Chapter 123: A Princess' Test (1)
Nik, Suki, and Katara sat within the spirit oasis, their expression pleasant as they ate heartily in each other's presence. The oasis was warm and the sensation of grass and the scent of soil really eased Suki and Nik. While eating, Nik would glance at the two fishes time and again. He no longer had any intent to eat them. After all, Mokshi felt that it would result in certain doom.
After the few initial bouts of his vision shifting to Mokshi's, Nik's emergy stat had all but stopped growing. Meditating daily gave him a sense of growth but it felt more spiritual than anything practical. Not that he was complaining or anything. He would be a fool to have not realized that his energy stat seemed to be covering his chi reserves which were astonishingly large.
[Name: Nik Faran
Age: 20 (80)
Code: GC—EHG—98034
Authority Rank: 1 (5.96/100)
Paradise: Transmigration
Title: Transmigration Intern
Bloodline: Adonis' Ember (Common)
Physique: 2.3
Mental: 2.4
Energy: 29.8]
Nik was curious about a few things at this point. One of them being his Bloodline. For instance, what other things can he achieve with this so-called bloodline? It was a common knowledge transferred to him that every recruit is provided a basic bloodline but the term itself was defined vaguely.
Sighing softly at the mysteries surrounding him, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment of peace because he could hear hurried footsteps already.
"How many times must I state that the Spirit Oasis is not for you to settle in?" Yue entered the Oasis, her presence instantly making the trio sulk for a second but they got up nonetheless. The environment of the Oasis was magical, to the point that Nik would even feel his knee not hurt for the time being the more he stayed here. Of course, this newfound knowledge was put into good use by Suki and Katara but also allowed Nik to perform more Kyoshi training. Of course, he didn't go out of his way to place pressure on his left leg.
If Yue was sympathetic to his plight and urgency to grow stronger, the moment she heard the rumors of moans escaping the oasis, she immediately put her foot down and barred entrance to the debauched trio.
It has been three weeks since the spy was discovered, and every additional day made Yue further against her edge since even before the return of the water tribe prisoners, a small collection of ships had arrived with necessary resources for the Armada to sustain itself for some time once again.
And it didn't help Yue that now she kept on finding the bond of the trio oddly... depraved. It wasn't like that previously but she blamed Nik for her current plights as his words that day seemed to have clutched into her heart, firmly grasping it to pound louder and harder every time she came across him, which she tried to avoid nowadays.
His words about setting her free now felt like a distasteful prank as his clutches already shackled her even more than before.
"We were just having breakfast..." Suki sighed.
"Outside," Yue demanded firmly nonetheless. Despite her feelings, she knew better than to let her emotions for the trio allow them to taint the sanctity of the Oasis. She would much rather sacrifice herself for the Oasis... a confession she found quite stifling to make given how hypocritical her words about responsibility felt now.
The trio sighed and quietly moved outside. It was interruptions like this that made Nik wonder should he just reveal the personal space to the girls but that location was simply too private... and way too tactically beneficial to be revealed. Nik may want to help the tribe but it needed to be on his own terms instead of being peer-pressured to carry the entire tribe or warriors from one location to another.
Besides, many things were unknown about that space. The Infinity provides a large vault of information regarding each rank and the various benefits provided after the promotion but it has also left out the bonus if one promotes within the set period of time hidden from the employees of Infinity. This made Nik believe that even if the Personal Space was harmless for others, it truly wouldn't hurt to keep it as a last resort.
Seeing their disheartened expressions, Yue's own emotions softened slightly but suppressing the wave of guilt, she asserted once again, "Please, I don't like pestering you as much as you don't like getting pestered, but the oasis is a spiritual location..."
"We did it one time only and stopped once you made this clear... but eating shouldn't be a problem, right?" Nik sighed.
Pursing her lips, Yue refused to explain herself over and over again. Just when things were about to get heated, a subordinate of Pakku came in and informed with a smile that the latest report on the arrival of the water tribe prisoners was only a week away!
"Did you get any names?" Katara questioned instantly, hoping that one of these men was her father yet these thoughts were dashed as the messenger empathically shook his head and after a few other words, he left, probably to notify other individuals of interest.
"Sorry," Nik comfortingly patted Katara's shoulder as she heaved a deep sigh and shook her head.
"No, it's alright," Katara huffed softly, "It just means that we have to keep unearthing other prisons or better, look for such information after truly defeating the Phoenix King in this war."
"That's a good way of thinking," Suki smiled slightly. It is easy to drown in negativity so she couldn't help but feel a bit better herself with Katara taking the news so readily.
Still, now that Yue had found them, they weren't able to enter the oasis again and had to follow her back. However, aware that Katara was sulking on the inside, Nik couldn't help but try and cheer her up, "Say, Katara... don't you feel it weird that even if Yue stops us from entering the Oasis... the guards outside don't really care about our presence?"
Blinking in surprise, Katara couldn't help but grow thoughtful as her mind stopped stewing in its own reckless thoughts of storming into the battleship and giving Zhao the third degree.
His words also made Suki ponder and Yue's eyelids twitch slightly as she bit her lips. Yet, with her taking the lead, the group simply couldn't view her conflicted expression. The conflict between frustration and expectations, that is.
However, the duo wasn't able to come up with an answer as Suki hummed, "That's really odd... Yue, do you know what's with those guards?"
"I just... haven't ordered them to stop you guys, that's all. It was merely to give you the benefit of the doubt. Of course, it was naive to think that the three of you would actually listen to me like Mai—"
"Oh, Mai does listen sometimes," Nik interjected with a lewd remark of his own as Katara and Suki blushed heavily. If not in the oasis then the trio would find some alone time elsewhere. Alas, Mai had run into them, at least, she almost run into them but their noise stopped her from afar.
Stopping and turning on the soles of her boots, Yue berated with a glare, "You two need to stop giving in to his requests! Half the tribe knows the three of you as more adulterous than the title of heroes you deserve!"
"Not more so than Master Pakku and Hama," Suki shrugged, conveniently not correcting Yue that nowadays, it was the two of them who would desire illicit needs that Nik fulfilled readily... much more than readily, in fact. He left the two wanting for more but unable to grasp at their strength with pleasure raging their thoughts and their words turning into slurred, hot moans.
Yue's words got stuck in her throat. That's something she couldn't refute. More than the trio, it was the relationship of Pakku and Hama that garnered the interest of the majority of the tribe? What about others? They simply had better things to do than waste their time on someone else's relationship.
"See? With such role models, we are just fulfilling what's expected of us," Nik smiled as he added with a toothy grin, teasing Yue rightfully, "Of course, I'd suggest that you should follow our example... but you still haven't decided who you want to marry, right? You can just try and check physical compatibility before deciding."
Katara finally sported a smile at Nik's words, softly punching his shoulder, "Don't be so mean to Yue."
Faced within the increasingly growing shamelessness of the group as if Nik was infecting them with each of his shots, Yue couldn't help but purse her lips. She wanted to berate Nik on being so 'barbaric' to her 'that' day but she couldn't bring herself to do that. After all, she was the one who had challenged Nik's views of seduction... and now she faced the consequences of multiple sleepless nights. The effects of which already showed on her temper slowly turning a bit shorter.
And with how he would sometimes glance in her direction, his lips quirking to a teasing but knowing smile, Yue was sure that Nik knew the spell he held on her.
"Come... let's just go. And the reason I haven't instructed guards to bar your entry is purely based on your merits," aggrieved for reasons even unknown to her, Yue turned around once again and led the group through the snowy streets of the Water Tribe.
"Suki! Suki! Come play with us!" A few girls waved and shouted. In their time within the Water Tribe, Suki could be said to have massive popularity amongst young girls... because of her face paint. Apparently, that's all the kids need.
Rubbing her stomach slightly, Suki replied a bit reluctantly, "Fine, but after that, all of you will come to eat with me. You guys go on ahead. I will join later," she smiled at the remaining trio. Whether she admitted it or not, Suki enjoyed just as much by playing games with kids but what scared Nik out of his wits was how casually Suki would slip in her desire to have a child of her own one day.
Like he wouldn't understand the hint!
Since the first drop of hint, Nik's pull-out game had become simply unstoppable. He would rather paint white than pump and fill it.
"She really becomes a child with other children," Yue commented at the quick change in Suki's demeanor as she would willingly set aside her maturity and just have fun while playing games. It was even a bit envious to see such a side of Suki.
The trio didn't linger around for Suki to start preaching Tales of Kyoshi to the other children and continued towards the palace with an ease in their gait. Yue would generally have someone attending to her, so really, Katara and Nik following her didn't really make others curious at all.
"I wonder if Avatar Aang would make it back in time," Unable to bear the silence any longer, Yue proposed a topic of discussion. Aang had been gone for a while and he needed to return before the exchange of prisoners with the specialist from Omashu to help rehabilitate prisoners if their memories are messed with.
"Sokka is with him. Rena, too. Both of them will make sure to arrive on time," Katara smiled at the thought of meeting her brother again. After leaving the tribe, they have only been getting more and more time adventuring away from one another but that only made their reunions all the more exciting and worthy of celebration.
"Yeah... Sokka and Rena together... I'm not sure if they would even keep an eye out for Aang. They're probably too busy keeping hands off of themselves..." Nik mumbled, "I'm truly amazed how many waterbenders actually entered into a relationship just the night before Sokka and I were given a trip to the spirit world."
Katara also pondered for a second. That very festival was also the reason why she ended up being with Nik.
"Festivals are bound to be enjoyed," Yue shrugged, "And us, from the water tribe, are known to have one of the most boisterous festivals in regards to a more primal way of life... although, I have heard that the Fire Nation have more colorful festivals and entertainment actions."
The look of longing was quickly hidden as Yue added, "For all the things Fire Nation is responsible for... ironically, they are also capable of making some enticing festivals."
"Anyway, did you want something from us? Or can we just leave?" Nik inquired. They had been wandering for some time now and it didn't look like Yue was planning to stop anytime soon... after all, they just turned around from the palace.
Katara couldn't help but pick the pace and scoffed, "See? That's what I'm talking about. You like picking on Yue... she obviously wanted to just hang out." Taking hold of Yue's hand, not even shy to press her body against Yue since they have already bathed together a few times now, Katara took the chance to strike, "Next time, we should just invite her to the lunch in the Oasis, too."
Yue blushed slightly. Not only because of her thoughts having exposed but also because of Katara's touch and rather knowing smile which made Yue's heart thump a bit louder.
"N-no," Stuttering lightly, Yue informed, "I didn't interrupt the three of you—"
"We get it, we get it! See? Katara blames me but you're too easy to pick on. Good thing we came along and rescued you from that despicable Hahn. Boy! Next time, we won't just invite you, we'll take you with us. Alright?" Nik picked up his pace, too, flanking Yue from the other side.
At the moment, Yue couldn't help but think that Katara and Nik were more dangerous than Hahn. That man was bad, sure, but the two covered their naturally sneakier intentions with a coat of sweetness hard to resist. Compared to them, Mai and Suki were easier to deal with and in that order itself.
Although Nik didn't touch her inappropriately, just being in his proximity and feeling the warmth emanating from his body brushing through her cheek made Yue silent.
"I'm not easy to pick on..." Yue scoffed softly.
"Of course, you aren't. Nik was just teasing you," Katara whispered. It looked like she really needed some more uninterrupted time in the Oasis.
Yue fell silent again, feeling as if she was now being treated like a child. The coaxing tone in Katara's whisper was but all too clear.
Adopting a pout of her own, Yue mumbled, "Do whatever you want... I'll be at ease if the Oasis is occupied under my observation."
Katara and Nik glanced at each other, both of their pupils lit up with scheming light and their smiles a tinge more victorious.
"Where are the three of you going to?"
A cool and collected voice almost made Yue jump out of her skin as the trio stopped and looked back to find Mai walking in their direction. She looked the tiniest bit exhausted, clearly, coming over after a training session.
Her suspicious gaze landed on Nik and his grin widened.
"We're just hanging out," Yue replied quickly, afraid that Nik might be more than willing to cause some misunderstanding. Yue felt she had some grasp on Nik's personality. On his worst days, he would be quiet, well-behaved, and even kind to many. But on his best, he would be a wreck that anyone should avoid getting into argument with.
Why this is considered the best?... well, it's for Yue to know alone. After all, she tried to pick on Nik during his 'best' many times only to have the situation reversed almost every single time.
"Just hanging out...? Then you wouldn't mind accompanying me, right? I want someone to heal Tom-Tom... he messed up while sparring with me and got his ankle sprained."
"Me?" Katara pointed to herself.
Mai nodded.
Katara had been employed many times during this period of peace as a healing nanny for Tom-Tom due to the intensity of sparring sessions between the siblings sometimes. While Suki and Mai were of the mind to let the injuries recover by themselves, problems like the pull of muscles or tendons tend to be problematic if left untreated so the quicker it resolved the better.
Katara had become one of the best healers of the tribe due to sheer talent and her increasing proficiency of bloodbending on Nik during some nights.
While Nik could keep up with the most, his ability of healing still needed a lot of training.
Although a little hesitant, Katara looked at Nik and Yue before sighing softly. She couldn't refuse such a request. "Well... the two of you be good."
"What else would we be?" Yue's lips twitched as she retorted.
"It was for Nik," Katara squinted slightly and matched her gaze with Nik's, warning him with his eyes as he stared back while shrugging, "When was the last time I was bad?"
Mai answered for Katara, "How about a few days before leaving Omashu?"
"Oh, no, I was good then, too," Nik smiled, making Mai resist the urge to attack him, at least, as a sense of formality.
"Be mindful of him... he's a disgusting pervert," Not mincing her words or employing her gaze to reveal her intentions, Mai looked at Yue and warned before turning around promptly and leaving with a wryly smiling Katara... who didn't really defend against such claims lest she gets branded something similar, too, in the heat of the moment.
Now alone, Yue couldn't help but narrow down her vision to not even accidentally look in Nik's direction until she heard him speak up, "I'm... really not a pervert..."
This time, Yue agreed with Nik. In fact, the ability to coax multiple women to share just one body has been considered quite an honorable achievement by the men and the previous chieftains of the tribe... so, if Nik is considered a pervert for his ability to 'tame' multiple capable women... then the entirety of Water Tribe is a collection of perverts and their descendants.
Sighing softly, Yue collected herself and looked back to find an earnest Nik, "So? Where should we go?"
Seeing his smile and a rather sincere expression, Yue decided to check something off from her to-do list stranded for quite some time now.
"Would you accompany me to meet Hahn in the prison within the Glacial Wall?"
"Sure," Nik nodded. He truly had nothing better to do than to meet with Yue's former husband... well, he could practice basic firebending in his personal space but this felt more interesting of an option.
Quirking her lips to a slight smile, Yue and Nik walked side-by-side. Although they kept silent for the most part, Yue preferred this moment of peace before she took one of the greater steps of her life and confront Hahn since he had been imprisoned.
Just before they entered to meet the man, Yue did request another thing with quite the heavy blush on her cheeks that made Nik's sincere smile turn inexplicably despicable but he was quick to help her out.
***
Shoutout to IEU097!
Read 30 advance chapters here—
Patre on.com/Fanharem
Please donate powerstones and review the fanfic about what you think~
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.co(m) for the b𝘦st novel reading experience