Mana

I stood out in the training grounds and watched Misao train. She had already gotten used to Wood, Fire, and Earth pretty well. I stopped her and walked toward her.

"Alright, you seem to grasp the first three elements. Now for the last two, Metal and Water. Metal will be a bit difficult to convert into water, so you won't have to do that, but as for generating metal...Earth creates and bares Metal. For this, I have placed five metal plates in the ground. Your job is to use the senses of the Earth Element to find it." I said.

Misao nodded then got in her stance and closed her eyes. Dark yellow chi surrounded her body and she shifted her foot, extracting a boulder from the ground and struck it. A metal plate fell onto the ground. She used the same technique to find the other metal plates.

"Good, now use those same plates and bend them to your will. Like this." I said then used my Metal Manipulation to raise one of the plates off the ground then balled my hand into a fist, turning the plate into a ball.

Misao watched my demonstration then nodded. She held her hand out to the metal and concentrated on the metal. She took a deep breath and exhaled then raised the metal off the ground. She slowly curled her hand into a fist, and the metal bit by bit crumbled, but not enough to turn into a ball. She panted and lowered her arm. The piece of metal fell on the ground.

"This one is tougher than I thought it'd be.." Misao sighed and looked at the piece of metal.

"That's because this metal didn't derive from Earth Manipulation. These are pure and refined metals. You see, knowing your skill now, it would be pointless to put you through the straight basics. As your teacher, my lessons must grow with the student's potential. Your lesson is to make one of these metal plates into a metal ball. A ball with no edges." I said.

"A perfect sphere?!" Misao asked in shock.

"Yes. Remember I am always here if you need me." I said then walked to Misao and rubbed her hair. "If you manage this, we can skip right onto the Water Elememt. We only have three more days to get you prepared for the meeting with Huangdi and your battle against Nagini."

Misao looked into my eyes as I rubbed her head. "You really think I will be ready by then?"

"I know so." I responded then stopped rubbing her head.

Misao smiled and grew a bit shy. "If you believe so then I will not fail you."

I nodded and walked to the sidelines. "Now let's see some progress, Xeusheng Misao!"

"Right!" Misao said then immediately began to train with her Metal Manipulation.

-----

Nagini yawned as she sat in her lab and worked on improving her Super Energy. She heard the door open and knew it was Shi without looking at him. "Hello, Wuxin Master."

"A good afternoon to you as well, Noxius." Shi smiled and walked toward her desk. "What are you working on?"

"Mmm...the usual. I actually have a question." Nagini said as she worked.

"What is it?" Shi asked.

"Why didn't you join me last night. It was an invitation." Nagini said.

Shi blushed a bit and cleared his throat. "What?"

"Yes. I wanted you to sleep with me." Nagini said and took off her goggles. "Are you scared that I might bite?"

"No, I just never thought you were serious about that. You've always disliked my advances." Shi said.

"That's because it's MY job to be clingy! You just sit there and pamper me and take care of me...like you've always done." Nagini said with a blush on her face.

Shi smiled at Nagini then walked closer to her desk. "Are you saying what I think?

Nagini stayed silent and looked at her work. She was too embarrassed to tell Shi how she felt about him.

"Your words are not needed." Shi said then leaned forward and pecked her forehead. "I will check up on you later."

Nagini made a soft sound as he kissed her forehead. She became more flustered and her heart started racing. "Okay.."

Shi left her lab and went to check up on Qiao Zhi.

Nagini covered her face and groaned. "Why? Why can't I just say it?"

-----

I watched Misao make no progress on the Metal Manipulation, but she was being able to bend the metal bit by bit. I decided to stop her. "Take a break, Misao."

Misao looked at me then nodded. We went to sit on the sidelines together.

"Liao Ru, how would you go about bending the metal?" Misao asked.

"Do you normally use metal in Japan?" I asked.

"Well we have a few people who can bend Metal, but it isn't really as well known as it is here. We use a different element called Aether." Misao explained. "We also don't use the Wood Element either. We use Air in place of Wood. The more I practiced the more it reminded me of the Godai back at home. All Shrine Maidens have to master it."

"You mastered Godai?" I asked.

"Yeah, but I only mainly use Aether." Misao answered.

"So you can use Water, Fire, Earth, and Air? Why haven't you used it before?" I asked.

"The reasoning is going to be silly." Misao smiled and looked at the ground.

I rose an eyebrow, looking at Misao.

"It's because I am weakened here. I have access to my powers via the High Priest. Plus although we have to master Godai, us Shrine Maidens only use one specific element. I use Aether, also known as Void, Sky, and Heaven." Misao explained.

"What is Aether to be exact?" I asked.

"It is a Divine Elememt. An element that is forbidden. Aether Manipulation is a Godlike Power. The Sovereigns breathe Aether, they use Aether, they are the Aether. To wield Aether you need a third source of energy known as Mana. Mana is the original source of energy which shifted into two properties, Chi and Aura." Misao started.

Misao's ears folded back and she sighed. "Sadly...my mana is bound to Japan until I learn how to generate it without being near my shrine or Japan. I need Mana to make use of my Miko abilities...So even if I do connect with Huangdi..."

"You still can't use your power.." I said then sighed. "If only there was a way to help you generate Mana.."

"You need help generating Mana?" Qiao Zhi asked as he stood behind us.

Misao squeaked and turned around quickly. "Q-Qiao Zhi..!"

I looked back and looked at Qiao Zhi. He looked directly at me then looked at Misao. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

"Luckily for you, Misao, I've scouted around...there seems to be a Shrine in Qihua. It's nearby so it won't take long." Qiao Zhi said. "One of the Mikos from Japan agreed to set up a shrine here. You can thank me later."

Misao's eyes sparkled as she looked at Qiao Zhi with gratitude. "Thank you!"

Qiao Zhi smiled a bit then turned around. "Come with me."

-----

Nagini looked at her board in her lab with her arms crossed. "What am I missing..? Each test just comes out the same. It isn't perfect.."

"Let's take a break. I need a break." Shi sighed and took the plugs out of his body.

Nagini looked at Shi and sighed. "You're so weak."

"I could most likely beat you in a fight plus do you not understand how much Chi you take from me? Like I said, I might have an infinite supply of Chi, but I still have normal stamina like you." Shi sighed and crossed his arms.

Nagini looked back at her board. "I don't know what I'm doing wrong. If I can't perfect this within the next three days, I'm done."

Shi walked to Nagini and gently led her away from the board. "You need to sit and take a break." Shi said and sat her down on the makeshift couch that Nagini made.

"I can't afford a break! I need to perfect my Super Energy!" Nagini squirmed.

"Can you not be a brat for three seconds?" Shi asked.

Nagini looked into Shi's eyes and crossed her arms. "I am not a brat, I'm doing what will benefit the world!"

"Your experiment is good enough." Shi said.

"It is so not and you know it! My Super Form should not be weaker than Liao Ru's BASE!" Nagini said.

"You realize Liao Ru is a Martial Arts Master right? With so many techniques under her belt, she has many options to even counter a super powered being in her normal state. Why can't you face the facts?" Shi asked.

"Because it isn't MY reality! I have to become stronger! I have to...you of all people should understand..." Nagini said and looked down.

Shi looked at Nagini then sat beside her. He placed his arm around her shoulder. "I do understand, Noxius. I understand more than anyone how much power means to you, but you can't always overwork yourself."

Nagini grumbled a bit then looked a bit surprised when Shi pulled her in for a hug. Her heart skipped a few beats and she looked up at Shi. "What are you doing..?"

Shi looked down at Nagini and gazed in her eyes. "Give me your hand.."

Nagini was hesitant but held her hand out to Shi.

Shi gently held her hand then brought it to his lips. He kissed her hand then smiled. "This is a promise that I will be with you at all times. Whatever path you go down after all this is done...I will follow."

Nagini blushed and grew bashful. She buried her face in her hands. She mumbled softly and Shi rose an eyebrow.

"What was that?" Shi asked.

"I like you, okay?! I really do like you. And the only reason I want to become so strong is because I want to keep you and Doctor Ashikaga safe! I can't lose you like I lost my parents! I can't...I can't do this without you.." Nagini said and gripped her shirt. "Shi..."

Shi smiled at Nagini and gently grabbed her chin, making her look at him. "You don't have to worry about losing me, Nagini. I don't have plans on dying. I can't leave you in this cold world alone.."

Nagini gazed into Shi's eyes and held onto him. "You really mean that..?"

Shi nodded. "Nagini I've liked you for such a long time...I think it's finally time for you to know that. I truly love you, Noxius."

Nagini was moved by his words. He was the first person to express romantic feelings for her. She couldn't keep her composure.

"Shi...Shi..!" Nagini panted, overwhelmed by his affectionate words. She gripped his shirt tightly. She looked directly into his cold silver eyes.

Shi smiled at her then leaned forward and kissed her lips. Nagini's eyes widened and her face became completely red. She kept a grip on Shi and slowly melted into the kiss. Nagini began to loosen up. She begun to relax for the first time in forever.

Shi pulled away and chuckled softly. He stood up and placed his hands back into his pockets. "Now how about we get back to work."

"Eh? You fuckwad! You get me all flustered and aroused just to want to get back to work! You have to help me fix my REAL problem now! Sit back down, Lab Rat!" Nagini fussed.

Shi chuckled and complied. "Alright, alright. Now."

-----

Misao, Qiao Zhi, and I made it to Qihua via our pegusi. We landed in the outskirts of the small city and Qiao Zhi led us to the hidden Shrine.

"As it stands now, it isn't allowed for Japanese Shrines to be set up...but in China's current state the Emperor has allowed me to have a Shrine set up. I carefully watched your training Misao. I studied upon your power and I figured as you are now, you will not be able to make use of your abilities. It is difficult trying to convert from one source of energy to another. This is why I have the shrine set up." Qiao Zhi said.

"So I'll get my mana and I'll be able to connect with Huangdi?" Misao asked excitedly.

"Yeah. Now using your Shinto powers is questionable since we aren't in Japan, but you'll be able to do a hell of a lot more now." Qiao Zhi said.

I looked at Qiao Zhi. "I am grateful for you doing this for, Misao. I would have taught her how to harness Chi, but this might be more beneficial."

Qiao Zhi nodded. "You've done well as a teacher, but as per usual...a teacher must test the student. Once Misao awakens her Mana, I will host one last Exhibition Match before we set out to the Forest of Fei Lian."

"I will fight Liao Ru?! But she beat Nagini's super form in base! What good will I do against her?" Misao said in bewilderment.

"Self-doubt. A sign of true weakness. If you think like that, you will never succeed. I am doing this so you can prove Nagini wrong. If she sees the progress, she won't have a reason to doubt you anymore." Qiao Zhi said.

Misao looked at Qiao Zhi and smiled.

We made it to the Shrine and Misao hurried ahead.

"Miko Seichi!~ I am glad to see you!" Misao said and hugged Seichi. Her tail wagged with happiness.

Seichi giggled and her bunny ears flopped. "I missed you too, Big sister."

Misao let go of Seichi and held her hands behind her back. "Is it ready for use?"

"Mhm! The Shrine's all yours." Seichi answered.

Misao nodded and walked into the Shrine. She walked to the High Priest statue and bowed toward it. She sat on her knees and closed her eyes. A magic circle appeared beneath her and mystical energy flowed around her body. Her magic aura surged powerfully around her body and she opened her eyes, transforming into her Miko Form for the first time in years.

"It's still incomplete...but it will do." Misao said in Japanese then stood up. She looked at the statue again then bowed. "Thank you High Priest for granting me my powers once more."

Misao made her way out the shrine and looked at me and Qiao Zhi. I was amazed at how power now. To feel such a power from Misao was satisfying to me. Qiao Zhi nodded and smiled. He began to walked off.

"Now that you have your power, I expected nothing less than greatness from you...Miko Misao." Qiao Zhi said.

"I will show you! You best believe it!" Misao smiled at Qiao Zhi then lowered her arm. She looked at me. "Liao Ru..."

I smiled at Misao. "I won't go easy on you, but I can't wait to see what you have in store for me.."

Misao smiled back and nodded. "I won't let you down!"