CHAPTÈR 3

Chapter 3: The Moon's Dark Bargain

The palace of Lianhua was a fortress of silk and steel, its halls whispering with secrets and shadows. Within its ancient walls, power shifted like the tides, and trust was a currency more precious than gold. Princess Xuan Li Yam moved cautiously, her every step weighed down by the knowledge that danger lurked closer than ever.

But tonight, the danger was not just outside the palace—it was within.

The Secret MeetingIn a dimly lit chamber, hidden behind a tapestry of dragons and phoenixes, Xuan met with her most trusted confidante, Mei Lin, a fierce warrior and childhood friend. The air was thick with tension.

"Kano's spies are everywhere," Mei Lin whispered, her eyes sharp. "They've infiltrated the palace guard. We cannot trust anyone but ourselves."

Xuan nodded, her heart heavy. "I fear for Father. If Kano moves against him, the kingdom will fall."

Mei Lin's gaze hardened. "Then we must act first. But we need more than swords and spies. We need a miracle."

Xuan's thoughts drifted to the mysterious tiger who had saved her life—the god who walked among mortals, cursed and powerful. Could he be the miracle they needed?

Hwang Yi's RevelationMeanwhile, in the shadowed forest where he had taken refuge, Hwang Yi grappled with his fractured memories. The curse that bound him to the human world was not merely punishment—it was a prison designed by forces far darker than he had imagined.

As he meditated beneath the ancient oaks, a vision pierced the veil of his mind. A figure cloaked in midnight approached—a woman with eyes like burning embers and a voice that echoed like thunder.

"You are bound by more than the moon's curse, Tiger King," she said. "The Abyss Realm itself conspires against you."

Hwang's amber eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

"I am Yin Mo, the Shadow Weaver," she replied. "Once your ally, now your betrayer. It was I who orchestrated your fall, to seize power for myself."

The revelation struck like lightning. The betrayal was deeper than Hwang had feared. Not only was he trapped in the mortal world, but his own kin sought to destroy him.

The Moon-Shaman's ArrivalBack in Lianhua, Lord Kano's plans advanced with ruthless precision. He summoned Wu Shen, the moon-shaman, a sorcerer whose mastery over lunar magic was feared across realms.

Wu Shen's eyes gleamed with dark delight as Kano revealed the tiger's secret. "With the blood of the princess and the curse of the moon, I will bind the beast to your will."

That night, Wu Shen began his sinister ritual beneath the blood-red moon, weaving spells that would turn Hwang Yi's power into a weapon of destruction.

A Dangerous AllianceUnaware of the full scope of the threat, Xuan sought out Hwang Yi once more. Their meeting was charged with urgency and unspoken fears.

"Hwang," she said, her voice trembling, "my family is falling apart. Kano's grip tightens. I don't know who to trust."

Hwang reached out, his hand steady and warm. "You are not alone, Xuan. I will protect you, even if it means defying my own fate."

Their eyes met, and in that moment, the fragile barrier between god and mortal shattered.

But fate was cruel.

The Twist: The True HeirAs the moon reached its zenith, a secret was unveiled within the palace walls. A hidden chamber beneath the throne room revealed an ancient scroll—one that spoke of a prophecy long buried.

The prophecy declared that the true heir to the throne was not Xuan, but her older brother, Prince Jian, believed dead in a distant war.

The revelation sent shockwaves through the court. Jian's return would upend Kano's ambitions and change the fate of the kingdom.

But Jian was no ordinary prince. He had been touched by the Abyss Realm's dark magic, transformed into a warrior with powers rivaling Hwang Yi's own.

The Battle WithinAs Wu Shen's ritual reached its climax, Hwang Yi felt the curse tighten its grip. His transformation became uncontrollable—his tiger form a tempest of rage and pain.

But with Xuan's touch, a new power surged within him—a fusion of human love and divine fury that broke the shaman's spell.

Together, they stood against the darkness, their bond a beacon of hope.

The CliffhangerIn the final moments of the chapter, Prince Jian appeared at the palace gates, his eyes glowing with otherworldly light.

"I have returned," he declared, "to claim what is rightfully mine—and to challenge the tiger who walks among mortals."

The stage was set for a war that would shake the realms and test the limits of love, loyalty, and power.