Chapter Text
1.
If there was one thing Wen Xiao found contradicting about her master, it was that she hung out with a demon.
Or perhaps the truly strange one was that demon.
Her master was the Baize Goddess, revered and feared in equal measure. Humans worshiped her, while demons scattered at the mere mention of her name. Yet, this particular demon was by her side almost every day.
At first, Wen Xiao had been convinced that the weirdo was up to no good, after all what is up with that poor excuse of a mask? What kind of self-respecting person walked around like that?
And yet, as the months flew by, it became clearer that her master and this strange masked demon were close, even closer than mere friends. Their history together seemed to stretch far back, long before her master had taken her on as a disciple. Each time they would sit shoulder to shoulder by the ocean rocks, speaking in hushed tones, while she trained. And by the time she had been her master’s disciple for an entire year—one whole year!—that demon had also become a familiar presence in her life too.
She often wondered what they talked about. But whatever it was, it couldn’t have been anything meaningful—because she has never met anyone as grumpy and antisocial as this masked demon!
In front of her, he rarely spoke, and when he did, his words were clipped and blunt, as if speaking physically pained him. For all she knew, the demon could be just sitting there, scowling and sulking, while her master monologued.
Those were just her idle thoughts, little distractions she entertained during the rare moments of rest she was allowed. Her master was powerful and strict, never cutting corners when it came to training. Most of her time was spent on doing those breathing exercises her master taught her, and days were long and repetitive.
Perhaps another child her age might feel wronged at having to spend nearly every waking hour on nothing but training. But Wen Xiao only felt thankful. She was indebted to her master, who had against all expectations, taken a shivering, inexperienced girl like her as her disciple.
That night, when her master accepted her, she had been all too willing to leave behind the village that held painful memories of her once simple life. Her master brought her to this sacred place—where generations of goddesses had once resided, where the heavens and earth seemed to touch, connected by a floating peak—and Wen Xiao felt as if she had been reborn.
And sometimes, just sometimes, her master would coax Wen Xiao in a way that made her feel like a child again.
Like today.
A wooden swing appeared near the shore, swaying gently in the ocean breeze. The sight was so out of place amidst the vast expanse of rocks and waves that Wen Xiao stopped in her tracks. But the moment realization struck, her eyes brightened. With a delighted clap of her hands, she rushed over and hopped onto the seat.
As usual, that masked weirdo stood off to the side, silent and brooding. He crossed his arms, his gaze turned toward the horizon, as if he was above such childishness. He pretended to study the ocean, and Wen Xiao rolled her eyes, choosing to focus on the swing while her master pushed her.
He was always like this, keeping his distance, and barely speaking whenever Wen Xiao was around.
Sometimes, Wen Xiao even wondered if this demon held some unknown grudge toward her.
Still, the moment Wen Xiao felt the familiar sensation of swinging through the air, she couldn’t help but let out a giggle. When she was little, her father used to push her on a swing just like this.
The sea breeze tugged at her face, salty and cool, and she blinked away the sting in her eyes. Her master, despite her sternness, was soft at heart, and always spoiled her. This swing, surely, was a present from her master.
“I love being pushed on a swing the most,” she said, letting her legs dangle as she was carried up by the wind.
From the side, she heard the demon’s petulant reply. “I hate pushing the swing the most,” he said, as if just to be contrary.
She huffed and pointedly ignored him, choosing instead to lean back, letting the ocean breeze kiss her skin as she soared higher.
Somewhere in her delight, she heard her master whisper a quiet ‘thank you’ to the demon and she frowned slightly. Thank him for what? He hadn’t even bothered to push her. In fact, he hadn’t done anything but stand there, sulking in silence, as usual.
She continued swinging, feeling the rush of the wind, fully convinced that her kind and wise master was just tolerating that annoying demon’s presence.
Oh, whatever would she do without her master?
~~~
2.
That thought came back to haunt her when, one day, her master announced she had to leave for an errand. Wen Xiao paled, clutching to her master’s robes in a sudden childish outburst and cried, "Take me with you, master!” But her master only smiled, patting her head gently, telling her that it was dangerous, and she would be back in a week.
A week? That’s seven days! Seven whole days with this masked weirdo!
Wen Xiao fought the urge to sulk. She knew that her panic she felt came from her inner wariness toward demons—how could she not be, when one had taken her father's life? But her master had always taught her that demons, like humans, came in both good and bad. And in all the time she had known this one, he had never actually harmed her. He was just…
Annoying.
Still, she watched with great reluctance as her master’s figure disappeared into the distance, leaving her alone by the vast, endless ocean, feeling small and insignificant.
If there was any consolation, the demon didn’t appear in those seven days.
Wen Xiao threw herself into her training, feeling the flow of inner qi weave and intertwine in her soul. Her master said that her body was weaker than most humans, but Wen Xiao was a determined learner, and she pushed herself twice as hard as others. As a result, her power grew at an astonishing pace. The air around her hummed with the steady pulse of spiritual force, the wind seemed to bend in harmony with her qi.
By the time she reopened her eyes, the sun was already setting. Wen Xiao wiped the sweat from her brow, a satisfied gleam on her face when she felt her meridians expanding. How surprised and proud her master would be when she returned! She counted the days with her fingers, and thought: just three more days, three more days till she’d be back!
Without anyone by her side, Wen Xiao could only focus entirely on herself and her training, and her progress had surged by leaps and bounds. Yet, a part of her couldn’t help but feel a little lonely too. She wondered once again where that demon had gone.
She scowled. Maybe her suspicions had been right all along—maybe he really did hate her and could only tolerate her presence when her master was around.
She was still mulling over this when the sky darkened. The clouds which had been steadily gathering swelled in size, obscuring the emerging moon. A sudden clap of thunder rang out, and Wen Xiao froze, body stiffening.
The first raindrop struck her cheek, cold and sharp. Then another. And another.
No… nonono..
She stumbled and fell to the ground, her eyes wide, but her vision blurred and shook. Her robes became soaked through with rain, clinging to her skin as she curled into a ball, her body shaking uncontrollably. Flashes of memories blinded her vision, and suddenly she was back in that hellish night, her father's eyes wide and bloodshot, contorting in pain. The blackened claws of a figure emerged from behind, shrouded in shadows, but the gleam in its eyes was unmistakable.
“D-demon–” she choked, sob catching in her throat as she saw the demon fling her father’s lifeless body aside with ease, and slowly make its way toward her. Wen Xiao could only lie there, her saliva choking up in her throat, barely feeling the damp soil under her fingernails until—
Until a hand touched her shoulder, and she heard a panicked voice, cutting through the storm.
“Hey! Are you okay?!”
She clutched that hand like a lifeline, desperately trying to claw her way back to reality, her fingernails unconsciously digging deep into the flesh. The world around her spun, suffocating. Through the haze of tears blurring her vision, she barely made out the figure kneeling before her.
That familiar mask.
“Breathe in.”
“Breathe out.”
She clung to his calm, steady voice, forcing air into her lungs. Slowly, agonizingly, the tight grip on her chest loosened, and color began to return to her face.
Blinking back the spots in her vision, the world gradually came into focus. It was only then did she realize the position they were in: she was half-collapsed in his arms, his face mere inches away from hers. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the deep red marks her fingernails had left in his arm, and a sickening wave of guilt washed over her.
She jerked away, putting some distance between him.
“...Sorry.” she mumbled.
Surprisingly, the demon didn’t say anything about it. Instead, after a long pause, he spoke, his tone oddly stiff.
“Was that… what is it called… an allergy attack?”
She blinked. “Huh?”
The demon scratched his neck, looking a bit awkward, but his voice still held that familiar blunt tone. “I heard humans have allergies to certain things. Are you allergic to the rain?”
For a moment, she just stared at him. Then, she couldn’t help but smile.
“I guess you could say that,” she said. “I have a pain here that flares up occasionally..” she pointed to her chest. “This heart can’t help but tremble in fear whenever the rain comes.”
She looked at him, her voice calmer now but her eyes held a trace of sadness. “My father was killed by the hands of a demon. It was raining that night. So now whenever it rains, I can’t help but relive that moment.”
The masked demon tilted his head, looking at her. Though she couldn’t see his eyes, she felt like they would be a little sad.
“...I’m sorry,” he finally said.
Wen Xiao shook her head. “What for? It’s not your fault.”
She didn’t expect him to say the words that followed.
“I’m a demon. You are scared of me, aren’t you?”
Wen Xiao opened her mouth, then closed it again. Was she scared of him? She thought back to the times she had instinctively flinched whenever he got too close.
“..Yes,” she reluctantly admitted, having realised it herself at that moment.
“But not anymore,” she added.
The masked demon stilled. After a moment, he exhaled, and to her surprise, he sat down beside her. He didn’t offer any comforting words, but somehow with his quiet presence beside her, the rain felt a little less cold.
She thought, maybe this demon wasn’t so bad after all.
For the remaining three days of her master’s absence, he stayed nearby while she trained. He never disturbed her, never said much, but she always sensed his presence.
Was he watching over her? For some reason, she found herself smiling.
Days went by in their usual quiet rhythm. When the week finally drew to a close and her master finally returned, Wen Xiao could hardly contain her excitement. She dashed forward, eager to greet her.
Her master smiled and held up a small paper bag she had brought back from the human realm.
Wen Xiao’s eyes lit up the moment she peeked inside. Her favourite kind of bun! Master really did spoil her!
A flurry of thanks tumbled from her mouth as she eagerly grabbed the bun, alternating fingers because it was still steaming hot. She pursed her lips into an “o”, blowing furiously to cool it down. Just as she was about to take a big, blissful bite, she hesitated. Then, as if remembering something, she tore the bun in half and turned to the demon.
“Take it,” she said when he pointed a disbelieving finger at himself. Though his face was hidden, Wen Xiao imagined his eyes must be wide and bulging. She shrugged, and shoved the half-bun into his hands, before taking the bite out of her own half, relishing the taste of warm, sweet lotus paste melting on her tongue.
Beside her, she could see the demon tilting his head, surveying the bun. After a moment of hesitation, he turned away, and lifted his mask just enough—then, in one swift motion, shoved the entire thing into his mouth.
Truthfully, Wen Xiao had a hidden motive in offering him the bun. Her eyes were glued on him, infinitely curious about his face, and even though it lasted only a fleeting second, she managed to catch a glimpse of pale skin, the curve of his lips as they parted, and at the very tip of his ear, a faint flush of red…
…before the mask slipped back in place, again covering it all.
Her mouth suddenly felt dry. She choked on her bun, coughing as tears pricked her eyes.
“Eat slowly,” she heard her master say, amusement lacing her voice.
~~~
3.
The sky was darkening. Wen Xiao gasped, struggling to steady her panicked breaths as she gazed up at the pale, indifferent moon above. She was sprawled on the ground, her leg twisted at an unnatural angle beneath her. The edges of her robes soaked up the damp soil, weighing her down further.
She had been wandering the forest, when she mistakenly fell into a large dirt hole, probably dug by hunters to lure wild animals. She groaned in frustration, her head spinning, but any movement caused her vision to blur and piercing pain to shoot up her leg. Her master was probably searching for her right now, but what if they couldn’t find her?
Then, as if answering her prayers, a figure flickered above, blocking the moon.
Wen Xiao’s heart skipped a beat. It was him.
Despite herself, an overwhelming rush of relief flooded her. The demon descended with a swift motion, landing beside her.
“Finally found you.” his voice was shaking. Wen Xiao peered at him, wondering what’s up with him.
“Has Master been searching for me?” she asked, her voice sounding smaller than usual.
“Of course,” he snapped, drawing closer. He knelt beside her, his gaze moving to her leg. Wen Xiao heard him curse under his breath as he lightly pulled aside the torn fabric, releasing the extent of damage.
“Do you know how worried we were?” he murmured, still looking at her leg.
She stared at him. He stiffened, suddenly turning away.
Then, he wordlessly placed his fingers on her ankle, his touch unexpectedly gentle.
She gasped in relief, feeling a strange warmth spread where his touch met her skin. The agony in her leg dulled, melting away under the steady flow of crimson energy that flickered from his fingertips, and slowly, her leg began to look like hers again.
“You are a mortal.” she heard his voice, chiding. “You have to be more careful.”
She sulked, though the tension in her body finally eased, and a soft sigh escaped her lips. “Alright…I’ll listen to you…”
He was right. She was a mortal, after all. Even when the time came to receive the Baize token, the Goddess’ powers were more suited for sealing, not the kind of versatility or raw strength that he—and all other demons— possessed. She should’ve been more prepared, armed herself in a way that made her less helpless. Maybe, in the future, she’d carry tools with her, like that red rope she used to own. Something practical to help her get out of situations like this.
He held out a hand toward her, and she cocked her head, confused.
“Hold my hand. I’ll carry you out of here.” He sounded exasperated.
Wen Xiao spluttered, half annoyed by his attitude. Her leg was working perfectly fine now, thank you! She could climb her way out herself. Once again, she found herself lamenting not having a rope on her.
Ignoring his outstretched hand, she turned and walked past him, surveying the tree roots that lined the dirt wall.
He crossed his arms, watching her as she planted her foot on the soil, and reached out to grip a large and sturdy-looking root.
At an agonising pace, she began her climb. After twenty minutes, sweat was already trickling down her forehead, and her muscles screamed at her to take the easy way out. But she has always been stubborn. Clenching her teeth, she pulled herself up to the next root, determined not to show her exhaustion in front of the cocky bastard still standing below.
Then, something caught her eye, one of the roots was looking a little… life-like. Frowning, she leaned forward, squinting to get a better look… then her eyes widened.
“Snake! Snake!”
She jerked back, flailing wildly, her screams echoing through the dead of the night.
The root slipped from her hand, and suddenly, the world tilted. She was free-falling—plummeting—her heart racing as the ground rushed up at her with terrifying speed. In a blur of motion, a pair of arms wrapped around her, catching her midair. The world spun wildly for a moment, before everything stilled.
Her mouth still open in shock, she looked up slowly, coming face to face with the mask. That mask didn’t have any expression, it didn't even have eyebrows! Yet the demon stared down at her, tilting his head in a way that clearly radiated annoyance.
The both of them hovered in the air, suspended by some demon power he had.
Wen Xiao’s heart was thumping so loudly—it was... She frowned, convincing herself it was because of her fear of snakes.
She pointed shakily toward the other side of the dirt wall.
“What.” he said flatly.
“Bring me to that side. I think the roots are safer there.” she said.
“...”
When she finally crawled out with trembling hands, the demon was already standing at the top, waiting for her, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
“Why were you in the forest alone anyways?” he asked as they walked back.
She pursed her lips, thinking. She took a long time to reply. Frankly, she was a bit.. embarrassed.
“I wanted to pluck some flowers." she finally said, somewhat lamely.
“You like flowers?”
“Of course! Every maiden likes flowers.”
She hesitated before adding, “Our village has a tradition. On our sixteenth birthday, the boys give flowers to the girls they like. It’s one of the most exciting times for us!"
She smiled a little wistfully. “My sixteenth birthday is coming soon, and I guess I was feeling a little nostalgic.. I didn’t want to miss out on the tradition, even if I don't live in the village anymore.”
The demon’s tone turned oddly serious. “If you wanted flowers, you should’ve just told me. I know a place full of them.”
Wen Xiao laughed. “No, no! That wouldn’t have any meaning. It has to come from…someone precious to you.”
The demon fell silent, and as they walked back, Wen Xiao suddenly realised that maybe she might have hurt his feelings. Then she frowned. That couldn't be right. Maybe it was her own feelings that were muddled.
She glanced at him, walking stiffly by her side, and, without meaning to, she found herself thinking about him as someone she could—
She caught herself.
What nonsense.
She didn’t even know what he looked like. Much less his name!
...Did he know her name?
She cleared her throat and timidly voiced the question in her head.
He stared at her. “...Do you think I’m deaf?”
Wen Xiao stared back, and she opened her mouth to reply when he sighed and put a hand up. “On second thought, I don’t want to know.”
“Of course I know your name.” he continued. “I’ve heard your master call you a million times.”
Wen Xiao’s eyes narrowed, leaning closer toward the demon. “Then say it. What’s my name?”
The demon paused, and he hesitated.
Then, quietly he said, “... Wen Xiao.”
Wen Xiao’s heart stuttered.
His voice was smooth, deceptively melodious for someone so rude and curt. She hadn't expected her name to sound so gentle coming from him.
Quickly regaining herself, she tilted her head, looking thoughtful. “I feel like I’m the one getting the short end of the stick here. You know my name but I don’t know yours.”
The demon laughed. “It’d be stranger if you do know my name.”
Wen Xiao raised her eyebrow. “Oh? Why is that so?”
He glanced at her, then shook his head. “Just know that I’m your master’s very good friend. Since you call her Master, then shouldn’t you call me ...esteemed senior?”
Wen Xiao scoffed. This bastard was obviously enjoying himself!
“Forget it.” she smiled sweetly. “I think ‘masked ghost’ rolls off my tongue easier.”
He stumbled midstep, and she grinned, gloating.
That victorious feeling lasted even when she got back and Master was full of chiding, and she got sentenced to peeling potatoes for an entire month.
~~~
4.
The sun was just beginning to rise, its orange-red hues spilling over the ocean’s surface. A light chill lingered in the air, the breeze carrying the scent of salt and morning dew.
It was just the two of them, her master and herself, sitting on a rock, facing the endless ocean. Today was a special day, Wen Xiao didn't start on her training like she always did, instead she was sitting in front of her master, letting her master braid her hair.
Her master’s hands wove gently through her hair, fingers threading in and out with practiced ease. Wen Xiao faintly hummed a tune, feeling the comforting touch, the rhythmic motions.
“Master…”
“Hm?”
“Have you seen his face before?”
Her master’s hand didn’t pause, continuing to weave through her hair. They both knew who she was referring to.
“Yes, I have.”
Wen Xiao blinked, surprised but mostly eager.
“How does he look?”
“You know your master doesn't judge others by their appearance.”
Wen Xiao groaned. Her master was teasing her!
“Then does Master know why he hides his face?”
Her master hummed, gathering a few small flowers and tucking them into the top braid of her hair.
“He once told me it’s for safety.”
Ah, Wen Xiao immediately understood. That antisocial idiot must have been bullied by stronger demons for hanging around the Baize Goddess. No wonder he’s always so grumpy! She shook her head, feeling a twinge of pity for him.
“How did you both meet?”
Her master’s fingers paused for a fraction of a second before she chuckled. “So many questions… Why the sudden curiosity? You’ve never asked about him before.”
Wen Xiao's face grew warm, but she nodded in a calm, sagely manner. “It’s important to know the people around you, didn’t Master always teach me that?”
Her master laughed. And she replied.
“Hmm… how we met, it’s an interesting twist of fate. It happened long before I was the Baize goddess. You see, my village had a cruel custom: every five years, they sacrificed a child to demons, believing it would bring them fortune and protection. I was headstrong and rowdy at that time, always causing trouble… so the village chose me that year.”
“I lay in a cage deep in the forest, starving, barely clinging to consciousness, when he appeared."
"But instead of killing me, he broke the cage open and asked me who would do such a horrific thing to a child.”
Her master sounded a little sad. “It was… a confusing moment. I was raised, fearing demons. But that day, the demon before me was more humane than the ones who locked me in that cage.”
She exhaled softly, then rested a gentle hand on Wen Xiao’s shoulder.
“That’s why I hope you understand. There can be kindness in demons, just as there can be evil lurking in humans. What matters is the heart.”
Wen Xiao reached back and held her master’s hand comfortingly, a surge of sadness for master. She thought, no wonder they were so close. It truly was a life bond.
“What happened next?” she asked softly.
Her master only smiled. “It’s a long story. Master will tell you next time.”
Wen Xiao nodded, then frowned. “How long has Master been the Baize Goddess?”
“Twenty years.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Then— how old is this demon?”
Her master shook her head, laughing again. “Even I am not sure. But I do know we’ve known each other for more than thirty years.”
Wen Xiao groaned, slumping forward. “He even told me to call him ‘esteemed senior’… I should be calling him ‘esteemed grandpa’ instead!”
Her master patted her head gently. “Time flows differently for demons. Just gaining a wisp of consciousness takes a hundred years. We cannot comprehend what age is to them.”
She smoothed down the last strand of Wen Xiao’s hair, saying lightly. “There. Your hair is done.”
Wen Xiao perked up and dashed toward the ocean, crouching at the water’s edge to see her reflection. Her master had tied her hair in a half braid, weaving small flowers into it, making her look very lovely.
“Happy sixteenth birthday, Wen Xiao.” Her master said warmly as Wen Xiao turned back to her, eyes gleaming.
Wen Xiao twirled, her heart bubbling with excitement—perhaps a little naive—but she couldn’t wait to show the demon her new hairstyle. She wondered what his reaction would be?
But there was one last question that lingered on her mind, an obvious one, yet for some reason she can't quite explain, she had saved it for the end, as if afraid to hear the answer.
Names could mean anything, or could mean nothing at all. Yet, Wen Xiao had the strange feeling that his name meant everything—woven into fate itself, a thread that could alter the course of the world.
“What is his name?”
Her master smiled gently. She opened her mouth to reply.
“His name is —”
Suddenly, the earth shook. Wen Xiao gasped as the ground trembled violently beneath them. The ocean rippled in sharp waves, as if recoiling from an unseen force.
Her master’s expression hardened, all warmth vanishing in an instant. Wen Xiao had never seen that look on her before.
Before she could react, her master was dragging her away from the ocean.
“Find a place to hide. Promise me, Wen Xiao! Go now.”
Wen Xiao nodded, her eyes wide. Panic coiled tight in her chest. She ran, her breath coming in ragged gasps, heart pounding, vision blurring.
Behind her, the clouds gathered, dark and suffocating, swallowing the sunrise whole.
As if the world itself was preparing for a terrible disaster to occur.
~~~
5.
She screamed.
Screamed till her throat was raw and bloody. But even that wasn’t enough to contain the unbearable despair clawing at her chest.
The last thing she saw before she blacked out was the towering figure of a demon she'd never seen before—mocking eyes, twisted smile gleaming as he reached a claw toward her master.
When she came to, the world had changed.
The sky was a deep, haunting red, sunless, as if grieving for what had been lost.
Her gaze fell upon the ocean. Its water was also stained by the crimson hue, spreading endlessly. A body floated there, small, fragile, before the unforgiving waves claimed it, washing the red away into its usual dark, grey colour.
Her breath caught.
She moved before she could think, stumbling forward. The relentless waves crashed against her ankles, the icy coldness seeping into her bones but she forced her way through, inch by inch, until she finally clutched the lifeless body in her arms, heart beyond pain and despair.
First her mother, now her master…
Maybe the problem was her.
She carried her master’s broken, lifeless body, dragging herself forward until she reached a quiet spot. Soundless, she knelt and began stacking rocks into a mound. Her fingers bled, raw and trembling, stained the rocks, but she didn’t stop.
When it was done, she bowed her head down onto the ground, crying into the earth.
The braid that her master had tied for her earlier that day had come undone, and the wet strands of hair stuck to her face made her look wild and broken.
Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She flinched, body seizing up. Slowly, she turned and a strangled cry tore from her lips.
He was there. Standing before her.
She flung herself at him, clinging to him with a desperate fervor. Y-you’re … you’re alive… she murmured feverishly.
He put his arms around her, and she shuddered, both of them collapsing into the sand.
Her eyes traced over him—his mask, the dark robes he always wore—searching for any sign of injury. But there was none. Then, her gaze fell to the flowers in his hands.
A surge of sadness gripped her, suffocating her chest. The flowers, were once white and innocent, but now some of the petals were splattered with crimson red.
“Is that… master’s blood?”
If it were anyone else, she would have cursed them, furious that they dare to demean her memory. But not him. She knew he was only trying to comfort her, however awkward, like trying to imitate a human gesture but not sure how.
Silently, he placed the flowers onto the grave and stared at them.
She hated death. She hated the loneliness of being left behind. “Will you die too?” she whispered.
He said, “Death comes to all of us.”
He sounded… exhausted. Nothing like himself. He was grieving, too.
Then, he knelt, and handed her a slip of paper. Her eyes widened at the words written on it, and the stain of red at the bottom. It was a blood vow.
“Don't be afraid, I’ll be by your side as long as you are alive.”
She took it with trembling fingers. “You promise.”
It was then she noticed the skin of his hands were raw and bleeding, as if scrubbed raw. He caught her gaze, and quickly tucked his hands back into his robe, saying nothing.
They knelt there by the grave until the sun began to set, and the sky darkened around them. Without her master's presence, the once familiar land now felt dead and empty.
“Hop on.” he said, offering his back. She didn’t protest like she normally would. Instead, she wordlessly clung to him, small and fragile, resting her forehead against his back. She felt his warmth seep through her frozen skin, and she closed her eyes, drifting off to the sound of his breathing.
They walked like that, step by step, away from her Master’s grave, away from the ocean that once carried the sound of her laughter, until the distant bustle of the capital reached her ears.
It had been so long since she last walked among ordinary people. Since she became her master’s disciple, she had lived apart from them. The sounds, the sights—they were both foreign and achingly nostalgic.
He gently put her down.
She looked up at him, confusion clouding her muddled head. He stood there, the mask making him more unreadable than he’s ever been.
The realization hit her like a sharp blow. She stared at him with accusing teary eyes. “...Are you abandoning me too?”
He was silent, then he said. “I’ll come find you.”
Slowly, he raised a hand toward her.
She stared at his outstretched fist, realising that all she had left was a promise.
Still, he would never break his word to her.
“I’ll wait for you.” she said, curling her fingers into a fist to meet his.
Then, she watched him walk away, thinking how his back appeared smaller, more fragile that day. She wanted to call out to him again, but the words died in her throat. He never looked back.
That was the last she saw of him. For eight lonely years.