I. A Message [audio]

[ningwofuren]

[ 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.

Comments

[icy_heavens]

[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.

[ningwofuren]

[ 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.

[icy_heavens]

[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.

[ningwofuren]

[ 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.

[icy_heavens]

[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.]

[ningwofuren]

[ 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.

[icy_heavens]

[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.]

[ningwofuren]

[ 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. ]