Two nights have passed since the last gathering of the elders and the disciples, two nights since the twins have settled into the Mystic Sky Sect.
"Those two fit in quite well," Elder Sima mused, running his hand through his long beard. "I didn't expect them to adapt so quickly!"
The grandmaster Wei chuckled as he stared up at the writings hung on the wall behind the dais, his hands clasped neatly behind his back. "Shouldn't it be expected?" he responded appraisingly. "They were my master's choice, and I am now their uncle. I cannot have incompetent descendants, even if not blood-related."
The two elder men stood alone in the grand hall, their shadows flickering dimly from the lanterns illuminating in the moonlight. It wasn't abnormal for them to meet during this time of night. As the two most significant beings in the top sect, they had much to discuss.
"So what you do think? The elders haven't decided on a plan yet, but I heard that Cyrus and the disciples have been plotting something for quite some time now," Grandmaster Wei noted. He turned around and stepped down from the dais smoothly, glancing at his most trusted man expectantly.
Elder Sima nodded. Yes, he knew what his four disciples were doing, it was not a surprise for Cyrus to manage the disciples accordingly. As the First-Seated Disciple, he should know what to do. "Ambush the enemy before they reach the Blue Feather Sect, I'm sure that's what he and the twins are planning, but I'm not sure what he will propose after that," he said thoughtfully.
The latter shook his head. "We should just take things one step at a time," he answered. "We don't necessarily need to think that far ahead yet. Don't forget about the lower sects, they are still in need."
"Of course."
There was silence for a few long moments as the two were taken away by their own thoughts, contemplating their next move.
Over the decades, they've tried many things. Counterattacks, decoys, shields, anything that would help them take down the enemy. Many of them didn't bring a satisfying outcome, however.
But even if they couldn't accomplish other feats, there was one they could also try again.
Spying.
The two looked at each other as if they both realized the same thing at the same time. Yes, they could take a shot at sending a spy over the border into the enemy territory again.
The last few times weren't much of a success. One returned back with nothing, two were never heard of again...others were caught and barely able to escape alive. Maybe...sending spies in small groups didn't work.
Perhaps they needed to limit the number of people sent to one. Just one.
The one alone would travel over the border to the next country.
Elder Sima cleared his throat and spoke up first. "So, who do you want to send this time?" he murmured. We have a few that are qualified, but I don't know if they'd be willing..."
"You're right..." The grandmaster spun on his heel and began to pace the wooden tiles of the floor, staring off in thought. "We could send Cyrus, but he's the First Disciple. A lot of things won't be done with him gone," he wondered aloud.
"There is also Lance. He is a good schemer...but then again, his head is sometimes too far up in the clouds," he continued to point out.
Elder Sima gave a forced laugh at the mention of his charismatic third disciple. "Ahahaha...funny how you mention that," he muttered under his breath.
"What?" Grandmaster Wei stopped and raised an eyebrow at the latter, for he didn't catch what he just said.
"Hm? Ah, nothing, nothing," the elder hummed, flashing him a casual smile. Any conversation that revolved around that childish brat never ended well.
And so the latter shrugged it off and continued on. "Elder Su's second disciple is not bad, either, should we assign this to her?" he suggested.
Elder Sima shook his head. "Best not," he answered. "You know how Elder Su is..." The Su elder may be able to raise up the sect's best fighters, but she was also very protective of them, especially her female disciples. Unless she was the one in charge of their tasks and travels, it would be extremely difficult to get her to agree.
No. Since they were planning to send someone out of the country, it was just impossible.
Wei Han grumbled under his breath, his pacing resumed.
There wasn't anyone available they could send, someone who was capable yet held not too much importance that they can't leave at the same time.
Suddenly, the faces of the Bai twins popped into the elder's head, and he paused. Elias and Eryn? If it were them, it could be possible. However, both were just barely introduced to the world, and despite wielding unimaginable power, both were still extremely inexperienced.
Sending them off to another country was the same as dropping two young children to their deaths.
Elder Sima shook his head. How was he actually considering this? The twins are what Grandmaster Feng left them, they can't send them off like that. "Can't do that," he whispered to himself.
"Eh? Can't do what?" Grandmaster Wei asked curiously. "Is there another candidate?"
The elder shook his head again. "No, I was just thinking about the twins, but they can't go anyway..."
He straightened up at their mention and cleared his throat sheepishly. It's been at least a whole day since they've arrived yet he had not properly met up with them yet. "Er, say...my, hm, niece and nephew...what of their spirit animals?" he asked curiously, addressing them the way his master would've wanted.
And strangely enough, it felt nice.
Elder Sima stared at him dumbly. "Hm? Dragons, of course," he said flatly.
"Ah, dragons...," he repeated casually.
It took him a moment before he realized what he just said. And when he did he managed to choke on his own saliva, erupting to a coughing fit. "Dragons?" he exclaimed, flabbergasted.
Elder Sima blinked at him. "I thought you knew, Grandmaster. Elias with the godly Black Dragon, and Eryn with the White Serpent Beast. A beautiful sight, I must say," he said cheerily. "Too bad you missed it."
The grandmaster gawked at him, completely stunned.
Indeed, his master never disappoints, even after death.
Suddenly, a low rumble vibrated through the ground, alerting both men. They shared an anxious look, anticipating the worst possible scenario.
Enemies?
Has the location of their great sect finally been discovered?
Without another word, they gravely dashed out the doors of the Grand Hall, preparing themselves for a possible bloodbath.
They left in such a hurry that they didn't notice the lone figure standing right next to the open doors, hiding silently in the shadows.
Eryn stepped out from the corner, having heard the entire conversation from beginning to end. She glanced down the direction the two had taken off in. It was in the direction of the illusion break.
"Spy?" she wondered aloud.
______________
"I'm not an enemy, for heaven's sake! Just listen to what I have to say!"
"I won't fall for your lowly schemes, you ugly scum!" Lance blasted a strike into the air at the winged figure, annoyed that he was missing every shot. He raised his fist into the air and daringly flicked up his middle finger, something he would've been punished for if anyone else were watching.
"Die already!" he hollered, drawing his sword.
"I just want to talk!" the figure in the sky tried to explain. "A- and I assure you, I'm not ugly! I- I have a decent face, I swear! ...Maybe not as nice as his, though..."
Lance straightened up with his dignity and gave a dramatic flick of his hair, thinking that the man with the nice face he was talking about was him. He puffed out his chest and held his nose high, boasting. "Why, of course!" he cried.
He waved his sword gracefully in the air, unbothered by the freezing winter outside the illusion break. A huge grin stretched from ear to ear, and he said, "Since the kind sir at least has the decency to compliment my handsomeness, I shall grant you a painless death!"
"..."
"..."
"...Just stop already. I wasn't talking about you...creepy narcissist."
"WHAT?!" Lance screamed, his face and neck burning with shame. "How dare you! I will cut off your tongue and feed you to the-"
"Lance."
The blonde-haired boy froze at the familiar voice, and he slowly turned around to see who it was, an overly fearful expression plastered on his face. His eyes nearly bulged out of his sockets as he saw his master's look of irritation, and his heart nearly stopped beating as he saw the Grandmaster standing right next to him.
He stared at them, completely frozen.
They stared back, waiting for an explanation.
Lance slowly brought his hands into the air, wriggling his fingers as if casting a spell. "Whoooo, you can't see me," he attempted to sing like a ghost. "Lance is not here~ definitely not here~"
Elder Sima whacked him across his head mercilessly, unable to take his nonsense any longer. "What in the world is going on out here? We thought it was an attack, you brat!"
Grandmaster Wei sighed as Lance cowered from his master's hits, crying out exaggeratingly. "Don't hit me!" he wailed. "I'm already hurt! That meanie said I don't have a decent face!"
He pointed at the winged figure now standing in the snow just yards away, brushing down his silver-lined black robes.
"Who are you? Where are you from?" Grandmaster Wei stepped forward, his eyes narrowed at the approaching figure. Even though he knew that there was no way this person could be from the enemy lines, he still had to be cautious.
"Er, sorry if I caused any trouble or something. I just got here and didn't know where to go." The boy stepped forward, close enough so that the four could make out each other's faces.
Elder Sima's eyes widened, as he was taken by a slight surprise.
"Wayne?"
The boy looked up at the voice, startled at the call of his name. "Huh? Oh, it's you!"