Family

As Hao walked deeper into the forest, the trees closed in around them, their shadows stretching long beneath the moonlight. He moved effortlessly like the path bent for him. Lan followed close behind, her eyes darting left and right, scanning the dark underbrush.

Something about this place felt… off. The way the air clung to her skin. The leaves didn't rustle even when the wind passed through.

And that boiled alive comment still echoed in her head.

She jogged a little to catch up, then reached out and tapped Hao's shoulder.

Her voice came out curious, but edged with suspicion.

"Hey. What's with this forest? What exactly is supposed to boil me alive?"

Hao glanced over his shoulder, still walking, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

"Oh, that? I was just messing with you."

He chuckled softly, almost too casually.

"It's nothing that serious. Just… Lava Deens."

Lan paused mid-step, one foot forward, then slowly started walking again. Her mind was racing.

Lava Deens?

What the hell are those? Lava beasts? Monsters born from molten rock?

Her curiosity flared.

She gripped Qinglong tighter, a wild grin spreading across her face as she turned toward the dense forest. Her voice rang out, sharp with excitement.

"Then show me already! What are they?!"

Before she could take another step, Hao whipped around and lunged back toward her.

He bent down at her side, hands firmly on her shoulders, his expression caught between disbelief and panic.

"Yo—are you stupid or something?!" he hissed.

Then he straightened up, standing directly in front of her, eyes narrowed, mouth twitching into half a smirk, half a scold.

"What kind of girl are you? Normal girls don't get excited about walking into death traps. My friend sure as hell doesn't act like this."

Lan smirked, the edges of her lips curling with mischief.

"That's because it's me," she said, voice steady and fearless.

"I don't care about my gender. Wherever the thrill is... that's where I belong."

Hao paused mid-step, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin.

"Y'know," he muttered, half amused, half exasperated.

"Now I'm kinda worried about your future husband."

Lan chuckled softly, eyes fixed on the winding path ahead.

"Haha... You think so?" she said under her breath.

Then, quieter—almost like a secret slipping through the leaves—

"Yeah... I think so too."

Hao glanced back with a crooked smile.

"Come on, Lan. They're waiting for you."

Without another word, she followed—her steps light, her grip on Qinglong relaxed. The forest swallowed them whole, the moonlight dancing through the canopy like silent witnesses to the beginning of something strange and fated.

They moved quietly along the narrow path, trees lining both sides like silent sentinels. The trail split the forest clean in two, shadows dancing across the ground beneath the moonlight.

Suddenly, Hao veered off to the left, his voice low as he whispered over his shoulder.

"Turn left."

Lan followed without hesitation, slipping through the thick underbrush behind him. They passed several twisted trees, their roots clawing into the earth like ancient hands—until the forest began to open.

Nestled within the clearing was a small village-like area, tucked away in the heart of the woods. A few makeshift huts stood around a central fire, where people sat talking, working, or simply staring into the flames.

Lan leaned closer to Hao and whispered,

"Is this the place you were talking about?"

Hao didn't answer. He just walked forward, stepping into the village with the calm confidence of someone returning home.

Raising a hand, he called out, voice louder now.

"Hey! I brought her!"

Heads turned.

The villagers looked up, smiles spreading across their faces. One by one, they shifted their attention toward Lan. And as if on cue, each of them gave a respectful nod—a small, silent bow of recognition.

Hao turned to Lan, a faint grin tugging at the corners of his lips as he unfastened his black cloak, letting it slip from his shoulders.

Beneath it, he wore a plain, close-fitting outfit—simple black, like any wandering commoner.

But something about how he stood—relaxed yet commanding—made the air around him feel different.

He stepped forward and spoke with a warm, almost teasing tone.

"Let me officially introduce you to my people."

He gestured around the clearing, his voice carrying a strange kind of reverence.

"This place... this odd patch of forest?"

He looked around fondly.

"It's our home. And for people like us—this is the only truly safe place."

Then, turning to the group around the fire, he pointed to a tall man with tired eyes and quiet strength. The man looked like he'd seen the world collapse and rise again—calm, but weathered.

"That's Zi Han," Hao whispered.

"He may not look it, but he's the oldest among us. His mana core lets him shape steel itself. One moment he's barehanded, the next? A fortress or a blade. The old man might grumble, but when it counts... he's solid iron."

Next, Hao nodded toward a young boy with messy light green hair and curious black eyes. The kid grinned and waved, nearly dropping the flask in his hand.

"That's Jun Jie," Hao continued.

"Mist core. He can shape it into anything—tools, weapons, even illusions. He's younger than you, but don't let that fool you. He once held off a beast twice his size using nothing but fog and guts."

Hao's eyes flicked to a calm-looking girl sitting cross-legged nearby. She had silvery-grey hair tied loosely, and her pale eyes shimmered like early morning frost.

"Ailin," he said gently.

"Light core mage. Our healer. She doesn't just mend bones—she can wipe out poison, illness, maybe even grief if she tries hard enough."

He smiled quietly.

"When we bleed, she's the reason we get back up."

Then Hao motioned to a sharp-eyed man leaning casually against a post. His deep violet hair shimmered faintly, and his pupils reflected the firelight like polished glass.

"Zhiyu," Hao said. His tone shifted slightly—serious now, almost respectful.

"Our leader. His eyes tell you everything. A mirror core—he can make anything clean, pure... and then shatter it like glass. Minds, barriers, even reality, if you push him far enough."

Finally, Hao turned toward the last figure.

A girl—barely eighteen—stood a little apart from the rest. Her crimson-red hair gleamed like burning coals, and her eyes... her eyes held cross-shaped pupils, glowing red as if they saw something beyond the veil.

Hao's voice dropped to something softer. A little awe. A little fear.

"Caixia."

He smiled crookedly.

"She's... special. Her core doesn't shape objects. It will. She can take the desire of a living being and turn it into an object… and she can take the will of a thing and give it a soul."

Lan's gaze lingered on Caixia, who gave her a nod—small, knowing, like she'd been waiting for her.

Hao leaned in, voice playful again.

"And she's the one I mentioned. The one who'll make you smile."

Lan's eyes narrowed as they lingered on Caixia. A whisper slipped past her lips, soft but laced with curiosity.

"Why does she feel... different from the rest of you?"

Caixia rose gracefully from the wooden barrel she'd been perched on, her crimson hair glowing like embers in the firelight. Without a word, she closed the distance between them — movements deliberate, feline.

She leaned in close, voice brushing against Lan's ear like silk laced with mischief.

"Mmm... Pretty girl, you forgot something."

Her fingers slid over the top of Qinglong, still clutched in Lan's grip, her touch light but knowing.

"You didn't introduce yourself. And..."

She smirked, crimson eyes locking with Lan's.

"That thing you're holding? It's… very curious."

Lan's eye twitched. Her body tensed. Then—

"I swear to every star in the damn sky—" she snapped, yanking Qinglong back and stepping away.

"If anyone calls me 'pretty girl' again, I'll personally make sure they leave this forest with broken teeth and regret in their soul!"

Caixia turned her head with a sly smile as she walked back toward the barrel she'd been lounging on. Her voice floated behind her, playful and sharp.

"Then tell us your name already, you idiot."

Lan let out a heavy sigh, clearly annoyed.

"Lan. Lan Zhao," she muttered. "Just call me Lan."

At the sound of it, a subtle shiver passed through the group. Caixia paused mid-sit, her smile growing wider.

"Now that's an interesting name," she said, voice curling with amusement. "Lan Zhao... bound to the king? Hmph. Cute."

She finally dropped onto the barrel with a dramatic plop, then leaned forward, eyes glinting.

"But what catches my interest is that weapon of yours. Come closer, pretty blade. Let's give it a body."

Lan's eyes widened, unsure if she'd heard right.

Give it… a body?

Still, something deep inside her stirred — curiosity, instinct, or maybe something stranger. She stepped forward, grip tight on Qinglong. Slowly, carefully, she offered it to Caixia.

Caixia took it gently, her hands glowing faintly as she closed her eyes. The moment her fingers wrapped around the cane-like weapon, a soft hum filled the air — then a radiant green light pulsed from Qinglong's core.

Lan staggered back as the light shot toward her, swirling with shape and motion.

It condensed — morphing midair.

In seconds, the light sculpted itself into a creature no taller than a child. About 12 to 14 inches. Its form floated above the ground: part dragon, part human. Smooth horns curled from its head, green hair shimmered like leaves in sunlight, and its glowing emerald eyes locked onto Lan's.

Then — it smiled.

"Mama… haha."

The little dragon-boy giggled and fluttered over, landing gently on Lan's shoulder like he belonged there.

Lan froze. Her heart raced. Her thoughts spiraled.

Mama? What the hell is this thing? What did I just awaken?

Her body stayed still, but her mind?

It screamed.

°°°