The path to the Qi Shrine curled through the heart of Sereneth, past quiet gardens and moss-covered stone statues. Villagers paused to watch Vyvian and Faye walk by some whispering, some nodding in greeting.
"Looks like you're popular," Faye teased, nudging Vyvian with her elbow.
Vyvian puffed out his chest. "Of course. I'm charming."
A child pointed at him. "Mama, why is that boy walking like a rooster?"
Faye snorted. "Charming."
Vyvian groaned. "Why does this world hate me?"
They reached the base of the shrine stairs just as a cold ache pricked Vyvian's chest again. He pressed his hand against it, wincing.
Faye noticed instantly. "Again? You should tell the elder."
"It's fine," Vyvian muttered. "Probably indigestion."
"From what?" Faye said. "You had one steamed bun."
"Exactly! Dangerous food."
Before she could smack him again, the grand entrance of the shrine came into view tall wooden pillars carved with spiraling motifs, and a wide stone courtyard filled with drifting leaves. The air vibrated faintly, as though the ground hummed with ancient energy.
Vyvian shaded his eyes. "Man… this place is huge."
"And sacred," Faye whispered.
Then loudly added, "So don't say anything stupid."
"What? I never "
She punched the back of his head.
---
Inside, Elder Seraiyah stood near the inner hall—an old man with silver hair tied high, calm eyes that seemed to see through everything, and a staff decorated with shimmering blue beads.
Faye bowed deeply. "Elder Seraiyah, thank you for seeing us. Vyvian is here for training."
Seraiyah's gaze drifted to Vyvian.
Vyvian lifted his hand lazily. "Yo."
Faye nearly collapsed.
Seraiyah blinked once. Twice.
"Quite the hasty child," he murmured, voice mild. "At least he is honest."
He motioned them forward. "Come. Let me show you the shrine."
---
Inside the Shrine
The hall was enormous pillars lined with glowing symbols, lanterns casting warm golden light, and a long carpet stretching forward like a river of red and gold ink. Strange patterns danced along the carpet, living almost like breathing art.
Vyvian pointed at them. "Elder, what are those?"
Seraiyah tapped his staff lightly against the designs. "These depict the Five Primordial Creatures. Legends claim they are the first beings of Qi older than tribes, older than language. Every shrine honors them."
Vyvian squinted. "What do they do?"
"Nothing," Seraiyah said simply. "We know nothing about them. Not where they came from. Not where they are now. Legends say those who have a Primordial Creature within them wield great power… but legends tend to exaggerate."
Faye took in every word with bright attention.
Vyvian absorbed exactly three syllables.
As they walked deeper, Seraiyah suddenly stepped in front of Vyvian, blocking his path.
"Boy."
"Uh… yes?"
Seraiyah stared directly into his eyes. "If I shout at you, will you panic?"
"What kind of question"
"HEY!"
"GAH!" Vyvian jumped so hard he tripped over his own feet and hit the carpet face-first.
Seraiyah stroked his beard. "As I thought. Easily startled."
Faye wheezed with laughter. "Easily startled? This man almost died of surprise!"
Vyvian groaned into the carpet. "Why is my life pain…"
The elder smiled gently. "It is part of training. One must know their temperament."
---
The Meditation
Seraiyah gestured at the center of the carpet.
"Sit. Clear your mind. Breathe. The shrine will do the rest."
Vyvian gulped but sat down cross-legged, hands on knees.
Faye crossed her arms. "Bet he lasts ten seconds before screaming."
But to her shock, Vyvian exhaled slowly… closed his eyes… and fell perfectly still.
Seraiyah nodded with approval. "Good."
Faye blinked. "What? Him?!"
She leaned forward to poke him
and was flung back by an invisible barrier, hitting the ground on her backside.
"Agh HEY! Elder?!"
"He has entered the habitat of his inner creature," Seraiyah said calmly. "If he adapts to that place, he will gain control over his Qi and be able to transform at will."
Faye crossed her arms, watching nervously. "He better come out alive…"
---
Inside Vyvian's Habitat
A howl of icy wind tore through the air.
Vyvian gasped as he found himself standing in a bleak, frozen wasteland. Snow fell like shards. Dark clouds swirled above. A biting cold seeped into his bones instantly.
"Wh–what is this?! FAYE?! OLD MAN?! ANYONE?!"
Silence.
"Great. I'm alone in snow hell."
Thunder cracked across the sky, and freezing rain began falling, cold enough to sting his skin.
"Oh come ON! Did that old man throw me into a punishment dimension?!"
He ran toward the only tree he saw bare, skeletal branches, no leaves.
"I hate this. I hate everything."
He curled up beneath it, shivering and stayed curled up for more than a hour.
"I'm so weak… If I were like Faye, this stupid cold wouldn't bother me."
He scooped snow into his hands. It melted immediately.
"Even snow melts under pressure… like me. I… I can't do anything right."
A heavy weight pressed on his chest as the storm roared around him.
"I'm really failing, huh… I can't even handle being inside my own mind..."
And before he could finish
He jolted awake.
---
Back in the Shrine
"I'M ALIVE!" he shouted, leaping to his feet.
Faye flicked his forehead instantly.
"You meditated for one minute. Why are you screaming?"
"One minute?!" Vyvian grabbed her shoulders. "I was stuck in that nightmare for more than a hour!"
"Time moves differently in the habitat," Seraiyah said. "Now then… your Qi should respond to you. Try it."
Vyvian inhaled sharply.
"Okay… here goes nothing."
He pressed his palm to his chest. White mist curled around him—but it flickered oddly, almost glitching. Something was off.
Neither Faye nor the elder mentioned it.
The mist burst.
A flash of light filled the room—
—and Vyvian transformed into a short, four-foot snake.
Faye's jaw dropped.
Then she exploded in laughter.
"HAHA—OH NO—YOU'RE A SNAKE?! A TINY SNAKE?!"
She fell to her knees, wheezing.
"I will bite you," Vyvian snapped, sounding deeply offended for a snake.
Seraiyah cleared his throat. "Enough. Now, before you two leave the region, there's someone I wish you to take with you."
Vyvian blinked. "Someone?"
The elder's expression softened. "My grandson. He lost both his parents in a tragic incident. Though he smiles, he carries heavy guilt. A journey will help heal him."
Vyvian nodded. "We'll help him, elder."
Faye nodded too. "Of course."
Seraiyah called upstairs. "Rem! Come greet our guests."
Footsteps pattered quickly. A young boy burst down the stairs—bright-eyed, messy-haired, full of energy.
"Really?! I can go?! Hurray!!"
He bowed enthusiastically.
"Hello Vyvian! Hello Faye! I'm Rem! Thank you for taking me!"
Faye smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, Rem."
Vyvian grinned. "We're glad to have you."
"Stay the night," Seraiyah said. "Depart tomorrow at sunrise. I will prepare supplies."
Dinner was lively Rem talking nonstop, Vyvian trying not to insult anyone, Faye laughing at every failure. By the time they finished, the shrine's warm lanterns lulled them into sleep.
---
The Next Morning
Dawn painted the world gold as the three young travelers tightened their packs.
Seraiyah placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Travel far. Learn well. And protect each other."
"We will," Faye said.
Vyvian nodded. "Promise."
Rem saluted with both hands. "We'll come back stronger!"
The trio stepped beyond the shrine gates, wind brushing their faces.
Their journey had finally begun.