The oppressive silence in the Vault hung heavy, like a suffocating shroud. Jin Long and Yue Lan moved cautiously through the ruins, eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of their missing companions. The Genesis Core's power hummed softly within Jin Long, but the surge of energy from the recent battle had left him drained.
Yue Lan gripped his arm, her voice a trembling whisper. "What do we do now? If Bai Chen was telling the truth, then Zhan Wuhen was just a pawn."
Jin Long's jaw clenched. "We find the others. We regroup. And we prepare."
They made their way through the Vault, the once-grand hallways now a haunting labyrinth of fallen pillars and shattered relics. The carvings on the walls, once vibrant and glowing with ancient power, now seemed faded, as if the life had been sucked out of them.
A sudden rustling echoed from a nearby chamber. Jin Long's muscles tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for his blade.
"Stay behind me," he said to Yue Lan, stepping forward cautiously.
As they entered the chamber, the sight before them made Jin Long's heart drop.
Lei Chen lay sprawled on the ground, his body battered and bruised. Blood trickled from a gash on his forehead, staining his robes. Beside him, Xiang Wei sat slumped against a broken pillar, clutching his arm. His eyes were half-lidded, and his breathing was shallow.
"Lei Chen! Xiang Wei!" Yue Lan gasped, rushing forward.
Jin Long knelt beside Lei Chen, his eyes scanning his friend's injuries. "What happened?"
Lei Chen's eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused. "We tried… to fight them. But they were too strong…"
Jin Long's brows furrowed. "Them? Who?"
"Bai Chen," Xiang Wei rasped, wincing as he tried to sit up. "And… and a woman. She was like a shadow. Fast, deadly. We never saw her coming."
Yue Lan's eyes darkened. "A woman?"
Lei Chen coughed, his voice strained. "She called herself Mei Ling. Said she was one of the Void's chosen. Said… she was here to collect the Genesis Core."
Jin Long's fists clenched, his knuckles white. "Bai Chen and Mei Ling… they're part of a larger force. A force controlled by the true master of the Void."
Xiang Wei's expression turned grim. "Jin Long, they're after you. Bai Chen said you're not ready to wield the Core. That it would consume you."
Jin Long swallowed, the weight of the Genesis Core pressing against his chest. "I can feel it," he admitted. "The power… it's overwhelming. But I won't let it control me."
Yue Lan placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We're with you, Jin Long. Whatever comes next, we face it together."
Lei Chen forced a weak smile. "That's right. We're not backing down now."
But before they could continue, a cold, mocking laugh echoed through the Vault.
"Well, isn't this touching?"
A shadowy figure stepped into the chamber, her crimson eyes gleaming with malice. Mei Ling. Her presence radiated a dark, oppressive aura, her black robes flowing like liquid night.
"Bai Chen warned me about you, Jin Long," Mei Ling purred, her gaze fixed on the Genesis Core embedded in his chest. "But I prefer to see things for myself. Let's see if you're as powerful as he claims."
Jin Long rose to his feet, his sword gleaming in the dim light. "If you want the Core, you'll have to take it from me."
Mei Ling's lips curled into a wicked grin. "Oh, I intend to."
In a blur of darkness, she lunged forward, her blades slicing through the air with deadly precision. Jin Long met her strike head-on, their weapons clashing in a burst of sparks.
But Mei Ling was fast—too fast. Jin Long struggled to keep up, his movements lagging under the strain of the Core's power. Mei Ling's blows were relentless, her dark energy swirling around her like a cyclone.
"You're holding back," Mei Ling sneered, her blade narrowly missing Jin Long's cheek. "Is the great Jin Long afraid?"
Jin Long's teeth gritted as he swung his sword, but Mei Ling dodged effortlessly, her laughter echoing through the Vault.
"Pathetic," she taunted. "Zhan Wuhen may have failed, but I won't."
Before Jin Long could respond, Mei Ling's fist connected with his gut, sending him sprawling to the ground. The impact rattled through his bones, his vision blurring.
"Jin Long!" Yue Lan cried, rushing forward.
Mei Ling's eyes snapped to her, a wicked glint in her gaze. "Stay out of this, little girl."
She raised her blade, aiming for Yue Lan's heart.
"No!" Jin Long roared, pushing himself up with sheer willpower. The Genesis Core pulsed, its light flaring as he unleashed a burst of energy. The ground trembled, a wave of force erupting from him and slamming into Mei Ling.
Mei Ling was thrown back, her body crashing into the wall. For a moment, she remained still, her eyes wide with shock. Then, she slowly rose to her feet, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
"Interesting," she said, wiping the blood away with a smirk. "Perhaps you're not as weak as I thought."
Without another word, she vanished into the shadows, her laughter lingering long after she was gone.
Jin Long fell to one knee, panting heavily. The Genesis Core's light dimmed, its power fading. Yue Lan knelt beside him, her eyes filled with worry.
"Jin Long, are you okay?"
Jin Long clenched his fists, his jaw set. "They're testing us. Bai Chen and Mei Ling… they're just the beginning."
Lei Chen managed to sit up, his expression grim. "If that was just a test… what's coming next?"
Jin Long's gaze darkened as he stared into the distance, his heart pounding with both fear and determination.
"War," he said, his voice cold as steel. "A war unlike anything we've ever faced."