Meili awoke with a start, the memory of her encounter with the Wraithbane Astrarch fleeting and elusive. She found herself in the familiar surroundings of the Iron Fist headquarters, cradled in Si-Fu Hibiki's arms.
Hibiki's face was etched with concern as he stared down at her. "Are you okay, Meili? You were unconscious for a while."
Meili, still struggling to regain her bearings, nodded weakly. "Y-yes, I'm okay." She looked around at the other students, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity.
The Iron Fist headquarters hummed with activity as Si-Fu Hibiki and Si-Fu Mei's teams gathered around the Grandmaster's chamber. Si-Fu Yagushi, the Iron Fist's current Grandmaster, stood at the head of the room, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Report, Si-Fu Hibiki," he said, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "What did your team find at Shaoshi Mountain?"
Hibiki stepped forward, Meili still in his arms.
Hibiki stepped forward, Meili still in his arms, and began to recount their treacherous journey. "We were deceived by Ran, he was tasked with guiding us through Shaoshi Mountain to the point he was he mentioned in his story that he got ambushed. But instead he led us to a deadly encounter with a horrific creature, a battle that left several of us injured.
"But however we emerged victorious, thanks to the bravery of my team and the timely arrival of Si-Fu Mei and her warriors, Si-Fu Mei was great by the way. As for Ran, he had disappeared into the night during the battle. Despite our search, we could not locate him. "
Hibiki's statement sparked reactions among those present especially kai. Kai and the others exchanged glances of surprise, by how Si-Fu Hibiki gave Si-Fu Mei all the credit. Si-Fu Mei, however, maintained her composure, her expression a mask of stoicism. She knew Hibiki was giving her credit for reasons known to only him and herself.
Hibiki continued, his voice steady. "Ran was not solely after the creature. He was in search of an item known as the Dragon's Rage," Hibiki explained, his tone serious. "We believe this item has the power to amplify the creature's power and enable it to wreak even greater havoc. we believe the Dragon's Rage was destroyed with the creature itself," Hibiki said with a slight bow of his head. "Our confrontation with the creature led to its defeat, and in the process, we believe the Dragon's Rage was lost. Ran's attempt to acquire it was thwarted."
"Hmph, never knew Si-Fu could ever be this mature!" Kai said, surprised by Hibiki's demeanor.
The Grandmaster nodded, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Your bravery and sacrifice will be noted, Si-Fu Hibiki and Mei including your squads. However, we must remain vigilant against any future attempts to harness this power."
Si-Fu Mei, sensing the shift in tone, spoke up.
"Grandmaster, if I may," Si-Fu Mei said, her voice clear and confident. "I believe the situation with the convict Ran demands our immediate attention. Although he is currently at large, we cannot ignore the fact that he was willing to get his hands on the Dragon's Rage. This speaks to his dangerous ambition."
The Grandmaster nodded, contemplating Mei's words. "You are wise to point out the potential threat he poses. We will launch a full investigation into Ran's whereabouts and affiliations. I trust that you, Si-Fu Mei, will lead this effort."
Si-Fu Mei inclined her head in acknowledgment. "It shall be done, Grandmaster. We will spare no effort in tracking Ran down and uncovering the truth of his motives."
"Very good," the Grandmaster said with a decisive nod. "Now, regarding the creature, we will increase patrols around Shaoshi Mountain and ensure that no remnants of the Dragon's Rage remain."
Hibiki and the others were about to be dismissed when a low, cold voice cut through the chamber like a knife through the silence.
"Fascinating." The voice, shrouded in darkness, belonged to a figure that had been lurking at the edges of window the room. "The Dragon's Rage, you say? "
The figure stepped down from the window and moved forward, revealing the face of a man with piercing eyes and a calculating expression. "Forgive the intrusion, Grandmaster," he said, his eyes shifting between Hibiki and Mei.
"I am Si-Fu Zenkichi, a representative of the Golden Elite Academy," the man said, his voice ringing with the same chilling authority. "The Dragon's Rage holds great significance to our Academy and cause of that we cannot allow its potential power to remain untapped. Nor can we allow it to fall into the hands of those who would misuse it."
The Grandmaster nodded, his expression grave. "You are right, Si-Fu Zenkichi. We must be certain of the fate of the Dragon's Rage. However, I cannot send any of our Iron Fist students back to Shaoshi Mountain after their recent encounter. The risk is too great."
"Then it seems that our paths have aligned, Grandmaster," Si-Fu Zenkichi said, his gaze lingering on the Iron Fist students gathered in the chamber. "The Golden Elite Academy has a considerable amount of teams with highly skilled warriors who specialize in investigation and retrieval. With your blessing, I would propose that we send this team to Shaoshi Mountain, in cooperation with your Iron Fist students."
Hibiki and the others exchanged nervous glances, but the Grandmaster seemed to consider Zenkichi's offer carefully. "A joint mission with the Golden Elite Academy could prove fruitful," he said at last.
Indeed, the tension in the room was palpable as the Grandmaster's words sank in. Despite their rivalries, the Iron Fist and Golden Elite Academies shared a common goal: to protect the world from the dangerous influence of the Dragon's Rage, whatever its fate may be.
"Si-Fu Hibiki, you and your team will accompany Si-Fu Zenkichi's warriors to Shaoshi Mountain," the Grandmaster continued, his gaze settling on Hibiki. "Your familiarity with the area and the creature will be invaluable, and your cooperation with the Golden Elite Academy will demonstrate the strength of our combined efforts."
"Gramps, hold up!" Hibiki interjected, clearly uncomfortable with the arrangement. "I ain't sure this mission is such a hot idea right now. I mean, that creature and the Dragon's Rage, if it was there, were both toast after our fight. Sending a whole army back there seems like overkill."
The Grandmaster arched an eyebrow, a slight frown creasing his features. "Hibiki, your instincts are well-placed, but we cannot dismiss the importance of confirmation."
"Si-Fu Hibiki," Zenkichi said, his voice carrying a hint of mockery. "Surely, a man of your reputation is not afraid of returning to the mountain, or is it just the presence of our Golden Elite Academy warriors that has you rattled?"
Hibiki bristled, but before he could retort, Si-Fu Mei spoke up in his defense. "I'm sure you don't actually know who your referring to, Si-Fu Zenkichi. He's simply raises a valid concern about the necessity of such an operation."
"Indeed," Kai chimed in, stepping forward to support his teammates. "If the Dragon's Rage was destroyed during our battle, sending more students into harm's way seems wasteful. Si-Fu Zenkichi, perhaps we could reevaluate the need for this mission."
Mei added her voice to the discussion. "We should consider the possibility that the Dragon's Rage is no longer a threat, and that our time and resources would be better spent investigating other leads."
Zenkichi's expression hardened slightly, but he remained composed.
"Your concerns are noted," Zenkichi said, his tone curt. "But I assure you, the Golden Elite Academy does not waste its resources lightly. We have reason to believe that the Dragon's Rage may have survived the battle, and you guys could try to keep it from us."
This triggered something from Si-Fu Yagushi, "It would seem that your mistrust is equal to your arrogance, Si-Fu Zenkichi," the Grandmaster said, his voice taking on a steely edge. "To insinuate that the Iron Fist Academy would hoard such a dangerous artifact for our own gain is highly insulting."
"My apologies, Grandmaster," Zenkichi said," But I believe it is imperative that the Golden Elite Academy, the preeminent martial arts academy of our time, take the lead on recovering this relic. Our expertise in such matters is unmatched."
A hint of warning entered the Grandmaster's voice. "Do not mistake our cooperation for weakness, Si-Fu Zenkichi. The Iron Fist Academy is the oldest and wisest of the Three Great Academies, and we will not be relegated to a subordinate role."
Hibiki stepped forward, his expression a mask of calm determination. "Si-Fu Zenkichi, I suggest you take heed of the Grandmaster's words. We at the Iron Fist Academy value our alliances, but we will not tolerate disrespect or challenges to our authority."
A dangerous glint appeared in Zenkichi's eyes, "I am here at the behest of the Golden Elite Academy, Si-Fu Hibiki. But I assure you, my loyalty to our shared mission is without question."
Hibiki's stance did not waver.
The tension in the room was palpable, as Zenkichi and Hibiki stood face-to-face, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. Si-Fu Mei and the other Iron Fist students exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts racing with the prospect of a confrontation between the two martial arts academies.
Then, the Grandmaster spoke, his voice cutting through the tension like a razor's edge. "Enough, both of you. This is not the time for posturing. We have missions to accomplish, and I expect both of you to end this dispute now."
Zenkichi decided to leave with one final statement, "As you wish, Grandmaster. But be warned: the Golden Elite Academy will not rest until the Dragon's Rage is in our possession, for the good of all."
With that, he turned on window to which he came in and strode from the room, his robes billowing behind him like the winds of war.
The Grandmaster sighed. "Let us hope that Zenkichi's words do not presage a greater conflict between our academies. Si-Fu Hibiki, Si-Fu Zabuza, you will depart for Shaoshi Mountain at first light.
Si-Fu Zabuza of the Tokugawa clan had been present all this being silent. As they filed out of the room, Meili cast a sideways glance at the imposing figure, his presence carrying the weight of a dormant volcano.
"Si-Fu Zabuza," Hibiki addressed him, "I hope we can count on your aid in the coming journey. Your strength as a special dragon warrior will be invaluable."
Zabuza's dark eyes flicked to Hibiki, his expression unmoving.
"You may not be my student anymore, Hibiki," Zabuza said, a hint of weariness in his voice. "And I don't take Kindle to be addressed that way by you."
Hibiki's jaw tightened. "Well. I didn't try to sound mean."
Zabuza inclined his hea. "Tsk." He scoffed
Hibiki rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Just be ready to leave at first light."
Zabuza grunted in response, his movements betraying a subtle hint of tension as he passed Hibiki on his way out.
Meili waited until the brooding warrior had disappeared down the hallway before speaking up.
"Si-Fu Hibiki, what's the history between you two?" she asked, her voice low.
As they made their way back to their compartment, Lei's footsteps fell into an agitated rhythm. She turned to Meili, her gaze burning with a hint of anger. "What an awful mission. The way you got kidnapped during the last mission was weak, and it made our squad look bad."
Meili's brows drew together, her eyes flashing with hurt and irritation. "I did the best I could after I got free, Lei. And again I'm still learning, just like you."
"Yeah, well, maybe you should try a little harder," Lei snapped, her voice sharp with frustration.
The tension among the group intensified as Fuse cut in, her words landing like a slap in the face. "You're one to talk, Lei. You didn't make much of a difference during the mission. Kai and Meili performed better than any of your squad mates. You have no right to criticize her."
Lei's cheeks flushed with anger, while Ryou, her teammate, glared at Fuse, clearly taking his team mate side. The air between them seemed to crackle with electricity. Lian, the quiet one of their group, hung back, unwilling to join in the escalating conflict.
"Oh yeah?" Lei spat, his hands balling into fists. "At least I didn't hide like a coward behind people's back. You weren't exactly on the front lines either, Fuse."
Fuse's eyes narrowed, her stance aggressive. "Watch your mouth, Lei. If you can't handle a little criticism, then maybe you shouldn't be an Iron Fist warrior at all."
Kai, sensing the imminent eruption, stepped between the two, his palms held out in a placating gesture.
"Enough, both of you," Kai said, his voice firm but even. "Can't you guy's quit the fuss even for a second."
Lei's nostrils flared, her gaze flitting between Fuse and Kai. "She started it, Kai. She can't talk about my team's performance when she's the weakest link in yours."
Fuse's eyes blazed with fury. "I'll show you who's wea-."
"Stand back, Fuse", Kai stopped her.
Lei's anger faltered for a moment, her irritation momentarily forgotten in the wake of Kai's unexpected interjection. She became lost in his charm for moment.
"There's a dragon tournament coming up, I'm sure that'll be a better place to show your anger," Kai pointed out, His gaze met Lei's, a hint of understanding in his expression. "And since your on my team, we're gonna win this no matter who we're up against." He said raising a determined smirk on his face.
Lei hearing that from Kai came back to her senses to shot back at him, "W-well that's not gonna happen, cause my team are is the one who's gonna win".
Kai's smirk sharpened, his eyes cold and calculating. "Well do your part. Remeber to represent our academy with pride, or don't bother showing up at all."
Lei bristled at his words, her jaw clenching. "I'll show up. And I'll beat your team in the tournament."
Kai's expression didn't change, his voice steady and unflinching. "Then I look forward to our match. Don't disappoint me."
Lei's heart thumped in her chest at Kai's steely demeanor. His unwavering confidence only served to strengthen her resolve, even as a flush of warmth spread across her cheeks. She turned away from him, unwilling to let him see her weakness. "Don't worry about that. You won't even make it past the first round with your team."
But Kai had already turned and walked away, Meili and Fuse walked along with him.
Kai's departing back only served to deepen the turmoil within Lei's heart. As he, Meili, and Fuse strode away, her gaze lingered on his form, a mixture of frustration and longing swirling within her.
Sensing her turmoil, Ryou stepped forward, his fists clenched. "Don't worry, Lei. We're a better team, and we're going to train harder than ever. Those scumbags won't know what hit them."
Lian's voice wavered, but her resolve was clear. "Y-yes, we'll show the other academies what Iron Fist warriors are made of too!"
Zenkichi, ever the shadow, had been quietly observing from his vantage point. "The Dragon Tournament, hmm?" he mused to himself, a calculating gleam in his eyes. "How fortuitous. Maybe that's when we make our move. Perhaps this could work to our advantage."
With a shift in the air, almost imperceptible, he vanished from his hidden position, his thoughts turning to strategies and alliances.
However, Meili cut up with Kai as they were heading back. "Hey, thank you guy's for what you did back there. Don't know what could have happened, I could have literally lost it."
"Well that's what we're here for, having each other's back", Fuse replied
Meili's words of gratitude seemed to hang in the air like a breeze of humility, stirring the heavier emotions in Kai's heart. He remained silent for a moment, his thoughts churning like the tides of battle within him.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low but resolute."Hmph i don't remember covering for anyone. But at least it was able to cheer you up."
Fuse, ever the pragmatist, added, "Just remember Meili, having each other's back goes both ways. So don't go be thinking we won't ever have your back."
"Hey, you talk quite a lot more of the time. You know that!" Kai pointing out at Fuse.
"What!" Fuse yelled.
Meili's cheeks flushed slightly.
Later that day at night,
Meili's slumber was plagued with vivid, tumultuous dreams. As if beckoned by the whispers of an old nightmare, she found herself once again standing before Wraithbane, the monster's presence heavy and suffocating in her psyche.
"Well, if it isn't little Meili," the creature cackled, its jagged teeth gleaming in the dreamscape. "Surprised to see me? Or are you just shocked by my good looks?"
Meili trembled, her fists balled at her sides.
"What this again!...stay away from me," Meili hissed, her voice trembling with fear and defiance. "I won't let you take over my body."
Wraithbane laughed, his rasping chuckle echoing in her mind. "Take over you? My dear Meili, I don't need your body, for now at least. It will happen when it happens. So for now I need you to understand my goal."
Meili trembled, her mind racing. "No, I don't want to hear it. Why the hell did you want me of all people?! I want nothing to do with the likes of you? And what are you anyways"
Wraithbane's eyes gleamed.
"You can deny it all you want, Meili," Wraithbane hissed, the air around him thick with malice. "But I chose you because you're special, just like the others. And the reason will become clear soon enough."
Meili grit her teeth, her anger mounting. "Special? What others? Tell me what you're planning, or I'll—"
Wraithbane's laughter cut her off, his eyes flashing with something akin to amusement. "Or you'll what? You can't harm me here. Not yet, at least." His gaze bore into Meili, probing for weaknesses.
Meili's anger blazed hotter, her fists clenching and unclenching. "You can't keep me here forever. I'll find a way to stop you, and to stop whatever twisted plan you have in mind."
Wraithbane shook his head, his expression shifting from amusement to something far more sinister. "Ah, humans. You're all so naïve. Don't you see? Your power, your anger, it's all part of the plan. And when the time comes, you'll embrace it willingly. After all, what choice will you have?"
Meili's defiance faltered for a moment, a chill running down her spine. "What do you mean, what choice? What choice could I possibly have?"
Wraithbane's grin widened, his eyes alight with an almost predatory gleam. "The choice to give in, of course. To give in to the darkness inside you, to the power that you've been trying so hard to deny. To become what you truly are."
Meili's heart pounded, her mind racing with questions and fears.
"And what am I, Wraithpaint or whatever you call yourself?" Meili whispered, her voice quaking with barely suppressed terror. "What do you want from me?"
The creature's smile broadened, his teeth gleaming like polished ivory in the dreamscape. "What do I want? Nothing much, my dear. I only want to use you to achieve my goals that's all."
A slow, rhythmic thrumming began to emanate from Wraithbane, his form seeming to swell and pulse with an otherworldly power.
"But soon, when the time is right, you'll see the true power that lies within you.