Chapter 644 pt 2

new post cuz better this way. I haven't changed the first part, so those looking for it, here is link to part 1. More to come tmorrow, hopefully. Enjoy!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t9DRxghtZQLlm3tO62pOiKtKhLu0XYuV2-Qk_J8foSI/edit?usp=sharing 

Emptiness.

That was all Alsantset felt as she stood and stared at her little brother laying in the dirt, so slack and still she feared he might already be dead. Rationally, she knew she should feel something, whether it be concern, anxiety, grief, or anguish over his dire circumstances and possibly imminent death, but shock, or perhaps dogged denial, kept her from feeling anything at all. This was not the gentle embrace of Balance, with all her emotions maintained in delicate harmony, no, this was not like Balance at all, but rather the antithesis of such.

Too much was as bad as not enough, and Alsantset knew she teetered on the edge of the latter, but there was nothing she could do. Rain, her precious little foundling, the younger brother she always wanted, was dying before her eyes, and there was nothing she could do. There was no foe to defeat and protect him, no culprit to kill and avenge him, no danger to circumvent and save him, there was only the cruel Heavens once again playing with sweet Rain’s fate, while she stood by helpless and defeated.

No emotion. No anguish. No pain. That was her defence, a paltry one which Mama would scold her for, but she had her own pain to deal with. Never before had Alsantset seen her strong, proud, Mama so weak, but it had nothing to do with her battlefield injuries. Brought back from the battlefield by one of her many Senior Sisters, Mama knelt by Rain’s head and stroked his hair, arranging it ever so perfectly before mussing it up and starting over again, as if she wanted him to look his best when he finally woke up. Her blood soaked robes and armour cast a macabre shade to the proceedings, one her mournful expression did nothing to mitigate, and Alsantset feared things would only get worse if Rain were to actually die.

When. Not if. When he died.

The thought nearly broke Alsantset and she clutched sweet Li-Li tight, and the considerate girl squeezed back, though her stony expression never wavered. Still, Alsantset could tell the girl concern was genuine, even though she herself might benefit from little Rain’s death. When... If the worst were to come to pass, her Oath would pass to Mila whom Li-Li would never have to fear, but it was clear she had come to trust Rain as much as she trusted anyone, which was saying much for the poor, mistreated girl.

The others were handling this even better than Alsantset and Mama, but perhaps that was the resilience of youth. Mila stood tall and proud as ever, her back straight and weapons ready, but her white-knuckled grip gave her away. Out of all the women in Rain’s life, she would take his death the hardest, for hidden beneath Mila’s proud and domineering exterior was a sweet girl who loved him with all her heart, in a way few could ever compare.

Yan most certainly could, her shoulders shaking as she choked on silent sobs and did little to hide her anguish. The poor girl had only just found the family she so desperately longed for, with a grandfather who doted on her, an aloof brother who fiercely guarded her, and a husband who loved her so. She was not yet ready to lose any of them, but cruel fate meant to take her beloved away, leaving her with only precious few years to spend with her grandfather at best. Alsantset’s heart bled for the girl, or it would have if she were capable of it, but she lacked the strength and courage to face her emotions and kept them all locked away. It was easier this way, even if she risked unbalance, because she was almost certain she would crumble apart beneath the deluge of misery and anguish awaiting her.

Not Lin-Lin though. Often seen as the weakest of them all, the confident, self-assured half-hare sat by Rain’s side and arranged all the animals around him so they all had a place to rest. With her white-silk scarf wrapped around her shoulders, she was already appropriately attired to mourn him, but were it not for the smile missing from her face, one might’ve mistakenly believed Lin-Lin was still unaware of the severity of the situation. However, Alsantset suspected it was possible none of them understood it as well as Lin-Lin did, for she was the daughter of a Medical Saint and poised to follow in his footsteps, as it soon became clear by her words and actions. “You need to come back, hubby,” she said, softly whispering so as not to disturb his supposed slumber. “See? All your floofs are waiting for you. We’re all waiting for you, ya? We’ll be right here, whenever you’re ready, so take your time. I’ll make sure no one bothers you, okay?”

The half-hare might well be the strongest of them all, so unwavering in her optimism it almost hurt to watch, but when she gestured for the rest of them to come closer and help, Alsantset could not help but join in, kneeling next to Mama and Li-Li by Rain’s head. Gently shifting Mama Bun’s rear so her weight would be off Rain’s chest, the stubborn rabbit hopped back up and flattened herself across him, her clenched paws, wide eyes, and twitching nose giving away her fear, but not from the raucous sounds of battle around them. No, Mama Bun would charge a horde of murderous Defiled without blinking an eye, so long as Rain was there to accompany her, but now she sensed something amiss and refused to leave his side.

She knows he is dying, and does not know how to cope.

Much like Alsantset herself.

Yan saw things in a different light, however, stroking the white rabbit’s head and back. “She does that when he has nightmares,” she whispered, a mournful, half-smile stretching across her lips. “Just throws herself atop him, and it almost always calms him down.”

Li-Li’s head tilted in visible thought, and after scant seconds of consideration, she reached into her travel bag and pulled Princess out. The weasel-bear did not much like being exposed, her thundering growls intensifying as Li-Li placed her in the crook of Rain’s arm besides Mama Bun. Following her cue, Lin-Lin removed Blackjack from her pouch and placed him under Mama Bun’s chin, while Yan rearranged the birds and rabbits so Banjo and Baloo could rest their heads beside Rain’s. Finally putting away her spear, Mila went to Ping Ping’s side, who oddly enough, had yet to join the pile of animals, and was instead pacing about and staring off into nothingness. Even a direct entreaty did nothing to sway the Divine Turtle from her vigil, though she did look back at Rain more than once, so eventually, Mila gave up and returned to Rain’s side, only to open the box still wrapped around his wrist.

And miracle of all miracles, the red panda popped out, frowning as he took in his unfamiliar surroundings. Spotting Ping Ping, he clambered out of his box and scampered over to her side, wrapping his arms around her neck and dragging her back over towards Rain. Grudgingly allowing herself to be pulled, Ping Ping made her way over and helped the red panda back into his box, before finally plopping down in the dirt to rest her chin on Rain’s hand, emanating a burst of loving Aura tinged with forlorn resignation.

Then Rain’s eyes popped open, and Alsantset’s spirits soared, only to dampen once more as he continued to lay there, as still and silent as before. She was not the only one pained by this changed, for Mama, Yan, and Mila all gasped and sighed in unison. Even Li-Li tensed and slumped in place, but strong, unflappable Lin-Lin was the only one to keep her head, checking Rain’s pulse with two fingers to his neck, as opposed to on the wrist as so many physicians were wont to do. Judging by her expression however, there was good news to be had, which she shared with a cherubic smile that almost made her eyes disappear. “His pulse is getting stronger, and I think he’s breathing more too, but there are too many animals in the way to tell. He’s okay now, and if he takes a turn for the worst, another Healer should be able to help him soon.”

A quiet voice warned Alsantset not to get her hopes up, but then a tide of relief washed that voice away. Heart beating in excitement, she felt a comforting cloak of satisfaction settle around her as she watched Rain’s pallid skin regain a pinkish tinge and his expression tighten in quiet concern, but Mama Bun was on task as she pressed her head against his chin and nuzzled him close. Squeezing her way under Baloo’s chin, Ping Ping did the same, while Aurie, Jimjam, and even Sarankho set to kneading Rain’s legs, the animals sensing the mood and calming down now that he was no longer in danger. Whether they gleaned this information themselves or were simply following cues from the people around them, Alsantset could not say, but a small smile worked its way across her lips as she exchanged a quiet look with Mama.

How is she? Was she hurt badly? Is she fully Healed yet? These thoughts finally occurred to Alsantset long after the fact, and she felt mildly guilty for not considering this before, but a soothing sensation settled over her shoulders and wicked away her remorse. She was distressed and distracted, and it wasn’t too late to make up for past mistakes. Wrapping Mama in a one armed hug, she asked, “Are you well, Mama?”

“Better now that your brother is no longer in danger.” Stroking his hair, she overlooked the obvious concern in Alsantset’s tone and likely even forgot she herself had been injured, so utterly preoccupied by Rain’s well-being. It warmed Alsantset’s heart to see Mama so relieved, especially given how unreceptive she’d initially been when Rain first joined their family, and how aloof he’d pretended to be as well. Oh how far they’d all come in just a few short years, not even an entire decade together as a family, so surely the Heavens would not be so cruel as to separate them so soon?

No need to worry. You’ll be fine. You have each other.

The bittersweet thought left Alsantset lessened in some way, as if Rain were well and truly gone now, even though he was clearly alive and breathing before her. Looking away from Rain for the first time since she returned, Mama’s brows furrowed as she glanced about in confusion, though even she didn’t seem to know what she was looking for. Taking a deep breath, she leaned into Alsantset’s embrace and sighed. “He will be fine,” she said, as if doing her best to convince them both. “He will. My son is strong, and he will return to us, or I will ascend to the Heavens and rip him from the Mother’s arms myself.”

Warmed by her fervour, Alsantset nodded in agreement. “And I will go with you, Mama.”

Danger approaches.

Leaping to her feet with spear in hand, she was mildly surprised to see Mama, Mila, Yan, and Li-Li do the same, while Lin-Lin set to rushing the animals back to their wagon. Whatever tipped her off, tipped the others off too, including Ping Ping and all their guards. Tense seconds passed without incident, and Alsantset began to wonder if she’d lost her mind, but then Grand-Mentor raised her voice and said, “Careful.”

And the world erupted into chaos and violence.

“Finally,” Alsantset thought, giving Rain one last glance before leaping into battle. “A chance to prove her strength.”

For she was Alsantset of the People, Wife of Charok, Mother to Tali and Tate, Daughter of Baatar and Sarnai, Granddaughter of Akanai and Husolt, and Sister to Falling Rain, which meant she had a legacy to live up to.