Azure Echoes.

Chapter 15: Resolve in the Shadows

The echo of the explosion still rang in Zeng's ears as he stumbled forward, half-supported by Xiu. His chest heaved, his thoughts spiraling back to Lian. Each step he took felt heavier, laden with guilt and helplessness.

"He...he shouldn't have done that," Zeng muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "He shouldn't have left us behind."

Xiu kept silent, her face grim but determined as she guided him further into the tunnel. Eventually, she spoke, her tone firm. "Lian did what he thought was necessary, Zeng. He knew the risks."

Zeng's gaze grew distant, his heart heavy with regret. "But if I'd been stronger...if I'd had better control over my powers, maybe—maybe he wouldn't have had to make that choice."

Xiu's expression softened, but she said nothing. The tunnel they walked through was wider than they'd expected, the walls veined with strange mineral patterns that reflected their lantern's light, casting fractured patterns along the stone. The floor was uneven, making each step more treacherous as they ventured further into the depths.

After a while, Zeng finally stopped, his energy waning and his breaths coming in labored gasps. They paused to rest on a rough ledge along the wall. Zeng's gaze stayed fixed on the ground, his face clouded with a mixture of frustration and longing.

"Xiu," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "I have to become stronger. I can't be helpless like this, not when Lian needs me. All this power," he murmured, looking at his hands, "and I can't even wield it when it counts."

"Then let's train," Xiu replied, setting her lantern down and crossing her arms. Her gaze was steady as she looked at him. "Right here, right now. If mastering your powers is what you need to rescue Lian, then we won't leave this tunnel until you've got a better handle on them."

Zeng nodded, his eyes hardening with newfound resolve. He closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing and center his thoughts, his mind lingering on Lian—the way Lian's voice had calmed him during past battles, how his watchful gaze had always felt like a silent strength by his side.

He reached inward, searching for the power that pulsed within him, the energy that felt wild, like a tempest he could barely grasp. But thinking of Lian, his mind began to calm, his resolve sharpening with each breath.

"Focus on the goal," Xiu instructed quietly. "If you can channel that energy, even in small bursts, it'll make a difference."

As he concentrated, faint glimmers of azure light sparked along his arms, like waves against a distant shore. He clenched his fists, guiding the energy toward his palms, his fingers tingling with warmth as he summoned the power that marked him as Azure. He pushed himself further, deeper, and felt the raw energy pulse through his body. It was stronger than he had anticipated, yet it felt right, as if something within him was finally aligning.

Hours passed in steady silence, interrupted only by the occasional distant drip of water or the soft rustling of gravel beneath their feet. Xiu watched him carefully, her face betraying a glimmer of hope as she saw Zeng's concentration deepen, the flickers of energy growing more stable with each passing moment.

Eventually, Zeng opened his eyes, his gaze now lit with quiet determination. "Lian was willing to face Black Veil for my sake," he said softly. "It's time I prove myself worthy of that sacrifice."

Xiu nodded, admiration sparking in her eyes. "Then let's find a way out of here and get him back."

As they pressed forward once again, the tunnel began to twist and wind, growing darker and colder. The air grew stale, making each breath a struggle as they delved deeper, hoping to find an exit.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Meanwhile, back at the Black Veil stronghold, Lian lay slumped on the cold stone floor of a dimly lit chamber. Chains bound his wrists, and his breathing was ragged, each breath a sharp intake of pain. His arms and legs bore fresh bruises, and dried blood streaked his face. The room was empty and eerily silent, save for his labored breaths and the distant sound of footsteps echoing down the hall.

Moments later, a tall, cloaked figure entered the room, his features hidden behind a silver mask, his presence exuding an air of control and menace. Lian's gaze, though weary, turned icy as he lifted his head to meet the masked man's eyes.

"Well, if it isn't our runaway," the man drawled, his voice carrying a mocking undertone. "Welcome back, Venom."

Lian's eyes narrowed. It had been a long time since he'd heard that name—a name only a select few in Black Veil knew. To most, he had been known simply as "Viper," a title he had earned for his deadly skill with poisons. But to the leader and his closest confidants, he had been "Venom," a weapon to be wielded at their will.

"What's the matter?" the leader asked, his tone darkly amused. "Not thrilled to be home?"

Lian's face twisted into a bitter smile, defiant even through his pain. "If by 'home' you mean a prison, then no, I haven't missed it one bit."

The leader chuckled, his tone chillingly light. "Still the same ungrateful spirit, I see. But don't worry; we'll break you of that soon enough."

Lian's jaw clenched, but he held his silence, his mind racing through possibilities of escape. Yet with his hands bound, his energy drained, and the Black Veil leader watching him like a hawk, the odds seemed insurmountable.

The leader knelt down, a cold smile in his eyes as he studied Lian's defiant expression. "You may think you've escaped once," he murmured, "but this time, we'll make sure you remember who you belong to."

As the leader rose and turned to leave, Lian's gaze hardened. For all his bravado, he knew the situation was dire, but the thought of Zeng—of his determination and the shared strength between them—kept the ember of hope alive in his heart.