Scene 8C - Spirited away

As night descended Jao's eyes suddenly snapped open, “Holy water won't do shit to that thing, you idiot! Eh?”

Jao held his head that felt as if someone was beating it with a plank of wood and swept his eyes over his surroundings until he noticed a startled combat medic standing nearby. Fighting through the pain, Jao grit his teeth and asked, “Where am I... and where's that bitch Jayce? Why am I in a bed... and why is the princess in the next bed over?!”

The startled medic opened his mouth to explain, but Jayce suddenly appeared from a corner of the tent holding a half empty bottle of spirits, “Ah, Young Hero Jao has awoken! Now don’t I have a story to tell you!”

With a frown, Jao gazed at Jayce with unfocused eyes, “For the last time, it's Jao you damned fool! I'll fucking beat you until you see heaven's gate if you call me a young hero again!”

With laughter in his voice, Jayce ignored Jao’s threat, “What is this about, young hero? I never said such a thing, right doc?”

The combat medic opened his mouth only to be interrupted by Jayce, “But you'll never believe what happened, brother! You see, it went down like this..."”

After being filled in by Jayce Jao gazed at him strangely, not believing him in the slightest. Eventually, he turned to the combat medic, “Give me a mirror Doc.”

The combat medic faithfully handed Jao a mirror and stood to the side, deciding not to bother with the two. When Jao saw his reflection he was shocked to the core, a smile creeping up on his face as he jumped out of bed yelling at the top of his lungs, “I’ve become a mage! A mage! I’m no longer a failure! Jayce you lovable bastard, I won’t strangle you tonight!”

Jayce choked on his alcohol, speechless, ‘You didn't even believe your own brother?!’

Clearing his throat, Jayce retorted, “Oi! Your brother has-”

A strange wind suddenly shot into the tent, cutting of Jayce’s words. His eyes sharpening, Jayce reached for his sword only to find himself unable to move, as if he was stuck within blackroot mud!

Horrified, the three men could only stare at the gust of wind converging in the middle of the room. The gale suddenly vanished, but in its place was a small bald old man the size of a dwarf with a gray beard as majestic as the sun and eyes full of wile.

The old man stare directly at Jayce before sweeping his eyes towards Jao, studying the two as if they were prime meat, “So you two are Dao descendants, eh? Perfect! I heard that old fart Mo found nine promising youths this time around, so you two will do nicely!”

Jao opened his mouth in an attempt to talk, only to find the words trapped in his throat. The old man noticed this and wore a confused expression for a moment, but then with a flash of understanding snapped his fingers, “Ask away, dear disciple!!”

High confused, Jao almost stumbled over his words when he opened his mouth, “W-What are you talking about? Calling me disciple... I don't even know you! And what’s this about being a descendant? Who even are you?!”

Jayce kept his mouth shut for once, guessing a bit of what the bald gremlin had to say.

The old man smirked in pride and laughed warmly, “Ah, I am the Vice Sect leader of the Sectless Sect, Yorlin Evergreen! I was just passing by when I sensed the energy of that vile small-fry of a demon. I figured I would take care of it, but then you two popped up and let me watch a good show. Now I finally have something to brag about to the other elders! This test, I'll have the last laugh, hahaha! What a great find, what great luck! To find such gems in the mortal world, this Yorlin is blessed!”

While laughing, Yorlin wrapped up the powerless to resist Jao and Jayce within his winds, ready to leave without another word. But as they floated behind the old man, Jao threw away his stunned expression and yelled, “Wait, I can’t go!”

Jayce nodded, agreeing with Jao, causing Yorlin to turn with a stunned expression and ask, "Why not? State your problems and your Master will wipe them out for you!"

“I have a sister…”

“You can bring her along.”

“I have a debt to the kingdom.”

“A minor manner.”

“Ugh…. Also….” Whatever he said Yorlin agreed without any problem, making Jao dazed from his new master’s goodwill. Even Jayce pondered for a bit and asked the old man for a few things which were dealt with ease.

After finishing their conversation, old man Yorlin made to leave when a womanly voice stopped him in his tracks. At some unknown time, the Princess had awoken!

“I wish to accompany great master Yorlin as well!”

The old fart gazed at the girl with an indifferent expression as he sizing her up, “Hmmm you barely pass my standards by a small grain of rice, you can come along but you won’t but you won’t be my disciple unless you pass the sect’s examination with flying colors!”

Forgetting her broken leg, Princess Diana excitedly jumped out of bed as she yelled "Deal!" only to fall to the ground.

“Good, then we leave now!”

The three youths gazed at the old man with confused expressions, only to be lifted out of the tent by a strong wind. As the group of four shot off into the starry horizon, a lone medic was left with a headache.

'What do I tell the King...'