Empire (Xichen X OC)

Chapter 12

I came out of the water, the sun being the first thing feeling on my face as I was trying to catch my breath. Swimming wasn't my strongest point and neither holding my breath for so long. As I moved towards the source where everyone was, I noticed Cheng towering over the Lan discipline that caused us so much trouble.

My hand tightened around the hilt of the sword that I still carried with me, my eyes glowing dangerously as I walked towards the fallen young boy.

"Tengchao" Huaisang exclaimed, his voice trembling when he realised how angry I was.

The boy pushed himself against the rock, shaking as he tried to become smaller and disappear. I placed the tip of the blade against his puny neck and my hand was calm, steady. One swift move and I could cut his head off but before I could do that, we all heard familiar laughter.

I looked up to the cliff above us, my eyes turning harden than metal at the sight of Wen Chao's cocky smirk.

He stood there, behind him his loyal lap dog and of course the many Wen Cultivators that did his bidding.

They pulled their bows, the strings ready and I immediately rushed to the centre of our group. The moment their fingers let go of the bowstrings, I created two identical talismans; one at each hand.

Then I slammed it on the ground, one knee bent as my purple spiritual energy spread underground in a circle radius around us. Then it shot up and met right above me, creating a field of pure energy.

The arrows bounced against it, the field protecting us and standing strong. I could feel eyes on me but I had to stay concentrated. However, it was only a matter of time.

Couldn't hold it for long and of course couldn't just stand there until they came to us. We were still unarmed and many would die if we did.

No, someone had to survive and bring help for Wangji and Wuxian.

Lifting my head, I looked at Cheng who was by my side. "Once I drop the field, I want you to take everyone and run"

My words snapped him from his gaze and turned to look at me. "What about you?"

Another wave of arrows was sent at us but the field stood strong. "I will stall them. You need to lead them to safety and you need to bring help for Wangji and Wuxian!"

My raised tone shocked him but I was getting at the end of my line. Days of exhaustion and minimum food along with the emotional shock were getting the best of me.

"I..."

"Just do it!" I ordered, my voice booming as my field deflected the third wave of arrows.

I stood up, the field slowly dying and I could see Wen Chao smirking. I used my leg to lift the sword I had stolen from one Wen Cultivator before.

Quicky, I bent and picked up as many arrows as I could. Then I looked at everyone around me before charging towards the cliff.

As I ran, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I focused on the reason I was about to fight, on the reason I might just lose my life.

Images and memories of Wuxian, Cheng and Wangji passed through my mind. The cries and sounds of agony from my fellow Lan cultivators that died and the burning of cloud recess.

The last one was the smile I fell in love with and the face of a man who believed in me more than anyone else.

Xichen

I opened my eyes, purple spiritual energy flowing and cracking like fresh lightning. It gathered around me, focusing around my hand with the arrows and I barely registered the fact that I was running on top of the water.

I jumped, going higher than ever and my legs touched the rocks before I used it as a base to jump higher, skyrocketing towards my enemies.

I could feel my energy passing through my veins like wildfire, my heart beating faster and faster. Each pump fuelled me to the top, passing whatever limits I had put on myself for my well being.

I tossed the arrows, my energy sending them flying up with a boost as they pierced the first wave of archers that stood closer to the edge of the cliff. Then I jumped again, passing above them at the same time.

I flipped mid-air and landed right behind Wen Chao. I smirked evilly at the sound of his fears, watching him scattering away behind his loyal bodyguard.

Cultivators attacked me but I blocked each attack before delivering my own. Blood spattered on the air and me as the foreign blade was used dexterity to kill them.

I went berserk at that moment, barely registering what I was doing and I was only fuelled by my need to take them down.

Like a wild animal that charged at the enemy, I was the ox that would stampede every and each one of them.

Core Melting hand tried to attack me but I blocked each attack. My mind was clear, no more worried about others and my target was right behind him.

His spiritual energy was released, trying to overwhelm mine as he started to attack from above. I blocked each one, taking a step each time but holding my ground steadily. Once I found the opening, I pushed his blade up and quicky spun, creating a gash across his chest.

He had managed to love back, ending with me barely cutting the Wen robes he wore but I didn't care.

Wen cultivators attacked me from the side but I moved back and grabbed the hand of my attacker. Lifting my leg, I broke his elbow and took the blade from him before turning my body and delivering a kick on his chest.

He was sent back and I wasted no time in doing cartwheel mid-air, avoiding an attack from behind. With my leg on the head of the enemy, I pushed him back as I gained some height.

I used the extra blade, letting it fall higher before using my leg to kick the base of it. It shot down like a spear, striking the heart of another cultivator before I land next to his body.

I sensed Zhuliu behind me and I grabbed the closest cultivator before using him as a shield, his core melting instead of mine.

He grabbed him and tossed him aside before attacking me again. This time he attacked faster and smarter but I was also getting tired.

My spiritual energy levels dropped, my body burning from the excess power I released so suddenly and so fast. With each move, my muscles cramped but I held despite the pain.

I had to.

An archer aimed an arrow at me and I moved my sword to deflect it away from my heart and quickly fell on my back as a blade passed across my chest.

My back moved and rubbed against the hard ground and rocks, the momentum sending me sliding slightly.

I expected an attack but I realised everyone was staring at me. Wen Chao was the most shocked and a blush appeared on his cheeks.

"You are a woman!"

Indeed, the last attack barely touched my skin but cut my robes deep enough to expose my bandaged chest. The bandages barely escaping being cut in half.

"Sorry to disappoint," I said as with my hand grabbed some dirt and tossed it at Zhuliu's eyes.

Then I wasted no time in jumping on my legs and sprinting down the path. I had to gain some time.to recover and start attacking smart.

My adrenaline rush was going away and my mind was thinking clearly. I had to recover or I should no chance of fighting against all of them.

I was not strong enough in pulling such stunts and I had to stay alive until help would come for the duo trapped in the cave.