The tension from their recent battle still lingered as Lusi and Wushi continued through the forest, their steps quieter now, more cautious. The night was alive with the sounds of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze, but despite the tranquility, Lusi's mind churned with unease.
"Why are they hunting us?" she murmured, breaking the silence. Her thoughts drifted back to the Night Stalkers' leader. A contract? Who would want both her and Wushi dead? She had made enemies, yes, but few capable of deploying assassins this skilled.
Wushi's expression darkened, his eyes scanning the path ahead. "It's not just about you or me anymore. Whoever's after us is playing a larger game, and we're in the middle of it."
The weight of his words settled heavily on Lusi. She had faced danger before, but this felt different—more calculated, more dangerous. As they navigated through the thickening trees, a growing feeling of inevitability tugged at her, like an invisible thread pulling them toward an unseen fate.
After walking in silence for some time, they came upon a small clearing. The moonlight bathed the open space in a silvery glow, and the air felt cooler here. Wushi motioned for them to stop.
"We'll rest here for a moment," he said, his voice low. "We've been pushing hard since the attack."
Lusi nodded, her body aching for a break. She found a smooth rock to sit on, her gaze drifting to the canopy of trees above. Her mind wandered as her body relaxed, but her guard never truly dropped. She kept glancing at Wushi, who stood a few feet away, vigilant as always, his senses attuned to any movement in the forest.
The silence between them stretched, but this time it wasn't tense. It was as though they were both lost in thought, sharing the same concerns without needing to voice them. Lusi studied his face, noting the strong jawline, the quiet intensity in his eyes. He was more than just a protector, more than just a demi-god. In moments like these, he felt... human. Vulnerable, even.
Before she could dwell on that thought, Wushi turned to her, his gaze meeting hers. For a brief moment, there was something unspoken in his eyes—an understanding, perhaps, or a shared weariness.
"We can't stay here for long," he said, breaking the connection. "The Night Stalkers might send more after us."
Lusi nodded, standing and stretching her sore limbs. "Right. We should keep moving."
But as they prepared to leave, a strange sensation washed over Lusi. A faint dizziness, like the ground was shifting beneath her. She stumbled slightly, catching herself before she could fall.
Wushi was at her side in an instant, his hand steadying her. "Lusi?"
"I'm fine," she said, though her voice was weaker than she'd intended. "Just... tired."
His eyes narrowed, concern flashing across his face. "You don't look fine."
She tried to brush it off, but the dizziness worsened. Her vision blurred for a moment, and she swayed again. Wushi caught her fully this time, his arms wrapping around her to keep her from collapsing.
"You're burning up," he muttered, feeling the heat radiating from her skin. "You're sick."
Lusi shook her head, trying to clear the fog from her mind. "It's nothing. We can keep going."
But Wushi's firm expression told her otherwise. Without another word, he lifted her into his arms, ignoring her protests.
"We're not going anywhere until you're better," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Despite her condition, Lusi couldn't help but feel a flush of embarrassment at being carried like this. She was strong, capable—she didn't need to be coddled. But the warmth of his arms, the steady rhythm of his steps, brought a strange sense of comfort she hadn't expected.
They found a small alcove at the edge of the clearing, hidden from sight by overhanging branches. Wushi gently set her down on a soft patch of moss, his hand lingering on her forehead to check her temperature again.
"You need rest," he said quietly. "I'll find something to help."
Lusi wanted to argue, but the fatigue pulling at her limbs was overwhelming. She nodded weakly, leaning back against the mossy ground, her eyelids heavy. As her consciousness faded, she felt Wushi's presence close by, his calm energy a steadying force in the storm of her sickness.
In the dark of the forest, beneath the midnight sky, Wushi watched over her, his protective instincts stronger than ever. Something had changed between them in the past few days—something unspoken but undeniable. He wouldn't leave her side, not now, not ever.
But even as he cared for her, his mind churned with questions. Who had sent the assassins? And how much longer could they avoid the forces conspiring against them? The unseen thread tugging at their fates grew tighter, and the storm on the horizon was approaching faster than either of them could anticipate.