Chapter 27: The Moment of Fate
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(The sound of water droplets falls from the stone ceiling of the cave. Chains gently shake. Blue flames breathe around Xilia… she's alive.)
(A mysterious man takes a step forward. His footsteps on the dry, rocky ground beat like a death drum.)
👤 Mysterious Man:
— "Do you know why everyone fears you, little red one? Because your existence brings their past back to life."
🐱 Xilia (eyes half-open, voice hoarse):
— "Who are you...? Where did you... find me...?"
👤 Man:
— "You have no name. You're a flame… one that shouldn't have survived.
You lived… while hundreds of other children burned in the fire.
And now that same fire… is going to consume you."
(He raises his hand. A black dagger, with a blade covered in red lines, forms in the air.)
👤 Man (whispering):
— "The Silent Death Knife… forged from the bones of exiled chefs… meant to sever the flame bonds…"
(Simultaneously, the blue flames around Xilia intensify. Her body seems to react. Warm energy radiates from her.)
🔥 System voice in Xilia's mind:
> [Activating Ancient Protection]
[Warning: Blocked memories are leaking...]
🐱 Xilia (panting):
— "I… am not a little girl… but I still don't know what I am…"
👤 Man:
— "You'll understand soon. When you scream… and those eyes awaken."
(He thrusts the dagger toward Xilia's heart... but suddenly a flame erupts from her skin—a warm but uncontrolled explosion.)
💥 Boom!
(He's thrown back. The chains crack. Light dances in the cave.)
👤 Man (angrily):
— "Damn… not awake yet… but she's boiling!"
🐱 Xilia (faint smile):
— "I'm just hungry… and when I'm hungry, I get dangerous."
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(At the same moment, somewhere far away in Shan Yuan...)
🔊 Xiao Feng (pounding his fist against a wall):
— "I swear I'll find you… wherever you are… Xilia!"
💀 Gu Tang (quietly):
— "I can still feel her… faint, but not extinguished."
🧒 Lu Zhen (worried):
— "We have to find her fast… there's no time."
(Footsteps approach. A man in dusty clothes and a serious expression emerges from the mist.)
🔊 Unknown Man (firm voice):
— "I'm here. It's time to escape."
(Xiao Feng rushes forward and recognizes the man.)
🔊 Xiao Feng:
— "You! Finally, I found you. What happened? How did you find Xilia?"
🔊 Man (serious tone):
— "No time to explain. We have to move fast. The enemy is still after her."
🐶 Gu Tang:
— "We must escape quickly."
🧒 Lu Zhen:
— "Yes, it's too late."
(They run together into the dark mountains, shadows of enemies in pursuit.)
🔊 Man (looking at Xiao Feng):
— "Don't forget your past… things aren't the way you think."
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🔥 End of Chapter 27