The sky began to lighten, painting the ruins of Yuelan Village in muted shades of gray. Lin Xue huddled beside her unconscious brother, her back pressed against the charred remains of a wall. Her mind churned with fear and exhaustion, but there was no time to rest. She had to move.
Yan's breaths were shallow, each one a reminder of his fragile state. His leg was badly bruised where the beam had pinned him, and the cold air made his small frame shiver uncontrollably. Lin Xue bit her lip, her thoughts racing. They had no food, no water, and no shelter. If she stayed here, they would both die.
She reached down and shook Yan gently. "Yan, wake up. We have to go."
He stirred, his eyes fluttering open. "Xue-jie… I'm so tired."
"I know," she said softly, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "But we can't stay here. The bandits might come back. I'll carry you."
Yan nodded weakly, his trust in her absolute. Lin Xue slipped his thin arms around her neck and hoisted him onto her back. He was light, too light, and it pained her to think of how little they had eaten in the days leading up to the attack.
With Yan on her back, Lin Xue began walking. The road leading out of Yuelan was uneven and treacherous, littered with debris and patches of ice. Each step sent a sharp ache through her feet, but she pressed on, fueled by sheer willpower.
The world beyond her village was vast and unknown. Stories of cultivators, sects, and monsters had always seemed like distant tales, meant to entertain or frighten. Now, she found herself thrust into that world with nothing but determination to guide her.
Hours passed, and the sun climbed higher in the sky. Lin Xue's body screamed for rest, but she didn't dare stop until she reached the edge of the forest. The trees offered some semblance of safety, their towering trunks shielding her from the open road. She lowered Yan gently onto a patch of moss and collapsed beside him.
Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her of another pressing need. She scanned the forest, her eyes searching for anything edible. Spotting a cluster of small, red berries nearby, she hesitated. Were they safe?
"Stay here," she whispered to Yan. He nodded, his eyelids drooping.
Lin Xue plucked a berry and examined it closely. She remembered her mother once telling her that glossy, red berries were often poisonous, but these seemed dull and wrinkled. Taking a deep breath, she placed one in her mouth and chewed cautiously.
The taste was bitter but not unbearable. She waited, her heart pounding, but no adverse effects came. Sighing in relief, she gathered as many as she could and returned to Yan.
"Here," she said, holding out a handful. "Eat slowly."
Yan obeyed, his small hands trembling as he picked at the berries. Lin Xue ate as well, the bitter fruit doing little to satisfy her hunger but giving her enough energy to think clearly.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Lin Xue heard the sound of footsteps crunching on the frost-covered ground. Her heart leaped into her throat. She quickly pulled Yan behind a tree and pressed a finger to her lips.
Peeking out, she saw a group of travelers approaching. Their robes were plain, but they carried swords at their waists, and their demeanor spoke of confidence and strength. Cultivators.
Lin Xue debated her options. She could ask for help, but what if they were as cruel as the bandits? She couldn't risk it.
One of the travelers, a young woman with a kind face, suddenly stopped. "Someone's here," she said, her voice soft but firm.
The others halted, their hands moving instinctively to their weapons. Lin Xue cursed under her breath. She had been too slow.
"Come out," the woman called. "We mean no harm."
Lin Xue hesitated, her mind racing. If they meant to hurt her, there was little she could do. But if they were truly here to help…
She stepped out from behind the tree, keeping her body between the travelers and Yan. "Please," she said, her voice steady despite her fear. "We're just trying to survive. My brother is hurt."
The woman's eyes softened as she took in Lin Xue's disheveled appearance and the boy peeking out from behind her. "You're safe now," she said gently. "We're from the Clear Spring Sect. We're here to help survivors from the nearby villages."
Lin Xue's legs buckled with relief. She sank to her knees, clutching Yan tightly. For the first time since the attack, she allowed herself to hope.
The cultivators led them to a small camp where other survivors huddled around a fire. Lin Xue and Yan were given food and water, and a healer tended to Yan's leg.
As she sat by the fire, watching the flames dance, Lin Xue felt a deep resolve settle within her. The world outside Yuelan was harsh and unforgiving, but she couldn't afford to be weak.
Tomorrow, she would ask the cultivators how to join a sect. She would learn to wield power, not just for herself but for Yan.
The Eternal Flame within her burned brighter than ever, fueled by pain, loss, and an unshakable will to survive.