I poured petrol around the empty space where I stood, frozen like rock. Striking my sword against stone, I created a spark that ignited flames everywhere the petrol had spread. May lifted her head and saw VANTA for the first time—the first human to witness Vanta. Surprised but unafraid, she jumped over the flames and gave me a tight hug, sobbing on my shoulder.
I accompanied her to her room. It felt unreal, like a dream, as her arms wrapped around me. She sat on her bed and laid down, resting her head on my thigh until she fell asleep. I walked out slowly and quietly, returned to my room, and sat on my bed. I gently touched Wei before I also drifted off to sleep.
Loud noises woke me. Looking outside, I saw it was already daybreak. I sneaked out to investigate. The monks were welcoming three visitors: two well-built men clothed in metal armor bearing the same leaf pattern as Dad's staff, and a beautiful, equally powerful-looking woman. They all carried different kinds of swords and blades.
May came out to welcome them, bowing respectfully. They mocked her, kicking dust in her face as they bragged about surviving an encounter with a hundred Claw members. I became furious watching them treat May with such disrespect, but I could only watch from the shadows.
Their disrespect became unbearable. I had to do something. I pulled out a kunai, and immediately all three warriors bowed. I turned and saw Li Ming behind me. Li Ming greeted the warriors, especially the woman who, according to him, was his daughter, Li Na.
Then I remembered—these were members of my dad Chen Wei's warrior squad, all trained under Li Ming when my father was still alive: Zhang Lei, Huang Tao, and Li Na.
The three warriors followed Li Ming while May returned to her room. I followed her and asked why she'd been maltreated.
She replied, "They are the strongest and heads of different monk squads. There were four, but we lost the head of my squad—the strongest one of us, Chen Wei."
"Chen Wei?" I asked.
"Yes, we lost his entire family to the Claws. Mrs. Wei and her ten-year-old son. I miss them so much. I was eight then. I trained hard and became the strongest in my squad—the former Chen Wei squad—but I'm still considered weak by them, so I can't be part of their ranks. Secondly, I'm a woman, and I'm not Li Ming's daughter."
I replied, "From what I've seen so far, you aren't weak. Don't believe them. If anyone maltreats you again, I won't spare them."
She smiled and chuckled softly. "What makes you think you can defeat them? If you consider me strong, then to be honest, they are way above me in power. They've been enhanced with strong magic. Zhang Lei has thunder in his blood. Huang Tao's strength and skills are unmatched by anyone here. Li Na has multiple powers I can't quite identify."
I replied, "I don't care. They haven't faced me yet."
We both laughed.
Bad news hit the temple that evening: Huang Tao was dead. He'd just returned after facing Claw members during an evening walk with Li Na. As Li Na narrated what happened, I heard her mention that the killer had headed for the bar after killing Huang Tao.
Immediately, I ran to May's room, grabbed her sword, some kunai, and ninja stars, then rushed out through the temple gates toward the bar I remembered seeing. I could hear May screaming, "Vanta, wait!" Looking up at the sky, I saw Wei following. I smiled as I headed for the bar.
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