The scene shifted to a distant past, 2,100 years ago. A wounded general woman, clad in worn and tattered armor, lay on a makeshift bed, her body battered and bruised. Her piercing gaze, however, remained unwavering, a testament to her unbroken spirit. A young monk, with a kind face and compassionate eyes, knelt beside her, tending to her wounds. The general woman's gaze met the monk's, and for a moment, time stood still. The monk's eyes widened, and he felt an inexplicable sense of connection to the wounded warrior. The general woman's gaze, however, was laced with a mix of pain, fatigue, and a deep-seated vulnerability. She was a woman who had seen the worst of war, and yet, in that moment, she felt a glimmer of hope.
*The woman's eyes, though narrowed, seemed to soften ever so slightly as she took the sweet from Ryoko. She popped it into her mouth, and her expression changed, her eyes widening in surprise. The sweetness of the candy was a stark contrast to the bitter medicine, and for a moment, she forgot about her pain and her weariness. She let out a sigh, and her shoulders relaxed, ever so slightly. Ryoko smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, as he watched the woman's expression change.
"You're welcome," he said, his voice gentle.
"I'm glad you like it. My name is Ryoko, by the way. And you are...?" The woman's gaze met Ryoko's, and for a moment, she seemed to hesitate, as if unsure of how to respond. Then, in a low, husky voice, she spoke a single word.
"Akira."
Akira's eyes seemed to cloud over, and she looked away, her gaze drifting to some point beyond Ryoko's shoulder. Ryoko's eyes followed hers, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. He wondered what she was thinking, what memories she was lost in. He waited patiently, not pressing her for more information. Instead, he simply sat with her, his presence a gentle comfort. After a moment, Akira's gaze returned to Ryoko's, and she spoke again, her voice still low and husky.
"I was a general," she said, her words barely above a whisper.
"I fought in a war that seemed to have no end. I saw things... did things... that I can never take back." Ryoko's expression was calm, non-judgmental. He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers.
"I'm listening," he said, his voice soft.
"If you want to talk, I'm here to listen."
"I must go back my army is waiting for me even if I have to crawl back I will fight along side my army," Akira said coldly as she tried to stand up and Ryoko pushed her down.
"With the way you look, you will be dead," Ryoko said softly.
Akira's eyes flashed with anger, but Ryoko's words struck a chord. She knew he was right, but her pride refused to admit it. She glared at Ryoko, her jaw clenched, and her voice low.
"I'd rather die fighting than live as a coward." Ryoko's expression was calm, but his eyes showed a deep concern.
"You're not a coward, Akira. You're just wounded. Let me help you."
"Aren't monks against wars?" Akira muttered coldly.
Ryoko's eyes met Akira's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Then, in a soft voice, Ryoko spoke.
"I am a monk, yes. But I am also a healer. I do not take sides in wars, but I do help those in need, regardless of their allegiance. You are wounded, Akira. You need help. Let me help you." Ryoko's voice was gentle, but firm, and his eyes held a deep sincerity. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair out of Akira's face, his touch warm and comforting.
"Fine when I heal I will go back to war," Akira said as she closed her eyes and started to cultivate her killing instincts. Her aura was massive and this amount of aura how many people has she killed it was unknown to her or anyone else she has been cultivating unknown to her which was the Death Star a powerful cultivation that is none for death and destruction.
Ryoko's eyes widened slightly as he felt the massive aura emanating from Akira. He could sense the weight of her killing instincts, and the sheer power of her cultivation. He knew that she was a force to be reckoned with, and that her abilities were far beyond those of a normal warrior. As he watched, he could feel the Death Star cultivation stirring within her, its power coursing through her veins like a dark and ancient energy. Ryoko's expression was solemn, and he knew that he had to be careful. He didn't want to interfere with Akira's cultivation, but he also couldn't let her continue down this path of destruction. He knew that the Death Star cultivation was a path of no return, and that once she fully mastered it, she would be consumed by its power. Ryoko's eyes never left Akira's face, and he whispered a silent prayer, hoping that he could find a way to guide her towards a different path, one that didn't lead to destruction and chaos.
Akira coughed what just happened something stopped her path.
"What the hell did you do?" She asked coldly.
Ryoko's eyes met Akira's, his expression calm.
"I stopped your cultivation. The Death Star is a path of destruction, and I won't let you continue down it." His voice was firm, but his eyes held a deep concern for Akira's well-being.
"Since you stopped I will find another death path way," Akira growled out she was so angry she was a step away from reaching the Saint Death Valley Gateway but now it was gone!
Ryoko's eyes narrowed, his expression unyielding.
"I won't let you, Akira. You're not going to continue down a path that will lead to your own destruction. You're strong, and you have a purpose beyond just killing and destruction. I've seen it in you, a spark of something more." He took a step forward, his voice taking on a gentle tone.
"Let me help you find a different way, a way that will allow you to use your strength and power for good, not for destruction." Akira's anger was palpable, but Ryoko stood his ground, his eyes locked on hers, refusing to back down.
Ryoko watched Akira storm off, a mix of frustration and concern on his face. He knew that Akira was determined to follow her own path, and he couldn't blame her for feeling suffocated by his attempts to guide her. He sighed, his eyes following Akira as she disappeared into the bathing area. He knew that she was powerful, and that she had a deep understanding of the balance between light and darkness. But he also knew that the path she was considering was fraught with danger, and that it could consume her completely. Ryoko's eyes closed, and he whispered a silent prayer, hoping that Akira would find her way, and that she would not succumb to the darkness that seemed to be calling to her.
"Ryoko! Stop you damn praying!" Akira snapped she was trying to cultivate but this damn guy won't it go!
Ryoko's eyes snapped open, and he smiled wryly.
"Sorry, Akira. Old habits die hard. I'll leave you to your cultivation. But don't think that I've given up on you. I'll be keeping an eye on you, even if it's from afar." He turned to leave, but not before adding,
"Be careful, Akira. The path you're on is treacherous, and I don't want to see you get hurt." With that, he walked away, leaving Akira to her cultivation.
Akira's eyes narrowed, her gaze following Ryoko's retreating back. She could sense his concern, and it only fueled her determination to follow her own path. She took a deep breath, focusing on the sensations in her body as she cultivated the Yin and Yang energies. The bucket of water beside her began to churn and bubble, as if the very energies she was cultivating were affecting the physical world around her. Akira's eyes closed, and she let out a slow breath, feeling the power build within her. She was a step closer to her goal, and nothing was going to stop her now.
The air around Akira seemed to vibrate with energy as she continued to cultivate the Yin and Yang forces. Her body began to glow with a soft, pulsing light, as if the very fabric of her being was being transformed by the power she was unleashing. The water in the bucket beside her churned and foamed, as if it too was being affected by the energies she was manipulating. Suddenly, the air around Akira seemed to split apart, and a brilliant flash of light illuminated the space. When the light faded, Akira stood tall, her eyes blazing with a fierce inner power. She was no longer the same person she had been just moments before. She was stronger, more powerful, and more determined than ever.