Chapter 32: System Failure
The sound of footsteps reverberated through the clearing, steadily growing louder. Ning Que and Lian Zhen exchanged a wary glance, both tensing up as the air thickened with unspoken tension. Birds, previously chirping in the trees, fell silent, as if sensing the mood shift.
"Get ready," Ning whispered. He locked his eyes on the haze beyond the ridge, primal instincts kicking in. An urgent pressure built in his chest—a drive to defend, to attack. Every muscle in his body was primed for action. Still, nothing appeared on his system. Not a prompt, not an interface. Just an oppressive silence drilling a nail into his spine.
He couldn’t summon his katana, but he was prepared and ready to fight when it came to it. He just couldn’t decide on how just yet.
Lian twirled her glaive in an elaborate but annoyed flourish, hints of impatience brewing in her expression.
"I’m not waiting around for something to pounce on us, Ning. If you’ve got a plan, now’s the time."
"Plan?" Ning hissed, still focused on the threshold between safety and uncertainty. "I’d settle for a weapon."
The silhouettes began to surface through the fog—vague shapes, shrouded in the mist. Lian raised her glaive, holding it like a barrier. Ning shifted to a low, defensive stance, even though he was weaponless, feeling the weight of his vulnerability.
"Ning!" The voice cut through the silence, startling him.
He straightened abruptly. He had recognized that voice. He knew that voice!
"Aeris?"
Clarity emerged as the figures drew nearer, revealing Linx and Viera among them. Each was poised, weapons drawn, approaching with equal measures of caution and relief.
"Friend or foe?" Linx shouted, scanning the area with narrowed eyes.