The Creatures that We Are

Gao Xinxin opened the door and walked into the snowy night, putting her arms gently around Gao Yang. Gao Yang returned the hug gingerly.

They stayed like that for ten seconds before pulling away.

Gao Xinxin blinked back her tears and sniffed, saying hoarsely, “Brother, Sister Xia Li is…”

“I know.” Gao Yang tightened the scarf around Gao Xinxin. “Stay out here for a little while.”

“Yeah.” Gao Xinxin bent down slightly. Gao Yang entered the cabin.

Wang Zikai and Raven Shark were standing outside in the snow, joined by a purple-haired girl in a sailor uniform.

“Aren’t you cold like this, Nainai?” Gao Xinxin picked herself up and smiled at Nainai.

“Hmph! Don’t think of this Empress like you mortals.” Nainai looked proud with her hands on her hips.

“That’s right.” Wang Zikai was pleased with himself to be wearing only a sweater, too.

He had disliked Nainai before. The girl called herself Empress all the time and didn’t treat Wang Zikai, the god, with respect.

Later on, Gao Yang hashed things out for him. God was of course the most supreme existence, followed by celestials, emperors, and then kings. Nainai was only an empress. There was no reason to be bothered by her. He would only be lowering himself by treating her attitude seriously.

Wang Zikai thought it made a lot of sense.

“Are you ready for this Empress’ baptism, mortal?” Nainai extended her hands.

“Sure.” Gao Xinxin knew that meant Nainai was going to give them a makeover. She thought for a moment. “I want to have a different face this time.”

“Go on. This Empress will grant your request graciously.”

“Ah, I heard there was a well-known character called Ashley the Obstacle[1]. Do you know her?”

“I don’t.” Nainai didn’t know much about games that didn’t feature anime characters.

“You don’t know that? Where have you been?” As a console game fan, Wang Zikai waved at Nainai. “Give me your smartphone. I’ll find a picture for you.”

…

Inside the cabin, Gao Yang slowly walked up to the brazier and stopped by the wheelchair, kneeling before Vermilion Bird to look at the marionette-like woman at eye level.

Vermilion Bird’s face had gotten thinner. Outside of that, she didn’t look that different. Her skin was fair, her facial features delicate, and the corners of her mouth curled slightly downward. When she wasn’t smiling, she looked gloomy in a way that would be featured in a fashion magazine.

Her eyes were unfocused and dim. There was no soul behind it.

Gao Yang had steeled himself before coming here, but still his chest hurt, followed by blazing fury. The building resentment of both old grudges and new hate boiled his blood.

He reached out to cover Vermilion Bird’s cold hands, tightening his grip.

Memories rushed into his head. He remembered their first handshake and the way she kept pulling a joke.

“I’m sorry, Sister Xia. It was my fault.”

“I will save you. I will avenge you.”

“Once you’re well, we’ll have milk tea and go to escape rooms together. I read a lot of ghost stories recently. I’ll tell them to you then.”

Vermilion Bird didn’t react at all. She quietly breathed, and a single tear fell from her right eye due to it drying out from prolonged exposure to the air. It fell down her cheek slowly.

Gao Yang got back to his feet and lifted the blanket covering her chest, wrapping it around her more tightly.

When he walked out of the cabin, all his companions had put on new faces, waiting for him in a line in the snow. They were setting out for Li City tonight.

He spotted Gao Xinxin at a glance. She had turned into a cute girl with grayish-blue eyes and platinum blond hair that reached her neck.

He paused before breaking into a rare smile. He knew that his sister had turned into a game character on purpose to cheer him up.

“Mortal, this Empress will give you a new lease in life.” Nainai came up to Gao Yang.

Gao Yang nodded. “I’d like to go for a different face, too.”

“Whose face?”

“Do you know Leon the Sweeper?[2]”

…

The day had yet to break. Raven Shark departed by water, while Gao Yang, Gao Xinxin, and Wang Zikai boarded a flight to Li City as three tourists. Vermilion Bird was put in a large suitcase with air holes and checked in. With Absolute Defense, Gao Yang could create a shielding barrier to easily bypass security and make sure of her safety.

That was how White Tiger had transported Sarah’s body from Aurora Town back then.

Gao Yang took the middle seat with Gao Xinxin and Wang Zikai on his sides. After the flight took off, they chatted and avoided any heavy subjects on purpose.

Soon, the plane reached a stable height, and the dim environment was hypnotizing. Wang Zikai and Gao Xinxin fell asleep almost at the same time. Their heads fell on Gao Yang’s shoulders. The two had barely had a good night's sleep the past few days.

Gao Yang felt the warm weight on him, suddenly brought back to the trip to Naldives months ago. The three of them had been seated this way, too.

The cabin shook slightly. Gao Yang found himself lulled into a serene state by the steady breathings of his best friend and his sister, and the hardened scars in his heart softened little by little.

No!

Gao Yang woke himself with rousing hatred seizing his heart. His softened eyes turned cold and sharp again.

He looked down at his right palm, filled with confusion.

Why can’t my Talent reach level 7? Is my belief not strong enough?

Or perhaps opening the Gates, avenging the dead, or survival isn’t what I want the most?

No, I do want those things. Perhaps my belief isn’t clear and concrete enough.

I always feel like I’ve found a clear target but forgot about it.

Gao Yang clenched his right fist.

Tipping his head up, he closed his eyes and whispered to himself.

“Why…can’t I remember?”

1. Ashely Graham from Resident Evil. Her name is turned into a pun calling her an annoying obstacle for always getting in the way of the player character. ☜

2. Leon from Resident Evil. He’s nicknamed the man who kills all, burns all, and takes all by Chinese gamers. ☜

Houseau3's Thoughts

Wonder what his belief will end up being...

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