Reckless paths and lingering shadows

The echoes of their footsteps reverberated through the jagged walls of Iron Hollow, mingling with the somber silence that hung over the group like a shroud. The dim light of Mei Ming's orb cast elongated shadows, but even its faint glow seemed unable to pierce the darkness that had settled in their hearts after Lei Chen's death. They all dragged their feet, unwilling to leave Lei Chen behind, even knowing fully well that he could no longer journey with them.

Lei Yun walked at the back of the group, his face hard and his eyes downcast. Every so often, he would glance at the twin swords strapped to his back, his brother's blades, now a heavy burden rather than a source of pride. If only the swords were lost in the place of his brother, he thought. Zhang Wei and Mei Ming exchanged worried glances, but neither spoke. The weight of loss lingered, pressing down on them with each step.

Finally, the tension broke. "This isn't right," Lei Yun muttered, his voice barely audible.

"What isn't right?" Zhang Wei asked, his tone weary but firm.

"This," Lei Yun said louder, stopping in his tracks. "Walking away like cowards after what he did to Chen. That masked bastard is still out there, and we're just moving on like nothing happened."

"We're not moving on, we are continuing with our mission," Zhang Wei replied, turning to face him. "But we can't throw our lives away either. We'll face him again, but not without more strength and a plan."

Lei Yun's hand clenched into a fist. "A plan? That's your answer? Chen died because we weren't strong enough. You saw what he did to him, and now you want to wait and hope we're lucky the next time?"

"Yun, we're all grieving," Mei Ming said softly, stepping forward. "But Zhang Wei is right. If we charge in recklessly, we'll—"

"Don't patronize me!" Lei Yun snapped, his voice cracking. "You think your talismans, potions, and calm words can fix this? You didn't lose your twin, Mei Ming. You didn't feel his life slip away right in front of you!"

"Enough!" Zhang Wei's voice boomed, silencing the cavern. He locked eyes with Lei Yun, his expression as cold as the stone walls around them. "This isn't about you, Yun. We all lost Chen, but if you let your emotions control you, you'll get us all killed. Do you want his death to be in vain? Remember, we were all aware of the risks when we embarked on this journey."

Lei Yun stared at him, his jaw tightening. Without another word, he turned and stormed off down a side tunnel, his footsteps heavy with anger.

"Yun, wait!" Mei Ming called after him, but he didn't stop.

Zhang Wei grabbed her arm gently. "Let him go."

"What? We can't just—"

"He needs to burn it out," Zhang Wei said, though his eyes betrayed his concern. "He won't go far."

But Mei Ming wasn't sure.

Lei Yun's breaths came in ragged bursts as he sprinted through the winding tunnels, his mind a storm of grief and fury. The image of Lei Chen's lifeless body haunted him, his brother's final words echoing in his ears, "You'll have to be strong... for both of us."

"I'll be strong," Lei Yun growled to himself, his grip tightening around his spear. "Strong enough to avenge your death."

The side tunnel opened into a cavern bathed in an eerie blue glow, the light emanating from clusters of bioluminescent crystals that jutted out from the walls. The air here was colder, sharper, and it carried a faint hum that set his teeth on edge. He slowed his pace, his senses on high alert.

A sound, a faint whisper of movement, caught his attention. He spun around, his spear at the ready, but the cavern was empty.

"Show yourself!" he barked, his voice echoing. But there was only silence.

Then, from the shadows, a low growl rumbled. Lei Yun's eyes darted to the source, and his heart sank as three pairs of glowing red eyes emerged from the darkness. Spirit beasts—Shadow Wargs. Their sleek, wolf-like bodies were almost invisible against the dark stone, save for the faint shimmer of their black fur.

Lei Yun steadied his breathing, gripping his spear tightly. "Come on, then."

The lead Warg lunged first, its massive jaws snapping inches from his face as he sidestepped and thrust his spear into its flank. The beast yelped, but the remaining two were already upon him. He barely managed to roll out of the way as claws raked across the stone where he had been standing.

The fight was chaotic, the confined space leaving little room to manoeuvre. Lei Yun struck out with precision, his grief acting as an aid with his spear finding its mark again and again, but the Wargs were relentless. One managed to sink its teeth into his leg, and he cried out in pain, driving the butt of his spear into its skull.

The last Warg circled him, its growl deep and menacing. Lei Yun's chest heaved as he steadied his weapon, blood dripping from the gash in his leg. The beast lunged, but this time, Lei Yun was ready. With a roar, he drove his spear through its throat, pinning it to the ground.

He staggered back, his vision swimming. The cavern was silent again, save for his ragged breathing.

"That all you've got?" He muttered, though his legs threatened to give out beneath him.

"Impressive," a voice said, cold and mocking. Lei Yun froze, his blood turning to ice.

From the shadows stepped the masked man, his obsidian robes untouched by the dust and grime of the cavern. His aura was as suffocating as ever, the air around him shimmering with dark energy.

"Though I must say," the man continued, his tone dripping with amusement, "I expected more from the twin of the boy who put up such a valiant fight."

Lei Yun gritted his teeth, raising his spear despite the pain in his leg. "You should have stayed in the shadows."

The man laughed, a hollow, chilling sound. "And miss this display of foolish bravery? I think not."

Without warning, the man raised his hand, and a pulse of dark energy surged toward Lei Yun. He dove to the side, the blast narrowly missing him and leaving a smoking crater where he had been standing.

Lei Yun charged, his spear aimed straight for the man's heart. But before he could strike, the masked man vanished, reappearing behind him. A sharp kick sent Lei Yun sprawling, his spear clattering to the ground.

"You're out of your depth, boy," the man said, his voice low and menacing. "But I admire your spirit. It will make for a fine addition to my collection."

Lei Yun scrambled to his feet, grabbing his spear just in time to block another attack. Sparks flew as the masked man's blade clashed against the weapon, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through Lei Yun's arms.

The fight was brutal, one-sided. Lei Yun fought with everything he had, but the masked man's movements were direct, calculated, and impossibly fast. Each strike pushed Lei Yun closer to the edge of exhaustion.

"You're wasting my time," the man said, his patience wearing thin. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a wave of dark energy that slammed into Lei Yun, pinning him against the cavern wall.

Lei Yun gasped for air, his body refusing to move as the energy constricted around him. The masked man approached slowly, his blade gleaming with malevolent energy.

"Your brother died protecting you," he said, his tone cruel. "But who will protect you now?"

A sudden flash of light filled the cavern, and the masked man recoiled, his grip on Lei Yun faltering. Mei Ming stood at the entrance, her talisman glowing brightly in her hand.

"Let him go!" she shouted, her voice trembling but resolute. "Who are you and what do you want with us?"

"I am your death but you are not my prey. I want the boy Li. You, you are nothing but slaves" the man sneered as he moved closer to Lei Yun.

Behind Mei Ming, Zhang Wei emerged, his sword drawn despite the bandages on his shoulder. "You'll have to go through us first."

The masked man's gaze flicked between them, his expression hidden but his aura betraying his annoyance. "More lambs to the slaughter," he said. "So be it but I will only make you suffer."

He raised his blade, but before he could strike, a low rumble shook the cavern. The ground beneath them cracked, and chunks of stone began to fall from the ceiling.

"What's happening?" Mei Ming cried, stumbling as the floor shifted beneath her.

The masked man's eyes narrowed. "This isn't over," he said, his voice echoing as his form dissolved into shadow, vanishing from sight.

The cavern continued to collapse, the walls crumbling around them.

"Move!" Zhang Wei shouted, grabbing Mei Ming's arm and pulling her toward Lei Yun.

Lei Yun, barely conscious, muttered, "Chen… I'm sorry…"

"Save it for later," Zhang Wei snapped, hauling him to his feet. "We're not dying here."

As they sprinted through the collapsing tunnel, the rumble grew louder, and a deafening crack signaled the collapse of the entrance ahead. Zhang Wei's eyes widened as a massive boulder fell, blocking their path.

"No!" Mei Ming screamed as dust filled the air.

The group skidded to a halt, trapped in the crumbling cavern as the darkness closed in around them.