Although Jermaine had every desire to scream to Omi about these past few days, Omi had insisted Jermaine get his rest. And Omi was right, Jermaine was exhausted. The stress of the forest had taken a toll on Jermaine's health and despite the security of Omi's presence he still did not feel himself regaining his strength.
It was a big relief to be awoken by the sun's rays and warmth. When trapped in the forest Jermaine doubted whether or not he would ever see the sun again. Suddenly last night's happenings seemed like a distant nightmare.
Jermaine looked over at Omi who was preparing that morning's breakfast. Some small fish, stale bread, and hot tea. Jermaine's stomach grumbled. He wasn't sure whether it was out of hunger or lack of enthusiasm at an unappetizing meal. He hated feelings this way, at least he was eating. It tore him up inside thinking of how the monks were managing in the underground hideout. How long would they be down there? Were they still alive? If they were how long were their supplies going to last?
Jermaine devoured the meal quickly then remembered Monk Lao. He took a glance behind him, the monk was fast asleep.
"You are fed and well rested?" Omi asked interrupting Jermaine's thoughts.
"Yes Omi," Jermaine replied. "Thank you…But I must ask. How did you find me in the forest?"
"I can only carry one Shen Gon Wu with me at all times," Omi reached into his satchel withdrew a small blue orb with a crystal interior.
"The Orb of Tornami." Jermaine muttered.
He had remembered the significant Shen Gon Wu from his past adventures with Omi. This relic was Omi's most prized possession. An item that truly made Omi into a Xiaolin master.
"Correct. As with the rest of the Shen Gon Wu it remained inactive…Until yesterday."
"When Master Fung had activated the power." Jermaine recalled.
"He released the binding that sealed the power of the Shen Gon Wu."
Jermaine remembered the discussions the monks carried when they had debated releasing the bindings.
"Now. What has happened in my absence?" Omi began to extinguish the fire he had used to cook the fish with his foot. A few pieces of ash rose into the air as the fire began hissing loudly.
Jermaine recounted everything. The attack on the temple, the monk hideout, the releasing of the Shen Gon Wu, and finally encountering Monk Lao and attempting to save themselves from the creatures in the forest.
"And then we finally ran into you." Jermaine continued to thank Omi incessantly towards the end of his story. He owed him his life.
"I am glad Master Fung is alright." Omi said placing the supplies of the night before back into his satchel.
"He's trapped in the forest…We can try to save him but-"
"Master Fung gave us a mission," Omi interrupted. "We must find Kimiko, Clay and Raimundo as Master Fung requested."
Jermaine gave the topic a second thought. As much as he wished to obey Master Fung's orders he pondered how long his master and the other monks could survive in that hideout. How long would the food and water supply last? How long till the creatures sensed the monk's presence and were able to break into the hideout?
"What happens after that?" Jermaine asked. "We don't even know what we're up against."
"Once we have are able to contact Kimiko, Clay and Raimundo we will return to Master Fung."
"What about Monk Lao?" Jermaine pointed to the sleeping monk who had still not awaken despite the continuous noises Omi made as he put away the supplies.
"We will drop him off at the Eastern temple."
With the recent string of events Jermaine had completely forgotten about the other temples. "Have there been any more attacks?"
"I'm not sure. When I returned from my trip early and when I was resting at the Southern temple we had not yet been attacked."
Jermaine hoped the creatures were not moving in waves from temple to temple wiping out the monks. He remained silent as Omi continued.
"While I would like to return to the Southern temple we must head to the Eastern temple."
"Why?" Jermaine asked.
"Traveling to find the three Xiaolin Dragons will consume too much time…Unfortunately, time is not on our side. Even here I can sense a dark presence drawing near. Something is happening…"
Jermaine still had regrets of leaving Master Fung trapped in a dying forest.
"We will need more Shen Gon Wu if we plan to defend ourselves and in order to assemble the rest of the Xiaolin Dragons as quickly as possible the Eastern Temple has exactly what we seek."
"What we seek?" Jermaine asked quietly.
"We will have to obtain the Golden Tiger Claws."