Chapter 18: Chapter 18 - Separate Ways
[1AM, Hainuke Temple]
As the midnight moon cast its silvery glow over the Hainuke Temple, Old Monk Tie sat cross-legged in deep meditation, his mind calm and serene. He was known far and wide for his wisdom and peaceful demeanor, as well as his ability to hold his own in battle. His meditation chamber had been restored to its previous state, before the battle with intruders several nights before. Gone were the cracks and broken furniture scattered about.
But then, he heard a faint rustle outside his door, interrupting his meditation. With a raised eyebrow, he slid the door open slowly, only to find a parcel with a card attached to it. The card bore the emblem of Heaven's Watch, the infamous group of mercenaries who were known for their ability to take on difficult missions as well as their fearless leader, Lady Enki, who earned fearsome accolades from her feats in the Relic War.
Old Monk Tie couldn't help but chuckle as he read the card. Heaven's Watch had returned the Teapot of Eight Immortals they had stolen, apologizing for the disturbance and claiming they had only needed to "borrow" it for a moment. Old Monk Tie found the whole situation comical, and he shook his head in amusement.
"Ah, the ways of the world are truly mysterious," he mused to himself, recalling his exciting battle with Connor. "Perhaps we will cross paths one day again, boy."
He recalled a wise Buddhist quote that he often used to guide his actions: "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the thief is ready, the treasure will appear." Old Monk Tie had always viewed challenges and obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning, and he saw this encounter with Heaven's Watch as another teaching moment.
He picked up the Teapot of Eight Immortals, examining it with a twinkle in his eye. The intricate design and rich history of the teapot fascinated him, and he couldn't help but admire its craftsmanship. Holding the teapot in his hand, he felt a sense of peace and contentment.
"Perhaps I shall brew myself some amazing tea tonight," he said with a smile, as he returned to his meditation chambers, teapot in hand. "The Grand Abbot's teapot has been missing for several days...he will be fine missing it several hours more," Old Monk Tie said as he prepared the tea leaves for brewing. He knew that the teapot had found its way back to the temple for a reason, and he was grateful for the unexpected turn of events.
With a heart full of peace and a teapot full of aromatic tea in hand, Old Monk Tie continued his meditation, his mind serene and his spirit uplifted. The night passed, and the first light of dawn began to break over the horizon, casting a gentle glow over the temple. Heaven's Watch would once more cross paths with Old Monk Tie, but that will be another story to tell.
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[6:30AM, Xinjiang Port]
The airport in Xinjiang was shrouded in shadows as the first light of dawn painted the horizon in hues of pink and orange. They moved with practiced stealth, their footsteps muffled by the gravel as they made their way towards the cargo planes that would take them on their separate journeys. Professor Shiva, with her unruly mop of dark hair and her eyes shining with determination, stood alongside Takamura, Yukie and Jack.
Liang, the remorseful triad member who had betrayed the group several days ago, was assisting them in arranging their departure with the plane's owners. He had a solemn expression on his face, his eyes downcast as he spoke to the owner in hushed tones. The owner of the cargo planes, a stout middle-aged man with a weathered face and salt-and-pepper beard, nodded solemnly, understanding the urgency of the situation. He promised a smooth journey, assuring the group that they would reach their destinations safely.
As Liang stepped away from the captain, he approached Jack with a hesitant expression. He cleared his throat, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, and tried to start a conversation. He tried to make small talk, a feeble attempt at making amends. "So, uh, Jack, how's the weather in Hong Kong this time of the year?" he asked, scratching his head nervously.
Jack glanced at Liang, his expression guarded. He was still grappling with the betrayal, and his trust was not easily regained. He replied curtly, "I don't know. I've never been to Hong Kong before."
Liang looked crestfallen, but he pressed on. "Oh, well, I've heard it's a bustling city, full of life and excitement. I hope you'll find it to your liking."
Jack gave a non-committal grunt, his attention already shifting to the plane and the impending journey ahead. He had little patience for small talk, his mind focused on the mission at hand. He exchanged a nod with Takamura, Yukie, and Professor Shiva, silently reassuring each other of their shared purpose.
Jack glanced at Liang once more before leaving, his expression still guarded. He had trusted Liang once, only to be betrayed, and old wounds were not easily healed. "Actions speak louder than words," Jack replied tersely, before turning his attention back to his group.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, the group continued to make preparations for their journey. They secured their supplies, checked their weapons, and devised backup plans for any contingencies. It was decided a day ago that the group would split up in order to better achieve their objectives. The first group of Yukie, Takamura and Jack would escort Professor Shiva to a safe location in Hong Kong, where they would remain low until reinforcements arrive. The second group would be formed by Lady Enki, Connor and Ethan - a small covert group to track down the whereabouts of Professor Adrian. It was their group's original mission in the first place, and they were glad that Lady Enki had obtained some important clues during their tenure in Xinjiang.
The first group would take a plane to Chengdu Fenghuangshan Airport, a military air base and switch planes there. They would be taken directly to Hong Kong, and Liang promised that this would be done as covertly as possible.
The second group would have a harder time with their travels as their final destination was London. Lady Enki had picked up on some clues indicating that HADES members have been spotted around London a little too frequently as of late, so they would head over there to find out more. The second group would take a smaller cargo plane that would drop them off in Kazakhstan. From there, they would take another plane to Sheremetyevo Airport, Russia. From Russia, they would need to then find their own underground portal relic provider and teleport to London.
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Ethan couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as he glanced over at Yukie. He hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly blurted out, "Uh, take care, Yukie. Stay safe, okay?" He scratched the back of his head, trying to hide his unease.
Yukie smiled softly and nodded, "You too, Ethan. Watch your back out there." She reached out and patted his shoulder gently, giving him a reassuring look.
Lady Enki, couldn't resist a mischievous smile as she approached Jack, a skilled Enforcer who had caught her attention with his skills. "Jack, my dear, I must say, you've been quite impressive. I could use someone like you in my organization. Think about it." She raised an eyebrow, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Jack, who wavered for a moment, looked momentarily tempted, but he shook his head. "Thanks, Lady Enki, but I'll have to pass for now. Maybe we'll meet again under different circumstances." He gave her a respectful nod, acknowledging her offer.
Lady Enki smirked, pleased with her small victory nonetheless.
Professor Shiva, another survivor of the Relic Wars, exchanged a solemn nod with Lady Enki. They shared a bond of mutual respect and understanding, having both witnessed the horrors of the past. "Take care, Lady Enki. Watch your back," Professor Shiva said, her voice tinged with a sense of caution.
Connor, who was laid-back and easygoing, grinned at his comrades. "Alright, folks, let's do this! We'll regroup and grab some drinks one of these days!!! Stay sharp, everyone!" He clapped Ethan on the shoulder and exchanged nods with Jack.
The groups exchanged final nods and well wishes, knowing that they were embarking on a dangerous mission with uncertain outcomes. With promises to reconvene eventually, they boarded their planes, each with their own sense of purpose and determination.
As the planes took off into the sky, the characters looked out the window, the anticipation and adrenaline building. They knew that their paths would diverge for now, but they remained united in their mission to keep Professor Shiva safe and track down HADES and Professor Adrian's whereabouts. The newfound information they learned in the past several days kept them on their toes, but also curious on the legitimacy and existence of the Regalias, relics so powerful it could make the entire world move their forces to track it down.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
shypotattoo
shypotattoo Sorry for the lack of updates folks! If you have a favorite character or scene so far that you would like to see an illustration of - do let me know! I'll post it in the comments for you! <3 Thank you for all the love and support so far - I'll do my best :D
Gifts
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received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone