Chief Lisun approached Rara with a scowl etched deeply into his rugged face. The harsh lines on his forehead and the steely glint in his eyes spoke of a man used to commanding respect.
His presence was imposing, and his frustration was palpable.
He had managed to defeat Blade.
It had been a grueling battle, the kind that left both combatants physically and emotionally drained. The arena, a vast expanse of cracked stone and scorched earth, bore witness to the fierce clash between two titans.
Blade, known for his relentless aggression and lightning-fast strikes, had seemed invincible to many. His reputation was built on an impressive string of victories, each one a testament to his unmatched skill and brute strength. His movements were fluid and precise, his blade a blur of deadly steel that cut through the air with lethal intent.
But today, the tide had turned.
The combatants' breath came in ragged gasps as they circled each other, the air thick with tension and the acrid scent of sweat and blood. The arena's once pristine floor was now marred by deep gouges and scattered debris, evidence of the furious battle that had transpired.
In a moment of vulnerability, Blade had left an opening, a chink in his otherwise impenetrable armor. It was a mistake born out of arrogance, perhaps, or the sheer exhaustion that comes with prolonged combat. Seizing the opportunity, his opponent had executed a maneuver that combined both finesse and raw power.
With a final, decisive blow, he had struck Blade's sword with a force that shattered the weapon into pieces. The clang of metal against metal reverberated through the arena, a sound that marked the turning point of the duel. Blade staggered, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief as he felt the weight of defeat settle upon him.
The crowd, once roaring with the anticipation of Blade's victory, fell into a stunned silence. Murmurs of awe and admiration rippled through the spectators as they processed the unexpected outcome.
His opponent, standing victorious amidst the debris, was a figure of quiet intensity. His face, streaked with sweat and smeared with grime, bore a look of grim satisfaction.
"You... hurry up and thank the fairies for saving you," Chief Lisun commanded, his voice like gravel.
Rara reluctantly lifted her head. Her eyes, red from both the wind and irritation, darted to the fairies standing behind her. These ethereal beings hovered in mid-air, their wings shimmering like gossamer in the dim light.
They exuded a mix of curiosity and annoyance, waiting for a gesture of gratitude.
With a blank expression, Rara regarded the fairies with disinterest before turning her gaze back to the ground, resuming her attempt to soothe her aching hand.
The fairies exchanged disappointed glances, their faces reflecting their dissatisfaction. The whirlwind had been a formidable force, and their intervention had been both dramatic and taxing.
Chief Lisun's patience snapped. With a sharp, exasperated sigh, he flicked his index finger with force against Rara's forehead. The impact was enough to make her wince and jerk her head up.
"Ow! What was that for?!" Rara cried out, rubbing her forehead and glaring at him with indignation. Her eyes were fiery red, mirroring the anger she felt.
The fierceness in Chief Lisun's eyes made Rara's heart skip a beat. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, she quickly stood up, forcing a strained smile. Her eyes flickered nervously to the fairies, who watched her with an unspoken challenge.
"Sisters, I am truly grateful for your aid today!" she said, her voice dripping with forced cheerfulness.
Before the fairies could respond, Rara activated her Thousand Steps Move, her feet a blur as she dashed towards the swirling fog that loomed ominously. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she sped away, desperate to escape the awkward situation.
'I don't want to know you... I don't want to know you...' she chanted repeatedly in her mind, her mantra of avoidance.
"Halt!" The fairies raised their palms, and thick, pulsating fog shot out towards Rara's fleeing figure with eerie precision.
As the fog advanced, Rara's panic escalated. "Nooooo! Mommy... help me...." she screamed, tears of desperation streaming down her cheeks. Her voice, though exaggerated, echoed with genuine fear.
The onlookers, who had been quietly observing the spectacle, were bewildered. Murmurs of confusion rippled through the crowd as they watched Rara's dramatic display.
Despite her frantic attempts to evade capture, the fog engulfed her in its swirling embrace, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. Her screams grew more frantic as she was lifted higher into the air.
"G-aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!" she shrieked, her voice trembling with terror. "Help me! I'm gonna fall to my death! Help me..." Her legs flailed wildly, and her arms waved in a futile attempt to grasp onto something solid.
Suddenly, Rara felt a peculiar sensation beneath her. Her eyes opened, and she was astonished to find herself floating on a cushion of fog. The soft, billowing surface was surprisingly stable.
Excitedly, she moved to the edge of the fog and peered down. The ground seemed distant, and the figures below looked like tiny, insignificant specks. Her eyes landed on Assistant Panda, who was staring up at her with a mixture of concern and irritation.
"Hey, Panda! I'm here! Can you see me?" she called out, her voice filled with glee.
Seeing the tiny figures below, she laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Panda, you and Chief Lisun are so tiny, like ants!"
The fairies watched her with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. Their initial annoyance was overshadowed by their curiosity at Rara's antics.
Assistant Panda, however, was fuming. His face reddened with frustration, and he clenched his fists. "You foolish girl! I'll deal with you later!" he shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at her.
Rara, enthralled by her newfound aerial view, continued to explore the fog. Her excitement was short-lived, though, as her foot slipped on the slick surface. Her body began to tumble uncontrollably.
The wind fairy and fire fairy sprang into action, their wings beating rapidly as they reached out to grab her. They pulled her back to the floating fog with remarkable speed, their faces set in grim determination.
Rara landed back on the fog with a startled gasp. She sighed in relief, her heart pounding from the adrenaline. The soft fog beneath her was a stark contrast to the hard ground she had feared.
However, her relief was fleeting as she felt a chilling, intense gaze from above. She looked up slowly and saw the four fairies staring at her with scrutiny that seemed almost physical. Their expressions were a mix of stern judgment and curious fascination.
"What do you want? I've already thanked you!" Rara protested, her voice trembling and her body instinctively shrinking under their gaze.
The fairies remained silent, their eyes fixed on her with a penetrating intensity. The weight of their silence was almost palpable, adding to Rara's discomfort.
Grumbling, Rara crossed her arms and sat back down on the fog, her posture defensive. The minutes ticked by, each second stretching into an eternity. The fairies' silence felt like an unspoken examination of her worthiness.
Finally, the fairies exchanged glances and sighed in unison. The silent communication among them was almost imperceptible but clearly conveyed their decision.
"Little girl," the earth fairy said with a tone that mixed authority and resignation, "since you've been chosen by the Gods, we will not impose difficult trials on you."
"Since you have destroyed the stone, you must fulfill your duty as the chosen one," the water fairy continued, her voice calm but firm.
"If you need assistance in the future, we will aid you," the fire fairy promised, her tone softening slightly.
"We appeared when a tribal family performed the ritual for us. But for you, you can communicate with us directly," the wind fairy explained, her voice gentle but tinged with a hint of finality.
"How?" Rara asked eagerly, her eyes wide with anticipation.
"This... you can ask the queen to teach you," the fire fairy said, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief.
"Why not teach me now?" Rara asked, her frustration bubbling over.
"This is your mission. We cannot interfere with the paths you've chosen," the earth fairy replied, her long nose twitching slightly.
The other three fairies exchanged glances, their expressions revealing a glimmer of shared mischief.
"Fine! Does that mean we're friends now?" Rara asked, standing up with a hopeful grin.
"Of course... hey! What's that?" the wind fairy said suddenly, pointing behind Rara.
Rara turned to look, her curiosity piqued. At that moment, the fairies' expressions turned devious. They raised their legs and kicked her off the fog with a synchronized movement.
"Pandaaaa!!! Help me....." Rara screamed as she plummeted towards the ground, her voice filled with genuine panic.
The fairies watched from above with satisfied smiles. They were confident that the chosen one wouldn't meet an untimely end so easily. The wind whipped around them as they hovered, their laughter faintly echoing through the air.
Below, Assistant Panda and Chief Lisun were in a state of frantic disarray.
"Catch her!" Chief Lisun ordered his subordinates, his voice urgent and commanding.
The subordinates, confused but determined, scrambled to form a human mat. Their faces were a mixture of anxiety and determination as they prepared to catch Rara.
Rara braced herself, closing her eyes tightly as she descended onto the makeshift cushion. The impact was jarring, and the subordinates beneath her groaned in pain as they cushioned her fall. Their cries of discomfort mingled with the collective gasp of the audience, adding to the chaotic scene.
As Rara lay sprawled on the ground, her heart still racing, the crowd's murmurs of concern and disbelief surrounded her. The fairies, observing from above, nodded in satisfaction. Their playful vengeance had been exacted, and their message had been sent.