The wind was sharper, colder, as Lan Yue and Li Feng made their way down the mountain path, leaving the caves behind. The prisoners, though wounded and weakened, were carried carefully by the small group of White Lotus warriors they had brought with them. The journey back to the fortress was slow, and though the battle was over, a heavy tension remained in the air.
Lan Yue's mind was still reeling from the discovery of the Shadowborn marks on the prisoners. The taint of dark qi ran deeper than she had feared, and it was clear that the corruption was spreading, infecting even those they were trying to protect. The realization left a bitter taste in her mouth. They had won the battle, but the war was far from over. Worse yet, the enemy seemed to be gaining strength with each passing day.
As the fortress walls came into view on the horizon, Lan Yue couldn't shake the sense of dread that hung over her like a shroud. The thought of the Shadowborn Citadel, hidden deep within the mountains, weighed heavily on her mind. It was their only chance to stop the enemy at its source, but the risks were unimaginable.
Beside her, Li Feng walked in silence, his dark eyes scanning the horizon. His expression was hard, focused, but there was something else lurking beneath the surface—something deeper, more conflicted. He had always been calm and in control, but now, Lan Yue sensed an unspoken turmoil building within him.
"We'll need to present the marks to the Elders," Li Feng said quietly, his voice breaking the silence between them. "They need to see what the Shadowborn are doing."
Lan Yue nodded, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "They won't be able to ignore it," she replied. "This is proof that the enemy is closer than we thought."
But even as she spoke, a wave of uncertainty washed over her. The Elders had always been cautious—reluctant to act unless they were certain of the threat. And though the marks would serve as undeniable evidence of the Shadowborn's reach, she wasn't sure it would be enough to spur them into immediate action.
"What about your clan?" Lan Yue asked, glancing sideways at Li Feng. "Will they listen to you?"
Li Feng's jaw tightened, and for a moment, his expression grew darker. "My clan... they don't answer to me anymore," he said, his voice edged with bitterness. "They've made it clear that they don't want my help."
Lan Yue frowned, her heart sinking at the weight of his words. She had known that Li Feng's relationship with the Shadow Wolf Clan was strained, but she hadn't realized just how deep the divide ran. He had been cast out, forced to forge his own path, and yet here he was—still fighting, still trying to protect a world that had turned its back on him.
"You're still doing what's right," Lan Yue said softly, her voice filled with quiet admiration. "Even if they don't see it."
Li Feng's gaze flickered to hers, and for a moment, the tension between them seemed to soften. There was something unspoken in his eyes, something that made Lan Yue's heart race. The bond between them had grown stronger with each battle they had fought together, but now, it felt like it was shifting into something more—something neither of them was ready to fully acknowledge.
"We'll see if it's enough," Li Feng said, his voice low as he turned his attention back to the path.
The rest of the journey passed in tense silence, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on both of them. When they finally reached the gates of the White Lotus Clan fortress, the mood among the group was somber. The prisoners were quickly taken to the healers, but even as they were carried away, Lan Yue couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that gnawed at her insides. She wanted to believe that the healers could reverse the damage done by the Shadowborn's corruption, but the dark qi left deep scars—ones that couldn't always be healed.
As the healers worked, Lan Yue and Li Feng made their way to the grand hall where the Elders awaited. The weight of the coming confrontation pressed down on Lan Yue's shoulders, but she kept her chin high. The marks on the prisoners would speak for themselves, and the Elders would have no choice but to act.
When they entered the hall, the Elders were already seated in their usual semicircle, their faces lined with concern and suspicion. Elder Zhou, the head of the council, sat in the center, his sharp eyes fixed on Lan Yue and Li Feng as they approached.
"Lan Yue," Elder Zhou said, his tone cautious. "You've returned sooner than expected. What have you learned?"
Lan Yue stepped forward, her voice steady as she began to recount the events of the battle and the discovery of the marks on the prisoners. As she spoke, the expressions of the Elders grew darker, their brows furrowing with each detail. By the time she finished, the room was filled with a heavy silence.
"The Shadowborn aren't just attacking," Lan Yue continued, her voice firm. "They're turning our people, corrupting them with dark qi. If we don't stop them now, this corruption will spread, and it will be too late."
Elder Zhou's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking between Lan Yue and Li Feng. "This is troubling news," he said slowly, his voice laced with caution. "But the question remains—what do we do about it? The Shadowborn have always been a dangerous enemy, but to strike at them directly... it would be a great risk."
Lan Yue felt frustration bubble up inside her. How could they be so blind? The Shadowborn were growing stronger, and the longer they waited, the more powerful the enemy would become. They couldn't afford to hesitate.
"We need to attack the Shadowborn Citadel," Li Feng said suddenly, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "That's where their power comes from. If we destroy it, we can stop this war before it consumes us all."
The room fell into a tense silence, the Elders exchanging uneasy glances. The mention of the Citadel sent a ripple of fear through the council, and Lan Yue could see the doubt in their eyes.
"The Shadowborn Citadel is more than just a fortress," Elder Zhou said, his tone grave. "It is a place of immense dark power. Many have tried to reach it, and none have returned. To attack it would be to walk into the heart of the enemy's strength."
Lan Yue's heart sank. She had known the Elders would be reluctant, but the depth of their hesitation was greater than she had anticipated.
"We don't have a choice," Lan Yue said, her voice filled with urgency. "If we don't act now, the corruption will spread, and the Shadowborn will destroy everything we've fought for."
Elder Zhou's expression remained unreadable as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in thought. "This is not a decision to be made lightly. We must consider all possible outcomes."
Lan Yue opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, Li Feng stepped forward, his dark eyes blazing with determination.
"I've faced the Shadowborn more times than I can count," he said, his voice low but filled with quiet intensity. "I know what they're capable of. And I know that if we don't stop them now, they will only grow stronger. The Citadel is the key. Destroy it, and we destroy their power."
The room fell into another heavy silence, the Elders weighing Li Feng's words carefully. Lan Yue held her breath, hoping against hope that they would see reason.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Elder Zhou sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"You have given us much to think about," he said, his voice heavy. "We will convene tomorrow to discuss our next steps. In the meantime, see to the wounded and rest. We will need our strength for whatever lies ahead."
Lan Yue wanted to scream. There was no time for deliberation—every moment they waited was another moment the Shadowborn grew stronger. But she knew better than to argue with the council. They had made their decision, and for now, all she could do was wait.
As they left the hall, Lan Yue's frustration bubbled to the surface. "We can't wait for them to make up their minds," she said, her voice tight with anger. "The Shadowborn won't give us that luxury."
Li Feng remained silent for a moment, his gaze distant as they walked through the fortress. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet but filled with resolve.
"Then we'll go without them."
Lan Yue stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening in surprise. "What?"
Li Feng turned to face her, his expression hard. "The Elders can deliberate all they want, but you're right. We don't have time. If they won't act, then we will. You and I."
Lan Yue's heart raced as she met his gaze, the weight of his words sinking in. To go against the council, to defy their orders... it was a risk unlike any they had taken before. But she knew in her heart that Li Feng was right. The time for waiting was over.
"Are you sure?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Li Feng nodded, his expression unwavering. "We go to the Shadowborn Citadel. We end this."