Finally, arriving in a town called Twin City, Ranmza led Abenti to the Promotion Center. The leader of warriors smiled at Ranmza.
"You here to do another promotion so soon?"
Ranmza gave him her best winning smile. "Not today. I'm here to help out a friend."
They walked over to the Master Taoists, where Ranmza looked at Abenti and said, "Well, here you go. Ask them any questions you like."
The first Master Taoist looked at Abenti.
"Oh, what's this? Another novice hoping to become a Taoist?"
At first, Abenti was speechless. She wasn't sure how to ask him, as she wasn't sure he'd know about time, planet and reality hopping. "Honorable Sir, my name is Abenti Galger. A most foul villain sent me to this realm and I have no knowledge of how to get back. I was hoping you might have some suggestions."The Master Taoist then looked Abenti over. "Well there certainly seems to be something different about you. I have seen many magical auras in my time but yours seems wild, beast-like even. Now tell me about this villain, and how he sent you here."
"His name is Sesmar and his modus operandi is to steal something that is connected to every living being within the realm of which I came. He had stolen that item from a close friend of mine, of which I gave chase to avenge his dastardly deed and return the item before my friend dies." Abenti bowed her head for a moment before continuing. "I was confronting him when he tossed some object at me that knocked me unconscious and sent me here."
Ranmza then stepped in, and told the Master Taoist about the object's description from what Abenti had told her. The Master Taoist stroked his silky white beard, his bushy white eyebrows furrowing. "Hmmm. sounds like a grave situation indeed. It seems this Sesmar is very powerful in the way of magic, to have teleported you like that. Moreover, you say he mentioned the Dimensional Chaos of Worlds. I believe I have heard something about that."
Ranmza then raised her eyebrows. "So, uh, what is that exactly?"
The Master Taoist smiled.
"Well, it's a sort of belief that a few Taoists have, concerning that. Some Taoists believe that the very fabric that binds the universe at balance by both order and chaos. The chaos has dimensions within dimensions, which makes it very possible to travel between worlds. And the Balance is said to keep Chaos in check lest Chaos shallow the universe whole." The Master Taoist then shrugged. "Of course, not many people know about such matter, and not even I know much on how to manipulate the stars and the worlds to the extent that you say this Sesmar did. I do know a Water Saint who may be help of you. I shall write you a letter to give him, explaining the situation. Would that be quite alright with you?"
"Yes...yes, it would." Abenti said with a nod.
The old master smiled, and then replied. "I'll be just but a minute. I need to go sit down to write the letter." With that, he left into another room.
Ranmza was just rubbing her head, confused by what the Master Taoist had said about the universe and whatnot. In fact it just seemed to make her head hurt. Several minutes went by in silence as they contemplated what the old Taoist had said.
"Ugh, I think I have a headache. Tell me, Abenti did you actually understand what he said?" Ranmza asked Abenti.
"He's vaguely aware of stuff like this happening, but he knows someone who knows more than he does. He's about to send us off to talk with this other person with a letter that'll explain my situation." Abenti replied, having been use to explain Ami's lengthy answers.
Moments later, the Taoist returned with a sealed letter, which he handed to Abenti with directions on how to get to the Water Taoist in question.
"I know nothing of this place or where anything is." Abenti sighed as she placed the letter in a hidden pouch. "I almost feel like I should take up a profession in something while here. I don't want to be caught unaware or unable to protect myself."
The Master Taoist stared at Abenti. Then finally, he said, "You know, you could become a Taoist. You seem to have a strong magical aura; it would be a shame to let it grow weak. If you like, I could teach you two spells to start off."
Ranmza then asked. "But which Taoist would she be? Fire or Water?"
The Master Taoist then looked at Ranmza. "Well, her magical aura seems to be wild, almost reminding me of an animal however, I can't see her being as aggressive as any fire Taoist. So I would have to say water." He then turned to Abenti. "How about it? Being a Water Taoist you would learn how to cure others and yourself, as well as cast lighting."
Fire? Water? Lightning? Cure? Yeesh... how many realities have Rei's, Ami's, Makoto's and Usagi's realms of power all wrapped up into so many choices? Abenti thought as she mentally face faulted. "I feel most comfortable with water. It's practically a second element to me."
The Water Taoist beamed.
"Aha, I thought you were the type!" He then held out two open hands. "Put your hands into mine, and open up your mind to me. I shall channel some of my energy into your aura, enabling you to learn the spells."Abenti cautiously put her hands into the old Taoist’s hand and closed her eyes as she emptied her mind of all thoughts. The Master did the same, and in a few seconds, Abenti could feel a strange sort of energy flowing into her body. Then images seemed to flash though her mind how the surrounding water could easily hold the elements of restoring a person's well being and used as a conduct for energy turned electricity. In addition, words seemed to appear, telling her how to do the spells. It was as if it was a whole book of information was being uploaded into her head. In less than a minute, it was all over. The master withdrew his hands, and then opened his eyes to look at Abenti.
"Well now, you are now on your way to becoming a credited Water Taoist." With that, he smiled kindly.
"That's it? I guess Warriors and Taoists are completely different. For me, I had to mine for minerals to give to the Warrior leader. And to learn new moves, I had to buy those expensive parchments from the lady in the marketplace to study." Ranmza snorted then adjusted her shield so that it rested more comfortably on her arm. She looked at Abenti. "Well, are you ready to go to the market place now?"
Abenti looked at her hands, then at Ranmza. "I'm ready as I'll ever be."
After thanking the Master Taoist, they went outside and walked to the main entry way of Twin City. Ranmza then looked at Abenti. "You know, you could try casting your new spells on the birds outside the city to get a taste on how to use your power? I'll wait by the conductress until you feel like you can get used to casting the spell. From what I know, to cast a spell all you have to do is eyeball the target, think about it and wave your hands. Of course, I could be wrong I’m just a warrior after all."
They went outside the doors of Twin City, where there was some Pheasants walking about. As soon as some saw Abenti, they flapped their wings and tried to peck at her. Ranmza chuckled.
"Mean little birds, ain't they?"
"Ow! Hey! Shoo!" Abenti said as the Pheasants continued to peck. She made a swiping motion at them when she said 'shoo' and suddenly a bolt of lightning began hitting the Pheasants.
The birds let out loud squawks before falling to the ground with a loud thud, never to move again. Some Pheasants fled, while still others were more than happy to attack Abenti with abandon.
"Annoying little buggers." Abenti muttered.
Ranmza clapped her hands. "Well, you certainly taught them a lesson but you seem to have gotten hurt with those skin scratches. Why don't you try healing yourself now? Just wave your hands and think about it?"
Ranmza then rubbed her head. "But of course the way you handled those Pheasants, maybe I'm trying too hard to help you and am being completely useless about it."
"Would have easily scared them off in my other form...." Abenti muttered under her breath before using the cure spell.
Ranmza then turned to the conductress and then told her, "Two to teleport to the marketplace please."
The conductress made a sweeping gesture with her hand, and said, "That'll be one hundred gold per person."
Ranmza gave her two hundred gold pieces, and the conductress made the sweeping gesture again, and before Abenti knew it, they were instantly in the marketplace.
Ranmza grinned at Abenti. "That conductress, she can be real handy for teleporting to certain spots, although the downside is that you have to pay her to do it. Now that Taoist, he's in the north part, right?"
"Right." Abenti said with a nod.
They walked over to the north part, where they saw a good-looking male Taoist that was decked out in very elegant robes and wearing a spiked crown.
Ranmza then sat down near by, and told Abenti, "I'll leave you alone for a little bit to have a private chat with him about the questions you may have. That, and I don't want to get another headache again."
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