"Os!" Shui shouted.

Completely in sync with Jun's rhythm and pace. It had been a struggle to keep that level of speed and ferocity for extended periods of time, but Shui had gotten better. If anything, she recognized that it was their Ancestor's wise words and miraculous items that made her better.

Visibly better in no time at all.

She jabbed. "Os!"

The new technique had been a struggle for her to understand. Elbows and moving her feet in funny ways she had never needed to before with their Hu Clan's famous legacy. She liked it when she could spin her arms before throwing a punch.

Felt stronger. Like she was putting more power behind it.

But her ancestor had been clear. His Viper's Path of Destructive Chaos and Returns was vastly superior. Quicker, stronger, more Qi efficient and harder to defend. It was perfect. Just like he was perfect. Always saying the wisest things and enlightening her and Jun with the simplest words.

No fancy quotes and sayings. Clear and succinct.

"Os!"

She remembered his teachings from the first day. Words that had stuck. It made sense. Jun had been slightly skeptical, but quickly threw away any doubt when they noticed the world shift in ways it was not supposed to during his demonstration.

"Resist the temptation to straighten your knees!"

"Resist the temptation to untuck your elbow!"

"Resist the temptation to overextend and follow your retreating opponent without a plan!"

Hu shui let herself sneak a glance at Yin Hu. Sitting on one of his heavily Qi gathering and circulating meditation cushions. The highest tier that could probably exist. She couldn't imagine anything better anywhere on the planet. Though it did seem broken. Not an ounce of Qi surrounded him.

Yin Hu had his eyes closed. Legs crossed. Hands pinched together much like her father had done during his seclusions and meditations before they disappeared. She understood they had died. The very day her and Jun had left, but had no clue how to feel about it.

She should be sad. Angry even. But that felt so distant, all of them a vague memory she could not fully remember. Their faces blurry and voices long gone. Only her mother's gorgeous smile remained in her mind. Dreaming of her last moments and the day she ran off with Jun every once in a while.

Feeling a sharp pain in her chest she could not explain.

He opened his eyes and looked down at his hands. A sword materialized out of thin air faster than she could blink.

Shui immediately stopped what she was doing. Staring at the amount of Qi and energy that oozed out of the weapon, begging to be released. Her eyes drifted around the clearing. Already noticing how the dead yellow grass began to turn green, patches more lush and full. Vibrant colors and the odd flower.

Their family tree seemed to stand straighter, preening at the warmth that filled the entire clearing. Their tree had nearly doubled in size since her Ancestors arrival. After years of no growth at all, it had finally changed.

But that wasn't it.

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She could feel the sharpness in the air. Almost as though if she moved wrong, she could cut herself. Qi touching upon everything within the courtyard.

Hu Jun noticed it too. Her gaze locking onto the green sheathe with coarse make and texture.

Their ancestor waved at them to come closer. "Jun." His deep voice reverberated and echoed.

Jun followed his command and stumbled forward, feeling the energy of the blade press at her very spirit. She stood before him. Trembling and struggling to keep straight. Shui was lucky she was so far away or she would have face planted already.

This was an arrogant blade. Letting out its indomitable spirit and challenging anyone that dared to attempt to conquer it. Confidence personified without an ounce of hesitation with releasing her power to press anyone and anything weaker than it into the ground face first.

Superior than them all.

Hu Shui watched Jun's back as the older girl collapsed to her knees. Unable to do anything but kowtow. Before her master and his servant weapons spirit. Keeping her head low. Showing deference and respect to the monstrosities and powerful beings before her. Either one could snap their finger and erase her existence.

"A Hu does not bow and scrap—"

She gasped.

The wind shifted. A figure stepped out of the air like fog. A thin lady, taller than her master even with his prodigious height towering over them. Green robes of an empress. A crown of flowers and emeralds on her head glimmered in the sunlight.

It did not survey the world around it. It did not notice either her or Jun at all because they were not worthy of its attention. It had only eyes for their master. Standing behind his lounging form. Reaching to touch him, but stopping an inch away.

It paused.

"How long has it been, Master?" It whispered, kneeling. Allowing its long white fingers to caress his face. Trailing his beard line with a thumb. "How long has your absence been the hole in my chest?"

Jun could not see the spirit, but she was no idiot or fool. She could feel its existence. Its presence changed the world around them. The yellow grass snapped into green and stood tall. A light breeze passed them all when there had been none, not even a moment ago.

The spirit had manifested and the world changed around her.

It pressed her face into their Ancestor, a lover's embrace. "Fifty nine thousand years. Four hundred and twelve days. Five hours. Nine minutes. And thirty three seconds. That is how long since we last danced together. Last time you held me in your hands. Made love as we slayed your phantom foes and reenacting your glorious triumphs. Used me as you deemed fit. Swung me in the air as your mate."

The spirit hugged him tight. Tears streaming down its long, gorgeous face.

"Accept this blade, Hu Jun. Care for it. Let it guide and strengthen your resolve." Yin Hu's voice resounded in the courtyard. Echoing again. An order and law that could not be disobeyed.

Said spirit rose from its embrace. Its gaze and senses finally noting them and their presence. She was not impressed. Chin rising. Small frown gracing her beautiful face. Her eyes swept past Shui quickly before finally falling onto Jun. She studied her new owner.

"Little girl." The spirit said.

Shui knew without a shadow of a doubt it was speaking to her.

"Make sure this bitch doesn't latch her filthy claws on my master. She would only die a most painful death."

Hu Shui immediately ran to her ancestor. Terrified at the cold tone that filled the spirit's words. She knew that it was a promise. Not a threat. Death would be the cost if Jun tried to scratch their ancestor. Why Jun would attempt to scratch anyone was beyond her but that wasn't the issue. The promise was.

She didn't notice when Jun stepped into the center of the courtyard. Her face pressed into her master's robes and shivering like a branch within a stormy day. Kneels clattering together.

The wind shifted. Shui peaked out from behind her ancestor. Her eyes mesmerized by the dancing that overcame Jun. Techniques and things she had never done before. And she knew why. The spirit was imparting upon her guardian and best friend it's enlightenment. Teaching her to use it most effectively.

Jun knew to follow and not attempt to fight it. Soaking as much as she could. At least before it ended and no second enlightenment would come except with great struggle.

"Don't worry," Yin Hu whispered to her. Patting her head. "I'll get you a friend too. Perfect for you."

She perked up.

A friend? Perfect for me?

Hu Shui couldn't help the small smile that appeared on her face. She had only found terrifying spirits. But maybe there were cute ones too? Nice ones that would play with her? Dance with her? Prank Jun and help her escape without getting caught like usual?

She could imagine it. A spirit to replace all her lost friends. To fill the missing gap in her chest after they refused to play with her.

No one wanted to play tag with her anymore.

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