Chi Myst'wing

"It takes three days of walk to Kinma City," said Vincere. "We need transport. Equine perhaps, two for each of us."

"Where can we find it?"

"There usually has pa.s.sing carriages or wagons this morning from the town nearby. We stop the pa.s.sing carriage and take their equines."

"It is like a broad day robbery!" Chi was taken aback and half-disappointed at what Vincere had said.

"What about the attack on Imperiare? Whom to justify that? Taking their horses is no worse than the attack. Besides that, we are now fugitives. That makes no difference."

"Then, you are no different from them! Goodbye then." Chi spoke, with a frown that made Vincere yielded in desperation.

"Alright, we borrow then. After that, we return the equines to the merchants."

"We"ll return the equines to the wild. The equines were kidnapped from the wild."

"I agreed with you, Chi." Vincere grinned to Chi and Chi returned him her smile that made him feels a slight discomfort again.

They had reached the main route to wait for any unlucky merchant. Not long, a carriage driven by a merchant appeared at the far side of the route. The carriage moved with a rattling sound, carrying farm produce. Chi and Vincere stood right in the middle of the route to stop the merchant.

When the carriage reached a short distance before Chi and Vincere, the merchant pulled the equines" rein, stopping his carriage.

"Could you trade your equines for us?" said Vincere.

The merchant raised his long brow, looking questioned. At first, he was reluctant to give away his equines. When Chi offered her produce for exchange, the merchant was more than glad to accept her offer and traded for his two equines.

With the equines, they began their travel. The equines galloped fast as the wind whipped on their faces. "I have never travel by equine before," said Chi. It was not a comfortable journey with an equine that she got rocked and shaky when she rides it. Immediately, she recalled Nuwa had travelled with an equine a long time ago, and this was how all she felt.

When the Sol was about to sink in the western horizon, they could see a small dot of Kinma City. As they rode toward the city, the dot appeared bigger until they could see the city"s oriental architecture and they were marvelled at the grand designs of the entrance, tower and fortification. However, under Sol"s red light, the wall was reddish and at each side of the gate hung a banner of black and an equine neighing in red.

"Finally, we reached Kinma City, the City Around the Lake and the Alliance." Vincere looked at the entrance with a vast glad on his face.

"Papa," said Chi. "Me hope this is a part of the journey."

"Of course, this is the part of the journey," said Vincere. "We are going to join the a.s.sembly."

Somehow, Chi felt that Vincere could never understand her voice with her papa. She kept silent instead.

They both released both equines to the forest nearby. Their long journey was exhausting that they decided to take rest outside the capital. They rested throughout the night.

When Chi slept, she saw her papa stood before her, with Kinma City at the background. She leapt from her sleeping net and hugged her papa.

Her papa said, "Yes, Chi-dear. This is a part of the journey. Go with the flow. Join the tournament…"

"Papa, there"s no tournament. There is only an a.s.sembly."

"Chi-dear, soon there will be. Go with the flow. Your path will be revealed every time you step forward."

"Papa, me miss mama."

"Chi-dear, mama is alright. Time will come when Chi can reunite with mama."

"Papa…"

Chi awoke, and she felt how short the night and had her morning exercise. It was perhaps predestined. Vincere never even mentioned the tournament, only the a.s.sembly. Perhaps, her papa had mistaken. She knew she shall go with the flow, and everything would be revealed. Soon, Vincere awoke, and they had breakfast.

When they looked at the city again, the city appeared white, and the black banner and the red equine"s head was, in fact, blue and gold under daylight.

"The a.s.sembly is today," said Vincere. "But we need to disguise first before we enter. Otherwise, we can be easily be identified."

"Worry no, me have something that could be helpful." Chi took out from her bag a small bottle of clear liquid.

"What is it?"

"This, thanks again to Sister Nuwa," said Chi as she uncapped it. A steam of vapour rose from the bottle"s opening. "It"s the water from Nuwa"s Sanctuary. She took it from the lake of transformation. Just imagine someone and take only a drop. It can last for an hour."

Chi took a drop, then she pa.s.sed it to Vincere, and he also took a drop. "It"s very refreshing and sweet like a fruit juice." Vincere seemed as if he wished for more.

"For a kind-hearted people, the water tastes sweet. But for the one with an evil heart, it tastes like something you wouldn"t put it inside your mouth." Chi realised Vincere"s face was transforming in a slow process to a square shape, his eyes widened and nose flattened. Now, Vincere"s look was like the merchants whom they robbed yesterday. Chi took out a mirror to look at herself. At the mirror, she looked like Nuwa.

They entered Kinma City. The first thing that Chi noticed was there were more large buildings and more Cyaians, like a larger version of Well-met Town. She felt herself like a deer-which-had-entered-city.

"Can you behave normally, Chi? You"re attracting attention," said Vincere as he repressed his voice.

"Me has always act normally."

"Now you behave like you have come out from the jungle."

"Yes, really feel like that. Me never see all this before." Chi looked everywhere and at everything with awe on her face.

The duo had walked for some time, pa.s.sing through crowds, stalls and buildings with no idea of what and whom to seek. Unknown to them, they had reached the city centre. There was a crowd which gathering around a wooden board, and they hurried to see what was on the board.

Wanted: Theft 1000 xillars reward

Chi glanced at the wanted poster with Vincere"s face and turned to see Vincere gaped. Then, she turned back to the board to see another poster.

Wanted dead or alive: Demoness 10,000 xillars reward.

"Excellent artwork," said Chi. From her look, she was impressed by her wanted-poster. Immediately she felt the weight of many eyes on her.

Vincere was so irritated that he dragged Chi away from the ma.s.ses of Cyaians until they reached an alley. "Quiet, Chi. You had spoken too loudly.��

"The portrait of mine is wonderful."

"Yes, of course. It is drawn based on descriptions from the people who had seen you. You can take one if you wish." Vincere sighed. He then turned away from Chi. "Looks like the news spread so fast."

"Me is wanted dead?" said Chi. She was dumbfounded. "How could this be happening?"

"That"s because you are Chi, the most dangerous demoness," said Vincere in a mocking-like tone.

"Me not a demoness, but a mystic," said Chi solemnly.

"Whatever rocks your boat sweetie," said Vincere. "Now we are wanted. And your head has the most reward."

"Anyway, we need to be more careful. Just Zhu Ming alone will not cause us any harm. Now the whole country is after us."

"I thought Zhu Mind is only after you," said Vincere. "But never mind. We have already transformed ourselves."

"Yes, but we shall not let our guard down. If we act very strange, we would have attracted suspicion."

"That was you, Chi," said Vincere, half amuse when Chi giggled. "Although you are now famous, there is no way your mama could hear from you. Even if your mama could, she still a redragon and she never drink that water, which means your mama would be in danger whenever she goes."

"Me just afraid my mama couldn"t recognize me in this form."

It was noon when Vincere"s stomach growled. "I have enough beans and muesli. How about we eat noodles?"

"Yes, me love that too. But do you have any xillar? We need them to eat."

Vincere sighed. "I almost forgot. Both of us had entered jail for stealing. Forget it. Let"s have beans and muesli instead."

"Well," said Chi as she patted her bag. "Probably we can sell some of the produce from Nuwa"s garden."

They headed to a nearby market, and they were lucky to find an empty stall there. Chi took out some of the produce from her bag and displayed a variety of foods from Nuwa"s Sanctuary. Vincere was so bemused that Chi had shown such an incredibly large amount from her small bag. She could tell that Vincere was interested in her bag. "Fresh and organic produce! Get them while available!" The fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts: all looked fresh and attracted many Cyaians.

Eventually, the commotion from the Cyaians who were gathering around the stall had attracted the city official.

"Please show me your business doc.u.ment," said the city official. His canine face looked menacing, and that made Vincere startled that he opened his mouth, but no word came out.

"What is a business doc.u.ment?" said Chi.

"It"s the city council"s permission to allow you to have business here. If you don"t have, you need to stop your business right now!"

"Sorry, sir. We don"t have," said Vincere.

"Then, you all need to…"

"What is a city council?" said Chi, looking puzzled.

The official narrowed his eyes. His face hint that he pondered if the lady really does not know or she had acted dumb.

"The city council is…"

"Sorry sir," said Vincere so sudden. "We will stop our business right now. And sorry for causing sir so much trouble."

"Alright, then." The official turned and walked away.

"Sorry, we have to stop our business now." Their customers began to disappear one by one. They then placed the remaining produce back into Chi"s bag and hurried away from the stall.

"Looks like we have earned enough for a couple of months living. Nuwa"s produce is really profitable." Vincere was so happy after he had finished counting the profit.

"The produce will finish soon," said Chi. "We don"t sell for a lifetime. Me is here to find my mama. Once me find my mama, me will return to Nuwa"s Sanctuary."

"Chi, I can"t be sure how long before we will find your mama. Probably more than a month, a half year perhaps. We ought to find a way to survive. Besides that, I need to make sure my papa"s wishes are fulfilled. For now, let"s find someplace to eat."

"Let"s go." Chi looked so clueless. All the Nuwa"s produce was for her alone for months. She never expected to meet Vincere, who he had shared her food and had sold half of her food for profit. Maybe that profit could help her survive for a few more months. She could remember what Sister Nuwa had spoken to her: The Universe will always take care of you. Probably it was the Universe"s arrangement for her to meet Vincere which he would help her to find her mama. And was she meant to help Vincere to fulfil her papa"s wish?

They found an eatery not far away. It was half occupied by Cyaians of different races. Upon entering, they could smell the atmosphere of the eatery fresh with baked and fried foods. And they went to sit at a table located beside a big wooden-framed window.

A bear-like grizzyursa came on two-foot and pa.s.sed them menu book and took their order. Chi and Vincere ordered the cheapest meal – dried noodles. Once their food arrived, Vincere gobbled it as if he hadn"t eaten for days while Chi thanked for the food and ate at her usual rate.

"After this, we need to begin finding jobs," said Vincere.

"What job you think we can do?"

"Perhaps joining a business with you," said Vincere, "From the profit, we earn from your produce, it is enough to start a business."

"Vincere, have you forgot Imperiare and Lord Amo?" said Chi. "And me need to find my mama."

"Of course not, one day I shall avenge Lord Amo. But now what we must think of is how to survive. If we couldn"t survive, how can we think of avenging my papa and finding your mama?"

"Looks like you still remember. Don"t worry. The Universe always will help us. Me know you can avenge your papa and me can find my mama."

"Yes, Chi. We will."

"Me had met my papa in the dream, and he said to me, go with the flow. The path will be revealed whenever we step forward."

Vincere was speechless, just nodded his head silently. "No wonder you said about your papa that night."

At that moment, a group of four Cyaians entered the eatery. Four of them had furs on their bare bodies, all walking with their rear foot. Everyone laid their eyes on them. They carried sharp weapons with them as though they were going for a battle. They placed their weapons on the table with loud clangs, they settled themselves and ordered some jars of wine.

"Hump!" said the leo as he smacked the square table in rage, making several Cyaians jumped. "What a tiresome journey! And the city guard just stopped us like we have come from far to cause trouble. Why shouldn"t we carry weapons?"

"Don"t worry Brother Goldmane," said the tigris. "We shall inform this to our lord. Let the city guard be punished severely."

"You"re right, Brother Ironclaw!"

"So, Brother Longhorn," said Goldmane. "What so special about this a.s.sembly?"

The waiter carried a tray with several jars of wine and placed the tray on the table. As the ram was about to take the wine, his brother asked him a frustrating question, and he rebuffed his brother. "Brother Goldmane, you always forget everything we said. This is an emergency a.s.sembly!"

Then, the rhino patted to relief his ram brother. He turned to his leo brethren and began to speak. "Brother Goldmane, this a.s.sembly is to elect the new alliance leader. Suppose the leader should be the Vincere, but he left his lord papa fought Lord Amo alone."

At the mention of the name "Vincere", Chi glanced at Vincere who was gritting his teeth with fury. He said, "that"s why I come here for."

"Isn"t it what you had said that no one in the alliance is to be trusted?"

"I know what to do. Inside the alliance, only I could find out the traitor who had betrayed my papa."

"Isn"t that a dangerous thing to do?"

Vincere didn"t answer Chi. Instead, he continued to listen to the group"s conversation.

"Now the alliance is under the unworthy Benevence. He only took power after he pretended like he is not worthy for the leadership. Lord Phopo is more capable and more powerful than the useless leader. It"s good that Lord Phopo force the useless leader to organise this a.s.sembly."

"Yes, hail Lord Phopo!" said all of the group together.

"Probably, he was the one who has caused the death of my papa," said Vincere with his voice soft enough that only Chi could listen. His hand was shaking with fury.

"Vincere," said Chi. "We have no proof that he is the one though he wishes to covet the leader t.i.tle."

"BURP!!!"

Ironclaw had a natural reflex after he had finished his meal. "I"m full… let"s find some entertainment." The rhino nodded with widened eyes and grin.

"Brother Spikehorn," said Longhorn. "There"s a new friend there."

Chi could hear them talked about her. They even pointed toward her, but she feigned ignorant but then, Longhorn had already made a way toward her.

"Stop it, you pervert!"

A loud voice came from another side of the eatery. Chi and Vincere turned and saw a greendragon sitting there with his furious face locked at those group of four. The greendragon looked familiar; Chi knew she had seen him before, but she couldn"t recall where and when.

"Look, I remember him! He"s one of Lord Amo"s followers." Goldmane spoke as he pointed to the greendragon.

"I"m not his follower anymore." The greendragon said, "I had left Solluna any Sols ago."

"Who"ll believe you anyway? You are Lord Amo"s trusted follower," said Ironclaw, who looked so pompous. "You had trashed many alliance heroes before. Now, you shall pay for what Lord Amo"s had done to Imperiare City."

"Those really are hypocrites. Now, I am no more…"

The greendragon hadn"t finished his sentence, but the group of four had grabbed their weapons and charged. Ironclaw swiped his metal claw at the greendragon as fast as a shadow. The greendragon"s reflex was much faster than he could evade without any difficulty and he gave Ironclaw a punch. Ironclaw stumbled a few steps backwards and was about to fall. His leg stumbled Spikehorn"s leg and they both fall with a loud crash.

"You Lord Amo"s dog!" Goldmane bellowed.

When Vincere saw Longhorn raised his war hammer and was about to pummel the greendragon, he sprang fast into action. With the skills he learnt from Chi, he jerked the Longhorn"s hand… the hammer slipped from his hand, and Vincere pushed Longhorn at his body, and he fell.

The greendragon was startled when he noticed someone behind him had fallen. Goldmane was the last to stand. He was huge and muscular, hacking all the way with his axe. The dragon ducked and pull Goldmane"s leg by one swipe and tripped him down.

Chi felt disgusted when Longhorn gave her a smile and called her, "Sweety." The ram had said in a sweet voice that even Vincere could feel his hair stands.

"Stop it, or I will hurt this la.s.s!" said Spikehorn.

The hoa.r.s.e voice was loud behind Chi, and she felt a pressure on her shoulder. With her reflex, she thrust her elbow backwards and Spikehorn crashed on the floor behind her.

"Hey, stop it, you bad girl!" said Ironclaw.

Chi could be sure she was being called the bad girl. Ironclaw now made his way toward her as his fist readied to strike her… She saw it and deflected it back to his face, with him mewled in pain. Then, Goldmane came with a tantrum, and she guided Ironclaw"s fist toward Goldmane"s face, and he whimpered with pain. She then guided Goldmane"s fist back to Ironclaw"s face, and he mewled. She guided both fists between two warriors several times back and forth; ouch, ouch and ouch again that she found enjoyment from that and chuckled. Once she had enough, she swung back her hands and pushed both Ironclaw and Goldmane away from the eatery. Both of them landed on hard ground that they grumbled in pain.

Vincere and the greendragon, almost burst to laughter when they watched how Chi had handled them.

"So, with Chi"s skill, I can also do like that to them," said Vincere to himself.

As the four Cyaians groaned with pain and bruises, as they made their way out of the eatery. Before they left, they muttered, "You all sc.u.m of the Eastern Land. Wait till my lord knows of you three. Our lord will teach you all a lesson!"

"Who is your lord?" said Zhanshi.

"Lord Phopo!" said Ironclaw. "This is the last name you ever wanted to hear!"

Then, loud triumphant shout burst from the Cyaians around them. It seemed that everyone was so glad that the group of four had been trashed. "Hope they won"t come back," said the grizzlyursa. "They always come and eat but never pay."

"Chi, you can have a martial arts cla.s.s," said Vincere. "Impart your skills to the Cyaians here so that they can defend themselves. By this, you can earn a living too."

"But me want to be an artist. The wanted-poster of me was beautifully drawn," said Chi. "Me want to draw like that. But teaching is also good." Chi noticed the greendragon who had been pondering by himself for some time now.

Vincere came nearer to the greendragon and said, "excuse me, are you alright?" And the greendragon was snapped out of his reverie. "Oh, yes. The group righteous troublemakers had been bashed by us." Vincere nodded.

"What has happened to your faces, both of you?" said the greendragon.

Only that Chi realised it had been an hour since they drank the transformation water and the effect had worn out. Chi glanced at Vincere"s face and saw his face was now dirty and smoggy.

"Well, that"s our true face," said Vincere, smiling with so much awkwardness.

"We had drunk the transformation water," said Chi. "It transformed our appearance-based to the image in our mind, and it lasts for only an hour."

The greendragon now gazed at Chi, making her feel slight discomfort, and she heard he spoke to himself. "Your eyes so familiar..."

"What are you saying?" said Vincere.

"Sorry, my name is Yu Zhanshi. It"s an honour to meet you two. Both of you are daring enough to teach them some lessons they won"t forget."

"Mine is Vin," said Vincere. "Vindicta Patriarca."

At the moment Vincere introduced himself, Chi took a quick glance at Vincere.

"Sir Patriarca, it"s my honour meeting you. How about you, lady?"

"Mine is Chi Myst"wing."

"Lady Myst"wing," said Zhanshi.

"Just skipped the propriety. Just address me Chi."

"Yes, Chi and Vindicta."

"Zhanshi, from what they said, you were in Solluna tribe, aren"t you?"

"Yes, I was," said Zhanshi. "That was about ten years ago. I left Solluna to seek a worthy master to serve."

"What do you think of Lord Benevence?" said Vincere.

"He"s a benevolent lord," said Zhanshi. "I am here to join the alliance a.s.sembly to serve Lord Benevence."

"I"m here to join the meeting too," said Vincere. "I want to serve under Lord Benevence for the good of the Eastern Land."

"Looks like both of us has the same purpose," said Zhanshi. He looked that he was so pleased that the three of them had an affinity to meet in this very place thought they all came from different locations. And moreover, they had the same aspiration – for the good of the Eastern Land.

Both Zhanshi and Vincere now looked at Chi as if wanting her to affirm her purpose here. "Well… me join the alliance to… serve and maintain the peace of the Eastern Land." Her voice was restricted. It was because she felt forced to do something that she wasn"t willing to. She just wanted to find her mama and then live a carefree life. That was what she ever wanted. Zhanshi nodded to her n.o.ble intention, and that made Chi felt herself like a two-faced hypocrite.

"Well then, let"s go together," said Zhanshi. "The meeting is about to start."

"Yes. Let"s go, Zhanshi," said Vincere. "Lord Phopo has come to the a.s.sembly too. He never joined any alliance meeting before. The reason he joins is that he wanted to seek a leadership position."

"I know of Lord Phopo," said Zhanshi. "Though his power and strength may rival Lord Benevence, he lacks virtue if compared to Lord Benevence."

"It"s hard for Lord Benevence to gain support even if Lord Phopo hadn"t come," said Vincere. "There are many lords who are interested in gaining support. Some of them are more persuasive than Lord Benevence."

"This is what happening today," said Zhanshi, with a sigh. "The one who lacks virtues but is persuasive gains more support than the one who is virtuous."

The trio left the eatery. Zhanshi and Vincere were walking side by side, talking and exchanging opinions. At the same time, Chi followed behind, listening to their every talk.

They had reached the city centre. A large crowd ama.s.sed around a stage under the Sol. Thought the Sol was high, the temperature was cold and breezy since it was the spring season. Everyone was looking head up to a Cyaian who was standing upright. His snow-white robe swished along the stream of wind.

"That is Lord Benevence," said Vincere, looking at Chi.

Chi looked up the stage and saw several lords seated behind Lord Benevence. Behind each lord, there were several followers and the banner with different sigils and colours.

"My fellow brothers," said Lord Benevence. "I"m sorry to have an emergency call for this a.s.sembly. We all know Eastern Land is in great peril, and I"m sure everyone knows about the attack on the Imperiare City which had late Lord Imperiare killed. His son, Prince Vincere is now nowhere to be seen. Whether he is still alive or dead, we have no idea. Lord Amo believes he is still alive somewhere and thus, he ordered attacks on neighbouring villages to find him and the half-treasure piece. This, of course, has caused fear in every Cyaian. And there are also constant attacks on the Eastern Coast by the redragons. Last year, we heard the attack on goatmen…"

Everyone was silent, listening to each and every word spoken by Lord Benevence.

"… thus, to maintain peace and unity," said Lord Benevence. "We must elect a new leader."

Then, a lion who stood with its" hind legs rose from his seat. The banner behind him was a sigil of a silver leo"s head on a black background.

"That��s Yexin Phopo," said Vincere, turning to Chi.

Lord Phopo"s silver body glared under the bright Sol, radiating an aura of pride and arrogance. He stood as tall as Lord Benevence. Most of the Cyaians stood below echoed, "Lord Phopo! Lord Phopo."

Now n.o.body paid any attention to Lord Benevence that he forced to return to his seat, sighed with dismay on his face.

"My fellow brethren," said Lord Phopo as he glanced at Lord Benevence. "I"m deeply concerned about our current situation right now. We do really need a leader now, to lead us and guide us toward peace. He must have the most support and the strongest to help maintain peace, not the one who is benevolent and righteous. Can benevolence and righteousness make Lord Amo fear and respect us?"

"NOOO!!!" The crowd shouted loud to answer.

"Can benevolent and righteousness maintain peace?"

"NOOO!!!"

"Only strength and power will make Lord Amo fear!"

"YESSS!!!"

"Thus, my brethren, vote me as the new leader of the alliance!"

"Lord Phopo! Lord Phopo!" The roar of Phopo"s supporters was so loud that even those who stood outside the city could hear the roar.

"I disagree!" said a warrior in silver armour as he stood up. "Though you are just a rank after Lord Benevence, you never respect everybody. Since that, you never gain our respect and our support. And you never respect and obey the late Lord Imperiare. I, as a matter of fact, did respect the late Lord Imperiare. I believe I deserve to be the new leader!" And he raised his hand to nominate himself. "Venerable Lord Mag"knight!" He spoke while he soothed his sharp brown moustache, glancing and grinning at his supporters.

"That makes you worthy of being a follower!" said a big and muscular Cyaian, in a mocking tone. His body was toned with a colour similar to the earth, and he stood taller than Lord Phopo and Lord Mag"knight. "Moghul Earthshaker! I will make Lord Amo shaking with fear!" And all the Earthshaker"s followers roared.

"Lady Felixia!" A feline in a black suit stood up and spoke. This time, the roar for the cat lady was less prominent.

"Lord Phopo has the most supporters in the alliance," said Vincere. "Thought he is a rank below Lord Benevence, he could be the leader with the support of the majority. Perhaps he knows once he has the majority, he incited the attack on Imperiare City to make my papa… and chaos in the Eastern Land. Then, he could win with the majority support." Vincere was now gritting with fury.

"Vincere," said Chi. "That is only your a.s.sumption. We don"t have any proof…"

"For this thing, we need no proof. This is politics. Who will have the most benefit once my papa is death?"

Zhanshi nodded as Chi was silent. She knew the answer would be Lord Phopo.

Chi, Vincere and Zhanshi both continued to look at the stage. They could see Lord Benevence"s disappointed face, shaking his face as there were so many lords wanted to be the new leader. The a.s.sembly became more chaotic as more and more lords nominated themselves. Everyone wanted only to lead and never to follow.

"I"m Vincere Imperiare, the only son and heir to the late Lord Imperiare!"

It wasn"t Vincere. Someone had spoken behind Chi and Vincere. Everyone turned to the source of the voice – a young man in a blue robe with golden embroidery of an eagle; a royal Imperiare outfit. Everyone then stepped aside to give way for the prince of Imperiare as he made his way toward the stage.

"How funny the world works," said Chi. "The real one wishes to be someone else, while the fake one wishes to be the real one." Chi had a mocking gaze at Vincere that he "shhhed" Chi. Zhanshi looked clueless at Chi and Vincere"s strange antics, and instead, he said, "let"s see what will happen."

Upon seeing the prince, every lord on the stage exploded with rage. "You naïve and impotent! You coward ran away when Lord Amo attacked the alliance! Where are you when Lord Amo attacked and ma.s.sacred all the villagers?" Every lord bombarded the newly came Vincere. "And after all this time missing, you just show yourself and claim to be the leader?" Now, the crowd, including the lords, looking at one another. They all agree to what had just been spoken. A commotion burst out from among the group while Chi, Vincere and Zhanshi were still, looking on the stage.

"Silence!"

Everyone stopped talking and turned to see who had spoken – Lord Benevence. He stood and looked at the crowd. "I believe Prince Vincere have faced many difficulties to come here." He then turned toward the Imperiare prince who was nodding his head. "There must be a great reason why Vincere need to hide. Fear and unrest happen everywhere. Citizens and civilians put hope in us to maintain peace. But we still here fighting with one another and for the leadership. The alliance is already weakened with the demise of the late Lord Imperiare. If we continue like this, we are going to crumble even without Lord Amo attack us."

The crowd below muttered in agreement to what Lord Benevence has spoken but not the lords on the bench.

"I vote for Lord Vincere Imperiare," said Lord Benevence. "And those who wish to vote Lord Imperiare, raise your hand." Lord Benevence raised his hand, and the crowd raised theirs too.

Zhanshi raised his hand too. "Lord Imperiare!" The real Vincere raised his hand also, speaking his name aloud, "Vincere Imperiare" but he had actually voted the fake one. Chi raised hers too, for the fake one. "Lord Imperiare!" And she spotted a smirk on the face of the real Vincere.

All the lords except Lord Benevence were dissatisfied seeing so many citizens raised their hands to vote for Lord Imperiare. The vote was the majority that it could represent the voice of the people. All the defeated lords had resented stares Lord Imperiare and Lord Benevence. Lord Phopo himself had his hostile gaze set on Lord Imperiare, as if he was going to eat him up.

"So, it is obvious," said Lord Benevence. "The new alliance leader is Lord Imperiare!"

The crowd roared out loud. "Lord Imperiare! Lord Imperiare!" Even Zhanshi and Vincere were roaring. Chi was not used to roaring. She just kept herself silent.

Lord Imperiare kept thanking his supporters. He felt as though he was at the top of the world that yelled and raised both his hands as though he had won his greatest fighting compet.i.tion.

The real Vincere, of course, was so displeased about the fake one that he face-palmed on himself. "It"s so embarra.s.sing. I regret ever voted for him…"

Lord Earthshaker hit his bench hard. Feeling disgruntled, he goggled at the crowd and in an instant, he set a gaze at Zhanshi. "I remember him, he"s from Solluna"s tribe. He"s under Lord Amo! And he comes to sow discord among us!"

"Not, anymore!" said Zhanshi, clenching his teeth hard. "I have left Solluna many Sols ago!"

"Ah! You admitted yourself from Solluna tribe," said Lord Earthshaker. "No one could ever leave Solluna unless he dies. So, you"re still a Solluna"s where ever you go!"

Zhanshi was speechless, having lost his words to retort Earthshaker.

"We shall not question the past of an individual, we must look at his present"s deed." Lord Benevence spoke while everyone was silent. "I believe this warrior had helped a lot with maintaining peace. I have heard stories about you, my friend. And what have done for the Land, Lord Earthshaker?"

"Hmmph!" Lord Earthshaker looked like a real sore loser when he stood, jerked out his head, roaring at everyone. All his followers did the same, following what their leader did, shouting at the crowd like some savages. Then, the whole bunch of savages descended the stage and disappeared among the crowd.

"Lord Imperiare! Long live Imperiare!" The crowd continued. All the leaders stood, and they left. Lord Benevence congratulated the jolly-looking Lord Imperiare and led him away, descending the stage and disappeared.

The crowd supporting Lord Imperiare soon dispersed with their cheers of support dwindled. The a.s.sembly ended as well as the day. The Sol now hung low at the western sky, and it appeared that the Sol had travelled in a path tilted to the south. Zhanshi bid Chi and Vincere farewell before he left.

Chi and Vincere had dinner of baked beans. "I still can"t believe I had voted that Vincere." It was clear that he was still displeased about that fake Imperiare with his degrading behaviour. "It is not you, Vincere. Just ignore it." Chi had no idea why Vincere was so mortified. That night, before she slept, she could hear Vincere mumbling and kept turning around.