As I grasped Ling's wrist, I could feel her pulse racing with exhaustion. Her eyes, once burning with determination, now seemed dull and lifeless. I knew that something was amiss, and I was determined to uncover the truth.
"Ling, what's happening to you?" I asked, my tone firm but concerned.
Ling's gaze drifted, her eyes unfocused. "I... I don't know," she stammered. "I feel so weak, so tired."
I examined her wrist, searching for any signs of injury or trauma. But there was nothing. No wounds, no bruises, no indication of what could be causing her sudden fatigue.
"Ling, we need to get you to a safe location," I said, my mind racing with possibilities. "We can't stay here, not until we figure out what's going on."
Ling nodded, her eyes still unfocused. I supported her, helping her to stand. Together, we made our way back to the safety of the nearby forest.
As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Ling's sudden weakness, her unexplained fatigue – it didn't add up. I knew that I had to get to the bottom of this, to uncover the truth behind Ling's mysterious condition.
Once we reached the forest, I helped Ling to sit down, propping her against a nearby tree. I examined her again, searching for any signs of injury or illness. But there was nothing.
"Ling, I need you to tell me everything," I said, my tone firm but gentle. "What happened before we met? What were you doing before our battle?"
Ling's eyes fluttered closed, her chest rising and falling with slow, labored breaths. I could sense her exhaustion, her body drained of energy.
"I... I was on a mission," she whispered. "I was sent to retrieve a powerful artifact, one that could change the course of our world."
I leaned forward, my interest piqued. "What kind of artifact?" I asked, my voice low and urgent.
Ling's eyes opened, her gaze locking onto mine. "A sword," she whispered. "A sword of unimaginable power."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. A sword of unimaginable power? What kind of artifact was that? And what did it have to do with Ling's sudden weakness?
I knew that I had to uncover the truth, to learn more about this mysterious sword and its connection to Ling's condition. And I was willing to do whatever it took to get to the bottom of it.