Wuxie sighed, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of the DreadBlade strapped at his side. The sword felt heavier than usual, its dark energy pulsating faintly, as if echoing his inner turmoil.
Wovi let out a chuckle, though it lacked his usual humor. "Welcome to the life of a walking target. Don't worry, though—I've got your back. Mostly because if you die, I'm probably next."
Wuxie couldn't help but smirk at Wovi's remark, even as the weight of his predicament pressed down on him.
The forest loomed around them, ancient and unyielding, a fitting backdrop for the perilous path ahead. For now, all they could do was press forward, one cautious step at a time.
---
They eventually stopped near a small stream, its gentle babbling the only sound in the otherwise silent forest. Wuxie crouched down, cupping his hands to drink the cool water.
It was a brief moment of reprieve, but even as he quenched his thirst, his mind was racing.
