~ Chapter 13 ~

The sun's rays barely touched the edges of the forest as Lin Yue, Wei Han, and Lady Zhen descended the rocky path. The stillness of the dawn was unnerving; no birds sang, no leaves rustled in the gentle wind. It was as if the world itself was holding its breath.

Lin Yue's fingers brushed against the Jade Blade at her side, its cool surface pulsing faintly, a rhythmic reminder of the bond she still didn't fully understand. The weight of the mirror shard in her satchel pressed against her side, heavier than its size should allow.

"How far until we reach the next village?" Lin Yue asked, breaking the uneasy silence.

"Not far," Wei Han replied, his eyes scanning the forest ahead. "We'll rest there and gather supplies. But we won't stay long. The shadow's reach could extend further than we expect."

Lady Zhen chuckled darkly. "Oh, it does. Shadows have a way of clinging to the unwary, and you, Lin Yue, are a beacon they will not ignore."

Lin Yue bristled but said nothing. The accusation in Lady Zhen's words was sharp, but she couldn't deny the truth in them. The events in the cave had shaken her, and the shadow's final warning echoed in her mind: The deeper you delve, the darker it becomes.

The forest grew denser as they walked, the towering trees forming a canopy that filtered the sunlight into dappled patches on the ground. The beast stayed close to Lin Yue, its golden eyes watching the shadows between the trees.

"Something feels off," Wei Han murmured, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Lady Zhen nodded. "The forest is too quiet. It's unnatural."

Lin Yue felt it too—a subtle, suffocating tension in the air, like the calm before a storm. She reached for the Jade Blade, its hum a reassuring presence against her palm.

A sudden rustling in the underbrush made them all stop. Wei Han drew his sword in one fluid motion, his stance defensive as his sharp eyes searched for the source of the sound.

"Show yourself!" he demanded, his voice echoing through the trees.

The rustling grew louder, closer, until a figure stumbled into view. It was a boy, no older than ten, his clothes tattered and his face streaked with dirt. He looked up at them with wide, terrified eyes, his chest heaving as if he had been running for miles.

"Help," he gasped, his voice hoarse. "Please… they're coming."

Lin Yue stepped forward, her concern overriding her caution. "Who's coming? What happened?"

The boy opened his mouth to speak, but his words were drowned out by a deep, guttural growl that sent a shiver down Lin Yue's spine.

From the shadows emerged a pack of creatures unlike anything she had ever seen. Their forms were twisted, a grotesque fusion of man and beast. Their eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and their claws gleamed like polished obsidian.

"Shadespawn," Lady Zhen hissed, her expression darkening. "Corrupted by the shadow's influence. They won't stop until they've devoured everything in their path."

Wei Han moved swiftly, placing himself between the boy and the advancing creatures. "Get behind me!" he barked, his sword flashing as he prepared for the inevitable fight.

Lin Yue drew the Jade Blade, its light flaring to life as she stepped into position beside Wei Han. The beast growled low, its fur bristling as it stood protectively in front of her.

The Shadespawn lunged, their movements unnaturally fast. Wei Han's blade sang as it met the first creature, cutting through its twisted form with precision. Lin Yue swung the Jade Blade, its light searing through the darkness as it struck another. The creature let out an unearthly screech before dissolving into ash.

Lady Zhen moved with deadly grace, her fan snapping open to reveal razor-sharp edges. She struck with precision, each motion calculated to incapacitate her foes.

Despite their efforts, the Shadespawn kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. Lin Yue's arms ached, but she refused to falter. The Jade Blade felt like an extension of her will, its light guiding her strikes even as her strength waned.

The boy clung to a tree, his terrified eyes watching the battle unfold. Lin Yue spared a glance at him, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Run! Get to safety!"

He hesitated, but another screech from the Shadespawn spurred him into action. He darted into the forest, disappearing into the shadows.

Lin Yue barely had time to register his departure before a massive Shadespawn, larger and more grotesque than the others, barreled toward her. Its claws swiped at her with deadly precision, forcing her to dodge and counter.

"Lin Yue, stay focused!" Wei Han shouted, cutting down another creature as he moved to assist her.

The beast leapt at the massive Shadespawn, sinking its teeth into its neck. The creature roared, thrashing wildly as the beast held firm, its golden eyes burning with fury.

Lin Yue saw her opening and thrust the Jade Blade forward, its light piercing the creature's chest. It let out one final screech before collapsing into ash.

The remaining Shadespawn hesitated, their glowing eyes flickering as though uncertain. Then, as if commanded by an unseen force, they retreated into the forest, their guttural growls fading into the distance.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Wei Han lowered his sword, his breathing heavy. "They'll be back," he said grimly. "And in greater numbers."

Lady Zhen nodded, her fan snapping shut. "The shadow's reach is growing. These attacks will only become more frequent."

Lin Yue sank to her knees, the Jade Blade still glowing faintly in her hand. She looked at Wei Han, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why me? Why is this happening to me?"

Wei Han knelt beside her, his expression softening. "Because you're the only one who can stop it. The blade chose you for a reason, Lin Yue. You may not understand it now, but you will."

Lady Zhen's gaze was sharp as she addressed her. "But understand this—your path will only grow darker from here. The shadow will not rest until it has consumed everything you hold dear. If you're not prepared to face it, then you'll lose everything."

Lin Yue looked down at the Jade Blade, its light reflecting her weary face. The weight of their words settled heavily on her, but deep within her, a spark of determination began to grow.

As the first rays of sunlight broke through the canopy, Lin Yue stood, her resolve hardening.

"Then I'll fight," she said, her voice steady. "No matter what it takes."

Far in the distance, hidden in the depths of the forest, a pair of molten eyes watched, unblinking. The shadow's presence lingered, a silent promise of the trials yet to come.

To be continued…