one step away from reality to dream

Haruno sat quietly by the campfire, staring at the flames as they flickered in the darkness. The warmth was comforting, but her heart felt heavy. Huo Tang was seated beside her, sharpening his sword, but the atmosphere between them had shifted. They had grown closer over the past two months, but there was always something weighing on Haruno's mind.

Breaking the silence, Haruno finally spoke, her voice soft yet filled with emotion. "Huo, there's something I need to tell you... about my past."

Huo paused his sharpening and looked at her curiously. "What is it?" he asked, his tone gentle.

Haruno hesitated, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I have a brother... Ravihiro. He's the one who raised me, cared for me when no one else would. We trained together for years, and... he's always been protective of me. Ravihiro is strong... very strong. You must be careful around him."

Huo Tang's brow furrowed as he processed her words. "Why would I need to be careful?"

Haruno's eyes darkened with worry. "He won't take it lightly that I've been harmed... that I've... that I'm with someone else. Ravihiro is ruthless when it comes to protecting those he loves. If he finds out... that I've been hurt... he won't forgive easily."

Huo Tang clenched his fists, feeling both the weight of guilt and the need to protect Haruno. "I'll face whatever comes. I'll protect you, even if it's against your brother."

Haruno looked at him with a sad smile. "I know you will. But we have to be cautious... Ravihiro isn't someone to underestimate."

Two months passed in uneasy peace. Haruno and Huo Tang grew closer, their bond deepening despite the looming danger. But every peaceful moment was overshadowed by an ominous feeling—Haruno knew the hunters who had killed her beast companion were still after them. She tried to push the thought away, but it gnawed at her, a constant reminder that they weren't safe.

One evening, as Haruno was washing her face by the river, she felt a strange sensation in her body. Her heart raced as she placed her hand on her stomach, realizing what it meant. Rushing back to camp, she found Huo Tang, breathless.

"Huo..." she began, her voice trembling. "I... I'm pregnant."

Huo's eyes widened in surprise, and then joy flooded his face. He embraced her tightly, his hand gently resting on her stomach. "Haruno, this is... this is incredible!" he said, his voice filled with warmth. But even as they shared the news, Haruno felt a cold shiver down her spine. For every good moment, there seemed to be a dark shadow waiting to strike.

That night, as they slept, the nightmare began. The hunters, those who had been tracking Haruno since the death of her spider beast, had found them. A blood-curdling scream tore through the night as the camp was ambushed.

Haruno awoke to the sound of clashing steel and the stench of blood. Huo Tang was already on his feet, his sword gleaming in the firelight as he fought off three attackers. "Haruno, stay back!" he shouted, slashing through the air with deadly precision. But the attackers were relentless, their eyes gleaming with the promise of blood.

Haruno's heart pounded as she summoned her soul powers, releasing her String of Poison. Thin, venomous threads shot out from her fingers, wrapping around one of the attackers. The man screamed as the poison seeped into his skin, but more were coming.

A wave of fear washed over her as she realized they were outnumbered.

Huo Tang fought valiantly, but the attackers were skilled, moving like shadows through the night. One slashed at his side, and blood splattered onto the ground. Huo grunted in pain but continued fighting, his movements slowing with each wound. Haruno could barely hold her own against two enemies, using her Cry of Fear to disorient them, but she knew it wouldn't be enough. They were closing in.

Her mind raced. "The jade..." she thought, her hand instinctively reaching for the pendant Ravihiro had given her. She had promised herself she wouldn't break it unless it was life or death. But this... this was the end if she didn't act.

"Huo, we're surrounded!" Haruno cried out, her breath ragged. Huo was on his knees now, struggling to stand, his body drenched in blood. "I won't let them take you!" he growled, pushing forward with what little strength he had left.

One of the hunters raised his sword high, ready to deliver the killing blow to Huo. Haruno's heart stopped. "No!" she screamed, her hands trembling as she smashed the jade pendant in her hand.

In the depths of the Beast Forest, Ravihiro sat in deep cultivation, his breath steady and controlled. He had been training for months, his powers growing stronger with each passing day. But suddenly, a sharp pulse of energy hit him, breaking his concentration. His eyes snapped open, glowing with a fierce, fiery light.