Xiu sat on the ground, her father’s arms around her as they waited. In the distance, appearing from the horizon, came Team Lao, or at least what was left of it.

Lao Lu was leading them, walking a bit ahead of Deng Dandan and Yun Ip Chun who flanked her. Bringing up the rear was a Scorch Ape, Wang Shibi.

“You made it!” Xiu said, rising to her feet.

She and her father approached them.

“Were you able to defeat them?” she asked.

Lao nodded.

“Thank goodness!” she said in happiness.

“Wait…” Old Man Xui looked around and frowned. “Where is the Zen boy?”

They looked downcast.

“He didn’t make it,” Chun said. “He sacrificed himself to save us.”

“No…” Xiu said, her eyes shining with tears. “No!” she collapsed on the floor and began crying while her father tried to comfort her. “I’m sorry, Wang Zen. This is all my fault! I had been honest none of this would have happened!”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

She continued to cry while the rest of them were feeling down.

“What’s wrong, guys?” Zen said, walking closer.

“Don’t interrupt us, Zen, we’re mourning your sacrifice.” Chun said, also with tears shining in his eyes.

“Wang Zen!” Lao said in surprise.

Everyone looked at him in shock. His shirt had been torn to bits, leaving only his torn pants and he was covered in bruises but very much still alive. Shibi leapt onto him in happiness.

“Shibi knew Zen was alright!” he said.

“I know you did, bud but… get off me!” Zen grimaced. “I didn’t exactly come out of that explosion unscathed.”

“We’re glad you’re okay, Wang Zen.” Lao smiled at him and so did everyone else.

“Well, I’d say this means our mission was accomplished hey Captain.” Zen said.

“I would say so.” She said. “And well done for keeping your place on the team, Master.”

Zen got to his feet and clasped his hands before bowing to them. “Thanks for giving me the chance.

Team Lao had packed up and were ready to return to the Blue Swallow Base. The Xiu’s were standing with them, at the edge of the village to see them off.

“Thank you for everything,” Xiu said. “And I am really sorry about how everything turned out. I wish there was some way I could repay you to gain your forgiveness.” She looked hopefully at Captain Lao.

She smiled at her, for the first time in a long time. “Since you can’t pay us with money, I say, live that was worth saving.”

Xiu got to her knees and bowed low, touching her head to the ground before the four people and Scorch Ape before her. “I will, thank you!”

They bowed back.

Pretty soon they began to make their way off. The last the Xiu’s saw of them was Wang Zen waving back at them before they all melted into the horizon.