"Father once told me, 'A sword is an extension of your soul. Move with it, and you become one.'"
———
Mei's Pov:
I woke up before sunrise and felt the cold air as I held my sword. I took a deep breath, drew it, and moved through smooth strikes, blocks, and steps, listening to every small sound in the dark.
Each move felt natural, and I stayed fully focused, growing better with every practice.
This was where I felt most at peace and in control of my path.
Flashback:
The bamboo forest was covered in a light mist. Mei found a small open space, took out her short sword, and began practicing her sword skills in secret, knowing her mother wouldn't approve of a woman learning martial arts.
After a few minutes, she put her sword away. It was time to go back home before her family woke up.
"Where have you been all morning?" Her mother scolded.
"I...
"How many times do I have to tell you? The woods are no place for a girl!" Mei dropped her gaze, knowing the evidence of her training was written on her body.
But her father came to her defense, as usual.
"Now, now. The child meant no harm," he said gently. "Let her have her adventures while she's still young. There will be time enough for womanly duties later."
But her mother would not be placated. "You're always encouraging this girl! This is why she doesn't listen to me."
"Womanly duties should begin now. You fill her head with foolishness, wandering the forest alone. What will people say if they find out? She must focus on more becoming activities."
Mei bit her lip to hold back tears, torn between her parents.
Her father smiled sadly at her. "Just a bit longer, dear. Let her have her innocence a while more."
Though her mother's displeasure remained, her father's understanding lifted Mei's spirit. She knew that as long as he approved, she could follow the calling in her heart a while longer.
(Back in the present) Mei's Pov:
l sank to the ground as I remembered another moment from my childhood.
That afternoon, my father took my hand and led me deep into the forest.
There, he showed me stances and movements I'd only seen in sword dances.
With patience, he guided me as I copied his graceful forms. "You have a gift, my daughter,"
he said. "With practice, you can achieve anything."
Pride filled my chest when he praised me. From that day on, my father joined me in the clearing whenever he could. I looked forward to those times more than any other lesson.
Under his careful eye, I learned everything he showed me, and his patience helped me whenever I began to doubt myself.
I will never forget the day he said I was ready to spar. We stood facing each other, smiling and relaxed. But once we began, his skill showed. I held my ground, excited to challenge myself against him. In the end, he lifted me up, smiling. "You will go far, my brave girl. I believe in you."
His trust has always pushed me to get better. Remembering his lessons, I practiced my final form. It was a set of synchronized attacks. I moved with focus, striking at an unseen opponent from every side.
At the end of my routine, I pictured disarming an opponent, my blade poised at their throat in victory. I paused to catch my breath, feeling the satisfaction of a practice done well.
I owed so much of my progress to my father. As I wiped sweat from my brow, a thought crept in; if only I'd been strong enough back then, maybe I wouldn't have had to leave.
If I'd been there that night, perhaps I could have protected them. My family might still be alive.
Instead, I forced the thoughts away and strengthened my heart.
Feeling sorry for myself would change nothing. The only thing I could do was honor their memory by finding the ones who killed them. If justice failed, I would not. One way or another, they would pay.
The bamboo forest had watched me train every day, and now its silence made me feel calm.
The sun was gone now, so I put away my sword and walked out of the forest.
Along the path, I saw a familiar figure ahead.
"Jingyi!"
He turned around, his surprise turning into joy. "Mei! It's been so long."
We hugged tightly, our laughter sending the birds flying from the trees. I had missed his quick humor and warm eyes. Since we were kids, he had always brought me out of my shell with his easy charm.
His smile faded and he said quietly, "I'm sorry about your family. It... was brutal."
My smile dropped for a moment, but I replied, "It was hard at first, but I'm getting through it." I brightened up and changed the subject.
"Tell me what you've been up to. I want to hear everything I missed these past years."
Jingyi understood and jumped into a dramatic story.
We laughed as we shared our stories. I listened closely to Jingyi's new tales, his funny copies of the villagers making me laugh even more. My stories felt simpler, but sharing them still warmed my heart.
His light chatter brought me a comfort I hadn't felt in a long time, making the long road feel shorter.
The soft sunset shone through the green leaves, and I wished we could stay in that moment.
Soon the sun dropped toward the horizon, casting warm light over the forest.
Jingyi sighed and stretched his stiff arms and legs. "I should head back before it gets dark,"
I nodded and tried to hide my disappointment. But Jingyi smiled and held my hands.
"This won't be the last time you see me. I'll be back before you know it."
"You're stuck with me, Mei, whether you like it or not."
I pretended to frown, which made him laugh. Then I hugged him tightly, saying what I couldn't put into words. Jingyi hugged me back, understanding without speaking, then let go.
His bright smile lifted my mood as we parted, and with a playful wave, he walked down the path.