A sharp knock rattled the door.
Jin and Rui scrambled in panic, limbs tangling in the blanket as they fought to separate.
"Sorry to disturb Princess, but Elder Sun requested your immediate presence!" called a stern voice.
"One moment!" Rui replied.
Jin frantically tossed Rui her robes while struggling into his own.
"Did they catch us?" Rui whispered, fumbling with her sash.
"We're going to be exorcised or worse—lectured!"
Jin's face had gone deathly pale. "Elder Sun is going to kill me!"
The knocking came again, more insistent.
"The matter is urgent!"
Rui's fingers flew through her tangled hair as Jin straightened his robes, both stealing glances at the other to check for any evidence of their activities.
She opened the door, forcing a casual smile.
The young monk's eyes widened, darting between Rui and Jin.
"Brother Jin! I... didn't realize you were here."
Jin bowed stiffly. "I was assisting the princess with... meditation techniques."
The monk returned a skeptical look, but he nodded respectfully.
"What's this urgent matter?" Rui asked, smoothing her hastily arranged robes.
"Elder Sun wouldn't say, Princess."
Jin and Rui exchanged worried glances.
They followed him through the moonlit corridors, Elder Sun stood in the courtyard, his face a thundercloud beneath the silver moonlight.
Jin dropped to his knees immediately, his head bowed low enough to touch the stone tiles.
"Elder Sun, I take full responsibility for everything that has happened," he blurted, voice shaking.
"The fault is entirely mine. Princess Rui bears no blame—I was the one who should have known better."
Rui's eyes widened, a lump forming in her throat.
"I will bear all the punishments," Jin continued, his voice steady despite his trembling hands.
"Beating, banishment, or—"
Elder Sun's bushy eyebrows furrowed deeper.
"What are you babbling about, brother Jin?"
Jin froze mid-confession, slowly raising his head.
"I summoned you both because we caught this demon fox attempting to breach our outer wards!"
He gestured behind him where Zou sat bound in glowing restraints, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
"My glorious Princess Rui!" Zou called cheerfully.
"And the no-fun monk"
"How lovely to see you both looking so... disheveled."
Rui stepped forward, heat rising to her cheeks.
"Zou! What are you doing here?"
"Well, now that I have recovered, I naturally came to rejoin my princess!" Zou's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"The fox demon claims acquaintance with you both," Elder Sun interrupted, eyeing them suspiciously.
"Is he telling the truth?"
Jin cleared his throat. "Yes, Elder. This is Zou, whom we… encountered during our investigation of the village disturbances."
Elder Sun's stern gaze shifted between them.
"But why would he attempt to infiltrate our sacred grounds in the middle of the night?"
"Well, subtlety has never been his strong suit," Rui muttered.
Zou flashed a dazzling smile at Elder Sun, who remained unmoved.
"I simply couldn't wait until morning to reunite with my Princess! The bonds of devotion know no proper visiting hours."
Elder Sun's gaze hardened.
"This temple is not a waystation for demons to come and go as they please."
"Technically, you already have two demons staying here," Zou pointed out cheerfully, nodding toward Rui and the nearby tree where Kee Kee was poorly concealing himself.
"I'm just completing the set."
Elder Sun's face remained impassive as stone.
"This creature will be confined until morning until Master Tao decides what to do with him."
"I accept my imprisonment wholeheartedly," Zou announced, then winked at Rui.
"Though I must say, Princess, your hair is quite disheveled. And Monk Jin's robes are inside out. How curious!"
Jin's face went crimson as he glanced down at his hastily donned clothing.
Elder Sun ordered the monks to take him to the confinement chamber, cutting off Zou's commentary.
"Remember to secure all nine tails separately."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Princess!!" Zou said as the monks dragged him away.
As Zou's cheerful protests faded into the distance, Elder Sun turned to Jin, his stern expression softening slightly.
He produced an ancient scroll within his robes, its edges cracked and yellowed with age.
"Brother Jin," he said, "I have looked into your inquiry."
Rui's head snapped toward Jin, surprise evident in her wide eyes.
"You spoke to Elder Sun? When?"
Jin accepted the scroll with both hands, bowing deeply.
"Yesterday, while you were assisting in the kitchen," he admitted, not meeting her gaze.
Rui's heart swelled, a strange warmth spreading through her chest.
All this time, she thought Jin was ignoring her but ge had gone to Elder Sun, who despised demons most, to help her with her trials.
Elder Sun cleared his throat.
"The text speaks of an ancient ritual that might separate the Rageborn Behemoth from its human vessel without destroying either."
"Wait, that's possible?" Rui stepped closer, peering at the scroll in Jin's hands.
"Theoretically," Elder Sun cautioned.
"The beast needs to return to its origin—the site where it first bonded with its host."
Jin's face paled in the moonlight. "The Crimson Battlefield."
"Yes, your home. More accurately, what's left of it" Elder Sun confirmed with a solemn nod.
"The past is not easy to revisit." Jin's voice cracked slightly. "But if returning there means freeing myself from this curse—"
"It may also help Princess Rui complete her Trial of Wrath," Elder Sun added, surprising them both with his knowledge.
"You knew about my trials?" Rui asked, astonished.
Elder Sun's mouth twitched. "I am old, Princess, not ignorant."
Jin carefully rolled the scroll closed. "So, when do we leave?"
"When you are ready," Elder Sun replied.
"The journey to the Crimson Battlefield is perilous. You will need all your strength."
Jin bowed deeply. "Thank you, Elder."
Later, Jin, Rui, and Kee Kee returned to Rui's chamber, the weight of their impending journey settling between them.
Jin carefully unrolled the ancient scroll on the small table, his fingers tracing the faded characters.
"The Crimson Battlefield," he whispered, voice hollow. "I haven't been back since..."
Rui placed her hand over his. "We'll face this together."
Jin's eyes met hers, filled with gratitude and fear.'
"The ritual requires the beast to fully awaken before it can be separated. I'll have to surrender control completely."
"That's crazy!" Kee Kee interjected, hopping onto the table. "You could level half the countryside!"
"I am aware of the risks," Jin replied quietly.
"But if this works, I'll be free of the Behemoth, and Rui can complete her Trial."
Rui studied the illustrations on the scroll—intricate diagrams showing a human silhouette splitting from a monstrous shadow.
"Let's leave at dawn," she decided.
Jin nodded, folding the scroll carefully. "I shall make the necessary preparation."
----------------------------
Dawn breaks and the entire temple had gathered at the gates to see Rui and Jin off.
Young disciples lined the path, some offering small talismans for protection, others bowing respectfully.
Now unbound but closely watched by two monks, Zou preened and adjusted his elaborate robes.
"Must the fox demon accompany us?" Jin asked Elder Sun, who stood at the temple gates with arms folded.
"Master Tao believes his... unique abilities may prove useful," Elder Sun replied, suggesting he disagreed with this arrangement entirely.
Rui approached, Kee Kee perched on her shoulder. She'd traded her flowing robes for a more practical traveling outfit—though "practical" by princess standards still meant embroidered silk and subtle enchantments woven into every seam.
"I've packed provisions," she announced proudly, holding a small satchel.
Jin peered inside and frowned. "Princess, these are all desserts."
"Exactly. Provisions."
Kee Kee snorted. "I told her to pack real food, but she wouldn't listen"
Master Tao emerged from the temple, carrying a bundle wrapped in faded red cloth.
"Jin, before you depart, take this."
Jin accepted the package, unwrapping it to reveal an intricate dagger with runes etched along its blade.
Master Tao's weathered fingers traced the ancient runes etched into the blade.
"This is the Mercy Dagger. It has been in our temple's vault for centuries."
Jin felt the weapon's weight, heavier than its physical form suggested.
"If things go wrong at the Crimson Battlefield," Master Tao continued, his voice dropping to ensure only Jin could hear,
"This dagger can bring you mercy."
Jin's fingers tightened around the hilt.
"It will kill you and the beast within you," Master Tao said solemnly.
"A clean end that prevents the Behemoth from causing havoc in the mortal realm."
Jin swallowed hard, nodding once. "I understand, Master."
Rui approached, curiosity brightening her eyes. "What's that?"
Jin quickly wrapped the dagger and tucked it into his robes.
"Just a ceremonial blade. For the ritual."
Master Tao's eyes met Jin's in silent understanding before he turned to Rui with a gentle smile.
"May your journey be successful, Princess."
Jin felt the cold metal pressing against his chest—a final solution he prayed he wouldn't need to use.
If the worst happened, he would ensure the beast died with him.
Rui slipped her hand into Jin's as they stepped through the temple gates, her fingers intertwining with his.
Her eyes searched his face, catching the shadow falling across his features.
"Let's do this, together."