Chapter 74 - Homecoming

“Hm?” Firuzeh noticed the light in Char Char’s eyes.

“I think... I think I have an idea of who it is.” Char Char said as they walked up the steps leading to the door.

Firuzeh looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding, “Tell me later.”

The look in her eyes indicated that she didn’t want to discuss the topic now that they had reached the front doors of the manor.

Char Char nodded as well and reached up to the knocker, but then hesitated. The question that had she had been ignoring for most of the day now had to be answered, “How... how am I going to explain all this to grandpa?”

Firuzeh smiled and shrugged, “Be honest. As a prominent businessman he must be aware of that world. It is highly likely that he even employs a few to protect him and handle important matters.” Firuzeh explained.

“But Goro told me not to tell anyone about... the Exalted things.” Char Char said.

“And Goro is right.” Firuzeh said, but then smiled gently at Char Char, “But family is very important. I would think your grandfather would only care for what’s best for you. Don’t worry, I will stay and help you if something happens when you explain things to him.”

The doors to the manor suddenly flung open without Char Char knocking. A warm light flooded out into the courtyard as the worried maid behind the door locked eyes on her.

“Oh, Char Char!” The maid seemed to be holding back tears of relief, “Where have you been? You weren’t in the city where all the... all the things are happening, where you? Your grandfather is so worried, he sent Corbin out hours ago to find you!”

Char Char shot a glance at Firuzeh before smiling re-assuredly at the maid, “I’m alright, Agnes. Is grandpa home?”

“Yes, yes.” Agnes said. She beckoned towards both Char Char and Firuzeh and said, “Please, come inside.”

Char Char allowed herself to be ushered in, while Firuzeh followed calmly with a polite smile on her face.

When they reached the main sitting room, Sansen Zhao was already walking down the stairs. His worried expression immediately lit up in relief as he laid eyes on his granddaughter.

“Char Char, thank Noga you’re safe.” He exclaimed, “Are you alright? Where did you disappear to?”

“It’s... It’s a bit of a long story.” Char Char said.

They were ushered to sit down on the couches as the maids quickly brought in tea and small refreshments. Firuzeh was introduced as a security escort from the Red Lion Security Company, who had been tasked with bringing Char Char home safely. The old man sat on the edge of his seat as Char Char recounted her experiences over the past day.

With Firuzeh’s encouragement, Char Char recounted her adventure to the shrine, her encounter with the wolves, the monster and the Hunter Reid. Sansen’s hands clenched tightly on his legs as Char Char showed him the scars of the wolf bites and told him how Hakuya had saved her life.

It was just the three of them in the room. The maids had been asked to leave them alone to talk, and so Char Char left no detail out. Sansen Zhao remained quiet, listening to the story of how she snuck out of the clinic and recruited Yuzu’s help to buy the mushrooms. She skipped over the parts involving Corbin, her ‘chaperone’, since she didn’t care for him at all.

Sansen’s expression deepened and grew serious as Char Char recounted the plague of Devileyes and the danger that swept through the streets. She didn’t go into much detail of how she helped people, only emphasizing that she was doing what she felt was right. Finally, she went over the events at the theatre and her rescue by Firuzeh and Kai.

“There’s one more thing...” Char Char said nervously, glancing over the Firuzeh.

“Only one?” Sansen Zhao asked dryly, sipping on a cup of tea. He had calmed down over the course of the story and was now listening intently without great emotion.

“Yes... I... was infected by the Devileyes right before they saved me. And so in order to stop it from... growing out of control... I had to take a catalyst.”

Sansen Zhao’s face grew tight as his eyes flickered briefly to Firuzeh, before he asked calmly, “Which one?”

“Um..” Char Char glanced to Firuzeh, who quickly replied.

“Domain of Chaos, Rebel Pathway.”

There was a pause as Char Char felt a deep sense of guilt and shame. She didn’t know where it came from, only that she felt that she had perhaps disappointed her grandfather. She also suddenly worried that he would blame Firuzeh for playing a part in the chain of events.

She was about to speak up in Firuzeh’s defense when she noticed that her grandfather’s serious demeanor had given way to a warm smile. Tears budded in his eyes as he opened his arms and gestured for her to sit next to him.

Sansen Zhao pulled her close and kissed her gently on the top of the head as he said, “At least you are safe now.”

The old man nodded to Firuzeh, “Thank you for taking care of my daughter. I understand it must not have been an easy decision to make.”

The young woman with foreign features hid her shock as she smiled politely and said, “We explained the risks to Char Char before we administered the catalyst. We had every intention to bring her here or to a doctor if she refused, but based on our judgement, she likely would have succumbed before we could find help.”

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She stood and bowed deeply as she said, “We only wished to save Char Char, and will take full responsibility for any issues that arise from it.”

Sansen Zhao motioned for Firuzeh to sit down, as he smiled congenially, “You have my utmost gratitude.”

After talking for a few more minutes and receiving information on the security company, Firuzeh took her leave. Char Char went to bed shortly after, leaving Sansen Zhao in the sitting room alone.

There was a knock on the door as one of the maids entered, carrying a fresh pot of tea.

“Thank you, Chloe.” The old man said, leaning forward in his seat. “How is Char Char?”

The short haired maid poured a cup of tea for Sansen Zhao. Her hazel eyes were calm as she said, “She is weak, but not in immediate danger.”

“Danger...” Sansen muttered as he held the tea cup, “I would have wished she never learned the meaning of that word.”

He took a sip of the tea as he stared at a painting on the far wall, his thoughts elsewhere. He mulled over what Char Char had told him and on the words of Chloe. This maid was secretly his personal bodyguard, an Exalted who he hired as someone who was always inconspicuously by his side.

At length he sighed and said, “Please keep an eye on her. Don’t let her leave the manor alone anymore. In fact, I’m almost considering just locking her in the mansion until everything calms down.”

He mulled over the thought as Chloe stood silently at the end of the couch for his orders. After a while he looked up and said, “What are your thoughts on this matter? As an Exalted?”

Chloe began respectfully, “What’s done is done. Char Char is now an Exalted, which means that she’s now a part of this world. The safest path for her would be to have her develop her new abilities, so that she can protect herself.”

“Can Corbin do that?” Sansen frowned, thinking of the two Exalted on his staff. “Or you?”

“Each Domain is unique. It would be like asking a tailor to train a blacksmith. Or a chef to teach carpentry.” Chloe shook her head, “I think... Once we’ve determined it’s safe, it might be best to let her new companions at the security company guide her.”

Sansen nodded without replying.

“There is one more thing.” Chloe said, “That woman was not alone. I could sense the presence of a higher being around her.”

“What does that mean?” Sansen asked.

“That this security company has at least one powerful figure watching over it. We need to be careful with how we handle them.”

“Thank you, Chloe.” Sansen set down his tea cup and stood up, “I think I’ll go check on Char Char before bed. If Corbin comes back, please tell him that I’d like to speak to him in the morning. I’ll have him investigate this Red Lion Security Company, and decide how to proceed from there.”

Chloe bowed deeply, “As you wish, sir.”

~

Down the hill and past the river from the Zhao mansion, a tall, broad shouldered young man burst into the back door of his home. Inside, his slim brother was waiting anxiously at the kitchen table.

“Did she come back yet?” Xiang asked.

“No.” Zwei shook his head, “Was she at Grandma Jingyi’s?”

“No. Grandma Jingyi didn’t even see her.” Xiang frowned.

“What about the Zhao’s?” Zwei asked coolly.

Xiang shook his head, slamming his fist against the counter in anger. “That stupid girl! Where in Noga’s name did she go?”

It had been almost two hours since Xiang had burst in the door looking shaken and anxious. Zwei, who was not aware of the trouble in the city, could only gather fragments of the situation from Xiang. Something troubling and terrifying was happening in the city, something that Xiang had escaped from at the lumberyard where he had been working in the evening.

As soon as Xiang realized that Yuzu was not home he demanded that Zwei tell him what he knew. In the interests of keeping his promises with Yuzu, Zwei had lied to Xiang that she had gone to see Jingyi. However he also suggested to check Char Char’s home as an offhand comment.

It seemed that neither of those locations had panned out. Since Zwei had been home for the whole evening, he was not quite sure what was going on, but he knew that something was seriously bothering Xiang. Under Xiang’s orders he had stayed put in case Yuzu arrived back while Xiang was out.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine-“ Zwei began.

“No, you don’t understand, Zwei. There’s... crazy things happening all over the city. Like a nightmare come to life. Why the hell is Yuzu out tonight of all nights?”

“It can’t be that bad.” Zwei sighed, “You know, if we both went out then we could look more efficiently for her.”

“No. You stay here.” Xiang growled angrily, “Just in case she gets back.”

“If she gets back she’s already safe, no?” Zwei started to stand up, “I’m worried about her too, let me help-“

“Just stay put!” Xiang’s voice boomed across the house as he slammed his hand on the counter again, causing the whole cabinet to shake. The dishes inside the drawer rattled noisily as a cloud of dust puffed into the air from the blow.

The veins on Xiang’s neck were bulging out as he glared at Zwei, who wore a cool, unperturbed expression. The older brother grabbed the handle of the back door and swung it open. “I’m going out to look for her again.”

“You do that with your current temper and she might not want to come back home.” Zwei muttered.

“What was that?”

“She’s scared of you.” Zwei said calmly, “You know that right?”

“I’m her brother, why would she be scared of me?” Xiang demanded.

Zwei was about to reply when they heard the ringing of bells from the front door of the shop. Both brothers glanced at each other for a second before quickly rushing out of the kitchen into the shop.

A uniformed officer stood just inside the doorway of the shop that was already lit by a lantern. At his side was Yuzu. Her slim body looked frail and weak as she barely seemed to be able to stand. Her arm was draped around the officer’s shoulder as he supported her to help her into the shop.

“Yuzu!” Xiang called out as he rushed around the counter towards them.

The girl winced at the sound of her brother’s voice. She didn’t reply, looking like she was about to collapse at any moment. Sweat beaded off her forehead - the walk from the carriage outside had already exerted her to her limit.

“Is she hurt?” Zwei asked, following closely behind.

Xiang quickly moved to take Yuzu from the officer, who stepped aside and said, “No, but she’s extremely weak, she wouldn’t explain what happened to her.”

“This isn’t unusual for her.” Xiang grumbled.

“Thanks for bringing her home.” Zwei said.

If Yuzu had any strength left in her, she would have tried to push Xiang away and stand on her own. However all she could do was tremble as her legs began to give out. Xiang lifted her up, “Alright, I’m bringing her upstairs. Thank you, officer.”

The officer nodded, “My pleasure.”

As Xiang left the room carrying Yuzu, the officer glanced at Zwei with a smile, “Zwei Xing? Ah, I thought that last name was familiar!”

Zwei raised an eyebrow as he nodded, “Yes?”

“You don’t recognize me?” The officer said in mock dismay, “I was one of your instructors in training camp at the end of last year. You were one of the most promising recruits in my class.”

“Ah.” Zwei said, “Sorry, I don’t remember you at all.”

“It’s fine.” The officer smiled, “Well, I must be off. I hope your sister recovers. See you in the service. I have a feeling we’re going to need all the hands we can get.”

The officer saluted sharply, which Zwei returned with a bit less snap. The bells above the door jingled as Zwei saw him out and then locked the door.

He frowned, wondering what was happening out in the world tonight. Something unusual - the officer looked worn out and like he was on the edge of his nerves. Zwei had sensed that the man had wanted to say something more to him about the situation in the city, but had held back.

“No use wondering about it for now, I guess.” Zwei sighed and shrugged to himself, extinguishing the lantern in the shop, plunging it into darkness.

With a lazy stretch of his back he left through the back doorway and walked up to the stairs towards Yuzu’s room, to check on how she was doing.