The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

Lofey delivered punch after punch at Mafan's stomach and face and wiped off the blood from his fists. "Do you know how many of my people died just because of some puny being like you?" And after finishing that sentence, he delivered another blow to his face.

Mafan spat blood as he laughed. His reaction made the general even more pissed as he kicked Mafan's chair for it to fall over. He wanted to kill him that instant but he couldn't since this man had to answer to the Goding court for instigating a war with his selfish intentions.

He also didn't want to disrespect Ming since Fengfu was his territory and they were just foreigners. Most of all, he couldn't afford to waste their alliance, not after he had found out that they were both Chiangdas.

Silence filled the tent for a few minutes as Mafan finally spoke.

"Those deaths won't go in vain, as I will replace those sadnesses with a new era. Where people won't have to live in fear anymore." He spat on the side of the tent and surprised his aim was that far.

Lofey charged at Mafan and grabbed him by the collar. "And what era would that be?" He gritted his teeth on how shallow this man was. He didn't look like someone who had any sympathy towards the people who had died Instead, he seemed like he was happy.

Lofey didn't understand why he had felt like he was the one who had lost and Mafan had won. He picked Mafan from the ground and heavily dropped him back. And kicked him in the face.

"You'll regret doing that." Mafan gave him a deadly stare, but it didn't bother General Lofey. He walked out the tent to breathe because he knew he could kill the man if he was not careful. He felt like he had failed all his soldiers. Somehow, he inhaled long and gave a loud exhale as he went inside to talk to the fool.

"Tell me, what era are you even talking about, huh?" He set a stool in front of Mafan and as he sat, he still looked down at the other guy because of his giant build. 

"Heh, an era where people like me and you won't have to feel the fear to show our powers anymore, nor stand in obeisance to anyone. Goding is good, but what I'll build is better. The nation where everyone is equal and nobody has to be tossed around like garbage just because they have powers. That kind of era, General. An era where nobody has to bow down to anyone."

Lofey just stared at him in silence since he was trying to understand what Mafan meant about equality. The general gained all his success even without using his powers. He may have hid it when he was younger, but it never stopped him from being the man that he was. He got respected because he earned it and never felt bitter. 

"You just want to be treated special just because you have powers, but you never thought about the people who worked hard even though they had nothing. I despise people like you, who think they can get what they want easily." He spat on Mafan's face.

Although Mafan had experienced struggles in life but he was more fortunate as a child than the general base on his smooth skin and looks. No men who had gone through hardship in life since young to have this kind of skin.

Hearing those words, Mafan couldn't believe that a fellow Chiangda had insulted him that way. He felt furious. His blood boiled with vengeance and General Lofey was on top of the list. How could this man assumed I've gone through life easily?

Suddenly, Ming entered the tent, angry towards the general.

"Why did you beat him up? I know you're mad but you don't have any right to beat my prisoner. You may be my big brother Chiangda, but you are under our Youshian law. You can't just decide without notifying me."

Lofey was going to say something but just shut his mouth and walked out. Ming looked over to Mafan with an irritated face then followed the general. 

"Feed the prisoner!" Ming scolded the guard assisting him as he argued with his big brother Lofey.

The Youshian guard brought Mafan to a nearby tent while the argument of the two continued. Mafan couldn't understand what the two were saying, but he knew it was big. The guard left and came back with a tray of bread and soup. He untied Mafan and let him sit down on the table set for him.

Mafan checked his surroundings. He saw two more soldiers outside, ready to assist them. 

It's now or never. 

He closed his eyes and thought about controlling the first one who gave him food. As he did, the soldier suddenly dropped what he held and his eyes turned white. The two guards outside jerked their heads after the tray fell and witnessed the whiteness of the man's eyes. Their first move was to unsheathe their swords, but before they could even do so, Mafan tried controlling them as well.

He closed his eyes and put his hands in defense in case the plan hadn't worked, but as he opened them, he laughed hard. It worked. Three soldiers were now under his control without the black stone. He smirked as he looked around the busy soldiers outside the tent.

"It's time." He walked calmly past all the soldiers and one by one, those who had no powers followed him. Balin and Gib who were with their men stood dumbfounded when the men grabbed them. Some even lifted their fists to punch them.

Uncontrolled soldiers moved to stop them but a minute after, they faced the superiors and attacked them same as the others. The rest saw this and fled in fear. A few ran, shouting for their general's attention. They were too concerned and scared to attack one of their own friends or family.