The attack came with no warning.
A ripple of darkness surged through the Eastern gardens, distorting the moonlight. The wind stilled — then roared, fierce as a dragon's breath.
Jin Xuan Yue had just turned away from the garden path when he felt it — the shift in the air, the scent of blood.
He vanished in a flash of silver light.
---
Li Hua stood frozen, her heartbeat hammering as shadowy figures emerged from the plum trees. Cloaked in black, their eyes glowed red — demons, ancient and bound to forbidden rites.
"Qing Yue…" one hissed, voice like cracked stone. "We've come to remind you."
She stumbled back, hands trembling. "You shouldn't be here—"
"Then remember why you came back," another growled. "Or we'll remind you with pain."
They lunged.
Rui Shen moved without thinking. "Get behind me!" he shouted, drawing the twin blades hidden in his sleeves.
But they were outnumbered — four, six, ten. Shadows moved like smoke, blades gleaming under the moonlight.
Li Hua backed away — no, Qing Yue backed away — heart pounding.
I could stop this. One strike. Just one.
But if I do… he'll know I'm not just a servant.
A dagger sliced past Rui Shen's arm, drawing blood. He grunted, staggering.
Enough.
She raised her hand.
Golden fire burst from her palm.
The demons hissed, shielding their faces. Rui Shen gasped. The garden lit up with blinding flames as if the stars had descended.
The wind screamed.
A fiery fox-shaped aura flared around her — ears, tails, eyes aglow.
Just for an instant.
Then — silence.
The demons dissolved into ash, vanquished by divine light.
Li Hua fell to her knees, panting.
Across the shattered path, Rui Shen gawked at her. "Wha—what the actual—how did you—"
"Say nothing," she whispered, voice ragged. "Please."
But it was too late.
Jin Xuan Yue stood on the edge of the courtyard, eyes wide with disbelief.
The fire. The golden light. The way she stood — proud, fierce, broken.
"Qing… Yue?"
She turned her head slowly toward him.
Their eyes met — and everything else fell away.
---
Far above, in her cold shrine, Zeița Lunii smiled.
"She showed her hand," the demon muttered.
"Good," said the goddess. "Let the cracks deepen. Let her bleed."