Azure Echoes.

Chapter 13: Awakening of the Azure

The forest was dense around them, with sunlight filtering through the high canopy, casting a green-tinted glow over everything. Xiu scouted ahead, alert for signs of danger, while Lian and Zeng walked a few paces behind her, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. Lian noticed Zeng's frequent glances toward his hand, the way his fingers flexed and then curled back into a fist, as if he were testing something he couldn't quite understand.

"What's on your mind?" Lian asked, his voice low but curious.

Zeng hesitated, glancing at Lian before looking down at his hand again. "It's... hard to explain," he murmured. "Ever since we entered these woods, I've felt this... pull. Like there's something in the air that resonates within me. I don't know how else to describe it."

Lian nodded, studying him closely. "And does it have to do with... your heritage?"

Zeng looked up, uncertainty and resolve mingling in his gaze. "I think so. The Azure clan was known for their connection to nature, to life energy itself." He hesitated, as if he were sharing something forbidden. "My adoptive family, the ZengHua, never encouraged me to explore it."

Lian watched Zeng, sensing his quiet turmoil. He had grown accustomed to Zeng's brave and confident demeanor, but beneath that exterior was a young man grappling with power and a history he barely understood.

"Why not test it here?" Lian suggested softly, nodding to a clearing up ahead where beams of light pierced through the treetops, casting an ethereal glow on the forest floor. "You're in the Whispering Woods. If there's any place to connect with your roots, it's here."

Zeng exhaled slowly and gave a small nod. Xiu, noticing them stop, approached with a questioning look, but a slight gesture from Lian told her to wait.

Zeng stepped into the clearing, his heartbeat quickening as he raised his hands, feeling the faint hum of energy around him. He closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses, trying to follow the inexplicable pull that tugged at his core. The air around him seemed to grow warmer, the light brighter. For a brief moment, he could feel the essence of every leaf, every root, every breath of the forest around him. The Azure within him stirred, coaxing him to connect deeper, to let it flow freely.

Then, as if a veil had been lifted, a faint blue aura surrounded him, shimmering like water under moonlight.

Lian watched in awe, feeling an odd sense of peace wash over him in Zeng's presence. The blue light emanating from him was soft, almost tranquil, yet filled with boundless energy. But Zeng's breathing grew shallow, and his hand shook, struggling to contain the power surging through him.

"Zeng, focus," Lian said quietly, moving closer but staying just outside the blue glow. "Let it flow, don't fight it."

Taking a deep breath, Zeng concentrated on Lian's voice, grounding himself. Slowly, the erratic pulse of the aura stabilized, the light flickering until it settled around him like a second skin. He felt the strain lessen, as though the power was becoming a part of him instead of consuming him.

Just as Zeng was beginning to find his balance, Xiu's sharp voice broke through the stillness. "Look out!"

From the edge of the clearing, a dark-clad figure lunged forward, weapon drawn. Zeng spun around, instinctively raising his arm. The blue aura flared, meeting the blade mid-swing with a force that sent the attacker stumbling backward. Zeng hadn't touched the man—the energy from his aura alone had acted as a barrier.

Lian quickly stepped between Zeng and the attacker, a look of grim understanding crossing his face as he recognized the man's attire. The dark insignia on his cloak was unmistakable.

"Another from the Black Veil," Lian muttered, glancing back at Zeng. "And it seems they're after both of us."

Zeng tightened his grip on his Azure sword, the blade seeming to resonate with the aura around him. The power surging through him felt almost intuitive now, guided by his determination to protect his companions. He swung the sword, the aura amplifying each strike, and the attacker barely managed to parry. The energy was too much for the man to withstand; within moments, he was disarmed and immobilized by Zeng's powerful stance.

The attacker sneered, blood trickling from his mouth. "You can't run forever," he spat, locking eyes with Lian. "The Black Veil never lets its own escape." His gaze shifted to Zeng, recognizing the power coursing through him. "And you," he said, voice laced with hatred, "you're a fool to think they won't use every weapon they have to destroy you both."

Xiu stepped forward, her voice as cold as steel. "Too bad you won't live to tell them where we are." She dispatched the man with a swift strike, her expression dark as she met Zeng's shocked gaze. "Don't look at me like that. These people stole everything from me, and I'm not about to let them take you two."

The tension hung in the air as Zeng, still resonating with the Azure energy, stood in silent contemplation. He glanced at Lian, who had been watching him carefully, a new depth of understanding in his eyes.

"Your power is a gift, Zeng," Lian said, his voice calm but laced with conviction. "It's part of who you are, and it's going to help us end this."

For the first time, Zeng felt the weight of his heritage lift slightly. His abilities, his lineage—it wasn't just a burden; it was something he could control, something he could wield to protect the people he cared about.

Xiu cleared her throat, bringing them back to the present. "We need to keep moving," she said, her gaze shifting between the two. "But Zeng, if your Azure abilities can do what we just saw, they may be our greatest asset against the Black Veil."

As they continued deeper into the forest, Zeng felt a newfound strength settle within him. His lineage, his powers, and his path were intertwined with Lian's and Xiu's. Together, they were no longer simply running from the Black Veil—they were moving forward, one step closer to ending its dark reign.