The Mistake

"Is it around here?" Teal asked as the reached the mid-way point of the mountain. Another boom shook the ground, and it's strength compared to the others they felt before confirmed the answer to her question.

Wilson pulled out his guqin and stepped forward cautiously towards the cluster of trees and bushes. "I'll go first," he said.

Gena followed after him close behind.

Eryn pursed her lips and walked into the woods as well. Something about this was telling her that it wasn't the enemy, but someone else. There was no way no one would've noticed them coming if they were in the range of the mountain.

She heard a rustle beside her and looked down to see Teal skipping along with her as she walked, smiling brightly. "Sister!" she cried out with a wave.

Gena whirled her head around and shushed her. "Be. Quiet," she hissed.

Teal clamped her hand over her mouth but continued to skip.

Eryn snorted.

Another boom almost threw the entourage off their feet.

"Dang it," Wilson muttered as he almost tripped over some vines. "We're so close."

"Wait," Eryn said. "We don't have to be so secretive." There was no way the enemy could suddenly bring up such a powerful force just for their people whom's fate remains unknown to them. At most they'll probably send a smaller group than the first.

Wilson turned around and gave her an uncertain look. "Why?" he asked. "It could be the enemy."

Eryn shook her head. "No, it's not. Listen."

They all fell silent.

A faint voice sounded in the distance, and it sounded as if it were muffled by something. "Break...let...in!" was all they were able to hear.

Eryn released a breath and stepped forward, leading way. She waved them on. "Come," she said.

The others were a bit reluctant as they watched her change direction and push through the many leaves and branches, but gave in once Teal happily followed Eryn with no complaints.

They wove their way through the woods, and it took a while before the trees gave way to a small, empty field in the middle of the mountain.

Eryn smiled, gesturing at her brother and his great black dragon as the senior disciples stepped up next to her, their jaws dropping at the sight of the enormous spirit beast. "See, I told you," she said. "They're no enemies."

But the situation they see in front of them was quite awkward.

"Hit it harder!" Elias shouted, shaking his fist up at his dragon.

"I'm trying," Drachnai rumbled irritatingly. He rammed his head forward and collided with the invisible dome, creating another loud boom that shook the mountain.

It seems that the energy shield that they created managed to slip between Elias and his dragon while they were out here, locking Elias out of the dome.

"Aren't you supposed to be the mighty Drachnai?" Elias' muffled voice hollered. "Why can't you break this puny shield?" He summoned his powers and sent a blast of shadows at the energy shield, only for it to repel and hit him in the chest, knocking him off his feet.

Teal stifled a giggle. "Brother Elias is funny," she tittered.

Wilson and Gena put away their guqins now that they realize there was no danger. "Ah, how troublesome," Wilson murmured.

"Is there a way to get him back inside?" Eryn asked.

"Yes, of course," Gena answered. "Anyone can walk out, but not everyone can walk back inside. The only reason that the black dragon is not able to get through from the inside of the barrier is because it is a spirit. The spirit has to be in contact with its' host for it to be able to pass through."

Eryn followed her as she walked towards the dragon, finally making their presence known.

"'Ryn, I'm stuck out here!" Elias yelled.

Eryn grinned, trying not to laugh. "Yes, I know. We'll get you back inside real quick," she reassured.

Drachnai took notice of them and lowered his head to their level. "Oh, it's Eryn!" he hummed. "Who's this?"

Gena bowed before him, clearly still not used to see a talking spirit, nevertheless one as great as a dragon. "I am Gena Wu of Infernal Spirit Sect. Greetings to the black dragon, Drachnai," she said a little too formally.

Drachnai barked a laugh. "Why are you so cautious?" he asked, amused. "Are you afraid that I will bite?"

Gena straightened up awkwardly. "Er...no. Of course not!"

Drachnai tilted his head to the left, then right, then back again. "Well, you don't have to bow to me or anything. It's not like you have to bow to Eryn or Elias, either," he pointed out.

Gena sucked in a breath. "You're right," she said. "I won't do that again."

Drachnai flashed a sharp grin. "But, of course, if there is someone I don't like, then I shall make them bow," he said mischievously. "Heh, that would feel really good."

Gena gave an awkward laugh. "Yes..." She quickly changed the subject. "I'll get Brother Elias back inside."

She walked up to the side of the dome and pressed her hand against it. And just from her touch, a small opening was formed, just big enough to let Elias slip back inside.

"Uh, thank you," Elias said, scratching his head.

Gena smiled. "Anyone from the Infernal Spirit Sect can do so since the shield was cast by us. But since Sister Eryn helped out, she can also leave and enter the dome as she likes, as well."

Eryn nodded, understanding. "So that's how it is...," she mumbled thoughtfully.

Elias went up to Drachnai and called him back, and the black dragon disappeared once again.

Eryn raised an eyebrow at him as he walked back up to her. "What were you doing here?" she asked suspiciously.

Elias gave an awkward laugh. "Well, uh, it was Drachnai's idea," she said quickly.

Eryn scowled and stomped on his foot. "So you're going to blame your dragon for something your stupidity?" she hissed, jabbing her a finger at his chest. "Are you asking for a beating?"

"Fine, fine," he said. "But it really was Drachnai who told me to come here. He said I was...lazy...and that I haven't trained at all in the past month. He suggested coming to the mountain where no one would bother us..."

Eryn blinked at him. "...Yes. Yes, Drachnai has a point," she said a-matter-o-factly. "You really have gotten a little lazy." She turned on her heel and headed back down the mountain, Teal and the rest following her close behind.

"Eh? Aw, come on!" Elias complained, jogging to catch up with his sister. "I only took a...short break from training-"

Eryn held up a hand. "Save it," she said. "If you're lazy, then you're lazy."

Elias crossed his arms and grumbled. "Fine. Where are we going?"

"Back to the sect," Eryn said. "Have you seen Elder Sima today or yesterday? The last time we saw him, he said to get ready to depart or Mystic Sky Sect, but I haven't seen him."

He shrugged. "I haven't seen him either. Where do you think he went?"

"I'm right here!" a familiar voice interrupted.

The little entourage whirled around at the addition of a new voice.

It was Elder Sima that stood in the air above them, looking completely refreshed with his new sparkling robes and hair crown that tied up the upper half of his white hair. He descended to the ground and beamed at them, wrinkles creasing at the corners of his eyes.

The disciples from Infernal Sky Sect bowed low at his presence. "Elder," they greeted.

"Yes, yes," he said as they straightened back up.

"Where did you go these two days?" Eryn asked, making her way forward to stand before him.

Elder Sima's smile grew wider. "I went back to my sect to announce your arrival before coming back to take you there," he said with a low chuckle. Then, as he finished his sentence, two figures shot down from the sky and touched-down lightly on the ground.

The two young men straightened up and flanked Elder Sima at both sides; their blue and white robes were equally as brilliant as the elder's, standing tall and mighty beside him.

Such grand presence...

"Master," said the young man on his left. He had lightly tanned skin and long black hair which was half-up, just like Elder Sima's. At his side hung a gleaming white sword and sheath from the belt, and he held quite an imposing aura. "You said Grandmaster Feng's chosen one was waiting for us at the Infernal Spirit Sect, why did we stop here?"

The one on his right snorted and swung his blonde locks out of his eyes. He had no sword, but Eryn could tell he was just as powerful as the other, considering his lack of aura.

He smiled deviously. "Junior Brother, they're standing right in front of you, can't you see?"

Elder Sima sighed. "Be quiet, you two. You begged to come, and I agreed as I was short on time. Please don't start any disruptions."

The two shut their mouths and glared at each other.

Elder Sima shook his head. "Never mind them," he said, shifting his attention back to the twins. "Eryn, Elias...I hope you're ready. We can leave now."