"Does that mean… they could be connected to Lang?" Han's voice lingered in the air, and Ox's face grew somber, his expression unreadable.
Ox took a slow breath, the memory of his past battles against Lang burning in his mind. "It is possible," he replied, his voice deep and steady. "Lang may be gone, but those who followed him… some have not given up their hatred. They may seek to continue his twisted legacy."
Mei's eyes widened. She had only heard fragments of the stories, but the tales of Lang's cruelty were enough to haunt even the bravest heart. "Why would they attack Lotus Village?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ox looked toward the path they would soon travel. "Lang's followers have always targeted the innocent. They do not see people as lives to be respected but as resources to be used. The skills and knowledge of Lotus Village are valuable to them."
Lian, the graceful crane, stepped forward, her wings tucked tightly at her sides. "Then we have to stop them," she said, her voice clear and resolute. "Whatever their reason, they cannot be allowed to hurt more villages."
Ox nodded, a flicker of pride in his gaze. "You are right. But this mission will require more than strength. It will demand discipline, focus, and the courage to face what lies within each of you."
The words hung in the night air as each of the young warriors reflected on their resolve. They had trained, practiced, and dreamed of defending the valley, but now, as they prepared to face a true threat, they felt the weight of their task.
With preparations complete, the group set out, their footsteps silent as they moved down the mountain. The night was cool, and the sounds of nocturnal creatures filled the forest around them. Ox led the way, his senses sharp, every step as deliberate as a seasoned warrior's. The others followed closely, their eyes alert and hands ready.
The journey to Lotus Village was not far, but under the cover of darkness, every shadow seemed to stretch with hidden intentions. Mei, her youthful spirit both eager and nervous, glanced up at Ox, whose massive frame moved like a silent boulder through the trees. She had looked up to him since she was young, imagining him as a mythical protector, larger than life. But now, as she followed him into unknown dangers, she saw him not just as a legend, but as a guardian with his own burdens.
"Master Ox," she whispered, breaking the quiet. "You've faced enemies like this before… How do you stay calm when the danger feels so close?"
Ox's gaze softened slightly, though he didn't turn to look at her. "I remember what I fight for," he replied, his voice a steady rumble. "Not for myself, but for those who cannot defend themselves. And I remember… the cost of failing to protect them."
Mei nodded, absorbing his words. She could sense the unspoken weight behind them, the scars hidden beneath his calm demeanor.
As they continued, the forest began to thin, giving way to the fields surrounding Lotus Village. But as they approached, the air grew heavy, filled with an unnatural silence. No fires flickered in the windows, no voices or sounds of life. Only darkness, thick and still, lay over the village.
Ox held up a hand, signaling the group to stop. "Something is wrong," he murmured, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled with a sense of impending danger.
They moved cautiously, entering the village on silent feet. The homes were undisturbed, but the silence was deafening. No one was there—no villagers, no signs of life. Just an eerie emptiness that gnawed at their nerves.
Jin, the fox, moved ahead, his sharp eyes sweeping over the surroundings. "It's as if… they vanished," he whispered, barely audible.
Ox knelt, pressing his massive hand to the ground. He closed his eyes, feeling the earth beneath him, searching for any lingering presence. His mind focused, listening for the faintest hint of disturbance. Suddenly, he sensed it—a faint, residual tremor, as if many footsteps had passed through here, hurried and panicked.
"They were taken," Ox said, his voice low and grim. "Taken against their will. The attackers must have moved swiftly, capturing the villagers before anyone could escape."
Lian looked around, her feathers bristling with unease. "But where would they take them?"
Ox rose to his feet, his face shadowed in determination. "There's only one place they would go if they're following Lang's path. The Valley of Shadows."
At the mention of the Valley of Shadows, the young warriors exchanged uneasy glances. The valley was a place of darkness and legend, a hidden enclave where Lang had once trained his followers. It was said to be a place of cruelty, where strength was forged through suffering, and where mercy was seen as weakness.
Han clenched his fists, his voice steady despite his fear. "Then that's where we go. We'll get them back."
Ox looked at each of them, sensing their fear but also their resolve. "This will be unlike anything you have faced," he warned. "The Valley of Shadows is treacherous, filled with dangers that will test not only your bodies but your minds."
Mei stepped forward, her eyes bright with determination. "We're ready, Master Ox. We may be young, but we're willing to face whatever it takes to protect our people."
Ox felt a swell of pride in his heart. These young warriors had courage, a spark that reminded him of himself in his youth. He placed a massive hand on Mei's shoulder, his touch gentle yet grounding. "Then let us go together," he said. "But remember: stay close, stay vigilant, and trust each other."
With that, they turned toward the distant mountains, where the Valley of Shadows lay hidden in darkness. Their path was uncertain, filled with the unknown, but they moved with purpose, their hearts united in the desire to save those who had been taken.
As they left the empty village behind, Ox felt the old wounds in his heart stir, memories of battles fought and friends lost. He knew this journey would test him as much as it would test his young companions. But he was ready, for in the faces of those who followed him, he saw the future—a future he would protect, no matter the cost.
And so, the legend of Ox the Colossus grew, not in tales of grand battles or victories, but in the quiet, determined steps he took with those who looked up to him. The journey to the Valley of Shadows was only beginning, but it would be a journey that none of them would ever forget.