The Embers of War

Smoke billowed into the night sky as the armory burned, the flames crackling hungrily as they devoured Minister Zhao's weapons cache. The heat pressed against Yue Rin's back as she sprinted through the outer courtyard, her sword dripping with the blood of fallen guards. The mission had been a success, but the battle was far from over.

Zhen Xiu was at her side, his breath ragged. "We need to split up," he said, glancing at the distant torches of approaching reinforcements. "If they catch us together, we're finished."

Liang Wei, standing beside them, nodded. "I'll lead some of Han's men south and create a diversion. You two take the northern path through the forest."

Yue Rin hesitated. "And what about you?"

Liang Wei grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Don't worry about me. I'll see you at the safe house."

Before she could protest, he was already gone, vanishing into the night with a handful of soldiers. Yue Rin clenched her fists but knew he was right. They had no time to argue.

"Let's go," she murmured to Zhen Xiu, and together, they disappeared into the northern woods.

The Hunt Begins

The forest was alive with the sounds of pursuit. Horses galloped in the distance, the clash of steel and desperate shouts echoing through the trees. Yue Rin moved swiftly, her footsteps light on the damp earth. Zhen Xiu followed closely behind, his blade drawn.

"We won't outrun them forever," he muttered.

Yue Rin glanced around, searching for an advantage. The terrain was rugged, filled with steep inclines and rocky outcroppings. Then, she spotted it—a narrow pass ahead, flanked by jagged cliffs. A perfect bottleneck.

She turned to Zhen Xiu. "We make our stand here."

He smirked. "You always did have a death wish."

They climbed onto a ledge just as Zhao's men came into view, torches flickering like fireflies in the darkness. A dozen soldiers, all heavily armed.

One of them, a towering brute with a scar across his face, sneered. "Surrender now, and we'll grant you a quick death."

Yue Rin raised her sword. "Come and take it."

With a roar, the soldiers charged.

The Battle of the Narrow Pass

Yue Rin met the first attacker head-on, sidestepping his downward strike and driving her blade into his side. He gasped, blood bubbling from his lips as he collapsed.

Zhen Xiu moved like a shadow, parrying one soldier's thrust before slashing his throat with a flick of his wrist. The man crumpled, gurgling.

The remaining soldiers hesitated, realizing their prey was more dangerous than expected. But the scarred leader barked an order, and they attacked again.

Yue Rin ducked low, sweeping her leg out to trip one opponent before finishing him with a swift stab. She barely had time to recover before another came at her, swinging a heavy axe.

She dodged left, but the blade nicked her arm. Pain flared, but she gritted her teeth, using the momentum to spin and slash across his chest. He fell with a grunt.

Zhen Xiu fought with lethal precision, weaving between enemies like a dancer. His blade cut through flesh and bone, a blur of silver under the moonlight. But even he was starting to tire.

The scarred leader lunged at Yue Rin, their swords clashing in a flurry of sparks. He was stronger, his strikes heavy and relentless. She barely managed to block each blow, her arms aching from the impact.

Then, he feinted left and swung his fist into her ribs.

The breath was knocked from her lungs as she stumbled back, stars bursting in her vision. The soldier raised his sword for the killing blow—

—but Zhen Xiu was faster.

His dagger flashed, burying deep into the man's back. The leader stiffened, eyes wide with shock before collapsing in a heap.

Silence followed. The last of Zhao's soldiers lay dead.

Zhen Xiu panted, wiping blood from his cheek. "That was close."

Yue Rin, still catching her breath, smirked. "You doubted me?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Never."

They had won the battle. But as Yue Rin looked towards the distant glow of the capital, she knew the war had only just begun.

The Shadows Await

By the time they reached the safe house, dawn was breaking. Liang Wei was already there, a fresh wound on his forehead but otherwise unharmed.

"Nice of you to finally join me," he said, tossing them a waterskin. "I was starting to think I'd have to drink all this wine by myself."

Yue Rin took a deep sip, exhaustion settling into her bones. "We need to move quickly. Zhao won't let this go unanswered."

Han stepped forward from the shadows. "Then it's time we strike at the heart of the beast."

Zhen Xiu crossed his arms. "You mean… the palace?"

Han nodded. "Minister Zhao has been exposed, but he still holds power. If we want to end this, we must cut him down before he consolidates his forces."

Yue Rin met his gaze, a fire burning in her eyes. "Then we take the fight to him."

The final battle was coming. And this time, there would be no turning back.