The girl, who had been expecting certain death, suddenly felt a fine powder cover her body. The next thing she heard shocked her eyes open, as four thuds coming from where the men had previously been, rang in her ears.
Chapter Eleven -
The empty, cloudless sky, which should be blocked from view, instead laid bare before her eyes. Those evil men, previously towering above her, taunting her with their cold laughs and cruel words, gone. She struggled in attempt to move her neck, but found her strength to be unable to do so. She could only stare into the sky in disbelief as she wondered, "What just happened? Did someone save me?"
A shadow covered her face and she stared up at a handsome youth, seemingly a few years younger then herself. He crouched down and gave her a warm smile. Then with a voice to match the smile he asked her, "Sister, what is your name? You are a Thunderblack clanswoman right?"
She opened her mouth to respond, but found herself unable to speak.
The youth frowned, "Those bastards really were merciless... Yuni, she's almost dead, quickly, heal her!"
After hearing those words, she regained a thread of hope, then blacked out.
- - - - -
A warmth akin to a mother's womb reeled the young girl's conscious back from the abyss.
Mumbled voices gradually started becoming clearer as she laid unwilling to open her eyes yet.
"Yuni, I still don't understand how your lightning nature underwent a variation. Why is it every time I ask you, all I get is your silly little giggle but no answer?" A male voice finally became audible.
The girl, Yuni, just giggled and answered, "Kiso, I already told you, it has something to do with Koho's meditation method for healing nature!"
"I don't understand how you could fuse lightning and healing natures, it shouldn't be possible!" Kiso, the young man, seemed a little vexed.
"Actually you should know I can use the standard healing technique your mother taught me as well, but for anyone with a lightning nature core I can use the fused version!" Yuni responded then continued, "Kiso, you yourself fused your lightning nature and darkness nature, why is it so hard to believe I could fuse my lightning spiritual pressure into a healing technique?"
A lengthy silence followed those words, as a warm prickling sensation roamed around the girl's body attacking the parts that still hurt.
"Wait, Kiso? As in Kiso Black?! Wasn't he dead?!" Finally the words seemed to dawn on the girl as her eyes couldn't help but open wide.
Her strength has recovered a lot to this point and she struggled to raise her head, hoping to get a glimpse of Kiso.
As she raised her head however, a soft hand pressed down on her forehead and pushed it back to the ground. "Elder sister, I'm not done healing you, please keep still." That 'Yuni' reprimanded her in a warm voice.
Tears began to form in the girl's eyes as she opened her mouth, this time the words she wanted to come out, came, "Who are you two? Kiso and Yuni? Are you Kiso Black?"
The silhouette of that same young man came into her view as he leaned over to show his face.
He smiled and replied, "I am indeed Kiso Black and this is Yuni, we have been hiding in the Ancient Byuki Forest for the past four years. I hope you can tell me sister's name?"
"Sara...Sara Black.."
She spoke her name, then fatigue caught up and she passed out again.
- - - - -
"Kiso look, she's finally waking up again!" Yuni had finished healing her and was busy washing her body with a wet cloth.
Kiso had originally turned his back to the two of them at Yuni's request, as she would need to remove Sara's clothes to wash some parts.
Sara, although a few years older then Kiso and Yuni, was still only 16-17 years old. After she had been washed by Yuni, Kiso clearly could see she was also very pretty. Although Yuni would still win by a few levels, Sara was certainly not bad.
She had long messy emerald hair and an oval face covered with dainty features. Her eyes being the exception, they were emerald like her hair, but a size larger then the average girl. Her body was thin, seemingly a reflection of her recent struggles, but still had two perky breasts and her long legs were admittingly desirable.
When Yuni spoke Kiso turned back around in response, Sara's body laid bare before him. He quickly snapped his head away, hoping he hadn't been seen taking an accidental peak.
He had been too late, both Yuni and Sara had seen him turn around. When he quickly looked away, Sara finally noticed a gentle breeze against her bare body, Yuni's hand on her stomach, holding a wet cloth. Her face went red, but she wouldn't dare reprimand the man who saved her life.
Yuni on the other hand, shot a scolding look at Kiso's back before sighing, "Sorry Sara, that was my fault.."
Sara was embarrassed for several reasons. She had never shown her body to another man, yet now it was revealed so easily and to a stranger no less. Not just any stranger either, an extremely handsome one, who just so happened to be that Kiso.
She quickly shook her head, "It's okay Yuni, although embarrassing, I wouldn't even be able to feel so, if it wasn't for you two..."
Yuni waved her hand and a short white dress appeared. "Take this, I don't think we can save your other clothes." Sara followed Yuni's gaze as she saw her clothes covered in mud and riddled with holes. Then she looked back at the dress in Yuni's hands, noticing a ring made of wood on Yuni's finger.
Sara put the white dress on, along with a pair of fresh white panties, also Yuni's.
"Thank you Yuni." Sara thanked Yuni and she walked over to Kiso's front.
"Kiso, thank you for saving this life on mine." Kowtowing, she continued, "Your elder sister here is from Blackspark village. I am the only daughter of the village herbalist. My father taught me everything regarding the family trade, if you would permit it, could I possibly join you and Yuni? There is nothing else left for me in this world..." Her voice cracked in emotion and Kiso could hear her soft sobs.
Frowning, Kiso looked down at Sara's kowtowing figure. Kiso didn't like to see his elders kowtow, especially beautiful women. He quickly lowered his body and used his hand to raise her face from the earth.
"Sara, please don't act on such ceremony with me, although Yuni and I agreed not to let anyone else come with us, I believe we can make an exception." Kiso shot a glance at Yuni, who was nodding while smiling, before continuing, "However, you should know we do not intend to escape the valley. We are heading for Thunderblack castle right now, intending to avenge our lost family." A murderous killing intent leaked from Kiso's eyes.
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"Ah!" Sara's mouth dropped a little as she felt the pressure from Kiso's killing intent.
Her body shuddered and her mind went blank. When she came back to herself, it had only been a couple of seconds, but it felt like several hours.
Kiso noticed her face drain some color and quickly apologized, "Sorry Sara, but you should know the situation has weighed heavily on our hearts. Without vengeance, Yuni and I will not be able to move forward." A complicated expression painted his face as he looked back at Yuni, who was walking over, but had lowered her gaze now.
Kiso's words caused Sara to remember the past four years and her own eyes shone a determined fire.
Yuni reached their side and added, "Sara, it might be better for you to escape the valley. If you couldn't even deal with those men, the danger ahead might be too much."
Kiso nodded solemnly, adding, "That's true, if you come with us, you should be prepared for the worst. Although I will do my best to protect you, I can't make any guarantees."
Sara's expression grew stern, as she thought about something for a few moments, then shook her head and said, "No, the danger escaping the valley alone is too much for me, I think following you two is definitely safer. Don't worry about me, if you cannot protect me, nobody can." She tried to force a smile, recognizing her uselessness, she added, "Although I can't protect myself, I can refine herbal pills."
Kiso had heard about the various herbal pills from Elder Sage. He had even been given several medicinal nature pills.
His eyes lit up a little, "Alright, then we'll leave immediately."
A fierce expression told hold of his face as his gaze met the headless bodies several tens of meters away from their camp. He knew what had to be done and gathered spiritual pressure into his fingertips. One by one, he vaporized the bodies, leaving only dark ashy spots where the bodies had been.
Before they set off, he turned to the two girls following behind him, Sara's expression was complicated. He could tell she thought of him as ruthless and cold, yet she was still determined to follow him. He smiled saying, "Sara, you've seen the methods of the Ichi clan, and just a little while ago, I saw them too. Although I don't like being ruthless, right now it is the only option!"
Yuni knew Kiso's temperament well and added, "Kiso is kind at heart, or you wouldn't be here to know it. The Ichi clan killed my parents and everyone we knew at Thunderblack castle, for all we know Kiso's parents are dead too. They deserve our vengeance and we cannot afford to be soft."
Sara just smiled bitterly and looked off into the distance saying, "I think you two misunderstand me a little, I wasn't unhappy with Kiso's actions. Rather, I was admiring his power. I have never seen such powerful lightning, not even our village chief could vaporize a boulder."
Kiso chuckled and his impression of Sara rose a little.
The three of them continued the journey towards Thunderblack castle, which was only a few days walk away if they didn't meet any resistance.
- - - - -
Walking along the road, which split the Byuki grasslands, Kiso had walked several tens of meters ahead, leaving the girls to talk in private.
Sara had been staring at Kiso's back for some time before finally asking, "Yuni, what is your relationship with Kiso?"
Yuni knew the question was coming, she had seen Sara's face and eyes filled with admiration.
"Kiso and I grew up together. We lived near each other in the castle and have been training together in the Ancient Byuki Forest the past four years." Yuni spoke with a little hesitation in her voice.
She was about to continue when Sara suddenly said, "Not that, I mean, are you two....together??"
Yuni could only smite bitterly and said, "Ah, that.. Well, no."
Sara's face brightened considerably, then she looked over to Yuni, who wore gloomy expression. Upon seeing Yuni's face, Sara realized the situation and her bright face darkened.
She shook her head and said, "I think I understand, you love him right?"
Sara's sudden question made Yuni's body quiver and her face went red, but she nodded.
Sara could only sigh in her heart but she smiled anyway and asked, "Then, have you told him?"
Yuni shook her head and lowered her gaze to the ground before saying, "Kiso doesn't need any distractions right now, I don't want him to get himself hurt worrying about me."
Sara stared blankly, then laughed loudly, "Yuni! You are adorable! Alright, although elder sister thinks highly of Kiso, I will back down just this once.."
Yuni looked up at Sara, then smiled, she knew Sara probably fell for Kiso too. After all, he did save her life and he was truly handsome.
Caught up in their own world, before they realized it, they bumped into Kiso's back, who had stopped and was staring into the distance.
They had been walking up a large hill, now at the top, they looked down following Kiso's gaze.
A half mile away, a village nestled next to a river could be seen, a single plume of black smoke stretched into the sky.
Sara's face was dumbstruck, she hadn't realized it, but they had just walked into view of Blackspark village.
"Ah!" Sara cried out in alarm as she could see a silhouette of a young girl running from two men in black robes.
Abandoning Kiso and Yuni, Sara ran forward as fast as she could towards that young girl. Behind her, Kiso had also reacted, running quickly behind her, he asked, "Sara, who is that girl? Is she someone you know?"
Sara was startled, she quickly said while struggling for breath, "That's the village chief's daughter Jihu! She's only eight Kiso, we can't let those men catch her!"
Kiso's face grew savage as his body flickered and disappeared, reappearing between the girl and the two men.
His arm raised, he barked, "You two! Stop right there!"
To Be Continued!
Off to work guys! I'm off tomorrow so maybe I'll write chapter 12.. hehe