Lilies of the dark

Zero's consciousness slipped and it was like falling into a still, algae infested pond.

His entire being was submerged in the overwhelming feeling that was the Golden Core sea of Qi. He struggled to find balance, just like in the miniature void in the box. He found it hard to do so, however. The pond water held onto him like sticky latex.

Memories upon memories were hitting him from every angle. He was only a Yin spirit, facing a great cultivator as such. Zero could feel his mind splitting from pain.

However he fiercely held on, in search of an important clue. With all the focus in him, he searched, consciousness wavering.

Not only did he need to split the man's mind, he had to find a clue on his journey. Who exactly were Daiyu's people and was it any good to head in the direction of their base? Could they have the methods he needed to break free from his supernatural chains?

Zero infact did not care if he killed the man or not. As far as he could tell, Mutation equalled death in the new world. He had been chained in a cage full of Mutated. He knew what it meant. Even though he survived this, Pu'er would forever be ostracized. The young man wanted to laugh. This was the same man who looked at him in disgust for being "contaminated".

Suddenly, Zero felt an absurd pull to a particular memory and he fell in, finding himself in a dimly lit chamber.

It was night time, but there was no snow. A memory from a little over three months ago.

The room smelt of something sweet. It felt sickening to inhale.

A lone incense stick burnt in an oddly placed platform in the middle of the grand space.

There was a partitioning curtain that fell all the way from the high ceilings. Several paper lanterns cut out in flower patterns floated about the room, however, they did not seem to give any light. They burned within, casting mild shadows and even milder light.

Zero's consciousness viewed this scene from an observer's point this time and he watched Pu'er with his head kissing the polished floorboards say, "I will do anything, my lady. A-anything at all. I..."

"Shhh," came a calming voice. It was the most pleasant voice Zero had ever heard in his entire life. Even the fading memories of his mother's voice paled in comparison. It shocked him that someone could sound so affectionate.

The owner of this voice was female, and was somewhere behind the curtain. This piece of fabric was quite sheer. You could see shadows behind. However, the dim light promised no actual sight.

A slight breeze blew through the balcony doors, playing with the curtains, dancing with the flames.

"Anything, dear Pu'er? Why should I give you a chance now? You broke my poor heart once, no?"

Zero saw how the man that was addressed shivered at the call of his name. He was confused. Why was this menacing man suddenly afraid of such a comforting person? Who was she? He heard the term, "my lady", suggesting she was noble. A highborn.

He watched on, noticing Pu'er had raised his head slightly. Tears had gathered beneath him.

Was this the woman he had betrayed Daiyu for? It did not seem that simple.

"I-I have sinned, my lady. I got greedy! When they offered me so much that c-could aid my cultivation... Forgive me! Ahh forgive me!"

There was a stifling silence. Even Zero could feel the tension. A cool night wind drifted in, the lightless lanterns flickered again.

"Oh my dear! Have I made you cry? Oh no no. That was never my intention, Pu'er. Senior brother..."

Huh...

Pu'er raised his head, eyes fixated on the curtains. His expression was of shock and budding fear. He instantly bowed again, crashing his head against the floorboards so it splintered and he bled.

The scent of iron filled the room. "Anything, my lady! Ask of me anything! I have been in their ranks long enough. I will do anything you ask. I will deliver intel, I will...I will...just don't kill her..." Pu'er was sobbing now. It was a painful, throaty sound. His body rocked back and forth as he wept.

So this strange woman was in possession of the daughter Short soldier had mentioned?

"Kill her? Why would I? She is my niece. My family! Do you take me for a demon, Pu'er?!" The woman suddenly sounded infuriated. The energy in the room changed and the sickening sweet smell was turning foul. Zero's eyes widened from the intense and overbearing pressure he felt being in the room at that moment.

His whole being shook. He was slipping but he persevered.

It's not real, he told himself.

"I am no murderer, brother! Do you think because I have risen to power that I have lost my sense of morality?! Where is your shame? "

Silence. Pu'er wept on, shaking his head no repeatedly but saying nothing. He was afraid to say more to madden her.

"D-do you really think me cruel?"

"No! You are merciful, my lady. That is why I ask mercy! J-just give me a chance. I will prove it...I—"

"Shhh. Ahahaha! I have just the thing for you..."

Zero could hear dainty footsteps against the floors. She was coming towards them. The more she approached, the more pressure he felt.

He fell to the ground, bones creaking under the faux pressure. It was only a memory and yet so much chills ran through his body. His teeth clattered his stomach churned. It was like diving to the depths of the sea. His ears rang.

"You will go back to the Lilies of the dark. You will go into their ranks once more and you will bring me the Piece."

Zero coughed out blood. It splattered on the ground. He was now lying face flat on the ground, bones mushing. He could not see, but the woman had crossed the partition.

Her dainty footsteps passed him to where Pu'er lay. "Do this and sweet Meimei will live. She will live either way, but it wouldn't be a life worth living, aha! I am not cruel. I would never take a life, hehe!"

She turned back on her heels, heading back in Zero's direction.

She paused directly in front of where he shook on the ground, unable to move.

"Huh...why do I feel like there is someone else here?"

Silence.

"Well, whoever you are, I'm sure we will meet very soon! Haha!"

And like a child, she skipped away.

Zero's head felt like it had sustained thousands of blows. Immediately, his consciousness ripped from the scene and retracted away from Pu'er's mind. It felt like he had been struck by thunder. The force he used in withdrawing plus the repulsion from the Golden core sent him flying straight through the tree he was backed up against and west of the route they had been on.

He landed in a pile of fallen leaves and snow, bruised.

Back at the tree, Pu'er staggered and fell to the ground, wheezing and bleeding dark mana. He knew he was mutating and it had made him weak to whatever had just been done to him.

He felt like his soul had been torn, albeit a little. It hurt, beyond any blow he had ever received. Even what remained of his Qi sea had rapidly diminished.

That boy...

His blood was boiling. Literally. Bubbles were forming underneath his skin. Some burst, sending blood and flesh flying. Maggots had even grown on these sores. He was mutating fast.

What had the boy done?!

He growled inhumanely, feeling himself consumed. The trees suddenly had faces and they seemed to laugh. Fear, anger, confusion and sorrow. Everything mixed within him and he howled painfully, failing to rise. His sea of Qi had been completely injured by what the boy had done, making it hard to fight the Mutation.

He growled once more, defeated, allowing the Mutation to completely devour him. Surrendering to the hungry aura of the mocking trees.

Zero did not know this had happened so he did not go back in that direction. He knew a little from Pu'er's scattered memories.

The youngsters and Yi, the scarred ma, were heading to a place. Somewhere he could find the Lilies of the dark.

Whoever they were, they had something the mysterious powerful lady wanted. If they could interest such a figure, surely they could have something for him?

The young man stumbled to his feet, deciding he would go back across the river and take his chances there than take another step further into this monstrous forest.

He moved back south, exhausted from the use of such a detrimental ability. Blood trickled down his nose, he did not bother wiping it away.

There was much more ahead for him.

Far away, in the darkened skies, half the moon peeked at him, taunting him.

The third quest was near. The twisted voice of the echo laughed.

Silly boy.