Black steel tears through the air beneath the dome of blood, reflecting the crimson glow on its edges as it pierces forth towards its targets. Having put everything into the synchronized attack, on top of the demonic aura impairing their movements, the two guards realize that there’s no hope of avoiding the incoming fatal attacks.
The two guards smile bitterly, lamenting not death but their inability to fulfill their duties as guards of the Academy. Remembering how they were forced to watch helplessly as the assailants took Lia, the brothers curse internally at their ineptitude to do something as simple as repaying her kindness.
They watch helplessly as the black steel blades block out their visions like a white curtain.
Moments from death, the guards realize that something isn’t quite right about the image before them. A split moment ago, everything was black as their eyes had focused solely on the blades. Just as the split moment passes, their vision is suddenly filled by a white haze.
“You did well, children.”
Their eyes widen upon seeing a figure materialize from the haze. Clad in a simple white robe, the figure suddenly dissolves into mist before sweeping towards the two Half-Moons. The four blades freeze in place as the mist phases past them. The mist wisps sporadically, twisting around the assailant’s arms as it rushes forth. Upon reaching their shoulders, the mist disappears to reveal the backside of the man in white, standing just past the Half-Moons’ figures.
“Don’t move.”
Ignoring the advice, one of the Half-Moons instinctively tries to counter-attack the unexpected third party. Just as his muscles contract to obey his will, a stinging pain jolts across his entire body from the tip of his fingers. The two guards flinch upon seeing the assailant’s fingers suddenly snap backward, turning and bending in every possible direction. An eerie series of cracks fill the air as the contortion ripples up the assailant’s arms, twisting it into a mangled mess, before continuing down the rest of his body.
The other Half-Moon feels a chill shoot down his spine as he stares at the mangled pile of flesh and bone beside him.
“I give you a choice, servant of the Blood Moon Sect.” The figure in white says as he turns towards the direction of another skirmish. “Move and die an excruciating death like him, or stand motionless and see the sun rise once again.”
“GRANDMASTER YI! WAIT!” The senior guard snaps out of his daze, screaming at the white haze as it fades. “THEY TOOK LIA!”
“Child...” Upon hearing the name, the haze suddenly thickens before dispersing. Grandmaster Yi materializes from within the mist, turning towards the senior guard. “Repeat what you just said.”
“Lia! They took her just a minute ago!”
Grandmaster Yi, doubting his ears, wonders if perhaps there’s some sort of odd coincidence. He scrunches his brows, revealing deep wrinkles, as he tries to shake off the ominous feeling sweeping over him.
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I already warned him… It couldn’t be…
“Control your breathing first, child.” Grandmaster Yi appears before the senior guard, jabbing his finger onto the muscles near his abdomen to stop the bleeding. Upon seeing the calm in the guard’s eyes, Grandmaster Yi continues. “Describe her appearance.”
“Long dark hair. Simple attire. Uh- she-”
“She was wearing a pair of blue earrings tonight…” Sensing the urgency in Grandmaster Yi’s voice, the junior guard chimes in, knowing that this piece of information must be shared. “Earrings bearing the Sword of Song.”
Grandmaster Yi’s eyes grow wide upon hearing the second half of the statement. He whips his head around, sending his aura forth to scan for her presence. Upon finding nothing aside from small skirmishes, he feels a cold chill. Although he wanted nothing more than to abandon his role and seek out the girl, the sound of struggle reminds him that immediate lives are at stake at this very moment.
“Children, how much pain are you willing to endure for the sake of duty?” Grandmaster Yi turns towards the two guards with a serious gaze.
“The Academy has blessed our family with great fortune.” The senior brother cups his hands and bows. “I can endure anything to repay the favor.”
“The same goes for me, Grandmaster.” The junior brother follows suit.
“Good. Stand straight and relax. No matter what you feel, do not resist.”
With the warning issued, Grandmaster Yi’s hands blur as he jabs at various pressure points on both guards’ bodies. The guards’ eyes grow wide upon feeling a wave of energy surging within them.
“That strength is temporary. Go assist the others. The moment your fingertips begin to numb, you’ll have less than five minutes before..." Grandmaster Yi pauses, hesitating whether or not this was the correct choice. "Well, just make sure to remove yourselves from combat when it happens. Go now, leave Lia to me."
“Thank you, Grandmaster Yi!” Both guards bow in unison before turning towards the skirmish unfolding to the east.
"One last thing. The earrings..."
"We understand, Grandmaster Yi." Knowing of the turmoil within the Song family, the senior guard replies without needing to hear the rest. "Nobody will hear it from us."
The words set Grandmaster Yi at ease. He nods towards the two guards, trusting them not only to fulfill the job he had tasked them with, but also with the secret regarding the Sword of Song. Seeing them kick off towards the nearest skirmish, Grandmaster Yi’s eyes snap towards the Half-Moon standing motionless behind him. His hands blur as it wisps across the assailant’s body, undoing the impending death hiding dormant within his muscles.
“As a sign of goodwill, I’ve made it so that you can speak freely. There isn’t much time, so I’ll keep my words simple.” Grandmaster Yi says as he places his palm on the assailant’s shoulder, creating a barrier to isolate their conversation. “Help me find the girl. In exchange, I offer you a clean slate and a new identity. It’s best for everyone if I find her before he does. If harm were to…”
He pauses, choosing to leave out the last part regarding the dragon who peacefully slumbers within the man at the true pinnacle of the martial world. Just the thought of harm befalling the woman closest to that man causes Grandmaster Yi to feel uneasy. Lacking understanding of that man’s psyche, Grandmaster Yi simply couldn’t shake off the ominous feeling of “what if?” What if he returns to find her injured? Missing? Or worse, slain? Where would he direct his wrath? What could be done, if anything, to appease that wrath?
Mistaking the troubled expression on his wrinkled face as a sign of his distractedness, the Half-Moon suddenly tightens his fingers, preparing to swing towards Grandmaster Yi’s neck.
“Child…” Seeing the tip of the blade suddenly tremble, Grandmaster Yi doesn’t know whether to curse or sigh. Ignoring the murderous intent, he turns around as a white haze envelopes him. “It didn’t have to end like this.”
The haze thickens, shrouding his figure completely before disappearing. The Half-Moon’s blood-curdling scream fills the air as his limbs contort unnaturally, twisting his body into a pile of torn flesh and broken bones.