The moment Xu Kai stepped into the cave, the air itself changed. Heavy. Cold. Like the stillness before a storm.
His sharp gaze swept over the filthy scene, his jaw tightening when he saw Liora tied, bruised, and torned clothed. His long strides took him straight to her side, and without a single word, he knelt down and began removing the bindings from her wrists.
His hands were steady, but his expression was ice-cold. Controlled and Lethal.
The vines resisted him at first—dark, poisoned things—but they shriveled like dry twigs the moment he touched them, as if too afraid to stay wrapped around her in his presence.
Liora could barely speak.
Her lips parted, but no sound came. She only stared at him, eyes wide, trying to understand if this was real.
Xu Kai took off his long coat and wrapped it around her gently, covering her completely. Then, finally, he spoke.
"Are you hurt anywhere else?" His voice was low and quiet, but every syllable vibrated with restrained anger.
