The Shadow of the Ansha — A Dangerous Presence
Their brief moment of intimacy was shattered when an unfamiliar energy made the hairs on the back of Xiao Yan's neck stand up. Slowly, the Ansha emerged from the shadows, silent and imposing, his presence chilling yet magnetic.
Xiao Yan noticed first, his instincts screaming danger. "Someone's here," he muttered, pulling back slightly. Mi-An stiffened, matching his alertness.
They both quietly stood, every muscle tensed for what could come. Xiao Yan's newfound power surged beneath his skin. Maybe I can strike… maybe I can hurt him.
He lunged forward, but before he could make contact, the Ansha extended a hand, and Xiao Yan felt his movements stop as if invisible chains bound him. He crashed to the ground, head hitting the stone floor painfully. Mi-An rushed to his side instantly.
The Ansha advanced slowly, deliberately, his gaze fixed on them. Mi-An attempted to cast a spell, glowing runes materializing around her hands—but before the magic could complete, the Ansha effortlessly shattered it with a mere gesture.
"Trying to escape?" the Ansha asked, a dangerous smile curling across his face.
Mi-An moved to shield Xiao Yan, giving him a moment to recover. She saw him groaning, struggling, but unable to move freely under the Ansha's control.
"You won't leave here alive," Xiao Yan shouted, his voice trembling with defiance.
The Ansha's eyes gleamed with amusement. "You should fear me. Have you forgotten?"
Thunder rumbled across the sky, shaking the ground beneath them. Trees snapped, and debris flew as the sheer force of the Ansha's aura distorted the environment. His figure, calm and terrifying, radiated an aura that seemed capable of leveling the entire sect.
"I'll make an appearance soon," he called over his shoulder, turning to leave. "Wait for me."
With that, he vanished, leaving a tense silence in his wake. Mi-An took Xiao Yan's hand, guiding him toward a glowing portal that had opened nearby. They leapt through it together, the pull of the unknown giving way to the relief of safety.