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The Demon Lord's Hunt
A storm brews over the Demon Palace. The clouds churn black, and lightning splits the sky. Sima Jiao stands atop the highest tower, his robe rippling in the violent wind.
Reports come of a rogue spirit beast escaping from the lower dungeons—a creature infused with demonic fire. It devours everything in its path.
Sima Jiao's eyes narrow. "Release the guards. No one enters my path."
His voice alone shakes the air.
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Tingyan's Disobedience
Meanwhile, Tingyan, unaware of the danger, tends to her tasks near the inner courtyard. When she hears the distant roar, she looks toward the source, fear rising in her chest.
Disciples rush past. "Run! The Demon Lord's wrath will burn through the mountain!"
She hesitates—then goes against orders and follows them, drawn toward the flames.
When she reaches the boundary, the ground trembles beneath her feet. A monstrous shadow looms from the fire—a beast of molten stone and claws.
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The Rescue
Sima Jiao descends like a flash of darkness, his power cracking through the inferno. The air turns heavy with heat and magic.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away?" His voice cuts through the chaos as his gaze lands on Tingyan, who stands frozen near the burning path.
Before the beast can strike her, he raises a hand. Black energy coils outward, swallowing the creature whole. The flames vanish instantly, leaving only smoke and scorched earth.
Tingyan stumbles backward, shaken.
Sima Jiao turns sharply toward her. "You disobeyed."
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Punishment or Protection
He walks closer, his eyes glowing faintly red in the smoke. She braces for anger, for pain—but instead, he lifts his hand. The jade pendant around her neck pulses, reacting to his magic.
"Your courage is foolish," he says quietly, "but your fate belongs to me. If you die, that would irritate me."
It's the closest thing to concern she's ever heard from him.
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The Beast's Remnant
From the ashes, a fragment of dark crystal remains—the beast's core. Sima Jiao picks it up and glances at her.
"This," he says, "is power you cannot touch. But I can lend it to you."
He presses the crystal to her palm. A surge of energy rushes through her, almost knocking her off her feet. The mark of the demon briefly flares across her wrist before fading.
"Now," he murmurs, "you belong to my shadow."
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Nightfall
Later, alone in her quarters, Tingyan feels the dark power sleeping beneath her skin. The jade pendant glows faintly beside the mark.
Outside, thunder still rumbles, and far above, Sima Jiao stands again on the tower, looking toward her chamber.
He says nothing. But his expression carries something unfamiliar—possession, and a flicker of something that looks almost human.
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✨ End of Episode 15 — The Bond of Fire and Darkness