The golden rays of morning sunlight filtered through the cave's entrance, brightening the cavern floor.
"Rise and Shine!" Ling Yue used a feather to tickle Long Fei's nose. He flicked the feather away.
"You're going to love this," she beamed as she dragged him up.
Before them loomed a colossal stone door, its surface adorned with glowing runes that pulsed rhythmically, an alive cryptic puzzle awaiting his solution.
He stepped forward, his fingers grazing the glowing symbols. Absorbed in the task, he seemed oblivious to everything else, his mind unraveling the intricate script. The markings were ancient relics of a forgotten civilization, but to him, they felt alive, unfolding before his eyes. His guardian knew him well; this was a pleasant surprise.
"Master, while you have fun with that, I'm going to have some fun with the former princess.
She rummaged through her satchel, excited. She found an item and then turned to Shui Yi with a devilish grin.
The princess started to stir from her slumber. The cheeky devil sneaks up to her and places a mechanical bug on her nose. As she woke up, her eyes crossed at a bug on her nose, and she screamed.
"Ling Yue - 1, Former Princess - 0," she cackled.
***
Hours later...
"Master, do you need help with that?" Ling Yue asked as she dug into her satchel to find anything useful.
Shui Yi leaned her head, a playful spark in her gaze as she observed the interaction.
"Master? Is that what I should call him?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
The guardian stiffened at the question. "No, I'm the only one who gets to call him that. You don't have that privilege."
The mermaid's lips curled into a teasing smile, one hand resting confidently on her hip as she turned her attention back to him.
"Master~," she repeated, letting the word roll off her tongue playfully, amused by the reaction.
Ling Yue's tail flicked in irritation, and she puffed, clearly holding her tongue for now. Shui Yi couldn't help but smirk at the sight, her playful curiosity lingering.
Her gaze then shifted to Long Fei, still absorbed in the task at hand. His fingers moved delicately over the runes, the ancient symbols seeming to consume his full attention.
Shui Yi felt a strange flutter in her chest as she watched him, the focused intensity of his movements drawing her in. She opened her mouth to speak, her voice coming out softer than before.
"Master," she repeated, this time with more sincerity, her tone gentler. Her gaze softened, warmth blooming in her chest. For a brief moment, the golden light from the cave deepened her warmth, reflecting her unspoken feelings.
Long Fei didn't respond, still engrossed in the final rune. Shui Yi, feeling a twinge of disappointment at his lack of response, watched as the last symbol flared to life. A deep hum reverberated through the cave, shimmering with energy. The stone door creaked, slowly opening, illuminating the cave.
"It's open!" Excited, she dashed forward, eager to escape the cramped space. But as she passed the threshold, a faint tremor pulsed beneath her feet. The stone beneath her toes felt unsteady. She paused, and then a deep mechanical groan echoed through the cave.
"Wait!" screamed Ling Yue.
But it was too late. The mermaid's eyes widened as the ground disappeared beneath her. Her arms flailed, desperately trying to regain balance, but it was no use.
***
Long Fei's mind raced, analyzing the descent in a split second. His body lunged at the princess, grabbing her as they plunged toward the abyss. His arm wrapped around her waist while his other hand steadied her head, keeping her from colliding with the jagged stone. His gaze darted around the dark chasm, calculating how to slow their fall.
As they continued to fall, his senses sharpened. He could feel her body against his as her breath quickened in panic. Her grip tightened on his robes, pulling him closer. He was aware of every shift in her movements, every tremor that passed through her. His jaw tightened. He had faced countless dangers, yet this moment felt different. The weight of her life was in his hands, and he couldn't help but feel responsible. He should have preempted that she would be reckless. The air rushed by, but his focus remained solely on keeping them safe.
His qi surged, slowing their descent and twisting their bodies mid-air to avoid the jagged walls that loomed in their path. His feet found purchase against the narrowing walls, anchoring them both in the air. For a brief moment, time seemed to freeze.
The faint light from above barely touched them, leaving them in the dark. Her body trembled against his as she clung to him, her frantic heartbeat hammering against his chest. Her arms tightened around his shoulders, but she lacked the strength to hold on firmly. Her wide eyes locked with his, and in that instant, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them. The silence between them was suffocating as they hovered above the abyss. For a heart-stopping moment, neither of them moved. They hung in the chasm.
Her breath hitched, and he could feel her hands trembling. The fall had clearly shaken her, her body tense and unsteady as she clung to him.
"I'm sorry. I—I wasn't thinking," she whispered filled with guilt.
He could feel the warmth of her breath against his chest, slowly beginning to steady. She pressed closer, grounding herself against him for reassurance in the chaos.
He tried to keep his voice steady as much as possible so as not to cause any alarm.
"Do not move. Do not look down. Focus on breathing," he said, his voice steady—too steady.
His grip on the wall remained firm, but there was a tension in his muscles, a quiet strain beneath the surface. Whatever lurked beneath, he did not want the princess to notice.
Their eyes locked, and her breath was warm against his neck. He could feel the frantic pulse of her heartbeat, wild and rapid, echoing through his chest.