36 Meeting 2 (1/2)

\”Any suggestions?\” Argenti asked.

The Gatekeepers around the Hall quietly pondered.

A Gatekeeper with fur all over their body, like some type of werewolf, with the ranking 99 said \”As the saying goes one should keep their enemy close. How about we imprison him in the Flame Star Fortress? We give him a life sentence. That way we can keep him under our constant watch.\”

The Hall chattered at these words, some praising the Gatekeeper who made the suggestion.

When Mao Lu thought of Chàng Bo being imprisoned for life, his heart tightened and he felt more and more uncomfortable.

\”Damn, this crush I have on him is too much. Just the thought of him being imprisoned makes me feel upset.\”

Mao Lu was about object to the lifetime imprisonment idea, but Argenti beat him to it by saying,

\”Chàng Bo is only at the Dao Stage. My Flame Star Fortress resides in my Realm, Realm 1. The essence here is far too potent for him. Just coming here would kill him. Imprisoning him here is impossible until he reaches the God stage and I doubt that will be any day soon.\”

The Werewolf-like Gatekeeper looked like he'd had water poured over him. He'd appeared so smug and self-satisfied before and now he looked embarrassed.

\”You're correct Gatekeeper Argenti.\”

Argenti ignored him, \”Any other suggestions?\”

The Gatekeeper that looked like a floating rubix cube said, \”If we can't imprison him here then we can just imprison him in another Realm, perhaps a Celestial Realm then?\”

'I believe the entire idea of imprisonment may not work.\” Obsidian interrupted, \”If this enemy can even go in and out of my Realm without me realising and steal an artefact from it, then imprisoning him will just make it easier for them. By keeping him in one place he's a living target, if they want to kill him they could find him where we've imprisoned him and kill him. We'd literally be presenting him to them on a pedestal.\”

A Gatekeeper with Time essences across their clothes, with skin made of glass, ranked 5th retorted \”Don't you think you're overestimating the enemy?\”

Obsidian looked at him and said, \”Don't you think you are underestimating them?\”

There was a pause.

\”If we can't imprison him then what do we do then, because by your logic Obsidian, the enemy could find him and grab him whenever they want to.\” A Gatekeeper with the ranking of 3, who also had time essences across their robes, and hair made of orange flames pointed out.

\”Not necessarily\” Obsidian stated, \”For the moment I don't believe the enemy knows where he currently is. When he used the key he was taken to a completely random Realm, and so far he's still alive and safe. Isn't that right Mao Lu?\”

\”Yes he's perfectly fine, and in better health now.\” Mao Lu quickly responded.

\”No he wasn't, nothing peculiar happened.\”

\”So don't you see, the enemy doesn't know where he is, but if we move him there's a good chance they will find out. So I suggest we keep him in Gatekeeper Lu's Realm.\” Obsidian stated.

\”I'm sorry but I can't help but object Gatekeeper Obsidian!\” The fish-like Gatekeeper next to Mao Lu protested.

\”Oh and why is that Dragon?\” Obsidian asked.

\”Dragon!\” Mao Lu inwardly exclaimed. Wasn't this the Gatekeeper he'd indirectly fought with, the one that was friends with that Fang Hao character that had wanted to enter Mao Lu's Realm. That Gatekeeper Dragon?

\”I object because he is a new Gatekeeper, not to mention his Realm is a mortal realm. Even if he is on the path of Time that won't change that he is currently the weakest here. Leaving Chàng Bo in his Realm is the same as giving our enemy a pat on the back and just letting him be taken.

Also all of this is based on the idea that the enemy wants to harm Chàng Bo, what if they don't. What if he's working with them. If that's the case then imprisoning him in a high level Realm would be much better.\”

Muttering spread across the hall again, many of them were agreeing with Gatekeeper Dragon.

\”He is just a new Gatekeeper.\”

\”Keeping Chàng Bo in his Realm is no different than handing him to the enemy.\”

\”So what if the enemy doesn't currently know where Chàng Bo is, they can soon find out. It's only a small advantage.\”

\”Yes keeping him on that mortal realm would be the worst option.\”

\”Yes I absolutely agree, we still don't know if he's working with the enemy.\”

Mao Lu was angry. He knew he was a new Gatekeeper and he knew that he had no experience and his training was limited, but having this pointed out, and having everyone around him dismiss him as useless. Didn't sit right with Mao Lu.

\”Gates, I don't want any of these Gatekeepers to have Chàng Bo. They believe he's working with this unknown enemy. They'll just stick him in a cage somewhere and if he's killed they wouldn't care.\” Mao Lu bitterly said.

\”And you know he's not working with them? You will care if he dies?\” Gates asked curiously.

\”i know Chàng Bo is hiding something from me but I also know he's a good person. I can just sense it. And if he dies I would care, I'd care much more than them. I'd be able to take care of him much better.\”

\”Is that your obsession with him talking, or is that your pride?\”

\”I'm not obsessed with him!\”

\”Really, because from my perspective it doesn't look that way. You have developed feeling for Chàng Bo.\” Gates analysed.

\”Feelings? A small crush doesn't mean I have serious romantic feelings for him. I… I just don't want him to get hurt.\”

\”Mao Lu usually you are very logical and rational. In these circumstances do you really think you can bear the weight of looking after him. What if this enemy comes to your Realm and causes chaos because you chose to keep him by your side. What if your friends are hurt because of this?

You have only just started on your path. You don't have the ability to properly protect anyone right now. Don't let your pride and romantic feelings stop you from seeing the situation at hand.\” Gates lectured.

Mao Lu paused and then breathed out gently and calmed himself. \”I am not letting my romantic feelings or my pride get to me. But I still don't want to see Chàng Bo in an unfortunate position, if he were to die and I had the chance to stop it. Forever the guilt would consume me.

I'm not overestimating my own abilities, if there is any way I can help him I want to. My Mother taught me to be sincere, and I want to be sincere towards him. So if you know any way that I can keep him by my side and protect him then tell me now. Even if you don't, I won't drop this matter.\”

Gates could see that Mao Lu was being stubborn to the bone, actually he was always stubborn. That was one of the reasons Gates liked Mao Lu. He was calm, clear, controlled and determined.

Gates could see that Mao Lu really wanted to be the one to protect Chàng Bo.

He wasn't thinking clearly right now, but he was determined to do it.

Gates sighed, \”This Chàng Bo honestly doesn't deserve you or your sincerity…Fine then. There is one way you can probably keep him by your side and protect him. But I'm not sure if you'll like it.\”

\”Tell me.\” Mao Lu demanded.

\”You can make Chàng Bo your Fate Companion.\”

\”Fate Companion???\”

\”For practitioners a Fate Companion is synonymous to making someone your husband or wife. For Gatekeepers your Fate Companion is your eternal servant. Since Gatekeepers can't reproduce, if their Fate Companion is a different sex, they're usually in a more platonic relationship with them.

Generally a Fate Companion must always accompany you, their Fate is tied to yours.

Your soul will be linked to theirs, they will no longer be able to keep secrets from you, no matter where they are or what danger they face you will be able to sense it.

In one way it is the perfect form of imprisonment, the best way for you to fully find out his connection to the key and his secrets. And the best way to protect him since you'll instantly know when he's in danger. And if you do this he'll stay by your side just like you want him to.\”

Mao Lu blushed \”… M-m-marriage. This is the same as marriage?\”

\”Well if we are comparing it to the marriage culture on Earth then it is similar, and it usually happens between those with an attraction to each other, but just as I mentioned there are many differences.\”