Desert Company: Retrospective

“Your vengeance is visible,” Toya crossed her arms, in a distant tone. She turned her head. “Tired of hiding it, aren’t you?”

The banquet downstairs was remotely filled with chatter, while the two of them were alone on the second floor. Tranquil music played in the background, the night still young.

“How did you know?...” Suruj slowly stood. She reached out her hand gracefully, which bore white gloves.

“Al-Wa always gives me the ones that want me dead as soon as they see my presence,” She responded calmly, “But instead, you are standing in front of me now with a frail voice.”

“...”

“I guess our little talk is over,” Toya left the railing and strolled past him. A sweet scent of blood lilies enticed his nose.

“Wait…” He called out, “This is-”

“Your friends are willing to talk to you. If you accept a friend's generosity and let it rot in front of them, what value of their time does it make you?” She headed down the stairs as another person came walking up. He was still awestruck by Toya’s appearance.

“Oya, who was that? She was a beauty,” Mouka held a small pinwheel over her mouth in surprise. “No way, older woman, huh.”

“No that’s not it- And why are you up here?” Suruj shook his head, sitting down on a cushioned chair. His brain was boiling.

“I could ask the same question. I don’t like eating,” She answered, “Do you like what I picked for the occasion? You know, the yukata.”

Mouka wore a gray yukata with white stripes, matching the color of her hair, as a black obi sash binded the cloak together. The back of her hair was tied into a bun, while the front left two separate strands, while her illuminated green eyes contrasted from their color. Holding a pinwheel in one hand, she twirled around, the toy windmill catching the air and rotating freely.

“It looks good,” He said softly, looking down. Suruj was beginning to process the details he noticed during their time at the banquet. He closed his eyes, his hands quivering.

“Oh, sorry… I guess I couldn’t read the air…” Mouka noticed his melancholy demeanor.

“Hey Mouka… Aren’t you afraid of dying?...” He bombarded her with a deep question that entered his mind. Even Suruj didn’t know what he was going on about. She paused for a moment, before sitting down in the seat across from him.

“Just love giving me those types of questions, huh Buhang boy,” She replied sarcastically with a sigh, “Nobody lives without fearing the end of their lives. And anyone who thinks otherwise, are all dregs. We could die anytime. It could be today, or tomorrow, or the day after, months, years, decades.”

“Then how do you live with the fact you are going to die? Like tomorrow…”

“Well, I just take it day by day, treasure the fact I am living. And when the time comes, I will return back to the ashes that blow across this planet,” She smiled while saying a morbid thought. “I’ve always waited for that day.”

“I see…” Maybe he was overthinking everything. If he could assess the situation at hand, without panicking, then the path would open up before them. “Thank you. I’ve calmed down a bit. Now,” He cleared his voice, “There’s something that has been bothering me, and surely everyone as well. The tables are clearly marked with each corresponding corporation. Naturally, it would be packed with fighters from other Kazaàd companies. But we are the only one’s here.”

“Ah, that is true, it’s a bit suspicious,” She raised her finger , “That KWKK leader, Qiemi. He refused to explain anything.”

“That woman… Looked upon us as if she were pitying us. If there are no fighters except for us… then how will they continue the tournament?”

“Perhaps… They are going to make us fight each other?”

“...”

“Cat bit your tongue?”

“If that’s the case, overthrowing the tournament…” Suruj stated, thinking. “This is no longer something we can do alone. Ayai Toya, the defending champion of the Dineh Kazaàd… We need to convince her to join the rebellion.”

“That lady? I feel like she could kill all of us in a second,” Mouka stretched herself over the seat.

“Someone famous like her, or she and Kwazhak together, is the best bet we have of getting out of here,” He defended his statement, crossing his legs.

“Heyo,” Saya, Ashojan, Kwazhak, and the others came up the staircase. “What are you two doing here? Wait, did we interrupt something?”

“Good timing, we were discussing a way to get out of here,” Suruj replied, closing his eyes, while Mouka sneered. “Where’s the others?”

“Lanu, Htet, Shunji, and Perez agreed to stay downstairs for a while,” Kwazhak glanced at the floor, wearing his blue hanfu.

“Kwazhak…”

“One was talking about a ‘way to get out of here’. We’re all ears.”

 

Suruj, Mouka, Saya, Ashojan, Kwazhak, and Hyun-woo were all seated around in a circle. It was midnight, and the ceremony was beginning to wrap up.

“I see. So you ask of me to convince Ayai Toya to help us,” Kwazhak nodded, thinking about it. “To be honest, I have a few words to say to her myself. I’ll attempt to speak to her.”

“Thank you,” Suruj expressed his gratitude, giving a slight bow.

“What if Kwazhak fails to gain her support?” Hyun-woo inquired, raising his hand, “There’s no guarantee. I mean, she’s been the champion for several years now.”

“Then one of us would have to, Jun,” Saya responded, while his eyes jumped. She tilted her head. “What? We’ve known each other so long I thought we were on a first name basis,” Saya shrugged her shoulders, “The tournament should give us time to stall. If we’re dueling one on one, possibly we can stall the matches.”

The banquet ended. Little sounds came from each of their bracelets, with Tsuchiya sending a warning to all of them. With their newly formed scheme, all of them went down the grand stairs. As Suruj was about to go down the railing, Kwazhak informed him of a crucial uncertainty.

“Suruj. Throughout the city I have come to notice that all post office and communication lines are restricted to locals only. I considered contacting the Laoyuang House for assistance, but due to the constraint of our status ‘tis extraneous. However I promise you, He will come,” Kwazhak folded his arms as he walked down past him. “Whenever that time is.”