The Silent Requiem

He would not betray her, now or ever. Through the Crest, he instructed Laverna on what they were about to do, and she understood, quickly moving into position.

"Step back with me," Shin whispered with a small smile. "We're going to make our own stage. Circle me slowly, eyes on mine. Keep it graceful."

Laverna nodded subtly, following his lead. As they stepped apart, the space between them widened, drawing the attention of the crowd as though an invisible curtain had dropped, framing them.

"You're the flame," Shin added with a glint in his eye. "Dance like one. Let them burn in awe, but never forget, you're dancing for me."

A smirk played on Laverna's lips. "Then try not to get scorched, husband."

"Follow my lead." Shin summoned his katana and smiled. Gasps rose from the crowd as he announced, "Do not be afraid. We will now demonstrate our homeland's dance. I am sure you will all be entertained."

He looked at the bards, tossed a coin to the maestro, and said, "Make the beat exciting."

The Maestro caught the coin and stashed it in his pocket, then looked at the King. The King nodded in approval.

As soon as Shin clapped to the beat, he encouraged the people to clap along. With Shin's charm and charisma, he inspired the bards, muses, and musicians to join him, creating a beat that began slow and hypnotic.

Shin instinctively used his mana to enhance Laverna's instincts temporarily through the Slave Crest. It unlocked a dormant part of her Kitsune heritage, and time slowed for her, each movement and note registering in hyper-clarity.

Shin continued his tale. "This is the story of the Samurai Lord and his fated Partner who traveled throughout his lands, eradicating evil and purifying the land. This dance symbolizes love and partnership between the two, that no matter what comes their way, they are together even beyond death."

As the melody began, Shin twirled his katana in a fluid motion, each step deliberate, each spin powerful. It was the Kenbu—the sword dance—graceful yet masculine, strong and expressive.

His blade sliced through the air like moonlight carving into darkness. It gleamed under the chandelier's light.

Laverna mirrored his movement from across the stage. Her feet flowed like water, each step a precise counter to Shin's rhythm.

Her nails elongated subtly, a natural reflex from the awakening Kitsune bloodline. It was as if she were preparing for unseen threats ahead.

The dance became more than just a performance. It was a demonstration of unity.

Their motions intertwined with near-spiritual synchronization, neither leading nor following, but moving in perfect balance. As Shin arced the blade around him, Laverna dashed forward, eyes locked on him.

Her steps grew more daring. For the first time, she was not just following Shin—she was dancing with him as an equal.

With a dramatic flip, she launched herself into the air. Shin tossed the katana skyward and caught her mid-leap with flawless timing.

As she landed atop his hands, the katana fell back into her grasp with elegance and control. She stood tall, poised and fierce, the image of a warrior goddess.

The crowd erupted in applause, swept away by the beauty, tension, and undeniable chemistry between the two performers. They seemed locked in a world of their own, the music and motion shaping an intimate story meant only for them.

But beneath the art, a darker current stirred. A raid had begun in the kingdom.

Some of the assassins, posing as entertainers, procured weapons. In the background, they killed some soldiers guarding the palace as the impromptu entertainment continued.

As the beat picked up even more, Laverna removed her hair ornaments. Some of her hair became dislodged and gently fanned around her face.

She prepared herself, taking a deep breath and keeping an elegant smile. He smiled as he suddenly tossed Laverna up into the air for an acrobatic move.

She executed a spinning slash going downward, spinning horizontally like a pinwheel. In doing so, she slashed an unsuspecting person—an assassin disguised as a servant hiding a poisoned knife under a towel—cutting the hand of the assailant.

As commanded, she ran forward and flipped through the air with grace, landing horizontally. Her movements remained conscious as her nails glided across the throat of another unsuspecting assassin.

Blood slipped down the throat as the woman cried out and fell backward, clutching her wound. The others failed to notice the death occurring before their eyes.

"Stupidity all around," she thought before the next assailant approached. With each movement looking well-rehearsed, bodies slipped back with clean cuts.

Blood gushed out from each strike. The bodies were not severed, but the damage was fatal.

There was a short scream from the assassin before Laverna kicked him in the jaw. The impact broke his jaw and knocked him out.

Panic was about to erupt, but as soon as a scream was heard, Shin looked at the King and Queen. They understood what Shin was implying and stood up, clapping.

"Excellent! Truly an... exquisite dance!" The King and Queen quickly redirected the guests' attention before their feeble minds could grasp the magnitude of the situation.

Screams echoed through the halls, growing louder. Laverna's ears shifted back and forth, listening to each set of footsteps and heartbeat.

She played the sweet assistant, her fingers slipping through fabric to remove any evidence. "It is only the first part, my liege. I'm sure that the people won't mind good entertainment."

Muffled sounds of panic were heard outside the Banquet Hall, barely masked by the music. Now, the people outside rushed into the Banquet Hall, knowing it was where the King, Queen, royal guests, and nobles were located.

Shin raised his voice as he stepped forward with measured grace. "If the people would be so kind as to move to the other side. We will perform the second act of our dance."

The people inside the Banquet Hall quickly moved to the other side where the King and Queen stood. The Royal Couple understood Shin's intention to avoid inciting further panic.

Guild Master Davis formed a wall with his guardsmen and adventurers. The Queen conjured a barrier surrounding the nobles and those who could not fight.

The guests obeyed, but as blood and dying screams filled the air, their childlike wonder gave way to horror. Reality set in as the illusion shattered.

Though they had come for a celebration, they now witnessed a battlefield dressed in beauty. And at the center of it stood Shin and Laverna—still dancing, their performance as much a warning as it was a testament to their power.