GW Factions Drabble three

Guardsman Zui stood at his position, guarding Minister Cho’s estate. It was a rather boring job, he mostly kept mantids away. Zui almost wished he could be off fighting the Crimson Skull threatening the rest of the island of Shing Jea.

Like the students, he too received a message that Master Togo will bring the most promising students with him to meet the Minister, and he was to let them in. Zui only opened the door for them, the ministry, or his son who would some day be one of them.

Looking up a little, his mind wandered over to the Tengu up in the mountains, or the Quimang out in Panjiang Peninsula. Or Xeng Jo even, almost everyone on the island knew that Xeng Jo was hoping for a plentiful harvest this year, despite the Crimson Skull demanding protection money. When would Kisu do something about it?

When he looked down again, he spotted Master Togo leading a group of people aged about 16-20’s over to him. These were the students, obviously.

“Ah, Master Togo. I did not know oyu were here. The Minister has been waiting for you. Please, you are welcome here.” He said as the four students walked up. The smaller male seemed a little twitchy. Like he was anxious to plunge his daggers into something, just like Panaku.

From the other side, there was a loud scream. Another of the Canthan Guards ran over to the stunned Canthan guard, sword drawn. The insane guard started to swing at the guard, wanting to kill him.

“What...What is going on?” Zui asked.

“It is madness! Guards ahve turned on each other! something has gone terribly wrong! It’s madness I tell you - MADNESS!”

Lani raised her hands to the sky and started saying something under her breath.

“GET OUT OF THE WAY!” Karel yelled to the guard on the other side, recognizing Lani’s gestures.

Obeying what Karel said, he kicked the guard to the side and jumped. Lani finished casting her spell and lit the insane guard on fire. He didn’t even seem to yell in pain at all, he truly WAS insane.

“Come, the minister needs our help. You must stay here,” Togo said calmly to Zui despite the intensity of the situation.

“Do not let anyone else in or out of this gate until we know what is going on. Whatever  it is that threatens this estate must not be allowed to threaten the entire monastery. Karel, can you run to alert the Shing Jea guards?”

“Yep,” Karel said as he took off running at his usual speed.

The Guard that went crazy fell to the ground, flames still burning but they were not even large enough to light a candle. The motionless body laid there, face down.

“This really is madness,” Yu Hua Ling finally said, breaking the silence.

“Should we bring him to the monks?” Lani Furse asked Master Togo, “Just the sight of this probably lead HIM to insanity.”

Yijo Tahn seemed a little too stunned to speak.

“M-Master Togo, are we going to go in there?” Yijo asked.

“Yes, Yijo, but we are waiting for Karel to come back, he is faster than all of us.”
Suddenly it felt like a lightning hammer from an elementalist hit Guardsman Zui in the face. His eyes widened as he suddenly remembered where his son was - He was inside the estate!

“My son!” Zui yelled, causing everyone to jump, they didn’t even notice Karel running back, looking a little winded for once.

“Master Togo,” Zui said calmly once he noticed the look of surprise on Master Togo’s face at the sudden interjection, “My son, he is in there, I-”

“I will go look for him,” The master calmly said.

“Please master Togo, bring him back alive.” The guard pleaded.

“I’m back, they’re guarding the monastery,” Karel reported, “What do we do now, Togo?”

“Karel, Lani, Yu, and Yijo, we are all going in. We have to find out what this is...”

“The animals in the zoo have gone crazy!” The guard from the other side, silent until now said, “They’re attacking the guards, and the guards are attacking each other. This isn’t normal I tell you.”

“We will find out what’s causing this, and we will make sure the Minister is alright.” Togo calmly responded.