The moon hung heavy in the sky, casting silver light over the tiled roofs. Chen stood alone at the edge of the balcony, wind tugging at his robes. The night was quiet—too quiet for the storm swirling inside him.
His fingers clenched around the wooden railing.
"I should have sent her away… should have stayed cold. Detached."
He remembered Yunxi's eyes—full of concern, not fear. The way she stood between him and the shadows, even after seeing what he was becoming.
Why? Why would she protect a monster?
Xiuming's words echoed faintly:
"She's not ordinary, Chen. She knew something even Roa didn't. You need to think carefully."
Chen let out a bitter breath.
Carefully? My power is unstable. My mind fractures with every full moon. If I lose control again… she'll die.
He touched his chest, where the pain still lingered. The dragon inside him stirred. It wasn't hatred. It was longing. Ancient, restless, and mourning.
He whispered to the night, "This path is cursed. No one should walk it with me."
A rustle came from behind. It was Roa.
"You're thinking of her again," she said calmly.
Chen didn't respond.
"She's stronger than you believe. And you're not as heartless as you pretend to be."
"I have to be," he replied quietly.
Roa walked to his side, her eyes softening. "Not with everyone. Just… don't shut her out completely. The more you push her away, the deeper the shadows pull you in."
Chen remained silent, watching the moon slowly ascend.
Cold. I must stay cold.
But why… is the fire growing inside me?
Hidden Courtyard – Midnight
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and incense from the temple. Yunxi stumbled into the courtyard, her robes slightly scorched from the fire they passed. Her chest heaved, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Chen and Xiuming turned sharply at her approach.
"Yunxi?" Xiuming asked, concern furrowing his brow.
She looked at them, trembling. "It didn't bloom…" Her voice cracked. "The crystal flower… I was so close, but it didn't bloom."
Chen narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"There was fire—someone lit the path on purpose. We followed a shadow through a secret passage. I thought I was doing the right thing. But it vanished before I could even touch it."
Xiuming stepped forward. "Are you hurt?"
"No," she said quickly, then looked away. "Not on the outside."
Chen was silent. His gaze never left her, but he didn't speak.
Xiuming placed a hand on her shoulder. "You deserve answers. And now… we may not have much time."
Chen's jaw tightened.
"She saw the shadow," Xiuming said to Chen. "She deserves to know who they are. And what they want."
Chen finally nodded, almost reluctantly.
"You'll get your truth. But once you hear it… there's no turning back."
Moonlit Courtyard – After Yunxi Demands the Truth
Yunxi stood in stunned silence as Chen's crimson gaze bore into hers. Just when she thought he would speak his truth… his hand slowly lifted.
His voice was flat, devoid of any warmth. "You were never supposed to be part of this."
"What?" Her heart skipped. "What are you saying?"
Chen stepped forward, and with a swift motion, he placed two fingers between her brows. The air shimmered with faint light. Yunxi's breath hitched.
"Forget," he whispered. "Forget what happened tonight. Forget the shadow, the flower… and me."
"No—Chen, wait—!"
But it was too late.
A gentle wave of energy passed through her. Yunxi's eyes fluttered for a moment, pain blooming behind her temples. She staggered, catching herself against the stone pillar. When she looked up, her eyes were fogged, confused.
Chen didn't meet her gaze.
"I'm sorry," he said coldly, though his hands trembled slightly behind his back. "You shouldn't be close to me. Be distant. Live peacefully."
Then, like the night wind, he vanished into the shadows—his figure retreating back toward his mansion, his heart screaming louder than her fading voice.
Inside the Mansion
Chen stood silently by the window, watching the moon.
"Why did you do that?" Xiuming asked, stepping in. "She was finally starting to understand."
Chen clenched his jaw. "That's exactly why."
"She could help us."
"She could die because of me," Chen growled under his breath. "I already tasted her blood once. Next time… I might lose control completely."
His hands clenched into fists. "I won't let her become part of this darkness. Even if she hates me for it."
Flower Blossom House – Roa and Yunxi
Yunxi sat under the plum tree in the courtyard, staring blankly at the koi pond. The gentle breeze tousled her hair, but she didn't notice. Something felt… missing.
Roa stormed into the courtyard, scanning for her. "Yunxi!"
Yunxi turned slowly, her eyes dull. "Oh, Princess Roa. You were looking for me?"
Roa studied her face. "Where have you been? Jiner said you vanished near the old temple."
Yunxi tilted her head, confused. "Temple? I… I don't remember going there."
Roa froze, her expression sharpening. "You don't remember?"
Yunxi frowned, rubbing her forehead. "There was something… something about fire… and shadows? No, I think I'm imagining things."
Roa stepped closer, eyes narrowing. She waved her fingers subtly, summoning a faint stream of spiritual light. As it shimmered near Yunxi's forehead, it flickered with black static.
"A demonic spell…" Roa whispered. Her voice became low and cold. "Someone tampered with your memory."
Yunxi's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know who, but this is powerful magic. Forbidden. And yet—there's something odd…"
"I don't know who, but this is powerful magic. Forbidden. And yet—there's something odd…"
Roa trailed off, her fingertips grazing the back of Yunxi's hand as if hoping to trace the lingering aura. Yunxi blinked slowly, her eyes unfocused, her memories hazy like fog across a mountain lake.
"Lady Yunxi, do you remember who you were with before you fainted?" Roa asked carefully, masking her urgency with calm.
Yunxi tilted her head. "I… I think I saw someone. A man. He… looked familiar, but I don't know. Everything is blank after that."
Roa frowned, eyes narrowing. "Not just any magic... this is meant to sever emotional ties. Someone wanted you to forget for a reason."
Yunxi winced, a sudden pang shooting through her chest. "Why does it hurt when I try to remember?"
"That's the spell reacting. But whoever cast it… they're skilled. Dangerous."
Roa stood, brushing the dust from her robes. "Come. The temple ceremony is about to
"I don't know who, but this is powerful magic. Forbidden. And yet—there's something odd…"
Roa trailed off, her fingertips grazing the back of Yunxi's hand as if hoping to trace the lingering aura. Yunxi blinked slowly, her eyes unfocused, her memories hazy like fog across a mountain lake.
"Lady Yunxi, do you remember who you were with before you fainted?" Roa asked carefully, masking her urgency with calm.
Yunxi tilted her head. "I… I think I saw someone. A man. He… looked familiar, but I don't know. Everything is blank after that."
Roa frowned, eyes narrowing. "Not just any magic... this is meant to sever emotional ties. Someone wanted you to forget for a reason."
Yunxi winced, a sudden pang shooting through her chest. "Why does it hurt when I try to remember?"