Ling Yue sprinted through the jagged rocks, her agile form gliding between the trees, dashing through the terrain effortlessly. Behind them, the oppressive shadow of their pursuer loomed over them and made her spine tingle with unease. Master must protect the princess; he was her only hope. If she unleashes her full-throttle attacks, the recoil might hurt them. She has to find a place to hide them.
She glanced over her shoulder and noticed the mermaid clinging to her master. His Majesty expected her to work with this? He liked to challenge her.
Ragged breaths escaped her—not her style. But with a floundering mermaid to protect, there was no other choice. She gestured for them to enter an opening in the crag she found. She could see the trees rustling as their predator rapidly gained on them. She had no idea what was in there, but it could not be worse than what was chasing them.
***
Shui Yi trembled in Long Fei's hold, seeking refuge in his steady presence.
Ling Yue gave him a subtle nod, a wordless exchange. He adjusted his hold on the mermaid, fingers brushing hers in a fleeting gesture of reassurance. He swiftly ascended, landing gracefully atop a branch ahead of his guardian. He promptly inserted earplugs into his ears, cupping the mermaid's ears, shielding them from an impending blast.
The fierce one unleashed a sonic roar, sending shockwaves rippling at their predator. Mist dispersed, trees splintered, and creatures scattered in the wake of her cry.
Following her lead, they moved in perfect synchrony, scaling the steep incline that rose ahead. Jagged stones jutted out like the teeth of a mythical beast, but the trio pressed onward.
At the top, the guardian warrior paused before a narrow gap in the rocks. She stepped aside, silently inviting them to enter.
He gave a brief nod, his grip tightening as they neared the opening. He could feel the princess shivering against him, his heart quickening. As they squeezed through the narrow passage, he lowered his head to shield hers. Inside, the cave opened up, unexpectedly vast. He gently lowered her against the stone wall.
His guardian's steps subtly faltered as she brushed past him. Beneath her veneer of strength, he could sense a slight tremor, a hint of the strain that had finally caught up with her.
"What's—?" the mermaid began to ask, but the guardian warrior cut her off, a firm hand over her mouth, hushing her.
A deep rumble vibrated through the cave, and malevolent energy rushed in. The earth trembled, sending small rocks tumbling from the walls. Ling Yue moved swiftly, unrolling a bundle of herbs and arranging them in an intricate pattern on the ground. Her voice became a low, steady hum as the words of the ancient incantation flowed from her lips. Each syllable resonated with deep, ancient power. The herbs began to glow, pulsating in rhythm with the caster.
The princess stood close by, her breath quickening, her chest tightening as the vibrations from the approaching threat seemed to press against her. She didn't dare look away from the darkening entrance.
His guardian stiffened, her chant intensifying. Her gaze flickered to the entrance—acknowledging the danger approaching—before she steeled herself and pressed forward with determination. Long Fei noticed the shift in her stance and subtly moved ahead, positioning himself between the group and the threat. The mermaid instinctively hugged his back, her fingers tightening around his robes, and he felt the change in her posture as she sought comfort from his presence.
The cavern was cool and damp. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like the jagged teeth of a long-forgotten beast, and the flickering light from the herbs cast eerie shadows against the walls.
***
Suddenly, a piercing shriek broke out, quaking the earth. The ground quivered beneath them as a massive shadow passed over the entrance, blotting the moonlight.
The glow of the herbs intensified, their light flickering as his guardian completed her spell. A surge of energy rippled outward from the cave, expanding in a protective barrier that shimmered with power. The barrier, still in the process of enveloping the cave, hadn't yet sealed fully when the shadow slithered through a gap.
A dark blur streaked past Long Fei before he could react. A sickening grip locked around the princess' leg, yanking her off balance. A sharp cry tore from her lips—before he could catch her, she was dragged away.
He thrust his palm forward, unleashing a thunderous burst of qi that sent the shadow recoiling violently, screeching as it shredded. Its talons loosened its grip as the shadow dissolved, leaving her free to stumble backward, gasping for air. He stepped between her and the threat, his stance firm. It withered as the barrier completed its magic. He rushed to her, checking her injury.
She collapsed into his arms, trembling as she sobbed. He hesitated, his arms hovering for a moment before he let them drop to his sides, his fists clenching as he looked toward his guardian for aid.
Ling Yue exhaled, collapsing to one knee, breathing shallowly from the strain. Despite the momentary relief, the sense of danger remained. She briefly met his gaze, and he read the exhaustion in her gait, the tension in her clenched fists. She was still on guard. The threat was far from over. As she struggled to regain her composure, his gaze shifted back to the princess. His expression softened as he stepped away from her, reaching out to pat his guardian in silent acknowledgment.
"Rest. You've earned it." He gave her an appreciative nod before helping her to the wall.
"We wait until morning. It'll be safer then."
***
As the night got colder, Ling Yue's gaze shifted to Shui Yi as the princess edged closer to Long Fei. She clicked her tongue, nudging her aside with a sharp motion. Her fingers traced an invisible line between her eyes and the princess' eyes — an unmistakable warning. From the corner of her eye, she could see her master shake his head at her, his eyes urging her to be nice.
The tension lingered in the cave, turning from external threats to within, more trials awaited them in ways they could never imagine...