LI S1 - Part 4: Unimaginable, Challenges, Safe Haven E-Book

Martin Wintersberger

• Herausgeber: Astro Entertainment
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 65

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Trapped in a web of deception, power, and ancient secrets. As Li searches for his place in the world, Scarlett uncovers a dark secret beneath the poorhouses of Rogos Veridis — one that shakes her beliefs and threatens the fragile balance of their world. At the same time, new feelings awaken in Li: warmth, belonging… and the first spark of love. But when hidden schemes come to light and friends reveal themselves as traitors, everything is suddenly at risk. Who can Li still trust — and how much truth can a heart endure?

Leseprobe

Authors: Manuela Wieninger · Martin Wintersberger

Illustrations: Midjourney

Cover: Acht Schätze & Midjourney

astro-entertainment.at

This work, including all its parts, is protected by copyright. Any use outside the narrow limits of copyright law is prohibited without the written consent of the author and is punishable by law. This applies in particular to reproductions, translations, microfilming and storage and processing in electronic systems. ASTRO and all persons appearing therein and their names, all actions, circumstances and laws of nature are fictional. Any resemblance to living or dead persons or fish is purely coincidental and unintentional..

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Copyright © 2020, 2025 Martin Wintersberger

First English Edition 2025 – Based on the 2021 Austrian release

Published in Austria by ASTRO Entertainment e.U.

Based on an idea by Martin Wintersberger

Translated from German with DeepL

All rights reserved

ISBN 978-3-99119-253-4

SEASON 1

LI - THE PATH OF THE SWORD

Episode 10: Unimaginable

Episode 11: Challenges

Episode 12: Safe Haven

»EVEN THE LONGEST JOURNEY BEGINSWITH THE FIRST STEP«

EPISODE 10UNIMAGINABLE

After visiting Darax, Li had disappeared into the hustle and bustle of the streets of Xenos East. He had pretended to Darax that he had something urgent to do. He had quickly left the house, leaving behind a confused Darax, who was probably just pouring away Li's cold tea. His task was complete; the merchant had received the delivery of swords from Master Zhang. But now this urgent task awaited him: pursuing the two Xenosians who had ultimately triggered his search for answers. No matter what Darax thought of it and what he subtly threatened in his words.

The two henchmen moved carefree through the streets in the middle of Xenos East. They joked with each other, laughed loudly and gesticulated. Li stayed close behind them. He noticed a tattoo on both of their necks. A sword, partially drawn from its sheath. Not a sign of mere readiness for battle. A sword that is even partially drawn is almost obliged to fight and be drenched in blood. This image clearly symbolised a warlike mission.

When one of them suddenly turned around, Li dived behind a sales stand. The Xenosian looked around the crowd, then gave his companion a pat on the shoulder and they entered the Xenos poorhouse. Li peered through the merchant's wares. ‘Young sir, I am glad that my wares fascinate you so.’ It took Li a moment to realise that the merchant was speaking to him. For a merchant from East Xenos, he was unusually friendly. ‘Feel free to touch the goods, they won't bite,’ chuckled the merchant. ‘I'm sorry, I have to go,’ replied Li, and started to leave. But the man wouldn't let him go. Raising his voice, he added dramatically, ‘Why is everyone so stressed? We're always rushing from one place to another and don't take time for the beautiful things in life.’

‘Thank you for your wise words. But I must be on my way now,’ Li said, trying to dismiss the merchant. But suddenly, the merchant clutched his chest: ‘Oh, my heart. How long will this kind heart continue to beat? My life is passing me by.’

Li asked worriedly, ‘Are you feeling unwell? Are you ill?’ The man took a bag of yellow sweets and held it under Li's nose: "Ill. Yes. I was. But thanks to these high-quality, life-prolonging pastilles, I'm fine again. They're on special offer today. But only today!‘ Li shook his head and raised his hand defensively: ’No, thank you! I really have to get going now...’

The merchant went one better, musing in a theatrical voice: ‘You remind me of my son. Poor boy. He left me when I was still very small. I was barely a metre tall. Oh, you cruel fate! If only I'd had these lozenges back then. What would have become of him?‘ Then the merchant threw himself onto the sales table and sobbed loudly. ’Probably an actor," muttered Li, who didn't like the attention at all.

The surrounding Xenosians noticed the two of them. They pointed at them and whispered. Li didn't need that right now! He had to keep a low profile. ‘How much do you want for these... healing lozenges?’ The merchant raised his head and grinned, revealing two gaps in his teeth: ‘Just one copper coin today. If you take two bags, I'll give you a special offer! All together for just two copper coins!"

Li saw through the deception: ‘That's not a special offer...’ ‘Woe is me! My poor son. My poor son,’ the man lamented loudly, clutching his chest again. Li angrily slammed two copper coins on the table, and the merchant handed him two bags. ‘You are a good man, sir. That's why you'll get an extra item of clothing. Completely free of charge.’ The merchant skilfully reached for a stack of folded fabrics and packed it into a small cloth bag. ‘My son wore this when I was your age.. It's one of a kind, the latest fashion from Kendo. Here you are.’

The merchant handed the bag to Li, who was at the end of his tether: ‘That'll be four copper coins. Thank you very much, young sir!’ Li was about to lose his temper, but he had to keep going. Without a word, he placed the money on the table. ‘Now go away so that the other customers have room!’ Suddenly, the charming manner of the inhabitants of Xenos East was back.

Li hurried away in annoyance, heading for the poorhouse. Just in time, because the two Xenosians were leaving the poorhouse. But they were no longer just the two of them. They were escorting a desperate-looking third person in their midst. The group passed the ceremonial square, where a small group of geishas were dancing. ‘They still have a lot to learn,’ commented one of the henchmen, pulling the prisoner closer to him. ‘Do you hear that? Learn!’ Then he laughed and wanted to continue on his way. The other hesitated. ‘We could take a look at the young dancers, what do you think?’

‘I say no, maybe there will be an exhibition match today, or even a real one, to the death. That would be something. But let's keep going!’

‘You're always fighting,’ protested one of them.

‘You and your geishas,’ scoffed the other.

The man in the middle did not utter a sound. Li followed the team inconspicuously, but as they approached the village boundary, it became increasingly noisy, because suddenly more and more onlookers were approaching a brutal scene. A fight was indeed taking place. A fight to the death, tolerated only between two honourable warriors. A challenger and the challenged, both of whom had agreed to this fight.

Li followed the henchmen, who had joined the other spectators around the fighting arena. The arena for the fighters was flat, but otherwise unremarkable and unkempt. Some of the crowd were silent and fascinated, while others were euphoric and placed horrendous bets on the supposed winner:

‘Three silver coins on the man with the red tsuba!’

‘The other one has the better posture — five silver coins on him!’

In the middle stood the warriors, whose battle had already begun, even if it did not yet appear so. Both wore menpo, covering their mouths and noses. The swords were like extended arms in their hands. Their movements were barely perceptible. A slight glide with the foot. A tiny turn of the sword around its own axis, only with the wrist. Each movement was precisely calculated, only to change again after a moment's pause. It was as if the battle was already being fought in the warriors' minds. Their gazes were like the blades themselves, sharp and piercing. A breeze caused the hems of their light combat suits to flutter.