The mountain clearing was still.
Too still.
They had reached the rendezvous point—the spot where Sei's loyal soldiers were supposed to meet them under cover of night. But there were no fires, no signals. Just fog and silence.
"We got here early," Ten said, crouching near the edge. "Probably."
Ren stood near a tree, arms crossed. His wound was healing, but the dull ache in his ribs reminded him of every movement. He kept his hand near his sword, just in case.
Shin stretched. "Feels like we're being watched."
Sei said nothing. But his eyes were sharp.
Then it came.
A flicker of movement. No sound. Just the whistle of wind.
A dart flew from the trees, aimed straight for Sei's throat.
Ren shouted—"DOWN!"
Sei ducked just in time. The dart hit bark. Thunk.
From the shadows, he emerged:
A tall, lean assassin with a blank mask and twin axes in hand—his stance low, his eyes ice-cold.
Another dart whizzed from his fingers—this one aimed at Ten. She rolled to safety.
"Damn it!" Shin growled, drawing his sword. "He's after Sei!"
The assassin darted forward, low and fast. His twin axes spun, striking with precise, brutal swings. Shin blocked one, ducked the other—but staggered back from the force.
Ren pushed off the tree, trying to move—his leg gave out again.
"Still too slow…"
He gritted his teeth. "Shin…"
The assassin flipped, hurled two more darts mid-air—one nicked Shin's cheek. Another hit a tree near Sei.
"Shin—watch his left!" Ren yelled. "He leads with his right axe and follows with a sweep!"
Shin adjusted, dodged the next combo—and slashed upward, catching the assassin off balance.
But the killer didn't retreat. He lunged.
Axes flashing. Darts flying.
Each strike chipped away at Shin's guard.
But Shin's instincts were burning hot. Wild. Sharpening with every exchange.
"C'mon then," Shin muttered. "Let's end this."
The assassin spun in for a final kill strike—axes crossed, aimed for Shin's neck.
Shin charged straight through.
His sword crashed down—
Steel split flesh.
The assassin's body hit the ground. Silent.
Dead.
Aftermath
Shin stood over the corpse, panting. Blood dripped from his cheek, but he didn't flinch.
Ren slowly sat back against the tree, relief washing over him.
"You did it," he muttered. "Even without me."
Shin looked at him, breathing hard. "Tch. You helped. You saw through his pattern. That saved me."
Ten came running. "Everyone okay?! Sei!?"
Sei dusted off his robe. "I'm fine. Thanks to all of you."
Then—whistles in the distance.
From the forest edge, figures appeared.
Spears. Armor. The king's loyal soldiers had arrived.
They were not too late.