Phynex and the soldiers watched with silent awe at the flurry of arrows that soon took to the skies. Arrow after arrow found their marks in the wood, peppering the targets dead center. Prince Yinbao and Selene nocked their arrows at the speed of light, some of their shots a frighteningly straight line while some soared above them in a wide arc in order to score more points. The fire demon was confident the huntress could win, and judging from the way some of his men looked at the traditionally-clad woman, Phynex would say they shared the same thoughts as he did. The match felt as if it had spanned a long time, but it was over in a flash. The prince was noticeably breathing slightly heavier than usual, pinpricks of sweat beads appearing on his forehead before he wiped it with his sleeve. There was silence, an eerie quiet as the guards began pulling out and counting the arrows the two had fired. Everyone was holding their breaths in anticipation, and Phynex was steeling himself for another victory to Selene - and probably another ridiculous prize given to the huntress--
"Second Prince Yinbao wins!" a guard held up a bundle of arrows. "76 against 75!" the man stated once more. The entire audience stared at the huntress, then at the prince, before offering polite applause. "Congratulations, Prince Yinbao!" many voices echoed around the young prince, who smiled faintly. It was an odd expression on his face, the fire demon was used to seeing that emotionless and uncaring clean slate of a look. He always seemed disinterested in everything, but it was different when it came to passion. The fire demon's eyes lit up - it was just like him, wasn't it? Whenever it came to working with Selene, or doing his job as a contract demon, he was just as concentrated and as happy as the second prince. Not wanting to be disrespectful to Prince Yinbao, he clapped along with his men. "Congratulations, Prince Yinbao. You are very talented," he complimented with grace.
The prince nodded at the fire demon. "And you, as well. Your hunting skills are impeccable." His voice was a low murmur but held a tinge of pride and gratitude. Sharp eyes turned to the huntress, still humble even after winning and earning a victory. "It was a challenge, Selene-san. I look forward to our next match. It will be even more interesting to see what you are capable of," the prince did not smile, but there was one in dark grey eyes.
He wondered how long Selene would stay happy that she had managed to find someone who had bested her at something. Phynex had to admit he was a little bit jealous.
---
Though that night they were blessed with a feast of rabbit and deer, cooked with spices and broth by the royal cooks, there was no time to rest. The following day they were expected to ride up to the mountains where Arashi, the Old One who was a well-known swordsman with a strange ability, would be waiting for them. The fire demon and the huntress had tiredly retired to their room where little speech was shared as they prepared for bed, but were content with the warmth of the sheets and quiet whispers of reassurance and their future being passed as they slid under the sheets. Normally, a bodyguard and a lady sleeping in the same bed would be preposterous, but they knew that wasn't the case for them.
The sun rose high in the early hours of the morning, breakfast already prepared and piping hot as the foreigners slipped into something more worthy and sturdy for a mountainous area. Unfortunately for Selene, and much to her disappointment - that still meant a kimono.
Their next destination was a mountain that sat behind the Capital, a mountain that was shaped like the maw of a terrible dragon sticking out of the ground. Smoke billowed from the crack that acted as the mouth, and Phynex couldn't help but laugh when they approached the huge volcano. This was what his father had created during his stay? Kimyotake had told them with joy what had happened. General Naberius, who had gotten comfortable during his diplomatic mission, decided to spar against an Old One. His fiery breath and his sword sliced the mountain in half, his fire melting the rock itself, giving way to the swirling mass of liquid magma underneath. Since then, youkai that could wield the power of fire called the mountain, named Longya Mountain, their home. It soon became one of the royal forges, using expensive and irreplaceable rare metals given to them by the Emperor to create fine weapons for the elite. And as a special treat, the foreigners could help themselves to a weapon of their choice in these famous forges.
"Do you really think a guandao suits me?" Phynex asked Selene in the midst of a discussion of what weapons they would choose. They had not yet seen most of the weapons in the East, the fire demon knew what these long pole-armed weapons looked like... but these strange knives and blades the huntress spoke of painted no particular image in the fire demon's mind. And that was not the only thing he was nervous about. There was Arashi. He seemed to be a gruff person among the other Old Ones. Friendly Kimyotake, quiet but wise Crane, jolly and slightly annoying Sankawamaru and the nonchalant Shiruchishi. Compared to them... Arashi seemed a bit hot-headed. They still needed to get to know each other, and Phynex had a feeling he would be seeing the red-skinned oni a lot further down his journey here in the East.