"Good," he said, turning away as his sword dissolved into light. "Then don't die before I finish my tea. I'd hate to come all this way for nothing."
And just like that, he was gone, his figure melting into mist, leaving behind only the faint echo of his laughter and the steam curling lazily around her.
Ling Yu sat there for a long while, the warmth of the water doing nothing to ease the cold that had settled in her chest.
She tilted her head back, staring at the faint shimmer of stars above.
"So," she murmured, half to herself, "a sorrow that cannot be slain… huh."
Her hand drifted to the faint mark glowing on her wrist, the curse sigil pulsing softly, alive.
"Then I'll just have to find a way to heal it… in my own way."
The night wind stirred, carrying with it the distant whisper of the forest, and somewhere deep within the glades, the World Tree's song began to shift, low, mournful, like the echo of something awakening once more.
Ling Yu's lips curved faintly.
