Ultimate Note: The Calling

Tied

Wu Xie

A stone door open at the end of the stairs they were climbing, but Wu Xie only notice when crashed against Zhang Qiling's back. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts about the mysteries of that place that he simply follow Qiling up the stairs without really seen ahead, just down to his feet.

"Wu Xie... are you okay? We are back up now." Xiaoge whisper, looking back at him. His expression was as serious as always, yet he could swear that there was a hint of worry in those dark and mysterious eyes of his.

"Hum, yeah... we should keep going now. I think we got permission to keep up, right?" Wu Xie asked, referring to the Qilin that had guide them bellow and sure enough, Xiaoge assented, moving ahead to be greeted by Hei Xiazi, who had come to find them as soon as the stone wall had open to reveal Zhang Qiling standing in the other side with Wu Xie closely behind him.

As soon as Wu Xie was out, Pangzi came to hug him with all his strength, almost taking all the air from his lungs, but Wu Xie didn't mind.

"When we go home, I will make sure to cleanse you out of all that bad luck you carry with you..." Pangzi said as he hugged him and Wu Xie smiled.

"Do that and I will owe you my life." Wu Xie told him in return.

"Don't offer your life when you already owe it to someone else. You should thank Zhang Qiling instead, he is the reason you are still alive after all." Xiao Hua said from behind Xiazi. Wu Xie could tell he was angry, probably for disappearing on them so suddenly.

"I'm sorry to worry you, Xiao Hua, it was not my intention, but I'm fine. We should keep going now, had the fog cleared?" Wu Xie asked.

"Yeah, just before you showed up here, which is weird enough. What was down there?" Pangzi asked curiously.

"Blood and bones... a place of sin." Wu Xie said, giving Xiaoge a glance. The secrets of that city was not his to tell anyways. There was something beyond humanity moving the strings there and he was going to play along... for now. He didn't have an idea of why he was been involved, nor his family for that matter, but he was almost sure that going down the tomb on that place was going to give him some answers.

They headed out after they agree into another route to the next circle of the city. Now that the fog had cleared they didn't have anything to keep them from reaching their next target, however as they walked, they found other kinds of troubles that had nothing to do with oversized lizards nor dangerous man eating ants, but a huge field of quicksand that cover almost all the sand they needed to walk on to go further.

"Now what?" Ning asked as she looked at the distances that was full of moving holes, sucking out sand all over it.

"You let the experts do their job." Xiazi responded as he look at Zhang Qiling who assented in agreement.

"First thing, we use ropes to tie us together in case someone accidently make a wrong step, it's a lifesaving line. Second all of you are to follow our lead, only stepping where we do, otherwise we may be in big troubles and lastly, no matter what, no one is allowed to questions the decisions we made for your own good." Xiazi warned.

"Why would we want to question you?" Mop asked curiously.

"We need to cross this in small groups. Four from the numbers we currently had and I'm experienced enough to know everyone will want to go with Zhang Qiling, which is not possible." Xiazi explained.

"But he is the best! Why not cross in a single line?" Another man asked.

"Idiot, a longer line means more risk that one will step the wrong place and drag down the whole group. Separate groups will ensure help in case that is needed from someone not bonded to them. Got it?" Pangzi said and protests immediately raised as Xiazi predicted.