Escape Attempt

Escape Attempt

And so the days rolled on. There wasnt that much aftermath to the tournament for me, other than Lin looking like she wanted to die when she was brought to apologise to me for her actions.

But the tournament had only solidified my desire to leave. I started getting called into the sect a bit more often, for simple things, and each time it was stifling, as the novelty hadnt quite worn off for the girls.

I didnt want to have to walk on eggshells around people. For that I was grateful to Bailu and Seiyuthey never judged me. They never cared. They may not have been the smartest girls, but they were my friends. My big sisters.

==================

I chewed carefully considering what I had put in my mouth and then delivered my verdict.

It tastes good. Youve gotten a lot better.

Yes! Bailu cheered, and then hugged me. See! Not far behind you, Seiyu!

But still behind. Seiyu singsonged back. Indeed. Seiyu had gotten better at cooking quite a bit faster than Bailu had.

Still, the jab didnt seem to diminish her spirits, as she stuck her tongue out at her friend. Well cook dinner tonight, Young Master! Bailu promised.

Oh? Looking forwards to it. I said.

If I had known what was going to happen later, I wouldnt have been optimistic.

Because when I opened the door, I nearly fell back out of it.

Would you like dinner? A bath? Or maybe us? my two idiots chorused, bowing low.

My eye twitched. For some reason the depraved people of Wa had already invented the naked apron.

Big D. I commanded, and my rooster hopped onto my arm. Both Bailu and Seiyu froze, suddenly looking a lot less mischievous.

Uh, well get dressed right away They began.

Sick em.

My rooster meted out divine retribution and managed to pull out a couple of their hairs.

===================================

Objectively, I could say my life was a good one. A great one, even. I got to be a Young Master, I got training from cultivators I never should have gotten. I was privy to secrets I should not have heard. I was taken care of. I met powerful people, oversaw tournaments, and acted as Tianzhe Minyans son.

I even went on a few adventures, pulled along by Chunhua, the bratty yet oddly earnest Young Mistress wanting to spend time with her fellow descendant.

===========================

Big D let out a call and pointed with his wing, his sharp eyes locking on to our quarry.

There she blows! I shouted, almost hysterically, as we shot towards a flying shark as big as an eighteen wheeler. I had stuck it with a harpoon tied to the ship, and it was dragging us along clouds so thick they were acting like actual water, moving faster than Chunhua could fly outside of short bursts. My knuckles were white on the rudder, as I used every ounce of skill to keep us from capsizing. I dont know why I had agreed to this, but Chunhua had been adamant about hunting this maneater down.

The beast shall not escape us! Chunhua shouted, grinning. She was standing on the bow, her arms crossed as we were shaken like a dog. Ill skin it as a gift for Aunt Liliand you can have the teeth! Bailu and Seiyu were both flying beside us and slightly behind, but were content to let us handle things. Ill show you why I came in second in the tournament

It's coming around! Hit it, you little idiot!

Eh?! she screamed. Im not an idioeeep!

The shark had turned, and now all we could see was a massive maw, open wide to swallow us whole.

We should have bought a bigger boat. I groaned, as I grabbed another harpoon.

The ship was nearly shattered, but we ended up winning that day.

I made a necklace out of the teeth, and gave it to Xiaobao. She had been helping me recently, showing me some tricks of her own training.

==================================

And yeteverything here was a lie. A sweet lie. A lie that maybe came close to being true, as I spent more time with Minyan. I liked calling her aunt. I didnt mind calling her mother, for everything that she had done for me. I didnt know if she felt the same.

I could feel the sky calling louder with each day. The horizon seemed to be closer with each moment.

Thus did five months pass, and there was an anniversary. A year since my death, and my rebirth. A year and three months since Rou had first been sent to the Sect. It was an anniversary only I celebrated, in the sanctity of my own mind.

Gramps never sent me any letters.

===============================

Their Young Master was silent today, as he stared into the flames. Normally, Bailus Lord and Master was a vital force, his stamina impressive for his cultivation. He always seemed to be doing something, amusement dancing in his eyes.

But today, he hadnt been. His smile was gone. His movements were lethargic. He hadnt even reacted to either of them when they tried to get a reaction, inviting him to bathe with them.

It took them entirely too long to figure out that it had already been a year. A year since they had crashed into this island, and become their Lords servants.

Bailu could safely say she had thoroughly enjoyed her year of service. The Young Master was fun. He learned Seiyus language. He trained with them, and taught them how to cook. He acted annoyed by their antics and yet he never outright told them to stop. He moaned and complained but he treated them like they were truly like they were family, rather than his servants. Rather than the women who had nearly killed him.

With how they normally were it was all too easy to forget how badly they had hurt him.

Was that it? Was that why he was so morose? Was he remembering a time before all this?

Bailu knew she and Seiyu werent the smartest of women. The heavens knew everybody told them that enough, even though they were always surprised when they found out just how strong they were. But she liked to think she was a bit perceptive, even though Seiyu was better at this kind of thing.

It was their actions that had dragged their Young Master out of hiding. And Elder Minyan had been hiding him. Now, he was basically a part of the sect and he hated every moment of it.

Neither of them knew why he hated the attention so much. Only that he did.

And it was their fault.

Young Master. Would you like us to leave you today? Seiyu asked, putting voice to Bailus thoughts that it was them causing this reaction.

Their Young Master turned to them. He opened his mouth like he wanted to tell them something before he thought better of it.

Though he trusted them there was always one last barrier. Something small, and hidden, that last piece of separation between them. A secret, between him and Elder Minyan.

Finally, however, he spoke. Please stay.

It was quiet. It was lonely.

Bailu was on the log next to him in an instant, and Seiyu was the same on the other side. Bi De jumped up onto their Masters lap, the rooster looking concerned.

Rou smiled at the bird, and ran his fingers through his feathers.

What's the matter? Can we help? Bailu asked, and her Young Master turned to look at her.

It's nothing. Im being dumb. he lied to them.nove(l)bi(n.)com

It was something that was obviously hurting him. Bailu wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Seiyu did the same, and they stared into the fires together.

And then, Their Young Master spoke.

Hey. I think I feel like dancing. he told them.

And so they did. It was slow, rocking, almost, to something invisible.

Bailu. Seiyu. Their Young Master whispered. I want to be free.

Bailu hugged him tighter, her and Seiyus Qi wrapping around him protectively.

And there, that night, they witnessed a miracle, as their Qi linked. Supporting each other.

===========================

I wanted to be free.

The embrace was warm. It was comforting, as we simply stood there before the saplings.

It was a sudden thing. A massive surge of Qi, as it suddenly exploded in size.

The Oak sapling twisted and curved, yet somehow condensed, as it formed the keel, a sturdy spine for the rest of the ship.

Teak grew from the spine, first in ribs, and then, they grew branches that looked like planks, crisscrossing to form solid walls, and a small cabin.

And finally, out of the center of the ship, the maple reached for the skies. The teak and oak wrapped around it, as it rose, tall and proudand from it grew leaves. Great sheets of leaves that started green before deepening to a brilliant red, as the ship grew its own sails.

The ship rose slightly into the air, its roots slithering out of the hole in the ground, and forming landing gear as it settled back down.

I felt a connection immediately. A connection to the ship. I felt a touch. Excitement. Wonder. Curiosity.

My hand reached out, shaking, as I touched the hull. It was warm, and alive. Bailu and Seiyu were right beside me, their eyes just as wide as mine.

And the desire for a name.

Bailu and Seiyu, seeing that their attacks were doing nothing, shot forwards. They spiraled around each other, their Qi feeding and drawing on each other in a massive wall of white shredding wind

A hurricane.

Enough. Minyan said.

And the world was silenced.

The clouds dispersed. The rain all turned to snow. She plucked Bailu and Seiyu out of the air like unruly kittensand then froze them both in blocks of ice.

My idiots had both lasted less than a second.

She left them floating there, as she descended, and I stood up, as tall as I could, to meet her.

We stood there for a moment, looking into each other's eyes. For the first time since I had seen her Minyan looked old.

Foolish boy. She said, and I knew it was over.

===================================

How had things gone so out of control? Minyan wondered to herself, as she looked into Rous eyes.

Green eyes, that even now, challenged her. That even now saw her as an enemy.

It hurt.

Minyan, when she first met Rou, had known that she would never get attached to him. That had been something simple, to her mind. Rou was a boy that Shen Yu had asked her to look after, and that was all.

She met with him sparingly at first, and the boy had been polite to a fault. An acceptable ward. One that wouldnt bother her too much. And then one day, out of curiosity, she asked him about his Life with Shen Yu.

The answer had indisposed her for the better part of half an hour.

She started visiting him more from then on. He truly was Shne Yus son, even if he did not have the man's blood. He was mischievous. He had managed to resist her face, and not fall into madness. He was dutiful.

And then he nearly died to the Storm Wings. She had originally just been worried because of Shen Yus reaction. She was not attached to him. But a slip up on her part had plunged them both into a lie.

That they were mother and son.

Some may have tried to take advantage of itknowing that Minyan would never admit to such a damaging lie. But Rou had not. He maintained their relationship after the accident, even though he was different. A bit more skittish, but paradoxically kinder.

He managed to take the Storm Wings in hand, and somehow won their loyalty, simply by being himself.

Minyan found herself coveting the calligraphy he had produced. She found herself offended that Dongmei would attempt to steal Rou away for Xiaobao. She felt annoyed, when her fairies lusted after the only male some of them had ever met.

She had been utterly furious when she found out what Lin had nearly done until the rest of the story was presented to her, with Rou taking responsibility for misleading the poor girl.

It was then Minyan realised she was growing attached.

She was growing attached, and she found herself not entirely minding, as the days rolled on.

Maybe it was the way he seemed to be rediscovering their lost arts.

Maybe it was the way he laid flowers on her brothers grave, when she had invited him to her home. It hadn't been at her promptingshe had left him alone, and had come back to him paying his respects.

Your sister has been very good to me, and Im very thankful for her protection.

Maybe it was because he got his rooster to find out her birthday, so he could give her a gift. It was a simple thing, a carved stone pendantyet it resonated with her all the same. She wore it in her hair tie, every day.

Maybe it was the way he made up a song for her, when they met in private on New Years EveFor Old Times Friends, he called it, and sung it for her. It had been beautiful. He had not the best singing voicebut neither did Shen Yu, and it was pleasing to her ears all the same.

Maybe it was his bright green eyes and his wide smile that reminded her of her brother.

Maybe it was the loss hidden in his eyes, as he talked about a family butchered by disease.

Maybe it was the way he spoke of getting up, and walking forwards anyways.

Maybe it was when she had told him to show her his full power. He had fought bravely and intelligently, even slightly surprising her with his final move. Rou truly gave it his all, and collapsed.

She caught him, his head resting in the crook of her shoulder.

It had felt right. He had been too big, when she shifted him to carry him on her hip. It had probably looked comical.

But it had felt right.

Her visits went from once a week to twice a week to most days, even just for five minutes, to check on his progress.

She watched him with the Storm Wings, as they acted like siblings.

She watched him with his pet rooster, as they tended to the fields and the growing trees together. They made quite wonderful mealsbetter than Minyan herself could make.

She watched him as he occasionally trained with Xiaobao, when the woman worked up the courage to speak with him. Rou hung onto her every word, and called her Big Sister, much to the red haired womans delight.

She watched him interact with others in the sect. His look of exasperation as he ignored the obnoxious girls. How Lin fled from him on sight. How Seireishang twitched violently whenever she heard the word flasher. He joked with Liusei about taking care of children, and the older woman remarking that Rou reminded her of her husband.

They both have beautiful eyes.

She remembered waiting with Lili, her intent burning, as he and Chunhua came back from the Tyrant Skyshark hunt she had dragged him off on. The young woman looked sheepish, when they finally got back, while Rou had been utterly exhausted, and had teeth marks all over him.

Yet he had spoken with sparkling eyes about the trip to the hunting grounds, how the clouds had acted like waves, as they plunged into them after the man-eater.

She didnt know when she started brushing his hair out of his eyes. She didnt know when she started sitting closer to him.

She didnt know when he changed from Shen Yus boy to her boy.

Time always moved strangely, when one got to be as old as Minyan. The years seemed like days sometimes, and that was finebut every day now felt worth something.

Even as she noted his discomfort. Even if she could tell he was yearning for something else. Everything would turn out fine.

In the blink of an eye, a year and three months passed after she first received that shock introduction; Rou had done it. He had completed the thing they had been trying to do for thousands of years. He had completed a grown Skyship. Even from just looking at it, Young as it was, it was everything she had dreamed of.

It had a soul. It flew under its own power. It would grow stronger and stronger as the days passed.

She had been so happy. Happy with her boy, for what he had accomplished.

And then, she received another shock.

Rou climbing into his skyship, defying her orders to stay. Rou, trying to flee.

She had been enraged. And yet did she have the right to be?

He was right. Rou was a geniussomething that Shen Yu had never recognised, and had luck beyond normal men. Confining him for as long as they needed to figure out the skyship might take a mortal lifetime.

Would Minyan have turned out the way she did, if she had been permanently stuck in the Sect? Would Shen Yu be Shen Yu, living in a gilded cage?

Dont just survive, Minyan. Live! her brother commanded her, as he placed himself in front of the Spirit Beast. Dont be sad at my death! Laugh! Fall in Love! Climb as high as you can, for both of us!

Why do I cultivate? To live! Her Master said, her rainbow eyes sparkling, as she took Minyan on her first flight. The First Lady of Soaring Heavens Isle was passion incarnate, despite her frozen looks. That is what the bird taught us! To live in a world without limits, and see it all! And this, I gift to you, Minyan. Rise. without limits!

I dont fight to survive. I fight to live! To be more than what I was yesterday! Shen Yu declared, his grin manic as he faced down the demonic hordes. The world shall hear me roar! I am Shen Yu! And I am here!

I dont want to just survive! I want to Live! Rou shouted, his green eyes blazing. I want to see it! This world, in all its glory and all its horror! I want to be more than I was. More than I ama caged bird living on handouts!

He wouldnt back down. He wouldnt back down, and neither would the foolish Storm Wings.

Minyan.. Minyan wouldnt have backed down either.

He stood tall and proud, ready for any consequences that might have come.

What a foolish boy.

A year ago Minyan wouldnt have hesitated. In the space between heartbeats Rou would have been chained; the Entire Isle and every Lady would have agreed with her, and damn the consequences of provoking Shen Yu. She would have hardened her heart, and tried to find the secrets Rou now had.

Shen Yu knew him for but a short time. He could get another orphan to train.

It was cold and callous. It was for the good of their sect.

And yet she could hear Rous voice on the breeze, singing a song for every friend Minyan had ever lost. She could see him giving it his all, his eyes shining.

She could feel her thumb dragging along his cheek as he slept, a feeling that she had never felt before in her breast.

She stepped towards him, and he didnt flinch as she grasped his chin, and angled his head down slightly. Almost like she was forcing him to bow

And placed a kiss on his forehead.

Her boy was truly foolish.

============================