Immortal Serenade

12. Moonlit flight

The Duke's eyes widened in shock as he felt the blade sink into his back. He spat out blood, his voice gurgling with rage and pain. "You fool," he whispered, his hands grasping for Lin Xi. "You could have lived...if you hadn't done this."

Lin Xi tried to pull away, but the Duke's grip was like a vice. "You would have never let me go," she spat, her eyes flashing with defiance.

The Duke's laughter was a wet, gurgling sound. "Perhaps...but you would have been mine."

Lin Xi raised the knife again, but the Duke was too quick. He grabbed her wrist, his fingers closing around it like a trap. "You'll never leave me," he snarled.

Just as he seemed about to overpower her, a figure burst into the room. Chen Rui kicked the Duke off the bed, sending him crashing to the floor. "Lin Xi, come on!" he yelled, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the door.

The Duke's voice was a weak, enraged whisper. "You'll never...escape..."

But Lin Xi and Chen Rui were already gone, running down the hallway, the Duke's mansion fading into the darkness behind them.

Here's the continuation:

Lin Xi and Chen Rui ran as fast as they could, their footsteps echoing through the deserted alleys. But no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't shake off the Duke's guards. More and more kept appearing, surrounding them with swords drawn.

"We have to get out of here, now!" Chen Rui yelled, grabbing Lin Xi's hand.

But it was too late. They were trapped, with no way out. Chen Rui's eyes flashed with desperation as he realized their only option.

"Hold on to me!" he shouted, wrapping his arms around Lin Xi.

Lin Xi's eyes widened in shock as Chen Rui vanished with her, his magical powers enveloping them in a blinding flash. She tried to protest, but it was too late. When her vision cleared, they were standing in the familiar surroundings of their home.

Mei Lan and Hei Bai were waiting, their bags packed and ready. Mei Lan rushed to Lin Xi, embracing her tightly. "We were worried sick about you!" she exclaimed.

Hei Bai nodded grimly. "We need to leave, now. The Duke's men will be searching for you."

But before they could move, the sky darkened and a fierce storm rolled in. Lightning struck, hitting Chen Rui with ten consecutive bolts. Lin Xi screamed, trying to reach him, but the force of the lightning repelled her.

Chen Rui's body convulsed, his eyes rolling back in his head. He tried to speak, but his voice was barely audible. "Lin...Xi..."

Then, he fainted, his body crumpling to the ground. Lin Xi was devastated, but Mei Lan and Hei Bai quickly sprang into action. They carried Chen Rui's limp form, and the group made a desperate dash for the sea, hoping to escape the town and the Duke's wrath.

As they sailed away, Lin Xi held Chen Rui's hand, praying that he would recover from the devastating lightning strikes. The storm raged on, but they pressed on, determined to find safety and a way to defeat the Duke once and for all.

Lin Xi walked beside Chen Rui, her arm around his waist, supporting his injured frame. Hei Bai and Mei Lan followed closely behind, scanning their surroundings cautiously. They had arrived in a new town, one that Lin Xi had never seen before.

As they walked, Lin Xi's mind wandered back to the previous day's events. The Duke's mansion, the escape, the lightning strikes... it all felt like a blur. She glanced at Chen Rui, his face pale and drawn, but his eyes still sparkling with determination.