Light made its way into the purple-coloured room through the lilac drapes. The patterns on the drapes projected onto the walls in the form of flowers.
Michael stretched drowsily, he felt well-rested. Despite visiting the dimensional space in the Eternal Pendant last night, he still managed to get a good sleep.
Looking over at the other bed, he saw Jason sleeping soundly as if yesterday was just a dream. His view panned to Jason's legs, thankfully, due to the first-aid treatment of himself and later Grandpa Yin; it looked like he would only be left with a few scars and no permanent damage.
Michael rolled out of bed and decided to apply some more ginseng before his friend woke up.
"How do I bring out the Ginseng?" he mumbled to himself.
"Master, you just need to think about the item appearing in your hand" a clear voice was heard in his head.
"Shit!" at the sudden interjection from Archie, Michael jumped almost 3 feet high in surprise.
"Dude don't scare me like that" feeling his heart beating out of his chest, he chastised Archie in an annoyed tone. "How can you even talk to me on the outside?"
"Master, we've already completed the contract so we can chat anytime you want"
He could imagine the smile on Archie's face as he was speaking "F***… Arse has turned into an Arse fly" Michael complained bitterly under his breath.
"Master?"
"It's nothing. Won't you be discovered?"
"Not unless there is someone powerful in close proximity" he crooned.
"Okay okay, so just think about Ginseng in my hand…" As soon as Michael thought about holding the Ginseng in his hand it materialised like it had been there the entire time.
"So cool" he said as he sized up the herb in his hand. Retrieving the knife in his satchel, he began to lather the ginseng on Jason's legs once again.
Not long after he had completed the first aid, Jason began to stir from his long sleep. His thick brows were scrunched together in pain as he slowly gained his consciousness.
"M…Michael?" sitting up slowly, it could be seen that Jason was quite confused.
Michael looked upon his friend of many years. He was small in stature with short and thick black hair that matched well with his eyebrows, his blue eyes were like a clear lake, reflecting all that it viewed. He sighed bitterly knowing he would have to explain everything that happened yesterday.
"Mother… The Village. They're all gone right?" Jason said in a low voice.
Startled, Michael looked up at Jason who was staring straight at him with tears in his eyes.
"Yes…" Seeing his friend on the verge of tears brought back his own sadness.
"I saw people… they were riding these monsters that were breathing fire. I… I was scared" seeing Michael confirm his memories, he began talking about that day.
"People? Monsters?" Michael instantly perked up. This was the first bit of information he had heard about the attack on Rigante Village.
He gripped Jason's shoulders tightly "What else do you remember?" he asked frantically.
"I…I don't know, I hid in my family basement. I…I'm sorry, I'm a coward. Because of me Mother…" Startled by Michael's reaction, Jason stuttered out his response; his emotions boiling. He began to sob
"I'm sorry Michael… Mother… *sob*"
Seeing the state of his friend Michael pulled Jason closer in an embrace. Finally having an outlet for his grief, Jason's sobs turned into wails as he cried on Michael's shoulder.
The two held each other for a few minutes before Jason wiped his snot and tears on his sleeve and stepped back. Michael also wiped his eyes before looking at his long-time friend. Memories of him Jason and Rosa playing around town as kids surfaced in his mind.
"Jason Thompson, this is the last time that you and I, Michael Tryst will shed tears over this tragedy" Standing upright like a spear, Michael declared in a serious tone.
Startled at Michael's formal tone, Jason lagged for a moment before standing at attention and nodding.
"We will exact vengeance on those who have taken our friends and family. We will get stronger and finish them with our own hands" Michael continued.
Resolving himself, Jason felt a fire burning inside him that was hotter than the ones that almost took his legs. "YES SIR!" he yelled in confirmation.
"Once your legs fully recover, we will go and join a sect to get stronger. Then we need to find out who did this to our Village" Michael laid out his current plans to his most trusted friend.
"Don't we have to already be cultivators to join a sect?" Jason tilted his head and asked.
Thinking back to his experience on his last night at his family home, a smile creeped onto his face "It's okay, I have a technique. Maybe the old man can even help us out".
"Old man?"
"Let's go see if he's awake" Michael walked out of the bedroom with Jason in tow.
The two walked into the lounge area where Grandpa Yin was already seated in the lotus position on the ground. His breath was steady, and he had a relaxed expression on his face.
"Whoa" Jason uttered. He could feel something intangible moving in the air and gathering around the old man as he sat there meditating.
Michael moved his head closer to Jason and whispered "That's Grandpa Yin, his family is acquainted with my Ancestor. He'll be able to help us".
Grandpa Yin sensed their presence as the two walked into the room. As he opened his eyes, the two could see them flash with a light for a moment before returning to their normal piercing green colour.
"Grandpa Yin… my name is Jason. Thank you for your care last night" Jason was the first to go forward and bow.
"Thank you, Grandpa Yin" Michael followed suit closely after.
The old man smiled warmly and waved his hand dismissively "I once looked after more kids than just you two, it's no hassle".
His smile was infectious as both Michael and Jason felt their lips curl into a grin.
"Grandpa Yin, please tell us how to get stronger" A resolute expression could be seen on Michael's face as he said those words.
"Please Grandpa Yin" Bowing again, Jason added.
Grandpa Yin stood up from his spot and twisted his waist gently. Seeing the two young men in front of him reminded him of his own grandchildren, who once did something very similar.
"Well, I guess it can't be helped" he said with the same warm smile on his face.
"It's time to teach you about cultivation".