Savage Divinity Chapter 530

Floof.

Thick, warm, wonderful floof, with a rough outer coat of waterproof hair over a bed of short underfuzz. Then, once through the soft, dense fur is a layer of smooth, supple skin, anchored to a springy layer of fat and tough, wiry muscle to really sink your fingers into. Its been too long since Ive enjoyed this velvety sensation on my hands and face, and so help god, I dont intend to go another day without experiencing it ever again.

Oh how I missed scritching and snuggling my floofs, even the unappreciative ones like grumpy Zabu here.

Now, most would view this insignificant and negligible recovery as a waste of precious resources, but I see this as an absolute win. Ive no clue how I did what I did, but Im glad I did it. For too many months now, Blackjack, Mama Bun, and the bun-bun bunch were my only source of floofy cuddles, but now my personal hell has co to an end. I cant wait to gather up all my floofs in one big pile, the wildcats, quins, bears, and maybe even a few cattle, and hug them until theyre sick of .

And once they are, Ill chase them down and hug them so more, because non-consensual floof cuddles are even better. My thirst for floofs knows no bounds, so my floofs shall suffer my attentions until such a ti when I am suitably sated.

...

After the battle, of course.

...

Assuming Im still alive.

...

And all my floofs are still alive.

...

And were all safe in one spot. Preferably Sinuji.

...

Okay Rain. Floof is aweso, but its ti to get your head into the ga. Stop molesting Zabu and focus. Youre better now, kinda sorta, and you could possibly be in position to maybe lend a hand, or at the very least, not get in the way. You either converted ambient Energy of the Heavens into Chi without the use of your Core, or the Chi Tea you drank last week Cleansed a whole bunch of Spectres and turned them into a finite amount of usable Heavenly Energy, which you then used to Orate your experiences to every man woman and child in Sinuji. Ugh, now everyone knows about what happened with Qing Qing. I dont like this. What if so stranger cos up and wants to talk about it? That would be the worst. Wait, are there actually children in the fort? God, I hope not, because that would actually be worse.

Okay, now there are the lives of theoretical children at stake here, as well as my fur-babies and loved ones, like Lin-Lin and I suppose Luo-Luo, not to ntion everyone else currently inhabiting Sinuji, as well as the countless citizens depending on us to hold the Defiled tide back. No pressure. So where was I?

Right. While I ascribe to the Chi Tea theory, considering I just gave away my last two gourds, theres nothing I can do about it if this is the case. Instead, I should focus on the minute possibility that Dastan was right and I achieved One with the Self while telling the story of how I t Gen, and shortly after, beca One with the World and Developed a Domain sans Chi. Im not optimistic about my chances, but I should at least give it a try. Worst case scenario, nothing happens and I remain as utterly useless as I am right now, so really, what do I have to lose?

Okay, so... how do I do what I did? And how can I do sothing more productive, like say... I dunno, put on a hundred kilograms of body mass? Then again, if Im asking for miracles, I might as well swing for the fences. Go big or go ho. Ill take flash floods, erupting geysers, fucking hydrogen bombs even if the Mother is willing, anything that will deal with the many, many survivors of the Defiled Army headed my way.

...Healing can probably fix nuclear radiation poisoning, right?

Boy. Cutting my flustered inner-monologue short with a Sending, Ghurdas tone leaves no room for debate. Get your people back. Now.

Being the contrary idiot that I am, my first instinct is of course to argue once again that Dastan and the others deserve to have first crack at the Defiled, but after tearing my eyes away from Zabus floofy back, I imdiately understand where shes coming from. In my haze of floof-fuelled introspection, I sohow failed to notice that not only is the Defiled horde charging headlong at Sinuji, but theyre also being spearheaded by not one, not three, but twelve Demons that I can see, aning there are undoubtedly more lurking Concealed in the shadows.

In my defence, the Sound Barrier is still up and my feet arent touching the ground to feel the trembling, which ans its not entirely fair or accurate to bla my distraction on my overzealous love of all things floofy. Only mostly.

Urging Zabu to hop ahead, I rein in his enthusiastic charge before he goes running headlong off the wall. Hamred by a wave of sound brought about by hundreds of thousands of stomping boots, I yell as loudly as I can to get Dastans attention and pray they can hear over the commotion. Soldiers of Falling Rain, stand down and gather on ! Sohow hearing despite the clamour, (or more likely because Ghurda reiterates my orders through Sending), Dastan and the Death Corps back away from the parapets and leave a thirty-ter-long section of the wall unguarded.

Hang on...

This seems worse.

...Yea, this is definitely worse.

Now the Defiled can just climb onto the wall unimpeded.

We just gave up the high ground. Why would anyone ever give up the high ground?

Looking back at Ghurda in helpless confusion, she offers a reassuring smile as she swaggers forward in her steel-studded Sentinel leathers, a towering, graceful woman entirely in her own elent with massive great-axe in hand. Inspiring though her courage might be, I worry she might be biting off a bit more than she can chew in facing the Defiled horde with only her battle-axe in hand, so I turn to ask Nian Zu for support.

Except hes gone, Concealed and off to do whatever it is commanders do. Hopefully not run, because if so, I wouldve appreciated a heads up.

Sothing in my frantic gaze and frenzied searching mustve given my panic away, because Ghurda Sends, Calm yer britches, boy. You forget? I aint the only one set on bringin you ho again. As she takes her place at the parapets edge, shes joined by several gallant figures stepping out of Concealnt, each one standing tall with the poise and confidence of seasoned veterans. Though none even so much as glance in my direction, I know them all well, a total of fifteen warriors whove co to my rescue here in Sinuji. Seeing them together again brings tears to my eyes, tears of joy, tears of gratitude, and tears of relief, for with such dependable warriors standing before , I know theres no need to worry any longer.

Theres fierce, scarred Khagati, grey in beard but still sharp of eye, the first and second volleys from his double recurve greatbow already arcing towards the Defiled horde. I once saw him hit five separate targets dead centre with one draw of his bow, and years later his skills are still in top form. Each volley consists of five arrows and each arrow lands exactly where Khagati aims it, loosed so quickly he claims the first ten kills of the battle aside from the half-a-million or so we burned. Such is the prowess of the man unanimously accepted as the greatest archer in the Saints Tribulations Mountains, and quite possibly in the entire Azure Empire, here with an entire cart full of arrows he intends to deliver unto Defiled flesh. A gruff and silent warrior, we never spoke much in the short ti we travelled together, but from start to finish, he made sure Charoks stew-pot always had more than enough at to go around. He even gave up the hunters privilege of taking the choicest cuts for himself and saw that they went into my bowl, a kind gesture I only ca to appreciate a few years later when I learned to hunt from Charok and put two and two together.

Then theres the cheery and rotund ngu, the Banners chief roosequin trainer and handler. Despite my exhaustion, the nightmares and paranoia kept from sleeping for long on that first night, so I slipped out in the darkness of night to go see the adorable quins. ngu caught , but he didnt send back to my tent. Instead, he personally brought over and introduced to his quin, one of Surets litter-mates, Surma. She wasnt too keen on having her sleep disturbed, but ngus pouches were packed to the brim with treats and he was all too happy to share. I thought it was sweet how he loved to spoil his quin, but in truth, he was just humouring and making sure she wouldnt take my head off. I fell asleep next to the quins that night, snuggled between Surma and Suret, and I slept that way for many nights after, but from the mont I closed my eyes to the second I opened them, ngu was always there, watching over with a smile. That sa smile is here today, though tinged with brutal ferocity as he lends his bow to the fray, but only to pass the ti until the Defiled reach the walls and he can put his slim, guard-less jian to good use. Ive only ever seen him use the weapon to spear fish and dig out tubers for the quins to eat, but whenever it ca ti to sort out ranks, he always placed fourth after Gerel and Ghurda with nothing but his bare, aty fists.

One by one, the forr mbers of the Iron Banner take their place on the wall, each familiar presence dredging up so cherished mory of how they helped along the way, whether it was with a small gesture of kindness, subtle suggestion of concern, or unjustified care and affection. They were there that fateful day I crawled out of the corpse pile and stumbled into their camp, and theyre here today, every mber save for Dad, Alsantset, Charok, and Gerel. So I didnt know were with us in Central, much less Sinuji, while others Im seeing for the first ti in years, yet here they are in my hour of need, fighting to bring ho safe once again.

My heroes. My saviours. My Guardian Angels. Though Dad put the Iron Banner to rest after becoming Nian Zus successor, it flies again in spirit here in Sinuji, and I could not be any more grateful.

The ti for fond recollections cos to an end as Imperial and Defiled clash in an explosion of sound and fury, but the wave of Demons and tribesman barely shake the leather-clad line of Experts standing between and them. Springing into action with a resounding, Chi-magnified cackle, the slender and innocuous Kharnate puts his twin hatchets to bloody work, transforming into a veritable force of nature as he hacks up a storm of death and carnage which none can approach unscathed. Beautiful despite the unsightly scar running from left eye to right cheek, the stately, half-gazelle Yaruq is a sight to behold as she clears away her foes with a sweep of her nine-section staff, the mature and enchanting woman showing she still has what it takes even after ceding her spot on the Banner to her devilish Disciple Tursinai almost seven years ago. ngu finally puts his jian to bloody work, except instead of holding it in hand, the tal spike hovers overhead while he pumls his foes into oblivion, the weapon darting out to claim the lives of Defiled too far for his plump arms to reach.

And of course theres Ghurda. Powerful, domineering, half-grizzly Ghurda, whose battle-axe flies out to et Pudge head-on and sends his massive, corpulent fra crashing back into the Defiled masses, Water-Shield and all.

The Enemy dispatched twelve Demons to claim my life, and while none have fallen, it almost seems like its only because Bannern dont care to expend the effort to kill them. Their large bodies make better weapons than any sword or spear in hand, smashed about in front of the wall like a giant ga of squash played with weapon and torso instead of racket and ball. How the Bannern can even manage such a feat is beyond my comprehension, but I am not alone in my admiration. Mother in Heaven, Masahige exclaims, his shrill voice carrying over the din, Who are these heroes?

Warriors of the Iron Banner, I reply with pride. My dads old comrades and Experts of the People. Not to ntion the kind souls who brought away from the mines and welcod into their ho, despite knowing all the risks my existence entailed. I never properly thanked them for that, not after learning how massive a liability I couldve been. Was.

...Am.

...I should get them gifts. Lots of gifts. Whats sothing that says I appreciate you for risking massed torture and extermination to welco into your lives?

Barely able to contain my excitent, I set to introducing each and every Bannerman to Masahige and anyone else wholl listen, listing off little tidbits of information about them personally while having nothing to add about their actual strengths. As the battle wears on, it becos clear as day that the old Iron Banner rankings were complete and utter bullshit, because theres no way Gerel is stronger than Ghurda, ngu, Yaruq, or really, almost anyone here. Well, he might be now, but seven years ago? Not a chance, not when every last one of them is a Peak Expert at minimum, utilizing their Domains in concert to hold back the Defiled and Demons. Its a subtle working of Chi, not like the direct, formless attacks used by Nian Zus cadre of Peak Experts sent at Big Poppa Piggy. Instead, its a vague, indistinct barrier I can only just barely make out from seeing it in action, a multi-person effort to Deflect and delay any Enemy combatant trying to gain a foothold on the wall. The most dedicated of Defiled slip and fall on the parapets, but most dont even make it that far before being slashed by axe or saber, pierced by spear or sword, or pumlled by mace or fist in mid-air.

Its a little like what Pong-Pong did with Mama Bun the first ti they t, using Deflection to keep her from going to town on his shell, except on a larger scale.

Unfortunately, the effect doesnt extend past our thirty-ter zone, and from the looks of things, its straining the Bannern to even manage that much, which bodes poorly for the allies on either side of us. Unable to make headway against my saviours, the Enemy redoubles their efforts on the Mitsue forces to my left and Tam Taewoongs retinue on my right, with both sides buckling beneath the near suicidal offensive. Most commanders wouldnt put three younger officers so close together, especially not in a central position on the outer defences, but I dont think the good Lieutenant Colonel Watanabe knows much about anything when it cos to tactics. How the son of a Living Legend can be so incompetent is beyond my comprehension, but directing hateful expletives at Watanabe and his entire family wont save now, so all I can do is pray we can hold out long enough for reinforcents to arrive.

Kharnate is the first to take injury as a spear glances off his ribs, but he is far from the last as he continues the good fight. Soon enough, every last Bannerman is bloodied by the Enemy save for Khagati still loosing handfuls of arrows from the back and elegant Yaruq standing in front of him to clear away waves of chaff with each swing. For long minutes, the balance of power teeters on the precipice of disaster, then it overturns as a globe of water smashes into ngus broad chest and sends him crashing back into the ground. Leaping over the fallen warrior, Tenjins flying daggers scythe out into crowd as the Fire-Blessed warrior restores the balance of power in our favour, and I send Kuang Biao out with three of my strongest Death Corps to bring ngu back to safety. Flashing a bloody smile, the portly quin-trainer gestures for to stay on Zabu and quips, Never shouldve gone on that diet. Winking and wincing at the sa ti, he arranges himself in a seated position to Heal his cracked or maybe even broken ribs while the battle continues to rage on.

Yaruq is next to step back, her scarred features covered in a sheen of sweat but otherwise untouched. Without so much as a glance in my direction, the half-gazelle warrior settles down beside ngu to replenish her Chi reserves while Tursinai takes her place, Tenjins ribald wife utterly serious for the first ti since I t her. With a crisp, tallic ring, the scythe arcs out into the Defiled horde to cut them down like wheat at the harvest, her chain whirling overhead to create a lengthy semi-circle of death in front of her. The downside is that Tursinais longer weapon will get in the way of Khagatis arrows, or so I believe for all of a second before the greying archer looses yet another volley, perfectly timing his shot to avoid the looping chain without breaking a sweat. Seeing his dwindling cart, I have Kuang Biao send word to BoShuis silent, reford fanatics and task them to bring more arrows from camp, but the reply cos soon after to indicate the matter has already been handled.

As if on cue, two of Alsantsets underlings appear with a second cart of arrows, which they move in place without interrupting Khagatis steady movents or the rhythmic twang of his bow, soothing to the ear even as the piercing wail of his arrows signal death to the Defiled.

They got this shit on lock-down.

Unfortunately, the battle does not go entirely our way as Pudge sends yet another Bannerman to join ngu and Yarug, this ti the unsociable, amber-eyed spearman, Naaran. Older than Baatar but still spry as any other Bannerman, the aged Warrior cradles his broken arm and settles down to recuperate while Kuang Biao heads in unasked to take his place. I always thought Naaran didnt like , but to be fair, it seed like he hated everyone else as well, and hes here giving it his all to keep alive, which counts for sothing. He even offers an almost smile before closing his eyes to ditate, so strained and unnatural it makes wonder if hes smiled at anyone in the last half-century, or possibly longer.

Cunning monsters that they are, the Demons are no longer throwing themselves at the wall, but instead hanging back to probe for openings. Six have split off, three to either side, but Hideo and Tam Taewoong both have their Experts defending them, and for now it appears as if both sides are locked in stalemates. Pudge remains front and centre to pressure the Bannern with his bullets of water, but its a second Demon which proves most difficult for my guardians to handle. A dark figure cloaked in a billowing cape of writhing blades, the skull-faced Demon is difficult to keep track of as he moves side to side so quickly its almost as if he can blink in and out of existence. Wherever he appears, he unleashes a flurry of darting tentacles in the area before him, forcing three to five Bannern to defend against his sudden attack. While his blades are easy enough to Deflect, Skull-Face is not alone as Pudge tis his bullets with Skull-Faces distraction to launch attacks at exposed targets. Thats how ngu went down, then Naaran after, and from the looks of things, its only a matter of ti before the fat, water-logged bastard claims another victim, perhaps this ti to more fatal results.

As more of the Bannern fall back and are replaced by Death Corps guards, it becos clear that we cant hold the outer wall, not as we are, not without support. There are eighteen Peak Experts in my section alone, with at least four with Hideo and two with Tam Taewoong, but it is far from enough. Turning to Watanabes mouthpiece, I wave aside the soldiers Masahige tasked to guard him and say, Send a request for assistance, and failing that, then a request to withdraw. The outer wall will not hold for much longer before this sustained assault. Then go take Kharnates place, the one with the twin hatchets; hes bleeding too much to keep fighting.

I dont take orders from you. Though defiant, I can see the fear in his eyes and posture, all but cringing before as he stops himself short of calling cripple. Granted, it probably has more to do with Zabus toothy snarl lingering over his head than my less-than-intimidating presence, but Ill take what I can get.

Leaning forward to look him in the eyes, I say, Im assuming youre a Martial Warrior worth your salt, so Ill ask once. You have a better suggestion? Without waiting for an answer, I snarl and poke him in the chest, jamming my finger against his hard breastplate and using the pain to fuel my anger. Then quit fucking around and get to it soldier, or Ill kill you myself.

Praying he doesnt call my bluff, I bring Zabu around and do my best to direct the battle, but there isnt much for to do besides shout empty platitudes and encouragent. Luckily, Watanabes mouthpiece has enough sense to obey, and Kharnate soon falls back with a wild look in his eyes and a deep burning to return to the battle. Grasping onto every last string I can, I pat Dastan on the shoulder and pull him back before he leaps into the fray on a misunderstanding. Not your turn yet, soldier. Need your help. Give a quick refresher on this One with the Self business?

Impatience gives way to delight as Dastan follows my train of thought, because I dont think theres anyone more eager for my recovery than him. Its a long shot, but if I can actually deploy my Domain without Chi and use it to convert Heavenly Energy, then maybe I can lend so agre effort to the defence, and its not like Im doing anything else in the anti anyways. Of course, he stamrs, before grabbing my wrist to switch to Sending. Its a simple enough concept, but difficult to maintain. One with the Self isnt just about rging with your Natal Soul, but about accepting the truths of ones Path. Its about self-affirmation and taking pride in ones actions, of accepting a cause and putting your entire being behind it.

My lack of comprehension speaks for itself and Dastan deflates in defeat, only to swell up and try again with a different tack. Let tell you about how I achieved One with Self. As you know, my Natal Soul is a stunted, deford version of myself, with a body which fits in the palm of my hand and a head three size too large for it. It took days to form this Natal Soul alongside the beginnings of my Natal Palace, so at first, I believed my paltry Natal Soul would grow in ti as I progressed along the Martial Path, but I was wrong. Its size was not limited because of my lacking strength or comprehension, but because I myself suppressed its size for reasons which beca clear to over ti.

Drawing himself up to full height, Dastan looks up at atop Zabu, only a hand-span taller than my 175 cm fra. Know this for truth: you are the best man I know, he says out loud, unashad to admit it, And even without my Oaths, I would serve you as loyally as I do now, for I truly believe you to be the Mothers Chosen Son. While I try my best not to blush or laugh it off, Dastan continues, However, this does not an I do not dream of freedom and independence, an impossible dream of casting off my deplorable status as traitor and slave to beco Dastan Zhandos, soldier and hero once again. Seeing the pity in my eyes, he smiles and shakes his head. Its okay. Ive co to accept my lot in life, even enjoy it, because you treat as friend and comrade, not slave and subordinate. Ive also accepted that my dreams will never co to pass, but I am no longer ashad of it, for what living being does not yearn for freedom?

Switching back to Sending, he continues, My Natal Soul is paltry and weak because he embodies my innermost desires, the dreams I cannot achieve yet can never let go. It was different for BoShui because even though his Natal Soul also embodied his innermost desires, his dreams are within his reach, while mine utterly impossible. Even then, I continue to hold these dreams, aspire to them, and hope that through so miracle of miracles, I can soday realize them, because I am myself, and I am my Natal Soul. Shrugging, he simply concludes out loud, I am Dastan Zhandos, soldier, drear, slave, and traitor. Such is life.

That isnt all you are, I say, reaching out to clasp his hand. In my eyes, you are Dastan Zhandos, friend and hero, and never forget it.

Smiling at the affirmation, we share a quiet mont together before he coughs and looks away, no doubt to hide the manly tears streaming from his eyes. As for you, he Sends, sounding hesitant for the first ti, I may have a theory to offer, if you are willing to hear it.

Go ahead. Not like I have any better place to start.

Your story... Dastan begins, stopping to take a deep breath even though hes Sending and doesnt need it to speak. Though I felt nothing supernatural about it like Li Song implies, I too sensed your emotions as you told your story, and... I think you cling too tightly to the past. My mouth dries and throat clenches shut, but I nod at him to continue, which he does with great reluctance. You dont entirely accept what happened, because you believe you could have changed the outco. You take responsibility for Qing Qings death and regret you couldnt save her, but even if you could have, its already in the past. Patting my shoulder, he sighs and Sends, Shes gone, my friend, and you need to let go of your guilt and forgive yourself for her death.

I cant let go because it was my fault. Welp, no point denying it now. If Id been smarter, more caring, more supportive, she wouldve stayed with instead of running back to check on her fellow villagers. Shaking my head to deny Dastans rebuttal, the words flow out without filter. She was a sweet girl who still cared for the people who rejected her, people who I barely cared enough about to ask for their nas. I freed those villagers and sent them on their way without so much as a goodbye. Not because I couldnt help them, but because I couldnt be bothered to. Why should I risk my life for strangers who hated and Qing-Qing? Thats how I felt. They brought their fates down on themselves, so I had to look after the one person who mattered, and in doing so, I dood my benefactor to an early grave.

I am Rain, and I am Baledagh, and both of us are massive fuck-ups.

Before Dastan can respond, Ghurdas Sending sounds in my mind. Idiot boy. Run!

The tears drain from my eyes as I look over to the battle, just in ti to see a massive, airborne Pudge sailing in my direction. Carried forward by a surging wave of water, his pasty, water-logged form blots out the nights sky as Bannern weapons bounce off his Water Shield and skin like raindrops on tal sheet. Though lacking a mouth save for the giant, vertical cavity running down his chest, his white, sightless orbs almost seem to smile as he points a finger in my direction and sends a spear of Water hurtling unerringly towards my chest, an attack which arrives before in the blink of an eye and leaves with only two raised hands to stop it from piercing through my heart.

Well, fuck.

...

On the bright side, maybe todays the day I discover Im stuck in an infinite ti loop. Who knows. Stranger things have happened.

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