Death's Daughter

Chapter thirty two: Chinese festival

"Raven?" I hear Leo say from behind me. I turn around to face him. He looks at me with a sorrowful look.

"Don't look at me like that" I snarl, storming past him.
Leo hurriedly jogs to catch up with me.

"It's ok to be sad Rave, it did get very heated with the chief and all" Leo says, in attempt to comfort me. Key word, attempt. At that moment, a fire sparked inside me. I begin to feel rage course through my veins. If the native region won't help then it's their loss.

"Sad? Over him? I know you're idiotic but this is just stupid. Come on Leonardo, we're leaving." I say, swirling my hand in the air causing a black smoke to surround the two of us.
I'm not going to dwell on this any longer. Next I'll seek out the help of a God who actually wants to aid me, not one that will embarrass me or treat me like a child!
Next I'm going to the Chinese region.

The smoke dissipates around us, revealing a street filled with humans. The street seemed to swallow us up, not making us noticeable to a single mortal which I was grateful for. I wasn't on duty therefore I was visible.

Above us hanging on a thin wire were thousands of Chinese lanterns, all in the colours of red or gold. They shimmer in the soft moonlight, reflecting sparkles onto the people below them.

In the middle of the street was a parade. Chinese dragons ranging from silver to gold were bouncing around the street as men below them danced to the sound of beating drums ahead of them.
People were dressed in extravagant clothing attracting the attention of the people surrounding them.
The outfits were all red with gold detailing on the edges however, in the middle of all of them was a woman dressed in a long blue silk kimono with silver detailing scattered all over the fabric. She was representing a certain Chinese goddess I knew all too well who she was dressed as.

Kwan Yin. Goddess of mercy. The precise goddess I hope to avoid throughout this trip. Don't get me wrong, Kwan Yin is an amazing goddess but not exactly ideal in my situation, especially after declaring a war. She refused to attend the meeting I held with the gods to introduce Charmeine.

In fact she was astounded that the goddess of harmony was aiding me in this war. If only she could understand the situation our poor Angel goddess was going through...

Besides that, I'm here to talk to Kwan-Ti, the Chinese God of war. Unlike the native God of war, Kwan-Ti agreed to aid me ahead of time. All I have to do is find him.

Scouring the streets for a certain gift shop, my eyes finally find it. The lucky duck. The shop that an old Chinese man looked after.

Just behind this shop is a shrine that houses the Chinese gods. Only certain people know of their existence and in fact the old man that they recruited to be the gate keeper to their domain is an ancient dragon master. In other words, he's the original Chinese dragon from the ancient years.

Entering the shop, a bell dings above us alerting the dragon master of our arrival. Immediately he recognises the two godly beings in front of him and opens the gate to the shrine. Stepping through the golden portal, I find myself inside an old wooden shrine.
It looked sort of run down.

This was the place the Chinese gods called home?

The underworld looks like paradise compared to this place, even hell looked a thousand times better!

Cautiously, I creep around the corner just as the wooden floor boards begin to creek beneath me, bringing a set of footsteps towards us.
Soon I see two gods in front of me.
The one I had been looking for and the one I had been trying to avoid.

Kwan-Ti stands before me in his scarlet attire. He has a chain mail breastplate, shoulder plates and a silver helmet over the scarlet fabric underneath. His emerald eyes held the fire of war in them as he strokes his thin black beard.

Kwan Yin on the other hand looks at me with horror. She of course knows the reason of my visit. In her long satin pink robe, she shakes her head with disappointment. Her shiny black bun bouncing as she shakes from side to side.
Sighing, I turn to Kwan-Ti.

"So I've come to discuss the matters of the war at hand" I announce, causing the fire in his eyes to brighten up.
However, Kwan Yin interrupts, her piercing silver glare going right through me.

"You're not actually considering this war are you? It's absolutely absurd! And your father thinks you can take over the underworld after this? If it was my decision you'd be the last person I'd consider for the next heir" she says, looking down at me with disgust. Rolling my eyes, I turn to face her.

"If you haven't noticed, I'm one of the most skilled reapers known to reap meaning I'm very capable of taking over the underworld.
I'd hate to have to take a gods soul so I suggest you stay out of my way" I snap, causing another glare to come my way.

"It's impossible to reap a gods soul" she says, folding her arms over the satin material draped over her body.

"You and I both know that's not true" I retaliate, returning her glare. I turn my attention back to the God of war.
"Now, do I have your word that you will back me up in this war?" I ask, my eyebrows raised at him as I impatiently wait for his answer.

"If it's a war, I'll be there" he says, the fire igniting within him. Nodding I turn around to face Leo.
Just when I open my mouth to speak, the goddess of mercy pleas out once more.

"Think of the destruction Raven! Think of the devastation it will cause!" She cries out to me. I turn around one final time to face her.

"If it means years of peace to come after it, a little devastation is worth it" I beam out and after those final words, Leo and I disappear to our next destination.