"Good morning..." I paused thinking of what I should name her. "Good morning, Susu." I said, to the still half-asleep, yawning slender youth in front of me, its emerald form shimmering in the morning sunlight, her eyes in hues of the peridot stone in which she came from. She let out an inviting smile, lines crinkled in the bottom of her eye.
"Good morning, Master Yinuo," Susu replied, its voice a gentle whisper that seemed to emanate from the very air around it. "Master, did you sleep well?" she followed.
I chuckled. "As well as one can with a sword that chats in the middle of the night."
"Forgive me, master. Susu apologized. "I was merely curious about your dreams."
"Dreams? You were eavesdropping on my dreams?"
"Not intentionally," it protested. "I just... felt a slight connection with your emotions while you slept."
I shook my head, a smile tugging at my lips. "You're a strange one, Susu."
"Strange, but friendly," it countered with a playful tone.
I patted her in the head. Engulfed, we chatted the whole morning.
Later that afternoon, I introduced Susu to my companions, "This is Susu," I said, gesturing to the blade, now resting on a table. "She's... well, she's my sword. It recently took a human form, so I wanted to introduce her to you."
The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with curiosity, amusement and some skepticism.
Susu let out a glow, and transformed into her human form. She smiled brightly, "I'm Susu, a peridot sword! About 600 or more years of age. She, Yinuo, is my master. How are you guys?" she lit up the room.
"A talking sword?" questioned someone in the crowd.
"Indeed," I confirmed. "She's quite the conversationalist."
"A sword with a personality?" A young mage with eyes full of wonder chimed in. "This is truly fascinating!" another said.
"And a warm one at that," I added, meeting Susu's gaze. "Don't let her gentle demeanor fool you. She can be quite fierce when the need arises."
The group chuckled at that, their initial skepticism replaced by a healthy dose of fascination. I smiled knowing that Susu's wittiness and enthusiasm will add life to our sect. I noticed Lin Jian in the crowd smiling at me; he mouthed something, the face he made made me chuckle. I started stepping towards him, when something in the distance caught my eyes.
Goosebumps rose up, my hands sweaty at the sight. It was dead bodies covered in white clothe, lifeless hands dangling, it was being carried in our sect's investigation room. Lin Jian noticed the shift in my emotions and he looked in the direct I was looking. We exchanged looks.
That night he came into my chambers. "It's the Jade falls mystery again." Lin Jian said, his voice barely a whisper. He paced the small, dimly lit room, his face etched with concern. The air hung heavy with the scent of incense and something else, something metallic and unsettling.
I nodded, my own thoughts echoing his. The bodies, they were just empty. No wounds, no visible signs of struggle. Just drowned. It is different this time."
The image of the pale, lifeless faces haunted me. All those souls, gone, taken by unseen forces. We were both cultivators, sworn to protect the innocent, and yet here we were, baffled.
"The energy threads," Lin Jian murmured, his brow furrowed. "They were all gone. Completely gone. Like they'd been siphoned away."
"Siphoned?...It's energy threads again." I echoed, a chill running down my spine. It was a horrifying thought. Even a mortal could sense the vibrant hum of life energy within a living being. For it to just be gone...
Lin Jian nodded, his gaze fixed on the flickering candle flame. Its like something drained them dry. And not just their life force, but their essence itself.
"Jade Falls," I murmured, my thoughts racing. The water there, emerald green and seemingly tranquil, could mask a sinister secret. It was often said the falls held a dangerous mystique, whispering tales of forgotten creatures and ancient magic.
We sat in silence for a long time, the only noise the crackle of the candle and the rhythmic ticking of a nearby clock. The victims were not just names on a list. They were lives cut short, families devastated, and a threat that loomed large over our sect and the entire land.
Just then, a voice, soft yet laced with urgency, broke the silence. "It's not simply drowning, master. I'm afraid . It's more than that." Susu, her eyes wide with a knowledge that both frightened and intrigued us, spoke in a hurried whisper.
"I recall a whispered legend concerning a secret artifact hidden within Jade Falls. It is said that this relic requires the energy threads of the living to be unlocked."
Our minds raced as we connected the dots. "Could it be," I exclaimed, "that an unknown force seeks to claim this artifact? That the victims are mere pawns in their quest?"
Lin Jian's voice was grim. "It appears so." he clutched his fist.
Susu's expression of concern mirrored my own mix of curiosity and fear as I approached her, "Susu, what artifact is so powerful that it's worth killing and draining people of their energy threads? Is there a way to stop this, to destroy it?" I inquired, my voice tinged with urgency and a hint of thrill at the unknown.
Susu, met my gaze with a steely resolve. "No, master. I don't know. No one does. That's why it's unsettling that after centuries, someone dares to unlock its secrets. The risk may outweigh the reward," she replied, her words sending a shiver down my spine, a rush of adrenaline fueling my curiosity.
"Knowing this is a start. Now, we must uncover the identity of the one seeking this power," I declared, a surge of excitement mingling with the fear that gripped my heart. "I'll inquire master about this matter again. We must act fast before they got a hold of this ancient artifact."
"Let me testify for you. I've lived for centuries, I might know some information you'll need." Susu offered. I nodded at her request; it'll be easier for us with Susu around.