Dead Puppets

-So, what did you want to talk about?- he asks fixing his golden chains over the chest

-A couple of things... First of hall that I've fell in a trap. The trap itself isn't important, but I found myself cornered by tons of sand men... I keep noticing how they grow in numbers and that is starting to concern me, soon or later we will be outnumbered again so I must think of a new attack plan from now on. While I am gone to destroy the core, our soldiers would be left to fight them at full power and it would be a complete loss then.

But what concerns me more as for now is something else... He was the same man who died a few days ago in our camp, that simple soldier I told you about who betrayed their faction and got his meridians destroyed-

He crosses his arms while listening to it all -So you suspect he actually is that man and came back as a living corpse?-

I shake my head -No that's not it, he dissolved into sand after dying so it wasn't a deceased human. Yet he really was that man... I came to understand that the real Dong Hu died too and the one I know is a fake, but whenever I hurt him only blood came out- I seat down and take out my boots to bury my feet in the warm sand, releasing the heat from the day -Whoever is behind them already showed power over the underworld, I don't know anything about dark powers... How they work, what can be done and what not... But one hypothesis did came to my mind, what if they keep growing in numbers because they are connected to the dead soldiers? For each kill archived by us, one more of those creatures is born on their side... Making this war endless-

He seats down behind me, back to back -It's still just an hypothesis, but it might be true. Those puppets can require different amounts of spiritual energy, the more complex and the more is needed... Those you encountered only ever fought am I right?- I nod -Then they are on the easier side to maintain, yet there are hundreds of those...-

-Maybe...- I begin to speak as an idea pops into my mind -That jade core, maybe that's what he was actually meant for!-

He turns just slightly to face me, his eyes barely wider than usual -That could be true, afterall the core always comes in pair with a deity... Not to actually sustain the Jade itself but to use his abilities as an enancher, diffusing the core dark power through the deity spiritual energy- -The stronger the deity the more the sand men under their control... It sucks away the divine powers and pass them onto the men, while turning the energy from pure to whicked. That's why both the core and the men are surrounded by black mist- I finish the sentence for him.

We found eachother face to face, as we both turn around while talking, and I can see my excited expression reflecting in his silver eyes -Well, this is still just an hypothesis... But for my bit of knowledge on the topic it might be true- he says, trying to hold back my thoughts from going all over the place -Yes, I will have to further investigate. But I feel like we're onto something- I nod, calming myself down as he sighs before speaking again... Now seating in front of eachother -It's best not to jump to conclusions, even if your theory sounds plausible... Have your men behead the enemy's corpses and capture the weakened sand men so you can gain actual evidence-

-I could also display the heads at the back of the camp, so everyone can memorize their features and improve the changes to recognize them on the battlefield. Just in case we fail to capture them or if they commit "suicide"- -Mhn, that's a good idea- he agrees looking away, upon noticing his distraction I stand back up and shake off the sand from my clothes -Well then, I'll head back and inform the generals- His eyes darts in my direction again, sharp and cold. I rise an eyebrow at him -You still have something to say?- but he shakes his head and I take the chance to leave.

...

-Drop the formalities already tz...- scoffs General Cai, polishing his weapons over the table in front of him -Yessir- I let my hands, previously joint in front of my face in respect, to fall down... General Tian sighs while letting his back hits against the chair -Are you sure about that, Miss Ying?- but before I can reply, Qin luo already vouched for me -I can guarantee that she's not lying-

Both the other Generals looks at eachother and almost roll their eyes -Of course you do, Qin Luo... You always do, to you anything she says is absolute- smirks General Cai and a hint of pink dyes the younger man's cheeks -I hope you're not thinking I'm being partial, my Lords- General Cai shakes off his words, letting finally go of his weapon -That's not what we're saying, young man. Ah... Youth! Full of blooming flowers, it's so refreshing... Anyway, do as you may Chuangzhu Ying- I bow down -Am I being given the authority to?- -What do you mean Miss Ying?- asks General Tian -My Lords, for how much I hate loosing time... Always giving me these authorities without asking the other generals and commanders could backfire to all of us-

-Mhn... We have already been there once indeed...- murmurs General Tian -What nonsense! Those men know nothing anyway! I am your Armada's General so I am giving you power and nobody can object. I'll hold a brief assembly to explain the situation to my men tomorrow- -Thanks you, my Lords- I bow again and leave.

-Mmmhn... You might just have earned a merit in her eyes, fellow General- says Tian toward the other one -Mhn?- -She doesn't really care about the other men accepting her, nor does she care about any of us giving her authority... She would have acted on her own anyway. But she said that just to test you General Cai- comments Qin Luo -To see if you're one who cares about reputation and listen to those who murmurs in the halls, or if you actually want to end this war at any cost... She already had her doubts, but now you proved your side to her- and with that the young general stands from his seat and leaves the tend too.

-I swear I could almost see a swinging tail behind him- laughs Cai -He's so madly in love that he would dig his own eyes out if she asked him to- -It's good, she's the best soldier we have and is often misunderstood or misjudged. Even us, who wants to help, might end up turning our backs at her... I myself have lost value in her eyes due to what happened with the previous general. But he will always be on her side, never will he lose trust in her and never will he turn his back to her... Whenever she's left alone he is there- the other man sighs -But is that a good thing? She's such an unreachable woman and the pain in his eyes is for everyone to see, besides... It's not like I don't trust her, but although she is completely willing to end this war... She might get tricked or might lose her way, she's just an human afterall- -Who knows...- the both stare at where he just left.