Ashes. A promise beyond death

Chapter 15 - The Land Where Darkness Shines

"I don’t like Master’s secrets," Yu Bin murmured, leaning gently against Bao Fang’s shoulder.

The comfort surprised her. It was soothing… but not quite as warm as the arms that had held her the night before. Still, with the sun warming her cheeks and the wind teasing her hair, peace wrapped around her like a soft shawl. The world, if only for a breath, felt calm.

Her master, dressed in robes softer than usual, almost looked like the refined, graceful woman Yu Bin had once imagined as a child—before she’d met the chaotic whirlwind that was Bao Fang in reality.

From the side, Xian Chen muttered, “Annoying…”

Yu Bin turned her head, mockingly sticking out her tongue. “Hmph. I forgot you were here. You always ruin my fun.”

Before he could answer, Bao Fang cut in with a knowing smile.

“Let’s go down. I want to show you something.”

Yu Bin’s curiosity sparked. “Oh? Then let’s go!”

They descended through the clouds, down toward a vast forest alive with the sounds of birds and breeze. As they landed, the trees gave way to something dreamlike—an endless spread of wildflowers swaying under the golden light. The petals glistened like they’d been kissed by stars, and everything pulsed with color and life.

“Come,” Bao Fang said, her tone unusually soft as she led Yu Bin by the hand.

Through the blossoms and deeper into the woods, they arrived at a secluded waterfall. Crystal waters shimmered like liquid silver. Glowing fish darted through the shallows, casting ripples of light on mossy stones. The air itself seemed to hum with magic.

Yu Bin gasped. “Master, you’re the best. This is amazing! There are glowing fish! How is this even real?”

“Is it?” Bao Fang replied, her voice unreadable.

But not all saw paradise.

Behind them, Xian Chen stood motionless, eyes narrowed. The beauty before him felt wrong—like a painting stretched over something rotten. The air was too still. The trees whispered secrets he didn’t want to hear.

Where Yu Bin saw dreamlight, he saw decay.

Dead vines where she saw flowers. Cracked stone where she saw the waterfall. The scent of rot lingered beneath the sweetness of the air.

Why do I see darkness while she sees light? he wondered. Something isn’t right.

Then, the illusion shattered.

The garden dissolved. Glowing fish faded into nothing. Flowers crumbled into ash. Black mist crept around Yu Bin’s ankles, curling like smoke from a dying flame.

“Master?!” she cried. “What happened?!”

Bao Fang didn’t flinch.

“This,” she said calmly, “is reality.”

Yu Bin spun, eyes wide. “Reality? But… the flowers, the water—what was all that?”

“A dream. Or rather, the mask over the truth. This place is called the Land Where Darkness Shines.”

“A dream…” Xian Chen murmured. Understanding dawned in his eyes.

Bao Fang’s smile turned wicked. “And here, my dear princess, you’ll have to fight for your life.”

“You tricked me!” Yu Bin gasped. “I thought we were having fun! I hate you!”

“I love you even more now.” Bao Fang’s grin widened. “Fight well—and maybe, just maybe—I’ll teach you how to fly.”

Yu Bin paused. “Promise?”

Bao Fang handed her a sword. “Promise.”

Yu Bin hesitated, her fear written plainly across her face. “No way. That sword nearly drained me last time. I’m not touching it.”

“You’re already in hell,” Bao Fang said, almost gently. “Don’t use your energy—use your strength.”

Reluctantly, Yu Bin took it.

The moment her fingers wrapped around the hilt, the first corpse lunged from the shadows—twisted, monstrous. She struck it down on instinct.

Then another. Then another.

Steel sang as she moved, carving streaks of light through the mist. Her blade found bone, muscle, shadow—again and again.

“Behind you! Left! Let the sword move with you, not against you! Step forward, not back!” Bao Fang barked commands with precision, never once lifting her own weapon.

Yu Bin fought with increasing control, her footing growing steadier even while still bound to Xian Chen. Despite the tether, she moved fiercely, protectively.

She shielded her master.

“Master, move back!”

“The safest place is behind you,” Bao Fang said with a rare softness. “I trust you.”

“Trust me…?” Yu Bin muttered, eyes glinting.

Then came the claws.

One corpse got through, its talons slicing through her shoulder. She cried out, blood staining her sleeve.

“Yu Bin!” Xian Chen’s voice tore through the battlefield—his pain mirroring hers. Their bond meant every wound bled through them both.

“I’m fine!” she shouted, though her knees nearly buckled. “I’ll be careful!”

Xian Chen drew his sword, forbidden from summoning Longwei, and joined the fray beside her. They fought back-to-back, rhythm syncing like a silent pact.

But distraction costs blood.

A corpse’s strike slipped past his guard, raking across his chest—dangerously close to his heart. He stumbled, breath hitching.

“Yu Bin!” Bao Fang called over the chaos. “Remember—not everything that shines is good. Sometimes, light blinds. And sometimes, darkness is only shadowed light.”

Yu Bin grunted, slicing down another corpse. “Ah yes… just like you.”

Bao Fang laughed. “Exactly.”

Then, finally—“Now, summon Longwei!”

With a burst of energy, the dragon erupted from Xian Chen’s book. A single roar shattered the silence. Every corpse turned to dust.

It was over.

Yu Bin rounded on Xian Chen. “Why didn’t you summon him earlier?!”

“I wasn’t allowed to,” he muttered, throwing Bao Fang a look.

“Guilty,” Bao Fang said, grinning. “I wanted to see what you two were made of.”

“You tried to kill me!”

“Oh, don’t be dramatic.”

She stepped closer to Xian Chen, concern flickering across her face. “Are you alright?”

“I said I’m fine,” he replied, sharp and distant.

“Let me look—”

“I’m fine.”

Yu Bin rolled her eyes, pressing her palm to her bleeding shoulder. “See, Master? He’s grumpy, not dying. I’m the one doing all the saving.”

Bao Fang didn’t argue, but her eyes lingered on Xian Chen longer than they should’ve.

She had seen the way he moved. The way he winced when no one watched.

Then, gently, she turned to Yu Bin.

“And your shoulder? Does it feel… strange?”

Yu Bin frowned. “No. Just a scratch. It’s already healing.”

Bao Fang’s lips tightened, her gaze shifting once more to Xian Chen.

“Very well,” she said softly. “Let’s go home.”

And they did—three souls rising above the ruins, bound by blood, secrets, and something deeper than trust.

No one spoke.

But the silence whispered.