Darkness clung to Xu Wang, cold and suffocating. He could feel Li's presence beside him, her fingers entwined with his, yet her grip was like iron, unyielding. Her face was serene, her eyes glowing faintly as shadows danced around them, reflecting an affection that felt both familiar and terrifying.
He struggled to breathe, his chest tightening. Memories of their childhood flooded his mind—days spent laughing under the sun, nights spent stargazing, sharing dreams of adventure. But now, those memories felt tainted, shadowed by the possessiveness in her gaze.
"Li... what did you do?" His voice wavered, a mixture of fear and disbelief.
Her lips curled into a soft smile, her eyes never leaving his. "I saved you. I kept you from leaving me." Her tone was gentle, as if she were merely stating an undeniable truth.
Xu's blood ran cold. The shadows moved, swirling around them like serpents, their whispers echoing in his ears, hissing words he couldn't understand. He tried to pull away, but her grip tightened, her nails digging into his skin, drawing blood.
"You don't understand, Xu. This world... it wants to take you from me. But I won't let that happen. I won't let anyone take you away." Her voice was tender, affectionate, but there was a madness in her eyes that made Xu's heart race.
He stared at her, his mind reeling. How long had she been this way? Had he been blind to it all along? He remembered her quiet smiles, her unwavering loyalty, the way she always seemed to know when he needed comfort. Was it all just an obsession?
The darkness around them shifted, revealing distorted images—scenes of their past together. Xu watched, horrified, as each memory replayed with new details: Li standing just out of sight, her eyes fixed on him, always watching, always waiting. His breath caught as he saw himself surrounded by shadows, Li's figure blending into the darkness.
"All those times... you were there?"
Li's smile widened, a trace of pride in her expression. "Of course. I was always by your side. Protecting you. Loving you."
The shadows pulsed, the air growing colder. Xu's mind spun as the images twisted, revealing faces he didn't recognize—people who approached him, who tried to befriend him, only to disappear without a trace.
"No... that can't be..." He looked at Li, horror dawning on his face. "You... you did this?"
Li's eyes softened, her fingers brushing his cheek. "They were trying to take you from me. I had to protect you. Don't you see? I did it for us. For you." Her touch was warm, comforting, yet Xu shuddered at the coldness in her words.
Xu's heart raced, his body trembling. He tried to break free, his Qi surging, but the shadows consumed his energy, absorbing it. Panic surged through him as he realized he was powerless.
Li leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. "Stop struggling. Just stay with me... forever."
The darkness tightened, binding him, sinking into his skin. Xu's vision blurred as his strength waned, his mind growing hazy. Memories twisted, reshaping themselves to fit her narrative—images of them always together, a world where no one else existed.
"No... this isn't real..." Xu's voice was weak, fading under the weight of the shadows. But somewhere deep within, his spirit resisted, a flicker of light refusing to be extinguished.
A faint voice echoed through the void, a familiar presence breaking through the shadows. "Xu... fight it... Don't give in..."
Xu's eyes widened. "Anahata Qi Technique... the power to resonate... to repel..."
His heart pulsed, energy flaring within him. The shadows recoiled, Li's grip loosening as light burst from his chest. The darkness shattered, and the chamber reappeared around them, the ancient walls trembling.
Li staggered back, her face twisted in anguish. "No... don't leave me... don't abandon me..." Her voice broke, tears streaming down her face as she reached for him.
Xu's heart ached, but his resolve hardened. "Li... this isn't you. Whatever's controlling you... I'll save you."
The shadows flared, surging toward him, but Xu's Anahata Qi exploded outward, burning them away. The ground beneath them cracked, light spilling through as the chamber began to collapse.
Li's eyes widened, fear flashing across her face. "Xu! Help me!"
He reached for her, their fingers almost touching, but the shadows seized her, pulling her back. Her face twisted in agony as she screamed, "Don't leave me!"
Xu's heart shattered as the darkness swallowed her, the chamber crumbling around him. A cold voice echoed through the shadows, cruel and mocking. "She's mine now... and soon, you will be too."
Xu's eyes widened as the darkness surged toward him, the voice laughing as the world collapsed.
The shadows engulfed him and the world went black.
To be continued.....