*Ok, here we are with one more chapter, another step that's allowing us to get closer to the end of this arc. Yeah, stuff happens, again, I try to diminish some details that are 'redundant' to the story (extra events with details and what not) to keep a specific flow.
Enjoy, and stick around for more. Till next time. Peace out and Deus vult.*
Soon enough, they had arrived back to the spot where Stelle got in touch with Dan Shu for the first time—the little safe haven hidden away in a corner. Mark stared at the water around him, watching the lily pads float and dance along the gentle ripples that traversed the surface.
Dan Shu expressed his gratitude to both of them, offering to prepare something special for them, even though it would require some time. Mark knew better, but he still waited in silence. His mind scavenged around for something to help him, and the drop of blood that fell brought the answer. A simple name recorded in Dan Shu's journal, a piece of information one could find after taking that 'gift' she made and meeting her down the line.
The story was brief. Someone dear to her, a specific Yufei who had been regarded as a good healer, went ahead to join one of the wars. Mark couldn't recall against what creatures it was, since the memory buzzed loudly in his mind. Still, that doesn't change the fact that their very Lan of the Hunt, Reignbow Arbiter, fired one arrow that ended up taking out Yufei as collateral damage. Mark understood her rage, which was deeply rooted in her being. Still, he had to try and make her snap out of it.
"Hey, Mark, let's go. It'll take Dan Shu time to prepare our gifts. How about we go ahead and check out that bookstore nearby?"
Mark shook his head, the look on his face just as contemplative as it had been since the Matrix of Prescience incident, but a tinge of seriousness brought a change to it.
"Stelle... you go ahead. I need to have a chat here with Dan Shu. Just... trust me."
She regarded him with the same attitude as usual, already accustomed to him doing some things that were completely unexpected, but there was no stopping him.
"Fine, go ahead and do what you want. You know where to find me, alright?"
She walked away, not even looking back at him. Mark took a deep breath and walked right to Dan Shu's side, staring off into nothingness. Her eyes were bleak and empty, the light falling on them for nothing.
"How did you manage to heal her sight?" she asked, turning her head his way. Mark did look her way, staring in the empty eyes as if she had sight.
"I'm not the one who healed her. I merely allowed for that Light to touch her."
Dan Shu nodded, taking her time to process Mark's odd words.
"Are you an Emanator of Abundance?"
He shook his head—an action that was engrained in his being.
"Not at all... I'm no such being, even if I'm sure someone could do it. No, I'm just..."
He couldn't bring himself to say his usual line, a knot tied in his throat.
"I see... so you couldn't do it to me as well. You did try back then, and I appreciate it."
He remained silent, unsure of what angle he should approach the issue from, but then he recalled how nicely it is to sometimes be direct.
"Dan Shu... you can still give up on that plan of yours... I know you're pretty much one of the traitors, as they've put it. That little girl... she needs you... and you know it."
Dan Shu was quiet, almost too quiet, simply standing next to him, arms crossed. Her tone shifted, revealing a stern side.
"How did you figure it out? Why haven't you reported me?"
He took a deep breath, fiddling with his hands.
"It would be useless. I like giving people second chances. After all, it's what's been preached to me and what I believe in. It's important to do it, but it only works if the person truly wishes to change."
She took the words in, thinking them a beautiful lie that coaxed whatever secret plan he held. Still, she went on with it.
"Why should I care about a second chance? You only think them as the good guys because you've met them first."
Mark once again shook his head, speaking calmly.
"That's not the case. Second chances are something everyone wants and wishes for. You could care for her, for that tiny soul that was lost alone. You're the one she confines in... you're more of a mother to her now than any of her relatives could be..."
Here came the hard part—the words that could turn the situation around and just throw it in the burning pit of hell.
"...Don't leave like Yufei had done all those years ago..."
Blank as her eyes were, Mark could notice the grief and pain that tormented her. Her words were harsh in tone, as if accusing him of rekindling the anguish.
"How do you know about Yufei? Who are you? Who do you think you are to use her name and make me stop-"
Mark interrupted her, speaking calmly, his voice understanding. He'd never faced such a thing, but the simple thought of losing some close friend was killing him. In that moment, he felt his heart break.
"I've actually experienced it... by coming here, I lost them for this life..."
Suddenly, reality hit like a truck, smashing his own thoughts in.
"I'm someone like you... in a way. My friends, family, everyone... alive as they may be, they're nowhere near me... not someplace where I could reach them... in a way, it's the same, for the dead depart to the other world, and the living remain. It's similar to that... I know what you feel, but trying to get back at those who... who just aren't related to it directly isn't the way to go about it."
He kept speaking, trying to keep things together, but he slowly felt that the words struck him as well. Dan Shu listened, her expression softening a little, perhaps due to the kinship she shared with him in their own way.
"Don't make the mistake of becoming like Yufei. Stay for the one that needs you... be strong for the one that needs you... in the end, it becomes about living not for you... but for others... for those who do need you, even if life could go on without you in it..."
Silence fell, wrapping them both in its comfort. None could speak, struggling with their inner turmoil.
"I understand what you mean, but... I'm too far gone to come back. Even if I wanted to, it wouldn't end well for me... we both know it."
"I could try pleading with the General, with whoever it is... I could try... you could just give up and tell us what's coming next in your plan... just..."
She shook her head—a simple action that tore Mark's heart. It's impossible to save someone who doesn't wish to be saved.
"I'm sorry, but... there's no way out now..."
He simply nodded, understanding what she meant. Even if she gave it up now, the harm that had been done was too much. There was no way to simply overlook what she did, no matter how much Mark would have tried to bargain and threaten to simply blow up the Stellarons inside of him—if that was even possible.
"I understand. Well, if you still plan on making those gifts, don't try to make them those mara-inducing things. They won't work on us. I'll trust you, alright? Just make something that would help with my back pain."
He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood a little. To his surprise, she smiled as well, which he took as a good sign.
"Off I go, then. Let us know when to return."
With that, he simply walked away, but he didn't go directly to where Stelle was. He idled around, trying to put his train of thought in order. Somehow, he had avoided a lot of his issues thanks to the influx of new things that happened around, be it adventures or the simple life in the Express during downtime.
With a heavy sigh, he sat down on a bench, losing himself in his thoughts.
................................................................
Stelle gave his shoulder a gentle nudge, which prompted him to open his eyes.
"Come on, sleepyhead. Are you that tired that you fell asleep on a bench?"
He opened his eyes, unaware of what had even happened to him. Still, he took it as a blessing. Sleep always gave his mind a soft reset, which helped dull out any emotion that troubled him.
"Oh, thanks for waking me up. Did Dan Shu finish with that gift of hers?"
She nodded, lending the still half-asleep Mark a hand as he stood up.
"Yeah, she's done. What did you even talk with her about?"
He chuckled, scratching the back of his head before fixing his hair.
"Asked her to make me some medicine for my back. It hurts like a bitch.
Stelle chuckled, but she knew that it was just a partial truth. The serious look he had given her spoke volumes about it.
"If you say so, I won't pressure you, but you need to learn to communicate. We're a team, after all."
He shook his head, his voice a bit rugged.
"Sorry, but I'm just used to doing the serious work myself most of the time. It's how I am."
Stubborn as always. They went over to Dan Shu, who presented them with the pills. They both looked different, so it was a somewhat good sign.
"Here. I made these just for you. For Mark, it's something to help with his back pain, as requested, but they both share a common effect: they improve your constitution. It should be helpful in the long run as you keep Trailblazing."
Her face regarded them both with a soft smile as she spoke again.
"It's safe to consume, so don't worry. Mark asked me to be careful with them, since he fears something upsetting his stomach."
He chuckled. Smart way of saying 'they won't turn you into mara-struck monsters' and he liked it.
"Thank you, Dan Shu. Let us meet again, in perhaps a better setting," said Mark, knowing the bitter note that he touched with that. Their meeting would be everything but better. Still, she laughed it off. Mark took the pill and swallowed it, feeling almost instantly how his back was slightly better.
"Thank you, Dan Shu."
The rest played out differently, since Stelle didn't have to go try and find Dan Shu, but she had already made her choice. Meeting them would come around sooner or later.
The rest of their adventure resumed, with the entire group led by Tingyun making their way to the Alchemy Commission. Bodies were scattered all across the ground, both from Cloud Knights and beasts made by the Abundance. The sight was horrifying. March simply looked around, feeling a hint of sadness come across her.
Tingyun went on to talk about an event that was far worse than this, an Emanator of Abundance who had taken down half their forces, making an entire bloodbath. Mark nodded along, trying to figure out if he knew what Emanator it was about, but his mind buzzed again.
"Let's just keep going. We need to focus some more on actually doing work and not stopping for chatter every 5 minutes."
He went ahead, noticing a wounded soldier who seemed close to dying and a woman who tried to tend to his wounds.
The others were about to ask questions, but Mark didn't waste time. Instantly, he slammed his metal pipe against her back, sending her to the ground.
"Disciple of Sanctus Medicus... damn it..."
She fell to the ground, very much alive, despite being in pain. The others looked at him oddly, with Tingyun downright trying to hide behind March, but the soldier let out a chuckle with the few breaths he had left.
"Hah... that's what she deserves... thank you... now please, run away before I turn into one of them..."
Mark sighed, looking down at him. He reached out, offering a hand, feeling true honor in how the man tried to protect others even with his dying breath. Without waiting much, Mark grabbed him by the hand, a brief flash of light moving into him as well. The man stood, feeling brand new. Stelle, despite having seen it happen before, was still just as shocked.
"I guess it happens to people who try to stand for something good. Heh, God sure knows His stuff," chuckled Mark, watching as the soldier was touching where his wounds had been all over, finding no trace of them.
"What are you...?" asked the disciple, still on the ground. Mark shrugged.
"I'm starting to have no clue what I am, but I know I am."
Welt analyzed the situation, focusing on each word that left Mark's mouth.
"God? Mark, Who exactly do you worship?"
He gave a light chuckle, looking up.
"The One True God. I don't think you'll find records of it in this place, since it's something from my world, but yeah, here we are."
The term world was akin to simply saying 'planet', but for Welt it had an entirely different connotation. He understood, one way or another, that Mark was someone similar to him.
The soldier, quick to resume his duty, made sure to apprehend the disciple and take her to the main camp they had set up. The soldier still seemed dazed, looking over his body as they went ahead. March looked over to Mark, who had a tiny smile on his face.
"At least now we know for sure you're not just 'some guy' as you used to say all the time. Seriously, what's your deal?"
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"I got no clue. This power isn't mine, it's something specific to where I come from, even if there it's not manifested like this. There's too much to say about it and too little that would make sense for you. For now, let's just keep going. We have a mission to bring to an end."
With light steps, Mark kept walking, looking around just in case danger lurked close to them. The main camp was a simple place, just some spot with few entrances that the Cloud Knights could guard easier. Since Fu Xuan wasn't present, they had to wait around, during which Stelle and the others went ahead to ask questions around to try and figure out what's going on. Mark was left alone with Tingyun, the silence eerie. Thinking about her made a few blood droplets drop, but the pain and the blood was far less in comparison to his earlier bouts.
"The time must be coming closer... How close? I got no clue..."
Thus, he simply waited, letting Tingyun immerse herself in her own thoughts.
*this one chapter is hella late. It's basically close to 12 a.m. and I just finished writing. Gotta call it a day for now, even if I wanted to write some more and get closer to the sweet part. Still, enjoy, and take care. If this chapter is a bit sloppy, I apologise. I'm a tired guy right now. Peace out and Deus vult.*
Soon enough, Fu Xuan had returned from her duties, which gave them all the signal to gather and prepare for what was to come. He sat there, in the back, next to Tingyun, keeping a close eye on her for anything that could happen.
Discussions were smooth, their plan about to set in motion. March finally got the courage to deny their services, refusing more errands, but in the end, what they had to do seemed easier than leading the Cloud Knights into battle.
Following her, the group walked over to the elixir crucibles, some large gourd-like objects that emit smoke, never ceasing. Evemist Mansion—that's what the place was called. Mark's eyes simply followed the smoke, trailing along as it slowly dissipated in the air. Fu Xuan kept explaining about the entire strategy—the way the Astral Express, formed of short-lived species, was the trump card that the Sanctus Medicus couldn't have prepared for.
"Alright, off we go to turn off the smoke machines. We'll make sure to handle it in stride," chuckled Mark, trying to keep his feelings in check. His entire body was tense, feeling a bit of the strain left from when he lifted the aurumaton.
The lift took them all down below, with the smoke growing denser as they got closer. Tingyun was still with them for some reason, and everyone was worried.
"Miss Tingyun, you should go back. We're dangerously close."
She shook her head at Welt's words, giving them the usual smile she presented.
"Don't worry about me. I'm still young, maybe even younger than you, benefactors."
In this entire mess of a situation, Mark found himself avoiding battle, instead standing by Tingyun's side, falling in step with her. His movements were deliberate, calculated in such a way that to the untrained eye they'd merely seem like him letting the others take the front. The few mara-struck monsters that did roam the area were handled quickly by Stelle, who took them down before they could blink.
One by one, the elixir crucibles were stopped, the smoke going away, finally allowing them proper sight. Just one message, and Fu Xuan was down with the Cloud Knights following her. Everyone had gathered in the center, with the master of the Sanctus Medicus Disciples floating there, sparing them but a glance over her shoulder.
"Dan Shu..." muttered Mark, taking one step forward.
"There's still time to stop this mess..."
She turned to him, shaking her head in a slow motion.
"The inevitable is already upon us."
Heavy was the sigh that left his lips in that moment, his head bowed slightly. He hated watching as people went down the wrong path, unable to stop them no matter how hard he'd try. She wouldn't listen. In the end, grief has more power than logic could ever hope to have.
Stelle put a gentle hand on his shoulder, tugging him back softly. She understood him, despite his lack of communication.
"This is what you talked with her back then," she whispered, not wishing for the wrong people to hear it. March and Welt were close enough to catch hints of her words, looking over to his troubled face. Fu Xuan stepped forward as well, ready to apprehend her.
What followed was a matter of the Xianzhou, something that Mark had no saying in. He had already discarded more boundaries than one should, caring not even for those that Fu Xuan and Dan Shu represented. One of them clung to the age of old, to times when supposed miracles happened, to the promise of undying bodies, while the other had chosen the newer age, the one that sought to vanquish evil and willingly strive to be human.
Right before their eyes, battle ensued. Mara-struck soldiers and creations of the Abundance swarmed the place, leaping over the platform and right into the middle of the platform. Their numbers were roughly the same as that of the Cloud Knights, but they soon fell. The battle happened without outside intervention from the Express. They simply watched as the battle unfolded, the Luofu troops stronger than expected. They fought as one, in perfect unison, swinging their glaives from all sides, cutting down beast after beast.
"Damn... that's why the Sanctus Medicus had to fight dirty. These guys are no joke. They were just taken by surprise."
Their plan fell to ruin. Not one of them had become undying, not even with the power of the Stellaron. Dan Shu could only watch, her form weakened, promises made to her going up in the air.
With a shaky voice, pushed to the brim of tears, she spoke.
"Phantylia... the Disciples of the Sanctus Medicus have fulfilled our promise..."
She looked over to them all, her voice harsher in tone.
"You, Lord Ravager, must do the same... Now! Quickly!"
The name nearly sent Mark's mind into a blank, more memories than required clashing with the wall in his mind, thundering loudly against the fog that clouded what he knew. His legs were shaking, his nose bleeding as his vision doubled. He tried to wipe away at his nose, but it was useless. Stelle quickly supported him, but he shook his head, forcing himself to stand.
Tingyun spoke from the back, an eerie tone that differed like the night compared to the day from her usual cheerful demeanor.
"Tsk, tsk, little pawn, must you force me to intervene directly? I'm loath to flout my philosophy of destruction. Never mind. It would seem the time has come for other means of dismantling the Xianzhou from within."
In that moment, it all clicked together with the loudest possible noise. Mark's eyes widened, struggling against himself to keep it together before he'd lose more blood than his body held. She began stepping forward, the mara-struck turning into troops of the Antimatter Legion.
"Damn, you're NOT doing this!" shouted Mark, dashing at her with what little power of his own he could muster. His pipe fell with a loud sound, which only seemed to still as time froze.
While the others watched, he leapt at Tingyun's possessed body, meeting her gaze as she turned around, not expecting that to happen. Quickly, he pulled her to the ground, wrapping his legs around hers, holding her arms to her torso with his left arm wrapped around her body, using his right one to push her tongue inside her mouth and hold two fingers between her teeth. With his chin and chest, he forced her head against him, blocking it from snapping.
"You're not killing her, you hear me, you fucking heliobus!"
The blood still dripped out his nose, falling on Tingyun's dark hair. She bit against his fingers, trying to snap them off, but Mark didn't yield. The henchmen of the Antimatter Legion were closing up on him, but Stelle and March were quick to act. Ice arrows flew from their side, clashing with the hideous foes. Stelle's bat was quick to fall and strike them down. To their surprise, a Cloud Knight rushed in, cleaving his way through before grabbing Mark, who still clung to Tingyun's body. With a heave, he dragged them back to safety.
"Thank you for saving me earlier. It's not much, but it's how I could try to pay you back."
Mark smiled despite himself. The Cloud Knight he had healed went ahead and threw himself in the danger to try and snatch him out of it.
"Thanks, man," chuckled Mark, the taste of blood prominent on the tip of his tongue. Soon, Tingyun's teeth ceased their relentless assault on his fingers, the heliobus exiting her body. Limp in his hands, Mark checked quickly for a pulse, finding a truly weak one. He stood up at once, her body in his arms, handing her over to the Cloud Knight.
"Please, as fast as you can, take her back to Bailu, the dragon medic, or whatever you call her. Please, run as fast as you can."
He nodded, taking her frail body and moving away in an instant. Fu Xuan stared at Mark with wide eyes, looking at his disheveled form. His two fingers were bleeding, turning slightly purple from the pressure. He didn't care about it. They didn't fall off, which was good. With a smirk, he tried wiping away what remained of the blood on his face.
"It's fine, no worries. We've got bigger issues."
A voice rang out, loud and calm, the pressure coming from just the intense sound.
"I am Lord Ravager Phantylia. I have come with a single purpose: to set in motion the self-destruction of the Xianzhou."
Mark watched the flame float, hoping that it would just give up on Tingyun's body. Indeed, she kept blabbering about her monologue, mentioning two more names, Zephyro and Celenova, which once again forced Mark's body on the defensive. With a hand clutching his head, he tried to stop the pressure from building up, forcing his brain to physically stay together.
Soon, it all stopped, and the Antimatter Legion's troops went down as well. March and Stelle joined the group, both of them flabbergasted.
"W-wait, hold on a second... Are you really saying that Miss Tingyun was a member of the Antimatter Legion all along? And what was that fire that came out of her? Mister Yang, you're smart. What happened just now?"
Her eyes flew over to Mark, who didn't have many talking capabilities, yet his unusual knowledge recommended him as the one to receive those questions. He sighed, holding the bridge of his nose.
"Ah, that's not the case. I'm sure Mister Welt has a clue already. Tingyun was possessed or something. That thing you saw is a heliobus, some form of energy with life. It's odd to explain it since I myself am not fully sure what the hell they are, but this is a good explanation. Chances are, she was already in this state for a long time. Let's hope that she'll get better, since those fuckers put a strain so large on the creature that she might never recover from it."
Welt nodded, going along to complete his explanation with more information he held on Phantylia. Mark just remained silent, his vision still a bit blurry, partially from how much blood he had lost. Slowly, he managed to grab his pipe and hold on to it, using it to stand straight. A few deep breaths were all he took to slowly regain some strength. The next destination was Scalegorge Waterscape.
"Mark, you should head back and get some treatment. You're pale, even more so than usual."
He shook his head, too stubborn to listen to Welt's advice.
"Sorry, but I need to see this through. I have to make sure nothing extra happens."
Both their gazes were caught in conflict, with Mark unrelenting in his pursuit. Nothing could hold him from going ahead, not even his body. Stubbornness like that wasn't good in such a situation, yet he knew deep down that things would play out well one way or another. He could just watch and make sure things go well.
"Always the stubborn fool. This mentality will bring you to your doom one day, do you know that?" mumbled Fu Xuan, pretty angry at seeing his resilience in such a scenario.
"Sorry, but I'd rather die standing than live kneeling. I have to make sure this goes well... to the end. After all, it's my Trailblazing mission, right? My first official one."
He smiled a little, finding what glimmer of health resided within him, holding on to it as they prepared to embark on a starskiff.
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