"The evidence is right there, Elder Li!" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with urgency. "You must believe me."
Elder Li, his face etched with skepticism, shook his head. "Calm yourself, Yinou. We'll investigate the mirror's origins first. Then we can act."
I knew he wouldn't believe me, not yet. But time was of the running out. Zhang Lin, driven by his love for his sister, was bound to try something reckless.
"We need to act fast, Elder Li," I insisted. "Zhang Lin is determined."
We hurried back to the Jade Dragon Sect, the heavy silence of our journey punctuated only by the frantic beat of my heart. Once we reached the sect, I confided in Lin Jian, telling him everything about my experience in the mirror. I hid the part about meeting and falling for a version of him within the mirror the truth was too painful to share, especially now.
Lin Jian, ever my one and only companion in this investigation, believed my story. That night, he asked me out on a... date?
.
The air was thick with the scent of blooming jasmine, and azure fireflies danced around us as we sat on a moonlit branch. The world felt magical, a bubble of peace amidst the storm.
Then, a sharp pang in my head, a dizzying sensation, and darkness.
I woke with a jolt, the sounds of clashing swords ringing in my ears. I was locked inside a dark chamber, the window offering a terrifying view of our once-peaceful sect, now engulfed in chaos. The air was thick with the smell of blood and fear.
"No!" I screamed, tears stinging my eyes. "This can't be happening!"
I frantically searched for a way out, a way to help, to save my brothers and sisters. I managed to escape, throwing myself into the fray, swinging my sword in a desperate attempt to protect the young disciples. Seeing friends and mentors fall around me, their faces contorted in pain, was a nightmare I wouldn't soon forget.
"Lin Jian!" I cried out, searching for my friend in the chaos.
But he was nowhere to be found. It all happened in a flash. Those I saved I brought into a secret hideout in our sect, a cave.
There we spent minutes...perhaps hours, even days. There was no sign of time. I lost a few juniors in my hand, they were bleeding so much, their lifeless faces terrified me. I saved some, while others died in their sleep. I felt weak, no one dared open the cave's door. No one dared say a word.
I saw a familiar figure in the distance, it was Lin Jian. Then it all went black...
That's what happened. That's how I found my self in this my original situation.
I woke up in an unfamiliar place. My eyes blindfolded, my arms in contact with tight, sharp chains wrapping around them, half of my body numbed soaked in cold water. My throat was dry, my stomach emptier than I was feeling, surrounding me foul smell of blood and dirt.
I couldn't utter a word. I can't even move...I couldn't breathe properly. I didn't know why I was here, nor why I was in a situation like this. Lin Jian, was the last one I saw. What happened? Had I've been caught? Who was it?
Thoughts raised in my mind. I composed my self, regulating my energy, trying to regain my strength.
It helped me move my fingers, move my lips, as I let out a raspy voice, "Is someone there?", it was barely audible, it sounded like I was deprived of water for years. There was only silence that replied. I repeated my self, "Someone? Please, I'm cold and thirsty." I lowered my self, completely giving up.
I have nothing. They all died, in front of me. I know I shouldn't give up, but my body is.
I sensed someone's presence in front of me, "I'm thirsty." I spoke. Water was more important right now. The person stood still in front of me, I felt its eyes piercing my weak body. "Buddy, I want water, alright? Please. " I repeated my self.
The person in front of me used his hands as a cup to hold the water he and I was standing on, the water in where my blood trickled down.
How disgusting. Utterly disgusting. "Here. Drink." a voice said. It was still water. I don't care anymore. I drank from the person's hand.
Gods was still showing kindness to me, the situation isn't totally hopeful. Totally. My family just died in front of me, it wasn't a big deal . Lin Jian just disappeared it, doesn't hurt me. I am just lightly injured, I'll heal. What a joke! Heaven is making me a joke! Rage and sorrow filled my heart at that moment, "Get lost! You, get lost!" as I paddled the water with my last ounce of strength, making the chains around me tighter, crushing my flesh.
I felt the person's eyes still locked, "It's okay. I'm good, what are you still staring at! Get lost! Get lost!" I screamed with my hoarse voice, until the person finally left. My eyes stung, thankfully the blindfold covering my eyes is soaking in my tears. My heart crumbled, finally pouring the pain out.
I just don't understand and I don't want to understand anymore. Master Xinyue, did he had a horrible death? Susu, if she was still alive, she won't be her lively self anymore, right? Those juniors that died in my hands just because I was incompetent, will they blame their senior sister? Those I saved, were they in the same situation as I am right now? How can their little bodies take this hellish torture? Lin Jian, if he survived, will he look for me?
It was all making me mad. I don't what to do nor can I do anything. I went unconscious that night, woke up to people carrying me. I didn't dare move, accepting what it is. I was put in a cold room..with grails? No, it was a cage. Yes, a cage. They were treating me as an animal, what do they want from me?