The Rainlands: Grand Delusion

Chapter 9: The River Guardian

"This was a bad idea!" Levi was freezing on the wooden board he had pried off the carriage. He hadn't had any oars so he had thrown the planks into the water, flopped aboard, and started swimming. It was possible to cross the Yura by swimming. If you were the Reincarnation of a seaman. And mad. Levi's arms were on fire, though each stroke brought them back down into the Yura, no amount of cold water could sooth the pain of his aching muscles. Even still, he continued to swim. He had been one of the best swimmers on the island, but he had never tried to go out this deep. Before leaving he had wedged the Dragonstone in-between a crack in the boards, and he prayed that the River Guardian would see it there and let him pass.

I can't do this.

Levi thought to himself. He wanted to give in and let the waves pull him under. The water was worse than when he had set out, incredibly cold, and whenever he stopped for even a second, he had to start swimming again because the current would turn him around. It was everywhere, the whole Yura felt like a sloshing whirlpool with no pattern. There was no discernable flow, just chaos.

"I need to do this. There's still time to warn Elder Shisshion. Or to help. Something, there has to be something!" Levi urged himself onwards, and though he could barely see, the island started to come into view. He was surprised, but then he realized why. Oh Moon Goddess. It's on fire. Everything's on fire! He stroked harder, rushing to get to the beach. Smoke choked the night sky, and he could see rooftops burning. Dozens of them, what felt like the whole village were alight. No, no! This can't be happening! How can a few men cause all this! I didn't want this!

Klunk!

The board abruptly hit the shore, dumping Levi's face into the wet sand. A wave washed over his shivering body and he couldn't move for a second, choking as he struggled to lift his head above the water. His body just wouldn't listen to him, the superhuman strength which had carried him here was nowhere to be found now. I have to get up!

Lightning shot by overhead, and Levi finally regained enough breath to push himself onto his elbows. Then his knees, and finally, he stood up. He staggered, every step shaking like a drunk. But he walked. The sand tried to trip him, but he did not fall. It was too important, he had to keep going. Eventually, he came to the town square. Ashes covered what remained, the scraps of this year's lanterns had been blown out of the sky and landed on the stalls and buildings, setting them on fire. The blaze had clearly rampaged unchecked, except for the rain, and Levi wailed as he saw why.

"No! No! This is not happening! This CAN'T be real!" He cried out in agony, seeing villagers cut down like wheat, their still bleeding bodies sprawled all over the square. The festival had turned into a massacre and he didn't know what to do. He looked at them, forced himself to look closely, but no one was moving. They were all dead. However, most of them still wore their masks, and though it was terrifying, like some great human zoo had been slaughtered, Levi managed to distance himself from the pain by pretending that it wasn't anyone he cared about. I don't know who is dead yet. I don't see Elder Shisshion's mask anywhere. Maybe he's still alive!

Levi ran towards Elder Shisshion's house. On the way, he arrived at Dan's apartment. The door was kicked down. He crept inside but there was no one inside. The boy quickly hurried to Elder Shisshion's house, ignoring the bodies lying on the street as he went. People had been running, fleeing from the square any way they could. They lay on the street and Levi imagined faces he knew on each one of them. But he didn't dare remove the masks and see if he was right. Finally, he came upon Elder Shisshion's house. The door was bolted, still standing. Blood smeared the latch. He looked around and seeing no one, banged on the door.