The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

On that night Nianshi entered the cave, the night wind was freezing cold. Ming had to find shelter where he could build a fire to keep him warm and glanced at the cave entrance.

Base on what he remembered, Nianshi told him not to enter the Cave of Truth, but he needed to find shelter from the cold. 

"I think it's fine to stay at the entrance."

He entered the cave, but he didn't go farther inside. Exhaustion took over and went to sleep. He didn't notice the mountain was shaking and the spirit of the Cave of Truth placed him in the illusion to overcome his greatest fear.

In his dream, Ming saw himself in Fengfu together with Xinyi. He was at the dinner table with his family and his wife. 

"Ming! Are you okay? You look confused," Lifen asked him.

"It's nothing, mother." Ming replied.

After dinner, Ming went to his study room, and a soldier arrived. 

"Why are you here late in the evening?"

"Governor, the Cleansing Fire Organization demands to hand over your wife to them. If not, they will declare war to Fengfu City." 

Ming balled both his fists. "What? I will not hand over Xinyi to them. If they want war, we will be ready for them. Report this to General Lofey and call my wife and my mother here. That's an order."

"Yes, Governor, as you wish," the soldier left. 

Few minutes later, Xinyi and Lifen went in the study with maids. He gestured for them to sit down first and asked the maids for some tea. As the maids left, the room went silent. 

"Son, what's wrong? Why did you call us?" Lifen broke the silence.

"Ming, what's wrong?" Xinyi saw something troubled Ming. He waited for the maids to serve the tea and leave before he spoke. 

"I received a threat from the Cleansing Fire Organization. They demand for us to hand over Xinyi to them. If we don't do what they demand, they will declare war to Fangfu City. I ordered the soldier to report it also to General Lofey." Ming said with a sigh. 

"We will not hand over Xinyi to them." Lifen smashed the teacup on the table.

"Mother, calm down. I don't want to go there… I'll fight with you. " Xinyi placed her hands on top of Lifen's hand to appease her. Lifen calmed down and smiled at Xinyi.   

"Yes, I won't give you to them nor let this city fall into their hands. I will protect Fengfu City and my wife. I don't want you to fight. If you fight, you might use your powers and when it does... we don't know the effects because you can't still control it. I... I don't want to lose you." Ming said with apprehension.

Xinyi tried to give her sweetest smile and held his hands on hers. "Ming, you will not lose me. Don't worry." 

"That's good to here, Ming. I will return to my room now to rest." Lifen stood up and her maids followed her to her quarters. But rest was far, she would prepare herself for the upcoming battle.

"Xinyi, you can rest now. Don't worry. I will protect you." Ming squeezed Xinyi's hands as he looked at her with tenderness. 

Xinyi nodded. "Uhm. I trust you. Don't worn out yourself overthinking. Okay?" Xinyi wrapped her hands around him, kissed his cheek, and went to her room.

Ming's heart ached to see her leaving back but didn't want to trouble her more. He was clear inside; He would do anything to defend this city and protect her. 

He laid the city map on the table. While studying for plans for the upcoming war, Ming felt tired and slept leaning on his table. 

Later, he opened his eyes and saw himself in the battlefield. He was fighting the enemy in front of him. He was far from Xinyi. She and the leader of the organization had a life and death fight, power against power. He gasped to see someone on par against Xinyi.

As the battle went on, the leader of the enemy still had lots of strength while Xinyi and Nianshi were panting hard with quivering hands. They looked exhausted and were about to give up. The situation pressured Xinyi to use her full power.

Her face saddened as he looked at Ming, remembering her promise to Ming. Xinyi looked back and forth at Ming and to the enemy... and the burning city behind them. People crying and screaming for their lives. Then she looked at Ming one last time and closed her eyes as tears flowed. 

"I'm sorry." She mouthed to Ming. 

"No Xinyi. No!" He felt Xinyi's powers as he was running towards her. Before he could get near her, he felt a sharp pain on his back. Someone stabbed his backed. He turned around and saw the enemy's second in command.

He tried to wave his hand to use his power against him. But it was useless, he was losing so much blood. Just as the second in command was about to swing his sword again, Ming swung his sword first and pierced the enemy's belly. His body fell with the enemy.

When he turned around, he saw the love of his life losing to the enemy. The mighty Nianshi beside her, lifeless and full of blood. He was helpless watching her sad face and full of rage. She killed the enemy one by one with brutality he couldn't imagine she could.

With every swing of her sword, tens and hundreds of men died as an invincible power blowing them away. The army stumbled on the ground instantly turning into ashes. That's how terrible was her power, giving fear in their hearts. 

The enemy's men ran away from her path as she continued her rampage. However, they couldn't escape her wrath. 

The last person she faced was the leader and shouted at him. With that yell, the man had no time to react as ice abruptly covered his body. Her eyes became crimson as her power overwhelmed her sanity. It was her power controlling her body now. She gritted her teeth, lifted the sword, and cut the man's head off. 

However, the enemy seemed endless as more men with raised swords hovered around her. Xinyi swung her sword multiple times again and the red-colored substance covered her face and her cloths.

Xinyi stood unmoving with a blood dripping sword in the middle of dead bodies. Yet, the enemy kept charging at her.

Suddenly, glowing light seeped out from her heart and totally engulfed her body.

"Xinyi," his voice low and weak. He tried his best to crawl towards her. Feeling helpless, it was as if each step only took him further and further from her. But he doubled his effort just to get near her. Blood spilled in every move he made.   

At last, he was already near her and reached for her leg. 

"Please, stop. You'll kill yourself," he cried out loud begging her to end it all. He feared that one day this might happen. That he'd have to choose between her or the innocent people's lives. He took one last look around and the bright light she emitted swallowed the entire enemy's army and... exploded. Killing herself and everyone within close range.