The battlefield had vanished, but its weight remained.
Ji Ren sat on the cold stone, his fingers clenched against his knees. His body ached from the constant fighting, but that pain was nothing compared to the storm raging inside him.
Xiao Lian sat across from him, silent, lost in thought. Her usually sharp eyes were unfocused, staring at nothing.
She hadn't spoken since they had awoken here.
And that troubled him.
Xiao Lian was always composed, always thinking two steps ahead. But right now, she looked… shaken.
Ji Ren had seen her fight without hesitation, had watched her cut down enemies without a flicker of doubt. Yet, when she had faced that silver-haired man, whoever he was, she had hesitated.
More than that.
She had been afraid.
Not of the man himself.
But of what he represented.
Ji Ren exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax his fists. He had always known Xiao Lian was different, but now he was beginning to realize just how different.
She wasn't just another warrior fighting to survive this trial.
She was tangled in something much larger—something that even she didn't fully understand.
And he…
He was powerless to help her.
The thought made his stomach twist.
For the first time in his life, Ji Ren hated his own limitations.
He had always relied on strength, on instinct. He had spent years training, pushing his body past its limits. Yet, here he was, sitting uselessly while Xiao Lian fought battles that went beyond swords and fists.
He had never felt so weak.
Ji Ren clenched his jaw.
He couldn't let this continue.
~
The flickering light of the chamber cast shadows across Xiao Lian's face.
Ji Ren watched her from the corner of his eye, trying to find the right words.
He wanted to ask if she was okay.
But that felt stupid. Of course she wasn't.
He wanted to tell her she didn't have to carry everything alone.
But he knew she wouldn't listen.
So instead, he said nothing.
Because what could he possibly say?
Xiao Lian was a storm, one that didn't need saving. She was stronger than anyone he had ever met.
And yet…That didn't stop him from wanting to protect her. He exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair.
This was different from before.
He had admired her since the first time they fought. He had respected her sharp mind, her ruthless efficiency. He had wanted to surpass her, to prove himself as her equal.
But this…
This was not admiration. This was something deeper.
Something dangerous.
Ji Ren tightened his fingers against his palm, forcing himself to breathe.
It didn't matter.
His feelings whatever they were, didn't matter.
Xiao Lian didn't need them.
She had enough to deal with already.
And the last thing he wanted was to become another weight on her shoulders.
So he wouldn't tell her.
Not now.
Not ever.
Instead, he would make a silent oath.
To protect her.
To fight beside her.
To be strong for her, even if she never asked him to be.
Even if she never wanted him to be.
He would be there.
Because that was the only thing he could do.
.
.
.
Xiao Lian finally moved, breaking the heavy silence.
Her voice was quiet, thoughtful. "We don't have much time before the next trial."
Ji Ren swallowed back the words he wanted to say.
Instead, he nodded. "Yeah."
Xiao Lian glanced at him, her gaze sharp again—back to normal. "You should rest. You're still injured."
Ji Ren snorted. "So are you."
She didn't argue, but she didn't agree either.
Typical.
Ji Ren leaned back against the stone wall, closing his eyes for a moment.
He wouldn't tell her.
But that didn't mean he would stop feeling it.
And that was something he would have to live with.