Yun led the group through the dense forest, her sharp eyes scanning every shadow. The air was heavy, and the twilight-colored sky cast everything in a ghostly glow. Aric trailed closely behind, fingers resting on the hilts of his daggers.
"I still can't believe Roy let those idiots jump him," Aric muttered.
Yun chuckled. "He made it out. That's what matters."
Roy, walking alongside Liora behind them, huffed. 'Seriously? Saved Liora, broke two ribs, and all they remember is the ambush? Unbelievable.'
Liora exhaled, her eyes scanning the terrain. "Less chatting, more watching. We don't know who or what else is nearby."
Suddenly, a screech tore through the air—long, sharp, and full of malice. The group immediately froze.
"That's not a beast," Yun said, drawing her blade. "That was a demon."
They sprinted toward the sound, cresting a slope just in time to witness a chaotic scene—three disciples scrambling for their lives as two grotesque, sickly-skinned demons with venom-soaked claws closed in.
Yun leapt without hesitation, her sword slicing clean through a demon's arm. "Need a hand?" she said with a wicked grin.
Aric landed beside her, blades whirling in a flurry. "Let's not make this a habit."
Roy charged in with a shout, his fist connecting with a sickening crunch. Liora raised her arm, flames spiraling into a burning chain that coiled around the remaining demon and yanked violently.
In moments, the battle was over. Two demon corpses lay smoking on the forest floor.
The trio of disciples collapsed to their knees, panting hard.
"You're safe now," Yun said, wiping her blade clean. "But you're not from the weaker sects, are you?"
One of the rescued disciples—tall, pale, and clearly rattled—spoke between breaths. "We're from the Iron Blood Sect… We were ambushed… Radiant Sun Sect and Thunder Valley Sect teamed up to eliminate us. We barely escaped."
Aric's brows furrowed. "Two top sects ganging up on another? That's not a tournament. That's an extermination."
The second disciple added, "We didn't even know they'd allied. They were waiting in the trees… picked off half our group."
Yun narrowed her eyes. "So the top sects are already moving in packs. Not good."
Just then, the air pulsed around them, heavy and cold. A shadow shifted at the edge of the trees.
A young man emerged—tall, calm, and terrifying. His eyes glowed faintly with a haunting purple, and a slow, deliberate smile spread across his lips.
"Well, well. That made things easier. I was hoping I'd have to hunt you longer."
Roy's fists clenched. "Let me guess… another 'friendly visitor'?"
Aric sighed, fingers twitching near his daggers. "Why do the creepy ones always monologue first?"
Liora raised her hand, flame flickering dangerously. "Shall we interrupt him?"
Yun stepped forward, sword raised. "No need. I think he's about to skip the talking."
[To be continued..…..]