The whisper of the wind swept gently through the forest as Yun Lan and Leon walked side by side, their steps quiet on the soft moss that blanketed the ground. The air was thick with magic, humming like a low melody just beneath their senses. Trees arched overhead like guardians, and the occasional glimmer of golden light broke through the pink canopy above.
They hadn't spoken much since their reunion. Emotions buzzed between them—confusion, longing, hurt—but both were too proud or too afraid to unravel what lingered in the silence.
Suddenly, a rustle broke through the quiet.
Leon's hand flew to the hilt of the dagger at his side, his protective instinct flaring. Yun Lan turned sharply.
Another rustle. Then a low growl.
From the thicket emerged a creature unlike any they'd seen in this world. A majestic black wolf, its eyes glowing a brilliant silver, stepped into view. It was massive—easily up to Leon's chest—and moved with both elegance and deadly intent.
Before Yun Lan could speak, the wolf lunged.
Leon pushed her behind him and met the attack. The beast's claws slashed across his shoulder, tearing fabric and skin. He grunted but stood his ground.
"Leon!" Yun Lan cried out, her voice cracking.
The wolf paused mid-growl, its head turning sharply toward her. It sniffed the air, then stopped altogether. A strange recognition passed through its expression. The silver glow in its eyes dimmed slightly.
Slowly, cautiously, the wolf stepped toward Yun Lan. She didn't flinch. Something deep in her heart told her this creature meant no harm—not to her.
"You know me," she whispered, kneeling.
The wolf pressed its snout gently into her palm.
Leon stood behind her, clutching his wounded shoulder, breathless and tense. "What the hell is this thing?"
Yun Lan turned to him. "It's showing us the way."
And indeed, the wolf began walking, turning its head to make sure they followed.
They journeyed deeper into the forest, where the trees grew taller and the light dimmer. After some time, the foliage parted to reveal a breathtaking structure carved into the side of a cliff—a temple, ancient and glowing faintly with runes etched into its stones.
Inside, the air was still. The wolf led them into a chamber where a single pedestal stood in the center, atop which floated a crystal orb pulsing with a quiet, inner light.
Yun Lan took a tentative step forward. "What is this place?"
The wolf's deep voice echoed in her mind, not spoken aloud but felt like a whisper in her soul. This is the Temple of Truth. Touch the crystal. See who you really are.
Her heart thundered. She reached out, fingertips brushing the smooth surface of the orb.
In an instant, her vision blurred.
A rush of images crashed into her—her and Leon, in another life. She saw them young, in love, sharing stolen kisses under stars. Then enemies, blades drawn in betrayal. Then, the final image: Leon sacrificing himself, standing between her and death, whispering her name with blood on his lips.
She gasped and jerked her hand away.
Leon was watching her carefully. "What did you see?"
She hesitated. The truth was too much. It felt like it would burn through her.
"Nothing," she said softly. "Just… colors. Light."
He narrowed his eyes but didn't press.
The wolf spoke again. You may not return to your world until ten tasks are complete. Fail, and the gateway remains closed forever.
"What kind of tasks?" Leon asked, tense.
The first: retrieve the Heart of Candracar—a red gemstone in the shape of a heart, hidden in the Valley of Whispers.
Yun Lan's breath hitched. "How far is it?"
Far enough that you must journey by moonlight and survive its guardians.
As the wolf turned and disappeared into the shadows, Yun Lan and Leon were left alone.
They exited the temple and made camp nearby, under a tree with pink leaves that glowed faintly in the moonlight.
Leon stood near the fire, his wound now wrapped but still aching. "You're hiding something from me."
Yun Lan turned away. "I'm not."
"You are," he growled, stepping closer. "You always do this. You push me out."
She clenched her fists. "Because I don't trust anyone easily."
"I'm not just anyone," Leon said sharply.
He reached for her arm, spinning her to face him. Their faces were inches apart. She could see the flicker of pain, of anger in his eyes.
"Tell me what you saw," he demanded.
"No."
His hand moved to her cheek, fingers rough, trembling with tension. "You don't get to keep everything inside. Not when I—"
She tried to turn away again, but this time, he didn't let her.
Leon pulled her close and crashed his lips against hers. The kiss was raw, full of fury and longing. She gasped against his mouth, stunned, but he didn't stop. His hand slid to her waist, pulling her tighter.
Yun Lan pushed against his chest once—twice—but then stilled.
It was heat and fire and storm, his mouth demanding, hers finally responding with reluctant need. She kissed him back, pouring into it the fear, the confusion, the ache of knowing too much.
When they finally broke apart, breathless, Leon's eyes searched hers. "You felt it too," he said hoarsely.
She said nothing.
But deep in her heart, the memory of another life still burned. A life where she had loved him deeply…and lost him.
They sat silently for a while, neither speaking. Above them, the stars shifted.
Yun Lan's voice was quiet. "We have to find that stone. The Heart of Candracar."
Leon nodded. "And we will. Together."
As the wind carried the song of the forest through the trees, Yun Lan looked out into the darkness and knew—this world held secrets she wasn't ready to face, but fate had brought them here for a reason.
And she had ten trials ahead to prove herself—not just as a survivor, but as the woman she was meant to be.
To be continued...
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