The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

The adventurers left the snowy mountain. Xinyi told Ah Lam to stay to guard the mountain at this moment of chaos, but the fox-spider insisted on going with them. She said with fierce determination. Lofey sensed something in that spider's eyes that was not there before. He didn't know why, but he believed the enemies they would meet had a terrible history with Ah Lam.

Although they were in a hurry, Xinyi commanded Nianshi not to fly at his lightning speed. This caused Ming and Godingans to be puzzled.

Their first impression with her was her impulsiveness, her being a risk-taker, and that firm commitment. The last trait attracted Tyriece, of which he couldn't see in most women in Goding. She had this determination of not fearing anything as long as she accomplished her mission. But telling Nianshi to slow down was new to her. The experienced General agreed to this but wondered what could be her reason now.

Ming wanted for them to fly as fast as Nianshi could bring them to save his mother. Mostly Nianshi said Lifen was in great danger. 

"Xinyi, why are you stopping Nianshi." Ming asked, part worried and part bewildered with her calmness.

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"I already contacted Xionmao. He said my father is there..."

Ming interrupted her and exclaimed, "The prime minister is in Fengfu? When? I mean, when did he come?"

"Please, don't forget he is also your father-in-law. I don't know when but Xionmao told me he is there and wreaking havoc in the Bernavoles traders' camp, insisting for them to bring Lifen Ma out. They haven't found Ma, yet, but he believed they hide Ma in someone's domain because on that night she disappeared, he said her presence faded instantly." 

She glanced on her shoulders said, "Ming, don't get me wrong, okay? I'm also worried about Ma, but we need to understand on what is exactly happening here. We might be facing stronger foes, you know? You see, the journey to the Sacred River made me realize something. I saw that I'm a very impulsive person and have no clear direction in most that I do.

"I don't want that anymore. I don't want to be that kind of person anymore. I now have an enormous responsibility to face. Most of all, If Lifen Ma's life is really in danger, then all of Fengfu City can be in danger too. 

"We need to be careful with our approach. We should know our enemies first and make plans. Anyway, my Pa is already there and in control." I hope, she said in her thoughts. "So, please indulge me for now. Trust me, I want nothing to happen to Ma. I will burn those people alive if they dared to touch Ma." 

Then she spoke to the dragon flying beside them, where Tyriece and Lofey rode. "Nianshi, what did you exactly see in the dragon's magic stone? Think carefully and tell me what you saw."

"I saw her covered in blood and in a sleeping state, but the vision was only brief. That's all."

"Can you recall if she had wounds? Or was she hurt? How the blood looked?"

Nianshi closed his eyes while flying and opened it. It became brighter this time. "I just realized now that the blood was not really blood, but a red-colored power engulfing her. It might put her in a trance."

These enlightened everyone and heaved a sigh of relief. But they knew it was not over yet.

"Recall anything in the past when you were still with the late Sorceress. Did you recall anyone or anything that has that kind of power?" Xinyi said.

"Not that I can recall. Maybe the late Sorceress had an encounter when we got separated, but I had a bad feeling with it when I saw that red substance. That's why I asked the dragon king to send us back to help you, of which we're thankful that he allowed us. But in the condition that we'll bring you with us when we go back."

"I will go with you. I also want to meet this dragon king. About the red thing you saw, what do you mean by that bad feeling?"

"It felt… I felt… it was the same thing from you, but I know it wasn't. Something like the same power that you possessed, but… kind of different too. I don't know." He shook his head. "Also, I feel that it's stronger."

"Same power but not and stronger." Xinyi murmured. This thought was worrisome to everyone, mostly to Ming and Xinyi, who were concerned with Lifen's Ma well-being. But, in silence, Xinyi sought the two Sorceress' presence in her.

"Did you hear what Nianshi said?" she asked the two. 

"Yes. I guess this was the same people from Plattanna." the late Xinyi said.

"Plattanna?" Xinyi said.

The first Sorceress sighed. "Xinyi, listen. We reserve these essences of ours when you're already in a pinch and in need of our aid. But once used, it will vanish from your body. So, we can't talk to you as you like. But we'll answer you just this once. You are facing people who are not from Chiji. They came for the stones and nothing else."

"Yes, my namesake. I sent a portion of my essence to the animals in the distant future to kill their people before I died, but I think they sent a new group of people again. And probably with someone stronger base on what Nianshi said."

"I fear they sent someone from the royal family. This person could be stronger than you. So, be careful," the first Sorceress finished.

They became silent after this. Xinyi couldn't get more but was thankful for the warning. She passed the message to Nianshi and to the other spirit guardians, but kept it from Ming and the two Godingans for now. She planned to tell them when they arrived in Fengfu City. They must see what her father was doing and plan their approach well.

"General Lofey, I must bother you this time," Xinyi said.

"I'm glad to be bothered. So what's bothering you? Let me take that bothersome thing from you from now on." Lofey said, itching for more action after that boring attack in the forest.

His response made Xinyi's lips curve up. "Can you be our commander this time? We need someone as good as you. And I also want to learn from you."

"Yeah, we need your battle prowess and strategic mind, brother." Ming added, smirking.

"Sure do. I'll be obliged then. In that case, I want us to fly lower and sneak in behind the Bernavoles campers. My lady, please go to this Mr. Xionmao that you are in communication with and ask him more on what he knows about the enemy. And Brother Ming, I want you to join the Prime Minister and see how you can aid him. He might need your new power now. Ask him for more information too.

The rest of us can sneak in to look for Madame Lei. Our means of communication will be the spirit guardians." He addressed Ah Lam and Meirga. "So, some of you guys must join me and Sir Ming." 

"I can talk to them in our minds, so they don't need to go with us." Shijian intervened.

"Great. That's really great. We can do more behind-the-scenes search that way." Lofey said with satisfaction. "So, charge away our dragons and get ready to face our enemies." He lifted his two fists as he shouted. That short intro of his leadership skill invigorated everyone.

They flew with their minds full with their assigned tasks. Xinyi sat in front of Ming while they both sat on Shijian's back. Both were in deep thoughts too, but not about the fight ahead.

Ming embraced Xinyi to warm her from the cold wintry air. He looked up. Soon, the snow would come. He'd learned that snow in Fengfu was harsher than in any city of Youshi. He looked down at her lovely face and hoped to spend their time together as husband and wife. Or maybe hold another wedding ceremony to give Xinyi that bliss and excitement every woman wished for when they get married. He also wanted to touch her now, to consummate their marriage soon, but they must find his Ma first. He had no peace of mind if something happened to his dearest mother.

Xinyi leaned back on Ming's firm chest and wished her problems would soon be over. She wanted to start a new life with him. Maybe... have kids of their own. Sometimes, she wished she was not the Sorceress, so they could go somewhere far and live in peace. But she knew this was all wishful thinking and sighed. She made a quick prayer for her Lifen Ma.

Talking about her father, she didn't know he was already here and had no idea how to face him. This was unexpected. What would she tell him? She breathed deep and set aside this problem for now. The most important thing was to find and save Lifen Ma first. But he trusted him. He wouldn't let anything to happen to her Lifen Ma.

Then she recalled that royal member from the world of Platanna. Her heart beat fast thinking of this. Could they just talk sense with this person and have a truce or convince them to leave Chiji peacefully? Could they avoid a fight? Was there no other way but fight them head-on? 

Yet, amid these uncertainties, the strong feeling of hope was there. She didn't know why and where she got this profound confidence, but she knew she had it. Maybe it was because of the two essences of her predecessors in her? Or because Ming and the spirit guardians were now with her? She couldn't tell at all, but she just knew she could solve this problem. But about the solution, she didn't know it yet. It might come at the right timing. 

She smiled to herself, thinking to these. Maybe because I have grown and my power is getting stronger. So bring it on, whoever you are, royalty of Platanna. 

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