The morning sun filtered through the thick canopy of trees, casting dappled light onto the forest floor as Lin Xi, Su Qinghe, Liú Jùn, and Shēng Lóng prepared to set off. Their camp was quiet, the usual conversation absent as each of them mentally braced for the journey ahead.
Lin Xi tightened the straps of her pack, her mind focused on the path east. The Eastern Wastes were a dangerous, desolate land—untouched by civilization for centuries, known for its wild, unpredictable storms and the treacherous beasts that roamed the barren terrain. But within those wastes lay their next destination: the temple that might hold the relic they so desperately needed.
Shēng Lóng was the first to break the silence as they began their journey. "The Eastern Wastes have changed since I last traveled there. The storms come more frequently now, and the land is… restless."
Su Qinghe nodded. "Restless in what way?"
"The earth shifts as if it's alive," Shēng Lóng replied grimly. "Some say it's the land itself rejecting those who enter it. Others believe it's because of the relic hidden within."
Lin Xi shivered at his words, though she tried to mask her unease. "We have no choice. If the relic is there, we have to find it before Hēilóng Dì's forces do."
As they trekked through the forest, the trees began to thin out, giving way to rocky hills and sparse vegetation. By midday, the landscape had transformed into a vast, arid expanse, with jagged cliffs rising in the distance and a pale, dusty sky above. The change was stark, and the temperature had risen, making each step feel heavier.
Liú Jùn, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood. "Well, at least it's not raining."
Su Qinghe shot him a glance. "You've just jinxed it."
Sure enough, within an hour, dark clouds began to gather on the horizon. The wind picked up, whipping through the desert-like landscape and stirring up the dust. The first drops of rain were cold against Lin Xi's skin, but they soon turned into a downpour, drenching them within minutes.
"You had to say something," Lin Xi said to Liú Jùn with a faint smile, despite the miserable conditions.
Liú Jùn shrugged, wiping rain from his face. "Just trying to stay positive."
Shēng Lóng led them forward, his pace steady and unyielding despite the weather. The ground became slick with mud, and the air crackled with tension, as if the very land was resisting their passage.
Hours passed, and the rain showed no signs of stopping. The storm worsened, turning into a violent gale. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the vast expanse of the Eastern Wastes.
"We need to find shelter," Su Qinghe said, raising his voice above the howling wind. "This storm isn't natural."
Shēng Lóng nodded in agreement. "There's a cave system nearby. We can take refuge there until the storm passes."
With the storm worsening by the minute, they pushed forward, their bodies battered by the wind and rain. Finally, after what felt like hours of struggle, they reached the mouth of a cave nestled at the base of a cliff. The cave was dark and damp, but it provided shelter from the raging storm outside.
They collapsed inside, catching their breath as the rain continued to pound against the earth. Lin Xi wrung out her soaked cloak and settled against the cave wall, her muscles aching from the long journey.
Su Qinghe sat beside her, his expression serious. "The closer we get to the relic, the more dangerous it's going to be. If this storm was any indication, the Eastern Wastes are not going to let us pass easily."
Lin Xi nodded, glancing at him. "Do you think the storm was because of the relic?"
"I wouldn't be surprised," Su Qinghe said, his voice low. "The relics hold great power, and power always comes with a price."
As the storm raged on outside, Shēng Lóng paced near the cave entrance, deep in thought. Liú Jùn, ever the restless one, was inspecting the cave, his curious nature getting the better of him even in the midst of danger.
"This place is strange," Liú Jùn muttered, running his hand along the smooth stone walls. "It feels like it's been carved out, not formed naturally."
Shēng Lóng turned, his eyes narrowing. "That's because it was. These caves were once used as a hideout by ancient warriors during the war against Hēilóng Dì. There are tunnels here that stretch for miles, deep beneath the Eastern Wastes. But they're dangerous—many who entered them never came back."
Lin Xi felt a chill run down her spine. The cave, though providing shelter, now felt more like a tomb. "We should be careful. If this place was used during the war, there could be traps."
Shēng Lóng nodded. "Exactly. We rest here tonight, but we don't go any deeper into the caves. Once the storm passes, we continue our journey east."
As the group settled down for the night, Lin Xi found herself unable to sleep. The howling wind outside was unsettling, but it was the weight of the mission that kept her awake. They were getting closer to the relic, closer to the inevitable confrontation with Hēilóng Dì's forces, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was waiting for them.
Su Qinghe, lying beside her, seemed to sense her unease. "You're worried."
It wasn't a question. He always knew when something was on her mind.
Lin Xi sighed, turning to face him. "I just…can't shake this feeling that we're heading into something we're not ready for. The storm, the relic—it's all happening so fast."
Su Qinghe reached out, gently taking her hand. His touch was warm, grounding her in the moment. "We've been through worse, Lin Xi. We'll get through this too."
Lin Xi's heart swelled at his words, and she squeezed his hand in return. "I know. But it feels different this time. Like we're walking into something we can't come back from."
Su Qinghe's expression softened, and he moved closer, his voice low and reassuring. "Whatever happens, we face it together."
Lin Xi nodded, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. She leaned her head against Su Qinghe's shoulder, the tension in her body easing as they sat in silence. The world outside was chaos, but in that moment, with Su Qinghe by her side, she felt safe.
"We'll make it through," Su Qinghe whispered, his voice filled with quiet determination.
And for the first time in days, Lin Xi allowed herself to believe him.