"It... it's part of it." Jiu Jia Yi's gaze sharpened. He raised his sword, ready for the next attack. "This trial is far more complicated than we imagined."
Yan Zhi had no time to think. She followed close behind, swinging the Short Blade at the dark shape lunging toward her. It seemed to be made of countless fine threads. Each strike brought her blade crashing against an unseen force with a piercing screech. Her wrist had begun to go numb, but she gritted her teeth and held on.
Suddenly, a violent storm swept through. The entire space began to twist, and the mist gathered as if summoned, forming a massive vortex that swallowed everything in its path. A powerful pull dragged Yan Zhi forward. The ground shifted beneath her feet, nearly throwing her down.
"Grab me!" Jiu Jia Yi shot out a hand, caught her wrist, and hauled her toward him.
Yan Zhi barely had time to react and nearly lost her balance. Darkness seemed to swallow the world before her eyes. The mist churned around them, and her unease grew sharper. She clutched Jiu Jia Yi's hand as an inexplicable fear rose in her chest.
"We have to get out of here!" she said between breaths, her voice tight with anxiety.
"I know." Jiu Jia Yi's voice was low, his eyes set with resolve. He tightened his grip on her hand and quickened his pace through the warping space.
But as they pressed on, the dark shapes in the mist grew denser, as though the whole world were closing in. They could see no end. The darkness ahead seemed to stretch on forever.
Yan Zhi grew more anxious and picked up her pace, but she knew she could not stop. She looked up at Jiu Jia Yi. He was as steady as ever. Though neither knew what lay ahead, his eyes were like stars in the night sky, guiding her forward.
"We have to make it through all this," she said softly, her gaze hardening. "We'll find a way out."
Yan Zhi and Jiu Jia Yi pushed through the twisted space. With every step, the air around them seemed to grow heavier. Her steps hurried, and her heart pounded harder. Whenever she glanced around, the endless dark shapes seemed like countless pairs of eyes watching their every move. She forced herself to ignore the shadows drawing closer and fixed her gaze on the mist ahead, hoping to find an opening.
"We can't keep going like this," Yan Zhi said suddenly, a slight tremor in her voice. "Sooner or later, we'll lose our way."
Anxiety edged her words, but it could not hide her determination. She had already realized the mist was no ordinary natural phenomenon. It was more like a warped force that threatened to devour every thought and feeling she had. With each step, she felt herself slipping farther from reality and closer to an abyss she could not comprehend.
Jiu Jia Yi turned to look at her. Understanding flickered in his eyes, but he said nothing. He only squeezed her hand, offering what comfort he could without words.
"I know," he said quietly, his voice still firm. "But if we stop, we give up."
Before you continue