Chapter 4 Bonds and promises

**Chapter 4: Bonds and Promises**

Alina followed Zephyr through the dense forest, the thick canopy filtering the golden sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground. Despite his earlier mishap, Zephyr moved with an effortless grace, his robe flowing behind him like a shadow. Alina, on the other hand, was still adjusting to her new body's heightened agility and strength. Each step she took, she felt more attuned to this world, as if the very elements around her recognized her presence.

"So," Zephyr began, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. "What exactly is a lone cultivator like you doing in the middle of nowhere?"

Alina smirked. "I could ask you the same."

He chuckled. "Fair enough. But I was raised in this world. You, on the other hand, don't seem like someone who grew up here."

Alina hesitated. Telling him about her past life—about betrayal, the apocalypse, and her sudden rebirth—wasn't exactly an option. "Let's just say I woke up here and decided to survive."

Zephyr studied her for a moment before nodding. "A simple answer, yet not untrue."

They walked in silence for a while until the trees parted to reveal a breathtaking sight—a vast lake, its waters shimmering with an unnatural glow. Fireflies of different colors hovered over the surface, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

Zephyr gestured toward it. "This is the Starfire Lake. The water here is imbued with a natural essence that helps cultivate inner energy. It's rare to find a place this pure."

Alina stepped closer, mesmerized. The power radiating from the lake made her skin tingle. Instinctively, she knelt at the water's edge, dipping her fingers into the cool surface. A surge of warmth rushed through her body, igniting a flicker of all the elements within her.

Zephyr raised an eyebrow. "That's… interesting."

Alina pulled back. "What?"

He crouched beside her, watching the water where her fingers had touched. The lake shimmered brighter for a moment before calming. "The lake only reacts to those with strong spiritual roots. And yet, it responded to you as if you were—"

"Something special?" Alina finished for him, smirking.

He let out a soft laugh. "Exactly."

For a moment, neither spoke. The night air grew cooler, and the gentle hum of the lake's energy filled the space between them. Then, Zephyr reached into his robe and pulled out a small crystal vial filled with glowing liquid.

"This is Spirit Dew," he explained. "It's rare and valuable, capable of enhancing one's cultivation speed."

Alina eyed him suspiciously. "And you're just giving it to me?"

Zephyr smirked. "Consider it a gift. Or perhaps a sign of trust."

Alina hesitated, then accepted the vial. "Alright. But I don't take debts lightly."

"Good," Zephyr said, his tone suddenly serious. "Because I might just ask you to save my life one day."

She raised an eyebrow. "Dramatic much?"

He chuckled. "You'll understand soon enough."

The conversation settled into comfortable silence once more, the weight of unspoken possibilities lingering in the air. Alina found herself glancing at Zephyr, studying the way his silver hair gleamed in the moonlight, the way his violet eyes held a hidden depth she couldn't quite decipher.

"You're staring," Zephyr pointed out without looking at her.

Alina huffed. "So are you."

He smirked, finally turning to face her. "Can you blame me?"

Something in his gaze made Alina's heart skip a beat. It was teasing, yes, but there was an undercurrent of sincerity, a depth that made her uneasy. She had been betrayed before—by those she had trusted most. Could she really allow herself to trust again?

Zephyr must have sensed her hesitation because he leaned back, resting his weight on his hands. "You don't have to answer now," he said casually. "But sooner or later, you'll have to decide whether you want to walk this world alone or with allies."

Alina swallowed, gripping the vial of Spirit Dew in her palm. She had spent so long surviving on her own, but maybe… just maybe… she didn't have to anymore.

The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the beginning of something new—an alliance, a promise, and perhaps, the first spark of something more. As Alina and Zephyr shook hands, the rabbit hopped away, revealing a small piece of paper attached to its collar. Alina picked it up, and her eyes widened as she read the message: "Trust no one."

Before she could process the warning, a figure emerged from the trees. It was the other Zephyr, the one Alina had met earlier. His eyes narrowed, and he growled, "You're not going anywhere with him."

Zephyr's smile faltered, and he stepped forward, positioning himself between Alina and the newcomer. "I think we can handle ourselves," he said, his voice low and even.

As the tension between the two Zephyrs escalated, Alina felt a shiver run down her spine. She glanced around, sensing that they were being watched. That's when she saw them – a pair of glowing eyes peering from the shadows.

Zephyr's voice cut through the silence, his words sending a chill down Alina's spine. "I think we need to get you to safety. You're not just any ordinary girl, Alina. You're the key to unlocking an ancient prophecy."

The world around Alina seemed to spin, and she stumbled backward, her mind reeling with questions. What prophecy? What did it have to do with her? And who could she trust?