“That got their attention!”

Sledding across the snowy plains, they were chased by a horde of creatures spawned from the red tower barely visible from the blizzard on the other side of Xu. Its monsters took on unimaginable disgusting forms, flailing their arms as they attempted to plow through the thick snow. The horde slowly increased in number as the sled raced through the Shadow’s territory.

As they made a sharp right, a swarm as wide as one could seen moving around to encircle them.

“They’re trying to cut us off!”

“Keep going straight. I’ll clear a way for us.”

Kihet reached forward with his fist aimed to the front, stocking up energy. A second later, a radiant flash of silver light swallowed everything at the front, devouring the middle section of the black mist.

He was told among all places this field was surveyed to be the least populated. Even so, hundreds of those Shadow like creatures crawled around. It was hard to imagine how many other areas had.

“I wanted to get more to chase us, but this blizzard isn’t going to make it easy. We’re going back. Switch.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice!” Lily pushed the reins into his hands then quickly drew an arrow. “I’ll get the flare ready. Tell me when you see a flame from the camp. That should be about the distance for them to use that.”

Lily watched the horizon, launching arrows at those who were fast approaching. As soon as a dim orange light emerged from storm, Kihet gave the signal for her to heave a package full of gunpowder and drop it into a barrel.

“It’s lit! Get ready!”

A solid thump shook the sled as a large glowing ball of red light soar through the storm and shattered into thousands of sparks. The sky rained fire then vanished before it fell halfway towards the ground.

Drums and horns echoed in the distance to give Kihet and Lily time to move away from the targeted area. The sky was suddenly covered with thousands of silver flaming arrows. It was then their speed increased as each arrow were propelled, launching them over Kihet’s sled and rained on the main body of the enemy army.

The projectiles came from an armament named Hwacha. Each unit held up to a hundred slots of arrows that could fly farther than an arrow released by an Archer. They were perfect at mowing down groups of tightly packed infantries with little to no protection like the Shadows.

Tower monsters who were at the front suffered less casualties than those in the targeted area and continued to chase the sled while the ones at the back regrouped.

They were out of danger once they passed through the checkpoint where a small army of friendlies occupied an outpost and intercepted their pursuers. Using wooden cauldrons sprouted from the sacred tree roots enchanted their weapons with the Oracle’s flames and slew the stragglers.

“That’s all of them!” Lily cheered.

“This is the third time he made us do this. I think we lowered their numbers enough, right?”

“En! But I want to get warmed up before the next phase begins.”

Kihet suddenly felt a cold breeze traveling up his back as his robe was lifted up and put back down.

“Hey- Lily! Stop crawling under my cloak every time! Can’t you hang on for a couple of minutes? We’re almost there.”

“Almost doesn’t mean we’re there. I don’t like being cold.”

“Neither do I.”

Usually, Lily would’ve quickly complained with “just a bit” or “but it’s warm”, but she went completely silent. She was exhausted. Kihet was too, riding through the white lands the third time with hundreds of monsters chasing them. With her weight completely pressed on his back, he assumed she had drifted to sleep. He kept his posture still for her to rest up as much as possible until they reached back to the main camp.

“The Oracle has returned! Send word to General Toudo!”

As the guard passed on the same news as previous times, he hoped he won’t be sent out the fourth time. However, he and Lily were the only two fulfilled the requirements to take in the role to bait the monsters into the kill zone.

Sure, the fewer the enemies, the better chance they had to breakthrough the border, but the cold weather rapidly drained their resources to continue further operations.

“Oracle, the General awaits you in his tent. Might I ask where the Priestess is?”

At the question, the hump from Kihet’s back shifted as the lump slowly crawled up to the back of his neck. Lily’s head popped out of his hood, looking around with sleepy eyes.

“Are we there?”

“Can you move?”

“I don’t want to. It’s cold.” Her head fell on his shoulder.

He growled to himself and spun his legs to the edge of the sled. On a count to three, he leaned forward then heaved Lily onto his back. Despite knowing how much of a glutton Lily was, she was surprisingly light even with her armor all.

“Oracle, we could-.”

The soldier froze when he earned a nasty stare from Kihet. His instincts knew if he took a step closer, he would be sent flying in the air. Others witnessing Kihet’s piercing glare hastily turned their eyes away and returned to their duties.

It wasn’t as if Kihet didn’t appreciate the offer. Since Martha did not accompany him for his task, he needed Lily’s support to keep the voices away or else his mind would relapse with painful memories of the past.

Kihet marched through the campground piggybacking Lily and made his way to meet Toudo. The encampment raised tents in groups of five close together to stand against the snowstorm. Using them as cover, he waddled his way through crowds of soldiers and snow. Soon after he poked his head through the covers, warm air from the tent spread all over his body. While he and Lily were out working in the cold, the General was comfortably taking shelter from the cold.

Straining his eyes to look, he saw a person dropped whatever task she had to greet him.

“Good work out there, Kihet. Is Lily asleep?”

“She’s reached her point.”

“In that case, I’ll lay a mat for her. I’m brewing a new pot of tea right now, but while that’s going, General Toudo is waiting for you.”

“Thanks, Martha.”

After dumping Lily into Martha’s arms, he confronted the General and his group of highly trusted advocates. The layout of the map they had on the table was identical to the one in the war room.

“Oh!” Toudo held a big grin on his face. “Looks like our star has returned. How many this time?”

“One hundred.”

“Better than I expected in this blizzard. That means… about six hundred in total. We have two spare Hwachas if you’re willing to go again.”

“I don’t. Neither does Lily.”

“Then it means it’s time for phase two. We should be able to fight them, but I feel uneasy. From Sayuri’s report, you guys encountered a creature leading and spawning the Shadows in the dungeon, correct?”

“You think there’s a leader among them.”

“With a force that big, maybe multiple. Anyways, that’s for me to worry about.”

“How is the army going to engage them?”

“Well, if we did this during other seasons, I’d usually lead my men, rush in with my trusty club and clobber em all dead. Winter doesn’t let me do that. We’re going to continue using the same tactics.”

“I thought we’re done sending me out.”

“We are, but we’re going to continue using ranged attacks and get them to come to us. That way, we can move those guarding the borders away.”

“And that means your men won’t have to waste their strength trying to get to the enemy.”

“The enemies are mindless killers who attack anything that moves. That makes our plan easier to execute. Once there’s an opening, I’ll give the signal. You and pipsqueak crash through their lines with the “Iron Rain Stampede” strategy.”

Iron Rain Stampede was a two-phase offensive tactic to rain projectiles onto foes. The barrage either suppresses the enemy, preventing them from scattering or whittle down their number for the calvary to sweep through to break their formation.

“But we might need your help in case the enemy has anything up their sleeves. How’s that?”

“You sound reasonable.” For once Kihet wholeheartedly agreed with the General.

“When haven’t I? Anyways, I’ll let you borrow this place to rest up. These soldiers and I gotta check on the pods the Sacred Tree grew for us.”

The soldiers behind Toudo gave their respective greetings to Kihet then turned to follow their General out of the tent.

Kihet pulled up a stool by the campfire and tossed some tinder to keep it strong. Not being the kind to idle around, he reached into his bag and began crafting. Everything from his old chest were brought with him. There were enough materials to assemble one contraption he used to make a decade ago.

He dropped a chunk of special resin and carefully crushed it in his mortar. Each time the pedestal hit the resin, tiny specks of light sparked from it. After confirming the contents were coarse, the powder was poured into a bamboo canister. Just as he added the lid, several red tubes rolled out of his bag and tapped his heel.

Recalling his time in the dungeon, Lily used them to produce loud noises and drove the Ly Angs away.

“The black stuff inside this firecracker, is it charcoal?”

“It’s fire medicine, but I think charcoal is mixed in it.” Martha answered. “For I know, it contains lots of flammable ingredients. If you’re going to take them out, don’t sit next to the campfire.”

“I see.”

An idea struck him as he dumped contents from his bamboo canister and the firecracker into the mortar. Mixing it ever so gently, he folded the mixtures until the gunpowder and powdered flashbug resins were homogeneous.

He then poured and sealed them inside paper tubes of firecrackers.

“Let’s test it.”

“Absolutely not! What if blows up the tent?!”

“I wasn’t going to use it here. It’s not supposed to be that powerful-.”

“No means no! I will not allow it! Besides, there is another matter you should give your attention to. The Empress sent you a very important parcel.” Martha bent over for a box around the corner, passing a very beautifully decorated and elongated box to him.

Curious, Kihet opened the lid and saw a sword, a dagger and a round buckler, all forged from steel. He was confused why the box was larger than its contents until he heard a faint lullaby underneath the silk blanket and discovered a second compartment. After pulling back the cover, it was revealed a magic weapon and a letter laid beneath it.

The weapon had the appearance of a sword roughly half a meter long. It had a noticeable tinge of metallic blue on its blade that had the same length as its straight black corded handle.

Apparently, the empress was impressed how he wielded his improvised weapon during their duel that she opened the royal vault to look for a similar weapon. Although one edged, the weapon was found to be equipped with two enhancements which was extremely rare and was identified it was forged with an alloy with durable but lightweight properties. The letter stated it was enchanted with [Enhanced Sharpness] and [Sturdiness]. The effects were minuscule, but it would reduce the need of maintenance overtime.

“This is, a lot.”

“The sword, dagger and buckler were supposed to be delivered to you on the day you received your armor. This weapon is not of Xu’s origin but discovered centuries ago and put into the Royal Vault. Its appearance is the closest to a similar weapon we use called a Nagamaki.”

“It feels awkward to hold.”

“There is a manual on how to use it.”

“That’s helpful.” Kihet flipped a few pages and examined the illustrations of a few beginner stances. “I’ll do my best to treat it well. That reminds me. How’s the bracelet?”

“It’s good as new after you fixed it. I’ll be careful from now on, so it won’t break again.”

“Just remember to use it if you have to.”

“I will. Since we’re making promises, you’ll also have to promise to keep Lily and yourself safe. And…”

“There’s more?”

“Two, actually. First, I want the three of us to ride all around different places once you saved the world.”

“That might take a long time.”

“But you can do it, right?”

“I suppose.”

Although he didn’t openly agreed to it, Martha already seized his wrist and hooked their pinkies together.

“It’s a promise then. I take them very seriously so don’t think about breaking it. I might put a curse on you.”

Kihet was surprised she said that with a straight face, at the same time unable to suppress a shudder. From the time they had met, Kihet always thought Martha was a timid type like Malth. As time went on, her personality resembled Lemi, sometimes using ominous words behind her sweet voice.

“What’s the other thing you want from me?”

“Do you remember about telling me there was someone you promised to marry?”

“Sorah…? What about her?”

“Oh, so you weren’t lying.”

“Why would I lie something about that?”

“Well, you never mentioned her name. And,” Martha silently pointed her finger at a sleeping Lily as to say “because of her”.

“Right.” Kihet tossed another bundle of sticks at the campfire and looked at the flames absent minded. “Given our circumstances, I don’t know anymore. My only hope is if my friends in Vivrus survive, the others could too.”

“Then, there’s only one way to find out.”

True, he thought. It was something he had to validate with his own two eyes. There was still hope.

Suddenly, the two heard loud cheers outside the tent. It sounded as a festival was going about, with off tuned music being played and mugs clattering. A few minutes later, someone shouted over the ruckus, encouraging soldiers in their festive gathering. The empowering, carefree voice belonged to none other than the general and it grew louder.

A group of silhouettes were casted on the cover, but the large one at the center waved to dismiss them and moved into the tent.

“Oracle, Sayuri, I’ve returned!”

“General, not so loud. Lily’s sleeping.”

“Sorry bout that. Forgot pipsqueak was here since she’s so quiet.”

“It’s quite lively outside.”

“All part of being a leader. It’s important to keep their morale high for tomorrow’s battle, since all we’ve ever done was defend. And no, Oracle. It’s not an excuse to drink so stop glaring at me like that. The sakes are diluted.”

Averting his glare, Kihet quietly packed his equipment. “How many are veterans?”

“Honestly speaking, less than a quarter. Everyone’s well trained, but they lack experience. When Xu was invaded by Rozzosea and Eizan, we lost many good men, and our ranks were in shambles because of the Golden Dust turning us against each other. Pwah. Pardon me. Saying that traitor’s name makes me sick.”

Kihet felt the same. His stomach churned, then unconsciously, his face crumpled as his hands formed fists as he visualized the last time he saw Eizan’s smug face. It reminded him of the Shadow Wizard that was summoned and took the lives of his friends. It started with the Golden Dust incident where citizens of Xu and Rozzosea were kidnapped then brainwashed. Their expended mutilated bodies were then thrown into a cell for researching about the Oracle’s sigil, the seal identical to the ones on his arms.

But Kihet couldn’t stop asking himself why? Was it necessary to bring something from the depths of abyss to get revenge on the royal family at the cost the world? For what reason Eizan was researching about the seal identical to the ones on his arms?

“Does Xu get attacked by Rozzosea often?”

“Activities on the other side have died down. The last report the Empress received from the other two Generals that were in charge of keeping an eye on Xu, Rozzosea’s borders said there hasn’t been any attempt of an attack.”

“Huh? They were able to fortify a base?”

“Nah. Usually, we had to plot a route along the border that’ll take a month to complete. It might be possible now that we have the pods from the Sacred Tree. After you get Vivrus’ cooperation, I can’t wait until the day I get to rip that traitor’s head off.”

“Get in line.”

Toudo made a perplexed expression, but then wiped his face putting back on a smile. “Of course. Make sure you leave him alive. I understand you want revenge, but others want settle their grudges against him too.”

“No promises.”

“That so?”

Kihet frowned when he was offered a drink from a small plate. He noticed it wasn’t water when he saw Toudo put down a small gourd bottle beside him.

“This here’s stronger than the ones distributed out there. You should relax, wind down a bit. You always look so tense.”

His face paled a bit as past memories resurfaced. He remembered the time Kridas introduced him to a bar. Although the amount and appearance of drink were different, an old memory of him drowning drunk in half a barrel of alcohol made him abstained from it.

“I prefer to stay sober...”

“Don’t like it, or can’t take it? Suit yourself.” The General gulped down the plate of sake. “Anyways, it’s a good thing you didn’t. Brace for impact.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, Kihet! Behind you!”

Something, someone fell on his back and pushed him off his seat. At first, he thought it was some random drunkard who stumbled in the tent and raised a fist. Kihet then quickly identified it was Lily, who quickly wrapped her arms around his stomach with her head resting on him. She mysteriously threw herself onto him across the room. He turned his upper half in an awkward position, trying to slip away. To no avail, Lily’s iron grip clung onto him tight like glue.

“Mugu, mugu.”

“What the hell are you mumbling? Why are you over here?”

“Forget it. She can’t hear you when she’s that state. Sheesh, I can’t believe pipsqueak still has that habit. It’s been ages since last I saw her asleep walking around. Right, Sayuri? You always end up on the receiving end.”

“It’s a hassle to put her back to bed all the time.”

“I get the feeling she’s going to cause a lot of trouble when we’re in Vivrus.”

“You’re over exaggerating.” Martha chimed in, ironically trying to pry Lily off Kihet as best she could. “Lily, I know it’s cold, but you can’t act like this anymore.”

And finally, after a few minutes of tugging, Martha managed to drag Lily back and laid her back onto her mat.

Nighttime approached fast with howling winds blowing in the background. A flurry of snow would occasionally shower on the tent. The festive cheering from the ruckus General Toudo created died down as the encampment shifted to its night routine.

“What is it, Oracle? Problem?”

“Before we left the capital, Miyabe didn’t tell me much about Vivrus’ leader.”

“That’s because we couldn’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“The thing is,” Toudo scratched his head. “The Insectoids have a hierarchy system that runs entirely different than the rest of the world. As long as one has the strength to attain power, anyone at any time could be the next ruler.”

“How on earth are they supposed to maintain order?”

“Beats me. I’m more surprised the country isn’t in ruins from a tyrant. Those insectoids have better restraint than I imagine.”

“Any words of advice?”

“Ho… you’re asking advice from me?”

“You’re right. I rather not.”

“Now, now. Don’t be like that. I actually got a good one. Just talk to the folks once you get there. That’ll give you some idea what the ruler’s public image is like.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good luck out there. The entire country, Xu’s rooting for you to bring back good news.”

“I wish it was that simple.” Kihet sighed and held up an empty plate. “Fill one. Just one.”

“That’s more like it! Cheers!”