"We?" Shen raised a brow.
"Yes," Hydris replied with a grin. "You're not strong enough for me to train directly. Not yet. For now, I have someone else in mind." His tone hinted at amusement, almost as if he knew Shen wouldn't like the answer.
"You'll see when we arrive."
---
After a short ride in the buoyant carriage, they stopped before a palace that could only belong to legends.
The entrance pillars glittered with pearls and clamshells. Statues of sea creatures lined the stairs—everything from starfish to sharks, even a kraken-like behemoth carved mid-lunge.
"We have arrived," Hydris said, flashing a wide, toothy smile.
Shen gawked. Fifty windows shimmered across the facade, and the stone walls rippled with lifelike etchings. He stared so long he didn't even notice the carriage had stopped.
"You can get out, you know," Hydris teased.
Flustered, Shen stepped out, still caught in the palace's grandeur.
---
As they walked, Hydris suddenly asked, "What do you see?"
Shen blinked. Hydris gestured to himself: a beard down to his chest, a jawline sharp as a blade, hair flowing in waves.
"The King?" Shen said cautiously.
"Yes. A king," Hydris nodded. "But once, I was a commoner. A soldier. Back then, this kingdom was land-bound, drowning in endless wars. The king cared for nothing but conquest. I was weak… helpless to change it."
They entered the great dome of the palace, its painted ceiling alive with sea battles and flowing rivers of blue.
"What did you do?" Shen asked, genuinely curious.
"I trained," Hydris said simply, pride swelling in his voice. "Until my body bled and broke. Until I had the strength to overthrow the tyrant. But…" His expression softened. "I did not do it alone. A grandmaster saw something in me. He trained me, taught me justice. Without him—none of this would exist."
Shen listened, wide-eyed.
Hydris's tone grew warm again. "And you, Shen, shall have the same chance. Access to a true teacher."
They reached a door. Hydris pushed it open.
Inside, a young girl with short hair and a bow stood at the front of a class, three students seated before her.
"Her name is Monsoon, and she—"
CRACK!
A stool splintered across Hydris's skull before Shen could blink.
"WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT INTERRUPTING LESSONS?!" the girl roared, glaring down at the King.
Shen's jaw dropped. Did a little girl just… knock out a king?!
Hydris spat out wood chips. "And she has… a bit of a temper," he managed.
The girl turned, appraising Shen. "Who's this statue?"
"Monsoon," Hydris said cheerfully, as if the stool hadn't just exploded on his head. "This is your new student."
"Really? Well, I'm happy to have you. Name's Monsoon." She offered her hand.
Shen, still reeling, finally shook it. "...Shen."
"Nice to meetcha." She spun back toward Hydris. "And you! Didn't I tell you not to interrupt your son's training? Where did this kid even come from?"
Hydris raised his palms. "Calm down. I'm not here to ruin anything. Just introductions. We'll leave." He beckoned Shen out. Monsoon slammed the door shut behind them.
Hydris sighed, brushing sawdust from his hair. "She has a temper, but it's passion. She's an excellent teacher—that's why I trust her with my children. Please forgive her… methods."
---
They walked down a long corridor before Hydris suddenly stopped. His smile vanished. He turned to Shen, eyes sharp.
"I put trust in you because you were Shu's disciple," Hydris said slowly. His aura darkened, pressing down on Shen like the weight of the sea itself. Shen's knees trembled.
"But," Hydris continued, voice low and deadly, "if you ever step out of line… defy my will… or so much as harm one of my sons—your end will be swift. And painful."
The pressure crushed Shen's chest, making it hard to breathe.
"U-understood," Shen stammered, fear twisting his gut.
Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the aura vanished. Hydris smiled warmly again. "Good. I just needed you to know your place. Now, let's continue."
Shen staggered in relief, sweat dampening his brow. This man cannot be taken lightly…
At last, Hydris opened a door to a lavish chamber. A king-sized bed, shelves of books, and soft lantern-light greeted Shen.
"Here is your room. Rest well." Hydris smiled.
"Thank you… Hydris," Shen said, bowing.
The king left, and Shen collapsed onto the bed. Alone at last, his fear slowly twisted into something darker.
The grief he had buried all day seeped back in—until sorrow gave way to anger. By the time sleep claimed him, rage burned in his chest like fire.