The Tiny Emperor's Great Wall (Revised)

Chapter Four

Fenghua cursed with each agonizing breath. The joints in his knees begged him to take a break from climbing the turret's steps. Yet the salvation of the nation would depend upon the Great Wall, no matter how much he wished it didn't. Any attempt to fall back or to attack would fail. That, and only here could he make a miracle occur.

"Are you okay, sir?" asked Shouwie. Keeping close behind, the lieutenant held out an arm, as if he could somehow prevent Fenghua from crashing down. Chuckles escaped the demon at the thought. "Sir, this is a serious matter. With you the leader of this army, you must—"

"Keep my body and mind in good shape," stated the general with a smirk. "I know, mother. You told me at least ten times this week." Reaching the tower's top, the general looked about the room. Guards leaning on the wall erected themselves as they saluted the general. One of the women snorted.

Waving the general along, she stated, "Keep moving, old man. There is nothing to see here." The lieutenant started to speak, but the general made a chopping motion with his hand. The last thing he needed was fighting. He also knew that yelling at the woman would do him no good. Her loyalty could only be won by gaining her boss's good side.

So Fenghua put on a grin. "Could you please tell me where Faita is? I need to speak with her about the defenses."

"She is two towers over and working on her chemicals." The defiant soldier's smile grew wide. "But be careful, my friend. She doesn't like to be disturbed while working."

"I'll be fine," declared Fenghua. Flexing one of his arms, he patted the bicep. "We demons are quite hard to hurt." He did take a quick look at his guard detail to check on their safety. Shouwie and one of the humans accompanied him today. The other guards had been turned into the general's eyes and ears. Being one person, with faulty limbs compounding his job, he needed as many ears as possible.

A good dozen meters later he came upon the tower. Humming in confusion, the general leaned forward to read the note on the door.

This is Faita's workshop, declared the note. Entering without permission may lead to pain.

"What is with the people around here?" asked Shouwie. His hand tugged on his blade's hilt. Shrugging, the general knocked on the door. "What are you doing?"

"Alerting her to my presence," said Fenghua. "Isn't that obvious?"

Growling, the lieutenant threw open the door. "Oh come on! You are the general. Who said that you can't—" He took one step in, and a cloud of purple dust fell on his head. Coughs erupted from him. The general took a step back as he covered his face.

"Damn it!" shouted a squeaky voice. Laughter burst from Fenghua upon seeing the mini Shouwie. Barely half a foot tall, Shouwie jumped up and down. He brandished his sword, but the tooth pick hardy looked threatening. "Where is Faita! I will strike that woman down."

"Busy," stated a voice from under the table. Popping out from under it, a female oni, a muscular humanoid, grimaced at them. "Go bother someone else."

Fenghua, not wanting his guard to be squished, bent down to place his lower arm on the ground. The lieutenant hopped onto it as he glared at the oni. The demon studied the tall female oni, who rose to about six feet. He noted her skin to be snow white streaked with yellow lines. Unlike most people, the oni had forgone winter clothing for a sleeveless brown shirt and dark blue pants. One of her fingers twirled pins around her horns. Her dark blue eyes stared down at Shouwie.

"I told you not to come," stated the oni. She folded her bulky arms as she stared the general down. Difficult when he was two feet taller, but she did her best to glare him into submission.