Unknown to the girls, the effect that they just made on the men in the group was now… well let's just say they won't be getting those images out of their mind… ever!
Even after the girls left the area and went back to their room, their male counterparts had yet to cool down. It took another hour before they could go back to their room. Well there's that for an eventful ending to an amazing night of the festival.
By morning, as they gathered for breakfast, the girls were chatting happily while every male in that group could not only not speak but they couldn't even meet the girls in the eye without having a bright blush creep up on their faces. So the awkward atmosphere continued on.
They left that village and continued on. They had gotten a tip about some artefact deep in the nearby mountains. The problem was nobody could get anywhere near it due to the heavy presence of beasts in that area.
"Well let's check on our gear before we enter this mountain area. Hey Ze, do you know what we will be facing around here?" Shou, still unaware of what she caused, asked the beastmaster in the group. Ze nodded and gestured for everyone to gather holding hands.
Um.. this is like totally awkward ok?
The guys looked at eachother and nobody but Varick and Ze offered their hand to the ladies, Ze grabbed Shou who grabbed Kirin, Varick clasped Kirin's hand happily even if it was a tad awkward. The rest followed suit.
Once they were all gathered, Ze began to communicate, 'here is what should be in this area, the Fenghuang, a colorful and fearsome bird, in the waters we must be cautious of the Kun that make their home in this area they are giant fish beasts, there's the Nian that should live near here but it is rarely seen, however what we should be weary of the most is the guardian deity 'Xiezhi', one lie or hidden agenda and he will attack. So there you are. We should go. It will be dark by the time we reach the place otherwise.'
Nodding in unison they broke the link with Ze and set off.
"We should have Kirin speak with Xiezhi, she is the purest one here. Besides, if I'm right, this thing was hidden and meant for her anyways." Ruishi decided to end his silence to inform everyone of this fact. Even though the memory of his master and Shou really…
He promptly shook that memory away. Sighing at himself, he pressed on and opted to distract himself with a fighting strategy with Varick and Jun.
Shou was still pestering Kirin and Ze, "Oh! C'mon show me!! Ze, you know I can get you anything you want! Just please! I really want to know what happened last night!" Shou shamelessly pestered him while Kirin couldn't stop giggling and shaking her head at her antics. While Ze kept hiding behind Kirin for safety.
'Sqwaaaaak!!'
Just as they entered a dense section of wood within the mountain, a giant bird with brilliant colors left it's perch and headed directly for them! They all became alert instantly and quickly got into their formation.
"It's a Fenghuang! Ze, to the rear, Kirin stay center, Varick to the front boy, Jun stay near Kirin and both of you cover us, Shou circle around behind it, let's go!" Ruishi spat his orders quickly as the bird came swooping in directly towards Varick in a dive bomb.
Varick quickly dodged to the side and using a palm thrust, he slapped the bird. Just as it's attention turned to Varick, Ruishi came in with a quick slash of his sword towards a wing.
Shou slipped behind and rushed in using her hidden dagger and clipped the other wing effectively grounding the bird. Meanwhile, Jun and Kirin began a few chants but, these will take a bit and the rest needed to delay this thing.
Ze saw this and used his beast pressure to weigh the bird down to slow it's movements. It wasn't too much help as it was now beyond enraged, it flapped its giant wings sending out a huge gust knocking Ruishi, Shou, and Varick back several feet. It turned it's cold beady gaze onto Ze, struggling a bit to move it made a path to Ze forgetting the rest around it.
'Swoosh!'
'Crack!'
Varick's sword slashed to the side, effectively chopping off another chunk of wing from the bird as the lightning effect of his sword seared it's massive body.
'Sqwaaaak!'
Crying in dire pain, flames erupted from its body and eyes as the bird whipped its head around to angrily glare at Varick. "Well that got his attention, how is that set of spells coming along there m'lady, I don't think this thing is getting any friendlier!!!" Varick shouted as he dodged another deft attack by the bird and shot a kick at the bird's chest to knock it back.
Ruishi slammed a fist in the bird's side just as Shou jumped high up in the air and abruptly landed a drop kick to the head of the bird. Just then Jun shouted for them to back off.
Raising their arms high in the air, Jun and Kirin began twisting their bodies in a rhythmic pattern. They brought their hands down at the same time as torrents of lighting came crashing down and around the giant bird. Varick being immune was able to stand and hold off the Fenghuang until the strikes landed.
Screeching in dire pain for a few seconds before slumping to the ground, writhing in agony until death finally came. The sight was hideous, feathers charred and sizzled as the last breath of life slowly escaped the bird. Ruishi quickly came in stabbing the heart of the bird to be sure of it's death.
Suddenly a small movement came from under the massive girth of the bird. A tiny head peeped out and looked around, it's gaze landed on Jun, it dashed to his side peeping at Jun incessantly. Not knowing what else to do he picked it up. It glowed a brilliant red as the flame like aura surrounded Ruishi. Then as fast as it came it went and a new mark appeared near Jun's wrist.
Ruishi walked over and explained, "This tiny creature just made a life pact with you. It will be forever your partner. Train this beast as healing properties as well as being an intelligent and fierce fighting partner."