exsilium | I. A Message [audio]

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I. A Message [audio]

[ Ever since that brief meeting within the courtyard, several questions plagued Cao Cao's mind. He had hoped to find the information on his own with the Initiative's help, but they weren't very...helpful in his opinion. Besides the whole notion of them using sorcery to unravel the United Earth's influences through a series of smaller skirmishes, Cao Cao wasn't certain as of how this war could possibly be won. From what little he's managed to understand, the enemy outnumbers them greatly and there's great dissent amongst the transports here.

Still trying to understand his role in all this, the King of Wei decided to act. He never used such a device before. These "tablets" as they call them were nearly two-thousand years ahead of his time. Though with some luck and minor concentration, he managed to operate one. He was still far from proficient with this odd device, but at least he got it work.

Now staring into the blank screen of the tablet, Cao Cao speaks. ]

Just how many generals sit amongst us? How many soldiers and how many strategists? If this is a war, then shouldn't we treat it as such?

[ He paused momentarily in hopes of hearing an answer, but nothing was said. So he continued. ]

I've won wars before but nothing resembling this kind of scale. Gathering the information necessary about my foes was never so daunting as this. Virtually nothing is known about the United Earth or their method of combat. I'm aware that they hold the most influence in this realm, but how so?

[ Mengde wondered if their were other factions out there who hoped to rebel against their federation. He wouldn't be surprised if there were, but they assist them? Surely this war doesn't fall upon the shoulders of a wayward few.

That would be suicide. ]

In truth, I see no victory in sight but I refuse to die a martyr's death.

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[For all intents and purposes, it appears that there's a small but serious child on the screen. He's not looking at it, though; he's going over some papers.]

They've held this influence for quite a few centuries. Some of it is, I'm sure, that it's all their people have ever known. But there is also the use of mind-altering substances on their part.

And in this place, you may find death less permanent than you think.

[ A look of surprise colored his gaze once spotted the child. The boy upon the screen had hair as white as untouched snow and rather somber look upon his youthful face. While the boy certainly didn't look too different from other children his age, Mengde could already tell there's nothing "average" about this child. ]

Centuries?

[ A slight smirk settled upon his lips. ]

Dynasties rise and fall, surely they are no different. Hence the reason behind the Initiative's challenge.

[ He paused. ]

What do you mean? Death itself is the end of Life. It's as permanent as the sky.

[Nothing average indeed. He isn't, in fact, even a child, but the circumstances of how his power developed have ensured that he will look like one for some time.]

Not here, it isn't. [Technically, not in his home, either. Souls are eventually reincarnated; he himself is a dead soul.] The Initiative possesses technology that can revive us should we die. In a recent conflict, some of us died many times over before the battle was done.

[ An unreadable gaze settled within Cao Cao's eyes as he listened to the youth. Of course he questioned the legitimacy of the child's claim, but the king didn't voice them. He honestly doubted that this boy would have need to lie about something as grave as this.

If anything, Cao Cao's opinion of the Initiative was about to each an all time low.]

So we are merely pawns? [ He asked with deep scowl upon his face. ] The Initiative are unfit to play the roles of gods.

As is any mortal.

I've little affection for them, considering their method of conscription. Though in this war, I've come to consider them the lesser of two evils. Those who died multiple times did so because they chose to throw themselves onto the battlefield repeatedly. Hardly a sound strategic decision.

As is any mortal.

[That comment won a look of great disapproval from him, but the boy had a point. All men are merely pawns in the eyes of heaven, even himself. This was something Cao Cao utterly refused to recognize because of his own pride as both a man and a king, but he cannot deny the truth. ]

Then we require strategy in order to win this war. I refuse to die on the Initiative's behalf, but I will win their war.

Have you earned your scars in battle yet? If so, tell me what you have seen.

[In truth, he'd only meant that in regard to mortals playing god. But it fits as well as anything else.

[A small notation on the papers he's working on as he notices a discrepancy. And then finally a glance from the "child", green eyes cold and sharp.]

I've seen and fought quite a bit more than you might think. I've been military for nearly forty years and have lead soldiers for nearly as long.

[Something for you to chew on, there. Forty years. Has lead troops.]

[ The look of those cold green eyes may have alarmed others, but it amused Cao Cao. As he suspected, the boy before he wasn't a mere child. He was something more than that. Although, Mengde didn't know what to think considering that "nearly forty years" comment. The youth looked no older than his younger sons. ]

Then you are one of the many generals I seek to win this war.

[ He grinned somewhat. ]

Honor me by telling me your name.

[Looks the age of your sons, yet is in fact old enough to be your father.

[He gets a mixed reaction from the cold looks, in all honesty. Some find them intimidating, others find them amusing because of what he appears to be. Angry children don't generally inspire fear or respect.

[But you know what being found amusing is to him? Irritating. He's not your entertainment, or your soldier. But he'll keep that irritation mostly to his expression.] Time will see if we can collaborate properly. [He's not holding his breath, considering how he dislikes your attitude.]

Captain Hitsugaya Toushirou of the Tenth Division of the Gotei 13. [Discussing military matters, go with the military title.] And yours?

The Gotei 13?

[ Mengde must've looked a tad curious now. He couldn't even place a meaning behind that word even with the translator activated. It honestly didn't seem to have any kind of definition, but Cao Cao assumed it to be a military force. ]

I am King Cao Cao of Wei, Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty and Captain of the Imperial Cavalry.

[ In truth, he has many different titles he could use here but he's fond of these three here. ]

[Perhaps because his translator is set to go from Mandarin to English and vice-versa. Japanese won't get through that.]

It's not something most humans can be expected to know about. [If you want more detail on the Gotei, you'll have to ask. And he'll only be willing to answer to a certain extent.]

[ That would most certainly explain it, and that's why Cao Cao's curiosity has been piqued. ] Is that so? Then do you care to further elaborate?

[ He figured that the youth had to be "immortal" or something of that nature. You don't live past forty years and still look as old as a thirteen year old. That is simply impossible! ]

Who are they? Or rather what are they?

[Thirteen? That's rather generous, compared to what most people assume. Of course, it's hard to tell just how small he is at this angle. The average thirteen-year-old has quite a few inches on him.]

Shinigami. The most literal translation is "death god", but "soul reaper" is more accurate in terms of what we do.

[ It was then that all the amusement drained from his gaze. Did this boy just proclaim himself as the "God of Death"? Apparently so. This somewhat...startled him. ]

The God of Death thrives amongst us feeble mortals? [ He shook his head slowly in disbelief. ] Only ghosts can reap the souls of the dead, and you seem quite alive.

[Sigh. Everyone misunderstands this.] Not "the" god of death. That's simply the literal translation, and there are thousands of us.

I do seem that way, don't I? You're incorrect. Something about this place is different than my home; most in the Living World should be unable to even see me.

[ Blame the translator for that one, Hitsugaya. ]

Is that so? I doubt I hold much understanding as of what lies beyond the mortal realm. King or no king, there's not a single individual who could comprehend Heaven's will easily.

Though, I'm curious as of how the Initiative managed to ensnare you.

[Nope, he's just going to silently blame you for that one. Because damn near everyone has some kind of negative reaction to hearing what he is. Something about "death god" gets people edgy for some reason.]

I can't claim to have an intimate knowledge of how their technology is able to do what it does. [He's not the most powerful being trapped here, and he knows it. He's not even the most powerful shinigami trapped here.]

[ Cao Cao has fought for years to keep "Death" from his door, and now here he is in one neat little bundle of sass and grumpiness. The King of Wei fears all of his past efforts to keep death far away from him were in vain! ]

Here where the problem lies. Not much is known about the technology of this realm. This is why our battle against the United Earth will most likely end with our deaths unless we unravel the mystery revolving this world.

[Until you actually die, Cao Cao, you're outside of his official jurisdiction. Chill out. Technically, shinigami are to interfere as little as possible in the affairs of the living, and killing them would be a rather big imposition.

[Of course, rules have a way of changing when you have to live among the living rather than apart from them. He's certainly killed in this war.]

What year was it that you were taken from? [It would explain a lack of understanding of a lot of this technology. Soul Society doesn't have everything that the Living World does, but there are some technological similarities that reflect the times.]

[ As long as Hitsugaya isn't reaping his soul anytime soon, Mengde will tolerate him for the most part. It would be a shame to make a potential enemy out of a soul reaper. ]

I hail from the dwindling age of the Han Dynasty during the Yellow Turban rebellion.

[ He's roughly from the years 170 through 184 A.D. That's definitely ancient times. ]

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I. A Message [audio]

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