Deep in the night, the full moon hung above the desolate forest, casting a pale glow over the twisted branches. The rhythmic chirping of crickets was overshadowed by the steady cha-cha-cha of hooves against the damp earth. A lone carriage rolled through the misty path, its wheels creaking under the weight of its passengers.
A man clad in a straw raincoat sat at the front, holding the reins with one hand while the other rested near the hilt of a sheathed sword at his belt. His sharp eyes scanned the darkened trees, wary of movement lurking beyond the shadows.
Stealing a brief glance behind him, he called out, "My prince, are you alright?"
A voice answered from within the carriage, faint yet steady. "I'm fine," the prince said, though the cold weakness in his tone betrayed his words. "It looks like we managed to drive them away."
The man outside frowned. "My prince, you shouldn't have used your qi so recklessly. I could have handled those assassins."
A quiet chuckle came from inside. "I know, but it would have taken too long. And we're already late."
The bodyguard's grip on the reins tightened. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "It's my fault for not being strong enough."
"You're strong enough," the prince said, his voice calm yet firm.
Silence fell between them, broken only by the sound of the carriage wheels rolling through the damp soil.
"How long until we arrive?" the prince finally asked.
The bodyguard exhaled, his breath visible in the chilly night air. "We're close. The Shiver Beast just moved to the edge of this forest. Once we're past the trees, we should reach the city."
The prince leaned back against the wooden seat, his fingers curling into the folds of his black robes. His eyes flickered with exhaustion, but his mind remained alert.
A pause, heavy with unspoken thoughts, then:
"I still cannot fathom it, Your Highness. That the Second Prince would dare send assassins after his own brother..."
Zhang Se's laugh was devoid of mirth. "The princes no longer recognize the bonds of blood, Bai Ren. Those ties dissolved the moment they—" His voice caught, almost imperceptibly. "The moment they took her from me, and it's time I stop caring as well—not after what they did to her."
The weight of those words hung in the air between them. Bai Ren's grip tightened on the reins as he wrestled with what to say next. "Your Highness... the path you're considering... surely there must be another way?"
Through the small window separating them, Bai Ren caught a glimpse of his prince's reflection in the glass—a man who was once content with abandoning his title, perhaps even traveling the world freely, now transformed by grief into something dangerous, something final.
"What other choice do I have?" Zhang Se's words were soft, but they carried the weight of an avalanche. "They've made their choice. Now I make mine."
The wind howled through the trees, as if the forest itself mourned with him. The moonlight cast long shadows over the road ahead, the path uncertain yet inevitable.
Bai Ren let out a slow breath and refocused on the road. "We should reach the city soon, Your Highness. The Shiver Beast moved to the edge of this forest just yesterday. Once we step out of these trees, it will only be a short ride to the city gates."
Zhang Se closed his eyes, leaning back against the carriage seat. "Good," he murmured. "Then let's hope the princess will welcome us."
The dense canopy of the forest gradually thinned as they rode on, the twisted branches giving way to open skies. The pale moonlight spilled over the dirt path, revealing the worn road ahead. Soon, the last of the trees fell behind them, and the vast expanse of the world outside came into view.
Bai Ren slowed the carriage to a halt.
Zhang Se pushed open the wooden door of the carriage and stepped out, his boots sinking slightly into the damp earth. His gaze lifted, and before him stood a colossal mountain-like structure—no, not a mountain. The shell of an enormous beast. The sheer size of it was daunting, its ridges towering high like an ancient fortress. The dark, weathered surface bore deep carvings, intricate patterns that shimmered faintly under the moonlight.
At the base of the shell stood a massive stone gate, flanked by twenty armored guards. Their expressions were sharp and disciplined as they stood unmoving, spears in hand.
As Zhang Se and Bai Ren approached, the guards immediately crossed their weapons, blocking the entrance.
"Halt," one of them commanded, his tone firm but respectful.
Without hesitation, Bai Ren reached into his robes and retrieved a wooden tag, holding it up for them to see. The wood bore an elegant carving of an intricate beast—a mark of royal recognition.
The guards examined it for a moment before stepping aside, bowing slightly.
"We have been expecting you, Your Highness," one of them said.
With that, the heavy gates creaked open, revealing a long, dimly lit corridor. Five guards stepped forward, their armor clinking softly as they formed an escort.
Zhang Se and Bai Ren followed them inside, stepping through the towering gateway.
The moment they crossed the threshold, a strange sensation washed over them. It was as if they had walked through a curtain of water, a ripple in the very fabric of space. For a brief second, the world around them twisted—colors blurred, sounds dulled, and an unseen force pressed against their skin.
Then, just as suddenly, the sensation disappeared.
When Zhang Se blinked, the corridor was gone.
They now stood in the heart of a sprawling city.
The streets stretched far and wide, lined with traditional Chinese architecture—curved rooftops adorned with jade tiles, wooden structures illuminated by rows of glowing lanterns, and intricate banners swaying gently in the evening breeze. The air carried the mingling scents of incense, roasted meat, and fresh flowers.
People filled the streets, their movements lively and purposeful. Merchants called out from their stalls, selling silk, rare herbs, and golden trinkets. Scholars in flowing robes walked with scrolls tucked under their arms, deep in discussion. Warriors clad in light armor patrolled the roads, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Children laughed as they chased one another through the alleys, their excitement unhindered by the late hour.
A group of musicians played on the corner, the sound of guzheng strings harmonizing with the steady beat of a drum. The city was alive, thriving under the watchful gaze of the enormous beast that carried it.
Bai Ren let out a breath of awe.
"It is truly peaceful here," he murmured, eyes scanning the magnificent structures.
Zhang Se remained silent, taking it all in. The grandeur, the peace—it was different from the state of his home. Yet, beneath the beauty and the splendor, he could not shake the feeling that this place, like everywhere else, had its own hidden darkness.