Gates of Destiny (1)

Chapter 32: Gates of Destiny (1)

"Where do you want me to go?" Liam asked, incredulous at Kaiser's words.

"To the Xin Empire," Kaiser replied, seated in his armchair in the emperor's office.

"Where is that?"

The emperor stretched and took a deep breath. Looking at his personal agent, he answered, "A new empire created by the deserters from Mikoto. They sent a letter requesting our help."

"Why would we help them? They're deserters. This is Mikoto's problem."

Kaiser slammed his hand on a map on the table, pointing to the border between the two rival empires.

"There are about three thousand deserters. They're stationed at the border, in the Zang Wei fortress. They deserted for reasons they didn't mention, but they want our help to expand their territory and gain independence from Mikoto. In return, they'll provide us with unique information about our rival. When the letter was sent, they were in conflict against the general…"

"This sounds like a trap."

"Yes. That's why I'm sending you. If it's really a trap, leave no trace behind. Just don't die."

"Do you think the demons will kill me?"

"Be careful, Liam. There are the powerful 'Kishin no Kozui.'" Kaiser scratched his throat. The two stared at each other as the emperor held back a laugh. Bringing his hand to his face, Liam let out a muffled laugh, and Egon burst into laughter. "But seriously. Be careful. Take a translator with you. See you."

Liam nodded and left the room. Outside, James was waiting, sitting on a windowsill. The two exchanged glances before walking down the castle corridor.

"What did he say…"

"Just follow me," Liam ordered, not even giving James a chance.

Xin Empire, 867 A.E.

76 hours of travel later.

The new empire only dominates a small mountain range called "Tiānshān" (Celestial Range). The empire's only city is in a valley at the center of the range. The city was named "Guanwei," in reference to one of the generals who aided in the conspiracy.

Since arriving a few minutes ago, Liam noticed several carts bringing injured people and others in chains. He couldn't help but notice what differentiated the two races, even though they were both human: the narrow, small eyes, and the more yellowish skin tone.

Liam tried to understand. If they're of the same race, sharing the same history, why are they separated? Just because of skin color and features? To be honest, he never cared about appearances, only about what's inside. That's why, for him, people who at least pretend not to care about feelings are the best. At least until that day, that was his mindset.

Suddenly, the general felt a tug on his black pants. Liam looked down, curious but showing no surprise. His eyes met those of a fragile child. Before the general could react, a woman covered in rags grabbed the girl and distanced herself from Liam, clearly apologizing for something.

Liam's mouth remained open; he thought about saying something, but there was no time. Two soldiers appeared and invited him to the district.

Upon arriving at the small district, Liam and James were introduced to General Li Minghua. A tall, robust man, covered in a hanfu. His hair was long and white, his eyes closed due to his blindness.

Without much ado, Li Minghua explained the current situation to Liam.

The Mikoto Empire, fearing that the inhabitants of the Xin Empire would leak specific information about them, had been desperately trying to annihilate a single district for two weeks. Meanwhile, the Xin Empire was not only managing to handle the attacks but also rescuing enslaved prisoners from Mikoto.

After all, the Xin Empire is nothing more than the Zhuang people. Distant descendants of what they believe to be the creator of all things. The people of Mikoto and the Zhuang people have always treated each other as enemies, precisely because they have different and opposing cultures. Yet, they shared territory illegally…

The Zhuang people are constantly enslaved and treated as inferior to all humans by the Mikoto people. Liam connected this to the chained men and women he saw earlier, deducing that they were rescued slaves from Mikoto.

Li Minghua himself asked for Egon's help, Mikoto's greatest enemy, fearing that Mikoto would use its greatest weapon against the Xin Empire: the Kishin no Kozui (The Colossi of Kishin). Colossal and extremely powerful demons. Kishin was the first of them, which is why he became the all-powerful king.

In exchange for Liam and James's help, the Zhuang people would tell Egon everything he wanted to know about Mikoto.

"General Liam," Li Minghua called. The translator Liam brought with him translated what Li Minghua said. "May I give you a gift?"

"Depends," Liam replied.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but… Your kingdom doesn't have divine weapons, right?" Li Minghua inquired.

"No. We only have common weapons fortified by spells…"

"I see. In that case… Let me give you a divine sword. The skin of the Kishin no Kozui is harder than any material."

"I can nullify that."

"No, you can't," Li Minghua retorted. "To kill a Kishin, you must not destroy what is physical, but what is metaphysical. The only way to kill a Kishin is to kill its soul first. In other words…"

"I kill. No one escapes my laws."

Li Minghua waited for the translator and tried to process Liam's arrogance.

"No one is above divine laws…"

"Only the one who is above magic. Forgive me for going against your belief, but even the heavens are beneath me. However, yes. I accept your gift, honorably."

"Come with me," Li Minghua called, sighing at the general.

The sunset illuminated the peak of the highest mountain in the Tiānshān range. From the edge, the entire district and the valley where it's located were covered in a dense fog. A staircase wound around the mountain, alongside several torii gates. At the top was a temple dedicated to the lord creator of all things: Zhuang.

The statue of Zhuang was just a hand holding a singularity, which would be the universe itself.

Li Minghua knelt before a stone altar. On this altar, a still-sheathed sword was bathed in sunlight. General Li prayed to the temple, asking for blessings for the sword, while Liam, tapping his foot on the ground, thought about how irrelevant all this was.

"Take a deep breath, general. It's a good way to ease anxiety," Li Minghua said.

"I knew there was something strange about you. You weren't even letting Leitzke translate my words," Liam complained. "What's the point of all this ritual?"

"I'm asking Zhuang, the creator of all things, to purify and bless the blade of your sword."

"If you need to ask a god for help, then you're more disappointing than I expected."

"Hm… Liam Mason. Don't you believe in Egon's God?"

"No. I believe no being meets the requirements to be considered perfect."

"And must a creator necessarily be considered perfect?"

"If you treat him as all-powerful, then yes."

"Then… What is hell to you?" Li Minghua asked, rising from the altar.

Liam moved his head and used a bit of his mind to form something understandable for his concept.

"Life. I believe that what we go through during life is our hell, as it's made of pain and suffering. Heaven? That would be what comes after. Even though I think that heaven full of angels and good people is a tale told by the elders to keep hope alive, I believe even the burning world of the dead could be considered heaven for the wicked. However, an ideal heaven would be eternal rest."

"Where do you think you'll go after death?"

"I hope nowhere," Liam retorted.

"You'll be a hard man to change…"

"May I know why you're so interested in changing my view?"

"Seeing someone like you, young and with the power of the world in your hands like this, agonizes me. Dying with anguish and resentment would be a burden… One last question, what is the value of life to you?" Li Minghua asked in a soft tone, but with underlying hatred.

"None. Life has no value. It's something as complex as everything else, but as fragile as glass. I can't give meaning to something so… temporary."

"It's that fragility that gives life meaning. But I understand you, Liam Mason, a truly strong man. However, I recommend reflecting on your actions and measuring your words." Li Minghua began walking towards Liam, holding the sword in his hands.

"You're no god. And at some point, the reckoning will come. And a man like you shouldn't depart with such a… fictional thought."

"Uh-huh."

Liam received the sword. He drew it from its sheath, just to see what the combat style would be like. It was a traditional sword of the Zhuang people: with a straight, single-edged blade, almost the size of a katana. Its sheath was black with golden details, extending across the entire sheath and forming a ray of light. The hilt was made to be used with both hands. The guard was V-shaped, detailed with a pair of hands on each side.

Drawing the sword, the general raised it to the sky. The dawn's light reflected directly on the blade, briefly blinding Liam's eyes.

"It's divine grace. You should feel blessed under the heavens."

"No…" Liam retorted, still looking at the blade. "I'm too cursed to have that honor…"

"You should value yourself more."

"Where is the Kishin? I want to kill it quickly," Liam complained, uncomfortable.

"Patience is a virtue you should learn as well… Anyway, over there." Li Minghua pointed to the east. "Our defenses are weak. The walls will likely fall soon. The only way to prevent that is…"

"Killing the majority, capturing some. A war. How long to get there?"

"Minutes," Li Minghua replied.

"Then let's go."

"Before that… I have a question. What feeling comes to your mind when you're fighting? We always have some. But… What does the strongest fighter feel in a fight? Love? Anxiety? Insanity?"

"I don't know. I've never stopped to think about it."

"When this night is over, give me an answer."

The orange rays of the sunset illuminated a field bathed in blood and lifeless bodies. A region decimated, consumed by flames. To ancient beliefs, this sight could be called "hell." In the end, only Liam and what could be called a false deity remained.