Mei awoke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the cracks in the wooden shutters. The previous day had left her physically drained—her body still ached from the intense battle, but beneath the exhaustion, there was an overwhelming sense of relief. The fact that she was still alive was almost surreal. The Crown Prince had saved her, a thought that lingered in her mind like an unspoken truth. The idea that someone like him would risk his life for a nobody like her was something Mei could hardly wrap her mind around.
For the first time in years, she allowed herself a fleeting moment of gratitude. Perhaps she had been too harsh in her judgments of the world, too quick to assume that everyone was like the cold, callous nobility she had grown up with. Maybe there was still some good left in the world.
She threw on her tunic, strapping the tanto daggers to her back, their hilts secured with a crimson sash around her waist. After a quick inspection in the mirror, Mei ran out the door.
Outside, the courtyard was bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun. Mei paused, eyes scanning for her master. She found her standing at the edge of the stone path, gazing out at the horizon. Her face, though serene, held a trace of something more—perhaps an awareness, a presence of quiet power. Mei could feel it even from a distance.
Umi Nagisa was not just her teacher; she was a force, a woman who carried secrets in the depths of her gaze, secrets that Mei had yet to uncover.
As Mei approached, the moment felt charged, like the calm before a storm. Then, with a sudden flicker in Umi's eyes, the storm broke.
The slap hit Mei across the face with a sharp crack, the sting biting into her cheek as she stumbled back. For a moment, she stood frozen, the sharpness of the sensation cutting through her thoughts. Her hand instinctively reached for her cheek, her fingers brushing the warm skin now marked with the imprint of her master's hand.
"Let me make this clear," Umi’s voice was calm, but laced with something dangerous. "If you ever do something as reckless as you did yesterday again, you won’t need to worry about nearly dying. Because I’ll make sure it’s your last breath." Her eyes were cold as ice, their intensity enough to make Mei's heart skip a beat.
Mei's chest tightened. She wanted to protest, to argue, but there was something in the way Umi’s gaze bore into her that silenced her. She knew better than to challenge her master, especially when she had crossed a line.
Nodding, Mei stood up straighter, biting back the surge of resentment that rose in her chest. She clutched her cheek, the heat of the slap still lingering on her skin. "Yes, master," she muttered, voice tight with barely contained frustration. The sting wasn’t just on her skin; it was deeper than that.
"Good," Umi said, her tone softening just a fraction. "Now, let’s move on. We’ve spent enough time dwelling on the past. Today, we’re going to work on something far more important."
With that, Umi led Mei outside to the main courtyard. The air was crisp, and the stone ground felt cool beneath their feet. Mei could hear the faint rustling of the wind through the trees, the only sound breaking the silence between them.
Umi turned to face Mei, her expression shifting to one of quiet contemplation. "Seito Mei," she began, her voice steady but with an underlying warmth Mei hadn't expected. "Your deity is the god of venom. Though I do not claim to know much about him, it’s time for you to start learning more. You must adapt your combat style to match the abilities that your god bestows upon you."
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Mei’s heart raced as her master spoke. She had heard the name Vasu-Jin before, in whispers and rumors, but the idea of it being tied to her own fate—her own cultivation—was unsettling.
Umi snapped her fingers, and suddenly a sphere of Ki appeared in her hand. It spun with an eerie grace, shifting and changing shape as it pulsed with a steady rhythm. "The nature of my Ki is water," Umi continued, her eyes never leaving the orb. "I belong to a sea god familia. It’s a fluid, adaptable force. But your Ki, Mei, will be different. I don't know much about the specifics of Vasu-Jin, but I can tell you this: your abilities will be as complex and multifaceted as the venom that runs through the serpents of old."
Mei could feel the weight of her master's words. Her mind raced, her heart pounded. She had no idea how to harness the venomous power that lay dormant within her. It had always been a mystery—a weapon she had yet to fully understand.
"And just like the water I wield," Umi added, her voice steady, "you must learn to shape and refine your power. You must build a relationship with your god. Cultivation isn’t just about strength. It’s about understanding the source of your power and aligning yourself with it. That’s the key."
Mei glanced at her hands, now glowing with a faint green hue as her Ki began to flow through her veins. She could feel it, pulsing in time with her heartbeat, ready to burst forth. But what if it wasn’t enough? What if she was too weak? The idea of her power being inherently tied to a god she barely understood filled her with unease. But she knew one thing: she had to learn.
"I understand," Mei said, her voice firm despite the storm of thoughts churning in her mind. "But how do I begin?"
Umi’s eyes softened as she smiled faintly. "The first step is to understand what you are working with. Serpents are creatures of cunning, of precision. Their venom is a weapon, yes, but also a tool. They strike only when necessary, and with deadly intent. Your power must reflect that same lethality and control."
Mei absorbed her words, watching her master as she moved with effortless grace, the water orb now shifting into various shapes, each one a testament to Umi’s mastery over her Ki. Mei clenched her fists, her mind whirling with the possibilities. But what did venom truly mean? How could she master it without causing harm to others?
She closed her eyes, focusing on her Ki, feeling the venomous energy within her churn and twist like a coiling serpent. Her thoughts turned to Vasu-Jin—the god she had called upon. Was he truly as dangerous as her master suggested? What did he want from her?
Umi’s voice cut through her reverie. "The key to your growth will be understanding the nature of your deity. His power, his intentions, will shape your abilities. But you must respect him. You must be humble in your approach. Never forget that a deity is not a mortal. They do not respond to weakness, and they do not tolerate disrespect."
Mei opened her eyes to see her master watching her intently, the water sphere now suspended in midair between them. "You must start by connecting with Vasu-Jin. Go to the place where you first communed with him. Study it. There, you might find something that will help you understand him better. But be careful. Venom is unpredictable. And so is the nature of your god."
A cold shiver ran down Mei’s spine. She knew that what awaited her was more than just a test of strength. It was a journey into the unknown—a path that would lead her into the heart of a power greater than she had ever imagined.
Umi’s gaze softened as she turned away, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "I am proud of you, Mei. You’ve come far. Now, it’s time for you to take the next step."
Mei nodded, the weight of her master’s approval settling heavily on her shoulders. She turned to leave, her mind made up. She had to face Vasu-Jin. She had to understand the venomous nature that flowed through her, or risk being consumed by it.