Zen grit his teeth as he made his way across the academy field. The phantom pain from his broken diantian flared but he ignored it as he sought to exit the academy grounds. His mother needed him and he wanted to be there for her. He was not going to lose her, not like he lost his father.

Zen followed Shibi who was moving ahead of him.

“Wang Zen?”

Zen looked towards the familiar voice. “Xue Shoanu!”

“You are awake!” she shouted in excitement running up to him. She hugged him tightly.

Zen stood in place, shocked by the action. He was close enough to smell her hair and although his every being told him to put his arms around the girl he loved, he was frozen in place.

She separated from him. Her face had turned as red as his. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.” She looked him up and down. “You don’t look so well, should you be out of bed?”

“I can’t stay.” he said. “My mother has been hurt. I’m going back home.”

“That is awful!” Xue Shaonu said, putting her hand in front of her face. “How are you going to get there?”

“I…” Zen opened and closed his mouth a few times before saying, “I don’t know.”

He collapsed onto the ground.

Xue Shaonu smiled sadly before sitting beside him. “I mean, even when you get there, what are you going to do? You are in no condition to fight.”

“I honestly have no intention of fighting.” He said. “I want to be there with her. I couldn’t with my father and he died before I ever could.”

Xue Shaonu nodded. She produced a scroll from her person and rose to her feet. “I invoke my contract with Silicy!”

Zen felt a cold air grow then there was a swirling, cold blue energy that came from the contract before Silicy appeared in the middle of the swirl which died down.

“M’Lady,” Silicy bowed.

“Silicy, I have a favour to ask.” Xue Shaonu said. “Wang Zen needs a ride to his home.”

“Again?” Silicy said in annoyance. “I would rather not leave my Lady’s side.”

“Nonsense,” Xue Shaonu said. “I am safe here, I do not need your protection but Wang Zen,” she looked at Zen on the ground. “He needs you. Please Silicy, please help my friend. And anyways, I can always summon you back here after a few days.”

“As you wish, My Lady.”

Zen got to his feet and bowed to the Snow Dove. “Thank you, Silicy.”

Zen turned to Xue Shaonu.

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“Thank you, Xue Shaonu.” He bowed.

“Of course, you are my friend, this is the least I can do.” She said. She placed her hands on his shoulders. “Safe journey, Wang Zen.”

She pulled him closer and hugged him and this time, he hugged her back. “Thank you, Xue Shaonu.” He whispered.

Zen and Shibi got onto Silicy’s back and they took off into the sky.

Silicy had flew non stop for two days. Zen was getting worried because she was beginning to meander.

“Silicy, you need to take us down.” Zen said. “You’ve been flying for too long, you need to rest.”

“No,” she said, a tinge of annoyance in her voice. “I need to complete this trip quickly, so that I may return to My Lady’s side.”

“If you don’t rest, you might collapse in the air.” Zen said. “Then no one will be returning anywhere.”

“Fine, a short rest it is.” Silicy said. “But then I take off again.”

Silicy found a place to land. She landed as gracefully as an exhausted Snow Dove could. As soon as Zen and Shibi got off her, she collapsed onto the ground, curled herself into a ball and immediately went to sleep. Her breathing was short and rapid.

“Let’s give her some time, Shibi.” Zen said.

He sat against a tree on the ground.

“How is pain?” Shibi said.

“It is as bad as ever but, you get used to it to be honest.” Zen said. “Or maybe because I have better things to worry about is why it doesn’t bother me as much. You want to rest? I can keep first watch.”

“Shibi keep first watch.” Shibi said.

“Alright,” Zen closed his eyes, “I’ll try to get some rest.”

Zen woke a few hours later. His sleep was restless. He looked over to Silicy, the Snow Dove was still sleeping, though its breathing had slowed down to a steady pace. His stomach growled.

“Zen hungry.” Shibi said.

“Yeah,” Zen said rubbing his stomach. He got to his feet. “I saw a town a little away, shouldn’t be more than a 15 minute walk. I’ll go there and buy us some food.”

“Shibi go!”

“Really, you’re going to go to a human town and buy food? Nice try, Bud.” Zen said.

“Zen hurt, Shibi go with.”

Zen waved Shibi’s concern away. “This town is pretty stable and there are no wild beasts nearby. I’ll be safe.”

Shibi frowned at this.

“Still worried? Fine.” Zen tossed Shibi his storage stone.

The Scorch Ape caught it.

“I can’t use my ki, so pull out the Zen Blade please.”

Shibi touched the stone and a short dao appeared in his hand.

“There,” Zen said, walking toward Shibi and taking his sword from his hands. “With this I should be safe. I’ll be able to deal with any threats.” Zen said, brandishing the weapon. “So, I’ll be okay to make a food run.” He glanced over to the sleeping Silicy again. “I know what I’m going to get you and me but what do Snow Doves eat.”

“Chicken food,” Shibi said. “Silicy overgrown chicken.”

Zen kept himself from laughing at the comment. “Uhm… I’ll take that under advisement. I’ll see you in a bit.” Zen said, walking away.

The trek to the town was as short as Zen had predicted. He got to the market place and started looking around. Having little to no money, Zen shopped around for the cheapest foods while cursing himself for not being better prepared.

He was able to find some fruits and meat, which he swept into his storage stone, he hoped that Silicy would eat some of them.

Making his way back to his group, he exited the marketplace and began making his way out of the town.

“Wow, I’m quite lucky!” A voice said.

Zen could hear the man talking beside him but he ignored him and continued on his way.

“Yes, I am talking to you, Wang Zen.”

Zen froze in place. He stiffly turned to the man who was talking. He did not recognise him, probably because of the brown cloak he wore and the hood covering his face.

“When I heard you left the academy I rushed out, knowing that you were probably going home.” The man said. “When I could not find you on the road, I thought I either missed you, or you took a way I was not familiar with. I was actually planning on just giving up and going back to the academy.”

Zen tilted his head in confusion. He did not recognise the voice or even the body of the man. “Sorry, do I know you?”

“Come now, my friend.” The man pulled his cloak back, revealing his smile.

The smile made Zen uncomfortable.

“Surely you remember your friend,” the man continued, “You’re good, commoner ally, Lang!” Lang said, his smile growing even more unfriendly.