Rain poured gently over the inn's roof, soft yet endless, like the memories Yuexin couldn't erase.
She sat near the window, eyes following the trail of water. The storm outside mirrored the storm within — old scars whispering her sister's lies, the moment she was left behind, and the cold echo of trust breaking.
Behind her, Haoran entered silently, carrying a warm cup of spirit blossom tea.
"You haven't rested," he said gently.
"I don't need to," she replied, voice distant.
He sat beside her, gaze steady. "Then let me sit here too — until the rain stops."
Yuexin didn't speak, but when Haoran reached out and took her hand, she didn't pull away.
With him, the ache was quieter.
With him, the rain didn't feel so heavy.
In the bamboo grove nearby…
Wuzen and Meiyu faced the now-vanished shadow beast's traces. He watched her dance between charred trees, her laughter light even in the aftermath of battle.
"Are all fox spirits this reckless?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"Only the brilliant ones," she winked. "You don't smile much, you know."
"I don't have much to smile about."
"Hm. Maybe I'll change that," Meiyu said, grinning.
And in that playful moment… Wuzen felt the first tug of a bond he hadn't expected — wild, uncontainable, and hers.
Farther north, on a frost-kissed cliff,
Feng Kael walked alone until he stumbled upon Xueyin again, blades still crossed in destiny.
"You left without answering," he said, voice low.
"My father died because of your kingdom," Xueyin whispered, sorrow sharp as ice. "I wanted to hate you."
"But do you?" he asked.
Silence.
And then, "I don't know anymore…"
Meanwhile, Linyin stood in a dream realm, facing a girl in a flowing violet robe: Yueli.
Her eyes held memories he couldn't fully recall, but his heart thudded at the sight of her.
"You still carry the necklace," she said softly.
He looked down — a charm he always wore, never knowing why.
"You gave it to me before you died," she continued.
"I died?
"In another life. But this time, I won't let go again."
And as she reached out, the dream shattered — and Linyin woke with tears in his eyes, whispering her name.
Back at the inn, Zhou Jian opened an ancient scroll left by the sages.
Yuexin joined him.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Prophecy," he murmured. "Six stars shall rise. But for balance, one must fall."
They stared at each other, dread creeping in.
One of them… might not make it.
End of Episode 11( continue)