A/N: Hey all :) this is my first fanfic. JE is my favourite game, as it's got such an awesome storyline! As well as stunning scenery and beautiful music. This fanfic follows the general storyline of the game but with quite a few changes. I hope you enjoy it and please review XD reviews = happy writer = faster updates.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in the story, except for my main character, Yin Tian, as she is NOT based on the the 3 available, playable female characters. Think of her as an OC. She belongs to me. Everything else belongs to Bioware
Chapter One
Sister Hai has begun to behave strangely recently. She seems to be losing her mind, slowly. I wonder if it is the drought's doing? It should not be. We have plenty of water in the palace and Hai is too selfish to be self-conscious of how the rest of the Empire suffers – which I do not care about either. There is a strange madness in her eyes when she looks at me, almost like an obsession. She will not leave me alone. It is irritating – and disturbing.
Yin Tian ducked under Jing Wu's arm, letting his swing swish over her head and a smile touched her lips in response to Jing Wu's strained gasp. Once again, she had slipped past his guard. Yin Tian struck superiorly to his knee, causing him to grunt and his leg bucked beneath him. He fell, landing on his back and Yin Tian pounced on him, pressing one hand against his chest and raised her free hand above her head, fingers curled into a fist.
Jing Wu stared up at Yin Tian as she stared back down at him, both of them holding their breaths. In the end, Yin Tian broke the tension, standing back and she held her hand out to Jing Wu. He sighed with a relieved smile.
"Once again, I lose to you. I swear, Yin Tian, one of these days I will find a way around your guard."
Yin Tian laughed lightly. "Do not be too harsh on yourself, my friend. One day you will get behind my defences, but perhaps not today."
Jing Wu chuckled as Yin Tian hauled him to his feet. "No, not today."
"But with every mistake and defeat, you learn something new, further contributing to your cultivation, provided you are not corrupted and beaten down in misery at failures."
Jing Wu nodded. "You are a great example of that. Even if things seem bleak, you do not give up. We learn to follow your example – the way of patience, like Master Li. If only Gao could see things the way that you do." He then looked to the side and Yin Tian followed his gaze to their Master's house. A tall, lean but well-built man stood on the pavilion. His clothing was modest but of a finery that demonstrated his position and authority as Master. His hair was long and black, tied and draped over his shoulder in grace. His dark eyes were steady and unwavering, looking on Yin Tian and Jing Wu in the arena with a silently calculating gaze. Those eyes met Yin Tian's, a small smile touched his lips, and he then turned, walking back into his house.
"I wonder what Master Li thought of our bout, for he watched it from beginning to end," Jing Wu wondered calmly, drawing Yin Tian's attention back. "Ah, that reminds me," Jing Wu added. "Master Li wanted to talk to you after you have finished your practice."
Yin Tian's chest automatically constricted a touch in excitement. She enjoyed her talks with Master Li for he always said something wise, even if it was sharp and cutting, for whatever he said was another lesson for her, helping her to train and practice well.
Yin Tian turned back to Jing Wu. "Well, we had best finish up so Lin and Bo Zu can have their turn in the arena."
The two pressed their closed fists to their open palms and bowed in respect to one another.
"Thank you for the bout, senior student. I will reflect on what you have helped me to see," he said smoothly.
"Likewise," Yin Tian answered.
They exited the arena, or rather, Jing Wu was on the verge of staggering out of the arena. Yin Tian hovered close in case he fell, but he did not and she patted him gently on the back as he moved away to some steps to practice his Tai Chi.
Yin Tian nodded to Lin and Bo Zu as they passed her into the arena and she turned to watch them move into their stances. Lin was quite the gossiper in the school. Yin Tian tried to keep away from it but it was hard to resist when gossip brought so much entertainment.
With a lung full of sweet, clean air, Yin Tian massaged some of her muscles quickly, her dark eyes following Lin's and Bo Zu's movements as they wielded their staffs. The sound of bamboo against bamboo cracked in the air.
The arena was situated in the middle of the school, ringed by grass and a circle path, before that too was ringed by the buildings of the school. The walls were white, the tiles were dark red and sweeping, like a wave in the growing night. Trees grew tall, their coverage fanning wide and shading from the intense summer sun. Leaves were either rich green or vibrant red. Grass swayed in the gentle breeze. Flowers bloomed brightly and perfumed the air with its delicate fragrance; birds sang and filled the sky with song.
Two Rivers was a beautiful and peaceful town, filled with gentle and easy-going life, inhabited by farmers and peasants, and the school's students. Some thought Two Rivers was a strange place for a martial arts school for it was, in effect, in the middle of nowhere as many would put it. They were far from any city or town, having them very isolated but Yin Tian liked this. Everyone in the village knew each other; everyone was friends with one another, surrounded by this wonderful sense of community.
Yin Tian turned but instead of heading straight for Master Li's house, she took another path to a quiet, secluded area, completely shaded in trees, dimming the sunlight that was sieved through the canopy. A stream ran here, having fallen from a very small waterfall. A small bridge crossed over it to a grave where Yin Tian stopped in front of to send a silent prayer of thanks to the deceased Master who governed the school before Master Li did. Even though the school was not brilliant under the last Master's leadership, it was still here, it was a home, maybe not to most of the students but it was to Yin Tian.
Leaving, Yin Tian headed back to her Master's house. She walked up the steps to the pavilion when another young man stepped out.
"Keh! Typical!" He spat in disgust upon leaving. He leered at Yin Tian in hate and she glared back at him. Gao never ceased causing disruption in the school. He was just as skilled in martial arts as Yin Tian was, and she was the most skilled in the school, but Gao still wore the clothes of a junior student. His arrogance and pride got in his way, always eager to step beyond his station before he was ready, always wanting to be the superior in all. He was impatient, rumoured to be just like his pirate leader father, Gao the Greater. Yin Tian had only heard rumours of the Sorcerer so she could not judge – which she ended up doing anyway.
Before he could lash out at her with a snide comment, Yin Tian dashed smoothly past him, pulling her gaze away from his jealous eyes. Would he ever learn to simply work at a steady pace? He worked hard and Yin Tian respected him for that – if grudgingly – but he worked hard to attain power, not simply for the sake of learning and enlightenment. He ruled through bullying and fear, something which had declined with Yin Tian and Master Li around to stop, hence he humiliate himself further.
Yin Tian cast a quick glance back at him as he strode away, shoulder length hair swishing back from the speed of his walk. Some of the female students, mainly from the city said that he was a handsome man with strong features. Yin Tian wanted to gape in dismay at such a comment. She could not see how such a man could be considered handsome. His arrogance was the first thing she could see and would always see before any other part of him.
"Ah, Yin Tian, there you are."
Yin Tian looked away from Gao and to her Master. Her feelings for Master Li were the complete opposite to what she had for Gao. Master Li had her complete respect and loyalty, even though she knew nothing of his background, only his personality. He was a calm and composed man with a strict conduct but patient and caring eyes. Master Li was a man shrouded in mystery, something that kept Yin Tian fascinated with him. Even though she had been under his care for twenty years, he had not aged a day. In terms of appearance, he did not look anything older than mid-thirties, but who knew how old he actually was?
Master Li was seated on the floor in the formal kneeling position, looking unfazed by whatever talk he had had with Gao just a moment earlier.
"Master Li," Yin Tian greeted. "I was told you wanted to speak with me."
"Yes," he said. "Please sit."
Yin Tian complied, sitting before him in the same position, curious as to what he wanted to talk to her about.
"I watched your bout against Jing Wu with great pride," he said, a hint of pride in his tone. "It has made me realise that you have almost finished your training which brings me a sense of joy and sadness. Have you given any thought to your future?"
Yin Tian resisted the urge to shrug at his question. "Perhaps I will travel," she replied thoughtfully. "Or teach others as you have taught me."
A smile touched Master Li's eyes. "You will make a fine teacher. The students of Two Rivers would not have advanced as fast as they do without you as their ultimate goal and example."
Yin Tian looked down. "My contributions are nothing compared to your guidance, Master Li."
"Do not doubt your abilities to aid others, Yin Tian," he chided softly. His expression grew serious. "It is a trait that is within you for a reason. Your training is almost complete and you are not destined to stay in Two Rivers."
Yin Tian frowned. "What do you mean?"
Master Li let out a small breath. "As you know, I saved you twenty years ago when you were still a baby, not even able to walk yet. What I have yet to tell you is what I saved you from. I hoped to keep it hidden from you for it is a tragic past that we are both part of, to spare the pain. But my heart . . ." he touched his hand to his chest. "My heart feels uneasy. I think it is time you knew how you came to be at Two Rivers as it is a journey that we both walked."
Yin Tian's eyes widened, feeling her muscles tense. She opened her mouth to say something when Master Li's eyes flitted past her shoulder.
"Master! Master Li!" Yin Tian turned just in time to find Si Pat dash through the open doors, puffing from running.
"What is this interruption?" Master Li asked sharply. "This had better be important for there is much to say."
"Forgive me, Master Li. There are bandits sighted at the beach. They fired something and Kia Min was injured," Si Pat gasped. "Ni Joh tried to carry her. Please come, Master Li! The bandits haven't docked yet but they could arrive at any time!"
Both Master Li and Yin Tian stood abruptly and her heart thumped fast in her chest. A bandit attack? On Two Rivers? This was absurd! Such a thing never happened.
"What will you do, Master Li?" Yin Tian asked urgently.
"Yin Tian, I want you to find Dawn Star and collect your weapon from Gujin. If possible, stall the bandits for as long as possible until I arrive but do not fight them," he ordered. "I will go with Si Pat and tend to my fallen student."
Yin Tian nodded. "Yes, Master Li."
With that, Master Li left quickly with Si Pat. Yin Tian stepped out of his house and glanced about. The students were huddled together in groups, their expressions showing concern and confusion. They were just as shocked as Yin Tian felt. Two Rivers was such a peaceful village. The very idea of an attack on the village was impossible. But it was happening now.
Yin Tian dashed to the gates and threw a knowing glance at Smiling Mountain. The Buddha-like teacher nodded and clapped his hands, drawing the students' attention away from her. He was a gentle teacher, but strict and calm like Master Li. Smiling Mountain would no doubt keep the students calm during this unexpected attack.
Closing the gates behind her, Yin Tian jogged down the path to the house both she and Dawn Star shared. Thinking of her best friend always brought a smile to Yin Tian's face. The two had grown up together, like sisters, for Dawn Star was also an orphan and she arrived at the school only a few years after Yin Tian did. She was a few months younger than Yin Tian, but like each other, neither had any idea as to why they were orphaned. Yin Tian knew that Master Li saved her and brought her here to Two Rivers. Dawn Star on the other hand did not know who it was that brought her here. All she knew was that whoever brought her here feared for her safety and life.
Yin Tian and Dawn Star spent hours on end talking about their possible pasts, staying up late into the night which meant they were still tired in the morning. However, those conversations became less as Dawn Star talked about the origins of her name.
"They named me after a strange glow on the horizon of the night sky to the east. They said it was a bad omen. Was that why my parents abandoned me? It doesn't help that I can see and talk to Spirits," she had once said. Dawn Star's voice was filled with faint sorrow and it was not a surprise. People shunned and feared her for her ability to communicate with the Spirits or the Spirit Realm, even here in Two Rivers. Therefore Yin Tian was determined to always protect her. If she ever had a younger sister, it was Dawn Star. Her abilities were fascinating to Yin Tian, a gift, not a curse. Everything happened for a reason.
Shaking away the sadness that was creeping into her heart, Yin Tian skidded down the hill where the path turned right over a bridge that took the path over a large stream, bubbling from the waterfall. The tiny water droplets that were sprayed into the air cast a rainbow of colours as the sunlight shattered through them. The sound of the water and its cooling mist was comforting, but it would not calm the uneasiness in Yin Tian's heart.
Something did not feel right.
The sound of an argument drew Yin Tian's attention to what was ahead of her. Over the bridge and to the left was the house that both Yin Tian and Dawn Star shared. Dawn Star stood in the front – with Gao.
It was like a slap around the face for Yin Tian. What was Gao doing here?
"You are too stubborn to see a good opportunity when it arrives at your very feet! If my charm cannot lift your spirits, then I will buy the ground from under you," he purred sleekly.
Dawn Star's expression was controlled but there was anger rolling within her dark eyes. They met Yin Tian's as she approached and there was almost a visible wave of relief that passed her gaze. Gao turned around and his expression distorted into one of irritation.
"Interfering again?" He snarled.
Dawn Star waved her hand dismissively. "Thank you, Gao, but I will pick my own poison. I ask that you leave me be and if you will so kind, stay down wind."
"I will not forget this, Dawn Star. You show great disrespect. And you!" He jabbed a finger at Yin Tian. "You will not take all the glory if there is an attack. We are not through."
Before Yin Tian could think of some snappy reply back, Gao stormed off.
"I know that look," Dawn Star tutted softly. "Don't bother trying. You know you have never been the type of person for arguments and snide comments."
Yin Tian sighed. "I know," she said glumly. "I wish I was. I can never think of anything useful to say until afterwards. You are much sharper when it comes to things like that."
Dawn Star giggled gently. "You would think it is the other way around. After all, you have much more confidence than I do."
Dawn Star was a gentle soul with delicate features, a slender frame and long hair which she usually kept tied up high. Their physiques were similar, but Yin Tian's hair was longer, kept in a long braid down the length of her back; her breast were also smaller, making her seem more petite in general.
"Did you hear?" Yin Tian asked worriedly, changing the topic. "There are bandits down by the beach. We need to go."
Dawn Star nodded vigorously, falling into step beside Yin Tian and they rushed up to the village. "Yes, Master Li just passed a moment ago to fetch Kia Min. He gave me a brief update on the situation. We need to go and get your weapon from Gujin. Hopefully this will just be a small skirmish that we can take care of."
Yin Tian frowned. "I have a bad feeling about this, Dawn Star," she whispered. "Something does not feel right in my heart."
Dawn Star's eyes met Yin Tian's and her expression fell. "That is not good. Your bad feelings always end up being right."
Yin Tian recalled memories of the past, of two in particular. She could feel when the storms were coming, something that even Master Li could not predict so accurately. One time the fields set alight and she knew it would happen. It was as if she could predict the future to an extent. It was an instinct, something all living creatures were born with but over time, most people had forgotten how to listen to it. Yin Tian on the other hand still had it.
"Let's just hope it does not turn out to be so bad. There is always a way to deal with a situation, even if the path is not shown immediately. It is never a dead end," Yin Tian said softly.
Dawn Star smiled and nodded. They burst through the village gates to be met by a scene they were not expecting. A bandit woman leapt up and kicked the village man in front of her. Her foot met his head, whipping it to the side with a sicking snap. The villager was flung to the floor by the force of the kick, landing him dead.
That was the first time Yin Tian had ever seen anyone killed in front of her eyes. The group of villagers standing nearby shrieked in horror at the sudden attack and their muscles tensed in preparation to flee as two bandit men took a step towards them.
No! Yin Tian's jaw clenched. If the villagers scatter then it will be a disaster!
Yin Tian and Dawn Star pounced forward, moving fluidly between the bandits, striking with their feet and hands. Anger swirled within Yin Tian's spirit at the villager's sudden death. He was innocent. He did nothing wrong! And he was killed for it. Bandits had no mercy, therefore Yin Tian would not give any in return.
"Do not let your emotions govern you," Master Li's warning voice echoed in her mind. "You can let your emotions fuel your strikes but never let it control you, or you may do something you will end up regretting."
Despite his warning reminder, Yin Tian's strikes still struck the parts of the body that brought death to her opponents. Master Li had taught her well.
"I hope I won't ever have to use these attacks," she had once said to him naively as she practiced against him.
"That is what we all hope for when we first learn, but that fantasy will never come to pass. As your Master, I know that you will be called to use these attacks. You will harm and you will kill. But always remember that you must never kill for fun. Never step beyond your station. Kill only to protect."
The bandits lay dead around her and Dawn Star. This was also the first time Dawn Star had killed. The shock showed clearly in her paling face.
"Think about it later, Dawn Star!" Yin Tian grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind to Gujin's weapon shop. "We have to focus first!"
Dawn Star blinked. Some of the shock retreated back and she brought in a sharp breath, straightening herself. Yin Tian let go of her wrist, throwing her friend a confident smile. Having to take another life was bound to come to both of them eventually. The two were the best students in the school, aside from Gao. Though it would not have surprised Yin Tian if Gao already knew how to kill. He was a pirate leader's only son. The thrill of taking another life would not be a foreign concept to him.
The two of them barged into Gujin's weapon shop and like usual, he was not surprised to see them. Despite the pending threat of bandits, he looked as cheery as ever.
"Well! If it isn't Master Li's best students!" He bellowed cheerfully.
"Good day, weapon Master Gujin," Dawn Star greeted.
"Don't bother with formalities," he scoffed. He waved them over. "Come on over. Master Li has told me what is happening. I believe it is time you both had your own weapons."
He moved over to one of the stands and took down a sheathed long sword. It was one that Dawn Star had been training with.
"Here, Dawn Star," Gujin said, handing her the sword and she took it with both hands. "I have watched you train with this sword for a while now and I believe you will do well as its master."
"Thank you, Master Gujin," Dawn Star thanked, her eyes lighting up.
He then turned to Yin Tian and placed both hands on his hip. "Well, Yin Tian, which one will you choose? You have been training with both Golden Star the staff and Fortune's Favourite, the long sword and you wield both extremely well. Unfortunately Master Li will only allow me to give you one to keep."
Yin Tian's expression fell. "I thought I may be able to have both in the future, but if Master Li wants me to just have one then it will have to be Fortune's Favourite."
Gujin grinned behind his beard and moustache, handling the sheathed long sword with care before handing it to her. "Either choice would have been a wise one. I will hold onto Golden Star. Who knows, maybe it will come into your possession later in the future?"
Yin Tian took her long sword, a beautiful weapon with a sheath and blade that almost seemed to glow with a gentle golden light. As soon as her skin touched the weapon, she felt its familiar energy course through into her body.
Both weapons she had trained with were weapons from legend. Gujin had no idea how Master Li had acquired them but he said that those weapons were something he was carrying – in addition to a baby Yin Tian in his arms – when he arrived in Two Rivers. Master Li would not let anyone use them, not even himself. Only Yin Tian could wield them – which earned a violent wave of jealousy and anger from Gao.
Yin Tian felt humbled and honoured that such rare and unique weapons belonged to her. She clipped Fortune's Favourite to her belt when Si Pat rushed in.
"Senior student! Oh, forgive my interruption, Master Gujin," Si Pat panted. Yin Tian smiled upon his arrival. He was an innocent young man with a pure heart, striving to do as well as he could. Yin Tian had a feeling that he would be a skilled martial artist one day if he kept up his enthusiasm.
"No worries, student," Gujin said lightly. "What has you so flustered?"
"The bandits! They are already coming ashore. Master Li managed to bring Kia Min back but he has to tend to her wounds. Until then, we must rely on you to push the bandits back!"
Yin Tian's heart raced with anticipation and nervous excitement. So much for not fighting them.
"Thanks for letting me know. Head back to the school and warn the others to prepare in case something bad happens. Dawn Star and I will take care of the rest."
"I will ask Jing Wu and some of the better students to standby in the village in case any bandits pass you, which seems unlikely," Si Pat said.
"No," Dawn Star said. "That will be a good idea. Jing Wu is strong and he will be the best port of call should any bandits pass us and attack the villagers. Hopefully Gao will have some sense to help, but we cannot rely on that."
"Good plan," Gujin agreed, taking up his own staff. "Now hurry back to the school. Your seniors will take care of everything."
Si Pat bowed. "Yes, Master Gujin!" He dashed away.
Yin Tian followed, worry and fear beginning to trickle into her body. "Hurry. I can hear them!"
Dawn Star and Gujin hurried after her, out the shop and around the corner, and into three bandits.
"How did they get here so fast?" Yin Tian cried, tripping one bandit and crushed his windpipe with a single punch.
"Never mind that!" Gujin called. "There are more bandits in the square. I can take care of these ones. Go and protect the villagers."
Yin Tian stumbled away from him and towards the square. The sounds of fighting were clear. Yin Tian hoped that Gujin would put down the two bandits behind quickly.
In the square there was chaos. Villagers were running everywhere, some were fighting in vain and Si Pat was trying to defend them. Yin Tian and Dawn Star jumped in and forced the bandits back, keeping their new weapons sheathed. Shedding blood in the village square would only cause more panic.
"Go, Si Pat!" Yin Tian shouted behind her. "We've got this!"
Si Pat obeyed, leaving the two young women to take on the bandits. Although this was the first fight they had fought in which their opponents tried to kill them, it was not as hard as Yin Tian was expecting.
Gujin stormed down the steps and swung his stuff up, catching a bandit beneath the chin and snapping his head back. The bandits lost quickly.
"Please!" One of the villagers gasped. "My boy, Ni Joh, is trying to fight them down on the beach. You must help him!"
Yin Tian bit on her lower lip to stop it from trembling and she nodded, running out of the village, followed quickly by Dawn Star before Gujin could bellow at them to get moving. They ran down the path, past trees and broke out onto the beach. Yin Tian took in the scene in an instant. A group of bandits were wading through the shallow water from their ship, weapons bare and sheaths discarded. Three villagers were backing up away from them, and a cannon of the ship was lit.
Without thinking, Yin Tian bolted out towards the villagers.
"Yin Tian, look out!" Dawn Star cried.
Yin Tian grabbed the villager at the front, a young man, Ni Joh, and tackled him out the way. A moment later was a great booming sound that rattled her insides, followed by an explosion over her head, screams, and torn limbs spraying blood flew through the air with debris that had been blown from the cliff face.
"Senior student, Yin Tian!" Ni Joh gasped. Yin Tian got back up, pulling him to his feet and shoved him behind her.
"Go back towards the village!" She ordered. "You have done well enough. We'll take over!"
"Thank you!" His voice was shaking and he tripped back and away.
The bandits approached and Yin Tian cast a single glance at Dawn Star. They both nodded and drew their swords. The best way to test if their training had paid off was to fight and kill. They would kill to protect their home.
Yin Tian took a deep breath, calming her nerves and pounding heart. A calmness settled over her. It was a strange peace of mind that she used to fight. Instead of thinking of each attack individually, she simply let it all flow, allowing her body to respond out of instinct. Somehow, this state of mind allowed her to feel what her opponent was planning. It allowed her to stay one step ahead.
They stepped forward, and attacked. The bandits sneered and laughed in scorn for it was two against seven. However, their scorn faded as Yin Tian and Dawn Star cut down one bandit each on their first swing. The bandits fought harder and so did Yin Tian and Dawn Star. Clothes were ripped and blood was drawn. It was hot against Yin Tian's face
She ducked under a punch and elbowed her opponent between the legs, causing him to grunt and double over onto her blade. Yin Tian drew the sword back, breathing deeply and looked about her frantically. Dawn Star was fighting the last bandit, the rest were dead on the floor. But Yin Tian did not sigh in relief. Another seven were wading onto shore and Yin Tian's heart sank. She thought that was it, but it was not.
A shadow on the bridge of the ship stood alone and calm, catching Yin Tian's attention. It was a man dressed in strange robe-like armour of black and red, touched with gold. His head was shaved, tattoos were drawn across his forehead in confusing symmetry; his skin was sickly grey, his lips were purple as if he was suffocating, and his eyes were as black as the voids. Those black eyes pierced Yin Tian, stiffening her muscles out of sudden fear. A dark aura twisted around him, causing Yin Tian's chest to constrict in growing terror. The uneasiness in her heart rattled the bars of her self-control.
Who was he?
The bandits charged. Their eyes rolled with anger and wariness. Yin Tian and Dawn Star were no ordinary peasants or fighters for that matter. Dawn Star looked distracted and Yin Tian followed her gaze in a heartbeat. She was also staring at the dark man on the ship.
A bandit drew out a dagger and pulled her arm back to throw it at Dawn Star. Yin Tian's breath caught in her throat when Dawn Star made no effort to move out of the way. A small, confused flicker of recognition flashed through her eyes. What did that mean?
Yin Tian had no time to find out, she darted in front of Dawn Star at the same time the bandit threw her dagger. Bringing her sword arm up, Fortune's Favourite met the dagger and sent it whistling up and over their heads.
"Yin Tian!" Dawn Star gulped, realising just how close she had come to being stabbed.
"Please focus, Dawn Star," Yin Tian said.
"Yes, sorry!"
They met the second wave of bandits and soon enough, they too, lay dead on the beach, their blood staining the golden sand a dark, impure red. The dark man's gaze never left them however, sucking the warmth from the sun, from her body. His expressionless face changed as the last bandit fell.
"Interesting," he breathed. "You are more than what this tiny village warrants. You could be an unlucky anomaly, or a sign of whom I seek. A further test is needed!"
He held his hands out to his side and Yin Tian detected the sudden change in the Chi around the area. The man's eyes darkened further and his body emitted a glow that was the colour of a bruise. The sunlight dimmed, the air chilled to almost freezing, misting Yin Tian's and Dawn Star's breath. Energy crackled in the air and lightning struck the ground, created from within the space of the air itself. It struck three times with a deafening clap, all in different places. The ground cracked and Yin Tian took a horrified step back as pale Spirits clawed and howled their way up from the depths of the Spirit Realm.
Their bodies were transparent, emitting an eerie green glow-like mist that wafted about them. Yin Tian had heard many rumours about Spirits, beings that refused to rest after they died. It was usually because they were chained to life still, unable to let go of the one thing that binds them to the living. Each chain keeping them attached was unique to that individual Spirit. Some Spirits were evil and destructive while others simply remained out of concern or guilt for a particular reason.
However, there were now rumours of more Spirits rising from the deep that would not rest. Apparently, it had started twenty years ago.
Yin Tian and Dawn Star swiped their swords to the side, clearing their blades of the blood that smeared it, before sheathing their weapons. Man-made objects and weapons had no effect on Spirits but martial arts and Chi manipulation did, after all, every living thing was filled with Chi, even the Spirits of the dead for the Spirits lived.
Taking a deep breath, Yin Tian dropped into her stance, struggling to bring her trembling limbs under control. The Spirits screamed at them. That in itself was an attack like an ice cold blast of wind. Yin Tian grunted against the chilling, warped force of energy that was behind the screech. With effort, Yin Tian manipulated the Chi around her to create some form of barrier, a resistance to the chilling power of the Spirits. She felt Dawn Star do the same except it was not as strong, despite her close affinity with the Spirit Realm.
The closest Spirit crossed the distance to Dawn Star in a heartbeat and Yin Tian heard her bring in a startled breath of shock. Yin Tian could not help her though as a second Spirit flung his arms out, throwing shards of ice in her direction. She jerked around them and dashed forward, running low, arms trailing behind her in grace. A third Spirit rushed up to meet her but this time she was prepared for its ghostly speed. Yin Tian flipped over it, her attention focused on the ice manipulating Spirit. She had to get rid of that one first as it could strike from a distance. It would be a nuisance if she was fighting another Spirit while having another one firing ice from further afar.
Yin Tian ducked and swerved out of the way of the ice shards, got behind the Spirit's guard and attacked. It was a very strange feeling, touching a Spirit. They were cold, but not a biting cold like Yin Tian was expecting. It was like touching a body of mist or water, one in which her hand did not go straight through but gripped like a physical body.
She attacked it like she would a normal human and found to her dismay that they were much harder to defeat than a normal person. The energy of the Spirit world sustained them. Their madness and rage fuelled them.
However, desperation fuelled Yin Tian's attacks and she struggled with conscious effort to keep herself calm. She defeated her first Spirit, shattering its form and it screamed in rage. It was a terrible sound that struck her core, a sound filled with anguish and pain.
Its form collapsed, disintegrating within a small pillar of light before it faded, sent back to the Spirit Realm from whence it came. The other Spirit attacked and Yin Tian blocked, throwing a quick glance in Dawn Star's direction. The Spirit was driving her down the beach and it struck, knocking Dawn Star back.
"Dawn Star!" Yin Tian cried. The Spirit raised its spear and Yin Tian threw her hands out. Rings of pink light ripple the air, slowing both Spirits down as they were touched by Heavenly Wave. Time slowed for the Spirits, giving both young women the time to finish their opponents off. The Spirits wailed in defeat before they too, disappeared back to the Spirit Realm.
The chill in the air faded away and the sunlight returned to its normal strength and the fluctuations of Chi calmed. Yin Tian sucked in a halting breath and hurried to Dawn Star's side. A brief pillar of light flashed before Yin Tian and the dark Sorcerer stepped out, blocking Yin Tian from Dawn Star. He seemed to loom over her and she took a step back, staring up at him and she felt the blood drain from her face. She seemed to fall into the voids of his eyes that swirled with corruption.
"Someone like the two of you are here for a reason," he said, his voice almost a hiss despite the twisted smile on his lips. "This village will be torn asunder. Whatever you are hiding, I will have it!"
He reached out to her and to Yin Tian's horror, she found she could not move, trapped by his eyes. The Sorcerer was going to kill her, she could feel it. Terror exploded in her heart.
"There is a strange essence on you, peasant, one that reminds me of a man I served long ago," he wheezed sickeningly. "It contrasts against your own Spirit. What are you? What is in this village?!"
"No," Yin Tian croaked, desperately fighting against the force that bound her.
A sudden, great wall of roaring fire erupted between Yin Tian and the Sorcerer, breaking the spell that bound her and she fell back onto the sand, bringing her arms up against the raging heat. The wall of fire travelled down the length of the beach, even through the water, causing steam to billow into the air with a roar, and the wall of fire struck the ship which then exploded.
The explosion vibrated through the air, sending timber and ropes flying in all directions. The great wall of fire died down, leaving Yin Tian gasping for breath, eyes wide. The Sorcerer was forced to step back and he clutched a burned and blackened hand to his chest, jaw clenched in silent pain but his expression was controlled.
Dawn Star looked as horrified and shocked as Yin Tian felt. Their faces were white. Whose fire was that? It was not the Sorcerer. Who else had such power?
"Do not touch her," Master Li hissed, standing further up the path and he lowered his hand which still licked with scorching flame.
Of course, Yin Tian thought dimly. Who else would have such power?
She had never seen her Master's skills in action. There was not even a sweat on his smooth brow. He had barely put any effort into that incredible use of fire magic and he destroyed the ship so easily.
Master Li was a man shrouded in mystery; a man that did not seem to age, had an unknown past, and hidden power and skill that he had not shown to anyone – until now. Yin Tian knew her Master was strong, but she had no idea just how strong. The Chi in the air warped about Master Li's aura that pulsed with a power that he had kept hidden. His aura was not as pure as Yin Tian believed.
The relief upon seeing him was undeniable. But so was the sudden was fear.
Why did she suddenly feel so afraid of him?
