AND I STILL RISE

Chapter 3: The Ripple

"You ready?" Yasuo asked him, searching for the nearby gear.

"As always," Ekko replied, following his friend's lead.

The men stood in the kitchen, bellies full from a hearty breakfast, morning chores complete. They grew close since the day Ahri welcomed Ekko and his partner to stay in their home. Adopted brothers of sorts - shared in the common bond of loyalty, duty, and their love for the women branded as monsters by the world.

They slipped into their boots in unison, fishing hats in hand; a final equipment check before heading to the lake to catch the evening's meal.

"Rods?" Yasuo said.

"Got em right here," replied Ekko, reaching for the lanky contraptions propped against the wall.

"Lure?"

"In the toolbox."

"Bucket?" Yasuo asked as he crossed the final item off his mental checklist.

"Right here, next to the door."

"You couldn't find a larger one?"

"...bro... every time we go fishing you want a bigger bucket... and every time you come back with goldfish...." Ekko replied with a smile.

"That was last time, this is this time; the only time that counts."

"I'll believe it when I see it... come one let's get go-" Ekko's words were interrupted by the sound of commotion in the adjourning room.

"ENOUGH!" cried a familiar voice.

"Jay... please... calm down..."

"NO! THIS IS BULLSHIT!"

The men stared at each other, slowly placing their finishing equipment down, making their way into the meditation room to see what the ruckus was about. They found the women in the center of the room, Jinx standing over Ahri with angry intent.

"EIGHT MONTHS." Jinx continued, "you told me you were going to train me, make me stronger. I thought we were going to be useful things like... I don't know shooting things or blowing things up. But we haven't done anything but sit here for hours watching our stupid thoughts floating by!"

"I explained to you... we're training your mind... It takes ti-", Ahri replied, holding her meditative position on the floor.

"NO. ENOUGH. You lied! You can't help me! This was all just a waste of time!" Jinx said in a huff, stomping across the bridge.

"Jay, I..." Ahri quipped, to no avail. Jinx crossed the bridge, and opened the door, making her way to the backyard. The trio stayed in place, watching through the glass wall as she walked off in the distance.

"Ahri, I'm sorry..." Ekko said.

"Shush, Ekko. It's not your fault. Go after her, please. She needs you." Ahri replied, dusting sand from her legs as she stood. "Yasuo," she called, "brew some tea, please. She will need it." Yasuo nodded and headed to the kitchen.

It was a beautiful summer morning. The bird's melodies were in full chorus, morning dew evaporating in the blades of grass as the sun cast over the fields. White-tailed deer foraged as insects buzzed busily to and fro. He walked towards the pond; a pool of tranquility in the middle of nature's diversions. He approached her on the shore, her arms over folded knees; the makeshift structure supporting her head.

"Hi," he muttered in a gentle tone, hoping the worst of her storm had passed. She didn't respond. He sat on the ground next to her, being mindful of the physical space she needed. They sat in silence for a few minutes; her brewing, his stare fixated on the pond.