Whispering Vale
The forest whispered.
Literally.
The moment we crossed into the Whispering Vale, voices crept through the mist like slithering vines.
Soft at first. Then personal.
> "She'll never trust you again."
> "He's not the man you love."
> "You were made, not born."
> "You'll always be second choice."
We stopped in our tracks.
Lan Ruo drew her sword.
Zhao Feng covered his ears. "Okay, this place sucks, I vote we go back to the temple and fight flame zombies instead!"
"No going back," I muttered. "Not while something here is watching."
Qing'er clutched her pendant. It pulsed faintly—ash-gray and flickering.
"I think… this place is tied to the seal Zhao broke."
Zhao blinked. "You mean that seal? The one that hissed at me and slapped my face?"
Lan Ruo sighed. "Yes. That one."
---
Mist curled through the trees, thick and shimmering with spirit residue. The deeper we walked, the louder the whispers became—taunting, seductive, cruel.
Suddenly—Lan Ruo stopped.
She turned slowly. Sword raised.
"Someone's here."
Then—
Something lunged from the mist.
---
It was a spirit beast.
No—it used to be.
Now, it was half-formed. Parts of its body flickered in and out of sight, corrupted by spiritual poison. It charged, jaws wide, targeting Zhao.
Zhao screamed.
I launched Void Flame Swords, pinning the beast in place. Lan Ruo followed with a clean decapitation.
The body evaporated.
But the whispers… stayed.
---
Then came a new voice.
Deeper.
Angrier.
> "Ashen Fang's mistake walks again."
I froze.
"Who said that?"
The mist thickened—and a shape stepped through.
A man.
Tall. Hooded. Hands glowing with spiritual flame.
But he had no face.
Just a swirling flame mask carved with one symbol:
失 — Loss.
He pointed at me.
> "He burned this forest. I watched it die."
> "And now you wear his guilt like armor."
Lan Ruo growled. "He's not Ashen Fang."
> "No," the figure said. "He's worse. Because he forgets."
---
He attacked.
A wave of spirit fire surged forward. I blocked it with my flame, but it lingered, like guilt made physical.
Qing'er threw up a barrier.
The masked man turned to her.
> "Ah… the spark that failed."
> "Still following the man who made you... even now?"
She trembled.
Lan Ruo stepped in front of her.
"I've had enough of that," she snapped. "Say one more thing about her, and I'll cut your flame off where it burns."
The figure tilted his head.
> "Jealousy suits you."
Then he vanished—leaving behind only charred ground.
---
We moved quickly, until the forest grew quiet.
Zhao Feng, unusually serious, said, "He called you a mistake."
"I know."
"And her a failure."
"I know."
"And me a snack. Not sure why."
Lan Ruo muttered, "Because you are one."
---
We made camp by a spirit spring. Qing'er was quiet, staring at the mist.
Lan Ruo paced.
"Say it," I said.
She stopped. "Say what?"
"You've been holding it in."
Lan Ruo turned. Her eyes sharp. Her voice sharper.
"You're falling for both of us."
The camp went silent.
Even Zhao blinked and held his breath.
"I—what?"
"You think I don't see it?" she hissed. "The way you look at her. Then at me. Like you're trying to choose but afraid you'll lose us both."
Qing'er stood. "It's not a competition."
Lan Ruo turned to her. "Isn't it?"
"I didn't ask for this."
"Neither did I!"
They glared at each other.
Then—Qing'er stepped forward.
And hugged her.
Lan Ruo froze.
"…what?"
"I'm not trying to take him," Qing'er whispered. "I just don't want to lose you."
Lan Ruo's arms slowly, awkwardly returned the hug.
"…Fine. But if he picks you, I will fight you in the rain while sad music plays."
Zhao sobbed softly. "That's so romantic."
---
Later, I sat with the girls.
"I didn't mean for this to happen."
Lan Ruo chuckled. "You? Causing emotional chaos? Never."
Qing'er leaned on my shoulder. "Just don't become Ashen."
"I'm not him."
"Then don't run like he did."
I nodded.
"I won't."
---
Just then, the pendant on Qing'er's neck flared.
Mist surged.
Zhao screamed again.
From the trees emerged—
The same masked figure.
But this time… with others.
Twisted spirits. Echoes of Ashen's victims.
The final trial of the Vale had begun.
---
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
> Whispering Vale – Core Reached
Flame Mark: Reactivated
Soul Pressure: 78%
Qing'er Emotion Bond: Strengthened
Lan Ruo Emotion Bond: Acknowledged
Zhao Feng… is emotionally broken
Trial Activated: Judgement of the Echoes
Next Step: Survive the Night
---
To be continued…
---
✍️ Auth
or's Note – by [Your Author Name from Shadows of the Last Light]
🔥 Chapter 24 delivered:
Whispers that speak truths no one wants to admit
A masked spirit tied to Ashen Fang's past
Lan Ruo and Qing'er finally facing their rivalry
And a storm of spirit echoes approaching fast