Chapter 18: The Demon Below
From a crack in the floor, a swarm of shadows poured forth—twisted beasts born of corruption. Bai Jiu summoned his blade, its edge glowing blue with divine fire.
"Stay behind me!" he ordered.
But Ying Yue stepped forward. Her hands glowed faintly with silver light. Without thinking, she drew symbols into the air—sigils she didn't know she remembered.
A flash of brilliance surged forward, blasting back the first wave of creatures.
Bai Jiu stared at her, stunned. "Your power… it's waking."
Panting, she nodded. "I didn't think. I just… knew."
The battle was fierce, but together they held the creatures at bay. At the end, as the last shadow crumbled, Ying Yue collapsed into Bai Jiu's arms.
"I'm not ready for this," she whispered.
"You don't have to be," he said, holding her tighter. "You're not alone anymore."