I wake up groggy, opening my eyes in a room besides my own, unsure of where I am. It's only after I feel the warmth of the body besides me that I remember the night before.
I look down at Shi Min's sleeping form, her head resting on my numb arm, then sit up and slowly pull it out from under her. Trying not to wake her, I carefully replace it with my pillow.
Now free, with feeling returning to my arm, I gaze at her. Her body is half exposed to the cold, morning air, so I pull the cover over her and leave a gentle kiss on her forehead, then stand as she starts to stir.
Taking a second to centre myself, I sort out my messy hair and straighten my creased robe, before moving out her room and into the sitting room. The mess from last night, the bandages, medicine, and Shi Min's robe, are still there, dotted around the chair. As I clean it up, the memory of Shi Min sitting over me, her lips on mine, run through my mind.
I push it away with a shake of my head and put the aids away, then pick up and fold her robe. I carry it back into her room and place it at the end of the bed, where she'll find it when she wakes, then walk back out and pour myself a cup of water to clear out the leftover taste of Shi Min.
Moving over to the entrance, I quietly open her door and step out, sliding it closed behind me. The chill of the rising sun settles on my skin and wakes me up as I walk through the low light of the morning back to my quarters. A few minutes later, I reach my home and enter, then move to the wash room, where I start to heat the water from day before.
The heat from the fire warms my body as I wait and sit in silence. Once I feel it's warm enough, I disrobe and slowly enter it, lowering my body down. I enjoy the water for a bit, feeling it soothe my bruises, before I let out a little sigh,
"...Fuck."
…
Once I'm washed up and in a fresh robe, my mind fully awake, I start to make my way out. As I slide open my door, I come face to face with my master, her hand raised to knock. She sees me and goes to speak, but closes her mouth and looks me over. Concern shows in her eyes as she asks, "...Do you want to talk about it?"
I shake my head at her, causing to sigh, but she moves on, "Very well. I trust your judgment." She pats me on the shoulder, "I came here to see if you were okay after yesterday, and to take you to your next lesson."
"I'm okay." I reassure her, "I'm actually enjoying learning under Wu Cai; he's tough, but he knows what he's doing." I smile at her.
Master Hong looks relieved, "I won't pretend to understand how your mind works, disciple." She laughs and takes her hand away, "Were you about to head out?"
"I was planning to come find you, master." Master Hong raises her eyebrow in question, "I wanted to know if you think I'm ready to move onto the Qi stage."
A look of thought appears on Master Hong's face, before she asks, "How goes your meditation? Can you enter the selfless-state at will yet?" I nod at her. I've kept up my practice, and recently received a notification informing me of my progress, with the ability now labelled as 'proficient'.
Master Hong accepts my nod, trusting me, "Then, I will need you to demonstrate before I can approve it, disciple. Follow me to my courtyard; after you've proven yourself to me, I will give you my answer."
She takes my good hand a leads me to her home, where she moves me to the centre of the courtyard. She gestures for me to sit, then waits. I close my eyes and begin to meditate, immediately falling into the selfless state, perceiving the flow of natural Qi inside me and how it melds with the Qi of the world.
Master Hong taps me on my forehead to get my attention. Opening my eyes, I see her looking at me with a smile on her face, "I'm proud of you, disciple. Truly."
I bow to her, "I've only got to where I am today thanks to your guidance, master." Master Hong accepts my words, but rolls her eyes at me.
"A master can teach, but it falls on the student to learn. You have reached this point through your own efforts, disciple." She tells me, seriousness in her voice. "As you have shown me proof of your progress, I see no reason to delay your advancement any longer."
Master Hong sits down in front of me and begins to explain, "Qi is the energy of life, and is present inside every being. Through the method I'll teach you, your Qi will purify your body, improving your physical, mental, and spiritual health, while granting you longevity."
She takes her hand and places it onto my navel. As she does, I feel a heat start to gather where she's touching, "That heat that you feel is my Qi, flowing around your Lower Dantian. Focus on it as I guide it along the necessary path." She moves her Qi from my Lower Dantian, down my navel, and then under, until it reaches the base of my spine.
The heat travels up my spine and between my shoulder blades, just behind my heart. From there, it moves on up to the base of my skull and settles, before going to the top of my head, "Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth, disciple."
After I do as she says, showing her proof, the energy flows down my forehead to my nose, then down the front of my body, passing through my heart and my solar plexus, before stopping in my Lower Dantian, completing its cycle.
Master Hong grabs my hands with her other hand and places my palms over my navel, left over right, "With your hands over the Qi, you must visualise the energy spiralling into a small, dense point." The demonstration over, she removes her hand, taking the heat with her.
"That's the complete cycle. It should be simple enough for you, given your skill in meditation." She looks at me with a smile on her face, "Give it a go. I'll be here to support you if you make a mistake, don't worry."
I nod at her and do as she says. Locating my Qi, I attempt my first go at circulation, guiding it along the path Master Hong showed me; down, under, up, over, down again, settle, then spiral. The process comes to me easily enough, and I get a two notifications that reassure me,
[Ability Learned – Internal Alchemy – Qi Stage (Basic): Under the watchful eye of your master, you have completed your first microcosmic orbit, creating your first bit of cultivated Qi.
As you build up more and more Qi, you overall physiology will start to improve, and your maximum lifespan will increase.]
As I finish reading, my heart is pounding away in my chest. The mention of extended lifespan causes me to open my character sheet for the first time in months,
[Character]
Name – Sarah Worthington
Species – Human
Life – 28/84
I note that my birthday came and went, but I ignore that, viewing it as unimportant compared to what I'm focused on.
It actually increased!
The Qi may have only added a year, but I've just started. By the time I master the stage, it will hopefully be much greater that a simple, single year. It might reach, what? One-fifty? Maybe even two-hundred? At that point, I might potentially live longer than any human from my world has before.
Calming down slightly, I check the second notification,
[Power Gained – Chi: Through the teachings of the Grand Temple of Mount Heng, you have accessed your Chi; your life force. Chi can be used to reach superhuman levels of physical ability, enhance recovery, and achieve immortality.
By manipulating your Chi, you can use it achieve various effects, such as flight, healing, projection outside your body, and infusion it into objects. Chi is also able to convert into other forms of energy with enough control, and can be used to power spells.]
So the marvel universe treats Qi and Chi as the same thing? I know there are beings such as Iron Fist, whos whole thing is Chi, but I wasn't certain the two would match up.
With this Chi, and after a bit more training, I can finally feel ready to leave the temple.
Finished with my reading, I stand and look at my master, who's staring at me with pride on her face. She starts to speak, "Success so quickly? As expected of my disciple." She smiles, "You talent in Taoism continues to surprise." Master Hong lifts a hand and lays it out to me. She nods to it, telling me to watch, before her fingers starts to glow a soft orange.
...The Iron Fist? No, it's similar, but it doesn't cover her whole hand. I walk over to her and nod questioningly at her hand, then, "Master?" I ask. Master Hong bring her glowing hand forward and taps me on my chest, sending me flying back. Although shocked, I quickly find my centre and land steadily.
I take a stance and look at Master Hong cautiously. She stares at me with a stoic expression, then charges at me, striking at my neck. I guide her attack to the side as I step around her, but she pivots and kick at me. I shield myself with my forearms, but I'm pushed back slightly.
I brace myself with a with a single foot as she resets and moves towards me. This time, I take the initiative and attack, striking at her. She blocks, pushing my hand up, then strikes back in turn, hitting my chest. As I stumble, Master Hong clutches my arm and pulls me to her, grabbing me by my shoulder and putting me in a hold.
Distant pain flares from my shoulder as she puts me in a crouched position, where I brace myself against the ground. I turn and look up at her, seeing a worried look on her face. Her expression makes me focus, and think about why she's doing this.
Is she trying to push me? Why? Does she want me to do something? Is it related to the glow? Realisation flashes through my mind as I think that last thought.
She wants me to mobilise my Chi.
Finally understanding why she's doing this, I stop struggling against the hold, and start concentrating on my Chi. I close my eyes and feel for it, sitting in my Lower Dantian. Following my masters example, I guide it out of my dantian and up my right arm, then to my hand. Finished, I open my eyes, and turn to look at the result.
What draws my attention first is the green glow emanating from my hand, the colour similar to the fields of the Seedbed. The second thing, is the wide smile Master Hong sports on her face.
She releases me from the hold and grabs my hand, bringing it close to her face. I carefully stand as she turns to me, happiness in her eyes as she tells me,
"You're ready."
…
Ever since Master Hong attacked me a week and a half ago, she's been spending all her time finalising my training, smoothing down any rough areas in my skills. Now, on the day we decided I would leave the temple, I find myself reluctant to go.
The temple has come to be my home. It's the home of the woman I might love, and the home of the woman who is like a mother to me.
I have been happier in my three months at the temple then I've been my entire life. But, at the same time, I know I can't stay here. The future of this universe is awash in danger, and I can't sit on my hands waiting for it come for me. The sorcerers are a necessary step in gaining the power to protect myself, and potentially others.
So I have to leave.
With reluctant acceptance, I make my way the entrance of the temple in my new outfit, my back carrying everything I will need. For the journey, I'm taking plenty of rations, a new gourd made for me by Shi Min, who hasn't been avoiding me, thankfully; and Jian. Master Hong requested a scabbard for it from the temples smith, so I could strap it to my side.
The Abbot has also been worried about my safety on the journey to the Sanctum, so has asked Wu Cai to accompany me for as long as he can. He was initially hesitant, as he worried we were headed to different places, but I told him I was going south, causing him to accept.
I haven't opened the Dial yet, but going by the positioning of the sun, and my knowledge of the location of Hong Kong, I worked out what direction I needed to take.
As I near the front gate of the temple, I find a group standing before it, consisting of those I've grown closest to in my time here.
The Abbot, who gave me a place to live and a path to the future. Lai Haibo, who made sure I could speak and listened without judgment during my time of need. Kang Cheng, who calmed me on my first day here and introduced me to my master. Wu Cai, who taught me the way of the sword and the skills I need to survive.
Hong Yi, my master, who accepted me as her own and taught me what it is to be loved.
Shi Min, who saved my life, and then stole my heart.
These six people, who out of nothing but basic, human kindness, helped me adapt to my new life and show me that I don't need to be afraid, are the family I've always wished for.
As I approach them, Shi Min is the first to see me. She starts waving me over, getting the attention of the others, who look at me with varying emotions.
I stop in front of Shi Min and pull her into a hug, squeezing her tight. She wraps her arms around me and buries her face in my neck. As we hold each other, I feel her tears drip down my neck while she cries in silence. I kiss her softly on her head, as she whispers to me, "Am I ever going to see you again?"
I hold her tight and rub her back.
Shi Min takes in my silence and nods shakily into my neck, then releases me and steps back into the group. Master Hong pats her on the arm then turns to me, "...Come here." I do as she says, walking up to her.
She looks me over, making sure I've got everything I need, then stares at me, her eyes red, "You will always have a home here, understand? The temple will forever be open to you, so don't be a stranger."
She pulls me into a quick hug, then manoeuvres me to the entrance, where I find Wu Cai. He nods at me then starts to walk out the gate. I go to follow, then turn to my family, "You have done more for me then you will ever know." I bow deeply to them, tears in my eyes, "This isn't goodbye." I promise.
With one last look at the place I've come to call home, I walk out it's gate.
Taking my first step into my future.
---AN---
Our girl Sarah is finally leaving home to go to wizard school. Here's hoping she doesn't run into any dark lords.
Sorry the chapter is a bit late, I didn't get home when I expected. There might not be a chapter for the next couple of days, as I have to travel down to Devon.
I've updated Sarah's image section, adding the outfit she will be wearing for the forseeable future. I'm also trying to find a good image that fits Wu Cai, but I'm having trouble. If you have any good suggestions, be sure to post them.
As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Be sure to point out any grammatical mistakes, and leave any criticisms you have.
Until the next chapter.
Wu Cai and I are currently sitting around a fire I made, in a clearing of a forest not far from our path south. At Wu Cai's suggestion, we decided to set camp as the sunlight started to fade, after he reminded me of how potential predators and low light conditions could hinder us.
I'm sitting on a dead piece of wood and spooning at bits of the stew Wu Cai made using a hare he hunted, while I stare at him. I know he's the silent type, but it's the end of the first day of our journey, and Wu Cai has barely said two words to me. Is he just not going to talk to me the whole way?
Wu Cai look up from eating and catches me staring at me, making him to pause. He lowers his bowl from his mouth, and raises an eyebrow. I tilt my head at him questioningly, as he lets a single, soft laugh.
He brings his bowl back up and raises it to his mouth, then drinks the remainder, before putting it down at his side and placing his hands on his knees. He gets a thoughtful look on his face, then starts to speak to me, finally, "...Do you know where you're going, Sarah?"
I swallow my food, then nod at him and put my bowl down. I grab at my pack by my side and search through it. My fingers brush the shape I'm looking for, its engravings rubbing against them, causing me to pull it out and raise it to him, "Do you know what this is?" I ask, but he shakes his head, "It's magic."
Wu Cai gets an interested expression on his face, as I start to explain, "I don't know if my master told you, but when I found Jian," I gesture to it, sitting on my hip, "it called to me. When I first laid my hand on it... I can't explain it, but it understood it's history." Wu Cai gets a serious look in his eyes as he listens to me.
I continue, "The same thing happened when I touched this disc. The moment I came into contact to it, I knew what it was, and how to use it."
I cup the disc on my palms, then speak the passphrase, "Lead the way." The symbols on the disc alight with the orange glow of sorcery, before they rise and gather above it, forming the shape of an arrow that points to behind Wu Cai.
Wu Cai's eyes are shining as he takes in the magic, "How?" He asks, a hint of wonder in his voice.
I smile at him at and explain, "It's a guide. Once it's activated by the phrase, it leads one to the home of the sorcerers." As I speak, the magic starts to fade. A time limit, maybe? "If it wasn't for the certainty provided by the disc, I wouldn't have left the safety of the temple so soon."
Wu Cai watches as the magic disappears, then looks at me solemnly, "...What's driving you?" He asks, getting to the heart of the matter with few words, as always.
I take in his question and raise my head, staring at the stars above. Wu Cai seems content to wait in silence until I give him my answer.
There are a great many thing that are causing me to take the path I am, but the main one has to be... Fear?
I lower my gaze at look at Wu Cai, "You know where I'm from, I take it? Someone told you?" He nods, confirming my guess, "Well, in my time, half the world died." I start to spin my tale, using the future of this world as my story.
Wu Cai's eyes widen dramatically. It's the most emotion I've ever seen him display.
"Yeah." I sympathise. "It wasn't caused by the actions of humans, or a terrifying series of natural events... But by some being from beyond the stars." I watch Wu Cai, his face regaining its usual stoicism, but his body still broadcasting his distress. "I don't know how it did it, or the reason why, but with a single snap of its fingers, half of life died."
I stare into the fire, pushing my acting skills to their limits. Its not hard to get in the right mindset; I may not have personally experienced it, but I saw the act with my own eyes, albeit on the big screen.
"I was a part of the half that survived, and lived through the aftermath." I close my eyes, as if the memories haunt me. I take breath, then open them and continue, "The genocide was eventually reversed by a group of heroes who sacrificed themselves; but... the action of that being opened my eyes to the dangers waiting for humanity out in the cosmos."
"Until I was left here by some unknown force, I believed there was nothing I could do to save myself if such a thing were to happen again. But now... with the teachings of the temple and the opportunity to learn magic from the Master of the Mystic Arts? There is no reason I couldn't prevent that future." I finish as the fire starts to lesson, dimming the light of the camp.
The half shadowed Wu Cai sit in silence, digesting my words, before his voice breaks the quiet, "...Tomorrow, I speed up your training." He promises, understanding the enormity of the task he believes me to have set for myself.
I nod at him, knowing the reason behind his decision, then lay my head down to get some sleep, listening to the crackle of the dying fire, the hardship the next day present in my thoughts.
…
I'm woken from my sleep by a strange whispering sounding in my ears. Alert, I snap my eyes open to find a hooded figure laying beside me, mirroring my position. Shocked, I sit up instantly and reach for Jian, only to find it missing. I start to shuffle back in a hurry, trying to gain distance, my hands finding purchase beneath me; all the while the figure mimics my every action.
The persistent whispers seem to grow louder as I move, causing me to stop and get to my feet. The being stands with me, but doesn't move any closer, leaving a bit over a meter between us. Seeing it make no other moves, I steady my breathing and get into a stance, then examine it.
It slightly shorter than me, covered in a thick, course cloak, its hood obscuring its face. It's presence isn't unnerving, nor does it ring any danger signals in my mind, but that doesn't make me lower my guard. For all I know, that could be its ability, making its target see it as harmless and then attacking them.
No matter its intent, the way it has chosen to show itself to me makes me wary, never mind the fact that Jian is missing. I run my Chi into my hands, enhancing them and making them glow, then choose to attack. I step forward and strike out with my right hand, aimed at its chest, but the being raises it own hand and catches it before it connects.
I didn't even see it move.
Worried now, I try to pull my hand back, but hooded figure is unmoved, its strength that much greater than my own enhanced strength. I kick out with my left leg, when suddenly, a second hooded figure, identical to the first, appears from under me and captures it.
I keep my balanced thanks to my training, but begin to feel anxiety spawn in my stomach. As I rapidly begin to think of a counter, the second figure surprisingly lowers my leg and plants it on the ground, then moves around the back of the first to stand at my right.
Confusion in my mind, I whip my eyes between the two, as a third figure, with the same appearance as the other two, reveals itself on my left. This one stare at my maimed left hand, then grips it and lift it to the other two, who turn to stare at it.
...What the fuck is happening?
The other two place a hand each on my raised extremity, before I feel my Chi be guided without my input, pooling in my hand and making it glow an intense green. As the last of my Chi is gathered, the figure of a ram-horned serpent reveals itself, wrapped around my hand. The serpent raises its head to the three and hisses at them, causing them to nod, then rises off me, where they grab at it with their free hands.
The left and right figures pull on either end of the serpent, while the front one clutches its centre, tearing the serpent into the three. They bring the pieces to their obscured faces and throw them in. The whispers grow for a moment and sound out from beneath their hoods, before soft, green energy, similar to grass, flows back out from under the hoods. The energy wraps around my lifted hand, where I feel it fuse with my Chi.
I sense the Chi in my hand intensify, its power feeling purer somehow. I watch in wonder as some of the Chi flows to the stumps of my two missing fingers, and starts to grow flesh and bone. Half a minute later, I'm left staring in amazement at my new digits, the feeling of the night air running over them, a sensation I've sorely missed.
The three release my healed hand, and turn to stare at me, before the centre figure grips my chin and tilts my head to the side, causing me to look over. There, I see myself sleeping peacefully, my head under my arm acting as a pillow.
...A dream?
…
My eyes fly open and I bolt up, getting my feet beneath me. The morning light makes my eyes water, causing me to wipe them with my hands, clearing my vision. As I pull my hands away, I catch sight of something that leaves me breathless.
My hand... it's healed. The previous absence, that I tried to ignore, has been replaced, with two fingers sprouting in its place. I wiggle the new fingers, the sensation I receive convincing me they're real. I kneel down and place a shaky hand on the ground, where I run it through the grass.
...Not a dream, then?
As I'm enjoying the returned feeling, a couple of notifications get my attention,
[Power Learned – Chi Healing: Through the mark left on you by an unknown deity, the Genii Cucullati were able to come to you in your dreams, enhancing your Chi with the mark of the deity, and regenerating your fingers.
The infusion of the healing domain divine power has accelerated your progression with Chi, granting you the ability to heal yourself and others by channelling your Chi. Should you be dismembered or suffer great wounds, you can consume a great amount of Chi to regenerate your injuries, though the process can leave you exhausted.]
Thank you... unknown deity, whoever you are.
[Internal Alchemy – Qi Stage (Skilled): Due the infusion of divine power from a nature deity, your Chi has grown in quantity and quality, and has gained additional recovery power. As you cycle your Chi through your body, your longevity will increase at a greater rate. You can now also manipulate your Chi with greater ease, aiding your cultivation and easing the learning of Chi-based techniques.]
...Seriously, thank you.
A cough from my side interrupts my praying and gets my attention. Turning, I find Wu Cai staring down at me with a raised eyebrow, his pack in hand.
I flush a little, then stand and raise my healed hand to him. His other eyebrow joins the first, as he grabs my hand and observes it, "...How?" He asks, curious.
"I dreamed of a god." He looks at me with confusion, so I expand, "On my first day in the temple, I had a dream where I met two strange entities, one of fire who emerged from the temples grand hall," At the mention of this being, an expression of intense interest appears on Wu Cai's face, "and another from the forest of Mount Heng."
"This one was a horned man wielding a metal ring in one hand, and a horned serpent in the other. In the dream, the serpent bit my damaged hand, causing me to wake." I start to channel my Chi into the hand, "Last night, I dreamed of three hooded figures. They used the bite of the serpent to regenerate my wounds, I guess. I would've passed it off as just a dream, but as you can see..." I wiggle my fingers at him, causing him to chuckle.
As my hand begins to glow with the power of my Chi, I pull Jian from its sheath and bring it to my glowing hand, then slice at it, leaving a small cut. Wu Cai takes a step back, concern in his eyes, but watches. Using my new power, I infuse the wound with the Chi, and watch as it begins to close. It takes a couple of second, but in the end, it's fully healed.
Wu Cai steps forward and stares at the result, then asks, "...Can you teach me?"
I think for a second, then respond, "I... think so? I understand the process, somehow, and know what to do to make it work, so I should able to, in theory." Wu Cai has a smile on his face as I answer, before a slightly serious look replaces it.
"...You know this means I'm going to increase your training, correct?"
I give him a slight glare, then laugh, "Of course. It's what I would expect of you, Wu Cai." I walk around him to the remains of the fire, and pick up my pack, "I was thinking the same thing, in fact. Should I be able to teach you this power, I expect you to train me to the point of collapse. If by the end of our journey I can't even land a single hit on you, then I've failed to learn." I turn to him, awaiting his response.
Wu Cai watches me gather my stuff, but nods to me in agreement when he sees me look at him. Once he sees I've finished preparing, he starts to walk back to the path, forgoing asking me if I'm ready.
I roll my eyes at his back, then move to follow him. Going by the location of the temple and from where I think Hong Kong to be, I've calculated that the journey should take us two weeks of walking, taking into account rests. More than enough time for Wu Cai to train me up until he's happy with my skills.
Hopefully I'll be able to pass my ability to heal onto him; I'd like knowing that he's able to treat himself should anything happen to him after we separate.
Taking another look at my healed hand, I smile widely and run to catch up to Wu Cai, who walks at speed. I wonder if he knows who the man of fire is?
---AN---
Second, and final, surprise chapter of the week... really. This chapter is dedicated to mperalta, who has been pushing through the chapters, waiting for the moment Sarah regains her fingers.
I'm currently in Devon, sitting on a balcony overlooking the night sea. It's fucking cold, so I'm going back inside after I post this, where I'm going to make myself some tea, then go to sleep.
I'll be dreaming of you all.
As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Be sure to point out any grammatical mistakes, and leave any criticisms you have.