The night was clear enough tonight to allow the moons to shine over Mount Neverest like a second sun. Supporting its shine was a great myriad of stars each as bright as another. Several constellations seemed to stand out over the others however, all as bright as the moons themselves, if not brighter; all glowing illuminating the small temple nestled in the expansive crags between the great monasteries of the north.
The temple itself had been rather quiet so far. Not much had happened since Ju’s timely arrival. The Soju seemed to help warm her up however, just as Bozhai had said.
“So why were you so eager to get here, exactly? It sounded before as if you were looking for this place. How did you know about it?”
Ju paused at the question. Indeed she had to think on it a while.
“I’m…not really sure,”
Her thoughts soon returned to the constellations she found.
“I suppose I just…followed the stars.”
Bozhai simply nodded.
“Well,” he started, pressing his paws to his knees “I suppose there’s no sense in having you wait much longer?”
For the moment Ju seemed confused. Had he known her intent all along?
“Xun will show you to your armor in a moment. First I have something I would like to show you.”
The young woman between them, Xun, handed Ju a heavy cloak as they followed the old swordsman outside. Though a little nervous about being out so soon after her near freezing Ju tried her best to keep herself comfortable. They each stepped carefully onto the roof of the temple and Bozhai pointed to the heavens.
“Look up there. You have seen these stars, correct?”
Ju looked up to find each of those odd constellations. The same she had seen since their first meeting. She simply nodded
“What you’ve seen contain the spirits of my comrades; past, present, perhaps even future. Ever since I began study in my school they have been there to guide me, and it is through their guidance that I was able to learn the technique you apparently survived,”
Ju looked up at the stars again. What Bozhai was saying seemed strange but she couldn’t entirely disbelieve.
“No one who I have ever faced since learning the Merciful Mists Cut has survived it before you. It is an extreme expression of chi, both harmful and soothing, within the body. You were supposed to die with peace and serenity. I will not ask how you managed to survive. That you not only have but come to try me again already says much about you; perhaps more than you could imagine,”
Bozhai looked up at the stars again.
“Remember these stars well. You may learn far more about them soon. Once you’re finished Xun will take you to get changed.”
As the two donned their armor Ju regarded Bozhai with curiosity. What he said seemed to stick with her, especially regarding that technique. The Merciful Mist, he called it; an odd name, yet somewhat fitting to her.
“That technique you mentioned before, do you think I would be able to learn it?”
Bozhai let out a gruff hum over his cuirass.
“Perhaps in time; the amount of chi required is great. The means of conveying that chi is peculiar. That you aren’t of the Paw of the Seven Stars leaves me with doubt.”
“I’ve mastered the secrets of many others. Yours would be no different.”
“…Perhaps. It is not up to me either way, not entirely.”
Ju didn’t quite know what he had meant by that. She remained quiet nonetheless. Once they finished Ju made her way to the main hall; Bozhai joined moments later.
“I have one more thing to say before we begin. I’m glad you’ve returned.”
Ju smiled.
“Me too”
Bozhai drew his saber and assumed an aggressive stance.
“Bozhai Tsu; Paw of the Seven Stars”
Ju dropped into a stance of her own, grabbing her sword’s hilt.
“Ju Moonblossom; Sun and Moon”
The temple had gone dead quiet as the two combatants stared each other down, considering each other’s movements. Bozhai was the first to strike, swinging upwards towards Ju’s face. Ju stepped to the side and drew to cut at his neck. They each separated with a shallow wound.
Ju returned with a strike at Bozhai’s head only to be parried. Bozhai’s blade grazed across Ju’s cuirass as she stepped away. She pressed on with a thrust. Parried once more she maneuvered into another strike to the neck. Better timed it may have ended things, instead she found herself with another wound; so close to the armpit. She smiled internally, thankful that the cut hadn’t gotten any closer.
Bozhai was close now, far too close for Ju. She opened herself for a downward strike and bashed her hilt into his face when he took the bait. Bozhai seemed stunned for the moment and Ju was quick to take the opportunity. She swung down at his leg only to be blocked by his blade. Bozhai slid their blades in a circular parry, looking to bring his to Ju’s neck. Ju levered her blade up and pressed against the curve of Bozhai’s. She pressed it away and down until she was poised for a thrust into his chest.
Bozhai spun away, fast as a harsh wind on his feet. His gaze seemed to intensify on Ju’s, seeming to pierce into her soul. The light of the moon seemed to shine brighter into the temple’s hall and under it both Bozhai and Ju seemed possessed by a ethereal glow; one that blazed as the stars watching over them. The two rushed towards each other again only to part once more with a single exchange. Both noticed strands of hair on the floor after. They knew it had not come from one single source and briefly shared a knowing smirk.
Suddenly Bozhai dashed forward with a swing as fast as lightning. Ju barely had time to recognize it before she tried parrying the strike. She managed to bring her sword up enough to block the blade however she could see the familiar sight of chi fly from their clash like white hot sparks. Both blades were bright with that same light as they pressed into one another.
With a menacing growl Bozhai withdrew his sword and swung down. Ju cried out as the radiant blade bit through her armor and tore into her abdomen. When she couldn’t feel her blood staining her fur she knew what happened. She looked down and what she found merely confirmed her fear. A cloud of mists enveloped the wound, soothing and calm; yet she could still feel the horrid sting behind it, growing exponentially worse.
Ju took a deep breath. She tightened her grip on her sword and readied herself to continue. Bozhai had done the same and two were at it once more until a sharp sting brought Ju to her knees. Bozhai stood over her watching with an intense, knowing look upon his face. He rose his brow soon after however as he observed the mist begin to disappear. Ju’s sword blazed with energy. She held it tighter than ever as her wound began to close. The radiant shine calmed when it was done, though the blade hardly seemed any less bright.
Bozhai muttered half to himself. “So that’s how you did it…”
Ju breathed in relief and rose to her feet. She charged at Bozhai, crying out her intent so as to reach the ears of the gods. Bozhai met her in turn and the two became inseparable. Under the heavenly lunar light they exchanged blow after blow. Each was quick to exploit the slightest mistake, the tiniest misstep, to gain the advantage only to be hindered or countered. Their clashes each made more starbursts of energy, stinging like errant embers upon their skin. They barely acknowledged the pain. All was forgotten outside of the battle itself.
At the final exchange Bozhai swung down at Ju’s neck. Ju met his strike with one of her own.
“Master!”
Xun cried out as Bozhai fell to the ground. Ju began to relax, panting as she watched the young woman rush to attend to him. Looking at the girl Ju couldn’t help but feel for her. Though Xun was still relatively quiet her sorrow was made quite clear. She soon stood up and faced Ju then graced her with a simple bow. Ju looked at Bozhai. She couldn’t help but smile, if only internally, looking upon proof of her triumph.