Yike raised an eyebrow, his skepticism clear.
Baihe didn't react immediately, her fingers idly tracing the edge of her water bottle.
Zichen, as always, remained impassive, his gaze fixed on the ground as if it held answers to questions none of us dared to ask.
"It's isolated," I continued, my voice steady despite the knot of uncertainty tightening in my chest. "It might not be perfect, but it's a place to regroup, to rest. We can't keep moving aimlessly. We need a defensible position—a plan."
Baihe's gaze finally lifted from her water bottle, her eyes meeting mine. She didn't speak right away, her expression unreadable. The silence stretched, and the crackle of the stones beneath our shoes was the only sound between us.
Then, she nodded. It was a small movement, almost imperceptible, but it carried the weight of a decision made. "It's worth a try," she said softly. "But we'll need to be careful. If anyone else knows about it…"
The concept of safety was a fragile illusion, easily shattered.
I nodded in agreement, my thoughts already racing ahead. "We'll scout it first," I said. "Make sure it's secure before we settle in."
Yike leaned back, his arms crossed over his chest. "And what if it's not? What if it's just another dead end?"
His tone was sharper than I'd expected, the rivalry between us from our school days still lingering like a stubborn bruise. Memories of track meets and classroom debates flashed through my mind, the petty competitions and grudges that felt so inconsequential now.
"This isn't about winning or proving anything," I said, my voice firm but not unkind. "Whatever we were before—whatever we thought mattered—it doesn't anymore. We're in this together now, whether we like it or not. And if we don't start acting like it, we're not going to survive."
Yike's gaze softened slightly, the tension in his posture easing. He didn't reply, but he gave a small nod, a silent acknowledgment that the rivalry between us had to end, at least for now.
Baihe shifted, drawing our attention. "We'll need supplies," she said. "And a way to defend ourselves. If this place is going to be our refuge, it has to be more than just a hiding spot."
"I can help with that," Yike said, his earlier skepticism replaced by a quiet determination. "If I can figure out how to control the electricity… it could be a game changer."
"And I'll work on my water control," Baihe added. "It's not much now, but with practice, it could be useful."
Zichen remained silent, his gaze still fixed on the ground. I turned to him, hesitating for a moment before asking, "What about you? Do you think this plan could work?"
He looked up, his dark eyes meeting mine. For a moment, I thought he wouldn't answer. Then, he gave a single, sharp nod. "It's a start."
It wasn't much, but it was enough. For now.
The next morning dawned cold and gray, the air heavy with the promise of rain. We packed what little we had, our movements quiet but efficient. Baihe led the way, her familiarity with the area guiding us through the maze of overgrown paths and crumbling buildings.
The journey was uneventful at first, the silence between us punctuated only by the sound of our footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves. But as we neared the edge of the city, the tension began to build, a palpable undercurrent of unease that set my nerves on edge.
It was Yike who broke the silence, his voice low. "We're being followed."
My heart jumped, and I instinctively glanced over my shoulder. I didn't see anything, but Yike's tone left no room for doubt.
"Are you sure?" Zichen asked, his voice calm despite the tension in his posture.
Yike nodded. "I saw movement a few minutes ago. They're staying out of sight, but they're there."
Baihe's grip on her water bottle tightened, her knuckles white. "What do we do?"
"We keep moving," Zichen said firmly. "Act like we don't know they're there. If we confront them now, we lose the element of surprise."
We did as he said, our pace quickening slightly. The forest around us grew denser, the shadows deeper, and the sense of being watched more oppressive.
When we reached a narrow clearing, Zichen held up a hand, signaling us to stop. He turned to me, his voice low. "Can you draw them out?"
I hesitated, my mind racing. "How?"
"Force them to make the first move," he said. "If we can see them, we can fight them."
It wasn't a comforting thought, but I nodded. Stepping into the center of the clearing, I raised my voice, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Whoever you are, we know you're there! Show yourselves!"
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, the bushes at the edge of the clearing rustled, and three figures emerged. They were rough-looking, their clothes tattered, and their faces hardened by survival.
"We don't want trouble," I said, my hands raised in what I hoped was a non-threatening gesture. "We're just passing through."
One of the men, the apparent leader, stepped forward. "And what makes you think we'll let you?"
The threat in his voice was clear, but before I could respond, Zichen stepped forward, his expression cold and unyielding. "Let us go," he said, his tone sharp as a blade. "You don't want to do this."
The leader sneered. "And why's that?"
Zichen's eyes darkened, and I felt the air around us shift, a cold dread settling over the clearing. The leader faltered, his bravado crumbling as his eyes widened in terror. He stumbled back, his hands clutching his head as if trying to block out something only he could see.
The other two men hesitated, their expressions torn between fear and confusion. Taking advantage of their distraction, Yike stepped forward, his hands crackling with faint sparks. "Leave," he said, his voice low but commanding. "Now."
Zichen's firm command had shaken their leader, but the atmosphere remained charged with danger. Suddenly, a soft voice broke the tension—a voice full of innocence and warmth.
"Wait," she said.
All eyes turned to the source. Zichen's younger sister, Tianyi, stepped forward, her delicate figure illuminated by the faint rays of light streaming through the trees. Her expression was serene, her gaze steady as she looked at the rough figures ahead of us.
Zichen's voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding. "Tianyi, stop! Don't go any closer."