Afternoon. Outside the Glass Pagoda.
Outside the cave was a group of huddled figures sitting tiredly around a fireplace. Although the only female in the group looked much better than the rest, her face showed her exhaustion over the days.
It's been 3 days since they've camped out here. At first, they suspected that someone has already entered the Glass trial. But as the days pass by, their determination began to crumble piece by piece.
"Big brother Bai," the woman talked to a man, "the Glass Pagoda probably isn't here."
As for the man who was referred by the surname Bai, his face kept growing blacker by minutes. The fury in his eyes was building by each minute and it scared all those around him. Especially the servant who led them here. Fearing that the young master might just take his head right there for bringing them here, where the Glass Trial seems nonexistent.
"Let's go back, brother." The woman said, tugging on her brother's arm.
"Fine." He agreed, but instead of walking back with the woman, he headed straight for the cave. Then with a clenched fist, he swung it straight for the cave.
BOOM!
The cave shook as it started to crack. He kept on smashing it, venting all his anger on the pitiful cave.
While inside the Glass Pagoda, a pair of old and young sat across from each other. They were about to initialize the process of removing the poison when a silvered-hair man suddenly rushed into the room.
"Master!" The young man called anxiously. He barely has the time to breathe.
"What is it, Aki?" The old man replied calmly.
"The cave! Someone is smashing it down!"
What?
"Aki! Go stop them!" The old man ordered while dragging Xi Rin somewhere.
Confused, Xi Rin asked, "What's going on?"
"Remember how you were in a cave before you got here?" The elder replied, not even looking at her as he anxiously pulled her along. "They are smashing it down. And that means you would be trapped here."
His words made her remember the day when they first met. The elder had to spend the whole day explaining to her that the Glass Pagoda was something like another dimension. It was a space that runs different from reality's time and does not have to abide by the world's law. The space would change alongside its master, catering to their preference and needs. However, that also depended on the Master's capability and power itself.
But of course, that's not the important thing right now. He specifically reminded her that although her body is currently residing inside the Glass Pagoda, when she exits, it would return to the cave. So if the cave collapses, it might end up caving in on her, trapping her. Or even worse, kill her.
Why is she always stuck in life-and-death situations like this?!
"Aki, come here!" The old man suddenly ordered to the sky. Like magic, Feng Aki suddenly appeared out of thin air.
His breath is ragged and he looked out of shape with a few bruises here and there. But it still couldn't hide the dangerous and vicious glint in his eyes.
Was he in a fight?
"Master?"
"Listen. In a few moments, I want you to take Xi Rin away from here. Got it?" The old man sternly ordered. "No one must see you."
The silver-head nodded grimly in return, placing the order in his heart. For the past few days, the people out there have been eyeing the Glass Pagoda inside. But they haven't been able to get in. If they knew Xi Rin came out of there, they'll sever her into pieces.
Before they left, the old man made Xi Rin took a pill. "It'll turn you invisible for ten minutes. Now hurry!"
The space around distorted and Xi Rin had to close her eyes to prevent herself from getting dizzy. When she opened them again, they were back at the cave. But everything was violently shaking and rocks were falling everywhere.
Carrying her, Aki ran for the entrance, his steps making no sounds. Just when they were steps away from the exit, the cave started to collapse. Rocks began to fall and collapse, making them stop and dodge instead. A large rock was fell straight for Xi Rin, but Aki suddenly jumped back a few steps, narrowly avoiding it.
Suddenly he said, "Don't breathe until I say so."
Then he dug his heels into the earth and jumped.
Using the falling rocks as stepping stones, he sped forward and past the crowd of people underneath. And just like that, he flew past all their heads without them noticing a thing before landing gracefully without a sound.
However, the man who was pounding the cave suddenly turned around. His eyes stared straight at them, making Xi Rin flinch. But Aki held her arm firmly, stopping her from moving. She suddenly remembered what Aki said and held her breathe. The man's sharp eyes stared at them unwaveringly, sharp and ferocious.
... Can he see them? Did the invisibility pill's time run out?
After what seems like forever, he finally looked away and went back to pounding the cave. Aki then quickly carried her, before jumping into the trees and fleeing.
But they still haven't run far enough when Xi Rin heard, "Destroy it! Even if the Glass Pagoda is not here, we can't risk anyone else finding it. It's best to destroy it completely before anyone else has the chance."
Secretly snickered inside her heart, she mused, 'I wonder what they would do if they find out that the Glass Pagoda is already taken?'
After a while, they finally slow down and Aki let go of her.
"I think it's good now," Aki said, looking for any signs of people. When he couldn't find any, he turned his attention back to Xi Rin. "Do you know your way back from here?"
"Ah. Yes. Thank you for helping me." She smiled at him in gratitude, But the silver-haired man just briefly nodded, his eyes indifferent and cold.
"I'm going back to the Glass Pagoda now." He said curtly. Then he left without a trace.
Xi Rin just sighed at his disappearance. The man was always so cold to her for some reason. Not sparing her another word unless it's necessary.
Taking a look at her surrounding, she then started trekking her way back home. She just wanted to pick some mushrooms when she came here and now she came back with nothing. And who knows how long she's been gone.
How will she explain everything to Qiu Zhi?
"Sighhhh... why is life so complicated?"
YOU ARE READING
Never again
Romance"Rin...I'm sorry. If there's another lifetime, I'll never let you go." Years passed by in his life, yet he could never forget. The girl who was his childhood friend. The one he loved. The one who sacrificed her life for him. Maybe. Maybe if he had...
