Wû Chāng Zhihaó
3rd person POV
"Whoosh" …. "Clang!"
"You're moving slowly old man!" A voice called out from the side of the pavilion.
"I was distracted by your delusions. You really seem to think you're better than me, I mean, really, your delusion of being adequate has just gone off its rocker…" the returning voice was commanding, well, not just commanding. It was dangerous. Powerful.
"Keep talking to me like that and I'll give you a funeral! One that will be sparsely attended, General." The voice, feminine as it was, chuckled.
"Well, if I die, I will die hoping your life is as pleasant as you are, Princess." He huffed.
"Aw, you want me to live well, even after I kill you? You're such a benevolent man, General. Though, your ego is everlasting, even if I killed you, I'm sure you'd find a way to come back after death. It'd probably be a vision of you in your fullest form. A Russian nesting doll."
"And- I'm sorry? Princess, I'm smelling burning, your sentence, it didn't seem right. Are you trying to actually think again?"
"You're a nesting doll, full of yourself, and awfully pathetic. A repeating wind up toy, really." She dove down from the top of the rafters, aiming her spear at General Wû's neck. In a quick-witted response, Wû turned around, grabbing her arm, and slamming her to the ground.
"Really? Such a childish tactic? It's impossible to underestimate you, Ming Mei, you must be as sharp as the training balls we have out in the courtyard." General Wû sneered, jumping back as Ming Mei darted up and blew a bamboo tranquilizer at him.
"Well at least I have personality, I would describe mine as...a vibrantl purple, like a lilac, and you? Well, maybe a vibrant shade of….beige?" She panted, holding her arm. During the fight, it had been sliced open on a rafter.
"Your sharp tongue is not an indicator of a keen mind, you do know that, right? I mean. Really, if you'd ever had a thought, it'd have died of loneliness by now."
"I have a ton of nerves, Wû, and you are somehow getting on every single fucking one." She bit out, diving for Wû. As she dove, the image of him vanished, leaving her to crash onto the floor.
"Wow, Ming Mei. You aren't the most gullible person on the earth, but you best hope that they don't die before you." Wû phased behind her and lulled her by the hair, flipping her over, straddling her back ,and pressing the blade against her throat.
"Well, I guess I've got to keep you alive then." She hissed.
"Who, exactly, just got checked?" He chuckled.
"Kill yourself."
"Someday, sure." He paused. "Now, do you surrender?"
"Yes…" she huffed, making one last attempt to escape, before laying still.
The general, Wû, stood up, towering over her as she laid on the ground. Ming Mêi stood now, reaching his shoulder in height. The two were an unlikely pair.
A princess and a general.
Best Friends.
"So,Wû, any lovers in your life? You've been meaning to get out more. Per my orders." She poked him in the side, watching as Wû Chāng sneered.
"Nope. And I don't care for them. The ladies are too delicate and always get offended, the men always seem to get a complex after thinking they managed to score me." Ming Mêi scoffed at his side.
"You need to be more accepting. You're never gonna get a lover if you're this picky."
"My high standards are not going to be lowered simply because others cannot provide." Wû Chāng hissed irritatedly, not liking having this conversation for the millionth time with Ming Mêi. He knew it was a reasonable one, but regardless, it still made him angry.
"But…" she paused. "Look I'm coming to you as a friend now, not just a fighting partner."
…
"Zhihaó…people need to see you with someone, it's important. Besides, it's good for you to have someone you can trust." She punched him in the shoulder softly.
"I trust you. You're my friend. I will never seek you as a lover, however I think I can still trust you fine. You are plenty, I think. I do not need this extra person you seem so fond of me having."
"Zhihaó…" she groaned.
"Just drop it Yuá." He rolled his eyes, deigning to also drop the formalities.
"Come on Zhihaó. It can't be that bad." They walked out of the pavilion and into the large, stretched hallway, turning down the twisted path through the castle.
"It is. Now, what's for lunch? Are they serving the usual? I heard they were switching it up, so I don't quite know." He said, diverting the conversation in an attempt to change the topic. Ming Mêi picked up on it, but evidently decided not to push the subject.
"I don't know, Zhihaó." She sighed.
"Aren't you a princess? Isn't this like- your thing, Yuá?" He mocked her, watching her groan, and flinching when she slapped him.
He laughed as she irately walked faster.
"It's not like I keep a running tab on the meals, I have better things to do, unlike you." Her footsteps echoed through the hallway as she walked quickly. She was ahead of him now, and chose to simply flip him off. He responded by shrugging and continuing his musing, quietly.
Zhihaó
She always got mad at me, but frankly, I didn't care. We always fought, but we were friends. Each other's only friends, actually. That meant our arguing was really just that. Arguing.
Our bickering was simply good fun.
Though it is true that she wants me to get a partner, however I just don't see the point. It doesn't benefit me. Not truly. No one has been satisfactory either. No women, no man.
I've tried with so many, date after date, set up and set up.
Very few made it in bed with me, and none made it past a kiss. Every single person made my skin crawl.
I'd rather go to war, starving, in the freezing cold, for months, then to even think about letting another person into my room. Every lady was too sappy, and every Lord was much too proud. They always liked to think they were hot fucking shit for being seen with me.
As I turned, I felt my skin heat up with irritation. Sweat began to bubble up and slowly turned into steam as it sizzled on my skin and evaporated.
Great. Now I smelled bad. Not that I couldn't fix it with magic, but having to put the effort into it was frustrating regardless. With a wave of my hand, I summoned some water from a nearby fountain and let it glide over my skin. I also used some sweet flowers to lighten my scent. With another wave of my hand, my clothing was changed as well.
I stalked down the hallway, taking care not to let my irritation get physical again. I took a deep breath before walking into the meal hall.
People made way for me as I walked past, either noticing my mood and choosing to leave, or being too intimidated to even think about making me wait at all.
I grabbed a plate and walked down the food section. I scooped a small fork load of pickled gungchae onto my plate, along with some radish stem kimchi.
The next things I grabbed were stir fried udon and scrambled eggs, which I loaded my plate with.
Afterwards I got a salad, rice, and a slice of monchi katsu. I dribbled some sauce on the monchi katsu, and grabbed a bowl of Pork Kimchi Stew. I also grabbed a handful of mochi desserts. I looked around and decided that I wouldn't bother eating here, so I let my form glitch slightly before evaporating, leaving nothing but a wispy whirl of wind.
I re-appeared in my room.
It was a nice space, with beautiful architecture and coloring, draped in gold and war memorabilia.
I slumped into my bed, changing out of my clothes with a snap of my fingers, and leaving myself in nothing but boxers. My clothes were now in a pile on the floor.
I fumbled for my remote and clicked my TV on. It was a human invention, and I find that it is one of many that I've come to appreciate. This, however, was my favorite. I spent most of my time here.
I turned on a typical human show, called Gilmore Girls. I appreciate it, and often find myself wishing that I, too, could have a simple life.
As the episode started, I began to shovel my food into my mouth, comfortable in the safety of my room. Well, until Yuá appeared inside, right next to me.
"Really, Zhihaó? No clothes? This has to be a new low. Come on." she pinched the space between her eyebrows, shielding her eyes.
"I am not putting real clothes on. You chose to come here. Suffer." I grumbled, a small wisp of white fire spitting dangerously from my mouth, before dying down. I shoved a bite of monchi katsu into my mouth.
"God, I know I harp on you a lot, Zhihaó, but even you can admit that this? This is justified. You are a mess! Look at yourself! Is this the war general I know? The legendary and frightening dragon, Wû Chāng Zhihaó? The best strategist of our time? Is this you? Zhihaó!" She groaned, rolling her bright pink eyes, as her brown, intricately braided hair fluttered behind her while she paced.
"Look, I'm doing alright, and it's not like anyone can see me." I, too, rolled my eyes.
"That's NOT the point! You and I, we should always be doing our best! We should be honoring our roles, not…slobbing around like some drunkard on the side of the damn city streets! One day you're gonna be off you're fucking rocker and you're going to fall out of the clouds and die! I just know it!" She pointed at me angrily. I, all the while, continued chewing, watching the show. Rory had just gotten into Harvard. Good on her.
I slowly slurped down the broth of my soup, watching Yuá cringe next to me.
Finally having enough, she clapped her hands.
"Great. You've done it. You've finally broken the goddamn princess. Fuck you Zhihaó." She sighed, before clapping again, and suddenly I was lifted off my bed, and into the air, I fumbled slightly before glaring at her.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. It's time you shape up." She summoned a large tub and dropped me in, causing a large splash. I, in turn, swam up and choked out the water I had swallowed.
"Oh, that's mean!" I growled, before choking again as the rumbling in my throat caused water to bubble.
"Stop growling at me. It's unbecoming for a dragon lord, no less a dragon warlord." She emphasized.
"Why can't I have hobbies? Is that too much to ask?"
"Hobbies, Zhihaó, are not supposed to stop you from functioning like a typical fucking dragon. So no, this isn't a hobby, it's an addiction, and I'm intervening." She grumbled, flicking her hand and causing a bunch of harsh scrub brushes to bring soaping up my hair and body. The bristled brushed clawed my skin and I hissed slightly, flinching away from them and throwing one.
It immediately came flying back, smacking me in the face.
"Motherfucker." I grumbled.
"Now, I'm turning this off." She clicked pause and then shut down the TV, making me roll my eyes. I was forcibly dunked underwater a few times, before being yanked out.
She turned away and had her magic change my clothes and dry me off. I was now dressed in fancy fabrics once more, and the tub was flicked away, and out of the room.
The next thing to happen was that she began powdering my face and doing my makeup, forcing me to sit still.
"Don't you dare move. You're already making my life harder than it should be."
"If it's that hard, then leave." I shrugged.
"Nope, lucky for you, I'm bored, and you're the only somewhat funny thing around. Well, you would be, if you'd get off your ass for once."
"I sparred with you this morning!"
"And I had to yank you out of bed and drag you there by force, along with pissing you off, to even get you to attempt a fight." She poked me in the side, glaring.
"Well-"
"Don't argue. I shouldn't have to beg for my best friend to pay attention to me. Isolating yourself won't help you escape your problems. Might as well face them with me by your side." She finished pulling back my hair into a tight bun, leaving a curtain of it to flow over my back and shoulders.
"..."
"There's the war general I know and love. Now, let's go. We have things to do."
"Like what?" I whined, as much as a grown man could.
"Like meetings, and sparring, and exploring, or cooking, or anything that isn't you lazing about on a bed, waiting to die." She dragged me by my wrist, and I complied, knowing that if I fought, she'd just overpower me magically.
Yuá greatly out-skilled me, in magic. Now, I was incredible at it, don't get me wrong, but with the royal blood in her, she was naturally flowing with more Magia in her blood than many in the world. Magia was where magic came from. It was split into a few different parts, specifically, two main parts. Guāng and Hēi Èn De.
They were the two different, central parts of Magia. Most creatures that carried magic harbored one, or the other. Guāng being the affinity for light magic, and Hēi Èn De being the affinity for dark magic.
Neither were bad, it was simply a dictator for those abilities, and what your magic, which derived from Magia, thrives and excels in most.
Eastern Dragons, like ourselves, thrives in not one, but both spectrums of Magia. We were feared for that reason. We were one of few creatures that could successfully harness both Guāng and Hēi Èn De. Each dragon had a different range of magic they could use, however.
We were all fearsome, however, someone like Yuá, who comes from an incredibly powerful bloodline, has the breeding of millions of years worth of powerful magic, therefore, she was incredibly strong. She outshone many, including her own father. Each generation with the proper breeding, held stronger, more dangerous children. Yuá was no exception.
Different cultures had different names for the sub-categories of Magia as well. For instance, those taught the English lessons typically referred to the halves of Magia as light and dark, warm and cold, and things like that.
Now, Magia can be harnessed by a creature who is not meant to have both sides of the Magia, however,in return, Magia will eat away at the creature instead. It is a bargain deal. A life exchange.
Most creatures did not last long with that much magic. In fact, the only creatures meant to harness both sides are the stronger, god-like ones. Eastern Dragons, Djinns, Sea Serpents, and…well, Gods. I'm sure there are more, but those are the worthwhile ones. Wizards also might harness both sides without a sacrifice, however, these wizards typically needed generations of training to be able to successfully wield it.
I've met no wizard under the age of 500 who has successfully harnessed Magia and lived to tell the story.
Now, I would tell you more, but Yuá is about to drag me into a meeting, and I can't exactly sit around and zone out like I'd like to.
"Zhihaó! Focus. They are going to be asking about when you and I plan to find ourselves partners, and we both know that neither of us want to talk about that, so sit up straight and be intimidating!" She grumbled, fixing her posture before entering. I followed shortly after her.
"Princess Yuá, it is a blessing to be graced by your presence." an older looking dragon bowed, the others following. I took my seat on the left, next to Yuá, who was at the head of the table. I sat straight and frowned, putting on my best irritated face.
I knew it worked when I saw the gathering faces wince and glance down. Good.
"You all requested a meeting, so speak. My time is precious, do not waste it." She said slowly, staring blankly ahead.
One older looking lady spoke up. She had a younger kid next to her.
"Have either of you…had any luck finding a worthy partner? I have a son-"
"Enough." I growled. "Neither of us want any seed that was hatched from you." I watched her face contort with fury, but with a single glare, she looked away once more. A number of other offers were made, but I quickly denied them as well. Yuá was more gracious, but was equally quick to turn them down.
Was this all this was about? Fucking...partners? I missed Gilmore Girls for this.
We were about to resolve the meeting, up until I watched the child ask for something, only to be met with a smack.
Now, as far as I know, this lady was past her mothering period, and clearly had no plan to revert herself back to it. Therefore, I drew the conclusion that the reason she treated this child poorly was because it was not her own. Regardless, though, the behavior was still unusual.
The sharp slap echoed and it caused a ball of rage to burst from inside. I turned from where I had been walking away and I stalked towards her.
"Do you want to explain to me why exactly, you thought you could hit a child, and get away with it?" I towered over her, and took pride in how her hand trembled.
"L-Lord Wû Chāng…forgive me…this insolent child was…she was not respecting her place! I never wanted her! She needs to understand that- that I'm already burdened enough without her—"
"I've heard of enough." Smoke poured from my mouth as I spoke, the fire inside me barely staying contained. I gestured to the guards. "Take this child and see to it that she is put somewhere, with someone who will actually love her. And make sure this scaleless lady receives due punishment." I growled.
Scaleless was a high insult. Basically, I was saying that she was easy to insult, and easy to hurt. I was telling her that she had no defense and that she was in a vulnerable position. I was calling her cowardly and cruel.
"Take a look at your own hide before you insult that of others." I sneered at her, watching her face redden.
She quickly dismissed herself, and the others around us saw themselves out equally fast.
Yuá approached behind me, saying a hand on my shoulder.
"That's the general I know." She praised me, I simply turned away, facing the young girl. She was recently hatched. 300 years of age, at most. She resembled a young 7 year old.
"Hello, dragonet." I greeted her with a simple wave. She waved back. "These guys here, these dragons? They will find a place for you to live comfortably. No more being around that cruel lady. Is that alright?" I asked her. She nodded softly, and went to grab her discarded toy. She had dropped it earlier.
The guards quickly picked her up and took her elsewhere. Somewhere to be picked up, and taken care of.
"I knew you were in there, Zhihaó."
She said smugly. I flipped her off.
"Shall we go?" I muttered, turning around and towards the large doors.
"You can. I have to go, princess stuff. Y'know, royal duties, this, blah blah, that." She grumbled, before walking off. I nodded quietly, before walking away, intent on going back to my TV. A shoe to the back of my head, paired with Yuá's voice yelling at me, was enough for me to realize that I wouldn't exactly get away with going back to my room.
If this was why people called each other 'mother hens', then I would hate to be an actual chick.
I could walk through the town, but people seem to avoid me, and it makes them uncomfortable, so maybe not. Though, it would be normal if I asked my mother to come with me. I hadn't spoken with her as of recently either, so it worked out.
I pulled out my phone.
To be clear, we have evolved along with technology. We have our culture, however, it is not the same as it was, say, back in the Han Dynasty. As we evolved, we also learned to use and harness technology. It was…a good way to stay connected to the humans, and to observe them.
If the time came where any of us needed to blend in among them, it would be much easier, due to the online culture we have collectively learned.
Though, we almost always stay in human, or at least, humanoid forms. Being in our dragon forms all the time was not productive. Work was slowed, traffic was worse, and the danger of hurting another person was imminent. When I say person, I do not mean another dragon. I mean that there are other creatures that visit. Mostly for diplomatic reasons, but some of the more powerful and elderly creatures took vacation here.
The king liked providing a tourist area, so that he can benefit by creating potential allies, and good rapport from our fellow creatures. Everything was a political move.
Our cities were divided into different tiers. Each city resides on a different part of a huge world tree in the sky, hidden by enchantments. No city was less than another, in any term other than height.
The royal palace was at the top of the tree, and each city was below it. There were many of them, and it isn't something I want to list out.
Now, above the tree, was an island of sorts. This was where blessings would go. Dragons would offer things to their gods, their own personal gods. For instance, when I go to war, I, and everyone going with me, will go and leave offerings. Any wandering God who sees them, and chooses to accept the offerings, will grant the wishes in return for the gift.
Anyone was welcome to use this little island, but typically, it was only royalty, military, and large families that did so. It was unnecessary otherwise, since we were a society built on our pride. We collectively seek to rely on ourselves, by using our power and strength.
Overall, this place where we resided, was a large, imposing, and striking place, which served as a travel spot for many who hoped to reside in the more touristy parts.
I turned my head as I heard tiny clicks behind me. I recognized those shoes. They were my mom's metal plated flats. I had gotten them for her as a gift many years ago, and she has kept them in good shape since.
"Look at you!" She cooed, pulling at my face, and pinching my stomach. "My sweet flour boy. I brought you some home cooked snacks, I hope you don't mind." She smiled at me sweetly, patting my head. No one but her got that privilege.
"Ah, Ma." I greeted, accepting her gift. "I would never say no to your food. Not on my life." I swore to her.
"I know, of course you wouldn't. You're too much of a dough boy to do so, la." She flicked my stomach, which, by no means, was pudgy. Well, maybe slightly. But I wasn't fat, no doubt. I still had plenty of muscle, and much of me was defined. I simply didn't have very visible abdominal muscles.
"Ama, you know that you are the only one who can call me that." I chuckled.
"Of course I am! Because you are my dough boy." She smiled, but I felt myself soften as I saw the pride in her eyes. "My war general, military man, dough boy. A strong flour child indeed."
I grinned softly at her.
"Shall we go? Ama? Where should we head first?"
"we go to Taishu market, there I will get meals, and you will buy snacks for yourself. My growing boy needs them, after all." She chuckled. I didn't remind her that I wasn't, in fact, growing anymore. We walked towards the diving port.
A diving port was pretty much a place in which a dragon can swan dive and fast travel to their destination. Since we didn't get into our dragon forms, this was our next best option. It worked well, so it has continued to be a means of transportation for our kind.
My mama took a breath, before falling over the edge, I jumped with her, and I felt our magic dance with each other as we floated through the air to our destination.
Me and mama had the same magic, or, similar, and therefore, we each got along with each other magically, very well.
We got to Taishu Market before long, and with a bounce on the air, we landed softly on the soft, earthy ground.