Nguyen Thi Mai's question echoed in the moist air of the Mekong River, carrying a subtle tremor of anticipation. Lin Xingyun met her searching gaze and nodded solemnly, tilting the Kris dagger slightly forward to enhance the resonant glow. "If the stars guide us to find the scattered relics and their guardians, then I believe we are."
Ayesha also stepped forward, the small Kantin pot in her hand seeming to sense the same aura, emitting a subtle warmth. Although Buakaw didn't quite understand these profound conversations, he crossed his arms and expressed his support in his own unique way—standing beside Lin Xingyun like a reliable guardian.
The wariness in Nguyen Thi Mai's eyes gradually faded into a complex mix of relief, heaviness, and a glimmer of finally arriving with his companions. She lightly leaped onto the houseboat where Lin Xingyun and the others were, her movements as light as a cat. "This isn't the place to talk. Follow me."
She led the three, navigating the maze of river channels in a small boat, eventually landing at a secluded village surrounded by towering water palms and lush vegetation. Most of the village's buildings were stilt houses, their ground floor elevated to withstand the periodic flooding. However, compared to the bustling floating market in the distance, this village seemed unusually quiet, and a sense of oppression hung heavy in the air. Many of the houses showed signs of damage, and the faces of the villagers were filled with worry and fatigue.
"This is my home," Nguyen Thi Mai's voice deepened, "and it's also where I'm currently plagued by trouble."
In the largest stilt house in the center of the village, Nguyen Thi Mai recounted her predicament to the three. It turned out that Basa, a water awakener who called himself "The Fury of the Mekong," had surged in power after the spiritual rain and had taken control of this section of the river. He not only imposed heavy taxes on all fishermen but also set his sights on a region near the village where a vortex of psychic energy had suddenly emerged, seeking exclusive control. Nguyen Thi Mai, relying on her ancestral earrings and the power she gained from dancing, had repelled his harassment several times. However, Basa had recently joined an outside organization called the "Gene Alliance," gaining strength and becoming even more formidable.
"He threatened to flood our village if we didn't surrender control of that stretch of water before sunset tomorrow." A cloud of worry clouded Nguyen Thi Mai's beautiful face. "With my own strength, I'm afraid..."
"I'm not alone now," Lin Xingyun interrupted, his tone firm. "We'll help you."
Just then, a commotion erupted outside. A villager hurried in: "Nguyen Thi Mai! This is bad! Basa can't wait any longer and has brought his men here early! There are also some unfamiliar faces wearing strange clothes. They must be his new backers!"
The four of them rushed out. On the river, Basa stood at the bow of a modified speedboat. He was a stocky man, his skin an unhealthy grayish-blue, and he was surrounded by a damp mist. Beside him stood three individuals, two men and one woman, wearing the standard combat uniforms of the Gene Alliance. Their eyes were haughty, and they radiated waves of technologically enhanced energy.
"Nguyen Thi Mai!" Basha shouted arrogantly, "Last chance! Surrender to the Gene Alliance and surrender your waters, or today I will turn your village into a paradise for fish and shrimp!"
"Dream on!" Ruan Thi Mai's pretty face frosted as she stood by the water, her aodai's sleeves fluttering without a breeze.
The battle was imminent. The female member of the Gene Alliance waved her hands, and several high-pressure water arrows shot out from her palms at an incredible speed, hurtling straight at Ruan Thi Mai! This was no longer purely natural manipulation, but a technological weapon infused with energy!
Ruan Thi Mai tapped her toes, her body floating backward as if weightless. Simultaneously, her hands danced, and the river water beneath her feet rose in response, forming a flexible water shield that blocked the water arrows, splashing everywhere. But the enemy's attacks were clearly more penetrating, making them more difficult for her to resist. Seeing this, Basha roared, plunged his hands into the water, and thrust upwards! A massive wave crashed towards the village like a wall! If it hit, many stilt houses would be swept away!
"Don't even think about it!" Buakaw could no longer contain himself. He roared, his blood boiling, his bronze skin glowing red. He didn't try to stop the wave head-on, but stomped his foot on the solid ground on the shore! A searing shockwave traveled along the ground to the underwater riverbed!
"Bang!" The wave, about to hit the shore, seemed to hit an invisible dam. A dull roar echoed from underwater, and the wave's momentum suddenly collapsed, transforming into a shower of water droplets! This was Buakaw's brutal application of his powerful fist power combined with the power of the earth!
Seeing this, the other two male members of the Gene Alliance formed a crackling ball of lightning in his hands, while the other raised his arm, revealing a launcher, and launched several small darts loaded with neurotoxin towards Buakaw and Nguyen Thi Mai! "Protect!" Aisha's clear voice rang out. She had already spread a batik cloth on the ground and placed her hands on the ancient pattern etched in its center. Infused with psychic energy, the batik cloth instantly glowed with a soft white light. The light expanded, forming a translucent shield that protected Lin Xingyun, Buakaw, Nguyen Thi Mai, and some of the villagers. Lightning balls and poison darts struck the shield, sending ripples through it, but they could not break through!
Lin Xingyun moved. He did not attack the Gene Alliance members, but instead targeted Basha, who was controlling the river. His "Shadow Snake Witch Mark" activated, and his figure blurred in the shadows of the trees on the shore. The next moment, he seemed to merge into the shadow of the speedboat beneath Basha's feet! Several shadowy tentacles extended from the shadows, tightly entangling Basha's feet and interrupting his continued control of the river!
Frightened and furious, Basha struggled desperately. Seeing their ranged attacks ineffective, the three Gene Alliance members decided to personally break the shield.
At this moment, Nguyen Thi Mai took a deep breath, stood at the water's edge, and closed her eyes. The silver rings on her earlobes tinkled sweetly. She began to dance, a dance completely different from the one she had used to repel the water tyrants. Her movements were slower and more solemn, imbued with an ancient ritual, as if channeling the Mekong River's memories and power through the centuries.
As she danced, the entire stretch of river began to emit a low hum! Countless tiny water droplets rose from the surface, coalescing in the air. Instead of forming aggressive waterspouts, they transformed into countless phantom water puppets clad in armor and wielding spears! This was a marvelous transformation resulting from the unique Vietnamese culture of water puppetry combined with her water-based psychic powers!
Though not as sturdy as real objects, these water puppets were numerous and moved in unison. Fearlessly, they pounced upon the three Gene Alliance members, entangling them and disrupting their formation!
Seizing this opportunity, Lin Xingyun emerged from the shadows, dagger unsheathed, the tip pointed directly at Basa, whose movements were slowed by the shadows. Buakaw, like a tiger descending from a mountain, charged at the Gene Alliance member unleashing lightning. Searing fists collided head-on with the lightning!
With the four men's tacit coordination, Basa was the first to be subdued by Lin Xingyun. Seeing the situation dire, the three Gene Alliance members, leaving behind a few harsh words, fled in a speedboat.
The villagers erupted in thunderous cheers. Nguyen Thi Mai paused in her dance, the water puppet dissipating. She looked at Lin Xingyun, Ayesha, and Buakaw standing side by side, her eyes filled with gratitude and a sense of belonging.
That night, by the celebratory bonfire of defeating a powerful enemy, Nguyen Thi Mai officially joined the team. She removed her earrings, Lin Xingyun unsheathed her dagger, and Ayesha held the Cantin pot. Although Buakaw didn't have a specific token yet, he swore an oath on the honor of a traditional Thai boxer. The four (or three and a half) tokens shone in the firelight, their resonating sound like beautiful music.
"With the stars as witness, and the ancient covenant flowing in our blood as a bond," Lin Xingyun declared solemnly, "Today, we reunite here. Not for dominance, but to protect all that we cherish in this age of turmoil. We are the 'Witches of the Star Sea'!"
The four of them placed their hands together, their psychic energy connected through the tokens. A powerful, hopeful wave spread from them, as if announcing the birth of a new alliance to this ancient delta and the boundless starry sky.
(End of Chapter 10)