Shen Yueli stood by the stone railing,
the sanctuary's twin moons casting a soft glow on her skin. The high cliffs of the hidden village shimmered under the protection of ancient enchantments, but peace was starting to feel like a fragile illusion.
She watched her daughter sleep in the cradle woven from silver vines. The child's aura pulsed gently, echoing with power too great for such a tiny form.
Di Yan's voice broke the silence. " She glows even in sleep. Just like you."
Yueli turned. He stood a few feet away,
his shirt loose, his silver hair damp from training. He looked tired… and dangerous.
" She has your stubbornness," Yueli replied with a small smile. " She refused to nap until I sang her a lullaby."
" I didn't know you sang."
" I didn't know you listened."
Di Yan stepped closer, and for a moment, the air between them sparked.
Since their kiss, things had been…
complicated. Their days were filled with training, strategy meetings, and deciphering Mei Lin's cryptic scrolls.
But their nights— those were full of charged silences and dreams neither dared speak of.
" You've been distant," Yueli finally said.
His jaw tensed. " I'm trying to stay focused."
" On the prophecy?"
" On keeping you alive."
" Then maybe stop guarding your heart like it's part of the battlefield."
His eyes flicked to hers, raw emotion flickering like wildfire. " If I give in to this… to you… and something happens to either of you, I'll burn."
Yueli stepped closer until they were almost touching. " Then burn with me."
His hips hovered over hers— but before he could surrender, the sanctuary trembled.
A deep, pulsing sound echoed through the mountains.
An alarm.
Yueli turned on instinct, grabbing the dagger hidden beneath her robe. " What is it?"
Di Yan's expression hardened. " We're under attack."
—
The courtyard was chaos.
Elders barked orders. Guardians lined the stone walls, drawing energy from moonstones embedded in the ground. A shroud of dark mist crept through the enchanted perimeter like an infection.
Mei Lin appeared, her robes fluttering behind her. " The Veiled Blades," she said grimly.
" Assassins trained in shadow magic. Someone must have betrayed us."
Yueli felt a surge of cold. " The child—"
" She must be protected at all costs,"
Mei Lin cut in. " Go. Now."
Di Yan turned to Yueli. " Take her. Go through the hidden tunnels."
Yueli hesitated. " And you?"
" I'll hold the front line."
Before she could protest, he kissed her— hard and fast. " If I don't make it back—"
" You will," she snapped. " Don't you dare say goodbye."
He smirked faintly. " That's my girl."
—
Yueli ran.
The child was wrapped in protective runes, glowing faintly in her arms. She ducked through hidden corridors carved centuries ago, her heartbeat thundering louder than her footsteps.
She reached a chamber bathed in moonlight. Inside stood an altar covered in silver dust and glowing crystals.
" This is it," Mei Lin's voice echoed in her mind. " The Seer's Vault. Only one of your bloodline can awaken it."
Yueli placed her palm on the altar. The crystals flared— recognizing her.
The floor split open, revealing a spiral staircase.
Below, safety.
And secrets.
—
Meanwhile, Di Yan fought like a man possessed.
The Veiled Blades moved like smoke—
silent, ruthless, immune to pain. But Di Yan's blade was faster. Deadlier.
Shadows fell in his wake, but blood soaked his robes.
One blade pierced his shoulder. Another slashed his ribs. He kept fighting.
He had to.
One assassin broke past him, heading for the tunnels.
" No," Di Yan snarled, hurling his blade. It struck true— right between the intruder's eyes.
He dropped to one knee, panting. His vision blurred.
But then he heard her voice— faint, like a whisper in the dark.
" I'm waiting, Di Yan…"
He rose again.
Bleeding.
Burning.
But alive.
—
Down in the vault, Yueli placed her daughter on the central pedestal. The air shimmered. Ancient glyphs blazed to life around the chamber.
The baby opened her golden eyes— and the entire room pulsed with power.
And then she spoke.
Not with words.
With light.
Visions flooded Yueli's mind— empires falling, gods bleeding, a pair of twins born under a bleeding moon. Her daughter's voice echoed through the space, ancient and terrifying.
" The Seer must choose."
Yueli gasped. " Choose what?"
" Light or shadow. Love or power. Destiny or freedom."
Her knees buckled. " I… I don't understand!"
The baby blinked— and the visions stopped. The chamber went still.
Yueli collapsed beside her, holding her close.
" Don't worry," she whispered. " You won't face this alone."
—
Hours later, Di Yan stumbled into the vault, bloodied and limping.
He found Yueli seated on the floor, her baby in her arms, eyes distant.
" You made it," she said quietly.
" Barely," he muttered, falling to his knees beside her.
Yueli reached out, pressing her hand over his wound. " You're hurt."
He chuckled weakly. " You should see the other guys."
She smiled.
Then leaned in.
And kissed him— slowly, deeply, like they had all the time in the world.
Because maybe they didn't.
But tonight, they were alive.
And for now, that was enough.