87 Chapter 81

Though there were a few disciples walking from one area to the next, most seemed to ignore Ai and Wang while they made their trip to the herbs farm. Humming softly to himself, Ai looked around while noting the beauty of the sect. Because he hadn't really spent the time looking around the sect since arriving, he hadn't realized out pretty everything was. Not only did the trees have a healthy green hue, but the grass did as well. Regardless of what season it was outside, within the sects grounds the seasons always seemed to be spring.

Wang gave a small smile as he watched the youth, finding the pleasant smile and happy nature really adorable. Despite how great it was to have Ai now, he still kind of missed the original Ai. Sure this form had some of his characteristic, but it was wasn't really him. Sure his soul was there, but that wasn't somewhat different. Maybe it was at the fear of losing the youth to something unknown, but Wang was now wondering how it would of gone if he had been normal. If he'd just stopped being a chicken, and tried asking the youth out in the real world. However, it was to late to regret.

After Ai had gotten everything he needed, the youth handed the bags over to Wang to carry, making sure that they were sorted properly before heading back towards the Grand Master's Peak. The trip was fairly short, and it didn't take them long to once more reach the bottom of the peaks base, beginning their trip up the stairs. Despite the popularity of the Grand-Master's peak, for some reason the pathway seemed void of other people.

Wang paused slightly, slowing down while glancing towards the different bushes and trees. There was rarely a moment when someone wasn't trying to cozy up to either Elder Fei, or Mo Chou. Surely they would of passed someone who had given up their efforts for the day, or someone wishing to impress one of the two. However, no one else could be seen. The nagging feeling in Wang's gut kept pressing him to hurry, however he didn't want to be caught of guard. His eyes darting from one shadow to the next as if maybe he could catch whatever was wrong before it happened.

Just as Ai had realized that Wang wasn't keeping up, the youth turned to look back at the larger male. However, before Ai could call out to him, asking what was wrong, an array light up under his feet. With his eyes widening, Ai let out a small gasp before his vision went out and he vanished from the stairs pathway. Wang, who had been glancing around had reacted to late, dropping the herbs to rush to Ai, only to grasp empty air after the Array shut off. The feeling of dread seeping through him as he mindlessly stared at the empty space before him.

-- Skip --

When Ai woke up, he couldn't see anything. What more, his hands felt like they'd been bound above his head. Struggling, the clanking of some chains echoed through the pitch black space. Fear began to grip at him as Ai tried to free his hands, not sure what was going. He had no way to tell how long he'd been out, just that he couldn't feel other than the chains binding his hands, nor see anything in the dark space.

Panting softly, Ai finally gave up struggling while he focused his other senses, trying to see if anyone else was there. The soft thudding of his heart, and the rustle of the chains as it pulled against his hands was all he could hear for the longest time. Time stretched on, he wasn't sure how much had passed before he could hear the soft thuds of someone walking down a hallway. The sound echoing against the walls while growing louder. Before Ai could adjust his state of mind, the room filled with light as a door creaked open.

"Not so tough now huh?" a females voice called out in a taunting manor. Blinking against the light, Ai tried to focus his gaze at the entrance. It took a while for him to see clearly, however at the door stood Hua who was currently grinning at him. Her mood clearly elated as she leaned up against the wall, arms crossed over her chest. "I finally managed to get you away from him. You'll really enjoy your new partner." she stated, her tone rather taunting while she talked. 

Ai narrowed his eyes while he looked at her, his mood calming down. So it was this idiot? How did she do it though? Clearly she didn't have this kind of skill before. If anything, she was the most useless of the group when they were stuck in the bloody cave. So clearly this was the work of someone else, but what did they get out of it? Some fear washed over Ai, however he refused to allow it to show on his face. For whatever reason, he didn't want to give her the satisfaction.

"What are you doing?" he stated through gritted teeth. His mood clearly affected despite how he wanted to hide it. His reaction only caused Hua to laugh while shaking her head. "I just wanted you out of the way. Now you can't use whatever mind wash you have on Wang. Clearly he's mine! You aren't even from the same world as us!" she taunted while shrugging.

Ai looked at her with a weird expression, "That makes no sense, what do you mean?" he stated trying to push down the unease. His head was already starting to faintly heart as she spoke. "What I mean is just that! We are not from this world. This is a G-A-M-E." Hua responded while spelling out the last word. The taunting expression only making it that much worse. The whole time she spoke, Ai's face grew paler while his mind struggled to focus. He wasn't sure what was happening, however whatever she said seemed to trigger flashes of memories.

Hua continued to go on about how Ai was fake, and how this was nothing but a game. His head ache growing stronger with everything she said. The flashes of images getting stronger and longer. It was as if his mind was restoring lost memories he hadn't realized he had before. His original self, the life he had lived before this stupid game. How he had been in school for his, the kind senior that he talked to while cleaning his room for. Sure he didn't really have many friends. But he did have some.

The loss of his family, the life he thought he would live. It all came crashing down on him. The shock and pain caused him to gasp, his eyes watering up while he struggled against the binds. Seeing his reaction, Hua continued to taunt him, trying to torment him with the fact that he wasn't 'real'. Her words echoing in his ears as he felt his body freezing.

"You don't know anything! Shut up!" He cried out, tears still barely kept from falling while he gasped. Trembling slightly, Ai tried to regain his thoughts. Everything he'd forgotten, once more returned. It was hard to describe all the emotions he was feeling right now, anger, hate, sadness, loss. He hated this world, but he loved it. The conflicting emotions caused him to be unsure of what he felt. If he wasn't here, he wouldn't have met Haru Ling and his family.

What more, the other villagers that treated him with some kindness. This world hadn't been all bad. Besides that, there was Mo Chou, Elder Fei. These people he had started to care for! The worse of all was Wang. He had been the one he had grown to care most for, however it was Wang that had caused all of this! How was he to feel?! Betrayed? Angery? The emotions were so raw and fresh.

Hau still didn't realize that something was wrong, still trying to get a rise from the youth as she continued teasing him about how he wasn't real. Her words causing him to flinch each time. It was partly true now right? He'd been reborn into this world. So was he really part of this world now? Or not? He couldn't tell! "I said you don't understand! I was playing the game too!" he finally lashed out, unable to stop himself.

Tears finally breaking free as they slowly slid down his cheeks. His words caused Hua to freeze, her expression turning blank. She didn't really now how else to respond. This whole notion was that he wasn't actually a player. Besides, he was clearly a spiritual beast! "You are lying." Hua stated, unwilling to admit it. Ai laughed dryly before spitting out facts that only someone of their would would know. Talking in a way that one from the real would would understand.

Each word he spoke caused Hua to tremble as her anger grew. "You! Fine whatever! But you are a B-O-Y. You can't be with him!" she finally stated stomping her foot. This only caused Ai to laugh again, feeling completely drained. "I never agreed to be. I was forced here. This 'world' is my prison he made. Just for me. Laughable right? The only reason this place exists, was so he could trap me in it!"

"That's enough, leave!" a voice called out after Ai had finished speaking. The tone was cold and void of emotion. Glancing over, the only thing Ai could see was a shadowed figure, hiding in the darkness. Hua gritted her teeth before storming off, leaving the door open as the only light source.