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Fractured Bonds

  Xu Wang’s senses returned slowly, his body aching as if crushed beneath a mountain. Cold stone pressed against his cheek, rough and unyielding. He forced his eyes open, his vision swimming before the darkness receded, revealing the ruins of the forbidden chamber.

  The ancient walls were fractured, the carvings of dragons and celestial beings shattered. Shadows clung to the rubble, wisps of darkness whispering through the air. In the center of the destruction y Li Wang, her body curled on the cracked floor, motionless.

  Panic surged through Xu as he scrambled to her side. “Li! Li, wake up!” He shook her gently, his hands trembling. Her skin was cold, her face pale, but her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths.

  Relief flooded him, but it was fleeting. Her aura was faint, flickering like a dying fme. The shadows that had consumed her were gone, but a lingering darkness clung to her Qi, corrupting its flow.

  Xu’s heart tightened as he cradled her in his arms. “Li... please... come back to me.”

  Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, then sharpening as they met his. “Xu...?” Her voice was fragile, a whisper on the cold air.

  He smiled, tears stinging his eyes. “Yeah... I’m here. You’re safe now.”

  A flicker of pain crossed her face as she tried to sit up, her body trembling. Xu supported her, his grip firm but gentle. “Don’t push yourself. You’ve been through...” His voice faltered, the memory of her twisted expression, the possessiveness in her eyes, fshing before him.

  She lowered her gaze, shame coloring her cheeks. “I... I lost control again, didn’t I?” Her fingers curled into fists, her shoulders shaking. “I hurt you... I tried to trap you... like a monster.”

  Xu tightened his hold on her, his voice firm. “No. You’re not a monster. Whatever that darkness is... it’s not you. It’s controlling you.”

  Li’s eyes widened, fear and guilt swirling within them. “But... it felt like me. Those feelings... that possessiveness... I... I wanted to keep you close. I was so afraid of losing you... and it twisted everything.”

  Xu’s chest tightened as he remembered her words, the desperation in her voice. “No one will take you from me... not even fate itself.”

  He pced his hand over hers, his fingers warm against her cold skin. “We’ll find a way to fix this. Together. I won’t let you face this alone.”

  A tear slipped down her cheek, her lips trembling. “Even after everything I did... you still...”

  Xu’s smile was gentle. “You once saved me from despair. Now it’s my turn to save you.”

  Her eyes widened, the memories surfacing—the day she found him broken and lost, vowing to never leave his side. She remembered the warmth of his smile, the light he brought into her world.

  The darkness inside her stirred, a whisper echoing in her mind. He’ll leave you... just like they all did...

  Li’s body tensed, her fingers digging into Xu’s arm. “Xu... what if... what if I can’t control it? What if I hurt you again?”

  His gaze was steady, unwavering. “Then I’ll be here to bring you back. Every time. No matter how long it takes.”

  A sob escaped her, the dam breaking as she buried her face against his chest, her tears soaking his robes. Xu held her close, his heart aching at her pain, his resolve hardening.

  He wouldn’t let this darkness take her. He would fight for her, just as she had fought for him.

  But as the shadows danced around them, whispering in the ruins of the forbidden chamber, Xu felt a presence watching, cold and malicious. The same voice that had cimed Li echoed faintly, mocking his resolve.

  You can’t save her... she belongs to me...

  Xu’s jaw clenched, his Anahata Qi fring within him, repelling the shadows. “I don’t care who you are. I’ll save her... and I’ll destroy you.”

  The presence faded, but the cold lingered, a reminder of the darkness still clinging to Li’s soul.

  Xu lifted her into his arms, his determination unwavering. He would find a way to free her from this curse. Even if it meant facing the Sun Cn’s secrets... and the prophecy that threatened to tear them apart.

  As he carried her out of the ruins, his mind raced with questions. Who was the voice that controlled the shadows? What did it want with Li? And why did it feel so familiar... as if it was connected to the prophecy itself?

  Xu’s grip tightened around Li as she slept, her face peaceful despite the turmoil within.

  No matter what it took, he would protect her.

  Even if it meant defying fate itself.

  To be continued....

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