Backtrack to the Past (Part 2)

Kira had been wandering around the Heavenly Clinic for a while. After visiting a few of the patients who accepted his presence, he ventured back to the river and stared at his reflection. He wondered how Riku was doing. Kira knew Riku was absolutely terrible at expressing emotions, often exhibiting rage to get his point across, regardless of who was talking.

Maybe I should go back. Kira thought to himself. I know Riku and Tazuna said to leave them alone… But maybe there's something I can do to help.

The Red Wolf had set his mind on going back to the clinic, when something reflected from the water's surface. This caused his attention to focus on a surprisingly large crevice in the wall just beside the waterfall. Curiosity got the best of him as he decided to explore the strange new place. He leapt up the rocks, easily scaling the wall and barely managed to poke his head through the crevice. The crevice opened up to reveal a long passageway.

How far does this go?! Kira gasped, as he walked through the passageway. It seems like it goes deeper into the mountain!

Suddenly, Kira stopped in his tracks after he started to round the bend of the passageway. In front of him was a cave. And in this cave, were what appeared to be candles.

Candles? Kira questioned with curiosity.

Suddenly, a monstrous thunderbolt illuminated the cave, as a rush of intense heat washed over Kira's skin. He recovered from the initial shock, as he lowered his arm that shielded his eyes. Not even bothering to think about the consequences behind his actions, Kira sprinted towards the cave.

“What happened?!” came his question, before he realized who he was staring at.

Wei Zhan and Ning Yuan groaned in obvious pain. Ning Yuan pressed his hand against his head to relieve the intense migraine he experienced. Both of the young cultivators had broken out into an ice cold sweat. They could feel their eardrums pounding with pressure as their heart rates increased.

They had been meditating to further advance their cultivation skills. The spiritual energy the boys felt through their bodies, was reabsorbed in a repetitive cycle of cleansing. Ning Yuan managed to reach the 7th stage of Qi cultivating two months ago. Wei Zhan, on the other hand, was on his 6th stage and was on the verge of getting through a stubborn Bottleneck, or spiritual blockage that prevented him from advancing further. But because of Kira's sudden appearance, Ning Yuan and Wei Zhan had been spiritually disrupted and were struck with a violent Turbulence, or a strong spiritual punishing.

In this case, they were struck by a metaphorical lightning bolt.

“Ning Yuan! Wei Zhan! Are you two alright?!” Kira gasped, as he quickly hurried to their sides.

“It’s… you.” Ning Yuan sighed breathlessly.

“Give us… a minute…” Wei Zhan wheezed, as he begrudgingly declined Kira's help.

Kira watched helplessly as Ning Yuan withdrew a ceramic bottle. After taking a few gulps of the liquid, he passed the bottle to Wei Zhan, who downed the remaining portion of the contents. A look of disgust crossed his face. Kira watched on in concern since there was nothing he could physically do but offer moral support. And just what was that ominous bolt of lightning that struck them?

“May I ask what you're doing here?” Ning Yuan asked, after a while of resting.

“Yeah!” Wei Zhan criticized harshly. "And I was close to making a Breakthrough too…”

“I-I'm sorry!” Kira apologized immediately. “I… was just exploring the passage! And when you got hit by that lightning bolt, I got scared…”

“You know for a cultivator, you don't do a good job at reading a room.”

“A-Wei.” Ning Yuan warmly chastised, before he turned his attention back to Kira. “We were only meditating. There's no need to be frightened.”

“A cultivator who doesn't know how to cultivate can't possibly survive on their own.” spat a voice from behind Kira.

A boy dressed in elegant, golden robes emerged from around the corner of the small cave. His arm had been bandaged, as was his left leg. It was only because of Wu Qing's abilities as a doctor that Lan Yu was able to walk around much less be alive.

Lan Yu just returned from an important assignment, on behalf of Wu Qing’s orders. He'd just delivered his intel to her, when he sensed an unfamiliar spike in energy from nearby. But, after he ventured into the seclusion cave, he certainly didn't expect to be confronted by a kid as young as Kira.

“Ugh. No wonder the cave started to reek of foul smelling energy.” Wei Zhan spat in great annoyance, as he glared at the boy.

“It's better than whatever foul attitude you woke up in this morning.” Lan Yu shot back immediately.

“Young Master Lan.” Ning Yuan interrupted, “Have you found anything concerning the recent disappearance?”

“It was nothing but a waste of time.”

“I’m not surprised. I'm not sure why Elder Sister gave the assignment to you. She would've done better sending a dog instead of you.” Wei Zhan mumbled, raising his voice so Lan Yu would hear.

“You–!”

“Did you at least have fun?” Kira asked with a sweet smile.

“Hmph! You're the one that Elder Sister picked up on the way back to the clinic. You'd be thankful she saved your life. Because if it were left to me, I–!”

He'd been so displaced so fast, that Lan Yu began to wonder what had actually happened. Without giving much thought about the sudden attack, Lan Yu armed himself with his golden bow. Lan Yu took a breath and sent the arrow flying. It was clear he was aiming for a headshot. Kira felt a snarl vibrating in his throat, as he grabbed the arrow with quick precision. With a hefty throw, Kira returned the arrow back to Lan Yu. The iron tip cut Lan Yu’s cheek, before exploding upon hitting the ground.

Lan Yu didn't have much time to react, until Kira delivered a powerful roundhouse kick. Wei Zhan was in the midst of throwing a punch at Kira. His eyes widened when a quick flash of yellow was sent flying. Wei Zhan instinctively caught Lan Yu body. Both boys flew back and crashed into Ning Yuan. He managed to save his friends, but not before feeling an intense spike in spiritual pressure radiating from Kira's small body. A devastatingly, malicious smile crossed the child's face, as he turned and stealthily began to walk towards the three young cultivators.

“Kira!” Tazuna called out from a distance.

"Where are you?" Riku called out immediately after.

The Red Wolf suddenly snapped out of his instinct induced state. He sunk to his knees. Thr Wolves were joined by Wu Qing, who rushed past him to check on the three young cultivators. As Wu Qing immediately checked on their vital signs, her eyes filled with an ignited rage, as she whirled her head back to Kira.

“What did you do?!” Wu Qing shouted, as she cradled Lan Yu.

“You dare yell at Kira?!” Riku raged back, as he held Kira against him. “That little, loudmouth brat of yours deserved whatever happened to him!”

“Elder Sister…” strained a small voice.

Ning Yuan slowly sat up, his hand gently pressed against his head. A small groan escaped from his lips, as he surveyed the current situation. Wei Zhan had done the same. However, unlike both of his friends, Lan Yu seemed to have suffered the most. While the young cultivator wasn’t dead, he certainly sustained quite a few more extensive injuries. And because of those injuries, it would take him another three days to make another full recovery.

“Don't blame her...” Ning Yuan defended, as he looked at Kira. “She became angry at what Young Master Lan told her.”

“Ning Yuan.”

You damned Humans… Riku snarled mentally, as he intensely glared at the boys with his own murderous intent.

“I don't blame her at all! I can't tell you how many times I thought about beating the hell out of this spoiled mistress!” Wei Zhan agreed haphazardly. “Just… not to this extent.”

“Am I supposed to care?!” Riku snapped angrily, his voice resembling more like a growl.

“A-Wei.” Ning Yuan warned quietly.

A sword glinted with translucency that ethereally shimmered white like freshly fallen snow. And that was only to describe the blade itself. Etched into the exquisite blade was an inscription that read: "Protect the unprotected.

“Elder Sister!” Ning Yuan gasped, as he saw Wu Qing holding her sword.

“Ning Yuan. Wei Zhan. If you two can still have the energy to talk, take Lan Yu back to the clinic and start nurturing his wounds.”

Wu Qing gripped her sword and fiercely sent a fiery glare at Riku and Tazuna. The Wolves sent their own malicious stare right back at Wu Qing as well. As Ning Yuan and Wei Zhan quickly hurried past with Lan Yu, Ning Yuan eyed Tazuna. The two made eye contact for a fraction of a second, which made a warm chill shiver down the boy's spine. The boys eventually left Wu Qing standing in front of the Wolves, her sword never faltering.

“I should've let you die where we found you.” Wu Qing threatened, her eyes narrowing.