Chapter 215

Chapter 215

Before the Emissary uttered his command, Song was already in motion. Taking a stand in front, Song shielded Master with her body, saber ready at the hip, right hand gripping the hilt and left hand steadying the scabbard. Every muscle in her body tensed as she studied her foe, a lithe, flesh-coloured creature of nightmare. Her first confrontation with a Demon had her instincts screaming of peril and vulnerability, demanding she flee from this most fearsome of foes, but she rejected the notion with disdain. The Demon was coming for Master and Songs sole purpose was to defend her. Faced with her strongest foe to date, Song readied to unleash her greatest strike.

Teacher Du Min Gyu taught her all she would need to know for years to come, laying the foundation of what Song would become. Endless hours of sweat and toil prepared her for this singular moment, the pinnacle of all her efforts and suffering. Failure was not an option, success far from certain, but still she stood her ground, knowing one strike is all she had.

One strike is all she needed.

The Demon stepped forward from the base of the bridge, still many metres away. Disregarding common logic, Song began her strike, having seen with her own eyes how the creature appeared from thin air, rescuing the Emissary from certain death and crossing almost fifteen meters in the blink of an eye. Armed with this knowledge, Song aimed where she expected the Demon to materialize, in the empty space directly before her, imploring the Mother for strength and fortune.

If the creature appeared anywhere else, Song was doomed.

Exhaling slowly, her pupils expanded and world narrowed, her mind filtering out all inconsequential information and leaving her aware of nothing but Master behind, the Demon ahead, and herself. Time slowed and colours sharpened, sounds muted and scents faded as Song became one with the saber, focused on one thought and one thought only: Cut. Her edge Honed to perfection, she eased a quarter-centimetre out the scabbard, severing the air around it. The resulting vacuum adhered metal to leather, the scabbard embracing her tighter than before. Though the friction worked against her, it was also her ally, and she allowed herself a half-smile.

First step, success.

With her blade halfway out the sheath, the Demon disappeared from sight, but Song paid it no mind, all her attention on the task at hand. Though shed yet to successfully combine all her skills into one strike, her past failures were irrelevant. Masters life was at stake, so Song was left with no choice but to succeed. The quick-draw technique was simple enough, a stance taken from her most familiar Form, the Domineering Tiger. A minor variation of Swiping the Rushes, shed practised the movement countless times before, her body capable of performing without direction. Instead, she focused on her Chi manipulations. Lightening both blade and body while continuing to Hone was a task much like composing a poem with the right hand while painting a portrait with the left. Complicated, but not impossible with practice. Unburdened of weight and gravity, her movements sped up while her mass remained unaffected, maximizing the force delivered.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Second step, complete.

Appearing before her, the Demons thick, seductive lips twisted in a smile, revealing a perfect row of dainty, pointed teeth. Its claws stretched and sharpened as it thrust at Songs heart, expecting to pierce through Song and into Master, but the Demon was too predictable. Her blade emerged from the scabbard and struck, silently tearing through the vacuum and consuming the distance between blade and Demon faster than anyone expected.

Aside from Song.

A fraction of a second before her blade struck, Songs Chi Amplified her attack with flawless precision, scything through the Demons extended hand and forearm with ease. Unable to halt its momentum, the Demon shrieked as it impaled itself on her blade, carving a deep wound across the Demons chest. Its charge defeated, it reeled back as a thunderous boom erupted in the aftermath of Songs strike, acidic ichor spraying from its wound and splashing onto Songs face. Ignoring the burning pain, Song released the scabbard and brought her saber around for a sweeping, two-handed chop.

So what if one strike wasnt enough? A second would follow, and another, and another. Song was prepared to give it her all, intent on protecting Master no matter the cost.

The Demons face twisted in anger as it brought its second claw to bear, only to be smashed away by Songs chop. Unable to cut through the Demons metallic flesh, her saber dug a shallow furrow through its torso from shoulder to hip. A shame her second strike lacked the power of the first, only Lightened and Honed, else she might have killed the creature then and there. Determined to end things, Song stepped forward and exhaled, raising her saber to thrust at the Demons heart, putting all she had into the strike. Piercing through empty air, Song clicked her tongue in annoyance as she found herself standing alone, tracking the Demon back to Gens side. Clutching its ruined arms to its bosom, the Emissary and his pet both glared at her with undisguised hatred, the sight filling Song with pride.

Today, Li Song, a mere slave of nineteen years, faced off against a Demon and the Demon was found lacking.

Fumbling through Mafus saddlebags, Rain pulled out a waterproof satchel. It looks like half your face is... Catching himself in time, he feigned a weak smile and shook his head. No, not that bad.

His near slip earned him a punch on the shoulder as Master allowed him to treat her wounds. Idiot. Like youre one to talk, youre missing chunks of flesh. I cant believe you, always biting off more than you can chew. Dueling with Black Heart Nazier, your arrogance knows no bounds.

Yea, it was a close thing. Song, can you find some bandag- The words froze in Rains throat as he turned to Song, seeing her for the first time. Holy shit. Grabbing her arm, he barked, Lean over, open your mouth, and breath through your nose. Meekly obeying out of habit, Song flinched as he emptied his water skin on her face, mewling as waves of agony shot through her. Stamping her feet and clenching her hands, she teared up as the water gushed in from the side of her mouth and out over her lips. Blinking in horror, Song sobbed at the implication. The ichor ate a hole through her face.

Oh Mother above, I can see her teeth through her cheek. Why didnt you say anything? Master took Songs hand and stroked her hair, and though it did little to relieve the pain, she was happy for the attention. I was too focused on the fight, and... Forgive me. Your beautiful face is ruined... Song didnt mind. If she were disfigured, then there would be less risk of unwanted attention. Beauty was more a curse than gift to Song. If she'd been a plain, unattractive woman, its possible Teacher Du would never have gifted her to Master Kai. How might her life had turned out if she remained in Teacher Dus service?

Amidst the crippling pain, a small pinprick of relief landed on her cheek, a warm, soothing sensation that quickly spread. Soon after, a tiny mass of ichor broke free and flowed into her mouth, the foul tasting lump streaming to the ground below. More followed as the ichor broke apart and Songs chest heaved with relief. After the last of the ichor washed away, Song straightened up and almost smiled, flinching away as Rain dabbed her face with a towel. Her wound no longer hurt, but she disliked his touch, an ingrained distaste she had little control over. Warily studying his actions, she spotted a single droplet of water leap onto his hand and seep into his skin, leaving her surprised and confused. Had he Awakened to the Blessing of Water?

Raising her eyebrow in silent question, Rain coughed and pretended not to notice, looking visibly drained. Here, he said, handing a container to Master, Spread that over the wound, but make sure you dont get any inside her mouth. With a weak smile, he nodded at Song. Put a bandage on your cheek and no one will even notice.

Masters concern showed in her voice as she applied the salve. Dont worry Song, worse comes to worst, Ill ask a healer to fix you up. Youll be pretty as a peach in no time.

Unable to respond, Song stood in place, curious as to Rains newfound control over water. It seemed Song was quickly being left behind, her aspirations of standing at Masters side fading with each second that passed. Saddened by the thought, she silently listened while Master explained everything Rain had missed, downplaying her own part and grossly exaggerating Songs accomplishments.

At the end of Masters animated story-telling, Rain smiled at Song, her face swaddled in too many bandages, Master's over enthusiastic work. Incredible, thank you for keeping Mila safe. Now you two rest for a while, Im gonna go join the fight.

A quick glance at the bridge showed an all out brawl having broken out, Lady Tursinai and Ser Tenjin still in the thick of things, now joined by the other Sentinels. How the Defiled broke through was immediately clear as Song watched two Defiled Champions trade blows with the Bekhai heroes. A nearby soldier answered Rains inquiry, explaining that the two Champions in question were Ravager Kaliyan and former guard captain Mao Jianghong.

Rain, Master said, grabbing him by the sleeve and returning his sword, plucked from the corpse of the dead bandit. Be careful this time. My heart cant handle seeing you almost die again.

Dont worry my love, he answered with a wink. If things go right, I wont even have to get close. Watch and be amazed. Leaving the roosequins behind, Song and Master followed him to the base of the bridge. Spreading his arms wide, Rain raised his head and channelled a massive torrent of Chi, palpable even to Songs senses. Waiting with bated breath, she expected against all logic for some miracle to occur. Perhaps he would do as Elder Ming had, firing droplets of water capable of piercing steel. Or maybe he was binding the river to his control before commanding it to wash away the Defiled and take the bridge. One scenario after another flashed through Songs mind, each one defying logic, but if anyone could do it, it would be Rain.

Seconds passed, which turned to minutes, and after a long wait, Rain lowered his hands and scratched his head, his Chi subsiding. Muttering beneath his breath, Rain drew his sword. Tch. This is bullshit. Fucking worthless water. Why couldnt I have lightning, or fire, or Bear hands? Struggling to contain her laughter, Master buried her face in Songs shoulder while Rain marched to join the fight in a more mundane manner.

Inwardly sighing, Song swallowed the bitter disappointment. Its what she deserved for believing in Falling Rain.

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