Si-Fu Yagushi, the Grandmaster of the School of Iron Fist, stood tall, his piercing gaze sweeping across the room. His presence commanded attention, and his stern expression brooked no argument.
"You will not carryout any plan," he declared, his voice firm and authoritative. "Stubborn children, always rushing into danger without thinking."
A palpable tension hung in the air as the group fell silent, each of them waiting for the Grandmaster to continue. He stepped forward, his stance formidable and unyielding.
Si-Fu Yagushi, his voice a potent mixture of disappointment and rebuke, directed his criticism towards the group before him. "You are students of the prestigious Iron Fist Academy," he began, his words heavy with censure. "Yet you behaved like reckless children during the tournament, charging into danger without thought for your safety, or that of your fellow students. You put not only yourselves, but the reputation of this school at risk."
He turned his gaze to Meili, Ryou, and Fuse, the intensity of his scrutiny causing them to shift uneasily.
"Meili, Ryou, Fuse... and Lei," Si-Fu Yagushi continued, his tone sharpening like the edge of a blade. "You knew of Xaphan's presence in the forest, and still, you chose to confront him alone. You did not alert the Si-Fus or Headquarters, and as a result, you endangered not only yourselves, but also the lives of your fellow students. I expect better judgment from my students."
Meili swallowed, her throat dry as the Grandmaster's words reverberated through the room.
Si-Fu Yagushi delivered his verdict with the firmness of a gavel striking a wooden bench. "Meili, Fuse, Ryou, and Kai, you are hereby ordered to remain in your hostels for a month, with no training and limited access to the outside world. This punishment is a consequence of your ill-advised actions. If Si-Fus Hibiki and Mei were here, I would have deferred to them. However, their absence, brought about by Xaphan's hand, makes this a matter for the Academy to address. The severity of your actions warrant a severe punishment."
"We're sorry Si-Fu Yagushi....," Fuse's words of apology fell silent as Si-Fu Yagushi quickly cut her off. "Your apologies are noted," he said, his voice conveying a sense of finality, "but this punishment is non-negotiable. We all bear some responsibility for what happened. From me, the head of School of Iron Fist, to Master Feng Hanzo of Golden Elite Academy and Jiang Tokugawa of Phoenix Academy, we must accept our share of the blame for what transpired during the tournament. We failed to protect our students, and for that, we apologize."
The mood in the room grew solemn, as the reality of the situation became clearer to all present. Meili, her head bowed in acceptance, spoke first, her voice low and tinged with sorrow.
"Si-Fu, please know that we accept our punishment and understand its necessity. Our desire to help is born from our love for Hibiki and Lian, and we will do whatever it takes to see them both returned safely to us. We will learn from this experience and strive to become better, more responsible Wulins in the future."
Yagushi nodded, his expression softening slightly before leaving the room.
After Yagushi's departure, a heavy silence descended upon the group, each of them struggling to process the gravity of the situation. It was Jaggy who finally broke the silence, his voice low
"Well, that was... awkward. So, what now?
And In her mind, Meili's thoughts echoed with urgency. 'First things first, I need to see Kai."
However Si-Fu Yagushi left the room and made his way to the infirmary Si-Fu Mei was centered, one of his most trusted and skilled instructors. Her bravery during the last battle had nearly cost her her life; Zirkyu's treacherous blade had left her pierced and battered.
Upon entering the infirmary, Si-Fu Yagushi's gaze fell upon Si-Fu Mei's fragile form, lying motionless beneath the blankets. Her usually radiant complexion was now pale, her eyes sunken from pain and exhaustion. As he approached Si-Fu Mei's bedside, he acknowledged the other Si-Fus present: Si-Fu Ryker, Si-Fu Kaito, Si-Fu Akane and Si-Fu Zabuza. They nodded in respect, their faces somber.
"Mei," Si-Fu Yagushi said softly, his voice tinged with concern.
Si-Fu Mei's eyes flickered open, a hint of determination burning within. "Grandmaster... I'm glad you're here."
Si-Fu Yagushi approached her bedside, his expression grave. "How are you faring, Mei? Your injuries were severe."
Mei's voice was barely above a whisper. "I'll recover, Grandmaster. But I fear for our students. Xaphan's power grows by the day... and Hibiki's now captive."
Si-Fu Yagushi's jaw clenched. "I've forbidden them from pursuing a rescue mission. It's too reckless. They are been quarantined for a month for their behavior."
Mei's gaze locked onto his, her eyes pleading. "Grandmaster, please reconsider their punishment. Our students are driven by loyalty and justice. Don't crush their spirits. "
Si-Fu Yagushi's expression remained resolute, but Mei's words struck a chord within him.
Si-Fu Mei's expression hardened with resolve. "Grandmaster, do not be too harsh on the students. Yes, they made mistakes. But it was out of loyalty, out of their desire to protect their friends. Such courage and devotion should be nurtured, not punished."
Mei's words hung in the air, heavy with purpose and wisdom. Si-Fu Yagushi furrowed his brow, considering her suggestion.
"Very well," he finally conceded, his voice thoughtful. "Perhaps you are right, Mei. Our students are still young, but they have shown great potential. I'll let it slide this time."
The group of Si-Fus gathered around Si-Fu Mei's bedside, a flurry of questions and concerns filling the air.
"Xaphan's presence went undetected for too long. How did he manage to infiltrate our grounds unnoticed?" asked Si-Fu Kaito, his voice taut with urgency.
Si-Fu Zabuza chimed in, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. "And who is this Zirkyu? How did he manage to strike you down so easily?"
Mei, though weakened, did her best to relay the information she had gathered.
"I can't say for certain how he infiltrated the grounds," Mei began, her voice faint but clear. "But I do know he's incredibly cunning. He hid his presence well, and only revealed himself once he was in the forest."
"As for Zirkyu, he's young but also he's no ordinary warrior. His technique... it was unlike any student I've ever seen. One moment he was nowhere to be found, and the next... he was piercing my flesh with his blade. The boy is a master of stealth and deception."
Si-Fu Akane, her expression grave, spoke next. "He sounds like a formidable foe, indeed. And if he's working with Xaphan, that means we're up against more than just an individual threat. What if Xaphan has more people like him under his belt."
Si-Fu Ryker, his voice heavy with gravity, weighed in. "Xaphan's motives remain a mystery, but if he's taken Hibiki, it can't be good. Hibiki's one of our powerful warriors. Whatever Xaphan's plan is, it will undoubtedly require someone of Hibiki's caliber."
"Hibiki won't lose to Xaphan, I'm sure he'll find a way. He promised.....anyways, It would seem Xaphan's attack in the forest was not merely for the sake of causing chaos," Mei said, her brows knitting together in thought. "He could have easily left after taking Lian. The fact that he remained, and then took Hibiki... it suggests a more calculated plan. But to what end, I cannot say."
The other Si-Fus nodded, their minds churning with possibilities.
"Perhaps he wanted a warrior of great potential ," Si-Fu Akane mused. "Students from our Academy. But why?"
"Well enough speculation. We must act now if we are to save Hibiki and Lian," Si-Fu Yagushi declared, his voice resonant with command. "Our priority must be to track down Xaphan and Zirkyu. To that end, I want all available Si-Fus and Wulins assigned to the task. We will utilize every resource at our disposal—trackers, wulins, hunters, every bit of martial skill and knowledge we have. We will comb the forests, scour the mountains, search every nook and cranny of this land. We will leave no stone unturned.
"And let it be known," Si-Fu Yagushi added, his eyes blazing with determination, "that we are not alone in this hunt. The Phoenix Academy in the East and the Golden Elite Academy in the West have agreed to lend their expertise. It took some convincing, but Master Feng and Si-Fu Jiang understand the severity of the threat. We will work together, coordinating our efforts across the land. This is a joint mission, and we will not rest until Xaphan and Zirkyu are brought to justice."
As the other Si-Fus filed out of the room, filled with resolve and determination, Si-Fu Mei was left alone, her mind awash with self-doubt.
'Damn it, What good am I to the Academy in this state?' her inner voice taunted, cruel and unrelenting. 'Hibiki... Lian... I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. All because I was too weak. If something happens to them... I'll never forgive myself.'
Mei's hands clenched into fists, the guilt and frustration welling up within her.
As if sensing her inner turmoil, Si-Fu Zabuza approached, his stoic expression softening.
"Don't blame yourself, Mei," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "Hibiki has always been a stubborn one, rushing headlong into battle. You can't blame yourself. But do not despair. He's a tough old bastard, I give him that despite I hate his guts. He'll find a way to get himself out of this mess. And if he doesn't... well, we'll get that son of a bitch out ourselves."
He offered a reassuring smile, a glint of determination in his eyes.
Mei's tense shoulders eased slightly, a faint glimmer of hope piercing the shadows of her mind. "You're right, thank you, Si-Fu," she said, her voice tinged with gratitude.
Zabuza nodded, his eyes filled with empathy. As Mei's lips curled into a gentle smile, he caught a glimpse of the vibrant, youthful spirit she once embodied. "Take care, Mei," he said softly, his tone infused with warmth.
Meili, her mind still reeling from the events of the day, made her way through the bustling corridors of the hospital. Her footsteps echoed on the floors, her thoughts consumed by the memory of her argument with Kai. She knew she had to see him, to apologise.
As she pushed through the doors and stepped into the warm afternoon sunlight, her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure—Rhett, Lei's brother. His expression was solemn, and Meili realized he was coming from the direction of Lei's emergency room.
"Wait, you're Lei's brother, aren't you?" Meili asked, eager for news. "We haven't had a chance to visit her. How is she doing?"
Rhett's face twisted in annoyance. "What's it to you? Mind your business, lowlife!" he snapped, his voice curt.
The sudden hostility caught Meili off guard,
Meili stood her ground, undeterred by Rhett's hostility. "I've noticed the Golden Elite can be quite... prickly," she said, her tone measured. "But I assure you, I'm coming from a good place. I'm one of Lei's closest friends, and I'm deeply concerned about her well-being. I know you care about her too, Rhett."
Rhett scowled, clearly unwilling to engage in conversation.
Rhett turned to leave, his parting words laced with venom. "Save the pretenses, Iron Fist Academy. You think you're all about friendship and camaraderie, but this game isn't that simple. We're all fighting for survival as well, and when push comes to shove, my sister and I won't hesitate to prioritize ourselves. Don't pretend you're close to her; she wouldn't bother with someone as weak as you in the first place. Lei has a reputation to uphold, and she knows it. You have no idea what's going through her mind when she's with you people."
His last words left a bitter taste in Meili's mouth, the sting of his insult cutting deep. She clenched her fists, struggling to contain her anger and frustration.
Meili's words were a salvo, her voice rising with righteous fury. "You couldn't be more wrong about Lei!" she exclaimed, her eyes flashing with defiance. "She has a heart, unlike you. She cares about her friends, and would put herself in harm's way to protect them. That's why she's in there, fighting for her life. She's not some wanna-be survivor like you. She's a hero, a true warrior."
Rhett's derisive scoff reverberated in the air as he turned his back and walked away. His parting words hung like a prophecy, ominous and foreboding.
"Suit yourself," he muttered. "But the truth about what it means to be a true warrior will reveal itself to you in time. And when it does, you won't be able to handle it. Mark my words."
As his footsteps faded into the distance, Despite Rhett's biting words, Meili's spirit refused to be broken. A determined smile lifted the corners of her lips, her eyes gleaming with determination.
'I won't let his twisted world view drag me down today,' she thought, the steel in her soul refusing to be chipped by his pessimism. 'I know what Lei is capable of. I know what the Wu-Lins stand for. And I will prove him wrong.'
With her resolve strengthened, Meili continued on her path, looking for kai.