Getting Closer I

We should be very close now... It's almost time for our arrival.

As I walk with the reins in hand, lost in thoughts, Qin Luo states at me recalling all the things I told him to have seen in the past days.

~"

-And your Master believes it has to come from some pleace real?-

-Yes, at first I wasn't sure myself, but after a few other occurrences like those I am now sure- I told him

-But this is crazy... You...- he ruffled his hairs stressed before seating beside me, lowering his voice

-You really asked the Emperor to send you here just based on suppositions?! I can't believe someone could be so foolish yet brave at the same time.

Lai'Er...

This is war we are talking about, it's not something to take lightly... You're not just searching for a lost item here, looking in different places untill you find it... If you fail once, you're dead- he tries to take my hands but I move away

-I know and I'm ready-

-I don't doubt that...

Ah nevermind, tell me again what you saw-

-A malicious black mountain where one of the enemy's bases has been placed, two men who discovered it tried to make a move on it but went missing...

I know, don't give me that look Liutenant... I am sure of both its existence and our possibility of victory-

-Even if it's true... It's still difficult to believe your abilities. But I guess it can't be helped... You even started a fire out of the blue for lunch-

"~

Apparently my abilities are getting a bit more stable... I can lightly control the elements and those visions in my mind are more clear too.

~"

-Qin Luo!- I yelled running toward him as he was bathing during the night

-Uh?- he turned to face me before leaving the water, coming forward to grab a towel and tie it over his hips to cover his nudity

-What's wrong?- he asked while securing the knot

-It happened again.

But it was weird... I clearly saw the base but a dark shadow fell upon it-

-What do you mean shadow...?- he crossed his arms with wide eyes

-I cannot really explain it... Uhm... The air was heavy and static.

Difficult to breath and think straight...- I shook my head -It felt so wrong, as if...-

-As if it wasn't human?- he finished my sentence and I nodded in reply

-I don't really know what expect us there but... I'll be guarding your back Lai'Er, I promise-

-Thanks... I will not let you risk anything either, if my strength allows me...- I spoke the last few words as a whisper, looking at my hands...

He grabbed those to stop me from feeling weak, forcing me to look him in the eyes -You can do it-

"~

Same as I am doing now...

"I promise I'll burn down that place and save us both" I clench my fists, feeling the burning desire, before a voice calls me over

-Lai'Er?-

-Oh? Sorry I was just thinking too much...-

-Look up... There- Qin Luo points out, the trees finally dissipating as we leave the half burned forest.

As my vision gets free from falling leaves and branches, I see it in the horizon...

A black peak in the distance!

My eyes widen in surprise as some of the other men murmur, concerned at the astonishing yet disturbing sight.

It is fully black and tall... As an evil Monarch ruling over us with malicious intentions

It creates an uneasy feeling deep inside of the men... But that's exactly where I am headed

-It's exactly as you described it...- murmurs Qin Luo

-Mhn...-

-It does seems like you where right indeed, now it's just a matter of time... And luck-

-And we will need a lot of that-

As darkness falls we begin to arrange our things for the night.

The food is tasteless as always and the men even more silent... War is now a really in their brains, we're going to fight while some of us are going to die eventually.

-It's getting too cold- Qin Luo tries to warm himself up, bending down in front of the fire -Are you sure you still want to bathe at night? If you catch a cold...-

-I won't-

-Uh?-

-The water is weird, It gets warmer when I'm inside... Maybe it's my fault- I chuckle leaving in the blink of an eye as he stands up, yelling in my direction -Then heat up my water too sometimes!-

...

I step in the water and soon after it warme up for me to clean myself...

After I'm done I dress up and go to seat over a rock, staring at the surface of the water...

I take some time to cultivate

-How is she doing?-

"XianLen's voice?"

I can hear his voice somehow, but the answer comes after some time and a few annoyed sighs

-She's find don't worry... She's cultivating now-

That voice...! It's that melodic voice again!!

"But... How does know...?"

I stand up right away looking around -Who's there?!-

-Was that her voice?!- asks XianLen full of hope but the other man only nods

-She's getting stronger uh? Lai'Er if you can hear me remember to come back victorious!-

-What the...- I get taken aback

-Shut up!- growls the other man, warning the Prince

I catch a glimpse of light reflecting the moonlight beneath the water's surface and as my eyes fall in that direction, whoever person was there begin swimming away, but I jump off the rock and begin running to catch up...

As I speed up I see something in the water... A white figure as fast as a fish.

As he speeds up I do too, and I still manage to keep up with him until I find my way blocked by the rock wall of a Mountain... The water apparently continue underneath, so I take a deep breath and jump to swim under the surface.

Soon after I lose track of that person and search for an exit.

I am trained well, but I will eventually need to breath air soon...

I swim up but nothing, I'm still beneath the cold rocks...

I cannot see anything either and my heart begin pounding faster.

I try to remain calm and think rationally, but it is quite difficult.

I would die soffucated before I make it back outside, so would that man... Alas, there must be a way out coseby...

My strength begin to shiver and a small bubble of air leaves my mouth...

-Gh...!-

I venture deeply in the cold waters with no success... My consciousness is slipping away...

I become slower sn slower untill being unable to move anymore...

"The mountain... I cannot fail and... Die here"

I feel an hand close on my wrist and drag me somewhere as my vision gets blurry for the lack of oxygen...

...

I open my eyes wide, finding a figure hovering upon me.

I stand up seated coughing heavily... In my distraction the man tries to sneak away but I grab him instinctively, still catching my breath

-Who... Are... You?-

He turns his face away to not face me

-I asked you a question!- I yell as my confidence comes back...

But no answer.

I take a few blinks to focus my vision...

White see through clothes... Silvery water coloured hair and golden pendants all over

-You... You are that guy! But you hair... How? Uhm...- I bite my bottom lip -Thanks... For saving me.

I didn't mean any harm, I just... Wanted to discover who you are... I heard you talking with XianLen-

He shakes his head so I stand up, letting him go

-Can you at least let me see your face?- I ask moving toward his left side to take a peek, but he turns on the other side so do I

-Come on... At least let me know who saved me!

Ah I feel so ashamed now! I never get myself in trouble normally... I'm sorry-

He chuckles before regaining his cool

-Was that funny...?-

I fake going toward him, before turning the opposite direction and as I face him I reach both my hands to cup his face

I freeze

His eyes are not new to me...

The face is not exactly the same, but those eyes cannot lie...

He could be a man and yet a boy, fragile yet strong... But the cold sadness in those serious eyes belong to -... Linghe...-

I let him go, shocked, and he turns his back to me with an harsh movement beginning to walk away

-Who are you... Really?-

He stops and take a deep breath -Nobody you actually know... Even if you seems to think differently-

His voice is the same one who schoked me from head to toe that night... Ringing like a Crystal bell all over the place, like a music but still firm and demanding.

But how can he be here if that time I was at the Len residence...?

And he was talking with the Prince both times... This isn't my usual cultivation connection.

-Since I am here let me tell you this... Follow the darkness, but don't let it deceive you-

I close, my eyes breathing a few times before speaking again -... What's that supposed to mean?-

I rise my eyes to where he was standing just a second ago, but nobody is there