The Mò

The sky was shrouded in a dismal haze, the moon nowhere to be seen. Xuan summoned the survivors to the main house, a spacious and sturdy structure that served as their nocturnal refuge. As the assembly gathered, candlelights flickered dimly, casting a warm glow within the room. Xuan stood at the center, clearing his throat to command attention.

"Stranger, please introduce yourself to our community," Xuan requested, his eyes fixed upon Shu Shu, who sat with his back against the wall, his long black hair cascading down his shoulders. Shu Shu's response was barely audible, a whispered "Shu Shu" that left some of the survivors perplexed.

Ning, a woman with short hair, frowned, her irritation evident. "Who does he think he is, responding in such a manner?" Tao, still seething from his earlier outburst, burst forth in anger. "This is all Zhang Wei's fault, bringing a stranger into our midst! We're already struggling to survive, and now we have another mouth to feed!" His voice dripping with malice, Tao sneered, "Let's kill him."

Xuan's expression turned stern, his voice firm but measured. "Tao, that's enough. The stranger is likely frightened. Let us conduct ourselves with dignity." Turning to Shu Shu, Xuan asked, "Tell me, stranger, who are you?"

Shu Shu's response was identical, a soft "Shu Shu" that left Xuan unperturbed. "When I ask who you are, Shu Shu, I seek more than just your name. I wish to understand your character, your background. Will you not share this with us?" Xuan's tone was polite, inviting.

Shu Shu's demeanor shifted, his voice rising as he responded, "What difference would it make if you knew who I am? Would you even consider me human?" The room fell silent, the survivors exchanging uneasy glances.

Xuan's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he murmured to himself, "There is something extraordinary about this young man." Turning to Shu Shu, he encouraged, "Please, tell us more."

With a quiet resolve, Shu Shu began, "My name is Shu Shu. I hail from the Qing dynasty, a prince banished by my twin brother, the Emperor. My parents, the Emperor and Empress, despised me for being born without magical abilities." Shu Shu's words hung in the air, his challenge clear: "Here's your chance to kill me, now that you know everything."

The room erupted into a cacophony of whispers, the survivors conferring with one another. "A royalty born without magic? Unheard of!" someone exclaimed. Tao, still seething, spat on the floorboards, his venomous words echoing through the room. "You are indeed a curse."

Shu Shu's response was icy, his voice dripping with disdain. "At least I was not cursed with a face like yours." Tao's anger boiled over, and he lunged at Shu Shu, but Xuan intervened, his voice firm. "Tao, enough! You will respect Shu Shu; he is of royal blood."

Tao's defiance was palpable. "Why should I respect a curse?" he snarled, his fist clenched. Zhang Wei stepped forward, his movements swift and decisive. A loud crack echoed through the room as Zhang Wei twisted Tao's arm, rendering him immobile. Tao's anguished cries filled the air as he stumbled backward, clutching his injured arm.

"He broke my arm! Xuan, do something! He broke my arm!" Tao's frantic pleas hung in the air, the survivors watching in stunned silence.

As Xuan was about to admonish Zhang Wei, Feng and a youthful boy with snowy-white hair burst into the room, their breathing labored. "The Mò approaches!" Feng exclaimed, still gasping for air.

Xuan's attention shifted abruptly to Feng, his voice trembling with trepidation. "What did you say?" The survivors began to panic, their faces etched with fear.

Shu Shu rose from his seated position, his expression perplexed. Xuan swiftly regained composure, his voice assuming a commanding tone. "Remain calm, everyone! We shall abandon this area immediately. Let us depart forthwith!"

A man's voice, laced with terror, pierced the air. "We are doomed!" Xuan's eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto Feng. "Feng, Xiao Yu, are you certain of what you beheld?"

Feng and the young boy replied in unison, their voices grave. "We are absolutely certain, Xuan." A murmur of despair spread among the survivors.

A man's voice, heavy with anxiety, queried, "But how is this possible? I thought Xia's magical barrier was impenetrable. How did a demon breach her defenses?" Zhang Wei's calm, measured tone provided a stark contrast to the prevailing panic. "This demon is no ordinary entity, my friends. It is a Mò, a creature of formidable power."

As Zhang Wei strode toward the door, Xuan's voice halted him. "Zhang Wei, where are you bound?" Zhang Wei's response was laconic. "I shall observe this creature's prowess." Xuan's voice rose in alarm. "No! We must flee! This demon is too powerful!"

Zhang Wei paused momentarily, as if weighing his options, before exiting the door, ignoring Xuan's admonitions. "Zhang Wei, return at once!" Xuan commanded, but Zhang Wei had vanished into the night, his movements eerily silent.

A man's urgent voice reminded Xuan of their precarious situation. "We have no time to concern ourselves with Zhang Wei, Xuan. We must away, lest the Mò arrives. Our chances of survival dwindle with each passing moment." Xuan nodded gravely, his eyes scanning the room.

"Feng, fetch Xia and Grandma Lu. We must make haste!" Xuan ordered, his voice low and urgent. Feng nodded before hastening out of the room.

As Xuan turned to address Shu Shu, he realized the young man had vanished. "Shu Shu..." Xuan's voice trailed off, his eyes scanning the empty space. "Xiao Yu, go find..." But the youthful boy was nowhere to be found. Xuan's sigh was heavy with concern. "Heaven have mercy..."

Feng traversed the desolate landscape with the stealth and agility of a seasoned assassin, her footsteps silent and deliberate. Her velocity was akin to that of a well-trained warrior, driven by a sense of urgency and purpose. Finally, she arrived at a dilapidated temple, its structure worn by the ravages of time. With a swift motion, Feng entered the temple, her eyes scanning the interior until they alighted upon Xia, a youthful girl with golden tresses, who was breathing laboriously. Grandma Lu stood vigilantly by her side.

Feng hastened toward Xia, her voice low and urgent. "Xia." Xia's gaze lifted, her eyes sunken and her complexion pale.

"I have failed, Feng," Xia whispered, her voice laced with despair. "A powerful demon has breached my magical barrier... This entity feels so formidable... that I... I..." Xia's words trailed off, punctuated by a weak cough.

Feng's expression was grave. "You are correct, Xia. The Mò is indeed coming." The weight of Feng's words struck Xia and Grandma Lu with the force of a piercing stab.

"Impossible!" Grandma Lu's voice trembled with horror and surprise. "A Mò? Within the Realm of Void?"

Feng's tone was resolute. "We must flee. Xuan instructed me to retrieve you both." With the assistance of Grandma Lu, Feng helped Xia to her feet.

Their preparations for departure were interrupted by a voice that echoed through the temple, its timbre wicked and dripping with malevolent intent. "Leaving so soon?" The voice was redolent with dark magic, causing Xia, Feng, and Grandma Lu to freeze, their senses heightened.

Grandma Lu's tone was cautious. "Who dares to address us?"

A figure emerged from the shadows, her dark green bobbed hair a stark contrast to her pale complexion. Her lips were painted with green lipstick, and her attire was that of a warrior. "It is I... Ivy," she declared, her voice dripping with malice.