The Birth of the War Goddess

-So what's the report about?- asks Qin Luo, removing his armor in front of a mirror.

I press my palms on the table and clench my jaw, looking does on the paper without seating down, -Bad news?- he asks passing the shirt over his shoulder before throwing it in the dirty clothes sack -Yes and no-.

-What do you mean?- he strips his actions and comes behind me, leaning over my shoulder to watch at those papers spread out on the table -That's a long report...- I nod with a sigh, he grabs a bottle of alcohol and pours two cups. One hand on my shoulder as he offers me some wine -You won't be taking the evening off even if I implore you, so I might as well join you. Well then, let's have some wine and get down to business-

I turn around and take the cup, hitting his own with a smile -Err.... Wrong moment I guess- comes a voice from behind us, I turn and notice Shun and Zhou waiting on the entrance -Perfect moment actually, I need both of you- I hear Qin Luo sighing disappointed and moving away to dress up. I gulp down on the liquor and slam the cup on the table, spreading out the papers again -Zhou'Ge, go call for Xu Lei while I update Shun of the past events- -Sure- he bows down and leaves -There's a lot I have to tell you, take a seat-.

...

He remins silent for the whole time, only when talking about Dong Hu does he speak up again -I knew something was wrong with that man... I remember how obsessed he was with being your rival, as if we were training for fun and not to become comrades on the battlefield. Now I understand why... To think he infiltrated into our Army so easly...!- he clenches his fists over the table but manages to relax again -Anyway, I'm happy to see you doing well Lai'Er... Your powers were so unstable back then and you really like to challenge any authority above you haha I was extremely worried you would have gotten yourself kicked out soon or later-

Qin Luo chuckles beside me -Sorry sorry, it's just that his description is so accurate. You were like a scared wild puppy when I met you, biting and scratching everyone- I throw him a stare and he stops talking -My apologies...- -Anyway, let's get back to present. Shun, I hope you will collaborate with us... It wouldn't hurt to have one more man on our side, especially if it's some I trust- -Your side...?- he asks when the other two men enter the tend

-I'll explain in a second, everyone let's talk. General Cai shared a few words worth of notice with me... The new strategy has been approved and the General Wu agreed on asking his men for collaboration too, that's it for the first topic of the letter- -What strategy?- asks Shun -We need to display the enemy's head behind the camps to recognize possible sand men, that's how we call those puppet I told you before. Brave soldiers can behead the corpses themselves or bring them back to me to get it done- he rises his eyebrows -O oh... Uhm-

-Next. The new army seems to be reluctant in blending in with us due to my position. Their General and Commanders do not trust me due to the previous occurrence with General Li Yao and tried to steer doubts at the banquet, they also asked for me to be demoted as this high rank should be given only to trusted men with an official ceremony approved by The Emperor. Besides... General Cai has caught glimpses of an old accusation against me, some men in the new Armada thinks I'm working for the Enemy. General Cai is worried that they might reawaken the doubtful soldiers inside our Armada and make them turn against us... So I'm asked to be on my best behaviors-

I seat down and pour myself more liquor -If the distrust keeps spreading we'll find ourselves in a big mess...- I sigh -Not for me or my position, but for the war. We need the men to be united and work together now that we're facing such strong enemies, the more sand men appears the more difficult it would be. I'm afraid that going on like this, no matter what I discover or what strategy I come up with, nobody will obey anymore... And as we all know, I cannot fight against those men on my own. Even worst is if I get dragged back to the Imperial Capital on false accusations-

-We need to find a way to earn the men's trust without being too direct, I'm willing to help- says Qin Luo but Xu Lei stops him -Not you, you must stay as neutral as possible General Luo. Your situation might as well be just as unstable- he fronws at his sentence -You became a General after what happened to Li Yao and you've always been openly on ChangLai's side. Although you've been serving in this Army for many years and are trusted, it won't take much for those men to turn on you too due to her. You haven't been officially approved either, for now nobody said anything because you're one of them... But it could change in the blink of an eye-

-He's right- nods Zhou -They might even accuse you of colluding with her to overthrow the older General, since that topic seems quite important to them- -I agree, Qin Luo. I need you to be a General and keep your men together so we can move them however we need... General Tian is in a difficult position too, having relayed on my advices back then while I was still a nobody. People still believe I was toying with him for my own benefit, surely they were happy when I got sent away-I scoff -General Cai has a more stable position in the eyes of the men, but he's not loved by the Royals and apparently had some past beef with General Wu-

I stand back up and join my hands behind the back -It's only a matter of time before General Wu writes to The Emperor to have me demoted, we need to win over the men before that. So even as a simple soldier I will be able to have enough man power on my side to end this war, or at least enough people to vouch in for me if false accusations are loved against me. I MUST remine here on the battlefield, from now on every single battle will be crucial... I can weaken down those sand men enough for the soldiers to kill them, we need to work together to not be overthrown by the enemy-

-Buy how? We're talking about thousands of men. And it's not just s matter of trust here, some are even bearing ill intent... Showing your powers won't work anymore, that might even be used against you Lai'Er- he comes in front of me and grabs both my shoulder -Do you have a plan? Because I can't come up with any- I look him in the eyes -No, I don't- -So all this talking was useless?- I shake my head -That's why I'm asking for your help. We'll think about something, one step a time... But I still have a backup plan just in case- he frowns confused -What? If the worst outcome becomes real, you'll be sent back and get arrested- I smirk -But will I go?-

-What do you mean?- -I'm not gonna waste time and let them take me back to get investigated- he distances himself -Lai'Er, this is against the law! You might be sentenced to death!- -Then am I supposed to wasted hundreds of days and leave everyone to die?! They can kill me after I put an end to this war if they really want to! They won't be able to catch me anyway- -You seriously plan on becoming a fugitive? You won't be able to solve anything on your own out there, you can't fight all of THAT alone- the other men remins silent as they witness the scene -I'll go directly to the source then, I'll find that Monarch and end him-

He shakes me -Lai'Er... I can't and won't stop you, but- -I know, this is my last resort Qin Luo, I know I'm not invincible and I need the soldiers... So let's try to come up with a better solution before anything happens- I turn around -I think that's all I had to say, everyone- -You should go and ask HIM, I hate it but he might help us now- murmurs Qin Luo

-Him?- asks Shun toward Zhou who sighs -I'll explain later...-

-Mhn, I will then- -I'll be waiting for you, as always, Lai'Er...- he whispers between us, passing an hand over my arm.