The heavy wooden door creaked open as Lim Kris knelt beside the collapsed figure, struggling to keep her upright.
Lim Kris (panicked):
"Hey! Wake up—who are you?!"
As the figure's hood slipped back, the faint moonlight illuminated her face.
Lim Kris's breath hitched.
Lim Kris (softly, eyes wide):
"Chinye…?"
There was no mistaking it. Beneath the bruises, blood, and torn clothes, it was her older sister, Princess Chinye.
Lim Kris (shaking her gently):
"Sister! Wake up!"
Chinye groaned weakly, unable to respond. Without wasting another second, Lim Kris pulled her inside the temple and laid her on a nearby mat.
As soon as Chinye crossed the threshold, the soft golden glow of the temple's immortal energy enveloped her. The faint outline of a phoenix shimmered into existence above them, its wings spreading gracefully.
Within moments, the wounds, bruises, and blood faded from Chinye's body.
Lim Kris (in awe):
"Her injuries… they're gone."
But despite the temple's miraculous healing power, Chinye's cultivation level remained stripped, leaving her as weak as an ordinary mortal.
Lim Kris (softly, clutching Chinye's hand):
"What happened to you…?"
The Truth Unveiled
Moments later, Chinye's eyes fluttered open. Her gaze settled on Lim Kris, and for a second, disbelief crossed her face.
Chinye (hoarse, weakly):
"K-Kris…?"
Lim Kris tightened her grip, tears threatening to spill.
Lim Kris:
"I'm here, Sister! You're safe now!"
Chinye's tired eyes searched the room, her breath trembling.
Chinye (softly):
"Kris… the Water Clan… it's gone."
Lim Kris froze.
Lim Kris (voice cracking):
"W-what do you mean it's gone? Don't joke like that!"
But the solemn look in Chinye's eyes told her it was no joke.
The words struck like lightning, and Lim Kris's world began to crumble.
Chinye (softly, tears welling up):
"Our home… our people… were wiped out by the Fire Clan."
Lim Kris's breath hitched as tears streamed down her face.
Lim Kris (shaking her head):
"No… no, that can't be true."
Her chest tightened as guilt flooded her heart.
Her eyes drifted toward the temple entrance, her fists clenched.
Lim Kris (through gritted teeth):
"Master… he knew."
Chinye's eyes widened slightly as she noticed Lim Kris's trembling shoulders.
Lim Kris (voice breaking):
"Chen Franz knew… and he didn't tell me."
Chinye's Story
Chinye sat up slowly, her gaze softening as she wiped Lim Kris's tears away.
Chinye (gently):
"Listen to me, Kris… this isn't his fault."
Lim Kris (snapping):
"How can you say that?! He let our clan be destroyed!"
Chinye shook her head, gripping Lim Kris's hands.
Chinye (calmly):
"Let me explain."
Lim Kris swallowed her anger, sitting quietly as Chinye recounted what happened.
Chinye (softly):
"After you disappeared in Poyro City, Father and Mother sent out search parties. We thought you'd been taken… we searched everywhere but couldn't find any trace of you."
Chinye's voice trembled.
Chinye:
"Father was overwhelmed with worry… but while we were searching, the Fire Clan ambushed us."
Lim Kris's eyes widened.
Chinye (softly):
"They attacked the city without warning. Our warriors fought hard, but we were outnumbered. Many died that day… I barely escaped."
Chinye's hands trembled.
Chinye (voice cracking):
"They captured me… tortured me… tied my hands and lashed me for days."
Lim Kris's hands curled into fists as tears welled up once more.
Chinye (softly):
"But during one of the sessions, they tried to stab me with a spirit stone."
She slowly pulled a small broken stone shard from her sleeve, glowing faintly in the dim light.
Chinye (softly):
"They didn't know… it was a teleportation stone. When they drove it into me, I bit down, activated it… and it brought me here."
She gazed at Lim Kris with a faint smile.
Chinye (softly):
"I didn't expect to see you again… I thought you were gone forever."
Tears streamed down Lim Kris's face as she pulled Chinye into a tight embrace.
Lim Kris (softly):
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Sister."
The two held each other, overwhelmed with relief and grief.
Chen Franz Returns
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Chen Franz returned from his hunting trip, carrying two large boars over his shoulder.
He stepped through the temple entrance and froze, his sharp gaze landing immediately on Chinye.
Chen Franz (calmly):
"I see we have a guest."
Lim Kris's tear-streaked face lifted toward him.
Lim Kris (coldly):
"You knew."
Chen Franz set the boars down, meeting her gaze without flinching.
Chen Franz (quietly):
"Yes."
Lim Kris's fists clenched as she stormed toward him.
Lim Kris (angrily):
"Why didn't you tell me, Master? I had a right to know!"
Chen Franz exhaled softly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Chen Franz (gently):
"Because you weren't ready for that burden. I wanted you to focus on growing stronger… not carrying the weight of loss."
Lim Kris's anger flickered for a moment before the exhaustion overwhelmed her.
Chen Franz (softly):
"I'm sorry, Kris."
Without another word, Lim Kris collapsed into his arms, silently weeping.
Chinye watched quietly, gratitude flickering in her eyes.
Chinye (softly):
"Thank you… for protecting her."
Chen Franz gave a small nod.
Chen Franz (calmly):
"I will protect both of you… for as long as necessary."
As the temple's lights flickered gently under the stars, a fragile peace settled over Dead Mountain.