The weight of the valley's warning clung to Lusi's thoughts like a lingering shadow. She couldn't shake the feeling that the orb's cryptic message wasn't just a passing threat—it was a harbinger of something far more dangerous. The group's pace had quickened, and an air of urgency hung between them as they made their way back toward their camp.
The dense woods surrounding them felt more oppressive than usual, the silence between the trees broken only by the faint whispers of the wind. Wushi's hand hovered near his sword, his sharp gaze scanning the treeline as if expecting danger to leap out at any moment.
"We need to figure out what that message meant," Lusi muttered as she walked beside him. "The valley's warning wasn't just for us—it's for everyone."
Wushi's jaw clenched. "The 'darkness has returned,' it said. If it's something that powerful, we need to be prepared."
Mei, walking just behind them, spoke up. "The valley was built by ancient powers, long before even the realm of gods. If whatever they fought is returning, we're facing something older and more dangerous than anything we've ever seen."
The gravity of her words settled over the group. Lusi clenched her fists, determination flaring within her. "Then we'll find a way to stop it. We have to."
As they continued through the forest, the atmosphere shifted once again. A cool mist began to creep through the trees, swirling around their feet and blurring the edges of their vision. The path ahead of them disappeared into the fog, and a strange, eerie silence descended upon the woods.
Wushi slowed, his hand tightening on the hilt of his blade. "Something's not right."
Lusi nodded, her senses heightened. The mist seemed to thicken with each step, and her heart began to pound in her chest. The air felt heavy, like it was filled with unseen eyes watching their every move.
Suddenly, there was a soft rustle in the bushes ahead. Lusi stopped, her breath catching in her throat as she strained to listen. Wushi's hand shot out in front of her, signaling for her to stay back. His eyes locked on the shifting fog ahead.
Then, without warning, a figure emerged from the mist—tall, cloaked, and unmistakably familiar. The sight of him made Lusi's blood run cold.
It was the same shadowy figure from the visions in the valley—the one from the orb's warning.
Wushi's blade flashed from its sheath, his stance tense. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice sharp in the stillness. "What do you want?"
The figure remained silent, its face obscured beneath the dark hood. For a long moment, it simply stood there, watching them with an unnerving stillness.
Lusi's heart raced. This was no ordinary enemy. She could feel the dark energy radiating from the figure, an ancient power that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
Suddenly, the figure raised its hand, and the mist around them surged forward like a living thing. The dense fog wrapped around Lusi and the others, suffocating them in a sea of cold, choking darkness.
Lusi gasped as the mist closed in, and before she could react, everything went black.
Lusi awoke with a start, her body jolting upright as she struggled to catch her breath. Her surroundings were unfamiliar—a small, dark cave lit by the soft glow of a nearby fire. She glanced around in confusion, her mind racing to remember what had happened.
Wushi knelt by the fire, his face set in a grim expression. He noticed her stirring and immediately came over, placing a steady hand on her shoulder. "You're awake."
"What happened?" she whispered, her voice hoarse.
"We were ambushed by that figure in the fog. You passed out when the mist closed in," Wushi explained. "I managed to get us out, but we're separated from Mei and the others. It's just the two of us now."
Lusi's heart sank at the thought of being stranded, but she quickly pushed her fear aside. "We need to find them."
Wushi nodded, though his expression remained tense. "We will. But first, you need to rest. The valley's magic drained you more than you realize."
Lusi opened her mouth to protest, but the exhaustion in her body betrayed her. She felt weak, her limbs heavy as if the energy had been sapped from her bones. Reluctantly, she nodded, knowing that pushing herself now would only make things worse.
"I'll keep watch," Wushi said, his voice low. "Rest. We'll move as soon as you're ready."
Lusi leaned back against the cave wall, closing her eyes. The weight of the valley's warning still hung over her, a constant reminder of the danger they faced. But with Wushi by her side, she knew they would find a way out of this darkness—together.