The Birth of the War Goddess

We end up talking all three together under the stars and laughing about the past...

Hua elbows my brother while pointing at me

-So... Who is this guy you were searching for?- ask Pei

-It was just a commoner as I said...-

-You always did this my dear sister... An official version and a real version.- he chuckles -So who was he?-

I sigh... To my brother I will forever be an open book

-Uhm... An old friend, his name was...- I shake my head -Is, Chao- I bring my knees near my chest looking at the stars, as if answers could be written inside them and I just needed to read.

-Oh I remember you saying something... Wasn't he a refugee in our city?- ask PeiZhi

-Mmh... He was-

-Oh the one who helped you train? Yeah you told me about him too! But I belie you said he was in the South?-

-I believed that too... But I'm not sure anymore. Many things changed so that might have made him move here-

-But what about his relatives? And if that was the truth he should be serving in a nearby...-

-That's true, I can try to see if there's any Chao in the other sections and campsites-

-Thanks Ge, but he's not a Noble- I smile

-Was he really that much of a prescious friend Lai'Er? I thought you were just comrades...-

-I have a promise to fulfill toward him and myself too-

I do not notice the stare the other two exchange as silence fall.

I lay my chin on my knees... Such a weird person with amazing skills who just so happened one day to pass from my city... All that I have now... The merit goes to him

He gave me a new purpose in my training, he helped me to become better as a soldier and as a woman without even knowing that...

A friend... Probably the first one I ever had...

The first person who saw me for who I was.

I wouldn't have never joined the army if it wasn't for what he thought me... Those few months of training gave me strength in my own spirit.

He went away the same way as he arrived in my life.

I like to think it was destined for me to start growing and begin to walk my own path, writing it day by day...

Like that man said, I wouldn't have been happy in a predetermined future.

Such is life... One single act of benevolence from someone can change the future of another

...

-Well it's better if I head back now... I left them with no notice, the guys must be getting worried now-

-As if something would happen to you- says my brother placing an hand on my shoulder -Go then, we shall meet soon again my little sister-

I wave to them while walking down the stone stairs... Light slowly begin to embrace me once again, and so does festive noise too.

I reach the other guys who greet me with open arms

-Lai'Er! Where have you slipped off to? You missed such a good show!- -Yeah, We even bought this!- says Hao taking a few sweets out from his pocket

-Oh haha sorry I was distracted following something interesting and got lost-

-It really is easy to get lost today... Come come, I'll make sure we don't lose you again!- giggles Wei reaching to take mine and Kasuo hands, soon after dragging all the other guys -What the heck?! I'm not going to do this!- yell Kasuo

-Take one and shut up you- Hao pushes a sweet dumpling in his mouth -Fine...- he muches on it, back on his walk

-Where do you want to go next? I heard some peoples talking about a prize game taking place down there!-

-Oh! That would be amazing I want to try!-

...

-Who is going to play? The rules are simple! If the stick pass through the tree rings the prize you want is yours-

-How can anyone possibly do it?!-

-Aren't we soldier man...? We should be the ones capable of doing it- -But...-

-I will- I rise my hand

-Oh... A Lady? You guys are chickens leaving a woman to do this alone hahaha! Well then here you go...-

I pay, fixing now my eyes on a little statuette of a Panda.

-I want to play to- says a deep voice beside me

-Sure man!- he turns around to smile -Dong Hu... Why are you here?- -For what reason should I be here if not to enjoy my free night?-

-Well then... Have the first try-

He fixes his posture throwing the stick right through the rings, hitting the target on the other side

-Oh my! We have a winner! Hahaha what would you like man?-

-That one- he points at the Panda -Sure... Here you go!-

"Ah... Nevermind I guess I'll go for something else"

I throw my stick hitting perfectly

-Another winner! What would you like Miss?-

-Uhm...- I actually have no idea so I point to a little box, which happens to be an intense ree lipstick...

"I already own this shade... Maybe I should gift it to Hua as an apology for walking on them?"

...

We depart from the stall while Wei is complimenting Dong, who ended up coming with us obviously, chatting nonstop

-Will you shut up once in a while?!- yells Kasuo

-Oh mmh... Sorry hehe!-

Dong turns his head to me coming by my side -Your firends are really lively- -Yeah...-

-Guys! Let's go there! It's almost time for the fireworks!- Calls Shun, leading to a bridge full of couples and families walking over the water to find a good spot for the upcoming show.

We all seat down on a bench on a small stone island at the centre of the lake. I keep looking around still searching for that shiny bracelet

-Something seems to be on your mind Miss...- approaches me Dong -Must be hard for a Lady to not have anyone special to share this day with- he's asking for a punch?!

-If you really think I am troubled by such a thing then you are highly mistaken- I face him before standing up to go grab onto the handrail, staring at the water of the lake to calm me down

-You really are a wild one Miss Ying- he leans onto the handrail with his back, still attempting an approach.

-And so I want to remain-

-Does this feast disgust you then?-

-Not at all... It's not like I hate love, I do understand such a concept... Many peoples cherish others as family or lovers, it is only natural wanting to commemorate it... I just don't think it is something beneficial for me-

-Is it because of something happened in the past...? Maybe someone who hurt you or anything?-

-Not at all... I just came to a point of repulsion for what has always been forced on me, I've been told this is my only option in life-

-Well... I hope you wouldn't mind me gifting you something on this day...-

He says handing me the Panda statuette, I look at him confused -Why are you so... Ah nevermind- I decide to let go for today, it's a festive day and so shall remain.

-If this is some kind of way to win me over, as a rival or a person, it won work but... Thank you-

He smiles looking up

-So many peoples are uncaring of what's happening in the world...

But it's fine, just for today...- I comment as the fireworks starts blooming.

-Yes it's true... Just for today it's better to forget everything- he comments with a troubled expression, enlightened by tons of different colours as his eyes falls to the ground.

-Dong Hu are you alright...?- I try to ask but the crowd's yelling surpasses my voice

The guys in the distance esultate rushing to watch.

The children all around opens their eyes in awe full of happiness with their parents cuddling them...

Couples hold hands, looking at those colours as if their hopes where waiting to explode too...

PeiZhi bends down to slowly kiss his lover, hidden on that hill sharing a prohibited love...

Soldiers on the cold battlefield sing together around the fire, holding precious past memories in their hearts... Putting the fear aside for a night...

Today everyone around the country has stopped what they were doing to remember their loved ones...

It truly is beautiful... For such a simple thing such as love, something I cannot come to relationate with, to help peoples through their hardships in life...

I should have loved my family more...

I feel guilty celebrating love when I left home with such words... Was it love what made take such decisions for me?

And my remorse is pure or just for the appearances? I'm not sure if I love my mother or not so what do I feel guilty for?

I don't know if I hate her teachings or herself but... She never started at her daughter and saw me, I always felt like I was an object in her eyes...

Hitting my hands whenever I did something not elegant, forgetting my existence completely when I wouldn't play the role she designed for me...

I'm not sure how I should feel.

A tear stream down my cheek, I turn around to hide my face just to find I've be left alone... Dong disappeared without me noticing

-Well then... It's time to head back.-