The Mantis Corruption - Book Three - 26. Chapter 26 - Ronging, Part Four

Ronging’s slow trudge led him away from Tuilii la Ru and out across the rolling grasslands of Xin. It took him many long days of travel, but they were uneventful, and he eventually arrived at the edge of Gunge.

On those rare occurrences over the years when his addiction flared up and he left the familiarity of Gunge to hunt, Ronging missed neither his home nor any of the other inhabitants. Happiness, contentment, peace, joy, these were all former emotions that were no longer entertained by Ronging or any other mutated Messiah. However, the scene that awaited Ronging shocked even his emotionless mind. He froze and stared.

Down in the valley, there was no movement. It was not that none of his kin was visible, he could see their bodies; none was left alive.

Not a single inhabitant of Gunge remained, and Ronging howled at the sky like a beast. He collapsed to the earth and fell silent.

“Ronging!” roared a voice that he recognized. “I have returned from Teshon City!”✪