A day and night have passed. As the phone stopped ringing in the early evening, Ayu didn't move an inch from her spot next to the wall, curled with her arms close, hiding her face from the whole world. Sometimes she wished she could disappear. Yet another attempt at reaching toward her Ki failed, leaving her in pain and confusion... And the bitter loneliness finished her off with the call from her grandfather. She didn't answer. The happy melody of the ringtone sounded so eerie and alarming in the completely quiet kitchen. There was a feeling of relief when it stopped playing and again everything was shrouded with silence. She didn't have the resolve to hear Zhang's tepid, indifferent tone. A tone that wouldn't show her even the hint of warmth after hearing her shaking voice. She knew it. He didn't care. Ayu was simply a person he took in during a fit of goodwill, but the benevolent intentions run out pretty quickly. She was on her own. She should have stopped thinking about it long ago, but it still hurt... Being aware of one thing didn't mean she instantly got over it. For years Zhang was giving her the cold shoulder, but he was the only parental figure Ayu got, so she yearned for his attention and praise. Now? Now she just wanted - no, she didn't know what she truly desired right now. To get rid of this seclusion perhaps... And fix that empty feeling in her chest. And despite people whose presence started to be dear to her, it was like Ayu will always be a lonely being, burdened by her growing power, inability to control it, and lack of answers. Like that was the only path for her. Be it attending University, moving out, or trying to find a place for herself in this world, everything was marked by her lone self walking forward. Well, at least taking things one step at a time was still better than not moving at all. She was trying.

Ayu spent the whole night in the same spot, sitting on the kitchen floor. Her mind was in a blank condition, between overthinking so much that her thoughts fused into one uneasy sensation and a half-sleep state. With her forehead resting on her joined arms and eyes softly, barely closed so that everything she saw was grey, hours have passed. Ayu finally snapped out of it when the sun rose above the horizon again and the warm rays lightened the room. And - when her visitor came.

The grey tabby cat sneaked into the kitchen through the ajar backdoor, softly and soundlessly walked towards his dish, and sat next to it. Elegantly, he curled his tails around his paws and gazed down at the shallow, green bowl. Empty. Mockingly empty. He can't have that, can he? The cat opened his jaws instantly, creating a screeching offended lament that he wasn't yet provided with his breakfast. The sound penetrated her eardrums with the force of a pneumatic hammer. Ayu's head jumped when she was blinking with panic, looking around frantically to see... Her kitchen. Empty and quiet, aside from the very displeased feline glaring at her from the floor. His stripped tail was hitting the ground over and over, the growling sound would be enough to scare a feral bear away. He was judging her poor memory - he often came at this hour, how could she forget so easily?

She was dragged back into reality by a moody cat.

Woken up from her half-unconscious state, Ayu carefully stood up. The world suddenly danced and feeling dizzy she leaned on the wall to support herself. She was desperately trying to make out something from her memory and the cat's wailing wasn't helping. What she did do yesterday..? Brushing her hair away from her face, she sighed deeply. Her emotions came back to Ayu after she swept away the sleepiness and confusion, making her frown in melancholy.

Right... The sense of restlessness wasn't going away. Despite Ayu's attempts at focusing on something else, a heavy, uneasy feeling was weighing on her soul so deeply, that she had trouble concentrating. Shaking her head, she patted her cheeks so hard they turned red and looked down. The cat came up to her to scold her with his angry yowling, demanding breakfast right now. Ayu chuckled and nodded. Grumbling in her stomach reminded her that she also has been hardly eating lately, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to prepare something for herself. But after her little friend, of course. Grabbing his dish from the floor, she opened the shelf to pick one of the cat food cans she bought after the cat started regularly coming over. Milk wasn't best for felines, and Ayu being a vegetarian, well, scraps from her plate would only upset this big furball's stomach. After placing a pile of wet meat soaked with sauce on a plate, she placed it back on the floor because the hungry cat started screaming like a fog siren. With the speed of lightning, he put his nose in the meal, eating eagerly and loudly smacking, to show how famished he was... Clearly, if Ayu would be one second late, he'd die from hunger. Washing her hands and patting them dry, she crouched down near the tabby cat, watching him devour his breakfast. At least one being would be a little sad if she would be gone... No. She should stop thinking this way - nothing good would come out of it. Abashed Ayu stroked her temple and her eyes warmed up when she was looking at her little almost-friend.

"I won't get far by feeling sorry for myself, right?" she whispered while looking at the hungry feline. The cat slowed down and glanced at her from above of his dish, the sauce dripping from the whiskers. As if he was approving her resolve, he meowed softly in an uncharacteristically way, before continuing to gorge himself on the cat food. Ayu's eyes softened and she smiled gently. Did she witness a selfish, stray, and hardened-by-wilderness cat show some compassion? If only he would accept any touch, she would love to stroke his head in return. "Thank you," she beamed. It was such a small gesture, but instantly, she felt better. Yet, the knot in her stomach reminded her, that she should also get some breakfast - she needed fuel to live. Standing up and stretching her arms above, Ayu closed her eyes. Sunrays shining through the window were especially warm today... Forest was quiet and welcoming. Energy signatures around were calm, the peaceful morning announced the serene day waiting ahead for her. Now - it was her time to eat something. Leaving feline on his own, she turned to the stove. Cooking oatmeals was such a prosaic activity, that Ayu found comfort in it. Like, despite all the craziness around her, powers, mysterious abilities, and strong people appearing all around the globe, some things would never change... Not even for a thousand years.

After eating and doing the dishes, Ayu took a quick shower and pulled out a fresh set of clothes, adding the weights to her current outfit. Now it was a matter of habit. She felt uneasy without the familiar sensation of gravity pulling her down, she needed to apply it to her body - it appeared that her energy was somewhat calmer when obstructed. It gave her this calm sensation too, but of course, it wasn't able to suppress her energy completely. The young woman was unable to do anything about her Ki on her own, so this would have to do. For as long as it was possible.

Quietly Ayu walked back to the kitchen, to sit down with a cup of tea near the window, enjoying the morning sun... But the sight of her garden all overgrown and messed up was making her uneasy. It's like she left for half a year so every part of the place turned into a lush, green blanket, slowly overtaking anything made by humans. It only took a moment, a few seconds, and her Ki graciously leaked out, sinking into the ground, affecting everything around. Never was it her intention, but seeing the plants growing like that made her think that perhaps, maybe, her connection to vegetation wasn't simply based on empathy, skill, or this ability. On something more, something... At her core. This conflicted feeling wasn't making it easier. Ayu brushed her hair away from her face, glancing to the side at the cat, who decided to have a nap in the middle of the kitchen floor. The sunspot warmed up his striped fur and Ayu could hear a soft purr, which made her smile in melancholy. They didn't get along, not exactly. She helped him when he was lost and sick, never getting thanks in return - but she did get a catty companion that visited her whenever he pleased. It would be wrong to judge their relationship by Earthlings standards, so perhaps she shouldn't think about her connections to others this way? After all, there was no right pattern to relations between people, or Ayu's link to plant life.

With a heavy heart, she left the empty cup in the sink, pushing the door left ajar open. It was a weird feeling. There she was standing in the middle of her garden, barely recognizing it. Up close she was able to assess the damage that she has done herself... It felt embarrassing. Ayu sighed heavily. She took pride in being so skilled with growing plants and taking care of them, and even with the ability to control flora like that she still was able to make a mess of this place. Unbelievable. Strolling around the garden, Ayu was noticing things she hasn't chance to see before - that the fence was now tilted because thick roots pulled out the pegs from the ground. Rose wines broke through the cracks between the wooden planks of the old toolshed, smashing the boards and leaving a gap as big as her on the side. Almost every pot was damaged, the clay ones were turned into a handful of broken shells while the plastic ones were torn to bits from inside. It was pure luck that nothing has happened to the house - she wouldn't hear the end of it from Zhang... And the fact that she would have to explain to him how this happened was filling her with a quiet, cold dread. She shook her head, crouching down near the vegetable garden. Lots of the vegetables were now mature, but way bigger than it was possible. The tomatoes were as big as her head, the sole pumpkin grew to the size of a solid boulder... Not to mention that the berry patch was a mess and the apple tree was heavy with ripe fruits. When will she find the time to clear the garden, can the vegetables, and fill her pantry?

Or maybe she could undo what has happened? Ayu blinked, stroking her cheeks in a pensive manner. She knew that once her energy went inside the plant, it took a moment before her Ki was absorbed completely. If she was able to pull it back, plants returned to normal. Well, more or less. If not, they would stay how they were, enhanced and bigger - and it seemed that it was now too late to undo the process. Seems that she would have to get rid of weeds and tidy up everything using a good, trusted, old-fashioned way... But her power never stated that she can only make things grow, who knew if she could influence them to get back into their previous stage of growth? That was worth checking, wasn't it?

"Here goes nothing," Ayu communicated her readiness to try this new feat to the plants around. They rustled softly in unison, agreeing to her attempt. Standing straight in the middle of her garden, she joined her hands together. Closed eyes, calm breathing... It felt a lot like meditation with her focusing her energy like that, but Ayu's mind was taking note of every plant life around her with fearsome accuracy. The greenish, silver-plated Ki in a vague shape of trees and blades of grass were pulsing all around her. From the smallest, sleeping seeds to the oldest tree bearing fruits for over decades - she felt it all. It could have been overwhelming if she wasn't loving the life and plants she was able to live with. They were a part of her in a way, so how could she be afraid? Sense the flow. With every breath and beating of her heart the energy was pushing and pulling like a current of the calm, but vast sea. Ayu slowly raised both of her hands, trying to delicately shift the current of the energy she was sensing. There was a warmth growing in the tips of her fingers and they lit slowly with the gentle, golden glow. Like a speckle of light shone through her skin, the same tiny dot appeared on her forehead - and very gentle lines lit up her cheeks for split second.

Energy moved under her influence, but it wasn't easy. Ayu frowned and sweat started to form above her brow. Applying her Ki to the energy of the plants was easy when she was simply aiding them in their natural growth. Doing something above that was very hard and made her uneasy. Did she even have the right to act against the order of things? The flow was disturbed, but it was possible to take control of it... The young woman heard the rustling, whispers so soft they turned into feelings, not words. The greenery around wasn't standing idle, but what she felt made her lips half-open in a surprised expression. Whatever she would do, whatever she planned to do, the plants were aware that she meant them no harm. Maybe it was the first time someone has put that much trust in her - and it wasn't a person. It was the force of nature itself in its purest form.

The greater was the energy that she started to use, the warmth started to be more prominent as she poured her Ki outside. The living green carper around shivered, every leaf and every branch stretching and moving. And then - it all began to follow her lead. The overgrown bushes and vines softly retreated, curling back into the young stalks, hiding their thorns and tendrils. The fruits that weren't in season shrank and turned into delicate green bulbs hanging from the tress. Ayu tightened her lips feeling the effort tiring her while using this power. Sweat ran down her cheek, but the garden started to look better... The life that was here, she bent, she shaped it to her will. Rose vines were now only gently enveloping the toolshed, not embracing it in a destructive hug. The plants that before were barely saplings in the pots returned to their previous, tiny forms. There were moments when this connection was slipping away and despite Ayu's efforts, nothing happened. Her focus needed to be sharp, but at first, she started changing one plant at a time. It took time, way more than she'd like to admit - but it worked. After a while, she got a hand at controlling her Ki, when it came to plants of course. What was possible to fix, she fixed, making sure that every species of flora in her garden have returned to its previous, normal state... She didn't want anyone to have a heart attack while passing nearby by any chance.

Gasping for air and wiping her forehead, Ayu looked around. The grip in her chest was getting stronger and stronger, but the relief she felt was almost equal to satisfaction. She made it. She cleaned the garden, and although there still were issues - like the broken fence, damaged wall, and tones of broken pots - she did it. A small smile bloomed on her face. Now, if she could only take care of the other things... Would it be possible to fix the wooden rails of the fence? Maybe she could make some plants tangle around and support them? Trees were growing nearby, after all, the forest was just a step away from her home. Calming down her breathing and energized by this little triumph, she decided to get to that matter right away. Without raising her hands, Ayu guided her Ki to the nearest tree. The roots crawled silently like covered in bark snakes, quickly wrapping around the white fence. Yes, she wanted them to keep them straight, maybe even put the pegs into the ground... What she didn't predict, was the fact that what planks the roots embraced - were split in half. Ayu watched flabbergasted how the boards of her fence were cut clean in half and fell on the grass. No, she didn't want to make the roots so hard, but... It looked like a cut rather than material being smashed or torn apart. Her metaphorical hand slipped and the used energy did something - unexpected. The root, regular, dark from the soil, underground part of tree changed its form... Ayu has transformed them into buttress-looking, veiny things, some of them got flattened tips. Their ends gleamed like polished wood and they were as sharp as razors. They had to be, otherwise, why would they cut through the fence like through butter? Ayu blinked both confused and a little taken aback. A simple test proved that indeed - the roots were sharper than a sword. She looked at the blade of grass cut neatly in half through the stem. She didn't cut it on purpose. Simply, it was the gentle breeze that did it, the grass danced and leaned, it barely touched the sharp piece of the root... And second, later the blade was split in half. There was no force needed.

"What have I done now..?" the young woman mused out loud while stroking her temple and turning between her fingers the distinct piece of grass. That wasn't botanically or naturally possible - and yet it happened. Well, it shouldn't be probable that one was able to control plants as she did, so... Ayu sighed feeling an incoming headache. She decided that dealing with the fence or wall will have to wait for some other time. Something was happening with her again and this time she wasn't full of glee and wonder like before - only worried. The young woman picked the poppy seed from the soil near the broken pot and walked out of her garden lost in thoughts. Her steps guided her into the forest. A stroll in the woods was in order...

She couldn't focus on the sounds around or the smell of moss, resin, and sweet flowers. Ayu jumped into the mass of trees so suddenly her mind hasn't been able to focus on them, instead still thinking about what has happened in her garden. Because it wasn't natural. Ayu was all about botany, studying it eagerly in every free moment since she was a child. She was aware of what types of cells and tissues were in a living plant matter - it was the truth that there were types of flora that underwent extreme adaptability. They used chemicals to develop toxins and their tissues were able to form thorns, tendrils, and hair that transferred said poisons. Some could survive months without water, others grew at the bottom of the sea... There was a rule about what they could do, and Ayu, by making roots change the property of their cells into a wooden structure, was breaking that rule. It was like making apple fruits sting like nettle or turning daisies as hard as olivewood. It just shouldn't happen. And yet... The young woman glanced at the grey poppy seed that she was rolling between her fingers. Why not try it right here, right now? Still walking, Ayu started concentrating... The poppy seedling broke through the husk, the pale roots tangling around her fingers while a delicate, pale stalk grew in front of her. The leaves unrolled and the bud started to form at the tip of the stalk. That is what happened when she used her Ki casually, but what has she done differently while trying to fix the fence? What happened there? It wasn't about the quantity or quality, but about the thoughts, Ayu carried with her energy. Let's see - what if she'd make the plant sharp, just like the roots near her house?

Sharp as razors. Yes, that's it. With her mind calm, she focused on her Ki. It pulsed in a very familiar sensation, boosting the delicate plant with her energy - and yet after opening her eyes nothing appeared to be changed. There was young foliage of a soft, subtle plant... Seems that she couldn't work against nature, after all. Was it a coincidence earlier? Or she found a new species of plant with mutated roots... A deep sigh raised her chest when Ayu stroked the stalk and - as if burned - quickly pulled her hand away. She stopped walking a little startled, glancing at her hand and blinking. There was a dark rose line on her finger and a drop of blood started to form. Ayu blew on the cut that started to regenerate anyway and turned her gaze towards the poppy plant in her hand. It looked innocent. Regular even, like every other plant that could be found out there on the plains - but upon closer inspection, she saw something. An almost metallic sheen on the leaves. The edges of the foliage created a rim as thin as hair and as sharp as a blade. The hard, wooden cells were produced in an organic matter that should be able to create something so different - but Ayu helped the plant develop that. From a scientific point of view, what she did was groundbreaking and worth years of research, but she didn't feel that way. She couldn't think but wonder why was she able to do all that... For what reason?

It was easy to return the leaves to normal and Ayu continued her stroll gazing at the plant in her hands. The sharpness wasn't the only thing that she was able to do, manipulating the very genetic makeup of the poppy. It took only focus and practice. By concentrating on her Ki she made the stalk as hard as iron. Their sound even mimicked metal when she poked the surface of the plant with her nail... If she would only fancy, she could stab the tree with that and it would act as a nail. She could influence it to be as soft and malleable as clay, to a certain degree of course, or make the poppy bloom with pretty red petals that burned with acidity. It was... Dangerous. The endless possibilities emerged from this technique, putting even more pressure on Ayu's shoulders. How to use it properly? There was a talk of her utilizing her powers to make Earthlings' life easier, making land fertile after the drought or floods. No, it was too soon to think like that - it was only one plant and Ayu barely learned anything. It was a very interesting experiment that woke up her childlike curiosity, yet on the back of her head was still the lingering thought, that it wasn't right. She didn't know her potential, so how could she tell what was right or wrong at this point? But if it was right, why could she do it? More questions and no answers on the horizon...

She heard a thud.

Ayu stopped abruptly. Not so far from the place where she was standing there was an abrupt sound of... Collision? Fall? Impact? She couldn't figure out what has happened by the noise alone, but the fleeing birds and vibration in the air told her that whatever just occurred, was quite close. Ayu listened to the tree branches snapping, something fell to the ground alongside the echo of a solid object furrowing the soil. There was a series of smaller cracks, a dull sound, and silence... Like nothing ever happened. Standing still for a few seconds, Ayu scratched her cheek anxiously, facing the direction of the thud. She felt the trees complained about broken branches and roots, but there were no unusual energy signatures there. Was it inorganic matter or was there someone able to suppress their energy? She ought to be more careful. A meteor seemed highly unlikely to happen like that on a bright day - even a bit silly - so Ayu couldn't possibly guess the reason behind the sound. Yet she was sure of one thing. Despite birds fluttering away, there was no change in the atmosphere in the forest and the buzzing and chirping returned right away. Woods themselves knew that there was no danger. So, whatever has fallen to the ground, was not a threat here... For now. One could never be too careful. The young woman crouched down to place the poppy plant on the ground, making roots dig into the soil - leaving a perfectly normal plant to continue to grow here. Ayu stood up, glancing at it for a second before turning her head away. She felt tension on her shoulders while she started walking in that direction, ready to check what has intruded into the forest.

It took Ayu less than ten minutes of climbing the twisted roots, moss-covered boulders, and hanging vines before she reached the place. This part of the forest was especially dense with the vegetation, moss, and undergrowth creating a thick carpet of green and ferns as tall as her were obstructing every visible corner. How did she know she was at the right spot when she arrived? Easy. The place reminded her heavily of the view she once experienced after the fight between two bears. Leaves everywhere. Broken twigs and brunches, stones pushed aside and the dug-up soil marked a place where something landed. Luckily the fissure in the ground didn't look so severe. Some roots were broken, and shrubs were torn out, laying on the sides, but with some of her energy, Ayu was able to help plants take roots back into the soil. In a blink of an eye, she was able to tidy up the scene, more or less at least. She couldn't fix what was already broken, but the branches and crushed plants will soon be absorbed by the forest, creating new life in a matter of time... Life always finds a way. When she looked up, she saw a clear path of forced landing - the branches were knocked off the trees, there was a gap in the nearest bush, and following the line on the forest floor, she was able to follow it with her eyes...

There was a small cliff nearby, that Ayu liked to sit under from time to time - and now there was a vertical hole. The line guided her gaze there and she noticed not a gaping pit but a small cavity in the dirt. And something - or someone - was moving there, standing up and jumping out of the crater made by the impact. In the half-shade of the thick forest crowns, Ayu saw a sturdy silhouette dusting its clothing and picking something from the ground. It looked like a rectangle made of thick fabric, that was shaken off, neatly rolled - and it disappeared with a short poof. The young woman blinked with surprise, but when noticing that the person is rubbing their arms, she frowned with worry. After that kind of landing of course it was easy to get injuries of many kinds... Ayu took a step closer, pressing a clenched fist against her chest in a subconscious gesture of concern.

"Excuse me..." She raised her voice to catch the stranger's attention. At the sound of her words, the person turned around as Ayu asked. "A-Are you alright..?" Her gaze was met with a pair of fathomless, round eyes. Quite unnerving at first, but there was nothing hinting enmity in that stare. The person that was staring at her from the bottom of the cliff, was a very... Curious one, for the lack of a more suitable word. In better light, she was able to make out more details, seeing pointy ears, round face, and uncommon clothing. She couldn't sense the slightest hint of living energy, which of course made her very wary of him, but the stranger wasn't hostile. Her instincts didn't kick in, trying to tell her that something was wrong, instead, they were completely silent. And the black-skinned man, roughly the same height as her, was looking at the young woman attentively. Some twigs were stuck in his turban, poking out through the white fabric. To her surprise, a couple of forest birds landed on his headwear peacefully - so he couldn't be a bad person... There were leaves on his shoulders, and scratches and smears of soil on his clothes, but despite the unpleasant landing, he didn't possess other injuries. It looked like it didn't bother him in the slightest that he was in that state. He was staring at Ayu with silent attention, so much that she started feeling a nervous blush on her face. W-what even was this situation?

The silence full of intense observation started to feel awkward. She blinked, but there was still no response to her question. Maybe her voice was too quiet? Or she was being ignored by this strange man? Whatever the answer was, it didn't make her position or mood any better. And before Ayu could decide to ask him again about his condition and try not to get any more abashed, his wide red mouth curled into an amiable smile.

"Good morning to you," he said in a calm, friendly manner, putting his arms behind his back and walking up to Ayu. Tilting her head, the young woman tried to understand the reason for his good mood, but it didn't go as planned. This morning was anything but normal. She was simply confused and could only blink and wait for how would things unravel. Was he an alien or Earthling..? Up close it seemed that they both were of similar height, but the stranger's physique was wider and more burly, with his clothing reminding Ayu of the exotic cultures. His ears were pointy... Similar to hers. Though she couldn't dare to say that they looked the same - hers were easy to hide under hair, but it was a detail that caught her attention nonetheless. And speaking about the devil... The observant, round eyes haven't blinked even once since she saw him. He was still watching her, but weirdly, she wasn't bothered by that, rather curious about the intentions behind this behavior.

"... Good morning," she murmured a shy greeting, trying to find rhyme and reason to this situation, but failed quickly. The sparrows sitting on the man's turban were calmly cleaning their wings, and once he walked out from the shaded area of the forest, two more birds found a place to rest on his shoulders. One of them poked a golden earring, but the stranger didn't seem to mind. He wasn't a bad person. If he would, animals wouldn't feel so comfortable in his presence, right? Their instinct was not something to be doubted - the same way the forest instantly accepted this new presence. Ayu lowered her gaze to look at the minor scratches on his torso and frowned. "A-Are you alright, sir?" she asked worryingly.

"I am," stranger's smile grew even wider as he assured her that there was nothing to be concerned about. "My mean of transportation was a little fickle, that's all." There was warmth, goodwill, and... Something else in his gaze. The way the birds stayed by his side, cozy and without a hint of worry made Ayu wonder why he possessed this aura. It influenced her too - this stranger that she saw for around two minutes now, was someone... To trust could be a too strong statement, but she felt comfortable now like her inner anxiety was melting away. At least until he said one sentence more... "It's good to finally see you in person, Miss Kagyuu Yibai."

A shiver. Cold one. Ayu took half of a step back pressing both of her hands against her chest while trying to find the right words to speak. Her expression showed a mix of anxiety and doubt. Her full name wasn't something that she shared so easily, not simply because she didn't like it. Maybe it was a trivial reason... It didn't have this feeling. For unknown reasons her mind was refusing to accept it as her own, so for some inner peace, she was never using it. It was like a foreign term that would not settle in... Kagyuu Yibai was only known to school staff and her grandfather Zhang and also aunt Williams, but no other person learned about it... He must have seen the school documentation or the adoption papers. Maybe he even talked with her grandfather to be aware of that? No, how would that be? She considered the shorter version to be her true name. People knew it, so they didn't use Kagyuu around her. Even Zhang, as thick-skinned as he was, never bothered her about this...

"H-how do you know m-my full name..." She embraced herself with her arms lowering her shaking voice to a whisper, her reaction way stronger than the stranger anticipated.

"Please don't fret," the man's s smile waived for a moment when he noticed her reaction. He lifted one of his hands, showing her open palm in a calming gesture. "I can assure you, I mean no harm," he guaranteed with a warm, worried for her voice. It was... Truth. Ayu didn't know why she was confident about it, but she could tell that his intentions were matching his words. Rubbing her arms she glanced at the dark-skinned person, and slowly closed her eyes. There was a lot she didn't understand and this situation was unusual, but she needed to see it until the end. Maybe for once, she'd have a chance to learn more about the craziness of this world. A deep breath raised her chest before she exhaled the air slowly, calming down her heart.

"Please, call me Ayu," she raised her gaze and looked at the stranger with softer features, but the concern was still present in her eyes. Despite his friendly and warm demeanor, what he said so far was only creating more confusion. And gods know she had enough of that in her life already. "Who are you, Mister..?" the question was asked with a gentle voice. Ayu wasn't the type to get irritated or angry, but she wanted to hear his side of the story... If he even got something like that to convey. "And c-could you please tell me, why do you know my name?" Ayu scratched her cheek abashed. Maybe he heard it from somewhere or maybe she knows him but she couldn't recall - there was no reason for getting so suspicious or anxious. Right?

The stranger was eager to talk. He smiled at her.

"I am Mr. Popo," he placed his open palm on his chest while introducing himself. "I am attendant to Earth's Guardian. He knows about everything that's happening on Earth and I learned your name from him." He made a short pause to glance at Ayu, and without surprise, he noticed that she was looking at him in silent awe. Her eyes were filled with boundless amazement... He gave an understanding nod and placed his warm hand on her shoulder, gently pushing her to move. "I see you're confused, Miss Ayu. Let us have a place to sit," Mr. Popo pointed to the fallen tree that was quietly laying on the forest floor nearby and walked there with her. They took their spots and as soon as he sat down, a squirrel appeared on a branch above and jumped down to hang out on his shoulder. The air around the stranger worked in mysterious ways... It was only his words that carried a heavy meaning with them. Ayu blinked slowly and lowered her pensive gaze to focus on her hands. Her fingers started to fidget.

No one could have expected to hear something like that. No amount of wild or absurd events happening lately around Ayu would have even hinted at that. She never took his words as a joke or as an attempt to tell an old tale, seeing his seriousness and accepting it as something normal. The woman put a strand of her hair behind her ear. She was basically told that some entity was protective of this planet - it couldn't have been a position in the government or any other organization, otherwise it would be widely known already. But Guardian of Earth? That was a title she never heard about before.

"There is always a Guardian on Earth. They have changed in the span of centuries, but they always look out for the people on this planet," Mr. Popo gently started his story, obviously stating the basics first so Ayu could grasp the situation easier. The young woman slowly nodded, silently stating that she has heard and understood what he said. The man raised his hand towards his turban and a sparrow hopped on his finger, stretching its wings. "Guardian is a very powerful being, but they aren't obligated to act," he caressed the bird's head softly. "They are mostly watching over everyone, rarely intervening. If anything would threaten the Earth itself, they will aid the warriors fighting for the safety of this planet." That felt... Reasonable to a fault. It reminded Ayu of high-ranked people who were either too important or too weak to take part in the work, so they instructed others to do as such. Maybe a more accurate term would be the king on the chess board. The most important figure out there, but unable to do much without the help of others or support from the queen... And the title of Guardian was not something to be brushed away so easily - what kind of pressure the Guardians were living with?

There was a very subtle shift in the atmosphere. Mr. Popo's eyes softened gently with sadness and something that Ayu realized was grief. He got quiet for only a moment, to most likely keep his feelings composed and she wasn't going to pressure him to speak further. He was concerned about something or someone to the point of feeling sorrow... There was something bittersweet about a thought that Ayu didn't know what it was like. In her life, there was no person she would be concerned about so much it caused her pain... Or maybe there was? Seeing the emotions in his gaze she wasn't sure what to think. Was it good that she felt lonely so often or having someone close was worth the pain it brought the ones caring for them? She couldn't speak from the experience with this one, at least not at this point in her life. Mr. Popo appeared to be lost in his thoughts for just a moment, observing how the bird sitting on his hand puffed its feathers. And when he finally spoke again, his voice was dyed with a note of unease too.

"Our current Guardian... He's getting old and tired," Ayu's eyebrows rose gently and compassion flickered in her eyes. So that was the reason for his sadness... "And with what is happening lately, I'm afraid he won't be able to guide more warriors with his strength." The man sniffled quietly. That sentence was... Troubling. If there was a Guardian taking care of Earth, would his lack of power mean that they are left without protection? Ayu didn't even know how it worked, but the weight of this revelation was enough to make her uneasiness grow. And not only hers. She placed her hand on Mr. Popo's shoulder in an attempt to comfort him even a tiny bit and he turned his gaze at her. After looking at her for a short while, he patted her hand with a smile. "Thank you, dear," he spoke with thankfulness. Still holding to her hand he sighed, before continuing his tale. "That's why we need strong people with benevolent hearts that would be able to face the danger," he looked at her carefully. "There are enemies on the horizon and Earth needs help."

That was easier said than done. Ayu's face clouded instantly with heavy thoughts that made her wonder... Why she was the one to listen to this? Shouldn't Mr. Popo seek out someone stronger, like Athren or Callion? She couldn't fathom why and wasn't sure she was in a position to ask. Someone like her being chosen to have a chat with Guardian's attendant... That felt simply impossible, but here they were in the middle of the forest, having a casual chat in the quiet morning. A certain tension came with the meeting itself, and the fact that Ayu heard all this gave her lots to think about. Nothing happened without reason - and she was yet to hear the explanation about this event.

"That's why I wanted to meet you, Miss Ayu," Mr. Popo's smile widened into a warm, honest grin. She couldn't help but feel the contradicting cold and overwhelming heaviness settling in the middle of her heart. Slowly she took her hand away, her fingers started playing with her braid. The man didn't say anything, instead was observing her cautiously. Ayu's gaze slipped to the side and her cheeks, despite her tendencies to blush, grew paler. She wasn't sure she liked the implication in his words. The responsibility that his declaration carried was too troubling for someone who was barely able to control her Ki.

"Why... Me?" she asked, feeling her voice being weak and going into a very well-known trembling tone. She made a pause, the heart was fluttering in her chest like a terrified bird. "W-Why would you want t-to meet me?" Ayu put her arms around her.

The doubt that started to poke its way into her thoughts was now obvious... Because of a suspicion that arouse, scary anticipation of what would she hear next. She could have guessed already what was the reason for Mr. Popo seeking her out, why he told her this short tale, and why he took the time and energy to be here. Just like others, he must have thought that she was stronger than she felt, asking for her aid, but Ayu wasn't able to do anything here. How could she? Weren't people putting too much faith in her? She couldn't control her energy properly, let alone fight in a battle or take part in a war... For crying out loud, she still was getting paralyzed when left in complete darkness. How could she be able to help anybody? Her face clouded with uneasiness and unspoken guilt when Ayu closed her eyes. It wasn't easy to live up to others' expectations, but she couldn't stand the feeling of being asked for help and being unable to do so. W-Why was everything so complicated right now..?

"Your energy is especially strong and serene, Miss Ayu. It makes me calm by sensing you. You could help," the tone that answered her was especially gentle and reassuring. Mr. Popo was watching her attentively, but also with care and compassion - not like someone wanting to know how to react to her next words, but someone caring about her mental state. And now Ayu was simply lost, her face dark with regret even before she made her choice. She felt a gentle patting on her shoulder, but it didn't make her feel any better. "Miss Ayu, wouldn't you like to talk to the Guardian? I'm sure you could learn many things from him." The man chose a different tactic, and Ayu slowly opened her eyelids, uncertainly gazing at Mr. Popo. Meet the Guardian? Was it possible...

"I... I d-don't know," Ayu stuttered holding her hands close. She leaned back a little so her feet could rest on the bark of the tree trunk. The tree wasn't the most comfortable bench, but it was better than the ground. She wrapped her arms around her legs in a subconscious attempt to try looking a little smaller. Less significant. Less strong. A shiver mockingly danced on her spine, as if calling her a coward. Ayu rested her cheek on her knee, lowering her gaze at the blades of grass on the ground. That was funny - despite all those revelations, the world barely changed. What would have happened if she'd agreed to meet the one Mr. Popo held in such high regard? "Can you tell me a bit more... What is Guardian like?" she suggested bashfully, trying to focus on something else. She saw Mr. Popo smile thoughtfully and caress another's bird back.

"He's a very soft-spoken person with a gentle temper. You two are alike, in a way." The tone of the man mellowed down while he spoke about the Guardian. He must have been someone very important to Mr. Popo... If he was his attendant, he must have known about important events that were happening on Earth, the ones that were leaving Ayu sleepless. Sometimes she wished she couldn't sense the energy... There were nights when she was able to feel dozens of signatures die out like blown-out candles. There was a saying about people stating, that they were sleeping better at night when they knew less - that statement was true and Ayu never thought she would be learning about it the hard way. If Guardian was the person who protects the planet but rarely acts... "Dende is always diligent in his duties and never once neglected his responsibilities. He knows a lot about Earth's Dragon Balls too. I'm sure he'd be happy to teach you what he can if you would only ask," as if reading her mind Mr. Popo mentioned that, yet he didn't exactly give a detailed description of Guardian's duties. Ayu rubbed her cheek thoughtfully. "His knowledge is very vast and he could answer your questions... Guardian observes the world, so rarely there is a mystery that he cannot unravel."

That was tempting. After all, Ayu suffered from the ungodly amount of questions that the world was refusing to answer. Maybe, just maybe, if she could ask Dende about her family or race, she'd finally achieve peace of mind. Since she could remember, this was always weighing on her soul - she couldn't be human, so what was she? No one knew. Zhang wasn't aware either or refused to tell, and there was no data known to Earthlings about race that would match Ayu's appearance or abilities. From what forgotten corner of the universe did her family come to the blue planet, the one she now calls home?

"Would it really be okay... For someone like me to come to Guardian's place?" She hesitated with this question because she needed to be sure. Just in case. Whoever he is, whatever he created, and whichever of his plans were at play... Maybe it looked like the young woman was too cautious, but she truly wanted to get rid of her doubts. The idea of meeting Guardian was pressuring but at the same time, it felt like proof. Proof that perhaps with more dedication and patience, she could do something good - she was appreciated.

"Of course!" The warmth in Mr. Popo's voice made Ayu focus her pale yellow eyes on him. The wide, honest grin was reassuring and the fathomless eyes were filled with hope. He held her hands and squeezed them in gratitude, before raising his finger and gesturing towards the sun..? That's what it looked like. "We live in a temple above the clouds. Lookout, to be precise. There... It's not hard to miss, look for Korin Tower," no, he pointed to the far south and moved his hand up, it was only her who mistook it for showing her the sun above. Her mind was now filled with images of floating houses and old temples that photos she saw in books at the school library. Ayu already felt a growing doubt. How would she be able to reach that place? She couldn't fly... Visiting South Continent after some savings won't be that difficult, but how would she reach the temple above the clouds? The ability to float or fly or even jump so high was still out of her reach. What she was supposed to do - climb..?

Still, she could only nod when Mr. Popo was so eagerly encouraging her to visit. Was there, maybe, some other reason behind it, aside from looking for people with good hearts to help Earth in the time of distress? Ayu pensively looked into the sky, more or less in the direction of the Lookout. Trying to focus her energy she was attempting to feel... The Guardian? That was an overstatement as she wasn't even sure how to sense someone she has never met. But this case was special and there might be a simple explanation for that.

"It's the first time I hear about Guardian of Earth," Ayu's clouded face softened a little, and a more composed look returned to her eyes. Somehow she thought... Mr. Popo was Dende's attendant and he said himself that the Guardian only observes people, in rare cases teaching someone what he knows. Didn't it mean that he was a little lonely, up there above the clouds..? The pale irises of the young woman were gazing at the blue sky between the branches, at this part of the firmament that was supposed to be above the Southern side of this world. Fulfilling his duties above the clouds, without anyone noticing - it sounded lonesome. "Is he a god..?" she whispered with solemnity. Such a title couldn't be given to just anyone, so perhaps she couldn't sense anyone special or prominent enough to be called Guardian here on Earth for a reason. If...

"He's a Namekian," the sudden answer from Mr. Popo made Ayu jump when his prosaic statement contradicted her pensive mood. She looked at him utterly flabbergasted at her silent expectation being blown away to duts. That was unexpected. Namekian was a Guardian here, on Earth? Feeling confused Ayu rubbed her cheek, and once again Mr. Popo was eager to explain, offering her his knowledge. "Guardians are mortals of any race, but they need to pass the test to take this position. They can't have darkness in their hearts... And so it happens that the current Guardian is a-"

"Namekian," it was Ayu's turn to finish his thought, and although she didn't do it mischievously, she smiled a little. "I met a Namekian not so long ago," she said more to herself than to him and gazed at the sun. She hoped that Mr. Tabu was doing okay, whenever he was... Did he know that one of his people was occupying a role of great importance on Earth? She should ask him next time. The energy she sensed back then, when they were under attack, made her nostalgic for some reason, as it felt so familiar and melancholic... Ayu assumed it was because of her connection to nature, and so far Namekians were the only known to her race that was sharing this link. They respected the natural order and didn't take pleasure in taking lives - at least the one she came across was like that. People were different after all... Namekians. Her face lightened a bit when a small smile curled the corner of her lips. In a peaceful change of mood, Ayu chuckled gently covering her mouth. "I never thought that our Earth's Guardian would be green," people who have met Dende in the past must have been surprised. Well, look who said that huh?

"That's right. Oh, in fact..." Mr. Popo rubbed his chin, nodding to himself and mumbling so quietly she couldn't hear a thing. He got lost in his thoughts pretty quickly for someone who was telling tales a moment ago, counting on his fingers and murmuring like he was trying to remind himself of a very difficult piece of information. The Guardian's attendant was debating over something, that much was clear. Ayu tilted her head curiously looking at him, wondering if she'd hear something interesting, uplifting, or worrying. This day wasn't normal, but she decided to stop beating herself up with that - there be time to think it all through and make a decision. She'll take whatever he's going to say... And now he looked at the young woman happily and smiled. "I wanted to show you something. Please, follow me."

Like on a spring, Mr. Popo jumped from his sitting spot on the tree trunk. Birds that were sitting quietly on him flew away, chirping softly, the squirrel leaped into the nearest tree. The man effortlessly started to move towards... Well, Ayu couldn't tell where he was going. Dusting her clothing she ran after him to close the distance and walked one step behind him. She took pride in knowing every nook and cranny of the Eastern woods, but Mr. Popo boldly stepped into the sea of fern, guiding her through the shaded places, thick with vegetation and full of twists and turns, that she started to doubt where she was. There were places, it seemed, that she missed during her expeditions in the woods... Unbelievable. If she of all people would got lost in the forest, now that would be embarrassing. And there, in the middle of her thoughts and an ocean of plant life, Mr. Popo suddenly stopped, raising his hand. Ayu's eyes followed his gesture to see that they were standing in front of a very irregular and overwhelming cliff. It was almost looking like a hill covered with patches of trees and bushes, but what she noticed, was the cooler air that surrounded the place.

There was something in there. She could feel it simply because the presence of plant life stretched deep into the hill. And that wouldn't be possible without a place to take root. Thicker than her arms vines were growing over the shaded side of the hill, the lichens lavishly covered the boulders and the sides of the trees. No Earthling has been in this place, it was secluded and lost deep into the wilderness - but there was something, and Ayu, as instructed, was eager to discover what. Ki flickered on the tips of her fingers and she made the vines move with ease. They crawled to the sides like snakes, braiding between the bushes covering the hill and getting rid of the heavy curtain of green. The big branches obstructing the view and the thick ferns moved, and they saw a gaping hole, tall but narrow. A cave... A quiet grotto that oozed with cold air and a sense of mystery. The complete darkness within wasn't something welcoming... Ayu didn't like that. The entrance was now cleared and they saw that the path was ready to use.

She had no time to tell Mr. Popo that the blackness in the cave was making her more than uneasy - he walked straight into it. Ayu stood on the tip of her toes, rocking anxiously as he ventured right inside the cave. Her fingers played with the tip of her braid, as always when she was starting to get nervous. Before she could ask him to wait, he pulled out from his turban an old-fashioned lamp that he lit up with Ki. Now, that was reassuring... The soft light helped them see the inside of the grotto, the uneven surface of walls and stone above their heads partially covered with moss. It was going to be okay. Ayu hastened her steps to walk alongside Mr. Popo, gazing around with wonder and quiet fascination. There were plants. Lots of plants. The irregular structure of the cave created lots of cavities in the natural ceiling, light was falling in through the cracks creating ribbons full of speckles of dust. The inside was full of moss and lichens, Ayu noticed herbs that enjoyed the humidity and shade growing here, alongside some luminescent fungus that was adorning the walls. The cave itself was way bigger than it appeared from the outside, humid and cold.

And there was something in the middle of it. It seemed to be a mass of roots and tangled vines and moss, covering a big structure. Like a shapeless bulb of dark greenery, soaked in the tepid air. Mr. Popo looked at Ayu with silent expectation in his eyes and she nodded, knowing right away what he meant. Slowly moving her hands to the side she focused and the plants started retreating. They crawled off the object, moving into the corners of the cave. She made moss drop from the surface it was eating on, vines were tangling from the ceiling, and the roots hid underground. What they saw now... No, she didn't have a clue what thing it was in front of her eyes.

"What... Is this?" Ayu asked in awe, gazing at a curiously shaped object bigger than her house. The sight was breathtaking in a very weird sense - she didn't know what she was looking at. It was big, elongated, with a few spikes poking out here and there, the pale surface was darkened by age and evergrowing moss. The simplest parallel would be an egg placed on chopsticks? Ayu wasn't good at using analogies. The shape was weird and the ornaments around weren't reminding her of anything in particular. The bulging green circles of glass-like matter were dull and covered with dust. The thin spikes were symmetrically placed, and the lines all over the surface hinted that the thing, maybe, was hiding something inside? The biggest mystery was how it was placed here in the cave? It seemed too big to be merely pushed through the entrance, and yet here it was, sitting in the middle of the cave and occupying nearly all space. It was old but seemed to be in a good state, despite standing in a humid cave for who knows how long - and after Ayu moved the plants away they could see it in its full glory. Kinda dusty and worn-out glory, but still. The structure itself wasn't like anything she saw before, making it something new, alien, foreign...

"It's a ship. A Namekian one." Mr. Popo said with pride, looking at Ayu who was still absorbed with her observation. The young woman blinked and turned her head towards him as if she felt his gaze. He answered with a smile. The Guardian's attendant walked to the ship and stroked the metallic surface, his face showed thoughtfulness. "It was brought here long ago, and as you see, forgotten for decades." He knocked on one of the legs. The metallic echo vibrated in the quiet cave loudly, mimicking the sound of a shot. "It should be able to work. Please use it to get stronger, Miss Ayu."

Something in his voice sounded familiar to her - the implication, the request. Like it has happened before and suddenly she realized what. The same sensation she felt when she discovered the cardboard box left on her doormat a few weeks ago.

"You were the one who gave me the weighted clothes earlier..." Ayu muttered in amazement.

His honest grin grew only wider. Mr. Popo placed the lamp on the ground, so the soft light could illuminate the entrance to the cave and the ship. Placing his arms behind his back, he faced Ayu and his features softened. He beamed with genuine hope and care painted on his face, raising his hand to wave in a simple of saying goodbye.

"I will be waiting for your visit, Miss Ayu."

When she blinked after hearing his words, Mr. Popo disappeared without a trace.

She was left alone in a quiet cave.

---

Power Level - 63,731
Word Count - 10,009
Super Weighted Clothing Equipped
Technique - [OT2] Chlorokinesis
With the permission of staff, Ayu has learned about Earth's Guardian.