Xu Wang’s footsteps echoed through the dark corridor as he carried Li Wang in his arms, her body limp and cold. Shadows flickered along the ancient stone walls, whispering curses that cwed at his mind. His chest tightened, a weight pressing down on his heart as he fought to keep his focus. The malicious voice still echoed in his head, mocking him, taunting him with every step.

  “She’s mine... You cannot save her...”

  Xu’s grip tightened around Li’s fragile form. Her face was pale, shadows curling around her closed eyes, sinking into her skin like poison. He could feel the darkness gnawing at her Qi, corrupting her essence. Each breath she took was shallow, bored, as if she were fighting a battle he couldn’t see.

  He stumbled out of the ruins and into the cold night air. The moon hung high, shrouded by clouds that veiled its light, casting the world in shades of gray. Xu sank to his knees, his body trembling as he cradled Li closer, his forehead resting against hers.

  “Li... please... come back to me,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Don’t let this darkness take you...”

  A faint shiver ran through her body, her lips parting as a pained sigh escaped. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a brief moment, Xu saw a glimmer of light in her gaze before the shadows surged, twisting her expression into one of agony.

  “Xu...” Her voice was weak, barely a whisper. “I... I’m scared... It’s pulling me... deeper...”

  Xu’s heart ached, his vision blurring with tears. “You’re stronger than this. I know you are.” He tightened his hold on her, his Qi resonating as he poured his strength into her. “Fight it, Li. I’m right here. I won’t let you go.”

  Her body shuddered, the shadows tightening around her like chains. Her fingers gripped his robes, her nails digging into his skin. “I can’t... It’s too strong... It feels like... it’s always been there... inside me...”

  Xu’s eyes widened, realization dawning on him. “Always been there...?” His mind raced, piecing together fragments of memories—visions, whispers, the darkness that had stalked them since they arrived at the Sun Cn. “This thing... it’s been waiting... feeding on your fear and pain...”

  Li’s body went rigid, her eyes unfocused as the shadows deepened, swirling around her like a vortex. Her voice echoed, yered with something ancient and malevolent. “I... am... hers...”

  Xu’s blood ran cold. “No... You’re Li Wang! You’re my sister! Fight it!” His Anahata Qi fred, golden light surrounding them, pushing against the shadows. The darkness recoiled, hissing in pain, but it did not break.

  The voice echoed again, louder, filled with cruel amusement. “You cannot save her... She is mine... Her heart is bound to the abyss...”

  Xu gritted his teeth, his eyes bzing with determination. “Then I’ll break those chains. No matter what it takes.”

  The shadows surged, forming a figure behind Li—a silhouette of a woman with hollow eyes, her form shifting and flickering like smoke. Her voice was cold, taunting. “You are nothing but a child pying with light... You cannot defy the darkness...”

  Xu stood, positioning himself between Li and the apparition. “I won’t let you take her. I won’t let you use her!”

  The shadow’s face twisted into a mocking smile. “You think you can protect her? She chose this... Her fear, her possessiveness... Her weakness is mine to cim.”

  Xu’s heart sank as he remembered Li’s confession, her fear of losing him, her desperation. But he refused to believe she was lost. “Maybe she was afraid... but she’s stronger than you think. And she’s not alone.”

  He stepped forward, his Qi surging, the Anahata light growing brighter. “I am Xu Wang, one of the Dual Spirits. I won’t let you take her!”

  The shadow’s form wavered, the light burning its edges. It hissed, its eyes narrowing. “You dare defy me? You are bound by the same fate... The prophecy will consume you both...”

  Xu’s resolve hardened. “The prophecy doesn’t control me. And it won’t control her.” He raised his hand, his Qi forming a barrier of light around Li. “You want her? You’ll have to go through me first.”

  The shadow’s eyes fred, its body expanding, the darkness growing thicker. “So be it... I will consume you both...”

  It lunged forward, shadows spiraling toward Xu like spears. Xu braced himself, his Qi cshing against the darkness. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, the ground cracking beneath his feet. Pain surged through his body, the cold seeping into his bones, but he held his ground, refusing to give in.

  His Anahata Qi pulsed, resonating with Li’s faint heartbeat. He could feel her spirit, her light buried beneath the shadows. “Li! I’m here! Reach out to me!”

  A flicker of light appeared within the darkness, a faint spark fighting to survive. Xu’s heart leaped. “That’s it... Don’t give up!”

  The shadow roared, its form distorting, faces twisting within the darkness—screaming, writhing. “She is mine! You cannot save her!”

  Xu’s eyes bzed with fury. “She’s not yours. She’s my sister. My bond with her is stronger than your darkness!” His Qi surged, the golden light intensifying, pushing back the shadows. “Anahata Qi Technique... Resonance of the Heart!”

  The light burst forth, enveloping Li and shattering the shadows surrounding her. The darkness howled, its form disintegrating, the shadow woman’s face contorted in rage as she was consumed by the light.

  Li’s body convulsed, her eyes snapping open as the shadows were torn from her soul. She gasped, her body colpsing into Xu’s arms, her form fragile and weak.

  Xu held her close, his tears falling onto her face. “Li... you’re safe... I won’t let anyone take you away...”

  Her eyes fluttered, her voice trembling. “Xu... I... I was so scared... I thought... I’d lost you...”

  Xu’s heart ached, his voice choked. “You’ll never lose me. No matter what happens, I’ll always be by your side.”

  Li’s body rexed, her fingers entwining with his, her warmth returning. “Thank you... for saving me... again...”

  Xu smiled, relief flooding through him. “We’ll face this darkness together. I promise.”

  As the shadows faded, a whisper echoed in the air, cold and ominous. “The prophecy... cannot be defied... You will both fall... to the abyss...”

  Xu’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. “Not today... and not ever.”

  He stood, carrying Li in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder. The ruins crumbled behind them, the echoes of the darkness fading into the night. But Xu knew the battle was far from over. The prophecy was still looming, its shadow growing ever closer.

  Yet, as he held Li close, he felt their bond resonate, stronger than ever. And for the first time since entering the Sun Cn, he felt hope.

  They would face the darkness together. And they would win.

  To be continued...