My plan was straightforward, if not batshit crazy—attack the Amazons and buy time for the Monk’s reinforcements to arrive.
“If we are seen, we put ourselves and the Monks in grave danger,” Cragmarr said.
“You mean if I’m seen. You’re not going to fight.”
“I do not understand.”
“My gift allows me to stay in stealth. I’ll approach it like a standard Ninja mission.”
“Why take this risk?”
“Because I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired, Crag—including constantly running and hiding. This isn’t a rash decision. I thought it through.”
“I see,” he nodded.
“Listen. First off, I absolutely refuse to let Li Wei die in vain. Second, if the Amazon gets a hold of the nexus, what stops them or the Emperor faction from invading Raishoto?”
“The Monks would never agree to help them. Only they can open the portal.”
“You sure about that? Why would they attack, then?”
He nodded.
“I can’t afford to take that chance, Crag. It’s not just about the Samurai. The Shogun can go to hell for all I care. That city is home to my faction—Kaito, Taikumi, and I can’t believe I’m saying it, but even Sora.”
Cragmarr nodded.
“What? You think I’m crazy, right?”
“No. How can I help?”
NEW MISSION: THE AMAZON SIEGE
Disrupt and delay the Amazon siege enough for Monk reinforcements to arrive.
* * *
Cragmarr and I stepped out into the cool morning mist. I had half-expected a Jingozi waiting for me, lurking in the shadows like a stalker.
“Kitty was with me the last time I spent a night in a cave,” I said. “I wish she was here.”
“I understand,” Cragmarr said.
We trekked back to where we left the Amazons and Li Wei. Seeing the Monk’s lifeless body again hit me harder than expected. He’d been so full of life and hope yesterday, excited to escape the war and go home. But now, he was dead—another casualty to add to the list of those trying to help me.
Kneeling beside the Amazons, their armor sparkled a brighter blue covered in morning dew, the sapphire stones catching the sun. I looted the bodies for anything useful.
YOU HAVE LOOTED THE AMAZON ARCHER
You receive:
Bow
Arrow [17]
Oil vial [4]
Sapphire spell stone
Amazonian dagger
Healing herbs [5]
Ration [7]
Metal flask
Flint set
Amazon faction token
The next Amazons had similar possessions. I stored everything but the bows and arrows. The Amazons also carried a wide selection of coins and jewelry—bracelets, rings, and necklaces.
INVENTORY [NINJA KIMONO]:
Machete [1]
Small knife [1]
Amazonian dagger [3]
Flint set [3]
Small rope [11 feet]
Oil vial [11]
Medicinal herbs [15]
Rations [18]
Fish [4]
Waterskin [1]
Metal flask [3]
Ninja scarf [1]
Sapphire spell stone [3]
Li Wei’s pack
CURRENCY:
Jingozi token [21]
Ninja faction token [1]
Amazon faction token [3]
Sapphire [17]
If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Amazonian jewelry [11]
Gold coin [321]
Silver coin [709]
Copper coin [1,543]
We gathered stones from around the canyon and fashioned a makeshift altar. Considering the circumstances, Cragmarr explained that a fire burial would be the best send-off. He poured a vial of oil over the altar, soaking the rocks and Li Wei's robes. After a moment of silence, he sparked a flame with a flint.
The altar caught fire, the crackling sound filling the canyon as smoke rose into the sky. I watched the flames dance, the heat pressing against my skin, and whispered a silent farewell to Li Wei.
“What do you want to do with the Amazons?” Cragmarr asked.
“Leave them,” I said. “If anybody finds these bodies, they won’t know who did it. If we can’t bury them, burning them would be even more suspicious.”
Cragmarr nodded.
“I don’t get why they didn’t just take the tunnel straight into the temple,” I said.
“There are many caves in this area. It would be easy to lose your way.”
“So, they laid a trap and waited for someone trying to escape.”
“Yes.”
“Pretty sneaky. I’ll give them that.”
We stayed only long enough to ensure the fire burned strong, then climbed out of the canyon. In the distance, a thin plume of smoke rose into the sky, faint but unmistakable. It was coming from the direction of Radiant Temple.
* * *
We climbed to the top of a ridge overlooking the forest, providing a clear view of the temple in the distance. Though smaller than the one at Raishoto, its walls were much taller, standing out against the backdrop of the trees. A thick column of black smoke curled into the sky.
I pointed to the tallest fir tree in the middle of the action.
“Hey, Cragmarr, see that super big tree? Keep your sight there.”
“Yes, I will.”
Following Cragmarr’s line of sight, I blinked into the tree, catching the sounds of commands and battle cries below. After securing myself, I blinked into the Jingozi arena.
The Amazons had laid siege to the temple with a force in the hundreds, every woman standing tall and fierce, forming a sea of blue. The front line was filled with archers, their bows drawn and arrows nocked. They were positioned in loose lines, their aim fixed on the temple’s walls.
Behind the archers stood massive catapults, crudely constructed from the trees in the surrounding forest. The wooden beams looked hastily assembled, with branches and trunks lashed together by thick ropes. The catapults were loaded with stones and oil vials.
Further back, makeshift watchtowers stood over the catapults. Atop these precarious structures, the leaders of the Amazon forces, identifiable by their elaborate emerald-studded armor, commanded the troops. Below them, dozens of additional warriors with spears formed a dense, shifting mass. Far behind the front lines was a sprawling camp of tents arranged in semicircles. The camp was practically deserted, with only a few figures moving among the tents—non-warrior types. Every available Amazon was committed to the siege.
From what I could observe, the temple walls held steady. Monks waited behind cover for any attempt to scale or breach the perimeter before mounting a defense, but it was only a matter of time.
Let’s see how far this gift goes.
I walked for what felt like hours, exploring the area, searching for anything that could aid our cause. The Jingozi arena wasn’t an arena at all—it stretched for miles, mirroring the physical world, allowing me to wander as far as I wanted. When I checked the canyon, Amazon archers were spread out in pockets along the cliffs, with lines of sight on every cave opening.
Something caught my eye—reinforcements? A squad of Monks was making its way up the canyon, about a dozen strong.
These Monks weren’t like the temple Monks I was used to. They were bald as usual, wearing the standard green robes, but there was something different—more modern, perhaps. They carried gear and tools, looking more like mechanics than Monks. Marching alongside them were hulking robots—Juggers.
Satisfied with what I’d seen, I planned to return to my body, only to realize it was out of sight. I’d ventured too far. The Jingozi arena was an endless plane of shimmering Northern Lights and a shiny black floor, with no discernable landmarks to guide me back.
“Shit.”
* * *
I wandered, trying to retrace my steps, but it was impossible. Frustrated, I sat on the cold, shiny floor, trying not to panic.
“Hi, Ember,” the voice said. “Where are you going?”
“Holy shit, man,” I jumped. “Don’t scare me like that.”
“Sorry, I noticed you looked a little distraught.”
“Yeah, I’m lost.”
“Want some help?”
“Please.”
“Look up,” he said. “Do you see the North Star?”
I hadn’t noticed it until now, but one star shined far more prominently than the rest.
“Next time, follow that star,” he said.
“Wait. What do you mean next time?”
I was transported to where I started, the North Star shining directly above me.
“I thought I’d save you some time,” the voice said.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, Ember.”
“Hey, um… voice?”
“Yes?”
“I know I’ve been… distant.”
“I appreciate you saying that, and I appreciate you, as always.”
* * *
“You were barely gone a moment,” Cragmarr said.
“Yeah, this gift comes pretty handy. I’ll explain how it works later.”
“I am looking forward to it.”
“Ready for phase two?”
“Yes.”
“It looks like they’re waiting each other out,” I began. “Their entire camp is pretty much empty. They’re either overconfident or totally disorganized, but it’s a war of attrition.
“The Amazons are from the islands. They are unfamiliar with land battles.”
“Oh, good to know, and that makes it even better. If we burn their camps and supplies, they’ll have no choice but to pack it up and go home, right?”
“That does seem feasible, yes. But how do you intend to—”
“With these,” I produced the oil vials from my inventory. “I bet you they have loads of this stuff at camp.”
Cragmarr nodded.
“I saw the reinforcements,” I continued. “They look like Monks, but they’re different—they have Juggers.”
“Heretic Monks and metal golems. I will explain how it works later.”
“Touché, Crag. Looking forward to it.”
* * *
We crawled up a hill for a full view of the camp. I counted hundreds of tents, all bunched together in random formations. In the center, a massive canopy flapped in the wind, covering piles of crates.
“How’d they even get all that here?” I asked.
“Transport boats, most likely. The Amazon are masters of the sea, and a river is nearby.”
“Li Wei did mention a river, didn’t he?” I said, loading my Jingozi hand.
[2/3] [1/4] [6/5] [Summon] [Mystic Strike]
“Hey, Crag, what does this spell [Summon] do?”
SPELL: SUMMON
Burn your attack or defend. Draw up to three (3) cards. Continue turn.
“In PVP, you can use a spell turn to draw more cards from your deck and play them immediately.”
“And in PVE?”
“It summons up to three copies of yourself to fight by your side. Their power and duration depend on your battle card.”
“What? That’s crazy. You’d think the Jingozi would have better instructions or something.”
“Jingozi decks are designed for PVP. Their unique effects in PVE were unexpected due to how Zii works in our dimension.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?”
“You did not ask.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Okay, Crag. Same deal,” I pulled on my Ninja mask. “Keep your eyes on the camp, especially that supply tent.”
After waiting for his usual nod, I blinked into the camp next to the supply tent. The coast was clear, at least for now. I pulled the 11 oil vials from my inventory and spun my [6/5] card to make it a [5/8], thanks to my defense meta-buff. Infusing it with a single Zii, a notification appeared.
SPELL IS AVAILABLE
[2/3] [1/4] [Summon] [Mystic Strike] [5/2]
Spell: Summon
Burn your attack or defend. Draw up to three (3) cards. Continue turn.
Spell: Mystic Strike
Burn one (4) Zii to attack plus 4 (+4).
Casting summon onto my card, there was another notification.
CHOOSE THE NUMBER OF ZII: [5 Attack or 8 Defend]
I burned 5 Zii, and three Ninja clones stepped out from my body and turned to face me.
“Grab some oil and splash the tents. But do not kill anybody.”
They sprang into action.
Wow. This is awesome.
The tent had wooden bins stacked high, holding supplies. A young Amazon, no older than sixteen, loaded a cart with oil from one of the piles. I gestured for her to run. She bolted, joining the other panicked Amazons now fleeing the camp.
I grabbed more vials and hurled them around the tent. Made of a clay-like material, they shattered on impact, splashing oil everywhere. Responding to my call, a clone joined in, and we soaked the tent within minutes. As I tossed the three Amazon faction tokens from my inventory, all three clones entered the tent and merged with me.
Time for phase three.
Instead of blinking back to Cragmarr, I was teleported into the Jingozi arena.
YOU HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED TO A JINGOZI DUEL
Challenger: Princess Krya