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Chapter 28: Glowing Trouble
The meat skewers were long gone. Tu Tu had eaten six all by himself and was now rubbing his round belly, waddling beside the others like a full, smug bunny. The forest ahead was thicker, darker—but oddly quiet.
Ling Huai wiped her hands on her robe and took the lead beside Bai, who was silently munching on the last meat stick like a squirrel guarding treasure. The Omen trailed behind, black-red eyes scanning the trees lazily.
Then they saw it.
A cloud of glowing golden butterflies appeared ahead—soft, warm, and sparkling like living lanterns. They floated gently in the air, lighting the path like a dream.
"Oooh… pretty…" Tu Tu mumbled.
"Don't touch them," Ling Huai warned, but her voice sounded distant—even to herself.
The butterflies floated closer. Everyone stood still, caught in the strange peaceful glow.
Tu Tu, being Tu Tu, closed his eyes and spread his stubby arms. "I'm flying… I'm one with nature…" he whispered dramatically.
Then—
"AAAAHHH!!"
He yelped in pain. Sharp stings pricked his paws. His eyes flew open.
No butterflies.
Just dozens of tiny red bite marks.
And the forest… was suddenly empty.
"Ling Huai?" he called.
No answer.
"Omen? Bai?!"
Still no answer.
His fuzzy white fur was now blotched with red. The "butterflies" had been bloodsuckers—disguised as golden illusions. They'd attacked him when his guard was down. Worse, one had poisoned him with a mind-trick, leading him away from the group.
Meanwhile…
Ling Huai blinked rapidly. Something felt wrong. She shook her head and snapped her fingers in front of Bai's dazed face.
"Snap out of it, handsome idiot!" she hissed.
He blinked. "...Did the butterflies kiss me?"
"No!" she shouted.
Omen rubbed his temples. "Where's Tu Tu?"
They looked around.
He was gone.
Ling Huai's breath hitched. "Tu Tu?! TU TU!!" She turned in every direction, panic rising fast.
"Calm down," Omen said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Can you sense him through the blood pact?"
She tried. Her fingers trembled. Her heart pounded too loud.
"I—I can't feel him!"
Bai, now fully alert, looked worried too.
Ling Huai took a deep breath. Another. And another.
Ten minutes later, she gasped, eyes glowing faintly.
"I found him!"
They dashed through the trees, ducking vines and swatting weird bugs, until they reached a clearing.
Tu Tu was stumbling toward them, covered in red bite marks, fur matted and dirty, ears drooping. His tongue lolled out like he'd been running for hours.
"Tu Tu!" Ling Huai ran forward.
Tu Tu smiled weakly. "The butterflies lied…" he mumbled.
Then—he fainted.
Face-first into the dirt.
Bai blinked. "Well. He's alive."
"Barely," Ling Huai snapped, already lifting Tu Tu in her arms.
Tu Tu groaned. "Are those butterflies still single…?"
Omen sighed. "He's definitely alive."
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End of Chapter 28
Next chapter : The after math
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