The arid wind howled as Shui Yi and Ling Yue trudged through the barren landscape. Sand stung their eyes; the earth lay cracked and desolate beneath their feet. The thin, gaunt crowd paused their work. Some dropped their tools, their eyes widening as the two women entered the village. The murmurs began as whispers, rippling through the crowd with every step.
"Why are they staring at us?" the mermaid muttered. The hairs on the back of her neck stood as the sharp glances trailed them.
Her companion raised a brow and flicked her silver-blue hair back. "Oh, you noticed? They can't handle my beauty," she said, tilting her chin up and smirking. She gestured with a hand and tsked at Shui Yi. "Look at your silver hair and ghostly complexion. They probably think you're a banshee come to scream them into the afterlife."
Shui Yi glanced at her companion, giving her a skeptical look. "Well, at least I look more like them than you. You've got silver-blue hair and azure-colored skin. They must think you're a demon."
Ling Yue snorted in amusement, clearly enjoying the playful jab. Then she nudged the mermaid. "Oh please, I haven't even shown them what a demon looks like yet. Shall we humour them?"
The mermaid shook her head, her frown deepening as the whispers grew louder. Their gazes grew more pointed, less curious, and more accusatory. She caught the words, "witch," and "demon", floating in the air. "Do you think they'll come after us?" her voice dropped to a whisper, her anxiety growing.
The guardian's playful smirk wavered, her eyes scanning the crowd. "If they do, we'll give them something to remember," she said, her tone challenging. "But for now, it's all talk, no bite."
Bite? Are they really that hungry? Shui Yi bit her lower lip and sighed. "These humans must have been through a lot."
Ling Yue's gaze flicked over the crowd again, her fingers drumming on her chin. The whispers had only intensified, and the villagers' fear was palpable. A child, no older than five, dropped a small ball at their feet. Tears welled in his wide eyes as his small hands trembled. His mother quickly rushed to gather him up, casting a fearful glance at the two women.
"They don't like what they don't understand," the guardian murmured, her gaze lingering on the frightened mother. "The more different you are, the more danger you attract. Especially here."
Shui Yi's gaze swept back to the villagers. Their stares bore into her, as if every pair of eyes judged her. She couldn't help but think these stares were far more intense than when she swam through her hometown, with an eel wrapped around her face. The fear she felt now was far more treacherous. She rubbed her arms, the villagers' stares prickling her skin. "I don't think I can stay here any longer."
Ling Yue crinkled her nose, then let out a sigh. "No, we can't. But running's not the answer. We just escaped death — this should be a breeze."
Shui Yi hesitated but eventually nodded. "I don't know how we'll manage, though. They look like they're ready to raise their pitchforks against us..."
Her companion gave a teasing smile, clearly determined to lighten the mood. "If they think you're a witch, just tell them I'm your demon companion. I'll put on a show. Maybe you'll get a village full of fans."
"Wait," the mermaid said, placing a hand on the guardian's shoulder, "are we allowed to use magic in this realm? Wouldn't that make things worse?"
"Oh right, there's a rule about strong magic in the Mortal Realm," Ling Yue replied with a dismissive wave. "Something about humans not being able to handle it, and it would throw everything into disarray… my master drilled it into me about the balance of realms..." her eyes welled up at the mention of Long Fei. She took a deep breath and shook her head. "For the love of the seas, I can't use my sonic powers or water tendrils, but your healing ability should be alright."
Shui Yi's eyes welled up, and a lump caught in her throat, but she forced a small chuckle despite herself, grateful for the brief lift in mood. Still, as they continued walking, whispered words escalated and grew more insistent. The fear was suffocating, and words like "demon" and "witch" clung to the air like an inescapable miasma.
A stone flew toward them. Shui Yi flinched, covering her face, but Ling Yue caught it mid-air and crushed it, letting the dust trickle slowly from her grasp. Gasps escaped the crowd as she casually brushed off her hands. Then, someone dared to shoot an arrow at her face. Without looking, Ling Yue caught the arrow between her fingers and sent it flying back, pinning the bow to the nearest wooden pillar with a sharp thud. The bow swung side to side, the sound echoing across the dumbfounded crowd.
The guardian's expression darkened and she spoke through gritted teeth. "It's getting worse. Can you do me a favor and scream in your highest pitch?"
The mermaid nodded grimly. She took a deep breath, then belted out a piercing scream. The villagers recoiled, clutching their ears, and immediately hid, more terrified than before. Some whisked their children away from their play and slammed their doors shut.
"Run! She's a banshee!" a villager cried out, his face pale as he ran through the dirt streets.
"See? I told you," Ling Yue said as a devilish grin spread across her face. "That cleared some space."
"We'll have to hide," she said quietly, her voice carrying an edge of resolve. "Until we figure out what to do next, we need to stay out of sight. Let them think we're ghosts, witches, whatever keeps them away."
The playful mood had completely dissolved. They had no choice now but to live like hermits, away from prying eyes, with no one to rely on but each other.
"Alright," Shui Yi said softly, her gaze meeting her friend's. "Let's find somewhere else to stay, then."
Her friend placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, her eyes sharp, constantly watching the crowd. "We'll survive. And when we do, we'll make them regret ever thinking we were anything less than gods."
Shui Yi allowed herself a small, fleeting smile. The road ahead was uncertain, but with Ling Yue at her side, she had a chance.
Together, they turned from the village and wandered toward the mountains. There, high atop a dried-up peak, a bamboo hut waited quietly for them in seclusion.