Poison City

“There is no easy way. Not even I know that.” The Lady in White shook her head and sighed: “But I can tell you some things that might work, it just depends on whether you CAN actually put it in your heart to do them. It also hinges on how prepared you would be, in going against these people who have been acting in your city for decades. Even though they are now a husk of what they once were, they still hold tremendous power and influence in your city’s politics and functions.”

“I am - I believe I am ready for that.” Marcus let out a long sigh.

“Then let me start with the best solution that I know.” The Lady in White looked up at the night sky: “Since you are one of the official enforcers of the city, you should have encountered their soldiers and minions. What have you noticed about them?”

Marcus fell into his thoughts. The first person he thought of was Stitch, the only henchman they’ve caught in the entire precinct, one who unfortunately died in a fight. After that the closest ones he came to were those men in black who gathered around the docks. But they were apprehended by Chef Tang and his crew. And it had been a while, the chef’s crew never contacted him or anyone involved in the operation.

“They deem what they were doing to be an act for the greater good, and for the fate of the city.” Marcus answered, looking right into the lady’s eyes: “You are saying, if I do what they are doing. I can actually stop the curse of the city, like they’re claiming?”

“Yes. But chances for you are three out of ten, even if you do it the right way.” The Lady in White looked up at the night: “This is an ancient ritual. Even during my time, I’ve heard rumors about it being practiced by those malicious on small scales. What it is, is to take the Qiyun from those who have vast and great futures ahead of them, rip their Qiyun of them, and use that Qiyun to build a net to chain the curse. For, as you might know, curses, future, and the pure energy of Qiyun, they are different aspects of the same thing.”

“So - what about my actual question - what of the other ways?”

“Patience is a virtue, and a fine strategy when there was no obvious way out.” The Lady in White spoke with a soft and slightly tired voice, her eyes drifting towards the relief sculpture of the One-armed Knight. “The reason even if you do things perfectly, is because you are literally messing with Qiyun, taking it off others, holding a cut flow of it, shaping it, every step of the way would corrupt your own, your fate and your future. Curses, it would become.”

Marcus and Gloria sighed at the same time. Gloria sniffled and wiped the corners of her eyes.

“For decades during my time, my predecessors have been trying to find a way to control the power of lightning, and control the power of fire, and light. We failed. No spell or ritual can grant us the level of control that we desire. But it is a matter of fact now, in fact, in your time, it has been a granted aspect of life since decades ago.” The Lady in White sighed and shook her head with a wry smile: “Therefore, I impart this knowledge to one talented young man who walked through the door. He had the right mind, he understood. He created another ritual and planned it over several major parts of the city. But - he failed. He lost control of the ritual, along with it, his life, and his vision. Yet - wise and cautious as he was, he left ways to restart this ritual using liquid lightning. I know not where he left it. You’ll need to find it, and find new pillars to achieve it. To that end, I believe you already know what needs to be done. Sacrifice is, as you expect, inevitable.”

“... thank you.” Marcus and Gloria exchanged looks: “My sincerest gratitude, you - you don’t know how much this helps.”

“What is your final question, young enforcer?”

“I - I want to know this - the spirits that appear in the night, or wandering in the city. They almost always have these chains on their backs.” Marcus rubbed his nose bridge, then uttered his question: “I want to know the nature of these chains.”

Gloria nodded and awaited the Lady’s answer with an eager look.

“Binds. They are binds on the soul, as well as on the curse itself.” The Lady picked two flowers from her side. One decorated by laming petals with long winding golden patterns, the other came with long, crystal blue sword-like petals: “They pull the residual Qiyun as well as essence from the souls and take advantage of that force to suppress the curse itself. Flawed, shoddy and barbaric attempts to the once promising ritual, conducted by lesser men.”

The Lady in White spoke the last words with palpable contempt. After which, she handed the two flowers to Marcus and Gloria, exhausted: “My gratitude to you as well, for daring to come here. It’s been years since I last spoke this much. And - my wishes that you find what you’re looking for.”

Marcus and Gloria bowed before taking the flowers. Gloria wanted to say something, but not before fog swept around both of them, swallowing them in whole again.

From Feb 8 to Feb 12, in celebration of the Chinese New Year, my latest novella Lime's Fable will be free on Amazon! Stay tuned!

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