Chapter Forty-Four Kasu
One by ONE, more gods began to transform.
Kasu stared in horror at the scene unfolding before her.
Guests writhed on the ground as their bones broke and new, oily limbs sprouted from their flesh.
Others seemed to be burning from within: smoke erupted from every orifice, their skin blistering and cracking before Kasu’s very eyes.
“General Shusa, perhaps you would like to explain yourself.” The Celestial Empress was as calm as a frozen ocean, despite the screams around her.
The general drew himself up to his full height. “Obviously these ghosts have tampered with the wine! I thought they were different from the usual wicked lot that run around the under-realm, but I suppose there’s no fighting their foul nature.”
It was such a brazen lie that Kasu could not help but gawk, and yet a few of the gods who had not touched their cups began to jeer at her, spurred on by General Shusa’s servants. The crowd was turning into a mob, spurred on by the possibility of violence.
In the middle of the throng of gods and servants, the Celestial Empress stood – unperturbed by the chaos around her. Kasu could tell from her indifferent gaze that she did not buy General Shusa’s story for a second. For a moment, Kasu’s hopes lifted.
“I see. Then these ghosts must be punished,” the Empress said.
“What?” A gasp escaped Kasu’s lips.
“You can’t believe that! I was trying to save you! I did save you!” Arun pushed the others out of the way as he struggled towards the stage.
Of course she didn’t believe it. With growing indignation, Kasu realized what was happening.
The Celestial Empress was no fool – she was thinking several steps ahead.
If such a scandal were to leak to the rest of the heavens or, worse, the other realms, the faith people had in the gods and the reputation the heavens held would all come crumbling down.
“The heavens are infallible. The actions of the gods are righteous. We cannot allow an event like this to shake us.”
“We won’t tell anyone, then!” The words burned Kasu even as they left her mouth. “You can punish General Shusa in secret, and we won’t tell a soul what happened here!”
Whether this was acceptable or not, the Empress gave no indication. She took a purposeful stride towards the stage.
“General Shusa will indeed have to be disciplined too. This is partially his fault for letting ghosts into the heavens.” The Celestial Empress’s smile was as sharp as a blade.
“Partially? It’s entirely his fault!” Kasu yelled, though she knew that this was merely the angle the Empress was choosing to play for the rest of the heavens. General Shusa would not escape the consequences of his actions, but the story of his betrayal would be kept a secret.
“Wait, Your Holiness!” General Shusa stepped back. Kasu barely had time to shout as she felt his arm snake around her neck, choking her.
“Kasu!” Arun grabbed a small serrated knife from one of the tables.
“What are you trying to do, Shusa?” the Celestial Empress sneered. “Do you think I care what happens to some measly ghost?”
With a snarl of frustration, the general shifted his grip on Kasu so that he could hoist her over his shoulder. Kasu squirmed and sank her teeth into his hand. With an angry yell, he jerked back, and Kasu used the opportunity to slip out of his arms and into the crowd.
The furious crowd that was baying for her blood.
“Kasu!” Arun shouted. Behind him, a woman rose from the ground, smoke escaping from her mouth, and charged.
A warning cry barely escaped Kasu’s lips when a dark blur barrelled into the woman and shoved her to the ground.
“Ruo!” Kasu gasped.
The cat leapt towards her and the three of them met in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by gods and attendants.
A guttural roar echoed through the space. One by one, the gods who had been poisoned rose up – slobbering, writhing figures with melted skin and contorted limbs – and lunged at the other attendees.
As if a dam had burst, the crowd descended into chaos.
The gods tore into whoever they could catch, their nails turning into claws as they ripped through muscle and sinew, but General Shusa’s staff were ready.
When they ran, they headed straight for the exits that led out of the estate and into the rest of the heavens, leading the feral gods away from the household.
Someone lunged at the Celestial Empress’s back. The goddess did not turn around. Lifting her arm, there was a flash of light, and a man, half transformed, lay broken on the ground in a pool of blood.
“We need to get out of here!” Arun grabbed Kasu’s hand and pulled her through the crowd.
Gods lurched towards them as they raced along the courtyard. Kasu jumped and dived out of the way, avoiding claws and gnashing teeth.
“You cannot escape, vile ghosts!” General Shusa roared.
“Quick! This way!” Kasu took the lead, yanking Arun inside the estate as General Shusa gave chase.
She didn’t dare look back as she skidded down wide, polished corridors, along hallways decorated with priceless china vases and through empty, unused rooms. She could hear General Shusa’s heavy steps pursuing them, pounding like the beat of a war drum.
“Over here!” Ruo leapt ahead and nudged open a pair of intricately carved double doors.
Kasu followed the cat into a storage area. Crates covered in a fine layer of dust and large clay jars filled the shelves lining the walls.
The reincarnation wheel stood in the middle of the room, silent and steady.
There was a loud bang behind her. Kasu whirled around, only to come face to face with General Shusa.
With a look of pure fury, the god marched towards them. His face twisted into an ugly sneer.
“Little ghosts shouldn’t wander where they’re not welcome.”