Whispers of the Blind

***

The battle raged around Yun Guo, the cacophony of clashing steel and war cries vibrating through the humid night air. His heart pounded as he gripped the Lightstone tightly in one hand and his walking stick in the other. He couldn't see the enemy, but the artifact pulsed in his hand, its hum resonating in his chest like a second heartbeat.

"Yun! Get back!" Meilin shouted from somewhere behind him, her voice panicked.

But Yun ignored her. Instead, he focused on the strange new sensation filling his body. It wasn't sight, but something else-a heightened awareness of the space around him. He could feel the Scouts closing in, their predatory movements like ripples in the air.

A low growl came from his left, and Yun spun just in time to raise his walking stick. The wooden shaft collided with something hard-a blade. The force jarred his arms, but he held firm.

"Not bad for a blind man," the Scout hissed, its voice deep and guttural, as if it came from a throat not entirely human.

Yun didn't reply. Instead, he let the Lightstone guide him. The artifact pulsed again, and he felt the Scout's movement before it happened-a downward slash aimed at his head. He ducked, thrusting his walking stick forward. The tip struck flesh, and the Scout howled in pain.

The sound gave Yun a surge of confidence.

Another Scout charged from his right, its heavy footsteps pounding the ground. Yun twisted toward the sound, raising the Lightstone. It flared in his hand, emitting a burst of energy that sent the Scout flying backward with a guttural scream.

The burst of energy left Yun stunned. His chest heaved as he gripped the artifact, its surface now warm and thrumming with power.

"What was that?" he muttered.

"It's the Lightstone!" Meilin shouted from behind him. "It's reacting to your Qi! Use it!"

Yun didn't fully understand, but he didn't have time to question. The Scouts were relentless. One of them snarled as it leapt toward him, its blade aimed at his throat.

This time, Yun didn't wait for the attack. He planted his walking stick in the ground and swung his arm in a wide arc, the Lightstone glowing faintly. The artifact's energy seemed to extend outward like a blade, slashing through the Scout mid-air.

A wet thud hit the ground, followed by silence.

Eryan's voice cut through the chaos. "Focus on the blind one! He's their target!"

Yun gritted his teeth. He could feel three Scouts converging on him at once. Their movements were swift and coordinated, their weapons slicing through the air with deadly precision.

But the Lightstone's power coursed through him now, and Yun felt calm, even in the face of danger. He turned his head slightly, sensing the Scouts' positions.

The first came from his left, swinging low. Yun sidestepped, bringing his stick down on the Scout's wrist with a crack. The weapon clattered to the ground, and Yun followed up with a kick to the Scout's chest, sending it sprawling.

The second Scout attacked from behind, but the artifact pulsed a warning just in time. Yun dropped to the ground, rolling to avoid the strike, then thrust the Lightstone upward. A burst of energy erupted from the artifact, throwing the Scout backward with a scream.

The third Scout hesitated, growling as it circled him. "You fight well, blind one, it snarled. "But your tricks won't save you forever."

Yun raised the Lightstone, its glow casting faint warmth against his face. "Come closer and find out."

The Scout charged, but Yun was ready. As it closed the distance, he pivoted on his heel, using the momentum of its attack against it. The Scout stumbled past him, and Yun struck with the Lightstone, the artifact's energy cutting through the creature like a blade of pure light.

As the final Scout fell, silence descended over the battlefield. Yun stood trembling, his chest heaving as the artifact's glow began to dim. His other senses sharpened, and he became acutely aware of the villagers and Shanwei warriors staring at him in stunned silence.

"You... you defeated them," Meilin said, her voice filled with awe.

Yun lowered the Lightstone, his grip slackening as exhaustion set in. "Not alone," he said quietly. "The Lightstone... it guided me."

Eryan approached, his heavy boots crunching on the blood-soaked ground. "That wasn't just the Lightstone," he said, his tone grudgingly respectful. "You fought like a true Shanwei warrior. Blind or not, you have my respect."

Elder Zhang's voice called out from behind them. "The Lightstone has chosen wisely. This battle is just the beginning. We must prepare for what's to come."

Yun felt the elder's hand on his shoulder, steady and reassuring.

"You' ve proven yourself tonight, Yun Guo," Zhang said. "But the forces of shadow will not stop here. The Scouts were merely a warning. The real battle lies ahead."

Yun nodded slowly, his fingers tightening around the Lightstone. He didn't fully understand the path before him, but he knew one thing for certain: he wasn't going to waste this second chance.

***