Tenshou mountain pass
In the end Varick ended up riding on Kirin's back. This wasn't exactly a fun experience for the young man… the death glares alone by the rest could freeze a soul in an instant.
'It wasn't my choice ok!!!' Varick inwardly cried for himself.
In truth it wasn't, Kirin felt it was safer to be on her back then the other's. She honestly felt a strange connection to him, as if something was pulling her towards him. She hid this from the rest for now to ease the tension, but she couldn't pull herself away.
"Miss Kirin, um… how are all of you changing forms like this? I mean… this is unreal… stuff like this only happens in anime where I am from. So… how?"
Chucking to herself she really thought this guy was adorable. Powerfull, that is no doubt especially if he'd only accept himself, but adorably naive.
"Hmm.. honestly it is just something we can do. Myself and Jun are from a race called Unicorns. From the history I was taught, a round 2000 years ago my race came down from the heavens, from another world, we ended up settling here on this planet and thus remained. The reason is unknown and we are, as far as we know, the last two of our kind. Tragic, isn't it? Over the years we were hunted to the verge of extinction, the reason is simple, human greed, they felt that our horns held a power that could change someone's fate. In truth though it holds magic that is only when still connected to our living bodies. We are a peaceful race, we don't wish anyone harm but we can and will cause harm if need be. As for the rest they belong to this planet, however each one is unique. Ao Ji is the crown prince of the dragon clan from the upper realm, Li Shou as she explained a goddess deity of the cat clan from upper realm, Ruishi is a guardian lion deity from the Lion clan charged to serve one master at a time, and last but never least is Bai Ze, he is an ancient being, despite his looks. He had the knowledge of the world pertaining beast and mythological creatures. Ze is charged with being our guide, but don't let him fool you, he holds great power." Kirin ended her explanation at this point.
The most quizzical expression surfaced on Varick's handsome face as he absorbed this information, seeing as not a soul in the party objected, he had no choice but to accept it.
"Miss Shou? Um, can you train me more? It has become a bit clearer that I may never go home, so… I would like to be of some use."
"In truth Varick, you would be better off being trained by Ruishi, he is much more experienced and stronger than I. He is, after all, a Guardian Lion."
Varick then sent a questioning look towards Ruishi, as if pleading that he would teach him.
"Alright if it'll get you all off my back!" He roared at them.
They came upon a quiet clearing with a small stream running through it, it was beautiful, it had a few scattered shade trees, soft green grass, and the babbling stream just magnified its charm. Ruishi grabbed Varick by the collar and yanked him some feet away from the resting group as they prepared lunch.
Ruishi unceremoniously tossed the boy to the floor and took out his sword, aiming it right at him. "Lesson one: do not drop your guard." With a 'slap' he smacked Varick with the flat of his blade to Varick's shoulder causing a small grunt from the boy.
Varick quickly stood up and readied himself without a word of complaint, causing Ruishi to raise a brow at the boy. 'Huh, most would have started complaining at that, this kid either is determined or he's had a master before.'
"Come at me an..." Before Ruishi could finish his train of thought Varick instantly rushed at him feigning a strike at his left side, Ruishi dodged but didn't expect that the boy had already changed direction to toss a kick at his right. Ruishi instantly recovered and made a move to guard against the new threat coming at him when suddenly the boy stopped, twisted his upper body, then the flat of his blade came flashing out aiming at Ruishi's unguarded back!
'Damn this kid, I need to stop underestimating him.'
'Pak!'
Varick landed that hit and Ruishi stumbled forward. Whipping his head around to see the boy had recovered his stance and just stood silent, awaiting for round two. 'Hmm, maybe I should have paid attention when he was fighting Shou. Welp no use thinking about it time to get serious.'
And with that the endless rounds back and forth began. Sometimes Ruishi won a round as he instructed Varick where he went wrong, sometimes Varick won as he pointed out where Ruishi went wrong. Both of them gained a new appreciation for the other, they now were learning together, gaining confidence in each other, and boosting the others strengths and weaknesses.
All the while, the rest of the group watched in awe at the pair. Especially Kirin, she knew he wasn't from this world so she assumed he would not be able to adapt nor be able to hold his own. Who'd have thought that young man not only held his own but was even able to cover and instruct on another's weak points? His movements were elegant, sharp, and above all unpredictable. At some points it almost seemed as if he were a blur barely casting even a shadow. He seemed so vulnerable, confused, and weak. 'Hmm, maybe… I should not have judged him, it isn't his fault for not knowing this world. Well now it is time for me to get to know him. He really is impressive, but somewhat… sweet.' Kirin's thoughts were absolutely mirrored from the rest of the group as their lower jaws almost stayed in a position close to the ground watched them spar.
"Who would have thought… isn't he just a migrated human?"
"Tch… he wasn't even that ruthless when sparring with me! What? Did he look down on me!?"
"Where did he get that sword Shou?"
"The old man made it for him, it's even more special, that sword has healing properties and a unicorn horn as it's base. He put a lightning stone in it also. The old man seemed to have seen something in Varick. He didn't tell me though, I just saw it in his eyes when Varick decimated the practice target. You know those targets can't be destroyed like that. I wonder why he has that ability, I know the kid doesn't know it himself. His world doesn't have magic."
"I wonder…" Kirin mused to herself.
"Well, looks like I need to go off on a mission for a time, I will return soon, here, this is a token from the upper realm. With this I can find you anywhere. My lady please, do not cause yourself harm I will return to you." With that Ji took Kirin's hand in his large slender ones and kissed her knuckles softly. In truth he realized that there were things they do not have. With the upcoming war on the horizon, they needed more equipment. With the current state of things, there were not many that could make what they would need. he had to see the old man and visit the armory at his ancient home in the upper realm.
He gazed at her stunning face one last time before he was gone in a flash. Ji swore to follow her to the ends of the earth and back, there was just something about her he could not explain it.