~Episode V~

Episode 5: It all goes down hill

•••••

It had been three full weeks since Ai and Xiaoling stared combat training. Xiaoling has learned a lot of magic as did Ai.

Now, all three girls are out in village. Isa was learning how to communicate with "Humans" by talking to an old lady, Ai was talking with Ida about the village health and Xiaoling is getting to know the people in the village.

Xiaoling was watching Isa trying to talk to an old lady, Mrs.Gritten. This was the last person in the village that Xiaoling has yet to meet. "Would you like some cookies, Isa?"

"Yes Lady. I would very much appreciate that." Isa said and Xiaoling hit her on her head.

"That's not how you do it. You said her name and not lady, and don't talk so formal." Xiaoling lectured

Isa nodded, "Yes Mrs. Gritten. That would be- I mean, I would love some." Isa said.

"That was good. The only problem was your emotionless voice and face!" Xiaoling said and hit Isa on the head again.

Mrs. Gritten let out a soft laugh. "You young folks are so funny." She held out a plate of cookies towards Isa. "Please take one."

Isa took one, "Thank you la-erm, Mrs.Gritten."

Xiaoling patted Isa head, "Good girl."

It took 53 tries but she finally got the hang of it.

Xiaoling thought sweat dropping.

They had been there for over 30 minutes trying to finish the conversation. They had time start over multiple times because Isa said the wrong things. Such as,

"Hello Old Lady. I would like to- Ow!"

"Yes Old lady, that woul-Ow!"

and,

"Okay old lady, you sme-Ow! Ow! Ow!"

Isa and Xiaoling left and went to find Ai. "Mi'lady, how long do we have to stay in this tiny village? I'm getting bored." Isa said nonchalantly

"Hmm. I mean, the village is in good shape and no monsters has been showing up. So I guess we can take a temporary leave. I have to make sure with Ai though." Xiaoling replied "But what shall we do? How long will we be gone?"

"When I went into town and heard that Okili city was needed of palace guards. So maybe we should try out?" Isa asked in her usual nonchalant voice

"Sounds fun!" Xiaoling cheered

•••••

Xiaoling and Isa found Ai who just got finished talking with Ida. "Oh! Xiaoling, Isa! Hello."

Isa nodded while Xiaoling waved. Ai ran over to them and they began walking home. "So Ai, we were wondering if we can take a temporary leave of the village. The village is in good shape and monsters hardly ever appear. It should be alright, right?"

Ai thought for a brief moment. "Sure. When shall we leave?"

Xiaoling smiled, "Okay then. We can leave first thing tomorrow."

Ai nodded, "How long will we be gone?"

Xiaoling thought for a bit. "Well me and Isa were planing to become palace guards in Okili city. So once we become guards, we can visit the village on our days off."

Ai smiled, "Alright. Sounds like a plan."

•••••

It was bright and early outside when the three girls woke up. They began to pack everything. About thirty minutes later they finished and stared to head out to say goodbye.

Mrs.Gritten came outside her home and handed a plate of cookies to Isa. "For you my dear."

Isa bowed, "Thank you Mrs. Gritten, I'll be sure to repay you." She smiled

Xiaoling and Ai were shook. "Isa, that was amazing!" Ai said and patted Isa head

"Yeah! And you didn't sound like an emotionless doll!" Xiaoling added

The girls waved goodbye to everyone in the village and took off with bags over their backs. "So how long until we get there?" Ai asked

Xiaoling took out a map that she bought a few days back. "Hm. We're here and Okili city is all the way over there... So if we keep walking without stopping for food, water or sleep, we will be there in three days. But we have food and water... We just need sleep and to rest. So we will be there in about five or six days."

"It's so far!" Ai exclaimed as they stared to walk into town

"We have plenty of food and water, plus a little bit of money. So we can't stop anywhere, we will have to sleep outside. But the food and water wouldn't last when we get there, so we need money-"

"Xiaoling look! An auction! I bet we can earn money there!" Ai yelled pointing at a huge building.

That's too coincidental!!

Xiaoling thought turning into stone from shock.

"Like I said, a good luck charm." Xiaoling said and patted Ai's head.

"But we have nothing to auction off..." Ai trailed

"You're wrong." Rasing her right hand, Xiaoling clicked inventory and pulled out two bottles and three masks. "These are elixirs."

"Wow! You have space-time magic! I never knew!" Ai said with bright eyes, but then her attention went to the masks. "What are those?"

Xiaoling walked back into the forest and made sure everything was clear before she pulled up the first mask it was a black and gold masquerade mask with horns"This mask is called Mada's illusions. This came from the dragon of illusions. It can hide your cultivation, tier rank and appearance. It also will help you see other peoples tier ranks and cultivation."

She pulled out a second mask, it was a black half-face mask. "This mask is called Unknown silence. It hides your appearance and presence. It also enhances your senses."

She was on the last mask now, it was a full-face black Japanese kitsune mask with red lines and bells and feathers hanging on it. Isa eyes widen when she saw the third mask. "This mask is called enchanting darkness. This mask... well no one can use it except me." Xiaoling explained and handed the half mask to isa and the masquerade mask to Ai. "Choose wise when changing your appearance."

That mask...

Isa thought as she put on the black mask handed to her. "Look Xiaoling! I'm you!"

Ai looked exactly like Xiaoling. Long soft scruffy black hair and sharp crimson red eyes, that are brought out with peachy smooth skin.She was wearing a long sleeve white and black mini dress that stopped just above her butt and long black tights and gloves on.

Both Isa and Xiaoling stared at Ai. Xiaoling lost color and Isa sweat dropped. "You idiot! You can only choose your appearance once! And what's with that outfit!!"

"What?!? You didn't tell me that! And I thought it was cute~!" Ai exclaimed

"I said to be wise!" Xiaoling yelled

Isa turned into a taller female with shoulder-length wavy purple hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a white long sleeved button up shirt and a light purple mini skirt with black tights.

Xiaoling nodded in acception and pulled three different cloaks from her inventory that she bought with the map. All of them were over-sized. They were different colors, white, black and red.

Xiaoling handed the black one to Ai and the red one to Isa. "Put these on."

Xiaoling put on the white one and then put on her mask. The red lines glowed and the black surface turned white. Xiaoling black hair was slowly turning into pure white. But unlike Ai and Isa mask that disappeared, this one stayed. "Let's go." Xiaoling said through the mask.

Ai stared at Xiaoling wide-eyed. "Oh sorry Ai. This mask makes my Aura fifty times powerful. So in other people eyes, I'm a celestial. That's one of the abilities anyway."

That scared the living hell out of me...

Ai shook her thoughts away and nodded. She followed Isa and Xiaoling back into town, heading for the Auction.

•••••

Sorry if you didn't like this chapter. I'll edit it later. Hope you still continued to read this story though! let me know if you find any mistakes at all!

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