Opening theme song "Shadows" by Lindsey Stirling
The moon cast a silver glow over the field, illuminating the anxious faces of the students. The cold breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves and carrying the faint scent of damp earth.
"Kimora,"
"Miss Kimora,"
"Kimora,"
The harsh weather seemed to match the tension in the air as several voices echoed throughout the field, in search of Kimora, who had disappeared since afternoon after being dragged away by one of the fang young Masters.
Taj led the search, his curly hair fluttering in the cold breeze of the harsh weather. Ohmkatapon followed behind him, his eyes darting around, searching for Kimora.
Three students from the Lin Yan sect joined the search. Wuba-Fa hovered in the front, in the air. Their tiny wings flapping behind them.
"Oh, Miss, where could you be?" Wuba quibbled, her big eyes welling up in crystal-colored tears.
"We have to find her, let's keep searching," Taj encouraged, his voice rough with worry.
The moonlight cast long shadows across the field, making it seem like the students were being watched by unseen eyes.
Ohmkatapon narrowed his eyes into a deep frown, his hands on his hips as he stopped walking.
"Why don't we go ask the bloody guy with the silver mask face?"
Taj stopped abruptly and glanced at him, his brows cocked. "As if it's easy!" He berated through clenched teeth.
The wind picked up, carrying the distant howl of a wolf. The sound sent a shiver down the spines of the students.
"Dude, the damn guy dragged her from the training ground before our very eyes!" Ohm protested.
Taj rolled his eyes instead. "I was there! So don't recount!" He retorted.
"If you want to look for the crazy mask guy so badly, rather, I suggest we go meet the Masters and report to them instead." He added.
Ohm let out a deep sigh, his mind racing in his own thoughts.
At that moment, Master Li's voice cut in. "What's going on here?" She questioned, her haw-like eyes sizing each of them up.
She had just stepped out for a while and returned to find the students outside the field, their faces tense with worry.
The moonlight highlighted the concern etched on their faces. "I asked, what's going on here?" She repeated her question, not getting any response.
Taj clicked his tongue. "That's what I want to know too. What the hell is going on with this place?
One crazy man dragged Kimora before your very eyes and you all did nothing. Now she's missing!" Taj explained in suppressed rage.
The wind died down, and an unsettling silence fell over the group. Ohm unconsciously pulled him back. "Hey, man, that's too harsh!" Taj scuffed instead.
Master Li silently watched them as her mind went into deep thought. Unlike her usual self, she didn't deal with Taj for raising his voice at her.
She cleared her voice instead. "You all should return to your dorm first. I will take care of this."
Ohm tried to protest, "But…"
"Pay attention to instructions!" Master Li scolded in a cold tone without batting an eye.
Wuba-Fa, still hovering in the background, suddenly exclaimed, making the others look over their shoulders at the same time.
"Miss Kimora…" Wuba screamed in a voice filled with excitement and immediately died in horror at her disheveled manner.
Kimora dragged herself into the field, her feet crunching on the dry leaves and twigs. Her face was pale, her lips drained of color. Scratches from trees were evidence on her skin.
Master Li furrowed her brows, her expression unreadable.
The moonlight shone brightly on their faces, highlighting the concern and worry etched on their features. Taj and Ohm moved past her in a flash and ran to Kimora.
"Kimora, what happened to you?" Ohm asked, his eyes examining her, his voice laced with worry.
Taj held her by her arms and scrutinized her. "What did he do to you?" He asked.
Kimora silently shook her head, tired from exhaustion. The cold breeze brushed their faces harshly, making them shiver.
Master Li, standing silently by the side, cleared her throat. "Enough already," she said.
"I will take it from here." She added, glancing at Kimora, her voice soothingly calm.
Taj and Ohm hesitated. "How should we trust you?" Taj retorted.
A deep smile almost tugged at Master Li's lips. "Is that even a question?" Her eyebrows raised.
Ohm shook Taj gently, patting his shoulders. Master Li continued with a straight face.
"You all should return to your rooms and take a rest."
She took a walk and stood in front of Kimora. Her lips twitched as she sized her up.
Kimora had her eyes lowered to the ground, hugging herself, lost in thought.
Master Li glanced at Wuba-Fa. "Your Miss looks like a ghost; she looks like she may faint any minute.
You know what to do."
Wuba-Fa nodded together and hovered close to Kimora, muttering some strange words. A glint of light shone flash from them, and they disappeared there with Kimora.
Master Li also took her leave from there.
Taj let out a deep breath he didn't realize he was holding in since the beginning of the search. Ohm slightly pat him on the back.
Taj turned around to meet the eyes of three students who joined them in the search.
"Thanks guys, I appreciate it," Taj said.
"We appreciate it, not just I." Ohm corrected. A wide smile spread on his lips.
The three students just nod in understanding and turn to head back to their rooms.
Taj and Ohm also started to walk back to their rooms. "Damn! I'm hungry. Do you think there's still food left at the dining hall?" Ohm complained in a whining voice.
Their voices faded with their footsteps.
...
Inside Kimora's room, the warm aroma of the steam bath still lingered in the air as she sat down on the edge of her bed, draped in a long, soft garment.
Her expression was devoid of color, lost in thought. Wuba hovered in mid-air in front of her, handing her a mug of hot tea that emitted a soothing steam.
The warmth of the mug seeped into Kimora's hands as she accepted it.
"Miss Kimora, how are you feeling now?" Wuba asked with concern, her voice gentle.
Kimora glanced towards the glistening light from the garden below the porch behind her bedroom instead, the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves a gentle hum in the background.
The door opened with a creak, and Master Li walked into the room in a calm manner. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes seemed to hold a deep understanding.
Kimora immediately got up from her bed, her movements fluid.
"Master Li…"
She acknowledged, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's okay, Kimora," Master Li said, her voice calm and reassuring.
"How are you feeling?" She asked, her eyes locked onto Kimora's.
"I don't know," Kimora replied in a tired voice, sniffing back her dried tears.
The taste of salt lingered on her lips.
Master Li let out a deep sigh and said, "I apologize on behalf of the other Masters."
Kimora's eyes widened, her mind racing with unanswered questions. What exactly was she apologizing for?
Master Li's words hung in the air like a challenge.
Master Li continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "I know it's been hard on you since you found yourself here.
And bearing the weight of a new identity and responsibility."
Kimora silently stared into her face, trying to read her expression. Wuba hovered closer, her presence a comforting warmth.
"I don't usually do this, but I have to, to help you and the others," Master Li further explained, her words laced with conviction.
"To survive in this world, you need to become strong.
So, Kimora, if I were you, I would face my reality and prepare myself for what may come." Master Li's tone turned more urgent, her words dripping with intensity.
Feeling dejected, Kimora countered, her voice barely above a whisper, "But I never asked for this…"
"Nobody did, Kimora. We all have a price to pay. And you need to become strong so no one can bully you again!" Master Li retorted, her voice firm but laced with empathy.
"Being a Taoism Bloodline bears a stronger weight and draws enemies towards you like an insect." Master Li's words hung in the air, the silence that followed oppressive.
Kimora gasped at the new information, her heart racing with fear. Wuba's presence seemed to grow warmer, a comforting presence in the face of uncertainty.
"I know you already feel threatened by Jaden Fang," Master Li exclaimed, her voice low and serious. Kimora squinted her eyes in confusion.
"The young man whose half-face was covered with a silver mask that dragged you away," Master Li clarified, seeing her confused expression.
"That's why you need to be strong, accept your new identity, and face it head-on."
Unconsciously, Kimora traced the faint fingerprint left around her neck by Jaden Fang and hissed in pain from the impact. The memory of the pain still lingered, a dull ache in her mind.
Master Li let out a deep sigh.
"Hopefully, you'll see the reason once you sleep on it. I'll take my leave." She concluded and turned to leave.
Kimora stood by her bed, unmoving, her eyes fixed on Master Li's retreating form. Wuba hovered beside her, a comforting presence.
"Master Li,"
She called out suddenly, her voice filled with determination.
Master Li, whose hands were on the doorknob, stopped abruptly. She slowly looked over her shoulder, her eyebrows cocked.
"What is it?"
Kimora dropped to the floor on her knees, her head lowered. With a heavy heart, she declared, "Please accept me as your student and teach me to be strong!"
Master Li dragged in a deep breath, her eyes lingering on Kimora for a long time. Wuba-Fa's eyes glowed at their mistress's request, a soft hum of approval.
They hovered close to Kimora and joined her in her posture, bowing their heads in a funny posture.
"Meet me at the training ground tomorrow morning," Master Li finally said, a small smile playing on her lips, and left the room.