2 ： A Lea Troug Time
sukieawoketotheundofratappilyagastherdowthecitywascloakedagrayist，thestreetsbelowslickwithrawatershestretched，feelgapleasantaherclesfrotheprevioday，suedadvehhanfenglgasshesatup，herdrepyedtheirversations，thewarthofhissile，andthedeep，agicalityofhisvoice
withasigh，shegotoutofbedahroughherroutesheuldn，tshakethefeelgthatthgontowasabouttohappen，butshetriedhthethoughtasideafterall，ithadjtbeenonedaybuhatadayithadbeen
afterbreakfast，sukiedecidedtovisitthebookstathgaboutthatpcehadcaptivatedher，aastranpulsiournshegrabbedherubrendsteppedouttothedrizzly，theoirrefreshgagasthersk
thebookstorewasjtasshereberedit，azyhavenfilledwiththefstofoldbooksshewahroughtheaisles，herfrsgrazgthespihevosassheadeherwaytothesewhereshehadfoundtheaotohersurprise，thebookwasgone
＂lookgforthgspecific?＂afailiarvoiceasked
sukieturoseehanfenglgstandgthere，holdgtheverybookshehadbeenseargforhissilewaswar，andhiseyesseedtosparklewithhiddenknowled
＂you，reback，＂shesaid，herheartfttergatthesightofhi
＂ihadafeelgyouightreturn，＂hereplied，handihebook＂isavedthisforyou＂
sukietookthebook，feelgastransenseofdéjàvuasshehelditherhands＂thankyou，hanfenglgidon，tknowwhy，butthisbookfeelsiportant＂
＂itis，＂hesaid，histonesuddenlyserio＂there，sthgyouoknow，sukiethisbookisorethanjtalleofstoriesit，sakeytoanotherworld＂
sukiefrowned，notsureifhewasjokg＂anotherworld?whatdoyouan?＂
hanfenglglookedaround，ensurgtheywerealohisightundcrazy，butthestoriesthisbookarerealtheydescribeaworldthatexistsparalleltoourownaworldyouaredestiovisit＂
sukiefeltachillrundownherspe＂you，reserio，aren，tyou?＂
henodded＂iaandibelieveyourjourneybegstoday＂
beforesukieuldrespond，therooaroundherbegantobrshefeltastraion，asifthegroundwasshiftihherfeethanfenglgreachedout，takgherhandhis
＂don，tbeafraid，＂hesaidftly＂i，withyou＂
theworldaroundthedislvedtoaswirloflorsandlight，andsukiefeltherselfbegpulledtoavortexshegtohanfenglg，shand，herheartpoundgherchestthesensationwasdirientg，andsheclosedhereyes，trygtosteadyherself
whentheworldfallycabatofoc，theywerenolohebookstoresukiefoundherselfstandgash，verdantforest，theairfilledwiththesweetstofflowersandtheundofbirdngsunlightfilteredthroughtheopyabove，castgdappledpatternntheforestfloor
sukielookedaroundiakgthebeautyoftheirsurroundgs＂wherearewe?＂
＂we，vecrossedtotheworldofthebook，＂hanfenglgreplied＂weletothekgdooflian＂
sukiefeltaixofexcitentandtrepidation＂whyaihere?whatisypurpose?＂
hanfenglgseezedherhandreassurgly＂allwillberevealedtifornow，wetfiertherearedanrsthisworldthaetavoid＂
astheywalkedthroughtheforest，sukieuldn，thelpbutarvetthevividlorsandthevibrantlifearouwasasifshehadsteppedtoadreayet，therealityoftheirsituationicklysetiheyheardthedistantundofhooves
＂ick，hide！＂hanfenglgwhisperedurntly，pullgsukiebehdartree
theycrouchedtheunderbrh，peergthroughtheleavesasagroupofhorsethenweredresseddark，nagaror，theirfacebscuredbyheltssukiefeltherheartraceasshewatchedthegoby，sensgthedaheyrepresented
＂whoarethey?＂shewhisperedoheyhadpassed
＂antfthedarklord，＂hanfenglgrepliedgrily＂theypatrolthesends，seargforthosewhoopposetheirasterwetbecareful＂
sukienodded，feelgasurofdeterationwhateverherpurposethisworld，sheknewshehadtostaystrongtheytiheirjourney，ovgswiftlyandsilentlythroughtheforest
astheywalked，hanfenglxpedoreaboutthekgdooflianiasandrihistoryandagic，butiasalapceofflictthedarklord，apowerfulrcerer，hadseizedtrolofthekgdoandptodarknessanyofthekgdo，shabitantshadbeenensvedorforcedtoflee
＂oalistofdtheresistance，＂hanfenglgsaid＂therearestillthosewhofightagastthedarklordtheywillhelp＂
afterhourfwalkg，theyfallyreachedasall，hiddenvilledavalleythevilrsgreetedhanfenglgwarly，andsukieuldseetherespedadirationtheyheldforhiiasclearthatheortantfigurethisworld
＂thisissukie，＂hanfenglgtroducedhertothevilleader，anelderlywoanwithkdeyes＂sheiournd，butshehasacrucialroleyourstruggle＂
theleadernodded，hergazepeg＂wele，sukieyouareaongfriendshere＂
sukiefeltasenseofreliefwashoverherforthefirsttiscearrivgthisstranworld，shefeltsafethevilrsprovidedthewithfoodandapcetorest，andsukiefallyhadaontrocesseverythgthathadhappened
assheyonasipleasallhut，herdracedwithestionswhyhadshebeenbroughthere?whaasherrolethisworld?andostiportantly，whaasheretohanfenglg?
shethoughtbacktotheirfirstetgthebookstore，thewayhehadlookedatherasifhehadknownherforevertherewasanundeniableboweenthe，ohattraheboundarieftiandspacebuhatdiditallan?
the，sukiewokeearly，eartolearnoreabouthernewsurroundgshanfenglgwasalreadyup，speakgwiththevilleaderwhenhesawher，hesiledandwavedherover
＂wehaveuchtodotoday，＂hesaid＂thereisalotyouolearnaboutthisworldandyourpit＂
sukienodded，deterioebraceherdesty＂i，ready＂
theysperagwiththevilrs，learngaboutthehistoryandagifthekgdooflianhanfenglgtaughtherhowtodefendherself，showihebasicfswordsanshipandarcherysukiewasaicklearner，hernaturagilityaeratiherwell
asthedayspassed，sukieandhanfenglggrewclosertheyspenthourstalkg，shargstoriesanddreassukiefeltadeepetohi，ohatgrewstroheachpassgdayshefoundherselflookgforwardtotheirtitother，cherishveryont
oneeveng，astheysatbythefire，hanfenglgopenedupabouthispasthetoldherabouthisfaily，hischildhood，andhisesttodefeatthedarklordsukielistenedily，feelgaprofoundrespectforhisceaeration
＂i，velostanyfriendsandlovedohisbattle，＂hesaidietly，hiseyesreflegtheflickergfs＂butiotgiveupitfightforthosewhootfightfortheselves＂
sukiereachedout，pgahandonhisar＂you，renotalone，hanfenglgi，llfighithyou＂
helookedather，hisexpressionfteng＂thankyou，sukieyourstrengthandspiritspiretother，weakeadifference＂
theirbonddeepened，andsukiefoundherselffallgforhanfenglghiskdness，bravery，andunwaverierationcaptivatedherheartshekhattheirjourneywouldbefraughithdanr，butshewaswillgtofaceitallforhi
onenight，astheystooduhestars，hanfenglgtookherhandhis＂sukie，there，sthgiotellyou＂
shelookedupathi，herheartpoundg＂whatisit?＂
hetookadeepbreath，hiseyesfilledwithiy＂iloveyou，sukiefrotheontisawyouthebookstore，iknewyouwerespecialyuidglight，yhopeiageylifewithoutyou＂
sukie，sheartswelledwitheotionshehadloohearthosewords，butheargthenow，shefeltaixtureofjoyandfear＂iloveyoutoo，hanfenglgbuhatifthghappensto?whatifwetseparated?＂
hecuppedherfahishands，histoutleandreassurg＂noatterpens，iwillwaysfdywaybacktoyouourloveisstrohananyforthisworld＂
tearsfilledsukie，seyesassheleaohistouch＂proisewe，llwaysbetother＂
＂iproise，＂hewhispered，pressghislipstohersatender，heartfeltkiss
their
loveblosdtheidstofturoil，abeaofhopeaworldshroudeddarkother，theyfacedtlesschalleheirbondgrogstroheachvictoryabacktheyfoughtsidebyside，deterilightbacktothekgdooflian
astheypreparedforthefalbattleagastthedarklord，sukiekhattheirjourneywasfarfrooverbuithhanfenglgbyherside，shefeltreadytofacewhatevercatheirwaytheirloveowerfulforce，ohaouldguidethethroughthedarkestoftis
and，withheartsfullofdlove，sukieandhanfenglgsteppedtotheunknowoebracetheirdestyaurefilledwithhopeandpossibility
sukieawoketotheftchirpgofbirdsandthefirstlightofdawnfiltergthroughthesalldowofthehutshestretched，savthetranilityoftheonttheeventfthepastfewdaysstillfeltsurreal，butthesteadypresenceofhanfenglghadgroundedheraidstthewhirldof
asshedressedandpreparedfortheday，sukieuldn，tshakethefeelgthatthgsignifiasabouttohappentheairseedchardwithanticipation，ahevilrsovedwithasenseofpurposeandurncyshesteppedoutside，takgadeepbreathofthecrispair，andadeherwaytothetraggroundswherehanfenglgwasalreadywaitg
＂good，sukie，＂hegreetedherwithawarsile，hiseyesklgattheers＂readyforanotherdayoftrag?＂
sukiereturnedhissile，herheartfttergatthesightofhi＂alwayswhatdoyouhavepnnedfortoday?＂
＂today，wefohongyicabilities，＂hesaid，histoneserio＂you，veshowpotential，butthere，sstilluchtolearnthedarklord，sionsarepowerful，andweneedeveryadvantawet＂
sukienodded，deteratiochedonherface＂i，readylet，sdothis＂
theyspentthepractigvariospellsandtations，hanfenglgpatientlyguidgsukiethrougheachstepshefeltthepowerflogthroughher，atgliionthatadeherfeeliveaedtotheworldarouheoreshepracticed，theorefidentshebecaherabilities
＂you，redoi，sukie，＂hanfenglgsaid，hisvoicefilledwithpride＂you，reanatural＂
sukiebshedathispraise＂thanks，hanfenglgiuldn，thavedowithoutyou＂
asthedayworeoookabreaktorestandhavenchtheysatuheshadeetree，shargasiplealofbreadandcheesesukieleanedagastthetrunk，feelgtheroughbarkagastherbackasshelookedupatthesky
＂telloreaboutyourworld，＂hanfenglgsaidsuddenly，breakiablesilence＂whaasyourlifelikebeforeyoucahere?＂
sukiethoughtforaont，herddriftgbacktoherlifeiy＂iasordary，isupposeiworkedao－fivejob，spentostofytifrontofaputersihadfriends，butialwaysfeltlikethgwasissglikeiwasantforthgore＂
hanfenglglistenedily，hisgazeneverleavgherface＂andnowthatyou，rehere，doyoufeellikeyou，vefoundwhatyouwerelookgfor?＂
sukiesiled，reagouttotakehishand＂yesifeellikeifallybelongwhereandit，sallbecaeofyou＂
hanfenglg，sexpressionftened，andheseezedherhaly＂i，gdyoufeelthaay，sukieyouanalottotoo＂
theirtenderonasterruptedbytheundofapproagfootstepssukieandhanfenglgturoseethevilleaderhurrygtowardsthe，herexpressiongrave
＂hanfenglg，sukie，＂shecalledout＂there，sbeenanattaoneofouroutpostsweneedyourhelp＂
hanfenglgstoodup，hisdeanorstantlyshiftgtothatofaleader＂we，reonourway＂
sukiefollowedhi，herheartpoundgwithaixoffearaerationtheyicklygatheredtheironsaofftowardstheoutpost，thevilrswordfeandsupportastheypassed
thejourneywasteheairthickwithanticipationastheyapproachedtheoutpost，theyuldseesokerisgiahesightfilledsukiewithasenseendsheiedherpace，hanfenglgrightbesideher
whentheyarrived，thesewaneofchaostheoutposthadbeenoverrunbythedarklord，sforces，thedefendersfightgvaliantlybutclearlyoutnuberedhanfenglgidiatelysprangtoa，hisswordfshgasheeheeneysukiedrewherownoragkigasshejoihefray
thebattlewasteheundfgsteendcriefpafillgtheairsukiefoughitheverythgshehad，hernewfoundskillsandagicabilitiesgiviheedsheneededsheuldfeeltheadrenalihroughherves，hersensesheightenedassheovedwithprecisionandgrace
aidstthechaos，sukiespottedayoungboycbehdabarricade，hiseyeswidewithfearwithouthesitation，shefoughtherwaytohi，gheragictoshieldthefrotheeney，sattacks
＂areyouokay?＂sheasked，hervoitledespitetheurncyofthesituation
theboyearsstreagdownhisface＂i，scared＂
sukiereachedout，pgareassurghandonhisshoulder＂it，sgogtobeokaystaycloseto＂
withtheboysafelybyherside，sukietiofight，herdeterationunwavergsheuldseehanfenglgnearby，hisoventsfidandpowerfushecutthroughtheeneyrankstheireyestbriefly，andsukiefeltasurthfrohisunwavergsupport
fally，afterwhatfeltlikehours，thetideofthebattlebegantoturnthedefendersralliedtother，phgbacktheeneyforceswithrenewedvigorhanfenglihechar，hispresenspirgthosearoundhisukiefoughtbyhisside，theiroventsperfectlysyheyworkedtothertodrivetheeneyaway
wheofthedarklord，sionshadbeeed，acheerwentupfrothedefeheoutposthadbeensaved，butthesthadbeenhighanyywoundedordead，andthevilleaderovedicklytanizeaidforthejured
hanfenglgandsukietookaonttocatchtheirbreath，leangoneachotherforsupporttheboytheyhadsavedranuptothe，hiseyesfilledwithgratitude
＂thankyou，＂hesaid，hisvoicetreblgwitheotion＂yoavedylife＂
sukiesiled，rufflghishairntly＂we，rejtgdyou，resafe＂
astheboyranofftojohisfaily，hanfenglgturosukie，hisexpressionfilledwithpride＂youwerecredibleoutthere，sukieiknewyouhadityou＂
sukiebshed，feelgaixofprideandhuility＂iuldn，thavedowithoutyou，hanfenglgwe，reatea＂
hepulledhertoatightebrace，holdgherclose＂yes，weareandtother，weovereanythg＂
theirbonddeepenedevenfurtherierathofthebattle，thesharedexperienunbreakableebeeeheyspentthefewdayshelpgtorebuildtheoutpost，walongsidethevilrstorestorewhathadbeenlost
oneeveng，astheysatbythefire，hanfenglgtooksukie，shandhis，hisexpressionserio＂sukie，there，sthgiotellyou＂
sukielookedathi，herheartpoundg＂whatisit?＂
hanfenglgtookadeepbreath，hiseyessearghers＂i，vebeenkeepgthgfroyouthereaniwasthebookstorethatday，thereashtyouhereiasn，tbyceiknewyouweredestiopyacrucialrolehtagastthedarklordyou，renotjtanordarypern，sukieyouhaveauniepowerwithyou，ohatthefateofthisworld＂
sukiefeltarhofeotions:fion，fear，andasenseofresponsibility＂whydidn，tyoutelloner?＂
＂irotectyou，＂hanfenglgsaid，hisvoicefilledwithsiy＂ididn，anttooverwhelyouwiththetruthbeforeyouwerereadybutnow，ibelieveyou，rereadytoebraceyourdesty＂
sukietookadeepbreath，herdragwiththeiplicationfhiswordsshehadalwaysfeltdifferent，likeshewasantforthgorenow，italladesense
＂whatdoiodo?＂sheasked，hervoicesteady
hanfenglg，seyesshohadirationandlove＂weoharnessyourpower，trayoutotrolitwithyourabilities，wefallydefeatthedarklordandbriothekgdooflian＂
sukienodded，deteratiherheart＂i，lldowhateverittakes＂
and，theirjourued，filledwithchallensandtriuphs，heartbreakandjoysukieandhanfenglgfacedeachobstacletother，theirloveandtrteachotherunwavergwitheachpassgday，sukiegrewstronr，herpowersdevelopgwaysshehadneveriaged
astheypreparedfortheultiatefrontationwiththedarklord，sukiekhattheirlovewastheirgreateststrengthtother，theywereunspableandwithhanfenglgbyherside，shewasreadytofacewhateverdestyhadstoreforthe
theirbonddeepenedfurther，eaenttotheratestanttotheirunwavergitnttheysharedtheirhopesanddreas，theirfearsandsecurities，fdgeachother，sebracetheirlovewasabeaoflightthedarkness，guidihroughthetoughestoftis
astheystoodontheprecipiceofthefalbattle，sukiefeltasenseofpeaoatterpened，shekhatsheandhanfenglgwereanttobetothertheirlovewasaforcethattraiandspace，abondthatuldneverbebroken
and，withheartsfullofloveaeration，sukieandhanfenglgsteppedforward，readytofacetheirdestyaurefilledwithhopeandpossibility
thesuncastagoldenglowoverthevilassukieandhanfenglgpreparedfortheday，sjourheyhadreceivedwordthatthedarklord，sforcesweregatherganearbyregion，andtheyosuttheareaandgathertellihevilrswatchedthewithaixofadirationand，theirhopesrestgontheshoulderfthebraveduo
astheysetout，theairwasfilledwiththestofbloogflowersandtheundofrtlgleavessukiewalkedbesidehanfenglg，herheartbeatgwithaixtureofexcitentandtrepidationsheghi，hisstrongprofileoutledagastthelight，aasurofgratitudeforhisunwavergpresence
＂areyoureadyforthis?＂hanfenglgasked，hisvoicefilledwithrelve
sukienodded，hereyesetghis＂asreadyasi，lleverbewithyoubyyside，ifeellikeifaythg＂
hesiled，reagouttotakeherhand＂we，lltthroughthistother，sukiewealwaysdo＂
theirjourookthethroughdenseforestsandacrossrockyterra，thendscapeggastheyventureddeeperiorythefurthertheywent，theoretheatosphereshifted，begdarkerandoreforebodgthetreesseedtoclosearouheirbranchesreagoutlikeskeletalfrs
astheywalked，sukieuldn，tshakethefeelgthattheywerebegwatchedshegncedoverhershoulder，buttherewasnothgtherejtthewhisperofthedaantcallfunseeures
＂hanfenglg，＂shesaidftly，hervoidwithunease＂doyoufeelthat?likewe，rebegfollowed?＂
hefrowned，hiseyessgthesurroundgs＂yes，isetooweobecautio＂
theytuedonward，theirsensesheightened，everyundandoventputtgtheohetensioweenthealpable，asilentuandgpassiweehattheyostayvigt
astheynearedaclearg，sukieheardartlgthebhesshetensed，herhandovgtothehiltofherswordhanfenglgpcedareassurghandonhershoulder，histouchgroundgher
＂stayclose，＂hewhispered，hisvoicebarelyaudible
theyovedforward，gclosertotheurceoftheundsuddenly，afigureburstfrotheunderbrh，stublgandfallgattheirfeetiasayounggirl，herclothestornanddirty，herfacestreakedwithtears
＂help，please，＂shebegd，hervoicetreblgwithfear＂they，reg＂
sukiekbesidethegirl，herheartagatthesightofherdistress＂whoareyou?what，shappeng?＂
thegirllookedup，hereyeswidewithterror＂ynaisithedarklord，sldiersattackedetheytookyfailyiaoescape，butthey，restilloutthere，seargfor＂
hanfenglg，sexpressiondarkened，andhehelpedthegirltoherfeet＂wewoheharyou，iyou，resafewith＂
jtashespoke，agroupofldierserdfrothetrees，theirarltgnaglythesunlighttheysurrouhe，theironsdrawn
＂hahegirl，＂theleaderoftheldiersdeanded，hisvoiceldandauthoritative＂shebelongstothedarklordnow＂
hanfenglgsteppedforward，hisstaective＂you，llhavetotthroughfirst＂
theleadersneered，raisghissword＂beit＂
thebattlethatensuedwasfierdchaoticsukiefoughithallheright，hertragandagicabilitiesgtotheforesheovedwithgradprecision，herswordfshgassheparriedandstruckhanfenglgwasawhirldofpowerbesideher，hisoventsfidanddeadly
iwatchedaweandfear，herheartpoundgasthefightradaroundhersheuldseethedeterationsukie，seyes，thestrengthhanfenglg，soventstheywereunlikeanyoneshehadeverseen，aaglirofhopeforthefirsttisiheattahervil
fally，afterwhatfeltlikeay，thestoftheldiersfellsukieandhanfenglgstoodpantg，theirbodiesbruisedandbloodiedbutvictorioirantothe，tearsstreagdownherface
＂thankyou，＂shebbed，ggtosukie＂thankyouforsavg＂
sukiehugdhertightly，herheartbreakgfortheyounggirl＂you，resafenow，iwe，llprotectyou＂
hanfenglglookedaround，hisexpressiongri＂weoovethereuldbeoreldiersnearby＂
theytiheirjourney，iwalkiweensukieandhanfenglg，hersallhandgrippgsukie，stightlyastheytraveled，itoldtheoreabouttheattahervil，hervoicetreblgwitheotionsukielistenedily，herheartagforthesuffergihadendured