No EscapeBlades in the Dark

The assassin moved like a phantom, his steps silent as death itself. Yue Rin barely had time to raise her dagger before the first strike came—lightning-fast, aimed straight at her throat. She twisted her body at the last second, the blade grazing her collarbone instead. A thin line of blood blossomed on her skin, but she didn't flinch.

Zhen Xiu reacted instantly, his own blade flashing as he deflected the assassin's follow-up strike. Sparks flew as steel met steel, the clash of metal echoing in the dimly lit temple.

The assassin didn't hesitate. His movements were fluid, almost unnatural. He wielded two curved daggers, striking with precision meant to kill in a single blow. Yue Rin had fought many enemies before, but this one was different—faster, deadlier.

She and Zhen Xiu moved in sync, their years of training kicking in as they flanked their opponent. Zhen Xiu feinted left while Yue Rin lunged forward, aiming for the assassin's ribs.

But the assassin was already a step ahead.

He ducked low, twisting his body unnaturally as he slashed at Yue Rin's exposed side. She barely managed to block the strike, but the force sent her stumbling backward.

Zhen Xiu snarled and launched a flurry of attacks, his blade moving with a speed that would overwhelm most foes. But the assassin was no ordinary fighter. He parried every strike with ease, his movements eerily precise, as if he could predict their attacks before they even made them.

Yue Rin wiped the blood from her chin, forcing herself to focus. They couldn't win in a straightforward fight.

She glanced at Zhen Xiu and gave a subtle nod. He understood immediately.

Feigning a desperate attack, Zhen Xiu lunged forward with all his strength. The assassin sidestepped, preparing to counter—exactly as Yue Rin had predicted.

Before he could react, she struck from behind, driving her dagger toward his exposed back.

At the last moment, the assassin twisted unnaturally, her blade missing his heart by mere inches. But it still bit into his shoulder, drawing deep crimson.

For the first time, the assassin faltered.

Zhen Xiu seized the opportunity. He slashed downward in a brutal arc, his sword slicing through the assassin's wrist, severing one of his daggers from his grip. The assassin hissed but didn't scream. Instead, he leaped back, clutching his bleeding wrist.

Yue Rin and Zhen Xiu didn't wait for him to recover. They lunged together, striking from both sides.

This time, he couldn't dodge.

Yue Rin's dagger buried itself in his chest while Zhen Xiu's sword slashed across his throat. The assassin staggered, his body trembling as he took a final breath. Then, without a sound, he crumpled to the floor, lifeless.

The temple was silent once more.

Yue Rin exhaled, gripping her wounded side. "We need to move. They won't stop with just one."

Zhen Xiu nodded. "Then we disappear."

Without another word, they melted into the shadows.

The Stolen LedgerMeanwhile, on the other side of the city, Liang Wei was running for his life.

The ledger in his hands was worth more than gold. It contained names—powerful names. Corrupt officials, hidden alliances, secret transactions that could shake the empire to its core. If it fell into the wrong hands, Yue Rin's entire rebellion would be over before it even began.

And Minister Zhao's men were close behind.

He darted through the slums, weaving between narrow alleyways, his lungs burning from exertion. The torches of his pursuers flickered behind him, their shouts echoing through the night.

"Find him! He must not escape!"

Liang Wei cursed under his breath. He had planned his escape route carefully, but they were too many. He needed a way to lose them.

His eyes darted to the rooftops. It was risky, but he had no choice.

Without breaking stride, he ran toward a stack of crates, using them as a platform to launch himself upward. His fingers caught the edge of a tiled roof, and he hauled himself up just as an arrow whistled past his ear.

The archers had arrived.

He rolled across the rooftop, ducking behind a chimney as another arrow buried itself in the tiles where he had just been standing.

"Dammit," he muttered.

He needed a distraction.

Glancing around, he spotted a row of hanging lanterns strung between buildings. A plan formed in his mind.

He reached into his pouch, pulling out a small firestarter. Striking it against the tiles, he ignited a scrap of cloth and tossed it toward the lanterns.

Within moments, flames erupted, the fire spreading rapidly along the paper lanterns and wooden beams.

Shouts of alarm rang out as the pursuing soldiers hesitated, torn between chasing Liang Wei and containing the fire.

That hesitation was all he needed.

He sprinted across the rooftops, leaping between buildings with practiced ease. By the time the soldiers realized their mistake, he was gone.

A New PlanHours later, Yue Rin, Zhen Xiu, and Liang Wei reconvened in a hidden chamber beneath an old apothecary. The ledger lay open on the table before them, its contents damning.

"This is it," Liang Wei said, still catching his breath. "Proof of Minister Zhao's corruption. We can use this to turn his allies against him."

Zhen Xiu frowned. "And what about the Emperor? Zhao still has his favor."

Yue Rin traced a finger over the names in the ledger. "Then we make sure the Emperor sees the truth. But we can't do it alone. We need more allies."

Liang Wei hesitated. "You have someone in mind?"

She nodded. "General Han. If we can convince him to side with us, we might just have a chance."

Zhen Xiu exhaled. "And if we fail?"

Yue Rin's eyes burned with determination. "Then we take Zhao down ourselves—by any means necessary."

In the flickering candlelight, their shadows danced across the walls. The rebellion was no longer a distant dream.