Risky Choice Part 2

Asaad took a deep breath, preparing to lower the body.

He bent his knees and adjusted his stance to balance the weight.

Carefully, he shifted Fang Xuan from his shoulder, guiding it down gently. The cold, hard surface brushed against his arm and side as it descended.

THUD!

The body hit the ground with a resounding thud that echoed through the cave.

"How heavy is that thing?" Demrah exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she noticed the ground was actually dented by its weight.

"It's really heavy," Asaad replied with a hint of pride in his voice. "I had to use my Qi the entire way here just to carry him."

"Are you seriously bragging right now?" She rolled her eyes, unable to believe his laid back and casual attitude.

Didn't he find it odd that it was too heavy?

Demrah knew Asaad often missed important details, but this was pushing it.

'Forget it,' She sighed in frustration and knelt beside the rigid body. She touched the cold, rough surface, which felt metallic.

"This isn't normal," she muttered. "People don't just turn to stone like this. Are you sure he's not cursed?"

He crossed his arms, pondering. "I'm not sure. Maybe it's a reaction to his cultivation technique?"

She paused, her mind racing with possibilities. "Let's not assume it's just a simple reaction. This could be a trap."

He shrugged, trying to offer reassurance. "I don't think he's dangerous. He's just a kid that wanted to live,"

She raised an eyebrow, skepticism clear on her face. "Even if he was just protecting himself, we can't ignore the potential risks. It's not just about whether he's dangerous now; it's about what he might become or attract in the future."

"You're overthinking it," he grumbled.

"This going nowhere. I won't argue anymore," she said, sounding tired. "But we need to move quickly. The longer we stay here, the more danger we're in."

Asaad nodded and glanced around the cave. "Let's rest for a bit, then we'll leave. I'll keep watch."

She hesitated, casting another uneasy glance at Fang Xuan's stone-like body.

Something about it unsettled her, though she couldn't pinpoint why.

With a final sigh, she turned away, trying to push her worries aside.

Asaad sat near the cave entrance, his eyes fixed on the darkness outside.

The cave was silent except for the occasional drip of water echoing in the stillness.

Despite not fully understanding why, he felt a strange connection to the boy.

Maybe it was because Fang Xuan reminded him of the kids he used to protect back home.

Whatever the reason, he believed he had made the right choice, even if it meant taking a risk.

As the hours passed, Demrah leaned against the cool stone wall, closing her eyes in an attempt to relax.

But, deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

She glanced at Fang Xuan's body one last time, memorizing every detail.

'What are you?' she wondered to herself before finally falling asleep.