The Western Kingdom
The journey to the Western Kingdom stretched before them, the vast plains and dense forests giving way to arid landscapes and towering mountain ranges. The air grew dry, carrying with it the faint scent of dust and the occasional cry of distant beasts. The group moved cautiously, their senses on high alert, knowing that the forces behind the corrupted seal might be tracking them.
Lin Xuan walked at the front, his gaze fixed on the horizon. His thoughts churned with the vision of the obsidian fortress and the dark presence within. The memory was like a shadow that refused to dissipate, lingering at the edges of his mind.
---
As the sun began to dip below the mountains, the group set up camp in a small clearing. The fire crackled, casting warm light against the encroaching darkness. Elder Mo sat cross-legged, his eyes closed as he meditated. The others busied themselves with various tasks—Ji Mei tended to the horses, Zhao Yue sharpened his spear, and Li Fengxian prepared a simple meal.
Lin Xuan sat apart from the group, staring into the flames. His sword lay across his lap, its blade gleaming faintly in the firelight.
"You've been quiet," Li Fengxian said as she approached, holding a bowl of steaming soup. She handed it to him and sat down beside him.
"Just thinking," Lin Xuan replied, taking the bowl.
"About the fortress?"
Lin Xuan nodded. "And the presence I felt. It wasn't just powerful—it was... ancient. Like it had been watching the world for centuries."
Li Fengxian frowned. "Do you think it's connected to the old legends about the Western Kingdom? The stories of the Fallen Emperor?"
"The Fallen Emperor?" Lin Xuan asked, his interest piqued.
Li Fengxian nodded. "It's a tale we heard as children. Long ago, a ruler of the Western Kingdom sought power beyond mortal limits. He dabbled in forbidden arts, sacrificing countless lives to summon a force from beyond the heavens. The ritual failed, or so the story goes, and he vanished along with his entire court. Some say his spirit still lingers, bound to a place of eternal torment."
Lin Xuan's grip on his sword tightened. "And you think this presence might be him?"
"It's possible," Li Fengxian admitted. "But stories often exaggerate. Still, if the seals are connected to ancient forces, there could be some truth to the legend."
---
Their conversation was interrupted by a faint rustling in the trees. Lin Xuan's head snapped up, his hand immediately going to his sword.
"Everyone, on guard," he said, rising to his feet.
The group quickly formed a defensive circle, their weapons drawn. The rustling grew louder, accompanied by low growls that sent a chill down their spines.
From the shadows emerged a pack of beasts, their eyes glowing like molten gold. Their bodies were sleek and muscular, covered in black fur that seemed to absorb the light. Each creature bore a distinct scar-like marking on its forehead, shaped like a crescent moon.
"Nightstalkers," Elder Mo said grimly. "They're not natural. Someone's sent them to track us."
The beasts didn't wait for further acknowledgment. With a collective snarl, they lunged.
---
Lin Xuan met the first beast head-on, his sword flashing in an arc of silver light. The blade cleaved through the creature's neck, but no blood spilled. Instead, its body disintegrated into a plume of black smoke.
"These aren't ordinary beasts!" Zhao Yue shouted as he skewered another Nightstalker with his spear, only for it to vanish in the same way.
"They're constructs," Elder Mo said. "Destroy the mark on their foreheads—that's their core!"
The group fought with precision and coordination, targeting the crescent marks. Lin Xuan's movements were swift and lethal, each strike guided by a combination of skill and instinct.
One of the beasts broke through the defensive line, heading straight for Ji Mei. She stumbled back, her hands scrambling for her dagger. Before the creature could reach her, Lin Xuan was there, his sword slicing through its mark.
"Stay focused!" he said, helping her to her feet.
"I'm trying!" Ji Mei replied, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
---
The battle was brief but intense. As the last Nightstalker dissolved into smoke, the group lowered their weapons, their breaths coming in heavy gasps.
"This was no random attack," Elder Mo said, scanning the clearing. "Whoever sent these constructs knows we're heading for the Western Kingdom. They're trying to slow us down."
"But why?" Zhao Yue asked. "If they're powerful enough to manipulate seals, why not confront us directly?"
"Because they're testing us," Lin Xuan said, sheathing his sword. "They want to see what we're capable of."
Li Fengxian frowned. "Then we need to move faster. The longer we stay here, the more time we give them to prepare."
Elder Mo nodded. "Agreed. We'll reach the borders of the Western Kingdom by midday tomorrow if we push through the night."
---
As the group packed up their camp, Lin Xuan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The forest seemed darker than before, its shadows deeper and more menacing.
As they resumed their journey, a single thought lingered in his mind: The path ahead is fraught with danger, but retreat is not an option.
The Western Kingdom loomed closer, its mysteries and threats waiting to be uncovered.