TSOAD Chapter 4

We had emerged in a valley which was cut off from the rest of the world by the mountains that ringed its edges. There was a fast-moving stream, milky with melted snow from the mountain peaks. The valley was shrouded in shadows that constantly shifted, caused by the moving effect of mist and the large trees that grew there.

“I come here to think,” Chase said quietly. I could see why. Or rather, hear. Apart from the gushing of the stream and the occasional bird or insect, the valley was quiet. The perfect place to be alone. Or with someone else…

“Why me?” I suddenly blurted out. Chase looked at me, his surprise written all over his face.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean… Why pick me? You’re easily the best looking guy I’ve ever seen, and a wicked fighter. I’m a girl in boy’s clothing. I’m not gentle or feminine like other ordinary girls. And I’m not even pretty-”

He laughed, a rich sound that I longed to hear again.

“You’re beautiful Eva.” He said it with such conviction that I believed it for a second. “As for your other qualities, those are what make you unique.”

“Tell that to the rest of the world,” I said, but without the venom that would have been there an hour before. Chase was being sincere, I realised with a small shock.

“Does it really matter what others think?” He pulled me close to him, his voice dropping to a whisper into my ear. “What does it matter, as long as I love you?”

My heart began to palpitate. I know he had kissed me- Fine, I was the one who started it- but for all I knew, he did that to every girl he met. But to actually hear him say the magic word…

I don’t know who made the first move. But in the next second, our lips were pressed hard against each others. It was beautiful; I have no other way to describe it. I would never forget that feeling, not even if the world were to end.

*

We talked for the entire afternoon. I learnt that Chase had come from a nearby village and had known Guan and Dashi from birth. They had grown up together. He had first discovered his powers when the three of them had been playing at a river when they were only seven.

“Hey, be careful! The currents are dangerous!” Guan shouts to Chase as Chase wadds into the swollen river in hopes of a better catch of fish.

Chase turns around to face them, smiling. “I’m not going in deep.”

“Yeah, you worry too much Guan,” Dashi laughs.

Famous last words. In the next second, Chase screams as the undercurrents pulls him under and drags him away from his friends. He surfaces a second later, only to be dragged down again, choking. The roaring of the river muffles out Guan’s and Dashi’s cries. His body is bobbed and rolled by the currents and his face is turned down beneath the surface of the water. His muscles cramp in the icy water as he loses the strength to righten himself. He holds his breath, his cheeks filled with air. He can hear the rushing of water and the panicked beating of his heart as his air supply dwindles. A thin stream of bubble escapes the corner of his mouth and he knows he can hold his breath no longer. He releases the air in his mouth and kicks out in one final, desperate attempt to righten himself. His attempt is fruitless and as he sucks in the cold water, he surrenders himself to the water.

He realizes a moment later that he’s feeling fine. As he opens his mouth in suprise, the water gushes in, slucing in and out of his mouth and lungs, cold but harmless. He opens his eyes and he stares wide-eyed at the passing fish and rocks in the water. He drifts in the river like that for a while, feeling calm and serene. Then there are shouts, and he feel’s himself being pulled out of the water.

He struggles for a moment to breathe air again, water pours out of his mouth and nose as he returns to land. It hurts for a moment, then he begans to cough. Someone pours a burning spirit down his throat, and he coughs again, this time because of the liquor. His rescuers declare it a miracle that he is still alive.

At night, he confesses to his father what happened. His father is thoughtful for a moment, and the next day, he is sent to the Xiaolin Temple to be trained as the Xiaolin Dragon of Water. He is lonely there for a year, and upset that his father sent him away without his consent. However, he trains obediently, and it is obvious that he has a talent for martial arts. His patience is soon rewarded as Guan and Dashi join him a month later, when their elements were recognized.

They train together, and it’s just like old times Now, of the four elements, Earth was the only one missing.


***
I had been tending to the herbs growing at the base of the mountain near my village  when the massacre begun. From the mountain’s steep surface, I had witnessed everything.

A red-haired woman walked into the village. I didn’t take any notice of her, too concentrated on my task. Until the screaming began.

The earth rumbled as giant rock creatures burst forth from its surface. Fear gripped me as I saw them thrash the village, destroying everything in their path, whether house, cattle or human. I had not been spotted and I ran up the mountain and hid myself in a hidden cave I had played in for years. The screams followed me even there.

It was dusk when I finally emerged, shaking, even thought the shrieks had stopped hours before. As I slowly made my way down to the remains of the village, the moon rose to claim its power in the sky. It was not a pale disc, but was stained a blood red, as though in mourning for the lives lost. The stars were dazzling on the night’s dark velvet, tears shed for the mindless destruction.

I didn’t cry when I saw the damage done to the village, not even when I recognized the crushed and mangled bodies of my family and friends. As I surveyed the scene and the blood spilt- I smiled. The blood looked almost black in the shadows and gleamed a bright red in the moon’s glow. It was all a beautiful piece of art to me.

I submerged my hand into a pool of the blood. The liquid clung onto my flesh like a slick, glistening glove when I withdrew it.

“Beautiful,” I murmured, suddenly breathless. I stared at it for a long time, admiring the contrast of the blood against my pale skin.

Thump. Thump.

I spun around and gasped. It was one of the rock creatures responsible for the desecration done to my village. Up close, it was even bigger than I had realized and it looked mad. Very very mad.

I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing myself for a gruesome death.

And then there was a crumbling noise. When I opened my eyes, the monster was nothing but dust.

“Are you alright?”

The voice startled me. A man cam up, wiping some dust off his palms. Half of his face was hidden in shadow, but I could tell by the moonlight he was in his late twenties, with strong rugged features that looked as if they were carved from stone.

I stared back in shock. Sure, he was big sized, but the rock creature he had demolished was at least five times bigger than him. Then his eyes widened as though he had seen something that I hadn’t.

“An earth element,” he muttered, then added in a louder voice. “You’re the only survivor here?”

I nodded numbly. “Who did this?” I asked in a voice I couldn’t recognize. “Why my village?”

“A witch named Wuya,” he answered the first question, still staring at me. “That beast I destroyed was on of her creations.”

“But why?” I persisted.

He shrugged. “For fun.”

I stared at the blood on my hand.

“Fun?” Then I smirked. “Yeah, it looks fun.”

“Are you serious?” The expression on the man’s face was incredulous. “She murdered your family and destroyed your home. You-“

“But look,” I cut in, waving a hand at the bloody surroundings. “What she created here is amazing.”

He studied me. Was that respect on his face?

“You’ll go far,” he smiled. “On the Heylin side.”

“Why not?” Even when I was young, I had a dark side. I hated do-gooders. They’re complete hypocrites. No one really does things for others without expecting something in return.

“I could take you in,” the man said thoughtfully. “You have the power and potential. But learning martial arts is not easy. I’m a harsh teacher.”

“I think I have what it takes.”

***
I had only been six when I discovered power. I had given Chase an edited version of how I had met my mentor. I wondered for a moment there, how I could turn him to the Heylin. I smiled to think of how his gentle features would look, filed with hate, and his beautiful golden eyes glowing with wicked malice.

That day will come soon enough, I vowed.