Bonds

-He's gone...-

I murmur still staring at the empty spot in front of me

Cold wind hits me making me hug myself as I walk slowly, coming back with heavy steps...

...

Back in the tend I enter and seat at the table still with my arms around myself

-What the...?- Qin Luo stands up from his bed rushing to my side

-You are drenched! what happened? Are you ok?!- He pats all over my clothes searching for wounds or something weird

-Yes Uhm... I Just... Met someone-

-Uh? I'm afraid to ask who, knowing you...-

I press my lips in a straight line taking off my cloak

-Wait... Let me- he takes it away and place a blanket over my shoulders, before smiling as he pours me some warm wine

-Here... Let's get you warmed up first-

-I'm so sorry to always burden you with all of this... Weirdness- I sigh rolling the cup in my hands, seated in bed finally all dry

-It's fine, I told you I don't mind helping you- replies him, shaking his head -So, what happened?-

-I don't know if I can tell you...-

-Am I not your closest ally?-

I nod

-And aren't I completely on your side?-

Nod again

-I'm almost your brother, Lai'Er... War brings people together we both know, you can completely trust me as I did with you once- His expression is tender... It's easy to tell he's a father from how his eyes smile and his big hands gently fix the blanket for me

-There's someone following me-

-Uh?! Why haven't you said so sooner?! We can get rid of them!-

-Not in a bad way, don't worry. Before I told you about someone with my powers over 160 years ago... It's him-

His face gets clouded with questions and it makes me chuckle

-I know... But afterall he's not like me, I'm a gifted human... Someone who lives over 160 years absolutely isn't, on the contrary-

-You mean...?-

-Ah... I don't know, He looks like one... The pure golden aura, the hair... But something feels different, there are many creatures out there afterall...- I laugh quietly to myself -Like Wan-

-Wan?-

-Oh sorry, I thought out loud... Wan is a Fox Spirit, or minor Deity... I don't know actually how to call him since they have a full population and clans-

-Uhm... You really met any source of things...- He observe seating on the side of my bed -So, what's with this man following you?-

-He just want to make sure I don't die, nothing much-

-But why?-

-Apparently I'm on the right path to end this war and he wants to support me... I guess-

And this is what leaves him speechless for quite a couple of minutes as tons of sentences forms over his head, his thoughts almost palpable.

-How?-

-Hahah! I'm sorry... You face... And you only asked how- I cover my mouth with the cup, taking one last sip to stop the laughing

-Well then... Here comes the fun part- I put away the cup on a small side table

-Xue ChunDu... He's a minor vulnerable deity who got kidnapped ages ago and has been feeding power to the enemy's troupes against his will.

There are more like him and I must free them all for our Army to come out Victorious in this War-

-Could this... Really be true?- he looks down on his hands sighing -Gods and so are things so far away from us-

-I know... I cannot assure you a certain victory, for the fact I am just one single human... I know my strength is not infinite...

Destroying that base was...- I take a deep breath -Excessively tiring- is all I manage to say

-There might be worst ahead, this is just the beginning afterall... If there are more powerful gods or beasts...-

I notice only then how strong I'm cleanching my fist and hide it under the blanket

-But I will do everything that is within my power to help- I finally say rising my chin to face him again

-You cannot do it all alone-

-Maybe that's right, but it's the only way-

-Let me... Help you- he murmurs between is teeth

-Qin Luo... You saw how I got back after the first one...

That black smoke almost consumed me completely, imagine what it could to do someone else-

-But...!-

I shake my head -No need to argue, it's a no... For everyone.

You all have families waiting home, everytime you walk on the battlefield your future is uncertain... No need to make it worse-

He sighs looking down at the floor

After a short pause he speak again with a deeper voice -It's hard to see your dear ones depart for a war you can't take part in, being able only to pray for them to make it back home... I finally understand how those left behind feel-

-I'm sorry-

He shakes his head and smile toward me, squeezing my hand

-Let's sleep now, tomorrow will be a new day-

-Mhn-

...

Today I wake up at my regular hour not to cultivate but to finally write that damn letter.

-Mhmm... "Dear parents"...? No that's so not like me... Ah...- I sigh seating back on the chair

-What's that? So good in war but a family letter drives you crazy?- mocks me Qin Luo, while wearing a clean shirt on the other side of the tend

-Something like that-

He chuckles while fixing his long ponytail in a mirror -Let me help you, at least this I should be able to make it-

And he's by my side taking the brush from my hand

-But if you write it won't....-

-Don worry, I know you enough to do this by now-

-Ah fine- I close my eyes pinching my nose bridge

-Your parents and...?-

-Nobody else, I already wrote to my brother and his... Ehm, friend. I don't need to update anyone else-

-Oh so your brother has a "friend" uh? And I who thought he would have kept on turning his gaze away at every girl on Earth-

-Mhn...- I nod twisting my hand nervously

-What's that supposed to mean Lai'Er?-

-Nothing- I jump back on the chair

-Lai'Er...?- he scolds me for lying

-Ok I'll tell you but forget it right after I said it!-

-Of course-

-Well then... You remember I told you sleeping with a friend of mine at the Section? Well that friend is actually my brother's boyfriend Uhm... If anyone find out they could both get kicked out or punished so...-

-Oh... Now many things click- he says holding his chin

-Yeah... Those poor things don't have an easy life there. Always having to sneak out and meet secretly... And Hua is such a disaster i0at keeping a low profile- I sigh

-Hua? I think I knew someone with that name-

-Well you sure did, his father is really famous in our region along in the Capital, you know the Fang family don't you? It's their first son-

-Oh! The one who always throws those banquets?-

-Yes-

-Oh I remember now... I last saw him when he was still this tall hahaha!-

-Excuse me, my Lords- calls a voice from outside making Qin Luo's face turn darker, before standing up away from me

-Come in-

-Sure- says the man pushing aside the heavy tend and He bends down -Excuse my intrusion... But the Generals wanted to let you know there will be a meeting in the afternoon-

-Mhn we'll be there, thanks, you can go- he replies all in one sentence with cold voice and crossed arms

-Sure-

-So it's about time for another war uh?- I turn to Qin Luo who sighs

-Apparently... We probably will be facing a new battlefield soon if we gain more ground, we need to plan many things-

-Well let's get ready for the training now-