Rise to Immortality (Closed)

[JadeKnight]

Having beheading Lyu, Cao took a small portion of her vanguard, sweeping through the castle for any remaining resistance. After hearing that their beloved leader was died, the dozen guards that were remaining finally surrendered. Decided that she would deal with them later, Cao sent them to be held under guard in another part of the castle.

The castle was a prime rally point for the young commander, having decided she would spend a few days there to regroup and plan her next move. After all, unifying a nation was going to be a long and drawn out process. It could take many years to say the least.

Cao took her time to clean herself in a drawn bath, cleaning the blood from her hair and body. Steve was quiet the entire time, more amazed at how the commander had handled hirself. Once she had her bathe, one of her handmaidens dressed her in a yukata for the evening.

Meanwhile, the rest of Cao Cao's handmaiden's were going about the castle, trying to clean things up. It just happened that one handmaiden had decided to open the same room that Lyu's body was in in and just as Melli was coming out of the hiding place. The young girl was surprised to see someone coming out out the floor and screamed loudly.

 

[katalynn]

Meili had just barely managed to get the last step out from the floor and was about to close the trap door. Only the scream from behind her caught her attention first and the door slammed shut as she quickly turned.

"Shhh.. please... I won't harm you."

She tried to calm the handmaid down when she caught sight of Lyu's body and head. There was a moment of shock and hesitation, thinking that she had done mourned the loss. However, seeing her laying there in a pool of blood, which now stained Meili's legs, brought out fresh tears.

At this point she ignored the maiden at the door while crawling over towards Lyu's head. Picking up the head with shaky hands and brought back to the body, trying to make a new image of her being whole again. Then she proceeded to position the arms and legs into a more pleasant pose. All the while whispering a soft prayer through tears.

All that stress and heartache also put major stress on the baby as she tried to not cry again. At first the pain was bearable, thinking that perhaps it was just pain from her mourning. Yet, the pain increased and before too long, Meili cried out and gripped at her abdomen as she curled up on the floor.

Rhia didn't know what was happening and all she felt was pain and fear coursing through her host. Which made it impossible for Rhia to help in any fashion as it felt it all. At first when she first popped into this host, she didn't think anything of it. Now she realizes that she is more connected to this host than she was with her last host. Though, she couldn't question things as more pain shot into them both and Meili clutched at Lyu's cold hand.

 

[JadeKnight]

It took the hand maiden a few moments to calm down for her fright before running off to find her Mistress. It took a few moments for her to located Cao, explaining she needed to come quickly. The yukata didn't let the commander walk very fast, so the two of them didn't get there until Meili was curled up in pain. Cao Cao frowned for a moment before she sent the girl off for one of the healers.

"Easy girl. Help is coming."

She had no idea where the girl came from, but this was no time for questions. She knelt down carefully beside Meili, gently stroking her head.

"Easy...easy.."

It wasn't long before two of the healers came to take care of Meili. They carefully helped her out of the room and into another room to lay her down to help her. Meanwhile Cao Cao pursed her lips as she looked at the dead body of Lyu, noticing the position she had been laid in. She stood back up and called to her handmaidens.

"Get Lyu ready for a warrior's burial. It's what she deserved."

 

[katalynn]

Meili wasn't too sure of what was going on when people came in, surrounding her, barely seeing who any of them were. At first she didn't want to let go of Lyu's hand, finding it hard to leave her body when she needed her most. However, the hand maidens won the tiny battle and were soon guiding her out of the room, glancing back with tears.

It wasn't easy for her to walk with the pain running it's course. More than a few times she kept saying that it is too soon. Eventually they did get her to a room and made her comfortable while one was checking to see if she is in labor or something else. Luckily it didn't seem like she is in full labor yet, noting it as just severe stress with all the events that happened.

Every once in awhile through all the pain, Rhia would slip in and cry out Steve's name. She has never called him by his name before, it was always Master. Yet he was only thing she could think about during this time and she wanted Steve. At times his name would escape from Meili's lips, causing the healers confusion.

They lit some incense and made tea to help sooth Meili, though they refused to let her get up and wanted to keep a close on her. The pain never truly went away, which concerned the midwife and she started to prepare things in case Meili ends up going into labor.

Meanwhile they cleaned her up by washing Lyu's blood from her body, carefully changing her clothes into some comfortable robes. Doing everything possible to relieve her of any real stress.

 

[JadeKnight]

While Meili was being attended to, Cao was overseeing the preparations for Lyu's burial services.

A large wooden pyre was built in the palace courtyard, stacked up four feet high. Lyu's body was carefully laid on top of it, her head laying in the proper position. Her weapons was wrapped in a silk cloth and laid at the foot of the pyre.

Cao stood a few feet away from the funeral pyre, watching a torch get lit and began to get walked towards the pyre. However, she called out.

"Hold it. Don't light it yet. That young lady can do it."

Steve piped up for a moment.

Are you sure?

The commander just nodded with a little smile, watching the torch get exhuasted. She figured having Meili send off Lyu would give her closure of some sort.

However the chance of her or Steve hearing about the strange muttering of Meili would most likely not reach her. After all, they were seen as side effects of the delirium she seemed to be in, and the concept of Master was a foreign one as well.

 

[katalynn]

After about an hour, Meili had finally calmed down enough to end the stress of the baby. Though, under examination she found out she is actually having twins. Which did surprise her, yet she wasn't in the mood for the excitement. Instead she kind of numbed herself after seeing Lyu laying in that room. She had lost everything, came close to losing the babies and numbing down is the only way for her to cope.

Rhia was shell shocked by the whole experience and without any sign of Steve anywhere, she shut down completely. For now there was no reason to speak as it would just make Meili look foolish and that is the last thing she waned. The biggest reason is the simple fact that she felt helpless and so lost in that moment. Wondering where her Master is hiding in all this, unable to even sense him which brought out the question if she is here is here alone. Fearing that he was left behind in his last host, meaning that he isn't in this realm with her.

Eventually Meili slowly got up and walked around the room carefully, making certain that she takes it easy. The hand maiden guided her to where Cao waited for her, curious about what she would want. Though, she figured that it would be just a bunch of questions about who she is and where she came from.

Instead, they handed her the torch and nodded towards the pyre, which Meili looked up to see Lyu resting on the top of it. Surprised to see it, she glanced up towards Cao, no words were spoken, only a nod. With that Meili was guided down into the courtyard and lowered the torch to light the pyre. There was a split moment when she thought about crawling into that fire with Lyu, fearing life of her babies.

However, she had another spirit within her it seems and it wouldn't have been fair to Rhia, not knowing where she'll go. With that, Meili took a few steps back towards the palace and lowered to her knees while watching the pyre burn Lyu into the after life. Luckily Meili had shed all the tears she could at this point and remained numb for the time being.

 

[JadeKnight]

As Cao watching the pyre burn, she also watched how Meili acted. She could see the love the girl had for Lyu, her devotion. She also knew that the girl was going to be a burden, at least until she was out of mourning.

Will she be ok?

Cao gave a little smirk as she whispered so no one would hear her, almost mouthing the words.

"She'll be fine. I'll give her a few days to mourn before deciding what to do with her. Turning her away would be cruel at this point."

She remained watching the pyre for a little longer before turning to head out. The pyre would be burning all night and she was exhuasted. She left two of her handmaids to attend to Meili before going to find a place to sleep.

She paused for a moment at the doors to Lyu's former bedroom, frowning. It would be a slight to the former warrior's memory to take over so quickly. Instead, she moved onto the next room, sleeping there.

 

[katalynn]

Meili didn't know what to expect when thinking of her future, though she knew that these babies will be coming sooner than planned. They were restless and though she said that she's fine, there pain is still strong. However, the tea and the herbs were helping to make that pain tolerable and not so urgent. In the meantime she remained kneeling in front of the burning pyre all night. Refusing to leave Lyu alone until the very last flame died out.

Rhia did find the whole ritual fascinating, she had heard of these kinds of funeral but never witnessed it. Burning of the body is nothing new to her, though seeing a pyre like this is what's new. In truth there wasn't anything comforting she can say to Meili, especial since Rhia felt so utterly lost herself. In some ways, she was mourning for Steve as well, yet she didn't believe he was actually dead.

When the last flame did fade out into ash, Meili finally rose to her feet and went to her private room. The hand maidens wanted her to eat something, having no idea when she last ate, though she couldn't eat. Despite their wishes, she closed them out of her room for the entire day and refused to speak to anyone. It did surprise her some when Cao had left her alone, expecting her to come and send her away at any given time.

It was sometime during the night when the cramps began again in urgency and luckily one of the hand maids were right outside her door. This time Meili was going into full labor due to the fact that she hasn't been taking care of herself for the last two, almost three days. Though, it wouldn't have mattered, she knew these babies were wanting out, whether she wanted to wait or not. The hand maiden sent for the midwife to come and help.

 

[JadeKnight]

Though Cao Cao did inquire on how Meili was doing, she was kept busy with the affairs of ruling. She got work started on the areas of the palace that were damaged in the fighting. She also had to contend with making sure the troops stayed fed and the other things that went along with that. She was also beginning the first stages of planning for the next phase of her conquest, heading east towards Daliang in the Wei province. For Steve, he was being given a first hand look on how a good commander worked.

Though Cao had originally planned on sending Meili on, there was something about her that was beginning to grow on hir. Although neither Steve nor Cao knew Rhia was in Meili, the commander decided not to send her away. Her pregnancy was another factor, not wanting the loss to be on her hands.

Though Meili had started going into full labor, Cao wasn't told till after breakfast the next morning. It was a bit of more joyous news for the commander, but she didn't let on about it. She only told the hand maiden to keep her informed and make sure everything went well. If something went wrong, she was to be gotten immediately, otherwise to get her after the babies were born.

 

[katalynn]

There were some minor complications considering she is going into labor so early. However, they were not life threatening complications and never a need to alarm Cao. Overall, the birthing took a little over three hours when finally two beautiful girls came into the world. Despite being almost two months early, both babies were healthy and had one had certainly had a set of lungs on her. One of them surprisingly had Rhia's blue eyes.

Rhia couldn't believe what had just happened as the pain and shock coursed through her. Never in all her life as she felt that kind of pain and then to feel the shock of it crash into all her nerves. There were very, very rare moments when Rhia actually witnessed life coming into this world. Yet, she never once expected to experience it considering she can't bear children.

Once all was said and done, both babies and Meili were cleaned up along with fresh bedding and clothes. They tried to give the babies to Meili, only to have her roll away from them in rejection. She had strong fears about the future of those babies and as of right now, getting attached to them is a risk.

Deep in her heart she wanted to hold them and to protect them. In the end, they were in danger in her eyes, if nothing else, it was because they were Lyu's. She didn't even know of her own future, unable to protect herself, let alone protect them.

 

[JadeKnight]

Cao Cao let the handmaidens take care of Meili, continuing to do her duties as Commander until evening. When she finally sat down to a cup of evening ttea, Steve decided to question her.

So what are your plans with Meili? Are you going to throw her out.

Cao Cao's eyes darted around the small tea room and towards the paper thin walls that surrounded her. There were no shadows of anyone within earshot, so she was able to talk freely.

"That thought never crossed my mind. To do so would be suicide for the girl and her children. I have been thinking, as you are all too aware of, the various possibilities. No, I will take her into the household as a cocubine. Her children will be able to stay with her, so that should make her a little happy. Though it may take a little time for her to adjust, after losing Lyu like she did."

It's your call.

Cao gave a little smirk at his comment, nodding. Once she finished her tea, she went off in search of Meili to give her decision.

 

[katalynn]

Meili didn't leave her room for the better part of the day, ignoring her children and the hand maids. Again she didn't eat anything, though she did drink some water. She kept expecting the children to be taken away at any given time. Yet, she could still them crying at times when they needed to eat or needing attention. The mother instincts kept kicking in, Even Rhia kept trying to convince her to see the babies. Though Meili would have nothing to do with them right now and had to explain it to Rhia.

It was right around dinner time when Meili had enough of the hand maids pestering her about eating. They also kept pestering about feeding and bonding with the babies, which made Meili finally get up and leave the room. This of course upset the hand maids since she wasn't suppose to be out of bed just yet, though she ignored their pleas.

"I am just getting some fresh air, it isn't like I am going into battle. Or traveling anywhere. Just go away and leave me alone."

Meili snapped at one of the younger girls, which took it personally and ran off since all she was trying to do is help Meili. An older hand maid sent the girl off for the night, reassuring her that she did nothing wrong. It was that older one that told Cao where to find Meili, pointing out the back door into the gardens. All the while she kept an eye on Meili from the door, watching as the girl went to a pond underneath a huge cherry blossom tree.

"Mistress... she still has not eaten nor has she wanted to see the babies. I fear for her well being if she does not eat soon."

The older woman spoke as Cao stepped up next to her while watching Meili feeding the coy fish in the pond. The woman paused for a moment before looking up at Cao, wondering if she should say something else or not.

"There is one more thing Mistress.... It isn't my place to judge... Yet, I- I have heard her through the door a couple of times speaking to herself. As if she is answering someone that isn't there. At first I thought perhaps it was due to all the stress, lack of food and the labor, maybe speaking to Lyu in a sense. Anymore, I don't think it is Lyu that she speaks to...."

 

[JadeKnight]

Cao stood there watching Meili at the koi, nodding as she listened to the two speak about what was going with Meili. She gave a little smirk when the girl told her about talking to herself, but she didn't say anything for a few moments. There were any number of reasons that Meili would talk to herself, one of them including the possibility's of Steve's msterious woman he had gotten seperated from. However, she wasn't going to get his hopes up just yet.

"Thank you for telling me. Don't worry about her for now. I am going to talk to her for the time being. In the meantime, just watch."

Cao stepped careful down from the walkway into the garden area, walking towards Meili. However she went to a large stone that was a few feet away and seating herself carefully.

"Judging by the events these past few days, I am quite sure you are confused, lonely, worried, and many other conflicting emotions. Please, tell me what you are thinking right now."

 

[katalynn]

Meili only paid half attention to her surroundings and half lost in thought, barely catching movement from a side view. For a moment she ignored it thinking that perhaps it was the hand maids again, since they were insistent on getting her back to bed rest. Yet, this figure sat down and the voice was different from what she's used to hearing.

When she looked up to see who it was, Meili instantly went to her knees and bowed her head to the ground in submission. The words really didn't sink in at first as some panic rushed in, though after realizing nothing was happening. The words and question caught up and she remained quiet for a few short moments.

"Yes, I am conflicted...I- I have been wondering why are you keeping alive or not turned me away to the streets. I mean nothing to you."

Meili didn't want to ask about the babies, nor say what she was to Lyu. Despite knowing that she couldn't keep that a secret for much longer. She already knew the future of the babies, assuming she will never see them again. For now, her future is the forefront of her thoughts, she can't help the babies without knowing where she stood.

"You do not keep me locked as a prisoner, you allowed me to have the babies, taking care of me... Which makes me question your intentions with me. Why keep me?"

The entire time she remained on her knees bowing as she answered the question.

 

[JadeKnight]

Cao was quiet as Meili spoke, letting her speak. The commander was in no hurry to go anywhere, nor did she think the young girl was either. After a few moments, she reached down and gently plucked up a flower. holding out.

"There are several reasons I have not just thrown you out. One is out of respect that I had for Lyu. She was a great warrior, even with her faults. Second reason is because of your babies. I know of how you are neglecting your own children, not bonding with them. They don't deserve to be scorn or rejected like that. If I did turn you out, they wouldn't last with just you taking care of them."

She took a breathe for a moment, pausing. After a moment she reached down, brushing the flower lightly against Meili's cheek.

"Instead, I have decided you will be under my protection. I will take care of you."

 

[katalynn]

Meili did know how to respond for a moment, slightly confused by what Cao had said. Rhia wanted to say something, yet knew this is the worst time to be speaking. The mention of the children is what really made Meili pause though, realizing now is time truth.

"Thank you for allowing me to stay, I will do my best to not disappoint you Mistress. As for the babies..I... They are not mine to care for. They belong to Lyu and now... Now they belong to you. They were never mine to raise.. It is easier for me to not get attached..."

At first she didn't want to look up, unsure if it would be disrespectful or not. However, the touch of the flower on her cheek caught her attention and she glanced up. Her now blue eyes held some fear still and curiosity as to why Cao wanted to keep her.

She lowered her head back down, deciding that she is staring at Cao and admiring her beauty for too long. Being taught that it is disrespectful to stare at the rulers for any length of time without permission.

"I-I wish to thank you for allowing me to light the fire for Lyu. It meant a lot to me."

 

[JadeKnight]

Cao pursed her lips for a moment, seeing how stubborn Meili was being about her own children. She finally spoke after a few moments.

"I could see that you needed some closure. You are welcome."

She finally reached down with her free hand, lifting the girl's face so she could look at her directly.

"Those children may be mine now, but that doesn't mean you can give them up like that. As long as you are under my rule, they are yours as well. It is your duty to raise them. I will not hear any more of this nonsense. Do you understand?"

 

[katalynn]

It didn't surprise her to be scolded, what did come as a surprise is the reason behind the scolding. This isn't what she was told when coming into this position. Lyu was to raise the child to be a great leader, to become an heir. That is something Meili could not provide for the children, she is just concubine and nothing more.

Yet, this isn't Lyu that is staring down at her, this ruler wouldn't want Lyu's children to be an heir to the throne. Which is why it surprised Meili... and Rhia for that matter... this Cao would allow her to raise them.

"But I am nothing more than a...."

Meili came close to protesting the idea, fearful that it is a trick of some kind. Something in the look that Cao gave, told Meili that this is no trick. Her heart pounded with so much confusion, wondering how she is going to raise the children without them wanting revenge later. A bridge she will cross when that time comes, for now they were just babies and didn't understand.

"I-I understand Mistress.. I will take care of them.. "

She didn't dare pull her head away or look down until either requested to do so. Though, her eyes did give a little sparkle of happiness at the idea of raising the babies. After bearing them for so long, she did have some attachment to them.

"... Despite fearing of never seeing them again. I have thought about names for them. Unless you wish to name them... Mistress."

 

[JadeKnight]

Cao smiled, happy that she was finally getting through to the girl. She knew that complications would probably arise from the situation, but that was something to deal with later down the road.

"I would love to hear what names you have picked out for the children."

Her thumb reached up to slide gently across Meili's soft lips for a moment, feel the delicate texture of them. Her hand didn't release yet as she slipped off of the rock carefully. She leaned down and kissed the young woman gently on her forehead before she finally released a hold of her as Cao stood up.

 

[katalynn]

Her eyes widened at the kiss, it was only her forehead, but it was still a kiss of affection all the same. Meili also considered the light caress over her lips and blushed deeply, realizing why Cao decided to keep her. Granted Meili didn't think she was worthy to be kept and in a lot of ways her heart still belongs with Lyu. Although, if this is the path Lyu has placed before her, then who is she to argue? It isn't as though she has anywhere else to go.

“To start, I guess I should start with me. My name is Meili.... I was the twin sister to Lyu's wife.. She couldn't bear children, so the task became mine.”

She watched as her new Mistress stood up, wondering if she should stand or remain where she knelt. Without permission though, Meili didn't want to take the chance. With that she remained kneeling, though turned to watch the Koi fish once again while considering the names she wanted for the children.

“One of them, I wish to name after my sister.. Akiko. The other one..."

Meili paused for a moment thinking of Rhia, it was an unusal name, though she couldn't quite say that she got the name from a voice in her head. It'll make her sound like crazy and this isn't the time ... if there ever is a time for that conversation... With a soft sigh she decided to say the name came to her in a different way.

“Well.. It kind of came to me in a dream the other night. Rhiannon. I know it isn't common here... I-I like it though...”

 

[JadeKnight]

Cao nodded gently as she listened to Meili explain the situation to her, listening carefully. Though she didn't make any outward surprise at the strange name of Rhiannon, it did catch Steve's attention.

Could she mean Rhia?

Cao smiled at hearing the names, nodding.

"They do sound like wonderful names for the children. I believe I remember seeing a young woman looking the same as yourself leaving yesterday. well, if you are going to be any kind of mother to the children, we had better get you inside."

She stepped back a little, giving Meili room to get up herself. At the same time, she made a little sweeping motion as well towards the house.

 

[katalynn]

Having this conversation did brighten Meili up some, even Rhia seemed to be slightly more cheerful. It isn't everyday that she gets to have a child named after her. She didn't know why Meili chose to do that, it isn't like she honestly knew her that well. But, Rhia did feel honored by it all the same. Sadly, it wasn't enough to fully cheer her up as she did miss Steve and couldn't stop thinking about him.

"Thank you Mistress for allowing me to name them. Also, I will do my best to not disappoint you."

She gracefully rose to her feet and noticed that Cao wanted her to lead the way in. While she walked back to her room, she realized that she isn't honestly ready to raise the children. Knowing nothing of how to raise them, hell, she's never even babysat another child before. Luckily she had obvious help from the hand maids if she needed it.

"What kind of requirements will you ask of me?"

She asked while climbing back into bed and for the first time, accepted the offered food before they brought the babies in.

 

[JadeKnight]

Cao gave a little smile as she stood next to the bed, watching the girl eat.

“Your duties will be pretty simple really. Keep yourself healthy, raise the children so they grew up strong and healthy, and provide me with pleasure. If you have any needs or help for your duties, just ask. I’m sure any of the handmaidens will be happy to help..right?”

She looked to one who just happened to have walked in a few second earlier. The women gave a smile and curtesy for a moment.

“Yes commander.”

The girl went back to her duties once more, laying down some fresh linens at the foot of the bed. Meanwhile, Steve was trying to figure out why Melli would choose the name of Rhiannon, when it just didn’t seem to fit the type of names in this world.

 

[katalynn]

Despite having the assumption that she is to be used for pleasure, hearing it confirmed caused her to blush deeply. Quickly looking down at the food to avoid eye contact as she thought about everything that has happened. Realizing more and more that her world has been turned upside down with no real hope of making it right again.

Her vows were to Lyu, and though death as parted them, Meili wasn't too sure about giving herself to another bed. That only reminded her that there is little choice in the matter, this is where she belongs, anywhere else and she didn't stand a chance of surviving on her own. With her luck, she would end up in a far worse place.

"I... I understand Mistress... Though, I should inform you that despite certain things... I am still fairly new to the ways of pleasure. Lyu was my first and I wasn't with her that long... She kept me bound most of the time for pleasure.... Using me like her toy was what she liked the most."

Biting her lip from the embarrassing confession and lowering her face more to hide the shame that confession brought out. It did make Lyu sound like a bad person, but she knew how Lyu truly felt about her. Not that it will make a difference in the grand scheme of her future.

"I just wanted to let you know that Mistress.."

 

[JadeKnight]

Cao gave a little smile, nodding as she listened to Meili explain about her time with Lyu. She was a little surprised to here that the girl was inexperienced in the ways of pleasure, and only having served Lyu.

"I understand completely. It sounds like you will have much to learn."

She smiled for a moment and shook her head.

"You do not have to worry about displeasing me. I will soon show you what I enjoy as well, and give you the joy of feeling pleasure as well. In the mean time, rest and take care of the children."

She leaned forward and kissed Meili's forehead gently for a moment before turning away to walk out of the room. She stopped for a moment in the doorway, where a handmaiden was waiting on her. Cao leaned and whispered to the young girl.

"Make sure she gets the herbs need to slow or stop her fertility. It is to be mixed in with her food and drink till I say otherwise."

The woman gave a quick nod.

"Of course commander."

She turned and ran towards the kitchen, to pass on the instructions. Cao took one last look at Meili before stepping out of the room. Her plans had been slightly thrown off-kilter, but there wasn't anything that couldn't be done to pull them back in line.