章 32: In One's Shadow

A giant axe was casting its shadow over Karni's head. He was distracted with his thoughts of Siduo, and now the white chill of the approaching threat was about to hit him.

Bending in an incredibly unnatural way, Karni's back was essentially horizontally aligned with the floor, while his Bo Staff attempted to block the incoming axe. It was a heavy hit, but he managed to bounce the axe off of him.

The other thing he bounced off of the axe was himself, right towards the floor. He quickly split his Bo in half and stabbed them in the ground, barely keeping his balance. His back was only a head's size away from the floor while his arms were attempting to keep him from falling onto it.

In the past month, training with the class has continued as normal. Except Siduo only watched until now. Since she could participate again, Karni couldn't help but glance at her every now and then. This is how he got himself into this situation as well.

The way they trained changed every now and then. This time, whoever fell on their butt first, lost. Karni's butt really seemed to be attracted to the floor right now, but the arms holding both halves of the Bo were denying the reunion between floor and ass.

A shadow descended upon his face again. The chill in the air was reaching towards him. He had to move. He released the Bo in his left hand and pushed with the one in his right. He spun, still in a very much horizontal position. One quick turn and he noticed a yellow ring shining brightly on his opponent.

The axe swung and missed. It hit the ground, but an icy explosion soon followed, catching Karni's legs. He couldn't move, but his feet were frozen with ice, they were stabilised. He regained his balance.

Another yellow ring shone. The girl with the axe was charging at him with full speed, the blade of the axe now glowing in sky blue colour. Another yellow ring shone at that moment. Karni's second ring activated as the axe approached.

He swung his Bo in front of his eyes and besides becoming yellow, they had a tinge of purple in the middle as well. For a second, the girl had to realign her attack, but when Karni wasn't moving, the attack was still going to hit the target.

Delay was all Karni needed. The hit of the axe gave him a few Stacks and he had some piled up beforehand as well. He met the Ice Axe with his Staff of Predictions. A clean sound was heard as the two came into contact. Karni bent the Bo just right so the axe slid off.

With his move successful, he split the Bo Staff again. He hit her on the side, just right so that her weight went along with the axe, into the ground.

Yet just as was expecting to see her fall, she used his own trick against him. She stabbed the Axe into the ground to hold herself. She hasn't fallen yet.

Karni reacted quickly. His Bo Staff had a decent range for its size. All he did was flick her in the ribs and she lost her balance. Now she was on the ground.

"Damn it!" The girl shouted.

"Don't worry too much about it, Bing Ran, if it weren't for the rules you would've basically had me there. I still can't move." Karni attempted to comfort while unsuccessfully trying to free his legs out of the ice.

"That's exactly what pisses me off!" The girl stormed off to fight her next sparring partner, before quickly turning around once more.

"I swear to you, by the end of this year I'ma beat your ass!"

Karni was going to say: 'language!', but stopped himself as the teacher already pulled her by the ear. This was just how this girl was. Bing Ran was very talented and competitive. Perhaps she lacked behind in talent compared tp Ma Fai considering their age difference, but since the Green Tiger Academy came here, amongst Ma Fai and Tie Tiao, she was the most impressive one.

The only other person who has shown talent thus far was the girl from 1st year, Hu Fuya. Because of their martial souls, Siduo took a liking to her. Hu Fuya's growth spurt appeared as well. They spared regularly, and even hung out together outside of school.

And here he was yet again. Instead of going towards his next sparring partner he was looking at Siduo. It was only yesterday that he realised he hadn't had a proper talk with her yet, this was all thanks to Grandma Ying.

"Val Karni, get moving if you don't want to have 'extra practice' again." Teacher Ye's voice was heard from the side. She just gave a stern talking to Bing Ran and she saw Karni idling as well. Karni knew her temper so he was fast on his feet to his next sparring partner.

Today's sparring felt especially long, just like the first week after the accident, but it was for a completely different reason. Before, it was this looming emptiness, coming to terms with what he did, now it was impatience. It was finally over.

He took a big breath and walked towards Siduo.

"Hey."

"Hey." Siduo said back.

"So umm…"

Siduo raised an eyebrow.

"Can we talk about… well everything that's happen-"

"Later. Hu Fuya! We're going to the library."

Hu Fuya came next to her and glanced at Karni in an apologetic manner. Siduo pretended not to notice. "Did you try it out during the night?"

Hu Fuya nodded. She began talking, but the two were already far gone. Karni couldn't hear much.

"That was weird."

And it wasn't the last time.

… … …

The following week the two have spent training with Tie Tiao, training with the class again, and everytime Karni approached her, whether it was during the training or after it, she would use Hu Fuya as a shielding device. At first it seemed like the two actually had something to do, but Karn could notice the frowns on Hu Fuya's face too, later in the week.

When she didn't have Hu Fuya to mention, she mentioned her parents or her brother.

And with such a slow week, it was now already time for their next adventure into the Spirit Ascension Platform. The first in a while for Siduo.

Karni was frustrated the whole time this week. What was impatience has now turned into anger. Why was she doing this? She was avoiding him, that much was clear for anyone to see but why? Was she scared? Of what exactly? Talking?

No matter, he was going to tell her today. In the Spirit Ascension Platform if he had to. At least she won't be able to run away from him there. The two will have to cooperate. No matter how much she wanted to avoid him, if she didn't want to go through the hellish training, she'd have to stick close to him.

He entered the building, much like everytime he was here, he looked at the mural of Huo Yuhao, well, a particular part of it. "Yep, still just a black smudge."

No matter how many times he was here. Despite knowing that others see something else, he could only see a black smudge. Looking at it too long would cause his head to hurt, so he only checked every time he entered and then looked away.

He greeted his teachers. Siduo was already inside the big capsule. She entered just a minute ago. Not having any reason to wait any longer, he followed her inside as well.

Greeted by a now already familiar sight of a lush forest brimming with vitality, Karni took a deep breath. First priority: finding Wu Siduo.

… … …

A red haired girl breathed in the fresh air. She missed it. This place was incredibly enjoyable to her. It felt so realistic to the old Star Dou Forest. Her mind became clear when she was in it.

Then she breathed out. It felt more like a sigh. It was a sigh. She was confused. Uncomfortable. And it was because of Karni.

He suddenly wanted to talk, determined eyes and all, but everytime she looked into his eyes, she remembered that day in front of the hospital. The words. And she was scared to hear them again. Scared that the words will be the same.

She remembered his look after they finished the twin daggers. It felt normal, then the mood got quiet, and the fear overtook her again. 'I would do it.' He said back then. It was so wrong to her. Terrifying when she could sense the intensity behind it.

She almost died back then yet he… he…

She heard a rustle, but as quick as the panic came, it disappeared when she noticed who it was.

A head full of dark blonde hair peaked out of the bush, and the familiar yet distant eyes met with hers. "Finally found you."

"Mhm." She nodded, then turned her head away. She didn't forget to go into position. Just like they did back then, they covered their backs when they were here.

Karni had his Bo Staff out at all times, while she was constantly circulating her soul power, ready to summon her martial soul at a moment's notice. Thankfully, Karni was silent for now.

… … …

About 10 minutes into their expedition, Karni's breathing changed a little. It was subtle, but constantly being on edge next to him made her senses that much sharper. She felt that what she feared before was now going to happen.

"Siduo. Can we talk?" Karni asked in a slight whisper.

There it was again. The question. He said it that way again as well.

"No. If we're not careful we might get ambushed."

She was right of course, but that didn't make Karni's frustration any less obvious.

"Look here. I know you've been avoiding me lately, but come on Siduo, we have to get this over with one way or another."

He was also right, but the way he said it pissed her off.

He didn't particularly mean it that way. There was some semblance of truth to it, but in a different way than his tone implied.

"Oh so you're doing this just because we have to eventually right? Then I don't want to talk about it at all. We'll do it eventually." There was some snark in her comment, but she wasn't sure how she felt. Her teeth were clenched as if she wanted to be angry at him, but she was incapable of being so. If anything, she felt a bit sad.

"I didn't mean it like that. It's just that. It's really frustrating that you avoid me like that. Like seriously. What? Are you scared of something? Of what exactly? Talking to me?" He repeated the line he's said to himself so many times now. His tone was getting harsher with every word he said. The frustration which had built up in the past week was being released at this moment. He was going to tell her everything. He had to.

"That's really funny coming from a guy who hasn't talked to me throughout most of the month."

Karni was silent for a second. "Well you haven't talked to me either. You were also-"

"Then when was I supposed to huh? What when you went to the mother of the man who almost killed me? Or when you weren't with my family during the weekends?"

"Hey! Leave Grandma Ying out of this. She did nothing wrong!" Karni turned back to face her now.

"That's the only thing you're going to mention? Your Grandma Ying eh?" There were no tears in her eyes anymore. There was only anger now.

"I just want to talk to you now! Why can't we just have a normal conversation! Why don't you want to actually say anything! I'm ready to have an honest talk with you!" Both of them were yelling at each other. No subtlety in their voices.

"Well, I'm not, Karni! So why are you forcing me!" She saw those eyes again. They felt so distant despite the words he was saying. "You want to talk but I don't want to!"

"But why?!" Karni yelled.

"What does it matter why! Karni, you're not the only one who went through shit back then. Just because you'll feel better telling me your thoughts doesn't mean I will!"

He got silent at that moment. He kept on remembering Grandma Ying's words. To just be honest with each other, but… he had to be the first. Yet what was he doing right now? He just yelled at her, venting his frustrations onto her, unfairly.

He looked at her eyes. And he noticed that besides anger, there were now tears hiding as well. And fear. Now that was both a familiar yet unfamiliar feeling to him. He has never seen her like this.

"I… think it's better if this session we go our separate ways." Siduo spoke when Karni wouldn't say anything. She turned around and walked away.

Karni closed his eyes and thought about what he wanted to say. "I'm such an idiot. I don't want her to talk with me. I just wanted to force this so I could feel better about myself. So this friendship…"

His eyes went wide. He realised it. He just had to say it to himself. Of course it wasn't just this that he worried about, but the reason he wasn't speaking to her he… He's such an idiot.

He gathered his words. His mind focused on only one thing. The thing he needed to say the most. To her. He was afraid. She was afraid. But if he didn't say it now. He didn't know when he could. It wasn't the incident that made them truly have this fight. It was the talk after.

"Sisi." He said quietly. To himself more than to her. He wanted to give himself courage. When did he stop calling her Sisi?

These nicknames that came from teasing yet became so dear to his heart. A sign of his first connection to this world. A connection that lasts a lifetime. That of a friend.

He didn't notice,but her eyes went wide too. She flinched. And tears started falling silently down her face.

"You don't have to say anything back. If you don't want to answer, you don't have to. I only want to tell thi-" He dashed towards her. He looked up in terror. A giant, dark golden shadow sweeping onto her.

He didn't have time to shout, his sole purpose right now was to protect his friend. His friend! She was his friend! How could he have forgotten such a basic thing? Sure he said it to Grandma Ying, but at some point it became a simple title during this past month.

She only saw him hugging her when she heard his footsteps. His eyes were filled with absolute fear, but not for him. This time it was different. Next, she saw blood.

"Kiki!" She grabbed him. There were giant, deep gashes on his back. There's no way he can pick himself up right now.

The button, she had to press the force exit button on him.

"Left." She heard a barely audible voice.

Her instincts finally kicked back in. Karni managed to pick himself together for her. She had to do it for him too.

She dodged, but she wasn't able to notice where the soul beast went. "Shadow Tiger." She silently muttered.

Karni attempted to move his hands towards the red button, so she could escape as well, he was only being a burden at the moment. Despite his senses barely recognising the surroundings, his adrenaline and mind were crystal clear. He had to get out of the way.

"Below." But until he's here, he has to help.

This time Siduo was prepared. She dodged to the side easily and unleashed her second soul ring. Hell Hundred Claws!

Unfortunately the Shadow Tiger was fast as well. She could tell she only hit him about ten times. This wasn't nearly enough damage to kill it. She felt a sort of special animosity to this creature, as did Karni. Before the incident, it was this soul beast which caused them to have a harsh training day.

Now yet again, it was causing the two great troubles. One was incapacitated, while the other had to rely on that person to even stand a chance at fighting with this tricky enemy.

"Above." This cursed ability to hide in the shadows was truly perfect. And the beast was intelligent as well.

Siduo dodged again, but since the beast attacked from above, it immediately went into the shadows on the ground.

Karni was using up all of his senses to give warnings as soon as possible. The beast was tricky. In the three times it attacked, it was always in a direction that pushed the two further apart. She couldn't get back to him in time.

Just as he was waiting to see from which side of her the Shadow Tiger would strike again, his world turned golden. Ah. Right. It was him. He was the key to their survival after all. Karni simply closed his eyes, at least he won't be a burden with her test scores. It's not like he'll really die here.

"No you don't!" She noticed Karni's defeated eyes. Her first soul ring lit up as she sped up onto Karni, then, with the colour of he Hell Cat martial soul, joined another. The White Tiger.

The Shadow Tiger attacked from the side, her two colours exploded, but the explosion was controlled. It was only in her right arm, which was already shining with the power of her second soul ring. Hell Hundred Claws.

Shadow Tiger struck her, and she struck it. Directly in the eye. Across her whole torso. Both the tiger and Siduo coughed at the pain, but he was now on top of Karni.

She pressed his exit button immediately, and before the tiger could swipe at her again, she pressed her own as well.

… … …

The two opened their eyes simultaneously and the phantom pain was still there. The two were greeted by odd looks from their teachers.

Mo Qing simply sighed. "I would've given you a special training session for this round but…" He sighed again. "You two figure out this lovers quarrel. Until then, the activities in Spirit Ascension Platform are suspended."

The two children were left alone, outside of the Spirit Pagoda.

Karni wanted to tell her what he couldn't, but now that they were out of the platform, it felt odd. Did he even need to tell her? They worked together just now didn't they? Sometimes one doesn't need words to…

Ugh. He was just looking for excuses. He was afraid of confrontation with his friend. But in regards to this topic? He felt that, for some reason, she was more afraid than he. And that was not okay. He had to tell her it's okay. He just has to tell her.

He walked up to her slowly and he couldn't keep his eyes on her. He didn't know whether it was shame for what he said earlier or fear. He was soft in his approach in his speech.

"Can we talk?"