LOTUS

CHAPTER I :The General

“General! An attack from the eastern border, the eastern wall has fallen and the commanding officer has perished from the hands of the Northern General!” a scout rushed heaving mouthful of air and stringing his words out to inform the masked figure standing with its back before him.

 Upon the mention of the northern empires’ infamous general, the scout felt the tension thicken and saw how his superior gripped the hilt of his sword. For no reason, he felt nervous for his life.

“Inform the special division and march towards the east” though it sounded like a mere whisper, figures suddenly moved out of nowhere and scattered to obey the command that rung through the air. The scout kneeling on the floor stared in awe at the display before him.

When the masked figure turned his head to face in his direction, he bowed his head so fast like his life depended on it that he bumped his forehead to the ground. However, he didn’t feel pain.

For years that he has been serving the southern troops, he has never seen the face of their new general. Though General Ting is of small stature, he is lithe and has killed more men than he ever did in his life. It’s only been five years since the last general passed away in a surprise attack and suffered in the hands of the same man leading the havoc on the eastern wall. But this terrifying man in front of him has made the troops from all directions follow him with loyalty.

His train of thoughts was broken when heavy footsteps fell to the ground, it was walking towards his kneeling state. He didn’t feel anything until a hand rested on his shoulders, it was light but he felt it to his core.

“Rise” one word from the general’s mouth and he scrambled to his feet like the floor’s on fire. He thought he heard an unusual voice but his mind was too afraid to register anything that he paid it no mind.

The southern general is known for being mute, it was a fact and he made use of his personal guard to announce his commands. But right now, he just witnessed him give orders and even talked to a lowly scout like him.

However, he can’t give a single care and just stand there straight like a steel rod. The only thing that registered to his mind was the presence of his commanding general.

“Prepare for battle” the general whispered to his ear.

In hearing such a command, he can’t move his whole body, not from fear but from the voice he heard. If he dies in this battle his ancestors will be so disappointed in him.

The general walked away and all he knew was, he saluted with all his might and rushed to get his armor and got ready for battle like an entranced man.

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Soldiers marched and horses hoofed their way towards the battlefield with resolves stronger than iron. They were full force with only one thing in mind. They are ending this now.

When they arrived, swords are clashing with a hiss and arrows rained the sky. However, the battle is just about to get to its peak.

Their general raised his sword and they all ran like madmen shouting on their way to kill the ones who dared to test their resolve. All they need to do is kill anyone who has the sun engraved on their armors and defend their beloved empire.

Cries and grunts filled the air as the battle continued and at the center of it all, two mighty generals fought to the death. One masked and the other has his face tattooed with scars that ran deep. It’s a symbol of his years in war and the lives he took. The northern general is known that for every general he kills, he carves a wound using their sword to signify his victory.

The masked general stared at his foe with contempt clear in his eyes.

“ooh I got a spot just for you”  the northern general taunted his opponent and traced an even part of his face devoid of scars.

They continued to circle each other breathing heavily.

“This is the scar for your previous general by the way,” the northern general said pointing at the biggest scar on his face. It ran from the side of his left brow to the bottom of his jaw.

“He was the strongest one I fought but he still died in vain for his beloved empire,” He said almost spitting the words out with disgust.

These words aroused deep hate from the southern general and without letting the other say another word, he struck so fast like lightning in the sky. Blow by blow his small body brought down thunderous strikes like a relentless storm. The northern general was caught off guard but was still able to defend from the onslaught, they went on for hours and still no one surrendered to the other.

Blood and sweat mixed to the ground as iron clashed with iron bringing a ringing to the air. Bodies fell and lives are lost but the two generals went on unfazed by blood loss and fatigue. Both wounded and out of breath but still, they stood their ground.

“I'm going to slice that unfashionable mask of yours, what do you think?” the northern general said enjoying the fact that the mute general cannot retort.

Or so he thought.

“And I'm going to slice that ugly face from your body.” A voice he never expected replied as though it was out to take his soul.

The northern general did not see that coming and for a second he dropped his guard.

The masked general took this opportunity and in a split second, he is in front of his dumbfounded opponent burying his sword to the northern generals’ chest.

The northern general grunted and gurgled blood, staring at the masked persona in front of him. The man moved closer until his lips touched his ears.

“My father didn’t die in vain, he died so I can take your head”

Eyes widening in realization, it was too late as his head was cut from his body and rolled on the ground. Those who witnessed took a step back and ran, the northern soldiers fell back taking their injured and dead with them. The southern troops tried to go after them but one raise of their generals’ sword and everybody stood still.

They understood and obeyed his orders. Though what they did not understand, was that they were victorious but a gloomy almost full of despair hung around their general, he bent down and picked up the fallen northern generals head, and took off on his horse.

His subordinates tried to follow him but the generals' personal guard, Hei Xue held out his sword and stopped them.

In the morning, the general didn’t come back to their base and so a search party was sent out.

Before the afternoon ended, a soldier ran back like he’s being chased by demons towards their camp.

“The general is dead!”  he shouted again and again.

The whole base stood on alarm and picked up their swords to kill. The soldier though having a hard time to catch his breath, led the whole troop to the cliff. They saw droplets of blood towards the edge, everyone was gripped with fear.

“Do not stop until a body is found, if there isn’t, then our general is far from dead!” Hei Xue shouted.

They searched on and below the cliff, leaving no stones unturned.

“Here!” a voice rang through the air and they all rushed towards it.

There, two hundred feet below they saw a disfigured body wearing their generals’ armor and face covered with their generals’ mask.

Seeing this, their blood ran cold and their heart stopped beating. Realization hit them, their general is dead.