Author: I think they are trying to get along!
The air crackled with unspoken tension as Ziyan and Liang Feng stood across from each other, their gazes locked in a battle of wills. The oppressive energy of the chamber had settled, leaving behind a charged stillness that seemed to amplify every breath, every shift in stance.
"If we're bound," Liang said, his voice steady but taut, "then we need to know what we're working with."
Ziyan's lips curled into a sharp smile, though it held no warmth. "A fair point, mortal. Though I doubt you'll impress me with whatever scraps of power you've managed to gather." Her voice dripped with disdain, each word a challenge.
Liang's cursed flame flickered to life in his palm, its crimson glow illuminating his determined expression. "I've survived this long with this curse. That's more than most can say."
Ziyan raised an eyebrow, her feathers shimmering as they caught the light. "Surviving isn't the same as thriving," she said coolly. With a fluid motion, she stepped forward, her hands outstretched. Fiery energy erupted around her, a corona of light and heat that seemed to transform the very air. "Show me what you can do, Liang Feng. Prove that you're not just dead weight tied to my wings."
Liang's jaw tightened. "Fine," he said. "But don't hold back. I need to see what you're capable of too."
The two circled each other, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. Ziyan's fiery aura cast long, flickering shadows across the chamber, while the cursed flame in Liang's hand burned brighter, its wild energy barely contained. Their movements were slow at first, measured and cautious, each assessing the other with practiced precision.
Then Ziyan struck.
In an instant, she closed the distance between them, her movements a blur of grace and power. Flames erupted from her hands, arcing toward Liang with the precision of a blade. He reacted instinctively, raising his cursed flame to block the attack. The two forces collided, sending a shockwave through the chamber that rattled the broken remnants of the phoenix egg.
"Not bad," Ziyan said, her voice almost teasing. "But can you keep up?"
Liang didn't respond. He darted to the side, his cursed flame flaring as he hurled a stream of fire toward her. Ziyan twisted gracefully, the flames grazing her feathers but leaving no mark. She countered with a burst of energy that forced Liang to dive out of the way, the heat scorching the ground where he had stood moments before.
"You're quick," she admitted, her tone begrudging. "But you're sloppy. Your flame is wild, untamed. It'll get you killed."
"I'm still standing, aren't I?" Liang shot back, his voice strained but defiant. He surged forward, his blade igniting with the cursed flame as he swung at Ziyan. She parried with a flick of her wrist, her fiery energy forming a shield that absorbed the blow. Sparks flew as their powers clashed, the air around them rippling with heat and light.
"Is this what you call fighting?" Ziyan taunted, her movements fluid and effortless. She stepped inside his guard, her palm striking his chest with enough force to send him stumbling back. "You're relying on brute force, but that won't be enough against real opponents."
Liang's cursed flame flared angrily, mirroring his frustration. He steadied himself, his eyes narrowing. "Then show me how it's done," he growled.
Ziyan's smile widened, and for the first time, there was a glimmer of approval in her gaze. "As you wish."
She unleashed a torrent of flame, the heat searing and relentless. Liang raised his cursed flame in defense, the two forces clashing in a blinding display of power. But Ziyan's control was undeniable. Her fire moved with precision, cutting through Liang's defenses and forcing him to retreat step by step.
"You have strength," she said, her voice carrying over the roar of the flames. "But strength without control is like a blade without a hilt. It'll cut you down before it ever reaches your enemy."
Liang gritted his teeth, the weight of her words hitting harder than her attacks. He focused, drawing the cursed flame closer, containing its wild energy. The chaotic fire began to steady, its glow intensifying as he channeled it into his blade.
"Better," Ziyan remarked, her expression unreadable. She moved to strike again, but this time, Liang met her attack head-on. Their powers clashed with renewed intensity, the chamber trembling under the force of their duel.
Liang's mind raced as he fought, each strike and counterstrike pushing him closer to his limits. But with each exchange, he began to see patterns in Ziyan's movements, subtle shifts in her stance that revealed her intentions. He adjusted his own attacks, matching her precision with calculated strikes of his own.
"Not bad," Ziyan said, a hint of genuine respect in her voice. "You're learning. Slowly."
"I have a good teacher," Liang replied, his tone wry. It earned him a raised eyebrow and a faint smirk from Ziyan.
The fight continued, each pushing the other to reveal more of their abilities. Ziyan's flames burned with unparalleled grace and power, each movement a testament to her centuries of experience. Liang's cursed flame, though still raw and untamed, grew stronger with each passing moment, its chaotic energy tempered by his determination.
Finally, Ziyan stepped back, her flames dissipating as she raised a hand. "Enough," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "You've shown me what you're capable of, and I'll admit, it's more than I expected."
Liang lowered his blade, the cursed flame in his palm dimming as he caught his breath. "So?" he asked, his voice rough but steady. "Do I pass your test?"
Ziyan studied him for a moment, her piercing gaze softening slightly. "You're not entirely hopeless," she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "But don't let that go to your head. We have a long way to go, and the bond between us won't tolerate weakness."
Liang nodded, his determination unwavering. "Then we'd better keep moving," he said. "Because I don't plan on being a weakness for either of us."
Ziyan's smile widened, and for the first time, there was a flicker of something more in her expression—not approval, but perhaps the smallest glimmer of trust. "Good," she said. "Because I won't allow it."