Ambushed

The air grew colder as the group stepped into the twisting labyrinth of Iron Hollow. Shadows clung to the cavern walls, their flickering shapes cast by the dim light of the luminescent moss that grew sporadically. The oppressive silence of the hollow was broken only by the soft echoes of their footsteps.

Zhang Wei led the way, his blade drawn and his senses on high alert. Mei Ming trailed close behind, clutching a talisman in one hand and a glowing orb in the other to illuminate their path. The Lei twins, though weary from their encounter with the Moonclaw Lynx, held their weapons at the ready, their breaths steady but tense.

"Something feels off," Zhang Wei muttered, his voice low. His eyes scanned the shadows, every flicker of movement drawing his attention.

"Define 'off,'" Lei Yun whispered, his grip tightening on his spear.

"Like we're being watched," Zhang Wei replied, his tone sharp.

Mei Ming stopped in her tracks, turning her head slowly. "I felt it too, back in the valley. I thought it was just paranoia, but now..."

A faint shuffling sound echoed behind them. It was barely audible, but Zhang Wei's trained ears caught it. He raised a hand, motioning for the group to stop.

"Stay close. And be ready," he ordered, his voice barely above a whisper.

The group clustered together, their weapons drawn as they scanned the darkness. The shuffling grew louder, and then, as if from the void itself, a figure emerged.

A man stepped into the faint light of Mei Ming's orb, his features obscured by a black mask that shimmered faintly with runes. His robes, dark as midnight, seemed to absorb the light, and a sinister aura radiated from him. He stood with an unnatural stillness, his presence oppressive.

"Well, well," the man said, his voice smooth yet dripping with malice. "The prodigy's little friends have ventured far from the safety of the sect."

Zhang Wei stepped forward, his sword pointed at the intruder. "Who are you, and why are you following us?"

The man tilted his head, the faint gleam of his eyes behind the mask unnerving. "Who I am is unimportant. What matters is that henceforth, you have all become my slave."

"Like hell we have," Lei Chen growled, stepping up beside Zhang Wei.

The man laughed softly, the sound chilling. "Bravery? Or foolishness? It makes no difference." He raised his hand, and a pulse of dark energy rippled outward, sending a shiver through the air.

Zhang Wei barely had time to shout a warning before the man attacked. In a blur of motion, he was upon them, his blade an obsidian sword wreathed in dark flames clashing against Zhang Wei's own. The force of the blow sent Zhang Wei skidding across the floor, his boots scraping against the stone floor as he landed on his buttocks.

"Spread out!" Zhang Wei shouted, springing back on his feet like a cat.

The group moved quickly, surrounding the masked man. Lei Yun lunged from the side, his spear aimed at the man's chest, but the intruder sidestepped effortlessly. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a wave of dark qi that slammed into Lei Yun, knocking him to the ground.

"Yun!" Lei Chen shouted, rushing to his brother's side.

"Don't get distracted!" Zhang Wei barked, intercepting another strike from the man. Their blades clashed in a flurry of sparks, the sound echoing through the hollow. With a lunge the man's sword pierced Zhang Wei on the left shoulder and he screamed as excruciating pain hit him in the shoulder and spread through his left hand.

"Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" Zhang Wei Screamed in pain and fell on his back, gripping the hole in his shoulder which was spewing out blood.

"Senior Zhangggggg" shouted Mei Ming as she threw a talisman at the masked man, its golden glow brightening the cavern as it exploded in a burst of light. The masked man flinched, his movements faltering for a split second. Zhang Wei, ignoring the burning pain flowing through his shoulders, seized the opportunity, slashing at his side, but his blade met a barrier of dark energy that deflected the strike.

"Impressive," the man said, his tone mocking. "But futile."

With a sweeping motion, he unleashed a torrent of dark flames that engulfed the space around him. Mei Ming quickly activated a protective talisman, creating a shimmering shield that barely withstood the onslaught.

"His power; it's overwhelming!" Mei Ming shouted, sweat beading on her forehead.

"We can't give up now," Lei Chen said, his determination unshaken. He charged at the man, his twin swords moving in a deadly arc.

The masked man countered with brutal precision, his movements almost inhumanly fast. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, the force of the strikes reverberating through the cavern. Despite Lei Chen's skill, it was clear he was outmatched.

"You've got spirit," the man said, his tone almost amused. "But spirit alone won't save you and if you persist in your stubbornness, I will kill you and refine your girlfriend into a puppet. Even then, you can still serve me."

With a sudden surge of dark energy, the masked man disarmed Lei Chen, sending his swords clattering to the ground. Before anyone could react, he drove his knee into Lei Chen's chest with a palpable crack, sending him crashing into the cavern wall.

"Chen!" Lei Yun cried, scrambling to his feet and rushing to his brother's side.

The man turned his attention to the others, his gaze cold. "Any more brave souls?"

Zhang Wei gritted his teeth, his mind racing. The masked man was too powerful, his dark qi overpowering their combined efforts. But retreat wasn't an option not when their mission was so important.

"Mei Ming, another talisman!" Zhang Wei ordered, raising his sword.

"I'm running low!" Mei Ming called back, throwing another talisman. This one erupted into a storm of wind and light, momentarily disorienting the man.

Zhang Wei and Lei Yun used the opening to launch a coordinated attack, their blades moving in perfect sync. They managed to land a few glancing blows, but the man's dark energy seemed to absorb most of the impact.

"Pathetic," the man sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. With a burst of speed, he struck Lei Yun, sending him sprawling. Zhang Wei barely avoided a follow-up strike, the blade grazing his already bleeding left shoulder.

As the battle raged, Lei Chen struggled to his feet, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His vision blurred, but his determination burned brighter than ever.

"Stay down!" Lei Yun shouted, trying to pull his brother back.

"No," Lei Chen rasped, pushing him away. "I won't let this bastard turn us into his slave."

Drawing on the last reserves of his strength, Lei Chen lunged at the masked man, his movements fueled by sheer willpower. He managed to land a solid blow, his blade slicing through the man's robes and drawing blood.

The masked man staggered, a hiss of pain escaping him. But his momentary falter was short-lived. With a roar, he unleashed a torrent of dark energy that engulfed Lei Chen completely.

When the energy dissipated, Lei Chen lay crumpled on the ground, his body still.

"Chen!" Lei Yun screamed, rushing to his brother's side.

Zhang Wei and Mei Ming stood frozen, their faces pale.

The masked man stepped back, his breathing heavy but his aura still menacing. "You are all pathetic weaklings. I wonder why I waste my energy on you," he said coldly. "I will come back for all of you. Tell your friend when you find him that the Black Mist is coming for him. Enjoy the little time you have left as a free person."

With that, he vanished into the shadows, his sinister laughter echoing through the hollow.

The group hurried to Lei Chen's side. Blood pooled beneath him, his breaths shallow and laboured.

"Chen, stay with us!" Lei Yun pleaded, tears streaming down his face.

Mei Ming knelt beside him, frantically rummaging through her pack for a healing potion. She poured it over his wounds and channeled her qi into him, but the damage was severe.

"Mei Ming, don't you have any of the Gincheng flower potion left?" screamed Lei Yun "Please save my brother".

"We gave it all to elder Han" Mei Ming replied helplessly as she brought out all the potions in her pouch, trying to get the most potent.

"Chen," Zhang Wei said, his voice thick with emotion, the pain in his shoulder forgotten. "You can't give up now. We need you."

Lei Chen's eyes fluttered open, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Guess… I wasn't strong enough," he murmured.

"Don't say that!" Lei Yun shouted, gripping his brother's hand.

"You'll… have to be strong… for both of us," Lei Chen whispered, his voice fading.

"No" screamed Mei Ming as she gripped his head and poured a green looking potion down his throat. Lei Chen gasped and trembled all over as the medicine hit his insides.