Capítulo 4: Lila
Zeke's keen eyes caught sight of the woman's tattered clothing, as he drew nearer, the moonlight unveiled the full extent of the woman's injuries—bruises and cuts marred her delicate features, her hands trembling with pain as she clutched a tattered garment against her chest. Zeke's heart clenched at the sight, a surge of empathy welling within him.
"Hey, are you okay?" Zeke's voice was gentle, laced with concern as he crouched beside the woman. She flinched at his approach, her bright purple eyes filled with a mix of fear and hope.
"I-I... I'm hurt," the woman's voice was a whisper, barely audible in the hush of the forest. Zeke noted the exhaustion etched in every line of her face, the weariness of someone who had endured much.
Without hesitation, Zeke reached into his pack, retrieving a small flask of healing salve. "Here, let me help you with that. This should ease the pain." His movements were gentle as he applied the salve to the woman's injuries, his touch light yet comforting. The woman winced at first but gradually relaxed, a flicker of relief crossing her features.
"Thank you," her voice was soft, a tremor of gratitude underlying her words. "I... I didn't expect help to come."
Zeke offered her a warm smile, his golden eyes reflecting compassion. "It's the least I can do. No one should be left alone in pain, especially out here in the wilderness."
As Zeke tended to her wounds, the woman's eyes studied him with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "Who are you? Why are you helping me?" Her voice held a note of vulnerability, as if she struggled to trust in the kindness of strangers.
Zeke finished applying the salve and met her gaze with sincerity. "I'm Zeke, just a wanderer passing through this forest. And as for why I'm helping you...Zeke met her gaze with sincerity. "I'm Zeke, just a wanderer passing through this forest. And as for why I'm helping you... well, it's just the right thing to do. No one deserves to suffer alone, especially out here at night."
The woman's eyes softened, a glimmer of gratitude shining within them. "Thank you, Zeke. I... I thought I was done for."
Zeke offered her a reassuring smile. "You're safe now. Rest here for the night. I'll keep watch and make sure nothing disturbs you."
With a nod of appreciation, the woman settled back against the cave wall, exhaustion beginning to claim her. Zeke gathered some dry leaves and twigs, quickly setting up a makeshift bed for her, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible.
As the flickering flames of the makeshift campfire danced in the darkness, casting warm, reassuring shadows around the cave, Zeke sat vigil, his senses attuned to the surrounding forest. The gentle crackle of the fire mingled with the soft sounds of the night, a symphony of nature's lullaby. Despite the stillness, Zeke's mind raced with questions about the mysterious woman he had encountered. Who was she? What had led her to this secluded cave, wounded and alone?
As the hours passed, Zeke remained alert, his golden eyes scanning the perimeter for any signs of danger. The woman slept fitfully, her breaths ragged with pain. Zeke's heart ached at the sight, a mix of compassion and determination fueling his resolve to ensure her safety through the night.
Suddenly, a rustle in the underbrush caught Zeke's attention. His muscles tensed, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, its movements stealthy and deliberate. Zeke's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his dagger, prepared to defend himself and the woman he had sworn to protect. As the figure drew closer, Zeke's sharp eyes caught the glint of a blade in the moonlight, wielded by a cloaked figure with malintent in their stance.
Without hesitation, Zeke sprang into action, his movements fluid and precise as he intercepted the assailant before they could reach the cave. The clash of steel rang out in the night, a symphony of battle echoing through the ancient forest.
"Back off, scoundrel!" Zeke's voice rang with authority, his gaze unwavering as he faced down the intruder. The cloaked figure snarled, their intent clear in the glint of their eyes.
"You dare interfere, boy? This is none of your concern," the assailant spat, their blade poised for a strike. Zeke remained undaunted, his stance strong and unwavering.
"Everything under my watch is my concern. And you won't lay a hand on her!" With a swift movement, Zeke engaged the assailant in a fierce duel, their blades clashing in a symphony of steel. Each strike was met with equal force, the forest echoing with the sound of their battle. Zeke's muscles tensed with every move, his movements calculated and precise as he defended the cave and the woman within.
The assailant's skill was evident, their strikes quick and relentless. Zeke countered with agility and finesse, each parry and riposte a testament to his combat prowess. As they danced across the forest floor, leaves swirling in their wake, Zeke's determination burned bright in his golden eyes.
"Who sent you? Why are you attacking this woman?" Zeke's voice carried a steely edge, a challenge that demanded answers even as they clashed.
The assailant remained silent, their focus entirely on defeating Zeke. Their movements became more aggressive, a desperate bid to overpower their opponent and reach their target. But Zeke held firm against the onslaught, Zeke's resolve only strengthened. With each clash of blades, his focus remained unwavering, his mind sharp and his movements precise. As the skirmish continued, a strategy began to form in Zeke's mind—a way to outmaneuver his unknown adversary and protect the defenseless woman in the cave.
Ducking beneath a sweeping strike, Zeke pivoted on his heel, using his agility to gain the upper hand. With a swift series of lunges and parries, he forced the assailant into a defensive position, pressing the advantage with relentless determination.
As metal clashed against metal, a spark of realization ignited within Zeke. This enemy fought with a skill and ferocity that spoke of training and experience. But Zeke was no stranger to combat, honing his own abilities through countless battles and challenges.
With a deft feint, Zeke created an opening, seizing the moment to disarm the assailant with a swift strike that sent their weapon clattering to the forest floor. The cloaked figure stumbled backward, taken aback by Zeke's sudden reversal of fortune. With a final, decisive blow, Zeke disarmed the assailant completely, leaving them defenseless before him.
Breathing heavily, Zeke stood poised, his gaze locked on the would-be attacker. "Now, tell me who sent you and why you were targeting this woman," his voice low and commanding, a flicker of steel beneath the surface.
The assailant, defeated and cornered, finally relented. "It was... It was the bandit leader. He ordered us to capture the woman and bring her to him. I... I had no choice," their voice cracked with desperation, revealing a glimmer of fear beneath the bravado.
Zeke's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "Bandits, huh? You picked the wrong target this time." With a swift movement, Zeke lunged forward, his muscles coiled with lethal intent. The bandit's eyes widened in terror as Zeke's blade flashed in the moonlight, striking true with a swift and decisive blow. The assailant crumpled to the forest floor, a stunned expression frozen on their face as life ebbed away.
Zeke stood over the fallen bandit, his chest heaving with exertion and adrenaline coursing through his veins. The forest fell silent around him, the echo of battle fading into the night.
The woman within the cave peeked out cautiously, her eyes wide with astonishment at the swift and brutal conclusion of the confrontation. Zeke turned to her, his gaze softening with reassurance. "It's over. You're safe now."
Lila emerged from the shadows of the cave, her eyes wide with astonishment at the swift and brutal conclusion of the confrontation. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Thank you...Thank you for saving me. I never thought I would escape those bandits alive."
Zeke offered her a reassuring smile, his golden eyes reflecting a mix of compassion and determination. "You're safe now, Lila. You don't have to worry anymore. What were those bandits after anyway?"
Lila's gaze flickered with a mix of fear and wariness as she recounted her ordeal. "I'm Lila, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Our caravan was ambushed by those bandits, and my guards were killed trying to protect me. They said something about taking me to their leader..."
Zeke's expression hardened with resolve as he listened to her story. "Bandits targeting a wealthy merchant's daughter for ransom."
"Hmm, seems like you've stumbled into quite the mess, Lila," Zeke remarked, his tone laced with a hint of humor despite the gravity of the situation. "But don't worry, you're in good hands now. No bandit is going to lay a finger on you as long as I'm around."
Lila's eyes widened at Zeke's confident proclamation, a glimmer of hope shining through her fear. "Thank you, Zeke. I don't know how to repay you for saving me from those ruffians."
Zeke waved off her gratitude with a nonchalant gesture. "No need for thanks. Helping those in need is just what I do. Plus, it's not every day you get to punch a tree and take down a bandit all in one night."
Zeke's eyes narrowed with determination as he knelt beside the fallen bandit's body. With a focused gaze, he extended his hand over the vanquished foe, channeling his qi through the Flowing River Technique. The air hummed with energy as Zeke began to absorb the residual life force from the bandit's body, a practice he had learned from his cultivation training. As the energy transferred, a tingling sensation spread through Zeke's veins, invigorating him with a surge of strength and vitality.
The bandit's form grew pale as his life force ebbed away, his essence melding with Zeke's own qi. Zeke's muscles rippled with newfound power, his senses sharpening as the absorbed energy coursed through him, enhancing his martial abilities. The forest seemed to whisper its approval, the very trees bearing witness to Zeke's mastery over life and death.
With a final surge of energy, Zeke completed the absorption process, the bandit's corpse dissolving into the ether. Zeke rose to his feet, his muscles tingling with power. His golden eyes gleamed with a newfound intensity as he turned to Lila, a confident smirk playing on his lips.
"Well, it looks like I've got some unexpected gains tonight," Zeke remarked, his voice tinged with humor. "Who knew taking down bandits could be so rewarding?"
Lila watched in awe as Zeke's aura seemed to shimmer with a radiant glow, his presence exuding an air of strength and authority. She could sense the raw power that coursed through him, a testament to his mastery of qi manipulation and combat skills.
Zeke took in a deep breath, a surge of energy pulsating through his veins. The absorption of the bandit's life force had not only increased his strength but also propelled him to a new level of qi cultivation. As he focused on the flow of energy within him, a profound transformation began to take place.
The System's ethereal voice resonated within Zeke's mind, "Congratulations, Zeke. Your absorption of the bandit's life force has propelled you to Qi Refining Level 2. Your mastery over qi manipulation has deepened, unlocking new potentials and abilities within you."
Zeke's eyes widened with realization, a sense of exhilaration coursing through him. "Level 2 already? That bandit really gave me a boost! Feels like I've unlocked a new level of power."
Zeke and Lila settled in for the night inside the shelter of the cave, the flickering flames of the campfire casting a warm glow over their surroundings. Exhaustion weighed heavily on their shoulders after the night's events, but a sense of safety enveloped them within the confines of their impromptu sanctuary.
As dawn broke over the ancient forest, its golden rays filtering through the verdant canopy, Zeke and Lila stirred from their slumber. The remnants of the night's adrenaline still pulsed through Zeke's veins, his mind sharp and alert, ever vigilant for potential threats.
Lila rubbed her eyes sleepily, the events of the previous evening still fresh in her mind. "Thank you, Zeke, for everything. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there."
Zeke offered her a reassuring smile, his golden eyes reflecting a mix of determination and kindness. "No need to thank me, Lila. It's all part of the adventure. Speaking of which, let's see what trouble we can uncover today."
With a shared nod, Zeke and Lila stepped out of the cave and back into the embrace of the ancient forest. The cool morning air filled their lungs, invigorating them as they set off towards the direction of Lila's wrecked caravan.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder