Zi's eyelids drooped as the fire crackled on. Despite her effort to stay awake, she leaned against Quinn's arm, her small breaths evening out until sleep claimed her.
Quinn glanced down at her, the corner of his lips softening. Gently, he adjusted his cloak around her shoulders, shielding her from the night chill. "Sleep well, Zi," he murmured. "I'll be back before you wake."
He rose, careful not to disturb her, and slipped out of the cave.
The abyssal land stretched before him, silent except for the faint rustle of wind against the jagged bones and broken earth. Quinn walked further, guided by an unseen pull. He could feel it—threads of energy thrumming faintly in the ground, thick and restless, like currents beneath a frozen lake.
The further he went, the stronger it became. Finally, he stopped at a hollow where black crystals jutted out of the soil, glowing faintly with an eerie light. The air seemed heavy here, humming with dark power.
Quinn closed his eyes and pressed his hand against one of the crystals. At once, the energy surged into him. His veins burned, his chest tightened, and the strange ember within him flared to life.
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself not to pull away. "More… I need more."
The energy rushed into him violently, threatening to tear his body apart. His knees buckled, but he refused to fall. Sweat poured down his face as black flames flickered faintly around his arm, licking at his skin yet leaving no wound.
"Obey me…" he growled, his voice trembling under the strain.
The energy twisted, writhing like a beast refusing a leash, but slowly and painfully, it bent to his will. The flame steadied, dark and sharp, hovering above his palm. Unlike before, it didn't waver like a dying spark.
Quinn panted heavily, the taste of iron in his mouth. He had absorbed too much that his body screamed in protest but inside, the ember was stronger than it had ever been.
He fell to one knee, clutching his chest, yet a crooked smile tugged at his lips. "This… this is power."
His breathing was still ragged when a scraping sound echoed across the hollow. From the shadows, a figure began to crawl forward — It's body body twisted, humanoid yet hollow-eyed. Its skin stretched thin over bone. It opened its mouth in a silent a scream, black mist seeping out.
Quinn staggered to his feet, forcing the black flame to flicker in his palm. "Another one of you…"
The creature rushed him, faster than the one he had faced earlier. Quinn hurled the flame forward, striking its chest. The fire latched on, spreading across its body, but unlike before, the monster didn't fall. It pushed through the pain, clawing at him with skeletal fingers.
Quinn cursed, stumbling back. "Not enough…!"
The ember within him pulsed violently, as if something inside wanted to be released. His vision blurred, and in the haze he heard it — a whisper. Not from outside, but from deep within his soul.
"Bind…"
The word sent a shiver down his spine. Without thinking, Quinn raised his hand and willed the burning energy in his veins to obey.
Chains erupted from the darkness behind him, spectral and black, rattling with a sound that wasn't of this world. They shot forward, piercing through the creature's limbs and chest. The monster shrieked silently, thrashing as the chains coiled tighter, binding it in midair.
Quinn's eyes widened. His hand trembled as he felt the chains were not just holding the creature — they were tearing something out of it. A pale wisp, like mist but denser, was being dragged from its body, writhing desperately against the pull.
"The… soul," Quinn whispered, realization dawning.
The moment the wisp fully tore free, the creature collapsed like an empty husk, lifeless and brittle. The soul-wisp shivered, bound at the end of his chain, before dissolving into Quinn's chest.
A rush of strength flooded his body, clearer and sharper than anything before. His fatigue lessened, and his heart pounded with both fear and exhilaration.
The chains rattled once more before fading into nothingness. The hollow was silent again, but Quinn stood in its center, staring at his hands.
"…Soul Chains," he whispered, naming it instinctively.
His lips curved into a faint, grim smile. "This is power… now I have two techniques already and I feel stronger than before."
He gazed at the sky, a slight frown appeared on his face. "I'd have love to continue but it's almost dawn already. I need to head back to the cave before Zi wakes up."
With one last glance at the hollow, he turned and retraced his steps through the jagged terrain. The cursed land was quiet, almost too quiet, as if holding its breath after what it had witnessed. Only the crunch of gravel under his boots that accompanied him.
By the time the faint glow of dawn began to brush the horizon, Quinn reached the mouth of the cave. Inside, the cave had almost gone dark, the flame was dying away so if nothing was done, they'll end up sleeping in the cold dark place. Though he was not bothered himself, he was more concerned about Zi who was still curled beneath his cloak, sleeping soundly, her chest rising and falling with quiet breaths.
Quinn's expression softened, he flicked his fingers and a burst of flame erupted and was added to the already dying fire. Then he moved quietly so as not to disturb her, slipping down beside her once more. His body ached from the strain of training, every muscle crying for rest, but inside… inside he felt stronger, steadier, and strangely alive.
He laid back against the cool stone wall, letting exhaustion finally claim him. His eyes drifted shut, the last thing he saw was Zi's small frame bundled under his cloak, safe and warm.
For the first time in a long while, sleep came easily.
------
The early morning sun came too early, Quinn was yet to fall deeper into his sleep when he was awoken by soft footsteps.
He opened his eyes and saw Zi entering inside, she was carrying something wrapped in her clothes.
Seeing this, he got up with a curious gaze. "Zi, what are you holding there? Did you leave the cave?" He asked her. He was curious and worried at the same time.
"Brother, you are awake?" Zi asked with a sweet smile. She approached her brother and then poured out the contents she was carrying.
There were fruits and a fairly large dried meat. Seeing these, Quinn frowned.
"Zi, did you...?"
"Brother, I crossed the river and entered the demon realm. The demons there said I was pretty so they gave me these," Zi replied.
Quinn sprang to his feet and rushed at her. He began to check her body for any injuries.
"Brother, what is the matter?" She asked. She knew why her brother was doing that but she pretended to be unaware.
"Zi, why would you leave here without my consent? Don't you know it's not safe out there?" He asked, his voice raising a bit. "What if you were attacked by beasts or some demon?"
Zi smiled and held her brother's hand, she held them firmly with her small hands. "Brother, I get that you are worrying about me but I am no longer a kid," she said.
"Huh?" Quinn muttered, half shocked, half amused. Zi was barely ten years so how is she no longer a child?!
"Yes, brother," Zi nodded with a serious face. "Even if you don't tell me, I know that you haven't eaten anything in days. I can't watch you suffering all because of me.... Besides... I finished the dried meat you brought back yesterday."
Quinn pretended to be surprised and widened his eyes. "You did?" He asked her.
Zi lowered her gaze. "Yes, brother and I am sorry. But brother, it wasn't my fault, the dried meat you brought back was delicious, I couldn't stop eating it and...and I didn't know when it finished."
Quinn chuckled lightly.
This got Zi shocked. "Brother, you actually laughed," she said happily. 'I can not remember the last time brother laughed so happily. I wish he would always laugh like this.'
Quinn stopped laughing and wore back his usual serious face. He didn't know when he began to laugh but he was glad that it made his sister more happier.
"Zi, it's okay that you finished the dried meat because it is yours to begin with. But next time, don't leave this place unless you're with me, okay?"
Zi smiled widely. "Okay brother, I will not disobey you again."
"That's my girl," Quinn patted her on the head and then glanced at the things she had brought back. "Help yourself with these while I head out, I'll be back later."
"Are you not hungry?" Zi asked him, pouting.
"I will eat when I come back," Quinn replied.
Though not satisfied, Zi still nodded. "Fine brother, but don't stay long."
"I won't!" Quinn waved his hand as he stepped out of the cave.