The mist closed in, thick and oppressive, swirling around them like a living entity. Shadows stretched and shifted, monstrous forms flickering through the fog.
Ling Yue, grinning like a wolf, stood with her hands on her hips, ears twitching.
"It's showtime," she purred, cracking her knuckles, her sharp canines gleaming in the haze.
The creatures emerged: hulking, eel-like bodies writhing through the fog, jagged teeth gleaming in the dim light. Their empty eye sockets glowed.
Shui Yi gagged as their rancid stench washed over her. Her throat constricted, a panic rising in her chest.
"Try not to get in the way, former princess," Ling Yue teased as she raised her claws.
Shui Yi's chest tightened as her gaze dropped to the ground, the overwhelming sense of helplessness crushing her. She wanted to fight, to stand alongside them, but at this moment, she was nothing more than a bystander. Every instinct told her to fight, but she had lost her power. If only she could reach deep within and reclaim the strength stolen from her. But her mermaid essence was stripped. She was nothing.
The creatures lunged, but before she could even react, Long Fei was already beside her. He sighed and slipped earplugs into his ears. He gently cupped his hands over her ears, his steady grip anchoring her as the chaos swirled around them.
Her body tensed, but his touch was so calming that she couldn't help but lean into it. She briefly forgot about the phantoms, about her weakness, about everything.
Ling Yue's mouth stretched wide, and a piercing screech tore through the air. The fog dissipated as the wraiths writhed, their distorted shrieks drowned under the barrage of her sonic attack. Shui Yi's knees buckled from the sheer force of the sound, her balance wavering. His steadying grip was the only thing keeping her upright.
Ling Yue flipped forward, landing between two ghouls with a satisfied grin. She twirled, her movements a blur of lightning-fast punches and kicks, cracking through the wraiths. They were sent sprawling, bodies crashing to the ground. A smaller group tried to circle her—she snorted, flicking her wrist, and tendrils of water sprang to life, coiling like serpents before lashing out. They crumbled into the mist.
One managed to slip past her defenses. Its claws descended. Long Fei dashed like a shadow. Instantly behind the creature, he struck its temple with a deadly blow. The beast twisted violently before slamming into a tree with a sickening crunch. He calmly tucked the earplugs back in his sleeve.
She shrugged. "Master, I would've handled that one."
Shui Yi clenched her fists, her stomach churning. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't fight. She was useless. A bitter sting of shame welled up inside her. If only she hadn't been so foolish. If only she hadn't lost her pearl, her powers… Now, she could barely stand. Her mind whirled with self-loathing.
But then she felt Long Fei's steady presence beside her, his calmness grounding her. He was protecting her. Again. He wasn't expecting her to fight or be strong at this moment. He was present, ensuring her safety, even when she felt so far removed from what she once was.
An evil spirit lunged from the side. Without looking, Long Fei extended his palm and released a blast of qi that instantly obliterated the creature. He exhaled, lowering his arm. Then he tilted his head back and closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, he swept her into his arms.
"There's another one. Much stronger."
"But Master, I can—"
"No. Ling Yue, run. Now."
The trees trembled beneath them. The mist thickened, swirling violently as an invisible force loomed, suffocating, oppressive. He tightened his hold on the princess.
The azure guardian's eyes widened, and her ears drooped. Without another word, she turned and darted off.
Long Fei propelled them forward, his qi flaring, and the wind howled around them as he kept pace with her.
The chaos raged around them. Shui Yi clung to him, her cold face pressed against his sturdy chest. She closed her eyes and focused on the steady rhythm of his heart, the firm grip of his arms around her. The world blurred, yet his stable presence was what she desperately needed. Her mind reeled.
She had always been independent. But now she was helpless, a burden in the arms of a man she had once mistrusted. Yet, he wasn't holding her out of obligation. His touch was not one of duty; it was gentle and reassuring like he genuinely cared for her. For the first time, she realized he was protecting her because he wanted to.
A deep ache of shame and gratitude welled inside her. She looked up at him, as he focused ahead. She no longer saw him as a culprit but as the man who had been there for her when she was weak and had nothing to offer. "Master... you're not a thief," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I was wrong about you... I'm sorry."
He faltered for a split second, then round-kicked a beast that sprung from the side. He continued his pace to catch up to his guide. Although he didn't say a word, she noticed a slight smile tugged at his lips.
The azure guardian flashed a wicked grin as she lethally danced between the demons, clearly enjoying the chaos. Her silver-blue hair whipped about as she glanced at the mermaid and quipped, "You better not get all sentimental while we're about to be torn apart by wraiths, former princess."
***
Long Fei tightened his grasp on the princess, refocusing on the danger ahead. This poor mermaid doesn't have the Sacred Pearl to sustain her. He needs to get her to safety now.
"Ling Yue, we can't outrun it. Find a place to hide."
She nodded and pivoted downward, hopping from branch to branch.
The mist surged behind them, the ominous presence drawing closer.
Fast. Too fast.