The forge in the castle. High-end ore and magems. My tools are here.
My hammer—Mhen Shin.
My tongs—Jhian Houh, Picking Fire.
All set.
I press my palms together for a moment. Just one breath.
Then I turn.
"I need something to light the fire."
Lhong Heh doesn't say a word. He steps forward, opens his mouth—
—and breathes.
The flame bursts out in a slow, controlled wave. It swirls like it's been waiting to dance. Gold at the base, blue at the edges, it rolls into the cold forge and takes.
Fwoom!
The coals catch.
The fire's alive now.
It fills the room in soft orange, licking the edges of my tools, casting shadows that stretch across the chamber.
I blink.
Amazing.
No magic. Just breath and fire and trust.
Speechless, I nod to him.
Then I glance down.
The sleeves of the dress I'm wearing are too long—flowy, ceremonial, clearly meant for show. Not work. I roll them up, tight around my arms, and knot them to stay clear.
There. Now I'm ready.
"Do you have any requirements, my lord?" I ask.
He thinks for a beat.
"Let me show you something."
He brings out a small pile of old, broken swords. The edges are worn, hilts frayed.
"I forged them myself," he says. "They all ended up failing to hold my strength."
I crouch beside them.
They're decently made—balanced, shaped with care. I can see the experienced touch, the quiet stubbornness of someone who taught himself.
"How long did they last?"
"Around two years. I want you to forge one that lasts longer."
And how are we going to know that?
He is adamant about keeping me here, then.
A cage for a cage.
I sigh, low. "I don't know if I can do that," I admit. "But I'll try."
I remember the training with Zhih Shian. That's the best way to know the user's strength.
This one isn't just a man. He's a demon. A very old one.
This shouldn't mean anything to him. It shouldn't.
"My lord…" I pause. "May I feel your strength?"
He tilts his head.
"How?"
My mouth goes dry.
I didn't think that far ahead.
I step closer, then stop myself.
"Show me your energy flow," I say, more softly this time.
He looks—stunned, almost.
"I have no intention to scare you," he says. "But if that's what you ask for…"
He gestures for me to sit—away from him. Not beside. Not near.
A safety measure. Or a kindness.
I sit, fold my legs, and close my eyes.
The concentrated energy is already obvious. Not like a human. I can feel his energy glow His energy is already there. Not like a human. It glows even from here.
But it's too far to feel the pulse.
Then—
It surges.
Not just warmth—presence. It fills the room.
But I need the pulse.
I stand. Eyes still closed.
I walk into the heat. One step at a time.
"What are you doing?"
His voice is deeper now.
"I need to feel it."
"What?"
"You."
Even with my eyes closed, everything feels bright.
His Shin energy is overflowing. Like I'm drowning in it.
Then—chest.
I touch him.
Heartbeat.
Energy fluctuation. The pulse.
Feel it.
Count it.
Remember it.
It's so hot.
Too much.
I think I'm fainting.
Just… one more second.
I…
............
"Where… am… I?"
I wake up wrapped in silk. Nice silk.
The room is elegant. Imported goods everywhere.
An old Gustanese shield. Cool.
A Tianese fan set.
Lothikari woodwork.
But no people. Just me.
What happened? I remember… the pulse.
I jump up.
Then—
A slimy gooey thing blocks the doorway.
"Lady. The Lord told me to keep you in the room."
You have got to be joking.
What even is this thing? He looks harmless. Or she? Hard to tell.
"I need to see your lord. Now."
"I cannot do that. The Lord didn't tell—"
"JUST DO IT."
The slime flinches like a kicked puppy.
I instantly feel awful.
"…I'll try," it says, then oozes down the hall.
I follow.
The slime goes into the throne room through the gap.
Then—
The door opens.
Ashura and Lhong Heh are talking.
Lhong Heh turns to me. "How's your body feel?" He points to the slime. "Jhie Lhi here told me you forced your way out."
"I'm fine. But can we do that again? I need to feel your pulse again."
He suddenly becomes unreadable.
A silent pause.
"Before that, we have something we'd like to ask your opinion."
What now?
Ashura turns to me. "One of your friends refuses to leave the castle until he knows you are safe. He has been at the gate for two days."
I blink.
Two days.
Is him…
"Who is it?" I ask.
"He called himself Suh Jhie."
He's still here. For me.
I grin widely.
Then—
I realize this is pointless. Zhih Shian will just get himself killed or hurt, since these demons don't kill.
I'm never leaving here.
My throat tightens. Just for a second.
"Let me talk to him."
............
The gate opens. A man meditating in front of it—Zhih Shian.
Ching Yhu is tied to him.
He sees me and rises.
I rush to him and give him a hug.
"I'm so glad you're still alive."
But he is in awe…
This is his first time seeing me in women's attire.
He backs off.
"You're an upper-class lady. You shouldn't hug me like this."
"You wait all this time and you don't even want a hug?"
"It's… complicated."
I look at the floor. I don't want to see that expression. The whole camp accepted me, even knowing me as a woman.
My friend—who already knew I was a woman—now can't even look at me in a dress.
"Is this really that hard for you?" I ask.
"Rhi… no. Lady Lhiu. I want to—but I don't… I… I…"
"Maybe this is easier for both of us," I say. "I'm fine here.
So go back. Save the scholars. Join the academy like you dreamed.
Forget about me. I'm glad I got to be your friend for a month."
He looks shattered.
"I promised I'd take you with me."
"Can you still do that?"
I meet his eyes now.
"Even if Lhong Heh lets me go… can you let go of the barrier?"
"Lady Lhiu… no, Rhi. Please, I…"
"It's fine. Suh."
I turn away from him.
"Go. Finish our job. And don't lose Ching Yhu again."
I walk back into the gate.
SHUT!
Then—
I collapse to the floor. Crying.
Why am I so sad?
Jhie Lhi, the slime, comes over and pats my back.
They use their slimy tentacle to suck my tears.
"It's alright. Little human. I'm here. The lord is here. Things will be fine."
Lhong Heh comes to my side. Just sit down.
He does nothing, but—
His energy comes through me, making me warm.
This is wrong. But he is all I can lean on right now. Then I'll let him see how annoying I can be.
I start crying on him. I explode. I'm not holding back.
I want to be myself. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.
Just cry.