Kasem looks surprised as his dagger hits the mark as he had never really thought himself as a knife thrower. He had none left anyway, so he reach for a rock instead.
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Lek sighs as the toad awakes. "Where was this when we've fought those huge bugs?" He attempts a joke as he draws his dagger and throws it.
With only the apron monster remaining, and noticing how Li Jie was struggling, Kasem moves from behind his cover, dagger in hand... ...it shows, however, that his skills are certainly not in the realm of combat.
While keeping his boasting oratory, Lek grabs a rock and throws at the apron. "Begone ghost!"
"Regretting your decision already?" Lek asks the evil apron while he hides behind a tree.
"Your narrative was flawed from the beginning!" He explains, defending himself.
Kasem plays along, trying to look lost and scared.
"Tracks? Which tracks?" Kasem asks, bothered by the horrible smell.
"Let them?" Kasem asks Nadoya, angry. "I'm not her parent and she is an adult. She wanted you to think they were killed by the monsters... and that I would not let to happen. I'm a father as well and I know there is nothing, absolutely nothing, worse than having our child go before us." He gets really close to Nadoya. "Nothing. Just the thought of it makes me sick." He could say more, but instead he composes himself, letting the woman realise for herself how she destroyed her family.
After they are away from the guards, Kasem tells the others. "Their tale is hard to believe... we've seen these monsters are not shy of bloodshed, yet they just locked them in the cells? If they could lock them, they could have killed them as well." "I don't want to tarnish their honor, but I suspect they might have locked themselves."
Kasem remains lost and silent at the exchange, only coming to his senses after the couple has fled, frowning to them. --- As they rescue the others, Kasem greets them and beckons them to leave. "The monsters were driven away, so you have nothing to worry about." He then takes a deep breath before adding. "Yuli and the young man, Lelong, are also fine, at least for now. They've fled together, as a couple, hoping to restart their lives somewhere else." He frowns at the matriarch. "That is, if they survive the roaming monsters."
"Who are we to allow you to do one thing or another?" Kasem asks, arching his eyebrows. "If your uncle can identify the owners of them, should we not take all of them to him instead?" He asks, looking at the particular necklace Hu is talking about. "What would make this one particular of your interest?"
The arts of diversion were Kasem's bread and butter, being an illusionist and a performer. It was shocking obvious that the gremlins were trying to draw their attention, so instead, Kasem looked elsewhere. What are you trying to hide?
Kasem shakes his head at Kwan's comment. "Cowardice and fear have little in common, Kwan Tai. Fear is a reaction. A man who is fearless cannot be courageous... he is just a fool. Courage is a complement to fear, a decision." *** Once asked if they are the heroes, Kasem nods, pointing gesturing to the other three. "They are indeed. I'm merely accompanying them."
Lek inhales deeply, closing his eyes as the sun hits them. "Taking a moment to feel the sun warming our hearts could help us find purpose later, when surrounded by darkness."
"You are not in my debt, Doctor Dami, both because I did nothing to save you and because I am still in your debt. I'll never forget how you cared for Malee when she was terribly sick." He says, before adding. "And how you never gave up." He then takes the antidotes and the elixir, storing it in his pack. "Would you be kind enough to follow us to your shrine? We need Qi Zhong's blessing to light the Eternal Lantern again."
"Oh... not again!" Lek says as he turns back and puts some distance between him and the bugs. "Mighty Kwan Tai have already crushed your kind, spirit vermin!"
"The doctor has a shrine of Qi Zhong. I'm sure the blessing of the Master of Medicine will be a boon to Willowshore." Lek says, ready to leave after he composes himself.
"Honorable Shizuru will see through your heart, Kwan Tai." He says, taking the coin instead. Lek knees and properly prays for her. His words are filled with emotion, focused mostly or her vigil aspect. He doesn't fight his tears as he speaks of the dead and the suffering of those left behind with nothing but pale memories of their once bright happiness. "... so that your holy sunrays might breach the encroaching fog in our hearts, guiding us again to your embrace."
Lek smiles and take the coins with care and respect. "While we should rescue Doctor Dami, we should not risk wandering the town aimlessly." "The shrine to Kofusashi is here, so we should take his blessing before leaving. There is also a shrine of Shizuru on Mother's coil, only a couple minutes from our main path towards the doctor's house. And, finally, the doctor himself has a shrine dedicated to Qi Zhong." Lek explains. "By the time we reach the doctor's house, we could perhaps have all the coins blessed already and, if he is safe in his house, we could leave him there a little more so we can reignite the lantern before returning here." "The prosperity of the Laughing God, the duty of the Empress of Heaven, and the protection of the Master of Medicine will certainly boost our noble village."
Once they reach their home, Lek gestures the others to stay behind. While knowing he should be careful, he can't really contain himself, moving faster than it was prudent. He enters his home, closing the door behind him. A minute later, the others can hear some crying and then laughing... a captivating laugh of a young child. There is some talking, but the words are muffled thanks to the walls. Lek leaves his home minutes later. His eyes show signs of recent tears and his shoulders are a bit less hunched, as if a real weight was taken from his shoulders.
"Bravery is doing something despite knowing we might get hurt. Foolishness is the same, and that is why life is challenging." Lek says, quoting an old and wise proverb. "The monsters were gone, thanks to my three companions. I'm certain I'd not have survived if not for them."
A bit shaken, Lek moves from behind the pillar. "We should definitely... but first I need to see if my daughter is safe. I'll meet you at Granny Hu after I check with my family."
Lek keeps hiding behind the bridge's pillar, looking for a way to help.
Lek continues to play ominous tunes to bring fear in the monsters' heart, while boosting the others. Being no fighter, he seeks cover for now.
Lek finds himself lacking in the skills to help his town. He isn't strong or brave as his momentary companions, yet to say he won't try... that won't do. As the others finish their preparations, Lek takes his dan and readies himself. Striking a simple, but somber, note on his dan, Lek shows himself to the monsters, yet distant enough that the mist would barely show his silhouette. "A legend is born and a tale begins." He starts, punctuating his words with another note. Otherworldly music fills the air, accompanying his words, a music from his mind, leaving his dan to free to lend weight to his tale.
Lek works on a short poem exalting the appearance of three mighty warriors. Survivors of the woods and of the mists, these three came to Willowshore to free it from mists and blood.
Lek bows to Hai-er. "I'll take your advice as I'm deeply concerned by my daughter as well." He then points back from where they come. "The lantern on Ugly Cute isn't lit and considering they stories we've always heard, I'm sure it is important for it to be lit again. Could you send someone there, noble Hai-er?"
"Do not call a ghost a ghost." Lek starts, focusing on the ones he finds somewhat meaningful and not only silly superstition. "Do not pat people on the head or shoulders. Avoid entering water when a ghost is nearby... and if you hear someone call your name from behind you at night, do not turn around." That out of the way, Lek adds. "It is us, Kasem, Kwan, Li Jie and Hooli... what happened here?"
As he approaches, he sees the corpses and tells the others. "Gremlins. Jenkins."
Lek begins to hum softly and, as usual, he unconsciously surrounds himself with light music. "Lazy Adou took a break, and ... did not light the lamp that day ... This proved to be a big mistake, for ... then the ghosts came out to play! ... Hazy mist and moon of blood, ... all because he just gave up." Once Lek realizes what he is humming, he stops, both from walking and humming, and also dismisses the magical music. "This is deeply unsettling. Let's hurry, uhn?" He says, speeding up his steps.
Lek jumps as soon as the centipedes scuttle towards them, moving behind the others since they are far more suited to fighting monsters. Lek was suited to tell stories. "Were these things supposed to talk?" He asks, goosebumps forming along his spine. "This is why you don't make pranks during the festival..."
"I can only thank the Gods for you volunteering this year!" He adds, looking at the strong goblin and nagaji in front of them.
It takes some time for Lek to situate himself when he wakes, as he rolls around and moans in discomfort. Rubbing his side, he looks beneath his straw mat and notices a pointy stone. "Hum... they should have been more careful." Hooli's words causes him to look around. "Another part?" He asks, nodding. "You are not wrong. Strange."
"I know where we are. I've came here with Malee two weeks ago. We are east of town. There is a trail there." He frowns, wondering if Hooli is right about this being a prank. "This could not be a prank or a joke. Who would do so during the Festival and risk the anger of the spirits?" Lek nods to Kwan. "And where is Choe?" |