As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Mei followed her master to the hot springs nestled deep within the sect's grounds. After an intense day of training, her muscles ached, but the prospect of cultivating in the warm, Ki-rich waters was a welcome reprieve.
They climbed to the highest tier, where her master’s private spring awaited. The air was thick with steam, each breath filling Mei with the soothing flow of ambient Ki, already starting to replenish her exhausted reserves.
Master Umi slipped out of her robes with practiced ease, the steam swirling around her like a shroud, obscuring her form. “Come on, Mei. Strip down. No need to be shy; we’re both women,” Umi Nagisa urged impatiently.
“In front of you?” Mei hesitated, her cheeks flushing as she looked around for a changing area.
Her master let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “Stop worrying. I’m not asking you to do anything you don’t see in a mirror every day.”
Swallowing her nervousness, Mei quickly undid her robe, her hair cascading down to cover her chest as she slipped into the hot spring. The warmth enveloped her like a comforting embrace, easing the tension from her tired limbs. She sat across from her master, who had already closed her eyes and leaned back against the smooth stone, her voice soft yet commanding.
“Take this time to cultivate your Ki, and commune with your deity if you’re ready,” Umi instructed, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.
Closing her eyes, Mei drew in a deep breath, allowing the Ki from the spring to flow into her core. She could feel it swirling around her dantian, like a gentle yet persistent current, urging her deeper into herself. “Lord Vasu-Jin,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the bubbling water. “Please, hear my call. Your disciple seeks an audience.”
The world around her faded, the steam and warmth of the hot spring replaced by the serene stillness of her inner sanctum. Mei found herself standing on a small Ki island surrounded by an endless expanse of white sand, each grain shimmering with potential. In the center, coiled a massive, alabaster serpent with scales that gleamed like polished ivory. Two piercing blue eyes stared back at her, ancient and unblinking.
“Ah, little disciple. Finally, you come to speak,” the serpent's voice was a low, sibilant whisper that echoed through her mind. “Tell me, what is it you wish to know?”
Mei sat cross-legged on the shimmering sands of her inner island, feeling both the weight of her god’s presence and the vast, open expanse around her. Despite its small size, the island felt alive, pulsating with a faint glow that mirrored her own energy. The air was heavy with the scent of something ancient and mysterious, like a deep forest after rain. The giant serpent, Vasu-Jin, coiled before her, his alabaster scales gleaming with a subtle iridescence.
Swallowing her nerves, Mei spoke with as much composure as she could muster. “Lord Vasu-Jin,” she began, her voice steady, though her heart raced, “I want to understand your nature better, to train more effectively under your guidance… And where am I?”
Vasu-Jin’s tongue flicked out, tasting the air, a soft, almost imperceptible hiss filling the space between them. The serpent's immense body shifted, his coils tightening as he rose slightly, towering above her. “You stand within the sanctum of your soul,” he intoned, his voice a deep, resonant whisper that seemed to reverberate through her very bones. “This island is the manifestation of your Ki, the very essence of your growth and potential. Every grain of sand here is a reflection of your strength, your will, and your understanding. As you cultivate, this island will expand, and with it, your capacity to wield power.”
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Mei glanced around, noticing the tiny, glowing plants that dotted the sands like stars in the night sky. They swayed gently, reacting to the rhythm of her breathing. She marveled at how the island seemed to pulse with her own heartbeat, the grains of sand shimmering brighter with each inhale.
“And you, Lord Vasu-Jin?” she asked, her voice softer now, tinged with genuine curiosity. “What is your nature? What do you expect of me?”
Vasu-Jin’s blue eyes narrowed, reflecting the light of the surrounding sands as if capturing distant constellations. “I am a serpent god” he replied, his voice like a gust of wind over jagged rocks. “My kind are creatures of isolation, feared for our venom, shunned for our secrets. Mortals whisper of us in fear, speak of our venomous nature and our cunning, but few understand the gift I offer.”
The serpent uncoiled slightly, revealing more of his immense, sinuous form. His tail flicked, sending a small cascade of sand grains into the air, each one catching the light before settling again. “Should others discover that I am your patron, expect hostility, expect challenges. They will fear you as they fear me. But in exchange, I grant you a gift few mortals possess—my venom, a weapon unlike any other.”
The words hung in the air, heavy with implications. Mei frowned, her brows knitting together in thought. “Your venom…” she echoed, memories of her recent sparring match flooding back. She recalled the moment when her opponent had collapsed, muscles seizing up, eyes wide with surprise. “So, that wasn’t my own strength… it was your power?”
“Indeed,” Vasu-Jin’s laughter was a soft, sibilant sound, like leaves rustling underfoot. He slithered closer, his enormous head now hovering just above her. “My venom flows through your veins now, subtle and deadly. It constricts, paralyzes, saps the strength of those who oppose you. In time, you will learn to wield it with precision, to enhance your strikes, to infuse it into your very breath if you so desire.” His voice dropped low as he came close her ear “over time you may like other deities develop…more serpentine features.”
Mei’s breath hitched at the thought. She could feel a faint tingling in her gums, as if something was shifting beneath the surface. The idea of transforming, of becoming something other than human, sent a shiver down her spine. But she forced herself to remain calm, meeting the serpent’s gaze with resolve. “If this is the path I must walk to grow stronger, then so be it,” she said, her voice steady, though her hands trembled slightly.
Vasu-Jin’s eyes gleamed with a rare hint of approval. “Good. Accepting the gifts I bestow will set you apart from the others, make you formidable. But remember, Mei… power is a double-edged blade. It can protect you, but it can also isolate you, twist you into something feared. Are you willing to pay that price?”
Mei hesitated, the weight of his words pressing down on her. She thought of her fellow disciples, the camaraderie she shared, the warmth of her master's guidance. Would they turn on her if they discovered the source of her newfound strength? Would they see her as a monster, a threat? A flicker of doubt crept into her heart, but she pushed it aside.
“Yes,” she said firmly, lifting her chin. “I will pay that price if it means achieving my goals.”
The serpent’s laughter echoed again, this time softer, almost approving. “Very well, little disciple. You have chosen your path. But remember, the further you walk it, the closer you come to becoming like me. Alone. Feared. Resilient.”
As Mei pondered his words, the island beneath her feet seemed to pulse with newfound energy, expanding ever so slightly. The tiny plants glowed brighter, and the air grew warmer, more vibrant. She felt a surge of power flowing into her, a tangible sign of her progress. For a moment, she allowed herself a small smile, feeling a deep connection not just to Vasu-Jin but to her own potential.
“Thank you, Lord Vasu-Jin, but neither of us need to be alone anymore. Together I will make the world recognize us rather than free us. They will forget their prejudice and see me beyond these cursed eyes.”
Vasu-Jin’s gaze softened, and for a brief moment, the ancient deity seemed almost… pleased. “Go now, Mei. Return to your world, but remember: every choice you make shapes the sands of this island. Choose wisely.”
With that, the vision faded, and Mei was once again in the hot spring, the warmth of the water embracing her like an old friend. She opened her eyes to find her master watching her with a curious expression, as if sensing the change within her.
“How do you feel?” Umi Nagisa asked, a hint of concern lacing her tone.