Kazaf: The upside down

Kazaf's mind raced as the words echoed in his ears. His mother, Alaca, was in danger. The calmness in the voice of the messenger, a fellow cultivator named Cholo, did nothing to ease the tight knot of fear forming in his chest.

"What do you mean she's in danger?" Kazaf demanded, his voice low but laced with urgency. He felt the world shift, the normal hum of the university around him blurring into a distant noise. His thoughts turned immediately to his mother, to Alaca, who had always protected him. Who had kept him hidden from the dangers of the cultivator world for so long.

Cholo's gaze flickered, his brow furrowing as he glanced around to make sure no one was listening. They stood near the entrance of the campus, where the crowds of students bustled about, unaware of the danger that loomed.

"There are whispers," Cholo began, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's a faction within your mother's family who are still hunting her. They believe you're the key to finding her, Kazaf. They've tracked her movements, and it's only a matter of time before they find her... and you."

Kazaf's blood ran cold. He knew his mother's past wasn't exactly peaceful, but he had hoped that by living in the human world, they had outrun her enemies. He was wrong.

"I've been trying to keep track of them," Cholo continued, his eyes flicking to the side. "They've been getting closer. If you don't act fast, your mother could be caught, or worse."

Kazaf clenched his fists, anger rising within him. His mother had given up everything to protect him, to raise him away from the dark world of cultivators. And now, those very same people were closing in, threatening everything she had built.

"I won't let them get to her," Kazaf muttered, his voice steely with resolve. He turned to Cholo. "Where is she? Tell me everything."

Cholo hesitated for a moment, his expression wary. "I don't have an exact location, but I've sensed their presence near the outskirts of the city. They're waiting for you to slip up. It's only a matter of time before they make their move."

Kazaf's mind whirled with thoughts of what he needed to do. His immediate instinct was to rush to his mother's side, to protect her, but he knew that would be a dangerous move. If he went in too recklessly, he could end up leading her enemies straight to her.

"We need a plan," Kazaf said, his voice determined. "I can't do this alone."

"I'll help you," Cholo said, stepping closer. "We'll need to move quickly, and we'll need all the help we can get."

Kazaf nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes. I won't let them harm her."

As Kazaf turned to leave, his thoughts were heavy with the weight of what lay ahead. He had spent so much time trying to keep his two worlds separate—the human world and the cultivator world. But now, the line between them was gone. The danger was no longer something that could be avoided.

He had to face it head-on.

And he had to save his mother.

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