Chapter 12 - The chains of shadow

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Xiao Zhan's heart was shattered. The hidden truth in Yibo's eyes and Han's piercing words—both tore through his soul.

With trembling hands, he pushed Yibo's touch away and slowly stood up.

Xiao Zhan (in a heavy voice): "I… I need to leave. I feel like I'm suffocating in this darkness."

Yibo immediately stepped in front of him.

Yibo (desperately): "No, Zhan. You can't go alone. This place isn't safe. Please, listen to me."

Xiao Zhan looked at him, eyes filled with both tears and anger.

Xiao Zhan: "Listen to you? Yibo… who should I believe? You—the one who hid the truth from me? Or Kabir, who keeps chaining me to Lian's shadow? I… I can't trust anyone." 💔

Han stepped forward, his voice deep.

Han : "Zhan… if you leave, she'll take you. Lian hasn't gone yet. Her rage… has only grown stronger."

But Xiao Zhan lowered his head.

Xiao Zhan (softly): "Maybe… this is my fate. If she wants to claim me… I'm too tired to keep fighting."

He walked toward the library's great doors 🚪.

The moment he touched the handle—a fierce, icy gust swept through ❄️ and the doors slammed shut on their own.

Darkness swallowed the room. 🕯️➡️🌑

Lian's whisper echoed—

Lian (slow, chilling voice): "You can't leave, Zhan. This place… is now your prison."

Xiao Zhan's eyes widened in fear.

Xiao Zhan (shouting): "No! Let me go!"

His shadow flickered on the wall… but it wasn't his. It was Lian's—long hair, cold eyes, and black smoke swirling in her hands.

Yibo and Han rushed forward.

Yibo (furiously): "Enough, Lian! Let him go! Your anger is with me, not Zhan!"

But Lian's shadow crept closer.

Lian (laughing): "The mistake was yours, Yibo. But the punishment… Zhan will suffer. Only then will you truly understand my pain." 👻

Xiao Zhan's legs trembled, the floor beneath him pulling him down as if trying to swallow him whole.

He looked at both of them—Yibo and Han —his tear-filled eyes pleading.

Xiao Zhan: "Please… someone, save me…" 😢

But before anyone could act, falling dust from the ceiling and waves of dark smoke wrapped around Xiao Zhan, dragging him into their grasp.

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