Star Crossed In Time

"Uh... as much as I would love to have this cave... I can't take it. It's yours!" I say shaking my head. Zhen finally finds when he was looking for and pulls back with something in his mouth. He walks over and says "Ophen rrr han" (Open your hand)

I quickly lift my hand out and open it. Zhen drops a small porcelain bottle in my hand as he says "You aren't taking it, I'm giving it to you so now, it's yours." He then walks over and starts digging into another wooden chest.

I look down at the porcelain bottle with a frown. "What is this?" I ask gently shaking it. It felt like there was a liquid inside. With his butt up in the air, he says "Just hold on to it for a minute!" I shrug and hold onto the bottle as I continue looking around the cave.

Was he really giving me this cave? If I was truly stuck here... this would be perfect! I could hide from the world and have everything I could possibly need! I spin around once more but when I see Zhen, I feel my smile slowly fading. This was his though... I can't take this.

He then backs up with a large pouch and drops it on the floor. He then uses his nose to open it as several peaches fall out. He quickly grabs one and eats it with a sigh. "Come get one, they're really good!" I frown at him and look at the plump fruit on the floor.

"Are they still good?" I ask with uncertainty. Zhen snorts and says "This fruit is from the Heavenly realm! They will never rot." My eyebrows shoot up as I bend down and pick one up. It certainly looked and smelled good... I rub the fruit on my robes before taking a small bite.

Instantly my taste buds explode! It's so good! My mouth begins to water as I take a larger bite out of the peach. Zhen watches me with a smirk and says "You really are like a child... I will show you many new things in this world." The juice from the peach nearly chokes me but I inhale the whole thing, only leaving the pit.

"Okay, now that we've filled our stomachs, it's time to get down to business. I want you to find a comfortable spot on the ground." I nod my head and decide to sit on the large plush rug. "Okay, you're gonna drink the bottle of elixir and when it starts to work, I need you to relax as much as possible."

I frown at him with confusion. "Why do you want me to drink the elixir?" I ask with confusion. Zhen rolls his eyes and says "To become stronger! This elixir will help you get started with Cultivating. After this though, you'll have to use your own strength to become stronger."

I nod my head understanding a little but I still hesitate... should I really be doing this? Shouldn't I still be finding a way to get back? When my eyes land on Zhen my heart tenses up. Do I even want to go back? I have family here... and I'm all he has now.

No, I won't go back! I'll make this world my new home, no matter how weird and challenging it is! In order to survive here and protect the only family I have, I need to become stronger. I look to Zhen with my new resolve and quickly nod my head as I take the top off the porcelain bottle.

"Remember to relax... the more you fight it, the longer it'll take," Zhen says with seriousness. I nod my head and bring the bottle up to my lips but when I get a whiff of the elixir, I nearly throw up! "Dear Lord! What's in this!?" I say trying to keep the peach down.

It was good this first time... I highly doubt it'll be good the second time! Heavenly fruit or not! "Oh quit crying and take it! We don't have all day!" I want to complain but I just said I would become stronger... I sigh and hold my nose as I quickly knock the elixir back.