Nightmares (3)

Enduring threatening pain makes a man ascend...

A brisk and brutal flash of light through the sky. Another pagoda is struck mercilessly.

Xiao Yuer yelped, gripping the tendril beside him tight as his pagoda welcomed a tremor. He knew he wouldn't dare act rash or he would end up being a meal for flesh craving spiders.

Wind violently face slapped him silly, fluttering his silver hair with their harsh movement. Yet, Xiao Yuer held the tendrils tight. His eyes scouting for the very next pagoda to take over. And when he found one, he exhaled, his gaze fixed on it.

CRACK!

After getting struck by lightning, it was his pagoda's turn to pummel straight into the raging waters. Web-like cracks began to form over the his pagoda, Replica to how they formed on the lady's who died moments ago. Xiao Yuer stood firm despite his pagoda trembling again. His grip on the tendrils became tighter, while his heart pounded harder in his chest.

No matter what crazy act was happening all around him, Xiao Yuer's last wish was to die, so he wouldn't give up easily for the meantime!

The weather to Xiao Yuer seemed like it had become fiercer and more violent. The rising Ocean turbulent began to smack his pagoda, heavier and heavier that anytime a crumb of Xiao yuer's pagoda fell, those merciless creatures quickly tore them into shreds. Screeching loudly into the air, and wickedly smashing his pagoda.

This procedure had lasted for a few more minutes before Xiao Yuer could feel an impending doom approaching. His pagoda was about to crumble into the waters.

Firstly, it started as a light tremor, then, almost immediately, it escalated to a serious tremor. Piece after piece, the pagoda lost it's parts while it's proportion reduced, sinking deeper into the raging waters.

Xiao Yuer stumbled a bit, exclaiming beneath his breath, while his grip on the tendril never quavered. His lashes fixed on the spot he aimed to take over, then he took a deep breath and exhaled.

It was now... Or never...

With Cracks and a _BOOM!_ sound, Xiao yuer's pagoda disintegrated into pieces before falling quickly right into the raging waters. Malevolent screeching sounds came up again as those beasts quickly overthrew this concrete shards into nothingness, quite surprised and awaiting the dish that could've followed.

One... Two... Three...

Xiao Yuer counted within himself before preparing a heinous swing he was going to perform. It was either a do or die affair. One he hoped that would be fruitful. Five... Six... Seven...

He gathered momentum and swooshed himself backwards with all his might.

Xiao Yuer felt his spirit almost elope his body as his Silver eyes caught sight of the raging depth beneath him. His heart thundered heavily, almost as par to the violent rage of his environment, while he took a to and fro swing.

... Nine... Ten...

SWOOSH!

Xiao Yuer's grip left the tendrils, sending himself flying through the air like a rocket.

Ignorant of his strands of swirling silver hair, he flew towards his targeted pagoda at an immense speed. Fists wrapped into a tight ball, while his arm stretched forward. The pitter pattering of rainfall embracing his soaked outfit clutching his skin and revealing his svelte frame, irksomely.

Eleven....

A magnificent bolt of lightning shot across the air menacingly, chopping clean Xiao yuer's tendril which fell straight into the water. A deafening thunder followed. Then a scurrying splutter of water followed right after as water spiders even struggled to feast on a Vine tendril perhaps.

But, however, as the case may be, the youth was already clean in the air. Dashing gracefully before knocking out a confused lady who stood atop a higher, stronger and more towering pagoda. Xiao fell flat on the pagoda with a thud. His lips parting a hurtful groan.

Due to the nature of a pagoda and having fallen at a wrong side after knocking over the lady, Xiao Yuer struggled with the sliding roof of the pagoda, before ending up at one of the angles above the pagoda. Where he stabled himself.

Breathes hitched, chest lowered and raised. Silver eyes widened and clouds escaped his lips. From this lady's pagoda view which was quite high, with horror written allover his face, Xiao Yuer watched the falling lady of the pagoda scream endlessly before her body covered in hanfu got shredded. Bit by bit, limbs by limbs, her beautiful yellow hanfu soaked in crimson colours.

A painful feminine scream echoed before she was all devoured.

"Haah... Haah... May your soul be received in heaven."

After witnessing this gruelling sight, Xiao Yuer scrambled back to a more stable part atop his pagoda before holding the tendril right above it.

As Xiao Yuer glanced around to survey his current position, he couldn't tell whether he was sweating in fear, or the pitter patter of rain really soaked him. He wiped his face with his soaked up cloth before sneezing. The more violent the wind, the colder Xiao Yuer felt until his body began to quiver faintly. His fingers which were wrapped around the tendril... shaking.

Xiao was aware that he was quite tolerant to a chilly weather. However, the temperature within this environment had grossly dropped due to the breeze that blew.

Cold.... Cold...

The only thought now occupying his brain, while he scouted for the nearest pagoda to hop on if he's got struck again.

Just as Xiao Yuer finally found one, the peril decided to revisit it again. And so, his pagoda was struck down again, but he was fortunate enough to knock out another lady.

=========================

Darkness embraced the environment like a cloak, but not withstanding, the town of Wuzhen was still lively even at night. Paper lanterns with intricate dragon designs were lit up and hung above every house structure. Casting a warm orange golden glow over the streets and houses.

Chatting continued while people walked in ones, twos, threes heading to wherever they wanted, despite the warning that had been passed on earlier. An extermination of a malevolent being was about to occur, hence, everyone was to return back home immediately.

But as naughty as some were, they still decided to roam around the streets.

Within a large courtyard surrounded by standing lamps and hung paper lanterns. A warm radiant of golden casted over Long Haoyu's face, while his eyes reflected the glows that fell on it. He stood magnificently in a black and red hanfu that poised his features to that of a ninja. From the look of things, one could obviously tell that he was waiting for something or someone, and was almost running impatient.

'They are supposed to detect something by now. What is taking them Soo long? ' Jaws lightly raised, the rays of moon making his pale skin glisten palely. His pupils now reflecting dim silver colours. Then, he lowered his gaze.

Perhaps he should wait for them a little longer...

Metres behind him a crocheted wooden door slid open and a beautiful lady in an all green hanfu came out. Long black hair cascading neatly behind her back. Her skin maintained it's flawlessness but her lips were pressed together. Princess Fei Fei took gentle steps over steps then approached Long Haoyu. Standing by his side, she looked at his face then faced their courtyards entrance which was located metres away.

The atmosphere was silent before a voice broke through it.

"You should go inside and sleep. It's getting late princess. And the night is dark and dreary. " Long Haoyu sensed her presence and did not look at her as he spoke. His masculine voice... Deep. "I don't want to be held accountable for any casualty, or loss of a noble."

Princess Fei Fei looked at him in disbelief and sighed. She pouted afterwards and folded her arms." I am not that weak, if you think of me as such. "

Long Haoyu just nodded." Then I'll leave you to your choice, because I do not speak twice."

Princess Fei Fei widened her eyes and glared at him menacingly. She wanted to speak but a Puff sound, followed by a burst of black sparkles interrupted her.

A man cladded in a black outfit appeared out of thin air before bowing in respect. "Greetings senior master."

"Right on time."

Long Haoyu went straight to the point. "Any strange phenomenon spotted using the Reverent Compass? Any abnormalities?"

"No, senior master. Nothing was spotted."

Long Haoyu's brows creased. Thick lashes lowered, casting a shadow above his orby pupils." Nothing? "

"Yes senior master."

Confusedly, princess Fei Fei watched them both in silence. However, she focused more on Long Haoyu's side profile which exuded masculinity and coolness even though he seemed confused.

'I wonder if he ever realizes how handsome he is. Such a pity he isn't a swindler, I should have loved him hard for that. His mighty figure embroidered with those beautiful pale skin makes me crazy." Princess Fei Fei thought before her face dropped.' Well, unfortunately, he doesn't ever notice my attraction towards him. So I'll hoard it all to myself '

PUFF!

An obsidian staff with red swirling delicate designs marked on it appeared out of thin air after a burst of red sparkles. It appeared within Long Haoyu's grip then struck the ground, releasing a burst of red wave. Ignorant of a gentle breeze which carressed his black hair, a sigh left his lips.

He would try activate his natural ability of Horizon though it would delay his sight from healing fully.

Long Haoyu vanished in an instant from his current position and appeared above the fence of their courtyard.

Princess Fei Fei peeked over at long Haoyu, then to the man beside her."What does he want to do?" She asked. Her beauteous face surprised.

"Ahh..." The questioned man started, before glancing in admiration at Long Haoyu's frame who surveyed the environment beyond their courtyard's wall.

Then he answered."He wants to activate his ability of Horizon." However, being a great fanboy of long Haoyu's greatness and unachievable feats, he continued blabbering. Sparkles of immense respect flickering his pupils. " Having been the only upcoming shadowmeld disciple to survive the dreariness of the 'Cave of wavering horrors', he gained this ability to spot the presence of evil beings though it is said to depend on his emotions..."

Fei Fei paused and turned to the speaker." Emotions? "

" Yes. " The man answered.

Then, almost immediately, a burst of red waves flickering with sparkles swept throughout their environment with an icy aura.

Above the fence, was Long Haoyu. His body surrounded by glows of red while red sparkles and mists swirled around him in a serpentine manner that he looked frightening to an extent.

Long Haoyu's eyes which were closed at before that moment, parted open. His pupils smothering red in colour as they glew.

============================

Word of the day.

Hanfu: Chinese outfit.

(⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡ᕦ⁠(⁠ ⁠⊡⁠ ⁠益⁠ ⁠⊡⁠ ⁠)⁠ᕤ