The tunnel stretched ahead like a dark vein through the ruin's heart, walls etched with faded formations that flickered weakly under their passing steps. Wei Chen led, fan in one hand, the other linked with Lin Xue's. Su Mei guarded the rear, crimson qi trailing like alert shadows.
Behind them, shouts echoed—pursuers crashing through the chamber they'd just left. Boots on stone, swords drawn, righteous chants growing louder.
"We need distance," Wei Chen said, voice low. "And quiet. That thing's voice carries farther when we're scattered."
Lin Xue nodded, frost qi cloaking their footsteps in silence. "The deeper tunnels twist. We can lose them in the maze."
Su Mei glanced back. "Or turn and finish them. We're stronger now."
Wei Chen squeezed Lin Xue's hand. "Not yet. The seal's fresh. We push it too hard, and the crack widens again."
They ran—fast, but controlled. Side passages branched off, some collapsed, others glowing with old traps. Wei Chen's golden eyes scanned ahead, Nine-Suns senses picking out safe paths.
Then the first whisper came.
Soft. Close. Like breath against his ear.
Wei…
Just the first syllable. His name, drawn out, tasting.
Wei Chen stumbled, black sun brand flaring hot under his robes. Lin Xue steadied him instantly. "It's starting."
Su Mei caught up, taking his free hand. "Link tighter. Don't let it finish."
They pressed on, hands joined in a chain. The shared flame pulsed between them—warm, steady, pushing back the cold thread trying to worm into Wei Chen's mind.
Another whisper, clearer now.
Wei Ch…
It tugged at his throat, like invisible fingers trying to force the sound from his own mouth. He clenched his jaw, focusing on the warmth flowing from both women.
Lin Xue's voice cut through. "Say my name instead. Anchor to us."
"Wei Chen," Su Mei added firmly. "Stay with us."
He exhaled. "Lin Xue. Su Mei." Their names felt solid, real. The whisper faltered.
But the pursuers gained. Torchlight bounced off walls behind them. An arrow of righteous qi whistled past, shattering stone near Su Mei's head.
"Faster," Wei Chen urged.
They ducked into a narrow side tunnel, walls closing in until they ran single file. Wei Chen first, then Lin Xue, Su Mei last. The chain broke—hands separated.
The whisper returned instantly, stronger.
Wei Chen…
Full this time. Complete. It rang inside his skull, cold satisfaction dripping from every letter.
Wei Chen froze. His brand burned ice-cold. For a heartbeat, his voice tried to answer—lips parting against his will.
Lin Xue spun back, grabbing his face in both hands. "Look at me. Only me."
She pulled him down, pressing her forehead to his. Frost qi surged into him, cool and clear. Su Mei caught up, wrapping arms around them both from behind. Demonic warmth joined the frost, sandwiching his fire between them.
The shared flame roared brighter. The whisper distorted, cracking like thin ice.
Wei Chen gasped. "It almost had me."
Lin Xue didn't let go. "It won't. Not while we're together."
Su Mei's voice was fierce against his shoulder. "And we're not separating again."
They reformed the triangle—hands linked, shoulders touching—and moved as one. The tunnel widened into a circular chamber with three exits. Old formation circles marked the floor, faintly glowing.
Pursuers' voices echoed close now. "They went this way! Seal the paths!"
Wei Chen scanned the exits. "Left one slopes down—deeper, older qi. Middle is trapped. Right loops back."
Lin Xue closed her eyes briefly, sensing. "Left feels… cleaner. Less cold."
Su Mei nodded. "And the whispers are quieter there."
They chose left.
But as they stepped into the downward tunnel, the whisper returned—different this time. Layered. Using all three voices braided together.
Wei Chen… come back… we're waiting…
The black sun brand pulsed once, hard.
And ahead, in the shadows of the tunnel, a faint gold-black glow appeared—like an eye opening far below.
Something deeper in the ruins was answering the call.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
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