As Xiao Ling sat down at the large table surrounded by the commanders, generals, Dr. Jin, Alexander, and other key figures, there was a heavy silence in the room. Everyone knew she was about to reveal something significant, but no one could anticipate the weight of her story.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Ling began to speak, her voice steady but filled with the gravity of her tale.
"My name is Xiao Ling," she said, her eyes scanning the faces of those around her. "I am 21 years old, a full-fledged Cloud Knight from a world called Xianzhou. A world that no longer exists."
The room remained silent, everyone listening intently as she continued.
"I was born into a warrior's life, trained since childhood at Sky Temple to become a member of the Cloud Knights. My father, a legendary warrior himself, was part of my world's elite defenders, as were many of my friends. My childhood was filled with battles and training, but we fought for a purpose—to protect the Xianzhou from outside threats and preserve our home. But then, everything fell apart."
Her voice dropped slightly, memories flooding back of her former life.
"A virus swept through our world, corrupting everything it touched. It turned our people, our comrades, even our leaders, into twisted, mindless creatures. Our greatest general, Mei Lan, was one of the first to fall. She was my mentor, the one who taught me everything I knew about being a warrior. She made me swear an oath—if the virus ever took her, I had to be the one to end her life."
Xiao Ling paused, her hands clenched into fists as she relived that fateful moment.
"And I did. I killed her with my own hands. My world... the Xianzhou... crumbled around us. We fought for a world already dead. When it was over, when the final battle ended, the land was scorched, and I was left standing on a mountain of corpses, wondering what purpose was left. I believed I was fighting for nothing."
The tension in the room was palpable, the weight of her words sinking in.
"But then, something happened. I found a scroll, a scroll that opened a portal to other worlds, to this world. I don't know why I was brought here, why I'm alive, or what I'm meant to do now, but I remember everything. I remember my oath. I remember my duty."
She looked at each of them in turn, her gaze firm, but there was a glint of determination in her eyes.
"And now, here I am. I don't know much about Earth or what battles you are facing here, but I will fight for those who need me. I may have lost my world, but I am still a Cloud Knight. And I swear, as long as I draw breath, I will fight for this world, just as I fought for the Xianzhou."
The room was silent for a few moments after she finished speaking, the weight of her story hanging in the air. Dr. Jin, Alexander, and the commanders exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of respect and contemplation.
Finally, Commander Cooper spoke up. "Xiao Ling, you've been through more than most of us can imagine. You've earned your place here. We could use someone with your strength and conviction."
Alexander gave a small nod, acknowledging the warrior in her. "Welcome to the fight, Xiao Ling."
Xiao Ling explained how she became the new general of the Cloud Knights, sharing the tragic fate of her world and the role her brother played in it. She detailed her journey, the sacrifices made, and the lingering uncertainty about her brother's motivations. Her story painted a grim picture of survival, loss, and the burden of leadership, leaving the commanders and generals in the room deep in thought.
Xiao Ling stood there in tense silence after asking for help to send troops to her world, her eyes scanning the room as everyone averted their gaze, refusing to answer. The rejection hung heavy in the air, filling the room with an unspoken weight. She clenched her fists, trembling with a mix of frustration and hopelessness.
Alexander glanced toward her but said nothing. Commander Cooper shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Ty leaned forward, but even she remained silent, unable to offer words of comfort or support. Dr. Jin, notorious for her cold, calculating nature, simply stared ahead, showing no signs of emotion.
The silence was shattered by the sharp sound of a door swinging open. Seraphina barged into the room without knocking, her crimson eyes gleaming with confidence as she strode forward. "What's this I hear about turning down Xiao Ling's request?" she spat, eyes narrowing as she glared at the gathered officers. "You would refuse aid to the Cloud Knights? I thought you people were smarter than that."
Her voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. "An alliance with the Cloud Knights," she began, ignoring the shocked expressions around her, "would be crucial to the next offensive. You fools think you're fighting to win, but you're barely surviving." She sneered. "Without the help of the Cloud Knights, your precious war against the Shadow Empire is already lost."
Commander Ryu bristled at her tone, his fingers tightening on the edge of the table. "We cannot commit resources to another world when we're losing here," he said. "We've lost too many already."
Seraphina's red eyes locked onto him, unwavering. "So you would prefer to fight alone? Or would you rather let the rest of your worlds fall like dominos?" She stepped closer, her presence overwhelming, and her voice lowered dangerously. "Don't think for a second that refusing to help the Cloud Knights won't come back to bite you."
Seraphina's gaze shifted suddenly to Xiao Ling's sword, Frost, resting at her side. Her expression changed to one of intrigue. "Interesting," she muttered, her eyes lighting up. "That sword... Frost, isn't it? One of the Eight Swords of Eternity."
Xiao Ling instinctively gripped the sword, feeling the icy chill seeping from its hilt. Seraphina's smile was knowing, as if she recognized the heavy burden Xiao Ling now carried.
"One of the Eight Swords," Seraphina continued, her voice soft but filled with intensity. "It seems you're destined for far greater things, Xiao Ling. And you think these people will help you?" She pointed around the room. "Look at them—weak, afraid, unwilling to fight for anything but their own survival."
Xiao Ling's anger rose, her chest tight as rage began to boil beneath her calm exterior. She remembered the battles, the death, the sacrifices her people made. "I didn't come here to be turned down," Xiao Ling said through gritted teeth, her voice sharp as the ice of her sword. "My people are still fighting, still dying. And all you can do is refuse?"
Commander Cooper stood, his face grim. "We cannot commit forces," he said, his voice heavy with guilt. "It's not that simple."
Xiao Ling shot him a furious glare. "Not that simple? You expect me to walk away and leave my world to rot?"
Dr. Jin, who had been silent until now, raised a hand. "It's not just about your world, Xiao Ling. We're fighting for survival on all fronts. Committing to an alliance now might jeopardize everyone."
Seraphina scoffed, her lips curling into a snarl. "Pathetic. You're all too focused on your own losses to see the bigger picture."
The room erupted into a cacophony of voices. Alexander crossed his arms, his jaw set. Ty rubbed her temples, clearly exhausted by the argument. Commander Ryu and Elder Fei exchanged looks of concern.
Xiao Ling's grip on Frost tightened until her knuckles turned white. She didn't care about their excuses, their fear. The vision of her dead comrades, of the fallen Cloud Knights, filled her mind, stoking the flames of her growing rage.
As the voices clashed and tension reached a breaking point, Seraphina stepped forward, her eyes locked onto Xiao Ling's. "You," she said, her voice soft but powerful. "You have a sword that holds the power to reshape this war." She looked at the others. "If none of these cowards will help, then take matters into your own hands. With Frost at your side, you could end this war—one way or another."
The weight of her words sank in, and for a moment, Xiao Ling considered it.
Seraphina's words hung heavy in the air, the room falling into a tense silence as everyone processed her revelation. Xiao Ling's heart raced; her mind raced with implications. She had fought too hard, lost too much, to allow her world to fall into ruin again.
"Are you serious?" Commander Ryu finally broke the silence, his brow furrowing. "The Celestial World is a fortress. It's one of the most well-guarded places in existence. Even if the Shadow Empire has plans to invade, they wouldn't get far."
Seraphina smirked, her confidence unwavering. "You think so? They've already destroyed the Demon Kingdom and the Murim world. They won't stop at the Celestial World. They're consolidating power, erasing any opposition before they strike at Earth. And mark my words, they will strike hard and fast."
Ty crossed her arms, skeptical. "But why the Celestial World next? There's nothing left in the Demon Kingdom or the Murim world."
Seraphina's expression darkened. "Because the Celestial World has something the Shadow Empire wants—power, knowledge, and the Eight Blades. The Shadow Emperor covets the power of the Gods, and the Celestial World holds the key to that. They know they must eliminate any threats before launching a full-scale assault."
"Sounds like a wild conspiracy," Dr. Jin muttered, though her eyes reflected a flicker of intrigue. "What proof do you have?"
Seraphina took a step forward, eyes blazing. "I've seen their forces gather, I've heard their plans whispered on the wind. They think they can sneak into the Celestial World while we're distracted. But we can't let that happen. If we strike first, we have a chance."
Xiao Ling, feeling the weight of her sword, spoke up. "And what do you suggest we do? Gather everyone together? We're running low on resources as it is, and Earth can barely keep up."
Seraphina's gaze locked onto Xiao Ling, unwavering. "We gather the Cloud Knights and mobilize the remaining forces. We need to get to the Celestial World and warn them. We must find the Eight Blades before the Shadow Empire does. If we can rally our allies, we'll have a fighting chance."
Commander Cooper folded his arms, glancing around at the group. "But we don't even know where the Eight Blades are."
"Yet," Seraphina corrected sharply. "But we can find them. If we can secure the Celestial World first, we can use that stronghold as a base. And with Frost at your side," she pointed at Xiao Ling, "you have a weapon that might tip the scales in our favor."
Xiao Ling felt the gravity of the situation weigh heavily upon her shoulders. "You're saying that if we succeed in the Celestial World, we can potentially stop the Shadow Empire from invading Earth?"
"Exactly," Seraphina replied. "But we need to act quickly. Time is running out, and they won't wait for us to gather our strength. We're at a crossroads here, and our choices now will determine the fate of our worlds."
The commanders exchanged anxious glances, weighing their options. Finally, Commander Ryu spoke up, his voice steady. "If we are to fight, we need to come up with a plan—a solid one."
"And we need the Cloud Knights," Seraphina added, turning her gaze back to Xiao Ling. "Your leadership is vital to unite everyone. This is your chance to save your world, your people, and perhaps even redeem the fallen Cloud Knights."
Xiao Ling felt the fire within her ignite once more. "Then we prepare for battle. We gather what forces we can, and we head for the Celestial World. But make no mistake," she continued, determination setting her jaw. "If we do this, we do it together. No one gets left behind."
As the room filled with a newfound sense of purpose, Seraphina smiled knowingly, the flicker of hope igniting amongst the gathered warriors. "Then let's make history."
Xiao Ling looked at Dr. Jin, her brow furrowed with curiosity. "You want to borrow the scroll? What do you have in mind?"
Dr. Jin rubbed her hands together, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, just a little experiment. You know, nothing too dangerous. I might be able to enhance the scroll's capabilities. If I can figure out how it works, we could potentially open a gateway to not just one world, but several."
"Enhance it? How?" Xiao Ling asked, skepticism creeping into her voice.
"Trust me," Dr. Jin replied, a grin spreading across her face. "I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Imagine being able to travel between worlds at will, bringing in allies or scouting ahead. It could give us the upper hand against the Shadow Empire."
Xiao Ling weighed the risks against the potential rewards. "Fine. But you better be careful with it. This isn't just a toy; it's a piece of my history."
Dr. Jin nodded eagerly, taking the scroll from Xiao Ling with reverence. "I'll be as careful as I can. Just give me a few hours."
As Dr. Jin hurried off to her lab, Commander Cooper began coordinating their next steps. He paced the room, pulling out a map of the surrounding territories.
"Alright, we need to contact our allies immediately," he announced, his voice steady. "I'll reach out to the Angels, the Elves, and the Giants. If we can gather them here in Pingyao within a week, we can strategize our next move."
Xiao Ling nodded, feeling the weight of the task ahead. "We need to ensure they understand the urgency. This isn't just about one world anymore; it's about all our worlds. The Shadow Empire isn't going to wait for us to gather our forces."
Seraphina stepped forward, her eyes narrowing in thought. "I can go to the Elven courts and speak with their leaders. They will listen to me, especially if I can present Frost as a token of our alliance."
"Good," Commander Cooper replied, impressed by her initiative. "And I'll send messengers to the Giants. They're notoriously hard to convince, but we need their strength."
"I can help with that," Ty interjected. "I have connections with the Giants from previous missions. I might be able to sway them if I emphasize the threat the Shadow Empire poses."
Xiao Ling looked around the room, feeling the fire of determination burning in her chest. "And I'll prepare the Cloud Knights. We need them ready to move as soon as we have our alliances secured. They will need to understand what's at stake."
With everyone assigned their tasks, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Hope mingled with anxiety, and determination flickered in their hearts as they realized the magnitude of the challenges ahead.
"Let's do this," Commander Cooper said, his voice firm. "We're not just fighting for our survival; we're fighting for the future of our worlds. We will unite against the Shadow Empire, and we will prevail."
Dr. Jin's lab buzzed with a mix of anticipation and tension as Seraphina entered, her expression a mixture of confusion and irritation. "What's going on, Dr. Jin? Why did you call me here?"
"Seraphina, I have an idea," Dr. Jin said, her voice low and serious as she prepared her instruments. She suddenly cut her hand, and Seraphina's eyes widened in shock.
"What the hell?! You can't just—"
"Calm down!" Dr. Jin snapped, pressing her bleeding palm against a small device that collected a blood sample. "You said you wanted to find Eve, right? You believe she's in Paradise, a place only she knows how to get to. But what if we could use your blood to track her down?"
Seraphina's anger flared. "You can't just use my blood without asking! What if this goes wrong?"
Dr. Jin waved her off, her focus shifting to the scroll. "Listen, I know it sounds reckless, but it's a risk we have to take. You're Eve's niece; your blood could create a link. It's worth a shot!"
After a moment of hesitation, Seraphina's expression softened. "Fine, but what's the plan for getting back here?"
Dr. Jin grinned, the corners of her lips twitching upward. "I took some blood from Kane earlier. We can teleport right next to him once we're done, since he's in the city."
Just then, Alexander walked in, raising an eyebrow at the scene. "What's going on? Is there something I should know about?"
"Dr. Jin has a plan to find Eve using my blood," Seraphina explained, still feeling a mixture of anger and curiosity.
"Sounds risky," Alexander replied, crossing his arms. "But I'm in. Let's find Eve."
As they gathered around the scroll, Dr. Jin began the incantation, using Seraphina's blood to create a portal to Paradise. A bright light enveloped them, and the air crackled with energy.
---
They stumbled into Paradise, a world filled with vibrant greenery and an eerie stillness that hung in the air. The enormous wooden house loomed before them, resembling a twisted tower. However, the beauty of the landscape was overshadowed by the numerous tombstones scattered throughout.
Seraphina's heart sank. "What happened here?"
Ignoring the tombstones for now, they made their way toward the giant house, their footsteps echoing in the quiet.
Suddenly, they spotted a figure tending to a garden, her back turned to them. Seraphina's breath caught in her throat as she recognized the familiar silhouette. "Eve…"
As they approached, the woman turned, revealing a face marked by sadness and a haunting emptiness in her eyes. "What do you want?" Eve asked, her voice flat, devoid of any emotion.
"Eve! It's us—your family!" Seraphina exclaimed, desperation creeping into her voice. "We came to find you. The world needs you; we need you!"
Eve's gaze remained distant, her expression unchanging. "The world? There is no world left for me. Everyone I loved is gone."
Seraphina stepped forward, her voice rising with intensity. "But you can't give up! We need your strength to fight against the Shadow Empire! They've destroyed so much already!"
Eve shook her head, her shoulders slumping. "Strength? What is strength when everything I cared for is dead? What good is fighting for a world that doesn't want me?"
"Eve, please!" Alexander interjected, trying to reach her. "We're here because we believe in you. We need your guidance, your power. We're losing everything to the Shadow Empire!"
"I don't want to fight anymore," Eve replied, her voice cold. "I buried my will along with my family."
The tension in the air thickened as Seraphina's emotions surged. "You can't just abandon us! You can't abandon your legacy! You owe it to everyone who died to at least try!"
Eve's eyes flickered with something—perhaps anger, perhaps regret—but it quickly faded. "There's nothing left for me to fight for. I'm tired of fighting."
"Stop saying that!" Seraphina shouted, her voice cracking. "You're my aunt! You're supposed to be a leader! You have to rise from the ashes!"
Eve looked away, her eyes glazing over as if she were lost in memories of a time when life had meaning. "I can't…"
"Then what was it all for?" Seraphina's voice dropped to a whisper, filled with heartache. "What did we lose you for? Do you even care anymore?"
In that moment, the weight of their surroundings pressed down on them, each tombstone a testament to the lives lost, the dreams shattered. They stood in a garden that had wilted alongside Eve's spirit, filled with dark tragedy and emotional turmoil.
"Eve!" Seraphina yelled, her heart breaking. "Fight for us! Fight for the ones who can't fight anymore!"
Eve's expression softened for a fleeting moment, a flicker of the fierce warrior she once was igniting in her eyes. But the darkness that consumed her heart was deeper than any sorrow. "I can't bring them back. I can't fight when I'm already dead inside."