The first thing I saw the second I woke up was the pillow cover right in my face. My snout was buried within it. I mumbled something unintelligible and turned to my right in order to try and get into a more comfortable position. The second I did, I found Vipers head sleeping right next to my own. Literally inches apart. Looking down, only my chest area was wrapped around her. At that point, everything that happened last night flooded back into my head. The first emotions I felt was happiness and... slight embarrassment, mainly because... well, lets say that I found out that snakes have interesting mating rituals. But disturbing thoughts put aside, it was a great night for both of us. At least I hope it was for Viper as much as it was for myself. Not that I'd have long to find out. Her eyes begun to flutter open.
The second she acknowledged me, she smiled.
"Morning". She spoke gently.
"Morning". I replied with a smile of my own. "Sleep well"?
"Mmm".
I laughed a little at the drowsy response.
"Glad to hear".
I uncoiled from Viper and slithered out of the bed, opening the window, and made my way out of the room to get something to eat, providing that there was still enough food in. But before I did, Viper managed to catch my attention.
"Mike, come back over here for a second"?
I slithered back over to see what she wanted to say. She signaled for me to slither onto the bed for a second. I complied and did just that. Her tail gently wrapped round and reached my own, holding it as she found the strength to lift her head up and rest it on my chest.
"I just want you to know... I love you".
I tilted my head and smiled down at her.
"I love you too Vipes".
I tried slithering off, only to find that Viper was not letting me go just yet. I looked back down to see her looking right back up with me with her gentle smile... and with teary eyes.
"I mean it Mike". She spoke softly, slithering up to my head. "I really do love you. Please don't forget that, will you"?
"Never".
I didn't even need to hesitate then. I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek before she let me go. I headed out of the room at once and made my way into the kitchen. Nobody else seemed to be in. Just as well I suppose, all the more for me.
I quickly grabbed a bowl and a metal pan before making myself some porridge. I only needed a few minutes to heat it up and pour a little sugar in it. After all, everything tastes better with sugar right? Thanks to last night, it didn't take too long to wolf down the rushed breakfast. It was much more filling than I was expecting it to be. Still, I washed up the bowl and pan as quick as I could before putting them back in their rightful place and turning round to head back out. Only one problem. The front doors were closed. And when I went to try and pull them open, they wouldn't budge.
The room became a little darker. I had feeling of what was going on...
"I see you have pushed away my offer of freedom and redemption... And for what? So you could spend the night with her... And now I come to you with only one question... Why"?
Kèxīng was there behind me, sitting down on one of the chairs as her orange eyes glared at me.
"Just because I lost everything once does not mean I'm going to allow it to happen again".
"And that is where your mistake lies... Thinking that those most precious will always be around when they won't... Time consumes all, even your precious lover... And since the pair of you are warriors, your time may come even sooner... Can you honestly tell me that it would not bother you if you were to deal with such loss? Destiny can be cruel"...
"Maybe, but a wise being told me that it can also be kind". I slithered slightly closer as the Mèngyǎn rose from her chair, nearly towering above me. She was just as tall as Po was. "And you know what Kèxīng? No matter which way I look at it, you're right. I will die. And so will Viper, and all my friends too. Everyone I've come to know will die. But you, you're just a spirit doomed to roam the earth forever. And I'd rather be dead in Heaven with those I love rather than be in your position and be alone forever".
If Kèxīng was showing rage, it was hard to tell. She simply leaned down to me.
"You know not where you tread... As though you have forgotten what I am capable of"...
"Oh I'm aware. Trying to make me kill myself in order to achieve your own selfish goals. You want me to join you? Well, I'm sorry to dissappoint, but I will never be anything like you".
"Then I advise you to take pride in your last day of peace... Tomorrow, your suffering will begin... Either way, you will be at my side when this corrupt empire falls... I bid thee farewell"...
In seconds, Kèxīng evaporated from my sight and the room returned back to its normal state.
Now that I think about it, I really should have told Shifu about the Mèngyǎn when I had the chance. Maybe it wouldn't be too late to tell him about it. Hopefully...
"Hey there. What's going on"?
I turned to the front entrance to see the doors were unlocked again and that Mantis was hopping on over to the table.
"Hi Mantis. You okay"?
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Despite Shifu calling some emergency training today. Though I figure I should be asking you that".
Emergency training? I didn't like the sound of that. For now, I ignored it in favor of what he was implying with his other response.
"... How so"?
"Well what with last night, I'd imagine that both you and Viper would be, you know, feeling a little sore".
I stared at the bug for a moment. Surely... he hadn't.
"Are you telling me that you know about what happened last night"?
"Well, yeah".
"And HOW is it you know"?
"Well, I might have been up late studting some scrolls, and upon returning to my room, I... may have some certain noises coming from your room". He replied sheepishly.
A moment of awkward silence passed.
"So I take it you two had a FUN time"? He replied cheekily. I really couldn't believe that this was happening right now. Seriously! I tried to change the subject.
"Anyway, do you know what Master Shi"-
"How long did she suc"-
"MANTIS"!
"What?! It's a perfectly normal question! It's not my fault you two went and fu"-
"Would you just... stop it"!?
Dear God, I'm going to have to deal with this all day, aren't I?
I hissed angrily, tried to compose myself. Now I was beginning to understand why Yinshen enjoyed hitting him so much. In a matter of seconds, I calmed down and spoke.
"Putting the events of last night aside! Have you any idea what we're supposed to be learning from master Shifu today"?
"Eh, something about demons. Learning about strengths and weaknesses"?
I felt a little uneasy at this.
"Uh huh. Did he say WHY we were learning about demons"?
"What do I look like, the lessons master? No, I don't"!
"Okay okay, just calm down". I hissed back. "Anyway, see you later"?
"Yeah, sure thing buddy".
I nodded and slithered past him, quickly turning back round.
"Oh, and Mantis? If you dare tell anybody"...
"My lips are sealed. Unlike yours were". He laughed at his own joke, making me slither out of the room at once.
...
So after an hour, Shifu announced his emergency training session to us all before we had the chance to leave the barracks. A lot of moaning and protests could be heard after he had left. During the time I told Viper about Mantis... knowing. Needless to say that she was furious. Though I had almost forgotten to explain that it was because he had accidentally heard us. Despite remaining a little upset, she calmed down. If Mantis had come across it accidentally then really we couldn't blame him. Though it was clear that it was going to come back and bite me in the behind later.
It didn't take long until we found ourselves being ordered into the Hall of Heroes instead of the training hall. Shifu stood in front of us, leading the group towards a large blue vase with ring handles which looked as though it had been broken and glued back together... more than once. It sat on top a wooden pillar. Shifu quickly spoke up.
"My apologies to you all for having to interrupt your day of rest. But understand that I wouldn't call for it without a purpose".
A quick glance was passed on to me.
"I assume the majority of you are familiar with this"? Shifu asked, pointing towards the vase.
Apparently, everyone expect for myself knew what it was as they nodded in agreement. Po, reluctantly so.
"Good. For those who are... unaware, this is a demon jar. Containing one of the many types of demons that roam China".
I immediately shot my tail up.
"Yes python"?
"I trust there's a reason why the Jade palace has a live imprisoned demon? Specifically one that resides in the Hall of heroes, unguarded... balancing on top a thin wooden post where it could be easily knocked off at any moment"?
Thankfully Shifu didn't catch my cheekiness and replied.
"We've been meaning to increase security measures. Although that task has been left to the dragon warrior, it still remains... vulnerable".
At this, everyone, including myself, glared at the panda for a few seconds.
"What? I was gonna get around to it... next week"...
Everybody turned back to Shifu.
"Now, can any of you tell me the similarities between the Wēnyì (Pestilence) demon, the reaper of Jiān'áo (Torment) and the Mèngyǎn soul"?
Nobody raised their hand at this, except for, surprisingly, Po. Shifu nodded towards him and awaited his answer as did the rest of us. Seemed like Po had been doing some studying for once.
"That they're all demons"?
Or not.
Shifu sighed.
"Yes Po, they are all demons". He composed himself once again. "But what they all have in common, is that they were all born out of hatred and anger. Depending on how much of said anger they feel makes them all the more powerful. Even as your status of kung fu masters, it would be considered extremely foolish to hold one off on your own".
Inside I couldn't help but feel some form of guilt. As though Shifu was getting a point through to me specifically. Did he... actually know about the Mèngyǎn?
Something hit the side of me gently, knocking me from my thoughts. I looked down to see Mantis smirking up to me.
"Bet you didn't have any worry of holding your own last night eh"?
Oh he did not just say that!
I whacked the pest over the back of the head to shut him up at once. Thankfully Shifu did not hear, and continued.
"Depending on what your opponent may be when it comes to the supernatural, know that they will use whatever advantage it can. Be it the envirionment or say, a natural advantage they possess such as rock hard skin".
"Rock hard? I bet Viper knows what's rock har"-
"Mantis, shut up"! I snapped at the bugs teasing.
"Is there a problem"?
I looked to see Shifu looking directly at us.
"Uh, no. No master Shifu, we're fine".
Shifu nodded and he spoke once more. I did my best to ignore the confused glances from my teammates.
"But with every strength a demon possesses, it will also carry a weakness, as does everything. For example, fire, an element powerful enough to burn down villages and forests can be stopped with water. Supernatural beings are the exact same, though their weaknesses will not always be as easy to identify. After our incident with Ke-Pa a few years ago, I'm sure we all were able to learn that lesson".
Ke-Pa? I'd have to make sure to make a note of that later.
"Po. Since you are most familiar with this type of demon"... Shifu pointed his stick towards the demon jar. "... Perhaps you would like to fill us in on what you know about it"?
Po nodded and took Shifu's place. He took a moment just to think about what it was he was going to say.
"Okay, uh... this jar contains the Mongolian fist demon. An itty bitty demon which seems cute at first... only for it to become a powerful and gigantic monster so dangerous that only the mighty dragon warrior could have stopped such a mighty foe"! He began over dramatically. "It is a despicable monster which cannot be tamed, and"-
"I'm sure Viper would have a strong chance at taming it"! Mantis interrupted.
"Mantis... if you say what I think you're going to say, I swear to God"... I hissed through clenched teeth, giving a murderous glare at the smiling insect.
"How so Mantis"? Po asked, dropping his stance.
"She had no trouble taming Mikes monster".
THAT TEARS IT!
"COME HERE YOU LITTLE"...!
I chased the happy mad Mantis out of the hall of heroes! I didn't care, I did not care if I got in trouble. Right now, the bug needed to die!
...
VIPER POV
Mike was quick to chase Mantis out through the front doors of the Hall of heroes. All eyes turned to me. My blushing face said it all.
"So". Tigress began facing me. "I see your relationship with Mike has gone up a step"?
I nodded. Tigress smiled.
"Don't worry. It's not our place to judge what you do with your life. The only one who should be ashamed is Mantis". She turned back to the rest of the guys. Each one of them wearing a look of surprise. "I trust the rest of you agree"? She snarled forcefully. Everyone except Shifu nodded as though their lives depended on it.
"... Master Shifu"?
Master Shifu had been silent ever since Mantis had said what he said. His face looked to be neutral for the moment, increasing my worry. Eventually, he spoke.
"As warriors of the Jade Palace, it is our duty to protect the villagers of the Valley of Peace. But... I suppose it does not mean that our duties should interject with our own lives"
"Master"? Tigress asked.
"Although I may not understand your reasons behind it Master Viper, know that I have no quarrel with what activities you partake in, so long as they do not interfere or corrupt the purity of Kung fu. Although, I will be hoping to speak to Master Mike about this later. Is that understood"?
I bowed at once, hiding the small smile at his approval.
"Yes Master Shifu".
"Good. Now all of you, take a break. We will begin our next lesson after lunch"! Master Shifu announced, allowing us freedom for a short while. All the same, I smiled happily since I would have had to, at some point, tell them since I could be... . But anyway, it's all taken care of.
"Bout time they did it".
I hissed and turned round seeing a snickering Monkey talking to Crane who remained unamused. After a quick whack with my tail, he remained silent. As soon as I did, I slithered quickly down the stairs in hopes of finding Mike. Hopefully, with some luck, he wouldn't have killed Mantis just yet.
...
Looks like there's plenty happening in this chapter. And it looks like Shifu knows something the others do not...
Cheerio!