When Crossbow Meets Blade

Chapter 7

3rd Person POV

It was a normal evening for the Oriental Fighters. They were having dinner together, chatting and laughing about their day.

  Wanwan boasting about her aim and bothering Ling, Baxia ranting about turtles, Zilong gobbling down his food.

  "Ling!!! I have something for you!" Wanwan shouted across the table.

  "No skirt, I swear to god. Dont even try"

  "Relax, its not what you think!" With that, she threw an apple towards Ling's face, successfully hitting him.

   "My aim is impeccable!" she announced.

  "You-! Come here, you piece of shit!" Ling said, getting up from his seat and running after her.

  "Haha, you can try to catch me!" she said, getting up from her seat. However, she forgot she's still injured, so she lost her balance and fell to the floor with a thud.

 "Wanwan! NOO! I didnt protect you again!! I'm such a useless tank!!" Baxia shouted, literally crying for the second time that day.

  "Baxia, relaxx.. this is nothing! Really!" Wanwan said, trying to get up but failing. Just then, she noticed something under the table. A tiny, white fluff ball trembling. As she squinted, she realised it was Chang'e's rabbit.

  "Hey! Isnt this Chang'e's rabbit? What's it doing here?" Wanwan said, picking up the rabbit.

At the mention of Chang'e's name, Zilong looked at Wanwan. Suddenly, a wave of panic hit him.

  "Right.. Alucard wouldve sent her back by now..." Zilong said, all anxious. He was trying not to think the worse that could happen to Chang'e and her friends.

   "Alucard and Miya are very responsible and reliable people. They wont just forget the time to send her back like that, right?" Baxia asked. The atmosphere in the room immediately got serious.

  "Guys, lets calm down. Maybe he's already on the way back with Chang'e..." Wanwan said, observing the rabbit. Then, she noticed something on the rabbit's back.

Blood stains.

Wanwan's eyes widened in fear. She became speechless and her hands were trembling. The rabbit looked up to her in total oblivion. However, there were also concern in the rabbit's eyes.

 "G-g-guys... this is..." Wanwan managed to mutter out.

 Zilong quickly rushed over to Wanwan's side and looked at the rabbit. When he saw the blood stains, he snapped.

 "Thats it! I'm heading to the Moniyan Empire! I need to find Chang'e, now!" he shouted, grabbing his spear and rushing out the door.

  "Zilong, wait!" Baxia said in an attempt to stop  him. Obviously, Zilong ignored him and ran out.

Baxia stood there, not knowing what do to. At that moment, Ling took charge. "Baxia! Follow Zilong! We dont know who the enemy is, and they might be dangerous! With Zilong in this state, he cant protect himself!" Ling said, followed by Baxia nodding and heading out the door.

  Wanwan was checking the rabbit for any injuries, but there werent any. "Ling... the blood on the rabbit... its someone else's blood..." Wanwan said, still frightened. Ling went to her side and managed to calm her down.

 "Dont worry, I'll think of something. For now, wash up the bunny and make sure it doesnt run off" he said.

Zilong's POV

Dammit, dammit, damn it all! Why must this happen?! Chang'e, please be safe!

I ran down the hill, tripping over fallen branches and slipping on puddles. Just then, I heard a rumbling sound behind me. I prepared my spear for any kind of attack, but it was just Baxia. I relaxed for a little.

"Zilong! Dont just run off like that! I know you're worried, but at least wait for a moment!" Baxia said, panting.

"I'm sorry! But, you know... I cant just leave her! What if-" Zilong ranted, getting cut off by footsteps approaching us.

I prepared myself while Baxia took a defensive stance. However, the silhouette in the distance seemed to be limping towards us. I could hear the faint panting of a woman. I immediately rushed over to the person. As I got closer, I could make out the appearance of the woman.

"Miya?! What are you doing here?!" I exclaimed. She had bruises all over, with some blood trickling down her forehead. Baxia quickly rushed beside her and supported her.

"T-they.... those kids..." she muttered, still panting.

"Who...?" I asked, hoping she wasnt talking about who I thought it was.

"Chang'e... everyone... Alucard and I... g-got attacked..!"

"Do you know who attacked you" Baxia asked her.

"I-i dont know the name... but I recall Alucard saying something like.. Hanze?" she said, turning confused.

"Hanzo...?" I said, my body getting all numb and the mention of that name.

"Yes... thats the one..." she said.

Rage and anger filled me. That bastard! What the hell does he want from us?!

"Alucard, Fanny, Granger, Harith and Tigreal are trying to fight off the enemies right now.. So I took the chance to inform you..."

"Enemies? You mean he brought backup?!" Baxia asked, his voice getting loud.

"Im afraid so..." she said, upset about it.

Baxia looked like he was thinking hard. Then, he started to speak. "Zilong, we cant go to the Empire right now. We need to get back to the headquarters, take care of Miya and form a plan"

Obviously, I wasnt agreeing to that. "Their lives are in danger and you wanna go back?! We need to save them now! Thats it, I'm going myself! Dont try to-"

Baxia's POV

I'm sorry Zilong. But we have no choice. I karate-chopped him on the head, knocking him out.

"B-Baxia! Why's you do that?!" Miya asked, shocked.

"We cant have a lone fighter going on a rampage not knowing who he's up against. And I think the Lightborn Squad are capable of at least holding off the enemies, so we have plenty of time" I explained, carrying Zilong's limp body on my shoulder.

"Can you walk?" I asked Miya.

"I-I think I can do that.." She said, slowly getting up. I broke a long branch from a tree and handed it to her. "At least use this to help maintain your balance." I said. She thanked me and took it.

As we entered back into the headquarters, I spotted Ling on the table, thinking hard. When he saw us, he heaved a sigh of relief, absolutely not surprised at the Zilong I'm carrying.

"Where's Wanwan?" I asked

"She's taking care of the rabbit."

"I see. Miya, please wait here. I'll get the medical supplies." I said, reassuring the Moonlight Archer. She nodded her head and sat on the couch, sighing. 

As I was on my way, I passed by Wanwan. She was cleaning up the rabbit, looking anxious. When she spotted me, she eased up. Carrying the rabbit, she came up to me. "Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Yea, Zilong calmed down ( heh not really ) and Miya came to give us some information, so we can come up with a plan in no time" I said.

"Miya? You mean the Moonlight Archer?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Yea, thats the one."

I grabbed the box of medical supplies and headed back to the living room together with Wanwan. Miya was looking very nervous and Ling was still thinking hard.

Wanwan took care of Miya's injuries while having small talk with her. I laid Zilong down on the table, letting him rest. Man, I think I hit him too hard.

The atmosphere in the room..... its so tense and serious.... and I hate that. I hate negative feelings..

Change'e, everyone in the Empire.. I hope you guys are all safe!