The rise&fall

The following morning, mist lingered over the outskirts of Maragi like a fading memory. The team gathered near the village well, packing supplies. Birds chirped weakly in the distance, as if even they were cautious to speak.

Huwue stood nearby, adjusting her satchel.

"I'll come with you," she said suddenly. "You're going to need more than luck."

Everyone turned.

Leeyang crossed his arms. "We don't even know you."

"I saved your loud friend from falling on his face yesterday," she said, nodding at Gogjen. "Doesn't that earn me a spot?"

"Not enough," Rangi replied, calm but firm. "We can't afford to take someone untested."

Gogjen gave her a half-smile. "Nothing personal. But we're already risking enough."

Huwue's smile faded, but she nodded. "Then at least answer one question."

Rangi tilted her head. "What?"

"How did you know we were looking for the Dragon Blade?" Rangi asked back, cutting to the point.

The blue-haired girl paused, then slowly looked up.

"You walk like warriors, but you carry the weight of something older. And your names... they're whispered in villages like mine. Stories spread faster than fire these days."

"So you heard rumors?" Leeyang asked, still skeptical.

"No," Huwue said. "I dreamed it. That you would come. That fire and storm would meet again."

Gogjen blinked. "Okay... that's either really helpful or really creepy."

Rangi gave a faint nod. "We'll take the insight. But not your help. Not yet."

They turned toward the village gate.

A rustle came from the woods.

Leeyang froze. "Hold on."

A twig snapped.

Rangi instinctively reached for her dagger. "Form up."

A blur burst from the trees. A figure, cloaked in shadow, lunged at them with inhuman speed.

Huwue moved like a flash of water, dragging Gogjen aside in one swift motion.

The attacker struck the ground where they'd been standing, sending up a shockwave of cracked stone.

Rangi clashed blades with the figure — sparks flew. His face was hidden behind a charred wooden mask.

"He's not from this village!" Leeyang shouted, drawing his blade.

"Obviously!" Gogjen yelped, scrambling to his feet. "Who sends assassins this early?!"

The masked attacker backed away briefly, analyzing them.

"He's testing us," Huwue hissed. "Not trying to kill — yet."

As if hearing her words, the figure vanished into the trees in a whirl of dust.

Silence returned. But the air felt wrong — like something ancient had awakened.

Rangi lowered her blade. "We're not alone anymore."

Leeyang looked at Huwue, who was already standing with her fists clenched. "You saved him."

"I told you," she said. "You're going to need more than luck."

Gogjen dusted off his robe and looked up at her, eyes wide. "Okay, you're in."

Rangi nodded. "We move at dawn. Don't fall behind."

Far above them, in the tree canopy, the masked figure crouched in silence — watching. Waiting.