UNCLE

It was morning and lei shan still hadn't returned. the creepy feeling she had been feeling didn't go away either, on the contrast she felt it crawling step by step towards her... a predator waiting to consume her, she spent more than two hours like that till the break of dawn_

The air was thick with tension as xavier and his team approached the location they had been led to. His heart pounded in his chest, his usually composed demeanor teetering on the edge of collapse. Every breath felt heavier, every step slower, as he braced himself for what he might find.

In front of him stood an old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The place was surrounded by shadows, the air cold and still. His eyes narrowed as he signaled for his team to fan out and surround the building.

Xavier: "Stay alert. We don't know who or what we're dealing with."

The creak of the door echoed in the silence as they entered. The warehouse was dimly lit, its vast space seemingly empty save for a few scattered crates. The air smelled of dust and dampness, but there was an underlying tension, as if the very walls were holding their breath.

And then he saw her.

Nyxara was sitting on the floor, leaning against one of the crates, her legs curled beneath her, looking exhausted but unharmed. Relief flooded xavier's chest so quickly it nearly knocked him off balance. For a moment, he stood frozen, unable to believe she was right there in front of him, safe.

But as the relief gave way, another emotion surged forward—anger. Anger at her recklessness, at the danger she had put herself in, and at the forces that had taken her from him.

Xavier: "Nyxara!"

His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. Nyxara's head snapped up, her eyes widening as she met his gaze. For a moment, there was a flicker of guilt in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by confusion and frustration.

Nyxara: "Uncle..."

He strode toward her, his anger barely contained as he knelt down, checking her for any signs of injury. She flinched slightly at his intensity but didn't resist.

Xavier: "Do you have any idea what you've done? How reckless this was? You could've been killed!"

Nyxara lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry," she muttered softly, though there was a stubborn edge to her tone.

"Sorry? Do you even understand the danger you were in? You—"

His words were cut off by the wave of relief that crashed over him. His hands, which had been shaking with rage, now trembled as he reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace. Nyxara stiffened, surprised by the sudden display of affection, but after a moment, she relaxed into the hug.

Xavier (whispering): "I thought I lost you…"

For a long moment, they stayed like that—Nyxara enveloped in her uncle's protective embrace, his overwhelming relief mingling with the anger that still simmered beneath the surface. He pulled back slightly, gripping her shoulders as he searched her face

"Never again. Do you hear me? You stay where I can protect you. You can't imagine the forces at work here."

Nyxara's eyes, though tired, held a spark of defiance. "I'm not a child anymore, Uncle. I can't be locked away forever."

Xavier's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He knew this argument would come sooner or later. He had always feared the day she would demand her freedom. But for now, she was safe, and that was all that mattered.

Nyxara stood in the center of the room, her uncle's arms still wrapped tightly around her as if afraid to let go. She could feel the tension in his body, his silent relief battling with the anger he'd been holding back. But before either of them could speak further, the heavy sound of footsteps filled the air.

Lei Shen stepped through the doorway, his tall frame casting a shadow across the room. His presence was immediate, commanding, and the air seemed to thicken with the weight of unspoken words. Xavier's grip on Nyxara tightened instinctively, his protective instincts flaring the moment his eyes met Lei Shen's cold, calculating gaze.

Nyxara could sense the shift in the atmosphere, the way both men stood silently, sizing each other up.

Lei Shen: "I see you've found her, Master Xavier."

His voice was calm, but there was an underlying edge, as though he was asserting his authority without needing to raise his tone.Xavier's eyes narrowed, his grip on Nyxara unrelenting as he turned to face Lei Shen fully.

Xavier: "And you are?"

Lei Shen's lips curved into a faint smirk, but his eyes remained sharp.

"Lei Shen. I believe I was the one who ensured her safety." His gaze shifted to Nyxara briefly before returning to her uncle. "You're welcome, by the way."

Xavier bristled, pulling Nyxara closer to his side, his protective instincts clashing with his gratitude. He had heard of Lei Shen—whispers of the Prince of Darkness, an elusive and feared figure in the shadows. But seeing him here, face to face, was something else entirely. His aura, cold and authoritative, was unmistakable.

Xavier: "I don't recall asking for your help, Lei Shen."

Lei Shen raised an eyebrow, his expression calm, though a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.

Lei Shen: "Perhaps not. But you wouldn't have found her without me."

The tension crackled in the air between them, and Nyxara could feel it tightening around her. She shifted slightly, her gaze moving between the two men. On one side, her uncle, rigid with protectiveness. On the other, Lei Shen, cool and unbothered, but undeniably dangerous.

Nyxara: "Uncle, he did save me..."

Xavier looked down at her, his expression softening briefly. But the moment he glanced back at Lei Shen, his guard was up again.

Xavier: "And for that, I'm grateful. But you've done enough. I'll take it from here."

Lei Shen chuckled, the sound low and almost mocking. He stepped closer, the space between them shrinking, his presence filling the room.

"You think it's that simple? You think you can just take her and everything will go back to how it was? You have no idea what's coming, do you?"

Xavier's jaw clenched, his hand tightening on Nyxara's shoulder.

"I know enough. And I know that she's under my protection. That's all that matters."

Lei Shen's smirk faded, his expression hardening.

: "Your protection won't be enough when the forces she's tied to come for her. You can't shield her from what's out there."

Nyxara looked between them, her heart pounding as the words sank in. She could feel the tension rising, not just from the confrontation between her uncle and Lei Shen, but from the weight of Lei Shen's words. There was more going on—something far bigger than her uncle's protectiveness or even Lei Shen's intervention.

Nyxara: "What are you talking about?"

Lei Shen's gaze shifted to her, and for the first time, she saw something beyond the cold, confident exterior—a flicker of something deeper, something dark and knowing.

Lei Shen: "You're not just some girl who's been hidden away, Nyxara. There's more to you than even you realize. And when they come for you, you'll need more than your uncle's protection.

Xavier's eyes blazed with fury, but there was a hint of fear behind his anger. He stepped forward, placing himself fully between Nyxara and Lei Shen.

Xavier: "She doesn't need you, or your cryptic warnings. She's my family. I've kept her safe for this long, and I'll continue to do so."

Lei Shen's gaze sharpened. He stepped forward, his voice lowering, dangerously calm.

Lei Shen: "You've kept her ignorant. And that ignorance will get her killed."

The words hit like a blow, and the room fell into a heavy silence. Nyxara felt the weight of both men's stares, the air between them thick with tension. She could sense the unspoken battle for control, her uncle's desire to keep her safe warring with Lei Shen's cold pragmatism.

Finally, Xavier spoke, his voice low but firm.

"I don't trust you. And I won't let you drag her into whatever game you're playing."

Lei Shen smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes."You won't have a choice."

Xavier's eye narrowed before breaking into a laughter ,The air in the room still crackled with unspoken tension, but the heated exchange between Lei Shen and Xavier had finally cooled. Nyxara watched the two men cautiously, unsure of what would happen next. For a moment, no one spoke, the silence heavy but no longer hostile.

Xavier sighed, glancing at Lei Shen, who stood with his arms crossed, his expression as unreadable as ever. Finally, a small, almost reluctant smile tugged at the corner of xavier's lip"You know, for someone as young as you look, I have almost forgotten your real age ."

Nyxara blinked, surprised by the shift in tone. She glanced between them, unsure if her uncle was trying to make peace or provoke Lei Shen further.

Lei Shen raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, his cool gaze unwavering.Xavier chuckled, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

"At this rate, Nyxara's going to have to start calling you 'uncle,' considering how much you act like one. After all, we are both practically from the same generation."

Nyxara's eyes widened, and she stifled a laugh at the absurdity of the suggestion. She looked at le shan would a hint of teasing and obediently calling him"Uncle Lei Shen" Xavier looked at his niece with satisfaction and gently patted her head saying, " good girl".

The idea was ridiculous, and yet, the thought of calling Lei Shen her "uncle" seemed to lighten the mood. Lei Shen's lips twitched, though it was hard to tell if it was amusement or annoyance.

"I think I'll pass on that title." He said through gritted teeth, if words were solid that sentence will have turned into powder.

Xavier laughed heartily this time, the tension between them finally dissipating.

Xavier: "Suit yourself. But don't think for a second you're off the hook."

Lei Shen rolled his eyes slightly, but the sharp edge that had been present in their earlier exchanges had softened.

Nyxara couldn't help but smile, the strange tension in the room easing as her uncle's humor cut through the seriousness of the moment. For the first time since their reunion, the atmosphere felt lighter, even if only briefly.

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