June woke up from the sounds of explosions. It was still nighttime when his eyes had opened. Towards the east he looked and there he saw bright flashes of lights. With those bright lights came explosions and earth trembling power. The lights were different in colors with all their dazzling shapes and forms. But in this awestruck moment, a shiver ran through June’s body.  His befuddled mind slowly became clear but with this came a sorrowful memory that was engraved in June’s soul. He remembered Boa. His head started to ache, but he got up and lumbered towards the north. It was the road that Boa had made for him. His steps were unsteady and heavy. 

 The commotion behind him was ongoing but he paid no heed to it. At that moment, June couldn’t be bothered with such things. He just had to follow the road that Boa made. June convinced himself that all would be well if he kept moving but such conviction was false. It was to only take away the feeling of being lost. This was the feeling that would make June feel anxious and tight of heart. It was a feeling that he loathed as much as anyone else.

Soon, his lumber had come to a stop because he had reached a flowing river. The sounds of the water violently hitting the rocks which held their ground with firm steadiness reverberated through his ears.

He lumber continued even after he heard the roaring sounds. To continue his way and stick to his false conviction, he had to get over to the other side. He could not be bothered to make a plan. June’s mind was too shackled and distraught to do such a thing.

Boa’s absence was too early and suddenly for young June to cope with. Yes, a young mind can heal quickly, but the scar left behind will be a great one and scars don’t just disappear.

June was being pushed to his limits, both body and mind. His heart was straining to hold the water qi and soon it would be released from the strain. The river wasn’t deep, but it still reached June’s chest. June felt the water violently crashing against his weakened body. The force made him unconsciously revert back into his panda form. His wet fur weighed him down and sure enough, he was swept by the currents.  

June woke up from the sounds of his grumbling stomach. He sat up abruptly and looked around. “Ahhh!” cried June. His action brought him world ending pain. His ribs were broken along with his left leg. The currents that swept him were not merciful.

“Where am I?” June questioned as he looked around. What he saw brought a slight moment of relief towards his pain. A small and beautiful waterfall that was surrounded by a twilight blue colored pond came in his view. Trees in all forms were twisting around the circumference of the pond and waterfall. Their bright green leaves blocked the sun and gave a peaceful feeling to the scene.

The sound of rumbling shook June from his trance and brought back the pain he felt before. “I’m hungry… it hurts..” he whined. His head turned left to right as he looked around once again. A lonely tree to the right of the waterfall caught his attention. The small apple like fruits dangling on it’s branches definitely drew June’s attention.

He started to get excited but it died down as reality hit him. The tree was at least five meters away. To the June who had trouble breathing with his broken ribs and a broken leg, the trek was too strenuous. He felt like it was hopeless and laided back down. The little life in his eyes started to waver. Memories of his carefree life with Boa flashed before him.

He wanted Boa; his father. But in this moment of despair, the sound of water splashing was heard besides him. June turned his head and what awaited him was a surprise. He saw a water sylph; a spirit made from the element’s will walking towards him. However, to June, the sylph was a lifeline.

June had been alone for only two days but this kind of loneliness was something that a six year old couldn’t handle.  June whimpered in distress before he fainted.

The sylph peered over towards June and his sleeping body. “Wow~ a panda” she said in amazement. “Oh! Looks like he's hurt. I know exactly what to do~” she said playfully.

June woke to the sweet scent of the fruits piled in front of him. Before he could notice, his body had moved and he was already standing up. He was ready to pounce at the fruits before a feeling of surprise struck him.

“Huh? I’m not in pain anymore!” thought June as he checked his furry body. In fact, his body felt refreshed and this gave a pleasant feeling.  The pain from before was something that he truly never wanted to experience ever again.

“What do you think? The mighty water element is only second to the light element in terms of healing.”

June jumped in surprise as he heard the water sylph behind him. He warily turned round and saw the sylph with a grin on her face. It was the second time he had seen her but because his vision was blurry during the first time, he hadn’t seen her features too clearly.

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She had long hair that was aquatic blue in color. It reached her shoulder blades and with its straight lines and shiny luster. The blue gown that she wore looked smooth and comfortable. Her face was small and flawless but what caught June's attention the most was how her blue eyes shone playfully.

She looked tall to June as she was a head and a half taller than him. Such a person can be only called majestic and noble.

With a hint of worry she asked, “How do you feel little panda?”

June took a step back with his hind legs. It was apparent that he was wary of her.

The sylph took a slight step forward. “Well?” she questioned again. This time June replied as he took a step back once again. “I feel much better..” A hint of irritation was shown on the sylph’s face as she took a big step forward this time. “Why are you backing away little panda? Am i that scary to you?” she asked threatenly.

Feeling threatened, June snapped back, “I’m no little panda! My name is June!”

His bared his teeth and postured back like a dog.

“Well, don’t be afraid little June. I’m harmless, see?”  The sylph said as she held her hands up.

Unconvinced, June asked, “Who are you?”

“Who am I?” As if she was in distress, the sylph put her hand on her forehead then slightly leaned back. “I am a great sylph! How can you not know who I am? This is a disgrace!” Her tone was filled with sarcasm but June didn’t notice.

“A Sylph! I’ve heard of sylphs from my father. He said that they were super rare and mysterious.” June was taken in with surprise. He took Boa’s words seriously therefore when he was told that sylphs were super rare, he expect to not find one in his lifetime.  

How could he have known that the human looking person was a sylph.

One person had the face of distress while the other had a face of surprise. This comedic scene  became funnier as June’s stomach grumbled. The growling sounds of his stomach brought the sylph to laughter. “Oh! My sides! Don’t worry little June. Feel free to eat the fruits behind you” laughed the sylph as she held her sides.

June was apprehensive but his hunger was at its extremes. He quickly pounced at the pile of apple like fruits and ate them. Soon enough, the pile disappeared and June’s hunger was quench.

“T-thank you” said June with a hint of embarrassment. His view of the sylph was dramatically increased with plus points.

The sylph laughed, “No problem!”

“By the way, you were hurt before. Plus, I don’t see pandas around here that much. What happened?” The sylph was very curious and the gleam in her eyes showed it.

June didn’t answer her questions. In fact, he avoided it as he asked, “ I told you my name. Shouldn’t you tell me yours? Father said it was etiquette to do this.”

The sylph didn’t pry any further. A talking panda and such a little one at that really piqued her curiosity but she knew that everyone has circumstances.

“Me? I don’t have a name” answered the sylph casually. Her answer was so casual that it made June feel weird.

“Why don’t you have a name.. Everyone should have a name” said June.

“If you don't have a name then what do I called you?” asked June.

“Well, you can give me a name. Usually I am referred to as water sylph but I don’t really like that” she said bluntly.

“Ok! I will give you a name!” said June as he thought of a name. The wind blew and the trees sung. It was quiet for a few moments until June yelled, “July!”

“That will be your name” he said proudly. It was a name that he thought of after all. How can he not be proud of himself?

“July… I like it.” July smiled at the thought of her name. She truly thought it was a wonderful name. “July”