Leon adjusted Yun Lan carefully on his back, making sure not to jostle her injured ribs. Her arms were loosely wrapped around his neck, her breath soft against his shoulder. The warmth of her skin calmed the fire in his veins, but concern still haunted his golden eyes.
"I told you I can walk," Yun Lan whispered.
Leon glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. "And I told you I'm not taking any chances with you."
Arin walked beside them, keeping a steady pace, his hand occasionally glowing faintly blue—residual energy from the eighth relic still pulsing through his veins. Since his awakening, he seemed more grounded, his expression more focused.
The three of them moved through a thick forest bathed in magical hues. The trees here were tall and ancient, their bark violet like twilight and their leaves a blend of orange, pink, and soft lavender. The air shimmered faintly with enchantment. Butterflies—no, not butterflies, but something more—fluttered among the trees, their wings glittering like stardust.
"Wow…" Arin breathed. "It's like walking inside a dream."
Yun Lan blinked slowly, her eyes reflecting the ethereal beauty. "I remember this place from an old book in the archives. The Whispering Forest. It's said to be one of the few untouched places left by the relic wars."
Leon's eyes scanned their surroundings cautiously, always alert, even in beauty. "Let's hope it stays that way until we're out of it."
Hidden creatures peeked through the glowing underbrush—foxes with feathered tails, birds with crystal wings, and glowing deer that watched the trio silently, curious but unafraid.
As they walked, Yun Lan's thoughts wandered. Two more relics. Just two. Then, maybe… they could finally go home.
Would her grandmother even recognize her after all this time?
Her chest ached, not just from her injury but from longing. How many seasons had passed back in their world? Did time move the same way here? She had no idea. All she knew was that the path back required all ten relics. No exceptions.
"I wonder what my grandmother will say when she sees me again," Yun Lan murmured.
Leon chuckled under his breath. "She'll probably throw a cane at me."
"Only if you drop me," she teased weakly.
He smiled but said nothing. His grip on her legs tightened slightly as if silently promising he never would.
As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky with streaks of rose and gold, they emerged from the forest and onto a wide road leading to a small village nestled between glowing hills. It was vibrant with life—colorful lanterns hung from rooftops, strings of floating lights drifted gently through the air, and music echoed from every corner.
The villagers wore bright fabrics, some danced, others sold handmade wares—potions, charms, clothes, food. It was a festival.
"Looks like we arrived during a celebration," Arin noted.
"Perfect timing," Leon muttered. "We'll restock and find a place for Yun Lan to rest properly."
He gently set her down on a nearby bench, and Yun Lan exhaled in relief, holding her ribs.
As they began walking through the market together, Yun Lan's eyes wandered through the crowd. The music was soft and sweet, carrying with it laughter and joy.
But then, a sharp sound cracked through the cheer.
Smack!
A gasp escaped from the crowd as Yun Lan turned sharply toward an alley near one of the wooden stalls.
A man with hard eyes and calloused hands was gripping a young girl—barely nineteen—by her arm. Her cheeks were red from fresh slaps, and tears streaked down her face. She was trembling, her voice hoarse.
"I don't want to marry him!" the girl cried. "He's old—he's cruel—please!"
"You'll do as I say, Xi Mei!" the man snarled. "He's rich! You think I raised you to let you be free? You're my daughter, and you'll obey!"
Yun Lan's blood boiled.
Without hesitation, she turned to Arin and pointed. "Go. Grab the girl. Push him away."
Arin blinked. "What?"
"Now," she said firmly.
He didn't hesitate after that.
Arin strode into the alley, his steps swift and direct. With one hand, he grabbed the girl gently and pulled her back. With the other, he shoved the man backward just enough to break his grip.
"Hey—what do you think you're doing?" the man roared.
Leon appeared beside Arin a second later, eyes cold as steel. "I'd watch how you speak."
The man sneered. "This is none of your business!"
Yun Lan stepped forward, her gaze calm but sharp. "Then let's make it mine. How much do you want for her?"
The man narrowed his eyes. "Ten."
Leon's brows rose. "Ten…?"
"Ten silver stones," the man said, gesturing to a pouch tied to his belt. "She's worth more, but I'm being generous."
Without blinking, Yun Lan pulled ten gleaming silver stones from her own pouch and threw them at his feet.
"She's not yours anymore," Yun Lan said flatly. "Xi Mei is free. She belongs to no one."
The man gawked for a moment. Then snarled, snatched up the stones, and vanished into the crowd without another word.
The girl, still trembling, looked at Yun Lan as if she were a goddess descended from the stars.
"Th-thank you…" she whispered. "I… I don't have anyone now. No home. No place to go. Please… Can I come with you?"
Yun Lan looked at her—a girl with fire still left in her despite her fear, someone who had tasted pain and chosen to survive.
"Yes," Yun Lan said, reaching out. "You can come."
Xi Mei's eyes filled with tears, but this time they were from relief. "I'll serve you. I'll help however I can. I'm not useless—"
"You're not a servant," Yun Lan interrupted. "You're just… someone who needed a second chance."
Xi Mei nodded quickly, wiping her eyes and falling into step beside her. As they walked back to rejoin the crowd, Leon looked her over from head to toe, while Arin gave her a small nod.
"She's brave," Arin said softly to Yun Lan. "Reminds me of someone else I know."
As night fell, the sky above the village lit up with thousands of floating lanterns. They drifted gently into the stars like wishes, each one carrying hopes, sorrows, and dreams.
Yun Lan watched them rise, Xi Mei now quietly at her side. Arin leaned on the wooden railing near the village's square, eyes on the horizon, while Leon stood beside Yun Lan, ever her shadow and shield.
Two relics left.