When Crossbow Meets Blade

Chapter 15

3rd Person POV

Wanwan was speechless. Upon hearing those words, she stood still, her hand still holding Ling's. She couldnt believe anything. What he just said, the sight of him crying in front of her. All this time, he's been hiding his emotions well, not smiling once. Now he's opening up a bit.

"But... why arent you happy? He's gone now.." Wanwan asked, but immediately regretted. She felt like what she just said was insensitive to what he stated.

Ling eventually stopped and his tears disappeared. He exhaled, stabling his breathing. He turned around, finally facing the Agile Tiger in front of him. He stared at her, his eyes full of many emotions. Anger, fear, sadness, she couldnt tell.

"I promised everyone... my entire family, that I would avenge them. They've always been strict with me, forcing me to become an assassin. But back then, I've accomplished nothing. I've always let them down. So I thought, if I avenged them... I could finally.. make them at least rest in peace..." he explained, his voice trailing off at the end.

"Especially my father. This blade," he said, holding up his Defiant Sword. "This was his. He didnt give it to me, though. He always said how weaklings are forbidden to touch this. But before my mother breathed her last after Hanzo attacked, she gave me this, saying how my father would want it. I couldnt tell if she was being sincere. I felt guilty, knowing I broke my promise to him. But I figured, I could at least tame the anger in his heart... by avenging him..."

A pang of guilt and sympathy stabbed Wanwan's heart. Still hand-in-hand with him, she squeezed his hand, feeling him tense up a bit.

"I wanted to be the one to finish Hanzo off, but in the end... it was Hayabusa... my family cant rest in peace now... they cant be happy- they wont be happy- they wont-" before he could continue, Wanwan interrupted him.

"its because of me, right?"

She asks with such sadness in her voice, staring at the ground, at her sprained ankle. She felt like such a burden, and she felt that it was her fault she didnt let her comrade accomplish his goal.

"If i had been more careful out there, if I had been more useful, if I hadnt sprained this stupid ankle, you wouldve taken the final blow. You would have accomplished your life long goal.. I knew it, I'm a burden to everyone." her voice started to crack as tears formed in her eyes. This time it was Ling's turn to squeeze your hand.

"Dont blame yourself. I'd already lost my family. If I hadnt saved you, I wouldve lost you too. I... dont want to lose anymore lives... I dont want anyone to die because of me."

Wanwan looked up at him. He stared at her eyes wit such intensity, all the sadness from before gone. Now, his eyes were full of determination.

"I just... dont want my mistakes to be repeated..." he said, letting go of her hand and covering his face with his, letting out a sigh.

This didnt make Wanwan feel any better, though. She still thinks she brings people down, and she mentally curses herself for it.

Before she could bring herself down any further, Ling said,

"Listen, I dont want to lose any of you. You, Zilong, Baxia, Chang'e. I know I can be a major jerk sometimes and look like I dont give a shit, but I really want everyone to be safe. I dont want anyone to leave, and I will never leave anyone."

This made Wanwan look up in surprise. Yeah, he was a jerk, and looked like he wouldnt care if she died, but she could tell he was being genuinely sincere. She couldnt make out any lies from what he said.

"Ling, listen. I know this may not be the suitable time to tell you, but I actually-"

Before she could continue, the snapping of twigs caught their attention. They looked towards the direction of the noise, spotting a silhouette coming their way. It was Zilong, emerging from the darkness.