The echo of footsteps in the darkened corridor was the only sound that broke the silence. Jian Yu, still recovering from the brutal blow delivered by Kael's men, struggled to stay conscious. His hands were shackled, his body battered, and his spirit crushed under the weight of the betrayal.
The Embers—the ones he had trusted, the ones he had begged to help—had abandoned him without so much as a second glance. They had left him behind in the midst of chaos, leaving him to face the wrath of the Lords alone.
It was a bitter pill to swallow. Jian Yu had been an outcast once before, but never had he felt so utterly betrayed, so alone. He had always known that loyalty was a rare commodity in this world, but he had never imagined that the Embers, who had once welcomed him into their fold, would so readily discard him.
"Get up," a voice broke through his thoughts.
Jian Yu lifted his head, eyes bleary with the remnants of unconsciousness, to see a shadowy figure standing in the doorway. It was Gao Lin, the man who had watched over him during his brief time with the Embers. His face was unreadable, his expression cold.
"You've got one chance to prove you're still useful," Gao Lin said, his voice devoid of any sympathy.
Jian Yu clenched his fists. "What do you want from me?"
Gao Lin's lips curled into a faint smirk. "You're not worth much right now, but the Lords seem to think otherwise. They've decided to keep you alive. For now."
Jian Yu's heart sank. His mind raced—how much time did he really have? He had to escape, but first, he needed to know where Mei Lin was. If he couldn't get to her, if he couldn't rescue her, everything would have been for nothing.
Before he could ask, Gao Lin turned on his heel. "Come with me."
---
The journey through the dark, twisting halls of the Lords' stronghold felt like an eternity. Jian Yu was dragged through corridors lined with cold stone walls, his wrists raw from the chains that bound him. He wasn't sure whether it was the physical exhaustion or the crushing weight of his thoughts that made him feel so disconnected from everything.
Finally, they reached a small, sterile room. Gao Lin pushed him inside, slamming the door shut behind him.
The room was empty, save for a lone figure seated at a desk. The man looked up as the door opened, his face illuminated by the flickering candlelight. His features were sharp, cold—a perfect reflection of the power he wielded.
Lord Zhen.
Jian Yu's heart skipped a beat. He had never met the Lord of the Sun in person, but he had heard stories—whispers of a ruthless, calculating man who held the fate of the world in his hands. Lord Zhen was a god in the eyes of many, his power unmatched by anyone else.
"Well, well," Lord Zhen said, his voice smooth and unyielding. "The boy who thought he could change the world."
Jian Yu swallowed hard, trying to mask his fear. "I'm not here by choice."
Lord Zhen's lips curled into a slight smile. "No one is here by choice. But you're still breathing. That means you're worth something. Tell me, Jian Yu, what did you think you were going to achieve by allying with those… Embers?"
Jian Yu refused to show fear. He had nothing left to lose. "I believed they could help me. I thought we could end this war, end the reign of the Lords."
Lord Zhen chuckled darkly. "Idealism. It's what makes you weak." His gaze hardened. "But that's why you're still alive. You might have a use yet. What do you know about Mei Lin?"
Jian Yu's stomach tightened at the mention of her name. "What have you done to her?" he growled, anger flaring in his chest.
Lord Zhen raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm the one who captured her? She's far more valuable than you think, boy. She's a key piece in a much larger game."
Jian Yu's heart raced. He had to find a way to get to her. "Let me go. I'll bring you whatever you want. Just let her go."
Lord Zhen leaned back in his chair, studying him with cold amusement. "You'll find that I don't make deals out of mercy. You want her? Then prove your worth. Show me you have the strength to survive in this world."
Jian Yu clenched his fists, the weight of the situation sinking in. He had no choice. He had to find a way to escape, to survive long enough to rescue Mei Lin. But every second felt like a lifetime.
---
The sound of footsteps grew louder outside the door, and Gao Lin reappeared, his face impassive as ever. "It's time," he said. "You're needed for a task. Follow me."
Jian Yu's mind spun. A task? Was it another test? He didn't care anymore. He just had to survive long enough to rescue Mei Lin, to make everything right. But deep down, he knew this was no longer just a mission—it was a fight for his life.
Gao Lin led him down yet another dark hallway, stopping at a heavy door. He turned to Jian Yu, his face unreadable. "Whatever happens next, don't try to fight. You'll never make it out alive."
Jian Yu met his gaze, eyes full of fire. "I don't need to fight them. I'll fight my way out. You'll see."
As the door swung open, Jian Yu stepped into the unknown, his heart pounding. This was it—the point of no return. He had nothing left to lose.
---