Fast forward a couple of minutes and the mood is drastically different. The fires have cooled, the tents are being fixed up, with Bo and Ha Linh now sharing drinks.
“You got a lot of fight in you… Sorry, Ha Linh.” Bo says, handing the flask back to her.
“And you’re not half bad yourself, for a brute,” she replies with a grin. Ha Linh takes a swig and leans against a nearby rock. “I’ve been watching you and your group for a while. You’ve got a good heart under all that bluster. You steal from the nobles, but give more to the needy than you keep...”
Bo shrugs, staring off at the horizon. “Those nobles have been bleeding the people dry for years. Took our homes, left us to fend for ourselves when bandits came, when the Quis came. We fight because no one else will.”
Ha Linh nods, her body slinking even further to the ground. Now, staring up at the stars. “I know the feeling. I was just a kid when monsters came for my family. My parents held them off long enough for me to escape. I survived, but I never forgot what happened. Now, I’m using what they taught me to make sure others can protect themselves. Magic, technology—they don’t have to be tools of fear. They can be tools of strength.”
Bo grunts, unimpressed. “A lot of people with power say things like that. But they don’t mean it.”
“I do,” she insists, her voice unwavering. “Join me, and I’ll prove it to you.”
Bo leans back, folding his arms. “Who’s to say that when you rise in power, you won’t forget about the little folks. That’s who I fight for.”
Ha Linh’s gaze doesn’t falter. “Because I know what it’s like to be small. To be weak. I’m not interested in ruling people—I want to give them the means to stand on their own.”
Before Bo can respond, a breathless young man stumbles into the clearing. “Boss! The village of Phan Tho to the north—it’s under attack!”
Bo is on his feet in an instant, grabbing his axes. “Dammit. Must be the Quis!”
Ha Linh follows, her exhaustion forgotten. Together, they lead Bo’s crew toward the village, where flames are already licking at rooftops. But it’s not the Quis that greet them—guards from a nearby noble family are herding villagers into the square, shouting accusations of theft.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“Stand down!” Ha Linh calls, stepping forward.
One of the soldiers scoffs. “And who are you to command the guards of Diplomat Guan?”
Her voice hardens. “Leave these people alone.”
The soldier sneers and motions for his men to attack. The village erupts into panic.
“Anyone that chooses to stand in my way, won’t stand for long.” Ha Linh’s flames roar to life, forming a protective barrier between the villagers and the advancing soldiers. Bo charges into the fray, his fists forcing through the soldiers’ defenses with brutal efficiency. Villagers scatter, ducking into alleyways as Bo’s men help guide them to safety.
Just as they start to gain control, a chittering sound fills the air. The unmistakable, chilling presence of Quis. The yellow-eyed creatures clawing towards them, drawn to the magic and screams. The guards, abandoning all sense of valor, turn and flee. One of them accidentally sets a house ablaze in his haste.
Ha Linh curses under her breath and rushes into the burning house, ignoring the smoke and flames as she searches for any signs of life. She finds a little girl huddled in the corner, coughing and terrified. Ha Linh looks around for a viable means of escape. The fires have taken over.
“Hey! We’re over here!” She calls out. The fires continue inching towards her. Ha Linh tries to control the flames, but she’s too weak right now.
Outside, Bo stands his ground against the Quis, the earth erupting around him as he channels his energy to push back the creatures. Suddenly, Ha Linh’s cries pierce the chaos. He seizes a Qui and growls, “Brace yourself!” With every ounce of strength, he slams the creature against the wall of the building where Ha Linh is trapped. The wall collapses around them.
Ha Linh emerges from the rubble, holding onto the little girl. “Get out of here.” The girl flees to safety.
Back to the Quis. “Alright, now I’m pissed.” Ha Linh joins up with Bo. Their powers now work in tandem, destroying the Quis in their wake.
As the last of the flames are put out and the villagers re-emerge, Bo watches Ha Linh with newfound respect as she offers to help rebuild the village. “Maybe you’re different,” he admits begrudgingly. “Alright! If we’re doing this then I have some demands. I won’t just be a pawn.”
Ha Linh raises an eyebrow. “Why would you be? You’ll be an ally.”
He considers her words, then nods. “As I said, I have demands. First, you make sure your ‘new world’ doesn’t forget people like them. And if anyone threatens the small folk, you’ll…”
“Threaten them back. Don’t worry.” She grins.
Ha Linh extends her hand, “We’re going to have some fun you and I.” Sealing the pact with a firm shake. Bo nods. “Agreed.”
***
Back to the present day, Ha Linh calls out to a nearly unconscious Bian, “Hey! Hey! Wake up! Don’t let this big headed brute take you out! Get up!”