Chương 34: Chapter 34
Amidst the vast expanse of the Rin empire, where once the bustling activities of the common folks filled the air with life and vitality, now lay ruins and scenes of a bloody landscape that seemed to have emerged from the depths of purgatory. It was a desolate sight, a haunting reminder of the devastation that had befallen the people.
Outside the palace gates, a number of massive tents had been erected, providing shelter to the invaders, while countless Rin people who had been caught in the frenzied chaos unleashed by the invading armies; Men, women, and children of all ages found themselves bound together, their spirits dampened by heavy shackles that clung to their necks, hands, and legs. The weight of their captivity hung heavily upon them, their expressions etched with deep regret for not seeking refuge in the safety of the mountain ranges, beyond the reach of the oppressive control of the invaders.
Their eyes, filled with a mixture of sorrow and trepidation, were drawn towards the palace gates. There, lines of long poles jutted from the earth, where their fellow countrymen that had been captured along with them were burnt to the crisp as hour by hour, one by one, individuals among them were chosen, plucked from the line, and subjected to the same kind of fiery demise.
The anguish of the Rin people became unbearable. The air was thick with the piercing cries of children and the anguished shouts of adults, their voices reaching towards the palace walls where they knew the supposed dignitaries sought refuge. Their desperate pleas and curses echoed through the air, fueled by a deep-seated frustration and resentment towards those high authorities residing behind the palace walls.
Questions gnawed at their minds, as they pondered why the relentless onslaught of the enemy forces had come to a sudden halt outside the palace walls. If these invaders had managed to breach the mighty defenses encircling the Rin empire so effortlessly, what could possibly prevent them from storming the relatively feeble barriers of the royal palace? Were they to be mere pawns in a twisted game of amusement, used as bait to draw out their prey? This sinister way of the invader was obvious from the line of poles that their countrymen had been sacrificed upon and if those that they have looked upon who reside behind the palace walls decides not to come to their aid, how many more would have to be sacrificed? This sent shivers down their spines, and they couldn't help but question the loyalty of the very empire they had once called home towards its own people.
Suddenly, a majestic sight unfolded before their eyes. A large white falcon soared gracefully through the sky, casting a shadow that danced upon the desolate landscape. It seemed to emerge from the confines of the palace walls, catching the attention of the weary prisoners. Their gazes fixated on the magnificent bird as it circled above, carrying a tiny silhouette perched upon its back. Though the distance obscured their view, there was an undeniable air of intrigue and curiosity.
The falcon's descent was swift and purposeful, its wings gracefully folding as it touched the ground. From its back emerged a figure, a captivating woman of undeniable allure and ethereal grace. Her face remained veiled, adding an enigmatic layer to her already captivating presence. With measured steps, she strode towards the line of poles adorned with the charred remains of those who had met their fates, and behind her another lady had followed, who was struggling to catch up to her pace.
The woman's eyes surveyed the haunting scene, her heart heavy with a deep sense of remorse. A singular tear escaped her veiled gaze, tracing a solitary path down her cheek. It was a tear born from the weight of guilt, for she recognized that it was her that had brought this calamity upon the Rin people.
"Rafiki!" In a voice filled with anguish and desperation, she cried out a name that reverberated through the tents, causing the multitude of enemies lurking in the shadows to emerge.
The captives stood in stunned silence, their minds racing to comprehend the surreal scene unfolding before them. Their eyes widened as the woman's cry echoed through the air, only to be met with a chilling, sinister laugh that seemed to emerge from the very depths of the unknown.
In an instant, the sky cracked open, revealing a vast expanse of emptiness adorned with a breathtaking display of stars. From the void, a figure materialized, his form suspended in mid-air as the space sealed shut behind him, restoring the familiar blue expanse of the daytime sky. It was a sight that defied all logic and reason, leaving the captives in awe and disbelief.
Whispers of astonishment spread among the captives, their voices hushed as they struggled to comprehend the existence of such supernatural phenomena. The Rin captives had witnessed the horrors of the beastly armies that had captured them, but this otherworldly figure that emerged now surpassed anything they had ever imagined. He emanated an aura of darkness and mystery, as if he had been plucked from the depths of the underworld itself. In the eyes of the captives, he appeared to be a creature of pure malevolence, a being that could only be likened to the devil himself.
Terror gripped the hearts of the captives, their fear multiplying exponentially as they contemplated the implications of what lay ahead. The man's distant presence exuded an overwhelming aura of death, causing their hearts to race and their breath to quicken. They closed their eyes, resigning themselves to what they believed to be their impending demise. Tears streamed down their faces, a mixture of despair and acceptance.
In the midst of the eerie silence, the man's chuckling abruptly shattered the stillness. His unwavering gaze fixated on none other than the woman who had summoned his presence.
"Well, well, Liling, how long has it been? A century has passed, and yet you still possess the keen awareness of my tricks," Rafiki sneered, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
Liling's eyes narrowed as she shot back, her tone laced with disdain, "Who else but you would breed an army of loathsome creatures and lead them here without any rhyme or reason?"
A mischievous grin played on Rafiki's lips as he responded, "Ah, my betrothed, you know me all too well. It would have been dreadfully dull if I had simply appeared before you after all these years. Do you not miss the thrill of our reunion?"
"Hmph!" Liling snorted dismissively and turned her gaze away, refusing to acknowledge his presence.
Undeterred, Rafiki's appearance began to shift and morph. His once dark and foreboding form dissolved, replaced by a radiant figure that emanated an ethereal glow under the midday sun. His horns, fangs, and sinister tentacles vanished into thin air, leaving behind a strikingly handsome visage. His hair, as black as the abyss, framed a face chiseled to perfection. His flawless complexion seemed sculpted by the hands of a master artist. Adorning his forehead was a mysterious double six, adding an air of intrigue to his already captivating presence. Gasps escaped the lips of the Kugu armies who had been watching, this was a total contrast to what they had lived with over the years, their eyes widening at the astonishing transformation. Even Yaoji, observing from a distance, couldn't help but wear a shooked expression. Never before had she encountered someone with such mesmerizing features, and the fact that it was someone she had spent her life fearing only added to the bewilderment.
With a flourish, Rafiki spread his arms, displaying his new form. "How about this look? Surely you cannot ignore the undeniable charm that radiates from me now," he declared, a playful twinkle in his eyes.
Liling's defiance remained unwavering as she retorted, "No matter what guise you take, I will never regard you with even an iota of consideration!"
A flicker of disappointment flashed across Rafiki's face as he frowned in silence. "Is your taste truly that abysmal? How then, have you chosen to be with a fool like the man you married in this world?" he asked, a tinge of anger lacing his words.
"Ah, jealousy? From a great demon like Rafiki? I didn't think you'd stoop so low," Liling laughed, her words sparking gasps from the onlookers.
Yaoji turned to Zhou Mo, curiosity etched on her face. "Zhou Mo, do you know what's going on here?"
Zhou Mo shook his head, his eyes wide with confusion. "No, I don't. I was married to Liling, but I never knew she was involved with...demons."
Rafiki chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I'm not jealous of ants like him. But I couldn't let it slide. I have killed every suitor in pursuit of you before, still I let the man who had managed to get married to you live. I guess my spirit has grown soft over the centuries, and I can only manage to craft him into a being of my liking."
With a wave of his hand, he summoned a figure that emerged from the crowd, riding on a steed. Liling's expression changed subtly, her eyes narrowing as she recognized the man. It was her husband, the former emperor and it seemed he was the leading factor that had ravaged his own land, so she could not feel any ounce of sentiment or pity towards him. Rafiki laughed, noticing her indifference.
"I was worried you two might have done something despicable together, but it seems that's not the case," Rafiki said, turning to Zhou Mo. "Do you know your offence now?"
Zhou Mo looked up at the figure, his voice trembling. "Yes, master."
Rafiki's gaze bore down on him. "Master doubted your words when you said you hadn't touched Liling. But you've still overstepped your bounds by marrying your master's wife. Castrating you and making you my art piece is lenient, don't you think?"
Zhou Mo's voice was barely audible. "Thank you, master."
Rafiki nodded, "Very well, I grant you permission to exact revenge on those who have wronged you, as you see fit. I will not interfere in your affairs."
Liling's voice rose in urgency, "Rafiki, stop this senseless war! You know the rules of our world - fights between beings like us are forbidden in the mortal realm. Have you forgotten?"
Rafiki's smile was unyielding, "Of course, I remember. That's why I said I wouldn't intervene."
Liling's frustration grew, "Then why bring your creations to ravage an innocent land that has never offended you?"
Rafiki's tone turned mocking, "If I had come for you directly, it would have been too easy. Where's the fun in that? These mortals can only blame you for their misfortune. If you hadn't fallen and stayed here, perhaps this calamity wouldn't have befallen them."
Liling's words were laced with exasperation, "Rafiki, end this. Your obsession with me is one-sided, and my feelings will never change. Why persist in a futile pursuit?"
Rafiki's expression darkened, "You have no idea how your words hurt me. If I can't have you, then who in the Black Hollow or even the Heavens is worthy of you?"
Liling's voice was resolute, "My affairs are none of your concern. Our families may have arranged our betrothal, but it was against my will. I am already married, and I will not be married again."
Rafiki's frown deepened, "Clearly, it won't be easy to take you away. The Hollows will soon open, you can't be separated from me and I can't let you slipping away during descent. I'm tired of playing this game of cat and mouse, searching for you in hiding."
Liling's eyes narrowed, "And how do you plan to take me away without my consent?"
Rafiki sneered, "I could care less about the laws of this mortal world. I could kill these people myself, maybe I could threaten with that but I know you have no attachment to them. However, there is someone you cannot ignore."
As Rafiki finished speaking, he stretched out his hand towards Liling's direction. Before the realization of his intent could dawn on her and before she could react, a suction force appeared behind her, pulling Jiao in. Liling had forgotten about Jiao's presence due to her agitations, she tried to grab her, but it was too late. The suction force disappeared, leaving Liling grasping at air, her cry of despair lingering.
"No, Jiao!" Liling cried, her red eyes fixed on Rafiki, who floated at a distance. "What have you done with her?" she demanded, her voice dripping with intense malice.
Rafiki laughed, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You have so much sentiment towards a mere serving girl, how pitiful."
Liling's face contorted in anger. "Rafiki! You know she's been my serving girl from the beginning. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive you."
Rafiki shrugged, his smile unwavering. "Don't worry, I just needed something to compel you with. If you obediently follow me away, I guarantee nothing will happen to her. But if you keep up your resistance, I'll expose her to the harshest of my wrath. I'll ravage her body first and then make her into a work of art you can never imagine."
Liling's face paled as fear crept in her heart. Retreating, she said, "Okay, I'll go with you. But these people have nothing to do with this. Only you can command your salvages to withdraw and release everyone they've taken captive." She pleaded with concern.
Rafiki chuckled, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "Ha ha...that's not my concern anymore. I might have brought them here out of interest, but their desire to conquer land for themselves cannot be silenced. You can only hope the other party can put up with their futile resistance, ha ha ha..."
"Aaaaargh....!"
Liling cried out in anguish, clutching her head as an indescribable pain washed over her. She glanced at the captives, her expression apologetic. They had done nothing wrong, this was what she had brought on them.
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