Your eyes shoot open and you quickly push yourself up onto your elbows. You're about to sit upright when you feel a hand on your chest, forcing you back down.

"Easy brother, easy."

Blinking several times, the haziness leaves your vision and you're able to make out your surroundings. You're in a circular room without a ceiling, the night sky black overhead. The only light comes from several candles mounted on brackets spaced evenly along the wall, flooding the room in a dim glow. The room is unfamiliar to you. As your brain starts to reboot, the adrenaline levels lowering, you suddenly become aware of just how much pain you're in. Your entire body feels like it's on fire, a dull stabbing coming from your shins and thigh, your chest even worse. Beyond the pain you barely register the fact that your entire body is completely wet. Looking down, you're surprised to find yourself in a tub of steaming water, dressed in nothing but your undergarments. The gash across your chest has been stitched up, as have several other cuts along your body.

"Where... am I?" You ask groggily.

"Relax Brother (L/N). You're home now."

Looking up, you see Grandmaster Ischi staring down at you in concern. You're back at Sun Zhang.

"Why am I..."

"You were badly injured." Ischi says. "We found you on the brink of death, buried under a pile of rubble. We brought you here and tended to your wound, placing you in this medicinal bath to heal."

"How long was I out?" You ask, rubbing the back of your head.

"About two weeks. We were beginning to worry that you might not wake up."

"We?"

From the shadows step four additional robed figures. You identify them as the other members of the high council; Grandmasters Yi, Wu Kong, Roth, and Fan Lang.

"Welcome home Brother (L/N)." Grandmaster Yi says.

You scoff at her words.

"Do you find something amusing?" Grandmaster Roth asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing. It's just ironic that you still believe I would consider this place my home after everything that's happened."

"Brother, despite how you may feel, this will always be your home." Yi says. "And we will always be your family."

"This isn't my home." You say firmly. "And you're not my family. The only family I need is Yan... Yang! Where is she? Is she okay?"

"Easy brother, you'll upset your wounds." Wu Kong warns. "You must relax."

"Don't tell me to relax!" You shout, fighting against their hands. "Where's Yang? I need to see her!"

"I'm afraid that will have to wait." Fan Lang says. "You aren't in a well enough condition to be doing anything at the moment."

"I don't care about that, I need to see Yang!"

"(F/N)!" Ischi says loudly, causing you to fall silent instantly. "We understand your concern for the girl, and if you would calm down, we would be happy to inform you that she is alive and well."

"She is?" You ask, sighing a breath of relief. "Where is she?"

"She is with her father and sister at their home on the island of patch." Wu Kong informs you. "We have Brothers Saraab and Ko making sure she's safe while you recover."

Though you're happy to hear that Yang is safe, something about what Grandmaster Wu Kong said has you curious.

"Why do you have people looking after Yang for me? Why do you care?"

"Because she is important to you." Roth says. "And you are important to us."

"Bullshit." You sneer.

Grandmaster Ischi frowns. "Language."

"Don't pretend like it's not true. With the exception of Grandmaster Kun and yourself, no one here has ever cared about me."

"Untrue." Fan Lang says. "We all care about you. Sister Kya in particular."

"Don't make me laugh." You say bitterly. "Sister Kya cares about me about as much as a fish cares about the desert."

"Sister Kya is the one who brought you to us."

You're stunned. "She... did?"

The elders nod. "The smoke from the academy was so large we could see it even from here." Wu Kong says. "Sister Kya, concerned for your safety, journeyed to the school to find you. It's a good thing she did, otherwise you would not be alive as of present."

"Right." You nod, still shocked. "And the man I fought? Adam Taurus?"

"All White Fang members still present by the time the authorities arrived were taken into custody."

"If he was still there." You mutter darkly.

"You've been through much in the past few days. We will leave you for the night. Rest. Allow your wounds time to heal. The process should be much quicker now that you are awake."

With that, the council exits the room, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

The next morning you awake to a bowl of steamed vegetables sitting on the stone lip of the large tub. Sitting on the edge next to you is a figure donned in dark forest green robes, their long hair tied up in a warrior's bun.

"Good morning Brother (F/N)."

"Kya." You nod.

Picking up the bowl, Sister Kya hands you your breakfast as well as a pair of wooden chopsticks. Murmuring your thanks, you eagerly take the bowl, the smell of the food reminding you just how hungry you are. Chopsticks in hand, you quickly start placing the vegetables in your mouth.

"How are you feeling?" Kya asks.

Swallowing, you nod once. "Better."

"Enough to leave?"

You chuckle. She hasn't changed one bit. "That eager to see me gone, huh?"

"It's not a matter of what it is I want, but where you would rather be."

You chew slowly, mulling over her words.

"How's Yang?"

"She's coping." Kya responds. "The loss of her arm has greatly affected her. I expect she will need your help recovering."

"Yang's strong. She'll pull through."

"Perhaps." Kya nods. "But I wasn't referring to her physical condition. It seems the events that transpired have shaken her greatly. A combination of the loss of her arm, as well as not knowing of your present condition."

"What?!" You shout, almost choking. "She doesn't know I'm alive? Why didn't you tell her?"

"It is not our place." Kya responds. "We do not interfere with the outside world. It was only through a brief lapse of judgement that I brought you here."

Setting the now empty bowl to the side, you stand up, water dripping from your body.

"I need to go." You say, eager to return to Yang and let her know you're alright.

"Yes. We quite agree."

Looking towards the door, you see the members of the council standing gathered along the edges of the circular room.

"Much has transpired since Beacon's fall." Ischi says. "The kingdoms have fallen into chaos. Grimm attacks have increased in frequency. Borders have been closed and peace amongst the world's governments has become increasingly frail."

"There are dark forces at work, brother." Yi says, stepping forwards. "Though we have sworn an oath to remove ourselves from the outside world, we cannot help but fear for the future. Remnant is once again divided, but we believe that you will be instrumental in its reunification."

"Right." You nod. Stepping out of the bath, you look for your robes and meteor hammer. "Where are my things."

The council shifts uncomfortably.

"I'm afraid Rhino's Charge was damaged beyond repair." Grandmaster Roth says. "The ropes were consumed by the fires. This is all that remains." Stepping forwards, he holds out the weight, dented and scorched. The last semblance of your trusted meteor hammer.

"It's fine." You say, stiff jawed. "I'm not worthy of it. You told me the meteor hammer was only meant for the noblest of defenders, and I am not that. I failed to save my home. I failed to save the one person I truly love. I am not worthy to wield it."

The five high elders look to each other, similar expressions on their faces. Grandmaster Yi nods once and, clapping her hands, more members of Sun Zhang enter the room. Three of them approach you, towels in their hands. Holding out your arms, you allow them to rub you down from head to toe. Once you've been dried, the Grandmasters move to stand around you in a circle.

Five elders approach, each holding a bundle of fabrics and leather in their arms as each stands behind one of the Grandmasters. Turning, the council members take the items and begin to don you in your new garments. They're not robes, not in the traditional sense. Your shoulders are covered in heavy leather armor which connects to (P/C) fabric that extends down your arms. Thick string ties in an X across your bare chest, tying in the back. More leather armor is placed over your midsection, a heavy tunic tied around your waist and falling to your ankles. In the front hangs another slab of leather, ancient Sun Zhang characters etched on the front. A (S/C) length of fabric is tied securely around your waist, and, placing a single necklace of beads around your neck, the five take a step back.

"Though the disciples of Sun Zhang are peace keepers," Grandmaster Yi says, "there have been times in our history when the world demands something more."

Master Sid, the monastery's weapons master, steps forwards and kneels in front of you. In his hands is a sheathed weapon, one you have never seen before. Bowing, you take it from him. Grabbing the handle, you withdraw it from its scabbard. It looks like a Guandao, the metal, sturdy yet flexible, but there are three blades, a single spear like point extending from the middle.

Grandmaster Yi steps forwards, the dented, battered head of Rhino's Charge. Nodding, you take it from her and string the cord around your waist through the loop in the weight, letting it fall to your side.

"Sometimes in order to maintain peace, one must accept the role of a warrior. We present to you the tri-point sword, Rhino's horn, and with it, we entrust you with the safety of Remnant. Now go forth from this place and reunite with your loved ones. And should you ever return to Sun Zhang, your brothers and sisters will know you as Master (F/N) (L/N)."

Author's Note: Thus concludes Volume 3 of the Male Reader x Yang Xiao Long story. Like all other characters, (F/N) will be receiving a new outfit for Volume 4 onward. Concept art for (F/N)'s new outfit and weapon can be found in the next section.