ECLIPTIC CHILD

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Chapter Seven
Facing the Fears
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❝Mama! Mama!❞

YOUR EYES SPARKLED in awe as you saw the big turtle, letting out a small 'oh' sound. Meanwhile, Sandy and Mk had their guards up in case this creature would attack you three. There were cracks on the turtle which probably meant that it will also disappear soon.

Turtle Guardian: "You can't take this stone so easily. You must pass the test to qualify." The turtle spoke in a calm voice, talking without opening its mouth.

Sandy: ""Qualify"?"

Sandy looked visibly displeased by what the guardian said, placing you safely down. Normally, Sandy had always been calm and friendly. To show such a serious expression was totally new, especially to Mk.

Mk: "Uh... Mr. Turtle sir. I... already passed the test of the divine bird. Uh- ls that qualified enough?" He nervously asked while showing the turtle the red stone he was given in Nuwa's temple.

The turtle squinted his eyes at your brother upon seeing the stone, but he was still persistent that Mk must pass this test to show if he was worthy of this stone.

Turtle Guardian: "The Vermillion Bird tested your determination. What l'll be testing you is your mastery over your abilities." He declared before looking up at the cracking sky, "The Great Cycle is about to be completed. You don't have much time left." He then looked back to Mk.

Mk: "Then... Why are you still standing there? l'm already ready! Start your trial now!" He exclaimed with excitement.

Turtle Guardian: "The trials you will face is... Meditation."

The moment meditation was mentioned, Mk had a look of total horror on his face and dropped down on his knees which made you laugh at him because he seemed funny.

Mk: "Then I'm not ready."

Sandy: "Live in the moment." Sandy said and sat down on the ground.

Mk: "I can't do it now."

Turtle Guardian: "There's a storm in your heart. lf you can't control it, then everything will be destroyed. Time is passing quickly." The small snake on the guardian came back to life and slithered somewhere, "Pain is not yours to bear."

Mk: "Isn't that a good thing?" He asked, relieved that he won't be fighting or getting hurt.

Turtle Guardian: "Your friend will bear it instead."

The snake had wrapped itself around Sandy tightly, trapped him completely. You whimpered and crawled closer to Sandy, "Sany..." You trailed off, grabbing his leg. The blue guy forced a small smile to assure you.

Sandy: "It's okay, Y/N... I'm going to be fine. It's... It's just a bit... hard to breathe."

Mk: "Hey! LET GO OF SANDY!" He shouted and hit the snake around Sandy, but it just increased in the size.

Turtle Guardian: "Control yourself. Or it will get tighter."

Sandy: "Just do whateverithe turtle says. I can handle the snake." It was clear that Sandy was struggling.

Eventually, Mk agreed and decided to do meditation. At first, he found difficulty, but he forced himself to meditate. His face contorted and twisted as if he was having a nightmare, he was struggling to keep meditating. Suddenly, Mk fell back and gasped, "Bubba..." You mumbled and moved toward him. He looked up just as Sandy let out a loud scream when the snake's size increased.

Mk: "Sandy!" Out of pure rage, Mk shifted to his monkey form and pulled out the staff, making you tense up slightly, "Let him go!"

Turtle Guardian: "Control yourself." The creature calmly ordered.

Sandy: "MK! I'm still ok! Concentrate!"

Mk looked down at his hands, feeling hesitant as to what to do.

Mk: "I... I really can't do it! This thing in my heart... I-"

Sandy: "We all have things we don't like about ourselves, but it's still a part of us! You chose to be yourself, so you must stick by it. The sun has one route. You have to believe it. You are your own master." Sandy, although struggling to speak, tried his best to calm and assure Mk in order to do the meditation correctly.

Turtle Guardian: "Warrior. To save your friend, this is the only way."

Mk was still unsure of what to do, but he put his staff away and sat down to resume meditation. You could see him still struggling, so you crawled toward him and sat on your knees beside him, putting your tiny hand on his to help him.

"Bubba."

Meanwhile in Mk's consciousness, the boy was facing the monster within his heart. He was this time talking so calmly which upset the uncontrollable monkey form in him.

Monkey Form: "You think you can just drive away all your fears by giving yourself a bowl of chicken soup for the soul?" It stated as it increased in the size, golden cracked appeared all around them.

Mk began to get anxious, feeling himself losing control of the situation. Just then, a big white figure appeared behind Mk, making all the cracks disappear. The boy looked up at the mysterious white figure, somehow trusting that this figure was by his side. A smile appeared on his lips before facing the monkey form.

Mk: "No, but I will persist. The sun has one route. I want to live in the present."

The monster was going to attack Mk, but the white figure helped Mk by creating a protective aura around him, making the monster vanish.

Back to you, a smile appeared on your face when you saw Mk became calm and the snake left Sandy. Your brother opened his eyes and say you still holding his hand, your white tail wiggling with delight.

Mk: "Y/N-..." He was suddenly cut off by Sandy who hugged Mk tightly.

Sandy: "Mk! It's over." He exclaimed then stood up, facing the guardian, "And you... Has MK passed your test? Is it good enough? Is he qualified?" Sandy wasn't bothered to even hold his frustration back, but the turtle remained unfazed.

Turtle Guardian: "Yes warrior. Congratulations." The creature flashed white before it disappeared, giving the second stone to Mk, "Continue your mission and protect the child. You will never succeed without her." And just like that, everything went quiet.

Mk looked at you with a hint of worry. This was the second guardian that spoke of you... just why? And what was that white figure that helped him? So many questions yet no answers.

After the ordeal was over, the three of you made your way back to the vehicle. You were asleep in Sandy's arms, but Mk still looked at you with a hint of concern. He just hoped that what he thought of wouldn't be confirmed later on.