1 Last Words

Dark clouds clustered above a barren clifftop. The air was churning with energy, the beasts that resided in the area grew on edge. Though the passing of centuries had reduced ancient magic to barely a fraction of what it once was, any being could recognize the heavenly power from within their bones.

Two ethereal figures stood by the cliff's edge, seemingly immune to the restlessness in the atmosphere. Yun Da Xia glanced at her watch and took it off, placing it into her inter spacial ring. The time for her tribulations was near.

Strangely, it seemed as if her master had been replaced by an empty shell. It did not seem as if he was aware of his surroundings or of what was to come. Facing him, she could not find a trace of the jovial and confident man who raised her as his own for the past fifteen years.

If it was worry that plagued him because there was a likelihood that she would die today, he would be berating her not to leave him old and alone, not keep silent. Her heart was troubled, but she did not give voice to her turmoil. She would not question her Master's decision to keep something from her. There would be no words or analogy, in this lifetime or in the next, to express the deep trust this disciple had in her master.

Electricity crackled through the atmosphere, jarring pops echoed in the dark. Thunder began to bellow from the clouds gathered above them, flashes of bright silver light blinded the area.

Yun Da Xia cupped her hands and bowed before her master. She kept her self parallel to the floor, her eyes closed. "Master, this before me is the culmination of the blood and sweat you have put into raising me. I would never become the person I am without your guidance and strength. I have willingly bled and persevered to become worthy of your pride and care."

She beat her fist over her heart, silver lining behind her closed eyelids. "You are the father of my heart."

The rumbling of thunder grew greater as lightning flared in closer intervals as the time for tribulations grew near. Despite this, the young woman remained bowing, her short hair flowing in the wind. The picture of this disciple and master, resolute under the turbulent sky, would bring any artist to tears.

A hand gripped her shoulder as her master brought her back to a stand. A hoarse voice spoke, "Never bend your back. None are worthy to receive such respect from you, not even this old fart here."

She stared at her master wide-eyed. Tears streaked his face, yanking harshly on her heartstrings. In the years she had been by his side, even when she was at the brink of death, the old man had never shed a single tear. Now, they were coming from his glassy eyes in waves.

"Master, don't you believe I can get out of this alive? I should be offended!" She exclaimed in mock anger, ignoring the trembling in her lips. Her master gave a wry smile, shaking his head. "That's not what I'm crying about."

"What a baby." Her voice cracked.

He rolled his eyes, causing more tears to run down his face. He took her hand and placed something cold in it, covering it with her fingers so she couldn't see. "When you arrive, look for my brother."

Master's brother? Yun Da Xia blinked her eyes in confusion. Since master wasn't part of this world, could that mean a brother of the heart? Or perhaps, master's blood brother was able to arrive here as well? Before she could ask any questions, her master nodded towards the clouds.

It was time.

"With you as my disciple, how could this life of mine have any regrets?" A smile so gentle adorned. This expression, those words, what did he mean?

"Master?" Yun Da Xia's call was engulfed by the roaring thunder. He mouthed for her to go, and gently pushed her towards the center of the cloud mass. She looked back to see his face, finding a peculiar sort of steadfastness in his gaze.

A coldness gripped her heart. Why did this feel like goodbye?

Slipping the items he gave her into her spacial ring, she pushed her chaotic thoughts to the back of her mind. Now was not a time to be distracted, else she would lose her life.

Without warning, the lightning struck her. A pained gasp escaped her lips as her insides felt like they were being torn apart. Shocks of electricity lit ever cell in her body on fire. Though the blast lasted for only a moment, it felt like a millennium.

The pain disappeared, giving her a few precious moments of respite. She steadied her breathing and prepared to open up her dantian [1] for the lightning's next strike.

When the light flashed again, she was better prepared from the onslaught. She tried to regulate the energy of the lightning striking her body to reduce its impact, but instead ended up falling down in agony. Bad, bad idea. Her lower abdomen felt incredibly sore. This was only the second stage, but she already felt drained.

Pulling herself into a meditative position, she just waited to be struck. Now, she truly understood that there was no way of reducing the pain or avoiding it. For defying the heaven's, one must pay an astronomical fine, or else anyone cold become a Light rank cultivator. Closing her eyes, she focused. The third and fourth stage passed without any major incident.

It was during the fifth stage that Yun Da Xia understood her master's strange attitude. She could feel a chilling power from behind her, shouting harmonizing with the thunderclaps of her tribulations. There was no doubt in her mind that master expected this. But then why continue as if nothing was wrong? Still reeling from the most recent lightning strike, Yun Da Xia watched as men surrounded her master.

"No!" She cried, but there was no power in her voice. She was currently as helpless as a new born calf.

The sixth stage of the tribulation hit, leaving her to blank out for a while before blinking heavily to dispel the black spots that covered her vision. "Master!" She cried, the tears she had suppressed during their parting and during the pain finally ran down her face. An overwhelming metallic scent permeated the air. Her hand gripped the life jade that hung around her neck. Instead of the comforting heat it usually emanated, it was chilling to the bone.

Her next cry erupted at the same time the seventh lightning stage decided to strike.

She could sense the killing intent surrounding the area of her tribulations. If the heaven's didn't end her, there was no doubt that these people would make an attempt for her life as well. Even if she could reach the Light rank, these people weren't simple. Finding someone who could draw his blood in a duel was already a difficult task, what more killing him?

The eighth lightning struck, with her somehow retaining her consciousness. Perhaps when the heaven's ceased their punishment, she could avenge her master by killing off a few of the men.

By the time the ninth lightning descended, thoughts of retribution colored Yun Da Xia's mind. Under the intense power, a sliver of black hair on her head changed its color to match fresh blood.

When the blinding light dissipated, the group of men waiting to slaughter the young woman could only blink in surprise. Beneath the scattering clouds by the cliffside, there was no Yun Da Xia.

°°°

[1] Dantian: also known as 'sea of qi.' Cultivators regulate the flow of energy within their bodies and the outside world through here.