Dawn broke not with golden warmth, but with a pale, hazy light that filtered through the smoke still drifting above the charred glade. The forest groaned as if in mourning, trees scorched and silent, birds long fled. Ash clung to every leaf, every bootprint, every breath.
Zhu Zhuqing had not yet woken.
Li Wei sat motionless at her side, one hand resting on his knee, the other loosely curled around the hilt of the Diendriver laid across his lap. His armor had been dismissed, his outer coat draped over Zhu Zhuqing like a blanket. Her body had stabilized through the night, soul power running more evenly now, but she hadn't stirred.
His own state wasn't much better. The backlash from the healing harmonization still throbbed through his spirit veins, like someone had poured boiling mercury into his soul.
The destabilization from the Diend Complete has already passed just now, he is now able to use his martial spirit and ability freely again. He then insert a card face up into the side slot of Diendriver.
[BuffRide: Ex-Aid]
The condition of Zhu Zhuqing seem to be improving after Li Wei use the buff on her. The pale skin color seem to be regaining it's vigor. The buff heal a little and increase regeneration.
He breathed slowly, eyes on her face. Her expression, always guarded in life, now looked strangely peaceful in unconsciousness.
Behind him, Xiao Wu knelt by the fire, feeding in thin twigs. She hadn't spoken since midnight. Occasionally, her gaze drifted to Li Wei, then quickly away.
Ning Rongrong stirred beside Zhu Zhuqing, her hands gently holding the older girl wrist, checking the pulse. "Still steady," she murmured. "Her condition had improve compare to before. Her body seem to be holding on."
Li Wei gave a small nod, his voice quiet. "Good."
Xiao Wu looked up. "Do you think she'll wake soon?"
"I don't know," Li Wei admitted. "But I think she will wake up soon. She has to."
Ning Rongrong offered a small smile, though her eyes were rimmed with exhaustion. "If it's your power stabilizing her… then maybe she just following your example. Stubborn."
A faint snort escaped Li Wei, dry and low. "She has always been stronger than me where it counts."
The three lapsed into silence. Only the crackle of flame filled the space between them.
Meng Yiran returned from the edge of the forest, her steps crisp and sharp. She carried a rough sack, the smell of roasted meat drifting from it. "Teacher Zhao have cleared the path east. No strong spirit beasts within five kilometers."
She handed the food over and crouched near Li Wei, eyes flickering briefly to Zhu Zhuqing.
"She's still out?"
"She's resting," Ning Rongrong said. "Better every hour. Give it a little time, with Li Wei healing she will be back to full health."
Meng Yiran glanced at Li Wei. "You still look like death. Eat something."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not," she said flatly. "You almost tore your soul in half. Eat."
Xiao Wu took the roasted slices from Meng Yiran and offered one to Li Wei wordlessly. He stared at it for a moment, then finally took it.
They ate in silence.
As they finished, a breeze stirred the canopy, cool and soft. A few specks of light filtered through—a blessing, small though it was.
Then came the faintest movement.
Zhu Zhuqing fingers twitched.
Ning Rongrong gasped, dropping her water flask. "She moved!"
Li Wei was already leaning over her. "Zhuqing?"
Her brow furrowed. Her lips parted as her eyes fluttered—then slowly opened.
Color rushed back into her cheeks, like dawn breaking in a storm-ridden sky.
"…Li Wei?" Her voice was hoarse.
He exhaled shakily. "Yeah. I'm here."
"You… look terrible," she whispered.
"You should see yourself."
Her lips lifted into the barest smile. "I… thought I died."
"You almost did," he said. "But I wasn't about to let that happen."
Ning Rongrong wiped at her eyes, grinning. "Welcome back. Here drink some water, slowly." She help Zhu Zhuqing up to sit and lean on the makeshift bed.
Xiao Wu stood abruptly and turned her back to them, arms folded tight across her chest.
Zhu Zhuqing gaze moved slowly, taking in the others. "…Everyone?"
"We're all okay," Meng Yiran said. "Some bruises, a few burns. But you were the worst."
Zhu Zhuqing tried to stand up. Li Wei gently pushed her back down.
"Don't. Not yet. You need to let your body rest."
"…You healed me?"
"With help," he said softly. "Kiva harmonization and… a technique from my grandfather."
Zhu Zhuqing eyes searched his face. "You use spirit power. And your own life force."
"I'd do it again."
She looked away, blinking hard. "Idiot."
But her hand reached up and took his.
The others looked away, giving them space.
Later that day, Meng Yiran returned from a short patrol with Liu Erlong. The deputy headmistress arm was still bandaged, but her aura was fierce as ever. She approached the group gathered around Zhu Zhuqing.
"We've cleared out the last of the residual soul beast scent from the eastern edge. We can move afternoon. It safer than staying at one place too long."
"Understood," Li Wei said.
Zhu Zhuqing shifted weakly. "I can walk."
"No," Liu Erlong said firmly. "You'll be carried until I say otherwise."
Zhu Zhuqing grimaced, but didn't argue.
Seeing that nothing to do more than waiting, Li Wei took this times to heal everyone. Even though his healing only slow acting, it will be able to remove all wound and burn.
They broke camp quickly, a silent, efficient routine practiced through hardship. The broken land behind them still bore the scars of something not of this world.
And though no one said it aloud, every one of them felt it.
This wasn't over.
Not yet.