Page 137 of Light Leech

He snored a laugh. “You long for me. I admire that, though you must beware, attachment causes separation to be all the more painful.”

Are you leaving me or not? Anticipation is almost as bad as the thing itself.

“Now? No. One day I would hope that we will part ways, though in a less dismal way than I am implying. I would like to be my own being again someday.”

Then what are you talking about?

“Your path to ascension will never be without trial. Beware of the attachments you form, for many of them will become obstacles..”

Are you talking about my friends?

“I would rather not confirm the impressions I have before they are proven true.”

What do you know?

“That all is not right with the world. I fear that the many bonds you have formed may rupture for you to succeed.”

Then is my success worth it?

“Yes. Forgive my rambling. Your companions will make it to the end beside you and all will be well.”

Are you lying?

“I am trying to give you the fantasy you dream of.”

Fine. Just tell me what you want.

“Sha is not well.”

What do you mean?

“We shall all see in due time.”

Okay? Does Ralia know?

“She has for a long time.”

What can I do?

“Nothing. Trust her.”

Our conversation ended with Ralia’s sudden appearance. Perhaps Zhu’s ominous warnings were what she had prayed for. I didn’t know if she could correct her Gui or replace it with a new one, but that was for her to understand. He implored that I trust her and I would obey.

“You won?” I asked.

She pushed my shoulder. The uneasy look in her eyes and the weak smile led me to believe that she was fighting for frivolity where there was nothing but unease. I held back from asking her if she had witnessed the horrors that I did.

“Do you think that little of me, Pet?”

“No I just–”

“I know what you meant.” She glanced around as the other remaining competitors appeared in the room. We were the only two talking and the only two who had anything but aversion towards each other. “I’m glad you figured the game out.”

“Zhu helped me and the rest was luck. Maybe I’ll be good enough to beat you after all this.”

“This is some zegged up, twisted version of an otherwise decent game.”

“Did you have the polyps and the intestinal battlefield too?”