Not an Alliance

During the next few days me and Xu Lei work on our compatibility, everyday I try to pass my energy and powers to him... I only manage to give him a bit per session, but on the overall the process goes smoothly.

I don't visit He Rang a single time, not because I don't want to but because I feel guilty... And I know Shun and Kasuo do not want to see me for the time being. I'll have to go and apologize to him once they're gone to war.

-So how is it going?- asks Qin Luo with crossed arms once I come back to my senses -By tomorrow I will have given him enough to fight in my stead- he nods -Remember to keep some strength for yourself, you never know what they will do- I stand up at his word but feel immediately dizzy and hold onto the chair, both men rush to my side -Lai'Er!-

-It's fine, I'm just trying to adapt to the lack of powers... I'm just not used to this after so much time having all that inside- I reassure them, pushing them away. In fact, I did ended up passing too much to Xu Lei and only kept my physical abilities for myself, enough to be able to fend off some enemies but not to rescue many men... Although, almost nobody will be left here when the time comes.

I straighten back up and pats Xu Lei's shoulder -How is it? Are you feeling any discomfort?- He shakes his head -It's overwhelming, almost suffocating... But I can keep it under control, even if just for a short period of time. I feel like all this will kill me if it remains inside my body for too long- -Don't worry, it will be all gone soon- I reassure him -Don't forget to practice using it on a weapon- are my last word to him for today, after so he fixes his clothes and leaves.

Qin Luo lets out a sigh with lowered lids -What's that for?- I ask him and I see a smile approaching his lips -You always read right through me, I love that. Anyway, I'm just worried... I hope he will be able to used your powers and returne them to you. I hope it will all go smooth, and that even if it doesn't you will still manage to save yourself back here-

I shrug my shoulders -Who knows? The enemy is unpredictable lately... But I am thinking about a way to avoid any attack to myself- He rises an eyebrow -Such as?-

-You will only get mad if I tell you, let's go have dinner now-.

...

While seating down beside him I fell thousands of eyes upon us, Qin Luo frowns -They could at least be more discrete about it-

-I couldn't care less about them, I'm used to be stared at. But the meaning behind those gazes are slightly changing... And those of people who were with me are starting to worry me- I move my eyes toward Shin's group, whenever his eyes meets mine he goes silent and a muscle in his jaw clicks in discomfort -I almost feel ashamed showing my face is public if just the sigh of me unsettle them so much-

-Don't worry, they understand the situation perfectly... They just need some time to cool off and will be back to be the same as before. They don't hate you nor have lost faith in you-

At his words I look around us -Many men from our Armadas look at me with awe, but almost everyone under General Wu is in total distrust and wants to see me out... I just hope that it won't pose a problem in the future or rub off on our men... Especially yours, they might stop to have respect or listen to a General, because of me-

He smiles kindly -You're thinking too much, have some food and forget it. You can't change what has already been done... But you can feed yourself, you look way too weak for my liking- with these words he pushes the spoon in my mouth and shuts me up.

...

In the middle of the night I hear a voice calling me, it sounds distant at first but becomes closer by each word... "Lai'Er? Please answer me" I rise from my bed immediately and realize nobody is talking, the voice is inside my head.

I grab a heavy jacket and head out -Your Highness?- I hear him gasping happily "We can talk freely now, what's the real reason as for why you contacted me before?"

-It... Took you some time to get in touch with me again, is Wang ChiaHao keeping such a tight hold on you?- he nods quietly -Anyway, I need you to keep a low profile for a while. Not you actually, but him, do you think you can do it?-

"What do you mean...?"

-I'm currently joining hand with Ying SheGu and he asked me to take him off of him, apparently Wang ChiaHao is threatening him or something. I don't fully know what's behind them or what they want from eachother but I still had to chose which side to lean to, this time at least... I still don't trust him, but that's the best move for now-

XianLen appears confused "How do you want me to act? Wang ChiaHao gave him some kind of warning when they first met... Something about Ying SheGu being double faced and a manipulator, as if that merchant was any better"

-Untill the Emperor issues a new order regarding us, make sure those two men don't meet eachother. Ying SheGu shan't receive any threatening before that or I will be forced to rebel... And that would only make things more complicated...-

XianLen remains silent for a few moments "I think you should make a deal with Wang ChiaHao instead of Ying SheGu. Both are untrustworthy but at least we know the former has a wicked obsession with you and own more power to help you"

I shake my head -I don't want to form any alliances or be helped, I'm just giving something to that man so that he will do what I need in return. If I'm out of the army, I fear this war will only drag on longer... And Wang ChiaHao doesn't currently own the power to help me with that, especially with a crazy Emperor seating on the throne. We don't even know which throne he's aiming for out of the two-

"Are you sure about what you're doing, Lai'Er...?"

No I'm not, not at all!

-Yes-