Lin Xue's lips were on Wei Chen's, warm and shaking, like she was trying to breathe her courage into him. The ledge trembled under their knees. The Frost-Eater's chain-hand came down through the dark like a slow, heavy verdict.
Wei Chen tasted frost and heat at the same time. His black sun brand burned cold under Lin Xue's palm, and the tiny crack in it breathed like a mouth that wanted to open wider.
Su Mei stood a step away, swaying. Blood darkened the corner of her mouth. Her purple qi was weak, but her eyes were sharp, almost angry at the world for forcing her into this choice.
"I'm doing it," she said. Her voice was rough. "Don't move."
Wei Chen broke the kiss just enough to look at Lin Xue. His grin tried to come back, stubborn and shameless. "Rules," he whispered. "Stop means stop. You choose."
Lin Xue's throat moved. Fear sat in her eyes, but her voice was steady. "Stop means stop," she whispered. "And I choose you. I'm here. Don't leave me."
Wei Chen kissed her again, slow and deep, like a promise you can't take back. Lin Xue clutched his collar and pulled him close, not forced—chosen. The gold-and-silver rope between their bond marks flared in his mind, warm like a hand holding his heart in place.
The Frost-Eater's chain hit the ledge beside them with a thunder-crack. Stone shattered. Cold wind slammed into their faces. The monster's eyes stared down at Wei Chen's chest, hungry and sure.
"Open," it rumbled. "Key."
The crack in Wei Chen's brand widened by a hair.
A breath slipped out.
A whisper slid into Wei Chen's mind, soft and pleased. Mine.
Wei Chen's body jerked forward like a puppet tugged by an invisible string. Lin Xue grabbed his face with both hands and forced his eyes to hers.
"Chen Wei," she said, sharp. "Say my name. Stay real."
Wei Chen swallowed hard. "Lin Xue," he said.
"Again," she demanded, stubborn like she could order fear to back away.
"Lin Xue," Wei Chen said louder.
The leash weakened for one heartbeat. Wei Chen used it. He pressed his forehead to hers and whispered, "Do you want me to stop?"
Lin Xue shook her head fast. "Don't stop," she breathed. "Seal it. Now."
Su Mei lifted her palm. Violet light gathered there, thin but fierce, like a last candle in a storm. She stepped in close, so close her silk brushed Wei Chen's sleeve. Lin Xue's eyes narrowed at once, jealous heat flashing even while the ledge shook.
Wei Chen glanced at Lin Xue and kept his voice calm. "You choose," he reminded her softly.
Lin Xue's jaw tightened. Then she nodded once, sharp. "Do it," she whispered. "Save him."
Su Mei's lips curved, not playful now—just honest. "Good," she murmured. Then she looked at Wei Chen. "Rules?"
Wei Chen's mouth was dry, but he answered anyway. "Stop means stop," he said. "One bite. No chain."
Su Mei's gaze held his for a long second. "Say yes," she whispered.
Wei Chen breathed in. "I choose this," he said. "One seal."
Su Mei leaned in and kissed him.
It was quick and hot, like a stamp pressed to skin. Not romance for comfort—romance as a weapon. Violet qi poured from her into the crack, flooding the little door in his brand like ink filling a line. Wei Chen felt the thing inside hiss and thrash.
Lin Xue grabbed Wei Chen's wrist hard, anchoring him. "Chen Wei," she whispered, voice trembling. "Anchor to me."
Wei Chen forced his eyes to Lin Xue and nodded once. He kissed Lin Xue's fingers, fast and fierce, then whispered, "I'm here. I choose you."
Lin Xue's breath hitched, and the bond rope flared bright enough to hurt.
Su Mei pulled back from the kiss, and her face went pale. She pressed her forehead to Wei Chen's chest for one breath, like she was listening to the crack fight her. Then she growled under her breath, "Close."
Her violet qi surged—one final wave.
The crack in Wei Chen's black sun brand shuddered, squeezed, and snapped shut like a door slammed in anger.
A scream ripped through Wei Chen's mind, then vanished.
Wei Chen gasped and nearly collapsed. Lin Xue caught him, arms tight around his shoulders. "Chen Wei," she whispered again and again, like saying it could keep him alive.
The Frost-Eater roared. The sound shook the hall below the ledge. It slammed another chain-hand toward them, furious now that its "key" had been locked.
Su Mei swayed. Her eyes fluttered. "I—" she tried to speak, but her knees gave out.
Wei Chen caught her wrist before she fell. For the first time, his voice had no joke in it. "Su Mei," he said. "Stay with us."
Su Mei tried to smile. It didn't fully form. "Don't… get sentimental," she muttered.
Lin Xue's expression tightened. She hated Su Mei. She also saw the truth. "She saved you," Lin Xue whispered, like the words tasted bitter.
Wei Chen nodded. "Yes," he said, simple. "She did."
The ledge cracked again. A long fracture ran under their feet. The Frost-Eater's chains kept coming, scraping for purchase. Above them was only darkness. There was nowhere to climb.
Su Mei's head drooped against Wei Chen's shoulder. Her breath was shallow. "There's… a side path," she whispered, barely audible. "Left… behind the rune… before you fall…"
Wei Chen followed her gaze. In the wall, half-covered by shadow, a thin doorway was carved into the stone—small, narrow, like it was made for secrets. It pulsed faintly with the same symbols as the coffin hall.
Lin Xue gripped Wei Chen's sleeve. "If we go in there," she whispered, "it might lead deeper."
Wei Chen looked down at the Frost-Eater's eyes rising below them. Then he looked at Lin Xue. His roguish grin flickered back, but softer, human. "Ice Queen," he murmured, "hold my hand. Don't let go."
Lin Xue's cheeks warmed even now. "I'm not letting go," she whispered.
Wei Chen turned his head and kissed her—short, deep, steady. "Do you choose me?" he asked, low.
Lin Xue nodded hard. "Yes," she whispered. "I choose you."
Wei Chen shifted Su Mei into his arms, lifting her carefully. She was lighter than she looked. Lin Xue's eyes flashed again when she saw it—him carrying Su Mei like she mattered.
Wei Chen met Lin Xue's gaze and spoke quietly, like a promise. "I'm not replacing you," he said. "I'm not leaving anyone behind."
Lin Xue's throat moved. She didn't answer with words. She just grabbed his hand tighter.
The Frost-Eater slammed a chain onto the ledge, and the stone finally started to break apart.
Wei Chen ran.
He pulled Lin Xue toward the thin doorway with one hand and carried Su Mei with the other arm. The doorway breathed cold air out at them, like it didn't want them either.
Behind them, the Frost-Eater roared, "KEY!"
Wei Chen felt his brand throb under his skin—closed, but still aching, like something inside was knocking.
They dove into the narrow doorway.
The ledge collapsed.
Darkness swallowed the sound.
And in the tight tunnel beyond, Su Mei's eyes opened—just for a second—and her pupils were not purple anymore.
They were black.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2025
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