Chapter 08. Relief Mission (4) — The Gap

Fox’s words stung like hell, but weirdly, they didn’t hit me as hard as they should’ve.

They felt… fake, like he was putting on a show. If he thought he could hurt me enough to make me hate him and bail, fat chance! I’m not that easy to break.

Still, he wasn’t wrong about Yao Yao. This place is a dump—clean water’s basically a myth, all tainted with grime. Food? Barely enough, just dried scraps for storage. Handy, sure, but for someone sick like her? Useless. And good luck finding herbs here. It’s a nightmare…

I let out a heavy sigh. Is there no way to fix this mess? Ask Bear? The idea popped up, but I shoved it down. Keep running to him, and I’ll end up a leech.

“Ugh!” I blew out a sharp breath, psyching myself up. You’ve got this, Ami.

But that damn playboy? He’s gotta pay!

Ditched me, saying he’s off for “big business,” too important for me to tag along. Turns out, he’s just messing around in some pleasure house!

Infuriating.

With his wind affinity, he zips wherever he wants. But how the hell do I reach him now?

I stopped, brain spinning, coming up blank. Blanchi? Nope. Bet he’s already slinking around another brothel.

I froze.

Gods, how’d I forget that?

A lightbulb went off. I bolted to my room, tearing through my stuff.

Where is it?! I grumbled, sprinting down the hall, not giving a damn about anything else. In my room, I flipped everything upside down.

Please, please tell me I didn’t leave it behind!

I muttered, rifling like a maniac. Where the hell was it? I scratched my head, arms crossed, eyes shut, trying to remember.

Before he pranced off with that smug grin, he’d shoved a tiny flute in my hand, saying, “Blow this if you need me, I’ll show up—long as my gift’s still active, one year max.”

I’d glared, totally unimpressed, and then… completely forgot where I stashed it. His flippant vibe, half-assed explanation, and that stupid grin as he ditched his “little sister” made me swear I’d cut him off.

But now I’m kicking myself.

I slumped into the pile of clothes, muttering.

Something jabbed me through my robe.

I yanked it out and— “I’ve been wearing it this whole time!” Gods, I’m such an idiot!

The flute’s loud as hell, so I needed somewhere quiet to avoid drawing a crowd.

But leaving Yao Yao alone? No way.

The others were nowhere in sight. I buried my face, praying for a miracle.

“Huh? They’re back!” I spotted Snake and Panther strolling in.

Speak of the devil!

“Snake, Panther, can you watch Yao Yao for a sec?” I rushed over, blurting it out.

“Where you off to?” Snake shot back.

“Uh… can’t say, but please, just help me out, okay?” I begged, giving them my best puppy eyes.

“Make it quick,” Panther said. Snake glanced at him, caught off guard.

“Thanks!” I flashed a grin and bolted.

At the door, I crashed into Fox but didn’t have time for his nonsense, dodging and running.

——

This spot should do. I climbed a deserted hill we passed earlier, panting like crazy from the sprint.

After catching my breath, I sucked in air and blew the flute hard.

Its ear-splitting wail echoed, practically bursting my eardrums.

A minute passed… nothing.

Did that jerk scam me? I wondered. Wait, what if he’s plastered and can’t hear? I clutched my head, freaking out. But how could he be drunk? It hit me.

“Hmph… One more go?” I eyed the flute, debating.

“Screw it, one more.” As I raised it, sucking in a breath—

Whoosh!

“Ow!” I yelped, feeling like I’d slammed into a haystack.

“Amiiiiiiii!”

Oh, great, here we go.

“Missed you so muchhhhhh! Why’d you wait forever to call?” Wei crushed me in a hug, eyes all teary, milking the drama like he was about to sob.

I shot him an icy glare, shoving him off, voice deadpan. “Didn’t need you till now.”

I stood, dusting myself off, pinching my nose. “Ugh! You reek of booze. That’s your ‘big business’?”

Wei scratched his head, blinking innocently. “C’mon, let’s not go there. Been ages, and you’re all pouty—it’s breaking my heart.”

He slung an arm around me, dodging. “So, what’s the job?”

I jabbed a finger at the air. “Clean up that crap.”

Wei followed my point, letting out a whistle. “Damn, that’s a mess.”

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I elbowed his ribs, making him double over. “Get serious, idiot!”

“You’re no fun,” Wei whined.

I clenched my fists, ready to deck him.

“Sorry I’m not one of your brothel babes,” I snapped, pushing. “Move it, or I’ll kick your ass!”

“Fine, fine, I’m on it,” Wei straightened, cracking his neck. “Might not clear it all—her gift’s a beast.”

This clown’s all carefree, but sharp as hell, spotting her handiwork in a glance. “Whatever, do what you can.”

Wei raised a hand, and the air shook like it was ripping apart. Wind howled, a living storm, whipping the toxic dust into massive spinning funnels.

My hair went wild, clothes flapping like crazy, and I crouched low, clawing the ground to stay put. Wei’s winds were like invisible knives, slicing through the black haze, dragging it into a furious tornado that spun like it’d eat the sky.

Whoosh! Swoosh!

“Hell yeah!” I muttered. The air started clearing, light breaking through.

“But where’re you dumping that dust?” I yelled over the roar.

“Uh… no clue,” Wei shouted back.

Seriously?! I screamed inside. Where the hell do we put it?

“What’re you waiting for? Use your gift!” Wei hollered.

My gift? Right, why hadn’t I thought of it since leaving Caelora? It’s like my brain’s been locked. High Council members keep their gifts until they fully turn beastfolk, but the power fades.

“Ugh!” My head throbbed, blank on what my gift even was. Why?

“You good, Ami?” Wei yelled.

“I’m fine,” I lied, but I knew I could tap my gift if the right trigger hit. Wei’s winds roared harder, nearly knocking me over.

“Why’s your wind so damn intense? You’ll blow away houses!”

“Chill! I’m hitting the upper air. Feels wild here, but it’s lighter out there,” Wei said.

Fair point. My turn.

Boom!

My heart slammed like thunder, the space around me warping, twisting like it was breaking.

An icy chill surged, spreading from my fingers through every muscle, like my soul was freezing solid. My body locked up, like it was turning to stone, then shattering into a million pieces, pain ripping me apart from the inside.

“Agh—It hurts!” I groaned, guts twisting, bones cracking, the agony ten times worse than before.

But through the pain, the air around her shifted. The floating poison dust turned into glittering snowflakes, drifting down like a surreal blizzard, blanketing the ground. Each flake, like a tiny crystal, sucked up the toxins, leaving the sky clear and sparkling, like it was never filthy.

“Hell yeah, Ami! Sky’s looking good!” Wei whooped, clueless to her struggle.

“Let’s wrap this up!” He swung his arm, summoning a massive vortex that yanked the toxic snow away to some far-off wasteland.

In minutes, the sky blazed bright, sunlight pouring through, like the darkness was a bad dream.

“Phew, haven’t gone that hard in forever,” Wei stretched, smug as hell.

“You should be proud I’m your big bro, Ami,” he said, hands on hips, grinning like an idiot.

No response. He glanced down. “Ami?”

She was sprawled out, eyes shut, out cold, completely drained from her gift’s explosion.

——

Minutes earlier, after Ami’d begged Snake and Panther to watch Yao Yao and bolted out, the three of them filed into the room, each claiming a corner.

“You better apologize to her later,” Snake said, plopping onto the next bed, eyeing Fox.

“Yeah, yeah, I got it!” Fox snapped back, short and sharp.

“But why’d you let her run off like that, Pardus? What if she gets into trouble?” Snake turned, frowning.

“She’s not a kid. You guys keep her on such a tight leash, she’s practically suffocating,” Panther said, voice even but cutting. His words hit like a wake-up call, making them both pause.

“Even if it’s to protect her, caging her like that just makes her push back harder, stirring up more chaos,” Panther added.

Snake opened his mouth to reply when a piercing flute note tore through the air.

“What the hell was that?” He whipped around, but Fox and Panther just shook their heads.

“Ami! Bet it’s her!” Fox shot up, voice sharp with irritation.

“Cool it, man, you blame her for everything,” Panther said, standing. “I’ll check it out.” He headed for the door.

Barely a few steps out, a howling gust screamed through, like the sky was being ripped in half.

Panther froze, looking up. “What’s that?”

Snake rushed to the window, eyes wide. The pitch-black sky churned, toxic dust swirling into massive vortices, a living storm roaring.

“Wind… from the east—” Fox bolted out the door, charging toward the sound.

“Hey, wait!” Snake yelled, but it was no use. He stayed glued to the window, jaw dropping. “The black dust… it’s clearing?”

The air trembled, and the floating poison particles sparkled, turning into snowflakes drifting down like a surreal summer blizzard.

“Snow? Here?” Snake muttered, half-awed, half-baffled. “What in the world’s going on?”

Fox, sprinting east, skidded to a halt as the sky brightened. Ferocious winds whipped the toxic dust into a tornado, then shimmering snowflakes appeared, sucking up the poison, leaving the air crystal clear.

“No way…” Fox whispered, eyes wide, fists clenched. “Don’t tell me… it’s her.” His chest tightened, replaying the harsh words he’d thrown at Ami. She wasn’t just a troublemaker—she was changing the damn sky!

Panther, not far off, stopped too, gazing up. The whirlwind and blizzard danced in perfect sync, a breathtaking display of raw, destructive beauty.

“Ami…” he murmured, eyes glinting with admiration. He glanced back, spotting Fox frozen, his face a mix of guilt and awe. “You see it, right?” Panther said, voice low, a hint of pride.

Fox bit his lip, silent, but his eyes softened—regret mingling with shock.

Snake, still at the window, let out a dry laugh. “Holy crap, Ami, that’s you, isn’t it?” He turned to Yao Yao, as if to tell her, though she was still out cold.

The sky blazed bright, sunlight streaming through, like the dust had never existed. “Not a kid, huh…” Snake mumbled, recalling Panther’s words, a grin tinged with pride.

——

At the eastern clearing, Fox and Panther finally arrived.

They froze at the sight: crisp air, a radiant sky, lingering toxic snowflakes glittering as they fell to the wasteland.

But their eyes locked onto Wei, sitting with Ami in his arms.

“Who the hell are you?” Fox growled, claws flashing, ready to pounce. Panther tensed, eyes icy.

“Whoa, whoa, chill! I’m a friend, swear!” Wei raised both hands, flashing a harmless grin.

But it didn’t ease them, especially seeing Ami unconscious in his lap.

Wei sighed, dropping the smile, debating whether to admit he’s her brother. He propped her up, giving a friendly grin.

“Relax, she’s just tuckered out, napping. No big deal.”

Fox and Panther blinked, somehow buying it… it made sense? Wei raised an eyebrow, wondering just how low Ami’s reputation had sunk.

“You’re a gifted one, aren’t you?” Fox snarled, sizing him up.

Wei knew better than to play his usual games. “Uh, let’s say that,” he said, still not fully serious.

Fox glared, ready to lunge, but Panther held up a hand. “Look around him, Fox. Brown aura,” Panther said calmly.

Fox squinted, spotting the mark of a recently exiled gifted one. “So you’re the one she meant to summon with the scroll,” Fox said, tension easing slightly.

Snap! Wei clicked his fingers, winking cheekily. “Bingo!”

Fox’s face twisted, clearly annoyed.

“Let’s go, bring her back,” Panther said to Wei, turning to leave. Wei nodded cheerily, standing and carrying Ami, ignoring Fox’s grumbling.

The air felt fresh, the border transformed, no longer a gloomy pit. As they entered the village, people swarmed, babbling thanks and praise, clueless about who pulled off the miracle.

Fox and Panther cleared a path for Wei, carrying Ami through.

“Phew!” Wei exhaled, muttering, “Finally free.”

“Where’s her room?” he asked.

“This way,” Panther pointed, leading.

Inside, Snake jumped up, ready to pepper Ami with questions, but seeing Wei carrying her unconscious, he bristled.

“Who’s this guy? Don’t you dare try seducing Ami!” Snake hissed like a cornered snake, glaring at Wei, who grinned like he was glowing.

“Seems like her friend, so cool it,” Panther said coldly, shooting Snake a look for his nonsense.

While they bickered, Wei set Ami on the bed. “Sleep tight, little lady,” he said, tucking her in, then… kissed her forehead.

The three froze, eyes bulging. Snake’s jaw dropped. “Y-You kissed Ami?! Even Orson hasn’t done that, you damn playboy!”

Snake roared, lunging with his sword, grazing Wei.

Wei flipped back, laughing his head off. “Hahaha, oh man, your faces! Like you stepped in crap, hilarious!” He wiped tears, cackling.

Whoosh! Panther’s blade shot forward, stopping millimeters from Wei’s face.

“C-Calm down, just joking, haha,” Wei raised his hands, still smirking.

“You—” Fox started, but Ami’s yawn cut him off.

“What’s with the noise?” I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes, yawning, still half-asleep.

Blinking around, I mumbled, “Uh… Snake’s in a fighting stance, Fox’s all grumpy, and…” I turned to the door. “Panther’s pointing a sword at… Wei?” I snapped awake.

“Aaa, Amiiii! Save me, they’re gonna kill me!” Wei tackled me in a hug, whining dramatically.

“Tch! This sleazy fox!” Snake growled, then froze, glancing nervously at Fox—the real “fox”—glaring daggers. “Heh, didn’t mean it like that,” Snake said, scratching his head with an awkward grin.

“Ami, say something. Who’s this guy?” Fox ignored Snake, turning to me, dead serious.

I was busy shoving Wei off, and at Fox’s question, I just looked up, turned away, and ignored him.

Fox stiffened, like he wanted to scold me.

Wei stuck out his tongue, teasing, making Fox’s veins pop.

“Friend of yours, Ami?” Panther asked.

“Nope,” I shook my head. Wei spun around, grabbing my shoulders. “How could you be this cold? After all our beautiful memories!” He fake-wiped tears, voice choking.

I smacked his head. “Stop saying gross stuff!” We tussled playfully, while the three stood there, baffled, no clue what our deal was.

“Ahem!” I cleared my throat, about to say, “He’s my—” when a dry cough came from the other bed.

“Yao Yao?” I shoved Wei’s hands off, rushing to check her. Her eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened.

“Huh? Why’s she look familiar?” Wei leaned over the bed, face inches from Yao Yao’s.

“You dumbass!” I whacked his head again, hard. “Back off, you’ll scare her!” I hissed, lowering my voice to not startle her.

“Ugh…” Yao Yao blinked, adjusting to the light. “Where… am I?” Her voice was frail, each word a whisper. Her vision cleared, but—

“Hic!” She flinched, seeing Wei’s face.

“Ah!” She winced, pain stopping her.

“Yao Yao?” I watched, worried, spinning on Wei. “See? I told you, get back!”

Wei looked stunned, not believing someone recoiled at his face, then sulked in the corner.