The Beginning Of The End.
Chapter 12.
Tiānshǐ had quickly learned how to harness the wind to increase her speed.
She had also learned how to move so quietly that she could not be heard by even the most attentive of the city guards.
Of course this small ability did not make her invisible but it would certainly make her a very effective hunter.
She spent a few days playing " hide and seek " with some of the guards.
They did`nt hear her approaching most of the time but they also learned to stay extra alert when Tiānshǐ was not sleeping.
" The guards caught you again did`nt they? " Lu Xun had been worried that Tiānshǐ was making too much of a game out of her new abilities. " Yes but that`s the whole idea. If they learn to catch someone as fast as I am then nothing will get past them will it? " Lu Xun could not deny that she had become dangerously swift in her training with Pang Tong. However Lu Xun did not know that Tiānshǐ had taught Qǐ Shì lù and Liè Shì everything she was learning.
It would certainly help them with they`re upcoming trials but Tiānshǐ was certain that Lu Xun, or anyone else for that matter would disapprove of her idea. The two girls were learning almost as quickly as Tiānshǐ did. They had easily learned to move unheard and part of they`re next trial was to move unseen. Tiānshǐ hoped that being too fast to be heard may help to avoid being seen.
She was certain it would at least help a little. The answer would have to wait however because today Pang Tong was going to teach her about water. " The ability to move like a flowing river is not unheard of but is exceedingly difficult to master. You must meditate near the river until you can understand how the water flows. To truly understand that you must listen to the sound of the river and watch every small move the water makes. I will return later to check on you"
Tiānshǐ had a feeling this was going to get boring rather quickly but she did want to learn this magic as Pang Tong called it.
It did`nt seem anything like the magic she had ever heard about. Zuo Ci appearing out of thin air was rather magical but that`s about all the magic Tiānshǐ had ever seen before. She did`nt think about it for long however. She sat beside the river as Pang Tong had instructed and closed her eyes to listen to the river. " First I`ll listen. Then ill watch." She thought to herself as she closed her eyes and the sounds of the flowing water filled her ears.
After a few hours of meditating and listening to the water she felt that she understood how the water flowed so gracefully. Now she needed to know how the water was able to avoid most obstacles. She sat for what seemed like a day and watched the water in silence.
After a few hours Pang Tong returned. " How is your training coming alo.." Before he could finish his sentence however, Tiānshǐ had moved and taken his staff playfully. " Excellent Tiānshǐ. You have learned how to move with the grace and flow of a river. Combine that with your ability to move unheard and you will become very hard to detect. Now go and rest. Qǐ Shì lù and Liè Shì have a trial tomorrow and they asked me to tell you that they would like you to watch them."
Tiānshǐ smiled and bowed before going home to have some dinner. As she walked into her house she got a surprise. She saw Lu Xun, Shang Xiang, Sun Ce , Qǐ Shì lù and Liè Shì all standing around the table talking. " What are you all doing here? I thought you were out training today." Lu Xun smiled as they stepped back slowly so Tiānshǐ could see what they were doing. Her armor was laying on the table but it was different.
There was a symbol on each piece of armor. One for fire on the chest plate, One for water on the bracers, One for wind on the boots and One for earth on the helmet. " We thought since you are learning to use them in combat, why not have them on your armor too? " Qǐ Shì lù and Liè Shì smiled at her as she stepped forward to look closely at the symbols.
Each had a color that matched the element it represented. " They are beautiful..Thank you. " Tiānshǐ smiled and hugged them all gently before speaking to the two girls. " You two have a trial tomorrow. You should go get some rest. You two aswell Shang and Ce. You are both busy tomorrow so go rest." She smiled playfully as they all left and Tiānshǐ walked outside for a bath.
Her waterfall reminded her of the training at the river as she sat quietly and listened to the sound it made. As she opened her eyes she noticed Lu Xun walking out of the house but trying his best not to look at her. " Xun what are you doing? "
As she spoke Lu Xun jumped slightly. " I did`nt look i swear!" Tiānshǐ giggled slightly. " Xun im your wife. It`s ok if you want to join me." She blushed slightly as Lu Xun undressed and slowly stepped into the bath. " I have meant to ask. But you have had a lot to keep you busy lately." Tiānshǐ leant against him lovingly. " I know. I haven`t had much time to spend with you Xun. But I will make time after tomorrow. I`ll have a day away from training and we can go riding or have a picnic or something. Just the two of us."
Lu Xun smiled and kissed her gently as they sat under the stars and listened to the waterfall. After an hour of sitting in silence, Lu Xun spoke. " It`s time we went to bed. You need your energy. The girls are really excited about tomorrow. They can`t wait to show you what they have learned."
Tiānshǐ stood up slowly. " Showing me is a bit of an understatement Xun. I`m the one they have to fight tomorrow to pass the trial. I`ve been keeping it secret so they don`t get nervous. I don`t want them to lose they`re confidence before the trial." Lu Xun looked shocked at this plan." But your undefeatable! How can the girls beat you?! "
Tiānshǐ looked slightly sad. And a bit ashamed. " Xun it was`nt my idea. Sun Jian told me that if i did`nt do it then Lu Bu would. At least they stand a small chance against me. Against my father they would probably be killed. I would rather them try to beat me then die trying to beat my father."
After hearing this Lu Xun seemed to understand her reasoning. " Ok but don`t make it absolutely impossible. They may have to pass a trial by combat to become soldiers but that does`nt mean we have to demolish they`re dreams entirely." Tiānshǐ nodded before heading to bed.
As she lay there she wondered if Lu Xun was right. How could they beat her? The Dragon Of Wu? The unstoppable soldier? It did seem rather impossible. Even if she wasn`t literally unstoppable. She could`nt make it easy on the girls or Sun Jian would tell Lu Bu to fight instead. She had to fight with all her strength and abilities. As she fell asleep she hoped the girls were ready for the trial.
The Next Morning
It was time. Tiānshǐ was`nt overly happy to fight her two best friends. They were like daughters to her. But she had to. They would`nt stand a chance against Lu Bu. Tiānshǐ might have beaten him but for two new recruits to achieve the same victory was almost inconceivable. She put her katana`s on the table before putting on her armor. After strapping her weapons on, she walked to the courtyard slowly.
As she approached the training arena she heard Sun Jian speak. " You have both learned a lot these past few months. To become full soldiers of Wu you mast pass a trial by combat. You will fight someone i have personally chosen and if you defeat her you will become soldiers of Wu and be given the choice of the general you wish to serve. Let the trial begin!"
The girls looked around excitedly for the girl they would fight but as they saw the crowd divide and Tiānshǐ approach slowly and put her helmet on, they`re excitement slowly faded. "We have to fight Tiānshǐ? But...but she is like a mother to us.."
Sun Jian looked at Tiānshǐ before speaking. " I know this is a difficult trial. But i chose between Tiānshǐ and lord Lu Bu. I chose an opponent that would not kill you. Now let the battle begin. Draw your swords." Before Tiānshǐ drew her katana`s she looked up at Sun Jian. " Never make me do this again. I will never fight my family or friends. This is a trial so they may join me in real combat but that does`nt mean im happy to do it. This is the last time it will happen father." Sun Jian simply nodded as Tiānshǐ drew her blades. " Ok girls, Don`t hold back!"
She charged with the speed she had learned from Pang Tong and slashed at the girls forcefully. As the girls blocked she moved again and struck towards they`re necks. As they blocked this time though, Tiānshǐ stepped sideways and spun, knocking the swords out of the two girls hands. As she stepped again, both Qǐ Shì lù and Liè Shì had rolled towards they`re swords, picked them up and struck at Tiānshǐ.
Tiānshǐ quickly blocked and stepped again, trying to disarm the two girls once more. Before she could though, the girls charged and Tiānshǐ only managed to block one sword as the other hit her shoulder plate and knocked it off. Tiānshǐ stepped back slightly and looked at her shoulder to see if the blade pierced her chain mail. After seeing no cuts, she moved in a way that almost looked like surrender.
As the girls charged however, Tiānshǐ jumped into the air and slashed downwards, knocking the girls helmets off. As she landed though, she felt a hard kick to the back of her knees and she fell forward. Before she could react, Liè Shì pulled her head back and the two girls had they`re blades at her throat. Before anyone could talk, the two girls spoke in unison. " Kill ". Tiānshǐ actually looked frightened as the girls let go of her and sheathed they`re swords.
As Sun Jian spoke, a tear fell from Tiānshǐ`s face and landed on the katana in front of her. "Congratulations girls. You have passed. You are now Soldiers and warriors of Wu and may choose the general you wish to serve." Sun Jian did`nt sound surprised.
As Tiānshǐ sat on her knees looking at her blades, Qǐ Shì lù knelt beside her and hugged her. "I`m sorry Tiānshǐ...we had to.." Tiānshǐ nodded but the ferocity that the two girls had shown when they had they`re blades at her throat had scared her. They sounded so..serious.. so un-hesitant that they may actually kill her.
Before Tiānshǐ could speak the two girls had each picked up one of her katana`s and handed it to her. " There is only one general in the world we will fight for. We pledge ourselves to Tiānshǐ. We will protect her when no one else can. And when she cannot protect herself." Sun Jian bowed. " Then rise and put on your armor. Welcome to the Wu army."
As Sun Jian turned to walk away however, Tiānshǐ spoke. " There is one more small detail before everyone leaves." She then turned to Qǐ Shì lù and Liè Shì and placed a hand on they`re shoulders. " You have both been like daughters to me. I would be honoured if you would truly become my daughters. I would love to adopt you both as my daughters and have you live in my house in a room of your own."
Sun Jian was the first to speak as the two girls almost burst into tears."If the girls accept your offer then it will be known that they are the daughters of a true warrior and I am certain a wonderful mother. "
He smiled as Qǐ Shì lù and Liè Shì both hugged Tiānshǐ and tears flowed down they`re cheeks. " We would never say no. We would love to be your adopted daughters."
Tiānshǐ smiled but before walking home with her new daughters, she spoke with all her heart. " You two are excellent warriors. The ferocity and skill you showed today.." She was a bit hesitant at first but spoke again shortly after. "It scared me. You sounded as if you were actually going to kill me. I forgot for a moment that it was just a trial."
The two girls looked slightly saddened. " We are sorry. We did`nt mean to scare you. We just really wanted to pass the test."
Tiānshǐ smiled however and hugged them both very lovingly. " Don`t apologize girls. I am very proud of you both. You showed great skill and persistence today. Even though you had to fight me you fought with all your hearts. That is what a true warrior does."
Tiānshǐ hugged them again gently before they went inside for lunch. They sat and talked until late afternoon about the trial. Before they went to bed Tiānshǐ showed the girls they`re new room. It had two beds and tall cupboards. In the corner there was a small table with two pots on it. " A gift. make sure they grow strong like you both have. " As the girls settled into they`re room, Tiānshǐ went to bed.
Lu Xun was sleeping in the palace tonight because he had a mission to go on tomorrow. When he got back, they would not be separated for a few days. She wanted some time just for her and Lu Xun before continuing her training.
With her two young daughters now at her side and Lu Xun leaving for a mission, What awaits Tiānshǐ now that her training with wind is complete?
Find out next Chapter!
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