Later That Year: Cliff Warden Trials, Part 2
Time Until First Rift Appears: 5 Years, 2 Months, 1 Day
The cave entrance loomed ahead, like the maw of some ancient beast waiting to devour them whole. Dark, jagged stone framed the opening, and the cold air drifting out was thick with the stench of decay. The enhanced yetis had already disappeared into the depths, their heavy footfalls now only faint echoes fading into silence.
It wasn’t hard to see this might be a bad idea, but this was the only qi crystal they’d seen so far. And it's only yetis, right?
Rin glanced toward Goruo, who still had that manic, bloodshot look in his eyes—the kind that screamed I can’t wait to start smashing skulls. "You do know we’re about to face a group of beasts that might or might not be a new species with unknown strengths and behaviors, right? And you’re excited?"
Goruo flashed a wild grin, his honey-brown eyes gleaming under an unruly shock of auburn hair. His broad shoulders shifted as he rolled them, stretching in anticipation. Built like a mountain, when he smiled like that, it was like watching a storm gather on the horizon. "Isn’t it exciting? Imagine how much praise we’ll get when we return."
"If we return," Linhua interjected, peering into the cave, her sharp, vulpine face unreadable as her black eyes narrowed against the darkness that seemed to move like a living thing. She turned back, her cropped black hair whipping in the wind as she fixed them both with a deadpan stare.
"Rin, by any chance, do you have your bracer?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
Rin winced. "No. The old man thought it had become too much of a crutch, so he took it when training began."
"Mhm... not ideal," she muttered, biting her lip as she looked back to the cave, calculating. "Normal weapons it is, then." She made the decision for all of them, loosening her pack to pull out her rope dart, the metallic tip gleaming as it coiled around her hand like a deadly serpent.
Goruo chuckled as he tightened the straps on his crushing claws. "Good old-fashioned brawling. Just how I like it."
Rin glanced at his hands—those bone-plated weapons looked like extensions of his knuckles, sharp, brutal, and made for pulverizing anything in their path. Goruo’s inventions, Rin thought, almost impressed. The guy had a knack for combat methods that ended with a pile of bodies.
"Let’s get this over with," Rin muttered, his hands resting on his daggers. They felt light in his grip, their edges sharp enough to slice through flesh. They weren’t flashy, but they were efficient.
Not my first choice, but with Master Lu Ri’s dual-wielding technique, they’ll do just fine. Might not be as flashy as his twin blades, but they get the job done.
"Stay close," Linhua commanded, her voice low and controlled.
As if on cue, a distant growl echoed from the cave depths, the sound bouncing off jagged walls like a warning. They froze. For a moment, the only sound was the soft drip, drip of melting ice falling from the ceiling.
"Well, I sure hope whoever’s looking out for us is close by," Rin murmured, chuckling to break the tension.
Linhua only shook her head, while Goruo kept smiling.
They moved deeper into the cave, the shadows swallowing them as the light from outside faded. The temperature dropped sharply, cold seeping into their bones. Their footsteps echoed off the icy walls, each sound feeling too loud, too exposed.
That’s when Rin felt it—a strange sensation creeping over his skin, like a thick layer of something unnatural. It wasn’t just the weight of mud; it was heavier, more viscous, like oil clinging to every pore. It felt dense, almost suffocating, as though it were seeping into him, wrapping around him in a cold, slick embrace.
He looked around, seeing only cave walls and ice; aside from an occasional drip, everything seemed normal. Yet, whatever this was, the cave was saturated in it.
"You guys feel that?" he asked, hoping it wasn’t just in his head.
"Yeah, it feels... icky. Like... the consistency of Linhua’s cooking."
"Hey! It was one time. My cooking has definitely improved," Linhua retorted, giving him a glare.
"Aha, sure," Goruo replied with a chuckle.
Actually, yeah, Rin thought, Goruo’s right—it does have the same consistency as her cooking.
"A-n-y-w-a-y, I feel it too. It’s not natural," she replied, glancing at Rin. "You think it’s related to this new type of beast?"
Definitely a possibility, Rin thought. But for now, it’s better not to dwell on it too much. "Maybe, but let’s keep moving." He pulled out a pebble-sized light quartz stone, faintly glowing with qi. It wasn’t as potent as a qi stone, but it was often used for lighting in the cities.
Linhua nodded, gesturing to the light quartz. "Good thinking—didn’t even cross my mind to bring one."
Rin shrugged. "Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it."
Unaware of the banter between Linhua and Rin, Goruo suddenly spoke up, “You guys smell that?”
“Smell what? The latrines?” Rin shot back, though Linhua’s rope dart was already coiling through her fingers as if preparing for action.
Goruo paused, nostrils flaring as his eyes narrowed. “No, smartass. Blood.” His voice was low, almost guttural, and his earlier grin faded, replaced with something far more dangerous. “Fresh. A lot of it.”
Linhua nodded sharply, her gaze flicking toward the walls. “Be ready. We’re not alone down here.” Her tone had lost its playful edge, settling into that calm, focused sound she used when things were about to turn ugly.
Then it hit Rin—the stench of blood, coppery and thick, lingering in the air like a warning. The smell was hidden beneath the acrid odor of decay, but now it was unmistakable.
Without warning, a howl reverberated through the tunnel, freezing them in place. A massive shadow lunged from the darkness, and in an instant, they were face-to-face with a hulking, twisted yeti—larger than any they’d encountered. Its eyes glowed an eerie blue, and its white fur was matted with blood.
Goruo was the first to react. With a roar of his own, he surged forward, his crush gauntlets gleaming as they collided with the creature’s face. The impact thundered, bone meeting bone with a sickening crunch. But the yeti barely staggered, its head snapping back before it swung a massive fist at Goruo.
He dodged—just barely—but the force of the swing cracked the ground where he’d stood moments before. “Alright, this one might be tougher than I thought,” he grunted, wiping a trickle of blood from his cheek where the beast’s claws had grazed him.
Rin darted in from behind, daggers flashing as he aimed for the creature’s exposed flank. His blades sliced through its thick hide, blood spurting in an arc as the yeti howled in pain. But before he could retreat, it twisted with unnatural speed, its massive paw slamming into his side.
The air exploded from his lungs as he crashed into the cave wall, pain lancing through his ribs. Stars danced in his vision, but he forced himself upright, gasping for breath. Linhua was muttering curses as her rope dart shot forward, coiling around the yeti’s arm and pulling taut. She gave a sharp yank, trying to unbalance it, but the beast only snarled, yanking back hard enough to drag her forward.
“Could use some help here!” she snapped, her voice tight with effort as she struggled to hold her ground.
“On it!” Rin wheezed, forcing his aching body to move. He dashed forward, ducking under the yeti’s wild swing and slicing at its tendons. His daggers bit deep, and this time the creature roared in agony, collapsing to one knee.
Goruo seized the opportunity. With a battle cry, he leapt onto the creature’s back, his knuckle dusters smashing into the yeti’s skull repeatedly, each blow accompanied by the sickening sound of cracking bone.
“Are you... hitting it... or giving it a massage?” Rin gasped, attempting to distract himself from the pain.
Goruo grinned through the blood splatter. “Hey, it’s got a thick skull! These things take time.”
The yeti bucked violently, throwing Goruo off, but Linhua’s rope dart was already in motion, wrapping around its throat. She pulled, and the metallic wire bit into its flesh, choking off its growls.
With a final, brutal swing, Rin plunged his daggers into the yeti’s neck, the blades sinking through muscle and bone. A gurgling sound escaped the creature’s throat before it slumped forward, lifeless.
A silence settled over them, broken only by their labored breathing.
“That,” Rin panted, wiping blood from his blades, “was not fun.”
Linhua chuckled, though more from exhaustion than amusement. “Next time, maybe pull your weight a bit faster?”
Rin rolled his eyes. “Hey, I was the distraction, remember?”
Goruo clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder, nearly knocking him over. “Yeah, Rin. That wall looked real scared when you slammed into it.”
Rin groaned, brushing his hand off. “You’re hilarious.”
But as he looked down at the yeti’s corpse, an unsettling sight caught his eye. Its blood had a strange, oily sheen, shimmering unnaturally on the ground. Beneath its skin, faint, pulsing veins of blue light glowed—a dark, corrupted imitation of qi.
“Linhua,” he said, nodding toward the body. “You think this has anything to do with that... oily feeling earlier?”
She crouched, inspecting the glowing veins with a furrowed brow. “Could be,” she murmured, prodding the wound. “Whatever it is, it’s definitely not normal.”
A nagging feeling told me this wasn’t over. Whatever corruption had seeped into these yetis…
“Well,” I forced a smile, trying to ignore the chill in my gut, “at least we’re still alive. That’s something, right?”
“Don’t jinx it,” Linhua muttered, already on edge, bracing herself for whatever might come next
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Lu Ri decided to wait in the forested area a bit longer as he didn't want to give his location away to easily because if they were going to be using the northern passes that meant there was not going to be much cover for him to watch from he could go another route but I decided against it
It would take to much time and well these young ones could be quite blood thirsty and he was not going to be the one to tell the boys mother he didn't make it out alive Lu Ri was confident he could go toe to toe with most qi foundation cultivators and maybe even some in the core formation stage but Rin's mother the Silver fairy no she might not be one of the best cultivators but she is by far one of the most proficient fighters in the sect at least in the top ten and she didn't rank so far behind the old man either
So yeah not getting on her bad side would be ideal I looked towards the edge of the woods where the terrain started to change as the altitude increased seeing that Rin them were just starting to make their way up I decided to wait a little while longer so I got a little bit more comfortable in the tree I was currently crouched in and started to look around every now and then there would be a group clustered beneath the trunk I was currently crouched in but they were as green as the foliage I was hiding in
They whispered about this and that but I could not care much either way looking up from the group below scanning the forest once more
This is pretty boring I thought not much to do but wait and watch I guess that is until I saw a group of at least twelve or fifteen moving towards the entrance to the forest squinting I tried to get a better look at what has gotten them so riled up and that is when I saw a boy walking towards the forest
He gate not faltering one bit as he saw the large group of trial takers get close to him he had this aloof air to him which was expected of the person that was hailed as the second coming of the Young master I scoffed yea like that was ever going to happen my thoughts came to a halt as glimmer of crystal reflect from the boys waist
It cant be
I looked up to see where the sun's position was unbelievable he has already gotten a Qi Crystal its only been a couple of hours now thats immpresive I looked to the group closing in hoho this iss going to be good
“Ooi,” the leader barked a brutish boy, stepping forward with a swagger. “Why don’t you hand over those crystals and we’ll let you walk away in one piece.” the sound was a bit muffled but I wasnt a cliff warden for nothing and what I heard was well..
Wait did he say crystals...As in plural he's got more then one crystal already
Lu Ri’s heart skipped a beat, eyes narrowing as he shifted slightly in the tree. His pulse quickened—two qi crystals? That couldn't be right. Most trial takers would be lucky to find one by now, and this boy, this kid barely out of his teens, had two?
For a moment, Lu Ri debated moving in closer, abandoning his vantage point. He could feel the temptation crawling under his skin.
No. He forced himself to settle back against the trunk, keeping still. It wasn’t his responsibility to step in the boy had is own handler which could deal with it if necessary. And while this group looked eager enough to throw down, they were still young. Reckless. More bark than bite, most of them.
Stolen story; please report.
I gave them a cursory glance most of them were either the first or second stage of body tempering the leader though was slightly ahead at I would put maybe the sixth or seventh it was respectable outside of the sect inside he would be deemed less then his peers as going by his deep voice he was atleast in his late teens and not a kid like some of these trial takers
Looking back to Kaidan the boy didn’t seem the least bit worried. In fact, he hadn’t even slowed his pace. His gait remained smooth, almost lazy, as if the dozen or so cultivators closing in on him were nothing more than an afterthought.
The brutish leader of the group stepped forward again, cracking his knuckles, his lips curling into a cruel grin. “Did you hear me? I’m being generous, kid. Hand them over.”
Kaidan was but a few paces from the group now and stopped
"I have somewhere to be could you get out of my way" Kaidan said in a neutral flat tone of indifference
The brutish boy scoffed "And what if we dont I only count one of you and well quite a few of us so tell me oh great one what woul-" the leader tried to finish but a sudden flash of white caught the boy off guard Kaidan moved his silohoute a blur I couldnt see what he actually did but one moement the brutish boy was still talking the next he was airborne tumbling through the air before slamming into a nearby trunk of a tree with a sickening crack
Gasps rippled through the group like a stone thrown into still water. Their cocky bravado drained away, replaced by wide eyes and hesitant shuffles. The brutish boy, now crumpled against the tree, groaned as he slumped to the ground, barely conscious. A few of his companions took involuntary steps back.
Kaidan, however, merely dusted his hands off, as if swatting away an insignificant insect. “I’ll say it once more,” he repeated, his voice low but carrying. “Get out of my way.”
The silence that followed was deafening. No one moved. They all stood rooted to the spot, caught between fear and pride, their collective uncertainty thick enough to cut through the air. For a moment, Lu Ri wondered if they’d be foolish enough to attack him en masse. They had the numbers, but not the experience or power.
And then, slowly, one by one, they stepped aside, parting like the forest itself was yielding to Kaidan’s presence. The boy walked through their midst with the same calm, measured pace, not even sparing them a second glance.
I stifled a chuckle as I watched. Smart move, kids.
Once Kaidan disappeared deeper into the trees, the group finally seemed to regain their senses. Some glanced nervously at their leader, still groaning in a heap, while others exchanged awkward looks, unsure of what to do next. The bravado they’d shown earlier was gone, replaced by embarrassed silence. It was amusing, watching the tough exterior crumble so easily
I looked towards where Kaidan's receding back and sighed I should have pressured the old man more that kid gains nothing from this trial maybe the rewards at the end but that did make sense with his talent any elder would give their arm or maybe even more to have him as their disciple shaking his head ruefully he sighed.
That is not for me to decide he has every right to be here just as all the others do
I figured enough time had passed, and it was probably a good idea for me to go check on my own greenhorn trial-takers. Just as I was about to head off toward Rin’s direction, however, I noticed a single figure trailing Kaidan. It wasn’t his overseer, like I was for Rin—no, Kaidan had noticed her too. She was still in the forest, keeping her distance as she shadowed him.
Mhm this might be interesting
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Kaidan continued his steady walk deeper into the forest, his mind as calm as his outward demeanor. The earlier encounter with the group had been little more than a minor distraction—something to pass the time. His true objective lay further ahead, where the terrain turned into steep, rocky slopes. The air grew cooler, crisper, and the qi flow noticeably denser, signaling he was nearing a natural convergence point.
Pausing for a moment, Kaidan rested a hand lightly on the hilt of his Jian blade at his waist. His eyes narrowed as he sensed a presence approaching—not from the direction he’d come. This one was different—quieter, more deliberate.
Without turning, he spoke. “You’ve been following me for a while now. What do you want?”
No immediate response came, but Kaidan wasn’t in a hurry. He waited, listening to the faint rustle of leaves and the soft crunch of footsteps drawing closer. Finally, a voice called from behind him, low but carrying a note of authority.
“I was curious. It’s not every day that someone as young as you collects two qi crystals so quickly. What’s your secret?”
Kaidan slowly turned to face the newcomer, his expression unreadable. The man before him was tall, with sharp features and piercing eyes. Though his robes were plain, an unmistakable aura of power emanated from him, like a coiled serpent ready to strike. His hands rested casually at his sides, but Kaidan noted the tension in his muscles, the readiness to act in an instant.
“And who are you to ask?” Kaidan replied, his voice cold.
The man gave a smile devoid of warmth. “You can call me… let’s say Jiyan.”
“I’m just another trial taker, like you.”
“Right,” Kaidan said, skepticism lacing his tone. He could feel the weight of Jiyan’s gaze, probing, searching for any sign of weakness. It was almost amusing. Almost.
Jiyan took a step closer, his smile widening. “I’ve heard rumors about you, you know. They say you’re the second coming of the Young Master.”
Kaidan’s eyes flickered briefly before settling back to their usual calm. “People say a lot of things.”
“True,” Jiyan agreed, nodding. “But not everyone walks around with two qi crystals in their pocket.”
A flicker of surprise passed over Kaidan’s face.
“Don’t try to hide it—I can sense them on you. No point pretending,” Jiyan said, an amused lilt in his voice. “And I’m not here to take them. Just wanted to see this new ‘prodigy’ for myself.”
I frowned. “Then why follow me? Why make yourself known?”
“Oh, that…” Jiyan tossed something toward me. Not willing to risk it, I stepped aside, letting the items fall to the ground.
“I told you I’m not here to harm you. That was rude, you know,” Jiyan said, feigning offense.
Glancing at the items, I felt a jolt. One was a scroll, the other an amulet. The etchings were worn, but I recognized them. “You… where did you get—”
Jiyan’s gaze flickered with amusement as he looked at the items scattered at Kaidan's feet. “See? I knew you’d come around,” he said with a smooth grin. “Now that I have your attention, you’re free to keep them,” he added, gesturing at the items. “But first, I have a question. Answer me truthfully, and they’re yours.”
Kaidan’s eyes narrowed, his grip on his Jian tightening as he sized up Jiyan. “And if I don’t feel like answering?” he asked, his tone sharp with distrust.
Jiyan sighed theatrically, shaking his head. “You cultivators... always so predictable.” A smirk tugged at his lips. "So quick to resist, even when you don’t understand the game you’re in."
What does he mean by that? The question barely had time to form in my mind before Jiyan vanished. One moment he was standing there, smirking, and the next—gone, like a shadow swallowed by the night.
Every instinct in me screamed. My body moved before my mind caught up, ducking as something passed over me with deadly force, the air whipping violently around me. The gust hit me like a hammer, sending leaves swirling and dust rising all around.
For a brief moment, everything was soundless, the pressure of the strike disorienting my senses. The sheer power behind it was staggering—he’s fast. Faster than anyone I’ve faced.
The tree behind me splintered with a deafening crack, its trunk shattered into jagged pieces. If I hadn’t ducked, that would have been me, crushed by the blow. My pulse raced, and I felt the tremors in the ground where his strike had landed.
This… this isn’t just speed. His strength is monstrous.
I spun, catching a glimpse of Jiyan’s silhouette, half-hidden in the settling dust. He hadn’t broken a sweat. His eyes were locked onto me, glinting, and for a second, I could swear his pupils dilated into slits—like a cat’s… or no, like a snake’s.
I unsheathed my Jian, three blades of ice condensing behind me. I wanted to strike, but my instincts warned me to hold back, my heart pounding in my ears.
“Now, now, Young Kaidan…” Jiyan put his hands up placatingly. “I only did that to prove a point. If I’d wanted to, you’d be lying here… unalive. I’m just asking a question,” he continued in that disarming voice. “What’s one question to you? It’s not like I really care… just a passing curiosity.”
I considered it a moment longer before shrugging, dispelling the ice blades and resheathing my Jian. “Fine. What’s the question?”
“I’m curious—what happened to your teammates?” he asked, amusement flickering across his face as mine darkened.
“That’s all?” I replied through gritted teeth. He nodded enthusiastically.
“Fine.” As I told him what had happened to my so-called teammates, it wasn’t a long story, and Jiyan laughed heartily.
“Well, that’s… interesting,” Jiyan chuckled, eyes gleaming with amusement. “And here I thought people called me cold-blooded.” He seemed like he had more to say, something lingering on the edge of his tongue. But before he could speak, a distant roar echoed from the mountains—a bone-chilling sound that made the ground tremble.
Jiyan’s head snapped toward the mountains, his smirk fading as a sharp, calculating look replaced it. “I suppose my friends have made contact.” He sighed, almost disappointed, though a flicker of excitement lit his gaze. “Well, this is goodbye for now, Young Kaidan.”
Before I could respond, he gestured to the items at my feet. “As promised, they’re yours. I trust they’ll help you solve that final piece of the puzzle.” His tone dripped with knowing, as if he held some vital secret I hadn’t uncovered yet.
I blinked, thrown by his words. Solve the puzzle? My eyes darted to the items and back to Jiyan. But before I could ask, he was gone—vanished like a shadow, leaving only the rustling leaves in his wake.
How did he know?
Shrugging, I figured I’d find out eventually. I picked up the items, examining them briefly before slipping them into my ring.
Lost in thought, I resumed my walk, oblivious to the shimmer in the air that began to fade behind me.
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From his vantage point in the trees, Lu Ri observed the entire exchange below with growing interest, only to find himself disappointed by the lack of action. They just seemed to be having a casual conversation.
Well, that’s quite the letdown.
Given what Kaidan did to the other boy earlier, Lu Ri had anticipated another good fight, but it never came to pass. Maybe they know each other? he mused. The other kid seemed pretty young, and he did wear sect robes, so perhaps they crossed paths there.
Meh, not my problem.
Shifting his focus away from Kaidan, Lu Ri scanned the forest to see who was left. There were still quite a few teams moving through the wooded areas, though most had begun to climb the mountain itself.
Frostfang Mountain was massive, with jagged peaks and steep cliffs that loomed overhead. Yet, despite its harsh terrain, it boasted surprisingly flat plateaus, as though sections of the mountain had been deliberately carved out. Not that it matters how or why, he thought, though the layout provided an interesting arena for testing these hopeful recruits. Though Cliff Wardens typically stayed near the cliffs, they sometimes had to adapt, fighting on flat ground, in water, or within tight spaces. It’s a beautiful place, sure, he conceded, but like all things, this must end.
His musings were interrupted by a cacophony of roars that shook the earth itself.
Damn it, what was that? His body reacted instinctively, bracing himself for whatever might come. But after a few tense moments, the roars subsided.
If that’s not a cue to get moving, I don’t know what is.
He leaped down from his perch, barely sparing a thought for the yelps of the terrified trial takers below as he sprinted toward the northern passes. I think I’ve given them enough of a head start. They should be far enough not to spot me too easily.
I just hope nothing’s happened to them. Picking up his pace, he broke into a full sprint.
Nothing too bad could have happened… right? Right?
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We pressed onward, deeper into the cave. The cold gnawed at my bones, each breath like shards of ice scraping down my throat. But it wasn’t the cold that unsettled me most—it was the silence.
Our usual banter had died down, even Goruo’s relentless grin fading to a grim line. We were all thinking it: those creatures we fought weren’t normal. And if that was just the beginning… what the hell else is lurking in here?
“Could be worse,” Goruo muttered, finally breaking the silence. His voice was low, as if he didn’t want to disturb the cave.
“Yeah? How so?” I asked, wary of encouraging his typical optimism at a time like this.
He shrugged. “Could’ve been two yetis.”
Linhua let out a huff, unimpressed. “Rin, if Goruo starts spouting more nonsense, I’m leaving him behind.”
I glanced her way, catching the faintest smirk on her lips. “Tempting offer,” I muttered back. “But someone’s gotta keep him alive. Can’t have the big guy getting sentimental in his last moments.”
“Sentimental?!” Goruo burst out, louder than necessary. His eyes widened, realizing he’d raised his voice, then added in a grumble, “Please. I’m just thinking about the reward we’re gonna get for this.”
“Ah yes,” Linhua mused. “The reward. Assuming we live long enough to collect it. And assuming we actually get it back from these things.” She nudged the dead yeti’s paw with her foot.
“Always so morbid,” Goruo said, shaking his head.
Linhua narrowed her eyes. “I’m a realist. It’s what keeps us alive.”
“It’s what makes us boring,” he countered with a grin.
Before Linhua could retort, I raised a hand to silence them. Something was off.
The light from my quartz flickered strangely against the stone walls ahead, casting long, jagged shadows that seemed to move on their own. And then we heard it—a deep, guttural growl reverberating through the cave, almost alive. This wasn’t like the earlier sounds. No, this growl sent ice-cold fear rushing through my veins.
We all stopped dead in our tracks.
“What in the hell was that?” I whispered.
Goruo’s grin vanished, his expression hardening as he reached for his crushing claws. “Doesn’t matter. Whatever it is, we’ll handle it.”
Linhua’s eyes were glued to the shadows ahead, her rope dart slowly unfurling in her hands. “We might want to rethink our approach this time,” she said quietly.
“Why? Scared?” Goruo teased.
Linhua didn’t respond, but the look she gave him was enough to silence his next joke.
A shape emerged from the darkness—another yeti, larger than the ones we’d fought before. It stepped into the faint light, its white fur tinged with black around the edges, its eyes glowing an unnatural blue. But that wasn’t the worst part. Behind it, two more enhanced yetis appeared, equally monstrous, their forms twisted with unnatural power.
“I don’t suppose they’re here to negotiate,” I muttered under my breath.
“Don’t think we brought the right paperwork,” Goruo quipped.
Linhua shot him a look. “Less talking, more fighting.”
The first yeti lunged, and we scattered. Goruo was already in motion, his gauntlets flashing as he met the beast head-on, swinging with reckless power. The ground trembled beneath their clash, each blow echoing off the cave walls.
Linhua moved like a shadow, her rope dart snaking out to distract the second yeti, slicing across its thick hide as she danced just out of its reach. Meanwhile, I ducked and weaved through the chaos, my daggers cutting deep into the exposed flanks of the third creature.
But they were stronger than the others. Every hit we landed felt like it barely slowed them down, and for every injury we dealt, they came back harder, faster.
“Rin!” Linhua’s voice cut through the noise.
I barely registered her warning before the second yeti slammed into me, sending me sprawling across the icy floor. My head hit the ground hard, and for a moment, everything spun.
“On your feet!” Goruo roared as he wrestled the first yeti, his massive form struggling to keep it at bay.
I forced myself up, vision blurring as I stumbled back into the fray. Linhua had the second yeti occupied for now, her dart lashing out with precision, but the third was coming for me, its bloodshot eyes locked onto mine.
I gritted my teeth, summoning what strength I had left. My daggers were in my hands before I knew it, and I charged. The yeti swung its massive arm, but I ducked beneath it, slicing across its leg as I slid past. It howled in pain, but it didn’t stop.
“Just die already!” I snarled, plunging one of my daggers deep into its chest.
The yeti stumbled back, but before I could pull my blade free, it lashed out, its claws slashing across my arm. Pain exploded through me as I was thrown backward, blood spilling from the fresh wound.
“Rin!” Linhua’s voice cut through the haze of pain.
I couldn’t respond, too focused on the beast in front of me, its massive form swaying but not falling. My vision blurred, and for a moment, I thought I might pass out.
And then the ground shook.
At first, I thought it was just the tremor of our battle, but this was different. It was rhythmic, growing stronger with each passing second. The others felt it too—Goruo and Linhua froze mid-fight, their eyes turning toward the depths of the cave.
From the darkness, a figure emerged. Taller than the others. No, much taller. Its shoulders scraped the ceiling, its fur a mix of white and gray, and its eyes… its eyes were a deep, unnatural crimson, glowing with an eerie light that seemed to pulse in time with its movements.
It stood there for a moment, surveying the scene, its massive chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. And then, it spoke.
One word. Guttural. Deep.
“Kill.”
The word seemed to freeze time itself. None of us moved. None of us breathed. The sheer power behind that single word was like nothing I’d ever felt. It wasn’t just a command—it was a declaration.
And we were the targets.
For a second, I thought Goruo might charge in, reckless as always. But even he hesitated. This wasn’t like the other yetis. This one… this one was different.
Linhua was the first to speak. “We need a plan.”
“No kidding,” I muttered, clutching my injured arm as I tried to steady my breathing. My eyes never left the alpha yeti.
Goruo cracked his neck, his usual grin gone. “Well, whatever it is, we better come up with it fast.”
The massive yeti took one slow, deliberate step forward, its enormous hand clenching into a fist.
“Yeah…” I swallowed hard. “Real fast.”