Chapter 217 - One Last Request

To the east of Noga, a wild untamed forest spread out from the city limits out to the mountain range in the distance. Up until recently the forest had been peaceful, full of old growth and small critters and winding paths that lead to small villages scattered amongst the mountains and valleys.

However the energies of Demonic Life had now laid claim to the land, and the forest was now more akin to a jungle full of dark and fantastical plants. The scattered villages that once enjoyed a simple life were now suffocated by the encroaching wilderness, fending for their lives against strange and terrible monsters.

Small shrines and temples and even some villages had been swallowed up by the wilderness. Only a few pockets of survivors remained, separated from the world.

In the midst of the forest atop a grassy plateau that was covered in large boulders and rocks, a small group of tents and buildings surrounded a white stone shrine. The grassy plateau was untouched by the changes in the forest, standing above the treetops below like a raft upon a dark and tumultuous sea.

This plateau was protected by a mystical power, one that kept the forest at bay. The early afternoon sun shone brightly upon the small group of individuals that were praying in front of the shrine. A number of tents had been erected at the center of the plateau and three half-finished temple buildings were under construction behind and on either side of the white shrine. The sound of hammers and saws cut through the peaceful afternoon ambiance as a small number of workers continued to work on the temple.

Despite the strange and dangerous situation that they were in, the people on the shrine were in good spirits, working hard and praying devoutly to their protector.

They were all worshipers and devout followers of the White Maiden, a mysterious deity that had appeared merely two weeks previous and performed a number of miracles, saving hundreds of the Noga citizens. For these men, women and children who had grown up in a world without magic, gods or monsters, the benevolence and power of this enigmatic spirit had touched their hearts.

These followers had been given the option to leave the plateau, yet stayed to pray to the Maiden and support her, believing that she was the key to saving them and their loved ones from the fantastic and terrible forces that threatened their homeland.

This stalwart belief was not only from their own personal experiences of being saved by the Maiden, but also because of the heroic seventeen year old girl named Char Char who had essentially been appointed as the White Maiden’s representative.

This attractive girl with long black hair tied in a ponytail prayed devoutly throughout the day and had a gift for saying exactly what each person needed to cheer them up and quell their fears. She dressed in a battle-torn uniform with a sheathed sword at her side, playing the part of the hero that the rumours made her out to be.

However on this early spring afternoon while all the believers were praying and working, Char Char was on the other side of the plateau. She was leaning with her back to one of the large rocks that jutted out of the ground, out of sight of the shrine and worshipers.

Her spiritual intuition triggered and the air in front of her shimmered as a portal opened up in front of her. A backdrop of dense foliage from somewhere within the jungle could be seen through the portal as Finn and a second officer stepped through carrying a large wooden box. They set the box on the ground as the portal promptly closed behind them.

Char Char sighed, not hiding her frustration as she shook her head, “I don’t see why you insist on hiding your deliveries, Finn. You’ve already evacuated most of the people off the plateau through your portals, it’s not like it’s a secret anymore.”

“A fact that we have you to thank for.” Finn replied, equally exasperated, “But I have my orders to minimize exposure of the populace to Exalted powers, regardless of how little you care about them.”

“I don’t see the point.” Char Char grumbled.

“Fortunately, you don’t have to for me to do my job.” Finn replied, gesturing to the box, “Here are the food and water supplies for the next two days. Do you have anything to report before I go?”

Char Char didn’t reply, though her gaze fell. It was obvious to Finn that something was on her mind, but he didn’t care enough to ask. He turned to his partner, nodding for him to open the portal back.

“Wait.” Char Char said, “You need to take the people here back to the city.”

“Oh? It’s been a few days since the last ones.” Finn replied, “Did some of them change their minds?”

“No… I’m asking you to take them back.” Char Char bit her lip, “All of them.”

Finn tilted his head as a conflicted expression crossed her face. This was clearly a decision she’d made on her own, after much thought.

“The White Maiden hasn’t answered my prayers lately… Not since we stopped the God of Life from reincarnating.” Char Char said, “On top of that, I can feel the protective aura around the shrine weakening. It’s like the White Maiden’s disappeared or gone away.”

Finn’s brows furrowed in concern upon hearing Char Char’s words. The White Maiden was a key figure that was critical to maintaining the balance of power around the city, “It’s been half a week since then, you said everything was going well. Why didn’t you tell me you haven’t heard from Her?”

“You didn’t ask.” Char Char muttered, “Anyways- don’t change the topic. I don’t think it’s safe on the plateau anymore. So I need you to take everyone back to the city. I’ll round them up, it won’t take long.”

“So you’re going back to the city after all.” Finn couldn’t help commenting, sorely remembering Char Char’s slight against him.

“No, I’m staying. I can’t abandon the shrine, and the White Maiden still needs our prayers.” Char Char replied, adding softly, “I just don’t want to put anyone else in danger.”

“A noble cause.” Finn replied, holding back a snarky comment. He found the notion of sacrificing herself for a deity somewhat ridiculous, but he’d long accepted the futility of arguing with this spoiled, naive girl, “Very well. Call everyone over, we’ll take them back.”

A short while later, the group of just under two dozen people were gathered around Finn. Their expressions were a mix of confusion and worry as Char Char addressed them, thanking them for their prayers and encouraging them to continue praying even after they were back in the city.

“It’s time to go, the White Maiden is truly grateful for your devotion.” She came up with several excuses to convince everyone to leave.

The journey back took several portals, with two of them deep within the jungle. Due to the potential danger of the trip the followers were escorted away in small groups.

As the group slowly thinned, the remaining followers gathered and prayed together to the Maiden while waiting for their time to leave, “What will help the Maiden the most right now is to return to the city.”

Char Char’s heart was heavy each time Finn returned to take the next group back to the city. Though she kept a strong face and felt that she was doing the right thing to protect these people, she felt terrible. Like she was somehow betraying the Maiden with her actions.

She knew if she’d phrased her explanation differently or given the followers a choice, most of them would stay behind.

Xiang Xing was in the last group of people to leave. The tall, muscular brother of Char Char’s best friend approached her with a frown.

“You lied.” He said bluntly.

“About what?” Char Char didn’t deny it as she expected him to call out her weak explanations for evacuating the shrine.

“You said Yuzu would come back.” Xiang replied, “I waited all this time, I’m not going to give up now. I’m not leaving until she returns.”

“Me too!” A high pitched voice spoke up as Rabbit, a young girl with her hair up in pigtails peeked around the back of Xiang’s legs, “I’m going to pray to the Maiden to bring Yuzu back!”

“I’m staying as well.” Tua Kong, the leader of the worshipers stepped forward. His eyes were filled with determination, “There’s nothing left in the city for me to return to. I’ll remain here alone if I have to.”

Char Char looked at Xiang, Rabbit and Tua Kong with a mildly amused look. These three were the last of the followers to go. She’d already known from the beginning that they could not be convinced to leave, so she didn’t try to argue.

“That’s fine. I’m not leaving either.” Char Char smiled softly, “We can stay here and pray together.”

The portal opened one last time as Finn and his partner returned.

“That’s it. The rest of us are staying.” Char Char said, “Thank you for your help today.”

“No problem.” Finn replied, “You did the right thing, sending all those people back to their homes.”

“I guess you probably don’t need to come back for a week.” Char Char looked over at the wooden box that Finn and his partner had originally brought, “There should be plenty of supplies to last us, as long as what you brought wasn’t too perishable.”

“I didn’t pack it. I’m not sure exactly what’s inside.” Finn replied, “But you’re not getting rid of me that easily. I’ll be back in two days, as scheduled.”

“Thanks, Finn.” Char Char smiled warmly.

“Don’t mention it.” Finn replied.

He left through a final portal with his partner, leaving the four remaining people alone on the plateau.

“Let’s see what they brought us this time!” Xiang said, not wasting time as he lifted open the lid of the box. He looked inside, pausing suddenly as a look of confusion crossed his face.

The box wasn’t full of bread, dried goods and water flasks as they had expected. Instead, there were numerous candles, bundles of incense, a number of silver plates and peaches. Lots of peaches.

Char Char’s eyes widened as they looked down at the contents of the box, coming to a realization just as her spiritual intuition triggered.

A mysterious, gentle presence descended upon the small group of people as long, illusory white hair drifted softly in the periphery of their vision.

“Thank you, Char Char.” A soft, feminine voice spoke solely into Char Char’s ears. “My followers are now safe, well done.”

“There is one last thing I must ask you and the remaining three followers here to do for me, before all this can end.”