Ariadne and the Tales of Heroes

Chapter 13: August 15th, 1900

Terror ruled the streets of Peking. It was another day of the Boxer Rebellion. A group of fanatics known as the Militia United in Righteousness opposed to foreign control revolted against the Europeans and Japanese authority. Their targets were anybody unfamiliar including Christians and mercenaries. Crop failures during the years resulted in widespread famine, encouraging a population that the foreigners are not just a threat but a divine threat. The Boxers massacred individuals that represented the foreign threat. There was nowhere to run from the Boxer Rebellion.

When asked to fight against the Boxers, the Empress Dowager turned and helped the Boxers. The Qing Army joined the attack to suppress and push out any foreign control. Peking was the most prominent target as most foreign powers lay there.

It was an open debate for the family for Daiyu. Should they stay under threat of being pulled into the conflict directly? Should they move to the countryside? Do they help the Boxers or the Qing Army? The decision was made as far back as the beginning of the conflict.

The Boxer Rebellion was happening throughout China but still focused around Peking and its neighboring cities. There was really nowhere to run, and if anything, the family-like most felt embolden to stay and cheer on the Boxers and Army in their actions. It was, however, a decision that they still knew was dangerous. The Foreigners were encased in the inner walls of Peking entirely surrounded by the Boxer and Qing Army as they fought for their very lives. All nations that had control of China had families that lie inside those walls. If the Boxers or the Qing managed to penetrate those walls, then there was a strong possibility they would be slaughtered. Men, women, children, no one was spared the atrocities that conflict brought with them.

For Daiyu and the family, they decided to move out a mile away from Peking's walls. It had been a long year. Peking had been a city under siege. With Peking turned into a war ground, the economy around it shut down. It was not to say there was still work for Liu, but it was not a place for children to watch soldiers attack a city. Artillery bombardment and bombs were every once and while thrown into the town to scare the soldiers from within. The foreigners responded with their own artillery piece known as the "international cannon" made from various components from various nations to shoot back.

Daiyu woke up very early morning to hear gunfire outside the home. She was now used to hearing the sounds of weapons fire. There were occasional nights where Biyu got close to her sister and held close to her to keep herself safe.

"Another night of this racket," Daiyu said quietly to herself. "I thought coming back as a little girl would somehow keep me away from war and conflict. I was wrong. I am used to it, though. I just wonder if my chapter in this life ends here, but it has been several months of this, and nothing ill has fallen on the family."

Her thoughts were interrupted by her sister as she spoke out loud. She grasped her sister hard as they heard a cannon shot from the far distance.

"I thought you would be used to this by now, Biyu," Daiyu said to her.

"Are you?"

She tapped her shoulder, keeping her assured, "I am used to this....interestingly. To be honest, though, I wished it would come to an end. I hope to see a peaceful end to this conflict and that the foreigners are expelled peacefully. The Boxers response in.......," she stopped speaking out loud. She felt that she had said enough to her sister.

Biyu closed her eyes "How do you have the strength for this sister?"

Daiyu rolled to look at her sister in bed. She held her sister close, "What if I told you I was a warrior in the past?"