BXBX NOVEL Chapter 58: Chapter 58: I Need Aric
Aric, knowing the plot all too well, was aware of the path that would lead them back to their team or possibly to an exit from the ruins. Yet, as he gazed at Zhen Yu, who looked both determined and weary, he questioned himself. Why should he waste this rare opportunity?
The plot had presented him with a perfect chance to win Zhen Yu\'s heart, and he was not one to let such an advantage slip through his fingers.
As they wandered together through the desolate landscape, their footsteps crunching against the gravelly ground, an unspoken tension filled the air. Zhen Yu\'s normally bright eyes were clouded with worry, and despite her attempts to appear calm, Aric could see the uncertainty etched in her features.
"Aric," Zhen Yu began, her voice cutting through the oppressive silence. "Do you think we\'ll be able to find our way out? This place feels... different, like it\'s not just a simple part of the ruins."
Aric glanced at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Don\'t worry, Zhen Yu. These ruins are ancient, yes, but that just means there are hidden paths and secrets that we can use to our advantage. We\'ll find a way out together."
Zhen Yu nodded, though the concern in her eyes remained. "I just hope the others are safe. We were all separated so suddenly... I can\'t help but worry."
Aric\'s smile deepened, his tone reassuring. "They\'ll be fine. We\'ve all been through worse, haven\'t we? Besides, I wouldn\'t let anything happen to you."
His words had the desired effect, and Zhen Yu seemed to relax slightly. "Thank you, Aric."
Time passed, and their search yielded no results. The wilderness seemed endless, with no signs of life or civilization. Just as despair began to creep in, they stumbled upon the entrance to a cave, partially hidden by overgrown vines and moss. The mouth of the cave yawned open like a beast ready to swallow them whole, but it offered shelter from the oppressive environment outside.
"Let\'s rest here for a while," Aric suggested, his voice soft yet commanding. "We need to conserve our energy and figure out our next move."
Zhen Yu nodded in agreement, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion. The cave\'s interior was cool and dimly lit, a stark contrast to the harsh wilderness outside. They sat down on the cold stone floor, the silence between them broken only by the occasional drip of water echoing in the cave. As they rested, Aric\'s mind was already working, considering the next steps in his plan.
"Aric," Zhen Yu said quietly after a few moments of silence. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like if things were different? If we weren\'t always fighting and struggling to survive?"
Aric turned his head to look at her, surprised by the sudden introspection. "What do you mean?"
"I mean... what if we could just live peacefully, without all these conflicts and battles? Wouldn\'t that be nice?"
Aric chuckled softly, his gaze distant. "Peace is a luxury few can afford in our world, Zhen Yu. But if it were possible, then yes, it would be nice."
Zhen Yu smiled wistfully, her eyes reflecting the dim light of the cave. "Maybe one day, we\'ll find that peace. I\'d like to believe that."
Aric\'s expression softened. "If that day ever comes, I\'ll make sure you\'re there to see it."
Their conversation was interrupted by a growing feeling of restlessness in Zhen Yu. "I can\'t sit still any longer," she said, rising to her feet. "I need to see if there\'s anything out there that can help us. I\'ll be back in a few hours."
Aric nodded, watching her as she left the cave. He knew what awaited her outside—danger, in the form of the very beasts that roamed this cursed land. Yet, he made no move to stop her. Instead, he followed her from a distance, his steps silent as he moved through the underbrush like a shadow.
Zhen Yu\'s breath came in steady rhythms as she stood in the dense forest, her senses on high alert. The sun had just begun to set, casting long shadows through the trees, and the air was thick with tension. She could feel the presence of the Shadowfang Wolves before she saw them—their bloodlust and hunger palpable, sending a chill down her spine.
These were not ordinary wolves; they were Rank 4 beasts, notorious for their cunning and pack tactics, capable of taking down even the most seasoned cultivators.
Zhen Yu\'s hand tightened around the hilt of her sword, the cold metal a comforting weight. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to remain calm. She had trained for moments like this, yet the reality was far more daunting than she had anticipated.
I have to stay focused, she reminded herself. If I let fear take over, I won\'t survive.
The first wolf emerged from the shadows, its fur a deep, midnight black that seemed to absorb the light around it. Its eyes glowed a menacing crimson, sharp fangs bared as it growled low, the sound rumbling through the forest like a warning. Behind it, more wolves appeared, their silent approach almost ghostly as they circled her, cutting off any escape routes.
Zhen Yu shifted her stance, her feet sliding into position as she prepared for their attack. She couldn\'t afford to wait; the longer she hesitated, the more the wolves would press their advantage. With a sharp exhale, she lunged forward, her sword slicing through the air with precision.
The lead wolf was quick, darting to the side as her blade narrowly missed its throat. But Zhen Yu was faster. Pivoting on her heel, she followed up with a Jade Serpent Strike, the technique imbuing her sword with a shimmering jade light. The wolf had no time to react as the blade cut into its side, a howl of pain escaping its jaws as it staggered back, blood seeping from the wound.
One down, but there are more, Zhen Yu thought, barely sparing a moment to catch her breath before the others attacked.
The pack moved as one, their coordination seamless as they lunged at her from different angles. Zhen Yu\'s instincts kicked in, her body moving in a blur as she evaded the first set of snapping jaws, her sword flashing as she countered with a swift upward slash. The blade connected with another wolf, severing its head from its body in a spray of blood.
But there was no time to revel in the small victory—three more wolves were already upon her.
Zhen Yu gritted her teeth, her muscles straining as she parried a vicious swipe from one wolf, its claws sparking against her sword. She sidestepped another attack, narrowly avoiding being bitten, and spun around to deliver a powerful kick to the wolf behind her, sending it crashing into a tree with a whimper. But the wolves were relentless, their ferocity unyielding as they continued their assault.
They\'re trying to wear me down… she realized, her mind racing as she blocked another set of attacks. They\'re smarter than I thought.
One wolf managed to catch her off guard, its claws raking across her arm, leaving deep, burning gashes. Zhen Yu hissed in pain, but she didn\'t let it slow her down. Channeling her pain into focus, she activated her Serpent\'s Grace technique, her movements becoming fluid and unpredictable, like a snake weaving through the underbrush.
The wolves snarled in frustration as she danced between them, her sword a blur of jade light as she struck with deadly precision.
Yet despite her skill, Zhen Yu could feel her strength waning. The Shadowfang Wolves were relentless, and every movement she made seemed to sap more of her energy. Sweat dripped down her brow, her breathing becoming labored as the wolves pressed their advantage.
One wolf feigned an attack from the front, and as Zhen Yu moved to parry, another lunged at her from behind, its fangs sinking into her shoulder.
Zhen Yu cried out, the searing pain momentarily blinding her as the wolf\'s teeth dug deeper, its growls vibrating through her bones. She could feel the blood seeping from the wound, her strength faltering as she struggled to shake the beast off. Desperation clawed at her mind, the realization that she was outnumbered and outmatched threatening to overwhelm her.
No… I can\'t give up! Not now!
With a fierce roar, Zhen Yu gathered the last of her strength, her body surging with energy as she unleashed her Coiling Dragon Technique. The jade light surrounding her sword intensified, and in a swift, powerful motion, she swung the blade in a wide arc. The force of the attack sent a wave of jade serpents spiraling outwards, coiling around the wolves and constricting them with crushing power.
The wolf on her shoulder yelped as it was thrown off, crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. The others met a similar fate, their bodies writhing in the grip of the jade serpents before falling still. Zhen Yu staggered back, her vision blurring as she struggled to stay on her feet. The pain in her shoulder was excruciating, and the blood loss was making her lightheaded.
It\'s over… she thought, a small, relieved smile tugging at her lips. I won…
Zhen Yu\'s breath was ragged as she stumbled through the dense forest, her wounds still bleeding, though the pain had dulled to a constant throb. She leaned against a tree to steady herself, her vision blurring with exhaustion. The fight with the Shadowfang Wolves had drained her of almost all her energy, and now, every step felt like a monumental effort.
I can\'t stop… she reminded herself, forcing her legs to keep moving. I have to find Aric… I have to get out of here…
But as she pushed forward, something caught her attention—a sweet, intoxicating scent that seemed to weave its way into her senses, clouding her mind. Zhen Yu frowned, her thoughts becoming sluggish as she tried to identify the source of the fragrance. The air was thick with it, and she felt an inexplicable pull, as though the scent was calling out to her, urging her to come closer.
What is this? she wondered, her steps faltering as she followed the scent. It was unlike anything she had ever encountered, both alluring and dangerous, making her heart race with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.
The forest around her seemed to shift, the trees parting to reveal a small clearing bathed in soft, ethereal light. At the center of the clearing stood a single plant, its petals a deep, vibrant red that seemed to shimmer in the twilight. The flower was exquisite, its beauty almost otherworldly, and Zhen Yu felt her breath catch in her throat as she gazed upon it.
Heaven\'s Desire Bloom… The name surfaced in her mind, dredged up from the depths of her knowledge. She had heard of this flower in ancient texts—a rare and potent plant known for its powerful aphrodisiac properties. It was said that the fragrance alone could overwhelm the senses, driving those who inhaled it to the brink of madness with desire.
Zhen Yu\'s eyes widened in realization, panic flaring in her chest. She had to get away from it, had to escape before the bloom\'s effects fully took hold. But as she tried to turn, her body refused to obey. The scent was overwhelming, wrapping around her like a silken veil, clouding her thoughts and sapping her willpower.
No… I have to… get away…
But even as she fought against it, she could feel the bloom\'s influence spreading through her body, igniting a fire in her veins. Her skin tingled, heat pooling in her core as her breath quickened. The world around her blurred, the forest fading away until all she could see was the bloom, its petals pulsing with a soft, seductive glow.
Zhen Yu stumbled forward, her legs giving out beneath her as she fell to her knees before the flower. Her mind screamed at her to resist, to fight the effects, but her body was betraying her, responding to the bloom\'s call with a hunger that terrified her.
I can\'t… I can\'t let this happen…
Her hands trembled as she reached out to push herself away from the flower, but the moment her fingers brushed against its petals, a wave of heat surged through her, more intense than anything she had ever felt. Zhen Yu gasped, her eyes fluttering shut as she was overwhelmed by the sensation, her thoughts dissolving into a haze of need.
I need… I need…
But she didn\'t know what it was that she needed. The only thing that existed in her mind was the burning, unbearable desire that consumed her. Her body ached with it, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she writhed on the ground, desperate for relief. But no matter how she moved, the fire inside her only grew, pushing her closer to the edge.
Help… someone… please…
The plea was lost in the haze, her voice barely more than a whisper. She was trapped in a prison of her own body, and the more she struggled, the tighter the bloom\'s grip on her became. She was spiraling, falling deeper into the flower\'s thrall, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
But then, through the fog of her mind, a name surfaced, cutting through the haze like a beacon of hope.
Aric…
The thought of him sent a different kind of warmth through her, and for a moment, she clung to it, using it as an anchor to keep herself from drowning in the bloom\'s influence. But even that was not enough to quell the fire. Instead, it twisted the desire into something sharper, more focused.
Aric… I need… Aric…
Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, her mind and body at war with each other. But in the midst of it all, one thing became clear to her—she needed him. Only he could save her, could give her the relief she so desperately craved.
Please… Aric… find me…