[He says he is prepared for anything and the gods know he tries to live up to that statement. But the House of Ravens has surprises for him and since he felt the sting of both Sloth and Lust for his curses, both come back to haunt him. Self-control and only self-control is what keeps him from either leaving his fellow party members behind or jumping their bones. Now isn't the time for either reaction.]
Everyone, listen to my voice. [Using the same tone he used to give orders to his disciples, Zishu pushes his way through the throng.] We are well-acquainted with our sins. Pay them no mind. We are here to do important work and if we let our weaknesses defeat us, we might as well jump into the volcano.
[Little does he know, soon, that is precisely what he will be doing. Well, almost anyway.]
Fire and Brimstone?
[He almost laughs! He really did speak too soon, didn't he. Zishu can see what needs to be done - the magic has to be drained from the volcano or all of their work will be for nothing. Swallowing against a dry throat, he pulls out his sword, Baiyi, and holds it out to the nearest person he recognizes.]
Take him. I will return. [Maybe. He hopes? Parting with the sword hurts and Zishu can feel tears burning at his eyes. Something tells him this won't be the last farewell. But he hopes...he prays...he pleads he is wrong.
Eventually he walks out onto that wobbly bunch of planks, feeling the heat wash over him like a tidal wave. Time ceases to mean anything. All he feels is burning...searing...and the rush of foreign power filling the holes the nails had left behind.
Ten minutes tick by and he stumbles back, falling onto ground that isn't a rickety bunch of planks. But he is burning with fever and barely conscious.]
The Aftermath
[Rapid healing ensures he is present to say...a second farewell. This is the one he had feared. Baiyi is with him, wrapped around his waist, yet the metal doesn't comfort him; it doesn't stop his heart from cracking in two.]
Lao Wen...
[His soulmate, his very reason for living, is gone. Zishu can be found, on his knees, near the last spot he saw the man. Tears run down his cheeks and his shoulders shake, but he hardly makes any sound.
Zhou Zishu | Word of Honor
[He says he is prepared for anything and the gods know he tries to live up to that statement. But the House of Ravens has surprises for him and since he felt the sting of both Sloth and Lust for his curses, both come back to haunt him. Self-control and only self-control is what keeps him from either leaving his fellow party members behind or jumping their bones. Now isn't the time for either reaction.]
Everyone, listen to my voice. [Using the same tone he used to give orders to his disciples, Zishu pushes his way through the throng.] We are well-acquainted with our sins. Pay them no mind. We are here to do important work and if we let our weaknesses defeat us, we might as well jump into the volcano.
[Little does he know, soon, that is precisely what he will be doing. Well, almost anyway.]
Fire and Brimstone?
[He almost laughs! He really did speak too soon, didn't he. Zishu can see what needs to be done - the magic has to be drained from the volcano or all of their work will be for nothing. Swallowing against a dry throat, he pulls out his sword, Baiyi, and holds it out to the nearest person he recognizes.]
Take him. I will return. [Maybe. He hopes? Parting with the sword hurts and Zishu can feel tears burning at his eyes. Something tells him this won't be the last farewell. But he hopes...he prays...he pleads he is wrong.
Eventually he walks out onto that wobbly bunch of planks, feeling the heat wash over him like a tidal wave. Time ceases to mean anything. All he feels is burning...searing...and the rush of foreign power filling the holes the nails had left behind.
Ten minutes tick by and he stumbles back, falling onto ground that isn't a rickety bunch of planks. But he is burning with fever and barely conscious.]
The Aftermath
[Rapid healing ensures he is present to say...a second farewell. This is the one he had feared. Baiyi is with him, wrapped around his waist, yet the metal doesn't comfort him; it doesn't stop his heart from cracking in two.]
Lao Wen...
[His soulmate, his very reason for living, is gone. Zishu can be found, on his knees, near the last spot he saw the man. Tears run down his cheeks and his shoulders shake, but he hardly makes any sound.
This isn't the end. Not for them. Just a detour.
If he doesn't believe that, he will shatter.]