The atmosphere in Su Qinghe's estate was stifling, thick with the weight of secrets that had only just begun to surface. Lin Xi sat in silence, her thoughts a tangled web of confusion and dread. She had always known she was different, but to be told she was connected to something as ancient and dangerous as the curse? It felt like the ground had shifted beneath her feet.
Su Qinghe's words echoed in her mind: The darkness is growing stronger. The time to confront it is coming soon. But how was she supposed to face it when she barely understood her own role in this?
Across from her, Xu Jian was pacing again, his brow furrowed. The usual sharpness in his eyes had dulled, replaced by uncertainty. He wasn't the type to handle mysteries well—he preferred challenges that could be faced head-on with a blade, not cryptic warnings and ancient curses.
Finally, Xu Jian stopped pacing, his eyes locking onto Lin Xi. "We can't trust him."
Lin Xi blinked, startled. "What?"
"Su Qinghe," Xu Jian said, his voice low but firm. "He's hiding too much. He knew you were connected to the Guardians and said nothing until now. And this whole thing about 'facing the truth'—it feels like he's leading us into a trap."
Lin Xi frowned, her fingers instinctively brushing against the pendant that still hung around her neck. "He's been helping us, though. If he wanted to harm us, he could have done it a long time ago."
Xu Jian crossed his arms, his jaw clenched. "Maybe. Or maybe he's waiting for the right moment. The fact that he hasn't told us everything... it doesn't sit right with me."
Lin Xi sighed. Xu Jian's suspicion wasn't unwarranted. She, too, had felt uneasy about Su Qinghe's reluctance to reveal the full truth. But there was something about him—something that kept her from fully doubting him. He wasn't just hiding things for the sake of power or control. There was a sadness in his eyes, a burden that mirrored her own.
"We don't have much of a choice," Lin Xi said after a moment. "If what he says is true, we need him. He knows more about the curse than anyone else, and if we're going to stop it, we'll need every bit of help we can get."
Xu Jian's expression softened, but only slightly. "I know. But I'm not going to stop watching him. He may be helpful, but that doesn't mean he's on our side."
Lin Xi couldn't argue with that. Su Qinghe had woven himself into their journey, but that didn't mean he could be fully trusted. At least not yet.
Just then, the door to the room creaked open, and Su Qinghe entered, his face as calm and composed as ever. He nodded politely at both of them before taking a seat.
"I understand you have more questions," Su Qinghe said, his voice soft but steady. "And I am prepared to answer them—within reason."
Lin Xi straightened in her seat. "You said the Guardians became part of the curse. That their power keeps it contained. What does that mean for me? How am I connected to all of this?"
Su Qinghe's eyes flickered with something she couldn't quite read—perhaps regret, or caution. "The Guardians were not just powerful warriors or scholars. They were chosen by the gods themselves to wield ancient, divine magic. In their efforts to seal away the curse, they used their own life force to create the binding. That magic runs through the bloodlines of their descendants."
Lin Xi's breath hitched. "So... I have their magic?"
"Yes," Su Qinghe replied. "But it is more than just magic. The pendant you carry was once the heart of a Guardian. It is both a source of power and a key. It binds you to the curse as much as it empowers you to fight it."
Lin Xi's fingers tightened around the pendant, the weight of it suddenly feeling much heavier. "What does that mean for me? Am I... destined to become like them? Part of the curse?"
Su Qinghe's gaze darkened. "That is one possibility. If the curse grows too strong, it may try to consume you. That is the danger you face. But there is another path—one that the Guardians believed in."
Lin Xi leaned forward, her heart racing. "What path?"
"To break the curse," Su Qinghe said quietly. "Permanently. But it will not be easy. The curse has endured for centuries, feeding on the darkness of the world. To destroy it, you will have to sever its connection to the Guardians' magic—and that may include severing your own connection as well."
Lin Xi's blood ran cold. Sever her connection? What did that even mean? Would she lose her magic? Her life?
"I don't understand," Lin Xi said, her voice barely above a whisper. "What will happen to me?"
Su Qinghe hesitated, his eyes softening. "If the curse is broken, your magic—the Guardians' magic—will disappear. You will be free from its influence, but you may also lose the power that you now wield."
Lin Xi sat back, her mind reeling. She had only just begun to grasp the extent of her abilities, and now she was being told that she might have to give them up to stop the curse. Was she ready for that?
Xu Jian, who had been listening intently, finally spoke. "And what happens if we don't break the curse? If Lin Xi chooses not to sever the connection?"
Su Qinghe's expression darkened. "Then the curse will continue to grow. And eventually, it will consume her."
A heavy silence fell over the room as the weight of Su Qinghe's words sank in. Lin Xi stared at the pendant in her hand, her heart pounding. She had always known that her connection to the curse was dangerous, but this... this was far worse than she had imagined.
"So those are my choices," Lin Xi said softly. "Either I break the curse and lose my power... or I let it consume me."
Su Qinghe nodded, his face grim. "That is the reality you face. But you are not alone in this. Xu Jian and I will stand with you, no matter what path you choose."
Lin Xi glanced at Xu Jian, who met her gaze with a nod. His eyes were filled with determination—and something else she couldn't quite place. It was a silent promise that he wouldn't let her face this alone.
"I need time to think," Lin Xi said finally, her voice thick with emotion. "This is... a lot to take in."
Su Qinghe stood, giving her a small, respectful bow. "Take all the time you need. But be warned—the curse is growing stronger every day. You will not have much time to make your decision."
As Su Qinghe left the room, Lin Xi slumped back in her chair, exhaustion washing over her. The weight of her choices pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. How could she possibly decide between saving herself and saving the world?
Xu Jian stepped closer, his voice gentle but firm. "You don't have to decide now. We'll figure this out, together."
Lin Xi looked up at him, grateful for his steady presence. She didn't know what the future held, but for now, she was glad that Xu Jian was by her side.
But even as she found comfort in his words, the looming shadow of the curse hung over them, a reminder that time was running out.