The Untamed: Inexorable Fate of Us

Chapter 5: Flame

     The person is in an almost bride-like flowy red dress and is holding the crimson fan corners Jingyi, seeming ready to do the worse. Quickly, Sizhui tosses his light talisman at the person but misses terribly landing right next to Jingyi's face.

     Illuminating his face, the person let out a gasp of surprise and takes a step back.

    All the disciples are still under great tension and have surrounded the person with their swords ready to attack.

The voice of Nuan calls out: Jingyi?

Jingyi, who has had his hands covering his eyes, removes them: A-Nuan?

Sizhui orders the other disciples: Put away your swords.

   Nuan folds up her fan in hand and stares at Jingyi. Jingyi feels uncomfortable. Why does her eyes sparkle at him? It's as if she has not seem him in forever. Is this what being a hero feels like? Wait- he had just lost his balance and fallen off his sword.

    Nuan's lip purse together into a quiver and a pout then looks down and walks towards Jingyi and hugs him. Jingyi is a bit shocked but stays still and let Nuan embrace him. Jingyi lightly pats her on the back.

Jingyi: It's okay. You're safe now.

    Jingyi could tell that even though Nuan is not crying, it was because she was trying really hard not to. Nuan lets go of her embrace and Jin Chan immediately comes with his sword and stab the air between Nuan and Jingyi, making them step away from each other.

Jingyi: Hey, what are you doing with your stupid sword?

Jin Chan steps in between Nuan and Jingyi, facing the girl: Do you just have a full mirror and closet out here? Why is your hair down? Where did you get this new outfit?

Jingyi shoves Jin Chan to the side: Can't you see that she is afraid? (to Nuan) Ignore him. I think your hair looks beautiful like this and your red outfit matches your fan very well.

Jin Chan: She has a bird nest on her head. I think I heard baby birds chirping.

    Sizhui walks up to Nuan. He hasn't ever really interacted with her and doesn't know her well. Jin Chan seems alarmed by her but Jingyi is very calm to her.

Sizhui: A-Nuan, are you okay?

Nuan made a desperate realization: Quick, do you remember the way out of the forest?

Sizhui: Of course.

Nuan: Let's get out of here first. Quickly.

    All the disciples quickly evacuate the forest with Sizhui leading the way. When they have long left the forest and come to a clear stream, everyone takes a rest and Sizhui quickly builds a fire. Around sits Jingyi, Nuan, Sizhui, Fairy, and Jin Chan.

Nuan: After so long, I didn't expect you to still be in town.

Jingyi laughs: I didn't expect you to overthink so hard. Why wouldn't we be in town?

Sizhui: When it got dark and you had not returned, Mo Guniang got worried and asked us to keep an eye out for you on our night hunt.

Nuan thinks about Sizhui's words for a bit before speaking: Sizhui, how long have I been gone?

Sizhui: A whole day.

Nuan: Impossible. It's been nearly a month.

Jin Chan: What?

Fairy barks.

Nuan: I've got a whole new look in a matter of a day. I've ditched the rusty sword and collected Fenghu (meaning the phoenix's cry) (talking about the fan).