The fire crackled softly in the cool night air as I sat against a large tree, arms folded, keeping watch. Ziyan had fallen asleep not long ago, wrapped in her cloak, her soft breathing barely audible.
The stars above shone with a cold brilliance, but to me, they seemed distant—unreachable.
My fingers traced the edge of Heaven's End, my sword, its once-pristine blade now pulsating with the hunger for destruction. My other hand brushed against the Crimson Veil, the demonic mask fused into my very being.
The remnants of my past clawed at my mind like a ghost that refused to be exorcised.
They took everything from me.
The sect I once called home, the masters I once respected, the brothers I once fought alongside—all of them turned against me. I was cast aside like filth, betrayed, and left for dead.
Master… Ifailedyou.
A heavy breath left my lips as the bitter memories surfaced. My mind replayed the moment they struck him down, the one man who had taught me everything. His blood painted the cold stone floor, his lifeless eyes filled with unspoken words as the people he trusted the most butchered him like an animal.
I clenched my jaw. And for what? Power? Status?
I wanted to forget.
But the Crimson Veil whispered to me, feeding off the hatred buried deep in my soul.
"They laughed as they plunged the blade into his back," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "They smiled as they accused me of his murder. My own sect… my own people…" My breath came out in ragged gasps, my hands tightening into fists.
It was then that I felt it.
A hand.
Warm. Gentle. Steady.
I jolted, barely realizing that someone had moved beside me. A soft touch brushed against my fingers, untangling them from the tight grip of my own rage. My body tensed, but then a quiet voice, laced with concern, reached my ears.
"Wuyuan," Ziyan whispered.
I blinked, still half-trapped in my nightmare, and turned to face her. Her violet eyes reflected the dim light of the fire, filled with something I hadn't seen in a long time—concern.
"You were trembling," she murmured, her voice soft yet firm.
I looked down and realized my hands were shaking. My breathing was uneven, and cold sweat clung to my skin.
I tried to brush her off. "It's nothing. Go back to sleep."
Ziyan, however, didn't move away. Instead, she shifted closer and, before I could stop her, wrapped her arms around me.
I stiffened.
"You're lying," she said simply. "No one trembles like that over nothing."
Her embrace was warm, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. My first instinct was to push her away—what was this girl thinking, getting close to someone like me? But as I felt her hold tighten slightly, as if she could physically pull me back from the darkness, my resistance faded.
For the first time in years, I allowed myself to lean into someone's warmth.
She held my hand, her thumb tracing slow circles against my skin. The touch was grounding, pulling me away from the abyss that had threatened to consume me.
"You don't have to say anything," she whispered. "Just rest."
Something inside me, something I had long thought dead, stirred at her words.
I exhaled, a deep, tired breath. And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I let go.
—
The scent of roasting meat was the first thing that greeted me when I awoke.
The next was warmth.
A blanket had been placed over me. I blinked, sitting up, slightly disoriented by the unfamiliar comfort.
Ziyan was crouched by the fire, carefully turning a skewer of roasted three-horned rabbit. The golden-brown meat sizzled, juices dripping into the fire as the flames licked at the edges.
She noticed me stirring and smiled. "You're awake," she said. "Come, eat."
I pushed the blanket aside, walking over to the fire. I sat down across from her, eyeing the food.
"Did you… put that blanket on me?" I asked.
Ziyan nodded, handing me a skewer. "You fell asleep while sitting up, and you looked like you were having a nightmare. I woke up when I heard you breathing heavily."
I paused mid-bite, my grip on the skewer tightening slightly.
"You looked so afraid," she continued, her voice quieter now. "Full of despair. I couldn't just leave you like that, so I held your hand and… hugged you until you calmed down. After that, I let you sleep properly and covered you with the blanket."
My face grew hot.
I quickly turned my gaze to the fire, pretending to focus on my food. "…Thank you," I muttered. "And… I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep."
Ziyan chuckled. "I told you, no need to apologize."
Before I could say another word, obnoxious laughter suddenly rang in my mind.
"Hahaha! Lookatthis! ThegreatMoWuyuan, fearedacrosstheland, isblushingoveragirl!" the spirit in the Crimson Veil cackled.
The spirit in Heaven's End joined in, its laughter even more exaggerated.
"Unbelievable! Thisman, whocutdownahundredcultivatorswithoutbattinganeye, isspeechlessbecauseawomanhuggedhim!"
Crimson Veil added with a teasing hum, "DoIsensetheflamesofromancebeginningtoburn?"
"Perhapsourdeardemonhasaheartafterall!" Heaven's End chimed.
I clenched my jaw, my face burning. "Shut up."
"Aiyah, noneedtobeshy, youngmaster! Ifthiscontinues, ImighthavetostartcallingherMistressWuyuan," Crimson Veil teased.
"You two really have nothing better to do, huh?" I muttered, taking a large bite of my food just to ignore them.
Ziyan gave me a confused look. "Are you… talking to your spirits?"
I sighed, exasperated. "Unfortunately."
She smiled. "They seem to like teasing you."
"They seem to have nothing better to do," I corrected.
Ziyan giggled, taking a bite of her own food. "I think it's nice."
I raised a brow. "That they mock me?"
She shook her head. "That you have them. That you're not truly alone."
(Darkness drifts so gently, starlight flickering like your eyes)
(The crimson fire flickers, warming our frozen hearts)
(We sit so close together, yet don't dare to hold hands)
(Our hearts are trembling, yet neither of us speaks)
The flames crackled between us, casting a golden glow over Ziyan's face. She glanced at me, a small smile playing at her lips as she saw me lost in thought.
"You've gotten quiet," she said teasingly.
I looked up, momentarily caught off guard by the way the firelight reflected in her eyes.
"…Just thinking," I admitted.
Ziyan tilted her head, her smile never fading. "About what?"
(That gaze of yours, gentle like a dream)
(Unspoken words, lingering like the moonlight)
"Nothing important," Wuyuan said quickly, looking away.
Ziyan let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head.
"You're terrible at lying, you know that?"
I sighed. "Maybe."
She picked up a small twig and poked at the fire, watching the embers rise into the night sky. "Do you think the stars ever feel lonely?" she mused.
I glanced up at the endless sky. "…No. I think they shine because they know someone is watching them."
Ziyan turned back to me, warmth in her gaze.
"Then, should I shine brighter for you?" she whispered playfully.
My heart skipped a beat.
(The fire burns, in the quiet of the night)
(Keeping warm, for a heart of ice)
(If I were a distant star, would you remember me?)
(Even if a hundred years pass, I would still wait for you)
The flames flickered, casting shadows that danced between us.
I exhaled, finally allowing myself to meet her gaze.
"You're strange," I murmured.
Ziyan blinked. "Strange?"
"Most people would be scared of me," I said.
She smiled. "Should I be?"
"Probably."
She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. "Well, I'm not."
I studied her for a long moment. The silence stretched between us—not uncomfortable, but heavy with something neither of us dared to name.
(If one day, the wind takes us far apart)
(I will still wait here, like the moon waits for the night)
Ziyan let out a soft laugh. "You're blushing again."
I frowned. "I am not."
"You are," she said, pointing at his face.
I huffed, looking away, but I could still hear the laughter in her voice.
For the first time in a long while, the weight in my chest felt a little lighter.
I didn't say it aloud, but deep down, I hoped this moment would last just a little longer.
(If there is a next life, will we find each other again?)
(Beneath the stars tonight, I only wish to hold onto this moment…)
Before I could respond, both spirits suddenly cut their laughter short. Their tones shifted immediately.
"Wuyuan," Crimson Veil murmured, its voice now sharp and serious. "Heaven'sEnd, doyousenseit?"
"Yes," the sword spirit confirmed. "Threecultivatorsapproaching. TwoofthemareattheLow-rankHeavenlyLordStage. Thethirdisatthesamecultivationlevelasthegirl."
My expression darkened instantly. I placed my food down and stood, my senses stretching out to the approaching figures.
Ziyan noticed my change in demeanor and was immediately alert. "Enemies?"
I unsheathed Heaven's End. The blade hummed, as if eager for blood.
"If they are," I said coldly, "they picked the worst possible time."
The wind shifted.
The presence of the three cultivators
became clearer.
They were closing in.