Ai Xunqiu

You gingerly set your hand against the portal, the weak words of the ancient vampire still echoing in your heart. The surface of the portal tenses and parts at your touch. You push inside as your sense dull to darkness…

First you hear the waves and the creaking of wood. Opening your eyes, you appear to be in the hold of ship dressed in gaudy performer's clothes holding a flute. Liu Sanshi and Muramasa Saito sit nearby in a similar outfits holding a golden studded lariat and a pair of ornamental swords, respectively. Muramasa comforts a very sick looking Sanshi while rubbing her back. Beside her is Ha Shin, who is tuning a guzheng and quietly chatting with a red-haired man wearing an army uniform.

Whistles echo over the hold and the red-haired man smirks at you, “You ready for the party, Xunqi? We're about to be rich”

“As long as we hurt the man who caused us so much pain, we are always ready,” Saito declares before helping Sanshi up to her feet.

She gives you and Muramasa a grateful look “I'll be fine guys, really… I can handle my role” She perks up to her normal smile and gingerly follows Ha Shin up the stairs leading out of the room.

Bringing up the rear on to the deck, you spot Wang Ying disguised as a sailor. Passing close he gives you the slightest of nods and continues carrying a barrel that smells distinctly of sulphur.

Your quintet makes its way to the back of the boat allowing for a great view of the now fog covered river. You are able to spot a convoy of the other two ships also making their way along the river. Flying from each boat is a streamer stating “THE HEAVENLY CONVOY TO DELIVER THE BIRTHDAY GIFTS”. You spot Tesuk on the top deck of one of the ships spinning fire over his head.

You are led to this ship's top deck where an official looking man sits lazily holding a feathered fan, he is surrounded by a retinue of other lesser looking officials. The red haired man announces “The flowing Zheng twins will now perform their dance to accompaniment by Li and Zhao the Marvelous Musicians!”

Ha Shin and you sit on the opposing railings of the top deck, as Muramasa and Sanshi take places in the center of the deck. You signal Ha Shin silently and the both of you launch in to a duet as your companions start a spinning dance with blade and rope. You weave all your magic into every note trying to distract the many members of the entourage. The officials seem utterly entranced and slowly a distant glazed look falls over their eyes.

In the middle the dancing couple appears to be reaching a climax in their routine. The two of them seem to share a significant amount of chemistry for knowing each other for such a short time.

This thought is interrupted by a series of explosions rocking the deck. You turn to rear of the boat as the red-haired man tosses you a bow, in a swift motion you start peppering the minor official with arrows from a quiver concealed in your outfit. Sanshi manages to catch the main official in her lariat tripping him as Muramasa lunges in with his blades. Both hit right in his chest and he puts all his weight. A barely audible growl is heard as the illusion drops and Muramasa is thrown into you by a human shaped tiger.

Your companions surround and help the both of you to your feet. On all sides a whole fleet of small craft swarm the three larger boats.

The tiger creature rises to his feet menacingly “You rebels have done too much to undo our work for this land, I will stop you here”

Lightning envelops his hands as points it directly at you , the sound of thunder hits you at the same time as the bolt and your vision is overwhelmed.

Darkness comes again and you hear an ethereal woman's voice quietly say:

The details can be blurry