ThemsuncastagoldenglowoverthevilgeasSukieandHanFenglingpreparedfortheday，sjourheyhadreceivedwordthattheDarkLord，sforcesweregatheringinanearbyregion，andtheyoscouttheareaandgatherintelligehevilgerswatchedthemwithamixofadmirationand，theirhopesrestingontheshouldersofthebraveduo.

        Astheysetout，theairwasfilledwiththestofbloomingflowersandthesoundofrustlingleaves.SukiewalkedbesideHanFengling，herheartbeatingwithamixtureofexcitementandtrepidation.Sheghim，hisstrongprofileoutlinedagainstthemlight，aasurgeofgratitudeforhisunwaveringpresence.

        ＂Areyoureadyforthis?＂HanFenglingasked，hisvoicegefilledwithresolve.

        Sukienodded，hereyesmeetinghis.＂AsreadyasI，lleverbe.Withyoubymyside，IfeellikeIfaything.＂

        Hesmiled，reagouttotakeherhand.＂We，llgetthroughthistogether，Sukie.Wealwaysdo.＂

        Theirjourookthemthroughdenseforestsandacrossrockyterrain，thendscapegingastheyventureddeeperiory.Thefurthertheywent，themoretheatmosphereshifted，beingdarkerandmoreforeboding.Thetreesseemedtocloseinarouheirbranchesreagoutlikeskeletalfingers.

        Astheywalked，Sukiecouldn，tshakethefeelingthattheywerebeingwatched.Shegncedoverhershoulder，buttherewasnothingthere.Justthewhisperofthewindaantcallsofunseeures.

        ＂HanFengling，＂shesaidsoftly，hervoigedwithunease.＂Doyoufeelthat?Likewe，rebeingfollowed?＂

        Hefrowned，hiseyessingthesurroundings.＂Yes，Isetoo.Weobecautious.＂

        Theytinuedonward，theirsensesheightened，everysoundandmovementputtingthemohetensioweenthemalpable，asilentuandingpassiweehattheyostayvigint.

        Astheynearedaclearing，Sukieheardarustlinginthebushes.Shetensed，herhandmovingtothehiltofhersword.HanFenglingpcedareassuringhandonhershoulder，histouchgroundingher.

        ＂Stayclose，＂hewhispered，hisvoicebarelyaudible.

        Theymovedforward，ingclosertothesourceofthesound.Suddenly，afigureburstfromtheunderbrush，stumblingandfallingattheirfeet.Itwasayounggirl，herclothestornanddirty，herfacestreakedwithtears.

        ＂Helpme，please，＂shebegged，hervoicetremblingwithfear.＂They，reing.＂

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