the veterans that came back but has no home left thanks to his stupid pride. Basically they want to rebuild their sector back by using the good will of other people from another sector or outside the city."

"I'm sorry I don't really understand, but if what you're saying is true, then why don't they join the hunter's guild they could still make enough money for a living right? I mean they are veterans, surely they can still do something to the monsters?"

"Sova most of the homeless and poor you see on the streets are war veterans who are probably either limp or incapacitated to never fight anymore, worst case scenario is that they already lose their will to live. They now live most of their lives not being able to function in this society, begging for change as they drag them selves forward or downward. Though what you say is true, some veterans did join the guild and some even got hired as personal body guards... Well those are the lucky few who still retain some of their will and throw aside their own pride away..." she says as her eyes drift to the side.

Confused and don't know what to say, I sit idly as the thoughts flow through. Yuwei holds my shoulder saying, "Let's just say it's illegal to help someone who is not considered alive in the eyes of the law and if I did, I'm going to bring trouble to my own sector. Unless they remove their old insignia and wear my own then I have no rights to help them."

I clench my fist saying, "But, but isn't that just wrong! Someone is dying and suffering everywhere, yet you turn your face like that when they are in arms reach!

Yuwei looks away, "Sova please, you must understand."

"I, I still can't accept that. We are suppose to use our power for the people right? We didn't become strong so that we can choose who to help."

"Don't speak like that Sova, you're sounding like Rubeca who keeps having this radical ideas. I don't wan't to discuss this any further.Please, I don't want to get you involve."

"Sis, I know about the tension between the central powers and the Heroes of the Confederation."

"What! Who told you that!?" Yuwei ask in surprise.

"It's Rana. I had enough of staying in the dark all the time, please let me know what's going on."

"I... I see, Sova I'm sorry but I don't want to get you involve any further," she says as her eyes droops down.

"At least, won't you tell me about what's going on with my family or home. You've been avoiding speaking about it."

"Sova I can't, not now."

"Won't you at least tell me if my family is still at home? Are they even fine? Please! I don't want to be ignorant anymore, I don't even know my own parents name nor the past of the families I've been living with, nor you for that matter. You've been ignoring and staying away from us lately!"

"SHUT UP! You're too weak and you're not ready to face what's about to come!" Yuwei screams back at me.

"I know I'm weak. I know that the hard way. But I prefer living in the cold harsh truth of reality than the sweet fake lie of illusions."

Feeling my shoulder being grab and pulled back. Moriz makes a silence gesture.

He holds her shoulders and say, "Yuwei, just let him know about his families at least. There is no point in hiding what's about to come."

"Shut up Moriz, you don't know about it. We might just stay in the neutral in this conflict."

"Listen here, unlike you who only cares about your own sector. I've been helping others and improving diplomatic relationships with Central and other neighbours for you and your sector's sake. Sure your people loves you but your neighbours hate you with how much silent treatment you gave them. If you keep this up then you're no different then your father."

When I see Yuwei bites her lips so hard till it bleeds, "Fine... I'll take you to see your home but I'm not involving you with this political matter okay?"

"Yes thank you sis, and thank you Moriz for helping me convince her."

"Yea anything for a brother in need."

When I see Yuwei lips bleed. I grab a towel under the shelves. Yuwei looks at me surprised before taking it and say, "Thank you Sova, I'm going to explain but it's better if I show you instead."

"Why?"

Moriz sits beside me only for Sarah to move away, he wraps his arm around me saying, "Sova, the Phoenix Sector is facing a big problem right now and you home is in one of those problems.

"What do you mean?"

"Well you'll see but first," he knocks on a panel. Sliding open to see a man with a scary looking face with a scar that looks like he got claw by a beast.

"What is it Moriz?" he ask.

"Change of plans. Take us to the quarantine zone."

As the man gaze at him, he breaths out and replied, "Orders receive."

"What does quarantine mean?" I ask in curiosity.

"It means on lock down and no one can enter because of dangerous reasons." Yuwei replied as she looks outside.

"I see, I guess my house. My neighbourhood is..."

"Don't worry, we we're able to evacuate most of the civilians and still sending someone to search for the missing."

"Then is Aunt, May and sis Rubeca there?"

"They're not."

When the words finally pass my ears I sit back on the chair. Contemplating why did I even bother to hurry... NO! I can't let such thougths fill me. I still need to return back.

"Yuwei, if your sector is in that much trouble. Why are you doing getting drunk in a eatery?"

When Yuwei was about to answer, Moriz raise his arms and say,"Sarah sweetie."

"Don't you dare call me that you creep," saya says with a voice filled with disgust.

"Okay, okay, there's something called breaks you know. She can't just work all day long during her rare chance of vacation."

"Really? When your whole sector is under trouble?"

I interject saying, "Senior Saya, I think you should stop asking those stuff just let it be."

"No I will not, I stayed alive this long by knowing small details like this Sova. Didn't you say that you don't want to be ignorant anymore, then you should start asking."

Moriz holds his forehead saying, "Haah brother, how did you even find this girl. But I guess I could tell. You see the outbreak happened like yesterday. It spread fast and quick, before we finally contain it. Yuwei learned this when she finally got home after the exams and then with no rest she had to go and work again. She may be a Sector Lord but she is still 18 you know? Just like me. In fact the one who suggest that she rest is her own subordinates."

Saya nodded saying, "I see. I guess you're right."

Yuwei leans forward asking, "Still, why do you even care to ask? I mean why are are you so inquisitve?"

Saya looks down as she says, "That's because Sova is like... Wait why do I need to tell you anything."

"Now that's rude, we already tell you ours why can't you tell yours?" Yuwei ask as she leans back.

"That's because Sova reminds me of a certain fool who is also ignorant and too curious at the same time, I can't help but anguish when I see him in trouble," she says in a melancholic tone.

I look at her confused saying, "Senior Saya?"

Yuwei nods saying, "Ah, I see, sorry for asking," when she suddenly smirk and say, "Still and here you call me an old hag aren't you one yourself with that kind of attitude."

"What! Who are you calling old hag you old hag!"

When a vein popped in her head she says, "Urgh, at least it's better than not growing up at all! Look at you, by a demi-human's rats age your probably in your last stage of growth and you still look like a kid."

"Well excuse me! Unlike you who had a diamond spoon given to you since birth. I had to survive by eating my own kin and garbage or literal maggots the moment I learn how to walk!"

When Yuwei's eye widened, she closed it and start to pet Saya saying, "Sorry, I guess I went too far."

Saya turn her head saying, "Huh?"

"I was just trying to lit up the mood, I guess nanny is right about one thing..." letting go, she lean back saying, "When we arrive back at my place I'll let you eat till you get fat okay?"

Saya looks down saying, "Yea thanks. Sorry too I guess..."

When a thought cam to my mind, I say,"Wait, I thought you said you're not supppse to help someone outside your sector?"

Saya respond,"Ah, you're starting to pick up not bad."

Yuwei looks at me saying, "I guess I could explain more. Yes, That's usually illegal, but she is not wearing any band nor proof where she belong. So it's fine if I help her around by the reason of I didn't know where she belong. And as a bonus fact, the clothes she is wearing now is made of something foreign and not something a normal person can get basically people will think she is a noble... You know what you get the point, we can bend the rules and use it to our advantages. Though it usually pains me to do so, I need it to survive this turmoil."

"All right that's it!" Moriz screams before continuing saying, "I change my mind! Sova I need a favor from you now."

"Eh? Um, what is it?"

"You see, I just kinda realize that I've been sitting beside my favorite idol just now," he smiles widely before saying, "Then, won't you please introduce me to her? I mean you've been inside her shop right!"

"Eh? I'm sorry but what? Sadly I don't really know her that well. I mean I just met her around 2 days ago I think?"

"Doesn't matter, In fact I think your weapon is proof of her trust in you."

"Can you please elaborate?"

"Ah your ignorance is bliss, do you know Martial Artist are ban inside this Confederation right?"

"Yea, I think Rana said that or is it somebody else..."

"Either way, to become Martial Artist you need to either be a noble, mid tier hunters, or someone important. And to know if someone is a legal Martial Artist it's that thing in your back. A qi weaving weapon."

I hold the retractable spear up saying, "This thing is that important?"

"Of course, so important just the mere presence of it can bring public order."

"Oh~" I exclaim in surprise.

"For example remember the Gate Guards? Or Guardians as our ancestors call them."

"Yea they've been a lot of help and pretty friendly around our neighbourhood, their Special Ranked Hunters right?"

"That's right, and the spears or swords their using may look like normal weapon but they're actually qi blades and probably made out of some material that could help transmute magic."

"He~, impressive. I'm learning a lot. Though I have to admit this is more fun then learning some random happening in the past. I'm going to have to say sorry to May."

"That weapon has the Grey Robes Insignia as a pommel basically the Grey Robed Reapers acknowledge your standing as a Martial Artist and people who defy you is defying the Grey Robes. In fact It's so much so that the moment you accept that weapon, you're now a part of them. Isn't that what makes you irritated Yuwei?"

"Wait what! I'm pretty sure I said I didn't join," I retorted back.

Yuwei sighs saying, "You got scammed Sova, you may now be part of them. At least she's not doing anything much yet. In fact I think I'm quite relieved that you will be safe with them. And especially with what that weapon is made off."

"What do you mean Sis?" come to think of it why didn't Sis Rubeca gave me any qi weapon.

"Your weapon is-"

"Stop right there!" Moriz covers Yuwei mouth again. Before she finally bites his hands. "Yeow, ow, ow, ow, Ah I'm sorry please let me go!"

"Hmph do that one more time and I'll make sure you'll turn into a Yuora Kenad."

"Yea sheesh barbaric as ever, you're lucky nanny Yunyun didn't see that," when he says that I feel shivers down my spine.

"Huuuh?!" Yuwei glares back at him with killing intent.

"Ah I'm sorry, that's harsh. Back to the topic, you haven't answer me back brother. Won't you please introduce me to her. She may have a bad reputation on you but, for me she's the girl of my dreams and I really wish to meet her once more."

"Well, I guess I'll try. Though I can't promise anything."

He pump up his hands saying, "Yesh! Thank you so much brother. I can't wait to bring this news to the community they will all be hyped! Still to think she is now the leader of some organization huh..."

When the rectangular panel behind open to reveal the scar face man. He look at Moriz saying, "Moriz, we have arrive."

"Perfect! I'm feeling all hyped up."

When the door opens, Saya immediately came out first. Moriz immediately went out second accompanied by Yuwei being third. As I was going out, I look at Saya to see her breathing in the fresh air when her face turn sour. When I went out, the light of the setting sun brushes through my eyes. I feel the warmness of the outside, unlike inside the car which is weirdly cold. The surrounding is quiet, no more smites of anvil nor the clash of steels. Just the silent breeze of the wind as it whispers through my ear. What has happened here?

The streets are empty as the trash flew by carried by the whistling wind. All the workshops, stores, and markets are closed, while some are damaged probably by monster with claw and bite marks. Standing between us is the blue lines that hangs in the air and the full plated gate guards that stands in the sides as they salute Yuwei, Moriz and the Scar face man.

Yuwei grabs my shoulder saying, "Sova, Welcome back to your neighbourhood."