Wang’s heart raced as the shadows coiled around him, whispering in twisted voices that echoed his fears. He could still hear Li Wang’s scream, her face twisted in agony as she was dragged into the darkness. His fingers clenched, the memory of her cold touch lingering on his skin. He had failed her—again.

  The chamber was in ruins, ancient walls crumbled to dust, and the air was heavy with the scent of decay. Faint light flickered through the cracks above, illuminating the shattered remnants of the Prophecy of the Dual Spirits. The images of the intertwined dragons y fractured, their majestic forms marred by shadows.

  Xu stumbled forward, his body aching, his Qi depleted from the battle. The Anahata Qi still hummed faintly within him, but it was weak, barely a spark. He grit his teeth, forcing himself to move. He had to find Li. He had to save her.

  His mind raced with questions. What was that darkness? Why had it cimed her? And why did it whisper his name, taunting him with promises of power and destruction?

  The passageway before him stretched into darkness, the air growing colder with each step. Shadows twisted along the walls, forming shapes that seemed to watch him, mocking his desperation. His footsteps echoed, the sound hollow and distant.

  “Li!” he shouted, his voice breaking. Only the shadows answered, their ughter cruel and mocking.

  He pressed on, refusing to give in to fear. He remembered Li’s smile, the warmth of her presence, her fierce determination. But he also remembered her eyes—dark, possessive, filled with a madness that terrified him. How long had she been consumed by the shadows? Had he been blind to her suffering all this time?

  His chest tightened, guilt cwing at him. He should have protected her. He should have noticed her pain, her growing obsession. Yet, he had been so consumed by his own fears, his own destiny, that he had overlooked the one person who had always been by his side.

  As he turned a corner, a cold wind swept through the passage, carrying with it a whisper. “Xu...”

  His heart stopped. “Li?” He ran forward, hope igniting within him. The shadows parted, revealing a massive chamber bathed in an eerie, pale light. At its center stood a figure, her long hair flowing like liquid shadow, her back turned to him.

  “Li!” Xu called, relief flooding him. He ran to her, reaching out. “I’m here. I’ll get you out of this.”

  She turned slowly, her movements unnaturally graceful. Her eyes met his, glowing with an otherworldly light. Her face was serene, her lips curled into a gentle smile. “Xu... you came for me.”

  He faltered, his heart pounding. There was something wrong. Her voice was soft, melodic, but there was an emptiness in her gaze, as if she were looking through him.

  He took a cautious step back. “Li... what happened to you?”

  She tilted her head, her smile unwavering. “I saw the truth. I saw everything. The world... it’s cruel. It wants to tear us apart. But I won’t let it.” Her fingers curled, shadows swirling around her. “I won’t lose you.”

  Xu’s blood ran cold. “This... this isn’t you. Fight it, Li. Whatever’s controlling you—”

  She ughed, a sound that echoed like shattered gss. “Why would I fight it? This power... it showed me how to protect you. How to keep you by my side... forever.” Her eyes softened, a possessive gleam in their depths. “No one will take you from me. Not Zhu Sun. Not fate. Not even death.”

  Xu’s heart ached as he looked at her, the girl he had grown up with, the girl who had always stood beside him. But now, she was a stranger, her soul twisted by the darkness that clung to her. “Li... please... come back to me.”

  She smiled, stepping closer, her presence cold and suffocating. “I am here. I’ve always been here. It’s you who keeps trying to leave.” Her fingers touched his cheek, and he shivered at the icy chill. “But not anymore. I’ll make sure of it.”

  The shadows around her surged, forming chains that wrapped around Xu’s limbs, binding him. He struggled, his Qi fring, but the darkness absorbed it, growing stronger. His chest tightened as he realized he was powerless against her.

  “Li! Stop this!” he pleaded, his voice raw. “This isn’t you! Don’t let the darkness control you!”

  Her expression softened, almost pitying. “You don’t understand, Xu. This is the only way. If I lose you... I’ll have nothing left.” Her eyes shimmered with pain, and for a moment, the girl he knew seemed to break through. “Please... don’t leave me.”

  His heart shattered. “I won’t... I promise. But this... this isn’t the way. We can fight this together. Just... let me help you.”

  She hesitated, her eyes flickering with conflict. But the shadows tightened their grip, and her face hardened. “No. I can’t take that risk. Not when the world is trying to steal you away.” Her voice dropped, cold and resolute. “You belong to me.”

  Xu’s breath caught as the darkness surged, pulling him down. The ground crumbled beneath him, revealing a chasm of shadows that writhed and screamed. His body was dragged to the edge, his fingers cwing at the stone as he fought to hold on.

  “Li! Don’t do this!” he shouted, his eyes pleading. “I don’t want to lose you!”

  She looked down at him, her expression unreadable. “You won’t lose me. We’ll be together... always.” Her fingers released him, and he fell.

  The darkness swallowed him, cold and endless. He could hear her voice, whispering his name, a haunting melody that echoed through the void.

  Then, the shadows closed in, and the world went bck.

  To be continued....