The sun blazed high in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard of the Heavenly sect. Most disciples were scattered about, resting and meditating, some were even napping after the morning meal, when the urgent gong echoed through the compound.
Bong... Bong... Bong. Three heavy strikes.
Feng Wu stood up from under the shade of a tree ," isn't it too early for a gathering?" He muttered.
" No", Jian Wei said, stretching. " It's not early... it's just unexpected."
Groups of disciples began gathering in front of the main pavilion, murmuring quietly. Some looked confused, others annoyed. Liu Yang appeared,tying back his messy hair.
" Did anyone say we'd be training today?"
" Not a word," Mei Ling answered, frowning," something's off."
Master Xuan stepped forward,his long robe swaying as dry wind blew across the courtyard. His expression unreadable,but the tension in the air was enough to silence everyone. " We have summoned you early" he began," because danger is no longer looming - it is here."
The disciples shifted uncomfortably. " She's already here," Master Xuan continued. " Bai Qi has entered the human world."
A wave of silence swept across the crowd. Several disciples paled. " Bai Qi? The nine-tailed fox?!" Someone whispered.
" Silence everyone!" Master Rong'er shouted in a calm but serious tone.
" A report just reached us" Master Su said," something has happened in the Shaying Desert. Merchants heading towards Lanbao Village was found dead."
" Dead?" Wu Chan asked quietly. " What happened to them ?"
Master Huo, arms folded, answered coldly," That's the problem. We don't know. The details are vague. There were no wounds,no survivors, just corpses. Scattered."
That left the entire group unsettled.
Master Yue waved her hands, and one of the assistants stepped forward with a long velvet covered tray. She pulled back the fabric to reveal 40 circular hand mirrors - delicately carved, glowing faintly with pale blue light." These ," Master Yue explained," are communication mirrors."
" Like message talismans?" Li Liu asked curiously.
" More advanced," Master Yue said. " Inside each mirror is a spirit known as an Echo Guardian. A woman whose task is to guide you in battle. You won't see what's happening. But you can ask where to go. It listens to your words. If you speak to your mirror, the Guardian will carry the message to the person you mentioned."
" So we can talk to each other doing battle?" Mei Ling asked.
" Exactly," Master Yue nodded. " Across distances, without confusion. Fast. Clear. Private."
Jian Wei examined the mirror handed to him," it's kind of ... pretty...wait - does it listen at all time ?"
"No ," Master Yue smiled faintly. " It only activates when you tap its back twice and speak the name of the person you want to reach."
One disciple raised a hand , uncertain." So...this isn't about Bai Qi?"
" We don't know," Master Huo replied," it could be a demon who killed them. It could be one of her pawns. Or it could be something else entirely."
The silence was thick. The heat seemed to grow heavier.
" But wasn't this supposed to happen tomorrow." Liu Yang said slowly." Why now?"
Master Xuan's expression darkened,"Because death doesn't follow our schedule."
Without another word, the masters turned and left. The disciples stood there stunned.
" Guess we're heading into a storm" Feng Wu said, trying to lighten the mood.
" No" Mei Ling replied softly." We're walking into the unknown"
One by one, they activated the mirror.
" Guide me to the Shaying Desert," Jian Wei spoke to his.
The woman voice replied gently," folllow the fading sun. Past the Western dunes. Beneath the crescent ridge lies your path."
The disciples exchanged glances - and moved out.
... In the Shaying Desert.
The wind howled over dunes painted blood - red under the desert sun. The sand was soaked in silence..and something darker. He stood motionless beside a broken caravan.
The assassin, cloaked in black,his presence barely disturbed the breeze. His last host - an elderly merchant - lay twisted on the ground, the same blade he used on his friends burned deep in his own chest.
The assassin's eyes flickered, glowing faintly. " The confusion has begun", he muttered to no one. Another whisper echoed within him - a link back to Vaitis, faint but present.
"They'll send the disciples now.. early. Unprepared."
He stepped over the corpses, leaving not a footprint. The Fox's spell still lingered faintly on his soul - just enough to keep his own will retrained. But not forever.
" Let them come," he said gently. " Let them see what they weren't ready for."
Then he vanished into the wind.
Waiting. Watching.