The stars above the sanctuary looked dimmer after the attack— like they too were holding their breath.
Shen Yueli stood on the balcony outside the Seer's Vault, arms crossed, wind tugging at her robe. Her daughter slept inside, protected by layers of ancient magic. But Yueli couldn't sleep.
She hadn't slept since the prophecy whispered from her baby's lips.
" Light or shadow. Love or power."
The visions haunted her— Di Yan dying on a battlefield of fire, her daughter grown and alone, her own heart split in two.
A sound behind her made her turn. Di Yan leaned against the archway,
shirtless, bandages strapped tight across his chest. His eyes met hers, dark and unreadable.
" You're supposed to be resting," she said softly.
" So are you?"
She turned back to the stars.
" Everything's changed."
" Not everything."
He stepped forward, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. Her pulse quickened.
" You kissed me," he said.
Yueli didn't move. " You kissed me first."
He smirked. " You kissed me back."
" That was adrenaline."
" Sure."
She looked at him then, fully, fiercely.
" You want to talk about that now, after bloodshed, betrayal, and the heavens collapsing on our heads?"
" Yes," he said, simply.
She arched a brow.
He took another step. " Because if we're all going to die, I'd rather go knowing I tasted you again."
Silence.
And then she grabbed his face and kissed him like it was war.
Because it was.
His hands found her waist, pulling her into him, all bruised strength and aching heat. She kissed him like a woman tired of running, of denying, of pretending.
His mouth crushed hers, tongue sweeping in like he had a point to prove— and gods, he did.
Their bodies tangled, pressed, pleaded.
When she finally pulled away,
breathless, her voice was a whisper.
" This doesn't mean I've forgiven you."
" I didn't ask for forgiveness."
" You will."
—
The next morning, the council convened.
Mei Lin stood at the head of the table,
her staff glowing faintly. The air was thick with tension.
" The Veiled Blades were only a distraction," she said grimly. " Their real mission was to trigger the Seer's awakening. And they succeeded."
Yueli tightened her grip on the stone table.
" She spoke," she confirmed. " The prophecy is active now. That means the rest of the factions will come."
" They'll want the child," said an elder.
" Some to protect her. Others to control her."
Di Yan leaned forward. " Let them come."
Yueli cut him a glare. " You want another war?"
" I want it on our terms."
Mei Lin nodded. " It's time to leave the sanctuary. You'll travel to the Oracle's Cliffs. There's an old ally there. If anyone can help shield the child's energy, it's him."
Yueli stiffened. " The Oracle?"
" Yes."
She exchanged a look with Di Yan. They both knew what that meant.
Secrets.
And sacrifice.
—
Two nights later, under the cloak of darkness, they left.
Yueli rode a moon scale beast, her daughter strapped to her chest, sleeping peacefully. Di Yan rode beside her, sword at his hip, cloak trailing behind him like shadow.
The road was long— through cursed forests and forgotten ruins.
But it was the night they camped in the Ruins of Kirein that changed everything.
They were alone, the others scouting ahead. A small fire crackled between them.
" I saw something in the Vault," Yueli said suddenly. " Something I didn't tell the council."
Di Yan looked up.
" In one of the visions… you died."
His face didn't change.
She looked away. " And I didn't feel… broken. I felt powerful."
His silence made her ache.
" I'm afraid," she whispered.
" Of me?"
" Of who I might become without you."
He crossed the fire and knelt in front of her.
" You think I don't fear the same?" he said quietly. " That every time I look at you, I don't wonder if this is the last time I'll get to see you alive?"
She bit her lip, fighting tears.
" But here's the truth, Yueli. Power doesn't change who we are. It only reveals what we hide."
She didn't answer.
He reached up, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. " You're the strongest woman I've ever met. And I'm not afraid of what you'll become."
She looked into his eyes— and saw truth.
And then he kissed her again.
Not with desperation, but with devotion with fire.
That night, she didn't sleep alone.
Neither did he.
And when dawn came, the sky didn't look dim anymore.
It looked like a promise.
—
But peace is a fickle thing.
The Oracle's Cliffs were close— but danger found them first.
As they crossed the Valley of Whispers, a black storm swept in. Not wind. Not rain.
But magic.
Dark and vengeful.
Ambush.
Masked warriors rose from the ground,
riding beasts made of shadow.
Di Yan shouted, drawing his blade.
" Yueli— Go!"
But she didn't run.
She turned, eyes blazing, arms glowing with the same golden runes that had lit the Seer's Vault.
" I said— Go!"
Yueli raised her hand — and the sky cracked open.
Lightning fell like judgment, tearing through the shadow beasts. Her daughter's aura flared, lending strength.
But the masked leader stepped forward, undeterred.
" You carry the Seer," he said, voice inhuman. " Surrender her, and we'll spare your lives."
Yueli laughed. " You picked the wrong mother."
The man lunged.
She met him midair, blades clashing, spells exploding.
Di Yan fought beside her, their movements in sync, a dance of death and destiny.
They won.
Barely.
Bloodied, breathless, and bruised, they stood among the fallen.
The child cooed softly, untouched.
Di Yan staggered over. " Still not scared?"
Yueli smiled through bloodied lips. " Terrified."
" Good," he said, cupping her face. " Then we're doing it right."