The Serpent's Bite

The battlefield was a graveyard of broken bodies and scorched earth. The demonic sect had fought valiantly, but the Wutai Sect's forces kept coming, relentless in their pursuit of victory. Amid the chaos, Sua Quan and Jiang Tian found themselves separated from Meng, their paths drawing them closer to the heart of the enemy forces.Blood and smoke filled the air as they cut through soldier after soldier, their movements synchronized like a deadly dance. Tian's sword moved with precision, every strike lethal. Sua's agility allowed her to slip between attacks, her daggers flashing in the dim light. They fought as a unit, unyielding in their mission to defend their sect."We're being pushed back," Sua muttered through clenched teeth as she dodged a spear aimed at her chest.Tian sliced through another opponent, his face set in a grim expression. "Just keep moving. We can't let them overwhelm us."But despite their best efforts, they were outnumbered, and the tide of battle was turning against them. The Wutai Sect had reinforcements, and it seemed like they would never stop coming.Suddenly, a voice cut through the chaos, cold and commanding. "There they are."Sua and Tian looked up, their hearts sinking as they saw Prince Cheng standing at the head of a group of elite soldiers. His face was a mask of calm, but his eyes burned with a dangerous intensity. He had come for them.Tian's grip on his sword tightened. "Prince Cheng," he spat, recognizing the man instantly.Cheng's lips curled into a smirk. "So, you're the ones Meng Qingshan keeps so close. How unfortunate for you."Sua stepped forward, her daggers gleaming in her hands. "You think you can take us down that easily? You don't know who you're dealing with."Cheng raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "I know exactly who I'm dealing with. You're nothing compared to the force I'll bring down on Meng. And it starts with you."With a wave of his hand, Cheng sent his soldiers forward. Sua and Tian braced themselves for the onslaught.The battle that followed was fierce. Sua and Tian fought with everything they had, but Cheng's soldiers were trained killers, each one more dangerous than the last. Sweat poured down Tian's face as he blocked blow after blow, his arms growing heavier with each passing moment.Sua, ever nimble, danced around her opponents, slashing at their throats and cutting them down one by one. But even her speed couldn't save them from the overwhelming numbers.Then, out of nowhere, Cheng himself appeared in front of them. His sword flashed as he attacked with ruthless precision. Sua barely had time to react, deflecting his strike at the last second. But Cheng was relentless, his power far greater than either of them had anticipated."You're going to die here," Cheng said, his voice low and menacing. "And Meng will follow."Tian roared in defiance, swinging his sword at Cheng with all his might. But Cheng sidestepped the attack effortlessly, his counterstrike nearly catching Tian off guard. Tian stumbled, barely managing to block the blow.Beside him, Sua was struggling to keep up with Cheng's speed. Every attack she made was parried with ease, and every defense she put up was shattered in seconds. Cheng was toying with them, playing a game they were destined to lose."Tian!" Sua called out, her voice laced with desperation. "We have to fall back!"But before Tian could respond, Cheng's sword cut through the air, aimed straight at Sua. She twisted to avoid it, but the blade nicked her side, drawing blood. Sua gasped, clutching her wound as she stumbled back."Sua!" Tian shouted, rushing to her side. He stood in front of her, shielding her from Cheng's next attack.But Cheng wasn't done. His eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction as he raised his sword for the final blow. "This is the end."Tian and Sua, battered and exhausted, prepared for the inevitable. They were outmatched, and they knew it.But then, at the last moment, a sound echoed across the battlefield—the distant roar of Meng's demon. Cheng hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he glanced toward the source of the noise.It was the only opening Sua and Tian needed.Tian lunged forward, using the last of his strength to strike at Cheng. But Cheng was faster, his sword slashing across Tian's chest with brutal force. Tian gasped, falling to his knees as blood poured from the wound."No!" Sua screamed, launching herself at Cheng in a desperate attempt to save her friend.But Cheng was ready. His sword swung in a wide arc, and Sua barely had time to register the pain as it cut through her.Both Tian and Sua fell to the ground, their bodies broken and bleeding. Cheng stood over them, his expression one of cold satisfaction.As darkness crept in around them, Sua reached out weakly, her fingers brushing against Tian's hand. "We... we failed..."Tian, his vision fading, could only manage a weak nod. "I'm sorry..."And then everything went black.