Soulbound Destiny

Chapter 13: Never Abandon

Gene knew he could not afford to lose consciousness. If he passed out, the blood would drain from his body, and death would come swiftly.

Through gritted teeth, he tore at the clothes of the bandit leader, desperately trying to bind the deep gash on his back. But the wound was far too severe—blood poured endlessly, soaking his hands and the ground beneath him. Panic clawed at his chest as he rifled through the bodies, hoping to find some medicinal salve or bandages, yet there was nothing. His vision blurred. Darkness crept in at the edges of his sight.

Then, in a moment of bleak desperation, his eyes fell upon the dying embers of the fire. A crude method, known to peasants and villagers, came to mind—ash from burned plants. It could staunch bleeding, if only temporarily.

With agonizing effort, he crawled toward the fire, pushing aside the glowing coals. Every step seared his hands and knees, but he ignored the burn. Clenching his teeth, he pressed the mixture of ash and embers directly against the raw wound on his back.

Pain exploded through his body like molten iron. He screamed, his voice echoing in the empty inn, and the world turned black. His consciousness slipped away under the relentless agony.

Time passed in a haze of unconsciousness. When he awoke, the residual warmth of the fire pressed against his face. With a groan, he struggled upright, seeing that the ash, now mixed with blood, had miraculously slowed the flow. Every breath was a struggle.

Still trembling from pain, he tore the bandit’s clothing into strips, using them to tightly wrap the wound. Each coil of cloth seemed to drain the last remnants of his strength, but he forced himself to finish the task. His body quivered with exhaustion, but he had bought himself a chance to survive.

He turned to Ling Yue, lying unconscious beside him. Her chest rose and fell weakly, and he knew they could not remain in this place soaked in death and blood. Survival meant leaving immediately, no matter how difficult.

The next morning, Ling Yue stirred. Her eyes opened to the ruined inn and the horrifying gash on Gene’s back. Recognition and disbelief flashed across her face.

“Did you… do this?” Her voice trembled, barely audible.

“There was no one else,” Gene said, forcing a crooked, tired smile.

“You…” Ling Yue began, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, a long, complex sigh escaped her lips.

Supporting each other, they began the slow, painstaking journey again. The horses the bandits had tied nearby had been torn apart by wolves, leaving only a few scraps of dry provisions.

Each step was agony. Every movement jolted their injuries. Ling Yue’s fever surged repeatedly, leaving her shivering and weak. Gene, drained of blood, felt the chill seep into his bones.

“You… go on without me,” Ling Yue whispered again, breathless. “Leave me behind.”

“I told you,” Gene gritted his teeth, clutching her hand tighter, “I will never abandon you.”

She said nothing more, leaning heavily against him, allowing her weight to depend entirely on his strength.

Rain began to fall, soaking them to the skin. Eventually, they found shelter in a small cave. Gene carefully cleaned Ling Yue’s wounds and applied the last of their medicinal ointments. Night fell, but her fever persisted, and her body shook with cold. Gene removed his half-damp outer jacket and draped it over her, shivering as he sat beside the weak fire, determined to keep watch, no matter how miserable the cold and exhaustion.

In that miserable, rain-soaked night, Gene vowed silently: no matter the pain, no matter the odds, he would never leave her side.