Lei was saved from the situation above. Yes, the river saved him, but now in return, it demanded something. The river was a fickle mistress, if Lei failed, it would forever own his body and soul.

Leave? YOU BELONG TO ME!

Power thrummed into his ears, as the white water rapids tossed him around like a baby, smashing him onto the smooth riverbed rocks, dragging him up until he cracked against fallen tree trunks, hurling him down at mach speed.

The tide pushed deeper, forcing water down his nose and mouth, worming into his lungs and stomach. His lungs screamed, begging for air, pounding his chest as if trying to escape. Unbearable anxiety crawled out of his soul; he took no breath since entering the river.

“Live for me, Lei!”

Geordie... Right. Dying... No.

Arm raised, he thrusted down, trying to propel up. Again. Again!

It was useless, for he was no fish; swimming upstream was impossible in this helpless situation.

The darkness closed in, giving him starry eyed tunnel vision. One last push, his subconscious thought.

Go! Gathering the last bits of strength in his legs, he kicked down.

His head popped up! He gasped, taking in a beautiful, fresh lungful of oxygen. Paltry strength seeped into his air-deprived veins like a dying bear devouring meat. Unfortunately, it lasted for a second. It felt as if an iron ball was attached to his legs because the current dragged him down again.

No! His arms shot for the nearest branch. His hands seized a thorny branch, but his grip was listless; a wave smashed and tore his grip away.

The wave propelled him further, and further, until he smashed into a thick trunk. This time, he held on.

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However, the trunk cracked thanks to the extra force.

Stuck between the trunk and current, behemoth pressure crushed Lei’s body. His clothes were long ripped away, torn pants hanging by threads. With his conscience nil, body tethered at the edge of shedding flesh, ghastly chills invaded his bones, freezing marrow- Lei had reached beyond his mortality; his body begged to die already.

Then it woke.

His instincts took charge, pulling the very last vestiges of strength, from his muscles, from his magic circle, and from his soul. Gripping the bark, Lei crawled up, his hands dug deeper into the thorns, each action caused thorns to bite into his palms, thirsty for blood.

On his back, a circle appeared, slowly forming. It was translucent in the shape of a donut, and like a vial of water injected with blood, it swirled crimson - blood? It glowed ominously, revolving faster, devouring the pressure like a starved beast. Eyes gleaming red, Lei groaned.

The circle absorbed more water, its hue turning darker. However, Lei’s emaciated body shrunk faster. Foundation magic circle requires blood to form, the more, the stronger. But how much could Lei afford?

The current’s flow transformed into a whirlpool around Lei’s new circle. His body was nearly dessicated like a mummy; if this continued, the magic circle would kill him.

Ripping his damaged palm from the thorny bark, he gestured at the riverbed, blasting the mud into a radius, revealing a hidden, giant scaled serpent.

The serpent was surprised its little prey knew of its location. It was relaxing in a mud bath after a good meal when this puny creature disturbed its nap. Now it could enjoy desert. The serpent just hopes his prey has more meat than seen.

It attacked. Coiling to gather energy, it shot forth, mouth wide, fangs dripping green saliva.

And it felt regret.

The deadpan Lei raised his arm. Following his will, a portion of the river broke off, a sharp whip, slicing the serpent in half, like knife through butter, its scale provided no resistance.

Gesturing to come over, the serpent’s blood seemed to be animated, gathering into stream like veins that condensed, slithering onto Lei’s welcoming arm. It joyfully flowed into his magic circle, like it was home. The serpent squirmed on the riverbed, confused at what occurred, until it mummified when the last drop of blood left. A silver core, apple sized, floated to the top. Water wrapped it, presenting it for Lei.

Lei’s poor little heart started pumping fresh blood, his pale face slightly improving.

Emotionless, Lei walked across the trunk, slicking across the mud shore, leaving blood prints in each step, collapsing onto lush grass, gripping the silver core tightly.

Without Lei’s interference, the river returned to rage on.