"I-I can't." The words were spoken so quietly, so softly, yet they were resolute and permeated through the area.

Crystalline droplets flooded from her eyes and rolled down her pale cheeks.

Heart burning, Hua Le spoke.

"Yao Yi, I'm sorry - I can't be with you." She took a deep breath before continuing. "It's just that you and Qi Zi - It's gone too far."

No this wouldn't do. She was too emotional, too soft. She had to break it off before the grief she felt, carved out all the flesh from inside her chest. She couldn't let Yao Yi see her sadness overcome her. She had to do this with no remorse or guilt. She had to be firm.

Her tears solidified, and Hua Le steeled her heart.

"I love you and Qi Zi both very much, but not in the way both of you would like."

She paused to calm the tornado in her heart that was quickly shredding her in the inside.

"I just need to leave. To escape this place full of foul memories and loss."

She didn't hesitate before saying,

"I'm sorry."

Because all this meant to be was an apology.

As she spoke, those last two words resonated through Yao Yi Yi's ears.

She had apologized. Hua Le had apologized and nothing more had been said. Only were the times of darkness and regret, ever mentioned.

But the pain and lost hope between the two of them could be sensed and both of them could feel one another's melancholy moods.

They both didn't want this.

But she had to leave. Or else she may be devoured by the guilt and pain and heartbreak.

And as his love, the person who had stoked the fire and passion in his heart left, in a wisp of smoke, never to be seen again, and abandoning him to the cruelty of the world, Yao Yi's heart fell and shattered into thousands of pieces.

He collapsed.

His aura becoming pale and lifeless, and his chest burned so horribly. All he could feel was a pain.

It hurt so badly.

Yao Yi could now only admire the cheerful memories of when he and Hua Le were still together before Qi Zi had ruined it all.

His thoughts took a dark turn, and his aura became black full of resentment and hate.

It was Qi Zi who had to have ruined it all. Why couldn't he have let him be happy? Why did he have to fall for her too?

Why?

Why?

Why?

He felt so pathetic, unable to utter another word other than why.

His anger toward Qi Zi had created a black vortex surrounding him, making all of his negative feelings be seen visually. The torment he was going through could be seen and felt for miles on end.

Never had he wished so much before that he could turn back time and return to those days where Hua Le was still here, laughing happily. His desire to be able to manipulate time had never been so fierce and deep. Even during his times fighting in wars, he had never felt this way.

Her separation left a wound. A gouge in his soul that he thought could never scar over, much less heal.

Despite the excruciating pain he felt, no one could have possibly understood his pain, understand what he was going through.

No one except for one.

Yet only one person was able to see that scene and truly understand the hurt that Yao Yi was going through.

Red eyes glowed as they observed the scene.

When seeing him fall harshly to the ground, black tendrils surrounding him, those eyes flashed grey.

And throughout the time that they had been watching, those crimson eyes shone with regret, remorse, and grief.

The first time I had ever laid eyes on her she was hanging onto the edge of a bridge, barely hanging on as girls watched, doing nothing to help her. It was clear that they had purposely pushed and cornered her to fall to the side of the bridge and were waiting for her to lose her grip and then fall into the icy cold water down below.

Immediately, I jumped and caught her in my arms, when she began to fall.

I effortlessly carried her in midair as we soared over the rushing water below.

Her blue eyes widened and I was amused at how surprised she was to have been saved.

As my feet touched the ground, I fluidly stood her upright and steady.

At the time I had merely saw the rescue as something small. When compared to being one of the saviors of the entire continent, usually anything seemed small. But now I see it as something magical, and even then, I had stored this memory deep within my mind.

"Are you alright." Our eyes met. Her clear blue against my dark ebony.

"Yes." She seemed shocked and a little breathless, almost as if she didn't quite believe that she wasn't in frigid cold water instead of dry, warm, ground.

She then immediately rushed to say, "Thank you!"

She spoke those words so quickly and so rushed it was as though she had believed that I would blow up in your face if she hadn't properly thanked me.

It was rare for people to care about manners, but then again, she must've known who I was.

Seeing her frazzled expression, I nearly snorted out loud which was quite unlike me, and I later I would realize that this girl had the capability of making me laugh no matter what she said.

“You're welcome.”

Then I went on to say, “May I learn of this fine lady’s name?”

She was surprised.

And I knew why.

I was well known around these parts. I was a  savior, a hero, one of the people who protected this land of Medkid. She must have been wondering why such a man of my caliber wanted to know her name.

The answer was simple. She seemed amusing.

I was curious as to why she had blue eyes. Blue eyes weren't that uncommon but there was a chance that she may contain a special ability. It was widely known around these parts, that if anyone had any character traits that were not dark eyes and hair, yellow skin, and a rather small build, might the possibility of having the ability to cultivate. Though blue eyes did not guarantee that a person has inner power, I had never seen eyes that were quite like hers.

Her eyes were whitish, pale blue, an almost turquoise color.

I never saw that particular shade of blue, before.

However, though her eyes were unique, it certainly did not guarantee that she had any talent in the arts of cultivation.

Talent did not only mean the presence of inner power but also a  trained body and mind.

And as I looked toward her she looked quite soft, and if she was unable to defend against a couple of common girls, I doubt that she would be skilled enough to practice martial arts.

Instead of raising my hopes,  I  talked to her a little more.

“Well, Miss...”

“- Hua, Hua Le.”

“Miss Hua Le, do you have any interest in cultivation.”

“No.”

“Well then, we ca-”

I cut myself off before I could say anymore. I was shocked. Normally people would be jumping at the chance to become a Cultivator.

Cultivators were always successful in life and being one always guaranteed a path full of glory and good fortune.

if you could cultivate your life was set.

“Are you sure?”

I asked, making sure to remove any surprise from my voice.

“Yes, I am very sure. I am truly not one to participate in such violent activities.”

I was baffled. In this time and place, where had she gotten the mindset of peace and no bloodshed.

In Medkid, there was always a time and place where their was war when and a battle to be fought. There was never any true peace. In this world, if you didn't know some degree of protecting yourself you would die. No one could always be there for you at all times watching you, and protecting you, it just wasn't possible. And if one were to rely on that for their protection then eventually they would meet a timely death. It was fact. There were no exceptions. That was just how the world was. Protect yourself and if you couldn't, you would suffer.

Surely she had some way of protecting herself.

Maybe she had people protecting her who were absent when she was bullied. Or maybe, she could fight, but the women she was fighting against had overpowered her.

"Do you practice martial arts or weld a weapon. Or maybe you have guards protecting you?"

"No, no, and nope!"

She shot down all of my assumptions, cheerfully, untroubled by the fact that she had been living her entire life unprotected.

At that moment, I was so confused.

How did this girl make it through in everyday life, much less in her few decades of living?!

How did she get through life with such nativity?

I was astounded.

Never have I ever met such a person as Hua Le.

I the genius of the Wang Sect have never been more shocked.

"May I speak to you parents."

She must have influential parents. She must have very powerful parents. She must have very rich parents.

"I'm an orphan."

She was an orphan.

I was beyond stunned.

"How old are you?"

"23."

How had she made it intact through her 23 years of living?!

A cough snapped me out of my thoughts.

I looked toward Hua Le, she looked uncomfortable and anxious.

Then I realized that I had been interrogating her.

I was so stupid.

"Ah-Sorry. Um - I'm Yao Yi."

She stared at me for a second before replying,

"Yeah, I know."

My face burned.

Of course, she knew who I was. I was easily one of the most recognizable people here!

Not only was I apart of a well-known group of protectors of the world, but my appearance was also very unique.

With pale skin and hair, a rather muscular build, green eyes, intricate robes, long, flowing, hair, I definitely stood out.

"Um-Yeah."

I tried to smile, but it didn't look at it. It probably wilted a few flowers.

"So-gotta go!"

With my sword under me, I flew out of there in a flash, never looking back.

As I flew on top of the clouds, cooling my face and feeling my clothes lift, the only thing on my mind was to never see Hua Le again.

Though, of course, that didn't happen.

Once again I saw the girl, and she was stuck in a tree - a tree!

Who was she to not have the ability to jump or climb down five feet?!

I didn't even need to jump to rescue her this time.

I just lifted her off from the tree, making note, once again, of how light this girl was.

Plopping her onto the ground, not caring to be gentle, I gave her a stern look.

"So what happened here? And do you not know how to climb trees?"

"I can." She nearly glared at me, probably would have if she didn't know how powerful I was. I could end her life with a finger if I wished to, but I just wasn't that type of guy to want to exert inner power on any person.

"I see." It was in the most disbelieving tone I could muster.

She squinted her eyes.

"How else could have I gotten up there?"

Was I detecting a bit of sass here?

"So you just don't know how to climb down trees?" I looked at her.

"I do!"

"Then why couldn't you get back down."

"Because-cause I'm scared of heights."

I gaped in disbelief.

We were in the city of Soara, a city that was in the air, above any ground by at least 20 miles. No one should have a fear of heights here!

Blown away.

"How do you even exist?"

Oops.

I said that out loud.

She looked at me once again.

Oh no. I offended her.

She did the almost- but not quite- glare again.

Oh great. She was really offended.

Just waiting for the up coming hit on the head from an angry female (I could never dodge them for some reason), I stood frozen, awaiting my fate.

And it never came.

"I'm waiting."

I blinked at her, confused.

"My apologies."

"I'm still waiting for your thank you." I blurted out without thinking.

Crap.

She was angry.

Her red cheeks puffed up and her eyes were a little watery.

She looked cute. Like one of those furry little rodents that had big cheeks.

Mouse? No

Rabbit? No

Squirrel?  Still not quite right.

Ah.

Chipmunk. Yes.

She cooled down in a few second which both gave me relief and a little disappointment.

"Fine. Thanks." She said as insincere as she could.

"Sorry." I returned giving the same lackluster tone she had used when giving her thanks.

And then to make her a little angrier, I flew off on my sword.

Try to top that.

She might of had me last time, but I'm sure I left as cool as I did when I arrived, just now.

This time I was sure that I would never meet Hua Le again and that I didn't want to see her ever again.

In fact, these two times that I was out were exceptionally rare for me. I usually hung out in the Wang Sect along with Qi Zi, a prodigy as well.

I might not come out again for many months on end.

I was wrong for both of them. I definitely would see Hua Lee, and I would grow to want to see her very much.

Yao Yi has always been my friend, my brother.

We have been together since we were five, when I found him in an old rickety house as I was exploring.

I remember when I asked him that question.

...

"Hey do you want to be my servant? You get to have fresh, clean, clothes and delicious food." I asked.

This boy looked strange.

Taking him might be worth it to have a companion at my age.

I stared at him fascinated by his appearance.

His spiky white hair.

His pale skin.

The boy's eyes flashed.

Wow.

His eyes were really pretty.

Such a nice green color.

"No."

My heart felt an unknown, unpleasant, sensation, which I would soon realize was the feeling of rejection.

I felt sad.

"Why not?"

I gave him puppy eyes, which would become a common thing between us.

"Your rude."

How was I rude?!

He was the one camping out in one of the Wang Sect's buildings without permission!

"How?!"

"You keep staring at me, and you started asking me questions without asking for my name."

"Oh. Okay. What is your name?'

"I don't want to tell a rude person my name."

It was the first time I, the son of the head of the Wang Sect, had been treated like this before!

"What do I do? I want to know your name."

"Too bad."

Too bad? Too bad!

I was being rejected over and over again!

"Anyway do you want to come with me?"

This boy was interesting.

"As your servant?"

"Yup!"

"No." He deadpanned.

Then he continued his emerald eyes flashing.

"I don't want to serve under you. I want to be your equal."

He was completely serious and I was mesmerized by the mature aura he brought out.

Of course at that time I didn't think he, a beggar, could ever rival me, the son of a prestigious Sect's head.

Little did I know it would be me who would trail after his tail. That I would aspire to be as great as him.

What I did know at that moment that this was going to become a legend and that he was destined for great things.

"So how about you come to my sect as a disciple? You will get to learn hand to hand combat."

I was sure my eyes were in puppy eyes at full power.

He hesitated, and when I started to worry that he would say no, he said.

"Sure."

I was so happy and excited.

We could train together.

We could be friends!

"I'm Qi Zi, you are?"

"Yao Yi."

Another burst of happiness burst within me.

Yao Yi.

Yao Yi.

Yao Yi.

We were going to be such great friends!

.