Five hallways and two flights of stairs away from Sarnais room, I finally feel far enough to let the mask slip, my forced smile lting away into a more natural frown. Its tough pretending to be optimistic and cheery, especially after a long days travel followed by an entire night spent making soup, but my ntor needed love and support, so that's what I gave him. Alsantset and Akanai are too... practical. While they both love Baatar, their concept of moral support starts and ends with a swift kick in the ass. Its not that theyre unaffected or unsympathetic, far from it. Alsantset clung to Charok the entire ti and went misty-eyed more than once, while Akanai implied no less than a half-dozen tis I should visit Baatar as soon as possible. The problem is, neither one of them knows how to help my grieving ntor, their sensible, matter-of-fact approach only driving him away.
Both of them kept saying he needs to let Sarnai go and move on, but I disagree. They keep trying to muscle him out of his depression, but anyone who knows Baatar will tell you hes a stubborn and, dare I say, dogged man. With the love of his life still drawing breath, theres no way hell ever give up and neither will I. Though my jolly deanour was faked, I ant what I said: So long as there is life, there is hope.
Even if Sarnais situation were more dire, Baatar isnt ready to give up and neither am I. Coma aside, she's actually in pretty good health. Her heartbeat is steady and circulation is good, plus shes capable of drinking and breathing on her own. Bedsores and infections are manageable with a little light healing and her muscles have a long way to go before atrophy kicks in.
I cant imagine what Id do in Baatars shoes, though I know giving up would be the last thing on my mind. Hes handling it better than Id expected, sitting with her and tending to her needs instead of raging around and destroying furniture. Not that I've ever seen him lose control, but this is his wife. Hell, I was worried hed be Tainted, but when I got there, I found a grand total of two Spectres hanging around him, unable to get through his iron will. Ive seen happy-go-lucky idiots with more Spectres hanging around them.
Thats my ntor, unblemished and untouched by lies and deceit.
Lins finger pokes my cheek and sohow eases away all my troubles, her sweet smile like a balm for the soul. Its okay hubby, she says, swinging our clasped hands back and forth. Youll figure sothing out, I know you will. Did you find a book about comas? Can I read it?
Mm... I read the book a long ti ago, cant rember its na. There wasnt much though, a paragraph or two ntioned in passing regarding patient care. Hiding my past life's mories is getting harder by the day, but my lovely Lin takes my explanation in stride. I feel guilty about lying to her, but admitting Im from another world and significantly older than I appear is sothing I hope to never do again. Yea sure, Baledagh accepted it easily but hes so adorably trusting and naive, I cant help but worry about him. Without , hed make so many mistakes, I shudder to think what wouldve happened if I'd never arrived.
Then again, its technically his life and his mistakes to make. Who am I to stop him?
Whatever. Maybe hes right, maybe hes my reincarnation and our soul split in two for reasons unknown. Or maybe I have multiple personality disorder and Baledagh and the Spectres are fignts of my imagination. Or Im a fignt of Baledaghs imagination... Ugh, great. As if existential crises werent enough, now Im pondering if Im even real. Now Im half convinced the world is an illusion and my brain is floating in a jar of nutritional fluids stored inside a warehouse to be used for scientific research...
...
I an... Its not... not possible, right?
A second poke to the cheek snaps out of my thoughts as Lin tilts her head in concern. Rainy, youre worrying too much. Yawning, Lin hugs my arm and adds, Things will work out or they wont, ya? Worrying wont change anything, so why bother?
Stroking her chubby cheek, I smile and ask, Oh? When did you get so old and wise? What happened to the unruly little brat who pouted all day because I wouldnt take her out to fly a kite?
That was one ti! And it wasnt all day, I only pouted for an hour, maybe two.
Yea, because I gave in and brought you out, which almost cost us our lives.
Dont be dramatic hubby, it wasnt so serious.
A flock of jattuyas grabbed the kite and almost carried us away because a certain silly girl wouldnt let go of the strings. We were almost dragged off a cliff, so yea, Id say it was serious.
Flashing a toothy grin, Lin shrugs and yawns and says, I didnt want to lose my kite. It was my first gift from you.
Silly girl. Noticing her dragging feet and frequent yawns, I stop to let her climb on my back. Piggy-backing her through the Inner Wall, I ask, So whered you go last night? No one knew where to find you or Teacher.
The guards brought to see Daddy, Lin replies, her voice muffled as she nuzzles into my back. He's treating soone and couldnt talk, so I fell asleep on the couch. After I woke up, he asked to co find you and bring you there. He needs your help hubby, so hurry.
Keeping my retort to myself, I collect Mafu and follow her sleepy directions out into the ruins of the city, where the scars of battle are still plain to see. The stretch of land between the Inner and Outer wall is bustling with life as the hardy citizens and stalwart soldiers work to repair the damage done by the Defiled, with not a single stone left unturned by their murderous advance. Off in the distance, I can barely make out the ruined remains of the Outer Wall, the sight of fallen gates and crumbling battlents sending a chill down my spine. Just over a month ago, those formidable defences were breached by Demons and Defiled, leaving only a single Inner Wall standing between them and the utter annihilation of the Northern Province.
It wouldve made for a really shitty cherry on top of my sweet victory sundae at Sanshu.
Thankfully, the Defiled retreated, but rebuilding the city and repairing the Outer Wall is a colossal undertaking which will take years to complete. Years we probably wont have before they return. Knowing this, Han BoHai is more focused on putting up defences and fortifying the area as opposed to building housing. Problem is, since the Inner Wall was designed to cater to visiting diplomats and dignitaries and now filled to the brim with soldiers and supplies, most workers are roughing it out in flimsy tents and makeshift shelters. Even Alsantset didnt warrant a room on the Inner Wall after refusing a billet on the Outer Wall, which says a lot about the situation.
According to Akanai, who sleeps in a suite on the inner wall, the Outer Wall was used to house soldiers. Close to 600,000 bodies are packed into its confines, taking up all available rooms. I cant bla Alsantset for refusing, it doesnt seem like the safest place to live. Considering the fortifications ramshackle condition, I doubt theyll hold for long against the superior Defiled numbers should they return, but theres no other option. If we abandon the Outer Wall, well be leaving a stone fortress for our enemies to wait out the winter in. Even though the horde retreated into the northern wastes, its still only a two-day march away. No one knows why they retreated in the first place, but the fear of their return is palpable. Every living soul is working as hard as they can to shore up the defences, and Ive placed my retinue under Alsantsets command for the ti being. Training will have to wait until everythings settled.
Lucky them...
What concerns most is the coming winter. The temperature will drop well below freezing and while food isnt an issue, theres a severe shortage in warm clothing and shelter. Funding isnt an issue, but all wood and stone resources are being used to plug holes in the Wall and build barricades instead of fixing the housing shortage. I sent word to BoShui and asked him pass these concerns on to his uncle, but just in case, Ive tasked my brain trust with presenting ideas for cheap, warm, affordable housing we can build using the resources at hand, aning no treated lumber, cut stone, or clay. Despite wracking my brain all night, I havent been able to co up with any useful ideas on my own. Dirt houses wont be warm enough or built fast enough while layering clothes and huddling together will only go so far. After the first snowfall, these linen tents will be as useful as nipples on a breastplate, aning we have two months before people start freezing to death in their sleep.
mory is a strange thing and my mory stranger still. Ive realized Im more of a critic than a thinker. Show a plan and Ill point out flaws as quickly as I see them, like Dastan's crossbow, but ask for a solution and my brain goes blank. For example, I wasnt sure how to help Baatar or Sarnai until I was in the room with them, and then all these ideas kept flowing out, like talking to her, exercising her muscles, and periodic testing for responses. This tells Ive got solutions rattling around up in my brain, I just need to find the proper inspiration.
I could beco a professional critic, travelling the Empire and complaining until soone fixes things. Thatd be a dream job for , though I doubt itll earn many fans.
After a half-hour of riding, we arrive at our destination, a sheltered, secluded hut on the western edge, nestled between two mountains. If it wasnt for Lin guiding the way, I probably wouldve missed it and ridden right past the concealed entrance. Ignoring the poorly-hidden soldiers, I follow my little wifey into the hut where my long-eared Teacher greets with a hug. Rain my boy, Taduk says, grinning as he thumps my shoulders. Welco back. I heard you had quite the adventure out in Sanshu.
Doesnt seem like much compared to what you went through here. Lean and haggard, my future father-in-law seems to have aged in my absence, with a smattering of new wrinkles dotting his handso face. Weeks worth of scraggly beard hangs from his chin, a wild, tangled ss so jarring compared to his forrly neat, well-grood appearance. Are you okay?
Short of breath and barely standing upright, he takes my arm and leads deeper into the lantern-lit hut. Im fine, Im fine, lacking in sleep is all. Ive been busy as you can imagine and I overspent so Chi, but nothing a good nights rest and a hot cup of tea wont cure. Stopping in front of a bed, he pulls back the covers to reveal a half-charred corpse, mangled beyond all recognition, while chattering away at a mile per minute. I heard about your adventures from Lins... guard and I could use your help. Ive been keeping him alive for weeks now, just barely that is, between the burns, wraith poison, Demon Ichor, broken bones, internal injuries and whatnot but Ive reached the limit. Not my limit of course, but his. Hes no spring chicken and if I continue forcibly Healing him, hell wither away and die from the expenditure. I was hoping your aquatic friend could do sothing about it, so hop to it.
Ending with a long, much needed breath, my teacher slumps down into his chair and gestures at the corpse, leaving worried for his ntal health. How long has he been treating this cadaver? My Teacher is a proud man, kind-hearted and loving to all things besides rabbits, so Id imagine being unable to save Sarnai was a huge blow to his ego. Shuffling over, Lin hops into his lap and yawns, father and daughter both drowsily waiting for to perform a miracle and bring the dead back to life as if it were simple as plucking an apple.
They really have too much faith in .
Wondering how to tactfully ask if my teachers gone insane, the corpse twitches and sends recoiling in surprise. A closer inspection shows that the poor bastard is still drawing breath, though Id bet my substantial, newfound wealth he wishes otherwise. Why did Taduk waste so much effort on this one person? Who is this?
The Colonel General.
It takes a few seconds for his words to register, my brain unable to connect the dots between the Northern Living Legend and the disfigured person lying before . Nian Zu? What the-?
Language, my boy, language. My sweet Lin-Lin is here. Ignoring Lins frown, Taduk pats her head and continues. Demons and Wraiths happened. They sent three or four nasty scoundrels alongside two dozen Wraiths give or take, all to put an end to our great hero. Hard to do a proper count, especially after the good Colonel General flattened his manor and the surrounding area. Been keeping his condition a secret, need to know basis, would send the province into a panic if they hear about it. Best if he makes a full recovery, otherwise, we must keep him going for another week or two and say he passed away in his sleep. Morale and propaganda, yes? Unyielding unto death, the great Nian Zu. Hogwash I say, its little better than torture, but Baatar made the request and I acquiesced. Making a sour face, Taduk hesitates before asking, Is he doing better? I was rather harsh when I broke the news about Sarnai, too tired to think straight.
Hes managing. Unlike this poor bastard. I've a few ideas I want to run past you later. Throughout Taduks explanation, Ive been trying to get Blobby to co out and fix Nian Zu, but the lazy droplet wont budge from his roost. All my pleas and entreaties are t with steadfast refusal, Blobby turning his taphorical nose up at the Northern Provinces most stalwart defender. Cmon, I beg, ntally kneeling before Blobby. This man has defended the province for decades. Youre hunting Demons right? If you help and stay with him, the Demons will co running to you. Youll have more than you can eat, I promise you this.
Instead of appealing to Blobby, my words seem to offend it, my amorphous tenant clamming up and refusing to respond. Guess he likes it here.
I suppose I should be flattered.
After spending a good thirty seconds cursing the unpatriotic bead of water to no effect, I turn to Taduk and shake my head. Sighing, Taduk slumps in his seat and snuggles with Lin, looking like the weight of the world sits on his shoulders. I used to boast of how I could heal anything short of death, he says, voice thick with regret. Perhaps this is the Mothers way of teaching humility. Ive failed my friend and now Ive failed my country. What use am I?
While Lin and I comfort Taduk, Baledagh chis in, having watched the entire episode from his room. Why cant Nian Zus body take anymore Healing? Can't you just give him more Chi?
Putting my thoughts together, I explain to my little brother, Healing isnt as simple as most people think. Most of the ti, Taduk doesnt fix injuries. Technically, he directs the body to fix itself. Sotis, a little physical effort is needed, like setting bones and removing foreign objects, and other tis he structures the Healing in a way to make it more efficient or see the process through to its entirety, but mostly his Chi acts as a catalyst, speeding along what will naturally happen. With so far?
Yea.
Now, the energy to heal has to co from sowhere, and Chi cant create matter out of nothing. Thats why were so skinny, because every ti were injured, our body breaks down fat and muscle tissue to fix our injuries. Now take a look at Nian Zu. Hes gaunt and emaciated, with little muscle left on his fra, and still in this poor condition. His bodys been overtaxed and if Taduk heals him without giving him ti to replenish blood and nutrients, then his body will shut down and go into organ failure.
Theres a long pause before Baledagh speaks up again. Then how do Demons do it?
Do what?
Create matter using Chi. Sensing my confusion, he explains, Vivek Daatei, the Defiled Chieftain. While turning into a Demon, he grew twice as large in a matter of heartbeats. Heavier too, his footprints went deeper into the soil than before. Wasnt he creating bone and muscle out of Chi? Or the Demon equivalent or whatever?
Opening my mouth to refute him, Im unable to produce a counter argunt. It doesnt an hes wrong, its just that I dont know enough to dispute it. Instead, I pose the sa question to Taduk who frowns and shakes his head. A good question, but I hardly see how the answer will help.
Once again, Baledagh picks up the slack. Could it have sothing to do with these Spectral remains?
Seeing no harm in asking, I take Taduks hand and explain everything about the purified Spectres through Sending, including my tests on the subject. While travelling ho, we found that although the Spectral remains differ from Chi, neither Baledagh nor I can explain how its different. Its more... more, I guess. I cant absorb it like Baledagh does, but I can use it in place of Chi. In fact, I think it's better than Chi, easier and more responsive to my directions. Otherwise, it's the sa.
When Baledagh absorbs the Spectral remains, it doesnt change our physical body, but his Forms have shown marked improvents in a short ti. Despite only being in the drivers seat for short periods of ti, Baledaghs grace, control, and reflexes have left in the dust. Why, I don't know, but I assu it's giving him so form of Enlightennt or sothing. Why him and not ? I dunno.
When Im done explaining everything aside from the twinned-soul aspect, Taduk ponders my words in silence, cradling the sleeping Lin in his arms. Boiling a pot of tea while he thinks, he snaps out of it as I hand him the cup. After you killed the Demon in the city, you were covered in its fluids yes? Too much for your friend to neutralize in ti?
Yea.
And you used so of that... Energy to heal. Did you suffer significant weight loss?
Nothing notable. Actually, I rember thinking I looked surprisingly healthy. I was half covered in burns, but I still had the hand that got soaked in Ichor. I never did thank the Healer who saved the trouble of regrowing it.
Shaking his head, Taduk points out the flaw in my logic. You were burned by Demon Ichor, unconscious, and in the midst of battle. Any Healer worth their salt would have stabilized you and moved on. The hand would have been ignored. Its possible you healed yourself, or rather, the... ahem, Energy, helped heal you. Perking up, he asks, Do you have any left? Ive a theory on what these remains are, so try to transfer it to Nian Zu and well test it out.
What if sothing goes wrong?
Taduk shrugs. Then he dies and the nation grieves. At least itll spare him from another two weeks of agony.
Well... better to try and fail than fail to try, I guess. Wrapping the Spectral remains in Chi, I whisper a small prayer before placing my hand on Nian Zu's chest and directing the Spectral remains into him. My Chi dissipates into nothingness the mont it leaves my body, but the Spectral remains are unaffected, flowing into the wounded hero without resistance. I used more than half of what I collected on Yo Lings island in testing, so I hope what remains is enough to save Nian Zu.
Stand aside, Taduk says as he lays hands on Nian Zu. Holding my breath in anticipation, Im not left waiting for long as Taduk removes his hands only seconds later. While my teacher stands in shocked silence, a tear falls from my eye in honour of this celebrated hero, waiting as he draws his last breaths. Beloved by the people, he dedicated almost half his life to the Wall, following an already impressive military career. A high ranking mber of the Situ Clan, his story could have gone much differently were he a lesser, more self-serving person, but his love for his fellow countryn led him to give up his pursuit of power and accept the thankless task of Commander of the Bridge. For decades, he held the Wall against wave after wave of Defiled warriors, killing Champions and Demons like plucking chickens, and Im running out of things to say, because honestly, I didnt know him all that well and only t him that one ti, where he prevented from killing his nephew. Is Zian his nephew? No that doesnt seem right, but then again, I dont really understand the family bonds. So confusing, sharing the sa na yet not really being blood related, how does that happen?
...
Not to be rude, but why isn't he dead yet?
Breaking the silence with a whoop of joy, Taduk lifts into the air and twirls about, laughing as Lin wakes up and joins the celebration. Rain my boy, we did it! he exclaims, relief and satisfaction flooding his face. Do you know what this ans?
Er... we saved a national heros life?
Putting down, Taduk scowls and throws his hands into the air. Who cares about one life. Switching to a silent Sending, he explains, Those Spectral remains? Thats pure Heavenly Energy. Heavenly Energy which you can manipulate at will! This is the discovery of a lifeti!
...
Maybe Im dumb, or maybe it's because I haven't slept in thirty-six hours, but I dont get it.
What's the difference between Chi and Heavenly Energy?
...Whatever. Taduk's happy, Lin's happy, Nian Zu's alive, so I'm happy. I'll take the wins wherever I can.
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