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The hour was 3:00 AM, the "hour of the wolf," when the veil between worlds is thinnest and the air carries a biting, unnatural chill. The Fox Realm was bathed in a ghostly silver mist, the ancient trees standing like silent sentinels watching the two figures standing before the Great Barrier.
"Do it now, Jade," Emily whispered, her breath hitching in her throat. "If we don't cross this second, we'll never see our home again."
Jade's fingers trembled as she pulled the heavy, ornate ring from the hidden pocket of her robes. The Nine-Tailed Fox Prince's crest—a snarling fox with eyes of ruby—glimmered even in the dark. It felt heavy, not just with gold, but with the weight of her betrayal.
Emily's eyes widened as she looked at the artifact. "How did you even get it? Justin is the most powerful being in this realm... surely he would have noticed his own ring missing?"
Jade looked away, her heart twingeful. "Last night... when I was applying the medicine to his palm," she murmured, her voice thick with a mix of guilt and resolve. "He was so distracted... so focused on me. I slipped it from his finger while he was lost in the moment. He never noticed."
"You're a genius," Emily breathed. "Open it. Before the sun rises and they find us gone."
Jade stepped toward the shimmering wall of energy that separated the Fox Realm from the human world. She thrust the ring forward. The barrier groaned, the air vibrating with a low, humming frequency. Slowly, like a curtain being pulled back by invisible hands, a rift began to form.
They stepped through. The air on the other side felt different—heavier, more mundane. They were back in the human world. Jade turned around one last time. With a flick of her wrist, she signaled the barrier to close. As the rift narrowed, she looked at the royal ring—the only thing she had left of the man who said she was his everything.
With a determined breath, she threw the ring back into the Fox Realm. It vanished into the grass just as the barrier sealed shut with a final, echoing thrum.
"It's over," Jade whispered, though her chest felt strangely hollow.
The Stranger in the Mist
"Is it really over, ?"
A voice, smooth as silk and deep as an ancient well, drifted through the trees. Emily and Jade froze. Emerging from the shadows was a man who seemed to be made of starlight and moonlight.
"It's him!" Emily hissed into Jade's ear, her voice trembling. "The Eternal Man I told you about... the one who said you were trapped!"
Jade's eyes widened, her survival instincts kicking in. "The one who trapped her on the Heaven Prison? The one who betrayed her?"
"No," Emily stammered, staring at the man as he drew closer. "Wait... it's not him. This man... he's different."
The man stepped into a patch of clear moonlight, and even Jade found it hard to breathe. He wore a traditional white hanfu that seemed to glow from within, his long hair flowing like a river of silver. He was breathtakingly handsome, with a face that held the peace of the heavens and the mystery of the earth.
He smiled, a warm, genuine expression that made Emily's knees go weak. "So handsome..." Emily whispered. Jade immediately reached back and clamped her hand over her friend's mouth, her eyes wary.
"You helped your friend, just as you said you would, Emily," the man said softly.
Emily pulled Jade's hand away, her blush visible even in the dark. "I... I forgot to ask. What is your name?"
"I am Leo," he replied, his gaze shifting to Jade. It wasn't a cold gaze like Justin's, nor a suspicious one. It felt like sunlight on a cold morning.
Jade couldn't help it; despite her fear, a small, warm smile tugged at her lips. But the mystery remained. "Who are you really? How did you know I was in the Fox Realm? Are you... a spy for the Heaven Prince? Is this a trap?"
Leo chuckled, a sound like wind chimes. She must be thinking of Ryan, he thought to himself. "I am no spy, Jade. And I am certainly not working for the Heavens."
"Come with me," Leo said, his tone turning serious. "I have a sanctuary where the Fox Prince cannot find you. His reach is long, and his fury will be even longer once he realizes what you have taken—and what you have left behind."
Emily shook her head, grabbing Jade's hand. "No. We want to go back to our village. We're done with magic and princes."
Jade nodded. "How do we know you won't just throw us in another prison?"
Leo stepped closer, his presence commanding yet gentle. "I would never harm you. But you must understand... you don't know Justin like I do. He is a hunter by nature. He will find you wherever you hide in the human world. You will only be truly safe in my domain."
Jade hesitated, torn between the home she missed and the danger she had ignited.
"Trust me," Leo said, reaching out a hand. "I can keep you hidden."
Emily leaned into Jade's ear, whispering urgently. "Jade... I think he's telling the truth. He doesn't feel like the others. And besides... if he tries anything, we'll tear him to pieces, right?"
Jade looked at the path back to her village, then back at Leo's calm, glowing face. The memory of Justin's golden eyes flashed in her mind—angry, hurt, and relentless.
"Fine," Jade said, her voice steadying. "I will come."
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The transition from the human world to the BlueMoon Kingdom was not a journey of miles, but of magic. One moment, they were standing in the damp, dark woods of the mortal realm; the next, they were descending through a veil of sapphire clouds.
As the mist parted, a world of impossible beauty revealed itself. The sky was a permanent, velvety twilight, illuminated by a massive, glowing blue moon that hung low over a city carved from pearl and starlight. Cascading waterfalls of liquid silver fell from floating islands, and the air hummed with a frequency that felt like a distant, beautiful song.
Jade gasped, her voice a mere breath in the wind. "I... I have seen this place before. In my dreams, or somewhere in the fog of my memory..."
Leo chuckled, though his eyes remained observant. "That is impossible, Jade. No human has set foot in the BlueMoon Kingdom for a thousand years. Its borders are sealed by the tides of time itself."
Emily was speechless, her eyes wide as she spun around to take in the shimmering spires. "It's... it's like a fairy tale, but better."
The moment Jade's boots touched the crystalline soil of the kingdom, a jolt of energy shot through her. It wasn't the violent, sucking pain of the Fox Prince's orb, nor the cold bite of the Shaman's spells. It was a profound, radiant warmth—a feeling of coming home after a lifetime in the cold.
She pressed a hand to her chest, her heart beginning to beat in a strange, syncopated rhythm with the pulsing moon above.
"Jade? Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost," Emily asked, reaching out to steady her.
Jade shook her head slowly, her eyes unfocused. "It's nothing... just a sudden heat. I feel... light."
Leo watched her closely, a flicker of something—suspicion or recognition—crossing his handsome face. "Come," he said softly, gesturing toward the great palace of Pearl. "The deeper we go, the safer you will be."
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Deep within the heart of the palace, King Dylan sat in his private study. He was a man of quiet power, his presence as steady and cool as the moon he ruled. He was hunched over an ancient scroll, deciphering the prophecies of the bloodline, when the air in the room suddenly shifted.
The temperature rose. A scent like jasmine and ozone—the scent of a forgotten spring—filled the chamber.
Suddenly, Dylan let out a sharp intake of breath. Beneath his silk robes, the Silver Strike mark—a jagged, regal scar that ran across his chest—glowed with a fierce, blinding light. It burned against his skin, a searing reminder of a bond he thought had been severed by death and time.
He dropped the scroll, his fingers trembling as he touched his chest through the fabric. "What does this mean?" he whispered to the shadows. "The mark hasn't glowed since... since the Great Loss."
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In the royal gardens, Queen Irin was moving among the Lunar Lilies. Her grace was legendary, but her heart was a landscape of hidden scars. Beside her, Xizi, her loyal assistant and confidante, was busy gathering the petals for the evening's tea.
Irin reached for a bloom, but her hand stopped mid-air. A wave of warmth washed over her, so intense it brought tears to her eyes. It was a phantom sensation, like the ghost of a child's hug or a long-lost melody.
"Queen Irin?" Xizi asked, noticing the Queen's sudden stillness. "What is it? Is the scent too strong?"
Irin turned her gaze toward the palace gates, her expression one of haunting vulnerability. "I feel as though I've just found something I didn't even know I had lost, Xizi. A piece of my soul that was drifting in the dark... it just touched the light."
She dropped the flowers she had been plucking, the white petals scattering like snow on the grass. "I must go back inside," she said, her voice urgent. "Something has changed. Someone... someone has arrived."
As Irin hurried toward the palace, Jade was just entering the Great Hall, neither of them knowing that the mystery of Jade's blood was about to collide with the secrets of the BlueMoon throne.
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The Return of the Prince
The air inside King Dylan's private chamber was thick with the scent of ancient parchment and the cool, calming energy of the Blue Moon. When the heavy doors swung open, the golden light from the hallway spilled inside, illuminating Leo as he led Jade and Emily into the heart of the palace.
Jade felt a strange, magnetic pull toward the man sitting behind the massive obsidian desk. This was not the sharp, predatory aura of the Fox Prince; this was a steady, tidal power that commanded the room without raising its voice.
Leo stepped forward, his graceful posture shifting into a deep, respectful bow. "Greetings, Father. I have returned."
King Dylan stood, a wide, genuine smile breaking the regal gravity of his face. He looked at his son with unmistakable pride. "My son. I heard the news from the borders—you won the war. The northern tides are calm once more."
Leo let out a soft, humble chuckle, shaking his head. "I followed your guidance, Father. I could not have secured the victory without the training you gave me. The credit belongs to the crown."
Dylan laughed, a deep sound that vibrated through the stone walls. "Always too modest. You have the heart of a true King."
As the laughter faded, Dylan's sharp, silver eyes drifted toward the two girls standing awkwardly in the shadows. His smile didn't vanish, but his gaze became more analytical, searching. "And who are these two? I was not expecting company from the outer realms."
"They are my guests," Leo replied, his voice softening. He glanced back at them, encouraging them to speak. "This is Jade, and her friend Emily."
Jade felt her breath hitch as Dylan's eyes locked onto hers. For a split second, she felt that same internal warmth again—a flickering flame in her chest that seemed to dance in response to the King's presence.
Before Dylan could question them further, the doors burst open again. Queen Irin hurried into the room, her silk robes flowing behind her like a trailing cloud. She ignored everything else, her eyes fixed solely on Leo.
"Mother," Leo greeted her, but he barely got the word out before she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a fierce embrace.
"I knew it was you," she whispered, pulling back to cup his face with trembling hands. "I could feel the shift in the air the moment you crossed the border. My heart knew you were home."
Dylan stepped down from his royal dais, moving with a rugged grace. He reached out and pulled both his wife and son into a brief, powerful hug. "You've grown thin in the camps, Leo," Dylan remarked, his eyes twinkling with a mix of worry and humor.
Leo chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "The rations of a soldier are not quite the same as your royal banquets, Father."
Irin finally turned her attention to the guests. Her eyes, usually so calm, held a spark of intense curiosity as they landed on Jade. "And these lovely girls? Who are they, Dylan?"
Dylan stepped back, casting a playful, knowing look at his wife. He had noticed how Leo's posture changed when he stood near Jade—how he stood just a bit more protectively. "Leo's guests," the King replied simply, his voice hinting at a deeper suspicion.
Irin understood the look immediately. A soft, elegant smile graced her lips. "I see. And what are your names, dear ones?"
"I'm Jade," Jade said, her voice small but steady. She felt a strange urge to bow, but her legs felt like lead.
"Jade... a beautiful name for a beautiful girl," Irin said, her voice like music.
"And I'm Emily!" Emily added, her eyes darting around the room in awe. "Your palace is... well, it's a lot nicer than the Fox Realm, that's for sure."
The mention of the Fox Realm caused a momentary ripple of silence, but Irin quickly smoothed it over with a graceful wave of her hand.
"Dylan, they must be exhausted," Irin said, turning back to the King. "Traveling between realms takes a toll on the spirit."
"You are right," Dylan agreed. He gestured to the guards at the door. "Arrange the finest guest quarters. Ensure they have everything they need—food, silk, and rest."
Irin stepped forward, her eyes lingering on Jade with a look that felt almost like recognition. "Leave it to me, Dylan. I will handle the arrangements myself. I want to make sure our guests feel... truly at home."
As Irin led them out, Jade looked back one last time. She saw King Dylan watching her, his hand subconsciously touching the Silver Strike mark on his chest. She didn't know why, but she felt as though she wasn't just a guest in this kingdom—she was a missing piece of a puzzle they hadn't even started to solve.
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The Predator's Vow
The silence in the Fox Realm was never truly silent; it was a living thing, filled with the rustle of leaves and the whispers of spirits. But inside the Royal Wing, the air had turned stagnant and cold.
Justin stood before Jade's chamber door, his heart hammering a rhythm he refused to acknowledge as fear. He had spent the night pacing his own study, the revelation of her true identity gnawing at his soul. He needed to see her—to demand the truth, or perhaps, simply to see her face and quiet the storm in his chest.
He knocked. Once. Twice. The hollow sound echoed through the corridor, unanswered.
"Jade?" he called, his voice tight. "Open the door. We need to speak."
Silence.
With a flick of his wrist, a surge of golden energy erupted from his fingertips. The heavy oak doors didn't just open; they were flung wide, crashing against the stone walls. Justin stepped inside, his eyes scanning the bed, the balcony, the vanity.
The room was empty. The scent of her—faint jasmine and the lingering heat of the medicine she had applied to his hand—was still there, but the girl was gone.
"Prince Justin!" A servant girl named Daisy stumbled into the room, her face ashen and her hands trembling. "Prince... I went to check on the guest Emily. Her quarters... they are vacant. Her belongings are scattered. They are both gone!"
Panic, sharp and jagged, sliced through Justin's composure. "Where could they go?" he hissed, the shadows in the room lengthening as his power reacted to his agitation. "The barrier is absolute! No one leaves without my—"
"Prince!" A guard sprinted into the room, gasping for breath. He held out a piece of cloth, and resting in the center was the Nine-Tailed Fox Ring. "We found this... discarded near the eastern edge of the Great Barrier. The grass is scorched. Someone opened a rift."
Justin stared at the ring. The ruby eyes of the fox seemed to mock him. He picked it up, closing his eyes as he channeled his essence into the metal. In a flash of psychic imagery, he saw it: Jade's hand holding the ring, her face determined and cold, the barrier splitting open to let her through.
He opened his eyes. A slow, terrifying smirk spread across his face—a expression that held no warmth, only the thrill of the hunt.
"So, you used my heart to break my walls," he whispered, his voice dropping to a dangerous, feline growl. The smirk curdled into a mask of furious rage. "You think the human world can hide you? I will tear the realms apart to bring you back, Jade. And this time, there will be no mercy."
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Thousands of miles away, beneath the serene blue light of the BlueMoon Kingdom, the atmosphere was the polar opposite. The royal dining hall was a masterpiece of elegance, with crystal tables and plates of shimmering nectar-fruit.
Jade sat between Leo and Emily, surrounded by the warmth of King Dylan and Queen Irin. For a moment, she had felt safe. The food was delicious, and the conversation was light. But suddenly, a cold shiver—like an icy blade pressed against her spine—shot through her.
She could feel him. The bond, the ring, the lingering magic... she felt his fury echoing across the dimensions.
"NO!" Jade suddenly shrieked, slamming her hands onto the table. The crystal glasses rattled, and the room fell into a deathly silence.
Emily jumped, frantically tugging at Jade's sleeve. "Jade! What is it? You're white as a sheet!"
Jade was trembling, her eyes wide with a primal terror. "He knows," she whispered, her voice cracking. "He found the ring. He won't leave me... he's coming. He's coming for me."
King Dylan, Queen Irin, and Leo exchanged confused, worried glances. To them, the room was silent; they could not hear the frantic whispers between the two girls, nor could they feel the psychic tether Justin was currently pulling.
"Jade, dear?" Irin asked, reaching out a comforting hand. "Is the food not to your liking? You look as though you've seen a ghost."
Jade looked at the Queen's kind face, then at Leo's protective gaze. She wanted to tell them that a monster was stalking her, a prince with nine tails and a heart full of fire, but the words wouldn't come. She only knew one thing: the BlueMoon's walls were high, but Justin was a predator who didn't know how to stop.
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To be Continued.....
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