The journey out of the ruins felt longer than the descent, the silence between Hu Jun and Reyna heavy with unspoken thoughts. The faint glow of the seal's power still lingered in Hu Jun's mind, like a phantom touch he couldn't shake. Each step felt heavier than the last, as though the chamber's revelations had bound him to an unseen weight.
"You're quiet," Reyna said, her voice cutting through the stillness. She didn't turn to face him, her focus on the path ahead.
Hu Jun shrugged. "Just thinking."
Reyna smirked faintly. "Dangerous habit."
He almost smiled at that but let the silence settle again. The images from the seal—the battles, the bloodshed, the figure who looked so much like him—kept resurfacing in his mind. What did it mean? And what was the sacrifice Reyna had mentioned?
As they emerged from the ruins, the twilight sky greeted them with a vibrant wash of orange and purple. A cool breeze swept through the trees, carrying with it the scent of earth and damp stone. The quiet of the forest was a stark contrast to the chaos they'd left behind.
"We should keep moving," Reyna said, glancing over her shoulder. "The sanctuary's activation might draw attention. And not the good kind."
Hu Jun frowned. "What kind of attention?"
"The kind that doesn't ask questions before attacking."
They walked in tense silence for a while, the only sounds their footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves. Hu Jun's grip on the hilt of his sword tightened. His instincts screamed that something was off, the forest too quiet, the air too still.
"We're being watched," he said finally, stopping in his tracks.
Reyna turned sharply, her hand already on her dagger. Her eyes scanned the trees, sharp and calculating. "Where?"
Before Hu Jun could answer, a figure stepped out from the shadows of the trees. Cloaked in black, their face obscured by a hood, they moved with a predator's grace. Behind them, more figures emerged, each armed and poised for a fight.
"Well, well," the lead figure said, their voice smooth and dripping with malice. "The prodigal heir returns."
Hu Jun's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
The figure chuckled. "Names are for friends, and we're far from that. But let's just say I've been waiting for you, Hu Jun."
Reyna stepped forward, placing herself slightly between Hu Jun and the stranger. "If you know his name, you know what he's capable of. I suggest you leave while you still can."
The figure's laughter was cold. "Capable? Oh, I know all about his potential. The question is, does he?"
At a signal from the leader, the other figures advanced, weapons gleaming in the fading light. Reyna's dagger flashed in her hand as she dropped into a fighting stance. "Stay close," she hissed to Hu Jun.
But Hu Jun was already moving. The weight of his doubts and fears burned away in the heat of the moment, replaced by a clarity he hadn't felt in years. His blade sang as he drew it, the crimson glow of his eyes flaring.
The first attacker lunged at him, a curved blade aiming for his throat. Hu Jun sidestepped effortlessly, his sword slicing through the air in a precise arc. The attacker crumpled to the ground, their weapon clattering uselessly beside them.
Reyna moved like a shadow, her dagger finding its mark with deadly precision. Two of the assailants fell before they could even register her presence. But the remaining enemies were relentless, surrounding the pair and forcing them back-to-back.
"You've got a flair for the dramatic," Reyna muttered, parrying a strike aimed at her side.
"So I've been told," Hu Jun replied, blocking an overhead swing.
The leader watched from the edge of the fray, their expression unreadable beneath the hood. "Impressive," they said, their voice cutting through the chaos. "But this is just the beginning."
With a sharp whistle, the leader retreated into the forest, their remaining followers breaking off the attack and vanishing into the shadows. Hu Jun and Reyna stood in the clearing, breathing heavily, their weapons still at the ready.
"Cowards," Reyna spat, wiping her dagger clean.
Hu Jun sheathed his sword, his gaze fixed on the direction the leader had disappeared. "They'll be back."
Reyna nodded, her expression grim. "And next time, they'll bring more."
As they resumed their journey, the weight of the encounter settled over them. Hu Jun's mind raced with questions. Who were these attackers? How did they know his name? And what did they mean by "the prodigal heir"?
"Reyna," he said after a long silence, his voice low. "What aren't you telling me?"
She didn't answer right away, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet. "There are things you're not ready to know, Hu Jun. Not yet."
"I deserve to know the truth," he pressed.
Reyna stopped, turning to face him. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of resolve and regret. "You're right. But the truth is a weapon, and if you're not careful, it will destroy you."
Hu Jun held her gaze, his jaw tightening. "Then teach me how to wield it."
Reyna's lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile. "In time. For now, we need to keep moving. There's someone we need to find. Someone who can help."
As they disappeared deeper into the forest, the shadows seemed to close in around them. The path ahead was uncertain, but Hu Jun felt a spark of determination ignite within him. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it. And he would uncover the truth—no matter the cost.