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1036 Words
Chapter 2: Shadows in the Dark Forest
Dawn broke bitterly for Leo. The bruises on his body throbbed, a tangible reminder of his vulnerability. But what gnawed at his mind even more was the scroll of paper now hidden within his robes.
Who had sent it? Was it a sincere warning, or a trap to lure him out?
Had the spies of the Gods already infiltrated the sect, watching his every move?
His mind spun like a cartwheel when a senior disciple came to deliver a message.
"Leo. Elder Caspian summons you to the Main Hall. Now."
Leo's heart pounded, but he nodded obediently. "Yes, Senior."
The Main Hall was majestic and silent, filled with the calming scent of incense. Elder Caspian sat on a high platform, his face as unreadable as a statue.
"Leo," said Elder Caspian, his voice echoing the room's silence. "Tell me what happened yesterday. Leave nothing hidden."
Leo bowed his head, playing his part perfectly. "Elder... this disciple begs for forgiveness. This disciple... could not control his anger upon seeing Finn harmed."
"It is not your anger I question," interjected Elder Caspian, his eyes narrowing. "But the strange power you used. Marco's wound is no ordinary injury. It was as if his blood was pulled from his body. That is no normal cultivation technique."
It was then that Leo decided to play his card. As a god who had once played conspiracies on a cosmic level, lying to a sect Elder was child's play. He lifted his face, deliberately letting his eyes well up with tears.
"That... that is this disciple's family curse, Elder," he said, his voice feigning a tremble. "It is called Primordial Hemokinesis. A f*******n ancestral heritage. The technique is unstable—this disciple cannot control it. My family forbade its use because it often backfires and harms the user." He took a dramatic breath."Yesterday... this disciple accidentally triggered it. This disciple is guilty of hiding this matter."
Elder Caspian listened quietly, his face remaining impassive. He stood and walked towards Leo, circling him like an eagle observing its prey.
"An ancient heritage..." he murmured. "Which family do you hail from, Leo?"
"A small, unknown family from the remote borders, Elder. This disciple's family name is not worthy of mention." Leo bowed again, hiding the tension in his eyes.
"Impressive," Elder Caspian suddenly hissed, startling Leo. "You speak fluently, but your eyes... your eyes are like those of an old soldier who has seen too many battles. They do not suit a youth."
Leo froze. Could Elder Caspian see through his disguise?
But Elder Caspian only sighed. "Very well. Whatever it is, your unstable power is a threat to the sect. You require... extra supervision." He returned to his seat. "Today, the herbal gathering team will depart for the Darkmist Forest. You will join them."
Leo's heart sank. It was a death sentence disguised as a mission.
"Elder, this disciple—"
"This is not a request, Leo," Elder Caspian cut in, his voice firm. "Consider this a test. Prove that you can control yourself and be useful to the sect. Or..." He didn't finish the sentence, but the threat hung in the air.
"This disciple understands," Leo finally said, bowing deeply.
As he turned to leave, Elder Caspian's voice sounded again, lower than before. "And Leo... be wary of the shadows in the forest. Some of them may be more dangerous than monsters."
The warning made the hairs on Leo's neck stand up. Did Elder Caspian also know something?
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The journey to the Darkmist Forest was grim. The team consisted of three senior disciples who were clearly displeased with his presence.
"Don't get in our way, 'Cripple'," grumbled a senior named Rylan as they walked. "We don't have time to babysit you."
"Will you use your 'demonic art' again if we encounter wolves, Leo?" taunted another, Garth, with a snickering laugh.
Leo ignored them, his mind still filled with the mysterious message and Elder Caspian's warning. Who was the real threat?
"Perhaps you should return to the sect, Leo," Rylan said condescendingly. "This forest is no place for the likes of you."
"This disciple will strive not to be a burden, Senior," Leo replied politely, suppressing his anger.
Once they entered the forest, the atmosphere changed drastically. Sunlight barely penetrated the dense canopy, creating a world of eerie shadows and light. The sounds of distant wild beasts echoed, and the air felt damp and heavy.
"Let's split up," Rylan ordered. "You, Leo, search only in this area. Don't go too far. We wouldn't want to lose you." His words were laden with sarcasm.
Leo nodded and began 'searching' for herbs, but in reality, his senses were on high alert. Every rustle of leaves made him tense. Who had sent the message? Were they watching him now?
Suddenly, he felt it.
A warmth that touched his frozen soul. A trace of pure light he could never forget. Seraphina's Pure Soul.
His heart raced. Holding his breath, he slipped through the trees, following the aura.
And he saw her.
In a sun-dappled clearing, a group of Skysword Sect disciples in silver-blue uniforms were training. And among them, like a flower blooming amidst snow, was Seraphina. She was laughing, helping a junior disciple correct their posture. Her radiance captivated him.
"She..." Leo whispered, overwhelmed by a wave of memories.
Suddenly, a vigilant Skysword disciple pointed in his direction. "Hey! Who's there?!"
Seraphina turned, and for the first time in thousands of years, their eyes met.
The world seemed to stop. Leo froze, mesmerized by her gaze.
Across the clearing, Seraphina's clear blue eyes met Leo's stunned gaze from behind the bushes. A thousand years of pain, longing, and regret flowed torrentially in that single glance. Leo could scarcely believe it. She was here. Alive.
But before a single word could be spoken, a sharp warning cry shattered the silence.
"Wolves! Bloodfang Wolfpack! Prepare yourselves!"
From behind the trees on the opposite side of the clearing—not from Leo's direction—a large pack of blood-fanged wolves burst forth with fierce howls. They immediately charged the now-chaotic Skysword group, turning the peaceful training ground into a disordered battlefield.
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