The sound of footsteps reverberated through the clearing, steadily growing louder. Ning Que and Lian Zhen exchanged a wary glance, both tensing up as the air thickened with unspoken tension. Birds, previously chirping in the trees, fell silent, as if sensing the mood shift.
"Get ready," Ning whispered. He locked his eyes on the haze beyond the ridge, primal instincts kicking in. An urgent pressure built in his chest—a drive to defend, to attack. Every muscle in his body was primed for action. Still, nothing appeared on his system. Not a prompt, not an interface. Just an oppressive silence drilling a nail into his spine.
He couldn't summon his katana, but he was prepared and ready to fight when it came to it. He just couldn't decide on how just yet.
Lian twirled her glaive in an elaborate but annoyed flourish, hints of impatience brewing in her expression.
"I'm not waiting around for something to pounce on us, Ning. If you've got a plan, now's the time."