Rolling hills and stretching mountains surround a valley. Within the valley buzzes a world of metal; metal buildings, metal machinery, metal verti-cars. And massive metal mecha suits.
The valleyâs sky is torn by countless soaring peaks, the tallest among them lying to the west where itâs head was hidden by clouds.
Two people stood upon the summit of that great mountain.
Clouds and mist roiled like a floating sea, causing their figures to appear indistinct like spirits.
Chu Cheng stood with his hands in his pockets. The flickering light of a cigarette flickered through the mists, a fiery red like his hair.
âSo I guess you didnât just call me here to shoot the breeze with you, boss.â Chu Chengâs lazy drawl hung heavy in the surrounding clouds. He was always like this, no matter the situation, like heâd just woken up.
A man stood a few paces from him, dressed in black military fatigues. He was tall, stocky, with wide shoulders and a straight back. However it did not approach the level of excessive â he wasnât overly robust, but instead was like a javelin.
A golden star had been affixed to the epaulet of his uniform.
A general! This raven-haired man, certainly no older than thirty, was in fact a general.
As the era of science and technology progressed, it took a special level of talent and military ability to rise above the rabble.
By the estimation of most military organizations, a man at thirty was only beginning to work his way up the totem pole and nothing more. The average general in the Eastern Alliance was fifty-one. With the average life expectancy at one hundred and twenty, a thirty year-old general was unheard of.
âHow is he,â the man asked, turning to face Chu Cheng.
His eyes were a viridescent green, and when paired with his black hair gave him a wicked appearance. However at present, their firm expression pushed the sinister light away. His face was stoic, weathered, as though it were chiseled by a knife. An almost imperceptible, oppressive power exuded from him like some indestructible blade.
âNot so good.â Chu Cheng lazily rubbed his nose, struggling for a response in the face of the manâs piercing presence.
The raven-haired manâs eyes softened somewhat. âThree years, and he still hasnât come out?â
Chu Chengâs voice was thin as he responded. âYou know his temperament. If it were so easy to get him out why would we be worrying about him. Boss, if you have the time the best thing is to go see him yourself. You guys have your misunderstandings, but youâve always been the most convincing. Not to mention youâre his older brother by blood.â*
The manâs eyes once more grew cold and hard. âHe isnât wrong to blame me. It was my miscalculation that lead to Heraâs fall.â
Chu Chengâs brows creased. âBoss, we all know what happened. You donât need to pile all the blame on your shoulders. Look, in three years he hasnât returned home but you? Three years in this camp, drilling your soldiers like a machine.â
âI called you here,â the general growled, ânot so you can tell me how to live my life. His decadence, your lack of progress â you both have your own messes to clean up.â
Chu Cheng gulped, and subconsciously retreated a step. âYouâre mad at A-Jue boss, donât take it out on me!â
âThis isnât me angry,â the man responded faintly. âMy own abilities need honing, and luckily here you are. Show me how youâve progressed these last few years.â
As he spoke his long legs took him forward, and in that instant his green eyes shone with a dazzling light. The clouds around him dispersed, replaced with a towering column of blueish-green.
âBoss, youâre serious?â Chu Cheng quailed, his standard indolent expression melting away. A blazing flame burst from his back. It began as a pure red, but in the face of that opulant teal pillar before him it became orange, then crimson, ultimately settling on an undulating maroon. The heart of the fires burned black.
The raven-haired man said nothing further. He lifted his hand, and the column of light melted in to his arm, blooming like a lotus flower to create a blazing spear of light that engulfed Chu Cheng.
In the valley, the bustling personnel paused to look when the peak of the western mountain was consumed in light.
In the space of a moment the entire horizon was tinted teal, and within it flickered a persistent maroon. The two coronas of colored energies clashed, and their fluctuating exchanges caused the clouds over the valley to flee.
ζ
Half an hour laterâŠ
âBoss, youâre downright inhuman!â Chu Cheng pressed a hand to his red, swollen face and sat on the ground with a sigh. His clothes were nearly in tatters.
Parts of the raven-haired manâs clothes were burned and blackened, though he remained as straight and dignified as before theyâd fought.
âThere was no will to fight. I derived no pleasure from beating you,â the man responded flatly.
Chu Chengâs face grew dark. âYou beat me then start talking down to me? How can anyone say you brothers are decent people? Youâre bloodthirsty, and A-Jueâs a wolf in sheepâs clothing, wicked smart to boot. Iâm outta here! And Iâm damn sure not coming back. If you feel bad, go take it out on your little brother.â
âIâll go find him,â the man responded.
Chu Chung stood to leave, but stopped in surprise at the revelation. âYouâre really going to find himâŠâ
The raven-haired man only nodded his head.
âBut I heard youâre on the cusp of a promotion,â Chu Cheng said. âCan you even leave right now?â
âWhatâs in a title.â The manâs cold eyes fixed on Chu Cheng.
Chu Cheng stuck out his thumb. âGood. You deserved to be called Prometheus.â
Faintly the man responded. âOut here, call me Lan Qing. Iâm only Prometheus in the field.â
Prometheus, the god of wisdom!
âIâm off. Iâm looking forward to hear about when you beat on A-Jue. If ya like let me know when, and Iâll go check out the festivities.â
Lan Qing waved, and turned back towards the valley.
With the clouds gone the valley looked crisp and clear. The world of metal reflected sunlight off of every surface, their sharp rays absorbing his figure.
Chu Cheng stood quietly as them an left, and with a smile on his face flicked a middle finger at his back. He began to hobble his way down the mountain, but stopped after a few steps. A beam of red light shot down from the heavens, with a monstrous black figure standing in itâs center. A sanguine light glowed from it.
Among his four brothers, Chu Cheng also had a nicknameâŠ
Hades, Lord of the Underworld.
*This seems a little clunky, but the distinction has to be made because the use of terms like âbrotherâ and âsisterâ in China arenât exclusively reserved for immediate family. These terms can also refer to cousins, good friends, etc.