Leon laid back down in the bed, feeling the softness of the blankets envelop him. He was exhausted, his body still weak from the injuries and the emotional toll of the past few days.
Despite his desire to stay awake and process everything that had happened, his eyelids grew heavy, and he felt himself drifting off to sleep.
As he slept, his body relaxed, and his mind quieted. He didn't stir or twitch, his chest rising and falling with slow, steady breaths. The candle in the corner of the room cast a gentle glow over his face, illuminating the dark circles under his eyes and the pale hue of his skin.
Two hours passed, and Leon's eyes flickered open. He was disoriented for a moment, unsure of where he was or what had happened.
But as his gaze fell on Qīnq, who was sitting in the same chair, watching him, he remembered. He remembered the raiders, his parents, and the arrow wound in his chest.
Leon's eyes locked onto Qīnq's, and he saw a hint of a smile on her face. "Welcome back," she said, her voice soft. "How are you feeling?"
Leon tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, forcing him back onto the bed. "Weak," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Qīnq nodded. "You need to rest. Your body is still healing."
Leon nodded, feeling a sense of frustration wash over him. He wanted to get up, to move, to do something. But his body wouldn't cooperate.
As he lay there, he noticed the man in the shadows was gone. "Where...?" he started to ask, but Qīnq anticipated his question.
"He's outside. You're safe here, Leon."
Leon decided to muster up the strength to at least stand up and walk around. He slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed, wincing in pain as he put weight on his injured chest. Qīnq stood up to help him, but Leon waved her off, determined to do it on his own.
With a gritted teeth, Leon pushed himself up from the bed, using the wall to support himself. He took a few tentative steps, his legs trembling beneath him. Qīnq watched with a concerned expression, but Leon was determined to prove to himself that he could still move.
As he walked around the room, Leon noticed that the man in the shadows was indeed gone, but he could hear the sound of footsteps and muffled voices coming from outside the door. His curiosity piqued, Leon made his way to the door, Qīnq following closely behind.
When he opened the door, Leon was met with a sight that took his breath away. A group of people, both male and female, were training in a large underground chamber. Some wielded swords, their movements swift and deadly, while others practiced with bows and arrows, their aim true and precise.
The chamber was dimly lit, with only a few small openings in the ceiling allowing slivers of light to penetrate the darkness. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and metal, and the sound of clashing steel echoed off the walls.
Leon's eyes widened as he took in the scene before him. He had no idea that the people who rescued him were part of a group like this. He didn't know what to make of it, but he felt a thrill of excitement mixed with fear.
Qīnq stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with a quiet intensity. "Welcome to the Shadow Guide, Leon," she said, her voice low and mysterious. "We hunt those who prey on the innocent. We are the ones who bring justice to those who have escaped it."
Leon's mind reeled as he tried to process what he was seeing. He had so many questions, but before he could ask any of them, Qīnq gestured for him to follow her. "Come," she said. "since you have a little strength they Shadow Lord ask for your presence"
Leon followed Qīnq, his eyes fixed on her back as she led him through the winding corridors of the underground chamber. They passed by several doorways, each one revealing a glimpse of a different training session or gathering of Shadow Guide members.
Leon saw a group of young children practicing hand-to-hand combat, their movements swift and agile. He saw a pair of older men engaged in a heated discussion, their voices low and serious. And he saw a lone figure standing in the shadows, watching him with an intensity that made Leon's skin prickle.
As they walked, the air grew thick with anticipation. Leon could feel the weight of the Shadow Guide's presence around him, a sense of power and purpose that was both captivating and intimidating.
Finally, Qīnq stopped in front of a large, ornate door. She turned to Leon, her eyes gleaming with a quiet intensity. "The Shadow Lord awaits," she said, her voice low and mysterious.
Leon nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He had no idea what to expect.
Qīnq pushed open the door, revealing a dimly lit chamber filled with a sense of quiet power. At the far end of the room, a figure sat on a throne-like chair, shrouded in shadows. Leon could feel the weight of their gaze upon him, a sense of piercing intensity that made his skin prickle.
"Enter," Qīnq said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Leon stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the figure in the shadows. As he approached, the figure slowly stood, revealing a tall, imposing man with piercing eyes and a presence that commanded attention.
"Welcome, Leon," the man said, his voice low and resonant. "I am the Shadow Lord. And you, my young friend, are a mystery waiting to be unraveled."
As the Shadow Lord spoke, Leon's mind suddenly made a connection. He remembered the voice, the low and resonant tone, the way it seemed to command attention. It was the same voice he had heard earlier in his room, the voice of the man who had been sitting in the shadows, watching him.
Leon's eyes widened as he realized the truth. The man who had been in his room, the one who had seemed so mysterious and intimidating, was the Shadow Lord himself.
He felt a shiver run down his spine as he remembered the way the man had seemed to see right through him. And now, here he was, standing in front of him, revealing himself as the leader of the Shadow Guide.
Leon's mind reeled as he tried to process this new information. He had so many questions, but before he could ask any of them, the Shadow Lord spoke again.
"Leon, you have been brought here for a reason," he said, his voice still low and mysterious. "You have a role to play in the Shadow Guide, a role that only you can fulfill."
Leon's eyes locked onto the Shadow Lord's, his heart pounding in his chest.