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A fellow martial artist. I had heard of the temple from my mentor. Though from a fairly recent sect, it was noted to be one of the best.
Gah… What does it matter now?
Although my wounds had already healed, thanks to the darkness, I still felt light-headed. When my head cleared a little, I almost jumped out of his arms when I sensed his power.
Every individual on this earth is born to a specific element, which determines their traits and personalities. It is only a slight touch of magic, practically useless. There are however, a few rare people like myself, who have been gifted with a more powerful piece of sorcery, enabling them to control their elements. This control would take years to master, but eventually one could manipulate their element with their thoughts alone. The boy carrying me was a water element, the invisible aura that surrounded his body was a sapphire blue. His companion was surrounded by flames, revealing his element as fire. The two of them had been well-trained in their elements. I had been arrogant enought to think that I was the only one to know of this power, now that my mentor was dead. Damn it, I was losing my touch.
Never underestimate the enemy, my mentor had once said. Yeah, and everyone else as well, I added mentally.
By the time we arrived at the temple, the blade-thin crescent moon had risen. I was fully healed by then, but the dried blood that encrusted my robes still gave me a macabre appearance.
"Umm... I'll appreciate it if you could put me down," I said awkwardly as we neared the entrance. Those steps looked hard to climb when carrying someone. "My leg wasn't injured."
He flushed and put me down gently. My cheeks grew warm and I knew I was blushing.
My heart hurts...It's beating out of control. Why?
As we entered the temple, a tension descended on us. Again, I spotted the monk looking at me strangely, but before I could figure out the emotion, it was gone.
"Yo, you're back late!" a jovial voice laughed, shattering the silence.
A yellow-skinned man strode towards us. Dressed in a black shirt and white pants, he exluded an air of laziness, which was unusual for a monk, but I could feel his power. An air element, I realised, seeing the diamond brilliance that crowned his head. And a very powerful one.
He stared at me curiously, a smirk tugging the edge of his mouth.
"What took you so long?" he queried, sneaking another look at me. I was getting really annoyed at being ignored.
"Chase let the golems get away," the monk shrugged.
"You weren't helping!" the boy- Chase- shot back, annoyed.
"And who is this?" the Yellow Skin asked. I had a feeling he had meant to ask that for some time.
"Eva," I said, feeling frustrated. "Why am I even here?"
"She killed at least six of Wuya’s golems," the monk told Yellow Skin.
"In two seconds," Chase added. "That's faster than all our records, if you'll remember."
"Wait, you saw that?"
"How?" Yellow Skin wanted to know. I went unheard.
"No idea," the monk said.
“Umm, hello? I exist here!” I exclaimed, feeling left out. If they don't explain what I'm doing here in a minute, I'm leaving!
“Yep. And a very cute existance too,” Yellow skin grinned at me, showing his even white teeth.
I felt Chase move closer behind me, and Yellow skin backed off, his smile widening.
“I’ll leave you to take care of Eva, Chase,” he said, still grinning. ‘C’mon Guan.”
He and the monk moved off, but not before the monk- Guan- shot me a venomous look. I longed to lunge at him, rip him to pieces, disembowel him, kill him, I didn't care how, to punish him for his impudence-
“I apologize for Guan’s offensive behaviour,” Chase said softly as he started to move. He actually sounded sincere. “He has never been so-“
“It’s okay,” I replied, my tone flat, keeping my face passive. “I’m used to it. It’s one of the troubles from being born the weaker sex.”
Almost everyone I had met underestimated be because I was female. It was annoying most of the time, but I had to admit, there were advantages to it. Like catching your enemy off-guard.
Once we had gotten into one of the temple buildings, he handed me some bandages and healing herbs, then, blushing awkwardly, he attempted to leave the room.
“No wait,” I called. “Stay here and keep me company.”
“Umm-“
“Go on. Just don’t look.”
He sat, cross legged on the floor, back facing me. I could sense his embarrassment as I worked to tie and affix the herbs and bandages on my skin. The wound had closed over with the power of darkness, but my flesh still felt sore and bruised, as it would be over the next few days.
“Who was that man?” I asked after a few awkward minutes.
“Guan?”
“No, the other one.”
“That’s Dashi,” Chase replied, his voice sounding a little muffled. He was probably covering his face with his hands, just in case.
“He’s an air element?”I asked, picking up my shirt.
“How did you know???” Chase exclaimed, surprised, turning round to face me. He flushed immediately attempted to leave.
“I told you, don’t go,” I said, my tone noticeably harder.
He obeyed me, but didn’t sit down again, instead standing by the door with his back facing me.
“I know because I pay attention to these things,” I answered as if nothing had happened. Getting up, I headed for the door. As I passed by him, I gazed into his eyes. It was like drowning in twin liquid gold pools.
“Thanks,” I murmured, my breathing suddenly harsh and irregular. “For everything.”
“You’re leaving already?” He really did sound surprised.
“What, do you expect me to stay here?”
“For the night anyway. It’s late.”
I gave him my sweetest smile. “Why not?”
